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August 31, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on God’s mighty power

God’s mighty power

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. Ephesians 3:20 The Living Bible

Lord, You know the challenges the week ahead holds for me. It looks from here like far more than I can handle on my own. Please, be with me. Work through me, so that in Your power I can do what right now feels impossible. Help me to allow You to direct my week and all I do, accepting that Your priorities may not be my priorities, but knowing that in You, all things work for good.

[Tweet “Allow God’s mighty power to help you do far more than you think is possible!”]

August 28, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on The God who gives hope

The God who gives hope

[Tweet “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him… Romans 15:13”]

Lord, You know right now, I’m not feeling a lot of joy, or peace, or hope. But You are the God of hope. Please, help me to trust in You, even when I feel far away from You, and I can’t see You working in my life. Help me to know that no matter what I feel, You are always there, loving me, supporting me, working Your grace in my life.

[Tweet “Even when God feels far away, He is near, working His grace in my life”]

August 26, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on He shall strengthen your heart…

He shall strengthen your heart…

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NKJV

It’s been a difficult year so far. Lots of dark storm clouds, very little sunshine.

Some days, it feels like I’m living in the shadowlands. Like I’m being tested right to the limits. Like as soon as one thing is sorted out, something else comes to take its place, needing immediate attention. Like everyone else needs so much from me, their needs have to come ahead of my own.

Like some days, God is a long way away from me.

Yesterday, I read a wonderful blog post by Jennifer, on incourage.me. She said:

God is moving in our lives regardless of our ability to see it. There is grace for us. His love is beyond our comprehension. Allow Him to fill your heart. Christ can change us immeasurably through His grace.

He covers us in the grace and healing we need. Bring yourself as close to Him as possible and stay there. Ask Him in faith and you will find grace even in the shadow of darkness, and His grace will change your life.

I needed to hear that. Maybe you do, too?

[Tweet “Even when we can’t see it or feel it, God is working in our lives.”]

August 24, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on To love on the difficult days

To love on the difficult days

I may speak in different languages, whether human or even of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am only a noisy bell or a ringing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don’t have love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.

1 Corinthians 13: 1-7, ERV

Lord, You tell us over and over how important it is for us to love others. But some days, it’s not so easy. Some days my heart is hurting. Some days my heart is closed. Far too often, I fail to love as I should.
Please, help me to love. Help me to trust. Help me to hope. Help me to never give up on anyone. Help me to speak only words of love.
You can see our hearts. You can see the truth, in ways we can’t. You hold each one of us in Your mercy and grace.
So help me not to judge, but to love. Help me to meet the judgment of others with Your love. Help me to seek Your will in everything, above all else.

[Tweet “Some days it’s not easy to love the way God wants us to, but He will help us. Just ask Him.”]

August 19, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on The light that gives life

The light that gives life

Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 ERV

Life has felt dark at times lately. Not just all the terrible things that happen far too often in this fallen and broken world, but in my personal life too.

A sweet loving husband with a brain that’s wired a little different to most of us, mentally and emotionally, making it hard at times for him to understand and be in the world; and also with a chronic health condition that causes multiple physical disabilities. His aging mother, needing more and more support. My aging parents, too many thousands of miles away. Financial challenges. Writing deadlines I don’t know how I can meet. Even simply looking in the mirror and seeing a fat, tired, middle-aged woman I don’t know how I became staring back at me.

My life is no harder than anyone else’s. In many ways, I’m blessed. But it can feel hard and it can feel dark. It’s all too easy to focus on the darkness, and take my eyes off the light of Jesus. Even if I don’t think I can see it, the light is still there. I just need to put my focus back where it belongs. On Him.

Lord, You promised that if I follow You, I won’t live in the darkness. But sometimes, it seems I can only see darkness all around me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on Your light. Help me to follow You more closely, drawing nearer to Your light. Not ignoring the darkness. Not pretending it doesn’t exist. But knowing You are the light that will bring us safely home. All I need to do is keep following You.

[Tweet “When life seems darkest, we most need to focus on the Light of Jesus.”]

August 17, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on Relax

Relax

Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! Jude 2, The Message

Oh Lord, it feels so good to read this verse and let it really sink into my heart. I feel so overwhelmed by all I have to get done and want to get done. Then I make the mistake of thinking I need to try harder, keep busy, keep doing, keep working that never ending to-do list!
But instead, You want me to slow down.
To rest in You.
To trust in You.
All the doing in the world counts for nothing if I’m so stressed I forget to open my heart to Your love. You’re telling me today to take a slow quiet moment with You, to relax, rest, trust, and let Your love in. Thank You!

[Tweet “Take time today for a quiet moment to rest, breathe, and let God’s love touch your heart.”]

August 15, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on Honest in small things?

Honest in small things?

I’m guest blogging today at Inspy Romance. I hope you’ll visit and comment there!

August 14, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on The work of His hand

The work of His hand

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Help me to be willing to be shaped by You Lord. Help me to be like clay beneath Your hands. Help me to be willing to be broken and reformed, if that’s what it takes. Thank You that You never abandon any pot or leave it unfinished, You work on us until we are perfectly as You designed us to be. You have a unique shape and purpose for us all.

[Tweet “God has a unique shape and purpose for us all.”]

August 10, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on Give thanks

Give thanks

Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord! How good you are! Your love for us continues on forever. Who can ever list the glorious miracles of God? Who can ever praise him half enough? Psalm 106:1-2 Living Bible

Help me to remember this Lord, when things seem tough, when I forget all You’ve done for me, when I whinge and complain instead of praising You. Help me to know that You are always there, ready to lovingly support me. Your will for me is only good.

[Tweet “God’s love endures forever. He will never abandon us.”]

August 9, 2015
by autumn macarthur
Comments Off on God is ready to help

God is ready to help

God is our shelter and our strength.
When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help.
So why run and hide?
No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails.
When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless.
When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless.
Even in heavy winds and huge waves, or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless.
Psalm 46:1-3

Lord, every day seems to bring new challenges. Help me to trust in You, no matter what’s happening. You are our hope, You are our help. Forgive me all the times I have paced and bitten my fingernails in fear! Teach me to be sure and fearless in You.

[Tweet “God is always ready to help us, a sure harbor and hope in a world spinning out of control.”]

Autumn Macarthur

Real romance, real faith!