Andrea Merrell's Blog

 

By Andrea Merrell

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking

 forward  to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the

 race  and receive  the heavenly prize for which God, 

through Christ Jesus, iscalling us.

Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

 

“Things change,”my friend said. “It seems nothing ever stays the same. I guess it’s time for meto move on.”

Her words causedme to look back over the years at all the seasons of my life I thought wouldlast forever. Jobs. Relationships. A home church. But as the old saying goes, “Whenone door closes, another one opens.”

What I learnedthrough each scenario is that when we belong to the Lord, He has a plan and purposefor each of us. There are seasons of our life that may last a few days, a fewmonths, or even a few years. The good news is He gives us grace for each season—andwhen it ends, so does the grace. That’s when we know it’s time to move on.

I’ve tried to hangon at times, even when I knew a certain season had come to an end. It’s easy tobecome a creature of habit and resist change. But change is never a bad thingwhen we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide.

Paul said he hadlearned to be content in any given circumstance (Philippians 4:11). He made thebest of it and did what he was called to do. But he also knew when it was timeto move on to his next assignment. He changed his focus, forgot about the past,and looked forward to what lay ahead.

Don’t spend yourtime looking back, grieving over what was. Keep your eyes on the Lord, as Pauldid, and let Him lead you into your next adventure.

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

 

By Andrea Merrell

The day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 NKJV

Why is it thatwhen we’re out running errands and looking our worst, we run into someone weknow—usually someone we haven’t seen in a long time who doesn’t know we don’tnormally look that bad?

Or what about thetimes an unexpected guest drops by when the house is a wreck or we’re still in ourPJs? Why didn’t they come two days ago when the house was immaculate and wewere dressed?

Maybe we shouldadopt the Boy Scout motto: Always be prepared. This can apply to everyarea of our life but especially to our Christian walk.

We know that theday of Jesus’ return is getting nearer, yet no one knows the exact moment—no oneexcept the Father. The Bible says Jesus will come as a thief in the night.Suddenly. Unexpectedly. Will we be watching and waiting? Will we be ready?

It’s easy to getcaught up in the problems and anxiety of everyday life, allowing our attentionto be drawn away to other trivial matters. We go along our merry way thinkingwe have plenty of time to bring our focus back to the Lord.

But the Bible says in Luke 24, Take heed toyourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you unexpectedly. (vs 34 NKJV).

Friend, Jesuscould come back today. Will He find you waiting and watching for His return?

Always beprepared.

Photo by Jinsoo Choi on Unsplash

 

By Andrea Merrell

Be happy with those who are happy, 

and weep with those whoweep.

Romans 12:15 NLT

Emojis are everywhere. They haveinfiltrated our technology, and we all love and use them. There is an emoji forjust about anything you can imagine—from love to tears to shock to anger toprayer and everything in between. We like to choose our favorites whenresponding to a text, post, or email.

But have you ever inserted the wrongone?

I have a friend who accidentallyinserted a laughing face when responding to a very serious situation and prayerrequest, causing confusion and hurt feelings.

It made me think about how importantit is to respond and share our feelings with others in the right way, both inour words and body language. It can be very hard to read someone and know what’sreally in their heart.

The Bible tells us to be happy withthose who are happy. To rejoice and celebrate with them. To share theirjoy. It also tells us to weep with those who weep. To empathize withthem. To share their sorrow.

In a cruel world full of insensitivity,it’s critical for believers to let the love of God flow through us to others.

The next time you respond to someone—whetherthrough technology or face-to-face—make sure you convey the right message.

 Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and farconville.

 

By Andrea Merrell

His divine power has given to us all thingsthat pertain 

to life and godliness, through the knowledge

 of Him who called us by glory andvirtue.

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

 

The conversationcentered around the growing number of diseases in the world—physical, mental,infectious, degenerative … the list went on and on. We talked about causes,medications, and treatments. It was actually quite depressing.

I looked up theword disease. According to one source, it simply means a condition orillness that impairs someone’s health or interferes with the body’s normalfunction. An abnormal condition.

Upon furtherresearch, I found the word broken down like this: dis-ease. In thatform, it could apply to anything that hinders or takes away from our ease. Ourcomfort. Our well-being. Our peace.

The Bible saysthat Jesus’ divine power has already given us all things—everything—thatpertains to a godly life. The Message puts it like this:  

Everything thatgoes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by gettingto know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The bestinvitation we ever received! 

It is the Enemy of our soul that comesto steal, kill, and destroy—our blessings, our dreams, our desires, and everypromise in God’s Word. But Jesus came to give us abundant life. When we keepour focus on Him, He promises peace and joy that cannot be explained orsurpassed.

In God’s kingdom there is no dis-ease.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Xhiliana. 

 

By Andrea Merrell

Always be thankful. Colossians 3:15b NLT

 

I awoke to awinter wonderland. A blanket of white covered the ground as far as the eyecould see.

My first thoughts werehow peaceful and beautiful as I turned up the thermostat, made a pot ofcoffee, and prepared to snuggle in and enjoy some quiet time.

Then my thoughts—andprayers—turned to those who don’t have a thermostat, a coffeemaker, or a placein which to snuggle. Those who are homeless. Those who live in ditches andunder bridges without food and proper shelter.

I suddenly foundmyself filled with gratitude as I became painfully aware of everyday blessingsI take for granted. A nice home with heat and air conditioning. A good car thattakes me where I need to go. A full refrigerator and pantry. Money to live andpay my bills. Health. Strength. Family. Friends. An awesome church. I could goon and on.

God blesses Hischildren, but He expects us to be aware of where those blessings come from and forus to be thankful—not just on a designated holiday but every single day.

The next time you’retempted to feel like you’re missing out, stop and take inventory of everything Godhas given you, things you typically take for granted. You just might besurprised how very blessed you are.

 

By Andrea Merrell

In my dream, I sawinside my mind. On one side sat drawers, cabinets, and shelves full of neatlyorganized files and notes. A large, framed to-do list hung on the wall overthem.

A perfectionist’sdream. I smiled at the neat and tidy arrangement.

Then I turned tothe other side and gasped. Chaos. Papers scattered everywhere. Nothing inorder. It looked as if a tornado had just passed through.

I turned back tothe perfect side and thought, That’s how I like to do life—everything plannedand in order. But I realized how easily I could get overwhelmed and fallback into the chaos, losing my peace.

“Which is better,Lord,” I asked.

Neither, mychild, came the answer. One is unrealistic; the other causes stress and anxiety.

“So what should Ido?”

Unclutter yourmind. Take your eyes off all the things that need to be done, and keep yourfocus on me. I will bring order to your thoughts and lead you step by step.

I don’t normallyremember my dreams, but this one stuck with me. Several Scriptures came tomind.

“We have the mindof Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV)—and His mind is not scattered. “We can make ourplans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:3 NLT). “You keep inperfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you”(Isaiah 26:3 NLT).“Trust inthe Lord with allyour heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He shall direct yourpaths (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).

So which way isbetter? Without a doubt, God’s way.

 

 

Photo by Hillary Black on Unsplash

 

By Andrea Merrell

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.

The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

 

“Don’t be like theIsraelites,” the speaker said. “God led the whole crew out of Egypt in a day—out of thebondage of slavery and abuse. But because they were not willing to fullyaccept their deliverance and freedom, they wandered in the desert for fortyyears instead of entering the Promised Land within a few days.”

The woman besideme shivered and stared at the floor as the speaker went on to say, “If you area child of God, you have been redeemed. Forgiven. Set free. You are a newcreation. A brand new person in Christ Jesus. It’s time to let go of your pastso you can move forward.

The woman looked atme with tears streaming down her face. “How do I do that?”

My heart broke asI tried to comfort her, especially knowing that so many of us have asked thatsame question. How do I do that? How do I let go of past sins? Guilt?Shame? Condemnation? How do I walk in the freedom Christ Jesus paid for?

The Word forYou Today says:

Ifyou are in Christ, you’re no longer defined by what you’ve done wrong; you’redefined by what Christ has done right on your behalf. You are a new creation,but sometimes it takes time for your new nature to become second nature.

The Bible clearlytells us that when we belong to the Lord, we become new creations—a brand newperson. Our new life begins, and the old life fades away.

If you’re bound bythe past and struggling to become that new person God created you to be, giveyourself time to let your new nature become second nature, as natural as yournext breath. Let go of your past and leave it where it belongs—in the past!

Photo by Greg Jewett on Unsplash

By Andrea Merrell

 

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth ason,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 

which beinginterpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:23 KJV

 

Emmanuel. Son of the Most High. Sentto earth to be born of a virgin. To be a light in the darkness. To save us fromour sins. To point the way to the Father.

Emmanuel. Jesus, the living Word.Holy. Sinless. Blameless. Redeemer of all mankind. Messiah. Savior. Lord ofall.

Emmanuel. God with us—always. Neverleaving. Never unaware of us. God within us. Beside us. Surrounding us. Goingbefore us. Our constant companion.

Emmanuel. Seeing us. Knowing us.Forgiving us. Loving us.

Emmanuel. Wonderful counselor. ThePrince of Peace. Jesus. The Name above every other name. The name thatcomforts, heals, and sets the captive free.

Emmanuel. God with us. With me. Withyou. Always. 

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash

 

By Andrea Merrell

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34 NIV

There I was, doingit again—rehearsing all the worst-case scenarios that could happen in a situationthat lay ahead. All the maybes and what-ifs. I analyzed them from everyconceivable angle and tried to come up with a plan.

As if …

As if I could fix it. As if I were in charge. As if I couldcontrol the future. As much as I dreaded what I had to face, I only compoundedmy problem by rehearsing it over and over in my mind. I experienced it numeroustimes instead of only once.

Matthew tells usnot to worry about tomorrow. The Message translation puts it like this:

Give your entireattention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about whatmay or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hardthings come up when the time comes.

When we worry, welose our peace and our joy. It destroys our well-being. When we focus on theproblem instead of the problem-solver, we forget that only He knows what trulylies ahead. Nothing catches Him by surprise. And the best part is He promisesto be with us. To help us. To sustain us. To give us wisdom and direction. Wenever have to face anything alone.

In reality, theanticipation of something is many times much worse than the actual situationwhen it comes. I’ve experienced this time and again.

If you’re facing amajor problem, don’t dwell on it. Don’t worry about. And don’t try to fix itbefore it even happens. Give it to the Lord, and trust Him to see you throughit. You won’t be disappointed.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Molnar Balint.

 

By Andrea Merrell

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him

without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised

in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.

Romans 8:21 NLT

Accused of a crime he did not commit,the young man stood before the judge and jury with bated breath. These peopleheld his future in their hands.

Am ominous silence filled the roomuntil the verdict was announced: “We find the defendant not guilty.”

Just like that young man, we all havean accuser who does whatever he can to discredit us. To make us feel guilty.Unworthy. Condemned. His goal is to convince us that we can never be goodenough to receive God’s love and forgiveness.

But the Bible clearly tells us we areaccepted, not because we are worthy but because He is worthy. We are remindedthirty-one times in the New Testament that we are “in Christ.” That means weare clothed in His righteousness. Free from the curse of the law. Sealed withthe Holy Spirit of promise. Seated with Him in heavenly places. No longer do welive under the burden of condemnation, of never being good enough. God has madeus right with Him as was promised.

“For God so loved the world that Hegave …” (John 3:16 NKJV). 

He gave His all, His very best, so that we could befree.

No matter what the accuser throws atyou, know that when you  trust in theLord, He finds you not guilty.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Siri Anamwong.