Good Morning, God! It's me! How Are You Doing Today?

 

The words rolled off my tongue before I even realized what I was saying. I chuckled at the thought of talking to God as if He were walking alongside me ready to share His feelings with me.

But through that simple greeting, God whispered sweet truths to my soul.

‘Good morning, God’ –

God’s fresh mercy

Waking up each day is a blessing. For those who don’t know God as Father, it is yet another chance to respond to His offer of peace. For those who know Him, it is an opportunity to cling ever closer to Him. Indeed, waking up each day in a relationship with God is a gift that never loses its sparkle. It amazes me that God chooses me, vile and sinful as I am, to be His child. Some mornings, my eyes drift away from this gift, pulled in the direction of last night’s worries or today’s fears. But when I choose to remember who God is and who I am to Him, my spirit lifts as I am reminded that I’m still nestled in the arms of my heavenly Father, safe and secure.

'I awake, and I am still with you.' Psalm 139: 18b 

‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ Lamentations 3:22-23

God’s nearness

A whisper, a cry, a groan, God is near enough to hear. No matter what is happening in my life or in the world, God hears me when I call and promises never to leave me. His presence with me means everything. He is here, near to me, on the days when I’m filled with hope and on the days when I feel lost and confused and I’m struggling to hold onto hope. First thing in the morning, last thing at night, and all the moments in between, God is near to me. Always near.

‘The LORD is near to all who call on him; to all who call on him in truth.’ Psalm 145:18

‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Deut. 31:6

‘It’s me’ –

God’s intimate knowledge of me

As my Father and Creator, God knows everything about me - every thought, every word I’m going to say, and all that I do. He knows my past, my present, and my future. Everything! To be FULLY known by God yet FULLY loved by Him is a truth that amazes me every day.

‘O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.’ Psalm 139:1-5

‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.’ Psalm 139:13

‘Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.’ Psalm 139: 16

‘Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.’ Psalm 36:5

And not only does God know me intimately, but He also invites me to know Him as Father and Friend.

‘I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.’ 2 Corinthians 6:18

‘See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and we are.’ 1 John 3:1a

‘No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.’ John 15:15

How are you doing today? - 

God’s personhood

God is so personal to me. He sends me flowers when I need fresh hope, lifts me up when I’m flagging, and refuels my faith when it’s fading. In so many real-to-me ways, He shows me that He is my Father. It’s only natural then that I would consider His thoughts and feelings.

‘How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they’re more than the sand.’ Psalm 139: 17-18a

Do you ever pause to think about how God feels? Thinking about God’s feelings is actually quite reassuring to me. It reminds me of His realness - His compassion, His love, and even His wrath and sorrow. When my heart breaks for the pain and hopelessness I see in the world, I know I don’t grieve alone. I think of Jesus’ tears, but I also think of what amazed Him and I’m reminded that God delights in my simple, child-like dependence on Him.

‘The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.’ Psalm 147:11

‘For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.’ Psalm 149:4

It’s a lot to think about, and I can do a whole study on God’s thoughts and feelings as revealed in Scripture, but for today, I’m choosing to keep it simple. 

When I say, 'Good morning, God, it’s me. How are You doing today?', I imagine Him saying, “I’m happy you’re here, my child; let’s talk for a while.”

‘The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.’ Zephaniah 3:17

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What about you?

Do you ever pause to consider God’s feelings and thoughts? 

Do you know what grieves His heart and what brings Him pleasure? 

How has God encouraged you in personal real-to-you ways?

How would you describe your relationship with God and how it affects your life? 

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May grace and peace be multiplied to you,

Carlie

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Good Morning, God! It's me! How Are You Doing Today?

Trusting a Loving God When Waiting is Painful

I’ve often wondered what she thought when help didn’t come.

Not so much what she was feeling, in some way, I could imagine what she might have been feeling. Having also lost a brother, I know the searing pain of loss, the grief that weighs you down and threatens to take your breath.

But what was she thinking? When the only One who could help her, who could save her brother chose not to come, what thoughts flittered through her mind?

Here on the other side of history, we know how it all worked out. We know that Jesus showed up four days 'late', wept with the bereaved sisters, and then miraculously raised Lazarus from the dead. It was a bold, ‘remove-all-doubt’, type of move that led many to believe in His name.

But there in the middle of her sorrow, did she (Martha) begin to doubt His love? Did she question His motives? Did she plant seedling resentment in her heart? Did her faith waver?

Who would blame her if it did?

What about you? Are you stuck in the messy middle wondering about the motives of God? Trying to understand why He doesn’t show up? Refereeing the struggle between your heart and your head? Fighting to believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that God knows best?

Well, if that is you, if you’ve ever been there or know someone who has, I’m inviting you to walk with me as we take a closer look at Jesus’s motives and Martha’s resolve in the events surrounding the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

‘Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.’ ~ John 11:5-6 ESV ~ (emphasis mine)

Did you get that? Jesus chose not to go when he was called because of his love for them. Do you struggle to accept that? He knew the pain they would experience, yet he chose to stay where He was. You see, Jesus knew the life-changing, life-affirming impact His planned deliverance would have, so He loved them enough to hold out for them (and the witnesses) to experience this better thing.

And what is this better thing?

Let’s look at Jesus’s words-

“This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ~ John 11: 4b ~

“Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” ~ John 11: 14-15 ~

That you may believe in the Son of God.

In the verses following, the word ‘believe’ is used six times. It is that important. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent by God is the only thing. It changes everything.

That we may believe in His name was important to Jesus then and it is just as important to Him now. He knows that this is the only way for us to ‘have life and have it abundantly.’ (John 10:10)

Oh, I pray for faith like Martha’s. She knew who Jesus was and she believed that nothing was impossible for him. Even through tears, even surrounded by the stench of death, she knew her God. She knew that both immediate deliverance and eternal deliverance were within His power and she trusted Him to know which was best. Inspiringly, despite her painful circumstances, she remained confident of His love.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” ~ John 11:21-22 ~ (emphasis mine)

She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” ~ John 11:27 ~ (emphasis mine)

What do you believe? Right here, in the midst of all the uncertainty, what do you know for certain? Is your head telling you one thing and your heart another? Do you run to meet Jesus expecting a miracle? Or have you given up in believing that miracles are possible?

My friend, I know 2020 has been crazy. Life for many of us has been turned upside down and we may feel confused, overwhelmed, afraid, or in the very least, unsettled. Like Martha, we may be wondering where God is in the chaos. But please remember this, He is never late; He knows the pain and/or confusion we may be experiencing yet because of His great love for us, He is choosing the better thing.

‘And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’ ~ Romans 8:28 ~

We can trust His heart. He will deliver us. In His way. In His timing. Miracles are still possible. And through it all, God will be glorified. May we have faith strong enough to believe that.

Won’t you pray with me?

Dear Loving Father,

I am amazed at you and your great love for us. Thank you for the hope and peace found in your word. Thank you for loving us enough to take us through the painful wait to the glory on the other side. Help us to believe in your goodness, to trust in your loving heart, and to run to you in great expectation of your power.

In Jesus's Name we pray. Amen.  

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You can read the incredible account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11:1-44.

Grace and peace to you,

Carlie

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Are you overwhelmed by the prayer needs around you? Want to be more intentional in your prayer time? Don't forget to click HERE for your free Prayer Planner, my gift to you when you subscribe to 'from dust towards the heavens'. 

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Are you feeling fearful, frail, or frazzled? 

Would you rather have peace, purpose, and power? 

Live Amazed - Embracing the Gifts of God in Longing, Loss, and Life is a 30-day devotional that helps to steer our hearts towards God in the midst of our secret longings, staggering losses, and day-to-day worries.  Through scripture and real-life struggles, these daily reflections invite us to embrace the peace, hope, and grace God so freely offers us. 

You can read a free sample devotion here or purchase your very own copy here. 

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Trusting a Loving God When Waiting is Painful

Are You Trying to Walk All Alone?

My baby girl turned 15 this month. (I'm still trying to let that fact sink in.)

She is a self-assured, gracious young lady, who is considerably taller than me.
Yet, that doesn't stop me. 

On occasions, when we're crossing the street, I instinctively reach for her hand. I just can't shake the desire to protect her and guide her safely across. 

Amused by my maternal reaction, she confidently walks across the street single-handedly. Unattached. Alone. 

It's not that she is ashamed to hold my hand. In fact, we often walk hand in hand just for fun when we are taking a stroll.  She enjoys my company, but she doesn't need my help. 

I think of how much I'm like her when it comes to my relationship with God. 

For my daughter, asserting her independence is an expected and welcomed step on her way toward adulthood. For me as a child of God, independence is downright dangerous. 

There is no earthly way I could live this Christian life on my own. But that hasn't stopped me from trying.  

On my own, or with the help of Google, I've attempted to solve so many problems. I'm an addicted, compulsive researcher, and given the right motivation and resources, I have been known to serve up a delectable offering of man-made solutions. 

Problem-solver is not the only cap I wear. I've also proudly battled sin in my own strength. I just tried harder and harder and relished my short-lived successes. 

All along, while wisdom from above and the power of Christ were available to me, I relied on earthly wisdom and strength—the perfect recipe for stumbling. 

But thankfully, despite my choice to go it alone, God continually reaches for my hand, reminding me that I cannot do life on my own. 

'Christianity is nothing if it is not supernatural.' ~ via Andrew Murray

All because of God, I'm finally getting it.

Now, during this global crisis, I'm remembering where my strength comes from. I'm remembering to trust His hand as He guides us safely across, to seek His wisdom first, and to wait on the life-giving power of His Spirit.

I'm learning afresh that I can't even walk without Him holding my hand. One of the ways I'm reaching up to take His hand is through prayer. And like the good Father that He is, God has filled His Word with just the right words I need as I cry out to Him for guidance. 

Would you join me in a prayer to walk humbly with God?

A Prayer to Walk with God* 

Dear Heavenly Father,
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth, is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all.

Thank you for holding my right hand and walking continually with me, guiding me with Your counsel. Thank You for being the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I confess there are times I struggle free from Your grasp, wanting to do life my way. Thank You for Your steadfast love that continually pursues me, and through trials and troubles, woos me back to You. You know, O LORD, that it is good for me to be near You. Thank You for being my refuge.

Dear Father, the world has changed, and I don’t know what the future holds. But You hem me in, behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me. No matter where this crisis leads, Your hand shall lead me and Your right hand shall hold me. I may not know where I’m going, but the darkness is not dark to You, O LORD. To You, the night is as bright as the day for darkness is as light with You, so please lead me in the way everlasting. Shed Your light on my path, O LORD, just enough that I may take the first right step. Then whisper in my ears, “This is the way, walk in it.”

Give me a heart that yearns to cling to You, that trusts in Your perfect, unchanging wisdom and Your infinite goodness.

As You reach out for my hand, help me to reach out to others, to share the hope that I find in You.  We are all desperate for hope and You are our Hope, a sure and steady anchor of the soul.  With You on our side, we need not fear.

Thank You, loving Father, for hearing my prayer, for answering me and becoming my salvation.

May I never fail to walk humbly with You.

In Jesus Christ’s Name, I pray. Amen

*(The following scriptures were used in constructing the prayer to walk with God: 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Psalm 73:23-26, Psalm 139:5, 10-12, Isaiah 30:21, Hebrews 6:19, Psalm 118:6, 21, Micah 6:8.)

If you would like a free printable of the prayer, please click HERE.  

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What about you?

God wants to hold your hand. 

Are you reaching for it? 

Or trying to walk alone? 

Do you struggle to fully rely on God? 

How are you seeing the Lord walk with you through this season of uncertainty?

Grace and peace to you,

Carlie

Here's some classic encouragement in song: 'I Can't Even Walk' featuring Jessy Dixon. 

May you be encouraged.

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@Embracing the Unexpected

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Are You Trying to Walk All Alone?