When God seems far away

I better understand how a person can question their faith and choose to give up on God. That point when God appears far away. You’ve done all the right things, yet chaos and heartache is relentless. One car issue after another. Sickness knocks you down you haven’t worked in weeks. Bills pile up and you have no money. Turmoil awaits at every corner. Life is in shambles. God where are you? Why Lord do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  (Psalms 10:1) David, the chosen one, experienced the same thing. Despite his many accomplishments we find him asking God had he forsaken him in Psalms 22:1 when Saul was in hot pursuit for his life (1 Sam. 21:1-23:29). When David operated in the flesh, by his own understanding, he stayed frustrated and always running trying to figure it out. When he slowed down, prayed, and sought God, slowly things begin to change. Life will continue to throw situations at us. It’s when we learn to stay in continuous prayer, thanking God in all circumstances, and trusting God’s word no matter the outcome God works in his greatness! Learn to trust his word; don’t be afraid or terrified because the Lord your God goes with you, never leaving or forsaking you (Deut. 31:6).

Letting go of your pain

We all have scars that have memories. They remind us just how we got the scars. Though the pain is gone the scars are reminders of our past. We all have been hurt by family and friends. Most people hold on to the pains of their past never letting go, or never allowing time to heal the pain. Like a sore that tries to heal we constantly pick the past (scab) by talking about it years later, never letting it heal. We keep decade old conflicts fresh. It continuously festers in your spirit causing more pain. Your scars show the healing power of God. Not just natural healing process but it also demonstrates through healing we can and should forgive. The scars should be a reminder for us not to repeat the situation. Old scars should draw us closer to God. Whatever you are holding onto from your past let it heal. Let it go and forgive. Let it be just a scar of your past! 

Encourage yourself even when it hurts

This morning is hard to face. Your mind is flooded with the horrors of past due Bills broke down car, under paid and overworked. You feel abandoned by God from unanswered Prayers. Your thoughts pull you into the abyss of #depression. As hard as it may be, during these dark Moments of pain, we have to find the strength to #encourage self. We get encouragement from time to time from family and friends, but what happens when no one is around? How do you encourage and jump-start self? When I find myself faced with despair Here are a few things I do for self #motivation. 

#Pray – ask God to pull you from this pit

Praise – find a song to sing unto his name

#Gratitude – count blessings one by one

The past – think of where God had brought you from

Find inspiration in what other people have done. What they succeeded (or failed) is a great way to get your feet off the ground again.

Do something that makes you happy; that brings you joy; that you love; that centers you. 

Finally, Take on a spirit like David and celebrate. Dance like David Danced. Find ways to encourage and recapture the joy in your life again!

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#encourageyourself #faith #trustgod #faith #letgo #dailyquotes #dailymotivation #dailyinspiration #quotestoliveby #thesoulsremedy #sermonnotes 

You cannot hide from God

         Read:  Psalm 139

there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

 

Good Morning!

All things are seen by God. He knows when we sleep and when we are awake. The Lord knows what is on our tongue before we even speak it (Psalm 139:4). If God is capable of doing all these things, shouldn't it prevent man from sinning?

 For some inexplicable reason, we delude ourselves into thinking we can deceive God. "Where can I go from Your Spirit, and where can I flee from Your presence?" asks David.  

 We justify our actions based on the fact that no one saw us. Don't you realize that God sees and knows everything? Everything about us is known by God. He is aware of our personalities, secret fantasies, and concealed motivations.

 God’s words are more than just letters on a page; they come alive. Its sharpness surpasses that of any double-edged sword, and it can even penetrate down to the deepest depths of the soul and spirit.

 If God marked all our iniquities, we would not still be standing. How good and sweet it would be if everyone were free of sin. But we know that is not true. God does witness every word, action, and deed, but there is forgiveness for those who repent and fear the Lord.  Let us think before we act in all things. Seek God in all things and repent.

Starting a faith journey

The reason so many people have trouble accepting or understanding the Bible, they are trying to logically figure it out. God clearly told us his ways and thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). You start trusting God when you draw near to him (Heb. 11:6). By trusting in His word, you begin the journey walking in faith just as Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses 

(Heb. 11:8-19). When God’s actions don’t make sense continue to trust His word. Regardless of how small their faith was, the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea by faith. Remove your thoughts, trust God’s word because without faith it is impossible to please him. In all things diligently seek God. It only takes one step to start the journey of faith. 

God’s earthly heart

We are God’s earthly heartbeats. As followers of Christ, it’s our duty to love the loveless, encourage the hopeless, and inspire the doubtful. Unfortunately, many of us have flat-lined. We are dead not only to others but towards God. If God did open heart surgery what would he find? Uncaring, selfish, and unlovable people. Many don’t love others let alone themselves. We are agents for Christ. We are evangelist. Evangelism is spreading the gospel by personal and public witness. It’s our duty to testify and speak life in the disheartened. Go be the ‘who’ for God (Isaiah 6:8) with those who are in need of a heart transplant. tell others about God’s goodness (Mark 16:15). We are not the only people deserving of God’s word and goodness. We are commissioned to go to others proclaiming the gospel. Change your heart. Don’t be afraid to share with others who have given up on life, what God has done for you. Let your light shine so they can see the God in you! 

Ask how you can help

Has someone ever told you what they needed? In return you gave them what you thought they needed or dismissed them all together? So often, we stand accused with friends, family, and strangers. We assume we know the needs of others without ever asking. I asked a homeless man what he wanted to eat. Opposed to asking, I assumed I knew his demands. When Jesus encountered the five thousand (Matt.14:15), the begging Canaanite woman (Matt15:23), and Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47-48), the disciples assumed the best thing for all situations was to send them away opposed to asking or listening to their request. What we often think a person want Its not what they need. In the future, Do as Jesus did. Before responding, he didn’t say a word. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak and direct you as to what you need to do. Just like my homeless man encounter I assumed wrong. Instead of food he replied, "I'd rather have some soap to wash me and my clothes." Stay in-tuned with the Holy Spirit. It will direct your path. 

Waiting on God can be hard

Waiting on God is hard. Many take matters into their own hands or do busy work trying to find an end to no means. 

Sarah couldn’t wait on God’s Promise for a child for Abraham, (Gen. 18:1-15) she took matters into her own hands by telling Abraham to sleep with Hagar (Gen.16:1-16). The hardest part of trusting God is for us to have enough faith to BE STILL and wait on God! When those doubting moments arise, recite: “Father God I trust you.... even though I don't see the end in sight I trust you!” Know that He is God.  Everything will fall in place in due season. 

Be persistent, wait on God

Much can be learned from the homeless. Despite our options of behavior or lifestyle, one cannot dismiss the fact they are persistent. The smoothed chocolate skinned man reeked. As he walked the aisle of the train begging, his smile and gentle voice overshadowed the pungent smell. The homeless man asked every person for a quarter. For every 20 no’s one kind-hearted person spared a dollar. The widow in Luke 18:1-8 was persistent. She pleaded for justice from a king who didn’t fear God or care what the people thought. In this parable, Jesus reminds the disciples to always pray and not give up (v.1). The lesson from both examples, regardless of your situation always pray and never give up. We may ignore the homeless just as the King ignored the widow, but in due season, a caring God will respond to the need of his children. 

Wait on God.