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Archive for January, 2014

A Little Known Secret About Myself

Posted on: January 30th, 2014 by Laurie Coombs

receive, receiving, receive God, blessing, receive blessing, giving, pride

I’m going to let you in on a little known secret about myself. It’s something that only those closest to me know, and it’s defiantly something God has been working on with me for quite some time. Are you ready? Here it is–– I have a hard time receiving. Small gifts? Not so much. But anything that can be considered extravagant? Oh yes, friends––that fits the bill. Gifts of this magnitude immediately make me cringe and think, “I can’t accept this!” while knowing I also cannot not receive a gift someone has so thoughtfully given to me. And so I am left in an uncomfortable predicament, with my heart screaming “don’t take it!” and my mouth saying, “Thank you! You shouldn’t have done this.” Now, here’s the interesting part. I love to give. I always have. I remember being on family vacations on a lake as a little girl, asking all of my…

An Intense Season of Growth

Posted on: January 28th, 2014 by Laurie Coombs 1 Comment

lessons, learn, spiritual growth, growth, character growth, Jesus, Christ, God, truth, season of growth, refined, refine, surrender, relationship with God, relationship with Jesus, receiving, God's love, love of God, Satan, Spiritual attack, worship, thanksgiving, praise, miracles, fasting, biblical fasting, sabbath, rest, weakness, impossible

God has had me in an intense season of growth over the last month or so. It has been a time of refinement through trial that started the moment I began praying for God to work absolute surrender in me. And though life has been a bit more difficult lately, I have been blessed greatly during this time by the presence of God and by an outpouring of truths He has spoken over me. Last week, I began compiling a list of all God has spoken over me during this season, and as I did, I felt compelled to share the list with you. Some of you may have learned these truths already; others may be learning these truths along with me. But either way, I believe these truths are powerful. So, no matter where you find yourself, I ask that you take these truths in and contemplate them. Pray for God to…

A Lifeboat to Endure the Storms of Life

Posted on: January 23rd, 2014 by Laurie Coombs

lifeboat, God, Jesus, Storms, storms of life, God's love, the love of God, love of God, God loves you, does god love me, God is with you, You are his, receive love, focus, what is your focus, focal point, how to endure storms, how to endure trials, how to endure pain, getting through, peace, how to find peace, get peace, keep yourself in God's love, faith, stay in love of god, remain in love, abide in Jesus, abide in God, occupation, think of God, love,

You are loved. With a love unmatched and unparalleled by anything else. With a love incomprehensible to the human mind. A love so great, so unfathomable that many will never fully comprehend its depth this side of heaven. In the book of Isaiah, God tell of His love for us. God speaks these words over you, over me, as an affectionate Father whispers I love you in the quiet, intimate moments before lying his child to sleep. He says: But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your…

{Guest Post} God’s Hand of Grace

Posted on: January 21st, 2014 by Laurie Coombs 1 Comment

I first became acquainted with Maretha Retief, a native of South Africa, a few months ago when she contacted me to share her incredible story. Born with a disability yet having overcome many obstacles in her life, Maretha has become intimately acquainted with what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth when he said, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” A lesson I am still in the process of learning. Maretha’s testimony is one we all can learn from. It speaks to perseverance, overcoming hardship, and living a life fully submitted to the will of God. So, without further introduction, here is Maretha’s story. I was born with only a pinkie and a thumb on my left hand. A disability that did not escape the eyes of God. He came and took something that…

What Do You Have to Offer?

Posted on: January 16th, 2014 by Laurie Coombs 5 Comments

surrender, absolute surrender, God works surrender, offer, offering, be careful what you pray for patience, trial, comfort, comfort idol, idol, righteousness, God, Jesus, humble, submit, draw near to God, Feed 5000, water wine, widow elijah, flour and oil, Luke 18:27

Surrender, I hear over and over. Surrender, my child. I try––time and again, I try––but I fail. Full of frustration and defeat, I cry out with one simple word––how? I will work surrender in you. God whispers. Lay down what you have to offer, and I will work the rest. I pray as I’ve been taught––Lord, I am willing that you make me willing to surrender in absolute surrender––because after all, many of us are willing in concept, but when the realities of surrender encroach upon our self-centered desires, willingness begins to wane. For close to a month now, I have prayed and prayed and prayed for God to work absolute surrender in me with confident assurance that God can and will perform His work in me. And He is. He is working. But anytime we pray audacious prayers such as these, we must be prepared for what’s to come….

On Plans, Yielding, and Walking With God

Posted on: January 14th, 2014 by Laurie Coombs 2 Comments

walking with God, Me myself and bob, Phil Vischer, faith, faithfulness, God, Jesus, trusting God, yielding, mercy, folly, dream, dreams, following Jesus, following dreams, pursuing dreams, plans, our plans, God's plans, wait, waiting, wait for the Lord, foiled plans, dreams die, surrender, surrender to God,

It’s time for a new beginning. Don’t you think? We all need a new beginning from time to time, and what better time than the present. Now, I know you’ve probably heard quite a few messages on the topic of “New Year’s Resolutions” already, so rest assured, this is not another one. “Resolution” messages, while valuable, are often the same. Evaluate your previous year. See what worked. See what didn’t. Set goals. Plan. Plan. Plan…. But honestly, while these exercises do have some merit, I believe most people, while making these plans, unintentionally fail to factor God into their equation. I just finished reading Me, Myself, and Bob over Christmas. It’s written by Phil Vischer, the founder of Veggie Tales, and let me tell you, it’s a good read. In his book, Phil tells the story of the rise and fall of Veggie Tales, a popular Christian children’s video series. In…