Today God was encouraging me that His ways are the best.  When reading the verse on the calendar, Romans 8:28 was given.  This Scripture shows the heart of God…goodness.  Whatever He calls His children to, there are reasons Christ does or doesn’t want certain things happening in peoples’ lives.  The reason is He knows what it will take to make His children more like Him.

Pastor Paul spoke on James 4 this morning.  It was speaking to the fact that there are two wisdoms.  There is the wisdom that comes from God, and there is the wisdom that is worldly/fleshly.  When we approach God with the attitude of handing Him a pre-concockted idea as total truth, it hinders God’s working in our lives.  When we give Jesus an empty plate, He is able to fill it with His choicest items. It goes back to the Garden of Gethsemane…Jesus asked God to do His will.  He wanted His Father’s will rather than His own comfort. We need to approach our Father with that same attitude, and to be specific when talking to Him.  We need to believe that His ways are good and right.

Mankind needs to dwell on Psalm 16:11! Many people are asking for the key to life. It actually is when a person focuses on being close to Jesus. Christ has already gone before us, so shouldn’t we trust Him with our lives?

In thinking about this verse, I got to thinking about Mary and Martha. They each had a different way of handling life. Martha was into making everything perfect for the Master, in her own strength; whereas, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet learning from him. Martha ended up being worn out and upset with her sister. Mary ended up gaining valuable information and peace.

The bottom line is that God is there for us, to give us life with joy. He is our life, and we should be attentive as to when He wants us to wait or to go forward. Lord, I ask that you will help us learn to wait on you…you are our life!

Today I was led to focus on Philippians 4:6. It is just what I needed to dwell on! My personality wants to try to figure things out to the last detail. This verse emphasizes the strength we can have with prayer.

Prayer is the turning over of our will to Christ. In opening yourself to Jesus, it gives the Spirit room to fill you and begin His marvelous work. My Mom always highlighted prayer as very valuable…she even sang a song reminding my Sister and me to always pray.

When we pray, the natural outcome is peace. My Husband was sharing this during devotions. Christ calmed the storms, and is quite capable of bringing peace to our troubled souls. Let us all stop and focus on The Name Above Every Name…Shalom.

Today I felt led to write about the latest on Alan and myself. We are approaching the fourth month since we were remarried…can you believe it!? It has been one of waiting on the Lord and hard work. It has also included the birth of twins for my husband’s son, Scott.

The waiting has had to do with the slow process of changing my last name in the midst of Covid 19! I have had to change my Social Security Card, my driver’s license, my health insurance account, and my credit union accounts. I have also had to wait on employment due to the fact that I had an autonomic test, my last name needed to be changed, and I found out that I could apply for social security disability.

Bottom line, I am waiting to see if I receive the disability. In addition, I will be checking into the possibilities of going back to school for medical transcribing and for audio recording for book writers. Alan has continued his working for Allied Universal, three days of twelve hour shifts with four days off. We will see what the Lord has for both of us.

Finally, on the first week of August we found out that Alan’s son had his twins. They were born to his girlfriend, Kayla. Shortly after their birth, they decided to get engaged. Please pray for their salvation! This leads me to announce the fact that Alan and I will be visiting them in Colorado from 8/23-8/26. It should be a sweet but emotional time. I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that I couldn’t have my own children…I am technically now a grandma!

Do we know the Lord? If we do know Him, we know God. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Timothy was stating that He knew the Lord, and because of this he could trust God with everything…even his life.

Each day I need to make it a point to give myself and everything I have to Him. God loves it when we give ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Just think about what the Lord did for mankind; giving everything to God is little to ask in return! The Lord knows how to keep what is His! Amen!

The last couple of days the Lord has impressing on me the importance of walking with Him. It seems that I have a hard tine with casting all my cares on Him. What I have been doing is taking on unnecessary pressures/weight.

In the Gospels, Jesus encouraged His disciples to cast all their burdens on Him….His burden is light. We need to learn of Him. What did He do, but was constantly talking to His Heavenly Father. That is how He got through ministering to the many crowds He had each day.

My prayer for me and His people is that we will walk so closely with Him that it will not phase us what is happening. I remember Pastor Chuck Smith mentioning that Enoch had such a close walk with God that it was not a drastic transition from Earth to Heaven. Lord, may that be so with us!

When I read a devotional on Colossians 1:28, my perfectionistic side grabbed onto it. When you are a perfectionist, you have a tendency to constantly berate yourself. This Scripture brings encouragement!

In all areas of our life here on Earth, we will always fall short of being perfect; but, God through Christ sees His children complete and flawless. Praise God we are new creations, and will be like Him when we meet Him face to face!

Today I wanted to speak on Psalms 52:22…what an encouragement this is/was! I was really troubled in my heart this morning, but went to Him for encouragement. When I prayed and cried to Him, He led me to this verse. He wanted to quiet my soul by reminding me that I am His child and established in Him. He is not going to let the righteous be overtaken!

Living near Seattle, where the city has turned from Him, it is easy to despair and give up hope. It is easy to give up hope and want to flee right away to a safer area. He wants those who love Him to find our rest and security in His name. We are to seek His face as to what steps we should take. Does He want Alan and me to move eventually to another state, or to remain? Let us keep praising the Lord for His shelter. Like so many of Davis’s Psalms, we need to redirect our troubled hearts to Jesus. No matter what is around us, though, the Lord will direct and shelter His anointed! Amen!

Today’s chapter, James 5, had three thoughts involved. The first was how the wealthy shouldn’t flaunt what they have, while hoarding it for only themselves. It then went into a section talking about how Jesus is going to make all things right when He comes…people will be judged fairly. Then finally, it ended with the prayer of faith.

Yes..it is so shameful when those who are doing well will get up and broadcast what they have. The major reason God gives us resources is to share with people. It isn’t just for one person’s benefit.

When we see injustice, or having to go through much suffering, we need to ask God for perseverance. The righteous judge is on His way..when we keep that in focus, it enables us to continue on our journey of faith.

Finally, I wanted to talk about the prayer of faith. To all of those who need help, they are to pray. The next thing stated was that if people are happy, they should sing for joy. If people are sick, they were encouraged to have the elders pray for them. Praying in faith is the key. It doesn’t always mean they will recover, but God’s grace will sustain/pull them through. When we are happy or going through storms, we need to always pray in faith.

James 4 impressed upon me the importance of submitting to God. That is so key to peace and well-being! I find it so funny that the natural human feels that taking matters into their own hands is the only solution in life. In reality when men do this, it is saying to God we are in opposition to Him.

The world is evidence of what will happen when honoring God is not observed. You see people envious and doing all matter of evil. The Lord has a way of raising up the humble, those that give themselves to the Spirit’s work. God is worthy to be served and honored!