"Set your mind on things above"

What does it mean to trust the Lord, completely and totally 100%? This is a question that has been racing through my head these last few weeks. What does this look like in my life when I am overwhelmed with confusion? – “From the ends of the earth, I cry out to you. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 – I come back to this verse every time. As a woman, I have a tendency to lean toward “overwhelmed” many times. Over the years, I have seen this trait in myself and I have tried to replace this feeling with the truth of God.

         “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34) I don’t know about anyone else, but some days I feel like trouble follows me around. I feel like someone is following me around saying, “what are your plans for next month, next summer, next year?” Learning to replace the lies of the world and of Satan is critical in these moments. Jesus calls us to not worry. He calls us to keep our minds completely on him. And he will provide “much more.” Matthew 6:30

         So, whatever is going on in your life, whatever situation seems to hard or to stressful or just plain terrible; Cling to the fact that Jesus has your best interest in mind. He doesn’t promise to give grace to our imagination or how we will get there, walk through it or respond. He only promises to give us grace in the moment. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) There is quote that has been stuck in my head, “When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart.” And that is just what I am trying to do.

        

         Thank you for reading. I will try to update soon about my students and school! Feel free to email me anytime! J Have a wonderful day!

-Madison 

 

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

From my heart.

"What if, sometimes, there are mists and fogs so thick that I cannot see the path? ‘Tis enough that You hold my hand, and guide me in the darkness; for walking with You in the gloom–is far sweeter and safer than walking alone in the sunlight!

Dear Lord, give me grace to trust You wholly, whatever may befall; yielding myself up to Your leading, and leaning hard on You when “dangers are in the path.” Your way for me has been marked out from all eternity, and it leads directly to Yourself and home!"

~Susannah Spurgeon

Praying for wisdom and discernment. 

Still learning....

This post has been on my mind for a while, but with being so sick I just didn’t have time to post it: 

Looking back on 2011, I am overwhelmed with the thought of all the Lord did for me, in me and through me.  In one year, I lived in three countries, did my student teaching, graduated college, spoke at numerous churches and groups, started dating a wonderful amazing man, took my first job in the Dominican Republic, left the country to serve the Dominicans in Santiago, and traveled home for Christmas. I think you could say that I had quite an eventful, exciting year; however, among the adventure of my year, the Lord has given me many opportunities to share my faith, learn to withstand trials and temptations as well as battle against things not of this world. The verse in 2 Corinthians chapter four rings true in my life, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”  It has been my desire to live a life not that others would say, “Look at Madison”; but, that others would see my life and say, “Wow! Look how good the Lord really is!” I thought I would share with you my top 5 things I learned in 2011. Some are serious and some are quite trivial, but lessons none the less. I pray that as you read my simple thoughts you would reflect on the things that you learned in 2011 and the things that you hope to learn in 2012.

1)   Jesus is enough. If I have said this once, I have said it a million times. I feel like this is a lesson that I keep learning over and over. No matter where you are, who you are, what you are, or how you are living: JESUS IS ALWAYS ENOUGH.

2)   His Word is precious. I always read my Bible growing up, but it wasn’t really until it was all that I had that I grasped the critical need for the Word of God. It’s not just a book that God decided we might need to provide us with some suggestions for living, (if some of us couldn’t figure it out on our own…); it’s a book that has the power to change our life and to sustain us daily. If we will let it. If we read it. I pray that I would always have a hunger and thirst for the sweet and refreshing words of Jesus.

3)   The Lord is always in control. So many little things happened over the past year, I could tell you stories for hours that many would think… “Oh that is crazy coincidence.” However, I know better than that. God is involved in every part of our lives, from little to big.

4)   Try new things! All my life I have been known as the “play it safe” girl (well, up until last January that is…). Stepping out of my comfort zone, taking the Lord by the hand, trusting in Him has proved to be one of the most amazing blessings and lessons in my life. Trying new things is good! It challenges us to walk closer to him. Even if that means trying new foods or a new way of doing something old!

5)   Everyone is a missionary. I have heard so many misconceptions of missions and missionaries in the last year. Even I myself have lived or believed some of them, but one thing that I have learned is that “Everyone is a missionary.” No matter where you live, what your occupation is or how old you are; if you are a Christian, then you are a missionary. Learning this has totally changed my view of living because when I left the Philippines and when I leave from the DR, my life doesn’t change only my location. I am commanded that “as I go” I am to live a life that radiates the gospel to all people. This is not only a lesson I learned, but also a lesson that I am learning.

Thank you for reading. Please know that while I said I learned these lessons in 2011, what I really mean is that I started learning these lessons.  I don’t think a person ever stops learning. Remain teachable friends.

Sincerely,

      Madison