I’m not sure if it’s the technology age we’re in, but lately everybody has a title attached to their name. It seems that people are always telling us who they are, and they are always very important. I have come across so many prophets, first ladies, ministers of music, bishops, pastors, authors, evangelists, teachers, and the list goes on and on. While I am not saying that having a title is wrong, positioning is and it’s going on at an alarming rate. Many introduce themselves with a title before their name and are insulted if you leave off their proper title. At times, it feels like some are crying out on the social media sites, “Don’t you know me? I’m important! I am somebody!” It’s not wise to elevate your stature or prominence if you’re track record and actions don’t line up with or live up to your title.
During our last Sunday school lesson, several verses we studied speak to this very issue. Proverbs 25:6-7 reads, “Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.” We shouldn’t be hasty to elevate ourselves because we can cause ourselves embarrassment.
Furthermore, Jesus teaches on this very subject in Luke 14:7-14, in the parable about not seating yourself in places of honor. We are instructed not to “sit down in the highest room” (Luke 14:8). Jesus continues, “But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:10-11).
There’s another verse in Proverbs 27: 2 that says, “Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
I’ve often found that when people try to list off their credentials and accomplishments and constantly engage in name dropping, they tend to struggle with insecurities. While they may impress others in the moment, they only have a fleeting satisfaction. Like a bucket with a hole in it, they are constantly running to try to fill their bucket with flattery from others. The problem is that people truly anchored in the Lord aren’t interested or impressed with these shallow actions and empty words.
Instead, they are interested in who you really are as a person and what you are actively doing to advance the Kingdom. Trust me, people will know who you are sooner or later—whether you want them to or not. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” You will get recognition from the Lord. He will bless you in countless ways. Your love, peace, and joy will mark you as a child of God, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in you will draw others.
Being a Christian is a life of being a servant, not counting up how many people are beneath or above you. You are somebody in Christ, whether you have a title, position, recognition or not. He truly does know your name.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
I Win, I Win!
We can do nothing of eternal value in our own ability. –John Bevere
My three year old son is a natural born competitor. He loves all kinds of games, and he’s “in it to win it,” as they say. Even coming up the stairs is a race to him. He’ll cry if anybody in the family gets up the stairs before him. He sings his favorite saying, “I win, I win.” We often mock him by saying it, so when my husband sang it the other day, it caught my little one’s attention. He looked at his father and said, “Dad! You’re playing by yourself, right?” We all laughed, but it made me think about how your perspective is so important in life. My son just knew that his dad had to be playing by himself because he has told himself that he wins all the time—no matter what.
Sometimes I listen to a televangelist who says confidently, “As born again believers, we win every time.” I usually sort of chalk this up to the power of positive thinking, but the encounter with my son really made me think about some things. We can win all of the time, and we can have the victory in any situation. However, our perspective and thinking has to line up with God’s Word and His ways.
Maybe you’re like I was, and you can’t see how you win all of the time. After all, you may be thinking, you don’t know about my health situation, broken relationship, job loss, mental state, or financial devastation. In order to grasp the concept of having the victory, we have to be spiritually minded. We also have to understand what Christ did for us on the cross. He paid the penalty of sin and death. There is no way that we can lose because Jesus already paid the price for us. We can live eternally because of what He did. We are reminded in Romans 8:37, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
When Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh, the Lord said to him, “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. 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” (II Corinthians 12:9-10). In our weakness, He is strong, but we have to trust that He is sovereign and in control of everything—no matter what it looks like.
The Word of God is filled with people and situations where the Lord shows himself strong in times of human weakness. In fact, that’s typically always when the Lord shows himself strong. When we understand that anytime our hearts are aligned with Him and His Word, prayer, fasting, and even faithfully attending church, (all things that can be viewed as sacrificial acts when it comes to our flesh), we have already won! When we subdue our own selfish thoughts and desires (die to the flesh), we become humble before Him. He can use us and get the glory out of our lives.
John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” We will have problems, but He has always overcome. As cliché as it may sound, there’s nothing too hard for God. We are winners through Christ. Satan is defeated! Do you have a weakness, trial, or illness? You are a prime candidate to be used by the Lord. He will show Himself strong through you and your situation. Depend on Him. He’s allowed it because He knows you already have the victory through Him in all situations. Put on your armor of God with me, and let’s not only act like we’re the victors that we are, but also let’s also speak the language of a winner. In the words of my three year old, “I win, I win!”
Winning with You,
MaRita
My three year old son is a natural born competitor. He loves all kinds of games, and he’s “in it to win it,” as they say. Even coming up the stairs is a race to him. He’ll cry if anybody in the family gets up the stairs before him. He sings his favorite saying, “I win, I win.” We often mock him by saying it, so when my husband sang it the other day, it caught my little one’s attention. He looked at his father and said, “Dad! You’re playing by yourself, right?” We all laughed, but it made me think about how your perspective is so important in life. My son just knew that his dad had to be playing by himself because he has told himself that he wins all the time—no matter what.
Sometimes I listen to a televangelist who says confidently, “As born again believers, we win every time.” I usually sort of chalk this up to the power of positive thinking, but the encounter with my son really made me think about some things. We can win all of the time, and we can have the victory in any situation. However, our perspective and thinking has to line up with God’s Word and His ways.
Maybe you’re like I was, and you can’t see how you win all of the time. After all, you may be thinking, you don’t know about my health situation, broken relationship, job loss, mental state, or financial devastation. In order to grasp the concept of having the victory, we have to be spiritually minded. We also have to understand what Christ did for us on the cross. He paid the penalty of sin and death. There is no way that we can lose because Jesus already paid the price for us. We can live eternally because of what He did. We are reminded in Romans 8:37, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
When Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh, the Lord said to him, “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. 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” (II Corinthians 12:9-10). In our weakness, He is strong, but we have to trust that He is sovereign and in control of everything—no matter what it looks like.
The Word of God is filled with people and situations where the Lord shows himself strong in times of human weakness. In fact, that’s typically always when the Lord shows himself strong. When we understand that anytime our hearts are aligned with Him and His Word, prayer, fasting, and even faithfully attending church, (all things that can be viewed as sacrificial acts when it comes to our flesh), we have already won! When we subdue our own selfish thoughts and desires (die to the flesh), we become humble before Him. He can use us and get the glory out of our lives.
John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” We will have problems, but He has always overcome. As cliché as it may sound, there’s nothing too hard for God. We are winners through Christ. Satan is defeated! Do you have a weakness, trial, or illness? You are a prime candidate to be used by the Lord. He will show Himself strong through you and your situation. Depend on Him. He’s allowed it because He knows you already have the victory through Him in all situations. Put on your armor of God with me, and let’s not only act like we’re the victors that we are, but also let’s also speak the language of a winner. In the words of my three year old, “I win, I win!”
Winning with You,
MaRita
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Voice
Occasionally, I revisit a book given to me by my publisher entitled, Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton. The book has been helpful to me because as a relatively new writer, finding my voice has been a challenging journey. With the realization that voice is one of the most important elements in writing fiction, I am working towards developing my own voice. The unique and distinct voice of a good writer is like a signature, nobody has the same one. Your voice is like your footprint, and it is that distinct mark that can make your writing stand out and be read or drown in the sea of other writers. There have been times when after I’ve read an especially intriguing novel, I find accidentally picking up the voice of another author’s work (which has been a train wreck!). I have to use the delet key and shut out the voices from other authors’ works, and continue to strive towards finding my own voice.
However, voice is not only important for a writer. For believers, hearing the voice of God is critical. The Word commands and warns us about the importance of hearing the voice of God. Just as a writer hopes his or her voice will stand apart from the crowd, God yearns for us to listen to His voice and obey His commandments in spite of all the other voices we hear. In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” When we seek Him, we can hear His voice, and we should follow.
While I’ve never heard the audible voice of God, I can hear the voice of God in His Word. God’s Word resonates with my spirit when I am in a state of total submission to Him and His will. He already knows me, and I get to know Him intimately through
reading and meditating on His Word, as well as through consistent praying and fasting.
Obedience to His Word is one very important way that we can gauge how well we are following Him. We can’t be following Him if we aren’t obeying. We can’t obey unless we know what God expects, and what He expects is revealed to us in the Bible and through prayer. Jeremiah 7:23 gives us very direct instructions by the command, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all
the ways that I have commanded you that it may be well with you.”
There are so many voices competing for the number one spot to have our undivided attention. Televisions, cell phones, social networks, friends, coworkers, and even spouses and children can drown out the voice of God having first place in our lives. It’s not necessarily that other voices have to be negative (some are though), but they just don’t need to be first.
Why is hearing the voice of God so important? While there are too many answers for me to deal with here, one thing that may not be obvious comes to mind. We must hear His voice for our real voice to be heard. Many of us are trying to make our mark in the world by using a voice that is not authentic. Figuratively speaking, we may be using a voice to say to the world that we are special, important, and worthy. This often leads us to do things that He hasn’t called us to do so that we can gain money, success, prominence, and/or popularity. However, if God hasn’t called us to do whatever it is, those things will never give us lasting peace. Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind in stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” We must keep our minds focused on him and trust Him at all costs, all the time, no exceptions.
The voice of God can quiet us in moments of despair, calm us when anxious, refresh and renew us when we’re tired, direct us when we’re lost, and hold us when we’re lonely—and so much more. We desperately need to hear The Voice, the majestic voice of our sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God.
Striving to Hear His Voice With You,
MaRita
However, voice is not only important for a writer. For believers, hearing the voice of God is critical. The Word commands and warns us about the importance of hearing the voice of God. Just as a writer hopes his or her voice will stand apart from the crowd, God yearns for us to listen to His voice and obey His commandments in spite of all the other voices we hear. In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” When we seek Him, we can hear His voice, and we should follow.
While I’ve never heard the audible voice of God, I can hear the voice of God in His Word. God’s Word resonates with my spirit when I am in a state of total submission to Him and His will. He already knows me, and I get to know Him intimately through
reading and meditating on His Word, as well as through consistent praying and fasting.
Obedience to His Word is one very important way that we can gauge how well we are following Him. We can’t be following Him if we aren’t obeying. We can’t obey unless we know what God expects, and what He expects is revealed to us in the Bible and through prayer. Jeremiah 7:23 gives us very direct instructions by the command, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all
the ways that I have commanded you that it may be well with you.”
There are so many voices competing for the number one spot to have our undivided attention. Televisions, cell phones, social networks, friends, coworkers, and even spouses and children can drown out the voice of God having first place in our lives. It’s not necessarily that other voices have to be negative (some are though), but they just don’t need to be first.
Why is hearing the voice of God so important? While there are too many answers for me to deal with here, one thing that may not be obvious comes to mind. We must hear His voice for our real voice to be heard. Many of us are trying to make our mark in the world by using a voice that is not authentic. Figuratively speaking, we may be using a voice to say to the world that we are special, important, and worthy. This often leads us to do things that He hasn’t called us to do so that we can gain money, success, prominence, and/or popularity. However, if God hasn’t called us to do whatever it is, those things will never give us lasting peace. Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind in stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” We must keep our minds focused on him and trust Him at all costs, all the time, no exceptions.
The voice of God can quiet us in moments of despair, calm us when anxious, refresh and renew us when we’re tired, direct us when we’re lost, and hold us when we’re lonely—and so much more. We desperately need to hear The Voice, the majestic voice of our sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God.
Striving to Hear His Voice With You,
MaRita
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Help!
“Help! Help, Lord! We need your help!” An elderly woman from church service cried out, waving her lace white handkerchief as if she were sending out an SOS. It was a unexpected ripple during the middle of Sunday service, and the congregation quieted, almost motionless, and many, including me, wondered if the pastor would sit her down. She continued to cry out, “Help!” That really was all she said, but when I thought about it, it was more than enough.
For many of us, these are troubled times. Health challenges, financial crises, weather calamities, troubled relationships, as well as the ever-present evidence of spiritual decay is all around us. For those who don’t understand that they need help, I feel afraid for them. We all need the Lord’s help, and I hate sounding like an AA meeting—but the first step is humbling ourselves to realize that we need help from the Lord.
To some, this “first step” is elementary, but to others, the implication that they might need help is offensive. After all, so many pride themselves for being in control. While reading Jacob’s story, found in Genesis 29-31, I was struck by how two men, an uncle and nephew, respond to conflict by relying on themselves and their own resources instead of relying on God for help. However, through the course of Jacob’s life, he gets on the receiving end of Laban’s deceptive and manipulative behavior. As a result, Jacob’s knowledge and understanding of God grows. As he works years for Rachel and years for God’s permission to leave Laban, Jacob eventually vows not to make a move without God. Laban, on the other hand, continues his selfish decisions and refuses to fully depend on God for help (Genesis 24:1-35:55).
Recognizing our need for God’s help is crucial. Psalm 46:1 says that, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We can’t be deceived into thinking that the only thing we need is people to do what we want them to do. We don’t just need a cure for diseases and illnesses, money for bills, or jobs so that we can work—or any other thing besides the Lord that we might think of. Our very present help is God. He is our Source. He is our lifeline. He is our help. He is the One who will give us the kind of healing that we need. He knows us better than any physician, better than anyone. He is the One who can give us divine wisdom to know what job we need to do and when. He can put us in positions that we can’t imagine! God is able to give us the wisdom and knowledge to appropriate the finances we do have. My husband reminds me often, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18a). He will give us the ability if we trust in Him.
Moses begged God to release him from the assignment God had given him. He was fearful of people and how they might receive him. Most of us have probably felt like this at one time or another. It’s something I struggle with often, but the thing that truly quiets my soul is that God says to Moses during his time of anxiety and fear, “Who hath made man’s mouth? Or who maketh the dumb or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say” (Exodus 4:11-12).
The Lord is our help and strength. Recognize and accept your need for repentance and God’s help if you haven’t. Depend on Him fully for all of your needs. He can bear the weight of whatever burdens we carry.
Relying on Him with You,
MaRita
For many of us, these are troubled times. Health challenges, financial crises, weather calamities, troubled relationships, as well as the ever-present evidence of spiritual decay is all around us. For those who don’t understand that they need help, I feel afraid for them. We all need the Lord’s help, and I hate sounding like an AA meeting—but the first step is humbling ourselves to realize that we need help from the Lord.
To some, this “first step” is elementary, but to others, the implication that they might need help is offensive. After all, so many pride themselves for being in control. While reading Jacob’s story, found in Genesis 29-31, I was struck by how two men, an uncle and nephew, respond to conflict by relying on themselves and their own resources instead of relying on God for help. However, through the course of Jacob’s life, he gets on the receiving end of Laban’s deceptive and manipulative behavior. As a result, Jacob’s knowledge and understanding of God grows. As he works years for Rachel and years for God’s permission to leave Laban, Jacob eventually vows not to make a move without God. Laban, on the other hand, continues his selfish decisions and refuses to fully depend on God for help (Genesis 24:1-35:55).
Recognizing our need for God’s help is crucial. Psalm 46:1 says that, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We can’t be deceived into thinking that the only thing we need is people to do what we want them to do. We don’t just need a cure for diseases and illnesses, money for bills, or jobs so that we can work—or any other thing besides the Lord that we might think of. Our very present help is God. He is our Source. He is our lifeline. He is our help. He is the One who will give us the kind of healing that we need. He knows us better than any physician, better than anyone. He is the One who can give us divine wisdom to know what job we need to do and when. He can put us in positions that we can’t imagine! God is able to give us the wisdom and knowledge to appropriate the finances we do have. My husband reminds me often, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18a). He will give us the ability if we trust in Him.
Moses begged God to release him from the assignment God had given him. He was fearful of people and how they might receive him. Most of us have probably felt like this at one time or another. It’s something I struggle with often, but the thing that truly quiets my soul is that God says to Moses during his time of anxiety and fear, “Who hath made man’s mouth? Or who maketh the dumb or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say” (Exodus 4:11-12).
The Lord is our help and strength. Recognize and accept your need for repentance and God’s help if you haven’t. Depend on Him fully for all of your needs. He can bear the weight of whatever burdens we carry.
Relying on Him with You,
MaRita
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Faith That Works
We’re not saved by works.
Nobody is perfect.
God knows my heart.
I would, but. .
How often have we heard someone say this? How often have we maybe even wrestled with thoughts like ourselves? While there may be scriptural truths in these thoughts or thoughts like these, we have to be careful not to use them to justify our unwillingness to change. We certainly shouldn’t use them to avoid change, discomfort, and/or work. Our faith should not justify inactivity in service for the Lord. Instead, our faith should be the source of all of our activity and productivity.
Since I grew up in a rural area, my siblings and I often helped our parents to plant and care for our gardens. We understood at an early age that if you didn’t plant, you didn’t get fruit and vegetables. We watched my dad till the land, laboriously breaking up the hardened soil. Then, we would go through the entire process of planting, watering, and weeding the garden, happily reaping from what we had sown.
While most of us understand this principle, especially when it comes to other things, such as our jobs, if we aren’t careful, we will justify ourselves right out of doing much of anything to mature ourselves spiritually, let alone helping anyone else along the way. We don’t want to break up that hardened soil of our hearts. Sometimes we don’t have energy or desire to do anything but satisfy our own selfish desires, which, by the way, yield no real, lasting fruit. However, our faith should be the impetus for work, not the excuse to avoid it. After all, reaping and sowing are Biblical principles that work.
Even after planting, if we didn’t water and weed the garden, the plants would die. It is no different in our spiritual lives. Our water, our life source, is Jesus, the living Word and His Word. It feeds us, quenches our thirst, and strengthens us to grow in Him.
I am convinced that our faith doesn’t work for us when we’ve allowed the cares of the world to choke us. Just like the weeds will take all the nourishment from plants if they’re not eliminated, sin, excuses, and laziness can block our access to having our faith really work for us.
In other words, our faith is the foundation. Out of our faith, we should be compelled to do. In James 2:14-26 gives us a whole commentary on faith and works. One verse that will probably be familiar to most is found is verse 20, which reads, “faith without works is dead.” Then, the scriptures refer to Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. Like Rahab, who is also mentioned, Abraham’s faith and his works worked together—they couldn’t be separated.
So, while we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1), we can “then see how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” If we believe in Him, then we will work for Him and to His glory. In turn, our faith will work for us and will cause us to work.
Our faith is working for us and for others, if people see Christ in us. God really does know our hearts. His Word tells us that the just lives by faith. Living by faith is something that shows, and there is evidence by your speech, actions, and lifestyle. In addition, when you live by faith, you get results. Every person in the Bible who exhibits faith is a doer-he or she acts as a result of faith. He or she gets things done!
I’m ready to get my faith to work! How about you? Do you need to get more involved? Does someone need you to visit or call them? Have you been neglected praying for something or someone? Have you accepted that call that God has on your life to do something for Him? Do you just need to buckle down and join a church? Maybe become faithful in Bible study? Whatever it is, JUST DO IT!
Exercising Faith with You,
MaRita
Nobody is perfect.
God knows my heart.
I would, but. .
How often have we heard someone say this? How often have we maybe even wrestled with thoughts like ourselves? While there may be scriptural truths in these thoughts or thoughts like these, we have to be careful not to use them to justify our unwillingness to change. We certainly shouldn’t use them to avoid change, discomfort, and/or work. Our faith should not justify inactivity in service for the Lord. Instead, our faith should be the source of all of our activity and productivity.
Since I grew up in a rural area, my siblings and I often helped our parents to plant and care for our gardens. We understood at an early age that if you didn’t plant, you didn’t get fruit and vegetables. We watched my dad till the land, laboriously breaking up the hardened soil. Then, we would go through the entire process of planting, watering, and weeding the garden, happily reaping from what we had sown.
While most of us understand this principle, especially when it comes to other things, such as our jobs, if we aren’t careful, we will justify ourselves right out of doing much of anything to mature ourselves spiritually, let alone helping anyone else along the way. We don’t want to break up that hardened soil of our hearts. Sometimes we don’t have energy or desire to do anything but satisfy our own selfish desires, which, by the way, yield no real, lasting fruit. However, our faith should be the impetus for work, not the excuse to avoid it. After all, reaping and sowing are Biblical principles that work.
Even after planting, if we didn’t water and weed the garden, the plants would die. It is no different in our spiritual lives. Our water, our life source, is Jesus, the living Word and His Word. It feeds us, quenches our thirst, and strengthens us to grow in Him.
I am convinced that our faith doesn’t work for us when we’ve allowed the cares of the world to choke us. Just like the weeds will take all the nourishment from plants if they’re not eliminated, sin, excuses, and laziness can block our access to having our faith really work for us.
In other words, our faith is the foundation. Out of our faith, we should be compelled to do. In James 2:14-26 gives us a whole commentary on faith and works. One verse that will probably be familiar to most is found is verse 20, which reads, “faith without works is dead.” Then, the scriptures refer to Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. Like Rahab, who is also mentioned, Abraham’s faith and his works worked together—they couldn’t be separated.
So, while we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1), we can “then see how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” If we believe in Him, then we will work for Him and to His glory. In turn, our faith will work for us and will cause us to work.
Our faith is working for us and for others, if people see Christ in us. God really does know our hearts. His Word tells us that the just lives by faith. Living by faith is something that shows, and there is evidence by your speech, actions, and lifestyle. In addition, when you live by faith, you get results. Every person in the Bible who exhibits faith is a doer-he or she acts as a result of faith. He or she gets things done!
I’m ready to get my faith to work! How about you? Do you need to get more involved? Does someone need you to visit or call them? Have you been neglected praying for something or someone? Have you accepted that call that God has on your life to do something for Him? Do you just need to buckle down and join a church? Maybe become faithful in Bible study? Whatever it is, JUST DO IT!
Exercising Faith with You,
MaRita
Monday, May 2, 2011
Cleaning the Toilet
You know how you hear a song, and for whatever reason, you just can’t seem to get the song out of your head? Well, unfortunately, I’ve had a few times when the wrong song has played like a broken record in my head, and I just couldn’t switch the off button. However, a few weeks ago I heard a Fred Hammond worship song that resonated with me in a way that surprised me because of its simplicity. The song simply says over and over again, “Lord, we love you. You are good.” Then it goes on to say, “Lord we thank you. You are good,” and “Lord, we praise you. You are good.” I am so blessed to have that song hard-wired into my brain and spirit lately.
Things have been so chaotic, unsure, and downright scary lately.
Bleak circumstances can cause us to question God if we’re not careful. Although I never voiced it, questions have swirled through my mind. Is He still here? Does He care? Is He really good?
I’m going to be real. I was cleaning the toilet (I know, I know), and I started humming the melody to the Fred Hammond song. On a side note, we have really hard water, and I have three boys—let’s just say toilet cleaning is not a pretty job in my house. Anyway, I started to sing, “Lord, I love you. You are good.” I sang it over and over again, and without warning, I felt the weight of the pressure I had been under slowly release. I still kept struggling with the toilet, but tears streamed down my face. God assured me and reminded me that He is good—even in the situations where we might think that surely God can’t be in the midst. He met me right where I was that day, and He can meet each one of us in any place, circumstance, or condition. No place is off limits for Him to meet us there.
Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” The assurance that the Lord is good and we can hold onto Him and His Word in times of trouble is so comforting. He knows those of us who trust in Him. In Psalms 107:1, the psalmist says, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” Then, on down to the eighth verse, the psalmist continues, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness.” Countless times in scripture, we are reminded of the goodness of God.
However, we have to be so mindful not to just praise God just over the blessings He gives to us. Our praise and worship has to be grounded out of our love for Him and for His goodness. Regardless of what bad or difficult situation we may find ourselves in, God is still good.
Whether you’re scrubbing a dirty toilet, literally or figuratively, God is good. He loves you. He cares. He’s sovereign. He’s in control, no matter what it looks like. Psalms 31:19 says, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” I can’t even begin to imagine what God has in store for those who give Him reverence, those who trust in Him. He pours His goodness into us when we trust in Him. We know He’s done it, not always by the situation changing, but by how we are changed.
God’s peace, joy, love and kindness and other fruits of the Spirit strengthen and bless others as well as ourselves when we worship Him with all of our hearts. It doesn’t matter where we are, how we feel, or what is or isn’t going well, God is good. I’m so thankful that I serve a good God who never changes, and I’m praying that you worship Him today and always for His goodness, love and mercy towards us.
Blessings and Love,
MaRita
Things have been so chaotic, unsure, and downright scary lately.
Bleak circumstances can cause us to question God if we’re not careful. Although I never voiced it, questions have swirled through my mind. Is He still here? Does He care? Is He really good?
I’m going to be real. I was cleaning the toilet (I know, I know), and I started humming the melody to the Fred Hammond song. On a side note, we have really hard water, and I have three boys—let’s just say toilet cleaning is not a pretty job in my house. Anyway, I started to sing, “Lord, I love you. You are good.” I sang it over and over again, and without warning, I felt the weight of the pressure I had been under slowly release. I still kept struggling with the toilet, but tears streamed down my face. God assured me and reminded me that He is good—even in the situations where we might think that surely God can’t be in the midst. He met me right where I was that day, and He can meet each one of us in any place, circumstance, or condition. No place is off limits for Him to meet us there.
Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” The assurance that the Lord is good and we can hold onto Him and His Word in times of trouble is so comforting. He knows those of us who trust in Him. In Psalms 107:1, the psalmist says, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” Then, on down to the eighth verse, the psalmist continues, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness.” Countless times in scripture, we are reminded of the goodness of God.
However, we have to be so mindful not to just praise God just over the blessings He gives to us. Our praise and worship has to be grounded out of our love for Him and for His goodness. Regardless of what bad or difficult situation we may find ourselves in, God is still good.
Whether you’re scrubbing a dirty toilet, literally or figuratively, God is good. He loves you. He cares. He’s sovereign. He’s in control, no matter what it looks like. Psalms 31:19 says, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” I can’t even begin to imagine what God has in store for those who give Him reverence, those who trust in Him. He pours His goodness into us when we trust in Him. We know He’s done it, not always by the situation changing, but by how we are changed.
God’s peace, joy, love and kindness and other fruits of the Spirit strengthen and bless others as well as ourselves when we worship Him with all of our hearts. It doesn’t matter where we are, how we feel, or what is or isn’t going well, God is good. I’m so thankful that I serve a good God who never changes, and I’m praying that you worship Him today and always for His goodness, love and mercy towards us.
Blessings and Love,
MaRita
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