Worry - Two choices

How many of you have struggled with worry? Worried about the money in the checkbook?  Worried about your child who is not living up to what you know they can?  Worried about your health? About what people think or saying about you?  Worried about your job? A relationship? The economy? The government shutdown?  The list goes on and on.  The world is a place where worry can fully abound and every situation in your life you could begin to let fear creep in.  Worry is what the enemy uses to keep us from moving forward.  Instead he keeps us spinning round and round. Wondering what could happen or doubting and fearing what will happen next.   Worry is like riding a merry-go-round.  It starts out slow, but as you push it and feed into it, it goes faster and faster and then its spinning out of control.  It starts out being mild and something you can manage, but then can quickly become all consuming. As it goes round and round, you begin to get so sick that you want to get off but you cant.  You try to jump off, but now you're so dizzy and can't get your balance enough to even stand up. So you stay spinning until it finally comes to a stop and you are left in a crumpled mess, exhausted and fearful for what happens next. Sound familiar?  So how do we make it stop?  How do we choose not to ride this ride anymore? Look to God's word!  We have to trust Him that He is in control, no matter what the circumstances look like.  You have two choices:   Wonder OR Remind Yourself  You can wonder if you will have enough money to pay that bill or you can remind yourself that God's word says "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19 You can wonder if God will restore that relationship or remind yourself that God's word says He can restore things because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. (Romans 4:17 NLT)  You can wonder what people think about you or you can remind yourself what God thinks about you.  God says "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

I'm choosing to stop this merry-go-round of fear and anxiety and keep my feet and faith firmly planted in Him and in His word. How about you?  

MORE

Ever had times in your mind where you are thinking "there's got to be MORE"?  MORE than just getting up every day, making a cup of coffee, heading to work, coming home, taking care of the kids, eating dinner, watching a little tv, going to bed and then doing it all over again the next day?  Throw in some dinners out to eat, family vacations and church get togethers to give our life what? purpose? excitement? add fun to our otherwise time-filled days?  Purchase cars, houses, toys-things that will fulfill our lives and bring meaning and purpose to them?  Really?  That's why we exist on this earth, at this time, for this reason? I'm not saying that any of those things are bad, just that God wants MORE for us than that!

Esther 4:14 says "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  We were created for MORE.  MORE than just the material things of this world.  MORE than the routines of this world.  The definition of MORE means greater <MORE than what we expected>  We expect our lives to be one way, but God can produce MORE in and through us!  Ephesians 3:20 says "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably MORE <greater than what we expected> than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." God has you right where you are to influence those around you!  To leave a legacy pointing people to Him.  He has us in this Kingdom to fulfill His purpose and we should seek that reason, understand it and follow it!  Keep it in front of us as our passion, our purpose, our reason we exist!  Let's not settle for just mediocre-let's bring out the best in others and the best in ourselves! See the potential in others and speak that over them! Recognize that you have been given specific gifts from Him and evaluate if you are utilizing them to their full capabilities!  God can use you right where you are; all we have to do is be willing to let Him use us!  You were made for such a time as this and You were made for MORE!  God, use us for MORE!

A four letter word!

FEAR. a four letter word. That's all it is. A four letter word. A nasty little four letter word. My focus for the next few weeks in my life is going to be on this word. Not to focus so that my fears get bigger, but to understand it so that I know how to battle it.  As I have thought about this word fear and been faced with this crazy emotion the last few days, I know that I need to turn to His word for answers.  I've been studying the book of Joshua and I continue to see these words-Do not be afraid or discouraged-being spoken to Joshua.  These phrase is written many times and in many ways.  I'm guessing that its being said many times because Joshua is looking at his circumstances and becoming afraid and discouraged and needs to be reminded by God to not be afraid or discouraged!  I think I need to be reminded to not be afraid or discouraged.  To be reminded that God's promises are true.  They are true for my family. They are true for anyone who believes. And how do I need to be reminded of this-through God's word. Just as Joshua was reminded by The Lord when he said "This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Notice it says command.  Not this is my suggestion.  Not this would be a really good idea.  "My command".  I think it's such a strong statement because God knows how strong our fears can be. He knows how the enemy will play with our mind and start concocting all kinds of scenarios that aren't real or scenarios that could be real and devastating, which then keeps us thinking about that instead of surrendering and completely being dependent on Him. He knows that if the enemy can win the battle in our minds, then he has us paralyzed-unable to fight and useless in this battle of fear.  I think its' time for me to spend the next few weeks standing on His promises that will give me assurance.  Build my trust.  Increase my courage.  Strengthen my faith.  Grow my confidence.  Remind me who I am. So regardless of the fears we all face (and all of them ultimately relate back to fear)~disease, finances, careers, family, stress, addictions, relationships, pride, self-worth, control~there is a promise to counteract each one.  Lord, let me cling to those promises and remind me daily of who I am and more importantly WHO YOU ARE!  

It's the little things!🌞

Ever have moments in life where you feel like things are going so amazing and then the rug is pulled out from under you?  Feel like life couldn't get any better and then it comes to a screeching halt?  I think we all have experienced that in some form or fashion-some to a worse extent than others.  It's life.  It's the world we live in-this temporary place on Earth where we are here on this planet to make a difference and then move on to our ultimate heavenly home. It makes dealing with trials a little easier knowing that this moment is just a moment in the big scheme of things, but we still have to face this big thing called life.  I face life by going to God's word because it is the map that helps guide us.  It is so timely and so comforting.  It gives us strength when we need it, peace when we are anxious, reminds us that He provides everything we need.  But there's more.  If we STOP and look around, listen and pause, we can see Him all around us.  His word is living and breathing, "alive and active". We just need to be able to recognize it.  I saw it today-in the cool breeze of the morning, in the rays of sun peeking out of the clouds, in the warmth of my morning coffee that my husband fixes every morning for me, the roses in bloom, even the sweet snuggles of my puppy dogs.  The Lord is in every one of those things.  He gives us things to love, to admire, to treasure.  Those little things remind us that there is a God who loves us enough to be in the small, tiny details.  I just have to remember to STOP and look for those things.  To take the time out of the busyness of life, the daily grind, the news that you don't want to hear. This is the life that we live in. But I can find moments in every part of my day that I can see the Lord's hand in, that I can see His handiwork.  And this is what helps us know that God is in the big details of our life as well. He knows your hurts and pain.  He hears your cries. He knows your heart. He's there - in the Big and the Small!!  All we have to do is to stop.  Breathe.  Rest.  Pray. Thank Him.  I pray we all look and find Him in those moments today!

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in EVERY detail of their lives.  Psalm 37:23

Storing Up Treasure

Another funeral yet again this past week~it is amazing how attending a memorial service can stop me in my tracks and set my mind to reeling.  Why is it that our perspective can change in the blink of an eye-when we realize what really matters...what really counts...what is important. It's not to have an expensive house, cars, clothing, furnishings-although those things are nice. It's not about making sure you have all the perfect Christmas gifts wrapped under the tree and that you have bought the latest and greatest.  It's about realizing that we are spiritual beings having a temporary earthly experience.  An experience that is a short one. Our days are numbered and we are not guaranteed another one, yet we live as though we've got tomorrow. Instead, our perspective should be on what really matters in life, the eternal-storing our treasures up in heaven.

So how do we do that?  How do we store up treasures in heaven?  It seems so hard to keep focused on the heavenly things when the world vies for our attention.  We spend so much time and energy focusing on things that don't matter and we lose sight of the things that do.  Matthew 6:19-21 says Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Storage means to put away for future use and treasures are things that we consider valuable and precious to us.  Earthly treasure are easy-we think our retirement 401K, savings, big houses-those are things we are saving up so that we can have "the American Dream".  But is there more?  More to life than trying to store up riches and wealth for our contentment here on earth?  Are we using those things to spread His word? To show the love of Jesus?  To help those in need?  The Bible tells us "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.  As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.  And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.  Thank God for this gift  too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:8, 11, 13-15 NLT). 
When we focus on serving and giving to others, God will in return continue to bless us.  Our heart becomes full when we love Him and love His people-When we spend time with Him daily-When we see people the way He sees them.  When our heart is full, our perspective changes.  We focus on the things that matter-a single mom, jobless, who can't afford to buy groceries, a lady unable to pay for her meal at Waffle House, a family of 4 homeless who just want to have a Merry Christmas.   Be intentional about using your gifts to advance the kingdom. Share His word with those who are in need.  Bring people along with you on this journey!  Then, the legacy that you leave behind will not only linger here on earth, but will be the ultimate reward when we enter into our eternal home with treasures abundant!

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Do we ever stop and even realize how powerful our words are?  How amazing it is that we use words to communicate our feelings, our thoughts, our struggles, etc.  How cool is it that I can even use "words" to write this blog and after you read these words, you will understand how I feel and know me a little better.  Yet, do we REALLY stop and think about how we use our words?

Do they lift people up?  Do they encourage, empower, love, sympathize, provide hope, speak truth, feel safe, give strength, comfort, promote gentleness and kindness, add value to another?  Isn't that what the Word does for us?  It provides all these things when we need them.  We know that we can seek God's Word when we need encouragement. But what if we all were a walking, visual picture of God's word?  What if people could "see" the Word as well as "read" the Word?  What if we spoke as if the Word dwelled within us?  What would our community look like?  What would our homes look like?  What would our church look like?  

"What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. (Proverbs 18:21 GNT)

We have to remember that words either bring life or death-the power is in the tongue.  So how do we speak life?  The Word says "What you say flows from what is in your heart." (Luke 6:45 NLT). It is so important that we stay in the Word so that our hearts are transformed.  It's not just a personality, or an attitude, or an outlook-it's a heart issue.  Yes, for some people maybe this comes easier. But, we ALL can have transformed hearts if we stay connected to the Word.  Seek Him in everything we do so that we continue to be Christ-like. Love Him with ALL our heart and ALL our soul and ALL our strength and ALL our minds.  When we fill our souls with His Word, we will speak life from the overflow!  So now, I just have to remember this when I want to have an argument with my husband and prove that I'm right - it's not about right or wrong but how I use my words to make him feel. I have to remember this when I want to talk about something I shouldn't be talking about and realize I'm not adding value to this person.  I have to remember my words when I want to get impatient with someone who isn't doing something the way I think it should be done.  Lord, let me remember to use your words as you intended them-to bring life!  Let people "see" in me what your Word says!  Let me leave a legacy that remembers me as a painted canvas of Christ ~ His Masterpiece!!

One of THOSE days

Ever had one of THOSE days-you know, a day that you just wish that you could start over, a moment that you can't believe that you are having and it just doesn't seem that there is anything that you can do about it.  Uncertainty and fear just seem to keep piling on; you try to take a deep breath and calm down, but instead you just become overwhelmed.  A battle in the mind that you try to fight and just can't seem to win.  You look okay on the outside, but a raging storm is going on in the inside.
I imagine that we all go through moments like these, whether it includes other people or our own internal struggle.  And it seems like once we allow our minds to go there, it's very hard to climb out of that pit.  We have a choice-to either continue to live in that moment or choose to look ahead.  The enemy would love nothing else to keep us doubting ourselves, living in fear and afraid to move forward. So how do we get out of this hole that were digging, quit reliving the moment and start stepping into what God has planned for us?
Know God's word-It is essential that we know what God's word says about us and to meditate and speak that out loud.  I know when I'm experiencing one of THOSE days, it's hard for me to read God's word and know and believe that it's meant for me~That's why the next is so important!
Surround yourself with people who can speak life into you when you can't. It is so important to have an inner circle, a group of people, that can tell you what God's word says about you, someone that can speak truth and love and see the potential when you are struggling to see anything good.  I am so blessed to have those people in my life!
Praise God in every situation and every circumstance, no matter how bad you think it is. God's word says that He turns all things to good, so we have to trust Him that he will use whatever we go through to make us stronger. A dear friend told me that sometimes God lets us walk through some experiences so that we can help and relate to others when they walk through those same circumstances!  
Trust and rely on God.  When we put our trust in God, we don't have to rely on ourselves but the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us-we get to walk in "God-confidence". 
"God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!  He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3:20-21 MSG