But God
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Yesterday, I drove the car home on close to empty and chose not to fill up the tank. And, of course, this morning, I kept hitting the snooze button and totally forgot that my car needed some attention. So, I puttered to work on fumes and a frantic prayer.
The car was not the only thing that was running on empty. Mornings like this almost persuadeth me to become a coffee drinker.
At lunch time, I decided to be proactive and service my vehicle, rather than bemoaning having to stop on the way home and being late to mid-week service yet again another Wednesday night.
I flipped on the radio and slid the car out of the parking lot and onto the traffic filled street just as my favorite DJ introduced the next song with a very personal story. She rejoiced in sharing that a loved one she’d prayed over for years had recently radically come to Christ, and she remarked that her familia was getting acquainted with a whole new version of him.
I smiled. Her story birthed a little hope in my weary heart. I’ve been praying big for quite some time for several tough cookies who are on my Holy Spirit Hit List, and I’d love to see a transformed life or two.
Just as I lifted up that prayer to God one more time, the lyrics to the song broke through, and two words flooded my spirit.
I tried to find my worth
In things that didn’t work
My confidence was broken
I was hopeless
But God,
You have made me new
You’ve restored my heart and
Turned these ashes into life
Oh God, You have pulled me through
And everything I was is gone
And washed away for good
I’m a new man in You
I once was lost, but God found me.
I once was blind, but God gave me eyes to see.
“Like sheep they are meant for the grave. Death will be their shepherd…. But God will free my soul from the power of the grave. For He will take me to Himself” (Ps. 49:14-15, NLV).
“I cried out to Him for help, and I praised him. If I had been hiding sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened to me. But God did listen to me; He heard my prayer” (Ps. 66:18-19, ERV).
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26, NIV).
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:7-8).
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins….But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…” (Eph. 2:1-5, ESV).
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (I Cor. 1:26-27, NIV).
I was empty, but God filled up my tank today. I am so thankful.
Something to think about…
Haha – “Holy Spirit Hit List.” Made me laugh 🙂
🙂
Praise God that He can do anything! Thanks for the beautiful post & for hosting & God bless!
Ah, the lessons we learn from running on empty…thank you for sharing this.
Holy Spirit Hit list made me smile. I’m with ya on desiring to see their lives change. I love hearing other stories like that. It encourages me to persevere in my own prayers.
Let’s persevere together!
Lyli, I loved this post. Not only does it teach us the lesson of learning on empty but it also teaches us how God fills us with exactly what we need. Every one of the verses pertained to the need on your heart. Love how He fills us with that which will sustain us & keep us going! XO
But God. Always–but God! Love this story, Lyli. May we all remember to let God fill our tank today.
Ah, Lyli, I love how you tied the empty tank/full tank and But God all together. Brilliant. I love how it’s the little things that fill us up.
Yes, it’s important to stop & refuel frequently.
It was encouraging to read this today. I got a chuckle out of your reference to the “Holy Spirit Hit List”. I should start one as well.
I stole that from an old friend. 🙂
“Like sheep they are meant for the grave. Death will be their shepherd…. But God will free my soul from the power of the grave. For He will take me to Himself” (Ps. 49:14-15, NLV).
Yep, that was me! So thankful that God had a different plan in mind!
Yes. He is so good to us!
But, GOD! I have to say that everyday.
I don’t know how to do what you want me to do . . . But, GOD!
How will we make these unexpected payments . . . But, GOD!
This is overwhelming me . . . But, GOD!
Blessings to you, as you take joy in God, always butting into those things that concern you.
Joy!
Kathy
“But God….” My heart needed these words, Lyli. I have been kind of down today and remembering that God is all we will ever, ever need and that He has done so very much for us, for me,…I needed this. Bless you, sweet Lyli.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Love you, Linda. Praying for God’s peace & strength to fill up your tank today.
Thanks, Lyli, for this reminder 🙂 Blessings to you for your example of faith 🙂
You are such an encourager, sweet friend. xo
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26, NIV).
I’m tired today. I game browsing and hoping for just something to grab onto to strive toward the finish line. I’ll be repeating this the rest of the day, thank you!!
Hugs & prayers, Meg