Is He Lord or Not?

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

 

“Why are you talking about God?” my friend asked. “This is real life, not church. What’s He got to do with anything?”

Without hesitation I said, “Actually, He’s got to do with everything—especially for the born-again believer.”

The conversation happened many years ago, but I remember it well. It was the classic case of secular versus sacred. As far as she was concerned, God was relegated to church and the Bible, nothing more.

I once heard a man say, “If you give God an inch, He’ll take more than a mile.” He believed if you give God certain parts of your life and heart, He will only want more. This man was not willing to surrender even that tiny inch.

What I’ve learned over the years is that if He’s not Lord over every single area of my life—including my thoughts, words, actions, habits, relationships, possessions—He’s not Lord over me at all.

God wants us to trust in Him with our whole heart, not just a small part of it. He promises that if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct us and make our paths straight.

I don’t know about you, but I need God involved in every area and in every moment of my life. I’ll gladly give Him that inch and ask Him to take all the rest. I’m all in.

How about you?

Photo by Miriam G on Unsplash

It Came to … Pass

 

By Andrea Merrell

And in the process of time it came to pass.

Genesis 4:3 NKJV

The woman had a dream, something she knew God had placed in her heart. She prayed. She used her faith. And she waited … and waited. When she was about to give up hope, the Lord said to her, “This will come to pass.” And it did.

The phrase “it came to pass” can be found in the Bible 436 times. We read story after story where the Lord fulfilled His promises.

The word pass has many meanings, but we want to focus primarily on two. The first is to happen, to be done or said—just like the woman with the dream. When it comes to the promises of God, we should never give up hope.

The second is to come to an end.

We all face various trials of every size and shape, from petty little frustrations to life-threatening situations. The outcome, many times, depends on our attitude and how we deal with these trials. We can settle in and accept them or know that they are only for a season, be it long or short. In other words, tough times may come, but they come to pass. To go away. To come to an end.

Whatever season you’re in—waiting for something to happen or waiting for it to end—don’t lose hope. It’s been said that the only constant thing we can count on in this world is change.

So hold on. Change is coming. And in God’s kingdom, it’s always for the better, no matter what.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Soheb Zaidi.

He Will Light Your Path

 

By Andrea Merrell

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 NKJV

Darkness fell like a shroud, obscuring the path before me. One move in the wrong direction could have meant disaster.

I clicked the flashlight on and pointed it at my feet, then a few inches ahead. One tentative step, then another.

The process was slow and tedious, so I shined the light on my destination, hoping to speed things up. Bad idea. As soon as I tried to see ahead, darkness once again covered the space right before me, and I almost lost my footing.

It’s the same in our walk with the Lord. The Bible tells us His Word serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The MSG says it this way: “By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”

When we learn to depend on God’s Word to lead and guide us, He will brighten the way before us. But He never shines the light too far ahead. Our part is to take His hand and trust Him as He leads us step-by-step to keep us from stumbling.

Don’t fumble around in the darkness. Fill your mind and heart with God’s Word. He will light your path and lead you safely to your destination.

 

Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash

The Toxicity of Fear

 

By Andrea Merrell

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.

But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18 NKJV

 

Fear. My constant companion for much of my life. It kept me from doing so many things, but I never realized how much it affected my body and my emotions.

According to Dr. Caroline Leaf, “Fear triggers more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses and activates more than 30 different hormones and neurotransmitters."

Columnist Ann Landers says, “People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones. People are afraid of life itself.”

The Word for You Today takes it a step further: “It’s the root of all our stress. When fear causes a stress reaction in us, it actually marinates our body in toxic chemicals.” The author goes on to tell us what we can expect:

• The fear of not being accepted by others can make you develop a phony personality, stifling your true self and hiding who God made you to be.
• The fear of failure will prevent you from trying new things or stretching yourself to do more than you feel comfortable doing.
• The fear of failure can cause you not to enjoy your life today.

But what does the Bible have to say? “Fear involves torment,” but the perfect agape love of the Father will drive away that spirit because fear is of the Enemy. God’s gifts include a spirit of power, love, and a sound (self-disciplined) mind (2 Timothy 1:7 italics mine).

The psalmist said, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You" (Psalm 56:3 NKJV). Sounds like good advice. Don't be a slave to fear. Use your faith. Give your fears to God and allow His perfect love to drive them away once and for all.

 

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

 

A Formula for Overcoming Stress

 

By Andrea Merrell

Stress. Some call it the silent killer. It can destroy our peace, joy, health, sense of well-being—and even our life.

We all face it in one way or another. Even good things can cause it, especially when decisions have to be made and time is a factor. We can complain, medicate, or ignore the symptoms but instead of heading for burnout, The Word for You Today gives us an acronym for overcoming stress:

Seek God’s guidance

God promises to be with us—always. To give us guidance. To impart wisdom and keep us on the right path. When we seek Him first, He promises to take care of all that concerns us.

Trust what God tells you.

God is trustworthy. People will let us down but God never will. He is always working on our behalf even when we can’t see, feel, or understand it.

Remember past victories.

Sometimes we need to look back at all the times God has come through for us and praise Him in advance for seeing us through this time.

Exalt God above the problem.

We have to get our eyes off the problem and put them on the problem-solver. My pastor says, “Whatever you give your attention to, you empower. Whatever you empower, empowers you.”

Solicit the prayers and support of others.

We were not created to face this life alone. That’s why the body of Christ is so important. We should never hesitate to ask for prayer, especially when going through a rough time.

Stand on the promises of God.

God’s Word is truth, the ultimate and final authority on all matters. Find out what God says and stand on that truth.

If you’re facing a stressful situation, practice these six steps, then watch what the Lord will do in your life.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.

The Ultimate Reality

 By Andrea Merrell

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of

God  for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

“You people are nuts. I mean really out there. You believe in some mystical being you can’t see. Why waste your time. Get real.” The girl shook her head and walked away, muttering to herself.

How sad that this is the opinion of so many non-believers. They can’t begin to fathom how a Christian could put his or her faith, hope, and trust in an unseen being.

But that should be no surprise. The Bible tells us that the natural man—the man or woman who has not received the gift of salvation—sees the things of God as pure foolishness. Folly. Nonsense.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes:

I am nearer than you think, richly present in all your moments. You are connected to Me by love bonds that nothing can sever. However, you may sometimes feel alone because your union with me is invisible. Ask me to open your eyes so that you can find me everywhere. The more aware you are of My presence, the safer you feel.  This is not some sort of escape from reality; it is tuning in to ultimate reality. I am far more real than the world you can see, hear, and touch. ~Jesus

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Using our faith means that we must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Refuse to put your faith in only what you can see with your natural eye. Everything we can experience with our five senses is temporary and can even create a false reality. Look up. Seek the Lord with your whole heart. He is the ultimate reality.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.

 

 

Stop Worrying About the Future

 

By Andrea Merrell

Refuse to worry about tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34 TPT

It’s a bad habit I’m having a hard time breaking. Instead of focusing on one day at a time, I find myself constantly thinking (and worrying) about tomorrow and all that could go wrong.

What if our savings account runs out?

What if my health fails?

What if I lose my husband?

What will happen to my grandchildren? 

What if …

Those are subjects the Enemy wants us to dwell on so we will live in fearful trepidation of what lies ahead. But in Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes:

Sit quietly with Me, letting all your fears and worries bubble up to the surface of your consciousness. There, in the Light of My Presence, the bubbles pop and disappear. However, some fears surface over and over again, especially fear of the future. You tend to project yourself mentally into the next day, week, month, year, decade, and you visualize yourself coping badly in those times. What you are seeing is a false image because it doesn’t include Me. Those gloomy times that you  imagine will not come to pass since My Presence will be with you at all times.

When a false-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Light of My Presence into that mental image. Say to yourself, “Jesus will be with me then and there. With His help I can cope.” Then come home to the present moment where you an enjoy peace in My presence. ~ Jesus

When we belong to Jesus, our future is in His hands. That’s good news because we don’t have to worry about it.

Are you trusting Him for all your tomorrows?

Photo by Kayla Koss on Unsplash

TWEETABLE

When we belong to Jesus, our future is in His hands. That’s good news because we don’t have to worry about it. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

 

Don't Second-Guess God

 

By Andrea Merrell

As for God, His way is perfect. Psalm 18:30 NIV

“Give your burden to God,” the pastor said. “Lay it at His feet and walk away empty-handed. Trust Him for the answer.”

I did what he said. It lasted about ten minutes. I picked my burden back up and continued to carry it. The worst part is that I gave the Lord several suggestions on how to fix the problem. I’m sure He was grateful for my sage advice (😊) but said, “I’ve got this … if you’ll let go.”

Why is it that we think we’re smarter and wiser than the God of the universe? The Creator of heaven and earth? The all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present God?

Paul says it best in Romans 9:20-21 (MSG):

Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?” Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?

There are so many things in this world we will never understand until we see the Lord face-to-face. And I imagine when we do, all those trivial matters we worried about, struggled with, and tried to fix will become meaningless in the light of His glory.

Don’t be guilty of second-guessing God. Give up the right to understand His ways—which are so much higher than ours—and learn to trust Him for the outcome. He is the answer to every question and the solution to every problem.

As the psalmist David said, “As for God, His way is perfect.”

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

TWEETABLE

Don’t be guilty of second-guessing God. Give up the right to understand His ways—which are so much higher than ours—and trust Him for the outcome. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

 

                            

No-Matter-What Faith

 

By Andrea Merrell

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, 

for he who comes to God must believe that He is,

and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

 

I prayed and prayed for the results I wanted, but the answer didn’t come in the way I expected.

There’s a song that says sometimes God will calm the storm—the winds and waves that keep our focus away from Him. But at other times, He will calm His child—giving us the peace, strength, and endurance to ride out the storm.

It’s a matter of faith—believing God will do what He says He will do. That might mean changing our circumstances or it might mean changing our perspective. The important thing is to remember He loves us, is always with us, and has our best interests at heart.

God asks us to believe. To believe He is. That He exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him. Without that kind of faith, it is impossible to please Him.

Are you in a tough spot today, surrounded by a storm that threatens to take you under? If so, give it to the Lord. Then let go and trust Him to work it out His way and in His perfect timing.

That’s the no-matter-what-kind-of faith.

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

TWEETABLE

If you’re in a tough spot today, surrounded by a storm that threatens to take you under, give it to the Lord. Then let go and trust Him to work it out His way and in His perfect timing. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

What Do You Expect?

 By Andrea Merrell

 

We expect our fill of good things in your house,

your heavenly manse. 

Psalm 65:5 MSG

 

Are you expecting? No, this has nothing to do with being pregnant.

 

When guests are coming for dinner, we say we’re expecting company. If the check is (truly) in the mail, we fully expect it to arrive. We expect the sun to rise, the car to start, and the light to come on when we flip the switch.

 

But what do we expect from God? Harsh judgement? A deaf ear? Unfair treatment? Or maybe nothing at all.

 

The Bible is full of God’s promises, and the way we appropriate those promises is by believing them. Using our faith. In other words, we expect God to keep His Word.

 

When we make a promise to a child, that child counts on us to keep it. In the same way, we—as God’s children—can count on Him to keep His. It’s a matter of faith. And hope. And trust.

 

So, what are you expecting?

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and David Castillo Dominici.)

 

TWEETABLE

Are you expecting God to keep His promises? via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

 

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

 

Learn to Go with the Flow

 By Andrea Merrell

 

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9 NLT

 

I’m an excessive planner. A list maker. Always thinking ahead about the what ifs and all that needs to be done.

 

In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young calls that “a commonly practiced form of unbelief.” She goes on to say, “Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion.” 

 

Ouch! Ever been there? I have. More times than I can count. By trying to control the future, the only thing I ever accomplish is losing my peace.

 

In reality, we’re not meant to be in control or figure out the future. When we place our life in God’s hands, our responsibility is to trust Him and walk in step with Him one day, one moment at a time. As a popular song says, “there’s not a day ahead He has not seen.”

 

Psalm 37:3-7 gives us a simple formula: trust, delight, commit, rest. Now that’s a recipe for true peace.

 

I’m still a work in progress, but I’m learning to go with the flow—God’s flow.

 

How about you?

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Phil_Bird.)

 

TWEETABLE

By excessive planning and trying to control the future, all we accomplish is losing our peace. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

 

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

Don't Argue with God

By Andrea Merrell

Seek His will in all you do,

    and He will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:6 NLT

 

It was an internal tug of war. God’s instructions were clear. Still, I wanted to argue.

But God …

Ever been there? If so, you know it’s not a fun place to be. We seek God with all our heart. We ask for direction and guidance. We desperately need an answer. When He gives it, we balk. Then we try to negotiate.

I’ve learned over the years—the hard way—that arguing with God is as useless as a pilot disagreeing with the control tower’s instructions or a ship’s captain telling the lighthouse to get out of the way. Both the control tower and the lighthouse see the big picture. They know all the risks. And both have the only right answer for safety and well-being.

Staying in constant communication with our Father should be our first and foremost priority. Listening for His voice then heeding His instructions will keep us out of trouble, especially when we don’t know which way to turn. It’s a matter of trust.

If you’re in a hard spot today, seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. 

And remember … don’t argue with God.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

TWEETABLE

Arguing with God is as useless as a pilot disagreeing with the control tower’s instructions or a ship’s captain telling the lighthouse to get out of the way. via@AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

Trust in the Lord

By Andrea Merrell

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

 Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

 

Do you have a life verse? I’ve chosen Proverbs 3:5-6. These are the verses I always turn to. My default. The ones that keep me anchored in a storm.

One day during my morning devotions, the Lord had me break them down. 

Trust in the Lord

Trust in no one else, not even yourself. People will fail you, but the Lord is faithful.

With all your heart

Not just a portion, but your whole heart and soul. Not just in the good times but in every situation and circumstance.

Lean not on your own understanding

Don’t depend on your own wisdom and knowledge. And never depend on what the world says, especially the media and the naysayers. Don’t over-analyze the situation and try to figure everything out on your own.

In all your ways

That means everything from the smallest detail to the greatest needs, every moment of every day. God cares about everything that affects your normal, everyday life. Every. Single. One.

Acknowledge Him

Put Him first. Seek Him daily. Thank and praise Him continually. Give Him the recognition and glory He deserves. Praise Him privately. Proclaim His goodness publicly.

He will direct your path 

God will lovingly and faithfully light your path and guide your steps when you trust Him with your whole heart, lean on Him instead of your own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all things.

What a wonderful promise. And what a mighty God we serve.

In these uncertain times as we stay in our homes and distance ourselves from the world, let's take these verses to heart. Instead of reacting with fear, we should be acting in faith, knowing the Lord has our back and will do battle for us. He is our protector and provider. He is still sovereign, and the buck stops with Him ... no one else.

Have you chosen a life verse? If not, I’d be happy to share mine.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

TWEETABLE

God will lovingly and faithfully light our path and guide our steps when we trust Him with our whole heart, lean on Him instead of our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all things. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

The Simple Faith of a Child

By Andrea Merrell

  Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven’s kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child,                  you will never be able to enter in.

Matthew 18:3 TPT

“Catch me, Daddy,” the little girl exclaimed. Without hesitation, she jumped into her father’s outstretched arms.

We can learn a lot from the simple trust of a child. In fact, Jesus said we should become as little children in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven, seeing it with wide-eyed wonder.

Children are quick to forgive. They don’t hold grudges or walk around with a chip on their shoulder. When they’re forgiven, they don’t carry feelings of guilt and condemnation. They get over an offense quickly and move on. Stress does not get the best of them, because they don't worry and fret over tomorrow.

Children are humble and trusting. They have a teachable spirit and a positive attitude. They find a way to have fun and enjoy themselves in any given situation. And they offer their love unconditionally.

In essence, children have simple faith, pray simple prayers, and believe that whatever they need will be provided. That’s the way Jesus wants each of us to approach Him. One writer says that when we have this kind of simplicity in our relationship with the Lord, we will find ourselves at peace, growing spiritually, and enjoying Him more than ever.

I’m ready to leap into my Daddy’s arms. How about you?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and David Castillo Dominici.)

TWEETABLE

Children have simple faith, pray simple prayers, and believe that whatever they need will be provided. That’s the way Jesus wants each of us to approach Him. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

 

This Too Shall Pass

By Andrea Merrell

Ever have so many problems you feel as if you won’t make it through another day? I’ve had many of those moments, especially within the past year, and have found myself saying, “This too shall pass.”

We all know trials are part of this earthly existence. They come with the package. But our response to them can many times determine the length and severity. Keeping our focus on the Lord instead of the problem is the biggest key.

Our burdens may seem to linger with no end in sight, but they all have a shelf life. Situations and circumstances I once thought would never change have been transformed by God’s miraculous, loving hand. With Him all things are truly possible. In fact, God calls those heavy burdens “light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV). The verse goes on to say that these troubles are gaining for us “an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” I love the way the Message puts it in verses 16-18:

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

I’ve learned that when the storms of life rage all around me and the darkness closes in, my hope is renewed as I look to the One who loves me, is always with me, and cares about everything that concerns me. With one single word, He can calm the storm and cause the light to break through. Even if the storm continues to rage, He fills me with His peace and gives me a new, godly perspective.

If you’re experiencing a trial that is threatening to take you under, don’t give up. Be still and listen for His voice. He is saying to you, “Hold tightly to my hand, my child. This too shall pass.”

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles. )

TWEETABLE

Keep your eyes on the Lord instead of your problem, because this too shall pass. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser, click here.