STREEEETCHED...

Well, life has been an adventure lately... This year has definitely had its trials, but on the flip side, God has been there every step of the way preparing me for what comes next. There is a side of me that wants to sit here an list everything that has gone "wrong" this year, but the other side of me just says "where would I be without the trials I have been through?" I don't think that I can begin to explain how much more I trust the Lord with my life than I did before. There are no words that could do it justice. I just know that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and has compassion for me that I don't understand the depth of. I am this fleshy mess that He sent his son to die on a cross for, so that he could be buried and raise again on the third day. He gained victory by giving his life and raising again, so I get that victory. He is powerful, so because I am His, I get that power too. He sees Christ in me because of His infinite mercy and grace, and I get to be seated in Heavenly places.

Losing my job has been one of the big ones... I really liked my job and fit it very well. I worked with other believers, and had been friends with most of them for years before I started working there. It is hard to lose a job like that. You don't just lose your paycheck, but friends and ministry....

I had many blessings through it all though....

• The Lord started detaching me from my job two months before I was laid off. (long story)


• God actually had me praying for a job change without my knowledge. (strange, but true)


• My car was paid off the week I was let go. (and my debt was paid off, except one credit card).


• I have the opportunity to pay very low rent where I live, and the people I live with are good friends too. (more like family)


• When the spiritual warfare started, God put several good friends around me who have been through very similar things, so they were able to point me in the right direction when I wasn't sure which way was up.


• My pastor preached sermons divinely appointed only for me, like, 6 times in a row. Five Sundays and a Tues prayer meeting. I could have sworn the man had been reading my journal.


• The Word of God and prayer. Above all, this has been my saving grace.

God's word. I have never trusted it more. It is literally the key to the trials of life. All of His promises are there. Nothing happens out of His control.....good or bad. He wants to bless us and He wants to teach us. Honestly, I have not enjoyed the last month of my life. It has been a hard road to walk, but I have come to a point where I know that apart from God, I can do nothing. Everything I do, I need Him. If I don't have Him in on it, it is me trying to do it and it will be messed up. Every day I have to wake up and choose Him over me....and I want to choose Him over me. I am a mess without His hand on my life and His peace in my heart and mind.

Below are a few of the verses I am standing on right now. Interestingly enough, these are some of the verses that I was praying/fasting for a good friend of mine the day my world "hit the fan."

• Lam 3:22-26 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him. [It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.


• 1Chron 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
  
• 1Chron 22:18-19 Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.
  
• Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
  
• Psa 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
  
• Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?


• Psalm 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.


• Psalm 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.


• Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.


• Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.


• Psalm 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.


• Psalm 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.


• Psalm 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.


• Psalm 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.


• Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
  
• Psa 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.


• Psa 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.


• Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.


• Psa 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.


• Psa 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.


• Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.


• Psa 40:11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.


• Psa 40:12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.


• Psa 40:13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.


• Psa 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.