Promises

Isn’t it fun to reflect on some things God has done in your life and how far you have come? I think it is. It makes me all warm and cozy inside and I begin to feel the gratitude down deep bubble up and flow out as I am reminded once again, how good God is and how grateful I am for all he does and how he cares for me.

Last night at my church the ladies got a chance to share from their women’s retreat this past weekend. Have you ever been to a women’s retreat? I have only attended a few, many years ago. A few with my own church and a few with a friend who had invited me to her retreat with her church that happened to be across the street from mine. I went because she asked me to and I knew in my heart it was what the Lord wanted. That was such a long time ago…

Because the past month or so the ladies have been reminded of the upcoming retreat it got me thinking about the few I’ve been to. I actually got to talking on the phone one night with the gal I had gone with all those years ago (I want to say we went 10 years ago ATLEAST). I went with my friend two years in a row.

As these ladies last night shared their Joy for others to hear, it blessed my heart. I love to see people filled to the brim with God’s Love and Joy and apparently Grace and Love were the theme of their retreat…my two favorite Bible themes. For Love is the reason God reaches down for us in humanity. How beautiful.

One gal shared and then the Pastor’s wife about how when they have communion at retreat the gals reach in a basket and get a scripture. One gal shared her scripture and how it touched her heart special. This is the very thing I had been pondering and then talking about with my friend.

When I went to one of those retreats God stirred my heart in such a profound way. I remember doing the same thing, reaching in for a verse as we took communion. Then, as I opened up that little piece of paper and read it, I clearly heard the voice of the Holy Spirit through the gift of knowledge, tell me that the verse on that page was to become the anthem for my life and He would bring it to pass (that just means it will happen). I had no real previous experience with this Bible verse. I had read it before, but that was about it.

So, for the past week I have been reminded of that time and what God said and it gave me reason to flood my hearts Joy and stir all in me that makes me content and warm and comfortable with me and God. For just like He promised back then, it has come to pass four fold or more. I would never dream how He could do something so sweet. The words to describe it are only lip service for it cannot be described…but that’s how all the best experiences with God are…personal and indescribable. It’s like trying to explain the taste of carbonation to someone who has never had it before ever. Not possible.

Would you like to know what the scripture is?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

 

I’m talking about my Jesus. He has the power to take anything you go through and use it to birth a song in your heart that maybe only you and the Lord understand, but it will stir you and fill you and sustain you and push you to the place in His Arms He desires you to be. I am so grateful for my Savior. Over the last 20 years I have been through many and varied trials, but God has taught me this; that through it all, I can trust in Him and never lose my smile. You can have exuberant Joy, happiness of soul and contentment in the Lord no matter what is happening in your world right now. You do not have to feel anxious, warn, discouraged, tired or restless. If there are other things you are feeling, you don’t have to stay there either, if it’s anything short of a positive outlook, an optimism for the ridiculously amazing to happen in you and for you. God’s got it all and He has got you, too.

I am so thrilled for every lady at my church who went and received at retreat. I don’t know where you live or if you attend church. I don’t know if the women’s ministry has already had their retreat for the year or maybe your church is small and they don’t have retreats at all. That’s ok, but if they do, you should mark your calendar and venture out and see what the Lord would have for you. It is a time to get alone with God and meet new people. I truly believe God is the greatest at socializing and connecting people that He wants to connect. He will connect you with just the right people for you. Don’t be afraid, reach out, dig in, receive and watch God bless you beyond measure. He adores you!

And thank you to my special friend who coerced me to go to her retreat (because I know she reads my blogs and we giggle together at where the Lord has brought our friendship through the watering of it at these events). And I am thankful I got to hear the ladies share last night, who stoked the fire once again of all that is within me that is bright that began on that very night I have described.

God is good. God is faithful. I am completely captivated by how extravagant and extraordinary intimacy of heart with him can be. I want to shout to the world how in love I am with Him so they would taste and see and agree…God is good.

Life is never about what happens to you, but always about what happens within you. Phil. 4:8

Much love and blessings…

Nicole