"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!

Take time to Rest. In Jesus.

Over the last several weeks, I have been faced with a feeling of lack of purpose and direction. I am aware that this feeling is not from God because I have been spending my time speaking with people about my mission, babysitting, taking care of sick family members, and doing random jobs for friends and family. I have been busy to say the least. But I can’t help but be reminded of the verse in Luke chapter 10 that says, “you are worried and bothered about so many things;but only one thing is necessary..” In the midst of feeling like I need to be doing something or checking things off of this grande to-do list, I catch myself wondering what I am doing. My version of productive is being remolded to that of Christ. I am realizing that I may have a list of things to do and not one of them be something the Lord would will for me to get done that day. One of my sweet friends reminded me of a verse in Hebrews chapter four that talks about resting. She went on to say how it says that we must be diligent to enter that rest. Sometimes, we just have to slow down, take a step back and realize the Lord may have us in a place in order to take a deep breath and rest. As I am continuing to raise support, speak with those about my mission, and getting things ready to leave for the mission field, I pray that I don’t forget to rest in Jesus; to sit at his feet, pour my heart out before him and allow him to change me from the inside out to look more and more like Jesus. I want to share a quote by one of my most favorite pastors, John Piper. Thank you for reading. God bless.

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word’" Luke 1:38

"Can you say: ‘Let the Holy Spirit do with me as he pleases’? Do you trust the Spirit enough to say: ‘I am your slave; take me; use your omnipotent power to put me where you want me, when you want me there, doing what you want me to do’? Do you know why we can entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit? Because he exists to exalt the glory of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if the heartbeat of your life is the glory of Jesus Christ, the Spirit will empower and help you with all his might. Let’s live and speak so that men and women might know that Jesus Christ is a great Savior, the Son of the Most High, and the never-ending King of kings. That’s the passion of the Holy Spirit. To be full of that is to be full of him.” ~John Piper

-Mads

Ps- check out my previous post to watch my support video! :) Thanks!