"With God we will gain the victory" Psalm 60:...

Today is a day with a host of mixed feelings. I celebrate victory, because Glory be to God, I was successful at staying faithful in my 30 day fast. I tell you the truth, I have NEVER had victory like this before. I continue to walk in freedom in this area of my life by God's grace. I have an inner peace that has taken up residence and is allowing me to be myself like never before. There is a room in my heart that has been cleaned out, renovated, furnished by the Holy Spirit who has designed warm, bright, and cheerful colors and textures. A fresh, warm, spring breeze blows tenderly through the light, sheer, curtains. Natural light abounds in this room. It is a wonderful sanctuary of rest and rejuvination.

Juxtaposed to that is a heart of grief, a dear friend in my life lost her husband this past Sunday to brain cancer. He left a wife and 5 children between the ages of 7-16 to walk this next season without him. The memorial service was today, celebrating his life, the confidence we have of his place in Heaven, but being real about the pain of his abscence. I consider the daunting task of raising 5 alone and I pray that God will be her strength like never before. The scriptures regarding holding fast come back to the surface of my mind. I picture the disciples on their boat in the raging waters on the Sea of Galilee, holding on for dear life while Christ slept. How quickly he calmed the storms with a word. Be still.

Lord, today I will be still. I will reflect on your sovereignty. I will embrace that you are trustworthy at all times. I will hold fast Lord. Thank you that sometimes you allow us to weather a storm with you and yet promise it won't consume us. Thank you dear Father.

Praying these scriptures today:

1 John 5:3-5 (New International Version)

3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Isaiah 43

1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Daniel 2:19-23 (New International Version)

19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."