Monday Meditation.

Well hello there!

I hope you had a most fabulous weekend. I know I did!

A song that we sang during praise and worship at church on Sunday inspired this Monday Meditation.

I'm including the video of the song as a bonus since I missed posting last Thursday.

It's a two-for-one! #yourwelcome.

There have been several seasons in my life when I just did not feel like God was near to me.
At one point, I was making bad choices and deliberately trying to separate myself from him.
Other times I was seeking him, looking for his direction and I just didn't feel his presence near me at the time.

Have you ever been there?

This song in church yesterday reminded me of the fact that Jesus never ever leaves us.

Even in those moments where I turn away from him.
When I make a mistake, or a bad choice, or choose to be disobedient.
If I feel lonely and abandoned in earthly relationships.

I love to be reminded that He is there and he will never fail me.
And he never stops being willing to support me.
He will never abandon me or turn his back on me.

Hebrews 13:5b (AMP)
For He [God] ^[b]Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor ^[c]give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, ^[d][I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor ^[e]let [you] down (^[f]relax My hold on you)! [^[g]Assuredly not!]^(A)

This is such an important truth!

I want you to know that God is ALWAYS present in your life.

Yes.
That's right.
There are NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

It doesn't matter if you feel like you are all alone.
Or that you have made too many mistakes.
You may be seeking him and just don't feel his presence at the moment.

None of these things matter because the truth is in this verse.

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU!

The verse says it THREE TIMES. When Jesus repeats something three times, he means business.

There is nothing you can ever do that would cause him to abandon or turn his back on you.
He is concerned with every detail of your life.
He is always right there, waiting to love you, support you, and help you.

If you are seeking him and can't hear his voice or sense his presence- I want to encourage you to keep pressing into him!
James 4:8 says that when you draw near to God, he will draw near to you. Stay in an attitude of expectation and you WILL hear his voice. It may not be in the way you expect, or in the timing you would like- but he WILL show up!

In a world where circumstances and earthly relationships are constantly changing and often prove unreliable, there is one thing that will never change; Jesus' presence in your life and his unconditional love for you.

His desire to support and hold you throughout every season of your life remains the same.

Wow.
That's pretty amazing isn't it?!?

Rest in this truth today friends.

High Five for Friday!

I'm a little behind this week and the blog has been quiet. Sorry for that!

The weather has just been so beautiful around here Grace and I have been busy enjoying it and spending time at the park and going on walks all week. My favorite.

What better way to end the week than my High Five for Friday highlights?!?
I'm linking up with Lauren at thelaurenelizabeth.com. Check our her blog if you ever have the chance.

1. This weather has been awesome!

I wish fall would never end.

2. This #hashtag video by Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon is hysterical. They are my favorite comedic duo ever!

3. Grace has an alphabet book and she has had me sing the song to her at least 100 times this week. No joke. I keep catching her carrying the book around the house (she also has been taking it in the car with her) and "singing". Its the cutest.

4. As I said earlier, we have spent quite a bit of time at the park this week. One of our nearby parks has lots of ducks and Grace just loves them. This little lady has no fear of animals.

5. This is just good stuff right here. Brought me right back to our Monday Meditation.

 I am working on some new posts so check back soon. 

Have a lovely weekend friends!

Blessings!

Follow me on Bloglovin!

Do you like to read lots of blogs like I do?

Consider following me on Bloglovin!

Its a great way to read all of your favorite blogs in one place. It will also automatically let you know when a new post is up.

Do it!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10763665/?claim=geshfed5m29">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Monday Meditation.

(Source)

Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Period.

End of story.

There are no exceptions here folks.

NOTHING is impossible with God.

Whatever you are believing for today, all you need to know is that with God it IS possible. 

Rest in that truth today.

Lean into the one who is ABLE.

Happy Monday!

Let it Go.

Ever since I saw someone post this picture on Instagram, the refrain has been running through my head.

When I start to let myself get offended.
When I let little things annoy or upset me.
When I feel like I need to "fix" a situation that has gone awry and obsess over it.
When I feel insecure about something I said/did.
When I have certain expectations that aren't met.

God has just been laying it on my heart that I need to stop letting these attitudes bog me down and
 LET IT ALL GO!

However, this past Friday, while I was getting my hair done, my sweet hair stylist and I were conversing and I got the message loud and clear again. But this time it was for a different reason.

She was telling me a story, and while my personal situation wasn't exactly like hers, I felt like her response was what God wanted me to hear. Her words of wisdom resonated with me for the rest of the day and I thought I should share them here with you. (Side note: Don't you love it when God speaks through others? I do!)

LET THEM GO!

Are there people in your life that don't know the Lord?
Or that aren't walking with the Lord currently?
Doing destructive things and making poor choices?
Living in defeat?

There are in mine.

I want them to know God's grace and forgiveness so badly. To walk in his freedom. To have the peace that passes all understanding. To be healed and restored. To make good choices and know how much they are loved and valued.

Oftentimes, because of this I try to be their savior. I try to take the reigns and be the Holy Spirit in their lives.

I am certainly no savior. I am far from perfect and mess up all the time!
Its not my place to try and "fix"someone or change their heart.
Only God can do this.
There is only one Savior and his name is Jesus.

What I need to do is to lovingly LET THEM GO. Release my grip on the situation and prayerfully offer up these people in my life to the Lord. Even if it means they make bad decisions and suffer consequences as a result.

I need remember to:
Trust that he is their Savior and he is able to do what I can not.
Trust that he can rescue, restore, and heal anyone.
Trust that the Lord is at work in their lives even when I can't see it.
Trust in the power of prayer!

Both messages are resounding truth for me lately. They remind me again that the only person I can control is myself and my own attitude and responses. I don't help a situation by trying to be in control. God always knows much better than I do. Something I definitely forget often.

Maybe your situation isn't identical to mine but God is wanting you to listen to this response.

Which message do you need to hear today?

Let it go.
Let them go.

Acts 4:12 (AMP)
And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.

High Five For Friday!

Today I am linking up with Lauren over at thelaurenelizabeth.com. Every Friday she does a High Five for Friday post featuring the top five highlights of her week.

I'm joining in on the fun today with my own high five for friday!

1. I got my hair done today. One of my favorite indulgences! I went a little bit darker this time and I am loving it! I am not a fan of selfies (or the term "selfies" for that matter) so I don't have a pic for you. #sorryimnotsorry

2. Everyone in my house is finally well! My husband and daughter got bit by the stomach bug earlier this week, so there has been a lot of cleaning up bodily fluids, if you know what I mean. #ick

3. Charlotte Gambill, one of my favorite speakers, posted this verse on her Instagram earlier this week, and I just loved it. I keep going back to read it.

4. I attended my first MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting this week. I am so excited for what's ahead and left the meeting just excited and expectant at all God has in store for our table this semester. So many lovely ladies to connect with!

5. Getting to spend my week with this sweet girl is always a highlight. I just love her!

Five doesn't seem like enough! There were lots of great things this week. But it will have to do.
Praying your weekend is fabulous friends. Be blessed!

Thursday Jam.

I've decided this is going to be a regular thing. Posting some of my favorite worship songs and why I like them.

That sound good? Good. Its a plan!

This song came on my Hillsong Pandora station this week. I love love love it!

It reminded me of how far I've come in my relationship with the Lord- and how much my faith has been stretched and expanded over the past few years.

Also that God knows much better than I do what's best for me. (Duh!)

About two or three years ago, I felt like it was a desert season for me as far as my relationship with the Lord was concerned.

Things were changing at work. I had gotten promoted into a new position and I absolutely loathed my  job. And my boss.

I was in my fifth year of traveling several nights a week for work and I was OVER IT. But I just didn't feel like I was supposed to find a different job. And I didn't like that one bit!

I had the hardest time keeping an attitude of joy during that time. I was desperately seeking God for guidance and it just felt like he wasn't there. (He WAS there, he was just being quiet) I was really trying to figure out what he had for me and I just couldn't for a period of time. It felt frustrating!

During that time, a dear friend of mine gave me three Hillsong cd's that I had been wanting and "Desert Song" was on one of them. I listened to it on repeat for weeks. It was the breakthrough I needed!

It felt like God was speaking to me directly through this song. Isn't that an awesome thing about worship music?!?

Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be empited again
The seed I've recieved I will sow 

The chorus is what really stuck with me. 
All of our lives, in every season, He is still God and we have a reason to worship.

Whatever season you find yourself in today- I hope that is an encouragement to you! 
You ALWAYS have a reason to worship. 
Our circumstances don't change who God is or what he is able to do. 
He has promised he will give us victory in every situation! 

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere

AMEN!
( I am including two versions- because I love them both equally!)