Voice Of Truth

To all my faithful followers, I do apologize for not blogging in a while. I have
been experiencing a lot of change in my life over the last several weeks. I took time to just
really clear my mind and try to hear from the Lord. You know, I don't know if you've every
gone through a big change in your life, (not like changing houses or cars, but more like a change
of lifestyle, a new job, more added to your plate, change of what you've been used to for the last
 several years)
That's scratching the surface of my circumstances.
Once God sets us up exactly where we need to be I'll fill you all in. Right now, there are plans--
but God ultimately has to direct our steps towards the correct one.
Can I admit that I'm human and a part of me was scared? Yea, just a little...because what happens
when a person is going through an unexpected change?...You try to gather your thoughts and
work things out in your own mind right? You try to think of  best way to go about, but what's
funny is a lot of times you'll make a plan based on what the easiest way out is...No one
likes the tough roads... I can say that at this point in my life, God is stretching my faith
more than He ever has. I am learning to believe God like never before, there's a difference in
knowing there's a God (satan himself knows there's a God of this universe) but BELIEVING in Him...it's completely different....so what I mean is even when my physical eyes can not see how it all is going to work
I must trust in God's word, and rely on my heart because that is where my Jesus dwells.

So I said all that to say, today I'm getting better. I'm getting better for everything God's testing me with.
I'm getting better because I'm growing IN Him. It's too easy to follow Christ when all your ducks
are in a row, but when you're put in hot water--the real you comes out.
Trusting can be one of the hardest tasks God gives us. Why? Because we're human, by nature
we are control freaks. We have to always have a plan, make sure WE know what's going on
and more often than not rely on our own understanding. BUT that is not what God says, you see
I am guilty of this. My first reaction to this new change was ok: I'm gonna do this and that,
I'm gonna go here and there. blah blah blah. Everyday for the last 2 weeks
it's consumed me, and I'd try to work
things out in my own mind with prayer of course, but the point is I couldn't be still and know He
was God and had everything in control...I'd have my own ideas and thoughts then I'd chew on it for
a few hours & immediately I'd think, what IF and what IF and what IF...::afraid of the unfamilar::
All these voices in my head pulling me every which direction...
 This past week for 3 days in a row He spoke to me through music. Every morning before work the same song played for me as I drove to work.
Casting Crowns "Voice of truth" The first day I thought, I love that song, such a good message..
but on the second day, it tugged at my heart a little differently and started speaking to me, then
the third day in a row
I was a puddle of tears because I KNEW what God was speaking into my life.
"But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Est, you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
 

And that my friends is God's voice,  His Word, His path.
've learned a big lesson, everyday we're hearing voices..
billboards advertising beers, cigarettes, bars...TV commericals showing weight loss pills,
sadly even some religious books that have come up with their own ideas of God, magazines,
and internet --I saw an advertisment ad online saying
 "Have an affair, you only live life once "I kid you not and sometimes if you're not careful when
going through a tough situation, you'll start listening and believing a voice that isn't God's.
FYI: Be careful who you allow to counsel you, be careful who you trust with your inner most desires
different voices can kill your dreams...I'm not sure who that was for, but I wasn't
trying to get on that topic..

I know what I'm experiencing is not over, not even close, but what I know
is in my heart I no longer have to wait in worry, but I can rest in what I know is already being
taken care of in advance for me! Thank you Jesus.
 I encourage you today, if you're going through something life
changing and are a little unsure because you've never experienced it or can't phyiscally
see and understand  how it is going to all work out, just know it's ok, cause really you're
not suppose to know everything...
Again, quit listening to outside voices but rather
consume yourself in God's word and believe the voice of truth...
His voice.
 
Proverbs 3:5-6
"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 16:3
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
 
And my all time favorite:
Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
 
...And all He told me to do is believe, the voice of truth.

The greatest Parable of God's love

This story is very popular and recognized as the greatest parable Jesus ever gave.
The Prodigal Son.
I love this story for many reasons, but the main reason is how it shows the unconditional love
we have in God, the forgiveness our God gives us, and an example of how we should be towards
others.

If you're unfamililar with the story you can read Luke 15:11-32, but for now I want to focus on
verses 18-24
18'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and in your sight; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of
your hired men."' 20"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way
off, his father saw him at a distance and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him
and kissed him. 21"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your
sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and
put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;  23and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us
eat and celebrate;  24for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate...

This particular son sets out on his own adventure. And is essence sometimes we do the same.
We go off in our "have it all together" path of what we think life should be like and improperly
spend/misuse everything the Lord has given us. Once our plan runs out and we've exercised
all our options, guess who we turn to? God.

This story can be overlooked at times, but really it has so much we can learn from.
If you notice when the son returns humbly to admit his faults, the father embraces him.
He doesn't scold him, he doesn't ask questions, he opens his arms and gladly welcomes
him back home where he belongs. Our God is the exact same way. When we are totally
off the road and off track, God waits patiently, with loving compassion to restore us when
we return to Him with humble hearts. He offers us everything in His kingdom, restoring full
relationship with joyful celebration. He doesn't even dwell on our past offenses. God
is truly amazing and I believe if we could all get ahold of what it really means to be Christ-like
this world would be a more forgiving, and loving world.
Today I want to encourage you to go back home, where you now know
our Father is waiting for you. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of
God (Romans 8:39). From this day forward, you no longer have to dwell on your past,
 maybe you've made the same mistakes over and over, but God sees past that.
That's the difference between God and people.
People may forgive, but rarely ever forget...our God does both. You no longer
have to go on feeling unworthy of God's love or feel unfit to be His child
because of the things you've done, we've all fallen short of God's glory and as you see here,
you are always being waited on with arms wide open. Run back home. What are you waiting for?

With love & prayer,
Est
I