Day 38 Light Ahead

Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

There are usually several gold nuggets of truth in each of the devotional messages in the "God Calling" book by A.J. Russell. Today was no exception. I could have written several blogs taking off in one direction or another.

This one is about trusting God hears our prayers. It is a rich reminder of the love God has for me and how He desires to answer my prayers.

I realized that the cries of my suffering have pierced the ears of God. The cry from deep in my heart is a trusting cry going right to His Divine Ear.

Life is full of so many things. Some wonderful. Some difficult. When I open my child-like trusting eyes to everything God is doing and the promises He has made to me I find peace.

Even while I'm waiting for an answer to my prayer. Even in the midst of the difficult circumstance. I know that it may only be a few more steps before I see the work He is doing.

As I keep walking – even when my path seems dark because of my difficult circumstances, I hang on to Him – the Light of the World.
What happens next is what is so amazing about my God.

He uses that season of difficulty. He has showed me how when I keep walking with Him He will use me as a light to guide others who may walk that same path.

In my darkest days I never dreamed God would use those times in my mentoring, my writing and my Bible studies to hold the hand of another in need.

He knows the answer to our problem before we even ask. Keep walking. Don't turn from Him. Soon He will show you how your story will bring Him glory and will be the light ahead on someone else's dark path.

Let it be so.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog came from the Feb 7 entry in the book "God Calling" published by Barbour Publishing and edited by A.J. Russell. An excellent devotional book full of wonderful blessings from God.

Today I want to bless my sister Marilyn on her birthday. She is indeed a light to others.

Also today we celebrate my great-nephew Quin Tuckman's birthday. He is a nice young man who is a light to the family.

Our good friend Nate Nystrom turns 23 today. He is a fine young man we are blessed to know.

I'm posting my blog early today so I can go get ready for Superbowl Sunday – come on over!

Day 37 God’s Longing

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word do I hope. Psalm 130:5

There is a longing of the Eternal heart of God to spend time with you. He doesn't want you to come to him only when you need something. Sometimes we treat God like a vending machine where we give only to get something back. I don't believe that's the way it works.

Think about those who followed Jesus. Some followed Him so they could be healed. Others wanted to learn from Him.

Oh how He loved those who spent time at His feet. Not to receive a healing or a revelation. They were there just to hang out with Jesus.

I hope you will take the time to sit before Him. Just hang out for awhile.

I know the longing I have in my heart to be loved was taught to me by the very One who formed my heart in his hand. Just as I long to spend time with my loved ones, He longs to spend time with me.

I want to be loved for who I am, not for what I can give to those who love me.

God's longing for your love is the same thing.

Why don't you go spend some time with God today? I can see Him smiling as He sits waiting patiently for you.

To the listening ear He speaks. To the waiting heart He comes.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi
http://www.gigimurfitt.com/
The idea for this blog post was taken from the book "God Calling" edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 36 You Shall Know

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. John 7:17

My time in prayer, Bible study, fellowship with others at Church and simply being quiet and enjoying my God-given surroundings have developed a closeness to Him that is sometimes difficult to explain. There is a sense of "knowing" that everything is going to be alright even in the most difficult times.

The time I spend with God fills my cup to overflowing with the grace to carry on. I know that everything will work out for good—somehow. It might turn out completely different than I expected but I've learned to trust that God is good. I hang in there and ask for the next step. He guides me and reveals what is from Him and what is not.

For some the concept of a good God is difficult when they have lived through horrific circumstances or lost a loved one or even just watched the daily news. But what I've known as I've studied and learned more about the Bible and as I've listened to what God has to say is this –in this world we will have trouble but remember He overcame the world.

This is what else I know. There is an enemy who wants to kill, steal and destroy our lives. The Bible calls him the father of all lies. When you hang close to God you can discern the lies from the truth.

I've learned so much from the many different teachers in my life. I agree with this statement written in the "God Calling" devotional today:

Life is a school. There are many teachers. Not to everyone do I come personally. Believe literally that the problems and difficulties of your lives can be explained by Me (God) more clearly and effectually than by any other.

Be careful who you listen to….that you shall know the truth.

Hugs all around – I have a busy weekend ahead. Wrestling match – GO JOE, Birthday party – Bless you ElaJean, and the Super Bowl. Go Saints! (And of course time at church with my favorite people!)

God Bless Your Heart
Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post was taken from the book "God Calling" edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing. I highly recommend it. There are wonderful messages on every page. I usually pick one to discuss in my blog.
If there is anything I've learned in my walk with God it is this—I hear His voice more clearly when I spend more time with him.

Day 35 Drop Your Crutch

God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Psalm 62:11

Step by step. He will show me His will. Step by step I trust His direction.

There are many times in my life when the circumstances would normally leave me with no peace. But God has given me peace even when I was walking on shaky ground. Step by step God has given me peace, because I trust Him.

• I trusted Him as an elementary school girl when my daddy died. God is my Abba Father.
• I trusted Him when the insecurities of adolescence pounded in my broken heart. He is my true friend.
• I trusted Him when my first marriage failed miserably. I am His precious bride.
• I trusted Him when my son Zane had surgery. He is our Healer.
• I trusted Him when my son Gabe was born with severe birth defects. He is my Rock of refuge.
• I trusted Him when my mom became ill and I had to help manage her care. He is my Peace.
• I trusted Him during financial difficulties as we faced a $25,000 wheelchair bill. He is my Provider.
• I trusted Him while helping family members work through some difficult times. He is my Guide.
• I trusted Him when my job was stressful and I felt misunderstood. He is my Comforter.
• I trust Him now in the transitions of family, my marriage and my health. He is my Wise Council.
• I trust Him every day and I depend on His power.

Trust moves God's power into action. It is when I drop the crutch of my own human support or material help that His power has room to move.

Drop the crutch of your own efforts, trust God and walk in victory today. His power has no limit.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

The idea for this blog post came from the February 4^th devotional entry in God Calling edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

PS. I want to shout out a blessing today to my niece Melissa Lathrope. Happy Birthday Missy! You are precious in His sight….and I love you lots too! It seems like it was only yesterday that you were born. I loved taking care of you and living with you for a season. So many people thought you were my daughter and I wish you were. You are a precious jewel in the crown of the Devine family! Hugs all around from your Janet Jackson rocking aunt!

Day 34 If Men Oppose

Be not afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36

I wonder if you might be looking at a wall that is blocking your progress.  Is there something in your way?  Maybe it's time to believe that God can move it for you. 

What moved the walls of Jericho?  Was it man?  No!  Was it machinery? No! It was the sound of praise coming from people who believed what God told them to do and then they did it.

It sounded crazy to march around singing songs and praising God.  But they didn't reason with their own minds.  They obeyed what God called them to do.

All the walls that lie before you can be taken down by God - with a word....with a shout.  It is as simple as that.  God's word is powerful.

But just maybe the walls have been left there on purpose to prevent you from going where God knows it would not be good for you.  Maybe what you are looking at is really not an obstacle or the opposition of man, but the plan of God to shift your focus and move you to a different place. 

Or maybe he has a big plan to use you right where you are but you are so busy trying to knock down the wall that you can't hear Him.

Just maybe if we always believed with certainty that God governs the hearts of Kings and governments we'd relax a little.  The plan would unfold and we'd see the power of God at work.

Your faith and God's power.  The only ingredients you need to move mountains.

Be not afraid.  Only believe.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this post was taken from the book "God Calling" edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 33 Practice Love

And this is his commandment...love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23

Wow. How about we all just practice loving each other. Love even those who frustrate you.Your challenge today is to practice. Love.

My blog is short tonight. I just got home from an amazing fellowship night with my "homies". The people I share my heart with at home group a couple times a month. These guys are like family to me.

Tonight I balled my eyes out in thanksgiving for the way God has blessed me through my book. Although it's a little pocket sized book with thirty stories - not some big 350 page novel - He is using it to bless others and I've had some amazing conversations, emails and letters.  I never imagined.

Thanks God.  I feel so loved.

Good night my friends.  It's late.

God Bless Your Heart
Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

Day 32 Another Start

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-15

Oh Lord. I am ever thankful that the wisdom written all throughout the Bible. The promise of a fresh start has been so life-giving to me.

Oh yes, I admit my past failures. But it’s nice to know I don’t have to keep looking back. God wants me to move forward.

For a time in my life I hid one particular past failure. Why? Perhaps it was fear of man. For sure it was pride.

Shortly after I graduated from college I married the man I had dated off and on for five years. (The off and on pattern should have been a clue but I ignored it.) We had a huge wedding. I sewed almost all of the thirteen bridesmaid/flower girl dresses. It was quite a production.

But this beautiful fairy tale wedding ended six months later in a painful annulment. Both of us had deeply hurt the other in our selfishness and pride.

We sought the council of priests and friends but in the end I made up my mind it would never work. My heart had wandered away and I did not want to turn back.

This was one of the most difficult seasons of my past. I moved to Dallas, TX to start over.

But I told no one in my new home about my failed marriage. I was too embarrassed (or prideful) to tell the truth. I wanted my new friends and coworkers to like me. I thought they would think less of me if I told the truth about my failed marriage.  I was full of pride.

Because of the guilt and shame I worked hard to somehow make it up to God by volunteering in the Sunday school class room and going to Mass several times a week. I went through the long process of obtaining an annulment in the Catholic Church. I worked hard at looking good.  It didn't suit me well.  It was ugly.

Oh how the enemy loves it when we choose this way over the truth.  This cover up left me in bondage for years.

So God wants us to give it all to him and receive His forgiveness without looking back.

I’m so thankful that He has given me another start through Christ’s life and the forgiveness offered by His Grace.  It is powerful.  It is life changing.

If you need another start, I hope you will come clean with God and move forward.  If you need to talk to someone about your situation please feel free to email me so I can encourage you in your walk.

I'd love to help you find a new start where mercy and forgiveness runs deep.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post came from the February 1 devotional in "God Calling" edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.