I’m an Average Girl With an Above Average God

There’s something I want you to know. I’m just an average girl with an above average God. He’s the one true God. The Almighty.

We use the terms “average” and “above average” when talking about test scores, skill level, talents, workmanship, food, and more.

So I’m thankful the Lord takes ordinary people and transforms us from the inside out.

Because the Lord always meant for us to connect who we are with whose we are.

Our identity lies in the Father, we belong to Him.

Still, we likely cannot list all the wonderful and amazing attributes about the Lord, but let’s discuss some of these characteristics.

Above Average God

God’s glory cannot be mistaken. He’s God. Mighty. Powerful. Majestic. Holy. Eternal. Infinite. Wise. Faithful.

“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.” 1 Chronicles 16:25 (ESV)

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

The one true God. He’s living, Creator, sovereign, in control, majestic, loving, Judge, Most High, reigning King, light, magnificent, good, and merciful.

“So that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:6 (ESV)

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8 (ESV)

From the Desert to the Promised Land With God

Desert experiences are no respecter of persons.

And this includes God’s people as long as we live on the earth.

But God provides in every way, in every desert we travel through. Like He did for the children of Israel.

Perhaps great loss transported us smack dab in the middle of a desert.

Maybe a job and income loss. A loved one passed away or a natural disaster took everything from us. Or the loss of a lifelong dream.

Further, we catapult into a desolate wasteland during prolonged illness of ourselves or a family member. Also during depression, traumatic circumstances, difficult relationships, and more.

God leads us from the desert to the Promised Land.

God Guides Our Steps in the Desert

We often stumble and wander with no certain direction of how to navigate our wasteland. So, we need help from on High—from our compassionate God.  

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 13). His Word will always guide our feet and path. We pray for wisdom and direction and we seek God’s face and the Scriptures.

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)

God Makes a Way

5 Steps to an Unstoppable Faith

I have faith. Until I don’t. Because when the world seems uncertain and hard circumstances come my way, my faith is anything but unstoppable.

As Christians, we often teeter between standing on a firm faith in God and sinking in the quicksand of doubt.  

But the Christian journey necessitates an unstoppable faith.

So I’m learning a firm and unrelenting faith is what God desires for His people. 

Yet, we often hesitate in our confidence in the Lord and His promises. Still, look at how Hebrews describes faith.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Faith is not a receive-it-all-at-once deal.

Because the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see, grows and strengthens while we live out our Christian lives on this earth. 

Here are 5 steps to an unstoppable F-A-I-T-H:

F – Find God faithful: Unstoppable Faith

We come to God in faith, believing He is Creator and Lord, and accepting His salvation by faith through Jesus Christ. This faith continues in our life as we find God faithful and learn He always fulfills His promises. 

A Living Hope in Resurrection Power

At some point in life, everyone searches for hope. And while the world offers many forms, they all fizzle and fade away. So what if there’s a living hope available to anyone willing to find it? God set the stage to bring a living hope to a hopeless people through resurrection power.

Peeking through the curtain, I scanned the audience and hoped my entire family showed up. I’d landed my first high-school role in the broadway musical, South Pacific. 

Thankfully, my character as the island girl, Liat, called for a few speaking parts and no singing—not my strong suit. With sweaty palms and a rush of adrenaline, I checked the seats again. And if my people show up, would I make them proud when I took my final bow?

From side stage during the first scene, my gaze spotted them through the blinding light. 

All my loved ones occupied the entire third row. They’re here,now break a leg.

Hope in Resurrection Power

I found my groove and remembered my few lines with no blunders. But my glory days as an actress ended soon after.

History also recounts a glory day when hope showed up. Over 2000 years ago, God set the stage for a story of hope to unfold.

The birth of the Christ-child took place in a lowly stable where animals occupied the front-row seats.

Jesus grew and carried out the heavenly Father’s will. The supernatural happened in His presence. He served the community and reached out to wanderers, outcasts, and the wayward lost without hope.

Jesus’ life, center stage, pointed the glory and applause to God alone. 

The Tomb Where Hope Rose

5 Ways to Live My Life for God

How do we live our life for God?

Whether we’ve been a believer for years or a short time, living our life for God is really what the Christian life is about.

So let’s look at 5 ways to live a life for God in these Bible verses.

(1.) A Heart Completely God’s: Life for God

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB, 1995 edition)

My life verse since college, I wanted to start here. Because accepting Christ into my heart as Savior at sixteen made me a child of the Most High God.

And I desire to stay focused on giving my heart completely to Him. 

But this isn’t a half-hearted devotion to the Lord as secondary in my life. No, I make Him number one with my highest devotion and attention. 

Reflection: Is our heart divided between God and the world or completely His?

Prayer: Lord, I continue to welcome You into my heart to reign supremely. Help my heart stay undivided and completely Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(2.) Celebrating Who I Am: Body, Soul, Spirit

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14-15 (ESV)

While it’s taken some time, I’m learning to embrace how wonderfully the Lord formed me in the beginning and keep praising Him for ALL the intricate details of my life—who I am in Christ.

How Do We Surrender All to Jesus Christ?

Ever since I gave my heart and life to Christ at sixteen, I’ve heard about surrender in the Christian life. And I remember singing a familiar hymn to surrender all to Jesus even before my salvation. 

The lyrics and melody play in my mind often. 

Surrendering everything about our lives is an important aspect of our faith journey. And it’s key to our spiritual maturity. 

But how do we surrender “all” to Jesus? 

Jesus modeled surrender in a life completely surrendered to the heavenly Father.

So let’s look at Scriptures that point us to the surrendered life. Even though these are familiar Bible verses, read and meditate on them in the light of surrendering all. 

Surrender All

(1.) “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

We surrender control. We deny going our own way—the right to live for ourselves. Because following Jesus with full surrender and faithfully living as a believer, is not even about me.

Instead, it’s “all” about the One who said, “Follow Me.”

(2.) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Surrender is trusting in Christ and acknowledging His wisdom and lordship. Jesus wants our surrender, not our sufficiency. 

We fully surrender to who Jesus is and as Lord over our lives.

Does My Life Point Others to Jesus?

If I want my life to point others to Jesus, how do I go about it?

This is a question I often think about. 

And I pray this as a request to the Father. 

Perhaps this is a desire you hold and pray. Lord, let others see Jesus in me! Let my life point others to Him.

Lately, this hope and prayer stays at the forefront of my mind. 

So I completed my own soul-searching, looking in the Scriptures, and asking the Holy Spirit to open my spiritual eyes to how my life truly points to Jesus.

Because when Jesus lives in us and we allow the triune God to transform us from the inside out, everything about Him radiates in us and our life. We point others to Jesus in our lives.

Point Others to Christ With the Word

(1.) In my salvation. 

It all begins here. Once we have a salvation experience and personal redemption story, we are new creations (1 Corinthians 5:17). Christ is our Savior.

In Galatians 1, the Apostle Paul recounts his life before Christ. He shares an impressive religious resume and all that he attained. Yet, look at how he ends the chapter.

“And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me.” Galatians 1:22-24 (ESV, emphasis added)

Notice how Paul never wrote that others glorified me because of me. No, God received the glory for the saving work of Jesus in Paul’s life. 

We have a story to share, a personal testimony of Jesus saving our soul and giving us eternal life.

God Restores Our Joy After Deep Sadness

Real joy often comes on the heels of deep sadness and heartbreak.

Last November, we lost our sweet pug, Big T, after 15 years. We were heartbroken and the day he passed, I wrote a blog article about how God mends our broken heart. 

Through tears, I expressed my sadness and grief, and wondered if I’d ever stop crying or missing my little buddy.

And Big T was the star of our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever. Thousands grieved and cried along with us.

Big T brought so much joy into our lives. Still, I know God is my source of real joy. God not only mends our broken heart, but He also wants to restore our joy.

And guess what? We picked up a new pug puppy last week. Winston is 9 weeks old and a tiny bundle of puppy energy and joy. We’re thankful to give him a forever home. He’s not replacing Big T. Instead, Winston’s a reminder of the blessings God allows in our earthly lives. 

Because real joy comes from deep within us and stems directly from a personal relationship with the Lord Himself. 

Rejoicing After Deep Sadness

Isn’t it amazing how God tenderly cares for us? The Lord stays near to the brokenhearted—throughout the entire grieving and healing process—then He restores our joy.

You see, God wants to bring a smile back to our face. But it’s more than that. He wants to bring joy back to our heart. 

J – Journey to rejoicing. 

Christ is with you and for you and in you

Do you believe Christ is with you and for you and in you?

These are promises in God’s Word.

But if I’m honest, there are times that believing any one of them is not easy for me. Like when hardships and difficult situations come my way.

And I’ve learned it is not “if” but “when” life turns topsy-turvy without any warning. 

Still, these promises never change and always remain true.

So let’s look at what the Bible says.

Christ is with you.

Even though it’s not easy to admit out loud, sometimes it doesn’t seem like Christ is really with me. I may feel alone when I’m by myself or when loved ones are around.

Friend, this is a lie from the enemy of our souls. Because we belong to Christ.

The Lord promises He is with us. And it all started with prophecy that the virgin would bear a child, Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” (Isaiah 7:14) 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1b-2 (ESV)

And at the great commission, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (ESV)

Christ is for you.

Searching for Extravagant Love? Look to God

Searching for extravagant love? 

Many of you know my story. As a little girl, my father was absent from my life for a few years. And his absence caused me to wonder, Am I lovable? 

To further confuse my young heart, my dad came back into my life as a self-proclaimed atheist.

Then I questioned, Is there a God? And, does God love me?

At 16, I heard the gospel. Jesus Christ, sent by His Father, died on a cross for me and loved me completely. The love I craved. I became a daughter of the Most High God.

 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:1a (ESV) 

You see, I was looking for extravagant love, I just didn’t know it. So let’s discuss how God loves us extravagantly. 

Extravagant Love in God

(1.) God IS love. 

Love is not only something God does, but also who He is. God loved us so much, He gave His only Son to give us eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) 

May we never get over how much God loved the world—you and me—and the great sacrifice He made to show His love.

(2.) Extravagant love gives all. 

Searching for extravagant love? It’s found at Calvary’s cross, purchased for us by the blood of Jesus.