Hold on

Life isn't always easy but it's good. I can't remember where I heard that line but it's a lot of truth. But we're not called to an easy life. In fact, Jesus himself said that in this life we would have trouble. The great thing is that He never leaves us or forsakes us so when we are having those times of trouble, He is right there in the midst with us. He brings the strength, the stamina....the grace we need to get to the other side.

As I do more and more prep work for the wedding, I see God's beautiful tapestry that is my life. I haven't had a trouble-free life. In fact this journey just to the wedding has been long and fraught with detours and set backs. But one thing remains....the plan God has for our life. He is the one who brought us together and He's the one that will join us for life.

When God places a dream in your heart...a plan in your life....don't lose sight of the end result. The enemy likes to distract and dismantle your dream, but God put it there for a reason. And when God does something like that, He means for that dream to come true...for that plan to come to fruition. He doesn't give up, or change His mind. So hold tight and fast to that dream.

Speak words of truth over me Lord

For a little over a month now, this song "Here's My Heart" by David Crowder has been my meditation song. It's a plea and a declaration to the Lord from me. Here is my heart Lord, Here is my life Lord speak over me. 

Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord,
Speak what is true

‘Cause I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I'm made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free

‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through

(Chorus)
Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord,
Speak what is true

Here's my life Lord,
Here's my life Lord
Here's my life Lord,
Speak what is true
Speak what is true
Speak what is true

I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I'm made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free

‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through

You are more than enough
You are here, You are love
You are hope, You are grace
You're all I have, You're everything

(Chorus)
Here's my heart Lord,
Here's my heart Lord
Here's my heart Lord,
Speak what is true

Here's my life Lord,
Here's my life Lord
Here's my life Lord,
Speak what is true
Speak what is true
Speak what is true

Cry out to Jesus

Psalm 107:19-21

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
²⁰ He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
²¹ Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

These verses today are just more confirmation from God of the work He is doing in my life. For the past week or so He has been showing me how my struggles with trust are hindering my growth. 

It started out with Him reminding me that I am to seek His face, to seek first His kingdom. How often I have heard and read these scriptures yet never really meditated on their significance and the role they play in my trust and consequently my growth.

To illustrate this, God used the ocean at night. I see Him and He beckons me to Him. My first inclination is always to say yes, God I'm willing to go where You lead. So I swim out into the middle of the ocean and then I begin to notice my surroundings...how dark and deserted it is in the deep and I turn to look for the shore and can barely make it out in the distance. Then panic sets in and I know I have to turn back to where I can touch bottom...to feel the ground beneath me. So I struggle to swim back to shore...to that security. But that security isn't real or eternal so it doesn't make me safe or strong. And putting my trust in that false security makes each day a struggle.

God says to me "Jammie, seek My face. Look to me for your security, for your safety, for your life. Don't get distracted by what you see with your human eye. Rely on My vision on My strength on My plan. Leave the shore behind for good....for a greater good. You are My precious child and there is no place safer than My arms. Leave the struggle behind."

And today, putting myself in this verse...when I cried out to the Lord in my trouble, He saved me, He healed me, He delivered me out of destruction. How can I doubt His faithfulness or His presence? I praise Him for He is holy. And He is my security. When I seek His face, everything else fades away. I see through the eyes of faith.....through His eyes not by what circumstance looks like. I can operate without the stress of the world.

I am a child of the one true King! I am saved, I am change, I have been set free! Satan has no power, no authority, no dominion over me. I don't have to accept anything he brings to me or against me. My God is well able to deliver me.....He has delivered me through His son Jesus. Praise God. Thank you Jesus. I am blessed and highly favored!

Matthew West - Hello My Name Is

I love how God continually sends us confirmation in just the right way at the right time. I got into my car last night after a day of having to keep reminding myself that I belong to God and the enemy has no dominion over me no matter what he tries to bring against me. And just so I'd know God was reminding me to, I turned on the radio and this song was playing at the point of the chorus. I hope the words of this song minister to you today as well!

Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget
Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief
These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new
Has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life

What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King