you don’t always get what you want

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 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 what we asked of Him.

- 1 John 5:14-15

Yes, you can ask God for anything, everything that you want.

Just remember that He isn’t always going to give you exactly what you want.

If you feel like your prayers are not being answered or that He is ignoring you, remind yourself that God knows what is best for you, He loves you and He knows His plans for you.

I can think of several things that I prayed really hard about, begging God for a specific outcome, and being heartbroken when it did not end the way I wanted it to go.

And I look back now and thank Him for NOT doing that thing I asked Him to do.

It is all in God’s timing, and His will, we have to be patient and wait for Him.

Now once again, I need to practice what I preach.

Have a blessed day. 

P.S. Happy birthday to the BEST mother-in-law on the planet – we love you Mom!!!!!!!

all you do is complain

And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

- 1 Corinthians 10:10

I get upset with the folks on social media that are constantly negative. 

I actually asked one person if anything makes her happy, because she posts how horrible everything is more often than not.

Negativity can destroy you and your relationships with others.

My daily devotional says to let thankfulness temper all your thoughts, that a thankful mindset keeps you in touch with the Father, and gratitude enables you to see the light of His presence in all circumstances.

I am guilty of negativity on occasion – I know this.

Starting today, I plan to be more thankful and to look for the positive in all things, even when I hurt. 

I challenge you to do the same.

Have a blessed day.

You can choose your friends but you are stuck with family!

Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.

- Mark 3:35

Family . . . there are some crazy dynamics out there.

Families are supposed to be close, loving and supporting of one another, even in bad times.

I am so blessed to have an awesome family that supports me.

Let’s be honest, that does not always happen.

Some families do not have healthy relationships, and it is toxic being around them, and that’s when we have to lean on our other family, I’ve heard the word merge “framily”

Being in God’s family means unconditional love and support, even when we don’t agree with what you are doing.

Come to God’s family, I’ll be there for you.

Have a blessed day.

shadows can be good

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

- Psalm 36:7

As children, I think a lot of us have a fear of the dark, of shadows.

Shadows can be good though!

Think about on a hot summer day, with blistering sunshine (ok, that is me, wishing for summer) we gravitate toward the shade, and what is the shade but the shadow of a building or a tree?

Song reference!

Your love, oh Lord

Reaches to the heavens

Your faithfulness

Stretches to the skies

Your righteousness is

Like the mighty mountain, yeah

Your justice flows like the ocean's tides

I will lift my voice

To worship You, my King

I will find my strength

In the shadow of Your wings

People take refuge in the shade, in the shadows – we can be relieved from heat, we can be refreshed.

God’s love is refreshing, we just need to happily accept it.

Have a blessed day.

testing, testing, 1…2…3…

Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

- Luke 4:12

I remember when I was a young Christ follower and I did not understand how to pray and I really thought that I could just ask for what I wanted.

When I didn’t get the answers I needed, I would be disappointed and I would question my new found faith.

Someone told me to pray that if God wanted me to make this decision, to ask for a sign.

Of course I took that to an extreme and I would say things like “God if you want me to take this job, play <specific song> on the radio this morning.”

Looking back I realize that was pretty dumb, because I always chose a song according to what was popular on that station so I would trick myself into thinking the answer from God was there.

We do not have to test God. 

God loves us and will do what is best for us in His time.

It is hard to be patient, but we have to learn to TRUST.

Song reference!

Letting go of every single dream

I lay each one down at Your feet

Every moment of my wandering

Never changes what You see

I try to win this war

I confess, my hands are weary, I need Your rest

Mighty warrior, king of the fight

No matter what I face You're by my side

When You don't move the mountains

I'm needing You to move

When You don't part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers

As I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings

There's not a day ahead You have not seen

So let all things be my life and breath

I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don't move the mountains

I'm needing You to move

When You don't part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers

As I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You

I will trust in You

You are my strength and comfort

You are my steady hand

You are my firm foundation

The rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher

Your plans are always good

There's not a place where I'll go

You've not already stood

When You don't move the mountains

I'm needing You to move

When You don't part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers

As I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You

Trust, don’t test. 

You’ll get better results.

Have a blessed day.

daddies

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

- Proverbs 24:3-4

I googled a verse to use to celebrate a dad’s birthday, and this verse, while it does not directly say anything about a dad, it does reflect what a dad does.

Dads should impart wisdom, understanding and knowledge. 

Although my daddy went to Heaven when I was young, I cherish wonderful memories.

My daddy was smart, maybe not so understanding (grin) but he absolutely would share his knowledge with you – whether you asked for it or not!!!

The house he built is not a physical structure, but it is my heart, and through wisdom, understanding and knowledge my heart is filled with treasure.

Our Heavenly Father has built us a beautiful house as well, filled with many rooms, many treasures - and He is waiting for us to come to Him.  

I am a day late, but happy 92^nd birthday in Heaven, Daddy  - save a place for me at the table.

Vulcan mind meld?

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?”

- Matthew 9:4

I am so very guilty of having bad thoughts.

Sometimes I can run an entire scenario in my mind that is not nice or pretty and not even remotely Christian.

I am ashamed (a lot) of things that I think, and I am glad that there is not really a thing like the Vulcan mind meld (sorry, I am not ashamed that I like Star Trek!)

When we concentrate on things that are not pleasing to God, we are really opening a door for the evil one to fill our hearts with darkness.

The immoral or destructive thoughts, the unkind words, they are not of God.

Be careful what you think, keep your mind and your heart focused on God.

Have a blessed day.