Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Some days my head hits the pillow hard. I lay there thinking “I can’t do this another day.” I’m not only physically tired, but emotionally and mentally as well. Between refereeing conflicts between siblings, homeschool, church responsibilities and the chores, I am spent. Yet, exhausted as I am, my mind runs long into the night. I think about the projects I promised the church I would complete. I remind myself of countless things I need to do for homeschool the next day. I think about people I need to call but haven’t.

Life is hard and it’s tiring. As moms, we are known to give and give and give some more. We juggle many hats and many responsibilities. Children use up all our patience and energy. Our minds are usually full of to-do lists, burdens and worries, if-onlys, and I-need-to’s.

Even a juggler can’t juggle forever. Eventually we wear out and get burned out.

It is such a comfort to know that God never grows weary. He never needs rest. He’s never burdened. And there’s no problem too big for Him.

I also take great comfort in knowing that He is faithful and His love is everlasting. He promised Israel in Isaiah 40 that He would give strength to the weary. He knew how much we labor under sin. He knew we needed rescue from our burdens. He sent His Son who carried the greatest burden for us so we wouldn’t have to.

This same Son knows what it is to be tired, to experience sorrow, and what trials and challenges come with this life. He took on skin like ours and shared in our sufferings. What great hope this brings!

This passage reminds us that our hope indeed is in the Lord. When we hope in Him and believe His promises, our strength is renewed.

Feeling burned out? Know that your Savior carried that same burden to the cross. Know that He wants to strengthen you even today through the power of the gospel of grace. He has taken our burdens and given us wings to soar. He did so that day on the cross over 2,000 years ago and He continues to do so this very day as well.

May this be your confidence and hope.

For further reading: Jeremiah 31:3, Psalm 23, Exodus 15:2, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30

Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Do you freely come to God, no matter what is happening in your life? I don’t often enough. Especially when I’ve sinned.  When I’ve messed up with my kids, yelled or said something unkind, the last thing I do is come before God.

In fact, I’m more likely to stay away for a while until I feel worthy. This passage describes the throne as belonging to our gracious God. When Christ died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two. The barrier separating sinner from our holy God was removed. Christ has made us worthy to come before the throne of God. We don’t have to purify ourselves or clean up our mess before we approach Him. Jesus already did that.

Even when my life is a mess and I struggle with sin, I can still come boldly. At the throne, I will receive mercy. He gives me mercy for my past sins and grace to help me through whatever is going on in my life.

We have so much to gain when we approach Him boldly–and nothing to fear. When the whispers of doubt creep in, we must remember His grace and mercy. He desires real relationship with us, not one where we withdraw in fear.

Will you enter His throne room boldly today?

For further reading: Ephesians 3:12, John 1:16, 2 Thess. 2:16-17, Matthew 11:28-30

Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

What does it take to walk by faith? This is a question I have been pondering for a couple of months now and with the New Year here I feel God strongly impressing on my heart that the word FAITH is my word for this year.

Last year my word was healing, and 2011 definitely brought healing in every area of my life. It seems a bit strange to go from healing to faith because in my mind it takes faith to bring healing. However seeing God’s faithfulness in bringing healing to my life will definitely be fresh in my mind as I learn to walk in faith this year.

Part of me is afraid. The fear that comes with walking in faith is there because of the unknown. Faith means I won’t have all the answers, and right now I would LOVE some answers. Or maybe I will think I have the answers only to have everything fall out of place again only to leave me with more questions than answers.

Faith means trusting God when you can’t see past two feet in front of you. It means walking down a winding road in the fog with confidence and boldness only because you KNOW that you’re here because that’s where God has brought you.

Walking in faith is not easy for me, especially since I am pretty comfortable worrying and being afraid of everything. I like to have control and I like to plan and set goals. But lately my plans and goals seem to be falling through the cracks and all I’m left with is my faith in God and His promises – which really seems to be enough.

So in 2012 I plan to walk by faith so I can also walk in His grace.

Faith brings us grace because when we walk by faith we find our self in a vulnerable place where we let go of control and surrender to Him. We can’t walk by faith if we have a heart of pride. Faith brings us to a place of humility because we finally find our strength in Him instead of what we can accomplish on our own.

Faith is enough. God is enough. His promises are enough, and He always keeps His promises.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for another hour, day, week, year. It is a wonderful blessing to be alive and well. Thank you for your provision and healing. So much has happened last year, and I look back on it with gratitude in my heart. Right now it’s difficult to find that gratitude, joy, and confidence simply because things aren’t going the way I had planned, and I have no clue where things are going really. I am grateful for the rainbows You send me, they remind me that You always keep Your promises. I think I can walk down the path You lead me with confidence and boldness this year if I can get a little glimpse of Your promises and a rainbow every once in awhile. Lord, even though it’s not easy to walk by faith, I also know it is a blessing because it keeps me focused on YOU and YOUR strength and provision in my life. And for that I am grateful. I pray this in your might son Jesus’ name. – AMEN!

Copyright © 2012 Heather Bixler, All Rights Reserved

Today I am linking up with “What is Your Word for 2012?“

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