“But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves with be exalted.”

Matthew 22:12

To  pretend to be someone you are not can be so exhausting..

To be bold and brave and courageous on our own is a never-ending battle of ups and downs.

When you struggle with anxiety and fear your heart wants to reach out, but your mind wont let you..

At least that’s been my experience.

For me, in my lack of confidence, knowing that it’s okay… that it’s good, and right, and true for me to humble myself under God’s mighty right hand, makes running to Him, all the more necessary..

 His sanctuary is the place I run to to rest my thoughts.. to spread my wings and drink in God’s goodness, mercy and peace.

When the disciple Paul was struggling with a “thorn in his side.” He asked God to take it away..

He was overwhelmed with weaknesses too…

Look what Paul said..

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness..”

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Everyday is a new day.  A chance for me to trust God with all of my heart.  A chance to reach out to a broken world..

A chance to let God’s goodness shine, as I let Him be my strength..

A chance for me to trust God, just like Paul did..

To trust that God’s grace is sufficient for me, for in God’s power, my weakness is made perfect.

I like that..

Faith is that.  It’s something we can’t see, but we know is real…

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see..”

Hebrews 11:1

Oh, Lord, as I come before You this morning, how I thank You for my weaknesses.. I thank You that through me, Your goodness can be shown, because I know on my own I would not able to keep the mascaraed going..

I would not be able to pretend to be someone I am not..

On my own my weakness would take over, my fears, worries and anxieties would leave me empty-handed.. afraid and insecure.

But because of You.  Your great love for me.  I am able to walk in faith.  In hope and joy that You are who You have said You are.

You are the great I am…

And I am the daughter of the Great I Am..

That is amazing, and awesome, and wow…

May my life reflect Your mercies…

May my heart be set free to live in love…

May my eyes be opened to those who are looking for You

My ears be sensitive to Your gentle and still voice..

My hands eager to reach out, and my feet ready to walk..

even just one step at a time..

I love you, Heavenly Father..

In Jesus name, I pray

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Wait patiently for the Lord, Be brave and courageous, Yes, wait patiently for the Lord..”

Psalm 27:14

How I praise Your Holy name…

“I come to Your altar, Oh Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your miracles.  I love Your sanctuary, Lord, the place where Your glory shines..”

Have Happy Day, Friends…

God loves You.. so so much :)

 I know what it feels like to struggle with depression, fear… uncertainty, and self-esteem…

I know that each day I wake up, I can start with a smile, but hopelessness, sadness or isolation can creep in at any moment…

 I know exercising and eating right always play a part in our mental health, but,,, all in all, if I’m honest with myself… I seem to have this struggle at my core…

I can pretend that I have it all covered, but that’s just living a lie.

The truth is. Without my hope in God’s love for me…

I would be a mess…

I know it is Him who covers me.. Who bleeds His beauty and hope into those dark places and ugly thoughts…

It is Him who calls me to Himself.

He is my hope and my very life line.

I have come to understand that God in His all-knowing, and all loving way, Can use us, just as we are.

We are not lost; or overlooked, I am who I am for a reason..

My prayer is that you will trust God with who you are too…

Just the way you are.

I pray you will let Him encourage you.  Let God’s word help you to know Him better and see that He is good..

To know that you are not alone.  You are not crazy.. You are just you..

And you are beautiful in God’s eyes…

“For You created my innermost being You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, IO know that full well.. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in you book before one them came to be, How precious to me are your thoughts, O God. How vast is the sum of them..”

Psalm 139: 13-18

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your unconditional love.  Thank  you that you have designed us each individually and through my experiences and trials, I choose You.  I choose to be completely and utterly transparent in Your eyes..

That I may be filled with Your hope.. Your goodness and Your mercies..

Because of who you have designed me to be, from my inner most parts, I can bring You glory, honor and praise..

And I love that..

May our heart’s desire be to know You more, that other’s would see Your loving kindness in and through us..

That they too would know how very much You love them…

That would be awesome..

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Oh Lord, You have searched me and You know me, You know when I sit and when I rise, You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely, O Lord, You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me too lofty for me to attain…”

Psalm 139: 1-6

“May He grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.  May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory flying banners to honor our God.  May the Lord answer all your prayers..”

Psalm 20: 4-5

When the going gets tough….

The, tough, and the not so tough, can enter Your house with a deep yearning of worship and grace…

“Because of Your unfailing love, I can enter Your house; with deepest awe I will worship at Your Temple…”

Psalm 5:7

I love to picture God’s Temple…

 A massive structure, lots of white…and a glow that radiates God’s tender loving care…

“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.  Protect them.  So all that love Your name, may be filled with joy..”

Psalm 5:11

Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You with lifted arms and a weary heart…I take refuge in You because I know You are near..

You, Dear Lord, are watching over me, guiding my path, and protecting me.

How awesome is that…

As I enter Your temple… Your House,  I worship You with deep awe, and thanksgiving.. Laying all of who I am, at Your feet…Seeking to be more like You.  Fill me with Your beauty and kindness.. mercy and grace..

 My heart is filled with joy, and cries out Abba Father…

May Your glory be renown…

Thank You for Your great hope that fills my heart with so much joy…

I trust in You with all of my heart..

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“For You bless the godly, O Lord, surrounding them with Your shield of love..”

Psalm 5:12

Here is a powerful truth that you can stand on today..

No matter what you are going through God sees you.  He sees your heart, and knows the worries that you are carrying…

God doesn’t want you to walk around with a heavy load.  He wants us to cast our cares on Him because He cares deeply for you…

“Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”

Psalm 55:22

Dear Heavenly Father, As I come before You this new day, I praise You and thank You for Your generous mercy and grace in my life…

Thank You for never giving up on me…

Thank You that I can come before You with all of my worries and fears; that I can cast them on You…

And in exchange You will sustain me.. You will carry my heart in Your hands…

How I need You…

Please forgive me when I doubt… When I am tempted to feel guilty or ashamed.

Thank You that for Your faithfulness and hope…

I want to take this time to hand over my day…  Please take this feeling of worry and anxiety away and replace it with thoughts of Your goodness and grace flowing over me…

Thank You for all the love You have so unconditionally showed me.  Thank You for the people You have brought into my life to give me sunshine and breath…

Please help me to love other’s as You love me; help me, Oh Lord,  to see the good in them, like You see in me…

Help me, Oh Lord, to take the focus off of myself, and enjoy the people You bring into my day..

I love You, and thank You for Your loving and gentle kindness.

May my life be an overflow of Your sweetness and grace,

I so want to be a better person…

How I know we all just want to feel loved…

Thank You for Your great compassion…

I pray in Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads..”

Psalm 145:14

Great is HIS faithfulness…

Don’t give up…