​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed New Year’s Eve to you all! It’s hard to believe that this year is coming to its end; but do you want to know the good news? God is now providing us with a New Year…one that will give us a new beginning and one that will continue to lead us to His very best…and I pray that as we enter this New Year; that we will all take hold of this hope and hold tightly to it…Amen!!
Well…yesterday, we took the first step towards another new year…so today let me ask you…are you ready to take the final step into the year 2021? As we lift our foot to take this final step, we are now going to prepare our minds for the unknown days that lie ahead of us. Can we all say today that our minds are set to walk in a direction that will lead us to the things in life that can bring peace, joy and happiness…despite what we may be facing at this present time? If we could just prepare our minds to see each new day as something special from God; then life wouldn’t seem so overwhelming. Even now, as we prepare to enter the New Year, we are taking it one step and one day at a time. If we could continue to do this throughout the entire year; then we would also find ourselves in sync with God, which would always keep us connected with Him…and distant from the things that attempt to bring us to a halt.
As we prepare to take this final step into another new year, let’s read Lamentations 3:22-24…and we read… “His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. (23) Great is his faithfulness; his lovingkindness begins afresh each day. (24) My soul claims the Lord as my inheritance; therefore I will hope in him.”
As we begin to step into another New Year, can we say that our faith is aiming us in God’s direction...or do we find that we are lingering behind…fearing what may lie ahead of us? If we are lingering behind; then these can be the moments that detach us from God and make life much more difficult to get through, which only makes us feel like giving up on life.
Also…we need to ask ourselves this question…”Are we allowing stress and anxiety to control our lives and dictate our feelings or are we looking for God to lead us peacefully from one day into the next?” If we would stop dragging the problems of yesterday into the moments of today and look for a fresh new start each morning; then we wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed by the difficult moments we face. Remember…when we choose to claim God as our aim in life; then instead of living with dread, doubt, fear…and the symptoms of our problems; we will find it easier to live with a hope that can carry us down each path in life. We need to remember that the connections we make in life, will determine how we are led through life and how the tough moments come to an end.
Now, as we place our foot directly into the year 2021, can we say that we are willing to leave the old way of thinking behind and step into thoughts that will relay a message to God, of the things we truly desire? One thing we should think on today is this…how we enter this New Year, will either give us a rough start or a new beginning. We also need to remember that resolutions can become empty words that never reach their destination. If we want to experience the better things in life; then we need to pursue them with a heart and mind that isn’t willing to give up, until we have found what we’re searching for.
Now that we are in alignment with God, while leaving the excess baggage behind; let’s begin to aim ourselves in a direction that will help us to walk one day at a time…through this brand new year with God. Here we go…let’s close the door to the old year and enter a New Year that is filled with hope…new possibilities and all that God has in store for us…Amen!
Have a very blessed New Year and I will see you tomorrow…in the year 2021, for a very special God inspired writing; that will give us that extra boost we need, for another new year! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Wednesday to you all!  I hope that your day is going well…and that you will truly know in your heart that God is ALWAYS there for you…no matter what you may be facing…Amen!
Today, I thought that we would do something different…and begin by preparing ourselves for another new year. I’m sure that for some…entering a new year may not be as exciting as it once was; so let’s spend some time together with God…and let His words of encouragement help us take those final steps into a brand new year.
As we begin this time together, let’s read Philippians 3:13-14…and we read… “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  
The first thing we must realize is that we are not perfect people and life will always be a time of struggle, as this is how we gain the knowledge…wisdom and strength that’s needed to continue our journey through life. One thing that will help us with this; is to stop living up to people’s expectations and begin to live up to God’s expectations; because when we attempt to be a perfect person…one that God never intended for us to be; then moments such as these only weigh us down and make it much more difficult to continue the journey that’s set before us.
Now that we have left one piece of unwanted baggage along the wayside; let’s let go of another one, by leaving the past behind…because when we choose to live in the past moments of hurt and pain; then we will never be able to enter the present moments, which will only make us feel as though we are not making it through life…which only leads to giving up. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t deal with the past because there may be moments when we need to do so; but at the same time, we shouldn’t make plans to remain in the past. When we can learn how to let go of the pain and heartache from the past…and even our yesterday; then we will soon find that we have gained even more strength for the journey, as this unwanted piece of baggage is no longer weighing us down.
The final piece of baggage that we need to unload before entering a new year; is to quit studying the mistakes and wrong turns we’ve made in life and continue to focus and strive for the prize, which will become our reward, for a journey well-traveled. When we begin to study everything that is wrong in our lives or even the hurtful moments of the past; then these moments only become obstacles that enter our path, which only keeps us from moving forward in life. 
Many today may be suffering with chronic pain…illness and the deep heartache that stems from a trying circumstance…and these moments can make it difficult at times, to even begin to think about entering another new year…because we tend to feel as though this part of the journey will never find it’s end; but rather than focusing on what is happening for the moment, why don’t we do as Paul did and strive to reach for the moments that can allow this awful part of the journey, to serve some great purpose in life.
Today, we can find hope and a reason to take that first step towards another new year, when we are willing to leave all the unwanted moments of our lives behind, while choosing to exchange the negative thoughts and feelings, for a better outlook on life. When we choose to enter the New Year in this way; then we will find that the journey becomes easier, while making more room for God to work in our lives.
May you truly have a blessed day…and I hope you will join me tomorrow, as we take that final step into another New Year! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane  

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Tuesday to you all! I hope that your day is off to a good start! As we begin our time together today, my prayer is that fear will not have control over of the unknown moments that we may be facing right now; but that we will have a steadfast faith…knowing that our God will always be there to care for us…Amen!!
A few Bible verses that have come to my thoughts lately, are found in Matthew 6:25-26…and I would like to share them with you today…and they read… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26) Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Today, there may be some who are truly struggling financially. With this pandemic, it seems like there are more people out of work, with families to feed and bills to pay. During times such as these, we can find it so easy to fall prey to the fear that attempts to accompany these moments; but one thing we must keep reminding ourselves of; is that our God holds all resources within His mighty hands and He can work in ways that we can never even begin to imagine.
Some of you may be thinking to yourself right now…how can you understand situations such as these…for you are the author of 16 books and you have a ministry. First off…I would like to say that I took in just over $8.00 royalty this month…and it’s not because I’m not selling books; but rather, it’s because I am giving away the books that I can on Amazon, while giving all my e-books away for free on Google Play…Smashwords and other affiliated bookstores…and why; because I feel that we should never get rich off of God’s words; but rather, we should offer them freely to those in need. Also…as for the ministry, I don’t take in any donations, unless someone comes to me and wants to help the ministry. The money for this ministry is taken out of my husband’s and my pockets and what may be donated; is given to help another person in need. Due to running the ministry in this way…there can be times of struggle; but no matter what we may have need of; I have always seen God make a way…and always do it through His resources.
As I’m sitting here this morning…looking out into a yard that’s filled with birds, I am reminded as to how God not only created them; but also as to how He cares for them. In fact…sometimes I think that these birds have a greater faith than what we have…because they don’t store up; but rather, they trust their maker to take care of them…one day at a time.
Maybe today, you are just barely making it. No matter what you are facing right now…I know a God who is always there…to care for the one that He had at one time created. Remember…God didn’t place us down here, to make us suffer beyond our means. Each day, we must turn away from the fear that can debilitate us and look to the One who made us…the One who longs so much to care for us. From experience, I have truly come to see that when we place our trust in Him, rather than placing our trust in ourselves or some other means; that is when He will step in and care for the One He truly loves.
If you have been struggling to trust God, while facing a difficult time in your life right now; begin anew by casting all your anxieties on Him…because He truly does care for you! (I Peter 5:7)
Have a very blessed day…and ALWAYS know that God is there for you! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Monday to you all! I truly hope that you had a nice Christmas…I know I did! In fact…I was able to get some extra rest and just celebrate Jesus with my husband. Now, as we begin another new week…and prepare to enter another new year, I pray that God will continue to strengthen us and draw us even closer to Him; that we may continue to press on and walk beyond the circumstances that attempt to take us down…Amen!!
A few days ago, I was spending some time with God…and as we were conversing heart to heart; He began to speak to me very deeply…and this is what He shared with my heart… “When we pursue God, rather than giving into a problem…we go beyond the boundary line that Satan has set up to defeat us…wow!”
As I was sharing this thought with my husband, a Bible verse began to cross my mind, which is found in Psalm 18:29…and we read… “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.”
So many times we find ourselves walking down the path of life…only to be stopped by a trying circumstance. Instead of allowing God’s strength to take us beyond it; we find ourselves letting go of the One, for whose hand we once held so tightly to. From there, we discover that our decision only allowed us to become caught within the snare of a boundary line that Satan had longed to use against us.
I’ll tell you…when God placed this new thought upon my heart the other day…it was as though I was awakened to something fresh and new…that I had never known before. Do we realize that when Satan afflicts us; that this affliction is set up in a way to keep us caught within a web of despair? Even though this thought alone can seem very discouraging; we need to remember that there is a strength that can free us from this web of despair…and it comes through Jesus Christ. Instead of sizing up what is now standing before us; we need to remember whose power is greater. Even though Satan can display himself as someone great and powerful…his ways can never supersede the ways of God…Amen!
I will never forget the time, when I first read Psalm 18:29. I was weak…frail and struggling very much in life, with no hope to be found. As God led me to this Bible verse, for the very first time, I began to truly see that even though I couldn’t go beyond these troubling moments on my own…I could with the strength of this mighty and awesome God. From that moment on, I began to pursue God, rather than the problems that came my way…and to this day, I pursue…pursue…and pursue. You see…I have come to recognize these circumstances that block my way…and I’ve also come to see that even though they appear to be large in size; there is nothing that my God can’t help me to overcome. Yes…it may not always be easy. Maybe God is teaching me to let go of myself and trust Him more, which can sometimes make these times in my life seem long and drawn out; but in the end, I do find myself beyond the problem, rather than stuck in it, as I once was.
No matter what you may be facing today…and no matter how large of an obstacle may be standing before you right now…just know that with God, you can run through it…and with His powerful strength, you can leap over these walls that Satan has placed in your way…for even though it may be impossible for us to get through these trying times alone…with God all things are possible…Amen!
Have a very blessed day…and I will see ya soon!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Christmas Eve to you all! As I’ve been sitting here in my office this morning…thinking on all that Christ has done for us…I began to see even more, as to how important Christ’s birth was…for it was the birth of our Savior that began a journey; that would eventually bring true and lasting hope to all mankind.
One of the more popular and well memorized verses in the Bible is found in John 3:16, which reads… “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just think…if it wouldn’t have been for Christ’s birth; then we would be sitting here right now in bondage…with now hope; for it was His birth that began a journey to an old rugged cross, where He would sacrifice His entire life…to die for the sins of this world.
Before writing you today, I was listening to a Christmas song, which I have truly come to love and it is titled… “He made a way in a manger”…and some of the lyrics go like this… “He made a way in a manger…a way to the cross…Messiah the promised before time had begun. For God so loved this world, though he knew what love would cost; He made a way in a manger, to make a way to the cross.”
Tomorrow, there may be some who will open gifts that have been given to them; but what I have found to be the greatest gift I could ever receive at Christmas; is the gift of love and hope. Just think…when we choose to open this gift of love and hope…that has been given so freely to us; the light of God’s presence shines through…a light that can truly surround us and remain with us, while facing our darkest hour.
So many times, we accept Christ’s gift of love, hope and forgiveness; but then we only hold onto it and never really open it up and allow it to be applied to our everyday lives. When we choose to accept Christ in this way; then we are only allowing His powerful presence, to remain closed up within the gift that He has so freely given us.
One thing I have come to see about this true gift of Christmas; is that once this gift is given to us and opened…no one can take this gift from us. This is a gift that remains with us, even while facing the tough and difficult moments of life. In Romans 8:33-39, we read… “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. (34) Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (36) As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us not only take hold of the gift that Christ has so freely given us; but let us open it up…for when we open up our hearts and truly receive the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ…which has been offered to many throughout the years; then we will begin to discover a gift that can become more valuable, than any other gift we could ever receive.
Have a very blessed Christmas…and may you truly experience Christ’s gift of love, hope and forgiveness to you!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Wednesday to you all! Just think…day after tomorrow is Christmas! As I was thinking on this today, my mind was carried away to those who are hurting and in great need right now. It seems as though there are so many people struggling in this world…and also many who are going through health issues too.
You know…recently I was going through quite a bit of pain…and later that day, as I was relaxing and watching YouTube; I came across some videos of people who were living with chronic pain or cancer…and even some who had passed away from cancer. Over the many years that I have dealt with chronic pain and surgeries, I have truly come to see how others don’t always understand the needs of those who are going through these issues in life…and you know…Christmas time can make it even rougher on the one who is hurting deeply; so today, I would like to share some thoughts and encouraging words with the one who feels as if they are in a world of their own this Christmas.
As I look back on my life, I remember many times, when I felt as if I was on the sidelines of life. I grew up with 3 other siblings…and I only seemed to be the one with all the health issues. While they were enjoying everything that a young person should…I was laid up in a hospital bed…or I was going through long bouts of recovery…and through time, I felt as if I was sitting on the curb of a sidewalk, while life passed me by.
During this special time of the year, there may be some who feel as if they are also sitting on the curb of a sidewalk, while they watch all the special moments of Christmas pass them by, due health issues…financial needs…or even the loss of a job or loved one. No matter what it may be…these times we face can attempt to take away the spirit of Christmas.
As I was sitting here this morning…thinking on all of this; God led me to a Bible verse in Psalm 34:2…and we read… “I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.”
Maybe the moments of affliction we experience have a way of reminding us, as to what we are unable to do at this time of the year; but the way I see it; is that we can continue to rejoice in one thing this Christmas…and that is Jesus. When we focus on the true and only meaning of Christmas, even while facing these difficult times; we will no longer feel alone, in a world of our own; for now, the spirit of Christmas will truly be with us.
I think that so many times, we get caught up in what has been taken from us; that we tend to forget that nothing or no one can take away the One, for which Christmas truly exists. We must remember that the food we eat…or the other things we long to experience at Christmas…really doesn’t make up Christmas; for it’s all about the One who resides within us…the One who came into this world as a babe, to die on an old rugged cross and resurrect and bring new life to us. This is the true gift of Christmas…a gift of hope that can help us to keep pressing on, while facing these difficult times.
I don’t know about you; but Christmas isn’t the same as it once was for me…as my legs have worsened with time; but I have truly come to see that it’s not about the loss and the things I can no longer enjoy; but rather, it’s about rejoicing in what I can do, while spending time with the One…for whose birthday is a very special time for me to celebrate.
Out of all the things that I have learned throughout my life; I have truly come to see that focusing on what we may no longer be able to enjoy, will only make Christmas even more miserable. Why not rise above the loss and hurt in your life and do as the wisemen once did and seek Jesus…and one thing I know…this will be one of the best Christmas’ you’ve ever had!
As we close, I pray that we all will take in the real and true meaning of Christmas; that Christmas may truly come alive within each of our hearts…Amen!
Have a very blessed day and I will see ya soon!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Tuesday to you all! You know…it’s hard to believe that we are only days away from Christmas. One thing about Christmas this year; is that it has seemed very different to me. It seems like the spirit of Christmas has been taken away, due to the virus and everything else that’s happening around us.
One day, as I was sharing these thoughts with a friend, I was reminded as to how Christmas isn’t only a holiday that we celebrate once a year…but it’s a holiday that we hold deep within the heart…and if we have the true meaning of Christmas within our hearts; then nothing or no one can take away that spirit that connects us with Christmas.
A Bible verse that God has used many times in my life is found in 2 Corinthians 4:16…and we read… "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day." 
Even though we see, feel and experience life in a different way; that doesn’t mean that all hope is gone. Maybe life right now isn’t the same as it once was; but we must remember that God is still working deep within the heart, to sustain…strengthen and bring about a newness; that can keep us pressing on from one day to the next. The way I see it is that even though the virus and other things have distorted the spirit of Christmas this year; that doesn’t mean that it has deadened the heart…and taken away what has always been there. I think that sometimes, we allow our view of life to convince the heart that life has changed, when actually; we should be allowing the heart to change what we see around us.
I remember a time in my life, when the feelings and thoughts of the past had attempted to take away the spirit of Christmas from me. The heart was so broken at the time and life seemed so different; that I just couldn’t get into Christmas that year. It was at that particular time in my life, when Jesus brought Christmas to me. Instead of focusing on the materialistic part of Christmas and what I was missing out on; Jesus brought Christmas to my heart in a very simple way that I will never forget. As my husband and I sat in a hospital room…eating the take out that he had worked so hard to bring to me that day; life began to change for me…and the heart began to see that even though life had changed around me…there was still a place within me that remained alive…a part of that broken heart that truly could once more feel and experience the spirit of Christmas…only this time, in a brand new way.
You know…even though life can make us feel as if it has changed for the very worst; that doesn’t mean that what has been stored up within the heart has been taken from us. I think that if we could just look beyond the moments that are attempting to make life seem different…and celebrate what is stored up within the heart; then I truly believe that we wouldn’t experience so much of the change that has taken place around us…and the moments that are attempting to bring us low.
I don’t know about you; but I have set up a nativity within the heart…that is shining brightly within me…and one thing I know…no matter how different Christmas may seem this year; nothing can take away what is lit up within the heart…Amen!
Have a great day…and may you truly find Christmas to be alive within your heart! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Monday to you all! I hope you are having a great start to your day! You know…there may be some of us right now, who may be happy and on every cloud in the sky, while others continue to struggle to keep their heads above the troubled waters; but one thing we can hold to today is that God is a god of new mercies and new beginnings…and even though our day may have started out on the wrong foot; God does have control over every minute of each new day…and when we call out to Him for help, we can rest assured that He will be there for us! Amen!
One thing I truly enjoy about the time I spend with you and God; is that the writings always seem to hit my own heart…before even beginning my day of work. As I have been sitting here today…thinking on what God would have me to share with you this morning; He began to lead me to a couple verses in the Psalms. I don’t know about you…but especially during the difficult times, I have always found the Psalms to be comforting and uplifting. Anyways…as I was reading some verses in the Psalms, God led me to Psalm 34:6-7, which reads… “This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. (7) For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.”
How many times have we found ourselves holding onto an uncertain moment or a problem, as though it’s a security blanket?  You know…I think that there can be times, when we take God for granted and just expect Him to work with our needs, without even speaking a word to Him. We know that God has the power to do all things but don’t you think that we should take the time to converse with Him about a specific need…and remain closely in touch with Him, rather than these problems we face? In verse 6 of our reading, it says…“This poor man cried to the Lord and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles.” How do we expect God to come and rescue us from a difficult moment, if we are trying to hold tightly to something we just can’t fix on our own, while expecting Him to just automatically step into the situation and make it right?
Another thing we need to ask ourselves today is this; do we make God our last resort? We can find that we either attempt to work with the problem on our own or we may even try to ignore the problem completely…hoping it will just go away; but after some time of attempting to deal with a problem in this way; I think that we will quickly come to see that we only grow weary and more overwhelmed by the problem. We may even sit and say…why hasn’t God helped me? Does He even care about what I’m going through? Before thinking these thoughts, maybe we should slow down…gather our thoughts together and see if we have even given the problem over to God.
There is one character in the Bible that I have truly come to love…and that is King David. As I was coming through some very overwhelming times in my life, I came to see that he was a man that poured out all his needs before God…and from there, he would reminisce back, on all that God had brought him through and by time he had done these two things…he was back on track with God…praising God and knowing in his heart that God would be there for him once more.
As we begin this new day, can we say that we have truly given everything over to God or are we sitting in a wallowing hole, while we hold tightly to a security blanket of problems? If so…then one thing I know from experience; is that Satan will also be there with us in that wallowing hole…helping us to remain true to the problem, rather than God.
The only way we are going to find peace and the hope that will help us to continue on during these difficult times; is to have a heart to heart talk with God. Once we humble ourselves and cry out to God for help…knowing that He is the only way out of the problem; that is when we will begin to have the assurance that He will be there for us…ready and willing to take full control, over every need in our lives.
Have a great day…and may you truly find God to be a trusting friend…One that you can share all your problems with! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

Hello everyone...and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! It's so good to be with you...and I pray that as we walk through this day; that we will truly come to see that God is ALWAYS there to make a way for us, even when there appears to be no way out of these circumstances we face...Amen!
Well...this morning, I didn't know if I would be with you; because yesterday, while the workers were banging on the house and doing their work...all the power went out. Yes...one minute I was sitting quietly in my living room...enjoying the moment...and the next minute I was pretty much in the dark. They were able to get most of the power on; but of course, my office is still in the dark; so until the electrician arrives,  I am using Keith's computer, which is hooked up next to his desk...lol...what a week!
Anyways...while this was taking place...I found that God was speaking to me quite a bit...helping me through that trying time...and as I was thinking on this; I was quickly reminded, as to how God is there to make a way for us, even when we can't see any way out of these trying times we face, which truly helped me to experience peace, even in the midst of chaos.
As I was thinking on all that has taken place over the past 24 hours; God began to lead me to a Bible verse that is found in Isaiah 43:16, which reads... "Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"
You know...there can be times in our lives, when we face overwhelming situations like I have been going through...and we can find it so easy to give into the feelings that stem from these moments; but yesterday, I was reminded as to how the situation only worsens with time, when we choose to sit and reflect on every detail, of what has gone wrong. 
The one new thing that I have come to learn...throughout these past 24 hours; is that fretting and worrying only takes us down another path...a path that keeps us from hearing that still small voice; that can truly point us in the right direction and walk us through these unsettled moments.
​Believe me when I say...that life is never easy...and Satan even has a way of enhancing these moments, while causing us to feel overwhelmed with life; but if we could just slow down...take a deep breath and begin anew with God; then we would truly come to see, as I have; that the Lord will make a way through the troubled sea...and a path through the waters that attempt to take us down.
Have a very blessed day...and just know that the Lord is on your side...ready to step in and make a way for you! God bless!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Thursday to you all! It’s so good to be back with you today…and my prayer for all of us; is that we will truly come to see that God’s presence is always greater than the presence of a circumstance…Amen!!
Well…yesterday, I decided to go grocery shopping and to also get the food that Keith and I would need for the holidays...thinking that the workers who are putting new vinyl siding on the place we’re renting, would be finished with the area around my office window; but to my surprise, they also decided to stay away yesterday and return this morning…so we will see how this writing goes. Right now, it’s not too noisy; but I’m sure that very soon, I will be hearing…bang…bang…bang…lol!
Anyways…I did get out yesterday, which was nice…but it’s always a full day for me; but as I look back to yesterday, I see how God was with me every step of the way…and I praise Him for that!
You know…even through a very busy yesterday and a noisy this morning…God is there. The chaos that attempts to overtake a day can make it seem as if God is way off in the distance; but I think that’s only because we are drawing closer to the problem, rather than God. As I’ve been thinking on this; God began to take me back to a Bible verse in James 4:8, which says… “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
You know…it’s so easy to say that we are trusting God through the difficult times of life; but can we actually say that our hearts are following after each word we speak? What we need each day is to be connected to God alone. Even before going out yesterday, I took some time and asked God to be with me…and to walk each step of the day with me, even while bagging groceries, which can sometimes be hard on me…and you know what…He was there…and I felt Him there…holding me up and bringing me through moments that I could have never gotten through on my own.
Many times, I think we get our minds set too much on what could go wrong, rather than focusing on a God who can turn around these difficult moments we face…to make it all right. Throughout my lifetime, I have come to truly see one thing…whatever we perceive the moment to be; will actually be what we receive from that moment.
Each day, we need to realize that negativity will only give us that feeling; that a perfect God is off in the distance…and why…because our thoughts have pushed Him there. If we want to feel God’s presence and know He is with us; then we must shun the problem and make room for this powerful God to step forward and work on our behalf. Once we are willing to put God first…above any other thing in our lives…and not just speak it…but actually do it; that is when we will begin to see that life can be much better, than what we first thought it to be.
No matter what you may be facing right now…and no matter how alone your circumstance has attempted to make you feel; just know that there is a God who longs to step in front of this circumstance…a God who longs so much to show you love…compassion…and a strength that can carry you through these times; but first, you must choose the one who will stand before you…God or the problem.
As you continue to walk through your day, may I encourage you to take God with you? One thing I know…when we make Him feel welcome in our lives…He will be there…to see us through what seems to be the impossible…Amen!
Have a very blessed day…and I will see you soon!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane