Today’s a new day! When you feel overwhelmed by the storms of life and cannot see a way out, God sees through the darkest moments and will pull you out of the raging waters. Just let Him reach down and take your hand. God will never fail you. ~OC
Resting In God
Today’s a new day!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28
Amid the demands of our daily lives and the constant pursuit of the next “thing” it is essential to consider the profound invitation to rest that Jesus extends to each of us. This call to rest is not just about physical restoration; it’s an opportunity to release our burdens and allow God to work wonders in our lives.
The weight of life’s responsibilities often leads us to tightly grasp control, holding onto worries and fears as if we alone can navigate the challenges of life. However, the wisdom found in Matthew 11:28 challenges us to open our hands, surrender our anxieties, and embrace the rest that God promises.
Resting in God’s work involves more than simply pausing from our labors; it requires trusting in the divine plan that surpasses our understanding. The challenge is to let go of the need for control and acknowledge that God’s ways are higher, His timing is perfect, and His love is unwavering.
Picture in your mind a garden. After the seeds are sown, there’s a season of waiting before the beauty of blooms emerges. Similarly, in the quiet moments of surrender, God’s transformative power begins to unfold. Rest becomes an act of faith, creating space for His purpose to flourish.
So today, challenge yourself to find rest in God’s embrace. It’s not a sign of weakness but a declaration of faith. Release the burdens you’ve been carrying and allow God’s symphony of grace to unfold. In the stillness, you position yourself to witness the beauty of His artistry in your life.
As you embrace divine rest, may you discover the peace that comes from trusting in God’s promises. Let go, so that His work can take center stage in your journey. In the surrender of control, you open the door to the wonders and fulfillment that God has prepared for you. ~OC
Keep It Close
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings From OC.” This was written back in 2021.
I want to encourage everyone, that whenever God does something amazing in your life (big or small) or a testimony takes place, to write it down because you will need it to look back on one day. When you’re drenched and soaked in a storm, it is so, so easy to forget about what God did yesterday. It is so easy to accuse God of being unloving, unjust, unfair, and everything else and forget how just a few weeks/months/years ago you were singing His praises and telling Him how wonderful He is.
All of us can look back on something that God has done in our past to encourage us in our present season. God has brought you through too many storms and tough seasons of life. So do not let the enemy fool you into thinking God has abandoned you all of the sudden. Remember, the enemy’s job is to deceive, kill and destroy. God is a fair, loving, compassionate and just God, who will never abandon or forsake us. ~OC
Gratitude
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings From OC.” This was written in 2022.~OC
When life is easy, gratitude is easy. But not in the storms. Not in the worried nights when anxiety is overwhelming us. Not in the hospital when pacing the floors hoping for good news. Gratitude hinges on our willingness to accept God’s will over our own. Accepting that He is in control, and we can trust Him.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we see God’s instruction to always be thankful: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
In the storms of life, God is our only hope. His faithfulness and His goodness are present even during the darkest moments. It might not happen immediately, but thankfulness grows as we cling to Him. We are grateful not only for the joys of restored health, restored relationships and overcoming grief, but for the sorrows that brought us to a place of utter dependence on Jesus.
Today, before your day gets too busy with meetings and a to do list to get through, take some time to reflect on what God has done in your life. Offer gratitude not only for the “easy-sailing” blessings, but also for the lessons learned during the storms.
Dear God, thank You not only for Your countless blessings, but for the challenges that draw us near to You. For the lessons learned during the storm. Thank You for the hard moments when You gave us the strength to wait out the storm. You are so good. Whatever storms come into our lives, You are our Rock and our Shelter. Thank You for Your light that surrounds us, and Your love that never fails. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Why Do Christians Suffer?
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings From OC.” This was written in 2023.
During my crazy beautiful health journey, I have witnessed a lot of suffering. I have seen some friends that are pastors and missionaries suffer. I have seen some of them pass on and enter into Heaven. Maybe like me, you have asked yourself why do good people who are serving God suffer or experience great loss? Shouldn’t Christians be exempt from suffering?
As I have studied scriptures, I have found no evidence that Christians are to be excused from the storms of life, in fact we should expect them. James 1:2-4 tells us to “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
How can we be joyful when we get news that we are sick, a family member/friend is facing hard times or a loved one has died? Biblically, joy isn’t a happy clappy ‘oh life is great’ type of joy. It is a joy that comes from the Lord, knowing that no matter what the outcome is going to be the Lord is in control, that He is working out His plan, for His glory and that He is going to sustain us and help us through each bump in the road along the way.
Contrary to how we often view trials when we go through them, they actually cause us (or should cause us) to depend more on the Lord, by growing our faith and refining us. Just like nonbelievers, we will go through life’s challenges, but thankfully we have God to rely on for peace, hope and strength during these storms. Through all this, we can trust that the Lord is using it for His glory, even when we don’t understand why.
If you are currently facing a trial in life, I want to encourage you that God hasn’t left you to try and figure it all out on your own. He is not punishing you. No, God is right there with you in the middle of the twist and turns of the storm. And please do not allow anyone to tell you it’s your lack of faith or sin in your life.
In John 9:2-3 the disciples asked whose fault it was that the man was born blind. Jesus responds, “Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” As is evident through this verse, God has a far greater purpose for things than our human and rational understanding can even comprehend.
As you walk through a season of trials, I want to encourage you, that God is working and there are many reasons He may be allowing this situation, but it will ultimately be for His glory and your good.
The Lord doesn’t promise all of us will be healed on earth
It frustrates me that we have so many people professing to be Christians and yet walk around telling people they are not healed because of their lack of faith. It isn’t your lack of faith that isn’t healing you. Maybe the Lord sees that you, or others, will be more sanctified and Him glorified through your trial. Look at Paul, a great apostle and man of faith, who was struck with an illness (Galatians 4:13-15).
Here Paul tells us that he had a physical condition, but why didn’t he just use his faith to heal himself? Well, the Lord used the illness to bring Himself glory and for Paul to be taken care of by the people of Galatia.
While people like to claim the verse in Isaiah 53:5 that by “Your stripes we are healed”, context is key and if you examine this verse it isn’t really talking about physical healing but rather God saving us from sin; the true ailment that kills us all and that He has saved us from that. We can find joy and hope and peace in knowing that one day the Lord will wipe away every tear, death and sickness will be gone, but until then we need to cling to our Lord and trust in His sovereign plan.
I know this was a long post, but I pray it brings some encouragement to those currently walking through a tough season in life. ~OC
Seeds
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writing from OC.” I wrote this back in May 2019. ~OC
Prayers are like seeds. You plant them, you tend to them, but they take time to grow. Just like plants have different seasons of harvest, our prayers also have different seasons of harvest.
Some of our prayers are meant for the future not today, while some are for the present.
When the results of our prayers seem to be delayed, rely on God and never relent as none of our prayers will be wasted.
Just like flowers and crops bloom at the appointed time, our prayers will bloom in the right season.
When you feel tired and discouraged that God is not listening, I encourage you to keep leaning into God’s promises. Be revived and continue praying.
God is always walking with us during the different seasons of life and He will never disappoint.
Morning Prayer
Honoring ALL Women on Mother’s Day
Today’s a new day! On this Sunday in May we take the time to celebrate all the mom’s out there. I want to say Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers. But among all the celebrations, let us not forget today can be a really hard day for many.
For those who have lost their moms…
For those who have absent or broken relationships with their moms…
For those who have lost babies or children…
For those facing infertility issues…
For those going through the long adoption process…
Also, let’s not forget the following group of amazing women:
Those that have chosen to be fur baby moms…
Those that have been blessed with the title of aunt or god-mother…
Those that have decided not to have children.
Let me just say to all of the amazing women out there, you are loved and valued by the community around you, regardless of your current motherhood status.
I personally believe on this day that we celebrate all the beautiful mothers out there, we can also remember to hold a special space for those who find this day hard for various reasons as well.
And I believe there is a way to widen our definition of a ‘mother’ to make this day more expansive and inclusive too.
I have been personally blessed to have a great mom and to be part of a whole family full of beautiful strong women, but I’ve also been equally blessed by so many other women in my life who I am not personally related to.
My friend’s mom’s, teachers, spiritual moms, mentors and friends to name just a few.
I am truly grateful for all the women who have made a huge difference in my life over the years. So on this Mother’s Day, let’s remember that there is more than one way for women to be a “mom” to someone in this world. Happy Mother’s Day! ~OC
Let Love Flow
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings of OC.” This was written back in 2023.
“Love overlooks the mistakes of others, but dwelling on the failures of others devastates friendships.” ~Proverbs 17:9
Jesus said that “your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35)
One way of showing love is forgiving people’s fault. Even if they chose to hurt you on purpose.
Forgiveness can be difficult, but when we consider what God did through Jesus Christ, in that He made allowances for our faults before we made them, we should be able to find a place in our hearts to forgive.
So today, let us take time to search our hearts and make the decision to let love flow. To let love prosper. To make the choice to forgive. Today, let love win! ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 