Meet Christina. A traveler, blogger, and follower of Christ. In this week’s feature, Christina talks about securing our identity in the Lord and finding true belonging in Him.
Continue reading “Meet Christina | Confidence Without Compromise #10”
Meet Rekeia. A podcast host, content creator, and follower of Christ. In this week’s feature, Rekeia talks about navigating doubt and finding confidence in who God called us to be.
Continue reading “Meet Rekeia | Confidence Without Compromise #7”
With social media, seeking success, relationships, and “adulting” in general, it’s easy to feel the pressure to follow the crowd. But we don’t have to fall under the comparison trap–Let’s get back to the Word! You can refocus, overcome temptation, follow your calling and live a life of obedience as God intended.
In today’s new YouTube video, I discuss this challenging question: Are you seeking to please the world or God?
Click below to watch!
To receive inspiring content on faith and lifestyle, follow LM on social media!
YouTube: LizMargaret
Facebook: Lizmargaretblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lizmargaret/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_lizmargaret
Tumblr: http://lizmargaret.tumblr.com/
A vlogger, naturalista, and follower of Christ. In this week’s feature, Tyler talks about how standing firm in faith transforms our lives–and impacts the lives of others.
Continue reading “Meet Tyler | Confidence Without Compromise #2”
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
(Psalm 104:24 NIV)
On Tuesday, January 23, I was in prayer during my morning quiet time. Just as I began praying, I felt a sudden chill. I was sitting near an open window, but I didn’t feel a draft whatsoever moments before.
Before I knew it, the sky darkened, and rain began pouring down. Heavy, hitting the cement in hard, rhythmic drops. Loud. Out of nowhere.
Within three minutes or less, the rain stopped. Silence all over again. The clouds parted slightly letting in some light back into the room.
Talk about a dramatic change.
It got me thinking about how miraculously God works. When God moves, He moves. It’s obvious, it’s clear. You know He’s present. You see His fingerprints. You see doors open. What might take a human years to do, God can do in the blink of an eye.
Now, almost two months later, Thursday, March 22, I was again reminded of this phenomenon. This time, my morning devotions didn’t involve a sudden shift in the weather. Instead, it involved a look into Psalm 104.
Life has different seasons. Times of joy, times of loss. Times of preparation, times of blessings. But what happens when our current season is tough? What is the purpose of difficulties and trials?
The Bible has a lot to say about seasons. In today’s YouTube video, I talk about how we can use God’s Word to identify our current season–and understand the beautiful transformation that can take place in our lives today!
Click below to watch!
To receive inspiring content on faith and lifestyle, follow LM on social media!
YouTube: LizMargaret
Facebook: Lizmargaretblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lizmargaret/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_lizmargaret
Tumblr: http://lizmargaret.tumblr.com/
Re·la·tion·ship: The condition or fact of being related; a connection, association, or involvement.
[Source]
Relationship requires investment.
When you want to build new relationships with people, you make time for them. Conversations over texts and calls. Time spent together. You ask questions, you share details about your life. Eventually, you’ve gotten to know them well and have developed a closeness with them.
The same thing goes when you want to deepen an existing relationship with people you already know. You make the time, you show up, you involve yourself in their lives. You connect. You associate yourself with them.
Our relationship with God takes on a similar process. When you decide to follow the Lord, you are able to build a relationship with Him that can grow and get even better over time. You involve yourself with Him. You connect with Him. You associate yourself with Him.
Like a friendship, you must invest in your relationship with God if you want to develop it. When you care about someone, you sacrifice for that individual. If you want God in your life, you sacrifice to make time for Him and to get to know Him.
Did you know that God rejoices in spending time with you? He absolutely loves it!
As a loving father cares for his child, God sees you as His child whom He loves deeply. He wants to have a real relationship with you.
The Bible talks of a God who takes delight in His people. Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) states, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Psalm 147:11 (ESV) says, “But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Fear in this passage does not mean to be afraid; we’re not meant to simply be afraid of God. Rather, it means to have reverence for or to respect. In other words, God notices those who have reverence for Him–those who acknowledge Him for who He is–and He honors those people!
Genesis 1:27 mentions that God created humankind in His image. This means that we were created to have an association with Him. We are meant be in relationship with our Creator. We are made to bear His image, or represent Him well–to show who He is and the attributes of His love. The only way we can reflect this image is if we know what it looks like. And so, in order to know our true identity, we must know God, the One who knows who we’re made to be!
Our hearts yearn for something greater that cannot be found on this earth. And God yearns for you, too. James 4:8 says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. He is available, but He does not force. He is near, but He does not push Himself. He waits patiently. And when you come, He will come.
Do you ever feel neglected when a friend doesn’t show up for you? Or forgotten when someone doesn’t reach out to you? God gets it. He understands how you feel, and He has compassion towards you: “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalms 103:13 NLT). He also notices when you don’t reach out to Him, too.
Revelation 3:20 mentions that God is calling out for you. When you answer, He will “eat with,” or fellowship with, you.
A relationship with God cannot be built through someone else. For example, just because your parents have a relationship with Him, doesn’t mean you have it, too. God is acquainted with them already, and He wants to get to know you. Consider this: if your friend is friends with someone else, it doesn’t make you friends with that same person (even if you know a little or a lot about them). You must take the initiative to get to know that person for yourself.
It’s never too late to build or rebuild a relationship with God. Study His Word–get to know what He says and who He is. How He sees you, what He wants you to know. Talk to Him, reach out to Him. Even if you can’t find words, you can sit in silence and ask for the comfort of His presence.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20 ESV)
14 days of learning God’s love. Learn about the Love Letters here.
To receive inspiring content on faith and lifestyle, follow LM on social media!
YouTube: LizMargaret
Facebook: Lizmargaretblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lizmargaret/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_lizmargaret
Tumblr: http://lizmargaret.tumblr.com/
Gift: Something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance.
I’m a huge fan of home makeover shows. I love watching skilled interior designers bring a space to life based on a pre-thought-out plan. They transform an old room into an incredible masterpiece–not only based on someone’s desires but his or her needs.
Then there’s the room reveal. Clients take in the fact that their old room has been made new. They might have had ideas of what they wanted their space to look like but didn’t know how to execute those ideas. This room is what they desired and better than what they imagined. Many times, there are personal details in the new space that make the room even more special–perfectly tailored for them. The final room is a special gift they never knew they needed.
Sometimes, we have an idea of how our lives should go, and we have a plan of action on how to carry it out. Other times, we might have thoughts of how things should be but no idea of how to make them happen.
We can get so caught up in a big dream that we forget the little details. God has a pre-thought-out plan for you. He knows the best way for you to get from Point A to Point B. And He knows whether or not Point B is actually what it’s cracked up to be!
Plans take time to execute. Designers must initially sketch out a space, find the right items, and consider the logistics of how to get everything done.
God’s love for you means He will provide good gifts in your life. He will give favor, honor, and assistance. Some of these blessings are for now, others are for later. Waiting for things to unravel might seem brutal, but the grand reveal is always better than what you expect. He knows you intimately, and He knows what you need at different points in your life.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) states, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says 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.’” God’s ways are above your ways, and He has blessings for you that are better than your best plans.
In Psalms 68:19, God reveals that He loads us with daily benefits. In Lamentations 3:22-23, we learn that God’s mercies are new every morning. Every day has a purpose in your story.
As a designer knows that every step is vital in a major room renovation, God knows that every day is a vital part of your journey. While He works out daily blessings, He’s pushing you to transform into who He created you to be.
Blessings are often right in front of us.
Maybe you had an uplifting conversation with a coworker today or you have family members who deeply care for you. You were able to catch up with an old friend or someone offered to help you on a task out of the blue. Perhaps God’s given you a talent you enjoy or healing after you were sick for weeks. No matter how big or small, all these things can be wonderful blessings–let’s not forget that!
Instead of focusing on the uncertainty of the future, focus on the good gifts God has given you now. Work with Him daily to follow the right path for your life, and you will start seeing the ways He’s moving parts together for the bigger picture.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11 ESV)
14 days of learning God’s love. Learn about the Love Letters here.
To receive inspiring content on faith and lifestyle, follow LM on social media!
YouTube: LizMargaret
Facebook: Lizmargaretblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lizmargaret/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_lizmargaret
Tumblr: http://lizmargaret.tumblr.com/
Path:
[Source]
In the midst of challenges, we sometimes feel alone. We might feel as though our prayers aren’t working. That God doesn’t hear us. And that He doesn’t love us.
These ideas are sneaky lies the devil tries to seep into your thoughts. Satan wants you to believe God isn’t listening and doesn’t love you, because he doesn’t want you to turn to God. And so, these difficult moments are the times we must hold onto the Lord even more.
In a battle, the opposing side you’re up against doesn’t want you to win. Your enemy will try any tactics to get rid of you. It’s a huge bonus if your enemy catches you distracted, because that’s the best time to strike. Similarly, the devil–your enemy in this world–will try to get your eyes off God to distract you in order to attack you. Negative thoughts aren’t from the God of love and freedom–they’re from the devil who comes to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10). Spoiler alert: God is more powerful than the enemy, so you have nothing to fear if you follow Him.
God doesn’t passively watch you struggle in life. He actively fights for you. You can’t know the future, and you can’t see things from miles away. However, your Heavenly Father can. Not only is God working on your behalf now–He’s clearing your path of future obstacles you can’t see.
God will not leave you hanging in the midst of the battle. He won’t suddenly desert you, leaving you to fend for yourself. He will provide the path–the course of action, or the route–that will lead to your victory.
Although you don’t see the way out now, it doesn’t mean it’s not coming. I urge you to keep your trust in God and find protection in Him. One way you can practice trust is by waiting on God–instead of rushing ahead and making final decisions without His instruction.
God’s instruction comes with peace. It may not be what you expect, but you’ll know it’s from God if you know Him. God keeps His word. He’s unchanging and acts based on His character, which you can learn for yourself by reading the Bible (His Word).
Take your hands off, and allow God the space to move in your life. He won’t force you–He’ll look for your willingness to let Him work. But whether God has told you to wait, leave, go ahead, or stop, your obedience will be worth it.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
14 days of learning God’s love. Learn about the Love Letters here.
To receive inspiring content on faith and lifestyle, follow LM on social media!
YouTube: LizMargaret
Facebook: Lizmargaretblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lizmargaret/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_lizmargaret
Tumblr: http://lizmargaret.tumblr.com/
More: to a greater extent.
“Maybe this is as good as it gets.”
Have you ever found yourself saying that? That you have no choice but to stay where you are, because it will only get worse from here?
You might feel you must stay within a bad relationship, because there’s no one else for you. Or, you feel you have to hang out with toxic friends, because otherwise you’d be alone. Maybe you feel you need to sacrifice your health to get perfect grades, because you’re convinced you’ll fail if you don’t. You feel you have to perform perfectly at work, or else you won’t be valued.
Whatever the case is, you feel as though if you don’t hold onto something, you have nothing.
Any of these things–relationships, grades, or careers–can disappear at any moment. And you probably know this, which is why you feel the need to maintain them constantly.
These are all things you can enjoy, if they are good things. But when you find your entire worth in them, you’re going to find yourself empty.
You were not made to find your security in temporary things. God has more for you than that. He provides more, or to a greater extent. But how do we get to this “more”?
Understanding God’s love for you is the first step. His love for you is unchanging, and it lasts forever. When you secure yourself in God–a sure and permanent thing–you’re able to make better use of non-permanent things in life.
You won’t put pressure on others to reassure you. You won’t feel defeated over your mistakes. You’ll be able to walk away from negative people and situations, because you know your worth is not in them. You’ll be able to enjoy your blessings–knowing your worth is not in them, either.
Your value is not based on what you have or don’t have. God sees your value. He created you with value.
God can do more for you than what you can do for yourself. What you see with your own eyes is the surface. When you commit your life to Him, you’ll find that good moments in life can get better. And better.
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 ESV)
14 days of learning God’s love. Learn about the Love Letters here.
To receive inspiring content on faith and lifestyle, follow LM on social media!
YouTube: LizMargaret
Facebook: Lizmargaretblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lizmargaret/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_lizmargaret
Tumblr: http://lizmargaret.tumblr.com/
LizMargaret 