Pressure!

Without pressure, a diamond would forever remain a lump of coal. 

Diamonds are one of the strongest substances known to man, and yet they originate from something as brittle as coal. Under the right conditions and the right amount of pressure, a piece of coal can be changed into a precious gemstone. The truest, most valuable diamonds reflect light and shine the brightest when surrounded by darkness.

Don't be afraid of pressure, Friend. James 1:3-4 says, "knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Perfect, complete, lacking nothing...all characteristics of a flawless diamond.

What you might consider a heavy burden now, may in fact be the very thing that enables you to shine brighter than you ever have before. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." James 1:2. The duties & responsibilities you count as burdens today may be God's way of preparing you for eternity. "...out of weakness we were made strong..." Hebrews 11:34. There is eternal value in withstanding the pressures of this world. You will become a strong, valuable, unique, beautiful individual that reflects the brilliant light of Jesus Christ.
"Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore..."(Ephesians 6:13-14a)  Become His precious gem!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Deliverance!

An excerpt from "My Utmost For His Highest":

God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally - "...your life shall be as a prize to you...."(Jeremiah 39:18). That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are to be a matter of indifference to us, and our hold on these things should be very loose. If this is not the case, we will have panic, heartache, and distress. Having the proper outlook is evidence of the deeply rooted belief in the overshadowing of God's personal deliverance.
The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on a mission for Jesus Christ, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, "Don't worry about whether or not you are being treated justly." Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, "Why should I be treated like this?" If we are devoted to Jesus Christ, we have nothing to do with what we encounter, whether it is just or unjust. In essence, Jesus days, "Continue steadily on with what I have told you to do, and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance." Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard - we do not believe Him. We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God's name to it. We do lean on our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts (see Proverbs 3:5-6). 

This was such a comforting reminder to me today!
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"...He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies." 2 Kings 17:39

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

My comfort!

Please forgive my absence, Friends. I haven't been keeping up as well as I'd like lately. My little ones have been sick and when I'm not tending to their needs, I'm catching up on sleep myself. Through the difficult times, it is a comfort to know the ultimate Provider and Healer! Philippians 4:19 promises that "my God shall supply all my needs." This brings me joy! I am not alone in caring for my ill 17 month old twins and last night, I came to the realization that there's only so much I can do for them.

Believe it or not, it was first night I've ever had to let them cry themselves to sleep. My girls aren't criers. They only cry when there's a reason and I can usually figure out what it is & fix it. Well, last night the reason was "we just don't feel good." They have head colds and and there is nothing worse than a stuffy nose to a pair of thumb-suckers. I did all that I could do to make them comfortable. Then I just shut the door, prayed over them and left them alone to wail. It was SO hard but I guess there comes a time when you just have to let go and let God. I had this vision of the Lord in the room with them, standing over their cribs, with His loving, gentle hand resting upon them until they became calm & comforted. He rocked them to sleep for me!

Their cries stopped in 20 min. but it seemed even longer for me to endure. The whole time I was hurting to hold & comfort them. I can only imagine how the Lord feels when He sees us hurting, sick & crying. I, in my humanity have limited resources, but Jesus Christ has the means to heal even the worst of disease & heartache. I love belonging to a Mighty God that loves and cares for my every need!! These pictures are the best representation of how the Lord comforted my heart last night. He was with my babies when I couldn't be and they found rest in His arms!

This picture is my favorite! He holds me too! We can not escape His sweet embrace!
"I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep, and am known by My own." John 10:14

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!