Amelia McNeilly

Pink Patriot - My desire is to share with you the journey God has me on. Whether in joy hardship, I hope that my blog offers a place of respite, and bring joy to your heart!

31 Days - Nehemiah, Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

Mornings With Nehemiah – Prayer

Hi friends thanks for reading my blog today, and thanks for journeying with me as I study the book of Nehemiah. I look forward to all that God will teach us.

As I have read through the book of Nehemiah — especially Chapter 1, I immediately notice Nehemiah’s willingness to pray and cry out to the Lord. In the first chapter Nehemiah finds out the devastating news that the wall of Jerusalem has been destroyed and He is devastated. Immediately after this, where does He turn first? He begins to pray and repent of his people’s sins and he cries out to the Lord to have mercy on His people. He has a repentant heart, and in his distress focuses his gaze on Christ. Nehemiah repents for his people and then asked the Lord to show him mercy in the sight of the king(1:6-11).

Following this, we find that God grants Nehemiah his request. The King listens to Nehemiah and supports his mission to leave and go help rebuild the wall for his people. However, for us, an important truth we should take away from this passage is Who Nehemiah Nehemiah consulted with first. Not friends. Not Family. He went straight to God when he was in despair.

As believers, God should always be who we turn to first — in hardship, as well as in our joys. So often though, He is the last resort.

God is our Heavenly Father, and He is a jealous God. He delights in communion with us and desires for us to come to Him with everything. He is always ready to listen, forgive, and give the guidance we need.

For the theme of this series, I will often use the phrase, “Guarding your gates!” Throughout the book, Nehemiah and his men rebuild the gates of the city that were destroyed. These city gates brought a sense of protection to the people living there. In the same way, we need to put certain things in place to guard and protect ourselves, and our minds.

One way to do this actively is by praying. One of the best ways to guard ourselves daily is by taking everything to God in prayer. Recently, this has been such a good reminder for me. Lately, I have been overwhelmed and anxious regarding my health, but then I read Nehemiah and am reminded to pray and give my health and anxiety over to God. By doing this, my situation may not immediately change. However, by praying and guarding myself in this way, I am able to continue on with my day carried by the strength of Jesus.

At some point today take some time away to spend talking with the Lord, even if it is just for a few minutes. Your time with Him can change the outlook of an entire day. Instead of calling your friend and sharing your latest work drama, call out to God instead.

The same God who Nehemiah prayed and trusted can also help you, you just have to let Him in.

Have a blessed Thursday wherever you may be, and know that I am praying that God will grow and sustain you during this season.

31 Days - Nehemiah, Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals

Mornings With Nehemiah – Repentance

Good morning friends. Thanks for joining me on the third day of my series from the book of Nehemiah.

I feel like Nehemiah is one of the books in the Bible that often gets overlooked. However, it is full of principles that we can learn from and apply to our lives today. Yesterday I wrote about the importance of prayer, but another trait we can learn from Nehemiah is that he was repentant. This is seen in chapter 1: 6-7 when he confesses the sins of the children of Israel.

While being devastated over the tragedy that occurred in Jerusalem, Nehemiah took action and repented of Israel’s sins. Instead of having a “woe is me” attitude, Nehemiah confessed his sins, and took responsibility for their disobedience. He could have put the blame of their sin on someone else but he did not. He confessed and moved forward with a spirit of confidence and humility. God had given Nehemiah a mission, and repentance was a huge part in the restoration progress for Jerusalem.

Fast forward to our lives today. Think about your own life, and the people you encounter every day. As a nation, we are at one of the most pivotal times in our history. Unfortunately, our country as a whole is farther away from God than it has ever been. Confession and repentance towards Jesus Christ is not trendy. That being said, a lot of people are too prideful to show any type of humility at all, and this is true for both believers and non-believers.

When was the last time you have spent with Jesus praying and confessing to Him? He is a loving father who shows compassion and grace. He humbled Himself by dying on the cross for our sins, and we should live with that same attitude. No one is perfect. As Romans 3:23 states, “We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Although, as Nehemiah knew, to proceed in obedience with the Lord meant that he needed to repent. In order for us to guard the gates of our lives, we should repent daily.

Repentance is the gateway to the freedom and joy God desires for us. Nehemiah couldn’t move forward with his plans and life without it and neither can we.

Be sure to join in again on Thursday as I will discuss Nehemiah and his boldness. Until then, spend some time in prayer and read Nehemiah chapter 1 and enjoy soaking up the Word. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

To read previous posts in this series visit here.

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

Guest Post – When Trials Overwhelm your Soul

Below is an article from my friend Jeanne Harrison which was originally posted on Revive our Hearts. I asked Jeanne if  I could share this. As I have read this over and over, I am reminded that God never forsakes us and will carry us through anything we face.  I hope it encourages you as it has me.

I wanted security, and You gave me chaos,
Wanted esteem, and You let me know shame.
I wanted success, and You handed me failure,
Wanted Your pleasure and drank of Your pain.

I wanted simplicity, and You gave me troubles,
Wanted grandeur and was brought to nothing.
I wanted approval, and You handed me rejection,
Wanted Your blessing and tasted Your suffering.

So I packed my frustration and all my complaints
Into two giant burlap sacks.
One I named “Bitterness” and the other “Disappointment”
And heaved them upon my back.

Thus I began my journey to You,
Because I needed an answer, You see,
For all of the things You’d promised me once,
And failed to deliver to me.

But the loads, they grew heavy with each passing day,
‘Til I fumed with fury and hate;
And I moaned and I wept and I stumbled at last
Beneath their unbearable weight.

I looked at these bags, laden with trials,
And deep in my soul I knew,
That I could not carry, nor change, nor fight them;
There was but one thing left to do.

I reached both arms, fierce as I dared,
And I hugged them to my breast.
Then I heaved and hauled and wrenched until
I’d wrestled them into my chest.

I cried to the heavens, “I embrace these trials!
I welcome them full unto me.
Let them now work Your will in my life
So that I may be more like Thee!”

The trials spilled over, into my lap
Each of them laid before me.
And as I sat and stared anew,
Suddenly I saw them most clearly.

I wanted comfort, and You gave me character,
Wanted completion, and You gave me patience.
I wanted glory, and You gave me humility,
Wanted Your promise, and You gave me Your presence.

I wanted ease, and You gave me strength,
Wanted cheap idols, and You offered me wealth.
I wanted garbage, and You gave me riches,
Wanted Your gifts, and You gave me Yourself.

I laughed and I danced and I started to sing,
For the treasures I held in my lap!
Then I looked back and forth and finally found
My two giant burlap sacks.

And the names on the bags were rewritten,
For God had seen fit to destroy
Both “Bitterness” and “Disappointment,”
And to name them “Steadfastness” and “Joy.”

I fell to my knees and worshiped and cried,
“Oh God, all along You knew—
That deep in my heart from the very beginning,
All I really wanted was You.”

About the Author:

Jeanne Harrison grew up as a missionary kid in the Philippines for the first fifteen years of her life. Today she is a regular blogger for Revive Our Hearts, and the author of Loving My Lot: A Young Mom’s Journey to Contentment and Hiding in the Hallway: Anchoring Yourself as an MK. Jeanne lives in Macon, Georgia, where her husband, Clint, serves as the Executive Pastor at a local church. Together they have four wild and wonderful daughters, ages 1, 3, 6 and 8.

Articles, Daily Inspirations, Devotionals, Holidays

Daily Inspirations – April 2, 2018

Happy April. This is the day after Easter and my prayer is that we not only celebrate Jesus just during the different  holidays, but each day of our life. The verse God has put on my heart in recent days is found in Proverbs 3:5-6. It states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and He will direct your path.” No matter what you are going through today seek God. He will always lead you in the path you should go and never fail you.

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability, Holidays

Because He Lives – Easter 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“But the angel said to the women, Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him.” ~Matthew 28:5

2018 has been hard to say the least, especially the past few weeks. My need for the hope of Christ is more evident now than before. Today, I am thankful for the sustainment God gives and for life. A few weeks ago I could have lost my life due to a complete bowel obstruction, but God was bigger than my diagnosis and I am now back home under the wonderful care of my parents, hospice, and my dogs.. The gift of the death and resurrection of Jesus seems more real and applicable to my life now more than ever before.

I am a bit of a worry wart and I have been pondering many scenarios lately, and living in the land of “What-ifs.” The Lord has been remiinding  me that I need to trust Him more than my own understanding. He died and rose for me to live an abundant life of peace and freedom — not fearing what is to come. That does not mean that troubles won’t come, it just means Christ will be with us and the through the trials that come our way. He will also be there to celebrate with you on days where your life is filled with joy. There is nothing God cannot handle.  As Matthew 28:5 states, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead.” Living with worry is disobeying the Word, and therefore goes against what  God has done for us. When we are doing these things we are not living and abiding in Calvary Love as Amy Carmichael so often says in her writings.

Today, God reminded me graciously of the beauty and truth of the Gospel and helped me to see past this medical fog I have been in. Even though my life is hard and some days I do not see outside my bedroom, unless I am in the hospital — God is still good and He is flooding my heart with peace and truly giving me what I need to live with life and Godliness. On this day of Easter I am reminded over and over of the Gospel and the beautiful gift God gave for our sins in His son Jesus.  I am also thankful in the little things as I press on day to day. Without the Gospel and the Eternal Salvation from Christ,  I would be nothing and instead of joy, my heart would be filled with bitterness.

Friends, I don’t know what circumstances you are facing today or the worries that are going through your mind but whatever they are give them to Jesus. If you know Him as your personal Savior be thankful for His faithfulness in your life because there is always something to be thankful for. Spend time praising Him today for the victory we have in Him and what He overcame.

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior– talk to Him, repent, and ask Him to  be the Lord in your life. Lay your sins, worries, and weariness at His feet and He will pick them up and give you peace that passes all understanding. I  hope  even if we never see each other on this earth,  that we will meet in Eternity. It doesn’t matter what your past is, or what you have done, God loves you and wants you to draw near to Him. Allow Him to carry your heavy load. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states,

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!”

And  Matthew 11:28 states,

“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.”

One of my favorite songs is “Because He lives” by Bill Gaither, and it has been playing in my head for days. So to close, I hope these words encourage you as they have me.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone.

 Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living,

just because He lives.

 

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

Sometimes you just have to laugh!

As a person who has lived with a disability and now chronic illness — it is very important to find the humor in hard situations. To cope with my long days laughing is needed for my sanity. Over my entire life but especially in the last year we have had some hard moments that ended up with both my parents and I on the floor laughing. If someone had seen us they would think we were crazy for laughing at the most inappropriate times.

Recently I was going through some of my old blog posts and found this story that I had totally forgotten about until now and it made laugh out loud. There is nothing I like more than conversation and laughter with friends and family. Being bed bound is tough but laughter always makes things better. My motto for this season has been, “So let’s laugh a little, dance a little, and hope a little more.” Spend some time today catching up with a friend and have a good laugh!

Here is a glimpse into my crazy!

Before continuing, for those of you freaking out right now at how lightly I am treating falling — chill. It’s all good and it is a daily part of my life. I fall as naturally as most people walk, and have been trained to fall without getting hurt. Plus, it is better to laugh than to cry, and makes enduring the hard days much easier not to take everything so seriously.

This past Saturday my parents and I went to see the movie “Woodlawn.” I was not feeling the greatest and in all honesty was a bit annoyed and not in the best of moods before walking out the door. As I was leaving, I got my purse and headed for the door to get my crutches and lost my balance, fell forward, and face planted into the dog bowls by the door. This was a lovely indication as to how my day was going so far. As soon as I hit the ground I started laughing so hard it made it impossible to get up and meanwhile my mom is nearby laughing too and neither one of us were much help to each other. Oh the joys of having Cerebral Palsy, but it was totally what I needed to lighten my mood and ironically it made the day a bit better. Also, don’t worry, no harm was done to me during my fall.

31 Days - Nehemiah, Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals

Mornings With Nehemiah – Boldness

Hi friends.Thanks for reading and staying the course with me this far in the study. Even though we are not far into it yet, I have enjoyed going back through Nehemiah and digging deep into his story. Each time I do a read through of the book the Lord teaches me something new.

As I have been reading and studying the book of Nehemiah, one of Nehemiah’s strongest qualities was his boldness. Nehemiah had his heart set on helping the people in Jerusalem rebuild the walls. He had God’s heart for the people and a passion to help the city. That was Nehemiah’s desire, but he currently had a job as the King’s cup bearer.

At the end of chapter 1, Nehemiah prays for the Lord to hear his prayers and grant him mercy in the sight of the King. This was no small task for Nehemiah. The end of verse 11 states, “Grant him mercy in sight of this man, for I was the King’s cup bearer.” Once Nehemiah entered into the Kings presence, his boss knew something wasn’t right.The king thought Nehemiah seemed sad and He wanted to know the reason. To answer his question, Nehemiah explained what was going on in Jerusalem. In turn, the king granted Nehemiah permission to go. Not only did Nehemiah share what the situation was in Jerusalem, he also knew that traveling there could present some problems. Therefore, Nehemiah requested the king write a letter and get permission for Nehemiah to pass through certain places on his journey, as well as permission to get some wood for the walls. None of the servants was to ever speak to the King in this way, but the Lord was in control and allowed the conversation with the King be in favor of Nehemiah. God gave Nehemiah everything he needed to pursue his mission. This was not going to be easy, but he was being obedient to the Lord, and pressing on. He did not let fear or worry stop him. He trusted the Lord to lead the way and to make his path known before him.

In our lives today, there is so much that we can take away from this lesson. As believers, God has given everyone of us a purpose, and He uses each of us every day even when we don’t see it. There may be times where you know God is calling you to do something whether its taking a certain job at the church, going on the overseas mission trip, helping the community with a certain event, etc. However, fear is hindering you because you can’t see the end result, or you do not feel adequate for the task. Although, as he did with Nehemiah, if God gives you the heart and desire to do something, He is going to help you do it regardless of the difficulties.

Spend some time today in the Word and in prayer before the Lord. As God to show you what He has given you the heart to do. You may already know what that is, and if so ask God to give you the boldness to move forward with a plan. Even on the hardest of days, if God has called you to it, He is going to give you the ability and grace to do what needs to be done. Take some time to read the first and second chapters of Nehemiah and see the Lord at work, and allow Him to teach and work in you. As you will see as we continue the study, Nehemiah never regretted being bold for Jesus, and neither will you.

To read other posts in this series visit here.

 

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