I’m a task-oriented person.  I enjoy getting things done quickly and marking it off my ‘to do’ list.  The instant gratification fuels me to push forward and do more.  For me, it’s not just about doing the task but doing it with excellence.  Some would call that being a perfectionist—and, being transparent, I must admit they are right (it’s something I work hard to overcome).  While this trait can be a positive thing, it can also be something that leaves me frustrated and (sometimes) paralyzed because I become so overwhelmed with the unachievable expectation’s I place on myself.  This fact affects my relationship with God.  Rather than trust and rely on Him to supply my needs or help me through certain situations (as He’s promised in His word that He would do for His children), I attempt to help God out.  And maybe speed Him along….because He doesn’t do things on my time table.  I like offering suggestions how He should do things on my behalf.  You know, helpful suggestions, because God might need my input or opinion on the matters of my life [insert sarcastic eye roll here].

Recently, I was preparing for a Christmas sermon I will be preaching in a few weeks and I came across a statistic that blew my mind.  There over 300 prophesies throughout the Old Testament that foretold of Christ’s coming.  The probability that every single prophecy would all completely come true in its entirety is [BRACE YOURSELF]

1 in 87,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

In case you were wondering, that’s 93 zeros.  What IS that number?  After we get past the trillion mark, I’m totally lost.  My mind can’t fathom the immensity of that number!  All of that to say this, what makes us think God can’t handle orchestrating all things to work for our good, as scripture promises us?  What makes us think God is shaken or concerned with a cancer diagnosis we have just received?  What makes us think God can’t step into an utterly hopeless situation by reconciling or resurrecting a dead relationship, mending a broken heart, or any number of things we choose to worry about.  King David stated in his old age, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” [Ps 37:25]  If my children have need of anything–you can take it to the bank–I’ll do everything within my power to help provide it for them.  That’s what any good father does.  What makes us think our Heavenly Father won’t do the same on our behalf (and don’t forget, His word has already promised us such)?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  We allow ourselves to get so bogged down with the details of this life we fail to remember we have a Heavenly Father who is waiting to intervene on our behalf in every situation.  But friends, it will require us to get out of the way.  It will require us to give Him control no matter how scary it may seem.  Nothing catches Him unaware or surprises Him.  I pray you can walk in the peace that knowledge gives you today.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

“It was all a part of God’s plan.”  If I’m being transparent, that statement is not one I care to hear when I’m in the middle of a frustrating moment or hard season.  But, I’m guilty of saying it myself.  As I grow and mature in my relationship with God, I am learning I don’t really know it all.  Surprising revelation, huh?!?  Ha, ha!  It seems odd that terrible seasons in our life can be a part of God’s plan.  Let me explain.  Joseph was a man whose hardships were severe.  He was betrayed by his siblings as a teenager and sold into slavery, falsely accused of taking advantage of a woman who was actually attempting to seduce him, and he was jailed for an extended period of time for something he didn’t do.  (This is the cliff notes version.  Read Genesis 32-50 for the whole story)  He had many reasons to be bitter, frustrated, and unforgiving.  AMAZINGLY, he was just the opposite.  In each season he could be found serving those above him faithfully and with integrity. Through a turn of events, after interpreting a dream for the king, he found himself placed in a high ranking position of leadership.

His new position leads him to come in contact with the very people who had done him so wrong.  He recognizes his brothers instantly, but they have no clue who he is.  Joseph sets some things in place that forced them to return to the kingdom on multiple occasions.  Later, in an emotional moment, Joseph reveals himself to them.  They’re shocked to find that he is alive and serving in a position of great influence.  No doubt fearing for their lives (and not knowing how Joseph would respond), the brothers stand in silence.  In Genesis 45, Joseph states, …“I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. ⁵ But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.” {v 4-5}  He could have chosen to exact his revenge on them but he only wanted to reconcile.  He wasn’t mad, though he had a great reason to.  It seems odd that Joseph would state, “….It was God who sent me here…”  To the casual observer, it would seem Joseph is blaming his horrible past on God.  Actually, Joseph has arrived at a place in his life and relationship with God that allows him to see past his circumstances to behold the greater picture.  The truth is, God had absolutely nothing to do with his misfortune—yet it was still part of God’s plan.  In this moment, Joseph is able to recognize how God could use the terrible things that had happened to him as something that would minister to many others.  His negative past led to him being able to save many people from starvation over a seven year period, including his own family.  He never allowed his situation to dictate his response.

Is it God’s will for someone to wrong you?  Absolutely not.  That’s not the kind of Father He is.  Can God still use that situation to work all things for our good—and for the good of others?  YES!!!!!  I’ve said it a million times and I will always repeat it.  We can’t control the choices of others around us, but we can control how we’re going to react.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Are you in a terrible situation today?  Pay attention to your response.  If we can learn to shift our focus to recognize God is still at work, it will change how quickly we forgive someone, how we view those situations, and more.  When life is at its worst, get excited!!!  God is up to something!

Recently, I was sitting in one of my son’s baseball games.  From the onset, the players on our team struggled.  By the end of the second inning the score was 2-9 (in the other team’s favor).  The excitement of a possible win was completely gone at this point.  My only hope was that the other team would reach enough runs ahead permitting the umpire to call the game and us to go home early (I believe they call it the “mercy rule”).  In the beginning of the third inning, something happened.  The other team came up to bat and my son’s team swiftly defeated their attempts at any runs.  It came time for our team to bat.  It was almost as if someone flipped a switch.  As our players stepped up, each child began performing at their peak skill level.  By the end of the third inning we had tied the score 9-9.  Every adult sat back in amazement.  The next inning proved the same – no runs for the other team and seven runs for our team.  We approached the fifth inning, thwarted any runs the opposing team attempted, and gained three more points before the umpire called the game in our favor. The final score was 19-9.  We won!!!!

At the end of the game, I felt convicted.  Because things hadn’t turned out well in the beginning, to save my son from embarrassment, I was ready for it to be over.  I had prematurely began rehearsing my “We’ll get em’ next time” speech.  Everyone loves a good comeback story after all is said and done.  But when we’re in the middle of a situation with no promised outcome – let’s just say, we would rather be home hiding from the world.  The Bible is FULL of comeback stories.  Hannah was childless for many years until God broke her barrenness. Her with a son who would go on to become His mouthpiece to accomplish a great work in that time period.  David should have died on that hill fighting the giant, Goliath, yet he was victorious.  Daniel should have been eaten in that lion’s den, yet he emerged without a scrape.  These are just three of the many comeback stories I could remind you of.  But here’s what I want you to grasp.  In each situation, they (Hannah/David/Daniel) never gave up.  They acknowledged their struggle before the Lord but pressed forward in the face of adversity.  There was a hope of a more positive outcome that drove them to continue.  Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” [6:9]  We can’t expect to ever arrive at our comeback if we always give up prematurely.

Closing remarks and encouragement: It is highly probable our comeback is waiting behind the next corner.  God specializes in bringing the “high places low” and making “the crooked places straight.”  He’s always at work on our behalf.  Our harvest is ahead, but we must purpose to press on even in the hard times!

Press on, my friends!

Perfection.  It tends to be the one thing we strive for, but we never actually attain it.  I must admit, I have spent most of my life trying to do everything perfectly.  At home, I attempted to please my parents.  At school, I attempted to please my teachers.  At church, it was my pastor.  At work, it was my boss.  Guess what?  I have failed miserably throughout my entire life.  Even when I did certain things right, I never felt like it was good enough.  I always compared myself to how good this person did in school, how good that person was at sports, how much better someone else was at (fill in the blank with any number of random achievable acts).  My life has been plagued by this unhealthy cycle of over-analyzing and worrying about doing everything right that I lost my focus for what I really should be striving for.  As I quickly approach the middle portion of my life I’m beginning to realize, life isn’t necessarily defined by our past mistakes.  Our lives are defined with how we choose to react AFTER the mistake.  It’s a given.  We’re all going to screw up from time to time no matter how perfect we try to live our lives.

Consider this. If we all were perfect, why would we need a personal relationship with God?  As humans, we are born with a sinful nature.  I have never been forced to teach my children to disobey me.  They have chosen to do so without any input from good ole’ Dad.  Sadly, their proclivity for disobedience came a bit too naturally.  The apostle Paul poses a question to the Galatian people that I think we should all answer for ourselves.  In chapter 1, verse 10, he states, “ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  Does God expect perfection from us?  Absolutely not.  There has only been 1 man who walked the face of this earth who was sinless and blameless.  While here, Jesus did everything right and he still couldn’t please everyone.  While I think it is important to do everything with excellence for the glory of God, there comes a time when we must decide what our priorities will be.  We will never be perfect but that doesn’t prevent us from giving God our very best.  After all, isn’t that what He did for us?  Gave us His very best (Jesus)?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  We constantly carry this burden around to please everyone we meet.  We’re like a dog chasing its tail and never catching it.  Hear me loud and clear—WE WILL NEVER ACHIEVE PERFECTION.  But we can choose to serve God to the best of our abilities and let the chips fall as they will.  The things of this world bring no long term value.  But eternity with God is forever.  Which is more important?  Just do your best and allow God to handle the rest.

I must admit, I’m extremely disturbed by the environment of the church right now.  I have watched for days as Christians from different walks of life have purposefully chosen to sling mud at one another because others believed differently about certain topics or issues.  In example, for the past few weeks, the private lives of Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford have dominated our television screens.  Dr. Ford claimed Judge Kavanaugh, a conservative nominated to become the next supreme court justice, sexually assaulted her as a teenager.  Let’s be honest, the only people who know what really happened are Judge Kavanaugh, Dr. Ford, and Almighty God.  If the stories are conflicting, apparently someone isn’t telling the truth.  That’s common sense.  While I’m bothered by the entire situation as it is, I’m more disturbed by the fact Christian’s are allowing this issue and others to divide us.  Hear me loud and clear–it doesn’t matter who we believe.  It will never matter whether we’re Republican or Democrat.  It’s no concern of ours who voted for which candidate in the last or in future elections.  While the entire situation breaks my heart, it cannot become my main concern.  What matters is that the church be the church.

Matthew 5:13-16 states, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Never once throughout the entire Bible are we asked for our personal opinions on any subject matter.  The Bible is a map.  It is a book of instruction for believers to live by.  We’re never told to tear down anyone, believer or non-believer.  Being salt and light should be our focus.  Salt changes everything it touches.  A light will shine in the darkest of nights bring hope and direction to all who see it.  We should carry a hope only God can provide.  As believers, we should stand out when everyone else is blending in.  If our actions are causing us to blend in, changes need to be made.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I’ve said it before and it needs to be repeated……the world doesn’t need another opinion. There are enough talking heads spreading their opinions every minute of the day.  Let’s choose to be a change agent in these dark times.  When everyone else is arguing their case, lets stand firmly pointing people to the only answer to their problems.

Though my daughter is not biologically mine, she is so much like me it’s scary.  As I watch her grow up, I’m reminded of my own childhood.  Like my daughter, I was a worrisome child.  I learned early in life how to keep it hidden.  I would bottle my thoughts and emotions to present a more pleasing façade.  Unfortunately, I would eventually blow up over the simplest issue, leaving my family confused as to what the real problem was.  I had little to no coping mechanisms and never quite learned how to deal with my actual problems aside from hiding them until I was older.  What I didn’t know back then was there’s a purpose for the feelings and emotions God suited me with.  God made me the way that I am for a reason.  No.  I’m not saying God created me to be a worry-wart.  Just the opposite.  He fitted me with raw feelings, emotions, and the ability to sense and (almost) physically feel the pain of someone else.  In hindsight, those things have proven to make me a better author (as I can verbalize what others may be feeling but can’t explain), helps me be a better leader and preacher (I’m able to see beyond the façade and get to the heart of the matter), it helps me be a better shepherd to the flock God has entrusted me with and others (as I can empathize with the hurting and help guide them through their battles), and so much more.  What seemed like a curse during certain seasons of my life was a blessing in disguise.

It’s easy to focus on how bad certain aspects of our life are.  But have we ever stopped to consider, what seems like our greatest curse, a thorn in our side, may actually be our greatest blessing?  Colossians 1:16 states, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”  As believers, our lives are not our own.  We are His masterpiece and God was purposeful when he formed us.  God allows our emotions to be present in our lives because He has a plan for it.  As our scripture above reminds us—ALL things have been created through Him.  But most importantly, they’ve been created FOR him.  The enemy likes to use our minds as a playground, planting seeds of doubt about every aspect of our lives.  But God is purposeful.  We are His creation and made for a specific purpose.  Shift your focus today.  Find your purpose in Him.  What seems like our greatest curse may be a gift from God.  A gift that has purpose for the kingdom.  That, my friends, makes you valuable in the sight of God.

Closing remarks and encouragement: God doesn’t make mistakes.  It’s important we learn how to flip the script— to funnel those things we see as negative and find the positive value for kingdom purposes.  Evict the enemy from your mind and sign the deed of your heart over to the Creator today.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Mornings for our household are random.  On any given day, there’s no way to predict if we’re going to have a nice, easy start versus the “no good terrible rotten bad day.”  This morning was no different.  It was apparent from the onset, no one wanted to get out of bed, Dad included.  But I put on a brave face and pushed forward attempting to be as cheerful and encouraging as I could be, even though I’m not a morning person.  Things were going well until 15 minutes prior to leaving.  By that point, the children began moving at a sloth-like pace forgetting what takes priority.  Their actions left me feeling I was attempting an impossible task like herding cats.  My attempts at keeping us on task was failing miserably.  Everyone began falling apart out of frustration they didn’t have time to do what they wanted to do (paint toenails, watch television, and a million other non-priority items).  Once everyone was in the car (15 minutes later than normal, I might add), I reminded them both we had only three priorities everyone morning.  1) Get dressed  2) Eat breakfast  3) Get to school.  They’re aware of my expectations but tend to get wandering eyes as other personal priorities steal their attention.

We’re all running this race of life.  The older I get, the more I’m reminded we’re not all striving for the same prize.  Many are running this race for an actual prize – accolades, trophies, or other tangible things.  This type of focus finds us running in circles because we never have enough stuff.  In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul states [bold emphasis is my own], “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” [Phil 3:12-14]  I love the fact that he’s up-front and honest with them.  He’s informing them that just because he’s leading them doesn’t mean he’s perfect and has it all together.  Actually, it’s just the opposite.  But he does make a choice to turn his back on that things that are behind him while choosing what will be priority in his life.  Priority for him is pressing towards the prize.  Seems logical in a race, right?  But he’s quick to inform them, the prize isn’t some tangible thing.  The prize is the calling.  This type of calling will lead to a lifetime of striving to fulfill what God has given him to do for the kingdom.

Closing remarks and encouragement-It’s easy to lose our focus.  Our flesh is pulling us one way while out spirit pulls us another.  We’re all striving for a prize today.  The question remains, what prize have you chosen to strive for?  These tangible things here are earth will one day pass away as we can’t take them with us.  But our relationship with Christ comes with eternal value.  Where’s your focus?  What’s your prize?  Only YOU can choose.

This past weekend was very bittersweet for our family.  Our precious “Pop” (my wife’s grandfather) passed away on Friday night.  It was unexpected and that seemed to make it a little harder.  The funeral took place Monday.  My children have had two significant deaths in their short lives but this was the first time they had ever attended a funeral.  My daughter, the older of the two seemed to have a better understanding of what was going on and the gravity of the entire situation.  Once we arrived in the chapel for the funeral, I could sense an uneasiness from her.  She was uncomfortable, and I don’t believe she really knew how to react to the entire situation.  Part of her was reacting as you would expect a young child to act, and that’s oblivious.  But part of her was sensing the heaviness of the occasion and she wasn’t sure how to express herself.

Early on (and as expected), a large portion of our family began crying during a song.  I could sense her panic as she searched for a place of comfort.  She quickly moved from where she was and sought to be held by Daddy.  As you would expect from any loving father, I had an overwhelming desire to comfort her and was glad to do so.  I began to assure her that what she was feeling was normal.  After a few minutes, I sensed the moment her little body began to relax in my embrace.  The longer we sat there, the more I began to question how many times our sweet Pop had chosen to do the same thing with his Heavenly Father over the years.  Pop was a mighty man of God.  He was solid and unwavering in all he did.  But I’m sure he had moments of weakness as well when he wanted to climb up in God’s lap and be comforted as well.  Even as adults, we never lose that desire to be sheltered and cared for.

As children, we seek a place of comfort with a trusted adult.  But the older we become, the less we feel it proper to do the same.  The decision to do so is a tragic one as our Heavenly Father waits to love and comfort us daily— if we would only allow Him to do so.  Ps 91:1 in the NLT states, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  To live in the shelter God provides and find rest in his shadow, it’s imperative to stay close to him.  To be in anyone’s shadow requires us to be in close proximity.  As believers, we’re offered protection but we must stay close to the Master.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  If you feel distance between you and God, chances are, it’s you who has walked away.  He promised to never leave nor forsake us.  Just as it is with out children in public places, if they want to be protected and kept safe, they must stay close.

**If you haven’t read the entire 91^st Psalm.  I encourage you to do so below.  It will bless you!

Psalm 91 [NLT]

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  ² This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.  ³ For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.  ⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  ⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. ⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.  ⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.  ⁸ Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.  ⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, ¹⁰ no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.  ¹¹ For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. ¹² They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.  ¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!  ¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.  ¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them. ¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

**from guest-author, Jennifer Rhodes

Have you ever had a season in your life that felt hard and difficult with no end in sight?  Sure!  We all have.  It seems like things just continue to get worse rather than better.  Our first instinct is to do what we can to get away from the situation.  This is exactly what happened in the story from the Bible about Elimelech and Naomi.  The famine they were experiencing in their land led them to move to Moab to provide a better life for themselves and their family.  In essence, they were moving away from the Promised Land and back in the direction of the desert God had already brought His people through years prior.  While their intention was to only stay a short time, they stayed longer than expected leading their sons to take Moabite wives.  These women were from a pagan nation (it’s interesting how the parents bad decision leads to their sons’ bad decisions). 

To add insult to injury, we’re later informed Naomi loses her husband and both sons to death.  Not only is she left with nothing but a broken heart in a foreign country, but she now has two daughters in law she’s unsure what to do with.  She encourages both to return to their parent’s home as she has nothing to offer them.  We’re not informed why but, one of the women, Ruth, decides to stay with Naomi.  Having nowhere else to turn, Naomi returns to her homeland empty and in search of restoration.

When she and Ruth arrive, it’s during the time of harvest.  Ruth asks Naomi for permission to go to the fields and get anything that has been leftover for them sustain themselves.  Eventually, Ruth finds favor with Boaz, the man who owns the field.  Through a turn of events, Boaz goes on to marry Ruth who bore a son they named Obed.  Obed became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David – the future king of God’s people. 

Naomi’s life situation proves to us that hard times do come.  Some of us make mistakes in those seasons attempting to make things better and find ourselves facing a more hopeless situation.  Had we heeded the warning signs we saw along the way, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’ve found ourselves wondering how God could allow such.  

Friend-you’re never too far gone to turn back to Him and allow him to make everything right again.  I challenge you today to believe your setback can propel you into a comeback!  Your latter can be greater than your past!  Only you can choose to make a change in your life and allow God to turn your situation around. 

I assure you, you can trust the Lord.  Stand back and see if he won’t open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing you cannot contain.  I encourage you to try Him today! 

Things have been slowly changing around our house as our children are growing at a rapid pace.  At times, my wife and I have been purposefully ignoring it.  Neither of us want to admit they’ll eventually leave the nest.  This past weekend, the girls decided to go to the mall together.  She sent me a text early on and said, “This girl….in heaven!  Wow, she’s growing up.”  A little while later, after returning home, we were talking about their outing as I noticed her countenance change.  She stated, “I got a little sad at one point.  She didn’t really want to hold my hand while we walked around.”  I asked, “Did you expect her to?  She almost 10 now.”  She didn’t answer as the conversation just kind of ended there.  As parents, we work with our kids to teach them independence, confidence in themselves, as well as decision-making skills.  Sometimes they rise to the occasion.  Other times, they crash and burn because of a purposeful mistake.  We parents get upset when our expectations aren’t met, forgetting our children are little human beings born with that sinful nature just like the rest of us.

Elijah was a great prophet of God that, under the Holy Spirits power and leading, performed many miracles.  1 Kings 18 & 19 find him on the side of Mount Carmel in a showdown with the prophets of baal to prove who the real God was.  God proved his power that day and Elijah went on to have all (approximately) 450 prophets of baal captured and killed.  Elijah’s future actions exemplify to us he assumed God’s people, King Ahab, and his controlling wife, Jezebel, would finally change their ways and turn back God.  Once finding out what happened, Jezebel becomes furious and has word sent to Elijah she will have him killed within 24 hours.  Fearful for his life, Elijah found himself running from a crazy woman and eventually hid himself away allowing his mind to fall into a deep depression of sorts.  Because his expectations weren’t met, Elijah felt forsaken by God which led to his questioning the anointing on his life.  While in a cave hiding, God provides Elijah with a personal encounter.  Scripture tells us in 1 Kings 19:11-12

^“11 And he [God] said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:¹² And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”

God had never left Elijah.  But one could assume by our story, Elijah had trouble hearing the voice of God above his own hopes for the final outcome.  God proved to Elijah that day (and to us), He cannot and will not be conformed to any man or woman’s opinions.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Many times, we Christians walk into situations with expectations of how/when/where God should move.  “Surely, God will choose to move through grandiose gestures for all the world to see and know His power!!”  Not really.  Christ’s arrival and eventual crucifixion are prime examples of that fact.  We want to see big changes but find ourselves disappointed when He only chooses to show himself through the “still small voice.”  God cannot be limited.  His plans are perfect.  We can’t get so caught up in our own expectations that we can’t see when God is choosing to move in a different way than we anticipated.  The enemy will come to stir up the noise in our lives to prevent us from hearing that still small voice.  It’s our job to purpose those times of quiet intimacy with the Master so we can hear His voice, know His heart, and rest in his love.

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!