Day 12.

Thank You for helping me to reframe my mind. Thank You for constantly bringing me peace when I feel overwhelmed. Thank You for revelation when reading Your word. Thank You for helping me to feel hopeful in a seemingly hopeless situation. Thank You for an extra dose of patience when dealing with the struggles of raising my son on my own. Thank You for the time I'm able to spend with Him. Thank You for completely changing my outlook on his "nagging" and constant need for attention. Thank You for His health. Thank You for everything you've done, everything you're doing, and everything that I have to look forward to. Keep me rooted in You! Keep me focused. Keep me humble. Thank You for the wait. Please don't let me miss the lessons in this all. Thank You for Your strength. Thank You for Your favor.

No matter what, help me to press on! Help me to keep the zeal. Help me to get back up when I fall. Help me to cast down EVERY single thought of negativity. 

Thank You for my life. The good. The bad. And the not so pretty. Just simply...THANK YOU! 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Day 8.

Keep Fighting 

Today was such a great reminder that although the enemy is definitely real, GOD and His power is SO much more real. 

Instead of Pastor Raley preaching today, there was a little skit presented that emphasized on the scripture that he read. 

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This also just makes me think about the verses 

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sometimes we don't even realize just how the enemy is trying to ruin us. We get so down and don't even want to fight back. I was reminded today that even at your absolute lowest, God is still able to make a complete turn around in that situation. 

Praying that we continue to call on God even when we feel defeated. Even when it looks like we've messed up too badly. The enemy would love for you to stay in a slump. He would love for you to stay down and out. He would love for you to turn from God instead of running to Him. DON'T give into His plan. No matter how many times you fall or make the same mistake over and over, don't allow that to make you feel like you can't go back to God because you've already asked for forgiveness in that area. 

God is so gracious and that's the beautiful thing about His UNCONDITIONAL love! So get back up! Get out of that slump! Get your fighting gloves back on and stop running! With God on your side, YOU ARE NOT DEFEATED!! 

Day Six.

Help me to truly trust you IN SPITE OF.

Day 3

God's wisdom

Today I was reminded in so many ways how awesome and just plain above average that God is. His way of thinking and how He orchestrates things is so not how we in our "logical" human ways would even consider thinking or doing when it comes to certain situations. 

I have Proverbs 3:5-6 taped on my wall and today I read it over and over and got so much MORE revelation on the verse. I thank God for HIS WORD because when we truly are able to grasp the depth of it, gosh it's sooooo life changing. 

Within that verse it says "and lean not to your own understanding"! I'm beginning to realize exactly why we are given this instruction. It takes me back to “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 When you think about it, how many times have you just had to completely be like "okay Lord, I'm trusting YOU in this situation because from what I see and how I'm envisioning this to turn out....ummmm this could be a disaster." It's so awesome to see how He completely turns a situation around. Or how He perfectly orchestrates something in a way that you never would have thought of it happening. 

He's so awesome and I'm learning that He REALLY does have my best interest at heart. He created the Earth. Like come on. We can barely even cook certain things without a recipe. Or put together a certain craft without STEP BY STEP instructions. He was able to just create and speak things into existence. Like wow! Why is it so hard for us to trust such a MIGHTY man? 

I'm praying that we all really start to see his power in ALL that we do and experience. Constantly pray for HIS wisdom because it's far more average than our simple minded and in the box thinking. Praying that we continue to intentionally try and see him in EVERYTHING! Reminders of Him are everywhere. 

I want to share this article with you. Now tell me that this isn't TOTALLY God's design and his wisdom behind this. So amazing. Thank You Lord! 

http://all-natural.com/food-pharmacy/

Day Two.

H O P E.

In spite of your situation, will you still believe? Will you still trust that good can come out of a seemingly bad situation? Will you wait in expectation of GREAT THINGS no matter what? 

I want His way over mine. 

I want His route vs my short cut.

I want His gifts over my material things. 

I want His plans vs my "bright ideas."

"Sometimes in our impatience, we start to take matters into our own hands." 

Lord help us to never lose hope! Help us to trust YOUR WORD in spite of what the natural eye sees. Help us to wait on you and your guidance in good cheer. Give us a sound mind in the midst of all the distractions and chaos. When our physical body grows tired, renew our strength. Help us to continue to burn with passion to always choose your way over ours even if it's completely different from our fleshly desires. 

Whenever we start to believe the lies of the enemy, remind of us your promises and truth. Remind us that we aren't in this alone and that we have YOU rooting for us all the way to the finish line. 

 

Day One.

Today has been pretty swell. I started my morning with 11am service at Calvary. Love that church so much. The message was so on point. I decided that I would go out and find a random place to just walk around and marvel at God's beautiful creations. With so much darkness in the world, often times we forget to see all the beauty and light that surrounds us! I went to Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens in Port Orange. It was so beautiful. Being intentional about finding the beauty, the joy, the peace, the comfort, the love, just the positive things period is something that I'm determined to do. 

I want to be able to see the GOOD in everything. Even in what looks bad in the natural eye. 

Thank you Lord for your beautiful beautiful creations. Such an awesome reminder that you're so AMAZING and that even in the midst of the darkness, there's always a ray of light. 

“O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

10.18.15

 Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens

Port Orange, FL. 

His unconditional L O V E.

To truly grasp the concept of how much you truly love me seems so hard to do at times.
No matter how bad I mess up or how hard I fall, you still welcome me back with open arms.
You long for me to spend time with you. You listen no matter what time of the day I call on You.
You protect me even when I neglect the thought of protecting myself.
You guide me into the unknown and stick with me every step of the way.
You comfort me at my lowest and lift me back up.

How could a man like you love such a wretched woman like me?
You're so perfect and I'm such a mess at times, but still you love me flaws and all.

Your unconditional love is amazing. Thank You for loving me and thank you for the promise that NOTHING can ever separate me from Your sweet sweet love.