Daily Filling | To Overflowing

next week’s plan

June 14, 2013 By Lara 2 Comments

I’m tired. Who isn’t. I think it’s a mixture of VBS-week plus staying up too late at night because I crave quiet plus being a mom to three kids plus adjusting to a new schedule plus…life. Yawn. So next week comes at a perfect time.

I’m taking next week off from blogging and most social media to spend some quality time with the family. Hopefully we’ll get some rest and a little sun, all while make fun memories with cousins. Ahhh. ANNNNDDD I have a very exciting writing project that God is bringing to life, so I’m looking forward to some space to give to that.

I will be here next Thursday to finish up the book club, complete with a chapter 10 video blog while “on location.” So if you want to be reminded of that post this may be a good time to subscribe to my blog (if you haven’t already). You can click here to get my posts sent to your email. And yes, it’s totally free.

Until then, I pray that God’s promises invade your daily happenings so that your spirit is greatly empowered and encouraged regardless of the circumstance. He really is good and love and for you and actively working.

We’ll talk soon!

Fill me, Lord…

What are your summer plans?
What promises of God are you clinging to these days?

Filed Under: daily filling

prayer that changes things :: “To Walk or Stay” Book Club

June 13, 2013 By Lara Leave a Comment

God answers more of my prayers these days with a “yes.” But not because I’ve achieved some holy status or anything. Believe me. He more often answers with a “yes” because my prayers have changed.

I used to pray things like “CHANGE HIM (or her), Lord! Please! Or I may lose my mind!” But the more I spent time with God gleaning from His Word, the more He changed my heart and my desires. And the more He changed my desires to line up with His desires, the more my prayers transformed.

Instead of praying out of fear or selfishness, I started praying more in line with His will. I started to say things like, “God glorify Yourself through me. If this situation or person never changes, change me and use me to reflect Your love.” Or, “Be glorified in this relationship, in Your time and Your way. I trust You, Lord, with the details of working that out.” And you know what? He always answers those kinds of prayers with a “yes.”

God does promise to give His followers what they ask for. But typically those promises have conditions attached. “Delight yourself in The Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) The condition? Delight in Him. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) The condition? Abide.

When we seek Him first and foremost — delighting in Him and abiding in His Word — our desires transform. And when our desires transform, our prayers transform. And when we pray according to His will, His response is always “yes!” In His time and in His way, “yes.”

Today the book club is talking about chapter 9 of To Walk or Stay, the chapter on prayer. Click here to head over to Erika Dawson’s blog to read and/or join in on the discussion.

Filed Under: daily filling, prayer that changes things, To Walk or Stay Book Club

He already knows tomorrow

June 12, 2013 By Lara 2 Comments

We can’t see tomorrow. We can’t touch it or fix it or stop it. Yet we as humans are prone to ruining our today worrying about it. I know because I’m human. But worrying about something we can’t control is a waste of mental effort.

That’s why Jesus said “sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34) Therefore replace worry with worship.

Only One sees tomorrow. Only One moves how He wills today in light of His tomorrow agenda. The place of soul-rest comes when we believe Him to be forever faithful.

It’s easier said than done. There are real questions and serious concerns that we face in this life — uncertainties about our earthly tomorrow. But if we define life through the lens of His character and His promises, laying every anxious thought at His feet, peace miraculously arises. Strength for the journey ahead empowers us to take that next step.

We can’t see tomorrow, but He can. And He’s working things out today in light of His plans for tomorrow — for our good and His glory. We get to choose whether we believe Him to be faithful. We get to choose to take Him at His Word, one worry at a time.

Fill me, Lord…

How do you handle the daily worries that inevitably arise?

Filed Under: daily filling