Category: Trust God

hope, Trust God

Be Careful Where You Put Your But.

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Andreea Andrei on Pexels.com

Have you ever heard someone give you a compliment and then add the word “but”?

“You did a great job, but…”

“I appreciate what you did, but…”

Suddenly, everything before the “but” seems to disappear. One little word has the power to shift our focus from what was good to what was lacking.

I never expected a simple word to teach me something about my faith. But as I started paying attention to how we use the word “but,” I realized it can reveal more than just our communication style—it can reveal where we place our trust.

Because sometimes we do the same thing with God.

“I trust You, but…”

“I know You are faithful, but…”

“I believe You will provide, but…”

Our “but” can become the place where fear, doubt, or the need to control creeps in.

The word itself isn’t the problem. It’s what comes after it. There is a big difference between “God, but…” and “But God…”

One keeps our focus on the obstacle. The other reminds us that God is greater than the obstacle.

Didn’t set out for this post to become a lesson in communication but there is something to be learned here spiritually as well. I was talking with someone a few weeks ago. If I remember correctly the topic was about planning. The person I was speaking with was concerned that not enough planning had been done for something. So I suggested, just trust God it will all work out. The reply was, “Trust God but…” that’s where I had to interrupt. Trust God but. Oooo, that’s dangerous. It sounded like God wasn’t big enough. We have a big God who sees the big picture. We have a God that goes before us and paves a way for us. We can plan six ways to Sunday, we can make all the plans we want BUT GOD, directs our steps. “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16: 9.

Check out this article.

See how this can be applied spiritually? Man can plan BUT the Lord directs. The “but God” negates whatever we plan. That’s not to say we shouldn’t, we should plan, BUT GOD will directs our steps and provide. And if for some reason if we have done all we think we can do to plan for something, we as humans can forget, we aren’t perfect. God will provide whatever it is we may have overlooked, He will make it work. Because, Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

So be careful where you put your “but.” Whether you are giving praise or trusting God for something, stop and think, is going to be “God but…” or “But God…?”

Gratitude, healing, Trust God

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: A Journey to Contentment

The Kedge Anchor

Sometimes disappointment doesn’t come because something went wrong; it comes because life didn’t turn out the way we imagined. We make plans, imagine our future, and settle into what feels comfortable, only to find ourselves in circumstances we never expected. We wonder how we can find peace when the place, season, or situation we are in doesn’t look anything like what we hoped for.

Recently, I read an article by Karen DelTatto in an email from iBelieve.com that reminded me of my own struggle. Through her own experience of moving into a home and neighborhood that wasn’t what she originally envisioned, she discovered that God’s blessings were not limited to the place she thought she wanted to be. Her story caused me to reflect on my own journey and the places God has planted me along the way.

My husband and I have moved several times throughout our marriage, but Virginia was never a place we imagined calling home. After spending more than 30 years in Florida, leaving was a much bigger adjustment than I expected. It wasn’t because I didn’t appreciate what we had there. I knew how blessed we were. I treasured the warmth, the ocean, the familiar places, the memories we had built, and the life God had given us. That was part of what made the transition so difficult. I wasn’t leaving something I disliked; I was leaving a place that had become home.

I tried to make Virginia feel like home, but there were many moments when I wondered, “Will this ever feel like home?”

But God.

God began to show me blessings I wasn’t always looking for. He provided a wonderful church family and placed people around me who have encouraged me, served alongside me, and reminded me that home is not just a location. He blessed us with great neighbors, and He provided a job for my husband where he is valued and encouraged.

I still miss Florida. I still miss the ocean, the warmth, and the familiarity of a place where we had built so many memories. If I am being honest, I can’t say I love Virginia the way I loved Florida. But God is teaching me that contentment does not mean we love every circumstance we are in. Contentment means trusting that God is present in every circumstance.

As I reflected on Karen’s story, I was reminded that sometimes the place we don’t choose is the very place where God is working. She discovered blessings in the neighborhood she didn’t originally want, and I am learning to recognize blessings in the place God has brought us.

This also made me think about Paul. His circumstances were far beyond anything I have experienced. Prison was not where Paul planned to be, yet from that place he wrote words that continue to challenge us today:

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” — Philippians 4:11

Paul didn’t find contentment because his circumstances were easy. He found contentment because he knew God was with him.

I am still learning contentment. I still miss Florida, but I am learning that my peace cannot be anchored in a location. My peace is anchored in Christ.

What about you? Have you ever found yourself in a place or season you didn’t choose, but God showed you blessings you didn’t expect? I’d love to hear what He taught you. Leave a comment below.

Trust God, Uncategorized

Walk by Faith, Learn by Sight?

The Kedge Anchor

Photo by Tobi on Pexels.com

2 Corinthians 5:7 says – ” for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

The ability to see is a gift from God. As one of our five senses, it allows us to see the beauty of God’s creation. God is speaking to us all the time, we just aren’t listening.

I was going through an older journal and came across something I wrote, this was a while back, like before this blog, but still worth a mention. I was out walking and tried to take notice of everything I was seeing. The trees, God put this verse in my heart Jeremiah 17:8 – “He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

There were lots of robins and small birds flying and foraging for food, God gave me Luke 12:24 -“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”

I was admiring some of the homes with the manicured landscapes and God gave me, John – 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”

I noticed the cracked pavement and God gave me, Revelation 21:21 -“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.”

Looking at the bright and hot sun, God gave me, – John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” “

It was a fairly cloudless day with the exception of a few wisps, and God gave me, James 4:14 – “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Just recently, my husband and I were traveling. We had booked our flights separately but were lucky enough that my husband was sitting in front of me which allowed him to board first. I had some bulky carry on bags and he could have waited to board with me, but he decided to go head of me so that he could help me with my bags. Made me think of Deuteronomy 31:8 – “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.” Just as my husband went ahead of me so that he could help me, God goes before us to help us. We just have to TRUST and KNOW.

So God gives us these images and objects to remind us of Him and the words He has spoken in the Bible. He paints parables with pictures to teach us. The shepherd and the lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son to name a few. We are not to worship these images. We are to learn from them, help us to remember what God is teaching us. But when we are walking with Him we can’t walk by what we see. We can’t allow how we see our circumstances to dictate to us how to respond. He asks us to walk by faith not by sight. Sounds a lot easier said than done and it is at times. We are human.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to walk by faith to remain true to the one true God walking into the firey furnace. Noah walked by faith building an ark with no rain. Joshua had to literally take a step of faith walking into the Jordan River. When Peter stepped onto the roaring sea to walk to Jesus, he walked by faith taking that first step until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked around him and began to sink.

Our circumstances can deceive us. When we see we a low balance in our account, it’s hard not to panic or freak out. When we get a scary diagnosis or a relationship goes south, it’s so hard to not look at what we see and freak out like Peter did on the ocean. Yet God teaches us through images and tangible objects to help remind us and build our faith.

How is God speaking to you to today? Maybe He’s speaking to you while you’re sitting at traffic light? Maybe you’re just waiting in a check out line? Stop and take a moment to hear God’s voice. Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Trust God, Uncategorized

What Can We Learn From Animals?

The Kedge Anchor

This morning I listened to a meditation on one of favorite apps, Abide. If you haven’t heard about this app, go check it out. They have some free meditations to listen to so you can try it. I use their sleep meditations to help put me to sleep or to just relax. The title of the meditation I listened to was ” God’s Devine Design.” The main verse was Job 12:7-8; “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.”

We can learn about the ways of God through watching and observing creation. The testimony of creation is God, the Creator, is sovereign over all just as God was in control of Job’s life. True wisdom and power belong to God and this is the reason why Job chose to trust God even in the midst of all that was afflicting him.

We know that when God created …”every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (NIV). In verse 26 of Genesis, God gives man rule over creation. Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (NLT). The birds, squirrels, all the creatures God created are well cared for by Him, how much more valuable are we to God? I have to ask, how well cared for are the birds and squirrels in you yard? LOL. Ours are well, fat and happy. Now I’m not saying God asks us to put out bird feeders and squirrel feeders, but we should be kind to them when we can. If you live in an apartment a bird feeder may not be possible. Perhaps you have seen this video of a man giving water to a thirsty squirrel from a bottle.

God gave us charge over the animals, we should help them when we can. Especially when it comes to our pets, some pets are abused, 😦 .

If God can provide for the animals that roam in our yards and in nature, how much more is He going to care for us? Sometimes we may question what God is doing. Job had his moments but he chose to trust.

God created us man, animals and the earth and called it all good. He gave us charge over the land and animals. We are far more valuable to Him than the birds, how much more is He going to care for us? God is in control, He is sovereign. We need to trust Him as Job trusted Him. Easy? No, not always. It’s a choice and a step of faith in obedience.

Anchor in Hope

Trust God, Uncategorized

Keeping Your Eye on the Prize

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by DS stories on Pexels.com

Recently, I have had an already challenging situation, moving, with a challenging person constantly challenging my situation, my patience, my being Christ like. It’s really hard to to keep my mind from wanting to tear into this person and just being done with them. But this person claims to be a Christian. You can’t tell this person anything, know everything. Always right and has to explain everything to you. I struggle with am I being judgemental or discerning? There is just something not right. Actions, words, things aren’t lining up making me question the validity of this claim. It makes me feel horrible and question myself. Do my actions line up with my words? Am I doing anything to cause this person to behave this way? What did I do wrong? I’m constantly asking for forgiveness. I find my mind going off in angry tangents wasting mental and emotional energy. Sounds like a tactic of the enemy. But, when I catch myself doing that, I am quickly reminded where I need to focus my energy; moving, packing, rejoicing.

God reminded me of Philippians 3:14 – “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” This verse is talking about running the race and reaching the prize of a heavenly calling, the crown of righteousness. Like an athlete running a race, pressing forward to the finish line. 2 Timothy 4:8 – “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” That is my ultimate goal, the ultimate prize. And my angry thoughts are distracting me not only from packing and looking forward to our new place, but they are distracting me from running the race, I’m losing my joy, and most importantly distracting me from reaching the crown of righteousness.

God also reminded me of Nehemiah, a man of prayer and who was instructed by God to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem. Nehemiah answered the call from God to restore the wall. and naturally was confronted with opposition, fear, and temptation from his enemies. Nehemiah’s enemies sent him a message asking him to meet them at one of the villages. He realized his enemies were plotting harm (Nehemiah 6:2), so he sent a reply “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3.

So I began to think, why can’t this be applied to anything God gives me to do? God has provided a much suitable place for us to live. I have packing to do and a new home to set up, I can’t come down, I can’t waste my time on renting the space in my head to this person. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, I am human but I do catch myself and have to put myself back on track, refocus and press forward once again.

This is a challenge not giving in to angry thoughts. I just want justice. As the line Jonathan Roumie says as Jesus said in the Season 2 Episode one of The Chosen, (Thunder) – “Strong passion can be a good thing when channeled for righteousness.” If this person truly loves God, then God will have to deal with this person. For now, I have to focus on the prize. Anchor in Hope.

Trust God

When It Seems Like God isn’t Talking

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Obregonia D. Toretto on Pexels.com

When titling this post I was torn between the current title or “When We Don’t Hear from God.” But, I know this God is always speaking to us, we aren’t always hearing. Even if God is silent, He is still speaking to us, through His creation, through others.

God was silent for 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. We don’t know why God chose to be silent. I like to think that it was because people needed time to process what was taught (hold this thought) generations before or to rest a beat like in a musical piece, to highlight what was about to come in the New Testament, a theatrical pause. If you don’t think God is dramatic, read the book of Daniel and Revelation. But God doesn’t need to answer for His decisions. We just need to accept and trust. (I know not always easy). God may have been silent, but He was still working.

Today, God gave me an ah-ha moment. Have you ever experienced a “oh wow” revelation whilst reading God’s word? Heavenly information just keeps flowing. Sometimes I feel like I can’t keep up so my writing becomes almost illegible and I end up rewriting everything. Then the next day, I want more and I hear nothing. I get a little disappointed. Has this happened to you? What’s even more disappointing, the next day, I can’t remember what the passage of scripture was or what point God was trying make.

So, here’s what’s happening. My husband and I are getting ready to move and as you know the house is kinda outta sorts, boxes, not to mention a disruption in the daily routine, trying to keep up with my art projects and this blog, etc. Yesterday was one of those days where God revealed to me what I needed to focus on. He gave me Philippians 3:14 – “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” I have so many things that I need to do, we all do, and I can get so distracted by one thing, to shift my focus not only from God but from the tasks He has for me. Then He brought to my mind, Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was focused (and a man of prayer). He had distractions and opposition (expect that especially when doing God’s work). But, yet Nehemiah kept the mindset he needed to finish the work God had for him. Nehemiah 6:3 – “And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” I cannot come down is the focus I need when distracted.

Ok so let me tie these verses together. God gave me Philippians 3:14, to press toward the goal. My goal right now is to not be distracted by the unsettled feelings, distrust and disappointment I have towards someone right now. We don’t have time to acquiesce to their requests that aren’t urgent. I have so many other things to focus on other than what I feel this person is trying to do to make our lives difficult and it’s distracting me from my focus on God Himself. God will be the judge, vengeance is His. (honestly for the life of me I don’t know what we did to make this person act the they are and I am asking God to reveal that to us).

Today, I wanted God to give me more. And guess what? Nothing. Say what?! C’mon I thought I was on a roll? Then another ah-ha moment. God wanted me to learn, commit to heart what I learned yesterday. The Bible is God’s word, the Bread of Life right? God wants me to chew on it, savor it. And like Mary in Luke 2:19 – “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” God is giving me a pause before the next big reveal. He is giving me time process and treasure up. I am sure He is thrilled I want more but if I can’t remember what He spoke, what’s the point.

So the next time you sit down to read your Bible or do a devotional and you don’t hear anything from God, go back to the day before or a few days before and re-read the passage, maybe there’s something there you may have missed. Read your favorite verse and pick out the words that speak to you and look up the original Hebrew or Greek words. But don’t despair. Keep seeking Him. Be still and know that He is God. He may seem silent but He’s still working and still speaking.

Trust God

What Can You Handle?

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Matt Hardy on Pexels.com

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (NKJV)

Some people interpret this verse to say God will not give more than you can bear. That He won’t put you in a situation that is so overwhelming that you just can’t go through it. Others will say this verse is being taken out of context, that, that’s not what it means, that it pertains only to being tempted.

The Greek word for temptation; peirasmos: an experiment, a trial, temptation, can also mean test and tested. Well, I agree and kinda disagree. I may be splitting hairs here, but bear with me. Did God give Job more than he could handle? Did God give Mary and Joseph more they they could handle? Did God give Jesus more than He could handle? Job, “A man who so feared God and fled from evil at all costs. When he was 70 years old, God allowed terrible temptations brought by the devil to fall upon him.” Job was tempted, his fear in God and seeking to flee from evil at al costs, was Job’s way out. Joseph wanted to secretly divorce Mary, – Matthew 1:19, but he didn’t, God provided an angel to encourage Joseph to remain with Mary. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. The night before His crucifixion and angle ministered to Jesus, -Luke 22:41-43. They all could have given into temptation at any time. But God provided a way out. Ok so Jesus being an example, He was fully God and fully human here on earth, so… He had a bigger advantage, none the less, He could have in His humanity not go to the cross.

In the midst of temptations and the trials in our lives we are tempted to take matters in our own hands, by either manipulating others or a situation in order to get out of it or get our way in order to just get through it or get what we want. We can be tempted to walk away from God or our faith because it just doesn’t seem to be working.

BUT GOD, is faithful! “The more than we can handle” in a trial or a bad season isn’t the season itself as some interpret. I tend to agree with that. I think “the more than we can handle” is the temptation to sin in that hard season. No one wants to go through hard times. I know I don’t and it’s so easy for me to complain and whine and get angry. And it gets me no where. I am learning to ask myself – what does God want me to learn from this? I still wrestle with God and that’s ok, because it can be an intimate way to get closer to Him. God is faithful. He will provide a way out, search Him, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Trust God

Feeding Sheep

The Kedge Anchor

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

It occurred to me the other day, I don’t remember what I was listening to at the time. I began to wonder what exactly am I doing to feed God’s sheep? This blog for example, I don’t have many followers and that’s ok. Sometimes it bothers me. I try to learn how I can increase views and watch videos on how to pump up the blog. Sometimes I get snagged into an hour long sales pitch of buy my course.

But I thought about it. Like Jesus I want organic followers. I want people to follow this blog because it’s pointing them to Jesus, because it’s making them think. I can spend money all day long to attract followers and there’s nothing wrong with that. But God is bigger than any algorithm, any hashtag, bigger than any I could possibly do. Sometimes I feel like what am I doing here? Then He reminds me, “for the one.” A good shepherd will leave the 99 (Matthew 18:10–14 and Luke 15:3–7) and seek the one lost sheep. So if this blog points one person to Jesus, then I am ok with that.

Sometimes I can feel defeated, I know that’s the enemy. God is still bigger. I realized, that it’s not my job to help God spread His Gospel, it’s God’s job to help me spread His Gospel. It’s like a load was lifted. After all He chose me, He chose us to follow Him, (Matthew 4:19) and I willingly chose and accepted. So it’s only fitting that God is going to help me and provide what I need ( Philippians 4:19). Like Dallas Jenkins (The Chosen) said, “It’s not our job to feed the 5000, we just need to bring the loaves and fish.” (Actually it may have been his wife who said that). God does the rest. If I do what He says, He will provide what I need. Matthew 6:8 says that God knows what I need before I ask. He knows who needs to see this and He what this blog needs to reach others. Right now spending money isn’t in my budget, so I’m relying on God. I’m just doing, following His lead, the rest is up to Him.

So all I can ask of whoever is reading this, please like and share. It takes a second and won’t cost you a dime. Also you can follow on Facebook and Instagram and like and share there as well. I do hope this blog is an encouragement to whoever reads this. Happy Friday and thank you to all who follow, be blessed.