Abbie Coffey

God has been silent for me today.  I have spent time with Him, listening and praying, but I don't have anything specific.  I think sometimes God gives us these times with our own thoughts so we can reflect on where we truly are with Him.  Today, I needed the time to honestly assess my own walk and where my heart has been.  I am trusting, but it is a slow process to get myself back to fully knowing and believing His promises.  It is one day at a time right now, and I'm okay with that.  I needed today to just sit with my own thoughts and realize how far He has brought me on this trust journey in a quick amount of time.  It is all about re-surrendering my own thoughts, ideas, and doubts.  My trust had been shaken and now it is coming back as the Spirit prompts me with memories of promises fulfilled.

Psalm 77:12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Boy, was this something I needed to read today.  I disappoint myself sometimes in the way I fall into focusing on the sad or the frustrating.  I am an optimist, but sometimes the enemy gets the best of me.  This verse is perfect.  It reminds me to look at where the Spirit is moving and where God has moved.  I am reminded today of the incredible power God showed during Mom's journey.  I am reminded of the Grace each of us received, and continues to receive, as we walk on our own journey.  I am filled by the Glory that God allowed us to experience as He took Mom home.  There are so many incredible things that happened along the way, and that's just been in the last two years!  If I look back even further, I am reminded of the minute details that were put into place for me to be in my job.  The circumstances that brought Dalton into our lives are another rem...

Daniel 3:25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." There are a couple of moments in Daniel where God sends His angel to attend His servants in times of great need.  God is glorified in these moments.  The book reads that the angel attended the men because they trusted in God.  This is leading me to ask that of myself.  Do I trust in God?  My quick response is, yes.  But when I really get down to it, what are those things that I am holding on to and trying to control myself rather than trusting God to do as He will.  It's always good for me to check on myself because I have been given many gifts and can accomplish much on my own.  This is a problem because I find myself trying to control situations in which I really have no control at all.  And, actually, control is not so much what is even needed in those situations…it's trust that I need.  Trust th...

2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. What a great verse of encouragement!  Today I needed to hear that I have been given all I need, to do what I have been called to do.  I am not exactly sure what to do to fan this into flame, but I now have a new way to pray about it.  I will be asking for discernment and strength to do what the Spirit prompts and to follow His lead, so that the gift will be turned into something that impacts the Kingdom.  These are the moments when God shares so much insight through such a quick note of scripture.  The Scripture is definitely the Living Word.

Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Living a life worthy of the calling is staying connected to the One who has called you.  It is recognizing God's handiwork in the everyday steps of your life.  Living a life worthy of the calling is trusting God to do what He has promised and walking in faith when the way seems dark.  Living a life worthy of the calling is not easily done and it is not done alone.  Jesus is really the only one who knows how to live a life worthy of the calling because he did.  We must lean on him to find our worthiness and to discern our calling.

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! This verse can be problematic for people.  The people of Israel had been following the law for many, many years, and not one of their hearts was changed by it.  The proof of that was their continuous struggle.  They continued to turn away from God time after time.  When Jesus comes, His purpose was not just to die for our sins.  God already had the atonement for sin in place with the law and sacrificial system.  Jesus came to fulfill the law in its entirety .  There is so much more to His calling, and we often overlook it.  Jesus' sacrifice takes care of our sin, and along with the atonement comes the incredible gift of Grace.  Grace is what brings complete righteousness because it changes us and transforms our lives into the new creation.  Jesus lives in us, as the Spirit transforms us.  Yes, Jesus' s...

Father, thank you for an incredible week of growing and learning.  I praise you for the way you work in the details of life.  I am grateful for the way you reveal yourself.  Lord,  I ask for wisdom and discernment in the days to come.  I ask that you would walk alongside and help me to understand the workings of what's going on around me.  Lord bring your Spirit near.  Let your peace descend in the chaos and may your light shine brightly to eradicate the evil one.  In the powerful name of Jesus, amen.

Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Sometimes when the frustration of life gets the best of me, I have to be reminded of these words from Jesus.  I need a new perspective on what my life is really about.  My life's purpose is to love, honor, and glorify God.  That is it.  I lose sight of that and get wrapped up in the ridiculous details of life and then I stifle the words of Jesus and the Spirit's work.  Of course, this is the enemy's plan, to distract me.  I am thankful and grateful that God reveals these moments to me and He reconnects with me to reinstate my focus through the Spirit in me.  Unfortunately , today I needed a big reminder of my purpose.

Galatians 4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. There's that word 'promise' again.  I need to make time for specific solitude with God to figure out what this is all about.  I don't have any other thoughts on this verse because I'm so focused on what God is trying to reveal to me.

Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. I have been led to verses about promises lately.  I'm not sure what that is about.  I have been having a hard time seeing the vision of the fulfillment of God's promises in my life and I'm a little doubtful right now of what He is currently up to.  I suppose that's why He's trying to give me a word about promises. ;-)  Each time I read of God's promises and the fulfillment there of, there is always an element of faith involved by the receiver of the promise.  I think I am currently in a valley of my faith walk.  It isn't that I don't feel or see God at work in my life.  It is more of a "What are you doing, God?" type of response.  I'm not sure what God is doing and I'm just kind of confused at this point.  My mind and soul search to make meaning ...

Luke 8:37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear.  So he got into the boat and left. This was the people's reaction to Jesus driving the demons out from the man and into the herd of pigs.  I was a bit convicted with this verse, wondering how many times I have asked Jesus to leave me because of my own fear of what he might do.  It seems so odd that we would do that, see a miracle of Jesus and then ask him to leave us alone, but that just shows our brokenness.  We respond in fear so often and how often does the phrase "do not be afraid" appear in the Bible?  Many, many times.  What's probably more troubling to me than the fact that they asked Jesus to leave, is the fact that he did.  Jesus is so loving that he acquiesces to their request.  I know he will do the same when I ask him to leave me alone.  He is a gentleman and doesn't force himself on us.  My hope and...

Luke 2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. This is part of the story of Simeon, the man to whom this promise was revealed and who saw Jesus as a baby in the temple court.  I find myself thinking of the promises of God today.  I often wonder if I am hearing God or if it is my own hopes that are appearing as promises.  I don't have any wise words.  I am praying diligently that I would be given the discernment to know God's voice as I listen for Him to speak His words of promise to me.

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. It is fascinating to me the lengths to which we will go to avoid suffering.  We even go to great measure to make sure those we love avoid suffering.  And yet, it is one of the foremost points of the new testament.  There is so much talk of suffering, it's kind of silly for us to think we can avoid it.  And, what's more, we really shouldn't avoid it at all, according to the scripture.  All of the authors talk about the great outcomes of suffering like joy, peace, grace, and glory.  So why do we run from it?  What is our real fear with suffering?  I believe it has to do with our pride.  If we suffer, we look weak to the world.  Think of all of the different cancer campaigns we see (this is especially close to my heart).  The "be brave" or the "you can't stop me" kinds of messages that are sent.  I ...

Father, I thank you that you have provided a way for you and I to be reconnected through Jesus.  I am overwhelmed by the love you have shown in giving your Son to save my life.  You have been extravagant with your grace and continue to be so.  Jesus, I am struck by your sacrifice.  I cannot fathom what it must have been like for you to stay on the cross, only to take my sin to the lowest depths.  Your resurrection is my hope.  Thank you doesn't seem like enough, so instead, I surrender my life to your work and will.  Spirit, I am grateful everyday for the way you move and prompt me.  The transformation you are working in me is unbelievable at times and I know it is not always easy.  Thank you for persevering in me and stepping with me at every turn on this journey.  Lord, I praise you for your work in, around and through me.  To you be the glory!  Amen.

Daniel 7:14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. What a powerful way to finish this week!  The eternity that is to come is something that I cannot even begin to understand.  I try to grasp a little glimpse of the glory we will experience when Jesus' Kingdom comes into fruition when the enemy is eradicated, but my mind is limited and finite.  My soul longs for the day when it will be set free from the calamity of this earthly body.  However, there is freedom to be had on this earth too. That is what is so amazing about walking in Jesus.  We get to experience the resurrection here and now!  But just as Paul says, it is only a dim reflection.  Oh, to see Jesus face to face! This is what my souls longs for...

Daniel 7:14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, This entire verse makes my heart praise God every time I read it.  With this portion, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride in God and His power over all the earth.  He reigns from on high and He has full control over all that was, is, and will be.  That gives me a comfort like nothing else can.  I can rest in the arms of Jesus knowing that I am fully in the care of the almighty, sovereign Lord who reigns from His throne of grace and is in control of my life and all that surrounds me.

Daniel 7:14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. The second snippet for today… all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.   This is a picture of beauty to me.  All of the world in one mind, and one heart, worshiping the Lord of all.  No war, no fighting, no shouting, no anger, just love.  We will no longer look on each other with selfish ambition or judgmental thoughts.  We will look only to the One who has given eternity and we will be enveloped by His love for us.  What an incredible day it will be when we are all in the presence of the risen Savior and praising Him for who He is!

Daniel 7:14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. I'm doing something a little differently for the next few of days.  I'm going to use this verse this week and spend a day on each section of it.   He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; This statement grants me peace.  I am able to look at the world through this verse and know that Jesus is in control.  God gave Jesus the authority to forgive sins, He showed us glory at the cross and in Jesus' resurrection, and provides us with the peace in His sovereignty.  We are well taken care of by our Lord and King.  Sometimes it is hard to see the Kingdom of Heaven when you live in the kingdom of the world.  I am always grateful for those times when God makes His Kingdom tangible.  I ponder the time...

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. I often hear the saying, "God will never give you more than you can handle."  I completely disagree with this.  I think God does give us more than we can handle so that we will turn to Him and let Him handle it.  As Paul says here, we are given that grace that we need.  God intervenes in our overwhelming circumstances with grace that is beyond anything we can understand, if we let Him.  This is where the "peace that passes understanding" comes from.  It is the grace of God apportioned to us through Christ Jesus.  We must remove our thinking of "I can handle all things because of Jesus" and live in "I can do all things through Him (Jesus) who gives me strength."  We are given what we need when we need it by God .  It's just that simple.  But alas, our pride gets in the way.  Father, remove my pride and let me live in your grace through Christ Jesus. ...

Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." I have been been prompted to read several verses today and all of them were centered around faith, and specifically saving faith.  Faith is such a fascinating concept to me.  What keeps popping into my mind today is the thought of crossing a scary, old-looking bridge.  I either have the faith to step out onto the bridge or I don't.  There isn't anything that can make me have more faith in the bridge from where I stand.  I can stare at the bridge all day long, but I am still seeing it from the same perspective.  The only way to increase my faith in the bridge is to step on it and see if it holds.  Once I take that first step and find myself standing firm, I can then see more of the bridge and a little farther down the road.  I can see the boards of the bridge when I am on it and I can feel its sturdiness.  My faith increases as I move farther along the bridge, feelin...

Father, thank you for the care you have shown this week through the encouragement of those you have brought into my life.  Thank you for the way you provide opportunities for me to grow in relationship with others and with you.  I praise you for the work you are doing in me and the way you are transforming my heart.  You are moving mightily and sharing your voice and your will with me.  I am grateful to be a child of you.  To you be the glory for the work you do in, around, and through me.  Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. I like the way Paul chose to say this about God, "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" which in and of itself is incredible and, quite frankly, unfathomable, but then he goes on to say, "according to his power that is at work within us".  We ahve the God of all creation, who can do more than anything we can even imagine, living and working in us.  This statement makes me pause and think about the true gift of Jesus.  Not only did Jesus pay my debt for sin, which is a big deal, but then I have Him actually living in me and making my life immeasurably more fulfilling than I imagined it could be.  What would life be like if I could actually fathom the complete work of God?  Ah, the glory I would see! ...

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Works and grace are two terms that are so difficult to grasp in the Christian walk.  We know that if we are living by grace then works should be seen.  The issue is that we often times try to do the works on our own rather than letting the works be a by-product of the Spirit within us.  We take over our own lives trying to do good and be good rather than letting the grace of God work in us to transform us into the new creation that is good. Instead, we like to list off all of the ways we have shown God's goodness to those around us, or how we've conquered a sinful habit, or how we've been nice to someone who was not.  Unfortunately, these are what become the "works" Paul wrote about.  We completely remove God's grace from our lives and therefore lose sight of what is most important, the Spirit working in us to transform us.  It is a tricky concept and ...

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. For some reason this verse is beautiful to me.  The words are freeing.  Sometimes God brings sorrow into our midst to show us somewhere that we need to allow the Spirit to work in our lives.  We are prompted to move toward the way of holiness and once we do so, we no longer feel the guilt that ensnares us.  We are forgiven and can move forward in Christ to continue on the journey of the new creation.  Worldly sorrow is that which does not move is toward God, but rather pushes us farther from Him.  We wallow in our situation and circumstance and ignore the Spirit's prompts to come to Him for salvation.  Ah, the freedom we experience when we accept Jesus as our sacrifice for the sins we have committed and receive the forgiveness we have been offered.  Only then are we truly blessed.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. This verse is a good reminder for me today.  I often times take my own circumstances for granted.  This is an issue of course, because I forget to be grateful because they are not in the forefront of my mind.  When your health is good, you don't think about it.  When your family is happy, you don't think about it.  When all is well, we don't think about it.  The real problem I've found is that the same is true when something seemingly small goes wrong.  I forget to talk to God about it.  I feel like it is just a part of life and that I will just go through it as I have the times before.  In reality, God has always supplied the solution, I just have never given Him credit for it.  I also don't ask Him for help until the problem gets to a certain size.  Why is that?  I know He is in charge of all of life, but I forget to bring...

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. Oh, I love being given this verse!  What an uplifting word of hope!  Peter says, "after you have suffered".  There is so much power in suffering.  I am not sure why, but there is.  I was just thinking this week that I can feel myself being restored since Mom's passing and it feels as though I am stronger, firmer, and more steadfast as this journey continues.  I am empowered by the grace of God that has sustained me throughout this trial, and now I am feeling the restoration to a higher place beginning to take shape.  It seems as though when God decides to restore something or someone, He always does it to the next level.  For instance, Job's restoration, Israel's restoration to the promised land, Peter's restoration after his denial of Jesus, they all exper...

Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. These words are ringing very true for me today.  I think of all of the things I thought I would have accomplished by this time in my life, and really only one of them has been done in the time frame I thought.  I was a teacher.  In some of the things I expected, I am farther than I had planned.  I always thought I would go into administration after the age of 40, and I actually went into administration at the age of 34.  My expected life for myself at the age of 22 looked very differently than the journey God and I have been on, and I'm completely okay with that.  I have lived my life with Jesus, letting Him guide my steps, and this is where it has gotten me.  I have become a person at peace, with big hopes and dreams.  I pray continually that God will match my desires with His because it has become so obvious that His plans are far more incre...

Father, thank you for your support and care.  Thank you for the people and moments you provide that make my life better.  I pray that you would continue to watch over those around me.  May you be seen every time and may your love be very apparent.  May I always get out of the way so that your will may be done.  My prayer is that your will is my will.  Make us one, Father.  Amen.

John 1:12-13  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. Something about the phrase "born of God" has caught my attention on this day.  There is so much more to being born of God, and I think we just get a small glimpse of it.  Being a child of God is not about our natural self.  Being a child of God refers to our spiritual self.  The amazing thing about God is that when we are His children, he changes the very nature of who we are.  We are no longer under the laws of nature, but rather our hearts are transformed into beautiful creations of Christ.  When we are in Christ, our natural body responds differently to the world.  The Spirit works in us to make us into the creation God created at the beginning through Jesus.  When we receive Jesus and are born into the family of God, w...

Romans 1:12 That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. This is something that is so important to my journey.  I have people that I meet with to help build my faith.  There is a wonderful support that comes from sisters and brothers in Christ.  I really notice when I don't have the opportunities to meet with those who encourage my faith.  At those moments, I have to make an extra effort to make time to be with them.  Life gets overly busy, but I cannot remove these people because they are instrumental in my faith journey.  Just as, when I am busy, I still make time to talk to God and spend time with Him to feed my soul.  We take care of one another and encourage each other on our journeys.  It is a part of our calling as the body of Christ.  I am thankful for my encouragers.

Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart my ache, and joy may end in grief. Boy is there truth in this statement.  I feel bad that there are those who ache and we never know.  Their pain is not a physical pain that can be seen by everyone.  They silently cry inside as they are fighting an internal battle, yet outwardly no one will ever know depth of their pain.  I constantly keep this in mind when dealing with anyone who seems difficult.  The latter part of the verse, of course, hits home.  There is much joy to be had in this life.  Right on the heels of that is the grief.  What I have found is that in the times of grief and heartache, Jesus is the closest.  He wraps me up and whispers His words of love and care to me.  There is no way to avoid feeling heartache or grief in this life.  And, quite frankly, after my own experiences, I don't want to avoid either of them.  I welcome them as times when I get to be closer to God a...