Patient verses warrior?

Proverbs 16:32 "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes the city."     This is the Bible verse our track team picked for their T-Shits this season.   There are many other verses that promote being strong in the Lord, relying on His strength not our own.  They picked this one which focuses on being patient and self controlled verses pushing for the victory.    Only one person gets first place in a race.   During our Junior High track meet, there are over 100 kids running the 100 meter dash.   Does that mean only one is worthy of praise?   Of course not!!  I tell my team.  Practice the four F's; Faith, Fitness, Fellowship and Fun.    Christ centered patients, self control is more important than winning the race.  In fact, if you have  these qualities you are the true victor ribbon or not.     Today,  evaluate whether you are trying to "win the race" or be the best you can be during your competition.     What good is it if a man gains the whole world but looses his soul?( Luke 9:25) It’s the way you live not what you achieve that matters.  Let your confidence come from the Lord!!

Godliness with contentment is great gain!

1 Timothy 6:6 "But, Godliness with contentment is great gain."   ......18 " Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."    Doing good with a pure, sincere heart is a great place to be.   Doing good with contempt in our hearts is not doing good at all.    Today let’s ask God to help us have sincere desire to do good, then; Just DO IT!!!

Sing like the birds!!

Hard to tell from this picture, there are lots of birds in this crab apple tree this morning.    They are not worried about tomorrow they are simply enjoying its fruit and the morning sun.   Today, let's take a lesson from these birds.   Let’s enjoy the fruit of His Spirit and the warmth of His Son!!!  Let’s let His strength and Song fill us from within, so His joy may abound greatly!!!😇🙏♥️

Exodus 15:2 " The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will Praise Him, my fathers God and I will exalt Him. ".  He is our strength and our song!!!!   Don’t worry.  Sing like a bird!!

Don’t worry be happy….,Joy is where it’s at, happinesses is conditional

 Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble if it's own."    Don't worry be happy!!  Is a fun song.   It's tempting to see our glass half empty, instead of seeing God is with us, constantly supplying His living water, we will never run dry.   Happiness is a temporary emotion it literally flees in a moment.   Joy is constant.   When we first seek God, trusting Him all the way, we can have joy even when it seems we have legitimate cause to worry.    In Christ, we have no cause to worry!! We have every cause to walk in complete joy, knowing full well He is the God and He's got this!!!!

Chasing the wind?

Ecclesiastes 5:7 "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God."    I am guilty of being a day dreamer.   I dream of many things that are not.  When I go down this path I'm setting myself up, for not enjoying what is.   Last night the moon was magnificent in the Western sky.  This morning the sunrise is spectacular.   All my day dreaming seems so foolish when I stand in awe of God.   Paul said, " I have learned to be content".  (Philippians 4:11-12). Ecclesiastes is a great book!!  It helps me evaluate when I am chasing the wind.   It's hard to be content when you are chasing the wind😇🙏♥️

Cherish and Respect simple ia not so simple

Ephesians 5:31 "For this reasons man will leave his father and mother and be United to his wife and the two will become one flesh. 32 This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the Church.   33 However each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and the wife must respect her husband."    True health and wellness starts in our homes.   Broken homes are far more devastating than our culture portrays them.   Ephesians teaches a simple truth "Husbands Cherish your wives.  Wives respect your husbands."   I was teaching this at our monthly women's seminars and a lady said, "My husband doesn't deserve respect... "she went on to list all his struggles.  I said, “The Bible doesn't say to respect him if he deserves respect.  It says to respect him.    She went home and started treating her husband with respect.   The next month she came back and said, “You saved my marriage! I started treating my husband with respect and he started cherishing me!"    I said, "I didn't save your marriage Jesus saved your marriage! You applied His word to your life and you received healing in your family.”  Today there is much false teaching, people encourage the break up of the family for many reasons.  It's hard to be healthy and well when our families are broken.   Be encouraged to apply Gods WORD to yours. 😇🙏♥️

Wisdom vs. Insanity

Matthew 11:18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, "He has a demon." 39 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners." But wisdom is proved  right by her actions."     These are the word of Jesus.   WISDOM IS PROVED RIGHT BY HER ACTIONS!!! This really caught my attention today.    In recovery we have a saying, “insanity is doing the same thing expecting a different result.”  This would be the opposite of wisdom.    I easily fall into well worn, destructive patterns of thinking hoping for a different result.  I don’t do the work to change my thought processes and my actions.   Instead I take comfort in my discomfort.  We can all get really used to our ruts.   Today, let our actions show we have gained wisdom!!!😇🙏♥️

We’re not God

Isaiah 40:13 " Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor?  14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way?  Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?"     God ways are greater than our ways.  I certainly think I know how things should go.   But I'm not God!! Thank God!!   A extremely successful person, when asked the secret to his success.   said, "I realized at a young age, I was not God."    Paul said, He had learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. ( Philippians 4:11). Today, let’s try once again, to be joyful in what is and not wear ourselves out trying to do something only God can do.   😇♥️🙏

Not shaken

 Acts 1:25 "I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  36 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also live in hope,".   I will live in HOPE.  I will not be shaken!!!!    Each day we have the opportunity to fear.   We can look at the glass half full or half empty.   We can speak the truth of Gods word and live in His Joy or we can speak fear by grumbling, complaining and not being content.   It's so very important to live in Gods joy.   Let His Holy Spirit fill us so no matter what battles we face we can rest in th assurance the war has already been won!!!  Years ago there was a best selling book entitled, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, (And it's all small stuff)".  We as Christians need to remember Gods hand is not too short, all of our concerns, are within Gods sovereign control

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!

Jeremiah 8:6 "I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right.  No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?"  Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle. ". 

John 16:31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered. "But the time is coming and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home.   You will leave me all alone.  Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me."  33 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."    Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me!!!!  We are not alone!!!   St Patrick's day is one of my favorite days for two reasons.  1.  This day commemorates Saint Patrick evangelizing Ireland using the three leaf clover to illustrate our triune God.    Father, Son and Spirit three in one!! 2. 19 years ago today Gods triune set me back on His path.   I had been drifting into Spiritual but not religious, but This day 19 years ago God removed the scales from my eyes and helped me realize Jesus died on the cross for me, I was forgiven and made right with God.  I was given His Holy Spirit to convict me of this truth and to help me Seek Him First.     I love this birthday!!!  2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ , he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!"   This day 19 years ago I had this epiphany!!  I have done everything I can to not forget I am forgiven and made right with God.   What that means is I try my best to Seek God first and live for Him not me.   Of course in my humanity I fail miserably.  But that's what's so beautiful, He keeps picking me up, washing me clean and helping me try again, again and again!!!!   Today be filled with His Holy Spirit, so you can believe fully in the saving power of Jesus and live right with God!!! Happy Saint Patrick's day!!!'

Time and Circumstances

[Time & our circumstances are God's most effective tools for teaching us to rely on Him] Charles Stanley ><> Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:28-31.  John 13:7 "Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."   This is what Jesus said when he was washing the feet of His disciples.   

This Charles Stanley quote was sent to me this morning and goes so well with John 13:7.   Things in life are often not as we plan or as we desire.  When I'm in the middle of a change of course I often dig in my heels and say, NO!   This is not the plan.   I want to do MY PLAN!!  When I have the attitude of; "this is wrong, this shouldn't be, I'm fixing this.  God you fix this, and fix it now. " I shut my heart to TRUSTING God in it.    Many times in my life God has closed doors and no matter how hard I try I can't get them opened.    But in my stubbornness I have spent many hours, tears and tears trying to change the things I don't understand.    Today may you TRUST God in what you are going through.   I like the serenity prayer; "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."   Keep looking up to keep your chin up!!😇🙏♥️

Eye on the prize

John 5:44 "How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?"

   Sometimes I feel emptiness.   A longing that can't be satisfied.  I think it's because I am lusting after the flesh instead of being filled with His Spirit.   He is the living water.   Today, I pray I let Christ alone fill my thirst.  When I was in treatment for alcoholism, the counselor taught me that if I look to anything outside my body to fill me up I will never be satisfied.   If I try to fill the hole in my heart with alcohol, food, relationships or things, they will never be able to fill me I will simply keep wanting more and more.    But if I let God fill me from within I can be filled to over flowing.   I have been trying to set my eyes on Jesus for a long time now.  But still I look to the flesh.  I am thankful His Spirit helps me recognize when I am gazing at thing that will empty me and not fill me to over flowing.    Today, let's keep our eyes on the prize of Jesus so we can be filled to overflowing!!!😇🙏♥️

Chips first?

Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes saw my informed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one came to be .....23 Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting."    He knows each of us and everything we go through, He knows our anxious thoughts and is actively here to comfort us.    If God is here to comfort me, why do I seek comfort in other things?   Yesterday I noticed that I was eating chips again.  When I eat chips I don't eat good food. I grab a few handfuls of chips and skip the broccoli.   Same thing when I look for comfort outside of God.   I grab a big workout or eat chips and don't look to Jesus to comfort me.    We all fill ours lives with something.   What are you filling yourself with first?    Jesus said, "He is the bread of life", when we chose Him we will never thirst again.   Matthew 6:33 " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.   Today, let’s be careful to chose Him first.   If we reach for the bad first we may forget to reach for Jesus. 😇🙏♥️

Let’s feast!!

Proverbs 3:25 Have no fear is sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.  27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.  28 "Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow."  when  you now have it with you."    When I get fearful of things I can get selfish.  A " self preservation mode".  When my check book is low, I might not write as big as an offering as I have in my heart to give, or if my time is slight, I might not take the time for a friend.   When I'm in a state of fear I am not in a state of generosity.   We each have lack every day of our lives, we also have abundance everyday too. Are you acting and giving out of your abundance or lack?   Are you using your lack or fear as an excuse to behave in a manner you know is not right?    Take courage!! Fear not!!! You are a child of God and He is meeting your every need.  Go ahead and meet the needs of those around you.    Jesus said, "it's my food to do the will of my Father. ".  ( Kimberly paraphrased) let’s go feast!!! 😇🙏♥️

Rest for your soul

Matthew 11:28”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”       Just the verse today.  It’s perfect!!!

No Mercy?

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require if you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."   Love Mercy, walk humbly with our God."  I like the following explanation; "Grace is getting what you don't deserve and mercy is not getting what you do deserve."   I need much mercy, I continually do the things I don't want to do and do the things I don't want to do.   Even the great apostle Paul struggled with this.   It's a humane condition.   I was playing Pickle ball the other day and my partner said, " Show no Mercy!"   I simply smiled and thought that would be a silly thing to do over a game of Pickle ball.   We each need mercy, but sometimes we show no mercy.  What's up with that?

His strength not ours

A friend of mine gave a very wonderful response to yesterdays message and I really wanted to share it, here it is.  "It’s Biblically incorrect and even insensitive when people say “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” He obviously gave Paul way more than HE could handle so he would rely on God and not himself.      

I think people say that pithy saying “God won’t give you more than you can handle…” b/c they confuse it with 1Corinthians 10:12-13, which talks about temptation. “He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” But in 2Cor 1:8-9 it’s obvious we are put in hardships and life-threatening situations beyond our human ability to cope so we will turn to God. His strength is sufficient and Christ strengthens us when we are weak. 

A guest pastor preached at our church once and he was the one who pointed this out to us. He has a handicapped child and many times caring for that child is beyond what he can do and he said “if I see one more bumper sticker that says ‘God won’t give you more than you can handle’, I’m going to rip it off myself!”    I think my friends words are spot on. One of my favorite sayings is"God doesn't give us what we can handle He helps us handle what we've been given."     Romans  8:15 " For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear, but you received the Spirit of son-ship.  And by Him we cry, Abba, Father."   We need not fear, we simply need to cry out , Abba Father!!   Gods got this!!!!    His strength is made perfect in our weakness!!!  There is nothing too big for God!!!       I also like the saying, " Don't tell God you've got a big problem, tell your problem you've got a big God!!"

Gods got this!!!!

His Omnipresence

  2Corinthians 1:8 "we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  10 He has delivered us from such peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us,".  He will continue to deliver us!!!   On God we set our hope!!!   In the natural, we can loose heart.   Through, His Spirit we have HOPE as we TRUST in Him fully.  The Bible is full of accounts where not by man but by God.  God knows everything we need and He alone is the great healer!  Rest in His omnipresence.  Rest in His Devine wisdom and power!! Gods got this!!!!   😇🙏♥️. He knows every Star in the sky, every grain of sand and every hair on each of our heads. He is God!!  He will deliver you!!!   He is delivering you!!   TRUST

The present

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."   Do not worry!!   I have been blessed with caring for my grandson this week.  When, I am with him, all I do, is BE in my present moment with him.    Being present is a great 🎁 present!! He is 7 months old today.  He is always in his present moment. I hope this helps you be fully, in your moments today.   Not fretting over the past or the future.   Simply enjoy the gift you have in your here and now.😇🙏♥️🎁