Tag Archive for: Sarah Young

Teachable Spirit

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‘Seek My face with a teachable spirit. Come into My presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed’—Jesus Calling. Sarah Young mentions further, “I want you to be all Mine … I gave everything for you … hold back nothing from Me.”   Book Cover Template Life is Good v2

I wonder just how much I hold back. He desires all of me, but oftentimes I cling to my rights, my will, my desires. Do you find yourself doing the same? When I hold back little things such as choices and priorities, I lose on a much larger scale. Reminds me of a favorite quote of mine, Let go and let God.

Now that my first book is FINALLY out there, can I ease up? I’m told no by the experts. Even though the work was long and sometimes difficult, my journey (or at least the next chapter) has just begun. Now comes the marketing and promotional end of publishing: book signings, talks, interviews (check out interview with Jan Holst from MLive) , social media posts, etc.,

I am so very thankful for all my angel helpers along the way, but I still cannot do this alone. Engaging others will serve to further a mission and purpose for writing my grace story. So I now seek His face with a teachable spirit. Not a spirit of knowing-it-all or pretending to have my life all together. Such is the contrary! I need my Heavenly Father and a team EVEN MORE NOW. Transform me into a useful vessel. Useful for Your service, Your plan, and purpose. Keep me grounded in Scripture by sharing my grace story and showing others that Life is truly Good, Fragile, and Precious!     

  • What ways can you exhibit a teachable spirit?
  • Is there some area of your life you are holding back from God? If so, name it.
  • Can you place three items on your thankful list today?

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Keep in touch

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God, I hear Your still small voice calling out, “Where are you? Where have you been? Don’t you realize you need me?” Oh, I need You, yes I need You—every hour I need You!

Liberty holding baby Elijah's hand

Liberty holding baby Elijah’s hand

Of course, I know I need God, but I don’t always act like I know I need God. It’s sometimes easier to go about my merry way and ignore the fact that I’m really not in charge. In fact, life doesn’t usually go as well when I operate as though I’m the one in control.

“Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It is not a luxury or an option; it is a necessity. Therefore, do not feel guilty about taking time to be with me,” Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

You, too, have decisions/choices to make. Big ones and little ones. But before any decisions should be made, I must spend time with God, in His presence, in His word. When I take the time to do this, I find guidance and blessed peace. Peace that this world can never offer me. Do you find this to be true?

• Do you find it difficult to set aside time to meditate in God’s presence?

• What truths did you encounter when you spent time with God and in His Word?

“Come near to God and he will come near to you…”—James 4:7-8.

Mind Renewal

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“A renewed mind is Presence-focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation!” (Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young)

From the moment I open my eyes this morning; You granted me another day on earth. I hear the furnace pop on and my room becomes toasty warm. You are present.

I see Your written words when I turn on a switch. Light illumines the page. Words of comfort and affirmation waken my soul. I don’t see You, but my being knows You are orchestrating my day.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always,”—Psalm 105:4.

It’s not always easy to seek God’s face. It’s not necessarily a natural response, but a learned one. Every time I seek after God and His wisdom and ways, I am rewarded. Blessings come. Some I recognize; others I breeze past.

How about you … how do you seek God’s face?

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Let us rejoice & be glad

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“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” — Psalm 118:24.

Planting Ground Lake, Three Lakes, Wisconsin

Planting Ground Lake, Three Lakes, Wisconsin

“I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant Presence. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you. I eagerly wait your first conscious thought. I rejoice when you glance My way” – #Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

 

Water your own grass

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“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” —
1 Thessalonians 5:18.

“I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving” — Jesus Calling.

Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.   image002 (Copy)

The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more published magazine articles than I do.

Instead, I need to be thankful for:

  • Sufficient food on the table
  • Employment opportunity
  • Children & Grandchildren alive & well
  • The gift of writing
  • My own platform to proclaim my story

I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like.

“You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.

 

Be thankful along the way

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“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” –
1 Thessalonians 5:18.

I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving –  (Jesus Calling).    Be thankful along the way (Copy)

Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.

The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more accepted magazine articles than I do.

Instead, I need to be thankful for:
* Sufficient food on the table
*  Employment opportunity
*  Grandchildren alive & well
*  The gift of writing
*  My own platform to proclaim my story

I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like. 

“You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.

 

Share your story

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“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” — 2 Corinthians 4:7.

God gave each of us a message, a song, and a story in our hearts. He gave us this message to share. Not to keep it stored up inside.    Glory-gifts from God (Copy)

Your story is different than mine. Your story is yours. My story is mine. My story includes joy, pain, trials, defeat and victory — so does yours. Our stories involve different details, but similar characteristics. The Author-Creator of our stories remains the same God.

Isn’t it time to pen those words, so others can be blessed & encouraged? Ask God to fill you with his all-encompassing power. He will give you and me the courage to write that story burning deep inside!

Let me fill you with my Love, Joy, and Peace … Glory-gifts #JesusCalling.

 

 

Focus on what you do have

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When you focus on what you don’t have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened – #JesusCalling.

Rather, offer “the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord” –
Psalm 116:17 (NKJV).   Focus on what I do have (Copy)

 

 

Let go of Control

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‘A life of praise & thankfulness becomes a life filled w/miracles. Instead of trying to be in control (I so struggle w/this!), focus on Me & what I am doing.’ – Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

Revelation 19:3-6 “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”

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Things aren’t as they used to be

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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:14–16).

This verse suggests that I should not be complaining, moaning and groaning about the non-working or poor-working parts of my body. Since I am fearfully & wonderfully made (Scripture says so) and God’s works are wonderful, then my body is as it’s supposed to be.

Every day has been pre-arranged. God is aware of the exact state of my body today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

“Though the process of aging continues, inwardly you grow stronger with the passing years. Those who live close to Me develop an inner aliveness that makes them seem youthful in spite of their years,” Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

I must trust that He knows what He’s doing & all is going according to plan.

  • Do you grow tired of certain body parts not functioning as they should?
  • Can you turn the grumbling into thanking God for what is going well in your life & what body parts are functioning well?

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