His Presence

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.


Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.


Sometimes I don't feel God's presence. But the reason is not because He has gone away. It is always because I have stopped focusing on Him. After particularly busy days I can feel dry, frustrated or weary. Then, I realize that He has stopped being my Center, and I run to Him in prayer. And He is there. 


Just the other day, this happened to me (again!).  I had a very busy couple of days, and did not put Him first. There were situations in my life that were becoming very frustrating. Late at night, I prayed, "LORD!  I feel so frustrated about "X", and sat down to really focus on Him. I prayed a frustrated prayer, opened a small devotional book, and read the entry for the day. The devotional gave a scripture reference, so I turned in my Bible to the scripture reference, and there it was -- my nugget from God! Through the scriptures I shared above, God was telling me, again, "My child, you are distracted from me. I need your eyes on me!"  We are not perfect and God knows that. We will get distracted and frustrated -- but He is right there, waiting for us to turn our focus back to Him. 


Connect with Him in the morning. Touch base with Him throughout your day.  Ask Him, thank Him, talk with Him. Purposefully carve out meaningful, quiet, focused time with Him. He is always so faithful.  


Dear Heavenly Father, when I am distracted from You, I feel dry and weary. But when I turn to You, thankfully, I find my peace -- once again. Thank You that You are always faithful, always present.  I pray my eyes are always turned to You.  Amen.

He Will Never Leave 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.


Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.


I have penciled-in smiley faces next to these verses in my Bible. God's promise fills me with peace and makes me smile. His Word says He will never leave you.  Never is not a word left to interpretation. It doesn't have multiple meanings.  Merriam-Webster defines never as: not ever, at no time, not under any condition.  Never. 


Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that You will never leave me. Your promise gives me such comfort and peace! Thank You that Your Word makes this promise so clear and simple. Never means just that... never.  I praise You for that certainty in my life. Amen.

Comfort Zone

1 Corinthians 2:1-5  "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you, except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."


It is so encouraging to know that even Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, the writer of the majority of the New Testament, did not always feel confident -- in fact, he felt weakness, fear and trembling. Paul was out of his "comfort zone." Yet God mightily spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through Paul. The Holy Spirit's power was demonstrated in Paul's weakness.  


I have to admit, I really like my comfort zone. When I am in my zone, I feel accomplished, safe, equipped, and confident in my abilities. But when we follow God, He takes us out of our comfort zone. And when He takes us out of our comfort zone, God most definitely equips us for all the good works He wants us to do in His name. We have to rely on His abilites, which are infinite. Through those situations where we must rely on His strength, counsel and provision, He will stretch us, teach us, and draw us closer to Him.  


Dear Heavenly Father, help me to step out of my cozy comfort zone. I pray that when I am in those places that stretch me, that You teach me to rely on You and trust in Your power completely.  Amen.

Take Up Your Cross

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." 


It is easy to follow God in a lukewarm way. I have to admit, I followed Him in a lukewarm way, and I didn't even realize it. Whenever I would come across this verse, I would quickly skim over it, thinking, "Oh, that verse is for other people," you know, pastors, priests or people who go on mission trips!  


God gently let me know that He meant that verse for me. And He means it for you, too. He wants us to follow Him. Daily. With purpose and passion. Not only when it is convenient. Taking up our cross can be time-consuming, painful, and inconvenient. But it is also beautiful and breathtaking.


I have intentionally taken up my cross. Daily. I am far from perfect at carrying the cross. But He is faithfully and lovingly teaching me what He wants me to do while I am following Him. He is unfolding His plans for me. I have found that carrying the cross and following Him places me in His will, on His path, and fills me with such joy and peace. 


Dear Heavenly Father,  thank You that this verse is for me, and not just for "other" people. I pray that I will forever take up my cross daily and follow You. Following You with passion and purpose is exactly where I always want to be. Amen. 

He Wants To Hear From You

Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."


Ephesians 6:16 "And pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."


Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."


God hears our prayers.  Every single one.  Even the quick, desperate ones.  When I was injured last year, my prayer was from the innermost depths of my heart. As I fell to the floor after being hit in the head, I prayed a simple prayer: "Oh no, God, not now!  Please save me!  Please let me stay here with my kids!"  And He answered. He protected me and healed me from an injury that should have either killed me or left me with debilitating injuries. After over a year, I am restored and He has saturated my life with His presence in such an abundant way. He answered me, over and above what I prayed for. Not only am I here with my husband and children, but He has transformed my life and my relationship with Him.   


The Creator of the universe, the One who created you, wants to hear from you! He wants to hear your prayers about your trials, concerns, joys, and praises. God certainly answers prayers of desperation. But daily, intentional, un-hurried prayer with our Heavenly Father will bring us to such a rich, intimate place with Him. It is where we can praise Him, thank Him, and pour out our hearts to Him. 


When Jesus prayed, He often retreated to a quiet place to pray where He focused on His Father without the demands of the world swirling around Him. We need to find that quiet place, too. I urge you to intentionally carve out precious daily time with Him. A time when you can be focused on Him. Because He is certainly focused on you. 


Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us to pray on all occasions, about everything. You want to hear from us! I am so grateful for the time I can spend with You in prayer, sharing my joy, praise, thankfulness, concerns and storms. Thank You for hearing each of my prayers. I praise You that no prayer is too small, and no prayer is too big for You. I cherish my precious prayer time with You.  Amen.

Distractions

Psalm 42:1-2 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"


We can all be distracted by life. These distractions can be wonderful and restful like vacations; the regular busyness of everyday life; or the frightening distractions of trials and storms. Our focus can easily be shifted off God in so many ways. We wander like sheep, choosing a different path than His, choosing to fill our time with the world and not with Him. 


After I have been distracted by life, I find myself crying out to Him, "God, I've missed You!"  My heart and mind longs for His word and His presence. However, He was with me all along. He never left. He never changes. I just got distracted. He is patient, faithful, loving, ready, waiting, working -- even when I am distracted. 


Dear Heavenly Father, remind me of my distractions!  LORD, help me to put my focus on You, the One who loves me, knows me, and wants to be the Center of my life. I am so very grateful that You are always with me. Be my Center so that I may walk through this life with You, feeling Your presence always -- whether I am restful, busy, or navigating a storm -- not being distracted from You, but going through this precious life with You. Amen.

I'll Return June 17!

I wanted to let everyone know that I will not be able to post for a little over a week. I will miss sharing God's Word with you, but I look forward to sharing scripture, prayers and devotions with you all again on June 17!  I encourage you to look through the blog archives!  I pray that you read your Bible daily, being nourished by His Word; pray to our Heavenly Father, and keep Him as your Center. Praying for God's blessing to you all this week!  


I love the Aaronic benediction.  It is simply beautiful.  


The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26


In His Name,
Donna

The Author of Life

Psalm 139:16 ...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God has a plan for your life. He knows the book that He has already written for you.  And it is a beautiful book. He wrote it before you were born. And while you are on the path ordained by Him, He will be faithful. He didn't say the book would be easy, He didn't say trial-free, but it will be beautiful -- walking hand-in-hand with Him on His path.

However, at times in our life, we are presented with choices to make. Crossroads, if you will. The choice we make, the direction we choose, will have significant influence on our life and those around us.


How do we make these important choices in life? Pray for His guidance and follow His lead. Pray for discernment as to whether it is His voice you are following, or your own strong desires. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference. He knows the way, He knows your book -- He's the Author! 


Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for writing my beautiful book. LORD, I pray for discernment so I can remain on Your path for me -- ordained and written by You.  There is nowhere else I would rather be. I don't ever want to miss what You have written in Your book and planned for me.  Amen.

Pure Joy

Acts 2:28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.

Philippians 4:4  Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!


I was reminded of pure joy this weekend. I saw this joy in the faces of my sweet niece and nephew who were visiting this weekend. My niece is almost 3, and my nephew is 8 months old. Little children are so pure in their emotions! 


My sweet niece would look at us, absolutely beaming, with joy and delight, and say "Hi!" But the catch was that she didn't just say it when she first saw you, she would say "Hi" many, many times -- even when she had been with you for a while! But there was a look of pure joy in her eyes and a sound of such joy in her voice every time. How we would bless the LORD if we praised Him with that same delight throughout our day!  


My nephew is equally adorable. He smiles, smiles, smiles. Almost all the time. But when he makes that first eye contact, he absolutely beams with an uncontainable joy. And this sweet little 8 month old shared his joy with all of us. It was breathtaking to watch as he looked up at his parents with such trust and joy. A joy that absolutely radiated. Wouldn't it be wonderful to beam with uncontainable joy for our LORD?

Watching them this weekend, I realized God was showing me pure joy.  

I invite you to think of that look of joy a baby or small child shows...  that child-like joy which absolutely radiates. Now, that is the kind of joy I want to have and show for my own Heavenly Father!  


Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what pure joy looks like on the precious faces of children. Oh, how I pray that I may have that same beaming look of pure joy as I praise, worship, and follow You for all of my days!  Amen.  

Our Provider

Psalm 78:2-25 He rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.


John 6:32-33 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."


John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."


As the Israelites were wandering in the desert for 40 years, God filled them, day by day, with manna - a nourishing white substance like a coriander seed which tasted like wafers made with honey. He sustained them.  


Approximately 1500 years later, God gave us the greatest Gift of all - Jesus, the Bread of Life. The Savior of the world. The One who sustains us.


Today, 2000 years later, our Heavenly Father faithfully gives us individual portions of just what we need -- day by day. Portions of strength, wisdom, counsel, love, patience, hope, joy, healing... 


Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your daily manna. Thank You for giving me Jesus, my bread of life. Help me to have a daily dependence -- to pray to You and seek You with all my heart. Thank You that You will give us exactly what we need, day by day, in our intentional walk with You. Praise be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.