Posts Tagged With: God

Finding Comfort (Five Minute Friday)

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Sharita

Hey folks.

It’s Friday.
Five Minute Friday
Which means we link up with Lisa Jo and write. For five minutes flat.

Today’s prompt: Comfort

And Go!

****

Comfort. Just the word brings warmth to my heart. I personally need comfort in all sorts of situations and can find it in so many different ways.

I’m guessing you can too.

It’s been an extremely rough week in new-mommyland for me. What started out as a 2-month check up for our precious baby girl bracing for 2 month shots and ended it in the words “beginning stages of failure to thrive.”

Needless to say… I about lost it. My world felt like it was crumbling. I felt like a failure– and the Enemy wanted to make sure that “reputation” as a mother stuck.

But, as usual, our loving, sovereign, comforting God had other plans.

Although my week was foggy and filled with stress, I knew God was in it somewhere. I just had to keep looking. Praying. Seeking His comfort, relying on His faithfulness that He had this planned long before Baby Charis arrived on this earth.

Fortunately, Baby Girl/s lack of weight gain looks like a milk production problem on my part. (Thank you Jesus– it’s fixable!) As we move forward to rectify this issue, I continue to find comfort in prayers, quotes from others, Scripture– all stemming from the God of all Comfort.

“God doesn’t ask us to be perfect– He just wants us to be simply faithful.” ~Linda Dillow, Calm My Anxious Heart

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7

“My kids don’t need to see a super mama. They need to see a mama who needs a Super God.” ~Ann Voskamp

“The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:24

Yes. I have found comfort. I have found confidence. I have found courage…

It all stems from the Most Highest, Eternally Holy, Always Loving God.

****

Where and how do you find comfort? I would love to hear all about it.

Know you are loved, my friends. Thanks for stopping by!

Thankful to Worship a God of all Comfort,
SGK

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Go, Mama, Go!

Go, Mama, Go!

Categories: Five Minute Friday | Tags: , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Everyday Jesus: Where’s Waldo… I mean Jesus?

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Sharita
Welcome to another edition of Everyday Jesus! Today I am so stinkin’ excited to introduce you to one of my coolest and most supportive “dude readers.” Only the best part is he’s not just a reader– he too is a writer! I work alongside Brent at Christ Community Church and he inspires readers with his passion for Christ and leadership perspective. Get ready to discover Jesus in everyday life with his guest post today here at 7 Days Time! 
Looking for Christ in the Everyday, 
SGK 
PS: Don’t forget to show Brent the Jesus love both here and on his website by leaving a comment! 
****
The ‘Where’s Waldo’ books and puzzles have been around for years….since 1987 to be exact.  Some are more challenging than others.  You’ve seen these, right?  Waldo and other characters are always dressed in bright red and white stripes, which would suggest that they would be rather easy to pick out in a crowd.  As it turns out, however, it’s not really that simple.
 
Inline image 1

This makes me think of taking my kids to Chuck E. Cheese when they were little.  Have you ever tossed your 3-year-old into one of those huge tubs of multi-colored plastic balls?  You would think your kid would stick out like a sore thumb.  Not the case!  At least with my kids, they would inevitably wiggle to the bottom allowing the balls to conceal their location.  I don’t think there was a time when I didn’t have to climb in there myself and fish them out.

So, where is Jesus???

For those of us who have accepted His gracious gift of salvation by our faith, He tells us this:

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.   Matthew 28:20b  (NLT)

He is with us….with you and I…always!  That’s awesome news.  But isn’t Jesus a bit like Waldo in our daily crazy-paced life?  We should be able to see Him in everything we do and everywhere we go.  I mean, He is with us.  Didn’t we just read that?  The issue here is that often we allow Him to become lost in the crowd.

The crowd of…

…waking up late

…getting sick

…becoming angry at the barista who got our coffee wrong

…monthly bills adding up to more than our income

…our ‘to-do’ list always being longer than our ‘done’ list

…ETC!

So, here’s what we do.  Recognize our particular ‘crowd.’  Realize that Jesus really is nearby.  And ReFocus our attention on the things of Jesus as we go about our day.  When we do this our crowd eventually becomes filled with Jesus moments.  We start to see Him in the frustrations of life….not just the pleasant stuff.

Where did you see Jesus today?  Leave a comment below and share your experience so we can encourage each other.

****

Brent in colormedium

Brent is a follower of Jesus, husband to an amazing woman and   father of four remarkable kids. He has  been active in ministry since 1991, which includes:  Children’s & Family Life Ministry in Washington State, student ministry in Michigan and he currently serves as GROW Minister at Christ Community Church in Columbus, GA  while also partnering with his wife children’s ministries. You can connect with Brent via his blog or on Twitter. 

Categories: Everyday Jesus | Tags: , , , , , | 8 Comments

Leftovers: Only For Eating (A Refresher)

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Sharita

As a new Momma… I am SUPER hungry. Like, all the time… And as I was thinking about a post to share with you all, this one popped into my head. It is one of the very first I wrote when we launched this ministry over a year and a half ago… And while my writing style might have evolved and developed, God’s message still stands firm. 

Enjoy a fresh batch of God’s word– I promise His love is better than any leftovers you have waiting for you in the fridge. 

On that note… I think I need a snack.

Chowing down with Christ, 
SGK 

****

Ready for a quick trip down memory lane? Sweet, let’s go. When I was growing up, one of my favorite foods was… (wait for it…) leftovers. Yes, we were the family that it was totally legit to eat the leftover lasagna from supper for breakfast the next day. I remember in middle school we were writing our “Newsletter” and did a survey of our tiny student body of their favorite “after school snack.” There was one write-in vote for “Leftovers.” Fortunately for me,  the surveys were anonymous and when everyone literally laughed out loud at the ridiculousness (practicality?) of the thought, I never owned up that twas I who wrote that as my favorite snack.

Let’s be honest, somethings are better leftover. My top picks: Homemade macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumplings, pizza, egg casserole, strawberry pretzel salad, German potato salad and anything involving chocolate. (Ok, chocolate is good fresh, leftover or licked off a plate– anything goes in that category.) Hold on… now I gotta run and take a snack break. (Just kidding)

As much as I still adore leftovers,  I do know someone who isn’t the biggest fan… God. He doesn’t want our leftovers. And sometimes, that can be hard! Most of us deal with some, all or a combination of the following on a daily basis: spouse, work, kids, bills, church, community activities, parents, siblings, homework, exercise, grocery shopping, sleep, (insert your own daily activities here). So the question is: Where does God fit?

Unlike our “shoved-to-the-back-of-the-fridge-leftovers,” God should be at the front of the list for a priority of things in our life. Exodus 23:19 says  “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.” Now don’t miss construe what I am saying here. God DOES understand that we aren’t always going to be on our A-game, peppy as Saturday Night Live Spartan Cheerleaders. However, he does expect the BEST or “Firstfruits” of ourselves to be dedicated to him.

I know. Giving our firstfruits to Him can be hard. But just like we don't want bruised apples or mushy bananas... God wants our BEST.

I know. Giving our firstfruits to Him can be hard. But just like we don’t want bruised apples or mushy bananas… God wants our BEST.

“Firstfruits” is mentioned in the NIV 31 times… “Leftover” is only mentioned once. To me, that is an indication of what God expects from us. We can give the most and best of ourselves daily by our actions and our thoughts. I don’t know about you, but if I put off something until the end of the day, the less likely it is going to get done. Example: If I wait to have my quiet time with the Lord until after supper, something seems to be more likely to come up or cause distraction. Plus, I might be weary from the days hoopla and chaos, so I won’t be my “best.” I try to pray before I even get out of bed in the morning, asking God that whatever I do that day it may be to his glory. After all: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) 

Another and more “touchy” area of “firstfruits” and the non-leftovers issue is the idea of money, especially tithing. No where in the Bible does it say “Each time you get paid, wait til the end of that money then give me whatever you have leftover. Yep, that’ll be fine.” Instead it says “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10) This is the great news– God isn’t asking to tithe back to Him because He “said so” and is on a power trip. Instead He has made us a PROMISE that if we show this act of faith and reverence to Him by giving our “firstfruits” He will let the returns overflow! If that’s not motivation to cut a check, I don’t know what is!

Bottom line: God doesn’t want our leftovers, whether it is in devotion, energy, love, money or service. He desires our firstfruits. Yes, it seems as if much is asked of us, but oh beloved, SO much more is given! It is our privilege to serve him in this way. “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.” (Nehemiah 10:35)

Are you representing a beautiful, ripe, sweet piece of fruit right off the tree or a wilted lettuce salad leftover from the day(s) before? God desires our firstfruits, not our tupperware-clad-back-of-the-fridge leftovers. It tastes sweet to Him– but oh-so-sweeter for us!

To the Glory of God,

SGK

“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.” – 2 Chronicles 31:5

Categories: firstfruits | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

My Kind of GPS (Recalculating…)

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Sharita

I’m taking a New-Mama day today…so that being said, I wanted to share with you a post that was written a while back- but is still very pertinent to our everyday walks with Christ.

We might not always know where we are headed– but He does. And His plan can sure be trusted. (I promise.) Let me know what kind of surprise turns your life has taken and how God helped you through it by leaving a comment below. 

Blessings to you my darling readers!
SGK 

****

The tires are humming on the highway. The radio on just loud enough to provide some background noise but soft enough to avoid drowning out the conversation going on between the driver and passenger.

“When do I turn?”

“Um, let me look. I feel like it is coming up.”

“Come ON, babe, its rush hour… I need to know if I need to exit anytime soon. Can I get over?”

“NO, don’t merge you are blocked in… This paper map is terrible. Our GPS says it is coming up soon.  What exit number is this?”

“122B.”

“TURN NOW!!!”

The next thing you hear in the car is the driver shouting words not appropriate for a Christian blog, which barely masks the dreaded sound of the GPS uttering the words “Recalculating… recalculating… please make a legal U-turn at the next available intersection.”

Aren’t you glad we aren’t supposed to create (and drive) our own path in life alone? I know that if I were driving the “bus” that is my life, I would be shouting at the GPS constantly, lost in a shady part of town, bumping into other vehicles and maybe even broken down on the side of the road. So glad that God isMY GPS.

GPS

The kind of GPS I’m talking about is a “Godly Path-directing Service.” God has it figured out. Thankfully. And while his GPS methods don’t always seem the most “direct” route or even the smoothest, He always, always, ALWAYS gets us to where we need to be… usually in better condition than when we left.

I was having a conversation with the Agricultural Education teacher/FFA Advisor at my old High School the other day. As we were chatting about our backgrounds, we couldn’t help but stand there in that ag class and essentially revel at the craziness that has been our path to where we are now. But now, where we are… it ALL… MAKES… SENSE. Good work, Lord.

My “GPS” experience has been what I like to call “squiggly.” I had all of these grand plans of driving my own “bus” in life…Graduate high school, get bachelor’s degree at K-state,  go to vet school, work with people, work for a corporation, retire there and make lots of money, work for a non-profit organization, stay single for as long as possible while enjoying dating around, meet future husband upon college graduation, dominate the world by doing my own thing, become an army wife, remain satisfied with bachelor’s degree, go back to school to get master’s degree, live in a foreign country, move to Georgia, work on post at Fort Benning full time, be called into ministry… Arrived. Current Destination.

Confused? Probably. Now do you understand what I mean by a “squiggly” path. I personally think it is almost FUNNY how ridiculous I was thinking I had a plan figured out. Apparently, I didn’t check my map or refer to the correct GPS. And it is AWESOME that God scratched through my plans, threw in a few U-turns, breakdowns, and speed bumps all the while directing a new path and creating the perfect map for my life. I have learned that I don’t have to fear the word “recalculating” because God IS my map. He never let’s me miss my exit or turn. Rejoice that we have our own “Godly Path-Directing Service.”  He is MY kind of GPS!

Stopping for Directions isn’t a bad thing,
SGK

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths…” –Psalm 25:4

Categories: direction, God, guidance, path | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Everyday Jesus: Playing Hide ‘N’ Seek

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Sharita

Some folks just make ya wanna hug them… Today’s guest blogger is just one of those such people! My dear friend Dawn is not only a talented writer, but also a sweet and loving daughter of Christ. Show her some love as she shares a smidge of her Jesus heart with us today!

Loving me some Jesus in the everyday, 
SGK 

****

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

Hiding his eyes behind two pudgy hands, my toddler grandson starts counting. “One, two, three, four, five…” His excitement builds and he rushes, “Eight – nine – ten…here I come!” He’s now in hot pursuit of his slightly older sister. Oh, how he thrills in the pursuit.

He searches all the obvious spots—behind the couch or the chair, under the kitchen table, or behind a closed door—and calls her by name. Barely unable to contain her giggles, his sister stays hidden until she just can’t stand it anymore and yells, “I’m here! I’m here!” And willingly, she becomes the pursuer.

We still play Hide-N-Seek—you and I—only it’s not as obvious.

hide

Sometimes we hide from one another. We hide inside our houses, within our busyness, or behind our Facebook statuses. We’d rather appear “put together” than risk revealing our true selves or admitting our neediness. And, when others seek us and find us, we’re always quick to answer, “I’m here and I’m just fine.”

We hide from God, too. We don’t physically hide behind the living room furniture or closed doors, but we might miss a few days of quiet time, barely crack open our Bibles, and leave little room in our days for prayer until we completely veil our hearts from God’s presence.

Why do we do hide? I can’t answer that for anyone but myself. I guess sometimes I hide because I don’t want my weaknesses confirmed by others or God and I fear rejection by both. (Gulp! Big risk right there).

But here’s what I’ve found to be true: God never plays hide-n-seek. No, God never hides from us. In fact, the Bible says God can always be found by those who seek Him:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”Jeremiah 29:13

“I love those who seek me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17

God created us for relationship—with Him and one another—because that’s how He lives within the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

How do we seek relationship with others or God?

  • Be intentional—connections don’t just happen. Deliberately set a specific time and place to meet.
  • Be consistent—relationships flourish the more regularly you meet together.

The result?

  • Intimacy—you build trust as the relationship grows and sharing more intimate heart issues comes naturally.
  • Freedom—as intimacy grows, you’re free to be who you are; who God created you to be.
  • Release—when you realize who you truly are—who God created you to be—you’re released from others’ expectations and set free to soar in God’s purpose for you.

I’m ready to stop hiding and seek God and others, today. How about you?

****

Dawn Aldrich photo

Dawn Aldrich is a children’s author, inspirational blogger, and T V host of Penn’s Pals. She enjoys her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and daughter of the King. Dawn enjoys her family, four seasons, dark chocolate, and sharing her God stories. You can connect with Dawn via her blog or check out her book or her TV website.

Categories: Everyday Jesus | Tags: , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Everyday Jesus: God Cares for Our Basic Needs

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Sharita

Welcome to another edition of our guest post blogging series “Everyday Jesus!” Today’s guest blogger, Laura, is one of my great online gal-pals… Her writing is an inspiration– and today’s post is absolutely no exception! Be sure to show sweet Laura some love– both here at 7 Days Time and over at her place by leaving a comment. (Hint, hint, wink, wink…) 

****

Have you ever noticed that everything seems worse when you’re tired or hungry?

Think about it. You might not be having the best day, but it’s not awful. And then, as you go from meeting to meeting or run errands, you miss lunch. And what happens? You get cranky. Maybe a headache comes on. You lose your patience with co-workers or your kids. And your day has gone from bad to worse.

This was me a few weeks ago, but not because I missed lunch.

I did something to my back, although I don’t really know what. One minute I was fine. The next minute I sat down for dinner, and I felt something slip out-of-place. It was painful, but not awful.

Over the next few days, it got worse, until I could barely move. It didn’t matter what anti-inflammatory medications I took, or how long I kept the heating pad on, I couldn’t move.

The pain meant I wasn’t sleeping either. And it doesn’t take long for lack of sleep to catch up with me.

On the evening of the worst day, I was near “total meltdown” stage. (My family would say I was already well into “total meltdown” stage. So, don’t ask them.)

I prayed for healing, but instead, I slept.

God knows.

He knows our basic human needs. And He knows when they’re not being met.

Everything seems worse when we’re tired or hungry…or in Elijah’s case, both.

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
1 Kings 19:3-5 NLT

I’ve never actually had to run for my life, but I’ve been at the end of my rope like Elijah.

God, I’m tired of this.  I can’t do it anymore.

Maybe you’ve felt that way before too.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
1 Kings 19:5b-6 NLT

I imagine Elijah would’ve liked God to do something about the people who were trying to kill him. But instead, God gave Elijah rest and food.

Not just once, but twice.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.
1 Kings 19:7-9 NLT

Everything seems worse when you’re tired or hungry.

God knew that before Elijah could think clearly again, he needed two basic needs met—sleep and food.

Aren’t we the same today?

When the lack of sleep took me under, the pain in my back was out of control and I couldn’t focus on anything else. But after a night of rest, I was able to think a little more clearly.

I was still in pain, but God met my basic need of sleep. And later that day, I could feel my back start to relax.

We want to get right to the result—problem solved.

But sometimes, God wants us to see something else first.

He wants us to see Him in our everyday basic needs.

And with that clearer vision, we can see Him at work in our end-of-my-rope moments.

****

Laura Rath Bio Pic

Laura Rath is a follower of Jesus Christ, a wife, mother, writer, blogger, and works in church ministry. She continues to grow daily in her relationship with God and loves the faith journey she’s on. Laura is a monthly contributor for 5 Minutes for Faith, and hosts an online Bible study, using books relevant to women today. She can be found at Laura Rath ~ Journey in Faith, where she shares from her heart and encourages others in their walk with the Lord. You can also connect with her via Facebook or Twitter. 

Categories: Everyday Jesus | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Bathroom Prayer

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Sharita

First of all… Kudos that you made it past the title and are still reading.

Secondly, please don’t be scared. We aren’t going to spend time talking about the, uh, things that go on in the bathroom, particularly those things that, um, require “concentration.” (But if we were… it would be ok– because we really have few boundaries here at 7 Days Time. After all, everyone poops. <Did you know there is a book called that to help little kids learn about potty training and stuff? Fun parenting tip. Anywho…>)

This isn’t about what happens in the bathroom. Rather, it is about a sign that hangs in our downstairs guest bathroom.

Just think about it– we spend a lot of time in our bathrooms… bathing, grooming and that “other stuff.” Maybe that’s why when people say they want to remember something, they tape it to their bathroom mirror.

Such is the sign on our bathroom wall.

It is a simple, unframed cardboard sign that I got from my Grandma Neva’s apartment after she unexpectedly passed away in September 2009. Ever since that time, it has hung in our bathroom in each apartment/house we have lived in (three soon to be four for those of you keeping track at home.)

It’s called “I Said A Prayer for You Today.” (I tried to google the author but with little luck.) Check it out:

bathroom prayer

In case you can’t read the poem printed on it, here’s what it says:

I said a prayer for you today 
And know God must have heard. 
I felt the answer in my heart 
Although I heard no word. 

I didn’t ask for wealth or fame 
(I knew you wouldn’t mind.) 
I asked Him to send  treasures 
Of a far more lasting kind. 

I asked that He’d be near you 
At the start of each new day, 
To grant you health and blessings 
And friends to share your way. 

I asked for happiness for you 
In all things great and small, 
But it was God’s loving care for you 
That I prayed for most of all.

Not only do I think it is just a super cool poem (one that I have nearly memorized after all this time) but it draws me to Christ every time I read it. Plus, it automatically makes me think of those different individuals in my life that are in need of prayer.

Sure gives a whole new meaning to “Pray Continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) huh?

I don’t know– perhaps you think bathroom prayer weird. Or awkward. Or whatever. But I’m pretty sure that God doesn’t care where we are or what we are doing when we come to Him in sincere prayer.

So today, I genuinely want to extend a challenge to you. First, I challenge you to think of ways that you can pray more– or heck, even continually– no matter where you are and what you are doing. Secondly, I would LOVE to pray for you today (and in the days to come.)  Seriously. Leave a comment below, send me a message on our Facebook page or on Twitter… or shoot me an email via sharita{dot}knobloch{at}gmail{dot}com.

No prayer request is too big or small– because truly God cares about them all. Look forward to hearing from you! (I’m not kidding. Shoot me your prayer requests. Like, for real.)

Praying Continually– FOR YOU!
SGK

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG) 

Categories: prayer | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

More Than a Valentine (Five Minute Friday)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Sharita

Five Minute FridayGreetings all!

It’s that time again– yeppers, it’s Five Minute Friday time. At the end of each “work week,” I link-up with Lisa-Jo Baker for this writing exercise of glory. She gives us a prompt. We write for five minutes. Without over thinking. Simply free and uninhibited.

I never know what is going to happen. (But these precious words from God rarely disappoint!)

So let’s get started and see what Jesus has to say via my fingertips today…

PROMPT: Beloved

Andddd GO! 

****

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. (For those of you out there who might have forgotten or inadvertently blocked that fact from your mind, I will give you a few moments to panic and go order something for your sweetheart via Amazon.)

Ok. Back with me? Great.

Anywho, yesterday was Valentine’s Day– the day that many married/inarelationship women dream about, the day that married/inarelationship men sigh exasperatedly about and the day that many singles dread.

Good times.

My darling husband and I don’t really celebrate/recognize Valentine’s Day. He says it’s too commercialized… and I have to say I somewhat agree. Plus, being an army family, we (ok I) have trained myself not to get too hung up on the “dates” of the year that we are “supposed” to be romantic considering yesterday was the first time in our entire relationship we were actually in the same zip code for Vday. But I digress.

Speaking of romance, my husband and I have nicknames for each other. (No, not pooky and schnookums.) He calls me “Lover” and I call him “Beloved.” (Yes, taken from Song of Solomon.) It’s a special bond we share.

But even more special than our sweet nicknames that we share with each other is the love-filled, never-ending name that God calls us. AND what He calls YOU.

He calls us Beloved. With a capital B. (Because we are THAT special to Him!)

God calls us Beloved because He cares of us. He shaped and formed us. He has plans for us. He adores us. He is patient with us when we mess up. He pursues us. He protects us. He provides for us.

He calls us Beloved because we are His. He loves us. All we have to do to fully experience this is accept His invitation.

Have you taken any time lately to reflect on how much God REALLY loves you? It’s true. You are His Beloved. He wants you to Be His from here to eternity. His love isn’t glued to a single date on the calendar in February. He offers it to you daily. It doesn’t wilt like flowers to tarnish like jewelry or run out like chocolates.

His love for His Beloved (ahem, YOU) is eternal. He gave His Son for you. Me.  ALL OF US.

Because when it comes to God’s love… You are worth more than any Valentine.

You. Are. BELOVED.

STOP

*****

Thoughts? Feedback? How does God show that He loves you each day? Have you responded to His invitation to Be His forever? I would love to hear from each of you Beloved Children of God… Leave a comment below if you feel so moved :-)

Blessed to Be Beloved,
SGK

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” ~Deuteronomy 33:12

Categories: Five Minute Friday | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Right Where He Wants Us

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Sharita

Every now and then… I need to be encouraged.

Life can get a little ooey on occasions– I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m still super blessed, but life (for me OR you) isn’t easy. If it was, it wouldn’t be called earth… It would be called heaven.

But unfortunately for those of us in the here and now, we live in a fallen world. (Thanks a lot Adam and Eve! Oh, who am I kidding– if they didn’t mess it up, somebody else would have come along 20 seconds later, listened to that Satanic snake and jacked it up for us regardless. But I’m not bitter. It’s fine.)

Anywho, back to my original point. Sometimes we just need to be encouraged. Reminded that we aren’t floating aimlessly about, drifting. That God has our back– no matter what. He has us right where He wants us.

No matter where you find yourself... Trust that He is right on target and has you right where He wants you...

No matter where you find yourself… Trust that He plan is on target and He has you right where He wants you…

Remember last week when I talked about prayer week at church and the cool messages He revealed to me? Well, today is another installment of that– only this time, this is directly from the Big Man Himself.

I pray that the following message encourages your heart and shifts your perspective a bit if it’s a little muddied by the junk of the world as of late. (Sidenote: The prompt for this particular prayer night was work #4 of Christ, His ascension. Oh, and just as a fun fact in case you didn’t know the five works of Christ off the top of your head, they are incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and return. There. Now you have something to talk about at the dinner table tonight or share with your neighbor down the street as you wait to pick up your kids from the bus stop.)

So without further ado.. here’s God’s message for us…

****

My Beloved~

I have you right where I want you. No matter what season, what circumstances, what trials you find yourself facing, please know that I am behind it. I know sometimes you think it would be easier to follow me if I were still on Earth… But just like you are right where you are supposed to be, so I am– at the Father’s right hand here in heaven. 

Although it might not look like it, you are in a great position. Because of my ascension to heaven, you have an opportunity to interact with Me 24/7– My Spirit is ALWAYS with you!! Please beloved~ be encouraged by this and keep running after me… Every single day, in everything you do. Remember that I will never leave nor forsake you! I promise. 

Continue to say yes to me… THe more you submit to me, the higher you also ascend into my presence, til one wondrous day we meet face-to-face and you run into my outstretched arms at the gates of heaven. It will be a joy unlike you have ever known. 

Your union with Me will give you peace. And it is not a worldly peace. It is MY peace. Don’t succumb to the voices of this world– no matter how loud they might be. Instead, stay closely joined and united with Me… 

For someday, we shall be together not only in Spirit, but dancing together, as bride and groom, in the kingdom of heaven.

****

Wowzers. Can I get an AMEN!?!? If this spoke to you or encouraged your heart in any way, I would love your feedback– comment below.

Encouraged by Him,
SGK

“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” ~Ephesians 2:6 NLT

Categories: encouragement | Tags: , , , , | 10 Comments

Open for business 24/7

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Sharita

Sometimes you just can’t help but appreciate the businesses that are open 24/7.

I mean seriously– just think about it… The places that are open round-the-clock are usually those businesses that are most important or that we have to use in emergencies. Hospitals, fire stations, police/law enforcement, some gas stations, some pharmacies (like Walgreens) and even Wal-Mart and Waffle House. (Granted, Wal-Mart and Waffle House might not be needed in emergency situations– but it’s still super convenient!)

I can’t help but be thankful not only for these modern-day services and conveniences– but also am so grateful that our God is a 24/7 kind of dude.

open sign

He’s always there. Always accessible. Never closed, never out of reach. Always ready to help.

Which is great for the nights when I can’t sleep– and those nights seem to come more frequently the more pregnant I become. (Plus I heard some nasty rumor about parenthood taking away your regular sleep patterns… so apparently this non-sleeping-during-nighttime-hours is supposed to get more intense once baby arrives. ;-) )

This middle of the night can’t sleep issue happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I awoke right on schedule for my regular 3am preggo bathroom break. (Sorry if that’s TMI…) But as I headed to back bed, I had a realization that made my heart sink– my brain had woken up. It was in high gear.

Crap. (Pardon my language.)

Granted, I DID have a lot on my mind- and heart. Just a few hours before, I was in my first ever car accident and was still pretty wound up from that. Now I was faced with the prospect that this new little one was going to show up in our lives in a matter of weeks– and we probably needed to purchase a new car before that point. Oh, and did I mention we are planning to move 2800 miles to a new duty station within the first few months of this baby’s birth? No pressure.

But yes, my woman brain kicked into alert state. Which woke up this growing baby-child in my belly. I sighed heavily and took my sore hips and racing mind downstairs.

I grabbed a light snack since my stomach was growling, then laid down on the couch, hoping that things would settle down. After a few minutes, I knew I was going to have to call for help.

I was desperate. So I called in reinforcements. I started to pray.

It wasn’t prayers of just “Jesus, PLEASE help me go to sleep.” But I started running through all of the stuff in my life that was on my heart. I prayed for a preggo pal who although we were due within days of each other, had already given birth to her baby prematurely a couple of weeks prior. I prayed for a friend who was facing having a tough conversation with her parents about faith. I prayed for our family mission statement. I prayed for God to take my tension away and replace it with peace. I prayed… and prayed… and…

Next thing I know– it was no longer 3:47am. But I awoke that Thursday morning semi-ready to face the day– during “normal” business hours.

I’m so thankful that God is always open for business and ready to listen, save and help.

Have you every had trouble sleeping? What is your remedy? How does God being available 24/7 change your relationship with Him? Better yet… how can it improve or encourage your relationship with Him? Don’t be shy… leave a comment below!

When the weight of this world is pulling you down– or keeping you from peace– or disrupting your sleep pattern– remember, dear friends… that God is always accessible. Always ready. Always here to help.

Now THAT’S what I call being open for business 24/7.

Finding peace in His presence– at all hours of the day,
SGK

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” ~Psalm 46:7 NIV

Categories: peace | Tags: , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Blog at WordPress.com. Theme: Adventure Journal by Contexture International.

%d bloggers like this: