Sometimes we need the reminder in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that all things have their season in this life, on this earth. We are but a blip on the radar in the eternity in which God resides. Sometimes this feels incredibly overwhelming; how could God possibly care about a speck like me? He cares because He created me, and He created me because He cares about me.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven;
There will be all kinds of seasons in our lives but one thing is certain through all of it. God cares about you and me so much that He created us. Knowing all our muck ups, mess-ups and sins He still chose to sacrifice His Son so we could receive the gift of salvation and be in a relationship with Him.
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Does God know what I’m going through?
It is comforting to know that God is not unaware of the seasons in our lives. He is working it all out ahead of us. He knows the steps we will take, the doors He will open and close, and is already preparing us for it all.
Whatever season you are in right now God is using in some way to equip you for the next, and whatever seasons you have come out of you can likely pinpoint now how they helped you get to where you are.
We are not alone in the dark winters or our seasons of loneliness. Nor are we alone in our seasons of joy, of victory, or even our seasons of rest or contentment. God is with us, and He prepares and provides for every season we walk through as our Yahweh-Rohi; The Lord is my Shepherd, and our Yahweh-Yireh; The-Lord-will-Provide.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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The most common argument I have heard is “but what about those who have never heard of the gospel or of Jesus, or never read the Bible?” Enter Romans 1:18-32.
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known[a] about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.As a result, people are without excuse.21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
What does John 3:36 teach me about right priorities?
In Romans 1 we learn that our knowledge of God doesn’t begin when we read His Word. God makes Himself known to all mankind, His creation, and draws us to Himself, to His Word. God draws us to His Truth, His Son. Just because you have not read the gospel does not mean you have not had the opportunity to know and believe in the Son.
God has called every one of us to come to Him. Jesus goes on to explain this in the book of John, saying that “no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” God calls on every one of us to come to Him, whether we acknowledge Him, honor Him, worship Him, serve Him, believe in Him or not. We are all given the opportunity to believe in the Son.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
As we all strive to find and create balance in our lives, we should reflect on Christ and what He came, lived, died, rose again, and ascended for.
God sent His Son to save you from the penalty of your sin so that you could be in a relationship with Him. He sent His Son so that we could choose eternal life rather than eternal separation from God as we all deserve.
He sent His Son to save us, to create the balance only He can create. Not balance as we define it, but balance the way only He can create it. Come to God and find peace, rest, strength, love, and grace. Lean into God and find all that your heart truly longs for and more. Surrender to your Heavenly Father who wants to care for you as His child. Seek God who has made the unthinkable sacrifice so that you could come to Him. Come to God in faith, believing in His Son whom He sent for you.
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Lately, I have been getting really into planners. I have had an appreciation for them for a long time, but lately, I have had it on my heart to plan better. By this, I mean that God placed Proverbs 16:9 on my heart. I have started to become more aware of how I spend my time and work hard to make better use of my time in ways that He guides.
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 ESV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 CSB
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. Proverbs 16:9 AMP
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How has Proverbs 16:9 helped me manage my time better?
God has been reminding me day after day that while I can fill up my planner with all kinds of things I want to do, ultimately He will be the One to determine what happens. I can plan to my heart’s content but His will be done no matter what I do or do not do, and He will provide all that is needed for His will to be done.
I’ve been noticing a better balance of tasks since I gave my planning over to God and let Him set my priorities. I’ve drastically reduced the tasks I really wanted to do that God indicated were not where I should focus. He has better things for me to spend my time doing.
In this, I have not only been able to start investing my time more effectively and efficiently, but He has given me time to rest, to have some fun, to spend with my family more, and focus better on the tasks that bring Him the most glory and honor.
How can you better plan your time?
This week I see a huge shift happening in my own schedule. It makes me wonder what would happen if more people gave God control of their plans, schedules, to-do lists so He can do what only He can. I wonder how many would find more satisfaction and less worry over what did and did not get done.
We are all called to prioritize God above all else, and through Proverbs 16:9 we see that even when we plan according to our own will, God’s will be done. Set your heart’s plans and desires on the Lord and He will make straight your paths for His glory and kingdom. He will provide the stepping stones, the resources, the time, the help. He is our Provider, our Way Maker, and our loving Heavenly Father.
Entrust your plans to His will and let Him lead the way each and every day.
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One of the very first passages I ever read in the Bible was 1 Peter 4. It set me on a path to line my life up with Christ and how He calls me to live. I had been through a lot of pain in my life. God knew that 1 Peter was exactly what I needed.
I began seeking God out more often. Navigating the challenges of faith in God while living in a cruel world was lonely for a while. Again, 1 Peter was there to encourage me. God kept me going. I went through many tests at the beginning of my faith journey. This taught me that the testing would never really be over. The pain, trials, and changes were already making me stronger.
While praying for balance in our lives, the idea of suffering isn’t something we’d like to include. Jesus teaches His followers that to rightly prioritize Him means that we will suffer, be insulted, and be tested for His sake. The balance comes when we stand firm in faith out of love for our Savior despite all this agony. We will find immense strength and blessings within our growing relationship with the Lord.
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12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
We belong to a God of promises and He is a promise keeper. Stand firm with Him and you will grow with every ache, pain, and trial you face in faith.
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If you are seeking better balance and priorities in your life, download and read through our free printable reading plan to encourage you in Biblical balance.
Life has been such a whirlwind that feels like a never-ending storm. Sometimes it feels like it is just chewing us up and spitting us out to chew us up again. I was encouraged by a word God had laid on my heart, inspired by Matthew 5:6, to focus on – balance.
Matthew 5 reminded me that we need to be hungering and thirsting for Him and His righteousness. We need to remain diligently focused on things above rather than the hectic circumstances around us. Balance can only be obtained when God is our number one focus and desire.
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How can I pray for balance with Matthew 5:6?
Read through these verses, pray over the words, pinpoint the places that God might be speaking to you today. Where is God calling on you to seek His balance? His priorities? His intentions? Him?
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12 NKJV
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Jesus calls those who hunger and thirst for His righteousness “blessed” and says “they shall be filled”. Will you allow Him to fill you up, or will you fill yourself with worry, dissatisfaction, anxiety, frustrations, and impatience with things of this world?
Pray with me this month for balance in our lives, hearts, minds – as well as for our circumstances, our homes, families, communities, nations, and the world. Seek His balance for and in all things.
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If you are seeking better balance and priorities in your life, download and read through our free printable reading plan to encourage you in Biblical balance.
Welcome!
I am a wife, mom, writer, crafter, and above all, a Child of God. I love to study the Bible, fellowship with other Christians, and serve God. I am thrilled to invite you to join me in seeking to satisfy our thirsty souls with the Living Water of Christ, which is what Water On Thirsty Land is here to do.
