Attacks....

Well, I see that it has been three days since I last wrote in here.  I was thinking about it last night and thought, "Wow, Satan really doesn't like me doing this."  He's been throwing curves balls at me the last several days to deter me from pursuing God.  It's just like I read in the book, "Battlefield of the Mind," by Joyce Meyers.  Satan is extremely patient and chips away at you daily.  I am praying that God makes me stronger through this trial.

This week's devotionals are focused on praising God.  When I read the first day's devotion, it really struck home with me the statement that we really don't focus on God that much unless we are in need or are in tragic times.  I think that is what society has slowly taught us.  We don't need God.  We can do it ourselves which is soooooo untrue.  I need Him everyday in my life.  I am focused on looking on what He has for me to learn everyday since I started this.  I doing some introspective looks into myself and it's not pretty.  I am hoping that He will mold me into something better. :)  What it all boils down to is is that it is my choice of whether I allow Him to work in me or not.  It's sad to think that I don't do this sometimes.  I'm sure it must feel like a slap in the face to him.  I know that if my kids ignore me or push me away when I try to hug them, it hurts.

I have also learned in this week's lessons that God is limitless!  I will never fully understand every single aspect of God.  I can't put Him in a box.  He is more than that!  It reminded of our church's recent Bible Study, called "The Truth Project".  A lot of people put God in a box and God can't be restricted.  He is greater than that box!   Malachi 1:6 struck a cord with me.  "A son honors his father, and a servant his master.  Then if I am a father, where is My honor?"  And if I am a master, where is My respect?"  I thought that was a pretty direct statement from God.  It's not holding back on His feelings at all on this issue.  He is more than worthy of my time and pursuit!

Ok, I have a confession.  I am a car singer!  I listen to KSBJ and I go full blast on some of the praise songs.  I am not a big singer at church, but I am in the car.  Go figure!  I haven't quite figured that one out but I love singing the praise songs in the car.  I have left the secular music behind, for the most part, and found that the Christian station offers so much more hope and praise rather than the negativity on the secular stations.  It literally does put me in a better mood.  What I didn't really realize was that God calls us to worship Him.  Ok, yeah, I can do that one easily! :)  It's hard sometimes when the times are bad, but the songs are so reassuring that there is a purpose for everything happening in our lives and I have to trust Him to pull me through.  What better reassurance.  I've never heard that reassurance from a secular song.  In those songs, you can supposedly count on man, but I'm not quick to hold my breath on that one!

These are some of the things that I have been praising God for this week:

-For bringing me to this devotional Bible study at church
-For His grace
-For Johnny
-For always being there for me
-For caring about me and my needs
-For giving me strength and endurance
-For wanting me when He doesn't need me (I borrowed this from a fabulous neighbor...thanks Shannon!)
-For pursing me daily
-For providing a book as a guide for our lives
-For showing me daily the depths of His love

I have so much to praise him for!

I am already praising Him for defending me against the attacks I am going through this week!