Children of God

Blessed are those who are called children of God! 

In Mark 9:36 and 10:16, Jesus is surrounded by children. He blesses them and uses them as an example of how to enter the kingdom of heaven, but what I find most amazing is that both times, it is recorded that he took them in his arms.

I love it when I can wrap my arms around a little kid and hug them tight. I especially love it when my dad puts his arms around me and squeezes. 

This is what God does to us, and He never lets go. 

Isaiah 40:11 says, "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

"He will carry them in his bosom" also translates "He will carry them close to His heart."

Praise God! Since we are called children of God, we are the ones He wraps in his arms... close to his heart. 

We never have to fear if he is with us. He is always near holding us close.

Only He Can Satisfy

I wrote about a year ago as I was cleaning out some things. Even though it was a while ago, the truth still stands!

+++++

I've never been the kind of person to find value in how many likes I get on Instagram or Twitter... never—until now.

I see others "achieve more success" in the social media world than I do, and I feel incompetent—not good enough.

I think that if I'll tweet something clever or post an artsy photo, I'll receive more satisfaction and love and attention. 

As the humans that God made us to be, we naturally desire those things, but we can never find them in the number of double taps or retweets we receive. How then can we get the love, satisfaction, and attention that we need?

One word. Jesus.

Jesus is the One who satisfies us in the desert. Who walks alongside of us to guide us. He's the One who died for us. 

We know these truths, but many times our desire to be desired gets in the way.

But think about it: if the all-knowing God made us with the desire to be loved and cared for, He wouldn't leave us stranded. He would provide a way to fulfill our needs.

Only He can satisfy.

So next time you don't feel good enough because of the number of retweets or likes compared to others, remember to run to Christ because He satisfies.

Mercies New

"Every morning, every morning, every morning—mercies new. Every morning, every morning—I will fix my eyes on You." -Matthew West

Some time ago, my friend and I were talking and something she said really hit me—it finally became clear to me.

In our normal, Christian routine life, we go to church on Sundays hoping to be ecouraged enough and forgiven enough to make it through the rest of the week... or at least until Wednesday when we'll be at church again. 

But we forget that His mercies are new EACH AND EVERY morning!!!

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

May we live in light of this truth!!

Quiet Time - 2 Corinthians 2:14

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession and though us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." 2 Corinthians 2:14

Here's this verse in context: Paul's plans were totally wrecked. He had to go an entirely different direction then he had planned for his missionary journey. He easily could have shook his fist at God, yet he uses this as encouragement for the Corinthians.

Though our plans be corrupted, God's plan is best, and he will lead us triumphantly! We win in the end. 

When we trustingly follow God, people will notice, and therefore, we will leave a fragrance of Christ--a heavenly aroma--behind wherever we go. 

Lord, help me to trust you wherever you lead, knowing that it's always to victory. Help me to spread the aroma of You wherever I go. I love you, Lord!