Knock, Knock!

Like any human, I fall off track sometimes when life becomes overwhelming and complicated; forgetting to seek Him and His amazing guidance only to grovel for His forgiveness in being absent to His presence. I am greatly rewarded by blessings of many different kind.

God does not forget me, or you, no matter what goes on or has happened in your life or the world. I hope these daily devotions can help others as much as they have helped me.

For anyone who may be reading this, please do not post comments (or try to) bashing myself or my religious beliefs. I am not out there seeking you out for your differences to try and debate them. I respect that everyone is different, everyone has different religions and beliefs and I completely respect them for that as they have that right. I have been down many different roads in my young life, and this is what I have chosen because I feel it with every beat of my heart. I just ask that it be respected.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

18 October

"GO GENTLY THROUGH THIS DAY, keeping your eyes on Me. I will open up the way before you, as you take steps of trust along your path. Sometimes the way before you appears to be blocked. If you focus on the obstacle or search for a way around it, you will probably go off course. Instead, focus on Me, the Shepherd who is leading you along your life-journey. Before you know it, the "obstacle" will be behind you and you will hardly know how you passed through it.

That is the secret success in My kingdom. Although you remain aware of the visible world around you, your primary awareness is of Me. When the road before you looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through that rough patch. My Presence enables you to face each day with confidence."

John 10:14-15; Isaiah 26:7

Monday, October 17, 2011

17 October

"ANXIETY IS A RESULT OF ENVISIONING the future without Me. So the best defense against worry is staying in communication with Me. When you turn your thoughts toward Me, you can think much more positively. Remember to listen, as well as to speak, making your thoughts a dialogue with Me.

If you must consider upcoming events, follow these rules: 1) Do not linger i the future, because anxieties sprout like mushrooms when you wander there. 2) Remember the promise of My continual Presence, include Me in any imagery that comes to mind. This mental discipline does not come easily, because you are accustomed to being a god of your fantasies. However, the reality of My Presence with you, now and forevermore, outshines any fantasy you could ever imagine."

Luke 12:22-26

Sunday, October 16, 2011

16 October

"LOOK TO ME CONTINUALLY for help, comfort, and companionship. Because I am always by your side, the briefest glance can connect  you with Me. When you look to Me for help, it flows freely from My Presence. This recognition of your need for Me, in small matters as well as in large ones, keeps you spiritually alive.

When you need comfort, I love to enfold you in My arms. I enable you not only to feel comforted but also to be a channel through whom I comfort others. Thus you are doubly blessed, because a living channel absorbs some of whatever flows through it.

My constant Companionship is the piece de resistance, the summit of salvation blessings. No matter what losses you experience in your life, no one can take away this glorious gift.

Psalm 34:5; Psalm 105:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Saturday, October 15, 2011

15 October

"TRY TO STAY CONSCIOUS OF ME as you go step by step through this day. My Presence with you is both a promise and a protection. My final statement just before I ascended into heaven was: Surely I am with you always. That promise was for all of My followers, without exception.

The promise of My Presence is a powerful protection. As you journey through your life, there are numerous pitfalls along the way. Many voices clamor for your attention, enticing you to go their way. A few steps away from your true path are pits of self-pity and despair, plateaus of pride and self-will. If you take your eyes off Me and follow another's way, you are in grave danger. Even well-meaning friends can lead you astray if you let them usurp My place in your life. The way to stay on the path of Life is to keep your focus on Me. Awareness of My Presence is your best protection."

Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 12:1-2

Friday, October 14, 2011

14 October

"BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR ME, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstance bravely--even thanking Me for them--is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.

When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness."

James 1:2-4; Psalm 107:22

13 October

"TAKE TIME TO BE STILL in My Presence. The more hassled you feel, the more you need this sacred space of communion with Me. Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax in My holy Presence while My Face shines upon you. This is how you receive My Peace, which I always proffer to you.

Imagine the pain I feel when My children tie themselves up in anxious knots, ignoring My gift of Peace. I died a criminals death to secure this blessing for you. Receive it gratefully; hide it in your heart. My Peace is an inner treasure, growing within you as you trust in Me. Therefore, circumstances can not touch it. Be still, enjoying Peace in My Presence."

Psalm 46:10; Numbers 6:25-26

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This has been so perfect for the last few days. I've been getting up early, dropping my roommate off for work and then going to the barn. It's been so crisp and cool...so extremely beautiful and peaceful. Diving my heart and soul into His Presence was incredible. I have had some amazing conversations lately with Christ, and praising Him for the beauty He created just to share with me that morning. I could easily breath and take it all in.

I couldn't ask for better mornings.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

12 October

"BEWARE OF SEEING YOURSELF through other people's eyes. There are several dangers to this practice. First of all, it is nearly impossible to discern what others actually think of you. Moreover, their views of you are variable, subject to each viewer's spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry. Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please Me, your Creator.

It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes. My gaze upon you is steady and sure, untainted by sin. Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally, loved. Rest in My loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace. Respond to My loving Presence by worshiping Me in spirit and in truth." 

Hebrews 11:6; John 4:23-24

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

11 October

"I AM THE CULMINATION of all your hopes and desires. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: who is, and was, and is to come. Before you knew Me, you expressed your longing for Me in hurtful ways. You were so vulnerable to the evil around you in the world. But now My Presence safely shields you, enfolding you in My loving arms. I have lifted you out of darkness into My marvelous Light.

Though I have brought many pleasures into your life, not one of them is essential. Receive My blessings with open hands. Enjoy My good gifts, but do not cling to them. Turn your attention to the Giver of all good things, and rest in the knowledge that you are complete in Me.  The one thing you absolutely need is the one thing you can never lose: My Presence with you."

Psalm 62:5-8; Revelation 1:8; 1 Peter 2:9; James 1:17

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It's scary, but good to look back at your life: one year, two years, three years, etc. While we masked our unhappiness with fake smiles, laughs, jokes, our hearts and souls were crying out from within and, instead of dealing with them, we punish ourselves for all the bad choices, mistakes, guilt-tripping ourselves into thinking we deserve to feel this way. We lose our focus, we don't even put it on ourselves (except for the self-pity and self-loathing) and that makes us vulnerable to letting in the evil that will cause even more destruction to our lives.

My darkest time ended after my husband proposed to me. We had only known each other for a short time, but he brought so much sunshine and positivity into my life, that helped clear away the dark clouds and really see the blessings that have been given to me. Even though he is on the fence himself about God, I don't know what it is about David, but he showed me trust and love and reminded me that there is someone there who is always watching, always loving, always there to catch me if I fall: Jesus. Although I feel guilty from time to time about bad decisions in my past, even while dating David, I'm learning how to pull myself out of it by praying and asking for His help; for Him to shield me from the past memories and guilt feeling, to take all the negativity away from my heart and my mind, to open my eyes and see all of His blessings.  It's like evil knows how much stronger my relationship is with the Lord and tries his hardest to make me break down and fall into a deep hole again--reminding me of all the negative, hurtful, wrong turns I have made. I'm still working on forgiving myself and reminding myself, all the wrong things help you make the right ones later in life as life usually gets harder. To keep praying, to keep trusting in Him to lead me down my path He has laid down specifically for me. And He will guide me through the ups, the downs, the twists, the turns, the upside down, right-side up roller coaster ride that life is.

I thank Him daily. David is one of the biggest and best, most amazing Blessings that Jesus has given me, and put into my life. I love him so completely and so true. My heart has never been so full in my entire life... full of His Love, His Light, His Presence and the unconditional love David pours into my heart every single day. Talking to Jesus instantly clears all rainy clouds that may be brewing in my heart and mind...for Him, I am eternally blessed.

Monday, October 10, 2011

10 October

"TRUST ME ENOUGH to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the light of My everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radiant Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without My help. This is a subtle sin--so common that it usually slips my unnoticed.

The alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in My abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel competent to handle something by yourself. Don't divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help. Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable you to enjoy life more and to face each day confidently."

Psalm 37:3-6

Sunday, October 9, 2011

9 October

I'm back, after a lot of struggling the last few weeks, but I am back and hopefully for good. I have let laziness and procrastination get in the way of keeping me on track and keeping me motivated to keep up to date on my blog. With my husband deployed, it has been almost too easy to let myself become distracted. Not only that, but I made a horrible decision to have some drinks on an empty stomach (rookie mistake!) and paid for it the entire next day. It felt like death and, I think, a sign that I'm getting older. Can't do the same things I used to when I was 21.

Then there has been the small bit of sadness that I've been trying to let go of. Before David left, we had sort-of started trying to get pregnant. Granted, I shouldn't be so hard on myself or sad at all as we only tried for two weeks, lol. I have to remind myself of that. However, it still stings a little bit each time I hear of another friend or squadron wife finding out they are pregnant. I'm getting there and telling myself God has another plan for me right now and I am not there on my path yet. I pray that there is a "baby stop" on my path--my biggest fear is that it is not, but I need to let go of that fear and that worry and hand it over to Him.

When I pick up my "Jesus Calling" book, that has been collecting some dust on my nightstand, and open it to the current day--it is always as if He picked the exact words specifically for me to read at that time. Never fails to strike my heart and lift me up. What I need to start doing again, is writing my thoughts, struggles, fears, and worries out instead of keeping them in; even if they do not quite coincide with the day's devotional. It really helps me not harbor those feelings inside. I hope you all don't mind and can understand.

Without further a due, here is today's devotional:

9 October, 2011

"YOU HAVE BEEN on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent. Though you have faltered at times, you have no let go of My hand. I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me. There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain. You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following. I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you. You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you to see things from My perspective.

Complaining to others is another altogether. It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage. Whenever you are tempted to grumble, come to Me and talk it out. As you open up to Me, I will putMy thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart."

Jeremiah 31:25; Philippians 2:14-15