​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! I truly hope and pray that your day is off to a great start…and I also pray that no matter what you may be facing right now; that you will ALWAYS know in your heart that Jesus will NEVER give up on you…Amen!!
This morning, as I was listening to a song titled… “Never Gave Up;” I began to think back to over 25 years ago, when my life seemed so unrepairable. There were so many things happening at the time; that the plate of problems that sat before me, just seemed to overflow, until I could barely keep up with it all. At the time, I was facing multiple knee surgeries, while the painful moments of the past seemed right before my very eyes…to the place where the weight of each problem only weighed heavily upon me, until my head actually felt as if it was dragging on the ground.
Even though these times in my life seemed so out of control and hopeless; God had another plan…one that I just couldn’t see at the time, while standing in the midst of all that rubble. It was through these difficult times that He began to reveal Himself to me…and truly stand on the promises He made to me personally and through His word. Now, as I look back…I see how He never gave up on me. Yes…there were moments, when He had to wait for me to catch up with Him; but He never grew impatient…and He definitely didn’t walk away; for that same presence that was with me over 25 years ago…continues to walk with me each day.
You know…just like me; we can feel as if life is just so overwhelming…to the place where all our problems seem to hide us from the presence of an almighty God. Like I’ve said before…it’s not only Satan’s desire to afflict us; but to use that affliction, as another means of removing us from the presence of God…and if he can get us to see these moments, as moments that seem almost impossible to get through; then maybe he can also convince us that God has given up on us to.
A very special Bible verse that God has used numerous times in my life is found in John 14:18, which reads… “No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you.” This is the Bible verse that actually helped me to see that God wasn’t going to give up on me. In fact…I saw myself at the time, as though my problems were this enormous storm…one with blackened skies and a raging sea; but as I stood on what seemed to be the broken moments of my life, I began to call out to the Lord for help…and in His own way; He came to me on that troubled sea and He held me close…and from that moment on…life began to take a new turn…one that gently walked me out of the storm and unto a new path…a path that I have been walking down since that time.
You know…the one thing that has been a reminder to me for quite some time, as to how Jesus will never give up on us; is when I think back to an old rugged cross. Just stop and think for a moment…would Jesus go through all that suffering, pain and agony; only to turn His back on us right now? I don’t think so. The way I see it; is that His love for us was so real at the cross; that the only thing that seemed to matter; was what He could do for us. Now if Jesus’ love for us was so great…that He was willing to sacrifice His own life for us; then why wouldn’t He sacrifice some time for us now? I think that sometimes, we just become so buried in our circumstances and what they are attempting to convey to us; that we begin to let them have control…to the place where it feels as if Jesus has walked away and given up on us completely.
You know…over 25 years ago, I never thought I’d be where I’m at today; but as I look back, over the many traveled miles of life; I truly see where Jesus stood on His promises and never gave up on me, which only gives me hope for the moments I’m facing at this time…a hope that truly lifts me to a place that is closer to Him.
No matter what you’re facing right now…please don’t ever give up; because I know a God who hasn’t given up on you. Maybe His timing hasn’t allowed your circumstance to change for the better; but through my own experience, I can say that it will change…and while you are waiting in the waiting room, for Him to walk in and help you; just rest assured that He is with you and will never abandon you or leave you as an orphan in the storm…for He will come to you; because He is a God that hasn’t and will never give up on you…Amen!!
Have a very blessed day…and ALWAYS know that God will be there for you, until the very end. (Matthew 28:20)
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Thursday to you all! I am so happy to have you with me today…and my prayer is that we will ALWAYS remember that we can do ALL things through Christ…despite what may be happening in our lives at the time…Amen!!
Lately, I have been struggling very much with my health…and I don’t say that as a means of complaining…but only as a means of sharing what God teaches me through these troubling times.
Yesterday seemed to be a little more difficult for me…and by evening, I found myself in tears…crying out for God’s help. You see…when a person is hit with every blow that Satan can bring her way, as a means of stopping God’s encouraging words; then those blows have a way of overwhelming a person…to a place where they find it even more difficult to cope. Let’s face it…we’re all human…and no matter what…we have our moments of weakness, where the struggles seem to become even more real than at other times.
Last night, after finally getting myself under control, I just decided to go to bed and get some rest. Before falling asleep, I said under my breath… “Please help me Lord”…knowing that when we find it too hard to speak a word; that He can read the tablet of our hearts and know every little thing about the moments that we are experiencing.
Anyways…after talking with God, I fell quickly to sleep and before I knew it…it was morning. When I first woke up, I sat on the side of the bed and Satan was already at work…trying to convince me that I just couldn’t make it through the day; but then a strength entered my body…and it was as if I was being lifted to my feet.
As I began to get around for the day; God was already at work too, as He gave me the words to today’s writing… “When I Say I Can’t – God Says I Can.” For a moment, I just stood there and soaked in those words…and before I knew it, I was already feeling a bit energized.
You know…I think that we can experience times, when we become so caught up in the overwhelming and discouraging moments of life; that we completely forget that when we can’t make it…we really can…and how…with God’s help.
This morning, as I was listening to some music and preparing for today’s writing; God led me to a well-known Bible verse that He has used many times in my life…and it’s found in Mark 10:27, which reads…“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible; but not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
You know…I think that if we could just stop and remember that we are only human; then we would see these difficult times in a different way that would bring hope into these moments. We must also remember that since we are only human; that we don’t hold that perfection within us that God holds within Himself; so this alone should tell us that there may be times, when we just aren’t strong enough to get through the moments, when weakness can seem more powerful than our own human strength. Even though we can’t make it…we should never give up; but instead, we should turn to the One whose strength can be made perfect through our weaknesses.
Maybe you too, are facing moments that are attempting to make you want to give up; but remember one thing…that is only because you can’t do it on your own. Instead of giving up for this reason, may I encourage you to turn to the One whose strength can override your weaknesses and cause you to rise above the so-called strength of a circumstance. One thing I know for sure…when we stop saying...“I can’t”…and start saying… “God can;” that is when hope will once more spring alive within us...to carry us through these times that just seem so overwhelming…Amen!
Have a very blessed day…and may you ALWAYS feel the Spirit of God rising up through the troubled times in your life…Amen!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Wednesday to you all! I sure hope that your day is going well…and I pray that as we begin this time together; that we will truly come to know in our hearts that God will ALWAYS be there for us…no matter what we may face in this life…Amen!!
First off…I would like to say that I am so blessed to be with you today; because actually I shouldn’t be here…and why…because today is normally a grocery shopping day for me. In fact…I have a story to tell you about this, which actually began last week.
Lately, I have really been struggling with the pain issues in my legs and feet, along with being tired, which has made it even more of a struggle for me to leave the house. As most of you may already know…Keith and I were taking a taxi because neither one of us is able to drive. Anyways…on shopping day, I would have to wear uncomfortable clothes…get in a car, with one leg that doesn’t bend anymore; then I would have to go through the entire store and shop…and then wait maybe a half hour or more, for the taxi to pick us back up. Don’t get me wrong…I have been very thankful for the transportation; but at the same time, it has gotten to a place where I have truly been struggling to do this.
Anyways…one night, as I talked with Keith…I became so discouraged; that I actually was willing to give up food, just to be able to stay home. That night, as I sat quietly alone with God, I did like King David and poured out every thought and feeling before God and asked Him to help me. I knew that He could truly see into my heart, as to how I was feeling…and so I just opened up my heart completely before Him.
I would say that within a few days, I began to get an idea that maybe I could order the food online and then have Keith pick it up in a taxi; but you know what…God had something even better in mind. As I went on this one particular site, I came to see that they not only had a pickup service…but a delivery service to. I’ll tell you…my heart was astatic…and immediately, I knew that God was at work…answering my prayer.
To make a long story short…I ordered everything I needed on Saturday, in the comfort of my home…and yesterday, a lady brought everything to our door. I’ll tell you people…when God does something like this; it’s as though the heart can’t contain the thankfulness and expression of love that is automatically being offered up to this great…loving and mighty God…a God who can truly do all things…praise Him!
This morning, as I was thinking back to all that God has done for me; He began to lead me to a favorite Bible verse in Psalm 34:6 and we read… “In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.” I found out that in the moment of my desperation, the Lord was listening to every word, while looking deep within my heart…and once this connection between Him and I began; from there, He began to go into action and save me from all my troubles.
You know…there is one thing I know…God is always ready and willing to listen to the needs of our hearts; but in order for Him to help us, we must choose to let our needs go into His loving and powerful hands. Now isn’t the time to hold tightly to what’s wrong…or expect God to just do it on His own; but rather, now is the time to open up ourselves before Him…and be willing to sit before Him…and lay every thought and feeling at His feet. As we sacrifice everything before Him in this way; that is when He can truly pick up the rubble and brokenness and piece our lives back together…only this time, in a much better way.
As we close this time together, I pray that no matter what you may be facing; that you will stop right now and cry out to a God who is already listening…One who can save you from all your troubles.
Have a very blessed day…and remember…God is waiting to help you right now! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Tuesday to you all! Praise God for another new day, where we can begin anew…a time when our yesterday can give way to a new day of new hope. As we begin this time together today, my prayer is that our hearts would be ignited and brought alive with the thought…that with God, there is always hope…Amen!!
This morning, as I’ve been looking out to a beautiful sunny day, I began to seek God, as to what He would have me share with you today…and one of the first words that crossed my thoughts, was the word “hope.”
You know…I just wonder how many times we judge hope, by what is taking place around us. In other words…are we so caught up in what is going wrong; that we begin to convince ourselves…by what we see; that there is no hope of ever overcoming these difficult moments in our lives.
As I was looking through some Bible verses on hope; God began to lead me to a Bible verse in Proverbs 13:12, which says… “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
There was a time in my life, when I was struggling for hope. The road that I had walked down in life was already tiresome…and what I was facing at the time wasn’t making the road seem much better ahead; that is until God showed me how to discover a true and lasting hope again.
That day, as I was looking out my office window…listening to some music, while searching for a piece of hope to hold to; God began to take my eyes to a specific place in the back yard. As I looked up to a tree that had at one time been hit by lightning; I began to see for the first time that another tree was growing in the place, of where a section of the tree had been struck down.
As I continued to stand in awe, as to how this had happened; God began to speak to me deeply and show me, as to how my life was like that tree; because for so many years of my life, I had been struck down through pain and deep heartache. Even though I had felt completely brought low that day; God was giving me hope, by reminding me that He was using the hard and difficult times of life to produce a new growth within me; just as that tree was doing…only in a different way.
Like the verse states above… “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” In other words...the only way that we are going to find a true and lasting hope that can bring us through these hard and difficult times we face; is when we truly desire hope. Just think…when we give up on hope; that is when life begins to wither away; but when we choose to seek hope, until it can be found; then that desire becomes a seed…that when watered with tears, can spring up and become something new…something that only God can give us, during what seems to be the dark and dormant moments of life.
No matter what we face in this life…there is always hope, when it comes to God; but when we stop pursuing hope, by what we see and experience around us; then we will never come to experience what can take place through hope. In Romans 8:24-25, we read… “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25) But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” We must remember that hope isn’t found in what we see around us; and sad to say...this is where we sometimes take a wrong turn. Instead of automatically expecting to see hope, in the way we feel it should be seen; why not go beyond the problem and look for hope…with a heart that doesn’t stop searching, until the answer can be found. In this way, we will be heading in the direction of God, rather than in the direction of the problem, which only leads us to further moments of hopelessness.
Today, as we close our time together, may I encourage you to not become so caught up in the moments that seem hopeless; but rather, get caught up in a hope that can free you from these moments…a hope that you can truly take hold of…and a hope that will help you to patiently wait on God…Amen!
Have a very blessed day and always remember that there is hope in God…we just need to look for it, with all our hearts! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Monday to you all! Well…here we go again…another new day and another new week! As we begin our time together today, I pray that we will discover God in a very real way…one that will cause us to hold tightly to His hand and never let go…Amen!!
Have you ever stopped to think on what life would be like, if we were to let go of the hand of God completely? Some of us may have already experienced moments such as these; but what I have truly come to see through my own life experiences; is that when we let go of the hand of God…we do come to see that the strength we once had is no longer there and we also find that we tend to feel alone and abandoned, during these hard and difficult times of life; but even more…these weakened souls of ours, have now become prey before the enemy, which is Satan.  
I don’t know about you; but I have come to see over time that I can’t even walk through this life, without holding tightly to the hand of God…and how do we do that…when we turn to Him for help; that we may remain lifted up on high with Him, rather than turning to a problem that will only bring about a fall.
This morning, as I was listening to some music…I was also looking through God’s word…and as I began to search for something that would encourage us all; God began to lead me to a Bible verse in Psalm 145:14, which reads… “The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.” Now tell me…how is the Lord going to be able to lift us back to our feet, if He is nowhere to be found? In other words…if we choose to let go of His hand and wing it on our own; then how are we going to remain standing, when we feel that the weight of a circumstance is taking us down?
You know…I don’t think we always realize, as to how much we truly need God in our lives. In fact…there are times, when I feel as if we tend to take Him for granted. I guess we just expect Him to always be there…and yes, He can do that; but what is He going to do, if we choose to let go of His hand and go our own? We might as well realize that we can’t make life work on our own and expect Him to be there for us at the same time…that just can’t be. Either we are going to take a tight grip on God’s hand or we are going to do it our own way…the choice is up to us.
There was a time in my life, when I would call out to God for help…and even beg Him to help me through a situation; but then, I would either go back to the wallowing hole of despair…or I would grow impatient and try to figure it out on my own. The only bad thing about that; was that life seemed to worsen with time and I seemed to be drained from the strength I once had. In fact…I eventually came to see that I had walked myself into unknown territory…and alone, which only made my life even more vulnerable to the ways of Satan…and why…because I had let go of the hand of God…to wing it on my own, which became a big mistake.
You know…we all have times, when we either unknowingly let go of God’s hand…or we purposely let go of His hand. Even though we find ourselves in these predicaments; that doesn’t mean that all hope is gone. In fact…all we have to do is cry out to God…and one thing I know…He will come running, to take hold of our hand once more.
Maybe today, you have come to see that you have let go of the hand of God. Maybe you’re feeling weak in spirit and alone in life. Maybe you feel as if you have taken the wrong road…and are now experiencing even more blows from the enemy. Like I said…all hope isn’t gone…for God is only a prayer away. Just turn to Him and tell Him all about it…and like I said…He will take hold of your hand and walk you out of these uncertain times…and He will never let go.
As we close this time together, I pray that we will truly come to grips with the thought; that we can’t even walk one step through this life, without holding the hand of God…Amen!!
Have a very blessed day…and I will see you soon…with more words of encouragement… from God’s heart to yours!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! I truly hope and pray that your day is off to a good start…and even more, I pray that we will not allow anything to deceive us and lead down a path of no hope; but rather, I pray that we will come to truly see God, as someone who is much more powerful than these moments we face…Amen!!
Last night, as I was talking with God before bed…I laid down on the daybed in my office and just stared out the window, to a beautiful snowy evening…and as I lay there; God began to show me something through that time with Him…and these are the words that He placed upon my heart… “Oh how we weigh out the circumstance and allow that circumstance to become more powerful than the weight that is contained within a powerful God. In other words…we make the circumstance more powerful in our lives because we let it tell us a convincing story, as to where these trying times could lead us…and from there, we allow it to deceive us into thinking that nothing could ever change these moments…only bring about defeat.”  What a great reminder that God has placed upon our hearts today…and it’s so true; because we seem to have a way of seeing our circumstances, as something so powerful and sometimes even more powerful than God…and why…because we are more in tune with the story of what is taking place around us, rather than focusing on the greatest power that lives within us.
As I was looking through some Bible verses this morning; God led me to a verse in 2 Corinthians 13:5, which reads… “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.”
You know…it’s so easy to weigh out every part of a problem, until that problem is seen as something more powerful than God. For example, if I was to say to myself today; you have pain in your foot…the left knee is bad…you’re exhausted…and your blood pressure has been up; then I would think that Satan would begin to create a story for me to view…one that would overwhelm me…and one that would probably leave a strong God behind, to dwell on a story that’s relaying a message of no hope to me.  
One thing that God is longing for us to take hold of today; is that it’s time to change our view on these discouraging moments and let our faith walk us way beyond what could end up leading us to further moments of hopelessness and despair…moments that could make it seem almost impossible to overcome.
No matter what you may be facing today…and no matter how many things seem to be surrounding you at the time; may I encourage you to not let it overwhelm you, while allowing Satan to create a story of hopelessness for you; but instead, may I encourage you to place it all on a scale next to a powerful God…and I’m sure that if you do this; then you will truly come to see that God’s power far outweighs the so-called power of these circumstances in your life.
As we close, I pray that God will give us a new insight on what is taking place around us; that we may be given a better and brighter view on life…one that can lift us up and take us away from the thoughts and feelings of hopelessness and despair…Amen!!
Many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Thursday to you all! I hope that your day is off to a good start…and I pray from the depth of my heart; that we will always know and feel the presence of God; despite what we may be facing at the time…Amen!!
Today, as we begin our time together, I would like to start out with my life Bible verses…and why…because they have truly become the verses that have brought me through many a hard time…and I just know that they will do the same for you and me today…so let’s read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, which says… “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
As I attempted to sleep last night, I was once more reminded of the thorn that Satan tends to wiggle from time to time within me…and that thorn is in the form of pain. You know… moments of affliction have a way of reminding us, as to how bad life can be; but one thing I have truly come to see; is that when I have been deeply afflicted in this way…that this is when I  actually experience the loving hand of God upon me the most.
I remember a time in my life, when I would get angry with God, over the pain that I have now experienced…for over 50 years of my life…and I remember the moments, when I would succumb to the pain, rather than turning in God’s direction; but one thing that God has taught me; is that even though He may not respond to our needs, in the way that we would like Him to; His grace is still sufficient…and He will give us the strength we need, to get through these hard and difficult times of life.
There is one moment in my life that I will never forget…and that moment was when God brought these Bible verses to me. At the time, I was alone…sitting in a recliner in our living room, while Keith was at work. As I began a long recovery, from another major knee surgery; I just looked up to the picture of Jesus that we had hanging over our fireplace…and as tears began to flow uncontrollable down my cheeks; He began to lead me to these verses in 2 Corinthians 7. As I truly began to discover these Bible verses in a very real way, I also began to feel puzzled, as to how we could rejoice through moments of suffering…that is, until God began to show me that taking pleasure in these moments, with a heart of praise; is what actually helps us to rise above them…to a place where we can truly experience more of God, rather than more of the affliction.
You know…there is a place, where we can truly rise above despair…a place where God can hold us and sustain us, until these fierce and powerful storms find their end; but we will never discover this place in life, if we become more attached to what is ailing us. Yes…we need to deal with what we are experiencing at the moment; but at the same time…God never intended for us to experience other added moments of despair…brought about through worry, doubt and fear.
You know…even though it was a rough night for me…and even though I’m not quite myself this morning; I praise God for bringing me through that time of distress…and for reminding me…that these aren’t the moments that spell out defeat; but rather, these are the moments that truly allow the hand of almighty God to rest upon me.
No matter what you are experiencing today, just know that God hasn’t forgotten you; for it’s only the circumstance that’s attempting to make you believe that. Instead of feeling that all hope is gone, why not glory in your infirmities…that you may rise above this despair in your life…that the hand of Christ may rest upon you…Amen!!
Have a very blessed day…and remember that God is always there…no matter what the circumstance may attempt to convince you of! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Wednesday to you all! What a beautiful day I’m viewing outside my window this morning…as the sunshine of God’s presence is shining brightly through the snow!  As we begin this time together today, I pray that we will always find the strength to face life for what it really is; that we may truly come to experience a God that is greater than anything that may attempt to bring us down…Amen!!
There is one thing in my life that I have truly come to learn over the years…and that is to always face reality, for what it really is…and why…because there was a time in my life, when I didn’t do that…and the result brought about a lot of deep heartache.
You know…as I’ve been thinking on this today; I was also reminded, as to how we find it easier to build walls around us, rather than dealing with what stands before us. In other words…we seem to find it easier to close ourselves within a world of our own…one, where we can determine what will happen…and one where we can protect ourselves from being hurt any further; but while we may be considering this, we also need to remember that living in an unreal world takes a lot of work…and it only keeps us distant from the One who can truly become the cure to what is really ailing us.
A Bible verse that Jesus has used so many times in my life is found in Philippians 4:8 and we read… “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” In other words…Jesus is longing for us to focus on the things that are true, honest, just and pure; and even more…the things that are of good report.
What happens when we don’t live with reality? The thing that I have come to see through my own experience; is that I continually had to work hard, to keep the world alive that I had created for myself; but where does that take us…it takes us into a world, where we work on our own, while leaving Jesus out…a world where we only attempt to trust ourselves, rather than the One who can fix what has been broken. Yes…we may find this world to be a safe world; but the question we need to ask ourselves is this… “How can Jesus help us, when we aren’t living in the world where He can be found?”
One thing that became an eye opening experience between me and Jesus, while trying to live in an unreal world; was where it says in Philippians 4:9… “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” It was at that time in my life, when I truly came to see that my own unreal world had no peace; because I was putting my own ways into practice, rather than what Jesus longed to teach me. Once I came to truly see what I was doing to myself; that is when a 360 degree turn took place in my life…and from there, I longed to learn even more, as to how Jesus could continue to free me from this unreal and tiresome world that I had been caught up in, for so many years of my life.
Now…as I put Jesus’ ways into practice each day; I find that I no longer have to keep working to keep something unreal alive…and even more, I find that I have truly come to see that I can humble myself before Christ and lay myself at the feet of One, who can truly help me to live in a world of reality with Him.
No matter what you may be facing today; don’t try to keep these painful moments away, by building a world of your own; but rather, fall before the feet of One, who can keep you in a world with Him…one that can bring peace, even while facing reality…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! I hope your day is off to a good start…and I pray that as we begin our time together with God; that we will truly find hope in the thought…that our God will never give up on us…Amen!!
This morning, as I’ve been sitting here…enjoying some precious moments with God; He was taking me back to a time, when He had made a promise to me…from His heart to mine. You may already know…but for those who don’t; there was a time in my life, when I had truly fallen down to ground zero. As I sat alone, in what appeared to be a life that was completely consumed from the past…God began to speak to my heart…and He made a promise to me that He would bring me through this very hard and difficult time in my life. Little did I know that two years would pass, before that would actually happen…and it wasn’t because God was allowing me to go through even more suffering; but instead, it was because I was struggling to let go of the past and come in His direction.
Even though time had taken a toll on me; I came to see that it never took a toll on God…and why; because I discovered through time; that this God that had longed for me to come in His direction and eventually serve Him, wasn’t in a hurry. In fact…He showed me that He wasn’t going to give up on me because He had a plan for my life.
You know…we live in such a fast paced world…a world that seems to want to see everything happen right away; but I have come to see something completely different with God…something that we don’t always think on…and it’s found in 2 Peter 3:9 and we read… “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Just as Jesus is waiting until the very last moment to come for His own…that no one should perish; He too is also patiently waiting for us to come in His direction, while struggling through life; that we may truly come to experience all that He has in store for us.
You know…I think that many times, we feel that God has walked away…when we may be the one that has unknowingly fallen out of sync with Him. In other words…maybe we are lagging behind, as I once was with the past; but the thing I can truly tell you today; is that God is a patient God…and He will never give up on you or me…what hope!
Maybe today, you have been walking down a long and drawn out road of pain or deep heartache, such as I did…and you just can’t feel God’s presence or even know that He is there for you right now. May I encourage you by saying; that He is there…patiently waiting in the shadows of your despair, for you to catch up with Him and the plan He longs to fulfill within your life…and how does that happen…when we are willing to let go of everything except for Him.  
You know…I truly believe that once we can come to grips with what is really taking place between us and God; that is when we will once more know His presence…and until that time comes; just know that He will be patiently waiting there for you. Others may grow impatient…believe me, I know; but one thing I can tell you for sure…God will never grow impatient with you; because He loves you so much…more than you will ever know…so never give up on God; for one thing I know…He hasn’t given up on you…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 Monday to you all! What a beautiful day that the Lord hath made...so let us rejoice in Him, rather than focusing on what may be attempting to take us down…Amen!!
You know…I just wonder how often we find ourselves upbeat, when everything is going well…only to plummet low, when a circumstance smacks us in the face. How is it that we believe in God and His power, while life is good; but yet we tend to lose that faith and fall on our faces, when something comes our way?
This morning, as I’ve been sitting here…enjoying a beautiful snowy morning; God began to speak to my heart…and what He wants to reminds us of today; is that He is ALWAYS in charge…no matter whether we are having a good day or not. As I was thinking on this, I also began to wonder why we tend to forget about this most powerful being, while going through some rough times in our lives; and as I was thinking on this, God began to once more remind me, as to how we lose faith in His power; because we have let go of the thoughts that once brought about that faith. In other words…we become so wrapped up in what is happening at the time; that we forget two things. First, we forget the moments, when He brought us through other past situations…and second, we lose touch with the things that once pumped up our faith in Him. 
I know one thing…when I look around me, I see a God that not only created what surrounds me; but I also see how He still has control over all that He once created. Just think…God not only created each individual snow flake; but He knows when the snow should fall and when enough has fallen. He also controls the way the sun shines and how each cloud drifts across the sky…and He even knows when to bring in the clouds that can release water upon the earth. As we think on this…we could go on and on and on…that is, if we have our minds set on thoughts such as these.
I have truly come to see many times in my life; that when I focus on who God truly is…and how He holds the control stick to everything He has created; that is when my situation begins to appear weaker and more in the background of my life.
Ask yourself this question today… “How am I ever going to see anything good…or even come to see what God may be up to, when I’m taking hold of a situation that I’m too weak to have control of?” One thing I know people…when we can focus on the past moments, when God was once there for us…and when we can read His word and see what God truly stands for, while looking around us at all He continues to control each day; that is when we will truly know without a doubt…that no matter what we may face; God is still in control.
Over the weekend, I was thinking on this a little and one thing came to my mind. Since Jesus defeated Satan at the cross; then why would we ever think that Satan could defeat that same powerful God right now? We must remember that even though time and circumstance has a way of changing things; God still remains the same powerful being that He has always been…and once we are willing to focus on His power, rather than the so-called power of a circumstance; that is when our faith will soar into the heavens…where we will begin to truly see and experience a God that is in control of all things…Amen!
Have a very blessed day…and ALWAYS remember that even though the circumstance may be attempting to take charge of your life…it can’t…and why…because God holds the control stick to your life...praise Him!
It’s ALWAYS & ONLY Because of Him…
Diane