Today’s a new day! The grace of God gives each of us faith, not because we deserve it, but as a result of the everlasting goodness of His works. It is important to know that this gift we have been given is not in exchange for us accomplishing good works. This gift should fill our hearts with humility knowing we’ve been given something we could never achieve on our own. ~OC
Intimacy with God
Today’s a new day! As I have struggled with chronic health issues for 21 years, I have experienced a beautiful and ever deepening relationship with God. He’s constantly pouring out His love over me, and God is continuously speaking to me. Even though my health journey has not been an easy one, God has never felt distant. Even in the toughest moments, He has felt close like a warm blanket on a cold night.
I know for some people that has not always been their experience. They have had moments of feeling distant from God. While we should not let our emotions dictate our faith, if He consistently feels distant, we should question why.
I would like to share one of the greatest gift a person facing chronic health issues can experience during the trying times- intimacy with God. If you’re currently walking through a season of chronic illness, you can experience an ever-growing closeness with God during the toughest and most painful days. Here are some questions I have pondered over the years.
- Are you currently experiencing true intimacy with God?
- During your health battle when have you felt closet to God?
- How often in your journey have you compared your interaction with God to how He interacts with, responds to, or guides someone else?
- What are some ways you can intentionally draw close to God?
- Do you struggle with feeling as if you should do or be more as a Christian?
- Have you unknowingly slipped into a works-based relationship with God?
- In what ways is God using your current struggles to draw you closer to Him?
Promises
Today’s a new day! Even during the toughest moments in life, scripture tells us God will never leave or forsake us. That is a wonderful promise to hold on to. During the hardest moments, God gives us peace and comfort. He is the God of new beginnings. Nothing is impossible with the King of Kings. Whether your at the beginning of this journey called life or your somewhere in the middle, you can trust in Him because with God it’s always just the beginning.
Today, you might find yourself in the middle of a storm that forces you to start all over again. Perhaps the loss of a relationship, a financial setback, a health battle or whatever might force you to begin all over again. Maybe just maybe that storm is the beginning of something new. Putting our trust in God during difficult times forces us to seek His guidance, and put our cares at His feet.
Trusting God through uncharted waters takes faith and courage, but believe me it’s worth the effort. The path God has chosen for us leads to true happiness, true peace and true joy. What a beautiful promise to cling to. ~OC
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31
Precious Peace
Today’s a new day! Do you ever wake up with thoughts already racing through your mind? How in the world does that happen so early in the morning? I find myself laughing about the different ways my brains works. I have to remind myself to slow down and focus.
This morning, I spent time in Philippians 4. How many times have I looked over these verses? Probably hundreds of times. But on days I struggle with focus, these words take on a new meaning. Philippians 4:7 reminds us that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. God’s amazing peace is so precious, that it is beyond our ability to truly comprehension. Yet on our toughest days we can experience God’s refreshing peace by simply asking for it.
This morning, my eyes kept going back to verse 7 and that peace. Even though I consider myself a pretty strong person, I have moments of feeling vulnerable. I love that in the moments of vulnerability, God surrounds me with His strength. His protection. His peace. Philippians 4:7 reminds us that this peace of God will guard our hearts and minds, but not our bodies, it seems. I find this interesting because it suggests that regardless of what’s happening within our bodies during health struggles, we can still experience the peace of God that passes all understanding.
I live with multiple health issues that brings constant discomfort. The idea that this beautiful peace is available to me despite what’s happening to my body is beyond amazing news. It reminds me that the gospel is good news. Even during the many struggles we face in life, God provides us a way to have peace through Him. Life might be throwing you some haymakers at this moment, but God has this amazing love and grace for each us, and in that, we can find a peace that guards our hearts and our minds. ~OC
Vision
Today’s a new day! Many storms in my life have tried to break me, but all they did was correct my vision. ~OC
Dear Jesus
Today’s a new day! Dear Jesus, I’m writing this letter to you
Cause’ I’m thankful for your love
Thankful for your grace
I’m sitting here
Leaning into your promises
Simply thankful for your forgiveness
Thankful for the purpose you’ve given my life
I never want to be the person I used to be
Thanks for guiding my life and showing me the Way
Thanks for meeting my needs
Thanks for showing me who I am in You
When I was at the end of the road, you took my hand and pulled me out of the darkness
Thanks for Your strength in my time of weakness
Thanks for always believing in me
As I reflect back, I thank you for conducting this symphony called life
You have gifted me
The road has not been easy, but You have never missed a beat
Thanks for showing me the Way
Thanks for Your amazing grace
Keep letting me run the race ~OC
The Cross
Today’s a new day! What Jesus accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection is central to everything in our faith journey. The death and resurrection of Jesus is not only central to scripture and the Gospel, but is also central to learning (maybe for the first time) what God is like, and how we are supposed to live our lives as followers of Jesus. Keep leaning into the promises of Jesus. ~OC
Promises
Today’s a new day! What Jesus accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection is central to everything in our faith journey. The death and resurrection of Jesus is not only central to scripture and the Gospel, but is also central to learning (maybe for the first time) what God is like, and how we are supposed to live our lives as followers of Jesus. Keep leaning into the promises of Jesus. ~OC
Walk In Freedom
Today’s a new day! It’s time to start living out our faith. Not on our own power but in God’s strength and His grace. To walk in true freedom. When we are walking in freedom, we are able to experience all that God has for our lives. Then we are not slaves to sin or other people’s opinions. We can truly live and love like Jesus because it really is Jesus living and loving through us.
Why do God’s people choose not to walk in His freedom? We toss it aside like an old piece of clothing most of the time. Somehow, we think this precious freedom would make us boring and unattractive to the world. When in reality, living in God’s freedom makes us full of hope, love and grace. When we are filled with the freedom of Jesus, we are truly receptive to God’s calling and blessings. Walking in true freedom changes everything. Think about that for a moment. Walking in the true freedom of Jesus, frees us from struggling to be enough or do enough. We no longer need to “fit in.”All that is possible when walking in the freedom of Jesus. How exciting!! I pray you will choose to walk in true freedom. Nothing less will do. ~OC
Dear God,Thank you for sending Jesus to break us free from all of the strongholds of this world. To free us from death and destruction.Forgive us for not walking in true freedom,especially because you’ve even provided strength and power to do so in Jesus.Stir up in us a real desire to walk in true freedom.Show us what that really means,let us experience everything free in you.Live with us, walk with us, talk with us, stay with us and guide us. Thank you, Lord. We love you. In Jesus name. Amen
Overcoming
Today’s a new day! Whatever has power over you is becoming powerless. Chains are being broken. Strongholds released. God is freeing you, so you can experience His peace, love, healing and purpose in every area of your your life. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 