I have been down and defeated, broken and afraid.
Sometimes it feels like life is going to be like this forever, though I know its not.
Every morning I read a devotional by the name of “Jesus Calling” written by Sarah Young. This morning while lying in bed I opened my book and this is what I read…
* Except each day exactly as it comes to you. By that I mean not only the circumstances of your day but also the condition of your body. Your assignment is to trust me absolutely, resting in My sovereignty and faithfulness. On some days, your circumstances and your physical condition feel out of balance. The demands on you seem far greater than your strength. Days like the present a choice between two alternatives- giving up or relying on Me. Even if you wrongly choose the first alternative. I will not reject you. You can turn to Me at any point and I will help you crawl out of the mire of discouragement. I will infuse My strength into you moment by moment, giving you all that you need for this day, Trust Me by relying on my empowering presence.
Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
2 Corinthians 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
Jeremiah 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
I get the feeling like it or not I was going to have to get my butt out of bed and do my exercises. They hurt and to be honest I really did not want to do them. But I could continue to lay there or sit in a chair all day and not feel a bit better or get out of bed, do my exercises and work on healing.
So I did.
I turned on the radio and reluctantly started. A couple of sets in I realized I was doing much better than yesterday znd oddly the songs that were playing on the radio were perfectly matched to how I was feeling. The more I moved I felt better and I started singing along with the radio. I felt empowered and strong and full of thankfulness and I found myself having one of the best God moments I have had in a long time. A little bit later it dawned on me … I had just attended a worship service. Who would have thought I would have been sweaty and dirty doing leg lifts and stretches on my living room floor and attending one of the most awesome worship services I have ever attended. That goes to show we can have worship anywhere anytime. We don’t need a fancy building or to sit quietly for God to show up. He is always here and we can worship him anywhere we feel the urge.
I could end this blog here but this was not the end of the story. What happened next was the coolest thing.
After I was finished exercising I went back to the devotional because I decided I was going to share it on facebook. But when I opened my book the words were different. What happened??!! Did I dream up this whole thing? Had I lost my mind? Upon further investigation I realized I had read SEPTEMBER 8th instead of October 8th by mistake.
Its times like this that I see God the most. The times when He swoops in and rescues me. The times he throws Himself right in front of me and shows me that He is the one in charge. That what I look at as a mistake was really part of His plan. Mistake I read the wrong devotional? I think not, God does not make mistakes I truly think He wanted me to read September 8th today. My mistake, His plan.
This is still not the end of the story today. Since today really is October 8th I decided to read today’s reading
Here is today’s devotional…
* I LOVE YOU with an everlasting Love. The human mind cannot comprehend My constancy. Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto Me. Thus, you do not benefit fully from My unfailing Love. You need to look beyond the flux of circumstance and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you. This awareness of My presence strengthens you , as you receive and respond to MY Love. I am the same yesterday, today and forever! Let My Love flow into you continually. Your need for Me is as constant as the outflow of My Love to you.
Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Exodus 15:13 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Hebrews 13:8 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
I had to smile when I read that one 🙂 It’s going to be a great day!
A Story By Me 