You are FOR ME!

Do you ever have those days where you FINALLY realize what God's been trying to pound into your head for days, months and sometimes even years? Well, the past few months, God has continued to bring the phrase "God is for me" to me through songs, my current bible study (Stepping Up by Beth Moore) and through other people.

Well, today, I realize what is holding me back from that sinking into the marrow of my bones...Here's what Beth writes:

"We live most of our lives unconvinced that God is really for us. We have little trouble picturing ourselves on God's side, but for the life of us we can't picture God stooping down enough to be on ours. 

We rarely admit it, but, our actions, anxieties, fears and insecurities suggest something else. Perhaps some of us don't so much feel as if God is against us as we just don't necessarily feel as if He's for us. 

Somewhere deep inside I think we're secretly convinced that God created man with very high hopes only to have them dashed. We proved a terrible disappointment to God, but because He is faithful to His covenant, He's obligated to see the plan to completion. Therefore, He tolerates us because He's stuck with us"

So, she asked us that question: Do we ultimately believe God is against us, God tolerates us, or God is for me? Then she talks about how most of us believe God tolerates us based on how He appears to act in our circumstances. In other words, "our litmus test for whether we think God is really for us is circumstantial evidence. "  WOW! I know I do that all the time - I've done it my whole life - I remember after losing my grandfather, Ryan's accident and my 2 miscarriages all in 2 years, I asked God what I had done? When in reality, He had the glory in the end in mind. This helped me so much this morning. Here's what she wrote:

"He knows when something glorious in the future necessitates something difficult in the present. Because He knows the glory will be worth it, God will risk being misunderstood. Yes, God wants us to have joyful, satisfying lives, but He also wants us to have crowns to cast. Reward to receive. Character to develop. Compassion to give. Testimonies to tell. In the midst of those painful processes, God makes bold promises"

I would REALLY encourage you to do what I did this morning! I read Romans 8:28-39 and filled in "I will" statements: I will show you...

My child, _________ (your name)

I will make sure all things work together for your good.

I will ____________________________________

I will ___________________________________

I will ____________________________________

I will ____________________________________

I will ____________________________________

Love, God!

Then, go listen to "You Are For Me" by Kari Jobe (you see the song in this player) - I know you will be blessed! http://us.dada,net/audio/14586677/Kari-Jobe-You-Are-For-Me/

I know you will be blessed!

God is FOR US! What a comforting thing! 

Being more than a conquerer,

Laura