Encouragement Prevails

While today may be my birthday, it really has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God. I used to contemplate suicide on a daily basis. No one knew. No one had any idea. Well...no one except God. If it wasn’t for God I most likely wouldn’t be having this birthday. I would have never met my husband or gotten married or had my 2 beautiful children. I wouldn’t be writing this now. I would have most likely ended my life when I felt like things were too hard and I couldn’t overcome them or achieve perfection. The ONLY thing that kept me alive was Jesus. The ONLY thing that keeps me away from going down that path of thoughts is Jesus. Life is difficult, and your circumstances are not always ones you enjoy or would have ever chosen for yourself. You may have doubts and question “Why? This isn’t fair.” You may want to throw in the towel and quit, quit what you are called to do or even life itself. Wherever you may be I encourage you to turn to Jesus. God Himself, the Creator o...

Every day we have a choice, a decision to make. What are we going to look to? Our circumstances, the waves? Or Jesus who is in the midst of it all with us? Matthew 14:28-31 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hands and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” I must admit personally when I would read this I’d have an arrogant attitude. “Come on Peter, why did you look away from Jesus? Why did you get afraid and stop walking? He was RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU. You have witnessed Him do SO many amazing things and yet you doubted? It’s so simple you just need to look to God.” Thankfully God has humbled me and opened my eyes to my own doubt and sin. How many times have I experienced God and seen Him...

As a child I was afraid of the dark. As an adult I’m still afraid of the dark. There is something about it that has led some of us to have a fear of it and of the things that could happen during it. What happens when you bring God into the picture though. When you seek His wisdom, guidance, and truth about the night? The night does not mean the absence of God. He is always present and always with us and always ALL powerful. There are many times in the Bible that God works at night. Speaking to His people and even protecting them and helping them win battles. We are NOT vulnerable or alone at night, or even in circumstances that feel like darkness. God is always there with us. Exodus 14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hands over the sea. ALL THAT NIGHT the Lord pushed back the sea with a strong east wind and turned the sea into dry ground. God was present the whole night. Working and providing them with a path to safety. He wasn’t only doing that though… Exodus 14:19-20 ...

Have you ever been going full force with something, thinking it was God’s will and purpose for you? That you were doing something righteous for Him, in His honor. Has God ever called you to do something and you were hesitant and didn’t want to? You questioned God on it. In Acts 9:1-19 we find both scenarios and one main theme. Saul was going FULL force for God, or so he thought. He was following all of the Jewish law and going above and beyond to defend God’s honor. Only to find out that he had been missing the mark, sinning, all along. Ananias is found being called to share the gospel with someone. Someone he doesn’t want to share the gospel with. Many reasons could come into play, fear of being killed. Spite, “he doesn’t deserve to be saved”. Disbelief, “he’s not going to believe or change his ways. He’s a helpless cause.” He questions God. He tells/reminds God of who this man is that He’s asking him to go to. Both men submit to God . Saul repents and fasts not only from...

BEFORE JESUS we were only able to succeed to the extent of our own capabilities. We were stressed and felt empty. Searching for more. For something to give us fulfillment. While we may have found it here and there it never lasted long. We needed to do better, succeed more. All our future ultimately held was death. A dark abyss where unless we made a name for ourselves that would be remembered, we would be completely gone. Then we found JESUS. He who came and fixed our problems, our sin. Took them on as His own. Suffered death in our place. Who brought us truth and life. There is no more need to strive for fulfillment. The Holy Spirit fills us up completely and continuously more than anything else ever could. There is no need to make a name for ourselves. The only name that matters, that needs to be known is JESUS. We don’t need personal gain or glory when we have Jesus. All that matters is sharing the goodness of the Gospel with others and sharing this amazing life with Jesus. Will...

My husband has been traveling a lot for work. With 2 children under 4, it has definitely been stressful, exhausting, and overwhelming. The most prominent feeling though, is a feeling that creeps in at night when the kids are asleep, the feeling of loneliness. Being alone, without adult contact. Having to bear the weight of many responsibilities alone. Alone with my exhaustion and the thoughts that come with it. The other night I was sitting there really feeling alone, when God “whispered” something to me. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. God will never “go out of town.” He is always there for you, by your side. He will bear the weight of your burdens. He will ease your thoughts and troubles. Will He change the circumstances surrounding you? John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you ma...