Romans 8

This evening we had our first youth life group night (which is basically a small group) for the youth.  I had the girls in my group write letters to God reflecting on where they are in their relationship with Him now and where they would like to be by the end of the school year/what they would like God to do in their lives this year.  For paper I had quickly grabbed an old notebook and while flipping through it noticed that it was my old notebook from YWAM--and I found a letter that I had written to God. So cool. 

Being a visionary, I tend to see what can be and then get frustrated when what I know is possible doesn't happen.  Tonight when I got home from Life Group I found myself in that slump so I pulled out the letter I found and saw a sermon I had written on Romans 8 tucked in behind it. It's the sermon I got to preach on the island of Sicily (which I still think is the coolest thing ever to have had the opportunity to preach where the apostle Paul preached.)

As I was reading through my sermon notes a couple things stood out to me:

A) When life does not meet our expectations it can be hard to recognize God's love for us--but God's love is not conditional on our circumstances or how we feel. He love us. The Creator of the universe loves us personally! 

B) Regardless of our circumstances and feelings, are we honoring God as God? Do we recognize that He has a plan--that He knows what He is doing? We need to get our eyes off of ourselves and our circumstances and back on Him. 

I found this to be a good reminder to me tonight. I don't know if anyone reads this anymore, but if you do happen to read this and you find yourself struggling with the realities of life, remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God. God is greater than your circumstances.  Fix your gaze on Him. Seek Him and let Him be God.  Find rest, peace, and joy in His love. 

Happy autumn!

A Year of Provision

Happy 2015!

A number of years ago I was challenged to prophetically name each year. Near the end of 2014, I was standing outside a cafe late at night asking God what He would have me name 2014. The word that stuck in my head was PROVISION. So I wrote it down, prayed into it, and thought of a number if ways in which it would be nice to see God's provision. Why is it God likes to do things different then I think He will? 

In reflecting in this past year I realize that it was truly marked by God's supernatural provision.  While I away, God provided food that I could eat in each of the countries I visited. I came home from YWAM with no money and no job yet God provided. He provided an opportunity for me to spend a week in Cuba with my whole family. He provided a good job. When my job was only a two month contract, He provided an apartment sublet. When my job became full-time He provided a place for me to stay for a couple months until I could figure out what I was doing. He also provided a condo for me and furniture to put in it. I am amazed by God's goodness and provision in my life this year. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 

This next year I think will look very differently. We will see what doors God opens and what doors He closes.

May you have a blessed new year.