There is a God....

Believe it or not, there is a God. I know this because the Bible, the Word of Truth, declares it is so. I know this, because I can look all around me and see His handiwork in creation. But most of all I know this, because I have seen how He works in a life. And most importantly...I have seen how He works in my life. And that blows me away. You may or may not believe in God, but that's ok. You don't have to believe in the truth in order for it to be true. It's just true, whether you believe it or not. But let me tell you why I believe there is a God and how I have seen Him work in my life.

My parents got divorced when I was about 10. As a single parent raising two kids, my mom struggled. My Nana and Poppy helped out when they could, but things were still tight. My mom did her best and got a job, but the bills still kept stacking up and there were times when we couldn't pay them all. Our church helped out a lot and for that I am truly thankful. I know God used people to reveal Himself to us during those days. And sometimes we didn't know who it was. I remember having very little food in the house and being very creative with what we had. I can still take almost anything and whip something together today. There wasn't much money for groceries. One day my mom came home to a bag full of groceries on the front door. No note, no letter. Just a bag of groceries. We have no idea who gave it to us. Another time someone anonymously gave us money in an envelope to use for groceries. These people were the hands of God and it's because of these acts, I know there is a God. He was showing Himself to us through these selfless acts of others. It was when we were at an all-time low that the Lord kept showing up and providing for our needs. We didn't have much, but I never went hungry. I was never without clothes and I was never without shelter. Because MY God provides for our needs and He reveals Himself to us in all kinds of ways; many times using others to be His hands and feet.

So you can judge for yourself whether you believe there is a God or not. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, because we know the truth: that there is a God and you can see glimpses of Him if you just look. And He can use even you to be His hands and feet to a lost and dying world.

Be Anxious for Nothing

Worry and Stress. These two words define a lot of people's lives in the day in which we live. And yet the Lord calls us in Philippians 4:6-7 to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." I know this verse by heart, but it is very hard for me to live out. Sure I bring things to the Lord in prayer, but it's like I only bring them halfway. I pray about things and still hold onto them myself to worry about them. The biggest area I struggle with is when it comes to finances and jobs. During the time of looking for a job, I get worried when something doesn't show up right away and I fret over my finances. But God always brings a job in His perfect timing. You know what I am realizing more and more? That we often spend way too much time worrying about the things of this world, and these things will pass away. We spend far less of our time concerning ourselves about the eternal. Last night when I was reading my devotional a Max Lucado quote struck me. It states "I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal." I asked myself do I let the things of this world, the things that will rot, rule me over the eternal? Sadly, a lot of times the answer is yes. 

I have a long way to go with working on not worrying and just letting God take control of things. Because...newsflash, He is in control. The more I try to fight that and the more things I try to take control of myself, the more miserable I will be. However, I am definitely not where I used to be in this area. I worried myself sick, literally. I believe I get it honest (from my mother) and maybe just from my human nature, but that is not who I am anymore. I still worry sometimes and struggle with letting God take control, but I am not in that dark place I was in a few years ago. With God's grace, I am free from that type of worrying and I am continuing to work on that area in my life. The Lord is not done with me yet and I am so grateful He continues to work on me. 

Next time you start to worry, perhaps you can do what I have started to do. Recite Philippians 4:6-7 to yourself. I challenge you to memorize it. It always reminds me that I need to bring things before the Lord in prayer with a thankful heart, because when I do this, He gives me peace. The peace He gives is like nothing the world has; it far surpasses anything the world has to offer. There is tremendous peace in letting go and letting God take control, because He is in control but He is a gentleman. He won't take something we are not willing to give. Instead of wrestling with our flesh and Spirit over it, we should just let go and let Him handle it. Trust me...He does a much better job than we could ever do. And if you are a born-again believer in Christ, you will be plain miserable if you hold on to things that you are supposed to hand over to Him. Experience a life of joy and tremendous peace by letting go and practicing being anxious for nothing.