God: Our Burden-Bearer

"Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

This is the first verse the Lord lead me to memorize when I began to study His Word. I never thought of myself as much of a "worrier". I wasn't one of those moms that rushed her kids to the doctor if they sneezed, had a runny nose or a slight fever. I treated them at home. I didn't worry about the things that were being reported on the news. I always figured God was in control and there was nothing I could do about it anyway. Even though I wasn't what I considered a "worrier" to be, I was still anxious about certain things. And, as I was out of the Lord's will at the time, they would weigh me down, become burdens and eat away at me. I would become angry at the least little thing, taking it out on whoever was closest - usually my husband and children. The only time I ever prayed and turned it over to God  was when I couldn't find a solution on my own first.

Basically, I was telling God that I didn't need Him, I didn't trust Him or His promises. Very arrogant of me! But, you know what? He never turned His back on me. He never gave up on me. As I began to find my way back to Him, He pointed out to me my lack of faith in Him through this verse. And I began to trust Him. I began to turn my worries over to Him first. I began relying less on my own abilities and more on my Lord's. He lead me to two other passages: Romans 12:12 - "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". He opened my heart to the peace and joy that can take the place of my worry and fear. He opened my eyes to the many blessings I have to be thankful for. I am able make the most of each day because I choose to live this verse. I believe I am a much calmer, happier, loving woman because of that choice.

If you find yourself burdened by worry, anxiety, fear or sorrow, why don't you do as God asks and present them to Him? Wrap them up, tie them with a bow and give them to God. Leave them in His more than capable hands and go about your day with peace in your heart and much lighter steps. As Corrie ten Boom observed, "We are not called to be burden-bearers, but cross-bearers and light-bearers. We must cast our burdens on the Lord.".

"The more you trust Jesus and keep your eyes focused on Him, the more life you'll have. Trusting God brings life. Believing brings rest. So stop trying to figure everything out, and let God be God in your life." - Joyce Meyer

Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for being my burden-bearer. Thank You, Lord, that I don't have to live my days weighed down by my worries and fears. I trust You to take care of me and meet my needs. I trust in Your will for my life. Continue to lead me to passages in Your Word that show me how to become a stronger Christian. May I be a cross-bearer and light-bearer for you today. In Jesus' name, Amen.



Words Can Hurt

"The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgement." - Proverbs 10:21 (NIV)

My youngest son got into a fight a few weeks ago because someone called his best friend's fiance a couple of names not worth repeating. They were celebrating her 21st birthday, alcohol was involved and instead of ignoring the person who was doing the name calling, knowing he was just trying to start a fight, the best friend insisted on an apology. More words went back and forth and then fists started flying. My son jumped in because he felt it wasn't a fair fight and ended up with two broken ribs. A few days later, after a trip to the ER because he was in a lot of pain, he and I had a conversation. Basically, my position was that the name calling, the words, weren't worth starting a fight over. I fell back on that old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.". And I believe, in this case, that saying to be correct.

However, that's not always true. Words CAN hurt. Maybe not physically, but certainly emotionally. And, sometimes, that can be worse than physical abuse. Physically, the bruises will go away and the broken bones will heal. Emotionally, those wounds can stay open and bleeding the rest of our lives.

I was never physically abused when I was a kid. Oh sure, I got spanked when I got out of line, but I don't consider that abuse because it wasn't overboard. But, there was emotional abuse. I don't believe my parents did it on purpose. I just don't think they realized the power of their words. I remember being called a moron when the house wasn't cleaned just so or something wasn't done to their expectations. I was a chubby kid so I had several "fat" nicknames that were used instead of my given name. There are a lot of times when I don't remember what was said but I certainly remember how it was said - loudly, sarcastically, angrily. Fortunately, as an adult, God enabled me to let it go, to forgive and move on. I had enough other people in my life that encouraged me and lifted me up and made me feel loved.

Which brings me to my next point: words can also heal. There are so many people that are scared, hurting, discouraged, tired. One word of kindness, of encouragement, may be all they need to keep on going, to take the next step, to find the strength to move forward, to renew their hope. It may be all they need to turn their life around. Think of how you feel when someone encourages you, lifts you up, makes you laugh when you least feel like laughing. It can make all the difference in the world, can't it?

That is what God is telling us here in Proverbs. Watch what we say and how we say it. I'll be the first to admit my words, and how I say them, aren't always kind, encouraging, wise or uplifting, especially when I'm angry or irritated. God is working in me about that. James 1:19 is one of my memory verses and reminds me that I "should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." In other words, think before I speak. If I claim to be a child of God, which I do, then He intends for me to lift others up, not tear them down. No matter how I'm feeling at the time!! When I remember that words CAN hurt, when I'm careful of what I say, when I follow God's Word and speak with kindness, wisdom and truth, not only may I be lifting someone up but I am also showing them Christ and His love for them. And that's the best emotional healing there is!!

"A good word costs as little as a bad one, and is worth more." - Benjamin Whichcote

Dear God, make me aware of my words, not only what I say but also how I say them. I want to be a source of encouragement to others, Lord, not the source that tears them down. Help me to remember that, as a Christian, my words are to be a reflection of Your love and bring honor to You. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Resisting Distractions

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." - James 3:17 (NIV)

Yesterday, God lead me to Proverbs 3:7 which instructed me not to consider myself wise in my own eyes when it comes to choices I have to make. The verse He lead me to today shows me why I should use God's wisdom instead of my own.

Just because I'm saved and am seeking to have a closer relationship with God does not exempt me from having problems in my life. Quite the contrary. I find that as I spend more time in contact with God, whether through prayer, Bible study or in service to Him, Satan and the world work even harder to fill my life with distractions. It's up to me to decide whether to allow my attention to focus on them or to resist them. Do I use my wisdom or God's wisdom to handle these situations? If I relied on my own wisdom - well, the distractions would take up all of my time. I would constantly be worrying, trying to figure out how to "fix" things, wondering why my life was such a mess, feeling sorry for myself, angry at everyone and everything because I can't come up with a solution. How do I know this? Because that's exactly what happens when I say "yes" to my own wisdom and "no" to God's! Satan is happy when I'm unhappy and relying on myself. I picture him dancing a devilish little jig whenever I choose to handle things on my own; an evil smile on his face, legs pumping up and down, arms in the air, horns bobbing up and down - just having a good ole time!! Is that what I want? NO WAY! I would love to have a picture of Satan doing his jig to hang on my desk so that every time I feel the need to make a choice without consulting God first, it would remind me that I don't want to give Satan a reason to do his ugly dance!!

When I look at this verse from James, I think to myself, "Why wouldn't I want the "wisdom that comes from heaven" over my own?" It's so much better. It leads to peace, it's gentle and impartial, it's full of mercy, it's without hypocrisy, it produces good fruit and best of all, it's pure. Yet, when presented with the choice of relying on myself or relying on God, there are still many times I make the wrong choice. But God, in His infinite wisdom, doesn't reject me or turn His back on me. When I've finally had enough of my own wisdom and make the choice to lean on His wisdom, He receives me with open arms and takes over. I'm able to resist the distractions that are placed in my way daily and focus my eyes back to where they need to be...on God and His plan for my life.

"Peace comes in situations completely surrendered to the sovereign authority of Christ." - Beth Moore

Dear Lord, fill me with Your wisdom today and lead me away from my own. Teach me to say "no" to the distractions that Satan puts in my path. I surrender my life over to Your control and ask for Your peace to live within me. Make Your choices my choices today. In Jesus' name, Amen.





Benefits & Consequences

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil." - Proverbs 3:7 (NIV)

I've made decisions that have turned out really well - marrying Dennis, for one! I've also made decisions that have turned out not so well - such as spending money instead of saving it. But, until I took several leadership/personal growth seminars, I never thought of every decision I make as having both benefits and consequences. If I choose to sleep longer in the morning, the benefit is I feel more rested but the consequence is that I have to rush to get everything done that day. If I choose to eat out instead of cooking at home, the benefit is that I don't have dishes to wash and a kitchen to clean but the consequence is that I spent money that could have gone into savings or towards paying bills and getting out of debt. I have the same benefits and consequences when choosing whether or not to include God in my life and in my decisions. The benefits are amazing: inner peace, joy, abundance, courage, strength, wisdom...just to name a few. The consequences are overwhelming: anxiety, fear, anger, suffering, chaos...the list can go on.

So, you would think my choice would be easy, right? Why wouldn't I choose to lean on God and his wisdom when the benefits are so wonderful and the consequences so disastrous? Because I allow Satan to fool me into believing what this verse tells me not to be: wise in my own eyes. What a joke!! My wisdom is so limited. I could read every book, I could take every class in college, I could travel, I could spend time learning from the smartest people on this planet and my wisdom would still be so far short of God's as to be laughable. He knows all, He sees all. I can't say the same.

As soon as I open my eyes in the morning, the first choice I make is whether or not to live the day according to God's commandments. Am I going to start my day in prayer and Bible study? The benefits - calm, peace and joy. The consequences - anxiety, anger and restlessness. I make so many decisions during the day - big and small - and God wants to be a part of every one of them. I know that when I seek His wisdom for my choices, I will make the correct decision, every time. When I rely on my own wisdom - well, let's just say it's not always pretty and leave it at that!

Are you seeking God's wisdom in your life? Or are you relying on your own? What are the benefits and consequences you are experiencing because of the decisions you make? God is available 24/7 for us to turn to and lean on for guidance. He will never steer us wrong. That's one benefit I look forward to!!

"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him." - Anonymous

Dear Heavenly Father, Your wisdom is limitless while mine is so limited. Help me to choose wisely today. May I bask in the benefits of Your guidance and not in the consequences of my foolishness. Lead me today, and every day, in the footsteps of Your Son. It's in His name I pray, Amen.

Celebrate Today!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

I love to celebrate! Birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, graduations, weddings, holidays!! The balloons, the presents, the food, the laughter, the smiles!!! Good times! Good fun!

Do you know that we're supposed to celebrate every day? Really!! That's what this verse tells us to do: "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS." Notice it didn't say only when there's no trouble in our life, or when we're not in pain, or when we feel like it. It says ALWAYS! If we waited to celebrate on the days when everything is perfect...we'd never celebrate or be happy. There is never a perfect day in this world. But God is perfect; His Son is perfect. He gives us plenty of reasons to celebrate every single day if we just open our eyes: a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a child's laughter, a phone call or email from a friend, a smile from a stranger, a hug, a great sale at the mall, an encouraging word...so many things. Even in sorrow and grieving we can find reasons to celebrate. I've noticed more and more that those left behind after a loved one dies want to celebrate the life of the one who is gone, not mourn their death. What a way to remember that loved one!!

It's the small things that we should celebrate every day. The little moments that God gives us. Every moment we're alive is a gift from God. And the greatest gift He has given to us is His Son. If you need something big to celebrate today, well, I'd say that should fit the bill! Jesus deserves to be celebrated every day! He deserves our praise and our gratitude. He is bigger than our troubles; He is bigger than our pain; He is bigger than our sorrow; He is bigger than our fears. Praise God for that!!

Today is a gift to you from our Heavenly Father. Celebrate it!! And, as you do, share that joy with others around you. Put a smile on your face, be kind and encouraging, be generous with your praise. Let them see the joy and peace that knowing Jesus brings to you. Who knows the difference you may make in someone else's life just by celebrating your own!!

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." - Oprah Winfrey

Amazing God, I celebrate my life today. I celebrate Your Son and the gift of salvation He made available to me. Open my eyes to the wonders you surround me with each day. May I share the celebration of Your gifts with others through kindness, encouragement and praise. All honor and glory belong to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.



Words vs. Actions

"But just as He who called you is Holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, 'Be holy, because I am Holy'." - 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

We've all heard that old saying, "Actions speak louder than words". When you think about what they mean, nothing could be more true. We can say one thing but by our actions show our true self. We can apologize for something but, if we turn around and do the same thing again, we weren't really sorry.  We can promise to do something for someone but, if that something never gets done, it shows what our true intentions are. The same goes for how we live our lives as Christians.

When I proclaim to others that I am a Christian, that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and have been saved by God's grace, then my actions better match my words. That is one of the responsibilities that God requires of me. I know so many people who say, "Christians are hypocrites. They tell you how you should live but they're out there doing the same thing as everyone else.". The truth is, they're right. It's easy to be holy when we're in church, at a church function or around other Christians. But, the minute we're out in the world, we act like the rest of the world does, while condemning the world for how it acts. That is hypocritical, no matter how you look at it. And then, we want to complain because life is so hard, God isn't blessing us, He isn't answering our prayers. Well, why should He?

Jesus is the example I want to base my actions on. I want to love like He does...He laid down His life for me. I want to see others as He sees them - not in judgement or criticism but as souls that are lost. I want to trust as He does - completely and totally in God our Father. I want my actions to prove my beliefs. I know I'm human, I'm a sinner. I know I'm going to do things that don't honor God, however, I would pray that I don't do them intentionally. I want to behave myself as a Godly woman and be a powerful example of Jesus' love and God's grace. I intend to be more watchful of what I do, where I go, how I act and what I say. I intend that my actions be consistent with my beliefs and reflect God's truth and love. I know by doing so that I will be pleasing God and He will bless me in ways I cannot fully understand. How do I know that? Well, God's Word tells me so and His actions always speak louder than His Word!!

"You can't compromise and conquer sin at the same time." - Anonymous

Dear Lord, I believe in You. I proclaim You as my Lord and Savior. I pray that I bring honor to You, not in just what I say, but also in how I act. May others be drawn to You through my words and actions.  May I never compromise my beliefs just to fit in. Lead me to base my actions on the example Jesus' set for me and reflect Your truth and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He Is The Lord, My God

"When you pass through waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." - Isaiah 43:2-3a (NIV)

Comforting words in these verses!! God loves me and always knows my needs. He knew I woke up this morning with Satan filling me with anxieties and fears. And He knew the exact passage to give me this morning to calm those anxieties and fears and set Satan running away. I had never heard of or read these verses in Isaiah before. Thank you, Lord, for seeing my need and answering it through Your Word!!

God is near us at all times. He walks with us through all adversity. You may be going through some type of trouble today. Give it to God. He's waiting. Allow Him to comfort you. Psalm 32:7 reminds us that He is our "hiding place", He will "protect" us "from trouble" and "surround" us "with songs of deliverance". And in Psalm 147:3, He gives us these comforting words: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.".

In my journaling this morning, I listed all the things He is to me that helps me get through my times of adversity. He is my Protector, my Healer, my Deliverance, my Strength, my Comfort, my Rock, my Hiding Place, my Foundation, my Light, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord, my God. All these things and so much more! When I remember how much He loves me and all that He is to me and all that He has done for me and let Him take over in my life, nothing is as bad as it seems. When I call on Him, He is there. In His time (not mine) and according to His plan (again, not mine), He will deliver me from my troubles. Until then, He will give me His strength to face them. He has promised me this and I am standing on His promises!!

I pray you will remember that God loves you deeply. Ask Him to take on your troubles, your cares, your pain, your anxiety, your fears...whatever is bothering you today...and to fill you instead with His peace, His hope, His joy and His comfort. Ask Him to give you the strength to endure. It will be the best thing you do for yourself all day. Guaranteed!!

"You and I need to learn to interpret our circumstances by His love, not interpret His love by our circumstances!" - Anne Graham Lotz

My Lord and my God, thank You for loving me and for leading me exactly where I need to go to find protection from adversity - Your Word! I pray today and ask You to take my fears and anxieties and cast them away from me. In their place, may I be filled with Your peace, hope and joy as I wait on Your plan for my life. You are my strength and deliverer and I praise and worship You as my Lord and my God. May all I do today bring honor and glory to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What...Me Worry?

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own." - Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

I've never been much of a worrier. As I've said before, I'm much more an optimist than a pessimist. However, as God continues to prune me and teach me discipline in the area of my finances and my spending, I find that there are times when worries about bills coming due and "what ifs" start bouncing around my brain. They bring a weight to my shoulders, fear into my heart and what feels like a rock to the pit of my stomach. I don't like feeling that way. Well, guess what? God says I don't have to feel that way....ever!!

When those feelings of worry begin to steal over me, all I have to do is take them to God. I love how I feel when God takes over. The worries and fears leave me; the weight on my shoulders and the rock in my stomach are removed. I feel light and unburdened. Does that mean the things I was worried about have been taken care of? Maybe...maybe not. It doesn't matter because I have given God control over them and am trusting in His promises that He never breaks. 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells me: "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." I love it!! In Luke 10:39-42 Jesus disciplines Martha for "worrying about many things" instead of focusing on "what is better" - JESUS! There are so many places in the Bible where God instructs us to stop worrying. He tells us He WILL take care of us, He WILL meet our needs and He WILL provide. When we truly believe that, the peace He gives is unmatched.

As this verse in Matthew points out, I must first seek God. Not rely on myself or this world to take care of my worries and problems. That never works out. But I can testify to the fact that, when I allow God to take over, He provides. Even though work has been very slow for us for the last few months and income has been sporadic....our house payment has never been late, our utilities haven't been shut off, our car hasn't been repossessed, we haven't gone hungry, we still have gas to get to the places we need to go, I haven't had to go to the doctor, and we've been able to enjoy outings with friends and family....all because I choose to give God control and leave my worries about money in His hands.

You may not be worried about your finances. God may have blessed you in that area of your life. But I'll bet there are other things you're worried about - a health problem, a broken relationship, an addiction, work, your marriage, your children, friends, family, the economy, war, problems in other countries....so many things. God tells us to "cast all our anxiety on Him" (Luke 5:7) and to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests" to Him (Philippians 4:6). When we do as God commands, and give over all of our worries and fears to Him, then we can look around us and say, "What...me worry?! No way!!"

"No one can pray and worry at the same time." - Max Lucado

Almighty God, when I find myself giving in to worry and fear, help me to trust You and place them in Your hands. I want to seek You first in all things. I want to cast my anxieties on You. Teach me to lean on You and seek the peace only You can provide. Let me live hopefully, peacefully, prayerfully and faithfully every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Trust Without Reservation

"Trust Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." - Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

We Christians are funny creatures. When life is rolling along smoothly, our future looks bright and we are excited about the circumstances we are in, we can trust God completely. We thank Him and praise Him for His goodness and we are confident He hears our prayers and trust that life will just be wonderful. BUT, when we hit bumps in the road, the future is a bit murky and uncertain and we can't see any way out, our faith falters and our trust becomes shaky. Just at the point in time when we should be trusting Him without reservation, we lose hope. Why is that? Hmmm.

Well, I can't speak for you but I can tell you, for myself, it's usually been a worthiness issue. When trials and troubles are happening to me, I tend to ask myself, "What have I done that I'm being punished for? Whatever it is, I don't have the right to ask God to fix it. Why should He? Oh, it's an impossible situation anyway. Who do I think I am to believe that God will take care of this?" or something along those lines. Total and complete malarkey, that's what that type of thinking is!! God is waiting for me to believe, He is waiting for me to ask. This verse tells me exactly what I need to do in this situation...TRUST HIM!! In my heart, I know God can do the impossible. In my heart, I know God answers prayers. In my heart, I know He keeps His promises. But, in my head, I doubt, I fear, I falter. I allow Satan to wreak havoc with my faith. There's that little voice telling me that there's no way God is going to answer me, I'm asking too much or, if He does answer, it's not going to be the answer I want because I don't deserve it. And, unfortunately, there are times I listen to my head instead of my heart. Shame on me! I have a choice as to whether to stay stuck in head and allow my disbelief and unworthiness to steal my faith or to allow my heart to take over and trust God and His promises without reservation, totally and completely. To take refuge in Him and know that He is in complete control of my life, no matter what is happening. As I've been studying His Word more and more, and am beginning to understand His promises and His commandments (and there are both in this verse!), I am learning to choose to follow my heart more often than my head. I still find myself on shaky ground sometimes, my trust wavering a bit, but God, through His Word, puts me back on a firm foundation of faith. THANK YOU, LORD!!

If you're going through trials right now, I hope you"re placing your life in God's hands. I hope you are praying and reading your Bible. I hope you're choosing to trust the plan He has for your life. Take refuge in Him; there's no safer place to be during life's storms.

"The Lord will either calm your storm....or allow it to rage while He calms you." - Anonymous

Dear Lord, when I trust in You, I am at peace. Let me have unfaltering faith in Your Word and Your promises. As I walk through the trials of this life, may I always look to You and know that You have a plan for me. Remind me, Lord, of Your love for me and that I am worthy to ask of You anything and everything. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Praise and Worship

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His name." - Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)

"Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise" - wow, really?! Continually?! Does God realize what's going on in our lives? Doesn't He realize that the economy's in the tank, that people are out of work, that children are suffering , that the divorce rate is rising, that people are going hungry, that this world is a MESS!! And, He's allowing it all to happen!! He's not asking for much, is He? I mean, come on, be realistic here!!

It's so much easier to complain about our lives than to find the "silver lining", isn't it? And, yes, there's a "silver lining" to everything....sometimes we just have to look really hard to find it. Maybe you're asking yourself, "Where's the "silver lining" in today's world?" Let's see: we might be learning to manage our money better, we might be learning to be self-sufficient and entrepreneurial, we might be learning to be more compassionate & charitable, we might be learning to be less materialistic, we might be learning to lean on God instead of ourselves. There's ALWAYS a "silver lining".

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." How many of us actually do this? I know I am not always joyful or thankful for my circumstances. And that is being disobedient to God's Word! I find it easy to praise and worship in church; the music and the message combine to lift me up and fill me with hope, peace and joy. I also find it easy to give praise and worship during my morning and evening prayers. But, during the day, not so much. There are times when something good happens and I immediately say, "Thank You, Lord!". However, I'm to be offering praise and thanks no matter what - the Bible says so!!

I have a God who loves me more than I can fathom! Jesus loves me so much that He took on my sins and suffered a horrible, painful death for me! The sun is shining! I can see, hear, feel, taste and smell! I can walk, talk, laugh and love! I have a roof over my head, food in my cupboards, clothes on my back! I woke up breathing this morning! Whenever I'm lacking joy, peace, hope, courage, strength or faith, I can open up my Bible - freely, without fear - and find them again! I have NOTHING to complain about!!

I am going to make a conscious effort to find the "silver lining" in all circumstances and lift them up to God in praise and worship. I may not be able to find it immediately, but I know there is one and it will be revealed to me in God's time. I hope you take the time today, and every day, to look for the blessings - obvious or hidden - in all your circumstances, and praise and worship God for them. HE IS GOOD TO US!!

"A good memory is one that can remember the day's blessings and forget the day's troubles." - Unknown

Dear Heavenly Father, I don't always see the blessings in all my circumstances. Open my eyes to Your blessings, Lord. I want to complain less and praise You and Your Son more, as Your Word has commanded. Let my life, my thoughts, my words and my actions reflect Your greatness and praise and worship You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Perspective and Wisdom

"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth." - Psalm 86:11a (NIV)

I was saved when I was a child. I attended church every Sunday morning, Sunday evening and most Wednesday evenings. I was bombarded by adults telling me that the Bible says do this and don't do that, God likes this and not that. But they were sinners, as am I. They weren't the best role models for me but I never bothered to open my Bible away from church and study the best role model - Jesus! - until recently. My perspective was that the Sunday School teachers, the youth group leaders and the pastor knew what they were talking about. I mean, some of them had gone to Bible college, some of them had been teachers and leaders for years - surely they knew exactly what God wanted for and from me. Right??? Wrong!!!

Each of us is living our own story. God is the writer and director of each of our stories, like it or not. He tells us so in Hebrews 12:2. None of our stories, our lives, are or ever will be the same. We may experience similar events - graduation, marriage, jobs, children, grandchildren, death, etc. - but my triumphs and tragedies are my own. The choices I've made or will make to deal with each event may be completely different from yours. What does this have to do with perspective and wisdom? Everything!!

After I became an adult, I strayed from the church and from God. I made decisions based on my own perspective, my own wisdom. I thought I knew how God wanted me to live, after all, I grew up in church! But I was wrong...I made bad choices. I was unhappy, angry, unsettled, disconnected. I started going back to a small church (no big church for me, I said, because you get lost in the crowd - I was wrong about that, too!!), was even the church treasurer for a few years, but nothing changed, I still didn't feel connected. So I stopped going to church again. Then my marriage started to flounder. At one point, my husband walked out. Then God stepped in. Maybe he'd had enough of my bad choices, I don't know. But he used a friend, someone who wasn't a Christian, to help put my marriage back together and start me back down the road to serving Him. It didn't happen overnight. It took a few years and several  personal growth seminars to make me realize that I was leaving God out of everything. So, after one of the seminars, my husband and I decided it was time to get back into church, to get back into God's service. We hadn't attended church in years, but we knew the small one we had attended before wasn't right for us. We decided to go to the grand opening of the new campus of one of the "mega" churches in our area....and we found our home! The connection was immediate; I couldn't believe it!! And we jumped right in - attending every Sunday, serving in the nursery and joining a small group. But I was still relying on the pastor and my small group leader to tell me what God wanted in my life. I was too busy to study His Word on my own. That is, until about 6 months ago. God placed it on the heart of one of the ladies in small group to have herself held accountable to do Bible study by texting her study to us every morning for two weeks. And then He laid it on my heart to do the same. Me!! The person who had never opened her Bible except in church and small group!! And, so it began, and was it ever eye-opening! God began to work in me, to convict me and to show me how He wants me to live my life. He began to give me His perspective and His wisdom. He began to replace my unhappiness with His joy, my anger with His peace. He filled me with the desire and excitement to open His Word each morning and seek His guidance for my day. HIS perspective, HIS wisdom, HIS guidance, HIS plans, HIS joy, HIS peace - everything I need to live my story according to HIS direction. What a difference He has made in how I deal with the triumphs and tragedies that life sends my way.  I can't speak for or make your choices for you - you have your own story to live - but my story, going forward, will be guided by God, through my study of His Word, using His perspective and His wisdom because my own is terribly insufficient. I pray that you will choose to do the same.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the story You've written for me, both triumphs and tragedies. Thank You for the guidance You provide for me through Your Word. When I am weak, You give me strength. When I am fearful, You give me courage. When I am worried, You fill me with peace. May I always lean on Your perspective and Your wisdom to guide me through my day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Taking Up My Cross Daily

"The He said to them all, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." - Luke 9:23-24 (NIV)

Take up my cross daily -- what does that mean? This passage, specifically verse 23, is the purpose statement of my church, but I have struggled with how to apply it to my life. How do I take up my cross? What is my cross? But, after reading my devotional this morning and studying what Jesus is saying, I think I understand more clearly what it means.

Jesus was forced to carry His cross to Calvary, as all prisoner's in His day had to do. Dying on the cross was the worst punishment there was. So, not only did He have to bear that burden but He was also bearing the burden of our sins. He was on His way to lose His life so that we, you and I, could be saved. And He did so with His eyes on the joy awaiting Him when He sat down at the the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). No matter what I'm facing in my life, no matter what burdens weigh me down, they're nothing compared to the burden Jesus carried for me. All He asks in return is that I trust Him and follow Him.  Denying myself is to let go and trust Him completely. Taking up my cross is to take up the things that are pressing in on me, that are worrying and troubling me, and bear them with thanksgiving and joy, knowing that Heaven is the prize that awaits me. Following Jesus is to become His disciple, to let go of myself - my problems, my control, my desires, my will - and let Him lead me. He will NEVER lead me wrong. As verse 24 reminds me, in order to save my life, I must lose it to Jesus. He must ALWAYS be first, in all things.

No matter who we are, Christian or non-Christian, we are not promised a life free from affliction or suffering. We have no choice as to whether or not we want trials in our lives. But we do have a choice as to how we will bear them. Jesus did not complain about bearing His burden - our sin. He prayed and asked God to take the burden from Him, but God's will be done, not Jesus' (Luke 22:42). God's will was for His Son to die on the cross and Jesus' bore that burden and brought glory to His Father by doing so (John 17:1-5). So, who am I to complain about the burdens I bear? When I take up my cross, my burdens, and follow Jesus, do God's will, that's when God's glory shines through me. I choose to take up my cross today and follow Him, with joy and thanksgiving....to God be the glory!!

"Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you and you alone to decide." (Cavett Robert)

Dear Jesus, thank You for taking on the burden of my sins and dying on the cross so that I could be saved. Lead me today, Lord. I take up my cross gladly, and follow You. May God's glory shine in me. Your will, not mine. In Your name, Amen. 

Celebrate the Christian Life

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs." - Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)

Our lives as Christians should be a daily celebration, filled with thanksgiving and praise! WHAT?!! Doesn't God realize that it's Monday and I have to go back to work? Doesn't He know I'm struggling to pay my bills? Doesn't He realize how unhappy my marriage is? Doesn't He see the trouble I'm going through? Doesn't He know I'm worried about my health? Can't He see I'm in pain? I'm sure there's a laundry list of things we could complain about this morning. However, instead of complaining, why aren't we praising Him for the jobs we have when so many are unemployed? Why aren't we thankful that the bills are getting paid? Why are we worrying about our marriages, troubles, health, etc. when God is available for us to pray to and give it all to Him? What's not to celebrate?!

I love this verse! "Shout for joy", "worship" with "gladness", "come with joyful songs"!! My pathway to feeling connected with God is through worship - through music and through prayer. That's when I feel God speaking to me, when I am brought to tears of joy because I feel His presence, when I just want to dance for the sheer joy of knowing Jesus. That's when I want to celebrate the life He has given to me. Then, reality hits. I walk out of church or I turn off the radio or I finish my morning prayers and life smacks me upside the head. At that point in time, I have a choice to make. Do I continue to celebrate, to count my blessings, to be thankful, to praise God or do I allow Satan to have the victory by complaining, by getting angry, by becoming a victim to my circumstances? Do I walk in light or in darkness? Do I do as this verse instructs me to or do I ignore it? Do I show others what it means to be a believer or do I lead them astray by my actions? I would hope I choose to celebrate, to walk in the light but I can honestly say I don't always make that choice. However, I can also say that my intention from here forward is to more consciously recognize when I am making the wrong choice and ask God to direct me back into worship with Him. There's nothing sweeter than celebrating and worshiping the Lord!! As the Chris Tomlin song goes:

"Shout to the Lord, all the earth

Let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You."

Awesome God, teach me to celebrate this life You've given to me. Let me see each circumstance as a way to bring glory to You and Your Son. Fill me with thanksgiving and praise for my salvation, for Your promises, for the blessings and miracles you bestow on me each and every day. Help me to live in Jesus' light and not in Satan's darkness. Let me shout Your praises every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.



Seven Times Seventy

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." - Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)

Forgiveness - I seek it from God on a daily basis. And, on a daily basis, I receive it from Him. Jesus' suffering and dying on the cross was the greatest act of forgiveness ever shown. I am forgiven of my sins and have a home waiting for me in Heaven, and I did nothing and have done nothing, ever, to deserve it. 

That's how I'm supposed to forgive. Really. Even if the person who I perceive to have hurt me, wronged me or injured me never apologizes, never asks for forgiveness, I am to forgive them. Wow....easier said than done! I have taken the Monvee assessment (www.monvee.com) and my pitfall, the thing that can hold me back from a closer relationship with God, is anger. Now, I knew that before I took the assessment. But to see it in print, in black and white, made me see it clearly. I hold on to resentment, I hold grudges, I get frustrated by others when don't live up to MY expectations. It is the one thing I have to ask God for forgiveness for - all the time!! I am aware of it now, I am actively seeking God's help for it. It is the one thing that Satan can use to take away my joy and peace....IF I allow him to. I am refusing to allow him to anymore. We tend to look at forgiving someone as telling them that what they've done is okay, that their actions didn't matter. But that's not what forgiveness is. Forgiving someone is freedom, to our hearts, our souls, our minds and our lives. It takes away the control they have over us. SAY WHAT!! They don't control me!! Oh, yes they do. When you are holding a grudge, when you have anger or hatred for someone (alive or dead!!), when resentment, bitterness or regret have taken hold in you, that's all you can think about, that's all you concentrate on. It colors how you think, the decisions you make are based on it, it takes away any joy, peace or happiness you may find - it controls you! You have to let it go. Again and again and again. Just as God forgives us, He commands us to forgive others (Colossians 3:13).

Is there someone you need to forgive? Yourself? A friend or family member, or even a stranger, that has hurt you recently or in the past? Let it go. Forgive them. Seven times seventy times if you must.

"We can always choose to perceive things differently.
You can focus on what's wrong in your life,
or you can focus on what's right."
(Marianne Williamson) 

Heavenly Father, teach me to forgive others the way you forgive me. Let me enjoy the freedom that forgiveness brings; freedom from anger, bitterness, resentment and regret. Fill me with Jesus' love; let me see others with His eyes and His heart. I ask for Your peace and joy to fill me and take the place of the hurt. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Genuine Faith

"But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." - Hebrews 10:38 (NIV)

Faith - we as Christians all say we have faith in God...but do we really? We have abundant faith when life is going great and things are going our way: "Wow, God is blessing me so much! He is an awesome God and I know He takes care of me.". Yet, we so easily lose faith when life isn't going so great: "Why is God letting this happen to me? Why isn't He answering my prayers? Why, why, why?!!". Real, true, honest, GENUINE faith is having faith in ALL circumstances of our lives - good and bad, happy and sad, joyful and tragic. It pleases God when we place our trust in Him and the promises He has made to us. He loves us and wants the best for us but we have to believe in Him.

For the past two weeks, I have been studying the Book of Matthew, chapter by chapter. There are some wonderful examples of genuine faith in just the first few chapters. Such as:

    - Joseph - 3 times the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and

      commanded him to do something; 3 times he did it without question.

      (1:24, 2:13-14 & 19-21)

    - Simon Peter & Andrew - Jesus told them to follow Him; they dropped their nets

      and followed. (4:18-20)

    - The centurion - Jesus said about this man, "I tell you the truth, I have not found

      anyone in Israel with such great faith." (8:10)

    - The suffering woman - she touched the edge of Jesus cloak because she knew by

      doing so, she would be healed. (10:20-21)

So many others - the blind men, the man with leprosy, the paralytic, the demon-possessed men, the ruler whose daughter had died, on and on. This is what God has pointed out to me time and time again in Matthew - the genuine faith of these people. Some were made whole, some were saved from death, some were made disciples of Jesus - why? Because of their faith!!

What are you facing in your life right now that might be testing your faith? Is it a health issue, a relationship problem, financial difficulties, prayers you don't feel are being answered, job woes, something else? Then reach out to our Heavenly Father, don't turn your back on Him; He hasn't turned His back on you. If you reach out to Him, like the suffering woman, in unwavering, genuine faith, He will make you whole again, give you peace, heal your spirit, be the light in the darkness. I don't know about you, but I'd rather live with faith than without it.

"There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still." (Corrie ten Boom)

Dear God, help me to always remember You are near and You can overcome anything I may be facing. Keep me mindful of Your presence, Your love and Your power. May I have genuine, unwavering faith in Your promises. In Jesus' name, Amen. 





Watch Your Mouth

"Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." - 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)

These are some of Paul's final words to the people in Corinth. He is appealing to them to live according to the instructions he has been giving them in his past letters. That's what he means when he tells them (and us) to "aim for perfection". His letters were written to encourage us, to instruct us, to lift us up. And that is what God wants us to do for each other.

Ephesians 4:29 says this: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.". Or, as I often told my kids when they were teenagers, "Watch your mouth!!". That old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." isn't always true. Words can hurt. They can break up relationships, they can tear down trust, they can fracture a church, they can cause unhappiness - especially when they are said in anger and judgement. James 1:19 instructs us in this way: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.". In other words, think before we speak. Because, just as words can hurt, they can also heal. They can bring hope when  things seem hopeless, they can bring comfort, they can cause laughter, they can encourage, they can enlighten and, best of all, they can lead someone to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I am setting the intention to ask God to help me to choose my words more carefully, to stop and think before I speak, especially when I'm angry. I want my words to lift others up, not tear them down, to be pleasing to God and encouraging to those I'm speaking to. May we all be more aware of what comes out of our mouths.

"Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something." (Plato)

Dear Lord, give me wisdom when I speak. Help me to choose carefully the words that come out of my mouth. I desire to be encouraging and lift others up, as You lift me up. May I glorify You with my words. In Jesus' name, Amen.



Let God Decide

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Yesterday I wrote about choices and how we all have to make hundreds of them every day. Today's Bible study is also about choices and how we may be faced with some that there is no easy solution to - at least as far as we can see. Maybe it's a new job that is fantastic but it means starting over somewhere else and we fear leaving behind all that we know and is comfortable to us. Maybe it's a marriage that is on the rocks and we don't know if it's worth it to fight for it. Maybe it's children who are running with the wrong crowd and nothing we say or do is making a difference. Maybe it's seeing the pictures of children in Somalia who are going hungry and you feel powerless to help them. Maybe it's an addiction we are tired of but can't seem to control. Maybe it's ___________ (fill in the blank).

God tells us here in 2 Timothy that we don't need to be fearful, we aren't powerless, we can love when we don't think we have it in us and we can have self-discipline. That is the spirit He gave us when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. That is the spirit that we can be filled with when we let God make our decisions for us, when we let Him find the solution to our quandary. When we are faced with a difficult decision, our first thought should be, "I need to talk to God about this and ask for His help.". Unfortunately, we often try to find a solution on our own and the results are often disastrous. God will NEVER make a wrong decision for us. He will ALWAYS lead us along the correct path. He can help us to choose the right job; He can fill us with love for our spouse; He can give us the patience, strength and courage to deal with wayward children; He can give us the power to find a way to help hungry children; He can give us the self-discipline to beat an addiction. HE CAN, HE CAN, HE CAN!! That old saying, "let go and let God" is so true. So, if you're struggling with a problem that you don't see a solution to - Let God Decide.

"There may be no trumpet sound or loud applause when we make a right decision, just a calm sense of resolution and peace." (Gloria Gaither)

Heavenly Father, fill me with the spirit I need to face difficult decisions in my life. Give me Your guidance, Your courage, Your power, Your love and Your strength to choose what it pleasing to You. Help me to be Your humble, obedient and patient servant in all things. In Jesus' name, Amen.



Choices

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

 Choices. Our lives revolve around them. From the time we open our eyes in the morning until we close them in sleep at night, we have made hundreds of choices....big and small.  What we're going to wear, what we're going to eat, what we're going to do that day, what our attitude is going to be, what we say, how we react to situations we face during the day....choices, choices, choices!! Our choices say a lot about us, whether we realize it or not. We may think nobody is watching what we choose to say or how we choose to act. Somebody is always watching us.....God. And He wants us to seek Him to help us make the right choices so that when we are being watched by others, they will see Him in us.

In this verse, Jesus is giving us instructions on how we should live our lives. He is in the middle of teaching His disciples and a crowd of people (and us!!) about the choices we must make to live a life that is pleasing to God. First thing, "seek His kingdom and His righteousness". How? By prayer, by studying His Word, by walking in Jesus' footsteps, by following His commandments. You may be thinking, "She always says that! Can't she be more original?" Maybe, but I choose not to be. Why mess with the perfection of God and His Word? He has told us clearly and often throughout the Bible, how we are to think, act, talk, and walk....but He has also given us free will to make the choice as to how we live our lives.

Look at the "Test for Self Evaluation" by John Wesley in the next column. That's a list of just some of the choices we make each day that may or may not be pleasing to God. I choose to read that every morning before I start my Bible study. It makes me re-evaluate my choices from yesterday, and gives me the desire to make better choices today. It helps me to have a better understanding of my Bible study, where my shortcomings are and where God is at work in my life. I also choose to start each day by giving it over to God, to seek Him first, because, when I don't, my day does not go well. When I choose wisely, when I choose to please God, when I choose to pray before making a decision, any decision, then I know I've made the correct choice, no matter the outcome. My devotional gave me this reminder: "every choice that is displeasing to Him is the wrong choice -- no exceptions." That is a good reminder to live by.

"Commitment to His lordship on Easter, at revivals, or even every Sunday is not enough. We must choose this day -- and every day -- whom we will serve. This deliberate act of the will is the inevitable choice between habitual fellowship and habitual failure." (Beth Moore)

Dear Jesus, I choose to walk in Your footsteps today. Guide me in my thoughts and actions. Let them be pleasing to God. May I always look to You and our Father in heaven for guidance in my choices. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Giving Thanks for Our Gifts

"Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven." - Matthew 5:12a (NIV)

I can honestly say that receiving gifts is not a big deal to me. After taking the "5 Love Languages" quiz, I know that receiving a gift is at the bottom of the barrel of what I need to feel loved. Of course, I knew that, deep down, before I even took the quiz. However, I LOVE giving gifts...I love shopping for that perfect gift, I love wrapping it, I love to see the look on the face of the person I bought it for when they open it, I love the excitement when they share with others the gift I gave them...I absolutely love that part of gift giving! But, I don't need to receive one in return; they're not important to me. And, I'm not always thankful when I receive one - for example, my husband has brought me flowers before, for no reason, and all I could think of was, "Why did he spend money that could have been used to pay bills or buy groceries?" How ungrateful was I?!!

God has also gifted me. He has blessed me with so much. And I don't always thank Him because, as I said before, gifts aren't important to me. But they should be! I think of how I feel giving a gift...God feels that way when He gives to me!! And all He desires in return is that I thank Him, praise Him, celebrate the life He has given to me and share His gifts with others. To count my blessings daily and give thanks continually and use the gifts in service to Him and to others I come in contact with. To be joyful and celebrate. That's not too much to ask. I intend to be more aware of the blessings and gifts God has bestowed on me and to be grateful for them...daily. As my devotional points out - "Today is a non-renewable resource -- once it's gone, it's gone forever." So, to hold myself accountable to thank Him for my blessings today, I want to list a few:

     - Salvation - for Jesus loving me so much that he took on human form, suffered and

       was nailed on the cross for my sins so that I could choose Him as my Lord and

       Savior and spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

     - My husband, Dennis - for the love he shows me constantly and putting up with

       my moods: I love you!

     - My kids, Corey, Dusti, Brittany & Trae and the extra "kids" they've brought into

       my life, Megan & Lucas - for the happiness, inspiration, and even the heartache

       because they've taught me to "let go and let God".

     - My grandkids, Alec, Andrew, Annelyse, Madyson & Dominic - they keep me

       young, make me laugh and teach me patience.

     - My parents and siblings - I am who I am because of the examples you have been,

       are and continue to be to me.

     - My friends - through good times & laughter, bad times & tears, God has placed

       each and everyone of you in my life for a reason and I am very thankful for you.

     - A home when so many are homeless, food when so many are hungry, peace

       when so many are at war, joy when so many are unhappy, beauty when there

       is so much that is ugly, love when there is so much hatred and His Word 

       to keep me grounded when there is so much uncertainty.

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing...stop and take a few moments to see your blessings and thank God for them. Celebrate the life He's given you!!

Dear Lord, today, I celebrate the blessings and life you've given to me.  I celebrate the family and friends you've surrounded me with. I celebrate the love You have for me. I celebrate the cross and the sacrifice Jesus made for me. Let me never take Your gifts for granted, Lord. Let me always be thankful and share Your blessings with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

        

What's My Attitude?

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." - Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

The title of today's blog comes from my daily devotional book. It perfectly sums up what I learned from God today. This is a question I should be asking myself every morning when I wake up. What is my attitude today? Do I want to allow worries, fears, anger or unhappiness to rule me today? Do I want Satan to be in control? Or do I want to count my blessings and experience God's joy and spiritual abundance? Do I want God to be in control? The choice is mine.

Every single day is a good day, no matter what it brings, if I choose it to be. It's my attitude that makes each day what it is. So, today, I choose to be an optimist. I choose to see all the blessings and miracles God has surrounded me with. I choose to give thanks and be joyful. I choose to place my faith and trust in the One who created me and loves me beyond my understanding. I choose to celebrate this life He has given to me, bumps in the road and all.  He will never force me to make these choices; they are all mine to make. What is my attitude today?

"The difference between winning and losing is how we choose to react to disappointment." (Barbara Johnson)

Awesome God, I am so thankful for all of Your blessings; let my attitude reflect that today. Make me a woman who sets her mind on spiritual things, not earthly things. Guide me in my choices today and help me to keep Satan out of my attitude. In Jesus' name, Amen.