Why Do I Feel Far From God?

There’s lots of reasons why we can feel far from God. But Pastor Steve Fuller in this short but excellent video shares one of the most common reasons, and what you can do about it.  An excellent reminder!  I hope you will be blessed and challenged!

Why Do I Feel Far From God?

Miscellanious Quotes

"There are many of us who are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us who are willing to do little things."  - D.L. Moody

“What is the sign that someone has become a genuine Christian? I wish that we would start teaching this again. What happened to our theology? What happened to our doctrine? What happened to our teaching? It went right out the window. No one wants to study doctrine anymore. They just want to listen to songs and read the back of Christian tee shirts.
What happened to truth? Truth tells you this. The evidence––the way that you can have assurance that you are genuinely a born-again Christian––is that you do, as a style of life, the will of the Father.
You say, “Oh, you’re talking about works.” No, I’m not.
I’m talking about evidence of faith.” ~Paul Washer

"Glance at your problems, gaze at Christ." 

"When we don't walk in righteousness, we defile His name." -John Piper

Exhortation Concerning Little Sins

“Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines.”  - Song of Solomon 2:15

A little thorn may cause much suffering. A little cloud may hide the sun. Little foxes spoil the vines; and little sins do mischief to the tender heart. These little sins burrow in the soul, and make it so full of that which is hateful to Christ, that he will hold no comfortable fellowship and communion with us. A great sin cannot destroy a Christian, but a little sin can make him miserable. Jesus will not walk with his people unless they drive out every known sin. He says, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Some Christians very seldom enjoy their Saviour’s presence. How is this? Surely it must be an affliction for a tender child to be separated from his father. Art thou a child of God, and yet satisfied to go on without seeing thy Father’s face? What! thou the spouse of Christ, and yet content without his company! Surely, thou hast fallen into a sad state, for the chaste spouse of Christ mourns like a dove without her mate, when he has left her. Ask, then, the question, what has driven Christ from thee? He hides his face behind the wall of thy sins. That wall may be built up of little pebbles, as easily as of great stones. The sea is made of drops; the rocks are made of grains: and the sea which divides thee from Christ may be filled with the drops of thy little sins; and the rock which has well nigh wrecked thy barque, may have been made by the daily working of the coral insects of thy little sins. If thou wouldst live with Christ, and walk with Christ, and see Christ, and have fellowship with Christ, take heed of “the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.” Jesus invites you to go with him and take them. He will surely, like Samson, take the foxes at once and easily. Go with him to the hunting.

-Charles Spurgeon's Morning Meditation, May 30th

~Brittany

Is There a Difference?

 

 Is there a difference? 

~Brittany

What is Inside the Armor?

This has been a favorite song of mine for my whole Christian life.  Just yesterday Tayte said to me, "Mom, you always seem so strong."  I told him, "Oh Son, you do not see me every morning on my knees crying like a baby before the Lord."  Truly the warrior is a child.  I thought this song went so well with the picture that Brittany posted yesterday.  We all understand that our strength is only in the Lord.  What a lovely song as only Twila Paris could express so beautifully.  I love the transition into the song Do I Trust You.  How fitting the resolve.  To whom else would we turn?  Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, for he trusteth in Thee.  Isaiah 26:3

Striking Picture and Verse

When I found this picture earlier today, I fell in love with it.  I so love how the lady is depicted as the complete essence of femininity: sweet, quiet, and beautiful.  She has her bow and arrows with her, but she displays a meekness and weakness that is so becoming as she looks up to the Lord to fight the battles she knows she cannot win herself.  The verse fits perfectly.  The whole thing is very deep, profound, and thought provoking  to me.  It challenges and encourages me to be the kind of godly young woman I so desire to be, and know that the Lord desires of me.

 ~Brittany

These two quotes really spoke to me this morning.  Oh, to be more fully focused on and in love with Christ!

"There are eternal consequences resulting from all our thoughts, words and actions, of which we take far too little account." ~ J.C. Ryle

"No person ever thought too much of Christ." ~ J.C. Ryle

I hope that each of you has a very blessed week.  May we each seek to walk closer to our Lord!

~Brittany

Expression of My Heart

Ever Present Aid from Above

This devotional so spoke to me this morning that I thought I'd share it with all of you.

We usually run to God when things get tough, but we must run to Him just as earnestly when things are going well.  It is when things are going well that we can get very easily distracted and let down our guard.  It is an amazingly sad thing when you stop and look back, trying to figure out where you went wrong, and discover that it was when you let your joys and ease consume you and you failed to listen to the calling of that still small voice.  I so appreciated the prayer written out here.  A very good exhortation to always be seeking aid from our Heavenly Father.

Hope this is a blessing and thought provoking encouragement to you.

May you each have a very blessed weekend! :-)

“Forsake me not, O Lord.”  -Psalm 38:21

Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation, but we too much forget that we have need to use this prayer at all times. There is no moment of our life, however holy, in which we can do without his constant upholding. Whether in light or in darkness, in communion or in temptation, we alike need the prayer, "Forsake me not, O Lord." "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." A little child, while learning to walk, always needs the nurse’s aid. The ship left by the pilot drifts at once from her course. We cannot do without continued aid from above; let it then be your prayer to-day,

"Forsake me not. Father, forsake not thy child, lest he fall by the hand of the enemy. Shepherd, forsake not thy lamb, lest he wander from the safety of the fold. Great Husbandman, forsake not thy plant, lest it wither and die. 'Forsake me not, O Lord,' now; and forsake me not at any moment of my life. Forsake me not in my joys, lest they absorb my heart. Forsake me not in my sorrows, lest I murmur against thee. Forsake me not in the day of my repentance, lest I lose the hope of pardon, and fall into despair; and forsake me not in the day of my strongest faith, lest faith degenerate into presumption. Forsake me not, for without thee I am weak, but with thee I am strong. Forsake me not, for my path is dangerous, and full of snares, and I cannot do without thy guidance. The hen forsakes not her brood, do thou then evermore cover me with thy feathers, and permit me under thy wings to find my refuge. 'Be not far from me, O Lord, for trouble is near, for there is none to help.' 'Leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!'"

“O ever in our cleansed breast,

Bid thine Eternal Spirit rest;

And make our secret soul to be

A temple pure and worthy thee.”

 -Charles Spurgeon's Morning Meditation, May 25th

~Brittany

 

~Brittany

Encouragment from Christian artist Jason Gray~ Blessing in being broken and weak

I was so blessed this morning as I was listening to one of my favorite Christian singers share his precious and powerful story about how God has worked in his life through weakness.  Christian recording artist Jason Gray has always had a speech impediment, and even though it's been really hard for him to live with, he can see how it's been a blessing. It has helped him depend on God more and grow in compassion for others.  In these video clips he shares about how through this handicap in his life he taps into the mind of God, and how he has learned that through our weaknesses, His strength is perfected.  And he also encourages those that feel broken and weak that God's grace and power flow strong through our brokenness and weakness.  I hope you will be as blessed and encouraged as I was by listening!  Each video clip is only about 1-3 minutes long...well worth taking the time to listen through!  :-)

And for your added encouragement and enjoyment, here is the link to my youtube playlist of some of my favorite Jason Gray songs.  :-)  CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE PLAYLIST!

Jason Gray: Weakness is a Blessing

Jason Gray shares his struggle with finding strength

Jason Gray talks about his speech impediment

Jason Gray encourages the broken and weak

~Posted By Breanna

When God Has Another Plan

This is another song I found recently that was very encouraging.  The Lord's ways are so not our ways.  I am learning that it is when I cannot rationalize or deal with things in my own strength that the Lord is asking me to truly surrender.  It is surrender because it's not what I want, and I can't convince myself of any good reason for what is happening to for letting go.  This is exactly where the Lord wants us - fully dependent on and surrendered to Him.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  - Romans 8:28

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him."  - Job 23: 10&14

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."  - John 12:24&25

When God Has Another Plan

 Forsaken by his brothers, didn’t fit the scene

Being made a slave was not what Joseph dreamed

The coat of many colors was stained with blood and lies

But from this divine appointment, a Ruler would arise

When God has another plan, walk on and just say yes

When God has another plan, be assured that He knows best

When all your dreams are shattered, rest in His sufficient grace

We don’t have to understand, when God has another plan

Alone and broken hearted, questions fill your mind

Changes can be hard that come by God’s design

But if you could see tomorrow with a view from heaven’s throne

Every unexpected struggle has led you closer home

When God has another plan, walk on and just say yes

When God has another plan, be assured that He knows best

When all your dreams are shattered, rest in His sufficient grace

We don’t have to understand

No, we don’t have to understand, when God has another plan

~Brittany

Very Encouraging Song

I found this song recently and thought I would share it with all of you.  No matter what it is, there are things that each one of us is waiting on the Lord for, praying about, or struggling to accept.  I hope this song is a blessing to you.
My apologizes to anyone who may not appreciate the beat in this song.  I tried to find an acoustic version, but was unsuccessful.  But I assure you, the lyrics are well worth reading.

Waiting Room

by Jonny Diaz

Here in this waiting room yearning for You to say go
And though I’m convinced that a yes would be best
This time You’re telling me no

It’s not that I don’t have an answer
It’s just not the one that I’d like
But through this time Lord I must keep in mind
You’re always wiser than I

Cause You have a much better purpose
And You have a far greater plan
And You have a bigger perspective
Cause You hold this world in your hands

The things that I seek are from You
Like the strong healing touch of your hand
But when You say no help me trust even though
There’s a reason I can’t understand

Cause You have a much better purpose
And You have a far greater plan
And You have a bigger perspective
Cause You hold this world in your hands

When that miracle comes cause Your answer is yes
I will praise you for all of my days
But when Your wisdom declares that a no is best
I will praise You just the same

You have a much better purpose
And You have a far greater plan
And You have a bigger perspective
Cause You hold this world in your hands

You hold this world in your hands

~Brittany

"You are not mature if you have a high esteem of yourself. He who boasts in himself is but a babe in Christ, if indeed he be in Christ at all. Young Christians may think much of themselves. Growing Christians think themselves nothing. Mature Christians know that they are less than nothing. The more holy we are, the more we mourn our infirmities, and the humbler is our estimate of ourselves."
~C.H. Spurgeon

"Christian motherhood means dedicating your entire life in service of others. It means standing beside your husband, following him, and investing in the lives of children whom you hope will both survive you and surpass you. It means forgoing present satisfaction for eternal rewards. It means investing in the lives of others who may never fully appreciate your sacrifice or comprehend the depth of your love. And it means doing all these things, not because you will receive the praise of man — for you will not — but because God made you to be a woman and a mother, and there is great contentment in that biblical calling. In other words, Motherhood requires vision. It requires living by faith and not by sight."

Douglas Phillips

"Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it."
Patrick Henry

"The question to ask when we are spiritually weak: Are we spending time w/God in the Word & prayer. If not, our weakness is not a mystery."
Paul Washer

Encouragement to Fix Your Gaze on Jesus

“When you gaze upon the sun—it makes everything else dark; when you taste honey—it makes everything else tasteless.

Likewise, when your soul feeds on Jesus —it takes away the sweetness of all earthly things; praise, pleasure, fleshly lusts, all lose their sweetness.

Keep a continued gaze! Run, looking unto Jesus. So will the world be crucified to you—and you unto the world!”

-Robert Murray McCheyne

~Posted By Breanna

A Few Good Quotes

"One of the surest ways to shipwreck your faith is to not have a clear conscience."

Michael Lederman

"A longing for something greater, purer, higher than anything this world can provide (a holy discontent) is an evidence of the Spirit's work.  The closer we are to any given point, the greater and clearer our view. Distance yourself from the world's attractions. Draw near to Christ."

Paul Washer

"Let us cleave to Christ more closely, love Him more heartily, live to Him more thoroughly, copy Him more exactly, confess Him more boldly, and follow Him more fully."

J.C. Ryle

"To be prayerless is to be godless. He who does not hold daily deliberate times of communion with God does not know God and is surely still dead in sin and headed for hell. Where do you stand? The true Christian finds prayer a necessity and a delight (Psalms 27:4)."

Bob Jennings

“A Christian has no right to separate his life into two realms... to say the Bible is good for Sunday, but this is a week-day question, or the Scriptures are right in matters of religion, but this is a matter of business or politics. God reigns over all, everywhere. His will is the supreme law. His inspired Word, loyally read will inform us of His will in every relation and act of life, secular as well as religious; and the man is a traitor who refuses to walk therein with scrupulous care. The kingdom of God includes all sides of human life, and it is a kingdom of absolute righteousness. You are either a loyal subject, or a traitor. When the King comes, how will He find you doing?”

A. A. Hodge

"If we are to be holy, we must also see God as supreme over all things. And we must separate ourselves from the passions of this world and give everything that we are to him.
The man who is holy gives himself to God in passion and love for God. And the reason for everything he does is the glory of God."

Paul Washer

Posted by: Brittany

The Glorious Distraction of Love!

I read this post this morning on http://www.christyfitzwater.com 

and was very blessed and challenged by reading it.  

Would it be obvious to someone else that I am in love with Christ?  

Am I really in love with my God? 

  Just some things to meditate on. 

I sat in American history class in college, furiously taking notes, but every time the teacher paused I doodled on the side of the paper.

Matthew 
Matthew Fitzwater 
Mrs. Matthew Fitzwater 
Christy Fitzwater 

In cursive. In print. Encased in hearts. With swirls and loops. Should I write the F the unique way he does? (I decided yes, and 22 years later I still do.)

Willenbrecht
Fitzwater is so much easier to spell.

Love occupies the mind and oozes into every thought. (He smells so good in Polo. I can’t wait to see him tonight.)

God’s people are given the command to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV)  But this is no stiff command:  Love! It’s a heart-consuming, I wonder what He’s doing right now love.

Jesus.

Thinking about Him all the time.

If you want this kind of love for God, try some of these disciplines:

• “Swim in the Bible every day.”  -John Piper
• Memorize verses about God. Lots and lots of verses, until they permeate your thinking.
• Pray while folding socks and loading the dishwasher and waiting in the dentist’s office and browning hamburger and mowing the lawn.
• Every morning sing one hymn about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. (I highly recommend, Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross.)
• Listen to sermons that glorify God. (Tim Keller is my new discovery!)
• Read one prayer from The Valley of Vision every night before you go to bed.
• Hang out with people who are in love with Jesus and who talk about Him all the time.
• Let not even wild horses drag you away from attending church every week.
• Obey Jesus.
• Talk openly with others of your love for God.

The person sitting next to me in history class could glance at my notes and tell where my heart was.

The distraction of love is hard to hide.

~Posted by Breanna

I was reminded of this neat song this morning while doing my personal devotions.  I hope you all will find it a blessing as well.

~Brittany

"The Lord lets us go in our own wisdom & strength until we are weak, worn & confused. A hard but worthy lesson learned over and over again. We have nothing of the necessary wisdom or strength to accomplish the tasks set before us, but He has an inexhaustible supply of both.  Christ's limitless supply is appropriated through abiding in His word and prayer. There is no other substitute strategy!" - Paul Washer

 "Lord, let my primary concerns be heavenly ones, that your kingdom may come on earth, your will be done in me and in those I love."  - Elisabeth Elliot

 "The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord."
Charles Spurgeon

B.A.A.