A Girl and Her Bible

I lost my job in June 2013.  This was one of those major moments in your life when learning who you really are is a very (VERY) painful process.  It felt a lot like the potter and the clay.  I often found myself begging God, Please stop, I can't take anymore.  They say God doesn't give you more than you can handle, but in my case I think he was really pushing me.  I needed to decide was I going to stay true to my values and my faith, or was I going to conform to the ways of the world.

As I approached the demise of my career, I found myself seeking God in a way I had never done so before.  Two days prior to my termination, I sat at my son's baseball game and felt an overwhelming direction to read the book of Isaiah.

I dusted off my Bible and began to consume God's word.  I found hope, instruction, and encouragement.  I knew I was facing a battle I was about to lose, but I also found the reassurance and confirmation that I was following God's will.  My test was clear.  Was I going to follow God or was I going to save myself and my job?  If I'm being completely honest this was the hardest decision, but I didn't realize the battle was going to turn into a full out war within myself the months following.

Three months later, I was on the phone with my mom telling here I was about to have a full out throw-down with God.  I knew I would lose, but we needed to have it out.  How could this happen?  How could it be that I was following Him, but now I found myself bitter, angry, and feeling forsaken?  My mom invited me to read one chapter of the Bible with her daily.  Just one, and then we would text back and forth any questions, thoughts, or ideas left on our heart and minds from that chapter.  I accepted the invitation, while thinking What else am I going to do.  

I never read the Bible before.  I occasionally referenced it for all those motivational verses your hear or read, but I never read it for the purpose of spending time with God.  I never actually read it.  Now, I read one chapter daily.  I pick a book and read it one chapter at a time until I finish that book.  What I've come to understand is that the Bible is God's instruction, love, support, and encouragement written to us.  I kind of feel like it's my owner's manual to life.  I never felt like I heard God in my life before.  Through spending time with Him, in His Word, everyday, I am now have an active relationship with my Father.   It is the coolest thing...EVER!

Through reading the Bible I've learned more about God's grace and love for me.  I've come to know Jesus.  I've learned that God's used the Holy Spirit to teach me throughout life.  I learned my 'gut feelings' were actually God speaking to me through His Holy Spirit.  I hear Him because I've started to listen.  I hear Him because I consume His words...everyday.

I don't go anywhere without my Bible.  It's always in my bag.  I travel with it and take it to work.  You never know when you're going to need it.  It's my owners manual, and you don't leave your owner's manual for the car in the house do you?  My Bible is my encouragement.  It's my discipline, understanding, and hope.  It's oxygen for my soul.

If you have a Bible, please post a picture of it on The Encouraged Believer status for this blogpost.  If you don't have a Bible and would like one, please personal message me at the Encouraged Believer on facebook or email me directly at angeline.piskorski@gmail.com, and I will happily send one to you.

Stay encouraged and God Bless,
Angie

Our God of Three: Seek, Listen, Pray

This Sunday's First Reading in Mass tells us the story of Samuel.  In 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19, the LORD calls Samuel while he is sleeping.  Samuel awakes, runs to Eli, and says, "Here I am.  You called me."  Eli replies, "I did not call you."  This happens three times, when Eli recognized that the LORD was calling Samuel.  Eli encourages Samuel to go back to bed, and when he hears the LORD call him to reply, "Speak LORD, your servant is listening."

The intention of three is not lost on me.  I have found in my own life.  When God wants to encourage, reassure, or teach me something He does so (almost always) in three's.  A friend of mine calls these reminders, 'Godwinks.'  It is truly as if God is winking at you and saying, I am with you.  I love when this happens.  A simple example is actually found in the beginning of The Encouraged Believer.  Starting this community was something that was on my heart for a while, but the fear of what others thought paralyzed me.  I was more worried that I was going to find myself isolated by talking openly about my faith.  Will people think I'm crazy?  Who am I to talk about God-I'm not educated or well-versed in the Bible?  Why would anyone wan to read this?  The feeling to start The Encouraged Believer kept pulling harder and harder on my heart.  (And, if you've ever had God place a calling on your heart, you know it gets stronger in a call to action type of way).  Entering 2015, with my mantra of Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4) I  listened to the call on my heart and The Encouraged Believer began.  Feeling vulnerable and unsure, I wrote and put it out there wrapped in a prayer.  I received a verbal encouragement, email, and text from three different people within 24 hours.  They were my Godwinks.

This weekend while on a run with a new running group, a new friend shared his testimony, and in it was story of a calling, found in three prompts.  Amazing how God communicates with us.

You see, I'm in Tampa right now for a three week training.  I'm starting a new job, and if I'm being completely honest I'm totally outside of my comfort zone.  I'm struggling with the 'he who is in the world part.'  I've always associated what my profession was with what my calling was.  I'm learning, God will use us is so many ways throughout the journey of our lives.  It may not be easy, it may feel like we are going wherever the wind blows, but the truth is if we keep our eyes on Him we will find our way to where He calls us.

A few months ago, I listened to a podcast sermon given by my friend JoJo Herndon.  In this sermon, he talks about God's calling on our lives.  Many times we pray, 'God, let your will be done," but then we don't do anything.  We just sit...and wait...for IT to happen.  JoJo reminds us in his sermon to pray for faith and courage to move towards God's calling on our lives.  Pray to have the strength and confidence to take a chance, make a change, or take the first step.  When I'm scared about a big decision, I find reassurance in Romans 8:28, "We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose."  It's my reminder.  As long as I keep my eyes on Him and seek Him (through prayer, action, love, etc) then he will work all my actions for his Glory.  Many of my childhood experiences are evidence that God can take the broken and use it to glorify him in the most interesting ways.

So as I sit on the dock of the bay (literally), writing this post, I find myself praying about this now journey in my life.  I'm scared, I'm a little embarrassed of my frequent job changes since 2013 (when I lost my job-that's for another post, another day), and I'm taking on a completely new adventure.  (Hey, I just realized, this is my third job since 2013, and you know how I feel about 3's!)  I'm reminding myself that God assures us when we answer, "Speak LORD, your servant is listening." Seek Him and you will see him.  Ask him and you will hear him.  Pray, for He is always with you.

Stay Encouraged and God Bless,
Angie

1 John 4:4...Greater is He

Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world!  Every year I have a mantra, something I want to work on, towards, or be reminded of as I navigate the stressful paths of life.  Most of my mantras are influenced by songs or Bible verses.  Here's a quick rundown of the last five years.  

2011:  Quiet Your Mind.  (Zach Brown Band song)

2012:  Maintain Your Balance.  

2013:  Fear Not.  (Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns)

2014:  Faith Like a Child.  (Jars of Clay song)

2015:  1 John 4:4 Greater is He who is in me 

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don't see."  Rick Warren in the Purpose Driven Life reminds us that 'We need hope to cope.'  Hope is like oxygen for our soul.  It is the fundamental essence that drives us to endure the mountains and valleys of life.  It's the strength that gets us through the seasons of change.  We don't see it, but we know it's there.  It's the proof that we are not alone.  

These mantras are earthly, tangible, reminders to keep focused on God's will.  They help keep me grounded when the whirlwind of life sweeps me up, throws me around, and spits me out in some unknown place.  They are the road map back home...back to God!  Hebrews 11: 6 reminds us, "It's impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards people who try to find him."  If you seek God in everyday, you will find God everywhere!  

Here's a silly example:  You are planning to buy a new car and are looking to buy a certain make and model.  You start seeing those types of cars everywhere.  Why?  Because you are looking for them, you are more aware of them, and they catch your attention.  The same is true of God, but with more influence on your life.  

God is the father who sits in front of a child and says, "Look at me," when the child is too distracted and looking elsewhere.  Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and you will receive.  Search, and you will find.  Knock, and the door will be opened for you."  Mantras are my reminder to seek God in everyday, every situation, and wherever I may be.  

I pray your 2015 is full of God's blessing.  May you find encouragement in seeking him all your days.

Stay encouraged and be blessed, 

Angie