I was planning on sharing a garden update today. However, I’ve felt led to write about a recent comment that was left on my website.
I only recently started praying due to a tragedy in my life, but it helps in other aspects of my life as well. I was raised an atheist so it’s not something that comes naturally for me, and a process as well. Don’t really know were to begin with religion and spirituality, but praying to something is soothing.
I’ve been battling in my own mind on how I could respond. What I could possibly say to encourage her of a force so powerful that is God.
Through scripture or testimony? Maybe send a link to some other spiritual woman that “knows” the written word much better than I.
You know what finally fell on me. The Holy Spirit.
I am not a know it all Christian. I am not someone who knows the bible back and forth and can quote the perfect scripture at the perfect time.
You know what I do have though. The Holy Spirit living within me.
It’s not easy being a Christian and it doesn’t always make sense. I bat my head back and forth so many times, it’s pathetic.
When things happen in this world, I often stop and think, “Does God truly exist?” I’m not sure if any other believer stops and ponders at that question – I do.
However, it’s usually in that question that all I need to do is look at the nature in this world and in its cyclical patterns of life that I clearly see my God.
Once I started on my journey to urban homesteading, I put myself in His creation.
In how He created everything to sustain… us.
Chickens laying eggs that are full of protein to build on muscle. Once they stop laying, their meat nourishes ours.
Plants that start as tiny seeds producing mammoth fruit to provide us vitamins and minerals.
The distinguishing elements between river and salt water.
It’s too perfect. When I pull myself away from this busy urban environment, take a step back, my eyes can see that this world is too perfect to have been an accident.
Get Into His Word – It Never Returns Void
Isaiah 55
“Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.3 “Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
I made him a leader among the nations.
5 You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”6 Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
It’s seriously amazing how God works… when we seek Him. Matthew 7.
When I start to drag and feel spiritually void and thoughts start to swirl around in my head, it’s usually when I’m not in His word.
Reading the bible brings us to a closer relationship to Jesus Christ. To meditate on His words that are written, pray over them, and ask God to show himself is where communication starts to happen.
It’s honestly blown me away many times when I have asked God to reveal himself to me so that I know… that I know… He is with me.
Just be prepared because when you truly ask God, he will never return void. He will answer but not always in the way that you want.
He showed me by bringing my youngest boy into this world and three years later, saving His life.
Sweet Reader…
Sweet reader, know that God loves you. That in our lowest of lows, He is with you. He longs for you.
Cradle yourself in His arms and pray. It’s soothing because the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.
You are His.
I couldn’t live this life without Him. I’m too prideful. When I succumb and give up my will for His, joy and peace set in.
This life isn’t easy but can be lived in joy knowing that one day we will be living in peace for eternity.
Read his word. Start with a gospel and see where it leads you. Find a church that teaches truth through his word. Not just a feel good church, but one that will teach verse by verse and convict us when we need it.
Join a woman’s bible study or an online bible study like Good Morning Girls. Fellowshipping with other woman is uplifting and will help us grow.
One thing to remember…
Romans 3:23… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Don’t ever be ashamed. Don’t ever be scared to walk into a church and ask questions. We are all sinners and regardless of where you are at, we have ALL been there and done that.
There should NEVER be judgement. Praise God for his mercy and grace.
I’m sending you a huge hug!
– diana
Do you have any words of encouragement? Do you have anything you’d like to share about your faith and your walk with the Lord. I’m sure we can all be uplifted by one another 🙂
What a wonderful post, Diana! You said it best, don’t be suprised when God responds for your request to reveal Himself to you–it is AMAZING the ways He shows us He is here for us! I am what I consider to still be a “baby Christian” myself…I grew up knowing that there is God & went to Church, but it was only about 2 years ago that I really found Him and was reborn through Him. I had long felt an empty void in my life, which I knew was a burning desire to be closer to Him, and watched as more mature Christians at Church always seemed to have it together, know Scripture by heart, know what words to say, seem so close to Him. I knew God’s word was the way to get closer, so I attempted to read the Bible for pretty much the 1st time ever. I was drowning in the words and felt inferior because I just couldn’t get into it. Out of the blue, I ran into an old college friend, hadn’t seen her in years-she was a “mature Christian” and so over lunch, I broke down to her-I just felt so alone, that I believed in God, but I just felt He was so far away and why couldn’t I find Him like I wanted to…She prayed with me & for me & told me it is a matter of ASKING The Lord to be part of your life. I thought about what she said, and prayed to God, asking Him to be part of my life. I am not kidding,I felt a warmth & joy I didn’t know imaginable. My heart felt full & knew the Lord was there with me. Around that same time, I received a gift, a NIV Life Application study Bible-THE BEST gift for me, because I was having such a hard time getting into the Word. For someone like me, this was such a blessing–not only is it easier to read but there are notes that explain how The Word pertains to OUR life, in modern times. LOVE IT. I also joined a women’s Bible Study group at our Church, and found that it was & is very good for me-there are women who are mature in their faith, women who are new or are searching. People who have had troubled lives and have turned their lives to Christ-all walks of life. I have made some good friends & have learned so much from these women. I pray for this person & anyone else searching for our God that they may feel His love & grace-He is waiting to give it!
God Bless!!
Beautiful post! It’s a great reminder that we are only His instruments… “only” it’s a great thing because we have the confidence that He is the one using us… 🙂 everytime I feel I have nothing to say or I won’t be good enough He reminds me it’s not me… He used Moses who could barely speak, Joseph who even his brothers despised, Abraham at a very old age and with his not very brave character, David with so many flaws, Peter who was very hot headed!, John the Baptist who was, let’s just say… eccentric, Paul who was a murderer of Christians… and so many more, all flawed! and even… a DONKEY! so… thanks for the reminder… once again! We should just be willing to let Him speak through us! 🙂
Great post girl! To take in God’s creations in all of its depth is truly breath taking. Praise the Lord for such beauty!!
Bravo!
What an amazing and beautiful post, I am Christian and a firm believer in God and all its Glory. It’s so nice to read about people that have the same doubts about life and faith but never fails to believe in the true power of God.
By reading this blog I also click on the story of your son’s accident and I am so happy to know it was a happy ending with God looking after your whole family.
God bless you and have a wonderful weekend surrounded by your lovely family! 🙂
Yes! Sweet reader, you are one of God’s favorites! I will be praying for you too.
Amen Diana! Beautifully said!
Thank you! that is so beautiful yet simply said. Its what I needed to hear today.
Perfect. As a human we will have struggles…and questions that can’t be answered. I am amazed over and over again by God’s faithfulness even in the midst of terrible hardship. He is my sustainer when life leaves me gasping for air. You said it beautifully….I pray this reader finds His comfort and truth.
Thank you, Diana, for posting this! Your intention may have been aimed at one reader in particular, but I know it will touch many. Myself included.
Over 3 years ago my husband was in a car accident that left him on disability for 12 months. When he was strong enough to return to work, he discovered he had no work to return to. He had been replaced. Needless to say, the entire situation has been devastating for us. Emotionaly, physically and of course, financially. We emptied every account we had trying to stay afloat. My husband still hasn’t found full time work and now our home will be auctioned off on August 22. We have no where to go and no money to do so.
Our friends have marveled at how positive we have stayed while our entire world crumbles around us. We were able to do this with God’s strength. We woke up each morning giving thanks that my husband lived through the accident and healed. We felt certain that soon God would show His plan to us. Even when people said they would have stopped believing a long time ago, we held on to our faith. Because even though we couldn’t understand why we were losing the home we built with our own hands, we were still able to eat by WAPF guidelines and have warm beds to sleep in at night. We felt so blessed.
But in this past week, as we get closer to the auction date, the notices from the bank have gotten nastier. And I’ve become more frightened. All of a sudden I began to feel mad, sad and confused; like God didn’t care about me otherwise He wouldn’t make me be homeless. It’s been a tough week. The feeling of nausea never goes away. And I constantly hold back tears.
Last night while talking to God I told Him I felt like I was alone and confused and although I always know He has a plan of greater good for us, I just needed to know that He was still here for me. I dozed off and slept all night for the first time in weeks. When I got up this morning, here was your post! Like a trip to the gas station, it filled up my tank with hope and I feel ready to conquer another day! Thank you for blessing us ALL with your beautiful words!
I don’t know what is ahead of me, but should I end up living under a bridge, I will remember this post and know that God is with me.
God Bless You!
Susan, your post brought tears to my eyes and I want you to know that I prayed for you and your family. Thank you for sharing.
Susan, thanks so much for sharing your testimony. I also cried when I read your post and was so touched to have been able to be used as a blessing for you! Please keep us updated on what is happening and how God continues to provide. I’m praying for you and yours! Diana
Hello All!
I want to say that God made us perfectly flawed. He made us with a will, and a void in our hearts. He loved us through all our sin and failings in hopes we would seek Him.
He gave us a way to fill that void and surrender our will through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for our sins.
Here are a few of the verses that I love most. These are in order of appearance in the Bible.
I used New International Version (NIV) and New King James Version (NKJV) as I like them both equally. “The NIV Life Application Bible” is a great publication and so is “The Woman’s Study Bible” NKJV Second Edition.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God and the Word was God.
John 3:16 (probably the most well known to all)
For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
…and My life verse, I chose this passage in High School and apply it to my life on a daily basis.
James 1:2,3,4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
…and another that I hold close to my heart.
1 John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world; that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God, but He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
I hope these passages bless you as they bless me and know that I am thankful for Diana’s website and the opportunity to share love and tidbits of information for all people from all walks of life, and from all faiths.
This is a gift.
Thank you, all of you! Please pray for each other and the world.
In His Grip!
Jenni James 😀
Thanks for sharing those verses Jenni!
I can so relate to your thoughts! And I love that you encouraged the reader to find a church that teaches verse by verse….so important to really dig into the Word!
This was so touching. It really blessed me at a time that I really needed it. It is so encouraging to hear of other believers that share your feelings.
May God bless you abundently.