I lost my dog of 14 years yesterday. It was a very tough day. She had developed a malignant tumor and other cancers had invaded her lungs. We were optimistic at first; the doctor thinking he could remove the tumor and she would be ok. But the radiologist read the x-ray, and our decision to end her life became inevitable.
I've never been in this situation, and at the time, it felt like I was playing God.
As I write today, although my heart still hurts from the loss of Lexi, I see this being a part of God's plan for my life.
I see God moving and making me ready to use me and my husband in a mighty way. Part of me wants to take a sneak peak and see what my future holds. But, I have faith and a trust in God to take me to my next chapter.
Yes, loss of a pet is hard, but I have to remember the good times she gave me. The unconditional love of a pet is something everyone should experience. No matter what happens, they're always there to greet you when you get home.
Loss is hard, but God is good.
Genesis 1:30 - “And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.”
There have been times in my life where it is very clear what God is doing in my life, and then there are times that I'm saying, "I don't understand this God."
I can look back on my life and see many times where God stepped in and kept me from a calamity; saved me from a horrible car crash, and prevented me from getting an opportunity that was not good for me. So, I know that God sees me. I know that he hears my cries at night. I know that He is for me and not against me.
That's why I can rest in the promises He has made me. I can wait for the answers that He will give me.
Take time today to rest in His promises. Realize that no matter what comes your way today, God's got this!
Proverbs 4:12 - "When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble."
We were not meant to build our faith on our own strength. Think about that for a moment. The strength that we have comes from God alone. We can accomplish nothing on our own. Believe me, I've tried in the past. We all think we can get out of situations with our own initiatives but it never works.
Our faith takes root in our lives when our minds and hearts are fixed on God. The Word of God is like a seed planted in our hearts that produces faith as it begins to grow within us.
Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls as we read the Word of God. This faith will mature as we saturate our minds with His Word.
Stay in the Word; build your faith daily by reading scripture; asking the Holy Spirit to fill your soul.
Romans 10:17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ"
This last week, I watched my daughter give birth to her first baby and bring him home. This was an exciting time for us all, and I feel so blessed to be a part of this event.
I was amazed at the sacrifices my daughter gave as she cared for the baby, on little or no sleep for several days. She does this because of her love for that baby boy.
Some of us make menial sacrifices every day; without thanks or recognition. That's good; it's called serving and giving to others, without expecting anything in return.
When was the last time you intentionally sacrificed something for God? Give your time today to someone; cancel the massage or the movie night, and serve someone in need.
Sacrifice; surrender to God's agenda for your life.
John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Have you ever asked God to use you in a mighty way?
I did a little over a year ago, and boy did He come through! What I wasn't thinking about, or expecting, was that in order for God to use me, He will need to break me first.
I had signed up for my first mission trip and was so excited that God could somehow use me in the mission fields. Just a few days after signing up, my world fell apart.
The good news is that God picked me up; my faith strengthened beyond anything I could have ever imagined on my own; and He carried me through the most crippling walk of my entire Christian walk.
The better news is that I used this brokenness and turned it into my victory, by writing my first book called, "Mission Possible."
God brought someone that was broken and turned my story into something beautiful!
The point I want to stress or bring to light is that my God is real; He's here with me; He can change everything.
My book was written to bring God glory; to show others how when God steps in, everything changes.
Brokenness has the power, unlike anything else, to bring forth new beauty, strength and inspiration to others.
Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
We all want to change in certain areas of our life. When we become a Christian, God changes our life, internally and externally. This means that we now live for His pleasure and His glory, not our own.
Many of us realize and accept that God changes us, but do we also change our lifestyle?
I think some of us are scared that if we allow God to come into our lives that He will change things that we don't want Him to.
Allow God to change the way you think. A Christian lifestyle should never become a list of rules. To live as a Christian requires having the character of Christ. A transformation must occur, as a result of the Holy Spirit's indwelling.
Invite God into every part of your life, and let Him change you. Allow Him to alter your lifestyle so that the things of this world that used to look appealing, no longer are; and, the things of God are what you desire.
Those who live the Christian lifestyle live a confident life on the inside and outside.
Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
Faith is an integral part of the Christian life.
What does faith look like for those who are Christians? Faith begins when a person chooses an object in which to trust. Christian faith is about trust. It is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Faith requires bold action in the face of uncertainty. My faith was challenged last year in an extremely difficult situation. And through it all, even though my faith was challenged, I kept adamant about my trust in God. I knew that without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter what life threw at me, I was standing on the promises of God.
This trust and action of faith must be accompanied by deliberate loyalty. Faith in Christ demands the endurance of hard times.
You see, I hold this unshakeable belief that one day I will inherit eternal life with God. That's how I can endure hard times and have faith in the unseen; my God is always in control.
I hope others can see the faith that my actions show, especially in difficult situations.
Show others your faith today!
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
The more we understand God's character, the more we will be like Him; thus hating those things that are contrary to His Word and nature.
Evil abounds in this world and it's getting worse. I used to hear about hate crimes and wars happening in other countries, but when it is now happening more and more in the United States where I live, it hits home.
Hatred is a poison that destroys us from within; it produces bitterness that eats away at our hearts and minds.
Hate is also a seed that will only grow if we don't control it. Hatred stirs up conflict, but love conquers all.
Reach out to those who you see that are hurting. Show love to those who are lost and lonely.
Love as Jesus loves. The more we love, the more we push out hatred.
1 John 3:15 - "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in Him."