He is faithful

That last post was one that I had written on Thursday but scheduled for yesterday (hope that made sense).

However, despite the positive feelings conveyed in that Thursday post, I fell apart that afternoon.

I didn’t realise the closed doors had affected me so deeply.  I knew in my heart of hearts that God would provide – He was/is. I even put on a brave face and shared about it with our small group in the law school, shared about how God is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord God our Provider.  However, as I began to lead this song, I got through half of the first verse before the tears began to fall and then almost uncontrollably.

Be still, there is a healer

His love is deeper than the sea

His mercy is unfailing

His arms a fortress for the weak…

Thankfully, one of the other girls was gracious to step in and share her experience recently of God providing for her.  Afterwards, I thought I had collected myself so I decided to play the YouTube version of the song instead but as the words were sung, I just started crying again.

Let faith arise

Let faith arise

I guess all the emotions that had been bottled up had to be released at some point… so why not in front of 5 other people??  It just goes to show that just because you believe that God will provide, it doesn’t minimise the disappointment or shattered dream.

I lift my hands to believe again

You are my refuge, You are my strength

As I pour out my heart

These things, I remember

You are faithful, God, forever

However, underlying it all is the knowledge that God is faithful.  We have a hope unfailing in the promise that God is our provider.  That He knows which doors to close and which to open to get you to the destination He’s planned for you since the very beginning of time.

And you know what?  After the prayer group, I got a call that’s rocked my world.  Nothing is confirmed yet, but He’s open another door!

– Ames

Like This: Blessings

Heard this song a number of times now through various channels and finally downloaded it from iTunes.  Pretty much a song for anytime disappointments come our way or just a general reminder that God works in ways that we don’t always understand.

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace.
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.
We pray for healing, prosperity.
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.

All the while, You hear each spoken need.
Your love is way too much to give us lesser things.

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this night, are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear.
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near.
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love.
As if every promise from Your word is not enough.

All, the while, You hear each desperate plea.
And long that we’d have faith to believe.

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this night, are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win;
We know that pain reminds this heart, that this is not, this is not our home.
It’s not our home.

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life;
Is a revealing of greater thirst that a world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights;
Are Your mercies in disguise?

– Blessings, Laura Story

May it be an encouragement to you as it was to me :).

– Ames

I’m a professional

A famous radio talk-show host began to lose his hearing, had drug charges made against him and then started to lose his ability to speak.  He said (as quoted by Jentezen Franklin in his ‘Drag it off the Road‘ message):

A professional is somebody who does what they know they have to do regardless of how they feel.  Do you think I felt like coming into work this morning?  I don’t always feel like it but I do it anyway because I’m a professional.

Sometimes we need to just quit doing what we feel and just be a professional about it.  It’s true for the life of a student as well as a Christian.

Just get on with it.

♥ Ames

appreciation

Got this note recently:

A timely reminder that “it’s not about numbers, it’s about impact on individual lives.”

♥ Ames

Thank you.

For your prayers.

They actually started to make a difference last night already.

I felt myself calm down, my perspective change and stress levels diminish.  Somehow I got it in my head that I needed to finish all my readings before each class… I haven’t had that notion since first year of law lol.  That was what had freaked me out.  It is also possible to have seen the whole situation as being a spiritual attack as well.  I had actually contemplated tossing in the towel and not to share this coming Saturday.  I’d begun mediating on the thoughts that I don’t have what it takes, I don’t have the time, it won’t make a difference anyway etc.  Praise God for the prayers of the faithful and intercession of friends and family to get me out of that negativity hole.  I woke up this morning feeling more like myself, ready to meet the world with open arms.  The circumstances were no different from when I woke up on Monday morning but my perception of the circumstances had shifted.  And that has made all the difference :).

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

His grace is sufficient to meet all my needs.

I am not a victim of my circumstances but a victor of my adversity.

♥ Ames

Looking Ahead

You cannot go forward by constantly looking back in the rear vision mirror.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

Today, I want to encourage you to stop looking back (at the good or bad) and like the apostle Paul, “forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead so that you may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of you” (Philippians 3:12).

Your greatest ministry is before and not behind you.
Your greatest days are ahead and not behind you.
Your greatest marriage memories are in your future and not in your past.
Your best moments with your kids have yet to happen.
Your greatest accomplishments are before you.

Don’t let your past limits define your future, but let the Word of God and His promises define your future.

– taken from  Equip and Empower

———–

God has been constantly reminding me through various sources that the best is really yet to come!  Our best days are still in front of us if we continue to dream and place those dreams in God’s hands.  He is more than able to handle it and He has our best interests at heart.  He cares more than we do about how our lives will turn out.

Look ahead and be excited for all God is doing and what he is going to do!

♥ Ames

life-giving words

I can’t help but feel incredibly thankful for the life I’m living right now.  Even in the midst of an intense study period, God’s given me lots to be thankful for.

I wasn’t expecting a full class on Sunday but I was pleasantly surprised.  Added bonus was that they still remembered the verses I’d given them to memorise!  I’ve set memory verses for my teens before but I guess since I didn’t really take it seriously, they didn’t either.  It’s so true how you can’t lead others where you haven’t gone yourself.  I can quote a lot from the Bible but earlier this year, I’ve also realised the importance of knowing where it’s from when you are sharing about it too – “this is not something that I’m just saying, it’s written in the Bible too!” So I decided to knuckle down and just do it.

First up was Romans 8:28 –>

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I love this verse because it reminds me that no matter what season I am in, God is working ALL things (the good and the bad) for my good.  All trials and difficulties shape me more into the person He has created me to be – more and more like Christ in every way.

I meditated on this verse for a week before I gave the teens Proverbs 3:6 –>

In all your ways, acknowledge [Him] and He will make your paths straight.

Practically what does this mean?  When you wake up, give thanks for a new day.  Before you study, pray for wisdom and a clear mind.  In everything you do, bring Him into that situation… not just before each meal :).

Next was another favourite, Jeremiah 29:11 –>

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans for a hope and a future.

Similar to Romans 8:28, this verse reminds me that the best is yet to come :).  God is in control and I’m not.  His timing is better than anything I could do on my own strength.  Take heart, dear friends as there is purpose behind any delay in a fulfilled prayer or a challenging situation.

The one I assigned this week was related to the topic of being an encourager, Proverbs 12:25 –>

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Our words have the ability to either tear someone down or lift their spirits up.  Let’s choose the latter every time :).

What’s your favourite verse?

♥ Ames