Knowledge Brings Peace

Peace.

Something that everyone strives for to some degree or another. Something that national leaders desire to attain - or at least pretend to desire to attain. Something that couples chase after, families chase after, clubs and committees chase after. Something that sounds so simple and looks so appealing, but ends up appearing quite complicated and hard to reach.

As usual, God has the answer!

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord...." 2 Peter 1:2 

Peace is multiplied towards us through "the knowledge of God." When we really know God - how big He is, how loving He is, how in control He is - then everything else in life will fall into place.  

When we run into problems...when we become flustered, upset, yes, even angry...when we get depressed, sad, hopeless....when we get scared, fearful, start worrying...when life seems like too much and nobody understands and that was just the last straw!...it's because we aren't really believing what is true about God. 

If we really understood how great and grand He is and yet the many ways He is working for our good, we would never have these problems! 

Who needs to be worried when the One who made the world and controls every single little thing that happens is watching us and working for what will be best for us? 

Who needs to get upset when the kids don't listen and the phone's ringing and the dog's barking and a water line just broke if God still loves us? 

If the statement "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God," (Is. 41:10) does not dispel all fears and anger and doubts and worries, then we don't really know Who it is who is saying "I am your God."



With the women in our church right now, we are doing a study called "Taking Time To Quiet Your Noisy Soul" by Dr Jim Berg, and it is so good. I wouldn't have told you that I had a very "noisy" soul, but I do! To my surprise, I have found out that I am a worrier. I hate conflict in any way, shape or form, and if life is not flowing along smoothly and peacefully, it rattles me. 

Not that I mind taking off on a road trip without a map, ready for adventure! Not at all!! But when my family is all at odds with each other, or there's a situation where people are unhappy, I feel like I need to fix it. And if I can't, I worry.


How liberating it has been to meditate on the truth that God is ALWAYS in control of everything. Always. Everything. Nothing escapes Him! 


Because, you know, something can't be true and not true at the same time. "Duh, Lisa," you say, but so often, we believe that. If God always loves us, He can't love us sometimes, and sometimes not. If God is faithful, He can't be sometimes faithful, and sometimes not. If God is in control, He can't be in control sometimes, and sometimes not. He either IS or he ISN'T. 


And, glory be, He IS!!!!


Throughout this Bible study, they give you verses to memorize and meditate on that are truths about God to help us rearrange how we view Him. I just wanted to share some of these truths that have meant a lot to me. I love just reading through them with the mindset that they are always, always true.


God is always good - which means that He will always meet my genuine needs. Always.
  ~ Phil. 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
  ~ Phil. 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
  ~ Matt. 6:31-33 - Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

God will always forgive my sin. Always.
  ~ 1 Jn. 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  ~ Ps. 51:10-13 (the whole chapter is good as well) - Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

God is always up to something good in my life. Always.
  ~ Jer. 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
  ~ Rom. 8:26-34 - Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

God will always love me personally. Always.
  ~ Rom. 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  ~ Jer. 31:3 - The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
  ~ John 17:23 - I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

God will always give me the grace I need. Always.
  ~ 2 Cor. 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
  ~ 1 Cor. 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
  ~ 2 Cor. 12:9-10 - And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God is always great - which means He is always in control of all things. Always.
  ~ Ps. 103:19 - The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.
  ~ Is. 14:27 - For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out,
And who will turn it back?
  ~ Is. 46:9-10 - Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure...’

God is always present with me. Always.
  ~ Ps. 139:7-12 - Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
  ~ Is. 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God

God is always the same. Always.
  ~ Mal. 3:6 - For I am the Lord, I do not change...
  ~ Heb. 1:10-12 - You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment;  Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.

God is always trustworthy. Always.
  ~ 2 Tim. 2:13 - If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
  ~ Ps. 36:5 - Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
  ~ Num. 23:19 - God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
  ~ Deut. 7:9 - Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments...
  ~ Deut. 31:8 - And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

God is always wise in what He does. Always.
  ~ Rom. 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
  ~ Col. 2:3 - ...in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
  ~ Rev. 15:3-4 - They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.”

The true knowledge of who God is will bring us peace!!

My birthday

 I spent a wonderful birthday last week up at East Clear Creek kayaking, catching crawdads, building fires......blissful time with friends!!!

There are lots more pictures and more story on my photography blog at www.ATrueFocus.blogspot.com

Caption Help!!

I am in need of a little help.....at the Miniature Horse World show in a couple weeks, they are having a photo contest, so Jessie and I are entering some of our favorites. The tough part came when we have to name each picture. We have a couple ideas, but wanted to get some more input. 

 

If any fun captions come to mind while you look at these, please please comment and share with me!?!?!?  We need the captions today because we are sending them out tomorrow, so if you don’t get to it, just ignore me and don’t worry about it :)

 

Thank you, thank you!

That Kind of Woman

The kind of woman who wakes up and instantly puts on the whole armor of God....

The kind of woman who is constantly meditating on God's truths throughout the day and applying them to her day-to-day circumstances...

The kind of woman who is "more than a conqueror" - which means that she can not only take what the devil throws at her and persevere through it, but that she can take what he throws at her, and turn around and use it to glorify God.....

The kind of woman who spends more time in her Bible than in front of her mirror....

The kind of woman who is striving to bless the men in her life through her femininity and her encouragement (father, brother, husband)....

The kind of woman who brings smiles and joy into a room when she comes in....

The kind of woman who little children trust and bring their troubles to....

The kind of woman who is strong - up early, down  late, working hard all day to help her husband (or father) with the family....

The kind of woman who is prepared for whatever circumstances may come....

The kind of woman who is a good listener, and will then cry with you or rejoice with you....

The kind of woman who knows that her walk with the Lord is more important than anything else in her day....

The kind of woman who is a prayer warrior....

The kind of woman who isn't afraid of dirt - who will hug her little boy when he comes in crying with a scraped knee, but will then brush him off and send him back out....

The kind of woman who tries, in everything she does to glorify God....

Lord, help me become that kind of woman.

Senior Recital!

Well, it's over!! It's done, finished, I can relax, get new music....life is good!

What an amazing experience last night was. I was absolutely overwhelmed by my wonderful family and friends who all came to support me, pray with me, and congratulate me. Many people came from out of town...some expected, others as a surprise! My sister, Anna, baked tons of amazing cookies and a stunning fruit bouquet that I WISH we had taken a picture of. Jessie worked the camera, Mom ran the dessert table, Dad was helping move the piano...it was humbling.

As  you could most likely tell from my last post, the two days prior to the concert were absolutely nerve racking for me. I hardly ate, hardly slept, said stupid things that made my family laugh, and felt like I was in a daze. I woke up this morning and said, "Wow! I feel like Lisa again!!"

Yesterday afternoon was the worse. The clock was dragging, my headache was getting worse, and I was falling apart.

My dad, sisters, an awesome friend and I all went out to the church an hour before the concert was supposed to start. I kept thinking about that moment when I had to walk out on stage, and getting nauseous. But, my dad asked us all to pray, and so we did, and then said awesome friend pulled out his Bible and started reading Psalms. It really helped calm me down, focus, and get my thoughts in the right place.

By the time we got to the church, by God's grace, I was able to say, "Okay God. Even if I completely forget everything and have to just walk off of the stage, it's okay. In the grand scheme of things, this really isn't a big deal at all, and everyone (including You) will still love me even if I totally fail."

The church was beautiful. We moved the piano to the middle of the stage, got the lights right, and I started warming up. 

After playing for a while, I figured, "Well, there's really nothing more I can do now, is there?!?" and went to see what the rest of my family was up to.

When I got to the back of the church, a wonderful brother-in-Christ walked in, and asked if he could pray with us before everything started going. We gathered in a circle, and, I have to say, Matt's prayer was such a blessing to me. He prayed the verse, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7). This verse stuck with me the rest of the night, and kept me on track.

More people started coming, and so my teacher and I went backstage. I think the worst part of the whole evening was when she left, and I was alone back there....waiting. Crazy thoughts kept bombarding me, 
"What if I don't hear my teacher start the concert and I miss when I'm supposed to walk out?" 
"What if I trip on these stupid heels and fall on my face?" 
"What if there's no one out there in the audience when I walk out?" 
"What if  I forget the order I'm supposed to play my pieces in?"
"What if I forget the first note of this first piece?"
"What if....what if....what if....." 


And then I just kept saying, "Be anxious for nothing..." "the peace of God with passeth all understanding...." and I'd calm down again. 


Finally, I heard my teacher's voice starting the concert, and everything started rolling. From the moment I first walked on stage until the very end, it seemed like I was in a dream. Everything seemed to be happening for me, but in another way, all my senses were heightened to the utmost degree. It was strange!


It all went so smoothly, without any hitches, and was really an amazing, amazing evening. When all was said and done, I was bowing, and I looked at my mom in the front row, and she was crying. I wanted so badly to start crying, and I didn't even know why. 


Afterwards, I felt like I was on a high. I was talking a million miles an hour, smiling until my face muscles hurt, and feeling very crazy. 


I came home and promptly got an awful migraine, went to bed, slept for almost 11 hours straight, and woke up normal again!!!! 


Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who was praying for me!! I am so grateful for you all, and for my wonderful friends and family who prayed with me at the recital. 


It was very, very fun, but I am very, very glad it's over!

My teacher and I. I owe so much to her!!