The going gets tough...

Life. is. hard.

Sometimes, the going gets tough. Does that mean you can opt out of your situation? Just throw your hands up and quit? Blame your circumstances on, well, circumstance? NOPE.

God has a plan...you might not see it right now; maybe He's only showing you one step at a time...enough light to see one foot forward (or one inch or one millimeter!). But He wants you to take the next step in faith. What is he calling you to do?

...And the tough gets going?

Is he calling you to move? Maybe a new job or a new city?
Is he calling you to work harder where you are?

Maybe he's telling you to be content.
Maybe, just maybe, he's saying...WAIT.

Waiting is hard. We want to DO and GO, and sometimes that's what God is telling us. But other times, He's telling us to stop...wait...listen.

     Be still and know that I am God.

Yep...sometimes it's the being still that allows us to know God more.

While you're waiting (or moving or stepping carefully), listen for God's voice. His is the only one that you need. You'll get plenty of advice (sometimes asked for, sometimes not) from plenty of people (sometimes well-meaning, sometimes not). But most importantly, listen for GOD'S voice.

Maybe it will be in the roar of the winds of change...
Or maybe it will be in the still small voice in the whisper of the quiet.

How do you know what God's voice sounds like? How can we discern it from the noise of this world?

Think about this...how do you know your earthly father's or mother's voice? What about that of your daughter or son? Your spouse or best friend? How do you know these voices?

Spend time with God. You'll learn His ways and His will as you commune with Him. You'll be able to better discern His voice and you'll be ready to HEAR when God SPEAKS.

And if you are waiting for an answer from God, in the mean time - live obediently. Don't squander this time just because you are waiting. God has told us how to live:

LOVE HIM AND LOVE OTHERS.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us."

~Romans 8:37

(By the way, look back at verse 35 to see why this verse starts with "no.")

Does this thing work?

(This is an excerpt from my journaling today).

Testing...testing...does this thing work? This pen? How about prayer? Neither have been used in a long time. Why?

The pen, well, it sits in an out-of-the-way place and I don't look at it much, despite the fact that it's a great tool and works wonderfully - as seen here!

Prayer is much the same. It's tucked away deep in my soul and I forget about it. Even though it's an amazing tool and...wait, does prayer work?

I guess it depends on your definition of prayer and of "work".

Does praying for everything I want lead to getting all of it? If that's your definition, then NO, prayer doesn't work - not like that!

Does prayer always give an immediate answer? NOPE.
Do you always see an answer to every prayer? NO - even the ones that line up with scripture and what you think are His desires.

PRAYER DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.

BUT, if your definition of how prayers works includes being drawn into a closer relationship with the Almighty, then YES, prayer works.

If your definition includes being completely honest and open with the Heavenly Father, knowing He will listen and love - YES, prayer works.

If prayer is a tool that helps you love the unlovable (as you pray for them only in God's strength) - YES, prayer works!!!

If your definition includes a time to just be still and listen to the Lord of Lords and King of kings - knowing that His ways are higher - YES, prayer works!

If prayer is a kick-start to your day in the morning and a thankful conclusion in the evening, and scattered "praying always" prayers throughout the day, then YES, prayer works.

AND, if prayer is defined as a time to realign who you are with who God wants you to be, then YES, PRAYER WORKS LIKE THAT!

O Father in heaven, Your Name is Holy!

You are the Everlasting and yet, 

you listen to me...

you invite me into your presence.

Lord, help me to remember what this time is for;

it's not about me.

It's about YOU and Your kingdom and Your will.

I pray for enough grace to get me through today.

Give me what You want me to use today.

Show me Your Will for today.

Father, forgive me for my disobedience,

for my unbelief,

for my lack of faith and trust in You, my God.

Savior, Redeemer, Lord,

everything is for Your Glory.

Amen.

Francine Rivers Contest! :)

Check it out!

Francine Rivers Complete Library Giveaway~!

I would love to win a bunch of books!

New Design!

I was feeling creative tonight, so I hope you enjoy the new design!

If you don't know the story behind the song, "It is well," click here. This is the inspiration for my new theme!

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
                                 ~Isaiah 43:2

INTENTIONAL

Tonight's Bible study was focused on Matthew 6:1-15, and the word "intentional" kept creeping into the conversation. We should be intentional about giving to the needy, intentional about prayer, intentional about forgiveness.

It's so true. How much gets done on a non-intentional basis? Sure, there are those spur-of-the-moment things that just happen. (But even then, isn't God still being intentional???)

So, I think that this intentionality goes perfectly with my Simple Obedience series. And it ties into one particular area of simple obedience that I still struggle with every day: PRAYER.

Prayer should be intentional. And we should pray for intentionality in our actions! Psalm 5:3 was also shared tonight:

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation.

We should intentionally lay our requests before God and intentionally expect Him to answer. Ask and you shall receive.

When did David pray? IN THE MORNING. A fitting start to the day, right? If we start with intentional prayer, the rest of our day is intentionally focused on our intentional Lord.

I am continually amazed at the strength that comes from prayer -

intentionally seeking God

intentionally spending time in the stillness

intentionally listening for His voice

How can I be more intentional? O, let me count the ways...