Check out this link about 8 steps to meet God in Solitude and in rest.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/11647980.html
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Text: Read Psalm 25.
Themes of this Psalm: Hope in God; Trust in God; He’ll Show You the Way; Fear the Lord; Keep Your Eyes on Him; Turn to God; When Afflicted and Suffering; Refuge; Wait on God; Depend on God Alone
Key Verses: All
What should we do when we go through a tough time? Verse 1 starts to tell us everything we should do and the rest of this psalm, every single verses, tells the full answer. But, we start with turning our hope to God (Psalm 25:1).
What else do we do when going through a hard, happy, or in-between time? And, where do you turn when you don’t know which way to go? We look at verse 4 for that answer. We ask God to show us His way and teach us to follow it.
Psalm 25:5 tells is more of what we are to do when we are dealing with happy or with challenging times. We are to wait on God.
I could go on and on with this Psalm, but I will stop there. These three truths need time to simmer in our hearts and minds:
~ We are to turn our hope to God (v 1).
~ We are to ask God to show us and teach us His way (v 4).
~ We are to wait on God all day long (v 5).
Note their order. Hope, way, wait.
What are your thoughts? Prayer journal your thoughts and questions. Also, write a prayer to God about Psalm 25.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
I write this blog post with a heavy and sad heart. That’s why I knew it was even more important to write this post.
Writing is the way I draw closest to the Lord. It was my prayer years ago, and still is, that every word I write be HIS words and that they bring Him the glory. I want Him to use my pen and give me the words. This blog post is no different.
I also turn everything I write into a prayer journal to God. This is one of those times—underscored, italicized, and put into bold.
I share these thoughts with you as I hope to bring you inspiration when you go through a challenging time in life.
My life has not been easy. I’ve experienced a great deal. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. The hard times of life have made me who I am today. I don’t regret them or hold onto them as much today as I did back then. I don’t hold the past against myself or live in the past, in other words…. Except, I do my best to learn from those times.
Tuesday of last week, I was told that my husband’s job is being moved to the East coast. This came from out of the blue. I’ve been sad about it, but excited about it to see what God is going to do through it. What could be difficult is that it’s in less than 90 days. However, I am trusting God with that. He will find us a home and get us there. Funny side-note: The furthest I’ve ever driven is 250 miles. Now I get to drive 528 in May and then 2,278 in late June-early July. My husband will drive his car and I will drive mine. So, I will have the beagle and cat or the two turtles—depending on how we decide to divide them up at the time.
At any rate, I’ve been preparing to leave.
Then, a week later, I’ve been hit with more of life’s challenges.
Sigh.
My grandmother, Nana Lee, is dying. It’s just a matter of time. Any second/minute/day now. It won’t be a week.
And, I can’t get back home. There’s too much coming up…
I am not upset about her death. I know where she’s going. It’s a much better place and she’s suffered for YEARS with dementia. It’s time. But, I wish I could be there with my mom and family. It’s tough.
I know that God is allowing this at this time for a reason. I trust Him and don’t question. But, my heart is sure heavy.
So, as I’ve said before, I am going to turn to the Psalms. That’s where I go in times like this. I don’t know what to pray at this point. So, I’ll let David pray for me and give me the words.
I know I am not alone. He is with me and I have an incredible support system of family that holds me up and holds me up in prayer.
I know God has a plan.
I know God won’t give me more than I can handle.
It’s the timing I find difficult with at the moment. But, His timing is perfect and I will trust in that and without question.
Abba, be with Nana and family.
Let Nana finally let go… It’s in Your name I pray.
Amen.
~ Stacy Duplease
Check out my rest blog at:
I just did two new blog posts.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
If you wonder which of my 30 million blogs you should read, this is the one I would suggest as your first choice. This is my main blog, after all.
From there, what matters most to you or captures your fancy the most?
Do you like reading fantasy or fun fiction? Check out the Dorl Chronicles. http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
Do would want to have some quiet moments with the Lord? Check out the Rest Still blog. It’s actually the Remembering Rest blog. http://reststill.blogspot.com
Do you write or want to write? Check out the Fiction and Faith Café blog. http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Those three blogs are of the “Coming Soon” variety, just so that you know.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Life is supposed to be beautiful. Right?
Then, why does it have so much yuck mixed in with it? Why is it so unfair? Why do we have so many problems? Etc. etc. etc.
Life is beautiful.
Life is a gift.
Life is something meant to be treasured and cherished.
Prayer journal your thoughts and responses to the following questions:
~ What have you done today to live as though your life was a gift—meant to be valued, cherished, and treasured?
~ How have you counted your blessings today?
~ What challenges have you turned around for the good today?
~ How have you told those in your life today how they matter in your life?
~ How have you reflected the glory of God in your life today?
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
The past couple of days, I’ve hinted at some major things which have happened in my life. I don’t know if you picked up on that or now. But, my husband and are I moving this summer. His work has called him elsewhere. So, east coast here we come! It was not what we anticipated at all. But, God has never asked me what I wanted. I trust Him completely. He knows far better than me. He has a reason and I am thrilled to watch His purposes unveiled.
Needless to say, the winds of change are blowing.
Change brings two different opposite reactions at the same time to me. I don’t want to leave my friends who have become like family. But, I am thrilled and excited at the opportunity of a new beginning and watching God work in my life, through my life, and around my life in new and different ways.
I am not upset with God at all and I am not questioning at all. I am trusting. I know He is bigger and can handle all of this far better than I can. As a matter of fact, He formed this plan before He laid the foundations of the earth. Thus, who am I to get in the way, get upset, question, or anything else? But trust Him and keep the faith in Him instead. He’s got it.
My reaction is shocking to me. I don’t know when I got so mature. (I still have a lot to learn and mature, by the way! I am far from perfected in that area.) This is something that I want to pursue, reflect upon, and so on. When did I get a stronger faith? Normally, I would be an emotional wreck. I would be FREAKED OUT about how we have less than three months to find a home, pack up, and move across the country—where I don’t have a social network. But, I’m not. I am trusting God. Now, I pray this trust will continue.
Then, there’s the less mature side… I ache for having to leave my family/friends here in Nebraska… That’s the tough part.
I am curious about trying to figure out my reaction in this situation. When did I get so firm in my faith? Is it just with this area or with all? Lord, help me apply this faith to all areas in my life from here on out. I usually fall short. I am glad it’s different at the moment. Now, I need to try to make this continue.
Journal Questions:
How about you? Do you shock yourself sometimes with how you handle situations? (I know I usually do, but to the negative. This is a rarity for me.)
Does God shock you at times?
Do you like change?
How do you react to change?
How is your faith and trust in God?
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Do you feel like your spiritual life is blah, dragging, and/or needs a fire again?
Check out this link and article at:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/11639433.html
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
