My refuge

My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

– Psalm 62:7-8

Some people were raised in a society where they could not show their emotions.

We need to understand though that limiting our emotion is missing the point; life with God encompasses all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.

We were created with strong emotions and we need to know that if we need it, prayer is a safe place to come to grips with how you feel.

All of our resentment, anger, and bitterness is not a secret from God, so why would we act like we can hide those feelings?

Let prayer be a place where your mind and your heart can be free.

Have a blessed day!

Poetry

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

– Ephesians 2:10

The Greek word for workmanship is “poema”, or “poem”.

Like a poem, God made us with a beauty and complexity and the depth of who we are is custom designed for events that God has prepared for us.

There are things for you to do today that you were uniquely created to do.

You and I were created by God in a very unique way.

God made us all, every single one of us, every single cell. 

We didn't earn it, deserve it, or purchase it.

He lovingly molded us to be His precious children. 

He wants us to do good, to take care of and love each other.   

God gave it through His sacrificial gift so our salvation would not be our boast, but His kindness.

We don’t know what our future holds, shouldn’t we live each day like it is our last?

Live and love like there is no tomorrow, dance like no one is watching.  

Do something nice for someone, but do it randomly – don’t do things for the praise or acknowledgement – do things because it is what God would want you to do.

Smile everywhere you go, for some people, yours may be the only smile they see today.

Life takes on a whole new meaning when we just accept the fact that we are saved because we are loved, and we were also saved with a purpose….

God has prepared in advance what He would have for us to do.

Give the gift of kindness to someone today, you will see the blessings come back.

Have a blessed day!

What is your excuse?

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

– Matthew 4:18-20 

Song reference!

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus,
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus;
No turning, no turning back!

The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

That is a song I learned in Sunday school oh so many years ago (grin).

You know, it is crazy when you hear people say, “I’m not quite ready to follow Jesus.”

Um, what exactly are you waiting for?

“Life is too messy right now.”

“I am too busy”

“I just can’t get past the terrible life I’ve had.”

Look, Jesus never asked us to pull ourselves together, then follow Him.

Like the uneducated fishermen Simon and Andrew, Jesus called them to follow Him THEN he would make them fishers of men.

Jesus did not chose them for their intellect, for fishermen of that day were simple people.

He also did not chose them for their skill, for Jesus was about to redefine what fishing meant to these experienced fishermen.

He did not choose them for their perfect life, because these people were far from perfect.

Just. Like. Us.

What excuses do we make in not following Jesus?

It is neither our skill or lack of it that counts, but simply obeying when we hear the call.

Have a blessed day!

Character

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

—Proverbs 3:3-4

Character is measured in many ways, including by the love and faithfulness we genuinely display in our daily lives.

You can’t fake genuine love.

Merciful love is displayed when we have power over another but choose to treat them with kindness and genuine concern.

Faithfulness is being a person of truth — genuine and trustworthy in word and deed.

These virtues need to be a part of our everyday life and play a major role in our very identity.

People pay attention when you are truly loving and faithful, and God will be pleased.

Have a blessed day!

Criticism

Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.

– Proverbs 1:23

Constructive criticism is not meant to be hurtful, but helpful.

For example, this proverb is referring to the role of wisdom in our lives.

Think about this: first we don’t know what we don’t know.

Then we realize that we don’t know and we begin the quest for knowledge.

Then we actually learn.

Take every piece of constructive criticism you receive and learn how to apply it to your life.

Responding to correction is the doorway to wisdom.

To allow correction in our lives is the pathway to wisdom.

This wisdom will help in you on your walk with Jesus.

Have a blessed day!

Volunteer

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

– Isaiah 6:8

When God calls we should respond.

We may feel like unclean people who are not qualified to lead, but God doesn’t look for that.

He is looking for those who are willing to obey.

The same God who took David, a shepherd boy, and made him king is waiting for you to step up.

Jesus chose unlearned fishermen to turn the world upside down, and He will use you and I as we walk forward in faith to His prompting.

God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called, so maybe we should volunteer to go!

Have a blessed day!

Do we really listen?

A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

– 1 Samuel 3:8-9

Poetry reference!

"Don't Miss Out"
The man whispered, "God, speak to me
And a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear
So the man yelled "God, speak to me!"
And, the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said,
"God let me see you"
And a star shined brightly.
But, the man did not notice.
And, the man shouted,
"God show me a miracle!"
And, a life was born.
But, the man did not know.
So, the man cried out in despair,
"Touch me God,
and let me know you are here!"
Whereupon, God reached down
and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the BUTTERFLY away and walked on.
~author unknown~

When the Lord speaks to the young prophet Samuel for the first time, Samuel mistakes that voice for his mentor, Eli.

How many times do we not recognize His voice when He speaks to us?

Sometimes, we listen for Him but we do not hear His whisper.

It is important to learn to distinguish His voice from the dull roar of life around us.

Listen.

Have a blessed day!

husbands

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.

Ephesians 5:25-33

Happy anniversary to my absolutely phenomenal mom and dad in-law!

We could not have asked for better role models for our own marriage, than that of my husband’s parents, they truly have a Godly marriage.

You see, according to the Bible, there is sacrificial love in a husband’s purpose and purpose in their sacrifice.

Husbands give up themselves to love their wives.

Jesus is our example here, and He gave up everything.

His purpose?

To make us holy and beautiful to God.

Husbands, your motives are to be equally as sacrificial and pure in surrendering your rights to bless and love your wives.

Husbands are also to submit, but this does not mean spinelessness, it means service and sacrifice to bless and bring glory to Christ.

I have watched my father-in-law lead his wife and his family for the past 20 + years, and his leadership is inspiring.

Thank you, Dad, for being faithful to God.

Have a blessed day!

Meek

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

– Matthew 5:5

The definition of “meek” is quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive.

Meekness literally means gentle.

Do you realize that it actually takes great strength to be gentle?

To show restraint is a sign of ruling over your own passions.

To be faithful in this little thing makes us rulers over much.

Be meek, and great things will come – it is in His promise.

Have a blessed day!

Hiding

You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7

I recently embarked on a journey that took me WAY out of my comfort zone.

I did find myself trying to hide from a lot of craziness, mostly out of fear.

I need to remember that this fear is an attack of evil and out of the attacks of evil come the victories of God.

I was able to find my strength and protection in God.

God is my hiding place, my source of security, and my hope in times of trouble.

Let Him be yours too!

Have a blessed day!

Why worry?

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27

I really, really need to concentrate on this . . . I am a serial worrier. . . I worry about how much I worry!

If you look a little at all of Matthew 6, you read that Jesus assures His disciples that God knows their every need.

If He feeds the birds of the air, will He not feed us?

Then Jesus brings us the shocking truth: our anxiety is connected to doubt and unbelief!

To worry about tomorrow is a sign that we don’t trust our heavenly Father to take care of us.

We are called to deal with the things of today and trust that the God who knows our name has our tomorrows in His hands.

So anxiety or worry is a symptom of an unbelieving heart.

How do we get rid of worry?

Our answer comes with repentance, then realigning our heart with God’s promise to meet our needs.

The promises in Matthew 6 alone have enough bread from heaven to sustain us in the midst of this troubled time.

Now, I need to practice what I preach, ya’all!

Have a blessed day!

Call Me

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

Song reference!!

But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
'Cause He'll move heaven
And earth to come rescue me when I call

Oh how I love that song!

And oh how I know the truth behind the words!

There is not a single thing that you cannot call on Jesus and get an answer.

Granted, the answer may not be obvious, I mean, I have not personally heard any booming voices or seen any burning bushes.

But I know that He is listening, and I know that He will answer.

So what are you waiting for? Call on Him!

Have a blessed day!

GPS

Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.

—Psalm 119:133

It is a good thing that I have Global Positioning System (GPS) . . .  I would be so lost without it!  

I swear it took me a year to find my way home from anywhere in Arkansas!

It can be kind of annoying though, my 2015 Jeep still refers to the interstate as I-540 instead of I49.

But what about our God Positioning System?

How updated it that?

We need to remember that God’s word is a light to our dark path in a morally uncertain world.

We must listen to Him for the standard for right and wrong, righteousness and evil.

As God's will and Word have sway in our life, we are delivered from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin our lives.

If I let Him direct my footsteps, I’m confident of the path.

Have a blessed day!

sticks and stones . . .

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

– Proverbs 12:18

“Sticks and stone may break my bones but words can never hurt me.”

I was taught that verse as a child.

There is nothing farther from the truth.

It is bullying, emotional abuse, and it leave wounds that run deep and scars that sometimes never heal.

In today’s world, it seems that everyone is out for a quick laugh, resulting in social media posts and embarrassing scenarios that never go away.

We are supposed to use our words wisely, to heal, not to hurt.

How do we do that?

Start by realizing what it is you are looking for.

Instead of looking for the inconsistencies in other people’s lives, start to notice the strengths.

When what we notice is turned into words, we can encourage others in ways that few people do.

An occasional jab is fun, but we should strive to be known more for the way we build others up instead of tearing them down.

Have a blessed day!