by Monica Samreth
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Living in faith means God leads, and we follow. Having or wanting control in our lives means we are not giving control to God. He knows exactly where we need to go. Since God Himself goes before us, and prepares the way, following His loving leadership is the surest, safest way to travel. I grew up in Long Beach, California and made a name for myself. I was crowned Miss Long Beach, 2013, I held Board of Director positions for different non-profits serving at-risk youth, I was doing announcements at church, I was highly involved with the Cambodian community, I was given many city and state-wide awards, I had many friends, I had an awesome job and my family and I were finally financially sufficient. Despite all of these great things in my life, I felt symptoms of depression. I felt stuck. You see, although I met most of the goals that I set, I was thirsting for more. Long Beach became too small for me. I became complacent in my job, because I was getting bored, and all of the community involvement I had became obligations instead of passion. I felt like I was at the end of the road. How was it that I, a faithful believer would feel symptoms of depression? For days, I went into the Word. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” For weeks, I meditated on worship music. “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my savior.” Then, God spoke to me. I was on my knees at the pews at church. He whispered into my ears, “Can you be strong for me? Do you trust me? I’m going to need you trust me and be strong for me. It’s going to be a tough road ahead, but everything will work out beautifully.” That was when I “stepped out onto the water”, on Jesus’ speedboat in fact and we set out for the vast ocean. As soon as I gave Jesus the wheel, it gave Him the opportunity to show me the path He wanted me to go on. I hung on tight to the side of the boat and tried to buckle my seat belt, but Jesus would look back, and say, “Don’t you trust me? I’m in charge of this boat, you will not get hurt or get lost as long as you are on my boat.” He wanted me to just enjoy the view. Several weeks later, I received a phone call from the Head of International for my company, and he offered me a position that didn’t exist. I didn’t even apply for the job. The offer was to move out to Dallas, Texas and travel to different countries in Asia to help the company with its operations. I was going to get paid to travel! Fast forward to present day (two years later), I am now happily married to my husband, Sammy who moved out to Dallas, from Los Angeles, for me, I have four months until I graduate with my Executive MBA, I’m part of a community at church, and my faith has become stronger. I am finding joy and peace everyday. I anticipate His blessings by walking by faith and following His lead. I’m reminded that there will at times be beautiful weather or strong storms over this proverbial ocean, but as long as I stay in His speedboat and put faith in Him, I am safe always, and I get to explore the plans He has for me.
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By: Nicholas Parsons Passage: Matthew 6:25-34 Devotional: HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It’s that time of year again where a lot of us start thinking about New Year resolutions or goals for our lives. It can be multiple things for each us. According to Statisticbrain.com, the top 10 New Year Resolutions of 2015 were:
While resolutions and goals aren’t bad to have, it can also get to a point of priority that we get distracted by or even at other times we don’t always complete what was originally planned. However as you gear up this year with what you may want to accomplish, let me share and spur you on with a deeply rooted resolution that you can invest, have, keep, always free, and never be disappointed. This Wonderful Resolution is our Awesome God and His Faithfulness. If I had to take a guess on What His Resolutions according to His Truths are it would look like: 1. Know Him John 14:6-7 – (Jesus) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 2. Trust and Obey Daily Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Romans 12:1 – Therefore I urge you brothers in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 3. Know His Word Matthew 4:4 (Jesus) “It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 4. Communicate to Him by Prayer Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 5. Seek Him with others through Fellowship/Community Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 6. Share Him with those around you 1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. No matter the date or year always know our Heavenly Father loves you, pursues you, and never stops His goal of seeking a desired relationship with you.He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of our sins in exchange to give you an opportunity to have a reconciled relationship with God. By Faith in Jesus on what was done on the cross through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection you have crossed over from death to life.The Good News is God’s Resolution is already made known and is available to you any second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year.The time we have on earth continues to countdown. Don’t miss out on the joy and eternal celebration found in Christ alone. Finally check out opportunities and resources your Church provides to help get you plugged in, to equip you, and exemplify what it means to serve others as Christ served us.Below are some resources Watermark Community Church has. Resources: Join The Journey - http://wmcc.jointhejourney.com Pastoral Care/Support - http://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries#p/caresupport/1/ Young Adults Ministry The Porch- http://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries/the-porch Equipping - http://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries#p/equipping/1/ Closing Prayer: Psalm 18:2 CHRISTFIT UNASHAMED
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