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

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.

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            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

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

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

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

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

Rainbow Promises

            Over forty days and nights had passed since the door of the ark was sealed shut.

 Where dry ground used to be, roaring water now resided. All life on the earth was gone. Only Noah, his family, and the select animals survived. Noah and his family were sick of the stench from the animals and ready to breathe fresh air again, but the possibility of that happening any time soon seemed impossible.

Finally, God gave Noah the command to send out a bird to find dry ground, but no grass was found. So, he sent out another. After many grueling days and hours of waiting, dry land was finally found.

As Noah and his family stepped out of the ark, a rainbow of beautiful colors stretched across the vibrant sky. God had fulfilled His promise to save Noah and his family, and now, He was making another—to never cause a flood like that again, and God kept that promise.

(**Read Genesis 9**)

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            I imagine Noah and his family kissed the ground as they stepped off that ark. Before they went into the ark, they had never seen water fall from the sky, and then, all of a sudden, rain comes pouring down and their world as they know it drastically changes. I bet some days Noah and his family wondered if the rain would ever stop, if God would keep His promises. However, in the end, God did keep His promises and restored the earth again.

Then, God promised never to cause a flood like that again, and to remind Noah of that promise, He painted a rainbow in the sky. Even now, when we see the rainbow, we can be reminded of that promise God made to Noah all those years ago, and not only that, but we can also be reminded that God keeps His promises, even today.

Maybe you’re going through a tough time in life or your future seems uncertain. Maybe your financial situation is bleak or you’re enemies are coming against you and you can’t stand any longer. I want you to be reminded today that God keeps His promises. The rainbow reminds us of that.

God has promised to provide all of your needs (Philippians 4:19). He has promised to have a good plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11). God has promised to work all things for the good of those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:29). He has promised that we may be persecuted, but we will not be abandoned (2 Corinthians 4:9). Not only has He made all of these promises, but He has made so many more. Search the Bible; it’s full of great promises.

If today, you’ve lost hope and are wondering if God will come through, remember the rainbow. Thousands of years after God made the promise to Noah never to destroy the earth again by flood, God is still keeping that promise and proving to us He remembers.

Every time you see a rainbow, remember God keeps His promises, so you don’t have to fret.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

For Days You Need Encouragement

           Today, I just wanted to share with you some scripture that tells us about our Father and what He does for us and who He is. The other week I came across a post on Pinterest with many of the verses listed below. Whenever you’re down, remember who God is and what He does for you.

            My Father. . .

1.    Loves me: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:16

2.      Cares for me: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” –Matthew 6:26

3.      Forgives me: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” –Psalm 103:12

4.      Is giving:  “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” –Romans 8:32

5.      Satisfies: “for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” –Psalm 107:9

6.      Persistently pursues me: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” –Luke 19:10

7.      Gives me wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” –James 1:5

8.      Carries my burdens: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you WILL find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."—Matthew 11:28-30

9.      Gives me peace: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." –Isaiah 26:3

      10.  Fights for me: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” –Exodus 14:14

11.   Heals and forgives me: “But he was pierced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” –Isaiah 53:5

12.    Knows me completely: You have searched me, Lord and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” –Psalm 139: 1-4

Today, I hope you remember that God loves you and is constantly with you, protecting you, offering forgiveness, love, peace, wisdom, and strength.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Without Rain, We Have No Beauty

            Yesterday morning, I woke up longing for sunshine and the outside world.

            Having a ton of homework meant that I would be spending my day inside, but at least my blinds could be opened. So, I pulled back my curtain and twisted the plastic stick only to reveal a picture of dismal, grey clouds splattering raindrops on the ground.

            Immediately, my heart sank a little bit. Sunny days are my favorite, and I desperately need them sometimes, but then, I realized a truth—without rain, all beauty would cease to exist.

            Think about it. Flowers need sunshine and rain to grow. If we never had rainy days, the flowers wouldn’t bloom, the gardens wouldn’t grow, and all vegetation would shrivel away into a heap of nothing. If we want a beautiful sunny day, a rainy day has to come.

            The same is true when it comes to our lives. Many times when storms and trials arrive, we fall into despair thinking that nothing good can or will ever come from it, but our God creates beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

            James 1:2-4 states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (NIV). Notice he last three words: not lacking anything.

            When we go through a storm, whether it’s financial, physical, relational, or whatever else, God promises that we will come out of it lacking nothing. If I never had financial problems throughout college, I wouldn’t have strengthened my faith in God, and I wouldn’t have many of the great friends that I do now. Through my seemingly impossible situations, God has given me so much more than the temporary thing I wanted at the time. The storm brought gorgeous flowers I would have never imagined asking for.

            I’m also reminded of Romans 8:28, which promises “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I don’t know what storm you’re going through today. You may have just lost someone you love or maybe you’re facing financial struggles or a serious break-up. Maybe you’re completely overwhelmed by all of the work you have to do, but whatever the storm, remember three things...

            God is with you. Storms end in beauty. You’ll lack nothing.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

While Everyone Else Was Running

            Screams echoed through the streets of Boston as the first and second explosion went off. Blood covered the sidewalks as people ran away in horror. No one knew another bomb wasn’t seconds away from going off. All anyone knew was that two bombs had exploded, and they had to run for their lives.

            As I watched the footage of that horrific day last week, a certain type of people caught my eye, those running back towards the explosions. They knew just as much as the people running away knew, yet they risked their lives to save another. While everyone else sprinted toward safety, they raced to save lives even if that meant losing their own.

            That’s what Christ has done for us.

            Jesus selflessly laid down His life for us almost 2,000 years ago. No, we didn’t deserve it, we couldn’t earn it, we can’t earn it, but we did deserve to die. Romans 5:6-8 state, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NIV).

            Even after we turned our backs on God, He came for us and paid the penalty for our sin. Pay close attention to this verse; it says someone could die for a good man (though it’s rare), but God died for sinners. He loved us that much.

            Let’s put dying for us into prospective. One of the criminals from Boston is now in custody and will be prosecuted  He helped kill and injure countless people. Would you take his place in prison or on death row? No, that would be insane, yet God did just that for all of us.

            We were destined to die a brutal death and live forever apart from God. Murder, hatred, gossip, white lies, disobedience, and countless other sins blackened our lives, but God ran toward us. When everyone else would have run away from us, He pursued us. He laid down His life so that we might live. The heroes of last week’s bombings were the perfect depiction of God’s love for us.

            Instead of letting us die and be separated from God for all eternity, He died. Even though we were guilty, he picked us up.

            While He should have been running away, He wasn’t.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Broken Tools and Shattered Mirrors

            This past Easter, my church did this thing where we could take a tour of creation to the cross where Jesus died. I’ll never forget the experience of creation.

            Imagine perfection. You’re whole and one with God. You’re in perfect relation with Him, yourself, and others. One room in creation had tons of mirrors hanging on the walls and one large one sitting in the middle of the room. The only instructions said to imagine yourself as God had created you to be: perfect, flawless. Before the fall, we knew that God created us wonderfully and fearfully and didn’t question that fact. I wouldn’t see my big feet and ears. I wouldn’t see the two red scars on the side of my nose that I believe everyone will see if I don’t cover them up. I wouldn’t think I was too skinny or not pretty enough. Before the fall, I would know that I am created beautiful, but that perfect creation didn’t last—Adam and Eve sinned and brokenness entered our world.

            As I walked out of the creation room and entered the fall, everything was mangled and tattered in the dark room. A picture of twisted DNA with garbage pushing through the strands rested on a pile of sticks. Then, a pile of broken tools and equipment sat on the floor with signs saying, “You’ll never be good enough.” “You can’t fix it,” “Give up.” Why even try.” It was a broken mess representing how sin killed the way men view themselves. I was heartbroken. Tears welled up inside me.

            Then, I saw a broken mirror with glass scattered on the floor. Pictures of the “ideal” woman were strewn across a bulletin board. Some signs read “Shake yourself skinny,” “10 ways to lose weight,” “You’re not pretty enough,” or “No one will want you.” Pictures of photoshopped women covered the board. In that moment, I realized what we had lost when sin entered our world, and my heart broke into pieces.

            I also realized that that perception of us, men or women, was a lie. Yes, a lie. It was also a sin. God tells you and me that we ARE fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14, NIV). For us to say that we aren’t is to tell God that He is a liar. I don’t want to do that.

            Men, God created you to be leaders and hard workers, which means that He has designed that into your DNA. Yes, sin has messed up a lot, but with God you can be who He created you to be. Be strong warriors. You can protect us. I believe that. God says it. He created you to love women fearlessly and to provide for us. Trust Him to sharpen that in you. He can. Through Him, you’re good enough, strong enough, brave enough.

            Women, my fellow, precious women. You’re beautiful. We don’t have to look for flaws. God has created us wonderfully. He designed us and calls us HIS daughters. Be confident. You don’t have to be a certain weight or height or color or anything else because God loves you and KNOWS that you are beautiful.

            Don’t let the lies of Satan drag you down. Remember who God created you to be. He doesn’t make mistakes. He is the perfect artist. You are beautiful. You are worth it. You are loved. You are being fought for. You are His.

           And remember, the story didn't end at the fall. One day, when Christ returns, we won't be a broken mess anymore. We'll live in perfection with the One who saved our souls. I can't wait until that day.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Good Things

           Many times during my childhood, I can recall not getting what I thought was good for me. Skittles, Fruit Rollups, and limitless amounts of other candies are what I begged my mom for every time we entered a grocery store. To my dismay, she hardly ever said yes because of cavities and such.

           I always thought she was horrible and unreasonable, but in actuality she was doing what any good mother would do. My mom was protecting me from future pain even if that meant I wasn’t happy every split second. She wouldn’t compromise my health for temporary pleasure, and neither will our heavenly Father.

          As we grow up, the world feeds us many lies. Society tells us that in order to have a “good” time, we need to get drunk with our friends, and if people ever want to be “loved,” they have to give each other their bodies. Not only that, but the world also tells us that in order to be happy, we must have iphones, ipads, tons of clothes, a nice car, and mainly, lots of riches. 

         The problem is that God’s word tells us a different story. We are to wait until marriage to know intimately our significant other, and getting drunk doesn’t allow us to have fun; it can actually hurt us. Also, riches will not make us happy. In fact, the love of money is the root of all evil (notice I said the LOVE of money, not money itself). Despite reading God’s truth, many people are deceived by this world into thinking that God is holding out on us, but I know this to be false.

         The truth is, God designed us and knows exactly what is best for our lives. The Bible teaches us that God is love, so why would He give us anything but good?

         James 1:16-17 says, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV).  God doesn’t just give us some good things or okay things. He gives us truly good things that the world cannot offer.

        Whereas the world often changes, God never does, and we can rest assured that He has our best interest at heart. He offers us good things. 

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

He Will Provide

            I’ll be honest with you. I’ve been beyond stressed out with some financial issues in my life lately. Every time circumstances seemed to get better, another road block blew up in my face. Today, I even cried over it. From my perspective, nothing was or was going to get any better. But, thankfully, a dear friend reminded me of the truth: God is faithful, and He will provide.  

            My friend reminded me to think on what we know to be true, and that is that God promises to take care of His children and provide their every need. He knows my financial needs, and He will come through. Not only did my friend remind me of God’s promises, but she also prayed, in faith, for God to send someone to me with the answers. Guess what? Within 30 minutes of lifting up our hearts to my Father, He sent someone.

            Once again, God proved to me His unfailing love and provision for my life. I’ll be honest again. I don’t have all the solutions to my financial problems worked out just yet, but I know He will provide them, and regardless of the outcome, I know that God is in control and will take care of all of my needs. Therefore, I will praise Him even now. In the uncertainties that loom ahead, I will praise Him because He is good yesterday, today, and tomorrow. In Matthew 6:34 we are reminded “not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself.” God has been teaching me that concept for a long time now. Sometimes I think that I must have some sort of amnesia because if I kept my focus on Christ, there would be no way to forget what He’s done. I can remember my family having $5.00 left on the night after payday with a whole week of needs hanging over our heads, but we never went without a meal or clothes to wear. He provided then, and He’ll do the same now.

            I don’t know what circumstances are looming in your horizon or are at your front door, but I do know that God is faithful. I don’t know when your financial needs will be met, but I know who will meet them.

Philippians 4:19 states, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

Remember that promise today. He WILL provide ALL of your NEEDS. So, don’t stress and worry; they get you nowhere anyway.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas