Who am I truly mad at?

After talking with someone , I experienced some frustration. It is discouraging when you see a Christian with extremely strong standards and morals to just drop them and then give excuses for their behavior. I felt so hurt and I know that it is their walk with God, not mine. I just still hurt and hurt for them. When that conversation had ended, all I could think about was the situation and it was just discouraging.

This morning, when I was looking through my devotional book, I noticed that I had forgotten yesterday's devotional.

Eph 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Sometimes we get so focused on the person and feel hurt or disappointed by things they do, but it is not them that we need to be upset with. There is a bigger power that is controlling them. Granted, they make make the decision to get there, but they are being enticed by a power that is stronger than them.

My devotional says, "Be alert to the spiritual warfare around you. It is real and potentially destructive to you and those you care about. Knowing your real foe will protect you from bitterness and unforgiveness. Your hope lies in the reality that 'He who is in you is greater that he who is in the world' (IJohn 4:4). Do not place your hope in humanity, but steadfastly trust in the One who has already defeated your enemy."

When we whine...

Last Fall when I went to school, it was a major adjustment. Not only was the shock of being away from home for the first time a factor, but there was a whole new lifestyle that was going to be presented to me that I had never encountered before.

Living with 3 ladies of totally different backgrounds, in a room that is about the same size as my bedroom at home, as well as sharing a one shower and one toilet with 3 additional girls was a little intense at first. On a campus with as many students as a major university crammed onto a campus smaller than some of the smaller community colleges, quiet time was something unheard of. It was definitely an adjustment.. Did I mention the rules??? Rules that you couldn't imagine were presented to me that year... Did I whine...did I complain...?? OH YEAH!

I had often questioned God's calling for me to that place; I had asked Him if He was sure that was where He wanted me.

One day during the revival service, my toes were stomped! The speaker was talking about murmuring and I can't remember the passage of scripture that he used, but the basic message was that when we complain and murmur, we are actually saying, "God, I know what's better for my life than you do and this is not what's best for me." It reminds me of how the Lord had to set Job straight and remind him Who created the universe.

Sometimes our circumstances do not always make sense and we question the ways of God, but rest assured His wisdom far exceeds ours and there is a purpose for our sufferings no matter how great!

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them who are the called and chosen for His purpose

That year of school ended up being one of the best things other than salvation that had ever happened to me. Each boulder that we have to climb in this life will always be a stepping stone to make you into the person that God has designed you to be!

A Beautiful Start

This morning God painted an amazing picture. There was a chill in the air, but yet the warmth of the morning sunrise just warmed my soul.

God is so amazing.

If someone were to build me a magnificent house with everything I could possibly imagine, I would be so grateful, but somehow throughout the day, I find myself forgetting that the Lord has already done that. Not only is it beautiful, but it is also just temporary.

Most of the time, when people build vacation or temporary homes, it does not compare to their permanent residence. Since this Earth is just a seasonal home, it just makes me wonder how beautiful Heaven must be.

God is so awesome and I am so finite. I am truly blessed!

this picture was taken by Liz in the Outer Banks