Trust God Always

Sometimes it's hard to trust God. We turn to the world, to our friends, to our money, and to our "love life" for consolation during tough times. And by doing so, we forget we have an awesome God who has created everything. 

Recently my friend was really upset. Over a year ago she had a broken headlight on the car she was driving. She was pulled over, warned, and ordered to have to fixed as soon as she got home. She took care of it, sent in paperwork and it was resolved. Just a few days ago she got a letter saying that they never received the paperwork. She told me what had happened, and was clearly upset. I told her I'd pray about it with her. A few hours later she told me that she had forgotten to trust God and talk to him about her problems. When she realized and remembered that he had everything under control, she felt peace and was able to trust God. 

I've had several friends come to me recently, for advice and prayer. I will tell you this: I'm always willing to talk and pray with you, but never forget that God is always there. He's always in control. He's always there with open arms, waiting for you fall back into his unfathomable love, mercy, and grace. Don't let the worries of the world stop you from trusting in God. He'll be there for every problem, for every heartache, for every eensy-weensy sniffle, and every terrible disease. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Your Great Name - Natalie Grant (Chorus)

Redeemer, my Healer; Lord Almighty

My Savior; Defender; you are my King

Redeemer; my Healer; Lord Almighty

My Savior; Defender; you are my King

Sing Sing Sing

We will sing, sing, sing

And make music with the heavens

We will sing, sing, sing

Grateful that You hear us

When we shout Your praise

Lift high the name of Jesus

What's not to love about You?

Heaven and earth adore You

Kings and kingdoms bow down

Son of God, You are the One

You are the One we're living for

You are the love that frees us

You are the light that leads us

Like a fire burning

Son of God, You are the One

You are the One we're living for

45 days till X'mas!

I have a friend who collects nativities.

She had at least 20 sets.

I love nativities. They can be ornate or simple. Big or small. Tiny or tall. They can be life sized or pocket sized.

But each carries an important message.

What is the message?

It is intertwined with love, joy, promises kept, family, trust, and giving.

It is the message of Jesus' birth.

We may not know the exact day, but it is a day we set aside to remember the day Jesus' was born.

You would think that a someone like him would be born in a palace.

Oh no.

In a stable. A place with animals.

A bit more privacy than an inn, yes.

Mary and her family...husband, mother, father, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, all celebrating the birth of a child.

Because God wanted to teach us something great, he made it happen in a unlikely place.

That is what Christmas is about.

So today, read the Christmas story. Talk about it with your family and see what they would like to do to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Thoughtful Thursday: Stars

I am studying Astronomy, the first quarter of school. And every time I read, or watch something about stars and outer space, I am in awe.

Psalm 148:3-4

Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
 Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.


Awe of what OUR God, the ONLY God can make.

Psalm 33:6
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
    their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

Planets in our solar system, each created uniquely, from
Jupiter's size to
Saturn's rings to
Mars' red socks to
Mercury so close to the sun,
and the rest, including dwarf, are equally fascinating.

Psalm 136:7-9
Who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.


The sun, a ball of gas, God strategically placed in the sky so we could live here.
It is our light during the day. "The greater light to govern the day." (Genesis 1:16)


The moon, an amazing rock, that glows at night. To "govern the night." (Genesis 1:16)

Psalm 8:3
When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place.

Stars so bright, you can see them from where we are.  "He also made the stars." (Genesis 1:16)

Psalm 147:4-5
He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.

Galaxies, billions of miles away, but look through telescopes and see them like you can touch them.

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.

Say thank you to God for his "Starry host" that he created!