Where Did You Find God Today?

You lead me in the path of life. I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight. Psalm 16:11

What are you facing on your trek in this life? Is it a TRAIL or a TRIAL up ahead?

Often we do not know, but our attitude may hold a clue. It is all where we place the A and the I. That makes the difference. You see, it is a matter of perspective. Do we spend the most time concentrating on our will (I) or our LORD’s will (Almighty.) Do our prayers concentrate on “Lord, will you do this for me today?” – or – “Lord, what will you have me do today?”

Yes, God may allow trials. But when He does, it is usally to teach us something so we can grow in our relationship with Him, learn how to strengthen our weaknesses and armor chinks through His mercy, or give up something that may not be in our best interest after all. What attracts us may be a false bunny trail leading to a dangerous situation. Almost every time we seek to satisfy our egos, whet our appetites, or fulfill our own desires, it will be an error in direction … despite what the world tells us.

But, when we trust the One who loves and knows us the most, and not only knows the future but has actually premade it, then we can be assured our steps will be steady ones. As children, we may have played follow the leader. Perhaps that didn’t turn out very well. However, don’t let that deter you. Following The Leader is always the right way to go.

None of us know what lies ahead. We have limited vision. But when we rely on the One who does know and choose to follow Him, even those trials can become trails of glory when we gaze back down the path where we have trod.

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I recently had a friend who needed my prayers. But I felt she needed more, so I referred her to one of the therapists I work for. I knew this therapist was a believer and a prayer warrior so my friend would be in good hands. Then I realized she was in more than that! And so was I.

An image came into my heart. When we pray with people we often hold hands. But what happens to our other hand? Our Lord holds it. According to Scripture, He joins in, so we become a conduit. His love, mercy, and grace flow through us into the person we are praying for and with at that time. And because we have both approached the Throne, we are both blessed by His presence.

Perhaps that is why Scripture tells us: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20.)

In Deuteronomy, it states two or three people are needed to be a viable witness. So, the next time you hear someone say, “As God is my witness” you will understand exactly what that means. The Trinity, Three Persons in One, is your advocate when you pray, when you act in faith, and when you bend to His will.

And there is more… Our Lord isn’t just sitting on a cloud listening, but because His Spirit is praying with us, He is actively involved.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

If you ever feel inadequate to pray with someone or for someone, perhaps this image of God holding your other hand will help you understand that you are made adequate by our Lord’s presence in the prayer. We all are.

God hears every prayer and answers it–perhaps not the way we want, but He does respond in His perfect timing. The important thing is not that we “get our wish” but that we know in our hearts, minds, and strength that when we pray He is there and He cares.

So in every aspect of your life, handle it with prayer.

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“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. Now during the blessing he departed and was taken up into heaven. So they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple courts blessing God.” Luke 24: 44-52

Something in this passage got my attention as I prepared my church’s bulletins. It wasn’t until Christ died, rose, and returned that his followers finally were so gobsmacked that they drop their conception of what the Messiah would be and began to see Jesus for what He is … and listen. Really listen. His actions opened their minds, finally.

Are we any different? How often do I pray for God to instigate things the way I think they should happen instead of opening my heart, mind, and soul to His will–trusting He will come through in the best way possible, no matter how weird or hard it seems? I can recall times that He has literally taken away my breath. All I can do is drop to my knees and gaze up at His glory. Then, I am humbled by His Majesty and become attentive…

Then I am willing to let go of the reins and let God lead me.

See what happens next–He takes his followers as far as Bethany. Not up into heaven with Him. Nope, they had a mission to fulfill here on earth. But He promised to send a Helper–the Holy Spirit, to guide them through the tough times ahead.

Jesus still does the same today. He teaches us, then takes us so far and tells us, “Here is your assignment. I will equip you in time, at just the right time, so hang in and wait for my signal. And by the way, you are not alone in this. I know this world is a tough one. I will be with you in Spirit. Rely on me. I will guide you every step of the way.”

What will it take to get your attention so you drop your agenda and take up the cross instead? The road will probably not be an easy one, but if you open yourself to His will, you will walk side by side with God and be blessed (content in His presence) despite the circumstances that face you.

So they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy… Lord help us to do the same. Stay when You say stay, go when You say go and be open to learn from You every step of the way.

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Note: I wrote this in September of 2012…it is still true today. God, in His merciful grace, has never failed me. I have a great freelance, virtual job, and even though my circumstances have fluctuated over the past 10 years, His providing for my every need never has.

I’ll admit there are days I just do not feel His presence. Usually, those are the days I am stressed over something- probably the one thing I keep laying at His feet and then snatch back. Finances. Freelance work and being your own boss are wonderful. Yet, most of the time I feel like Indiana Jones in the scene where he is searching for the Holy Grail and steps out in faith over an abyss. God does provide the ledge I cannot see with my eyes, but at times I still look down and my knees become wobbly. That is the time I should get down upon them before trying to take another step. I don’t always do that.

Years ago I was given a book that was similar to the old Where’s Waldo series, except you had to look for Jesus in each scene. Sometimes He was easier to spot. Sometimes, not so much. I’d call over a friend or family member and say, “Can you help me find Jesus?”

Ah! Slap on the forehead time. Friends and family can often help us find Jesus working in our lives when our eyes are just too filled with tears or clouded by our own circumstances. They have a wider perspective. And God can use that to draw us back to Him.

Then there are times, He reveals Himself in a way that makes me suck in my breath. Like the Bible verse of the day which popped up on my cell phone app today after I stressed over finances … again-

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eyes upon you. Psalm 32:8

Yes, Sir. On I go over the abyss. Let me keep my eyes on You and trust.

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I hear my chime clock slowly sounding out the Westminster melody as if each chime is arduous. Time to rewind it. It also is behind a bit in time, so I will need to readjust it. I do this every week, well, like clockwork, and have for decades. I know it can only function so long without me winding it again with the key, so I keep that key handy next to it.

Are we any different? Well, yes and no. A wind-up clock rarely runs too fast. I have discovered I can.

After a four-day hospital vigil by the bedside of a relative, I realized how run down I have become. I have been “wound up” too much and using up too much energy on my own too quickly and so my stamina became depleted. I need to be rewound.

I have the key right next to me at all times which can regain my ability to function – it is God’s Word and prayer. God’s Word is the key, and prayer causes the key to turn around and around so that I have the ability to get in gear again.

Jesus said to the crowds, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew. 11:28-30).

While on earth, Jesus often went away to pray to the Father. He knew when his human body and mind needed to be strengthened in order to function. And Jesus knew Who held the key.

Why do we think we can handle it all if Our Lord in human form could not without God’s help?

Today, I am taking a rest. I am praying, reading His Word, and blogging about it. Already I feel His strength surging in my soul, mind, and body. His Holy Spirit is ministering to me. Soon, I will be ready to get back out there and do what He has called me to do.

If you feel run down and not functioning well, perhaps this key will help you as well. Here are some verses that may help: https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=weakness&version=ESV

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Note: I wrote most of this in 2016 when my cousin posted this meme on Facebook …it is still true today. I have revamped the blog a bit.

How true. God will never leave us empty.

You forgot to fill the tank on the way home last night. You remember now that you are headed out the door for work. Ugh.

You’re running on fumes. But you have to keep going. There has bound to be a filling station just up the road. You watch for the signs. The gauge teeters on the E.  Your eye shifts to the tachometer to see how many miles you have gone. Your brain calculates how many more you possibly could go before the engine dies. You hiss a prayer and tap the steering wheel. Come on, come on. I need you now. Where are you, gas station?

If only you had taken the time to stop and fill up before you headed out. But you were running late. It started to rain. You didn’t want to get fume smells on your hands.  You were too rushed to notice the gauge. Whatever the excuse, the fact remains… you didn’t.

Please, God, please. find me a gas station. I need to refuel.  You begin to promise you won’t do this again, but you know you will.  Then you see it. The sign. And guess what? It advertises the cost to be twenty cents cheaper a gallon. Ha!

In our spiritual life, does it work any differently? Many of us run on fumes as a habit, then when a crisis hits, we ask God for a few gallons just to keep us going for now. Usually, He obliges. But why do we not store up enough ahead of time in our tanks? Oh, time is the issue, right?

You were running late. You were too tired to read the Bible last night. You thought I’ll read that passage tomorrow. Then the alarm went off and you hit the snooze button. So you put it off. I’ll pray on Sunday in the pew before the service begins.

I get it. I have done that myself. And regretted it.

God’s Word fills us. We need it daily. We should never go out into the world without a full tank of His promises, love, mercy, and grace in our hearts and minds. But we do. Our lives get hectic. We dash down the road. We keep telling ourselves, I’ll read my Bible when I find the time … soon. And before we know it, we are near empty. That is when Satan can mess with us.

Over the past ten years since I began this blog, God has been faithful to find ways to show me He is there, and He cares. Even when I am rushed and running on empty — there it is. A sign.

And that sign beckons me to not be satisfied with just a few gallons to get me by until I have time but to make the time for prayer and Bible study so I can be filled up.

Are you on fumes? Look for His sign to draw near, make a turn off your busy path, and stop for a while to refuel.

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For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16

Like many Christians, each year I pray for the word God wants me to grow into for the upcoming year. Last year it was perseverance … and boy did I need lessons in that! This December the word “GRACE” kept floating to the surface of my brain.

Grace is undeserved favor. God extends us grace, even though we do not deserve it. You cannot earn “grace”. But you can choose whether or not to receive it. It is freely offered, but sometimes that is hard to accept. What’s the catch? Surely God wants something in return. You can’t get something for nothing. God sighs, “My child, through Me you can.” … but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

I have tried more and more over the past several years to accept the grace He so freely offers, knowing I can never be worthy and being okay with that. I thought, am I not making progress here, Lord?

I heard that unmistakable though-voice whisper… I want you to go deeper, Julie. So I have been meditating on that.

Then the ah-ah–more like an oh-oh–moment hit me.

Grace – GIVING the RECEIVED ACCEPTANCE that CHRIST EXTENDS.

Through faith, I can receive God’s grace, but do I pass it on? How often do I extend grace to others instead of grumbling beneath my breath when they are rude or not courteous? How often do I pray for the person who lashes out at me unfairly instead of getting hurt or huffy? How forgiving am I? Do I take that part of the Lord’s prayer to heart — forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us?

How can I give something I refuse to receive myself? Before I can extend grace, I must not only receive it so I can pass it on, I need to put it into practice on myself.

My late husband was always critical of me, and now that he is gone, I find I have taken up the role myself. I have a tendency to be way too hard on myself. I push myself to the limit, get angry and even badmouth myself if I do something like drop a glass, or stumble over a corner of a rug. Or catch my sleeve on the door latch, or… well, you get the idea. I need to extend grace to me. Only then will my heart be open to extending it more to others.

If God can give me grace through His sacrifice on the cross, and if I am to be more Christ-like in order to draw others to His mercy, then I must let that grace gush out of me to myself and then to others. Because only through grace, can mercy and love freely and honestly flow. Lord, let me be a sieve that drips grace onto my own arms as I pour it over others’ heads.

When I choose grace, I can see others, and myself, through God’s eyes. The cataracts of criticism will fall away. The ways of God will be more clearly seen. My heart will be softened and my soul receptive.

Lord, give me the grace, through You alone, to extend that grace to myself and then to others, knowing none of us are deserving of it, but can give it if we humble ourselves to Your will and toss away our human prejudices, jealousies, and tendencies to judge. Amen.

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