Hello, I’m Deetra La’Rue
“The grass fades, flowers wither, but the word of our God stands forever.” ~Isaiah 40:8. Notes by La’Rue is your source for all things inspiration, motivation, encouragement, and hope. My blog is founded on the premise that God’s word gives us hope and I aspire to use His word to change lives one NOTE at a time. Whether you are a Believer or not, I believe everyone can benefit from some encouraging words.
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All things new
Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com Isaiah 43:19 speaks of God doing a new thing, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Praying that God brings all things new to you during this month and the remainder of the year! Although you may not see His mighty work, do know that He is always at work in us. In due season/time, you shall reap if you faint not.
La’Rue
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Growing Times
Photo by Alina Skazka on Pexels.com The fruit may be slow to come but the harvest will be plenty! No matter what your situation looks like, nothing is really as it seems. Though it tarries, wait for it. ~Habakkuk 2:3
La’Rue
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Closer than you think
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Have you ever been driving and looked in your side mirror as you prepared to lane change, and notice the very tiny writing that displays, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear?” Would you believe me if I told you that’s how close God is to you? In fact, He’s closer than you think. I’m reminded of one of the times I was crying out to God in my bedroom, as I was kneeling in prayer and was overcome with grief and sadness. It was during one of the lowest points of my life, and I cried out asking God where He was in the midst of my unbearable pain. I remember very distinctively saying that He seemed so distance and far away; it was almost as if He was a very, very long way down the street.
What happened next shocked me and scared me (literally). I heard God say to me that He wasn’t far, but right there (next to me). I immediately lifted my head from the burrow of my pillow, that was saturated in tears, as my eyes scoured the room to see “who was there.” I had expected to see someone standing there in physical form, not realizing God was physically there. He was right; not only was He close, but He was closer than I thought.
Just because you can’t physically see God, doesn’t mean He’s not there. He’s with you during the good and bad, and especially close to the broken-hearted. We may question why He wasn’t there for a sick parent, an ailing friend, a job loss, a miscarriage, or natural disaster. We may even question His presence in current wars, corrupt governmental entities, and political moments of distress and unrest. However, no matter what the enemy tells you, God is ever-present. Just because we are facing challenging times does not mean He’s withdrawn from us; if anything, He’s closer than ever before. Do you believe that He is?
La’Rue
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Peace in the promise
Photo by Disha Sheta on Pexels.com “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:35
God promises to give us peace that surpasses all understanding. In a world that is filled with trouble, hopelessness, and unrest, rest assure in knowing that we can always find peace in God’s promises. He didn’t promise that every day will be filled with sunshine and rainbows, but He did promise to never leave us nor forsake us, in all that we go through. I know some days are harder than others and there are some days that with the little strength you have, you can hardly make it through, but don’t give up. Keep pushing even when the weight of your troubles keeps pushing on you. Try not to worry about the stressors of life but focus on the One who can overcome your trouble and pain.
La’Rue
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Surrender to the signs
Photo by Jens Johnsson on Pexels.com Some months ago, I was headed home from visiting my mother and came across a billboard that read, “Your moment has arrived.” I got excited and considered it to be a “sign” from God, considering that’s how He typically reveals things to me. Knowing what it meant but at the same time not fully understanding the intent, I continued to drive and smile, because I felt my time had finally come. A few weeks had gone by and the moment that I had anticipated suddenly became frustration. I don’t know what was supposed to have happened; all I know is it (whatever that may be) never did happen. Not long after seeing the first sign, I saw it again, and again, and again. It was apparent that God was making things very clear to me, however, I didn’t know what it involved. It wasn’t until I was watching one of my favorite YouTube spiritual leaders who wrote/taught a series of sermons on it being “your appointed time.”
I love storytelling, and throughout his series, he gave many biblical references in knowing when God has caused your appointed time to come. For me, one of the most convicting things he highlighted repeatedly while looking into the tv monitor, is to “finish writing the book.” It didn’t matter if he spoke another word or not, I knew God was using him to speak to me. To be honest, I wasn’t surprised, because I started on a book almost two years ago and have yet to finish. Partly because I’m lazy, don’t know what to say, and didn’t have great success from my other books, so I’ve sort of nixed the whole idea of completing it. However, God has relentlessly given me many nudges and signs to finished what He started in me. Clearly motivated, I vowed to continue to write, but I haven’t. Instead, I’ve given many excuses and taken many false starts. I don’t know why God has continued to press me to completion, but what I do know is, when you surrender to the signs, God will cause everything to align according to His will.
I don’t know what He’s tasked you to do but do know that if God has called you to do it, He will see you through it. If it’s God-ordained, He will give you provisions and resources you won’t have to obtain on your own. If you’re scared, do it. If you don’t know what to do, ask God for guidance and direction. If you don’t want to do it, ask God to remove whatever it is that’s blocking you from going forth. Lastly, when God is in it, you cannot lose! You might be set back, delayed, distracted, or even fall off track, but never give up or lose sight of what you’re supposed to be doing.
La’Rue
Notes by La'Rue 