At Just the Right Time

           

I’ve wept countless times over the last few months.

            Some tears have been of joy, such as when my best friend welcomed her little girl into the world, but many of these tears have come because of uncertainty and hard change.

            I recently graduated from college and left a whole town that I had grown to love. My church, community, friends, mentors, and most of my supports were there, and I had to leave them behind.

            At graduation, my pathway wasn’t clear yet (not even the next step). So, this past summer, I headed home to my summer job with no church and no community and no plan. Don’t get me wrong I had a great family waiting for me and even a few great friends who are here for me even now, but I still felt lost for some reason.

            So, I wept. Every time I listened to a song that reminded me of the people I felt like I was losing, I cried into my pillow. Night after night, I woke up to nothing but my aching heart wanting what was behind me.

            So, I prayed. Realizing that going back is impossible and that God has me here for a reason, I gave up my fight for the past to God and prayed for a new community. And guess what? Four months went by, and I didn’t have the answer to my prayer.

            Since that night I prayed, I did start graduate school and a new job where I have met some lovely people who I even call friend, but community? Well, that’s a different story.

            I’ve discovered some things: not having fellowship with other believers is hard, especially when you’ve experienced it. Standing alone makes it so much easier to be attacked by lies. Being on my own, I’ve realized just how much this world is not a friend of Jesus, and for a while, it felt like I was all alone in the fight. For the first time in a while, I knew that I can’t stand on my own—I need others.

            So, I prayed again and even told a friend about my struggle, and she prayed for me, too.

            And this time, at what I know is at just the right time, God answered. How do I know that this is the right time for God to answer? Well, in the time of being by myself and with God, I discovered how much I need to be in His word and that I cannot do this on my own, which is big because I always have tried to stand on my own, but now I know that I desperately need other believers to hold me up.

            At just the right time, after I had learned God’s lesson, He sent a fellow believer to walk beside me and pray with me as we fight the good fight.  

            So, today, I want to encourage you with the truth that even when it feels like God is being silent, He’s not. During these past few months, God has been refining and strengthening my heart. In reality, He’s always been answering my prayer. His answer was to wait and listen for a season so I could be stronger and know that in my weakness, He is strong (2 Cor. 12:9).

            I don’t know what prayer you’re praying, but I do know that God is listening and answering in just the right way, at just the right time.

            He’s always on time, and His answers are perfect. Never cease to trust Him, and remember He is near to those who call on Him (Psalm 145:18).

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Being Still in the Middle of Chaos

            Today, we have the world at our fingertips and that comes at a price.

            We’re constantly in motion and bombarded with news stories, such as the shootings that happened in Chicago, Kenya, and D.C. this past week or all the latest info on what happening in Hollywood (even if we don’t want to hear it). Not only do we have access to knowledge about everything that’s going on in our world, we have phones that keep us connected to people 24/7. Everything from Facebook to Twitter to Instagram to Tumbler allows us to tell others about our lives and read about others’ at lightning speed. Now, I not only get assignments during class at my school, I also get them by email on the weekends and my boss emails me, too.

            In addition to staying in touch with the world news and the various people in our life (or at least “friends” on social media sites), we have the ability to listen to music no matter where we go and not to mention the wide variety of TV shows right at our fingertips.

            My point is that with so much “stuff” going on in our lives it’s easy to get distracted from what’s important. It’s easy to run through our days without noticing the elderly lady who’s lonely or in need of help crossing the road. It’s easy to forget to spend actual time with the people who are with us in the flesh. It’s so easy to not even realize that the sky was crystal clear today because we constantly go and we’re hardly ever 

still. We hardly ever rest, and this constant motion many times keeps us from the life source:

            God.

            Our God, our refuge in the storm, in the chaos, in the everyday rushes of life, wants us to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10, NIV).

            He is still God. The never changing One who is the Great I am. He is the One who never changes, who sustains life, forgives, loves, and brings justice.

            For all that He has done for us, He deserves to be recognized everyday as we’re still before Him and acknowledge that there was never and never will be any God beside Him.

            He is the One who was and is and is to come (Rev. 4:8).

            Be still today and know Him. Know that He is still God even when we fail to be still before Him. He never fails and never changes. He knows you and longs to be known. 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca A. Thomas 

Just Breathe for a Second

            Your alarm goes off.

            It’s not even light outside, but it’s time to get up for another week that will be busy. Work, school, cooking, taking care of children, running errands, grocery shopping, bill paying, and so many other necessary tasks probably dangle in front of you this coming week. And, I'm sure some of you are facing sickness, heartaches, financial crises, and circumstances that I can't even fathom like war and persecution that could take your life, and in addition to all of these obligations and unfortunate circumstances, stress often is a close companion.

            I, personally, get so consumed by my day-to-day tasks or circumstances that I forget to “just breathe for a second.” Every single page I have to read for school or that errand I have to run or that phone call to a friend I completely forgot to return clouds my thoughts so entirely that I’m surprised I remember to take a shower some days (luckily for the world, that hasn’t happened yet).

            Many mornings, I wake up, take a shower, pack a lunch, eat (if I have time), fix my hair, brush my teeth, try to clean my room, grab my stuff for the day, and search for my keys (Yes, I have to hunt for them. I swear they run away). These mornings that I’m describing usually lead into a hectic day of me desperate for a break, for a second to just pause, and then, I remember I’m probably living out of my own strength on these days. It just doesn’t seem to work that well.  

            When I fail to pause and remember who God is, I usually forget who I am in Him in return. God is our comforter. He is our provider, our refuge, our stronghold, our deliverer, our friend, and our Savior. He is the One who fights for us. He is our strength when we are weak.

            He is our load bearer; so, go ahead and give Him your yoke and take His yoke (burden) because His yoke is easy and His burden is light (NIV, Matt. 11:30). He is the Peacemaker and the one true King.
         
            He is omniscient, which means even when you think He doesn’t, He has everything under control and He knows and cares for your needs.

            You. Well, you are loved (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). You are known (Psalm 139). In Him, you are redeemed and forgiven (1 John 1:9). You are not alone (Isaiah 41:10). You are wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). And, you are His child (1 John 3:1). Take courage from that today.

            So, today, as a song by one of my favorite bands Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band says, “take a moment to remember who God is and who [You are],” and He will lift your "load."¹

               Don't take on this world by yourself. 

                                                                                                                                    Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

¹Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band. "Take a Moment." Endless Years. Song Lyrics. SongLyrics, 2013. Web. 1 Sept. 2013.

The Holy Spirit in You Is Already Patient

            I just stood there, in the middle of the classroom I worked in last summer, wanting to pull my hair out.

All I could do was bite my lip in frustration. The rain had kept us inside all week and the volume of the students had exceeded my ears’ limitations. That morning had begun a day of never-ending complaints that I couldn’t handle anymore, and the patience I had just taught my four-year-olds about seemed like a foreign concept that I couldn’t grasp in that moment—so, I prayed.

            --And prayed some more.

            I begged God for the one fruit so many people tell me not to pray for or “I’ll regret it”—patience. As I stood before “my” children, I remembered who they were: young, innocent, and loving. In no way were they trying to frustrate me, and they definitely didn’t deserve any agitation aimed at them, but, as I said, my patience was waning; I was desperate for God to intervene.

            Then, the Holy Spirit spoke to my soul and reminded me or rather made me aware of a truth I believe so many of us Christians have overlooked. Acts 1 talks about the Holy Spirit coming upon us, that we will be baptized in the Holy Spirit when we become followers of Christ (NIV, Acts 1:5). When we receive Christ’s salvation, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells within us. Meaning, (get this) we have the power of GOD living within us, and if we let Him take over, we will be living by His power, not our own.

            If we have all of the Holy Spirit, then all of the fruit of the Spirit are within us as well. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (ESV, Gal. 5:22-23). If the Spirit is inside us, we have the capability to be patient because He is patient in us.

            So, yeah, you and I on our own may not be able to be or display patience, but the glorious truth is that we are not alone. We are baptized in the Holy Spirit who is entirely patient.

            Rely on Him and His patience to get you through. His power is in you if you have received His gift of salvation.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Loving Others as Ourselves

         “‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”(Mark 12:29-31, NIV).

            For the past few years, I’ve recited these verses, and the more I repeat these commandments, the more insight the Spirit seems to give me. I understand that we are to love God and love others. From reading the two greatest commandments, I’m sure everyone gets that fact, but many times, I think we overlook the two words “as yourself.”

            God hasn’t just called us to love our neighbors any such way. He has commanded us to love them as we love ourselves, but what if you love yourself incorrectly? Can you truly love your neighbor well?

            I mean, if I don’t believe that I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) how can I love others as fearfully and wonderfully made. If I criticize my body when I look in the mirror, how much easier is it going to be to criticize the girl I meet on the street? If I don’t see myself as a valuable human being who is loved by God completely, how will I ever see others that way? If I constantly put on “Rebecca glasses” to view myself and define myself, can I biblically love someone?

            So many times, I think we fail at loving others because we haven’t accepted the love we’ve been offered. We feel unworthy, so we don’t know how to love like God loves. As my pastor often says, “If we want to love others as ourselves, we need to first love ourselves correctly.”

            God tells me that I am beloved, set apart, a child of God, a coheir with Christ, beautiful, known, forgiven, and valuable. Dig into the Word of God and find out what He says about you and how deeply He loves you.

His love will change you, and it will change how you love people.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

He Will Call My Name

            “I will rise when He calls my name. . .” (Chris Tomlin)

                The words to this famous Chris Tomlin Song “I will Rise” echoed throughout the church building this past Sunday as I stood among friends worshiping together. As the music whirled around my head, I remembered a word of advice someone gave me once: “don’t sing the words unless you mean them.”

            This recollection of quotes was strange in the context of the song, but I realized how weak I was singing this song of triumph, life, liberty, hope, love, and grace. I was spouting out lyrics of a song about the day I’ll be forever ushered into the presence of the Most High God who gave Himself for me like I sing a song about monkeys to children I watch. When I started to listen to the words, truly listen, my heart started knocking against my chest because I couldn’t contain my joy in the rhythm of the song being played. My perfect, holy, and righteous God is going to call my name one day.

            This roll call won’t be to banish me from His sight, but to welcome me into His presence forever. I’m humbled by that thought and left in awe at His name. He is going to call me, Rebecca Thomas, a girl who has sinned countless times and will sin in the future. My name will be called because He loves and cherishes me.      

            Not only do I get to be love Him and be loved by Him for all of eternity, but He’s also even wiping out my pain, shame, and suffering. NO MORE. No more watching people who you love slowly waste away. NO MORE feeling hurt and alone. NO MORE worry, pain, tears, heartache, or struggles.

            We get to be called into His eternal family forever, and that truth is something to celebrate and be hopeful about. So, next time you have a memory lapse about the hope and knowledge of being called into this eternal glory, remember 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which states,  “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (NIV).

 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

*Music Lyrics by Chris Tomlin

But, He Chose to Use Us

           “Why doesn’t He just write His name in the sky? That would be easier, right?”

            That question or a variation of it has been asked numerous times by a multitude of people I can’t even begin to list. We wonder why God doesn’t choose another method to spread His Kingdom. Wouldn’t it be more efficient just to announce it over the internet or through the cosmos? Wouldn’t everyone believe then, if they heard a voice from above?

            We can ask ourselves or others those questions until eternity begins, but the fact is that God chooses to use us, human beings, to advance His Kingdom. No, He doesn’t really need us, but that’s been His design since the beginning. In Genesis 1, God creates man and woman in His own image and then, tells them to be “fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28). From the start, we were to multiply His image throughout the earth. He chose us.

            Then, after the fall and Jesus came and died and rose, Jesus told His disciples that they were to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19). Later in Acts 1:8, Jesus tells us that we are to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (NIV).

            We are a part of His master plan to bring people into His Kingdom. He chose us to be the hands and feet of Christ. We get the opportunity to be the body of Christ and be a part of His story. I don’t know about you, but I’m humbled to be chosen by a perfect God to be a part of His plan of redemption.

            So, remember, God didn’t choose to write His message in the sky or tell it Himself over radio waves. He selected us to tell our family, neighbors, enemies, friends, acquaintances, and strangers the Good News. We don’t need to pray about whether or not He wants us to take action and take part in the advancement of His Kingdom. He already told us in His Word to go.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Choose Your Words Wisely

            “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).

            And with those spoken words, earth’s canvas flickered to life. God spoke, and the world responded.

            Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated with words. These small, sometimes big, compilations of letters pack so much meaning. Words have the power to build up and at the same time, bring destruction. I’ve experienced receiving both types of words, and I’ve also participated in speaking them to others.

            Spoken words set into motion every animal and plant that we have the joy of marveling at. God chose to use words to create. Not only did God choose words to start our world, but He also chose to describe Jesus as the Word (John 1:1). I’d say those little codes are pretty powerful and important. The neat fact is God isn’t the only one who gets to use language to communicate; He also gave us the ability to speak, but with that gift comes a great responsibility.

            Proverbs 18:21 tells us that the tongue has the power to bring death and life (NIV). Sometimes, I’ve naively told myself that what I say doesn’t really matter, that it can’t really hurt someone. Haven’t you heard the famous saying? “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you.” I’ve heard that saying whispered to children, to me, from me, and everywhere else  I can think of. The problem with that quote is that it’s pretty much a lie. Words are powerful, and they can also bring death. That’s why we must be careful with our tongue.

            Someone once told me I looked anorexic because I was (am) so skinny, and some days those words creep up and haunt me six, long years later. Words do have the power to bring life and death. Don’t be mistaken.

            Ephesians 4:29 states, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (NLT).

            When we speak, our words should be chosen wisely. Think about the eternal impact your words can have on someone. You can either encourage them to live life to the fullest, or you can scar their mind and become a broken record to be played over and over in their heads.

            We can choose to spread death or we can choose to cultivate life. It’s our choice.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

When You Can't Even Pray

           Tears come streaming down my face as I clinch my hair between my pale fingers. My knees dig craters into the carpet. Words tremble out of my mouth making incomprehensible patterns as I realize that I’m speechless.

            I can’t even pray. So, I let the salty droplets race down my cheeks to the fibers covering the floor and wait.

—˜™–

            Many days (or middle of the nights) I’ve held this posture in prayer—speechless and desperate for comfort and answers.

            Sometimes, I’ve had a really bad week and am just stressed out to the max or my heart is heavy over a loved one who’s messed up in one way or another or I’m broken over the brokenness in our world or I’ve slipped away and need to come back again, but whatever the situation, in these moments, I have no idea what to pray or how to.

            Maybe you’ve been in this situation before (or will be) and you feel as if all hope is gone. Maybe you need someone to sort things out and deliver the message to God because you don’t understand the situation yourself. Well, the good news is that someone is capable of interpreting your blurry words and speechless souls. He doesn’t need your words or your understanding. He knows your needs and wants, and He knows exactly how to express them when you can’t.

            Romans 8:26 states, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (NIV).

            The Holy Spirit powers through our weakness and delivers a more accurate message to God than what we could ever think up. He knows our needs and intercedes for us.

            Even when you’re at your weakest, He is strong and wise. Never forget that someone is praying for you even if you can’t pray for yourself, and the One who does, loves you more than you can ever imagine.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Independence Day

            Freedom is a costly thing.

            Men and women across this entire world have bled and breathed their last for people like me to experience freedom. Children have lost their parents so other children can be taught how to ride their bike as their dad holds on tight then lets go of the handle bars for the first time.

            We live for freedom, and we die for it.

            Freedom means something more. We hope that this freedom from oppression will bring us satisfaction and rest and everything else we have hoped for.

            But how many people who have this earthly freedom actually find satisfaction and rest. How many are actually free?

            Our paychecks and lifestyles bind us. Our bills pin us down to a job. Other people tell us we have to be this or we have to be that in order to be accepted: we’re too fat or too skinny, too outspoken or too quiet. No matter what we do, it seems we can’t win; we can’t be free from this world and worry.

            Or can we?

            About two thousand years ago the fight for freedom looked like a sinless man being betrayed with a kiss from one of His best friends. Freedom’s fight was this same sinless-man standing before a screaming crowd calling for His death by the cruelest cross. People laughed at Him and even misunderstood Him; He fought for the ultimate freedom.

            The cause for freedom ripped into His flesh with jagged thorns and bits of metal on leather whips. Layer of skin, after layer of skin were shredded from his body as His lifeblood poured from His body onto a dusty street. A heavy cross was placed upon His now frail body to be carried to His death. People spit on Him, and He was the Son of God-God in human form.

            Jesus’ chest heaved as He reached up with His nail-pierced hands to push a last bit of air through His strained lungs. As people mocked Him for his freedom cry, Jesus called for forgiveness for them all.

            The Son of God had done nothing to deserve death; yet, He hung on a cross so we could be free from sin and death, and three days later, He rose from the dead and beat the grave. We can have freedom.

            2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (NIV). Freedom from sin, death, worry, restlessness, incompletion, sorrow, shame, and defeat.

Through the blood of Jesus, we have the freedom to live life to the full because no longer are we defined by our sins and shortcomings; we are defined by Christ’s righteousness.

The greatest fight for freedom was not won on a battle field between two opposing countries but on a cross.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Quit Calling God a Liar

            Yeah. I said it. Quit calling God a liar.

            I’m not just saying this to whoever is going to read this post. I’m saying it to me—to my soul because about a year ago (and again yesterday), I realized that I was telling God that what He said about me was wrong.

            No. I never said those words, but when I read Psalm 139:14-15 and let the words “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” sink into my soul, I’d spew out thanksgivings to my faithful God, but then the next day, I’d look in the mirror or weigh myself and tell myself that I’m too skinny. Shame and self-pity would seep into my soul and, most days would win out over the absolute truth spoken by a loving God. Not only would I down my looks, but I’d down my worth, thinking that I’m not good enough to be used by God—that I have to try harder.

            I’d let lies of insecurities whisper to my soul until I turned up their volume and down the volume of truth, and I realized why. For some reason, I had let myself believe God didn’t mean what He said.

            The problem with that mindset is that it’s  a big lie.

            If God has told me that He counts me worthy, that I am loved, and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, who am I to question that or spit out reason after reason that that just cannot be true?

            No, I never told God He was a liar, but my life and my mindset did (and sometimes still does). It’s time to stop believing the lies of the enemy and silence them for good. Believe that God created you fearfully and wonderfully. He has made you beautiful, ladies. He has made you handsome and strong, gentlemen. 

God created a masterpiece when He designed us. His masterpiece isn’t a big mess, either. It’s beautiful. When God told us that He’d send the Spirit and give us power, He meant it. We don’t have to make ourselves up or gather accomplishments to be valued and useful because in reality, nothing we do in our own power can compare to His ability and power to do the impossible.

Quit calling God a liar, and claim what He has called you as TRUTH.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are coheirs with Christ. You are loved. You are worthy. You are whole. You are His child. You have nothing to fear. You are HIS.

Living Life Together

,

Rebecca Thomas 

Love God. Love Neighbor

            The two greatest commandments in the Bible are to love God and love neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). Surprisingly though, I feel they are the most overlooked commandments in many of our Christian circles.

            John 13:34-35 states, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (NIV). This is a passage that the Holy Spirit constantly whispers to my soul.

            Jesus didn’t tell His disciples that people will know that they follow Him by their perfect church attendance or how much money they give to church. He didn’t tell them that people will be drawn to God through how many church committees they are on or even how many mission trips they have been on. Jesus didn’t tell His disciples that the lost will know that they are Christ’s disciples through their eloquent speech or prayers.

            They will be known by their love.

            Not the kind of love that we use to describe our love for chocolate or our pet dog. It’s not the kind of love that we fall into only to fall out of one day when that significant other turns out to be less than perfect and disappoints us.

            The type of love that Jesus speaks of is life-giving. His love is willing to climb on a cross and pour out His blood for a people who would never think of Him if He didn’t reveal Himself to them. His love is absolutely patient. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 to catch a glimpse of this kind of love.

            His love gives sacrificially to those in need and doesn’t care about a return. His love sees a man on the side of the road in filthy rags and really sees a man with a story waiting to be unfurled, so He feeds that man and gives Him the Bread of Life.

            Jesus’ love that will prove we are His followers and draw more people to His glorious name is a love that will do anything to give people a new life in Him.

            His love does not forsake; it heals.

            So, stop worrying about all of the “churchy” stuff such as church attendance or verse memorization as your way to show people you know God. Knowing God’s Word is essential and fellowship with other believers is as well, but if we have not love, how will people know that God loves them?

            Love God and neighbor. It’s that simple.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Elijah, a Man Like Us

            “God won’t use me like He used people in the Bible. They’re different. I’m not that good.”

            I used to think that above line a few years ago. No, I didn’t say it out loud, but inside, I felt it to be true. God seemed to use the people in the Bible differently from us today. To be used like Elijah the prophet seemed crazy, but my thinking process was entirely wrong.

            James 5:17-18 states, “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain and the earth produced crops” (NIV).  The first time I read this verse, I couldn’t (and still can’t) get over the line “Elijah was a man just like us.”

Elijah was a man like me? A young woman who lives in the 21^st century?   

My thoughts ran rampant through my mind, but the answer from the Holy Spirit and God’s Word was and is still clear: God can and will use me like He did Elijah. I don’t have to be a certain person or level of “goodness” because God makes me worthy to be loved and used by Him, and God counts you worthy, too.

Maybe you have fallen into the lie that you will never be used by God or that you aren’t good enough for God to use mightily. Well, as James 5:17 says, you’re just like Elijah. He was human just like you are. He struggled with doubt, fear, sin, and probably a million other things, just like you. But, God decided to use Him still because Elijah knew that God made Him worthy.

The next time you think God can’t use you, remember Elijah and James 5:17-18. No, you probably won’t make a three year drought start, but you just may help change a person’s life who has never known God before.

And one last thought, not only did Elijah have to be willing to let God use him, but he also had to be obedient to God’s leading.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Hands Wide-Open

            “If you live with your hands balled up in fists, you can only have as much as you can hold, but if you leave your hands wide-open, you’re free to have and give more.”

            An old Sunday school teacher of mine told me something like that above quote a long time ago, and recently, my heart and mind wandered back to that lesson. I remember listening to her talk about holding on to things instead of letting God give and take as He pleased. She said closing our fists was symbolic of us trying to have control over our lives instead of letting go and letting the Holy Spirit lead us.

            I agree with her.

            I’ve seen how I’ve tried to control my own life, time, money, gifts, and talents. Even though I know my ways are not as good, sometimes I let the flesh win and I attempt to live a “safe” life that in reality isn’t worth living at all. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live my life with closed fists, only being able to hold a tiny fraction of the life God has planned for me. So, I’ll stretch my fingers out and let the Spirit lead.

            My prayer is that I will learn the voice of the Spirit so well that when He says to go, I go and when He says to stay, I stay. I want to be so open that when the Holy Spirit says to give, I give no matter the cost.

            I will purposely stretch out my hands and allow the Spirit to take flight in my life. Every day I see Him move, and I know that it’s only the beginning of my story in His story.  

            Will you stretch your hands wide-open and let the Spirit lead? Freedom and life is found in surrendering your control to the One who knows you better than you know yourself. Stretch out your hands and live in freedom.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Against All Hope

            “You’re almost 100 years old with no children. Do you really think you’re going to be the father of millions when you’re basically on your deathbed?”

            I don’t know what others said to Abraham when he told them that God said he’d be the father of many nations. However, I do know that the promise God made Abraham to give him a son was impossible when it came to human capabilities. An 100 year old man having a child, raising him, and teaching him is not very likely. I actually don’t know anyone who has become a father at 100. Most people meet eternity at that age not start a new chapter in their lives, but Abraham didn’t focus on that truth. He focused on God.

            Unlike what I could imagine would go through my head, Abraham believed God and put his hope and trust in His promises. Romans 4:20-21 states that [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised” (NIV).

            Abraham didn’t kind of believe God would come through on His promises. Despite all logic and reason, Abraham believed God. He knew his skin was wrinkled, his hair was grey, his walk a little hindered, but Abraham was more certain of God’s ability to do what He said.

            And, God came through like He always does, but how many of us actually believe that?

            God has promised to work everything for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. He has promised to provide our every need, to love us, to always be with us, to protect us, and to rescue us one day. We can be certain of that.

            And, as Abraham did, we can be certain that God has the power to do what He has promised even if what He has promised goes against all hope and logic because God is a God of possibility. He makes the impossible absolutely possible. 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Freedom in Waiting

            I used to think waiting was torture. Don’t get me wrong; I consider myself a patient person overall, but as I mentioned before, I want to know what’s going to happen next—now.

            Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that God doesn’t work that way. Yes, sometimes He does answer prayers immediately, but oftentimes, He does not, for His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not 

our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).

            Recently, I’ve been seeking wisdom on which way to step in my life, and the answers are not entirely clear. All I can do is wait, wait, and wait some more. But, I feel like I’ve been doing that for so long now, and so I fought the waiting. In my own strength I’ve searched high and low for answers, just a glimmer of a solid pathway with my name on it.

            However, I usually found a road block or felt so out of step with my Creator, so I had to fall to my knees and let Him start over. You know that recalculating phrase that a GPS repeats over and over again? Well, I know over my four years of college, God did that. I changed my major twice, but I finally found where God wanted me, and I realized that recalculating period where I had to wait wasn’t a waste of gas or time. I learned a lot from those times of waiting, but waiting was still hard—is still hard.

            That period of waiting has resurfaced in my life, but God is teaching me a lesson: waiting on God doesn’t lead to frustration or pain or uncertainty. Waiting on God is living in freedom because when has God ever failed? Never.

            God knows the plans He has for you (Jer. 29:11), which means you don’t have to know them. He promises to work everything out for good in your life (Romans 8:28), and when has He ever failed to come through on a promise?

            God tells us not to lean on our own understanding, and I understand why a little better. Not only is our understanding flawed, but it traps us and clouds our lives with worry and chaos. His understanding is so much better than ours. Think about it: He is omniscient and lives outside of time, which means He probably has a better grasp on the future and how to work my life out that I do, and living in that knowledge is freeing.

            I don’t have to have it all together because He does.

            I don’t need all the wisdom of the world because He is the author of wisdom.

I don’t have to have life figured out because He does.  

            Today, let go of your worries. Cut the strings of control you may have on your life and free fall into the arms of Grace.

I promise that freedom is found in resting in Him.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Love Casts Out Fear

            Lately, I’ve been crippled—by the unknown and my inability to fully plan out my life.

            Fear has crept in like a thief in the night and stolen my joy, my peace. It’s done this before, but this time has been a little different—I forgot how to combat fear this time around. I neglected to take my eyes off the storm so I stayed in the boat. I decided to stay in a wooden boat being tossed about by the raging storm rather than step out onto the rocky waves that don’t even faze the One calling me out upon the waters; He walks peacefully while I cling on for dear life.     

    

           I know it sounds counter-intuitive for me to stay in a boat that could fall apart at any second, but at least it’s known, safe for now.            

Many times we stay in this figurative boat because in that space, we have control. We know that if we keep scooping the water out, the boat just might stay afloat, but in reality, we’re sinking little by little.

            The problem with staying in our boats is that we think we can control everything and that we think we’re supposed to have everything figured out on our own. This is a complete lie, and the source of this belief is, many times, fear. At least for me it is. We fear stepping out onto the waves because all we see are the crashing waves and a potential way to drown. Yes, we know that God is out there walking and pleading for us to trust Him, but our eyes get stuck to the white, raging foam billowing up from the riptide. John 10:10 states "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, but I (Christ) have come that they may have life and have it to the full" (NIV). Fear that rips at you is not from Christ; it is from the Evil One. Christ hasn't come to cripple you but to give you life. Fear is a lie. 

            Don’t let this happen to you because as a child of God, you are loved, and perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). When we realize who we are in Christ, we know that we are loved beyond our comprehension. No, God doesn’t love us like we love chocolate (and I love chocolate a lot!); He doesn’t love us like we love our significant other or friend. No, He doesn’t even love us as much as our parents love us or they love their children. He loves us much, much more. His love is perfect. It keeps no records of wrong; it is patient and kind. When you realize how much you are loved by God, you will leap out of the boat. No, this doesn’t mean you’ll never fail or face fear again, but the more you get to know Him and dwell in His presence the more loving and obeying Him becomes second nature—fear disappears.

            When we let God’s love wipe away our tears, our false beliefs about ourselves, our past failures, our guilt, and our shame, we begin to learn more about His heartbeat. When we let the Spirit overwhelm our lives, it is then that we see fear vanish and walking on water with Jesus much more solid than staying in a boat we really couldn’t control in the first place.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Identity Crisis

           We all find our identity somewhere.

            It could be found in our academia, friends, family, money, job, clothes, self, or even the media, but wherever you find your identity, if it’s not in Christ, you’re probably believing a lie—actually, let me rephrase that: you are believing a lie.

            Recently, I realized how I’ve fallen for the wrong identity. Being the people pleaser that I am, I discovered that I find my identity in what others say about me and what others believe about me. Through this belief, I’ve become crippled and at a loss for who I am. Am I this, that, or that? It was all so confusing, but then, God intervened and righted this wrong way of thinking.

            Here is who God reminded me that I am:

            I am loved (John 3:16)

            I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13-16).

            I am fully known and yet, fully loved (Psalm 139).

            I am chosen (1 Peter 2:9).

            I am fully forgiven and therefore, can do nothing to sever my relationship with my Savior (Colossians 2:13-14).

            I am a child of God, a daughter of the King (John 1:12-13).

            I am a friend of God (John 15:15).

            I am set free from sin (Romans 6:18).

            I am a new creation and don’t have to worry or feel guilty about my past (2 Corinthians 5:17).

            I am Christ’s ambassador; He chose to use me to spread His name (2 Corinthians 5:20).

            I am His beloved and bride (Isaiah 62:3-4).

            It is refreshing to know my identity is not found in what others think about me but in what God knows about me. I am God’s creation and therefore, He knows me; He knows you.

            Today, remember where your identity comes from. Those verses are just a few examples of who we are in Christ. I encourage you to read for yourself.

            Remember: you are loved, counted worthy, a child of God, and a beautiful creation. You do not have to be perfect or successful or anything else because you are already God’s.

            Listen to Him. He calls you beloved. He calls you His own.

            Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Blinded to Blessings

            The bright light of my refrigerator flickered on as I bent over to search for a snack to eat the other day. Three of the four shelves stared at me, empty of contents. My first thought was that by the looks of my fridge, anyone could tell I didn’t have money.

            But God wouldn’t let me think I had little for too long as the truth ran through my mind, informing my brain that I actually had been given much. My culture had told me that I didn’t have enough, when in reality, I do.

            As I was reminded of how blessed I truly am, a knot of disappointment looped in my stomach. How could I be so ungrateful when I have so much?

            Right then, I realized why I didn’t see all of the blessings God gave me—I always look for more. More time, more food, more clothes, more money, more friends, more affirmation, more success, and when I am consumed with wanting more, I blind myself to the blessings that God has so graciously given to me—the reality of already having more than enough.  

            Instead of seeing the blessings, I notice everything that is supposedly lacking in my life—my false needs.

            Recently, I started reading a book entitled One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and she has challenged me to look for blessings everywhere. Yesterday, I began to mine through my day and seek out blessings of any kind. Do you know what I found? Millions of pieces of the evidence that God is with us—hugs from children, laughs that overwhelm your whole body, kisses of sunshine, warm, fuzzy blankets that melt the chill off your feet, and so many more blessings.

            With every blessing that I write down now, as Voskamp challenges, I get one step closer to realizing how much I’ve been given and how little I actually lack. With every stroke of the pen, I’m beginning to see only beauty, not voids, because I am evermore aware of all I’ve been given from such a gracious God.

            We all have been blessed more than we realize, and we all need to be more grateful than we are.

            Thank you will never be enough. He deserves our lives, and when we just start looking for the blessings, we realize that they’re absolutely everywhere just waiting to be discovered and appreciated.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Desperate for New Mercies

            Joe’s heart slammed against his chest cavity as the blaring sound of the alarm clock accosted his ears.  

            Tuesday. Another day to remember what he had done the previous day.

            Joes’ hands shook the tiny, black machine as he searched for the small button that would bring silence to the dark room again. Grabbing the corner of his black sheets, he covered his head to block out the beginning of yet another day—one more grueling day.

            I’m worthless. They’ll never love me after what I’ve done. I’ve gone too far. God. . .wait. God doesn’t want to hear from me right now. I’m too dirty.

            The sun peaked underneath Joe’s sheets as he realized hiding out in bed was impossible; he had to face the day despite what he did yesterday and, even, the day before.

—˜™–

            The man I wrote about above is just a fictional person I made up, but I’m pretty sure his situation is representative to at least one morning in all of our lives.

            We see morning coming and wish its arrival wasn’t true, not because the weather is bad or we are physically ill. No, we don’t feel this way because of those excuses. We feel this way because we failed; we sinned.

            And we don’t feel worthy anymore. Grace seems too far away. God’s mercies have been used up—we’re sure of that. So, we hide from life, others, and especially, God.

            However, the truth we so often forget is that (thank God) we are not God, and He is not us. His grace and mercy reaches beyond the capability of our minds to understand. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (ESV).

            Whatever you’ve done yesterday, remember that God’s mercies are new every morning. Therefore, confess your shortcomings to a gracious and merciful God. His love never ceases, and He longs to give you mercy.

            Every morning His mercies are new. Live in that truth today.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

In Memory of His Death

            Today is Memorial Day in the United States of America. On this day, we Americans remember all of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

            So many people suffered so that I can have freedom of speech, religion, and so many other liberties, and so often, I forget to remember.

            I forget they are fighting.

            I forget that they bled.

            I don’t remember that their minds were damaged.

            I neglect to honor the families who lost loved ones.

            I forget when I shouldn't. They deserve to be remembered, honored. I thank them for their sacrifice. 

            But, today not only was I reminded and challenged to stop forgetting those who sacrificed for my liberties here in America, but I was also reminded to remember some other people—heroes of our faith.

            Jesus Christ died that we might know Him as our Savior and spend eternity with Him one day.

            He was hungry.

            Pain surged through His body.

            Whips ripped the skin off of His back.

            Blood poured down his bare skin.

            His lungs cried out for oxygen as they began to lose the battle for life.

            His own father forsook Him.

            Then, He died.

            All of this sacrifice was done on yours and my behalf so we can be free. Because of His great sacrifice we are no longer slaves to sin, no more do we have to feel guilt and shame, and no more do we have to die a spiritual death—we are free.

            But, how often do we forget His sacrifice?

            How many minutes, hours, and days do we live as if that pivotal moment in time never happened?

            Too many.

            Today, many people across my home country of America will be remembering those who sacrificed their lives for our earthly freedom, but, wherever you are, don’t forget to meditate on the greatest sacrifice of all.

            Many years ago, Christ gave His life. Choose to live life to the fullest as you bring glory to God. Honor Christ’s sacrifice by obeying Him and actually living in His freedom that He died to bring.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Past Sins

            They haunt many of us.

            Past failures and mistakes loom over us and fog our vision. The sin we committed yesterday or ten years ago still grips the minds and hearts of many Christians today. Instead of looking forward, many of us have our heads craned backwards, scared that those sins will forever haunt us, eternally bind us.

            We misconstrue the truth of grace. We forget and really don’t fully believe that grace sets us free; so, we chain ourselves. I’ve heard people say “How could a perfect God ever love me after what I’ve done?” Our spiritual feet become crippled as we fall prey to the lie that God doesn’t want to spend time with us after we’ve sinned (even after we’ve confessed) or that God doesn’t fully forgive. The thought is that He just says that he forgives, but in reality, He keeps records of wrongs.

            These beliefs are destructive lies filled with no ounce of truth.

            1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (NIV).  

            Isaiah 43:25 declares, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

            Romans 8:1 tells us that “there is no commendation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

            From these verses, we can know that God forgives us completely, forgets our sins, and purifies us. We have no need to live in our past failures; God doesn’t want us to.

            The next time you find yourself in despair from past sins, remember that when we confess our sins, God erases the sins from existence.

            We no longer have to live in shame when we are in Christ Jesus. He makes our soul white as snow while He remembers our sin no longer.

            One final thought: "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin night be don away with that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has freed from sin" (NIV, Romans 6:6-7).

           You're totally forgiven and free from sin. Live in those truths today. Let them overwhelm you. 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Simply Follow the Leader

            I don’t know about you, but I used to (and still sometimes do), feel as if following Christ is complicated.

             We have to remember to do so many things: read and study the Word, memorize the Word, be good, love God, love neighbor, become like Christ, be a living sacrifice, and so much more, but there’s one problem with this thought.

            We can’t do any of this on our own, nor are we called to become like Christ on our own. Also, when we understand grace fully, the have to disappears because we desperately want to seek God with all of our hearts and learn and pray. He puts the desire inside us.

            This past Sunday, a speaker made me realize a truth that I had never fully known before. God commands us to simply follow Him, and He does the rest.

            Peter and Andrew, Jesus’ first two disciples, were once fishermen. They were professionals. I bet they could sing and the fish would come to them (maybe not, but you get the point). Peter and Andrew knew everything there was to know about catching fish. Casting nets was their life, and one day, a man named Jesus told them to follow Him and become fishers of men instead (ESV, Matt. 4:18-20).

            Let’s look at what Jesus said to them specifically: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).

            Jesus didn’t tell Peter and Andrew that they had to learn how to love Him by themselves or interpret scripture on their own without Him. He didn’t tell them that they had to renew their minds or make themselves like Christ, and He certainly didn’t say they had to make anything of themselves.

            They were simply called to follow. Jesus does the rest. He is the potter; we just have to be willing clumps of clay.

            Remember the game Follow the Leader? Everyone would walk behind the leader while mimicking everything the leader did. The followers looked to the leader to know how to act, sound, look, or move. 

            They didn’t make up what to do; they relied on the leader to make them flawless followers.

            The next time you feel overwhelmed, remember that God has called you to follow Him. He shows you what to do.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Surrounded by Lions

            Their eyes were glued to him.

Daniel’s blood pulsed through his veins faster than before as he stared into the hungry eyes of lions. He brushed off the dirt on his skinned-up knees and hands as the last bit of daylight was sucked from the dungeon.

No longer could Daniel see the full body of the beasts. Only their glowing eyes were visible as he gazed into the darkness. The king was punishing Daniel.

And, Daniel had done everything right.

            He prayed to God daily, obeyed His laws, and loved God even when the government told him that doing so would bring death. Three times a day, Daniel knelt and prayed to his God despite the decree issued by the king, and now, Daniel was paying the consequences of following God unashamedly—the lion’s den. (Read Daniel 6 for the full story).

            What amazes me about Daniel’s story is that he wasn’t caught off guard by the consequence of the lion’s den. King Darius didn’t hide the fact that anyone who bowed or prayed to a god other than King Darius himself would be ripped to shreds by the teeth of ravenous lions; Daniel knew the truth, the risk, yet he prayed to the Great I Am just as he had before.

            He was willing to lay everything down for God.

            One day, the risk became a reality as Daniel was arrested and brought to the lion’s den. King Darius ordered him inside and sealed the exit hole so that no one could enter or exit.

            Whether or not Daniel would stay true to God came down to this moment. He could deny God and beg the king for forgiveness or Daniel could trust God and be cast into the lions’ den. Daniel chose the second option despite impending death.

           

           How could Daniel make this brave choice?

            

            Well, Daniel had decided to follow God no matter the cost, and he knew the truth about God: He is our refuge and shield.

Psalm 91 states, “If you say, The Lord is my refuge, and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent” (NIV, Psalm 91:9-13).

Daniel had put his trust in God and knew that God would protect him even in a lion’s den. Nothing could touch Daniel that God didn’t allow. No, the Bible doesn't tell us that Daniel absolutely knew that God would save his life, but that obviously didn’t matter to Daniel; he served God no matter the cost and so should we.

Like Daniel, are you willing to serve God no matter the cost? 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Shining Stars

            Have you ever stopped to look up at the sky on a clear night?

            Growing up, I remember my dad taking us outside to watch shooting stars and famous comets streak across the sky. I always gazed in wonder at the vast, limitless star-filled sky. Tiny white lights were strung everywhere, some in patterns, some not, but all were magnificent.

            Even now as a young woman, I’m amazed and awestruck when I tilt my head towards a clear sky not distorted by city lights. Sometimes, I simply lie in the grass and stare; their beauty is breathtaking.

            God compares Christians to shining stars, but unfortunately, our beauty is shadowed to the world like stars are to those who live in a big city.

            Philippians 2:14-16a states, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” (NIV).

            I don’t know about you, but this verse convicts me many days, and I’m not proud of that fact, either. God has blessed me with so many things, yet some days, I find myself complaining more than being thankful. As a Christian, I have been given more than I ever can deserve even if I only received grace.

            Followers of Christ have no reason to complain or argue because we have been given so much. We are children of God. What more do we need?

            Moving along in the scripture in Philippians, the word tells us that if we do not complain or argue, we will “become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation” (Phil. 2:15). Do you know why stars shine brightly? It’s because the sky around them is so different from them. In the same way, when we as Christians are not marked by complaining and arguing, we are vastly different than the rest of the world. Being content with what you have in a world that always wants more is strange to many, but how many people long to be satisfied? All people are looking for satisfaction, and we have that in Christ.

            When we live our lives finding sufficiency in God’s grace and in the knowledge of God’s unfathomable love, we shine like stars. No longer do we need material possessions to make us happy and all that we do have are blessings in which we thank God for. When fully relying on Christ and conforming to His image, no longer do we seek to find what others can give us, but we long to serve so that others may joy in God’s grace as well.

            Today, I challenge you to shine like stars so that others will gaze in wonder and long to know more about God.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas