God Knows the Full Story | Peace in the Storm (Part One)

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

(Philippians 1:12 NIV)


God has always known the full story.

In January, I challenged myself to read the full Bible, cover to cover, book to book, over the course of the year for the first time in my life.

Trust me, it hasn’t been easy to be consistent! A few short weeks later, I started a new job. My day-to-day life drastically changed, becoming busier than ever, and I’ve rarely had time for myself. 

But little did I know, just as my world had changed, the rest of the world would soon change. The coronavirus outbreak arrived. A storm that no one anticipated. Many plans have been cancelled. Fear and worry emerged. Sickness. Unemployment. An unknown future for many, and for others, perhaps just an inconvenience that they’re waiting to be over.

Either way, for the first time — in my limited perspective — I have seen the world stop. 

Or, at least, being forced to do so.  

Now, there’s something that has struck me in the past months of reading through the Bible that I can’t ignore.

No matter what has happened in this world, God has always had a plan and a purpose.

Continue reading “God Knows the Full Story | Peace in the Storm (Part One)”

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Identifying God’s Gifts | Trust Series (Part Two)

In Part One of the Trust Series, we discussed practical steps to take in order to follow God’s direction with confidence. By having the right perspective and obeying His Word, we can trust His lead when we follow His calling.

However, how do we identify God’s direction in the first place?

Seasons constantly change. New situations arise. New doors open. New dreams emerge. Oftentimes, when circumstances shift, it can be hard to tell whether open doors are just good or really God.

Nevertheless, God wants to provide the best for you, and He doesn’t want to hide His will from you. As you grow in your relationship with the Lord, you become better acquainted with His character. In Malachi 3:6, God declares, “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (NKJV). God moves in recognizable ways. He doesn’t alter who He is or His Word. So, His gifts will have His fingerprints on them.

In order to discern true gifts, we must know the One who gave them.

Today, In Part Two of the series, we’ll be discussing helpful ways to identify God’s gifts in our lives. It’s time to demystify the notion of God’s will. His will is practical, every day and secured by His grace. It doesn’t require perfection, but it requires willingness and humility. No matter the circumstance, God’s direction is not meant to be a mysterious set of rules but a clear purpose we live out daily that leads to freedom.  

Continue reading “Identifying God’s Gifts | Trust Series (Part Two)”

Is Your Breakthrough One Step Away?

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

(Mark 8:25 NIV)


Look up at the sky before or during a storm. What you’ll find are dense clouds covering every inch of the sky. No blue in sight. Probably no sun.

From the ground, there’s no way you can see what’s on the other side.

Different seasons in our lives can often feel this way. There may be times we encounter long, painful, and slow seasons. Seasons where we’re not just waiting for change but we need a change. A miracle, breakthrough, healing–an answer.

Seasons where the “other side” seems further and further from our grasp. Times when you have been praying about an unchanging situation for days, weeks, months, and years.

What happens when God doesn’t respond right away?

In Mark 8:22-26, we encounter a blind man in need of healing. However, instead of instantly healing him at once, Jesus heals him in two steps. In this prolonged moment, Jesus shows that the real process of restoration is way beyond our perception of time.
Continue reading “Is Your Breakthrough One Step Away?”

I Feel No Connection to God | Ask LizMargaret #2

What do I do if I feel God’s not answering my prayers?

Did God create me to suffer?

Why did He create me at all?

Feeling distant from God can be a frustrating feeling. But you don’t have to stay there. In today’s Ask LizMargaret video, I’m tackling these tough questions and more.

Click below to watch my new YouTube video! Got a question? Submit an Ask LizMargaret question here.

Learn more about Ask LizMargaret here.

 

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