God Sees, God Helps
It’s been a while since I have struggled like this with getting to my blog for the week. Maybe I’m not sleeping enough. Maybe it’s the gray, rainy weather we seem to be having nonstop these last couple weeks… who knows (I think I am partly solar powered, so these constant gray skies are no bueno). But here we are, so let’s get to it.
Something to Think About
Let’s start off with some questions I want you to think about:
- What do you keep from God?
- What in your life are you lord of vs God?
- What habits or patterns are you modeling after the world/culture over submitting to God being Lord over them?
These are tough questions, I’m not gonna lie. They’re easy to make justifications… to feel like it’s “just the way life goes,” etc.
But, if you’re really, truly honest with yourself (& with God), are you ALL IN for Him?
Do you live your life primarily for Him? Or for you?
Are You Trying to Do “Just Enough”?
I think of the rich young ruler, as talked about in Matthew 19:16-22 & Mark 10:17-22. He was missing such a crucial part of the picture.
He made sure to obey all of God’s laws, to try to live a pretty GOOD life. But Jesus challenged him with something he couldn’t handle.
Jesus challenged him on whether or not he was really willing to go ALL IN... or if his faith was divided.
Jesus knew the young man’s biggest weakness, his biggest stronghold… his reliance on his wealth.
Money isn’t bad, much like most strongholds in our lives… until it replaces your willingness to trust God ALL IN… until it becomes the thing you trust in more than you trust God.
Can You Answer “Nothing” to These Hard Questions?
What do you refuse to entrust to God?
What do you hold back?
What do you hold on to that isn’t God Himself?
What, if God hinted at taking it away, would wreck you most?
What would it take to compromise your trust in Him above all else?
We won’t always understand. We won’t always get it. He is GOD Who made the world & everything in it… we’re just PART of the created… a mere blip in the timeline. It makes sense that we won’t always get it.
But God is GOD all the same. Regardless of whether you GET IT.
And we must submit all the same.
Not in Part, But in Whole
We can quote the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) & be like, “I’m pretty good at keeping those,” as that rich young ruler responded to Jesus… but we forget the tall order brought by the first few commandments, to love God above all else, with zero competition. (Matthew 22:36-40)
Do we live like we love Him that way?
All that God does, every single little tiny bit of it is ALWAYS 100% for BOTH His glory AND our good. He is worthy to be praised! He is worthy of our ALL IN.
It All Starts with a Willing Heart & a Big God Who Can Help Change Hearts
And you know what? It starts with that mustard seed of faith. (Mark 9:23-24) A willingness to say to God, “please forgive me, God, that I feel so afraid, so threatened at the idea of ever losing ____________________, if You so chose it. Forgive me for my small faith. For trusting me above You. Please help me loosen my grip. Help me to trust anyway. Help grow my desire & willingness to go ALL IN, knowing I can trust You with the ENTIRETY of my life…. Not in part, but in WHOLE. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Think About It…….
So, let me ask you again, the 3 questions I asked you earlier:
- What do you keep from God?
- What in your life are you lord of vs God?
- What habits or patterns are you modeling after the world/culture over submitting them to God being Lord over your plans?
We fill our lives with so many good things: family, friends, job, hobbies, church even… but do we allow time for God to give it meaning beyond the right now… for eternity… for His glory?
Do we bow it all to Him to be used by Him & for Him?
Do we take the time to ask how He might want to do that in our lives?
Or do we just keep on living it the way we always have?
Shine HOPE by offering your life to God as a LIVING SACRIFICE, being willing to ask God how you can go ALL IN for Him… His glory… your good.
Coming Next Week
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As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
A Note from Michelle:
(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Citrine Cluster Studs (INDIA)
These stunning Citrine Studs from India feature a set of stones and pearl within a gold setting. Perfect to dress up for a special occasion or for everyday wear, these studs create lasting change for families in India.
***Purchase these beautifully handcrafted earrings, using the “Shop Here” link below, to provide safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.***
How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:
#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!
Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!
