When You're Down to Nothing, God is Up to Something

     Today is one of those rare days where I got everything done (at least I think I did) and I have a little free time to myself.  I got some extra Bible time in and even got to read a few "mommy blogs".  What a luxury!  Then I thought I would post on here since it's been awhile.  Our church has been doing a 21-day Word Fast where we have been fasting negative words and thought and confessing God's Word over our lives.  The negative words aren't really too hard, although I have noticed the devil bringing opportunity for me to screw up more frequently than normal.  It's the negative thoughts that are the hardest.  No one else hears them and can keep me accountable.  It's so easy for a negative situation to bring just one negative thought which can be easily multiplied into several.  I've had to pray and ask forgiveness several times throughout this fast, but I have really started to see the difference in how I view situations now.  Earlier this week Matt called at 5:45 in the morning needing me to come help him jump his car.  Instead of being irritated that I had to wake the kids up and load them up in the van and drive to a place I had never been, I chose to be thankful I am a stay at home mom who homeschools so I don't have to worry about work or school getting in the way of helping when my husband needs me.  I am so thankful he was able to get his car off the road and not get hit by any careless drivers.  We got his car started, but not even half mile down the road it died again.  He ran and got a part for it and was going to attempt to fix it on the side of the road.  As he was about to get under the car, it fell off the jack.  I am so thankful he was not under there or it could have been serious.  So thankful for God's protection!  After five hours, we decided to call a tow truck.  At first, I started to get nervous about how much this would cost and if we would have enough money to cover it.  Matt remembered seeing a guy in our subdivision who owns a towing business.  He looked up the number and called him.  I kept confessing God's favor.  It only cost us $45!  Instead of getting upset that my day was not going according to the way I wanted it to go, I chose to be thankful that Matt was able and willing to work on his car himself, instead of taking it somewhere which for this job could have cost thousands of dollars.  The very next day I was confessing blessings over what would come in the mail...we received a gift card that allowed us to buy groceries for the week.  This was mailed out even before the car broke down.  God knew what was going to happen and was already providing for us.  Instead of complaining about what an inconvenience this was, I was learning to look for the positives and confess God's word over our family.  This has truly been a stretch for me.  I love hearing about how God has brought others through tough times but going through it ourselves is a different story. I keep thinking, "Ok God, we can be done with the tests anytime."  But I know He is with us.  I am thankful for the teachings we've been getting that are helping us grow in our faith and relationship with Christ!
     

Happy New Year!

     Everyone's been posting new years resolutions, words that that they are praying over their lives, and other traditional first of the year hopes.  I've been thinking on this all day.  Not sure I really want a resolution- per se.  Of course, I want to be eat healthier and all the typical ones you hear every year, but I want to focus on more than that.  And I haven't had just ONE word that has come to me- I've had a couple words that the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart for the upcoming year.  The first one is SENSITIVITY- not only towards others, but sensitivity towards things God lays on my heart.  I've really started trying to listen more carefully to Him.  There are some things that have been laid on my heart with such urgency that I can't help but want to share them.  And yes, sometimes they unintentionally offend people.  I saw this quote earlier that I haven't been able to stop thinking about: "Just because someone has more followers than you doesn't mean they're better than you.  Hitler has millions.  Jesus had 12."  I am in no way comparing myself to Jesus- not possible.  What I grasped from this was that Jesus spoke the Word of God.  The Word of God offends people because it speaks out about sin.  People don't like to be told their living in sin.  They get offended.  I don't care who endorses something, if it doesn't line up with God's Word, it's wrong- bottom line!  Religious people (pharisees) hated Jesus because He spoke out that their religious ways didn't line up with God's Word.  It makes me sad to see loved ones being deceived my "new trends" in religion.  The Bible doesn't go out of style.  It doesn't need any fluff, props or special effects to make it "relevant".  It's always relevant on it's own.  I'm not going to compromise the Word of God just because it offends someone- saved or unsaved.       My next word is WATCHFUL.  Jesus is coming back- SOON!!  This is exciting!  But it's also scary because those not watching for Him will be left behind.  I am excited about what this year holds for my family and me.  I am excited about growing in my walk with the Lord.  I've already noticed a growth this past month that we've been down here.  I am wishing all of my loved ones a Happy and Healthy 2014!