Before I Knew Him

 A memory popped into my head and it felt good. It was when I was at the young and tender age of an early teen. I remember walking downtown to the library. And as I walked, I thought, “When I get married, I want someone with brown eyes and who can play the guitar.” Such are the foolish dreams of a teenage girl, right? Probably the guitar because it would be so cool! Probably in a band. And I could be a groupie. It came among the other teenage thoughts, not prayers, as I was not in a relationship with the Lord at that time. Just me, walking along, enjoying the day, and pondering life…

But the Lord saw me and heard me - even though it wasn’t in the form of a prayer. It was before I knew Him. And he responded. In His time. Would you believe it? I’m now married to a man with brown eyes and plays guitar. And the connection between that long ago daydream and my life now - amazes me. 

Do you ever wonder if God sees you? Hears you? Is God paying attention to your secret wants? Does He take notice, does He care - about wistful thinkings? Yes. He most certainly does! Even when your thoughts and desires are not in the form of a prayer… we have an awesome God Who says:

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”  Isaiah‬ ‭65‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

May this encourage you. May it refresh your trust in the Lord. May you wait with anticipation. For He surely sees and hears. He is attentive. And He loves to give.

“At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”  Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I can’t see

“Jesus responded, “Thomas, now that you’ve seen Me, you believe. But there are those who have never seen me with their eyes but have believed in Me with their hearts, and they will be blessed even more!” John 20:29 TPT

We’ve all had those “thin moments” when heaven felt so close. When God’s presence, His involvement, His response hit us square in the face. There was no denying it. Divine intervention. I try to hold on to that warm, embracing feeling as long as I can. Oh, how wonderful to experience the love of God up close and personal! I want it everyday. That deeper connection.

And, yes, I know, I can appreciate Him every day. The beauty found in nature. Counting my blessings. All good to know. All reminders of how great God is to us. But, like Peter, we exclaim: “Lord, it is wonderful to be here!” (Matthew 17:4) We, too, want to stay there forever. How much easier it would be to trust and believe… up on that mountaintop experience.

But here comes the tricky part. Will our walk of faith waiver if we don’t get the “high” of sensing His presence? How long can we go before we start to doubt and wonder - if God will - 

Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14) But for how long exactly? What do we do in the meantime? How do we act? And what will our testimony look like to others when God doesn’t respond immediately?

Blessed are those …

The Message translation says: Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing. John 20:29

God does not change. God is steadfast and sure in the direction He is going. God is on a mission. God keeps His promises and is loving toward all He has made. You will find all this about Him in His Word. His is faithful beyond measure. Generation after generation. He has a kingdom plan and it will not be thwarted. Feed your soul daily on His Word. Keep at it. He has something in there for you today. It will surely suffice in meeting your need for security. It will satisfy your hungry heart. It will feed your faith. Until that glorious day when faith in the unseen will no longer be needed - we will surely be in His presence and see Him face to face.

 “Lord, it is wonderful to be here!” 

It’s a promise.

Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” John 13:7 NLT

Yes. It’s wonderful when God makes sense. But let us remember there are wonderful blessings promised when we walk by faith and not solely by sight. Let’s be those who have never seen Him with their eyes but have believed in Him with their hearts. 

Facing the next challenge

 

A challenge, or any unknown, could be seen as an invitation - to see God in greater ways. To know Him more deeply and personally. To see a side of Him that others haven’t yet. Because in faith we chose to leap into an opportunity for that special closeness. As John spoke of feeling like “the one Jesus loved” (John 13:23) A closer sense of connection and oneness - just on the other side of the unknown - right before us. I stand at the door and knock (Revelation 3:20) I stand with My face lit up at the joy of You opening yourself up to Me. My arms wide for a welcoming hug, My beloved friend (John 15:15) Come and see. It is I. Do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27) Now that we are together, something good is about to take place. Do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19) Now that we are together, you won’t miss it. Like for Moses, I will reveal Myself to you. And as amazing as it will feel, you will still only see a part of Me for My glory in all its fullness is too much to behold (Exodus 33:19,23) But you will see Me when you enter into the opportunity - whenever something seems unimaginable or impossible - that is when the invitation to widen your eyes of doubt and unbelief and take in all that is possible in Me. To taste and see - my God how great Thou art.

Lord, I accept this day with all its unknowns. I swing the door open, wide, for You to enter in. It gives me great hope and assurance that You want to delight me with opportunities to see Your mighty power and love. May I live with anticipation and eagerness as I watch for Your certain appearance in all that comes my way. And the trees will clap their hands.  And the rocks will praise you. (Psalm 96:12) And the joy of the Lord will be my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Get it into focus

 

Here I am, Lord. Your restless, sleepless, way-too-early-to-be-up, overthinking one. But thank You for this life. Thank You for this early morning quiet time with You. I believe, Lord, that You speak to me through these journalings. I ask and pray that You might also write through me - something to share with those who know me.

I always seem to need a slowing down. Stop trying to rush and resolve everything. It does not bring peace. Because life always brings more to do; more to contend with - “it’s always something” as the saying goes. So do I just keep holding my breath? It’s like the definition of enough - just a little more. I need peace now, before everything else takes its sweet-bippy time at getting peaceful. Peace can be when everything gets settled. But it can also be knowing that everything will get settled. In its appointed time. By a Power greater than I. Oh, thank goodness, there’s a Someone with greater power and greater wisdom than I! I guess that’s why it’s called peace that passes understanding. God invites us into an inner calm, rooted in the belief that God Almighty Himself is going to show His almighty, glorious hand - just like when He rescued the Israelites from slavery in the exodus. He had almighty purpose. Revealing a Power beyond any hope or imagination. And what did Moses tell them in Exodus 14:14? Remain calm. And see the “crack of light” starting to shine - a hope of impossible possibilities. Beyond any of our own devices. It can only be called a miracle. Leading us to awestruck praise to the only One worthy…

Remain calm.

Continue steadfastly in a place. Stay. Continue in a particular state. Do not leave.

Remain peaceful, quiet, free from worry. Stay composed and collected.

And none of this is created by focusing on the drama around you, but by looking ahead at the crack of light which is your faith and certain hope - your eyes fixed and focused on the Lord. God. Almighty.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Who needs a faith-lift?

 Are the grey days bogging you down? Or thoughts of facing a new challenge because it’s a new year? Maybe what you have planned is already looking mighty overwhelming… so maybe this blog post is for you - or someone you know. But I encourage you to read through these faith building messages. Feel free to copy and paste one as a text to someone you know or to their social media page. Or jot one down on paper or in a card. And find one that speaks to you as well. God is always good and always with you on the journey. Be rest assured.

No one can stop what God is about to do in your life.

Even in the unknown, God is steady, sure and faithful.

Wishing you strength in these difficult days and hoping that with time, peace will heal and comfort your heart.

Keep praying. He hears your heart.

Rest isn’t giving up. It’s giving God the space to move.

Sometimes obedience looks like sitting at His feet.

Rest is trust in motion.

Keep praying, keep waiting, keep trusting, keep healing.

Tomorrow the sun will rise and bring with it a fresh start and new opportunities.

May God wrap you in a blanket of His love so you feel the warmth of His embrace today.

Angels before you - prayers behind you - blessings beside you.

Faith is not an emotion. It’s a decision to stand on God’s Word.

Hope is the voice that meets you in the storm and says there is more than what you can see right now.

Wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within you, knowing that God always keeps His promises.

I will refresh tired bodies; I will restore tired souls. - Jeremiah 31:25

God can hold what your heart can’t carry.

May you hear God’s voice in your heart. Know His touch in your life. And feel His love each day

Today, may joy bless you. May hope inspire you. May love heal you. May light guide you.

Thinking of you and praying you will experience His presence in a special way today.

There is so much life in a seed of hope.

The hands that flung stars into space are the same hands holding your trembling heart.

Never forget that God can do a lot with a little.

May God hold you close, comfort you gently, and carry you through this difficult time.

Give thanks to the only miracle-working God! His tender love for us continues on forever! - Psalm 136:4

God cares for you… I do too.

Praying for you

In every moment of every need, God is near, He sees and He cares.

No matter what happens, God will hold you close and see you through because you are precious to Him.

May love surround you, may faith sustain you, may hope encourage you - day by day.

Need a notecard to write on? I know just the place! Check out my original artwork notecards here on this website. Here’s the direct link:

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

I do, I do too, I still do…

 

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. (1 John 4:19 MSG)

All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and He was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.  (2 Chronicles 15:15 NIV)

My husband and I met through a spiritual retreat weekend. One spring day I was invited over by him and his young son to dinner and a board game. A week or two later, another similar invite. (two dates)

It was at this point that I sat down and literally prayed for hours. After only two dates, I prayed about any future with them. "Lord, we’ve all been hurt before by failed marriages. None of us want to go down that road again. So please stop this now before it grows into something. Or, if it is Your will to have us all begin a forever journey together – please, Lord, let me know now. Before we become emotionally attached and find out we’ve stepped out of Your will for us."

All Saturday afternoon I thought about this. Prayed about this. Wanting … and not wanting. Seeking the Lord. Please, let me know how to proceed.

And the date December 30 popped into my head. I questioned it at first. December 30? Whaa …? Marriage, Lord? Are You trying to tell me? Are You responding to my plea? I looked on the calendar and December 30 that year was on a Wednesday. Who gets married on a Wednesday? So, like Mary, I treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

It wasn’t long before the big question was asked. I don’t know if my husband was surprised that I already had a date picked out or not. But based on what I sensed was a direct word from God, we married … on a Wednesday … on December 30. I guess because He loved us first, and filled us with a love that will have no end. 

Silent Night…

 My husband would play the church bells on Christmas Eve. The church was located right downtown so everyone in the village could hear it on those cold, dark winter nights. And it just doesn’t get any more spiritual than that. Listen with your eyes closed…

May God bless you in a personal way and touch your heart with His very own love.

Merry Christmas!

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