Quiet Moments With God -- A Love Letter

Dear One, please hang on. I know life is hard and sometimes the battles feel as if they can't be won, but press on.

When there seem to be no answers, know that there are. When you feel as if you're lost in a pitch black night, know there is light. When you feel as if your strength has run out, know that God will lift you up. He hasn't forgotten you. He hasn't lost sight of you. He sees every worry, every hurt, every adversity. Look to him and he will set you on your feet. Your answers will be found in him alone, and it his peace that will comfort you.

The apostle Paul told us in Philippians 3:12-14, "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Dear one, press on. Strain toward the goal. Don't look back. What lies behind is vapid. Seek your Father. He would not ask you to do the impossible. Whatever he asks, you can do.

Life is full of trouble, but beauty and treasure still resonate. Do not become distracted by the rigors of the world, but instead hold onto Truth. God's Word is powerful and pure. Like an arrow it finds its mark. Cling to it, believe it and true riches will be yours.

Resist the wiles of the enemy. He offers destruction. The One who truly loves you gives life.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie Leon

Quiet Moments With God -- Being Simple

For much of my life, I thought I was stupid. I'm not sure how I came to believe that, but I did. Believing the lie was like living my life shackled. It wasn't until I was in my mid-thirties that I realized the truth. I'm no genius, but I am intelligent. I'm also simple--an ordinary person.

Psalm 19:7 says, "The law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." And Proverbs 9:1-6 says this, "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. Let all who are simple come in here, she says to those who lack judgment. Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding."

God offers so much! We, who are simple can be wise. We can walk in understanding. What a precious gift.

Knowledge is good. We want to know the secrets of the world. We need to know God's ways. However, without wisdom knowledge is empty. It is amazing that God can fill a simple person like me with His wisdom. Because of Him I walk in understanding. We all can walk in understanding.

I have only a basic education, no renowned ideas or legendary accomplishments, and yet God chose to use me. I hear from people from all over the world who have read my books or my blogs or an article I've written. I am often thanked for sharing God's truth, His hope, His love. I'm nobody special, except I'm one of God's children. When I link arms with the Lord anything can happen.

Never tell yourself that you don't know enough, you're not smart enough or educated enough. That's not what God's about. Wisdom comes from Him, the King of Kings.

Ask Him for wisdom, then humbly accept His gift and see what He does with your life. It just might amaze you.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Who Do You Want To Be?

Yesterday, while reading from "My Utmost For His Highest" Oswald Chambers closing lines caught hold of me. "Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something you have never been." Powerful words, potentially life changing.

What kind of person are you--one who goes back to what's familiar or the type who looks forward to what could be? I want to look forward, to move forward--to become something I've never been. I long to be that person. Sadly, that's not always who I am. Fear, lack of confidence, lack of vision and a voice in my head that tells me I can't be someone else holds me back.

2nd Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore,if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,the new has come!" Amen! We must remember that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Whoever God calls us to be and no matter what He asks of us, we have the strength and ability because of Him.

I remember the day I placed my faith in Christ--I was a brand new creation. It was an amazing time learning what it meant to be a child of God. And now when I hear that God wants me to be someone I've never been I'm reminded of those early days. I wonder who does he want me to be and am I ready?

If I'm willing, then I'm ready. God will show me the way, give me the strength and the wisdom as I am transformed.

Trust the Lord. Don't hold back. Embrace God's opportunities. And discover the person you've never been.

I'm stoked. How about you?

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- He Is Everything

We have a new puppy. I think puppies are adorable, especially when they are just visiting or when they belong to someone else. I'm not hard hearted, honestly. I do think they are sweet, but they're also a lot of work. And this is my second day without sleep. Our new addition can't stand to be away from us and he makes sure to let us know . . . all night long.

During the middle of the night while he cried and cried in his crate I got to thinking about his world. He was fearful, thinking he was out of our sight. We are everything to him. He longs to be with us. He's absolutely dependent upon us. And he trusts us to care for him. That's how it ought to be between myself and God. Is He everything to me? Do I long to be in His presence? Do I seek Him with all my heart? Do I turn to Him for my every need? Do I trust him completely?

I wish I could say, yes, yes and yes. But I'm self-willed and though I long to be close to God and to always trust and always be obedient, just like our puppy, Bentley, I have a lot to learn. I need to rein in the "I want what I want and I want it now" syndrome. When I'm thinking about me I'm not thinking about Him.

Seek Him and His will. Live fully aware of His presence and love. Remember He always watches over us. There is no place we can go that He is not there. We are never alone.

If we make Him our everything peace will rule in our hearts.

Grace and peaced to you from God.

Bonnie