Relax!

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

—Psalm 37:6-7

Oh look, another verse about patience!

You would think that I would figure it out eventually.

I am not a patient person.

"Chill out!"

“Relax!”

These are words I hear a lot. . .  and look, it’s even in the Bible!

I need to come into God's presence with dependent, yet confident, patience.

But how is that possible?

We know God will do what is right for us over the passage of time.

The Bible is God's story (HIS-story); it is the great testimony that He is always faithful to His promises.

He is gracious in His power to redeem, and generous with His love shared with His children.

Note to self:  come into His presence and be willing to be still... and patient... and trusting… and hopeful!

Have a blessed day! 

Please don't hide

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

– 2 Timothy 1:8

In the time that the Bible was written, you could go to jail or worse for sharing the word of God.

Sadly, it is still true today, in some countries you can be tortured and even killed for your beliefs.  

Just as Paul encourages Timothy to not hide or become timid by playing it safe and politically correct all the time, we are encouraged to go forward and share what we have been given.

If you’re a Christ follower, be a Christ follower.

Shout it from the roof tops! 

Being quiet is the convenient route, but it is also the most powerless.

Do not disassociate yourself from the family of God, but allow the power of God to help you to be an active participant in sharing His good news.

Have a blessed day! 

What past?

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 3:13-14

Here is something new: a movie quote!

Oh yes, the past can hurt.

But the way I see it you can either run from it or learn from it.

~ Rafiki The Lion King

Though you have been shaped by your past, something else can shape your future.

We can let what happened turn us into hateful, withdrawn or downright evil people.

Or

We can take what we have experienced and use it to make us better and to help others.

Don’t let your past mistakes hinder you from pressing forward.

The heavenward call in Christ Jesus urges you to let go of what is behind you to embrace what is in front of you.

Have a blessed day! 

Can't buy me love

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

– Revelation 3:17-18

Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love

Yeah, that was a Beatles song reference, sorry / not sorry.

Are you a lukewarm Christian?

In the Bible, the apostle John calls the church lukewarm because they trusted in their wealth.

They thought that money brings security, but it does not.

We are advised to purchase things that money can’t buy; the fire of refinement, the white clothing of righteousness, and vision that only God can provide.

We are not to confuse what the world calls wealth with what God calls wealth.

What major purchase are you making?

Have a blessed day! 

Are you leaving a legacy?

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

—Proverbs 10:7

You know it is coming . . . . song reference!

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically 
And leave that kind of legacy

The wisdom of God is short, succinct, and sweet for those who seek to do His will.

I want my children and future grandchildren to remember me with sweet thoughts because I sought to be righteous and love the Lord with all my heart.

I refuse to live the kind of life that poisons the lives of those I touch.

I do not want to leave garbage for my descendants.

I want to leave a legacy of love and mercy, wisdom and grace.

What is your legacy?

Have a blessed day! 

what arguments can you win?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

—2 Corinthians 10:5

There are many weapons that Satan uses against the people of God - one of them is to sway us from Christ with well thought through arguments.

This battle is not won with ignorance, but rather the ability to capture those thoughts and submit them to God’s word.

That means that we need to know the thoughts of Christ.  (remember the comments last week about knowing the Bible and knowing God?)

Learning the Scripture is more than a Sunday School activity — it is renewing your mind to God’s reality.

His promises are what give us the ability to rise above the pronouncements with which Satan fills our minds.

What thought needs to be taken captive today?

Have a blessed day! 

Five things

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You. On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. I cling to You; Your right hand upholds me.

- Psalm 63:1-8

This one wraps up a few points:

Seek Him  - He has the answers.

Praise Him – He loves to hear your voice.

Thank Him – share with Him that you are thankful for His blessings.

Meditate on Him and His word – the Bible says pray without ceasing!

Acknowledge Him – after all, it is because of Him that you are given each day.

Have a blessed day! 

Raise your voices

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

—Ephesians 5:19-20

More about music!

Singing is my passion, I am not always very good at it, but I sing my heart out!

Hearts full of thanks — that's what makes for good singing!

Make a joyful noise!

I relate to music. . .  find any topic and I can match it to a song. 

I listen to many genres of music, depending on my mood.

Music is food for the soul.

I have Jesus as the source of my salvation and center of my future, how can I not sing?

But as per this verse, singing is not just for me, God wants our songs to bless others.

It is our ultimate spiritual talk.

So raise your voice today and bless someone.

Have a blessed day! 

Diamonds!

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:16-17

Imagine that, me referencing music and singing!

This morning on the way to work I heard the song “Diamonds”  - what a great reminder that He is not done with us yet!!

He’s making diamonds
Making diamonds
He’s making diamonds out of dust
He is refining
And in his timing
He’s making diamonds out of us

Oh The Joy of the Lord
It will be my strength
When the pressure is on
He’s making Diamonds

I love to sing (even though I am not very good at it)

I have been singing out loud since before I could talk. 

I have been singing in church, at events, and there are even videos of me singing out there (we can NOT count last year’s ISD video – I was so badly off key). 

Music, to me is a window to my soul – I sing when I am happy, when I am heartbroken, even when I am angry . . . I kind of make up the words to fit my mood sometimes. (you can grin there).

But the basis of all our songs is Jesus, and the proclamation of the good news that brings life to us through Him.

As that message, that word of Christ fills our hearts, we are tuned to be thankful children of the Most High.

Dude!  He is making DIAMONDS!!

All the rough stuff we are going through, it is to polish us and make us beautiful!

Today, let’s sing out of gratitude.

God is not only worthy of all of our praise, He is worthy of all of our thankfulness.

Have a blessed day! 

meditate

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

—Joshua 1:8

During my recent adventure in the hospital, I was advised by the doctor that I needed to meditate for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.

Don’t ask how that is going for me. :P

We need to be reminded that God gave us His Law to be a blessing to His people.

The Law was given to help us live the will of God in our daily lives.

If we live God's way, He promised we will be blessed.

He knows the best way for humans to live in harmony with the principles of His universe.

His Law was not intended to hinder or interfere with the happiness and experience of His people, instead, it was to help them prosper and find success in life.

As we live by the Spirit, the character that is produced reflects the character of Jesus, the one who fulfilled the Law and brings us the blessings God has intended all along.

Bottom line: Following God's will and living His character is a blessing to us!

God does not leave people alone when they are sent on a mission; He gives them guidance through His words.

So when you face situations that are overwhelming don’t ignore the most important tool that you have.

Thinking upon the promises of God day and night can give you new perspective, affirm current decisions, and propel you forward through your situation.

Have a blessed day! 

Who do you belong to?

...those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

—Romans 8:14

People often tell me that the scripture I send was just what they needed to hear that day.

Others ask me how I choose the verses that I send.

I am telling you it is all God’s work.

He leads me to the words He wants me to share.

Some days, those words are very painful for me to write.

Occasionally I will share something that I know will open the eyes and heart of someone I care about.

Every day, before I send this email or update my blog, I pray that my words help someone see the difference that God can make.

But

We have to let Him in.

We can read a number of Scriptures that speak of the Spirit's work in our lives.

We can celebrate being God's children after all, we are God's sons and daughters, His children with full inheritance rights.

We have not only been given grace, but we can live as His children and enjoy the blessings of His eternal family.

Let him in.

It is worth it, I promise.

Have a blessed day! 

Do you know the Bible, or do you know God?

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.

– John 5:39-40

How many people do you know that claim to know everything on a subject because they read a single book?

Just because you read a book or take a class, does not mean you are an expert!  

Just like you can know the Bible inside and out, be able to quote scripture on every matter, and still not know Jesus.

The goal in reading the Bible is not to “read” the Bible.

The goal of reading the Bible is to get to know and interact with the God of the Bible.

To lose sight of this can cause us to miss the very life and peace that God offers through His word.

Have a blessed day! 

Are you there, God?

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.

—Psalm 143:8

In nearly every person's life, there comes a time of loneliness and doubt when it seems like our prayers just bounce off the ceiling and fall in broken pieces at our feet.

It can feel like God is distant, hiding, asleep, unsympathetic or just not listening to our cries for mercy and help.

I love the Psalms!

It is here that I find words for almost all of life's ups and downs.

It is nice when we are down to know that others have been there before us and have recovered their faith and vitality.

But, there are just some moments in life when we need to have God's reminders of his love and guidance, and that is when we have Psalms and prayer.

Have a blessed day! 

Who helps you?

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

—Isaiah 41:13

There are so many times that I would like someone to just do things for me, things I don’t like such as laundry and house work.

Other times too, when life crashes in and i wish i could be a child again and have someone to take care of me and protect me.

Into our confused and chaotic world, God's promise comes to us once again.

Like a loving parent with a frightened child, God reaches out and takes hold of our hand and comforts us with His precious words: "Don't be afraid. I'm here with you. I will help."

Even when He seems distant, the echo of this thought can remind us that we are never alone or forgotten.

Have a blessed day! 

Going off to pray

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

– Luke 5:16

One thing that the Bible definitely tells us to do is pray.

Jesus made a habit of going off by Himself to pray.

If Jesus prayed alone, shouldn’t we make it a habit in our lives as well?

Are you able to find a lonely place to pray?

Suzanna Wesley had ten children in a small home so her only lonely place to pray was to throw her apron over her head.

Her children knew that when she did this, she was before the throne of God.

Her sons, Charles and John Wesley changed the world with the gospel.

What could happen if we found a lonely place to pray?

Have a blessed day! 

I thank God for YOU

I thank my God every time I remember you.

—Philippians 1:3

Certain people are blessings, I have many in my life.

But do they know I feel that way about them?  

It doesn't matter if we visit on the phone, via text or email, or see each other face to face, there are people in my life that just get me. . .

And when they send that random message, or I run into them at the store, I try to thank God for them.

Seriously though, these people that touch our lives - do you think that is random?

It isn’t – God brings us the people we need, when we need them.

We need to let them know that they give us reasons to offer thanks to God.

Be a blessing to someone today.

Have a blessed day! 

Leaders

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

—Hebrews 13:7

I am going to do something I have never done before in this format.

I am going to talk politics.

The leaders of our country need our prayers.

Regardless of who you voted for or what party you support, we need to pray for the people in office.

We need to pray that they are great leaders and that they emphasize three things:  

1) they teach others the word of God;

2) they live as great examples for others; and

3) they have observable faith.

Obviously, our culture will not tolerate someone flat out professing Christianity in a high office role (I find that very sad), but remember that God puts each of us in positions of influence.

We have influence with our children, our friends, our work acquaintances, and our neighbors.

What kind of spiritual leadership are we showing them?

Pray for our leaders, God knows what He is doing.

Have a blessed day! 

I'm confident

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

—Hebrews 13:6

Confidence is one of those traits that people look for in others.

Employers look for confidence in job applicants.

Teachers look for confidence in students.

People look for confidence in friends and partners.

How can we be confident in what happens today?

What is our assurance for tomorrow?

I am telling you, turn to God!!!

Fear will not be our master because our future, our destiny, our eternity rest in the hands of the eternal Lord.

The worst that man can do is to send me home to my Lord.

Have a blessed day! 

I am not alone

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

—Hebrews 13:5

Continuing the thought of living loved, we basically have two choices for our lives.

Either we can live by faith or by sight.

I can come up with so many song references here, but just for today, let’s not. J

We can trust in God's abiding presence and power (remember abiding, delighting and dwelling?) or we can depend upon our own resources.

Wealth, like health, status, and reputation are all subject to decay and disappearance, one wrong turn and *poof* gone.

God is always there for us  - always!

We know we can depend upon Him, because He has been there for so many who have come before us.

Never is forever.

Forever means a lot when put in this context:  "Never will I forsake you!"

Have a blessed day! 

the desires of your heart

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalm 37:4

I have been involved in a study with a ladies group at my church called “Uninvited” by Lysa TerKeurst. 

It is a very deep look into what makes us feel rejected.

And why we can live loved.

In her book, she talks about  how we are running desperately to find the love that we are missing, when it is right in front of us every single day.

She writes “Jesus doesn’t participate in the rat race. He’s into slower rhythms of life, like abiding, delighting and dwelling – all words that require us to trust Him with our place and our pace.”

Wow.

She continues with “when we abide, delight and dwell in Him, He then places within us desires that line up with His best desire for us. Therefore, He can give us whatever we ask because we will only want what’s consistent with His best.  He can fully satisfy our hearts, because they are consistent with His heart.”

I can’t even fathom how many times I have prayed “God, if it is YOUR will let this happen, or if it is YOUR will, let that be true.”

Most of those times though, it was MY will, not His.

The wonderful thing is this: He loves us SO much, that He does give us our hearts desire, if we are willing to reach out and grab it, and that is a life with Him.

Have a blessed day! 

Thrive!

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:12-13

We were made to thrive!

Song reference!!

Here in this worn and weary land

Where many a dream has died

Like a tree planted by the water

We never will run dry

So living water flowing through

God we thirst for more of You

Fill our hearts and flood our souls

With one desire

Just to know You and

To make You known

We lift Your name on High

Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide

We know we were made for so much more

Than ordinary lives

It’s time for us to more than just survive

We were made to thrive

Into Your word we’re digging deep

To know our Father’s heart

Into the world we’re reaching out

To show them who You are

Joy unspeakable

Faith unsinkable

Love unstoppable

Anything is possible

These past few days have opened my eyes and my heart to the fact that I can be doing so much more. 

We were not put on this earth to merely survive, we have a purpose!

We were made to thrive!

Think of the possibilities - the little things that we can do.

It is kind of like the cat rescue that I do – I know that I cannot save them all, but to the ones that I can save, I made a difference. 

And with each person that sees me make a difference for a cat, maybe they will make a difference for another of God’s creatures, human or animal, we all belong to Him.

So don’t just sit around waiting for tomorrow – go out there, make a difference and thrive!!

Have a blessed day! 

Blessed!

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.

– Numbers 6:24-26

I apologize for my extended absence recently, I won’t bore you with details, let’s just say I gained a new appreciation for several areas in my life!

Today’s verse is pretty famous, and is a blessing that is still used today in many churches and synagogues.

It was designed to be the parting words as the worshipper was leaving the temple.

But we need more than an inspiring gathering; I know a lot of people that don’t attend regular services, let’s face it, we all need to experience God’s peace in our day-to-day affairs, not just on Sunday morning.

God wants to bless us and keep us.

He wants us to know Him so that we will understand that He is gracious and filled with peace.

I felt so very blessed this past 10 days, and I want to share that blessed feelings with others.

Let this blessing capture your soul as you face the opportunities and challenges before you today.

Have a blessed day!