James 1:12

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:12

I am totally on track with my reading for the year, horribly behind on my blogging!

Reading James - I will be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with James!

Considering it pure joy when I face trials............... not so joyful here!

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials.................. God I've been persevering for almost 3 years now, as we walk through this horrible road.  I realize that the goal for standing the test isn't a crown here........... it is in heaven. But could I please just have a little break from it all while I'm still here?

But then he says:  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows."   Ahhhh.... You really do not ever change... whether through trials or through your good gifts - you are always constant and always the same.  Thank you!

My heart is really heavy for someone I love so dearly, who is set to wreck their life, and I can do nothing about it.  They can't see good gifts, they refuse to realize trials are only for a time, they get just close enough to God to feel His presence and then run screaming.....  I do not understand.

My heart is breaking... because all it would take for real joy and real peace if for them to just STOP and let God heal their brokenness.  Allow God to give them good and perfect gifts - knowing that when trials do come - He is always constant.

Why can't they see - regardless of whether life is great or life is hard - He just wants them to trust Him, because He never changes.

Father, I pray for my loved one who is running so hard away from you, as for the person who may be reading this who is running.  God I pray, that your light would shine from the heavenlies and they would just STOP running and allow You to work in their broken places.... broken hearts, broken pasts, broken marriages, broken promises, broken families..... wherever they are broken - may they know YOU are always constant and they can depend on You.

365 Days Through the Bible....

I have started today, with a reading plan to go through the Bible in 365 days.  I read through the Bible about 2 years ago in 90 days, and although I enjoyed it, I know there is so much more God wants me to see and know about His word!

The awesome website #SheReadsTruth will be going through the entire Bible - so I'm jumping in with them.  (They are also beginning this year with a study on the book of John - you should check it out!)

So - with all that being said - although I probably will not post a daily thought on what I read, I do plan (hopefully) to be consistent sharing the words that speak to my heart.

Today I played catch up from January 1st reading.  I have read Genesis Chapter 1-6 and John 1-2.  (When you read the Bible - highly recommend using a "real" Bible - not online and have a choice of several colors of highlighters.)  I love to highlight and underline and make notes.  (Someday my children will inherit this Bible - I want it well used and falling apart!)

I have read about Cain and Able many times - you know they both knew the difference between right and wrong...  but Cain was entertaining sin.  In Gen 4:7 God told Cain - If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

All these hundreds and thousands of years later - we are still just like Cain.  We know what is right and what is wrong.  If we would only do what was right.  But instead - we allow the sin crouching at our door to overtake us.  Sin desires our very life.  It is only through the Blood of Jesus that we can overcome it.  Even in Genesis - God knew how desperately we would need a Savior.

My thought - for 2015 (and always) purpose to do what is right, in all things.  Because the enemy of my life wants nothing more than to drag me down to his level.... But I have a Savior!

Happy 2015!

I am happy to see 2014 go, although I have some beautiful memories - I am looking with anticipation to mountains being moved in 2015.

According to something I quickly read today, the biblical "meaning" of 15 is Peace.  Should this be truth, that is my prayer for 2015 - Peace.

I can honestly say that I have learned even more about trusting God in all things this year.
I have learned to extend more grace.
I have learned to be thankful when other's show love in so many ways, by being His hands and His answer to my needs.
I have learned humility.
I have learned more about contentment.
I have learned to love my family better and to pray harder.
I have learned (although not enough) to believe in His timing and His planning - more than my own.

My list of things I have learned could go on much further than this.  I am just thankful that God still uses situations, people, words, prayers and so much more to teach me more and more about Him.

Welcome 2015 - let's see what God has in store!