life beyond the well…

Category Archives: Dreams


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Why I’m Glad God Promises Not to Leave Me

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV84)

“I know who goes before me.  I know who stands behind.  The God of angel armies is always by my side.” – Chris Tomlin, “Whom Shall I Fear”

Every day I have some experience in my life that makes me even more grateful for the presence and work of God in my life.  Usually these experiences happen on my job, but they also happen in traffic, at the grocery store, on campus, and many other places.

As I think on these situations and my response to them, my thought is usually something along the lines of, “Man, I’m SO glad I know Jesus, because if I didn’t I’d have totally handled that situation differently.”  This is largely true- when I think of the ways that I handled situations prior to being saved, I shudder and shake my head.  Of course now that I’ve been changed and that I know better, I do better.

But the truth is, I’m glad God promises not to leave me, because if He did, I would totally mess things up.  I don’t know that I’d majorly mess things up, but I can definitely see myself getting into trouble, and having to call out to Him for help.  I, by myself, handling situations on my own, am like the kid who gets left home alone before they are fully mature enough to handle it.  Am I going to burn the house down?  Probably not.  Am I going to do something careless that could cause a big problem later?  Maybe.  Am I going to do something little, that by itself won’t be a big deal, but over time would be?  Most likely.

The truth is, I need God to stay with me to save me from ME.  And because I know that I need Him to save me from me, I’m glad that there’s the promise that He will always be there- because I’m always going to need Him to lead me, guide me, protect me, and save me.  In the same way that I have yet to outgrow the need for my mother’s wisdom (even though I’m almost 30), I will never outgrow the need for God in my life.  As I grow and mature, I still find that I’m my biggest challenge- or as I’ve heard it said elsewhere: “My greatest enemy is my inner me”.  Sure, I’ll encounter challenges and obstacles in the world, but if I’m able to handle the internal, I’m confident that I can handle the external.

Be encouraged- God has promised not to leave you…which means He’s still there!

Peace and Blessings!


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But Have You Asked?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV84)

When I was a kid, my parents were INSISTENT that I ask for things that I wanted.  There was no declaration of “I want juice” or “I want apples”.  If I wanted something, I had to ask.  And not only did I have to ask, but I had to ask politely.  As an adult who oftentimes encounters students who have not had this training, I’m appreciative of the discipline that my parents instilled in me by requiring me to ask for things.

That’s not to say that I always got it right.  There were quite a few times where I forgot the rules and made declarative statements, that often resulted in confused looks from my parents.  You know, the look that says, “But who are YOU talking to like THAT in THIS house?”  Yeah, that look.  And then I remembered that I needed to ask for what I wanted- especially if I desired a response, and even moreso if I hoped that the response was in the affirmative for me.

It’s kind of like that with God too.  We have all of these things that we desire- and so we say that.  It can sound something like this:

  • “I want a new job.”
  • “I want a new car.”
  • “I want to be debt-free.”
  • “I want to find a church home.”

There are numerous things that we desire- but the real question is, “Have you asked for it?”.  And I mean this in a sincere way- but have you truly submitted that request to God?  If there’s something you desire that you have yet to receive, is it because you haven’t asked for it?

I’m willing to bet that you’ve tossed around some declarations (like the ones I’ve listed above), but haven’t asked.  It’s not the same.  And if you really want it- what are you waiting for?  Ask away!  Ask in faith, knowing that God can do more than we can ask or imagine.  And after you’ve asked- believe for the affirmative.  Don’t allow anything to talk you out of what you’ve asked for.  God can.  God will.  He’s able!

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!