Considering Lilies

Why do I worry when God has told me to simply seek Him? He didn't tell me to spin around and search for answers. He didn't say I would make a single step of progress by trying to figure it all out on my own. He simply said to seek Him first and everything else would fall into place; "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you". (Matthew 6:33)

Luke 12:27 reminds us to consider the lilies of the field and how they blossom so effortlessly and bloom so gracefully. God wants us to know that He loves us more than He loves the lilies, so how much more will He do for us? So much more. He is the answer to everything, regardless of what the situation might be. We can rest assured that we will find the direction we need when we seek Him first and spend time in His Word, learning all we can about our Father, His love for us and His promises to us. "He who promised is faithful". (Hebrews 10:23) ♥


~ Father, please help me to release my fears and worries to you now. I no longer need to search for answers anywhere but at Your feet. Please help me to seek You first each day, confident that as I do, You will make divine deposits into my life and give me the direction I so desperately need. Thank you for the answers I need today. I love you. In Jesus' name, Amen.~

Grace,
Marie

At His Feet

God is so merciful and compassionate. He watches over me when I am busier than ever; burning the candle at both ends, rushing here and there just to make it through the day, only to start it all over again the next. What would become of my life if I suddenly became still? What if I stopped long enough to catch my breath, and give God; my loving, caring Father my time? Am I willing to invest the time God has given me in the most important relationship there could ever be? God won't chase after me and demand my time. He will lovingly and patiently wait for me to give my time to Him. I want my time to be His time. I want to be still and know that He is God. I want to sit at His feet and take the time to know Him, love Him and be the daughter He wants me to be. ♥

In the Father's Love,
Marie

First Things First

First Things First

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121: 1-2

Whether I am overwhelmed by an oversized to-do-list, running out of time for a deadline or realizing there is no way to be two places at once, I am reminded that I am not alone without help. I have the supernatural support of a living God who wants to help me and lets me know that He does. He loves me and knows how much I can handle. He is very much aware of the hustle and bustles of everyday life, but He is not the author of chaos and confusion. He has given His children (us!) peace and rest. We often feel we are too busy to take time out for God and His Word, when that is the only way we are actually able to tackle our to-do-list, meet our deadline and be where we need to be when we need to be. Putting God first; there is nothing better and no more efficient way of getting the job done (and that is only one of the benefits!)

God's peace and rest to you!

Marie

Carry On

Jesus performed miraculous works throughout His earthly ministry. He healed the sick, raised the dead, encouraged others, and went through villages and marketplaces to comfort and teach people. He worked numerous wonders in His lifetime and was a positive light to so many. The incredible reality is that Jesus has instructed us to continue His work here on earth! He has given us the honor and the responsibility of proclaiming the message that God is Love. He is our Savior, our Healer and the lifter of our heads. We must go as Jesus said, to the lost and hurting world. Jesus is with us, so we never have to feel alone or afraid. Jesus also promises that the Holy Spirit will be our guide and will empower us as we continue His ministry.

There is no need to wait for the “right” time to minister to others. There are opportunities all around us everyday to carry on and continue greater things, and when we take the first step, Jesus will be faithful to lead us and walk with us all the way. "Anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these." John 14:12

In His love,
Marie

Faith and Walks in the Wilderness

Before I can achieve victory in my everyday life, there is a vital weapon I cannot win without - faith. Matthew 17:20 says, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." God does not expect me to be teeming with faith. He simply asks that I take the next step toward believing He can do that which I ask in my time of need. It is the smallest morsel of faith that moves God in every situation because it is what pleases Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 1:6. I cannot expect God to move on my behalf when I beg and plead with Him in desperation. He already knows my situation and how badly I need a miracle. I can ask Him, thank Him and have faith that He will do a mighty work in me and for me. He loves me and delivers me, yet He allows me to go through walks in the wilderness. If I didn’t, I would be a weak, useless soldier in His army.

Be strong and blessed!
Marie

Juniper in the Desert

God is omnipotent. The first time I ever heard those words, I learned that He was everything I would ever need; everything. God encompasses all things; there is nothing left out. The dictionary defines omnipotent as all-powerful, possessing complete, unlimited, or universal power and authority. God has the final word. The world can be falling apart around me, but God is in control. He always has been. He always will be. God is omnipresent. He is everywhere; continuously and simultaneously throughout all creation! He is present all the time, in all places. Why do I worry if God is omnipotent and omnipresent? Fear and doubt accomplish nothing but good toward the enemy and anything but good for me. What if I surrender completely to God and His omnipotence?

Would it be possible for me to trust Him completely and remain still, resting in His care, no matter what? Would I truly believe that He would tread down my enemies and allow me to live valiantly as Psalm 60:12 so encourages? There is a place; a secret place where I can go to find refuge and safety in the One who protects me with the strength of a fearless lion, yet is as gentle as a lamb, providing me with serenity and peace, even in a storm.

Like the strong and tenacious juniper tree, I want to thrive in the desert. Like the rare tree that grows through rock, without water, twisted and without direction, living and blooming in barren landscape, I want to flourish where God plants me. Even if I am tired, afraid and burdened, even when there seems to be no way, I want to push through the rock and reach for all God has for me. The unique juniper tree had purpose. In all its' imperfections, God used it. He created it to be different from the other trees for a reason; He used it as a place of refuge, "He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him." 1 Kings 19:5. God, in His omnipotent power, is the source of my strength, joy, peace, hope and love. When I seek Him, praise Him, trust Him and take refuge in Him, I will find ways in which He will use me and become like a juniper in the desert.

Bloom and be blessed!
Marie