Be Still in My Presence.

So it's been a while since I have posted...and I do apologize for the slack. I have been busy with family in town, being on vacation and then dealing with a tragedy but I do not want to keep up with the neglect of the blog because I think these devotions are very heartfelt by the hand of the Lord.

To make up for the loss time, I will post 2 devotions a day to make up for the time.

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March 27th, 2013
Be still in My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.
Do not see Me primarily for what I can give you. Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift I might impart to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts. Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love. When I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry. As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.- Romans 12:2

"Yet I hold this against you; you have forsaken your first love."- Revelation 2:4

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.- Colossians 1:27
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And today's devotion.
-Trust Me in every detail of your life. Nothing is random in My kingdom. Everything that happens fits into a pattern for good, to those who love Me. Instead of trying to analyze the intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on trusting Me and thanking Me at all times. Nothing is wasted when you walk close to Me. Even your mistakes and sins can be recycled into something good, through My transforming grace.
While you were still living in darkness, I began to shine the Light of My Presence into your sin-stained life. Finally, I lifted you up out of the mire into My marvelous Light. Having sacrificed My very Life for you, I can be trusted in every facet of your life.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."- Jeremiah 17:7

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.- Romans 8:28

He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay [froth and slime], and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.- Psalm 40:2

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.- 1 Peter 2:9
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That devotion brings some peace that I needed, knowing that everything that happens fits into a pattern for good, even if it may bring us sorrow. Losing someone we love is so difficult for us, but they are rejoicing and up in heaven celebrating with Jesus. I wish there was a way to make it less painful, but God is the only source of peace and strength. I think the grieving process is even harder when it doesn't happen because of old age, but because of a terminal illness or even suddenly in a car crash. Like someone dear to my life, who has lost both of her parents due to a drunk driver. Both gone in an instant. To us, that's before their time. It wasn't old age, it wasn't a sickness....their lives were stolen by a reckless driver. And for the children of these two innocent victims to stay positive and keep God as their source of strength is a living testimony. And to also ask for prayer for the young man who caused the accident, blows my mind at such forgiveness. It's such a heartbreaking tragedy but has a way of leading many people to Christ through such strong testimonies of faith and forgiveness.

I have to read the Bible today and search for verses for comfort about the situation and I would like to share the verses I have discovered to help bring peace to those who have lost loved ones.

Verses for when we do not understand God's ways:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.- Isaiah 55:8-9

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.- Jeremiah 33:3

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?- Romans 8:31


Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.- Romans 8:35-37

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.- 1 Peter 4:12-13

What to do when you are in grief:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death,so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Shout for joy, you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;
    burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.- Isaiah 49:13

When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.- Isaiah 43:2

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.- II Thessalonians 2:16-17

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.- Matthew 5:4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.- II Corinthians 1:3-4

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.- Isaiah 61:1-3

Hopefully these will bring anyone who has lost a loved one some kind of comfort, as they have helped me.

Praise You Through This Storm- Casting Crowns


Bless everyone that is suffering from a loss, and I pray that God brings you peace in the days to come.

-Britt