The Lord Hears

Our prayers are never in vain. Though sometimes it feels that way. All of us, at one time or another, have prayed and wondered whether God heard. In a society with immediate answers and information it's harder and harder to wait. Why be patient? Why can't God answer immediatly? And He does, but not always the way we want it.

A couple months ago gospel evangelist, at our church, said something that really caught my attention. "God always answers," He said, "He answers yes, no, and wait." I love this. And it is so true. Most of the time we don't want to hear "wait" we want to hear "yes, is there anything else I can do?" Especially during hard and trying times. We just want to be delivered out of the trials and tribulations. We want our spiritual lifeguard to save us, a drowining christian in a sea of troubles.

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." -Psalms 35:17-18

The Lord isn't going to deliver you out of your problems immediatly, but he will help you. He wants to guide and direct, not be the overprotective parent. We are on earth to learn, and grow, and trust in Him and His word.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." -1 Cor. 10:13

This means we are stronger than we think. We can endure hard times, with him. And he hears us and answers our cries of help. He would never let us drown. We can't lose hope, even if He tells us to wait. Keep praying through your hard times, God will deliver you.

My Strong Tower

"You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek" ~KUTLESS

This is a beautiful song, especially since it's particularily inspiring. Do you have a special place you go to seek refuge? Maybe a quiet spot by the river where you like to take a favorite book? Or an overstuffed sofa with a view of the rolling fields? God knows a place for us to go. He incourages us, to trust him and seek shelter in him, where he would protect us.

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalms 36:7

God offers safety and comfort "in the shadow of his wings". This reminds me of childhood and being held by my parents when I was scared, letting them protect me and guide on what to do next. If you take refuge in God, he will protect you, everytime.

"The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." Psalms 37:39-40

God is asking for us to do our part, too. Seek him, diligently, with all your heart and he will protect you. He will be your strong tower. Brokenhearted? Seek him. Oppressed? Seek him. Depressed, scared, worried, unsure of what to do? Seek him.

"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in time of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." Psalms 8:9-10

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." -Matthew 6:33

For in darkness, you will see the light. Let God take your burdens for you, let him take you into his wings and become your strong tower. There is no darkness so black, or pit so deep that God cannot help you. While it may seem hard, just to give up your burdens, it is possible. But who will take care of it? God will. Just give yourself, your WHOLE self to him.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

Where's God?

Have you ever felt alone? Truly alone? Have you ever felt like God's presence had left your side? I know I have! And in the past I never understood why until now, with the help of my father (earthly, not heavenly father), a gospel evangelist.

God is a god of true love and truth and goodness. He is so pure he cannot be around sin, at all. When Christ was on the cross, bearing the sins of the world, God could not be with him. He cried out, "My Father! My Father! Why have you forsaken me?" Even though Christ knew why, it still pained him.

Don't we feel the same? When we feel distant from God it means something is wrong in our lives. God never left us, and he never will, he just can't be a part of us when we partake of sin.

"I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt. 28:20

When we sin, we go into sin alone. God cannot help us when we are living in sin. When we realize what we have done and seek his guidance, He will help.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Matt. 7:7-8

Do you feel lost? Find God. Do you feel distant? Read His word. Do you feel discouraged? Seek your brothers and sisters in Christ for guidance and support. We will all feel distant from God at least once in our lives, seek Him with all your heart and you will find him. Trust him, pray to him, read his instructions for you in his Word. Once you do this you will not stray from his path.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

Living Today

Like many females, I am a worrier. Some days are better then others. One day I'll tell my sister to stop worrying, and the next I will be one who needs to be told "Snap out of it!". Worrying isn't new, there's nothing new under the sun! This morning I read a passage in Matthew that really struck home. While all of Matthew 6 is a good chapter, verse 34 is especially good. For male and females, alike.

"So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Why worry about yesterday's problems, today's problems, and tomorrow's problem? Today is its own day! Live for today! Your days will be fuller and more joyful if you live for today. Let your mind be at peace. Tackle each problem as it comes, anticipating it does nothing but waste time and energy.

"Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Beautiful, isn't it? Living each day without needless worry is a very hard task, but each one of us are stronger than we think. I know that as I try to work on this my family and friends will thank me! So do yourself and your loved ones a favor. Live today for today!

Daddy's Girl

     I have always been a Daddy's girl. My Father and I have this special bond. Looking back, I didn't always know this or appreciate it. Until now, when I'm growing up and leaving the house soon. I wish I had spent more time with him, or at least let him know I feel about him. In my experience, I've seen it is common for teenagers going to college to realize they weren't as close to their parents as they should have been. It really shouldn't be this way. They are our role models, we should try to be more like them. I should have been looking to my parents for advice instead of going to my friends, like most high schoolers do. But despite that, I have always admired my father. Wanted to be like him. We are alike in so many ways. He pursues many different interests, as do I, and I tried to do them all like he did but could never really juggle it all, or learn it at the same time.
      Shouldn't we be like that with our heavenly father? The one who not only made us, but does everything in His power to help us? Shouldn't we strive to be like our Father in Heaven? And be like him. Admiring him, trying to be like him and please him. He should be our role model. The person we strive to be like. He loves us unconditionally, forever and ever. Even when we turn astray He shows us a path to guide us back. We should be reading His word, daily. Finding out His instructions for our lives, like a parent would. Let's listen to our Father, for just like a parent, He knows we will endure hard times. He will be with us every step of the way.

 My son do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for a length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you...In all your ways ackmowledge him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 2:1 & 6

Let Me Introduce Myself...

     Hello! Welcome to my blog!
I am a young women in Christ. I try my hardest to live a faithful and devout life. I hope to inspire you daily with verses and quotes. This blog is as much for you as it is for me. I am hoping it will keep me accountable! 
     Let me start off by saying I am a DORK. And yes this includes tripping and laughing hysterically at random times, but that isn't exactly what I mean. Being a DORK means I am a Daughter of the Risen King. Which is Christ, of course. Doesn't that sound nice? It's such a privilege! I am very girly and have always been. I used to imagine I was a princess, and one day a prince would come sweep me off my feet. From a tower, of course. With a dragon guarding it, obviously. 
     I never imagined it would actually come true. Those are the kinds of things that happen in fairy tales, right? But it has! Christ is the prince in shining armor. He died so you and I could be swept off our feet and given the crown. Not just any crown, it's better then gold, it is the crown of life. Crown of eternal life. With Him. In heaven. Doesn't get much better, right? Unfortunately, if there is a prince then there is going to be a dragon guarding the castle. The devil is that dragon. We get tempted and think the dragon isn't really as dangerous as we think he is. And the handsome prince? Is calling for us. Begging us to just let him slay the dragon, but we don't always let him. I think it's time to listen to the prince, give ourselves over. Let ourselves be rescued by someone who cares for us and has done everything in their power to save us. Why let the dragon hurt and destroy us when we don't have to? 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:22-23