"I'll Be Happy When..."

I just had to share this devotion from the book, Fit for My King by Sheri Rose Shepherd. It speaks right to the heart of things.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”  Proverbs 14:12

*Before I became a Christian, my life was a book with a sleek and colorful cover, but inside the pages were empty. Each chapter of what looked like my new life had the same title, “I’ll Be Happy When…”

I followed my own personal success strategies, learned by carefully examining the latest research from all the top celebrities on television and in the magazines:

·        Strategy 1:  I had no basis for right and wrong… I just followed my feelings.
·        Strategy 2:  I bought things I didn’t need to impress people I didn’t really care about with money I didn’t have.
·        Strategy 3:  I made excuses and blamed others because it was easier than accepting responsibility for my own actions.
·        Strategy 4:  I refused to forgive those who had hurt me, and I held on to bitterness and resentment.
·        Strategy 5:  My problems, my happiness, my success, and my entertainment consumed me.
·        Strategy 6:  I was anxious for everything and let all my requests be made known to anyone who would listen.

My personal success strategies left me emotionally starving, lonely, and depressed because money, things, worldly success, and beauty could only hide my pain, they could not heal it.  Our ways will never get us what we really want.

God’s plan is the key to being set free from depression, food addictions, eating disorders, and emotional pain

He whom the Son has set free is free indeed!

His Princess Prayer: 
My Lord, How many times I struggle to believe You are truly here with me. Even though You have proved Your presence over and over again, I still allow my heart to doubt. So here I am again, requesting that You will become more real to me than ever before. Please come comfort me once again that I may find my faith in You again. Thank You for Your never-ending patience with Your Princess.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.^”  Jeremiah 29:13-14

Treasure of Truth ~

He is our strength when we’re weak.

He is our comfort when we’re in pain.

He is our peace when we’re haunted by fear.

He is our healer when our spirit is wounded.

He is our warmth when the world is cold.

He is our power when we need a miracle.   *

Rejoicing in Truth!

Time In Between...

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is when Peter was asked to step out of the boat and walk on water. Read it in Matthew 14:22-33. I can remember as a kid in Sunday school hearing this story... in fact I can almost hear Mrs. Bauer, the beginners’ class teacher, telling that story. She was such a sweet, loving lady and I am sure she had great impact on many lives, including mine. Anyway, back to the story... as a kid it seemed so "mystical" to me (although I am sure as a kid I didn't know that was the word for it!).

I can remember being down at our local beach and thinking if I put my eyes on Jesus I should be able to walk on water... I was taught that Jesus was in my heart, so I fixed my eyes on my chest (because that was where my heart is... and Jesus lives there... are you still with me?) and stepping out very carefully to try and walk on water... why didn't it work for me... what did I do wrong????? Oh, the mind of a child... wish I could be that naive now.

Do you ever feel like the in between time is the hardest time? For instance, what do you think was going through Peter's mind the time between when he asked Jesus to bid him come and walk on the water and when he actually got out of the boat??? Do you think he was thinking, "Do I, don't I, do I, don't I?" Did he have anxiety? I find for myself the in between time is probably the hardest time... the thinking about it... wondering what will happen... should I, shouldn't I?... is this really what I should be doing?... how long do I have to wait?... what am I to learn in this time?

I guess that is the question... what am I to learn in the time in between? This time can be the hardest but it can also be the most rewarding. During these times we can be drawn closer to God... our eyes can be taken off ourselves and our problems... we can reach out to help someone else... we can completely surrender our ways to God's ways.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Here are the lyrics to a song I really love called "Time In Between" by Francesca Battistelli:

You were there when Your Father said, "Let there be the light"

You obeyed when He whispered, "Son, You have to leave tonight"

To spend nine months in a mother's womb, three days in a borrowed tomb

It's the time in between that brings me to my knees

Knowing You came for me

And all that I can be I'm amazed, so amazed

And I thank You for the time in between

Don't take much for this crazy world to rob me of my peace

And the enemy of my soul says You're holding out on me

So I stand here lifting empty hands for You to fill me up again

But it's the time in between that I fall down to my knees waiting on what You'll bring

And the things that I can see I know that my songs incomplete

Still I sing in the time in between

So many ways Your love has saved the day

And I'm grateful for them all.

But it's the time in between the middle of two things that says everything

It's the reason I believe, I'm amazed, so amazed

And I thank You for the time in between.

Lord, I thank You for the time in between.

Just know that in the time in between you are not alone… you are not the only one! Hold tight to ALL that you know to be truth… God’s Living Truth inside you. In the silence… in the stillness you can rest in His loving arms and His faithfulness. Be amazed… be thankful… trust Him... praise Him! He will get you through! He will complete the work He has begun in you!

"I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6"

Rejoicing in Truth!