This is TOO GOOD!!

After eight years of single-mom-hood, I re-connected with a high school classmate who turned out to be the LOVE OF MY LIFE!  For eight years I prayed to my GOD and argued about HIS words in Genesis where HE saw that it WAS NOT GOOD for MAN to be alone and thus HE created WOMAN.  And GUESS WHAT??!!  SHE was NEVER alone :)  Adam was already there.  Well you see who finally won that argument AFTER SHE surrendered to HIM all the baggage being divorced had left her holding.

As part of my love's life, I also inherited two SONS.  I had only had daughters before so I truly did not know the blessing I was receiving.  Baby Boy had been lost in a life of drugs for six plus years at the time of our marriage.  Hubby had not spoken to him in that length of time.  It was a sad, sad story and thus I began to pray for my God to heal Hubby's heart and mend the broken relationship between Hubby and  both boys that happened as a result of their loss of Hubby's first wife to a three year battle with Cancer.

Finally after TWO YEARS of prayer, my GOD put Baby Boy in jail at the end of his rope needing help with Hubby and I his last resort.  He was only looking for a way out and had used up all other avenues possible.  Because of my GOD's divine intervention I now have a SON who needs me and I can look him in the eye and tell him how much I love him and will always be here for him, even when I don't like him and the stupid choices he is making.

Baby Boy and I had lunch yesterday and I am in AWE of the words God put in my mouth to speak to Baby Boy.  Baby Boy has not accepted JESUS as his personal Savior and is seeking his "revelation".  He wants to come to church Sunday.  I love him and want him to see how much My God loves him and wants to bless him if he will only BELIEVE.

God is amazing and truly at work here.  I would so appreciate your prayers on his behalf.  I have a reminder to help you remember to pray for Baby Boy.  Ask me when I see you to give you one.

Awed by HIS mercy and grace,
Arla

Going Deeper with God

I love the way God works knitting all the pieces of life together!

Currently I am participating in an online bible study with Proverbs 31 Ministries, Yes to God. One of the questions posed this week is "What is holding you back from going deeper with God?" Is it just chance that my personal readings with God had me in James chapter one this week as well?

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5, 6 ESV)

Let me throw a little of my perspective on this. I am currently in a season of life where our family is facing a lot of trials. These are situations over which I have no control. I didn't cause them. I cannot cure them. My heart is heavy with the pain and suffering those close to me are suffering. I feel... I really don't have a word to describe.

In my heart, I am a Yes Lord Girl. I want to follow Him. I want to be a living example of Jesus. I want to be the hands and feet of love to others. Yet in this season I find myself internalizing and withdrawing. I feel helpless. What am I to do? What is the right thing?

Today's Proverbs 31 devotional by Lysa Terkeurst was a beacon of light. Lysa spoke of Daniel who continued to pray prayers of THANKSGIVING when commanded not to pray. This spoke volumes to me connecting the James passage with my current situation. 

When life brings its trials, and it will, I am simply to continue to pray...prayers of thanksgiving in the knowledge that God has not changed. HE is still moving. HE has everything under control working HIS mighty plan.

Too often I let fear of the unknown keep me from going deeper and being more of what HE intended. HE has a purpose for everything HE allows in my life. If I will hold on to the truth and knowledge of HIM, I will come out on the other side more blessed. HE is the victory. HE is in control whether I feel it or not.

What keeps me from going deeper? Self doubt, past failures, feelings of unworthiness. I know my past. I know when I have said yes and the going got rough so I quit, gave up, lost out. Then, I remember...it is not by my might nor strength. It is not because I am worthy. I am not responsible for the outcome. I am only responsible for the obedience. Whatever YOU want me to do, I simply say YES and trust YOU to make whatever YOU want happen. I simply open my hands, palms up and say "Not my will but thine be done!"

Trusting..... "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6 NASB)

Knowing..."And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose," (Romans 8:28 NET)

Believing...."I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13 ESV)

When I lay it at HIS feet, I leave it there. I give my life an offering, a daily sacrifice to HIM because it is all about HIM any way.

Yes Lord Yes...to your will and your way!

Awed by His mercy and grace,

Arla

Whatever God says Do, Do it!

Have you ever been in that place where you heard God speak and tell you something to do and you listened and obeyed? Then you know the sense of awe and amazement, the wonder of being the hands and feet of Jesus.
I was able to witness God's remarkable love yesterday. A dear friend of mine whom I have known only a short time was given a gift of a book yesterday. The giver had purchased the book for a reason unbeknown to her. The book arrived yesterday just when she encountered my friend in a tender moment of need. The book is a wealth of information on the subject at hand. God filled the need and answered the questions my friend has struggled with for I don't know how long.  He is an amazing God!
I had a situation which seemed negative and forced me to go to a business at a time when I didn't have time. Yet in line ahead of me was someone who needed hope and encouragement. I found myself in a conversation I do not remember how started. Yet as I left that business I knew I had encountered one of those God ordained moments.
He is real and alive and walking among us today. Look and see and be a part of what HE is doing...don't miss the opportunity!!
Awed by God's amazing love and grace,
Arla

He is still God!

For this moment I prayed....

Two years ago my journey on this path called Life took a turn.  I took a step in Faith and God blessed with an answer to a prayer long prayed.  I cannot even begin to remember how long I prayed for this Love called Husband who entered my life that day.  For him, I am truly blessed and thankful.
At that moment, another prayer was born in my heart for hurts he had suffered and wounds that still needed healing.  There were relationships that were broken and only God could mend.
Today marks the beginning of the answer to that prayer....
Years ago I prayed a prayer very specifically and God answered my prayer and later I regretted asking.  Today I still regret asking.  In this I have learned, God knows best!  He is God and He alone can see around the corner and over the mountain.  He alone knows what lies ahead.  He alone can see into the heart of man and woman.  He alone knows the free will choice another will make.  He is God!
This prayer that began two years ago...was not specific because I did not begin to know what the answer would look like.  I did not begin to know what it would take. 
I am often scared and then I realize I have let the enemy invade my thoughts. God is still God!
I participated in a Beth Moore bible study several years ago and took away several thoughts that I often repeat to myself in these moments....
God is who HE says HE is.
God can do what HE says HE can do.
I am who HE says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me.
I am believing God!
Those may not be the exact way the words were stated in that study; however, they are powerful to me in this way when I encounter these moments.
In this beginning to an answer to my prayer that I am praying...
I am believing God is who HE says HE is...God Almighty, the Holy One, Omnipotent Father, Refuge, Redeemer, Shield...
I am believing God can do what HE says HE can do....mend the broken hearted, give rest to the weary, bring home the wandering child...
I am who HE says I am....HIS child, Joint Heir with Jesus....
I can do all things through Christ...endure this moment of pain and heartache and see the victory on the other side...continue to walk in faith and trust KNOWING HE has this under control...
God's Word is alive and active in me as I walk this path in FAITH with head held high trusting in the moments and not doubting or living in defeat.
I am beliving God and claiming HIS promises...HE will never leave me nor forsake me...HE will hear and answer my prayers...HE is Jehovah Jireh...the GOD who provides...Jehovah Rapha the God who heals....The Lord Almighty who saves, heals, protects, delivers...HE is GOD!!!
Awed by HIS mercy and grace,
Arla

Side Effects

Yesterday Joyce Meyer's Ministries posted on Facebook "God's light shines more through 'cracked pots' than those who seem to have it all together." As I thought about those words, I thought about the examples in God's word that inspire me.

David is said to be a man after God's heart and we all remember the sin he committed with Bathsheba. He suffered the consequences of the sin, yet he also wrote so many beautiful Psalms where he poured out his heart to God. He inspires me to remember how much God loves me and can use me in spite of myself and my mistakes and how willingly God forgives my sin.

Hannah was tormented by her husband's other wife and childless for so long. She inspires me how she prayed to God and walked away as if He had already answered her prayer. God heard her heart and did answer. I want God to be my first resource when my heart is burdened and I want my testimony to be how faithful I believe He is as I leave my request at His feet.

God declared about Job there was not a more righteous man found upon the earth. I will never claim to completely understand this story. I see here that satan was behind all of Job's troubles and sin was not the reason. I believe God had something important to teach Job. When things happen in my life I want to be sure to examine my life for sin that could be the cause. I also want to remember God is always at work and see what He is speaking to me.

There are so many others in the bible I could name. You get my point from these. What I see in their life is not the perfection, no one on this earth is perfect. I see the hurts, the wounds, the healing and most important the blessing that is a direct result of their relationship with God and I am inspired to sit at His feet and draw near to Him like Mary.

My heart's desire is to also be an influence for Him. Relationships and people matter. I want to connect with those who are hurting and I want them to see my Savior, my King. He is my life and my hope. For this I am thankful to Him for "cracking me up" so long as the cracks can be used for His glory.

Awed by His mercy and grace for one such as I,

Arla

Holy Spirit Rain Down

I love the way God ministers to my heart. HE knows and intercedes on my behalf, often before I even realize my own need. I love the way HE loves me...

God has truly blessed me with so many Christian friends. These ladies pray with me and for me. I know they are there whenever I need a sister prayer or hug and even to share some tears. This week has been no different. One of my dearest sister friends is so close to The Lord she often texts or emails me before I even ask!! Who but God could do that...put audible words and touch to HIS limitless love for me!?

During one such battle as I sought comfort and guidance from HIS word, I came across a sermon from several years back and the notes I had taken came alive for me that day. I looked to the scripture reference and began to memorize Psalm 91 and personalize it for me....She who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of The Almighty...I will say of The Lord, HE is my refuge, my fortress MY GOD in whom I trust! Yeah satan! How about that...you cannot touch me HERE...God is my refuge....

As I committed more and more verses to memory the fear, the stress, the anxiety was left behind...whom shall I fear? What can man do to me?? What is the worst that could happen...I am going to be okay. I didn't know what to pray....and then I sent an email to those dear to me whom I knew I could trust. One sister friend text me " go to Psalm 91 and read verses one to four. I laughed at satan. I didn't need to look those verses up! Jesus had already prepared my heart and HE was confirming it through my sister friend!

God often speaks to me in this way and for some reason it always comes in threes. I attended a funeral that same week and as the pastor spoke from God's word to comfort and encourage the family can you guess which passage of scripture he referenced? You better believe it Psalm 91. I sighed in peace and awe....only YOU Father, truly YOU love me this much. Never have I deserved it nor will I ever....YOU first loved me and I cherish that love!

May I ever and always glorify YOUR name... YOU alone are worthy of all honor, glory and praise...

Awed by HIS mercy and grace,

Arla

He Heals the Broken Hearted

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalms 147:3 ESV)

Recently someone dear to me has suffered a loss. It is not common knowledge. It was not broadcast or published and therefore most people would not know about the loss. I can see the pain and feel helpless. I have prayed about it and I know God is working. He has promised to heal and bind and He is a faithful God. I don't know whether to talk about it or just wait and be available. I am trusting the Holy Spirit to move and show me. I don't want to make matters worse.

I know He is answering. I can see there is no anger or bitterness...just traces of sadness over the loss and more compassion for others. Maybe that was God's plan all along... It wasn't the hurt or sorrow... Just the extended mercy and grace toward others... That's why we are still here right?!

Love you dearly friend!!

Arla