God’s Plan

SURRENDER

Jeremiah 29:11-12 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”

This scripture is a great companion to the one that I noted in my previous post (This Little Light of Mine):

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

My husband and I recently celebrated our one year anniversary (we’re marriage veterans now! 🙂 ). I know I’m still technically in the newlywed/honeymoon phase, but I have to say that I really do love being married. I highly recommend it (with the right person 😉 )! Despite the joy that my husband brings to my life, our journey this past 1.25 years has had its challenges, and life has definitely thrown us a few curve balls; but with God’s strength, we have made it through each and every trial.

Since we first married, my husband and I have been praying and hoping for a specific move of God; and as yet, the move we seek has not manifested. We have experienced disappointment and frustration because of this delay, but we remain steadfast in our hope, because we know that God’s plan is to prosper us and give us hope and a future. This faith has given us certainty that, at the right time, God will move in a miraculous, undeniable way!

Now, while we would prefer that this move happen sooner than later, we have to remind ourselves (often) that God’s perfect timing, His perfect plan, is always better than anything that we could imagine. Ultimately, we have to trust Him, leaning not on our own understanding, or on our own vision of how and when things should be. We have to maintain that trust…that faith…when (even in the temporary) the miracle doesn’t manifest.

God is sovereign. He is in control. And if we say that we surrender our lives to Him, we must do it completely, even if it means a delay, or even an outright denial, of our most ardent prayers. God knows best, and as always, we must remember that ultimately, everything will work for our good and His glory.

Shine Your Light!

SONGS

I Surrender – Hillsong United

I Surrender All – Israel Houghton

Choosing Gratitude…

Romans 8:28: – “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 – “But it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'”

I found this pic online, and I saw that someone had commented, “That’s when you really believe that God is in charge.” The truth of the above quote, and this subsequent response, really resonated with me, because I have begun to have this realization myself as of late. When I pray and pray for something, yet don’t get what I want or pray for; I, like most people, am REALLY disappointed! However, the easiest way for me to find peace in my disappointment is to acknowledge that if that thing, that situation, that person, that opportunity were for me, God would have provided it; to remember that God is in control and nothing can thwart His plans for me; and to take comfort in the understanding that every situation will ultimately work out for my good, because what God has planned for me is better than anything that my mind can conceive. So I choose to trust Him, and in that moment, I can thank Him despite my disappointment. And He, in turn, gives me a peace that passes all understanding. 🙂 Hallelujah!

Endless Blue Skies…

PERSEVERANCE 

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Reflections: So many times, as Christians, we are shocked and amazed that life can be hard some days. I think that deep down, we expect God to make our lives a sweet-smelling bed of roses, or at least that He would snap His fingers and make all of our problems go away instantly. But the reality is that God never promised us endless blue skies without the threat of a cloudy day. In fact, Jesus assures us that in this world, we WILL have troubles. The good news, though, is that he also assures us that we can take heart and have hope, because He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). He promised to stand by our side, and sometimes carry us, through every hardship, ultimately leading us to a life more abundant in Him. Because of Him, we can persevere through whatever life throws our way, knowing that in the end, we will have the victory.

So, yes, we will have struggles; and yes, it may seem like more than we can bear some days; but praise God that we don’t have to bear it alone! All we have to do is lean on God, give Him our burdens, and receive His promised peace, His unspeakable joy, and His unending love as we soldier through the cloudy days to get to our next blue sky.

Shine your light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Worry vs. Peace

Give It to God…

SURRENDER 

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Matthew 11:28-30 –  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Reflections: The other day, after averting crisis number 1,892 :), I realized that I tend to follow a pattern, of sorts, when unexpected challenges pop up in my life. First, I may experience a brief moment of panic as I realize what’s happening, and then I get this laser focus as I set about trying to find a solution to the problem at hand…in my own power. Oh, yes, I may mumble an offhand, “Please, God!” as I go about this process; but oftentimes, it’s not until I hit a wall in my own efforts that I stop, find my center, and turn my focus and attention to the one who promises to take all my burdens, handle all of my cares, and assuage all of my fears.

In that moment, any remaining panic or frustration is replaced with a sweet peace, as I FINALLY seek God in the midst of my storm. As I begin to surrender my problems to Him, it becomes so much easier to accept my limitations and trust God to work it out and see me through. And you know what? He ALWAYS DOES! EVERY time! WITHOUT fail! Sometimes He is subtle with His solutions, and other times, He works in ways that are nothing short of amazing! It makes me wonder why I insist on going through this habitual process instead of just seeking God in the first place. 🙂

If you, like me, tend to try to solve your problems in your own power before tapping into the Power of God, maybe it’s time to adopt a new approach (I know I’m giving it a go!). 🙂 We’d save so much time, energy, and STRESS if we would lean on God instead of relying on our own strength, if we would focus on Him instead of our circumstances, and if we would trust Him to guide, direct, and see us through whatever problems we may face instead of thinking that we can do it all on our own. Who really wants to do that anyway? 🙂 He’s our Way Maker, and He promises that if we surrender our cares to Him, He will give us peace, clarity, and rest for our souls.

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Shine Your Light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

If at First You Don’t Succeed…

PERSISTENCE (Part 2)

2 Kings 4:35 – “Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.” (For the full story, read 2 Kings 4:8-37).

1Kings 18:42b-43 – And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea. So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” (For the full story, read 1 Kings 18:41-44).

Reflections: History shows us time and again that persistence pays off. The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who kept going, kept trying, despite the odds; and in the end, proved victorious. In stories about both Elisha and Elijah, for example, we see situations where these two amazing prophets of God failed to see visible answers to their prayers after the first or second time they made their petitions. For Elijah, this situation occurred as he prayed for rain to end a drought (1 Kings 18:41-19:8). It was only after the SEVENTH time that he prayed and asked his servant to search for a rain cloud that he began to see the fruit of his labor. Elisha, on the other hand, had to try three times before he could bring the Shunammite women’s son back to life (2 Kings 4:8-37).

These are both amazing stories that give us hope and faith in God’s ability to accomplish miraculous works through his people. The persistence of these men eventually paid off, and ultimately serves as a testimony to the power of prayer, persistence, and faith.

But what if things had gone differently? What if either of them had grown weary and discouraged after their first, second, or in Elijah’s case, sixth try? Lives would have been lost and lands may have perished if they had chosen not to try one more time. Instead, their faith that God heard them and would eventually answer their prayer compelled them to keep petitioning until they saw a response.

What about you? Have you been seeking God for something that has not yet begun to manifest? Have you been praying for a response that has not yet come? If you are beginning to grow weary of the waiting, take heart and have hope. God HAS heard your plea, and He WILL answer—in His time and in His own way. It may take days, weeks, months, or even years for you to see or hear the response; but know that there is always a purpose in the waiting. Continue to seek Him, continue to have faith that He hears you. Don’t give up! You may be just one prayer away from God’s answer.

See Also:

Daniel 10:12-13 – “Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.’”

1 John 5:14-15 – “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light! 

Limitless Possibilities

BELIEF 

James 1:6-8 – “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

Reflections: When you pray, do you pray with conviction and faith, or do you allow doubt and fear to make you waver in your belief? I can admit that I’ve been guilty of the latter on occasion…of being afraid to believe that my prayers will be answered…afraid to hope. But in countless passages throughout the Bible, the Word tells us that if we seek God’s will, trusting Him and committing our way to Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4-5; Matthew 7:7). But the Word also tells us that we must pray in faith, believing and not doubting (James 1:6-8).

So, here we see two very important caveats to God’s response to our prayers. First, we must seek God and desire His will above all things (Luke 22:42); and second, when we pray, we must believe and not doubt. James tells us that those who doubt should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. That’s enough to give anyone pause!

Faith is not always easy, and when we’re in the midst of a trying situation, praying for God’s intervention, it’s not hard to fall victim to doubt and fear. We wonder if God hears us, if He will ever answer our pleas; but the Word assures us that if we ask anything according to His will, HE HEARS US, and we can rest assured that He will grant us the petitions we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15).

The Word also tells that when we pray, we begin to effect change almost immediately (James 5:16). One of my favorite stories (Daniel 10:12-14) tells of Daniel as he fasted and prayed for three weeks, seeking the Lord. After that time, an angel appeared to him, saying, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” This verse gives me great comfort in those moments when I don’t see an immediate response to my prayers, because I can find peace in knowing that even if I can’t see it, even if there is a delay, God WILL respond in time.

There is such power in our prayers, if only we would believe and stand firm with an unwavering faith. This faith sets the stage for God to do an amazing work in our lives, and in the lives of those around us. The possibilities are limitless, if we could just understand that we serve a limitless God who wants only the best for us, His children. 🙂

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!

A Still, Small Voice

STILLNESS 

1 Kings 19:11-13 – “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”

Reflections: I realized something interesting today… Sometimes, I’m so focused on looking for God’s answer to my prayer(s) to come in one specific form that I actually miss it when He shows up and responds to my petition. Just the other day, I’d been praying to God for a solution to a particular challenge, and in my mind, I’d already envisioned what that solution would look like. I prayed about it for the better part of the week, and set about waiting and looking for God’s response. But while I was looking in one direction for the reply I’d envisioned, His actual response came from a completely different direction in a form so unlike what I’d been expecting that at first, I did not recognize it for what it was. It was like God crept up quietly, like a ninja, and completely threw me for a loop! 🙂

It wasn’t until I was meditating this morning that I realized God had, in fact, taken care of the issue at hand without my truly registering it. The situation was resolved through no action of my own and in a way that was much more like a quiet whisper than the bigger, attention-grabbing bang that I was expecting.

I think that God often operates like that, with a quiet whisper instead of a big bang, and we must quiet ourselves and attune our Spirit to His peaceful stillness so that we can recognize and be grateful for the subtle blessings and responses to our petitions when they come. It’s also important to acknowledge that God’s answers to our prayers often come in a completely different form than we imagine as we pray; but that’s okay, because God knows so much better than we do the solution for which each situation calls. And I’m so glad that He’s a God who gives us what He knows we need instead of what we think we want; because in the end, we’re so much better off if we do things His way instead of our own. 🙂

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Bright! 🙂

Don’t Give Up

PERSISTENCE

Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Reflections: Have you ever wanted to just throw in the towel? Oftentimes, we try so hard to fulfill a purpose or a goal set before us; but despite our efforts, we find ourselves missing the mark the first, second, or even third time we try. Reaching for our goals can be particularly challenging when we are working in our calling; because we must battle not only our flesh (telling us we don’t have what it takes), but also the attacks of the enemy, who wants nothing more than to see us fail and give up altogether.

The reality is that we’re not always going to get it right the first time we try, and we might not always meet with resounding success during our initial efforts, despite all of our good intentions. But the Word tells us not to grow weary in well-doing, because at the proper time (God’s time, not our own), we will reap a harvest if we stand firm, have faith, and DO NOT GIVE UP (Galatians 6:9).

Keep going, keep trying, keep pushing forward towards the mark. God would not have called you to it if He didn’t know that you could do it. 🙂 Just trust Him to see you through and know that you can do and endure all things through Christ, who gives you strength.

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

Song: I’ll Trust You by Donnie McClurkin

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!

Let It Go…

PEACE

1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

 Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Reflections: Throughout the Bible, we see frequent mention of the “sister sins” worry and anxiety. I think that these themes are so prevalent because God knows that life can be hard, and that we will, at some point, have to face challenges that make us anxious and cause us to agonize over the burdens we must carry. God also knows that in many cases, these burdens are too much for us to bear alone, and that is why each of these references in the scripture is paired with an invitation to LET THE BURDENS GO.

Peter, for example, encourages us to cast all our cares on the Lord because He LOVES us (1 Peter 5:7), and Jesus Himself offers to be our burden bearer (Matthew 11:28-30). So why do we still insist on carrying the load ourselves?

During our quiet time, when we are completely focused on God, it’s easy to leave our burdens on the altar and trust God to intercede on our behalf; but as we rise and go about our day, reminders of those troubles often cause us to “pick them back up,” and with them, our worry and anxiety. The reality is that giving our cares to the Lord is often a choice we must make countless times each day. And in those moments of doubt and worry, when we want so badly to peek over at the altar to see how our troubles are doing, we must be deliberate about keeping our “eyes” focused on God and not our problems.

Keep in mind, though, that this process is not an excuse to abdicate personal responsibility for the issues in our lives. It does, however, entail trusting God enough to accept the peace He offers as He walks with us through the struggle, and believing His promise that though we may suffer a little while, in time, He will restore us to a place where we are strong, firm, and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

See Also:

1 Peter 5:10 – “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”

Song: Let Go by DeWayne Woods

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!

Whom Shall I Fear?

PROTECTION

 John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”

Reflections: Jesus warned us to be vigilante and on the lookout for the attacks of the enemy, who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. He will try to rob you of your joy, stifle your hope, and extinguish the fire of your faith. This is particularly true when God is on the verge of taking you to a new level. In those moments before your breakthrough, the distractions, temptations, setbacks, and discouragements will often seem to come at you at an alarming rate.

When you feel as if you are under a barrage of attacks from all sides, stand firm, and take hope in the knowledge that the very next step may take you into victory. Hold on and know that God is always with you, and He has sent an army of angels to defend you and guide you through. You never have to face a battle alone. You are protected by the Creator of the universe, the God of angel armies, the Father who loves you unconditionally, and who will move mountains and part seas to fulfill His promises to you.

Isaiah 12:2 – “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.”

Song: Angel Armies by Chris Tomlin

Everlasting Love

Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.’”

Reflections: It’s that time of year, again! That time when hearts and minds turn to love and the celebration of all the things that make it grand… 🙂 People have a wide variety of opinions about Valentine’s Day—while some look forward to taking part in this time-honored day of romance and gift giving, others see it as a commercialized holiday that simply serves as a boon for the retail industry. Whichever camp you fall into, though, it’s hard to deny that there is something to be said for taking a moment to acknowledge and celebrate LOVE. Whether you’ve enjoyed 50 blissful years of marriage or are still waiting for God to bring your mate into you life, we all have at least one great love in our lives that we can celebrate each and every day…

In one of my favorite Bible verses (Jeremiah 31:3), the Lord tells us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness.” I smile every single time I read this verse, and my heart melts a little. I am loved…with an everlasting love…AND SO ARE YOU! 🙂

No matter who else is in your life–regardless of whether you are giddy in love, recovering from heartbreak, comfortable in a long-lasting relationship, getting to know someone new, or enjoying your singleness–YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD. You are the apple of his eye (Psalm 17:8, Zechariah 2:8). When He created you, He drew every line and curve with loving kindness. He knew you, and LOVED you…flaws and all…before you even knew yourself.

You will never, ever, in your entire lifetime, find another love like that. And that love, my friends, is surely something to celebrate.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to you all! Know that you are well and truly loved, today and every day!

Shine Bright!

Song: Love Song by Canton Jones

Thoughts or reactions? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

The Seed Inside You…

POTENTIAL

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” ~ Robert Schuller

Mind. Blown. 🙂

Reflections: I don’t know why I was so affected by this quote, but it really gave me pause this morning. Maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to feel inadequate for the task that God has put before me, or the role he wants me to play. I also know what it feels like to be chastened by the Spirit for my doubt and reminded that God does not make mistakes. He knows what he’s doing and calls the perfect person for each endeavor. Now, this does not mean that the person is perfectly prepared for the task at hand in that moment of calling. On the contrary, the exact opposite is often true. But that truth does not matter, because God looks beyond our present level of preparation to see the seeds inside us just waiting to bear fruit. He knows that we are capable of far more than we ever imagined, as long as we stay connected to Him and allow Him to use us and equip us for the calling. Apart from God, we can accomplish only a fraction of our potential, but with him, we can achieve the seemingly impossible.

Has God placed a calling on your life that you are struggling to accept? Do you feel ill equipped to face the road ahead? Find courage in the knowledge that you don’t have to do it in your own strength. In fact, you have access to the limitless power of God, placed inside you by the Holy Spirit through your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just trust God, and know that you CAN fulfill the vision. In time, it WILL come to pass, and your efforts will bear much fruit.

See Also:

John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Thoughts or reactions? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Bright!

At the Crossroads…

DIRECTION

Psalm 119:105 – “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

 Psalm 73:23-24a – “Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel.”

Reflections: Have you ever felt like you were at a crossroads? Like the decision you were about to make could determine the course of the rest of your life? That moment can be overwhelming, and a bit terrifying, particularly if you are trying to make the choice on your own. It is in those crucial moments of decision that it is most important for us to seek the Lord’s guidance and direction. He promises that when we seek Him, He will take us by our right hand and show us the way.

When we’re seeking God’s guidance, the best way to find Him is through prayer and the reading of His Word, which will be like a lamp for your feet and a light on your path, leading you in the direction you should go. The Bible also tells us to seek wise counsel. Now, that doesn’t mean that you should go running to everyone you know asking for advice; because eventually, their opinions will begin to drown out your own voice and, more importantly, the voice of God. Find that person who is a spiritual mentor, who you know has a strong faith, knows the Word, and lives their lives according to that Word. But make sure that you use discernment, and know that any wisdom that God speaks through them will not conflict with what He has already told or shown you. It will be a confirmation, sometimes of a Word He gave you that you only realize and understand in that moment.

Whatever approach you take, know that God will never leave you alone in that moment of decision; and rest in the knowledge that if you take the path that He sets before you–even if the road gets rocky at times–you will find fulfillment, provision, and ultimately victory, as God guides you into your purpose.

Also Read:

Proverbs 19:20-21 – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Thoughts or reactions? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!

WRITE THE VISION AND MAKE IT PLAIN…

VISION

Habakkuk 2:2: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come…”

Testimony: God calls each of us to fulfill a certain purpose, and at some point or another, He places a vision in our Spirit of a specific role He wants us to play. I’m no exception.

God began revealing His vision of my future to me many years ago, and as time passes, He reveals a few more details about the path that will lead to the fulfillment of that vision. I have to say that so far, the path has not been a cakewalk. In fact, it’s been wrought with challenges, as the enemy tries to convince me that God’s promises will not come to pass. During this time, though, God has shown Himself mighty and strong, and I am amazed and humbled by the way He has cared for me, giving me hope and strength, and constantly confirming that I am on the right path.

Just this weekend, I had a moment of weakness, and I found myself questioning it all and praying to God for help, guidance, and confirmation—and MAN did He deliver! Not only did I receive more help than I imagined (and direct confirmation during the process that the help came from Him); but also during service on Sunday, God truly spoke to me through my pastor.

During a message titled, “Another Day, Another Battle,” pastor spoke about how, as Christians, we are going to face battles; but we must face them with the right attitude, knowing that God is with us and has already promised us victory. He began to encourage us to be determined, stick with it, stay on the path, and refuse to quit, because OUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN. Then he just starting saying, “Don’t quit! Don’t quit!” over and over again. He paused to say, “I’m speaking to someone in here who needs to hear this—Don’t. Quit. See it through to the end.” I, once again, was floored by God’s ability to use the people around me to help, guide, and confirm, just as I’d requested!

As I begin this week, I am strengthened, renewed, and empowered to move forward in my purpose and keep pressing toward the mark.

Has God placed a vision in your heart and on your Spirit? Does it feel like the vision will never come to fruition, or is the road of preparation becoming too much to bear? Whatever you may be experiencing, don’t quit! The vision is for an appointed time, but in the end, it will surely come. Write it down, remind yourself of what God is calling you to do, and believe that in time, with faith, determination, and the power of God, you WILL see God’s promises come to pass.

Shine your light!

See also:

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will [direct your paths].”