Trust God with your whole heart, for all things!

Alaska is a special place. I'm not sure whether it's the amazing scenery, or whether it's the people from all over that you meet...but God is there. He is everywhere. But for some reason, Alaska is just special.

I have just been reminded, that God is completely trustworthy.
So often I find myself worrying or concerned about whether I can do things financially, or how little money I have, or with things in the ministry as well...but God's Provision in my life, is a huge testimony. And i always seem to forget this...that God will always provide, He always has, and that will never change. and I have every reason to completely trust Him and to not worry, one single bit. When I am in need, He supplies all my needs. And not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. He refreshes. He is enough.

Psalm 104. Talks bout God's mightyness, but as well how He has provided for all the beasts, and for man and for His creation. He is the Creator. He has provided land for the water to run, for the beasts to drink and grass to eat and fields to cultivate for man and to work. Everything seeks their food from Him. Are we seeking our needs from Him or are we worrying and trying to do it on our own? The Bible tells us numerous times, to not worry about anything. and yet so many of us, do it the majority of our days. GOD IS FAITHFUL! and TRUSTWORTHY!

If He provides for the animals, birds...He will provide for us. Because He is long-suffering, He is merciful, He is gracious, He is faithful, He is full of love towards us. So trust Him. and do not worry.

Who's side are you on? Your side, or God's?!

Commitment

bearing with others…also means being commited to them.

as one who has always seemed to have an issue with commitment…i have been challenged even mentally to stand by to what and who I have committed to.

Commitment means, no matter the cost, you stand by who and what you have committed to.

Hold Your Head Up High

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13

I hate any kind of exercise. Even the simplest thing as walking…is a trial for me. But last week, I felt motivated twice. Got up purposely to go on about a 3 mile walk. I must walk funny, or not right, becaue I am always in pain when I walk. My shins and my feet hurt when I walk. So I start my walks out, quite frustrated and angry and in pain. Asking God to take the pain away. hah But by the end of the walk, I am feeling great. (which probably should make it all worth it!)

During one of these walks, I noticed that I tend to walk with my head hung low. I watch the road and my feet. I don’t look ahead, or hold my head up. But by the end of the walk, im looking ahead and my head is up. I feel like we can relate this spiritually as well.

I think when we are in those moments of life where life hurts…its hard, we are struggling, we are in pain…we tend to really hang our head….and when life is good, or we are really trusting in the LORD and confident in Him, our heads are definately held high.

WE HAVE NO REASON TO HANG OUR HEADS.
as children of God, we should always be looking up. No matter what pain or struggle we are in, we never have a reason to look down or to hang our heads.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so cloesly, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endure the cross, despising the sahme and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Bear With One Another

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (how?), with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…” Ephesians 4:1-3

Falling in love with the book of Ephesians. It is so rich, as is the rest of the Word of God. But Eph 4 is my new fav. And the idea of bearing with one another IN LOVE…something has seemed to click and stick with me.

We cannot escape people. No matter how often you may lock yourself away, people will still find you and bother you. It is basically a guarantee. And we will forever be with people. Even in eternity. So, we need to learn to bear.

I use to always think that bearing with one another meant bear with the people who annoy you. we all get annoyed. I have quickly learned, bearing, means so much more than being annoyed.
We need to bear with people, when they have hurt us, when they ARE hurting us, when they are living in sin, in their mistakes, in their hurt, their struggle, their annoyances….etc. Bearing with one another, is showing people love, and grace and mercy no matter what they have done to us, or what they are doing to us at the moment in time. Bearing with one another, has no selfishness in it. It is all selfLESS.
As Christians, I feel we are terrible at bearing with one another in love. and I think the reason is, we forget to look to Christ. We forget how much Christ has bore, and does bear with us.

Ephesians 1:3, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. We have everything we need. We have been blessed…with an abundance of grace, mercy, patience, peace, love, kindness, gentleness….so what makes us think that we can get away with not bestowing upon others what has been so bestowed upon us ?!
In the midst of our sin, our mess ups, our failures, our hurt, us hurting others, Jesus bears with us. He bears so much, that he actually died for us.

Surely in honor and to glorify Jesus and what He has done we can bear with others right?!

What it looks like for you, may be different than what bearing looks like for me. I know for me…its not complaining about others. It’s embracing them, and engaging in conversation and prayer. My prayer is that God’s Children will have a heart to bear with each other, and be united.

“…There is one body and on Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6