Living life through Covid-19

soo I sure did not see any of this coming, when we started this year I was so excited and hopeful about what this year was going to hold, little did we all know what 2020 would hold for us. 

I was excited about going to as many church camps as I could before I started school this year,  and just actually taking time to stop and do stuff that I've put off. But God had another plan and that's OK.

if I've learned anything in my walk with God its that what his will is, doesn't always look like what we think it should. And No God didn't cause covid-19 to happen but he's working it out for his good. I don't understand why this happened, and why Kelsey and I have had to stay home from work, or why I've watched my parents struggle so bad physically. but one thing I had to take hold of is that God is not surprised by all this. Covid-19, the protests and unrest did not just sneak up on him. he knew this would happen and he's using it to carry out his will in all this.

psalm  56:3 says:

'when I am afraid, I will trust in you." HCSB version

There has been so many nights the devil has come at me with the fear of getting this virus, or the fear of losing one (or both my parents). the fear of losing my job (one of the major incomes in our family). the fear of... and you could keep listing them. The devil likes to whisper all the "what ifs" in your ear, especially in the middle of the night when you are feeling the weight and pressure of the world on your shoulders. But I had to finally come to the conclusion that you know what God, I'm still going to trust you. 

I get the virus, I'm going to trust you to heal me from it.

I loose my parents, as hard as it would be God I still trust you to carry me through it.

I loose my job, God you brought me that one and I trust that you can bring me another one, and provide for our needs.

I can't go to church, God I trust that you can meet me at home.

I loose some friendships, God I trust you because you are truly the only friend I need.

I never get to go to school to get my bachelors degree, God I trust you have a different path for me.

It all comes down to, God I'm afraid, But I still trust you. 

That's what God has been teaching me the last couple months.

And I don't say this lightly, this is a lesson I've had to go through with God. I had to mentally go through each thing with Him and say from my heart, God here's what what I want, But I still trust you even if that might not happen.

I'm so thankful that God is patient with us and He will work with us and guide us. that's what walking with God is all about. 

if your still reading this after all that, thanks for reading my ramblings. I haven't been posting much but I'm hoping that will change,  I have some time now on my hands. =)

Here's a song by Lauren Daigle that I love, and has gotten me through some dark nights.

Pastor Kyle Cody: storms

zach williams: fear is a liar devotional

Day 5: Today’s lie: You’re not loved.

This is a difficult and painful lie that so many of us have been told and so many of us believe. Some of us have been treated like this by people we care about, people who influence us, and people who’ve been mentors, guides, or family to us. Another lie that we’re often told is that we have to earn love, that it doesn’t come naturally, and that it’s dependent on how we act, look, or behave. There is a verse that we’ve all heard and see often when people quote the Bible, but I encourage you to read it with fresh eyes and an open heart. 

“For God so LOVED the WORLD (that’s us!), that he gave his one and only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV). Emphasis added.

ANYONE who believes in Him has eternal life. God so loved the WORLD that He made the ultimate sacrifice. It doesn’t say, “After all of God’s children started doing certain things, looking a certain way, or acting a certain way, then God sacrificed His Son because they earned it.” This is NOT the God that I know and this is not what the Bible teaches us at all. God sacrificed simply because He loves us and wants to spend eternity with us. All we need to do is believe in that fact and we inherit His kingdom on Earth and in Heaven. 

I can’t even walk without you holding my hand

This is what got us through another difficult night tonight. I’m so thankful he’s holding our hand. I sure wouldn’t make it any other way. Thank you Jesus for holding my hand tonight!

Voddie baucham: biblical love

There is so much more to this sermon, it’s actually a four part series.
But this is a snippet I came across the other day, and WOW! How I wish everyone could hear this.
If more people lived by this we wouldn’t have as many problems as we do. Especially the
Young teenagers, and us young adults too.

Fear is a liar: Zach Williams devotional part 1

Day 1: Today’s lie: You’re not strong enough. 

The song “Fear Is a Liar” outlines many of the fears and lies that the enemy tells us. One of those lies that we are often told is that we’re not strong enough. We can fill in the blank of that sentence with so many things. 

We’re not strong enough to step up and be the parents our children need.

We’re not strong enough to be vulnerable with our spouse/pastor/counselor.

We’re not strong enough to quit drinking/smoking/taking pills/looking at porn/overeating/cheating.

We’re not strong enough to step back in church after years of distance.

We’re not strong enough to ask for forgiveness from someone we wronged/hurt/ignored/abused/manipulated.

We’re not strong enough to smile in the face of pain. 

We’re not strong enough to believe in a better life. 

We’re not strong enough to seek help. 

We’re not strong enough to stop judging others.

So why even try? 

The list could go on and on. The amazing thing is that over and over in the Bible, God tell us two things, 1. We don’t have to be strong enough on our own because, 2. His strength is what we need to be strong enough. That should feel like a weight has lifted off of your shoulders. It does to me. 

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NIV)

“…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.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

The Bible even takes it a step further and encourages us to see our ‘weaknesses’ as things to ‘boast’ about ‘gladly’ because it’s more opportunity to be truly strong with Christ’s power. “My power is made perfect in weakness” as it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. This is a difficult concept to grasp but if you think about it, none of us are perfect, we’re all missing a puzzle piece in order to be strong enough to accomplish what we need. God has that missing piece. His power is made perfect in our weakness. 

If you’ve been told you’re not strong enough by someone else or by the enemy, it is a LIE. You are strong enough because you have God’s