Hi Shiny friend,
It's amazing how God infiltrates our moment by moment days with lessons and sweet take-aways if we allow Him the space. More than ever, I am convinced that He just wants to whisper to us in the simplest forms of communication...through a fallen flower on the sidewalk, a rock shaped like a heart put in our path, or witnessing a breathtaking sunrise on a morning we had no intentions of rising so early.
It’s hard to deny: God is in the daily. He is in the moment. He is in the minute and the second.
As I awakened this morning to pull the curtains back in my bedroom, I felt the radiant warmth of the sun breaking from behind the hills. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. What a tangible reminder that today, in that moment, was the fresh start to yet another day. The slate of yesterday, last week, last year, and even a lifetime had been whitewashed. Whether past days were filled with good or bad, blessing or curses, all had been wiped clean and left back in time.
The heat upon my face not only reminded me of the promises and hope of this new day, but also the everlasting radiance we will soak in as we spend eternity in the presence of our mighty God. Who are we that He would choose us, these broken people, to keep Him company for all eternity?... that He would desire to display His beauty and treasures with us?.. that He would share His extravagant heavenly places with us?
Make no mistake, this morning you may have awakened to achy knees, a new blemish gracing your face, or you may even be confined in some way, but you won't always live in this condition. You will one day receive a perfect, immortal body! We won't always fight down lies of fear, failure, and loneliness. We will live in perfect peace and true, everlasting joy. God adored us too much to leave us in such a sorry state for all eternity..."He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!; Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.' Revelation 21:5 (NIV) WOW - we are loved.
No matter what condition you found yourself in this morning upon rising, know that you are incredibly treasured. Take those words and let them permeate your mind, your heart, and your life! God cherishes you so much that He never sleeps - He keeps perfect watch over you, guides and provides for you, and paints unique, captivating sunrises and sunsets for you each day.
Regardless of how yesterday played out, trust in Him TODAY to be your everything. Lean on Him when you feel weak AND when you feel strong, for He is always there as your rock. “My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me...” 2 Samuel 22:3 (NLT) Remember that Christ has your very best in mind and knows your every need and heart's desire. If you seek Him first, He will take care of the rest. Matthew 6:33-34 (TNIV)
If you are blessed today, even for a moment, to receive a touch of the sun on your skin, let it remind you of the overtaking love of God and help you set your eyes and intentions on Him. May the heat permeate your heart and be a reminder that every moment holds the opportunity of a new day with God. Throw your cares, worries, and even your triumphs toward Him; He will catch and know what to do with them every time. (Psalm 55:22) All you have to do each second is focus on soaking in God’s love, loving Him and others in return, and shining for Jesus wherever you go...
Basking in New Mercies,
Katie Marie
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
MYSTERIOUS WAYS...
Have you ever reacted to a situation or person and wondered what on earth you were thinking? Did you analyze yourself backward and forward, trying to seek better understanding of your reaction, only to become more confused? Isn't it a horrible feeling to realize you don't always understand yourself, much less the reasons you do the things you do? Thank goodness God knows us better than we could ever know ourselves, and more importantly, He loves us...quirks, knee-jerk reactions, and all.
"He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." Romans 8:27-28 (MSG)
If you are anything like me, you're not only baffled by your own ways, but also by the plans of God. His methods and motives are certainly different from ours. I think about this often and am coming to the place of thanking Him for His higher and more perfect ways - even when I really don't feel like it.
But what if each of us who live this life of faith could just immediately rest our thoughts of question and puzzlement in the hands of God? What if our first instinct was to TRUST that His ways are perfect and everything’s going to work out in the end? In theory that sounds fabulous, but it’s a true battle when the rubber of our faith hits the road of life.
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)
I cannot fathom the rhythm to God's rhymes and often can't make sense of my own, but just the other day something occurred to me. I was suddenly so thankful to remember that He is a God who not only carefully lays out each of His plans, but also has absolute understanding concerning His decisions. God's sovereignty cannot be denied and is even painful at times, but what a silver lining in the storm clouds to be reminded that His motivations are always pure, His ways are truly perfect, AND He understands every detail of them! Oh my, are they detailed...
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 (NSV)
It is clear in life and in the Bible: God's ways are not our own. They are impossible to wrap around and much too high to grasp. Though we cannot reach them, may each of us who loves Christ be encouraged to know that His blueprints are carefully spread out in the heavenlies and each facet of them makes absolute sense to Him. Today, more than ever before, may we rest in this comfort and choose to be thankful for our God's mysterious ways...
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)
Baffled But Smiling,
Katie Marie
"He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." Romans 8:27-28 (MSG)
If you are anything like me, you're not only baffled by your own ways, but also by the plans of God. His methods and motives are certainly different from ours. I think about this often and am coming to the place of thanking Him for His higher and more perfect ways - even when I really don't feel like it.
But what if each of us who live this life of faith could just immediately rest our thoughts of question and puzzlement in the hands of God? What if our first instinct was to TRUST that His ways are perfect and everything’s going to work out in the end? In theory that sounds fabulous, but it’s a true battle when the rubber of our faith hits the road of life.
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)
I cannot fathom the rhythm to God's rhymes and often can't make sense of my own, but just the other day something occurred to me. I was suddenly so thankful to remember that He is a God who not only carefully lays out each of His plans, but also has absolute understanding concerning His decisions. God's sovereignty cannot be denied and is even painful at times, but what a silver lining in the storm clouds to be reminded that His motivations are always pure, His ways are truly perfect, AND He understands every detail of them! Oh my, are they detailed...
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 (NSV)
It is clear in life and in the Bible: God's ways are not our own. They are impossible to wrap around and much too high to grasp. Though we cannot reach them, may each of us who loves Christ be encouraged to know that His blueprints are carefully spread out in the heavenlies and each facet of them makes absolute sense to Him. Today, more than ever before, may we rest in this comfort and choose to be thankful for our God's mysterious ways...
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)
Baffled But Smiling,
Katie Marie
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