God is Always With You

God knows our motives and our intentions. He knows what our attitudes are. He sees through facades, and He knows the deepest parts of who we are. He knows all about the bad and the ugly, but He also has a front row seat to the good inside of each of us, too.

In Proverbs Chapter 5, verse 21, it says:  For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths. [NIV Bible]

In 1st Samuel Chapter 16, verse 7, God is directing the prophet Samuel to anoint His choice for the next king of Israel. Samuel goes to a family headed by a father named Jesse. Jesse and his sons meet with Samuel to see if they have been chosen by God to be king. Samuel sees Eliab, son of Jesse, who is tall and handsome, and he assumes that this will be the Lord’s chosen king. God responds to Samuel’s assumptions in verse 7:  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. [NIV Bible]

God knows all of our intentions, our attitudes, and what’s in our hearts. He knows when we do our best. He knows when we have a good attitude. He knows when we help other people. He knows when we forgive someone who hurt us. He knows when we cheer people up and encourage them. Yes, God sees our sin, but He also sees our sincere kindness, generosity and compassion.

God knows us and understands us better than anyone else does, including ourselves. He’s seen it all from start to finish, and He knows who we truly are. Being transparent to God can be an uncomfortable notion when we think about the wrong we’ve thought about or done.

But there’s a great freedom there, too. Knowing that God knows about the worst in us and still offers His forgiveness and love is liberating!

We don’t have to put on a face with God. Being fake or phony isn’t even an option, and that’s a good thing! When we realize that everything about us is laid bare before God, it’s a relief! We don’t have to pretend to be something we’re not. We don’t have to lie, smooth over or defend. As long as you believe in Him and the One He Sent, Jesus, you are acceptable to God. Even when you do, say or think wrong things, God will continue to forgive you and love you.

He knows you’re a work in progress, so cut yourself some slack! God cuts us a lot of slack because He understands our challenges, weaknesses and pain. Don’t make the mistake of avoiding God until you can show Him a stellar report card. If you have to feel good enough to approach God and get to know Him, you may become discouraged and never feel worthy of His love for you. God loves you unconditionally, so there’s no need to try to eliminate your faults before you come to Him. Come to God now, just the way you are. Right this minute, you are good enough to be loved by God!

In Hebrews Chapter 4, verse 12 it says:  For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [NIV Bible]

The Bible is no ordinary book. Also called the Word of God and Scripture, the Bible has no substitute or equal in learning about God. God Himself, the Holy Spirit, is there with you every time you read the Bible. God understands that reading the Bible can be intimidating and even frustrating when we read things that we don’t understand. That’s why we need God to help us as we read.

Find a Bible translation you feel comfortable with. You can compare the various translations online, visit a Christian bookstore or check them out from the library. The New International Version is the most popular. You can start with it and grow with it too. The New Living Translation is a plain-spoken translation that is easy to read. My primary Bible is the Women of Faith study Bible, which is the NIV. Shortly before I was saved, my lifelong friend, Angie, gave me a NIV Life Application Study Bible. I started reading the Bible in the book of John, which I highly recommend as a starting point, but go where God leads you. He is thrilled you are seeking Him by reading the Bible!

“Life is short!” That’s what people say. It’s true, this life is short in comparison to eternity. But this isn’t our only life. This life is full of uncertainty. There are many tribulations in this life, and we need help to get through them. God is willing and able to stand with you in every trial in your life. But you have to know you need Him, and you have to believe in Him.

In Romans Chapter 3, verses 21-24 it says: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [NIV Bible]

None of us are righteous on our own. We have all sinned, and we all need to be redeemed by God. We can’t redeem ourselves and we can’t redeem anyone else either. I bolded the above Scripture because it sums up what it takes to save your eternal life. Your eternal life is forever, not the “life is short” life we’re living right now.

It is a myth that this is your only life. It is a lie that the world tells us to keep us from searching for the one true God. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this isn’t your only shot at a good life! The world says, “Live it up now, it’s all you’ve got!” : “Accomplish as much as you can so you can make your mark!”  But it just isn’t true.

This life is short but important. Nothing is more important in this life than securing your eternal life by believing in the one and only true God. False gods can’t save your eternal life, but the Lord Almighty can! Believing that there is a god in theory won’t save you. Believing that there is a “higher power” isn’t enough.

In Deuteronomy Chapter 10, verse 17 it says: For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. [NIV Bible]

Exodus Chapter 3, verses 13 and 14 is one of my favorite Scriptures! It is powerful and electrifying! Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I Am has sent me to you’ ” [NIV Bible]

In Second Samuel, Chapter 22, verse 32, it says: For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? [NIV Bible]

In Isaiah, Chapter 45, verse 5, it says: I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. [NIV Bible]

Invite God into your life today! There’s no better time than right now to receive God’s  forgiveness and to be declared righteous before Him. Believe in the One He sent–His Son, Jesus Christ, who was a sacrifice of atonement for our sins. Don’t put off the most important decision of your life!

Let’s start telling the truth about our faults, failure, sins and mistakes! We can’t just keep prettying ourselves up for public consumption, while we neglect what we really matters. There has got to be more to our lives than comparing ourselves to and competing with other people.

If we are in a constant state of trying to impress other people, be accepted, and be admired, then there is no room for mistakes or vulnerability. In Galatians, Chapter 6, verses 4-5, it says:  Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. [NIV Bible]

In Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 1&5, Jesus says:   “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”  Verse 5 says:  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  [NIV Bible]

Comparing ourselves to other people inevitably increases stress, envy and bitterness.       Our “image” is not more important than being who we truly are. Let’s be more concerned about what God sees in us, instead of looking to other people to feel affirmed and worthy.

God is our greatest comforter, because He is always with us. He sees all that is going on in our lives. He knows what we struggle with  He understands us better than anyone else in our lives. He is truly available 24/7, ready and willing to help us through anything we bring to Him in prayer.

Last August, I had a grand mal seizure (now referred to as tonic-clonic seizure). I have never had a seizure before, and I don’t have epilepsy. The cause is still unknown, but I am fortunate that it was a single, isolated seizure.

My oldest son found me on the floor of our living room, jerking with convulsions. He says he was talking to me, but I didn’t respond to him. He called 911, and the next thing I knew, I was waking up on my loveseat being told I had a seizure. I told him there was no way I had a seizure, I thought he was mistaken. I didn’t remember any of it. The paramedics asked me who the President was, and I said, “Obama!” Then they asked me what year it was and I didn’t know. Once I laid down on a stretcher in the ambulance, I was praying, and I saw Jesus standing next to me. I wasn’t hallucinating, I was being blessed by seeing God right there with me.

Of course, I was scared. I didn’t know why I had a seizure and if I would have another. I had no idea what might be wrong with me, and I was stunned that it happened. I’ve had my fair share of medical emergencies, so I have experience handling the unique stress of hospital visits. But since I’ve been saved, I have never faced a health crisis alone. God has always been beside me, comforting me and reassuring me.

In 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 3-4, it says:  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 have received from God. [NIV Bible]

Once you’ve felt that “I’m here with you no matter what” comfort from God, it inspires you to pass it along to other people. God loves us, and He blesses us for our own good and for the good of others.

Let God be with you through every test, every procedure and every diagnosis! Don’t go it alone, have faith in God and invite Him into your challenges. He loves you and He wants to help and comfort you!

The term “grace” is a part of numerous sermons and Christian books, but I think that it’s meaning can be a bit of a mystery. God’s grace is a gift of unmerited, unearned and undeserved favor. Many describe grace as a free gift, because we aren’t being rewarded for something we’ve done, He is simply giving grace to us because He loves us.

God’s grace can take many forms. Grace can be a gift of peace in the midst of terrible turmoil. Grace can be the comfort God gives us when we are depressed and overwhelmed. God’s grace can also show itself as an ability to overcome fears that control us. God’s grace can give us the strength to endure hardships without breaking down.

God’s grace comes when we need it the most, and it makes all the difference. Just when we thought we couldn’t take it anymore…just when we thought there was no way out of a difficult situation…just when we thought “I can’t do this alone!”, God’s grace is there to comfort us, strengthen us and give us hope. God’s grace is so much more than a spiritual term. God’s grace is a current for change. It’s a hand reaching down to pull us up. It’s an oasis of peace in the midst of chaos. God’s grace is supernatural, and it is not limited by our circumstances or the situations we find ourselves in. 

God does what we can’t do when He blesses us with His grace. Grace is the power of God coming through us. Go to God. Tell Him you need His grace in your time of need. Fall backwards into the arms of God by daring to believe that He will catch you!

In Hebrews Chapter 4, verses 15-16, it says:  For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [NIV Bible]

God doesn’t want you to be afraid to approach Him. He doesn’t want shame or guilt to stop you from coming to Him. Even as I type this post, I know I am guilty, again, of not making the time to write on this blog. But I know that God continues to love me dearly anyway. God doesn’t love me because of what I do or don’t do. He loves me because I believe that He is who He says He is–the one and only true God. I also believe the Scripture in John Chapter 3, verses 16-18: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. [NIV Bible]

God’s love for me doesn’t change because I am weak or lack willpower. God’s love for all believers is unchangeable, because when God looks at us, He sees us as righteous. It is incredible, and it is TRUE–Jesus took all of our sins on Himself and was willingly sacrificed so that God the Father would forgive our sins. We are forgiven and righteous because Jesus was sacrificed for us and instead of us.

God wants you to feel secure in His love for you. He knows about the laundry lists we have of our faults and failures. The worst wreckage comes from avoiding God, wrongly believing that He will reject us if we try to connect to Him. In the midst of our still-unconquered weaknesses, He is our Redeemer.

You are precious to God, and that doesn’t change because you make mistakes.If it did, how could any of us stay close to God? We have to talk back to that voice that tells us we’re not good enough for God, that we have disappointed Him one time too many and He won’t take us back this time. You can trust God to love you unconditionally and to welcome you back to Him, time and time again. In Isaiah Chapter 26, verse 4, it says:  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. [NIV Bible] Thank You, Father for always being my Rock!

In Psalm 103, verses 10-14, it says:  He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. [NIV Bible]

God is willing to have a relationship with you NOW, in your current state, whatever that is. If you wait until you aren’t doing, thinking or saying anything wrong to come to Him, you never will. All of us do wrong things on a regular basis. Sin isn’t a reason to avoid God, it’s a reason to seek Him.

We may not be able to forgive ourselves or be forgiven by other people. But God can offer us a fresh start by forgiving us every time we ask Him. In the above Scripture, it is made clear:  God removes our sins from us. He forgives us completely. He absolves us of our wrongdoing. We can’t do that for ourselves, other people can’t do it for us. Only God has that authority and power.

What keeps you from coming to God?  Did you lose your temper and hurt someone’s feelings? Did you lie to your husband or wife? Did you gossip about someone, saying bad things about them behind their back? Did you pass on doing some good for someone because you didn’t want to spend the time or money? Do you refuse to forgive someone in your life, even when you know they regret hurting you? Did you renege on quitting an addiction? Go to God and wipe the slate clean! He already knows all of it! What you do and think is no mystery to God, and His message to you is, “I’m here! Come to me, ask for forgiveness, and let Me give you a fresh start!”

In James Chapter 1, verses 5-7 it says: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [NIV Bible]

I’ve been blown and tossed many times during my lifetime. I’ve feared the future (and the present), and carried my past around like a ball and chain. I know what it feels like to try to go this life on my own, and it’s been anything but comfortable. I’m one of those types of people who can seem very cheerful/confident/happy even when I’m not. I’ve felt like a fraud at the same time that I was projecting an image that wasn’t how I truly felt inside.

Getting closer to God and letting Him love me is the only remedy I know for my emotional storms. Nothing else really works. I am a work in progress, and I am still learning this lesson about staying strong and believing for the best. Being a pessimist is my default position, and this Scripture challenges me to believe that good things can and will happen in my life.

I do know that this much is true–God doesn’t want us to expect the worst so that we won’t be disappointed. He wants us to be optimistic! Knowing this is still revolutionary for me. I’m still soaking it in, little by little as I see Him working in my life. God understands that I can’t change my negative thinking overnight. He doesn’t punish me for being who I have been all my life. But He is showing me the better way–His way, not my way! My way hasn’t made me happier or healthier. My way has been a burden and an albatross. Being hopeful is healing me from the inside out. Trusting God to direct my life instead of myself is such a relief and a blessing! When I get off course, which I do, I know that I can come back to my Father who loves me unconditionally and wants a better life for me than chronic worry that things won’t work out.

In Matthew Chapter 11, verses 28-30, Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” [NASB Bible] Let God lead you to a better, hopeful life!