Peace

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Peace.

Something that I am in need of today.

Something that I am in need of every day - but today especially.

God promises that He is with us at all times and His peace is given to us.

Today I am claiming that promise and asking that I will be overwhelmed by it. 

Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Job 22:21

Distraction Free

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. Psalm 119:27

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war. 2 Chronicles 16:9

Spending time with God will equip you for your day and what is to come. Spending time with Him means to really focus your attention and not let the distractions of the world overwhelm you. When we are spending time with God it needs to be uninterrupted so that we can reap the full benefit of it.

There have been many mornings where I get up and go to my designated spot (the rocking chair between my two corner windows) and I grab my Bible and my devotional book and I sit. I begin to pray and find myself thinking of all the things I need to get done. I am trying to pray but my mind is overwhelmed with "to-do" lists and worries of the day. I have to first notice I'm distracted and then I purposefully set my mind on God.

What I mean by that is in my mind's eye I actually picture Jesus's face. I picture Him in my mind and I speak to Him. I really focus and I ask Him to keep me focused. I ask that He takes the distractions away. When I do this I feel like I've been brought back to the present. I have a fresh new start on my time with Him. He bring me back and we are distraction free!

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15

He is with You

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23

 God is with us! This is the ultimate promise and is even in Jesus' name. The promise has always been this and we are never to be alone.

God knows us. He knows how we work, how we thrive, what is best for us. He knows what needs to be done in order to bring us closer to Him. Some of us need joy in our lives to bring us closer to Him and some of us need despair. He knows these things and will be with us through them all.

Make sure you find God in the little moments today. Look to see what God is trying to show you and remind you the He is here. He is with you always!

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Think About That

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

"When you turn from you problems to My Presence, your load is immediately lighter. Circumstances may not have changed, but we carry your burdens together." Jesus Calling

While reading my devotions this morning, this hit me like a ton of bricks. Problems in life don't just disappear when we turn to God. They do, however, feel lighter and more doable since Jesus is helping us carry them.

This is so refreshing and promising to me. I love knowing that whatever I face in life God will be there to help me through it. We may not always understand the reasons, but we do know that He will always assist us through them.

Today I heard something on the radio that I'd like to share. Every morning on my way to work I listen to KSGN (the Christian station in L.L.). I find that listening to this sets the tone for my day. Every morning they have something called "You Think about That" - or something like that. Today's story was about a man who was stranded on an island. He decided to build a hut for safety and was living in it. One day it burnt down and he cursed God and was angry that He would not protect him. The next day a ship sailed in and rescued the man. The captain told him that they would have never found him if it hadn't been for the smoke that was created from the burning hut.

God knew what He was doing! He always does! Now you think about that!

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

Off My Chest - From the Heart

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

Walk with God...simply put. When you do this life will be fuller, more meaningful, and you will feel complete. When you walk with God you are walking in the light. Your path will be laid out before you and Jesus continues to walk with you. Sounds like good to me!

There's something that I've been thinking about lately. I honestly can't remember if I already blogged about it or not, but God has placed it on my heart and I want to write about it today.

We have all heard the story of the "Prodigal Son". Okay, maybe we all haven't so you can read about it below. Many of us read this story and focus mostly on the son who left home and is welcomed back with open arms from his father. The story ends happily because the son is home and the father throws him a big party to celebrate. We close the story with a relation between us and the prodigal son. We haev strayed from God and when we come home we are welcomed with open arms.

But what about the other brother? He is so upset about the "warm welcome" for his brother he missed out on the party and celebration. He has missed everything!

So I've been thinking....I know I've been told that the other brother is like some people who are bitter insides about other people who are "welcomed in" when they feel that they shouldn't be. This may be friends back into a social circle, people in a church, or a religion as a whole. The ultimate party I'm talking about is heaven! You know, "when we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be".

Well, hopefully it is for everyone. I know that there have been some people in my life that I haven't necessarily gotten along with. There have been some people that I think I would be upset if they were on the guest list. What I'm saying is that we can't have these relationships. We need to mend our hearts and fix our eyes on Jesus so that He will give us the strength to forgive others so that the ultimate party in heaven will be a joyous one!

Don't miss out on the biggest celebration of a lifetime because you're bitter about someone on the guest list!

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. Psalm 89:15

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Treasures

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

"I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned; I only know at His right hand stands One who is my savior."

I love this song! I love this line in the song the most! Every time I hear it I can't help but try and fathom its meaning and think about what the words really mean.

There are moments in every day that bring us closer to God. These moments are like treasures awaiting to be found and it is up to us to decide if we want to search for them.

Take the time today to find these moments and really recognize that they are from God and He is calling on you and He wants to surprise you with these treasures today, and every day!

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6

Look to God

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.1 Peter 5:6

When things in life aren't going your way, or the way you thought they should, look to Jesus immediately for clarity. As soon as you do your perspective will change and you will begin to understand the way things are, or at least be at peace with them. If you choose not to, you will begin to experience resentment and anger - two things that will only pull you away from God.

So many people choose to get upset over things, then dwell on them and their emotions about them, and then begin to resent and question God. Instead of this order, we should turn to God right away and allow Him to show us the answers. Doing this we avoid anger, resentment, and pulling away from God. 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

To the Point

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

These Bible verses say it all. How much is it going to take for us to finally get it? God is for us! All we really need to do is accept that truth and rejoice in it.

Today I'm tired...I need help getting through today. I need to get through and find myself tired in my bed at the end of it. Prayers for me today! I need strength and energy!

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Start with You

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Philippians 4:19

God is a God of abundance. His supply is unlimited and He can prove everything we need. All we have to do is have faith that He can, and will, provide for us.

This is the hard part. It seems like the underlying theme for a relationship with God is getting over the "worldly" pitfalls that keep us from a relationship with God. We have to get over our selfish ways as humans in order to experience God at His fullest.

If we can spend time with Him and really learn how to devote ourselves to His love then little by little we will begin to really see the riches that are in store for us.

Begin by praying and asking God to help you seek His face and see the things He has in store for you.

It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Plans and More Plans

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.Proverbs 19:21

Oh, the plans I make! My life is made of mini plans, short-term plans, long-term plans, future plans, etc. I know that a lot of these are the same things...but in my mind they are separate categories, and more reasons to make plans! 

Now I know that nothing ever goes as planned. I know that things change, life happens. I know that God is in control and I'm sure my plans don't always fall into line with His. However, I still find great comfort in making them. I still find that my life is more at ease because I have these "plans" in order and I can rely on knowing what is to come...even though I know I don't.

I know I'm a weirdo! No one has to remind me of this! I know that I have my way of living that lots of people think is strange, but that's the way God made me.

Here's the tricky part...even though I make these plans I need to know that God's purpose is above mine and I must be ready to let go of my plans, reschedule per-say, and allow God to intervene. I have to be okay with this and be able to relax and know that my plan takes a back-seat all the time!

 As long as we have an understanding, God and I, that I can plan all I want but at the end of the day He can come along and change up the schedule any way He wants - and I'll be A-okay with it!

To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:79

Quiet Time

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. Revelation 12:10

The devil is someone who enjoys torturing God's people. He actually finds joy in this. Without God in our lives we will not be able to resist the devil, his temptations, or his torture.

This is why we need to keep our faith strong and come near to God. We must practice listening for God's voice so that we know when it is He calling us. We must learn to recognize His being and presence.

How do we do this? We spend time with Him! Quiet time with God is a must! If you aren't sharing these moments with God now is the time to start! Do what you can. If you have 5 minutes, make those 5 minutes count! If you can give Him 30, make sure you are devoting that time to only Him.

These moments will strengthen you for the spiritual battle that is ongoing. It will prepare you for the unknown and will strengthen your faith in God.

 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 4:7-8

I am Weak. He is Strong

 For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37

God's power is made perfect in weakness. In other words, when we are weak He is strong.

We all know these promises from God. One of the first songs we learn is "Jesus Loves Me" and right there in the middle it says "they are weak and He is strong". We should know by now that we are weak...humans are weak. There is nothing new about this concept.

So why does this verse catch us so off guard? Some people read it as "I have to become weak in order for God to shine". This is a terrible way of reading it. As Christians, we should realize that we are weak and that we cannot do anything without God by our side! Think of it this way...God cannot do His work in our lives when our pride is getting in the way over and over again. We have to admit failure and weakness in order for God to come in and take charge. His power is made perfect in our weakness!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Moment by Moment

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

"Most of the situations that entangle your mind are not today's concerns: you have borrowed them from tomorrow."(Jesus Calling, Sarah Young).

God gives us what we can handle when we can handle it. He promises that He will carry us through life's difficulties and get us through to safety. However, because we're human and pretty much retarded at times, we tend to worry about all sorts of things that aren't even supposed to be "worried" about....especially when you're worrying about them.

I say "you" very lightly since I am just as guilty of this as anyone else...maybe even more so! You have all heard me talk about my control issues and the fact that I must worry about things ahead of time so that I'm prepared for them later. Ya, I know - pathetic!

It's something to think about though. If we're living moment by moment, one day at a time, life would seem simpler. It would seem much more doable!

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Stay Connected to the Vine

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Jesus is the vine. As long as we stay connected to Him we will be richly blessed and bear fruit.

This conversation was being held last night in a very different way. My hubby and I met with our pastor who was visiting town for some meetings and had the opportunity to really discuss this bible verse. I don't think we were meaning to talk about the vine and the fruit bearing on purpose, but it really seemed to be the underlying theme of our entire conversation..

My hubby once spoke with a pastor who said a few words to him that have stuck with him ever since. I can't remember the exact way he put it but it was basically like this, "Stay connected to the vine and He will bear the fruit". In other words, as long as we do our part and really focus on our relationship with Jesus and growing our spiritual walk, God will make sure that we continue to grow spiritually and connect with Him. All we have to do is our part!

I'm not saying that trials and hardships won't come....because they will! But when they do think of them as blessings and reminders that we must cling tightly to God and He will provide. Maybe these difficulties come so that we must hold on tight to Jesus? Just a thought...

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Past Regrets

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Do not regret the past. It's as simple as that!

I have found myself thinking really hard about the decisions I've made regarding my education and choices in career. Not saying that I chose the wrong path (as I know well, God doesn't make mistakes and I know that I am where I need to be) but just wondering how thing would be different if the process was a little less rocky.

This morning I was reminded that regretting the past is not what God intends for us to do or how He wants us to live. He says that everything will work out according to His plans and we should not worry or regret. These past few weeks have been wasted on worrying and somewhat regretting and I want to be free of it! I want to be able to be at peace with my decisions and know that God has a plan for me.

I've decided yesterday that this is exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to be happy with the path that is laid before me and continue living life to the fullest. That is what God wants and that is what I want to do as well!

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Peace

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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

Ever wonder when your life will finally be at peace and you will be able to relax and not worry about anything? I think that all the time. It always seems like it's one thing after the other and life itself never calms down.

Well, I hate to be the one to tell you this...but it's life! God promises that He will never leave us alone...He doesn't say that all things will be perfect and easy to handle. God wants us to have peace and to be okay with the trials of this world because He is holding our hand through them.

My momma gave me this card awhile back and it has a quote on it that I think is quite perfect for this post. It says, "Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

I think that is what God desires of us and our walk with Him. We should anticipate and expect there to be craziness in this life, but know that God is there and you can be calm and at peace knowing that He will walk you through it!

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

God's Blessings

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

We have all heard that God works in mysterious ways and we also have heard that all things work together for good for those who are in love with Christ Jesus!

This morning I was reminded in my reading that as long as we trust in God we will be blessed abundantly.

Now, I don't think that it takes trusting in God to get blessed...I know that His blessings come freely and we don't have to act in order to receive them. On the other hand, we can not receive His  blessings freely if we aren't allowing them to become blessings in our lives. We must take the first steps in allowing the things around us to become blessings. If we aren't receiving any it probably means we aren't accepting the ones that are being given.

Try finding God's blessings today! Open your heart and mind to His goodness and find the blessings in everything!

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Sweet Melody

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name, worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Psalm 29:2

My grandmother's favorite song was "The Garden". It's a beautiful hymn that I love to sing after my morning worship. I don't know all the words but the verses I do know are such a great comfort to me. I not only have great memories of my grandma and the wonderful woman she was, but also her faith in Jesus and her steadiness, constancy, and strength she portrayed. 

The lyrics of the beautiful song are:

The Garden 

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

This song is such an incredible way to praise God. It really puts His love into perspective for me and shows me the relationship I long to have with Him.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

One Master

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.Revelation 2:4

This morning I was reminded that I cannot serve two masters. I cannot have another love in my life that is pulling me as hard as God is trying to pull me to Him. I cannot live a fulfilled life always being torn in half to please anyone, or anything, else except God.

I say except God because that is my personal choice. I am choosing Him as my master and the one I want to live for.

Lately, actually a lot of my life, has been spent trying to serve many masters...if you read my other blog you will know that I've tried so long to please everyone else. At times I even forgot what I needed or what I wanted. I know that God is the only master I want to please and want to follow and I want to live my life in accordance to His word and His way!

I pray that He will show me how to live a life where only He is the one that I need to focus on and depend on. I pray that I will continue learning how to serve only Him!

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. Ephesians 3:16-17

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Every Moment

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25

Becoming dependent on God is a hard thing to do. It sounds easy and it sounds like anybody should be able to do it...but then you get going with your every day life and forget to let God lead you.

When I start out my mornings with devotions and prayer, I am always asking God to be with me throughout the day - but then I forget to welcome Him back in the following moments.

This morning I asked God to continue whispering in my ear so that I would be in continual communion with Him. I want to constantly be calling His name and asking for guidance. I want to pray without ceasing and depend every moment on Him. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Just. Let. Go.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:25-26

There are moments in life when we have to choose not to worry and decide to trust God and His ways.

There is that moment when we decide that we can't do things on our own and we must rely on God.

These moments have been many in my life and I have struggled through them and decided that letting go was the best thing to do. It was what needed to happen in order for me to understand the way God works and His many wonderful strengths and ways.

I know it is hard. I've been there plenty of times and I know that it will be a learning process in figuring out how to just let go and let God. But it will happen. It will take over your life and your relationships and you will experience a peace that is like no other. You will know that He is God and He has everything under control! 

To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:79