Do we really give God what He wants from us, or do we come up with our own definition of what we think God wants from us?

About ten years ago I read an article about setting a five-year goal and this is how successful people set their goals and accomplish them. Well, I wanted to be successful too, so I took a couple of hours thinking about what I wanted to accomplish in five years. I thought I'd go back to work, get my music degree in the process and then teach in some private school, hopefully conducting high school choirs afterwards. It never occurred to me to ask the Lord what His plans were concerning me, or if He had any at all. Looking back now I wish I did, because that sure would have spared me from so much pain and a lot of sorrow and tears. Believe it or not, I was actually totally convinced that my plan was what God had wanted me to do. I believed that He wanted me in music and my goal was to teach in a Christian school. But in reality this is what I wanted, not what God wanted. I never asked Him what He wanted, so how can I know what He really wanted? Come to think of it now, I guess even if God had told me He did have plans for me and told me what they were, I wasn’t really interested in knowing it at that time. I always had this suspicion that when it comes to what God wants, it’ll be something I probably will not be happy with. So truth was, I was afraid to ask Him.

Thanks so much for listening to this podcast.

For more podcasts, blogposts, and original songs visit www.HavingGod.com

This is a blogpost from HavingGod.com.
Written by Sheila Copp.

Voice and background music by Sheila Copp

You may visit and contact us at:
https://havinggod.com
https://www.facebook.com/sheilahavinggod

Take care and God bless you always!

I believe as long as we can focus on the Lord, whatever we’re going through, we’re going to be all right.

I was having my breakfast this morning and was remembering this blogger who has a YouTube show on nutrition. She did a video on what her morning routine was and how meditation was a part of it. She would sit in one place and focus on her breathing, then parts of her face, like her ears, her eyes, etc. So, I started trying to apply this as I was drinking my tea. I couldn’t remember exactly what to do, so I asked the Lord what I was supposed to do. I know He knows what I’ve done in this life from beginning to the end and I know He knows that I’ve seen this video. I know He knows exactly what I was talking about. So I asked Him, “What am I supposed to do Lord? Focus on my ear?” Then I sensed the Lord in my spirit across the table. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt Him this way and it felt wonderful. Then, I got in my spirit, “Just focus on Me.” I started laughing out loud. It's as if the Lord was smiling at me reminding me the most important thing in this life – Him. It felt good to laugh out loud like that again with Him. Truly the joy of the Lord is our strength. That’s what I love about the Lord: the more I talk to Him the more He becomes so real. And He doesn’t condemn us at all. He loves us and understands us. He knows how to make us laugh when we need it.

Thanks so much for listening to this podcast.

For more podcasts, blogposts, and original songs visit www.HavingGod.com

This is a blogpost from HavingGod.com.
Written by Sheila Copp.

Voice and background music by Sheila Copp

You may visit and contact us at:
https://havinggod.com
https://www.facebook.com/sheilahavinggod

Take care and God bless you always!

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” [Proverbs 17:3]

Often when we mess up, we are so hard on ourselves, we give up. We just throw in the towel, go under the covers and sulk. Then we’re in a bad mood for the rest of the week. That bad mood then is going to trip us up to make more mistakes.

More often than not, our hearts are revealed through our mistakes and challenges in this life. How did we react when provoked? How did we take an insult, a disappointment, or a heartbreak? Did we get mad? Did we plot to get even? Did we turn to God for His counsel and try to seek reconciliation?

We wouldn’t know who we truly are inside unless God tries our hearts and sees how we will react to our circumstances. Are we happy despite of it? Are we giving thanks when it feels like there is nothing to be thankful for? Who are we? What are we to the Lord? How can He use us?

Problems, sorrow, and disappointments don’t have to be the end of the world. These things are given to us to make us better, to bring out the best in us, like the fining pot for silver or the furnace for gold. Let us be something that the Lord can use for His glory.

“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” [Job 23:10]

Prayer

Father, please Lord, help me not take life so seriously. Help me to acknowledge You in everything I do in this life. Help me to find Your help in time of trouble.

I love You so much, Lord. You mean the world to me. Please Father, help me to keep loving people and keep following You. Help me to be strong always, through my sorrows, and through my heartaches. Find in me a vessel that’s fit to use for Your glory. I love You so much, Lord Jesus! You mean the world to me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name. Thank You, Father. Amen.

Thanks so much for listening to this podcast.

For more podcasts, blogposts, and original songs visit www.HavingGod.com

This is a blogpost from HavingGod.com.
Written by Sheila Copp.

Voice and background music by Sheila Copp

You may visit and contact us at:
https://havinggod.com
https://www.facebook.com/sheilahavinggod

Take care and God bless you always!