Trusting God and the Power of Prayer.

For a while now I have had this topic on my heart and mind. Especially since my miscarriage, and how trusting God has a big effect in my healing; mind, body and spirit.

If we are "Christians" or "Believers" then it is "expected" of us to trust God. Does it come easy? No. Why is trusting God seem so difficult? Could it possibly be due to the fact that our natural man has been let down or failed by so many other things, or people? Do we just naturally assume that although God is Almighty and superior than man, will fail us too? Maybe....One thought is that humans can not handle disappointment or change well. Understanding that God's authority and power are supreme. God's judgment and decisions are far more comprehensively designed then any of our own. That is why GOD NEVER FAILS.

It is so easy to trust in things we can control. Can we control God? NO.... So instead we try to trust in the things that seem to be in our grasp of control. Maybe it is our husbands, children, jobs, friends, money and many other things that are visible and tangible. God is neither. What ever we trust in outside of God, it will fail us.

So many people have learned this lesson the hard way. Many people have trusted in the economy or their 40l K's. Now that the economy is hurting many people are also b/c they have misplaced their trust. What we can not seem to understand is that our trust is valuable. What ever we trust in increases the value of it. So it is logically sound to apply our trust wisely. In any case trusting in God is our best plan of action.

How do we do this? Well it's easy, one step at a time. It all begins with a decision. A choice, in which we rely not in ourselves but in an unseen all powerful God. A spiritual force that is ever present, never resting and always dependable. Trusting in the Almighty God means we relinquish to him our hopes, dreams and desires in order to allow his perfect will to be accomplished in our lives.

Everyday meet with the Lord, through prayer and through reading and meditating on the Bible. Doing so you will receive guidance and encouragement from his word. Also taking time to praise and thank him for his watchfulness and constant care over life's daily struggles. He wants to be there for us and wants us to rely and trust in Him. Building a relationship with Jesus should be a desire of all our hearts. Focusing on a close relationship with Jesus will inevitably bring a peace and joy beyond anything else on earth.

I have recently heard a new song from the band Building 429. It is their newest single called, "Always". If you get a chance you can go to http://klove.com/ and click on music and then the "top songs" and find it in the list and listen to it for free. Here is just the chorus :

I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always

Such a wonderful song of hope and encouragement.

I also wanted to share that I have been blessed with some new friendships since my miscarriage and how much they have blessed and encouraged my heart. What I have learned through these new friendships, is that we all face trials but is not just about our problems but how we can minister to others through our own struggles. God can use us in ways we can not imagine if and only if we allow him to by putting our focus on him and not ourselves. I have been uplifted not b/c I have been sulking in my sadness but b/c I have been lifting up others who are facing trials and who need the love and prayers of fellow believers. Even in the midst of our sorrow we can be a help to others even if only in thoughts and prayers.

Remember what the Word says about about prayer:

Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Thank you to my new friends who have been praying for me. Also to those who have been the recipients of my prayers to our loving and awesome Father God. The beauty of prayer, is noticing how amazingly faithful God is in answering our prayers and in many ways beyond all expectations.

Blessings for a great day in the Lord!

Spiritual Strength Renewed.

When trials arise and struggles seem tiring, we often find our spiritual strength needs a boost. I recently read a story in a very interesting and wonderful book titled, "Then Sings My Soul" special edition. This is a book comprised by stories about hymn writers by Robert J. Morgan. Each story can be considered a devotional since each song described starts out with a scripture which lead to the reason or inspiration of the song. The stories are so inspiring and add a wonderful understanding to the meaning of the beloved hymnal songs sung by so many believers.

Last night I read one of these stories. The song "Day by Day" was authored by Karolina Sandell-Berg a Scandinavian considered to be the "Fanny Crosby of Sweden". The scripture used for inspiration was Psalm 27 : 1
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?

Though frail in body she was known for her strong spirit and delighted in literary, artistic, and religious influences of those in her local surroundings.

Sadly tragedy hit her and her father as they were enjoying a boat trip. Her father the Reverend Jonas Sandell suddenly fell into the water and drowned when their boat accidentally lurched forward.

Focusing on the scriptures through her grieving and realizing the Lord gives strength to His struggling children. She authored 14 poems and one such poem became the song "Day by Day".

This wonderful hymn has many thoughts of encouragement for those who are needing to be strengthened. Reminding us of the great promises God has given.

Exodus 15:2
2. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.

Deuteronomy 33:25
25. Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; as your days, so shall your strength be.

The power of Scripture and the beauty of God inspiring a song that encourages and comforts many in their walk and life with Him.

Hearts Song.

I just love listening to the Christian radio station. I find so much encouragement for my heart, mind and spirit. It has a way of encouraging , soothing, and uplifting my spirit. On many occasions I have been found praising the Lord while listening to the radio and cleaning the house or cooking a meal. Lately I have noticed the effect on my sons. Especially Ezra who will identify with a song and start singing along to the best of his ability. That is so precious!

Recently though, there has been a song in particular that has really touched my heart. The words are exactly how I feel in this time of my life. The song is by a group of 4 Canadian Christian men, aptly named Downhere. The song was actually written as a prayer, by the co lead singer/ song writer Jason Germain. The song is from the album "The End is the Beginning," and is titled "Here I am".

The second verse really touches me and speaks to where my heart is in the healing and trusting in Jesus. Just a day or so after the miscarriage, I would hear this song on the radio and the tears would start streaming down my checks during this verse. I find so much peace, comfort and encouragement knowing God has all the pieces and knows how they fit together and has a plan and a purpose for ALL of our lives.

The chorus:

Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand
I know that you will finish what You began

And these broken parts You will redeem
Become the song that I can sing

Chorus

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but You can

Chorus

If you have not heard it or would like to you can Google it and see a concert version on You-tube.


I identify with the lyrics b/c of how I feel they relate to my own current state of mind. I have to admit that the Christian music has really influenced my healing and strengthened my heart and mind towards trusting and obeying God and his word. I remembering hearing about undergrads who conducted studies on how music can have or has a healing effect on people. I know that it is important to use caution on what we see and hear b/c it can influence us in unimaginable ways. The thought that what goes in can produce good or bad in us and can influences others as it makes it's way out of us and into the world we live.

Encouraging you to listen and focus your attention on God and things that will build you up and pull you closer to your creator, the Almighty God and Gracious Redeemer Jesus.

What is so inspiring about Christian music, are the messages that the artists convey. This is done not only in music/lyrics but with instrumental talent. The inspiration is actually drawn from thoughts they have during their quiet times with the LORD. These gifted song writers not only receive a blessing from their devotions but also through sharing those intimate moments of God's inspiration with us.

So next time you have a powerful inspiring devotional consider sharing it with someone and maybe you will receive a blessing too. (You don't have to write a song, unless you feel the inspiration to do so).