Ask. Hope. Listen.

God is not afraid of or intimidated by the ‘big’ questions in life. He loves to be the One we lean on and run to in order to acquire answers. When we ask God about our life, do we listen? I think that listening is a skill that is often glossed over or not acknowledged as the crux of it all. If we need God to help us and to guide us, we need to listen.

The scripture that says, “Lord, I will wait for you; You will answer, Lord my God” (Psalm 38:15) should be our heart’s cry. There are many questions that we seek the Lord on, but I want to challenge us, as I have been challenged, and ask are you listening for His answer. The Lord does not play games with us. He is not toying with our emotions when He doesn't answer in our timing. His answers are always perfectly timed and perfectly given.

His answers bring peace. His answers bring direction and are robed in His love.

Another aspect of asking and listening is ‘hoping’. Often when we ask God for answers, direction, or blessings we hope in THOSE, as opposed to hoping in the One who can bring those. The verses Paul wrote, Romans 4:20-21, are amazing in this aspect.

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

            It is not the gifts, the answers, to direction, the open doors or anything other than God Himself that we can hope in. Hebrews 6:18-19 says “…we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” When we place our HOPE in the Lord Himself we are firm and secure. We are not those that are easily rocked, toppled, or knocked down. We can confidently ask and wait and listen.

            When we need answers, where and how do we ask them? AND how do we position ourselves to receive the answer?

I am freshly challenged to ask, hope and listen to the Father. Are you?

Not Alone

    There are times in life that feel as if we are walking along alone. Or shall I say, there are times in my life that have felt as though God is not with me. Not because of anything He has changed or adjusted, but my emotions and situations want me to believe that He has left me to figure life out by myself or that I have to bring change in my own strength. 

    When there are difficult times, times that cause my life to rumble or a full-blown rocking display, I find that it is easy for me to draw conclusions that are not true. These conclusions sometimes sound like this… ‘God doesn’t care’, or ‘I do not believe that things will ever get better; this is my lot in life’, or maybe ‘I don’t see how things could change or improve, so God won’t be able to do anything’.

    These sort of conclusions are hopeless, lonely, broken, sad, and totally opposite of God’s heart for me. If you have had similar or even different conclusions… here are some verses that come to mind that reveal what is true in difficult times:

 ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ John 16:32-33

‘The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.’ Luke 8:23-25

‘At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.’ Hebrews 12:26-29

    These verses assure me that God knows EXACTLY what is happening in my life, nothing takes Him by surprise. He does not like or want us to suffer, but when situations or difficulties arise in this life, HE IS WITH US.

    This can all sound so cliché and not practical (and I am very practical), but this is the ONLY truth that is unwavering, unshakable, and eternal. That God who has great LOVE for me and you and is also RICH in mercy has made a way for us to always rely, lean on, and fall into His arms of rest and safety (Eph 2:3-5).

    If you are facing a time that seems impossible, or just a bit of a difficult rumble, remember this… That if you call to the Lord He is faithful to save you. God delights in us. He rescues us from our enemy even if our enemy is our own mind.

    If you find yourself fighting a battle that seems unending, Psalm 18 is a great place to gain strength and truth to fight against the one who wants to devour you.

    A song by Matt Redman (Never Once) has always been an encouraging anthem of truth when it feels like I am alone. Here is part of the song.

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone