Steadfast Peace

            Sometimes, life can really stress you out. 

            Maybe tomorrow seems uncertain or a person in your family is sick or some circumstance has you worried. Whatever is going on, the fact is that we all have troubles, even Jesus agreed with that (John 16:33). But when we face these troubles, we have a choice about how we’re going to react and who we’re going to trust. 

            Many times when I face uncertainties or stressful circumstances, I first try to figure out a solution on my own or I pray and then instead of relying on God for the answer, I rack my brain for the much needed wisdom. The problem with that way of fixing a problem is that I’m not equipped to figure things out on my own—I need a Savior. 

            When I realize that I am not fully equipped, my mind starts churning and most nights, I have trouble sleeping. My life is chaotic—the opposite of peaceful. 

            The truth is that when we don’t rely on Jesus, we will stumble and our lives will be full of chaos and uneasiness, but life doesn’t have to be this way; we can have peace. 

            Isaiah 26:3 declares that God “will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in [God]” (NIV). The key to having peace is trusting in God. When storms arise, remind yourself of the truth: God provides (1 Timothy 6:17), we are loved (John 3:16), He is our refuge and shield (Psalm 119:114), we will never be alone (Hebrews 13:5), and He is our strength (Philippians 4:13). Those truths are just a few of the promises God has given us that we can trust God for. I challenge you to mine through God’s Word for yourself and discover that numerable promises God has for us. 

            When we trust in the Lord, He gives us peace, even that is a promise. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 40:30-31, which reminds us that “even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

            Today, whatever you’re facing, trust our faithful God. Even if you have to say His name over and over or repeat biblical truths in your mind until you remember to trust Him, do so because we desperately need Him.

He is the only one who can give you peace. 

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

Where My Feet May Fall

            This time of year is full of beginnings and ends for many people. With my college graduation just around the corner, I’m no different. I’ll be honest. This past week has been extremely hard for me. I’ve had exciting moments, such as turning in my last paper of my undergrad career and walking out of my last exam, but I’ve almost cried more times than I can count.

            I’m leaving behind people who have become like my family. Tears come to my eyes as I think about not seeing them and having no definite time when we’ll reunite. For the first time in my life, I understand what fellowship with other believers means, and I can’t imagine life without those people in my life.

            The future seems so uncertain and scary.

            This past Sunday at church, we sang the song “Oceans: Where My Feet May Fall” by Hillsong United. The song talks about how God calls us out on the waves, where we may fall, stumble, or mess up. But, it also reminds us that God’s sovereign hand will guide us. He will never leave us.

            Throughout this song, all I could think about was Peter. The disciples, including Peter, were on the Sea of Galilee, which was exactly where Jesus had told them to be. Then, they see someone who looks like a ghost, but thankfully, it turns out to be Jesus. All of the disciples had to even more realize the deity of Christ as He walked on water in the midst of a storm. Then, Peter says “Lord, if it’s you, [. . .] tell me to come to on the water,” and then, Jesus does (Matt. 14:28).

            Next, Peter does what we as Christians long to do, he obeys and follows Christ despite the obvious risk of drowning. Think about it. Monstrous waves are billowing up around Peter, causing the boat to rock back and forth, but Peter steps out in faith because Jesus is there.

            I was reminded that the future may be filled with storms, but Jesus is out there walking above the waves. If I follow Jesus, I may be placed in the middle of a storm, but He’ll keep me safe and guide me, and if I fail, His love will break my fall and pick me back up when I reach my hand towards Him, just like Jesus rescued Peter after he took his eyes off Jesus.

            Therefore, I may be leaving people I love (but I always can keep in touch), but Jesus is out on the waves waiting for me. I may not know what lies beneath the surface of the waves, but Christ does and will not intentionally take me into harm.

            I don’t know what kind of uncertainty you’re facing or what Jesus is calling you to do, but I do know that He will be with you; He will guide you; He will catch you when you fall.

            Therefore, don’t worry about the future. I’m not.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

By the Renewal of Your Mind

            The other week, my friend and I were talking about the lack of passion in our lives. We felt stale and out of touch with the Creator. Somehow, we’d become distant over the past days. I had let the busyness of life keep me away from much needed time with my Savior—and my mind and heart were lacking as a result.

            The other week, I wrote a blog on negative self-images and how anti-God they are. Well, every time I fail to spend time with God for a while in prayer and in His word, the truth isn’t poured into me like it normally is, and it becomes harder for me to fight those insecurities. Then, I find it harder to love people well because I become self-absorbed and only want me time. Instead of following the Spirit’s leading, I would begin to follow the flesh’s wishes, which always ends in mistakes and despair. In addition to all of this, I start believing that I’m not good enough or that God will not want me anymore because I’ve made too many mistakes.

            There’s one problem with all of these beliefs: they are lies. But, if I do not fill myself with the word of God, how can I combat those twisted thoughts and sins?

            Ephesians 6:17 states that “the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God” (NIV). Therefore, if we are to fight sin and wrong beliefs, we need to be filled with the Word of God. That means, I have to spend time with Him.

            If we want to be someone who is marked as being guided by the Spirit, then we need to learn His language. If you ever want to rid yourself of evil thoughts or behaviors or anything else, then you will need to learn how to walk similar to Jesus.

            Becoming like God and no longer conforming to the world is possible if we constantly renew our minds with the Word (Romans 12:1-2).

            Defeating sin, self-pity, laziness, and whatever else you are struggling with can be done with the power of the Holy Spirit and by the learning of God’s Words.

            Have you spent time with God today? What spiritual battles in your life need to be fought with the sword of the Spirit? 

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**)

—˜™–

            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

Your Sin Is My Sin

             Imagine the last time you stumped your toe, and it bled.

What did your body do? Did your brain ignore the pain being inflicted on that part of your body? Did your platelets (cells that clot the blood to help heal a wound) decide to take a break and let your blood just spill out of your body?

No, your body would never ignore the pain in your toe. Every part of you ignites into action when even the smallest part of you is harmed. I know for me, I’ll grab my toe as it throbs, telling my body that it needs help.

If our physical body reacts to every pain, why doesn’t the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 12:1 says, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ” (NIV). If we are the body of Christ as Christians, then we need to work together. Later in 1Corinthians 12:26, Paul writes, “If one part [of the body] suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (NIV). Notice this verse doesn’t just say we only rejoice with our brothers and sisters in the good times, but we also suffer with them when they suffer.

How many times have we said something along the lines of “Oh, did you hear what Jane Doe did last night? I can’t believe she committed that sin,” or “Jane Doe is struggling with this sin, let’s pray she will be redeemed from that and stop sinning”? I know I’ve at least thought it and said those words, all the while thinking in individualistic terms and never as a community of believers who are struggling with sin together.

            The other night at my community group we all confessed our sins to God by writing them on strips of paper, then crumbling those pieces of paper up and throwing them away. We didn’t put our names on the pieces of paper; we simply and honestly confessed.

            Last night, one person read to us 1 Corinthians 12:1-26 (I encourage you to read all of it), and then, opened up a piece of paper covered in OUR sins. I was amazed at how many sins we all had personally in common, but I was reminded of the struggle WE are going through and the battle that is raging around me.

            Their sin is my sin. Their triumphs are my triumphs.

            If only we as a collective body of Christ realized that more, that when you struggle, I struggle, then maybe we’d be more apt to spur one another on in love and good works. Remember, we weren't made to live in a bubble; we were made to live together-in everything. 

            Until we struggle together, we’ll never be able to have victories together.

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