LOVE THAT GROWS WITHIN
A collection of devotional series for women
BY LUCIA BRACHO

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

IN MY DRYNESS, IN MY WEAKNESS...YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE

It is easy to praise Jesus when everything goes according to your plans, when the pantry is filled with goodies, a paycheck every two weeks, the family is doing great, and when you have friends to hang out with. Life is great and so are you. Feeling good equals praising the Lord!

Do you do the same when the atmosphere differs? Do you still praise Him when all of the sudden you lose your job? How about when your mom is diagnosed with breast cancer? Or when you lose a family member… Do you still praise Him?

EVEN WHEN IT HURTS I PRAISE YOU

Let me tell you a story: last year was the second hardest time, emotionally and spiritually, that I ever imagined facing. My uncle in Venezuela was dying of an incurable disease, my mom suddenly was diagnosed with breast cancer--wait, it doesn't stop there--my employer decided to release me...and I was going through a heartbreak. Not being dramatic at all(cue sarcasm)!

All in all, I honestly didn’t know why in the world all this was happening! It felt like spear after spear were coming at me! Many nights I kneeled and asked God to spare my family and take me instead. I was like, “God, why them and not me?” I remember one night when I was praying for my mom, I had to release her to God’s will, and I remember saying, “ God, even if You take her, I will continue to worship You.” And boy, at that moment I felt that all that God wanted was my heart to be positioned in the right place. Long story short, my mom went through several surgeries, went through an infection, and even my family gave up on her, but that’s the amazingness about God. Jesus said, “What is impossible for men is possible for God.” (Luke 18:27) He is the God of miracles. Five months later, my mom was released from the hospital walking infection free and tumor free! Praise the Lord!

In conclusion, God wanted a heart postured to worship Him no matter what. He wanted me to praise Him before the storm, during the storm, and after the storm--to praise Him always. (Psalm 92:1-2)

HE IS GOD AND YOU ARE NOT

Maybe you are going through a similar situation now, or maybe it’s something different. Nevertheless, can I encourage you today to turn off the volume of your current situation and raise the volume of God’s voice? He didn’t bring you this far to let you down; that’s not who He is. On the contrary, He brought you this far to shine His glory upon you. Remember, He already won. (Hebrews 13:5) His is the victory, receive it, take authority--own it! You are His, and He is yours.

KEY POINTS

• God is omnipotent--He knows everything. No matter what your feelings are, keep praising Him. (Psalm 92:1-2)

• It’s all about the heart posture.

• God is a God of impossibles. (Luke 18:27)

• He will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God, I know You love me and You created me with purpose. I know that everything under the sun is Yours and that You take care of me. I ask for more of You and less of me. Increase my faith, my strength, my passion for you. I know Yours is the victory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.