Tag Archives: Trust

Jun15

Wonderfully Made

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For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
   were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

You are an original masterpiece of God. No one else on earth is just like you. Your Heavenly Father knit you together in your mother’s womb per His special design for you. You are hand crafted by Him, and He considers you to be His wonderful work. Your life is a miracle of God.

God knows every detail about you ~ inside and out ~ how many hairs are on your head, how many eyelashes are on your eyelids, the rhythm of your heart, even how many tears you have shed in your lifetime. He knows your thoughts and your dreams, your strengths and weaknesses. Nothing about your life is ever hidden from Him.

He wrote the story of your life…from once upon a time to happily ever after… and every moment in between. He is your author and creator, and He wants you to trust Him with all the intricate details of your life.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made

Jun8

The Master Gardener

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30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers

That are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,

He will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry …

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

33 Seek the Kingdom of God
~above all else~ and live righteously,

And he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:30-33 (NLT)

 

Profuse blossoms of wildflowers artfully color the median along many Georgia highways. In some spots, their gorgeous display resembles a beautiful impressionist painting. I am amazed to see how they flourish there in the scorching southern heat, bordered by two expanses of asphalt, absent of any gardener or sprinkler system. If I try to produce the same effect in my own yard, I always come up disappointed.

The wildflower display is the handiwork of the Master Gardener, and it reminds me of His tender and unfathomable care for His children. Our Heavenly Father masterfully tends the garden of our lives. In the fertile soil of our hearts, He plants seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, and faithfulness. The light of His presence sprinkled with a daily dose of His Word creates the perfect environment for a fruitful and abundant life. As the tender sprouts take root, He is there to pull up the weeds of doubt, pride, selfishness…and worry. The more time we spend in His presence, the better the garden of our hearts can flourish and the more fruitful our lives become. The less time we spend with Him, the more cluttered our hearts become with unfruitful weeds, which choke out the blessings He has planted there.

By seeking God ~ above all else ~ we are tapping into the source by whom our most basic needs are met. Entrust the Master Gardener to care for your life. Place your faith in Him, and do not worry. Believe His promises. If you diligently seek God and commit your ways to Him, He will faithfully provide for your needs.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and

He will give you the desires of your heart.”

(Psalm 37:4)


 

Mar22

Blessed Roots

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But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
   whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
   that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
   its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
   and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

 

A tree planted by a stream doesn’t have to search far for its life-giving nourishment. Its close proximity to water ensures that it will remain lush and fertile, regardless of extreme heat or periods of extended drought. This well-rooted tree has several distinct characteristics:

  • It will never move away from its life-source.
  • It doesn’t fear extreme conditions.
  • It has no worries in times of drought.
  • It never fails to bear fruit.

 

Just as a tree planted by a stream thrives in any type of condition, our lives will be fruitful and blessed regardless of our circumstances if we keep ourselves firmly rooted in close relationship with our Heavenly life-source. By remaining deeply grounded in our trust and confidence in God, we can flourish no matter what sort of malady life brings. Faith in God eliminates fear and erases worries when we are hit with the extremes of life or when we face extended periods of “drought.”

Being blessed doesn’t mean that we will never see adversity. It simply means that we are internally equipped to handle difficult trials. When the winds of hardship blow, we can sink our roots even deeper into the rich soil of God’s love and soak up the life-giving nourishment of His Holy Word. He is our inner strength and our firm foundation. The blessings which flow from His throne are eternal, but we must choose to plant ourselves next to Him. By placing our trust and confidence in Him, we do not need to fear the “what-ifs” in life, nor do we need to worry about our future. He promises to provide, protect and guide us through any situation.

Blessed are those
   …who delight in the law of the LORD
   and meditate on his law day and night.
They are like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers.

Psalm1: 1–4

 


Mar4

Step into the Water

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“When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before…”

Joshua 3:3-4

The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s presence and power to the Israelites. It was their most sacred treasure. The ark was a golden rectangular box which was constructed to the exact specifications as God had commanded. The contents inside the ark included the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (representing God’s authority), a jar of manna (representing God’s miraculous provision), and Aaron’s staff (representing God’s power). As the Israelites were heading to the Promised Land, they were commanded to follow the ark wherever it was carried by the priests. God instructed Joshua, the Israelite’s leader, concerning which direction the priests should head with the ark.

On the day that the Israelites entered the Promised Land of Canaan after forty years of wandering, God’s “roadmap” for the priests with the ark led to the banks of the Jordan River. The Jordan River at this time was at flood stage. Yet with the river overflowing its banks, God gave these specific instructions: in order to cross the river into the Promised Land, the priests had to step into the water with the ark.

As soon as the priests stepped their feet into the raging river, the water from upstream stopped flowing. The entire nation of Israel walked across a dry riverbed into the land which God had promised them forty years before. This was the second time in which God had miraculously parted the waters for the nation of Israel. This testimony of God’s supernatural power served to strengthen the Israelites faith in God and remind them that He keeps His promises. His presence was with them through their entire journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. He was with them at the end of their wanderings just like He was with them from the very beginning.

Today we do not have a golden “Ark of the Covenant” to follow in our wanderings. But we do have God’s word, His presence, and His power. Sometimes in our journey through life, we come upon a “raging river” or some form of roadblock. When we approach this type of obstacle, we must trust God in His guidance to us. He will faithfully bring us through to the other side if we simply “take a step into the water.” Often God provides no solution to our problems until we trust Him and move ahead with what we know in our hearts we should do. By taking a step of obedience, we display our faith in God, and then He clears the path ahead.

What are the “raging rivers” you are facing in your life? Follow God’s direction so you will know which way to go, “since you have never been this way before.” Step into the water, and allow God to show his powerful and miraculous ways to you.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet
       and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105


Feb20

God’s Artwork

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The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1(Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
       he suspends the earth over nothing…

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
       for a boundary between light and darkness…

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
       how faint the whisper
we hear of him!
       Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Job 26:7, 10, 14 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
   the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

 

Take time today to view the work of God’s hands. Listen for His whispers of love to you as you look upon His creation. Reflect on His glory and His unfathomable wisdom. Be reminded that the same God who created the ends of the earth also hand crafted you and loves you beyond measure. Set aside a time of quiet solitude to simply meditate upon this directive:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

Feb17

God’s Guidance

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

Lean not to your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 (NIV)

 

Leaning implies placing your whole weight onto something or someone. You must totally trust in whatever or whomever you lean into. By leaning into the Lord for guidance and not into your own ideas, you are placing all your faith in Him. You are resting on Him and trusting in Him.

We sometimes feel like we are the only ones who know what is BEST for us. We feel like we can’t trust anyone – even God – to make important decisions. But God knows what is best for us and is a better judge of our needs than we are! He knows every intimate detail of our lives, and He knows our entire life story. He knows the perfect answer for our situation.

If you have an important decision to make, you should lean into the Lord for His guidance, wisdom and direction. Instead of asking everyone else BUT HIM, He should be the first one you turn to for help. Sometimes His answer will come through the wise counsel of others or through His Word.

Turn to your Heavenly Father for wisdom. Bring your decisions to Him in prayer, and use the Bible as your guide. Then follow God’s lead as He makes your path straight ahead of you. He will guide and protect you along the way. His way is always best! Lean into Him!

 

    

Feb16

Wonderful Works

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As you do not know the path of the wind

Or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,

So you cannot understand the work of God,

The Maker of all things.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

 

Dear Lord,

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Ps 139: 14 – 16) Amen.

Trust your Creator with all the intricate details of your life.
He knows each chapter in the book of your life, and He knows the purpose for which he made you. You are never hidden from Him…He’s with you every step of the way.

Feb13

Our Awesome God

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By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,

Their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;

He puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD,

For He spoke and it came to be…

Psalm 33:6 – 9

The same God, who spoke and created the heavens, handcrafted each one of us. We are all “one-of-a-kind” and special to Him. He watches over us and knows every single detail of our lives. He’s grand enough to hold the world in His hands, but he’s caring enough to count each hair on our heads and keep a record of each teardrop that falls. He never sleeps, and He’s always on call. He knows the special purpose for which He created you. Trust your Creator to lead each step you take and be with you through any situation – loving, guiding and protecting.

No matter what we do or where we go, we can never be far from our loving Heavenly Father’s comforting presence.

Our God is awesome!

 

 

Feb12

True Friends

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A friend LOVES at ALL times…

Proverbs 17: 17

If you have ever been through a deep “valley” in your life, you know those few friends who were down in the dark pit with you, walking along side of you, lifting you up, bolstering your spirits, crying with you, praying with you, getting “dirty” with you. These are the type of friends who truly love you for who you are, not for what you have to offer them.

These friends love you even when you are un~lovely. They arrive on the scene and embrace you with genuine compassion when your face is smeared with mascara from flowing tears. They look beyond your appearance and love you for who you are inside…the kind of friends who love you with blemishes and imperfections, with dark circles under your eyes from sleepless nights, with wrinkles from worry, without makeup, with grey hair, …without hair, or with scars from life’s battles.

Even when true friends can’t be physically present, their presence is felt in your life. From hundreds of miles away, they send “cyber-hugs” to your inbox with emails, texts or messaging. They send notes and cards to your mailbox which miraculously arrive at just the moment when you need a boost the most. They send prayers to heaven in your behalf. In their absence, their words are like comforting embraces.

This type of loyalty is the greatest evidence of genuine friendship. These loyal friends are there to help during periods of extreme distress and personal struggle. They know exactly what to say (or not say) in times of heartache. They even know when silence in the only appropriate thing to “say” by simply allowing their physical presence to speak the words you need to “hear.” They show the type of love that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Their brand of love “never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13: 7 – 8 NIV) Their love serves as a parachute or safety net when we are falling.  They cushion the blows when we are blindsided by circumstances.  They are not only around in the good times, when the relationship is beneficial to them, but they also stick close when the going gets tough.

Be thankful for your true friends who love at all times.
Consider yourself blessed to have these people in your life. The very presence of these types of friends in our lives makes us better people. They are rare and priceless treasures.

I’m thankful for my precious friends who show this kind of love, and I hope that I’m the type of friend who shows this form of love in return. Thanks to each one of you for living this example in my life! You are all like golden threads woven into the tapestry of my life, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without you!

In good times and bad times;

In happy times and sad times;

In prosperity and poverty;

In health and in sickness;

Through laughter and tears;

In younger days and golden years;

During births and deaths;

Through success and failure;

In triumph and tragedy ~

 

Thank you, my dear friends, for your gift of true friendship!

 

LOVE at all times ~ cbcooksey

Feb11

Fourth and Long

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“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life ~

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Matthew 6:25a; 27 (NIV 2010)

 

Sometimes it’s difficult NOT to worry. Lately I’ve been experiencing a period of troubling upheaval in my everyday life, but the above verses are telling me I should not be worried. My husband was recently diagnosed with a debilitating health condition which causes me to worry about his health, his care and treatment, our family’s future, our financial stability, the future for my three sons…and myself. Everything I once thought was “solid” is now crumbling right before my eyes.

Our MVP has been Sidelined

My husband has always been the “captain” of our family’s “team.” In essence, I feel that our MVP has been sidelined from the game of life, and I’m like a rookie being called in on 4th and long…and we’re not going to punt. Now it’s up to me to play the position of quarterback and lead our team to a victorious future. The clock is ticking, with little time left, and I must spring into action. The team is counting on me, and the outcome rests solely upon my shoulders.

Doubt and Fear Rumble Through My Mind

I run to the huddle and see the faces of my “teammates” looking at me with hopeful anticipation. They are waiting for the next play call. From the bench, my husband is counting on me to pull us through. My team is depending upon me to execute the next play with skillful precision. For a moment, I am frozen with fear thinking about the magnitude of the responsibility I face. I hear jeers of self-doubt resounding in my ears. As I lower my head in the huddle, the “what-if’s” spin through my mind. What if I fail? What if I throw an interception? What if I am sacked in the backfield? What if I make a wrong decision? What if I let everyone down? I begin to I question my abilities. I lack confidence in my preparation for this position, and I even begin to question my “Heavenly Head Coach” for putting an inexperienced quarterback into life’s game at such a crucial point. I certainly don’t want to “choke” with this enormous assignment.

I hear the Voice of my Heavenly “Head Coach”

I lift my eyes to find the Coach and listen for His play call. Above the roar of the “noise” in my head, I hear His gentle voice, providing me with insight. I have studied His Play Book. I trust His infinite wisdom to show me how to lead my team in the best possible way. His eyes are upon my every move, and He has known all along that He was preparing me to play this critical position. I know He has equipped me completely to assume this role.

“…And who knows but that you have come to your position

for such a time as this?” Esther 4: 14

I feel weak with fear and anxiety, but I realize that I don’t have to rely on my own power, wisdom, capabilities, resources or protection, because He promises to be all of these for me. He is my strength when I am weak, and He will infuse me with Heavenly wisdom when I have none. He tells me NOT to worry. I simply must trust in Him, obey His commands, and He will supply my every need.

I accept His instruction and call the next play for my team. I will trust Him implicitly for the outcome. My worries are replaced with inner calm and quiet confidence about the fact that the Coach knows what’s best for each one of His players. He doesn’t make mistakes. We break the huddle and the clock starts ticking…

Hut 1!, Hut 2!, Hut! , Hut! , Hut!!!….