If God is so good…
“If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?” Judges 6″13a
Though it’s totally unscripted and not at all polished, I pray you hear real life thoughts on God’s Word and how to authentically apply it to our lives.
In His service, Becky White
He uses our suffering
Though it’s totally unscripted and not at all polished, I pray you hear real life thoughts on God’s Word and how to authentically apply it to our lives.
In His service, Becky White
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I have decided to share a few of these OG devos from years past, in their original form for the most part. You may notice a few grammar issues or strange sentence structure. Please try to look past that, and land on the lesson He was teaching me at the time, and maybe even use it to remind/or teach you as well.
For His glory and your encouragement.
Becky White
When my heart is overwhelmed and fainting,
lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2 NASB
One afternoon I found myself distraught over a very difficult situation in my home, feeling overwhelmed by the crisis I reached for the phone to call my *prayer partner. Knowing she would take time out of her day to listen and then pray with me. As the phone rang, I waited in great anticipation, wanting desperately to unload this burden or at least have her share it with me. But…she wasn’t home. In tears I hung up the phone and cried; “Why is this happening, God?!”
In the words of Regis Philbin I had “no life lines left”. Or in the words of Scripture, God had brought me to “a place of wits’ end” Psalm 107:27. I had no where to turn — but to God. After a brief pity-party I realized I hadn’t even talked to the Lord yet about the problem.
Sometimes our Heavenly Father has to take away all our life lines so we will be brought to the place of wits’ end. It’s there that we realize our total dependency on God — that we experience first hand His comfort and faithfulness. So often we turn to our friends or pastors or counselors before ever turning to God. Sadly, some never seek Him out. Though God has given us friends and others to lean on in times of distress, He never intended for us to turn to them at the expense of a relationship with Him.
Once I composed myself, I went to a quiet room and sat down with God. Pouring my heart out to Him and then reading a Psalm aloud. He comforted me as no human could ever do and I learned a valuable lesson. I still called my friend the next day and shared with her my situation, but now I also had the opportunity to share with her what the Lord had taught me and give glory to God for His provision.
When my spirit is overwhelmed and fainting (throwing all of its weight) upon me, You
knew my path.” Psalm 142:3a am
“You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”
Corrie ten Boom
Father God, I have found by experience, that You truly are the God of all comfort. I would have never signed up for the classroom You used to teach me such lessons, but am so thankful for learning it. I love You, in Jesus’ name, amen.
*Jeanne Liston
Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus
Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.
Your eyes have seen what the LORD did. Deuteronomy 4:3
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children. Deuteronomy 4:9
Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Deuteronomy 5:15
Be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 6:12 Deuteronomy, chapters 4, 5 and 6 BSB
“Remember what your eyes have seen the Lord do.” In reading through this Old Testament book, those words grabbed my attention. “Remember what your eyes have seen.” Reading further, I noticed that theme repeated several times. In context we’re reading about the ancient Israelites, but as always, we must apply His Word to our own lives as well. So, I asked myself; “What have my eyes seen the Lord do, what was my “land of Egypt” that required deliverance and am I remembering?” The question caused my thoughts to tumble back in time to a church service, some 43 years ago.
Pushing the yellow polka-dot stroller as I walked along High Street in the Short North area of Columbus, I arrived at the store-front church that was adorned with a large bygone-era lighted cross. The old country-style church embedded in an ultra-urban setting, was affectionately called, Old Time Religion Hall. Once inside, I pushed the stroller, and my now awake young son, down the narrow hardwood-floor aisle, lined on both sides with bare wooden pews. Also, from a bygone era. Adjusting the stroller to fit snuggly beside me, I slipped into the pew and exhaled even as I breathed in a still unfamiliar, but an amazing and soul-deep peace. His peace.
Rising to my feet with the rest of the small, mostly elderly congregation, we sang songs like Amazing Grace, Peace in the Valley, and Old Rugged Cross. Songs that were unfamiliar to me, but with words that clearly articulated what had happened in my life just a year earlier. So new to this “new” life, I was stunned that someone had penned the words of my own heart, not yet realizing that millions had gone before me as new creations in Christ.
I was also, utterly unconcerned at being the lone teenager in the gray-haired crowd, or who might hear my very off-key singing. Loudly and with great enthusiasm, I belted out the words, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.” Tears were a common occurrence as I took in the reality of the miraculous deliverance from a life of rebellion, heartache, and anything but peace. A gift that Jesus Christ had purchased for me with His Blood. So undeserved.
Remembering what my eyes have seen … not to necessarily remove my difficulties, but to walk me through them. And through them He has walked me! Not over, or around, but through.
What do you need to call to mind, what can you purposefully remember? What has the Lord done that your eyes have seen? Remember … thank Him, and then share it!
Precious Lord and Savior, though words can never adequately express our profound gratitude, we simply bow in worship and say, “Thank You.” We love You, Lord. Be gloried in and through our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus.
When Life isn’t “fair.”
Though it’s totally unscripted and not at all polished, I pray you hear real life thoughts on God’s Word and how to authentically apply it to our lives.
In His service, Becky White
A short montage of thoughts on Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
Though it’s totally unscripted and not at all polished, I pray you hear real life thoughts on God’s Word and how to authentically apply it to our lives.
In His service, Becky White
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What are you thinking?
Though it’s totally unscripted and not at all polished, I pray you hear real life thoughts on God’s Word and how to authentically apply it to our lives.
In His service, Becky White
An audio only, short montage of thoughts on Psalm 94.
Though it’s totally unscripted and not at all polished, I pray you hear real life thoughts on God’s Word and how to authentically apply it to our lives.
In His service, Becky White
“Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.” Hosea 6:1 ESV
For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal. Job 5:18 BSB
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3 NLT
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result. The saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 NASB
Seated at a rectangular plastic table adorned with a sugar jar and plenty of creamer, I begin probing. “So … tell me, what’s your story?” This purposefully penetrating and open-ended question is one I usually ask in the course of urban ministry. Many of the folks seated across from me, have no home, no bed, no anything. And often, feel without hope. As other volunteers serve breakfast with all the “fixins”, along with a bottomless cup of hot coffee, I listen intently. My goal is to gently poke until I find the pain. Some share decades-old hurt or regret. Others, eye me suspiciously for possible motives, as they lift their fork for another bite of a dripping-with-syrup waffle. It’s then that I begin sharing a few of my own pain stories as well. I have come to understand that no matter the socioeconomic background, regardless of ethnicity or educational level, pain is our commonality. Some more than others, that’s true, but always, something.
Why do I ask this? Because I know that pain can either be used as a weapon in the hands of the enemy, or a tool in the hands of our Almighty, and sovereign God. As the Old Testament account of Joseph puts it, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” The words didn’t ignore his years-long pain of unjust imprisonment or suffering, but it did put it in perspective. Yea, You meant to jack-up my life. But hold on. God meant for that pain to bring about something good in my life. And very often, the enemy has used their pain to convince them of God’s “neglect” or even lack of existence.
Pain can either be used as a weapon in the hands of the enemy, or a tool in the sovereign hands of Almighty God.
Becky White
How about you? What’s your story? Is your pain point one of deep regret or childhood trauma? Is it dashed expectations that linger in your heart or widowhood or illness or a prison cell? Is your pain caused by watching the ache of someone you love? Pain is always a pivot point. Do we allow it to drive us to our knees and to greater dependence on the Lord, or allow the hurt to push us away? Away, in anger or depression or bitter unforgiveness?
As I share with the folks at The Bridge Ministry or The Columbus Dream Center, I freely admit that I don’t have answers to all the questions of “why.” But this I know, If God willingly gave the life of His Son for us, surely we can trust Him with what we do not understand. Trust Him with our pain.
The question we all must answer is, will we let our pain draw us to Him or repel us from Him?
In whose hands is your pain?
Father God, Yes, there are times when my heart is pained and raw from the realities of life. But I choose to trust You with all that comes my way. For my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.
Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…”
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.
Matthew 11:28 NASB 1977 Matthew 11:29 NKJV Psalm 73:28
Come. Don’t sit down in your pain. Don’t try to walk through it alone. Hear His call …. Come.
To Me. First. Before the counselor or friend. Before searching the latest blog post or listening to an online influencer. Not leaning on a “force” or thinking good thoughts, No. Hear His call …. Come to Me.
All. Not just the so-called religious or “good” folk (as if that were a thing). Not just pastors or whoever else you think “deserves” His help. All mankind is invited. Hear His call … All.
Who are weary. Has the sheer length of your trial or dashed hopes (yet again) caused you to grow weary? Has the no-miracle-in-sight reality in front of you brought weariness to your soul? Then you qualify. All who are weary…
And heavy-laden. Has bitter disappointment or pain or loss or emotional ache become a heavy burden you carry with you? Causing you to bend low with the weight of it all? Though you probably wouldn’t have raised your hand as a volunteer, once again, you qualify. Hear His call to Come, all you who are weary and heavy-laden…
And I will give you rest. He provides the rest. In spite of our circumstances. Not by necessarily removing our difficulties, but by walking us through them. No magic wands, just His strength infused within us by His Spirit. He offers a soul-deep rest that calms our spirit with His peace …. I will give you rest.
I have found by experience that though the pain was great and the ache unrelenting, as I turned to Him, His peace sustained me. And continues to. I assure you, that I would not have volunteered for the trials that have touched my life, ( I’m sure you wouldn’t have either) but as I have walked through them, I have found Him entirely faithful.
Notice with me that this promise is not for those who think they are “all that and a bag of chips”. Nor for those who regard realizing our own brokenness and need for Jesus Christ, as a “crutch” for the weak. It takes humility to admit our need (in whatever form it takes) and then coming to the Saviour.
I don’t know what trial has smacked you between the eyes, or what circumstance has become too heavy to bear… but He does. And His promise for you stands. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…”
“The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”
Elisabeth Elliot
Father, When I am weary and burdened by the trials of this life, remind me of Your nearness and Your call to simply… come. To You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus
To help you on your journey, click here for a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths, learning to trust Him as we walk along the Stony Paths of real life, or to purchase a hard copy.
