We've all had trials in our lives, tough times where a lot of us have probably asked...why me? Why is this happening to me?? Or, why is this happening to the person that I love? I know I have asked that of God many times in my life. We tend, as humans, to focus on the trial alone and wonder why. Why me?
"BUT, I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously." Psalm 13:5-6 Why do these verses of praise start with a "but"? Before the Psalmist gets to the praise, some wrestling was going on. I get that. I … Continue reading The Wrestling Before the Praise
It's a battle down here, Father. I'm feeling anxious. I feel like I'm always battling. Things seen, things unseen, it feels like a constant struggle just to exist. You say rest and trust. Why is it so hard sometimes? When I focus on Truth I see clearly that I can rest and stop striving when … Continue reading The Best Kind of Struggle
I normally do really intense and in-depth studies of God's Word...if you've been in one of my small groups, you know this to be true. But lately, I keep sitting down at the table to where my Bible is flipped open in the Psalms and don't get any further. I've been rubbing the Psalms in … Continue reading The Rock
God's peace is incomprehensible, and His peace is likened to a military guard that protects our hearts and minds from hostile invasion. His peace hems in and protects our hearts and minds that are so vulnerable.
I have the choice this year...this day...this minute...the choice of where to put my mind. Where to dwell, linger, what to meditate on. (It is a choice. It's my choice. It's an action, a putting or setting of my mind.) It's real easy to go negative, to allow my mind to dwell on someone else's … Continue reading Muddy Thoughts
The battle is waging, The enemy's strong... Mothers and Fathers cry out. His tactics relentless, Temptations so sweet... Mothers and Fathers cry out. We're confounded, astounded, We're desperate and weak... Mothers and Fathers cry out. He keeps inching closer, Creeping in on all sides... Mothers and Fathers cry out. We close all our doors, Yet … Continue reading Cry Out
"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to ACCUSE him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire? Now Joshua was … Continue reading Filthy Rags to Festal Robes
Nicole Dotson 