psalm forty

 Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the LORD;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of

destruction,

out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

and put their trust in the LORD. 

Blessed is the man who makes

the LORD his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after a lie!

You have multiplied, O LORD my God,

your wondrous deeds and your

thoughts toward us;

none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

yet they are more than can be told.

Sacrifice and offering you have not

desired,

but you have given me an open ear.

Burnt offering and sin offering

you have not required.

Then I said, "Behold, I have come;

in the scroll of the book it is written

of me:

I desire to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart."

I have told the glad news of deliverance

in the great congregation;

behold, I have not restrained my lips,

as you know, O LORD.

I have not hidden your deliverance

within my heart;

I have spoken of your faithfulness and

your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love

and your faithfulness

from the great congregation.

As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain

your mercy from me;

your steadfast love and your faithfulness

will

every preserve me!

For evils have encompassed me

beyond number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

and I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!

O LORD, make haste to help me!

Let those be put to shame and

disappointed altogether

who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to

dishonor

who desire my hurt!

Let those be appalled because of their shame

who say to me "Aha, Aha!"

But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

say continually, "Great is the LORD!"

As for me, I am poor and needy,

but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

do not delay, O my God!

.

For those who want it so bad, but can't have it.

For those who feel the need to fight.

For those who desperately want the storm to be over. 

For those who kick and scream and prolong the storm willingly.

For those who feel so lost, and forget what still waters and green pastures are.

For those who feel like their drowning in lies. 

For those who can't stop.

For those who are confused, and lonely, and terribly frightened.

For those who's eyes are swollen and red and stinging from crying so much. 

For the weak, the thirsty, the empty.



When you feel like you're over your head in lies and deception, being tossed every which way by the terribly rough and choppy Sea that is life on this broken earth - pray through Psalm 23. I promise you it will restore your soul. I promise. Allow the peace to fill you and don't fight anymore.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.  

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies; 

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life, 

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Psalm 23

the profundity of city of God

     St. Augustine was quite the profound Christian writer. I'm reading his "City of God" for school currently (don't worry, I'm just reading sections; not the whole thing! ;)), and I love what he has to say. One thing he said really hit close to home with me:

The three youths were captives; Daniel was a captive; so were other prophets: and God, the comforter, did not fail them.

  - St. Augustine

     Next time you feel overwhelmed with grief or trial, remember that God is your comforter, and he will never fail you.

- Sarah <3

so many things to think about

     Hi, friends. Haven't written in awhile. It's not that I've been in a spiritual "low" or anything, it's just been daily life. Living, working, resting, movie-watching (a lot of that lately; I saw Monster's University last night and I loved it, haha), and LOTS of reading (for a summer class and preparation for next school year! Ahh!).
     And I've been learning. About life. My outlook on it, what to do with it, and just life in general. I've realized that I tend to look at life in a glass-half-empty sort of way, and I've been praying and trying to live more positively. I've been inspired to go to bed early and wake up early, which... well, it'll happen soon (I hope). ;)
     The biggest thing, though, is what to do. I'm going into my junior year of highschool, and I'm nearing that time when I have to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I've prayed and thought about it, and I think I have a pretty good plan. But it's funny; as soon as I feel comfortable in this plan of mine, God leaves eleven different ideas for "plans' in my mind. I want to do them all (some more than others), and then I'm not so sure anymore. Plans change, but it would be so much easier if they didn't. It's at this time in my life that I'm reminded to hold on to God and let him lead me wherever he chooses.
     I'm filled with a sort of wanderlust; not just for traveling (although that is certainly there), but also a longing for change. For new surroundings. High school is a blast (if a messy, confusing one), and I don't want it to go any faster than it is. But at the same time... college, and independence are calling me. Being able to drive (I have my permit! So close.) sounds reeeally good right now. I'm in that place that I think all teenagers come to at one time or another; that need for independence and decision-making. I'll be honest, it's hard to have parents telling me what to do. It's this weird mix of being grateful that I have them (because deep inside I KNOW I'm not ready for independence!), and this longing to get out there and do things on my own. I'm so glad that God has given me the ability to be content with where I am right now, without taking away my hopes and dreams for the future. God is good. :)
   
So, in a nutshell, that's what I've been learning about life. So many things to think about.

Sarah :)

he's for me and he hears me

     Jesus is my best friend. He's always there for me to talk to. Always. No matter what I have to say, he always understands me because he made me. He knows me inside and out. Perfectly. It's so very comforting to know that he's always on my side. He wants me to succeed. He wants to help me.

He's for me.

. . .If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Kari Jobe - You Are For Me

 

wednesday verse

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

I am alive and well, despite the evidence this little blog shows.

     Dearest readers, I have neglected this blog dreadfully. Wednesday after wednesday passes, and there is no verse. No posts in between, either. I still log onto blogger occasionally and looked at the page-views. . . surprisingly, the number still crawls semi-steadily upward. I don't deserve such faithful readers. Haha.
     The truth is, school happens, and blogging doesn't. It seems the two can't coexist. But God has been working mightily, even if I haven't been able to document it here. He's showing his power and strength and faithfulness again and again as I try to cut down on the proverbial mountain of homework looming before me. (As a side note, I like saying that I'm trying to make a dent in a mountain of homework. Because it's like, I do work, and then the mountain gets smaller, but it's like the mountain isn't really there, it's just metaphorical, but I can see the dent that I made, because, you know, I did some work. . . if you understood my thought process there you win a pretend all-expenses paid trip for four to Disney World.)
     So. I can't say when I will get back to blogging, but I will try my very hardest. I think it's safe to say that I'm kind of taking a break. But please! keep checking occasionally to see if I've done anything. I don't want to lose y'all :)

How has God been working in your life? Please tell me if you would. I'd love to hear y'all's stories. :)

-Sarah :)

Post scriptum: I've probably shared this verse multiple times before, but I'd like to share it again because it seems to have become my "theme verse."

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

testimony of God's faithfulness

     I just wanted to point y'all to a recent post about God's faithfulness on a blog I read. Jessica Shae, the blogger, was in a car accident, and in this post she tells about how she saw God's hand on her, protecting her. It was inspirational and encouraging to me, reminding me to thank God for the good in hard circumstances. So please, go read and be encouraged. You can find the post if you click here.

-Sarah :)

you can't take away my God

John Chrysostum and Empress Eudoxia

“You cannot banish me for this world is my Father’s house!”

“But I will kill you!”, said Empress Eudoxia.

“No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God!” said Chrysostum.

“Well, then, I will take away your treasures!” said the Empress.

“No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”

“But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left.”

“No, you cannot," said Chrysostum. “For I have a friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me. I defy you for there is nothing you can do to harm me.”

~~~

All around, all of us fear has come
And so we must ask ourselves in who we trust
What we have here is not enough
So let it ring, in freedom sing

You can take away everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sum
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God, oh my God

Waves will come, winds will blow
But it's not here, I've found my hope
My beating heart, my very soul
Is held by one who won't let go
And so I'll cling to You my King

You can take away everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God, oh my God

A hope that can't be lost, a love that can't be bought
But you can't take away my God
Nothing high or low, nothing you can control
You can't take away my God, you can't take away

You can take away everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God, oh my God, oh, my God

Can't Take Away - Mikeschair (Listen to it here)

~~~

     Something I recently read a poem in "Streams in the Desert" about walking with God through trials:

The hill was steep, but cheered along the way

By converse sweet, I mounted on the thought

That so it might be till the height was reached;

But suddenly a narrow winding path

Appeared, and then the Master said, "My child,

Here thou wilt safest walk with Me alone."

I trembled, yet my heart's deep trust replied,

"So be it, Lord." He took my feeble hand

In His, accepting thus my will to yield Him 

All, and to find all in Him.

One long, dark moment,

And no friend I saw, save Jesus only.

But oh! so tenderly He led me on

And up, and spoke to me such words of cheer,

Such secret whisperings of His wondrous love,

That soon I told Him all my grief and fear,

And leaned on His strong arm confidingly.

And then I found my footsteps quickened,

And light ineffable, the rugged way

Illumined, such light as only can be seen 

In close companionship with God.

A little while, and we shall meet again

The loved and lost; but in the rapturous joy

Of greetings, such as here we cannot know,

And happy song, and heavenly embraces,

And tender recollections rushing back

Of pilgrim life, methinks one memory

More dear and sacred than the rest, shall rise

And we who gather in the golden streets,

Shall oft be stirred to speak with grateful love

Of that dark day when Jesus bade us climb

Some narrow steep, leaning on Him alone.

     Do you see how this ties into the quote and song that I have at the top of this post? Everything can be taken away from us, but we will ALWAYS be walking with God. No one can take him away from us. That means that we can survive leaning on God alone! For example, friends are wonderful to have, and I'm positive I can speak for everyone when I say that it's hard not to have friends. But even if Christians don't have any friends on earth, isn't it comforting that we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother? (Proverbs 18:24) Of course, it's not always easy to apply that to our lives - to lean on Jesus alone. Honestly, it makes me long for heaven, where we won't have to walk on the narrow path at all. But while we're down here, it's nice to know that "while I carry this cross, He'll carry me" (Audrey Assad).

Coming up - a post about how my family is looking for a church home (that's the daunting post I have yet to write. . . so many emotions and the like to mix in).

-Sarah :)

a psalm I love

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction,

    out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

     making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

    and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man who makes

    the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

    to those who go astray after a lie!

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

    none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

    yet they are more than can be told.

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,

    but you have given me an open ear.[a]

Burnt offering and sin offering

    you have not required.

Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

I delight to do your will, O my God;

    your law is within my heart.”

I have told the glad news of deliverance[b]

    in the great congregation;

behold, I have not restrained my lips,

     as you know, O Lord.

I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;

    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness

    from the great congregation.

As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain

    your mercy from me;

your steadfast love and your faithfulness will

    ever preserve me!

For evils have encompassed me

    beyond number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

    and I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

    my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!

    O Lord, make haste to help me!

Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether

    who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to dishonor

    who delight in my hurt!

Let those be appalled because of their shame

    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

     say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

As for me, I am poor and needy,

    but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    do not delay, O my God!

fiery trial - part 4 (revelation)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

     for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down great kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and rescued us from our foes,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

I have had a revelation.

God's plan is good!

     I'm finally realizing this. Before, I tried to say it over and over in an attempt to convince myself that it's true, but God is being so kind and helping me to believe it. 

     I'm not all the way there - it still hurts to think that I'm not going to get my own way. Things that remind me of it pop up everywhere. But God's giving me grace! He DOES love me! And that is why I am giving thanks to the LORD - because his love endures forever!!! 

-Sarah :)

     

fiery trial - part 2

     I think I am going to make posting about my "fiery trial" a somewhat regular thing, since it is so prominent in my life. I hope you all will be able to benefit from what God is showing me through this.

     This will be a rather short post - I just wanted to share a few lyrics to a song that has encouraged me through this lately.

I am here

I'm holding you

you'll make it through this

I am here

I am here

It's really quite simple, but it helps to know that God is always with me, and that I will make it through this.

If you ever think of it, I would appreciate your prayers as I continue to struggle through my trial. And please comment or email me if there's any way I can pray for you, or if you want to share something that has helped you through a hard time (be it a song, a Bible verse, a quote, etc.). 

God bless you!

-Sarah :)

the fiery trial

     I'm here to post about my fiery trial.

Nota bene: In this post, I will not be pouring out my woes or using my blog as a medium to complain to all of my readers. I am simply using this example in my own life as a testimony to what our Father can do with the trials he allows to enter our lives.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. . . Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. . . Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

1 Peter 4:12-13, 16, 19

 
     I have been struggling recently with a certain trial that has come into my life. As far as I can see right now, I will not be able to do something that I want to do more than anything I can think of. Most of the time, I'm able to live my life normally, and forget about this desire to do something I can not do. But I can not avoid conversation that pertains to this, as it surely does up often. Once I am reminded of it, I can get overwhelmed by disappointment and anger. It's then that my view of God and of my faith starts to change.

     I have found myself asking, "if God loves me, why would he do this to me?" I have started to doubt God's love at times, and it's scary because I have heard of people asking that same question, and regard it as a "trial cliche" of sorts. My thought-process usually went something like this:

   

"I would never doubt God's love! After all, I'm a Christian, and the Bible clearly states that God loves us! Why is it so hard for those people who are going through trials to understand that?!"

    

      I have since learned that it is hard. Extremely so! I can lose perspective so easily, and just keep my eyes on what I want. That's when the world seems to come crashing down; when my world comes apart. All I want is that thing that I can't believe I'm not getting. That's all that I can see.

     But that's not all there is.

It's so important to remember that God isn't confined to my plan for my life! There is so much more that only God can see. I want him to say that I can do this thing! That I can have what I want! That this would be the best thing for me to do! God loves to give us good gifts, right? Yes – but, in truth, he knows what's good for us better than we do.

Here in this waiting room

Yearning for You to say go

And though I'm convinced that a yes would be best

This time You're telling me no

     Like I said before, it's hard! One time I considered bitterly how perfect my trial was for me. God gave me a great experience, let me look forward to the next time it could happen, and allowed me to be disappointed.

      But it's crucial to remember that God didn't do this out of hatred, or whatever! He's doing it out of love for me, and out of his infinite wisdom.

It's not that I don't have an answer

It's just not the one that I'd like

But through this time Lord I must keep in mind

You're always wiser than I

   
     God still loves me! He does. Even when he says that I can't have something I want. Think about it this way.

     God can see my entire life as, say, a map, showing every single thing that has happened and will happen from the day I was born until the day I die. He also sees me, walking along the little path on that map. He sees me experience something that he planned for me to do, and he sees me enjoy it to the fullest. 

     Sounds great! God loves it. I love it. Life is good! Here's when I start to see a little bit differently than God, the one who's holding and drawing that map of my life.

     I'm walking along this little path, and all I can see ahead is that thing that I want. I start running towards it: thinking about it, preparing for it, expecting it. And then, a big wall just drops down right in front of it. BOOM. The path suddenly starts leading me to the side. The wall made the path turn. Looking down the new path, I see a really, really dark forest. I can't see anything that remotely resembles what the wall blocked off; that thing that I wanted so much. Doesn't look promising.

     I start to walk down this path. In some strange way, that wall keeps following me, all the while blocking off what I want. 

     OK, maybe omnipresent walls is where the analogy ends.

The point is, As I walk through this dark forest of my life, I keep wanting to bang my head against that wall. To fight for what I want. To somehow break through the difficulty. To make it through and carry out my plan for my life after all.

     Meanwhile, God is watching me writhe in discontentment and disappointment, and then looks over farther down that path that I'm walking down. There's a wonderful surprise up there. A "light at the end of the tunnel." THERE IS ONE!!!!!! There is one. And God is guiding me to it. It's OK to leave my "wonderful" plan behind, because there's something so much better than that up ahead. Something better than that! It must be really something!!!! I'm reminded of a quote from Corrie ten Boom about God guiding us: "If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes." God knows we can't do this alone. He knows!

     

'Cause you have a much better purpose

And You have a far greater plan

And You have a bigger perspective

 'Cause You hold this world in Your hands

     Please realize that I really am struggling. I'm not quite to the point where I can believe totally and completely that God has something better ahead for me. That's partly why I'm writing this all down; to impregnate myself in this truth. It's hard to let go of my plan. So very hard. But I know God will get me there. And he will also help me to not entertain any doubts about his plan for me. He will help me to trust that there is nothing better than what he has prepared for me to do.

The things that I seek are from You

Like the strong healing touch of Your hand

But when You say no, help me trust even though

There's a reason I can't understand

      I'd like to think of Job, and the way he responded to his trials. (In case you are not familiar with the story of Job in the Bible, Job was a man who lost literally everything he had, even his health, as a test from God. Because God loved Job!) Though Job was experiencing deep pain and heartache, he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” That's the way I want to respond! God can help me do that. 

     There will come a time when I'm through that dark forest and at the wonderful surprise. Right now, by the power of God, I'm choosing to look to Jesus and not lose perspective. I'm choosing to believe that what's up ahead is incredibly good. I'm deciding, should God see fit to have me experience another tribulation farther along in my life, that I will bless his name and believe that he is wonderful and sovereign, regardless of how I'm feeling.

     Aren't you glad that God doesn't fluctuate with our emotions? I sure am.

That's my story. That's where I am right now. I know, as Chris Tomlin's lovely song, "How Can I Keep From Singing" says, "I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing!" By God's grace, I "can sing in my troubled times." There's no reason for me to be cast down; I'm simply adjusting to a plan-change. While this is painful, it is not too painful for my Father to handle. He can carry my burdens for me. He wants to.

     Please be encouraged by the truth in this post; not that anything I wrote is so very spectacular. God gave me this post. He made the words flow out of my fingertips and onto the keyboard so that I can hopefully bless all of my readers. We are all on a journey; a pilgrimage. We're all going to face sloughs of despond and valleys of the shadow of death. But God's our Father, and we're alive and strong in him! And we can look forward to everlasting relief from trials in heaven. Forever happiness.

When that miracle comes 'cause Your answer is yes

I will praise You for all of my days

But when Your wisdom declares that a no is best

I will praise You just the same

"Waiting Room" by Jonny Diaz

 God bless you!

-Sarah :)

     

Isaiah 43:1-7 (my favorite trial passage)

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
     I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you. 

For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.   

Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you;
     I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you. 

 I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth, 

 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

New Mercies

     Remember a couple posts back, when I posted on the "less-read" books of the Bible? In that post, I mentioned a passage (one of my favorites from the whole Bible, actually) from Lamentations chapter 3.

     The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

     Even though I commented a little on these verses in the post I did previously, I wanted to expand on it, since it seems to have become my "theme verse" recently. 

     One part that really sticks out to me is: "his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness." This is encouraging for me because I know that he will be faithful to me every day, no matter what my day-to-day struggles are. I feel like that sentence is quite cliche, like it's been said so much, and so it kind of loses it's meaning. But if I really dwell on it's meaning, the power of it comes back to me: he takes care of me every moment of the day! Today hasn't been one of my better days; there have been struggles, and I've been pushed almost to my limits. I was sitting here at my computer, slightly irritated by my circumstances today, when suddenly God reminded me of his faithfulness. 

"They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. . ."

     Although I didn't literally hear him say that, I knew it was from God. I was instantly encouraged by the fact that God was faithfully holding me up through my struggles. I know that I can make it through the day triumphantly if I trust that he grants me daily mercies. 

     Has God ever spoken to you through his Word like that? Maybe you didn't hear him audibly, but you knew he was trying to remind you of something. If that has happened to you, and if you'd like to, let me know in a comment on this post, along with the verse(s) that God used to speak to you. :)

-Sarah :)

Help!

     This isn't a post that is begging my readers to assist me in some way. Nor am I in dire need of medical aid. :)

     Sometimes, though, I do feel like screaming "help!" Or feeling like I need to stop time in order to finish everything that I need to get done. As a freshman in high school, I am experiencing one of the most strenuous years of school in my whole education thus far. I'm taking outside classes for all of my subjects, out of which come copious amounts of homework. Add onto that daily violin and piano practice, and it makes for one VERY busy girl. I'm sure most of you have experienced a similar kind of overwhelming amount of work at one time or another. I just get so caught up in finishing everything on time that I forget that I can't do it. Because I can't - I'm not physically able to do everything by myself. The good news is, I don't have to do it by myself! God knows that we are too weak to do what he has called us to do by ourselves, and he loves to help us. Please read these next few verses about God giving us strength. These encourage me so much when I'm struggling with getting it all done.

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Colossians 1:29

 I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

     God is always there to give us the strength to do what he's called us to do. Remembering that and hiding these verses in our hearts can not only help us to get it all done, but to do everything we do for God's glory! 

-Sarah :)

     

peace

Peace

You give me peace

When the storms come, and I'm afraid

Peace

You give me peace

When I trust in the words You say

You give me peace

If You can calm the seas

Then You can comfort me

If winds obey Your voice

Why should I fear their noise?

And though my eyes can't see

I know You're with me

When someone starts to fight

And does things I don't like

I hear Your gentle voice 

Saying I have a choice

To make an enemy 

Or to spread Your peace

Peace | Sovereign Grace Music

Security in trials/persecution

My mom showed this quote to me. John Chrysostum is being persecuted for his faith by Empress Eudoxia.

John Chrysostum and Empress Eudoxia

“ You cannot banish me for this world is my Father’s house!”
“But I will kill you!”, said Empress Eudoxia.
“No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God!”, said Chrysostum.
“Well, then, I will take away your treasures!” said the Empress.
“No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”
“But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left.”
“No, you cannot”, said Chrysostum. “For I have a friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me. I defy you for there is nothing you can do to harm me.”

Trust and Faith

Once, when I was reading in Romans, I came across this passage that spoke to me.

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."

Romans 4:20-22

Trusting in God made Abraham's faith stronger! It says that he was "fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised". I know that I could grow in being "fully convinced". I need to just trust that God will always do what he promises.

the parable of the persistent widow

I read this parable this morning in my quiet time. It's taken from Luke 18, and it teaches us that we must be persistent in prayer and not lose heart. It encouraged me to do this, and I hope it encourages you, too!

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

some meaningful worship songs

I have been listening to some worship songs lately that have really affected me. I wanted to put the links to grooveshark.com here, so that you can listen to some of them and be encouraged.

In Christ Alone | Keith and Kristyn Getty

O Church Arise | Keith and Kristyn Getty

He's Always Been Faithful | Sara Groves

Christ is Risen | Matt Maher

- Sarah :)