Laura Bennet's Blog, page 21
January 28, 2018
Do You Rely on Your Own Understanding?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
So how do we do that?
I see a few simple success guidelines here:
Stop trying to figure things out. God sees and knows far beyond my capability so don’t rely on my understanding of things.
Before I consider anything, acknowledge God and his wisdom first. Then ask him.
Trust God with everything in me. Even when I’m uncertain about circumstances, I can KNOW that God is God and he’s in control. He’ll work it out.
Believe that when I do the above, God will make every twisted thing turn out straight. Some situations can look pretty messy, but God sees a bigger view — like from on top of the maze we’re in. Imagine him saying “go left, now right, okay five steps straight ahead” – you get the idea.
I believe God loves us and wants us to succeed.
Therefore, he’s wanting us to look to him, ask for his direction and follow him when he tells us which way to go.
For more on this, check out Pastor Kyle Jackson’s message here. I think he does a good job of explaining how to hear God when he’s directing us.
January 21, 2018
What Are Your Next Steps?
[image error]We’re well into the new year and everywhere we hear about people failing in their resolutions.
How discouraging is that?
It’s as if we expect to dive in for a few weeks and then abandon our resolve until next year. Setting ourselves up mentally for failure doesn’t seem like the best way to tackle the new year. I’d like to know my forward momentum will carry me…well, forward.
So what if our success isn’t so much about setting goals as it is setting our hearts in the right place?
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
How weak are our resolutions and will power? Pretty pitiful. But when we start with God as our focus, our steps will fall into place each day. Whether that is in our work, taking care of our bodies, changing our attitudes, or being a better parent.
We can set goals…
Or we can set our heart on God and let him direct our steps. Consider some of these wise words from Proverbs:
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” 19:21
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” 16:9
“…a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” 14:15
I’m finding that when I wake each morning and ask God what he has for me today, he leads me through his word, circumstances, something a friend says, song lyrics, a nudge to my heart to do something or even whispered words in my head. And no amount of resolutions can top that.
I’m not saying goals are bad or wrong.
I believe in being intentional with our lives and goals are part of that. But I believe even more that God has the final word on what is best for my life and how best to bring good to others so by all means, we write down some goals for the year. But each day, asking him for direction fulfills more than just the resolutions.
Peace reigns in that place.
God reminds us in the Bible to “Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts… “(Col.3:15) and I’ve found that his peace rules when I seek him first and let him direct my steps each day. No matter what happens, if I’m focusing on him, it will end up being successful.
How are your resolutions coming?
December 24, 2017
All I Want for Christmas
I can’t imagine that on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day you would spend your time reading my blog, but if you’re here, thank you and Merry Christmas.
My opening line may sound cheesy, but it’s actually true.
Jesus was born on Christmas (okay, so please don’t go all historically technical on me here), and He is all I really want for Christmas. I’ve recently discovered in a deeper way that he is truly all I need or desire.
Okay, so I’m not boycotting gift giving or anything.
But, the greatest gift has already been given, and while there are certain situations I’d love to see be different or physical things I would enjoy having, I’m not in want. I have Jesus. He’s given me his love and tremendous peace.
God’s provided for me and comforted me. He’s made a way for me in so many places where it seemed there was NO way. I have family and friends who value me. I’m loved, I’m covered and I’m content.
That’s all I want for Christmas.
I pray you get all you want for Christmas, but may Jesus be the best gift you receive this year. Merry Christmas.
What is the best gift you’ve ever received for Christmas?
December 17, 2017
What Turned My Heart to Christmas
With Hurricane Irma, all of us in Florida feel like we lost a month. I’m sure so many others across the country have felt the same with fires, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes robbing us of daily life.
So Christmas crept up with a suddenness that stalled me.
In addition, some personal challenges made it difficult to embrace the season. I cried at the thought of what this year may be like for my family and for so many in my area still struggling to recover from tragedy. But then my heart flipped.
It started with O Holy Night.
A line in that song (one of my personal favorites), says
“…a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.”
I can relate to being weary. Weary of recovering from trauma. Weary of the emotional roller coaster of relational issues. Physically weary of biking each day to a new job. And weary of the spiritual attacks of an enemy that wants to destroy my peace, joy and marriage.
But that is why Jesus came.
And as I sang with our congregation, allowing tears to fall, my heart grew a little hope–a small thrill if you will–that held promise. Just a hint. Because Jesus is my hope. He’s given me such peace and faithfully provided for me during this season of weariness.
This past week I still couldn’t bring myself to play Christmas carols.
But after another day of singing them at church both in our worship service and at another get together, I found my heart opening up to the possibilities. Allowing myself to be swept into the presence of God and gratitude for the birth of our Lord and Savior, I found release in the tears and joy in the celebration.
God calls us to live today. Nothing more. Nothing less.
When the Israelites were in exile for hundreds of years before Jesus came, God told them to live well there. Marry, give in marriage, eat, drink. Live. Don’t waste away because you are in a place that is less than what you’d like it to be.
So I decided to focus on what Christmas is, rather than what it might not be this year.
Christmas is celebrating Jesus coming to a lost, weary world to offer us a way to God.
Christmas is a time for love, joy, peace and hope.
Christmas is about sharing in relationships: friends, strangers and yes, family.
Christmas is about giving. Whatever resources we have. Maybe we don’t have money, but we may have time, or a listening ear, or a hug or gift wrapping skills. We can offer a ride or be a personal shopper. Let’s be creative.
Christmas is about traditions. Keeping some old ones, making some new ones. Memory making lasts forever. Let’s make some good ones.
So I sang my heart out in gratitude to God. I gave what I could to those who needed something. I decorated. Lit advent candles. Put on my favorite Christmas music. And the very things I didn’t think I could bring myself to do have created an atmosphere of peace and joy.
I’m not sure all of what Christmas will look like this year. But at this moment, it looks pretty good.
How have you found a way to embrace Christmas and Christ this season?
If you need a thrill of hope, check out my church’s Thrill of Hope series at NextLevelChurch.com and if you’re in the Southwest Florida area we invite you to celebrate with us on December 23 and 24th during one of our many services at three locations.
December 10, 2017
How to Keep on Track
My path to our new work office stretches over a variety of sections of roadway. I travel through a quiet residential area to a busy road, a roundabout, another street without a bike lane, a private, peaceful gravel road and finally a long highway with a wide biking path.
It was on that last stretch that I had an “ah-ha” moment.
At every quarter mile, written in spray paint on the asphalt path, were fractions marking off the measurements. I assume the mile markers were created by a surveyor.
And was I ever grateful.
Because when I rode over the first one, I felt a glimmer or hope. I had ridden a quarter of a mile on that long stretch of highway. I looked up, but the scenery held only trees–no hint of the buildings that would promise my destination.
But before I knew it, I’d passed the next marker.
Half a mile, then three quarters of a mile and finally a mile and a quarter. I kept my focus on the road just ahead and with each marker, encouragement grew in me and so did a sense of accomplishment.
The next time I looked up, I saw my office building in the distance.
It amazed me how much shorter that ride seemed when I looked at small increments of progress rather than keeping my focus in the distance hoping for a glimpse of my future goal.
Isn’t life like that?
I believe God gives us a vision for what he has planned for us. I believe he has good things he created for us and created us for. And he gives us a sense of what those plans are. Maybe a desire in our heart or a passion for a vocation, helping a group of people or creating a solution to a problem.
But in my experience, those plans rarely happen within my time frame.
More often, I end up in what seems like a detour in my life. Writing books has taken years. Speaking to groups has been sporadic. My financial business is on hold. I was forty-seven when I finally met my husband, the man my heart adores. And now it is taking far longer than I ever imagined to work out some issues in our marriage.
Taking my life forward has starts, stops and twisting roads.
Sometimes I wonder if I’ve heard God clearly. Or maybe I made a wrong turn and it’s taking longer because God is trying to get me back to where I took a path I thought was the only way to go.
Or maybe he’s developing me for the plans he has.
But what this week taught me, is that while it’s good to keep looking up and making sure I’m heading in the right direction to the vision or goal, I’ll make better progress if I’m focusing on what is right in front of me. One step at a time, one day at a time, one quarter of a mile at a time.
It’s the eating an elephant thing.
Tackling a five mile ride (okay, so I’m a little wimpy you pro-cyclists) happens each day in sections. When I get through one, I can focus on the next one. As I pass each marker, I’m that much closer to my destination.
Life is a journey.
Each plan or vision God has for us is tackled daily or sometimes hourly. Whether it’s a career choice, a relationship, or overcoming an addiction, each small step adds up to making it to our goal. And along the way, we’re being equipped to handle the challenges of that future vision.
Just like my wimpy muscles are getting stronger each day. Eventually five miles will seem like a ride around the block.
At least I hope so!
What’s a vision, goal or destination you feel is taking longer than you hoped? What can you focus on that will make the journey more hopeful and enjoyable? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or email me at laurabennet14@gmail.com
December 3, 2017
Where’s Your Focus?
I like riding bikes so I wasn’t opposed to the idea, but let’s just say I’m greatly out of practice and shape due to far too many years of illness and injury that have kept me to minimum physical exertion.
This is how the week of riding went…
I have so many miles to go. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it. My legs are tired and my most recent knee and neck injuries are screaming at me again. What if I get hit by a car? The traffic is terrible–the smell of exhaust and noise grates on me, I can hardly get a good breath. Waiting at the lights wastes my time. I can’t believe I have to ride to work. It’s so hot and sweat is pouring down my back. Oh, there’s a bridge in the trees. What if someone is hiding there and will hurt me? It’s dark. Maybe it’s not safe. The sign says I have nearly halfway to go still to make it to work. This last couple of miles is killing me with the wind against me. How long will this take? It’s so hard…
OR
What a great day for a bike ride. The sky is blue and a breeze will keep me cooled off as I ride. I’m so thankful for the shade of the trees and the occasional cloud that covers the sun. I see an osprey flying overhead with a fish. How fun to watch it soar! Look at the turtles on the bank. I wouldn’t see these creatures if I was driving. I’m grateful for the lights that give me a break. Most of the drivers have noticed me and been kind to let me go ahead of them. I can’t believe I’m more than halfway there! It’s been a hard ride, but I’m getting in better shape. Thank goodness for this bridge under the trees. What a great place to get cooled off. It’s taken me longer than I expected, but my boss is gracious and flexible about when I start. This may be hard, but I feel good about myself and thankful to God for sustaining me…
Different days? Nope. Different outlook.
I confess that some days the ride was harder than others, but my perspective made all the difference. I could focus on all the negative, difficult circumstances or focus on the positive things for which to be grateful.
The interesting thing is that one perspective leaves us hopeless, discouraged and frustrated while the other leaves us hopeful, encouraged and moving ahead.
So where is your focus?
A bike ride may not be the challenge for your week. Most likely it’s something of far greater significance. But as I rode, God showed me what a great analogy it is for the trials we face in life, and how he wants to help us, sustain us and give us hope.
Believe it or not, we actually have a choice.
In what circumstances do you think you could change your perspective and make your situation one of moving your life forward rather than staying stuck?
November 26, 2017
You Are Heard
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“Since the first day you set your mind to gain understanding and humbled yourself before God, your words were heard…” Daniel 10:12
I believe the promises to people in the Bible are for all of us because God’s heart is in those promises and his heart is the same toward all of his children.
God loves us. He hears us. He rescues us. He saves us.
But this is the part Daniel did:
Set his mind to gain understanding – we have to be willing to seek God’s perspective and acquire that understanding when he speaks
Humbled himself – if we come to God demanding he do something for us or certain that we know the answers and are looking for him to agree with us rather than being humble and seeking him, we may be heard, but we won’t hear God
The Bible says that after Daniel encountered God in this situation, he bowed his face to the ground and was speechless.
When we’ve set our minds to gain understanding and humbled ourselves, we’ll experience the presence of God. And we’ll know it because our being will be bowed before him and speechless.
That’s how an encounter with God will leave us.
It’s astounding to know that the God of the universe is personal enough to hear us and surround his with his presence. He sent angels before Jesus’s time (and may today), but now we have the Holy Spirit who overwhelms us with the characteristics of God.
I’m praying you will encounter God today.
You can be certain he hears you.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with God in the comments below or email me at laurabennet14@gmail.com
November 19, 2017
Are You Worn Out?
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As the year winds down and winter winds blow us toward giving thanks and a white Christmas (unless you’re in Florida like I am), do you feel worn out?
I do.
This year has been one of the toughest of my life and though the calendar may say it will be over soon, the trials continue to drag on. I believe many all over the nation and the world share my heartache.
Our world is a broken, dangerous place these days.
That’s why I really appreciate a new book one of my favorite authors, Mary DeMuth, 
has written. Jesus Every Day releases in less than two weeks, on DECEMBER 1 and already has impacted the lives of those of us who have been privileged to read an advance sample copy.
Mary reaches deep into our soul with heartfelt prayers based on her own life joys and struggles. Her vulnerable, lyrical prose grabs my heart and leaves me whispering through tears “Yes. Me too..”
Today, these words captured my heart:
“Help me know that it is not failure on my part when I can’t carry a burden–it’s simply a signal that it’s time again to surrender.”
Loss, heartache, illness, crisis load us down with burdens of sorrow, grief, fear and worry. But God doesn’t ask us to carry those. He asks us to surrender them to him. When I’m weary and worn it’s a reminder that I’m weighed down by things he never intended for me to bear.
I’m not a failure when I can’t stand under the weight.
That thought alone lifts my heart and gives me feet to move forward in life. How can I take my life forward when I’m dragging bowling balls of burdens behind me? I can’t. But isn’t it good to know that God doesn’t count that as a failure but rather an opportunity to surrender the burden to him?
Jesus promises he will exchange our heavy load for his light one.
He doesn’t insist we carry it, or ignore it but offers to carry it for us and let him replace our weariness and sorrow with his strength, peace and joy.
All it takes is letting it go.
Picture the commercial for letgo in which the man is hanging by one arm clinging to a truck on the side of a cliff while holding a bowling ball in the other hand. Funny, yes. But also life and death stuff here, folks.
When I take time to surrender to Jesus and let him take the burden from me, I find peace that is beyond my comprehension.
And you don’t even need an app for that.
I encourage you to embrace the idea that you have not failed and let God take over for you. And I highly recommend Mary’s new book. You can pre-order it here to enter a drawing for a chance to win a free Bible. Or get it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
I’d love to pray for you and the burdens you’ve been carrying. Let me know how I can help in the comments below or email me at laurabennet14@gmail.com
November 12, 2017
Are You Paralyzed by Inaction?
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Last week we talked about admitting the truth to take our life forward.
Sometimes we can be faced with the truth and know what we need to do, but we don’t act on it. I recently read a devotional in My Utmost for His Highest that addressed this topic so well and gave me a new perspective on putting action to what we learn.
“Refusing to act leaves a person paralyzed exactly where he was previously.”
Oswald Chambers
How can I move my life forward if I’m paralyzed because of inaction? When I know the right or best action to take and don’t follow through with it, I become stuck in that place until I’m ready to take the next step and move forward.
“Once I press myself into action, I immediately begin to live. Anything less is merely existing.” Oswald Chambers
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather live than simply exist.
Surviving day to day is not living, and it isn’t the best God has for us. He desires for us to have an abundant life full of good relationships, experiences and situations. (John 10:10) He planned for us to have purpose and live making a positive impact on the world around us.
Here’s the best part:
When we tap into God’s power by acting on something he’s instructed or shown us to do or say, we free ourselves and paralyze the enemy instead.
Oh, yeah. Boom!
Take that, Satan. I’m so on board with taking my life forward in freedom and abundance. How about you? What’s one thing you know you need to act on that you can do this week?
I’d love to hear about your experiences in action in the comments below or email me at laurabennet14@gmail.com
November 5, 2017
Can You Admit the Truth?
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This weekend’s service at my church began a new series titled Life, Money, Hope: God’s Way Works. I’m excited about this series because I’ve found that the Bible really does have the answers to every situation in our lives.
God knew what we would need to navigate life.
He didn’t randomly throw things together and then wonder how to make it all function. From the beginning to the end, intentionality marks the history of creation. All we have to do is be willing to ask God what to do in a situation, and he will point us to his word (the Bible) with the answers.
One of our pastors, Kyle Jackson, who taught us this weekend, gave us some clues about our financial lives and the hopelessness most of us feel or have gone through in the area of money. He offered four reasons we can get off track, and then showed us where God’s word gives us great instruction for living in peace and abundance.
So, how do we move forward in life?
The first, and I believe most important, point he made which aims not only at our finances but every area of life is that we need to…
“Admit the reality of where we really are.”
The Bible tells us that the truth will set us free, but often we hide from the truth because we’re ashamed, guilty, embarrassed or confused. I know there were times in my life when I didn’t want to face the truth because it meant I would have to deal with unpleasant or downright hard situations that may cause pain to me and/or someone else.
Pastor Kyle reminded us that pride is what keeps us acting like things are good when they’re not. But when we are honest and admit the truth about our mistakes, we get a second (or third +) chance to do something different for a different result.
Isn’t that what we want in all of our life?
If you want to take your life forward into hope, healing and redemption, I recommend this new series. Here’s the link for this weekend at Next Level Church where many of us are moving ahead in our lives. I invite you to come join us online or in person if you are in our area.
What is an area you’ve admitted the truth and found it freed you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or in a email laurabennet14@gmail.com
