Day 256 Quiet Strength

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

Are you stressed out? Worried sick? Worn out? Just plain tired?

I feel that way during seasons of change. It takes me awhile to adjust.

But then I remember to rest in assurance that God will give me rest when the world wants to hand me turmoil.

With rest comes peace.

With peace comes joy.

My worry for the future is given over to the peace giver.

Then His power flows through me and the peace flows like a river.

The Bible tells me in Isaiah 30:15 that "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

Quiet confidence works for me.

How about you?

Today I'm praying that your weary soul will find rest. In Him.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi
http://www.gigimurfitt.com/


I am thankful for the way this book has guided my daily quiet time. It seems to be just right for the season. The idea for this blog post came from my devotional journal titled God Calling by AJ Russell published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 225 Not Punishment

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

There are days when I have to admit that I wonder if my present circumstances are a result of my past sin choices. But God shows me otherwise.

Yes, there are definite consequences to some of our choices that change the outcome of our lives. But too often we dwell in the pit of our pitiful choices rather than walk it out and make the best of it in spite of our past.

God doesn't camp there reminding us of our ugly choices. Because of grace, He removes our wrong doing and flings it as far as the east is from the west.

That's far.

Give Him your past.

Trust Him. Listen to His guidance. Follow it.

God's plan is revealed in our daily walk with Him.

Two-by-two – me and Jesus.
Listening.
Learning.
Growing.
Full of peace and joy.



God Bless your heart with grace and peace and joy.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for the blog post came from the devotional for August 15 in the God Calling book by AJ Russell.

August 15 is my best friend Jeanne Nystrom's birthday. Happy Birthday girlfriend! This one's for you. You are a treasure to me and I celebrate you today.

Day 138 New and Vital Power

I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Abundant life.

That's what God wants for us. That's why Jesus died for us.

I remember when I finally realized the truth that abundant life was possible for me and my family.

I'd been spinning out of control on the merry-go-round of life. Buried in my work as accounting manager for a software company, I worked sixty to seventy hours a week leaving my three year old Zane and infant son Gabe in daycare for long hours every day.

My heart ached each time I dropped them off at daycare.

But my work became my refuge from the storm of dealing with all of the challenges facing us because of Gabe's birth defects. I had no peace. Worry and doubt had stolen my joy.

Then I surrendered it all to the loving Christ.

I took one look His way and my heart was healed. He saved me from all the cares of the world. He saved me from despair.

God flowed a peace beyond understanding into my river of life.

There was new and vital power in my relationship with Christ.

Doubt took a hike.

Joy moved in.

Hope endured.

Sometimes it is hard to explain how amazing this journey has been. It's just plain awesome.

So I keep looking to Him for my every need. I hope and pray that you will too.

God bless your heart with new and vital power.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post was taken from the May 18 devotional in God Calling edited by AJ Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 47 Never Ruffled

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

I trust God. Even in the struggles of this life I have found God to be trustworthy. I've had things turn out different than I had hoped. But I've never stopped believing God is good and He wills good things in my life.

I have been kept in perfect peace even when my Mom was suffering from dementia and we struggled to help her want to live.

I have been kept in perfect peace even through the challenges of raising a son with multiple congenital birth defects.

I have been kept in perfect peace walking along side two of my sisters as they battled breast cancer.

I have been kept in perfect peace through financial struggles, work challenges, relationship issues and just plain life experiences.

Because I truly trust God. My mind focuses on the fact that He loves me. He sent His son to die for me. Why would I not trust Him? He is faithful.

My prayer for you today is that you trust Him.

If for some reason you are struggling with trusting God, please know that He loves You and desires the best for You.

I'd love to encourage you so please send me a comment on this blog or an email on my website.

May the God of peace keep your feathers from ruffling.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog was taken from the devotion for February 16 in the God Calling book by A.J. Russell.

I'm posting two blogs tonight. We took time last night to pray for some dear friends and didn't get home until nearly midnight so I was unable to type my blog yesterday.

It was an amazing day however. Steve bought me a new (used) car! I've driven a van for the past 19 years and now I have a car!  (Mazda CX-7 GT - a sporty SUV!)  I am blessed.

Plus we had the most amazing Bible study at The City Church. Joann Ramos preached an encouraging message about not being a victim but overcoming and being used by God.  I pray you will listen to this message when it is uploaded to http://www.thecity.org/ I guarantee it will encourage you to overcome!

I love my "homies" – the people in my home fellowship group. The way they pray and lift each other up is truly what church is about.

I love my Bible study friends – an amazing group of women who come beside me and help me keep my peace.

I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church where you can keep your mind stayed on Christ so He will keep you in perfect peace.