Lord, I hear you!

WOW, is all I can say! When I began reading my latest book, Meet Me At The Well, I wondered why am I reading this now? I considered putting my book back on the shelf and reaching for another...but I didn't. It wasn't until Easter weekend that I realized EXACTLY why I was reading this book. God knew what was ahead and he knew I would need encouragement and this book was exactly what God had laid out for me; praise the Lord! The past 3 1/2 weeks have been emotionally, physically, and mentally troubling and exhausting. Chad & I both feel like we've been on a roller coaster of ups and downs, curves and plateaus, and loopty lou after loopty lou (this is in my words of course!). I was able to finish my book today and when I did, I went back and typed all of the "lines", from the beginning when I had no idea what was ahead, that inspired me and lead me as only God can do. Take a few minutes and read, meditate on what God is trying to say to you through this posting; I'm hoping that someone (at least one) will benefit from these words as I have. AMEN!

"Where will you and I go when we are disappointed and angry over what God allows? Will we quit? Give up? Or we will exist like so many, weak and bitter all our lives, living only a form of faith, having no joy or growth, no song to sing? I don't want that, do you? If you have the courage, let your anger out in the only appropriate place, God's lap. Stay there and sob your heart out. Tell Him everything. Then do whatever He tells you, even if it's wait a little longer. Commit the outcome to Him and trust Him to do what is best."

"Take no offense at anything. That's what Jesus did. You must do the same. ... Being a servant of the Lord carries you places you never imagined. Many are thrilling, others challenging, and a few quiet frightening. They all involve ministering to people. ... Somewhere along the way we learned what Jesus already knew. People are often ungrateful. Only a few say thank you; most forget what you've done until their next big need. That doesn't wear well over time and is disappointing at best. Apparently there's nothing wrong with feeling disappointed. Jesus did."

" 'Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you' (Matthew 5:12). You are in great company. God sees your heart as you serve Him alone. And all of heaven is cheering you on."

"Our fears are often counterfeit guilt trips the devil uses to keep us from fully trusting God. If you are afraid God's will is the worst thing you could imagine, follow that thought to its source. It isn't from God. His plan for you is good, as He says in Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. You can believe it."

"It's easy to forget God's promises when we're all wrapped up in our discomfort of the moment."

"Now I am convinced beyond doubt that God loves to surprise us with His will, which is always worth waiting for. His plans, no matter how trying, are always good. And His path always leads us home."

"I found that most God stories begin with a long wait in dark times, or a crushing sorrow that casts doubt on the character of God, often becoming the story that frames your faith."

"God is way ahead of us and He's making plans. Imagine His grief when we don't ask boldly, trust completely, and submit to His perfect will."

"One question: Whose future hangs on your obedient faith today? You can be sure someone's does. Your story is way bigger than you know."

"Do you have difficulty believing God has good plans for you too? For you personally? Try this: pray honestly, trust boldly, and live ready to obey the next prompting of the Holy Spirit. I might add, brace yourself. This may be a great ride."

"God deals in big plans that stretch across eternity. Only when Christ returns and takes us to heaven will we comprehend the fullness of God's glory and His will. But for now, He asks us to trust Him at the corners of the way. He's leading us on a new path, one we can't imagine."

"Jesus ran His earthly race for the joy on His Father's face. He kept His eye on heaven. We can do the same thing He did. 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God' (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus finished His race with joy. So can we. When you think no one's looking, no one sees your long faith walk, remember the cheerleaders in heaven, praying for you as you walk in obedience to God. The tests we face aren't for spiritual badges and trophies. They're more like lifeguard training, equipping us to reach those who are drowning, to do battle with a hateful enemy, and to trust that God will hold us tight no matter what happens. That's not for sissies."

"Perhaps you are on an Emmaus road, tired and discouraged, feeling God has let you down. He didn't do what you expected, and now you're not sure what to believe. We've all walked that road. Wait awhile. Walk a little farther. I pray soon you'll make the same wonderful discovery the disciples did, that God was close all the time. He loves you beyond understanding. And He is the answer, the only answer, to everything you need today and every day."

"For me it means to receive life daily as a gift from His hand. It means to rest quietly on His great lap, knowing my Father has everything that concerns me under control. He will never leave me or forsake me. I am His child forever, and He my Savior, Friend, and Father. I need nothing He will not provide. On His lap, I live close to His heart, near His ear, able to hear His softest whispers."

"Are you out of strength? Ask for more. Need direction? He will take you there. Anxious over tomorrow? He's got it all under control. Ask Him for peace. Whatever we need, when we ask, He gives us the best there is - Himself! Jesus is the answer to every thirst known to man. You and I have no need He can not handle. The trick is, when we pray, 'Lead me, Lord,' He will. But He will not explain what He's doing or ask your permission. That's how faith grows on the journey. If we will ask, God will provide exactly what we need, when we need it, and not a second sooner. He gave me rest on the day I simply couldn't go on. Many have similar stories of eleventh-hour miracles that arrived the moment they were needed."

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).