Having nothing yet possessing everything!

2 Corinthians 6:9 "known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich;  having nothing, and yet possessing everything."   In the world or in The Lord?    When I am thinking of making my circumstances better I am often thinking of my physical needs and my desires.   If I truly want my circumstances to get better, I need to change my heart to be focused on what I have and who I am in Christ Jesus.   Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”   Even in the midst of our horrible we can live in His Peace and Joy!!

Safe in His arms

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."   Let’s rest  in Gods’ protection and plan so we can have His Peace and Joy!!   I love the vision of being protected under Gods great wing!  I think of being all snuggled in, provided for and safe.   My problem is I go out from under His mighty wing, and do it my own way, knowing full well it's not His will, but pretending that somehow it is.   I watched the movie, "Greater" last night.  It was about a young man that truly Trusted God and Obeyed.   None of us can do this perfectly.   When  we trust and obey, it's like being under the shelter of His Mighty Wing, safe in His arms.  This is where we get His peace and Joy!  We teach our children what they should do, or not do, to protect them.  God does this for us.   When our children leave the protection of our rules  we watch them fall, help them pick up the pieces and bring them back under our guidance and protection.   God is so much more compassionate and capable than any of us.   Think of how many times He has had to pull you back into His arms.    He never gives up on us.   He is always right here with us always offering His Mighty protection, His Peace and Joy!  Let’s rest in the Shadow of Our Almighty today!!

Designed on Purpose!!

Psalm 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful I know full well.”

My Grandson Jack, was born 4/24/24.   He is a true blessing from God.  I feel so blessed.   Each of us are designed, knit together in our mother’s wombs.  We each have been created on purpose.  Enjoy being the person God made you to be!!  We are each unique and that’s a beautiful gift!!   Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people in the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.”      Today, live treasured!!!  Treasured like you are a new born babe!!

Be Authentic!

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  25 Everyone who competes  in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever........27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."   Training is something familiar to me.   I love to train for athletic events.  I don’t like to train by drinking 64 ounces of water a day.  My point is some of the things we do are easy for us and some are really hard.   We discipline our bodies so they don’t discipline us!!   When I was actively involved in alcohol rehab I preferred councilors that had “been there”.    If they were drinkers telling me how not to drink, I didn’t respect what they said.    Let’s run the race with endurance, perseverance and compassion!!   We will fall and get off course, but we can get back up and keep putting one foot in front of the other.     Personally I enjoy getting advice from people who know how to fall and get back up again!  They help me run the race as if I'm going for the prize!!🏆. If you’re the one giving advice, be encouraged to be authentic!!

A glance becomes a gaze

Proverbs 23:31 " Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper."  What are you gazing at?   What we set our attention on grows!  Many people struggle with food particularly sugar.  Personally I  don’t keep those “goodies” in the house.  It is really hard for me to go past a pan of brownies with out having”just a little”.   Pretty soon I look at the brownies and they are half gone, because I keep having “ just a little”.  First I gaze at them…. Then I eat them.    Sin is like that.    First we gaze at it, then we think….” Just a little……then.    Sin makes us feel separated from God.    Sin can be so alluring, we can gaze at it more than we gaze at God.     When this happens we are not only caught in the first sin we then become caught in the sin of idolatry as it becomes more important to us than God.   Ahhh.  What a slippery slope that starts with just a glance.     We all are tempted by different things, keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our Faith!!  When a particular sin takes root in my life , my prayers is, “ Lord, I am sorry, I am desiring this sin more than I am desiring you.   I want to desire You Lord! Please Lord change my heart!   Let me desire you above all else, else especially this sin!”   God already knows when we have something ahead of Him,,,,, confess it and let Him help you!! He will!!!

Persevere

 Romans 5:3 "Not only do, but we rejoice in our  sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, 4 perseverance, character and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."    ….8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”   Much of my suffering is because of my sinful behavior.   I truly thought I would be done sinning when I was born again.  Humane existence is full of sin.    I can rehash my behavior over and over but that doesn't help at all.  For me to live a healthy life in Jesus.  I need to forget what lies behind and press forward to the high calling of God.   We are defined by who we are in Jesus.    Our sins (even the ones 2 minutes ago) are forgiven and forgotten!!!   Let's walk in our newness of life.  No matter how tempting it is to play our mistakes over and over again in our heads.   Persevere!!!     

Heed the warnings

Proverbs 22:3. " A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."  I have said, “ I just kinda, fell into it”.  I didn’t  mean to do it, it just happened.”    Truth is before I sin I usually have some warnings.   The Holy Spirit starts tugging at my heart warning me.  I get uncomfortable in the situation.  I hear my self say, “this is a bad idea”.  Often I get convicted of my error,  but lack the “fight” to stop and do what’s right.   Psalm 46:10 “ Be still and know that I am God.”   We each have his still small voice of truth in us.   He gently leads us.  When I follow His still,  small voice ….even though it’s against what’s easiest and against what my friends are doing, I have the most peace.    Today, when you are feeling anxious about something you are doing, that you KNOW isn’t Gods plan for you.   STOP!! You can stop.  You are more than a conquer  through Jesus  Christ!!  Use His strength to heed to the warnings He is giving you!!😇🙏❤️

Safe in His arms

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good.  A refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him."    TRUST in Him!!  I’m envisioning being safe in my Fathers arms as a way to “ Trust” in God.   I am envisioning His loving arms around me and around those that I love in all circumstances.    Nothing is too big for God!!   When I remember how Big God is I can see how small my problems are.   Today be inspired to walk in the safety and security we have in Jesus Christ.   He is constantly holding you safely in His everlasting arms!!😇🙏❤️

He writes it in our hearts!! We know!

Jeremiah 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.  “ I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.  34 No longer will man teach his neighbor, or man his brother, saying “Know the Lord” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” Declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”   Wow these are powerful verses!!!   He writes His law on our hearts and our minds. We have a new level of "sin consciousness ".  The closer I try to walk with our Lord the more I am convicted of my various sins.   When I intentionally chose to do the sin I know it is wrong I get a hardening  of my heart.   This separates me from feeling  close to God.  It doesn't actually separate me from Him because nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.   But I feel separated when I intentionally choose sin.   These verses remind me I can have a fresh start every moment of every day.   He will constantly write His law on my heart and my mind and He will also constantly forgive my wickedness and remember my sins no more!!!     This constant forgiveness helps me continually keep trying to honor Him.     We all fall short!  Walk in His righteousness not our sin.  No matter how many times you stumble.   Keep getting up with Jesus!!! 😇🙏❤️

Quarreling?

Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel  is like breaching a dam; so drop a matter before a dispute breaks out."   …….22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”   I used to think,  "I had to be right".   My desire to be "right", locked me in to not seeing the validity of the opposing  view.  Today, I am much more likely to simply agree to disagree and enjoy what is, instead of trying to make things the way I want things to be.    Being content with not being "right " being content to not open up an argument and simply accepting the other person exactly as they are.  Is truly helping me have a cheerful heart.   A cheerful heart is good medicine.    How are you doing in this matter?   Do you need to be right? Do you need people to be like you?   Can you simply love people where they are? The cost of not ..... dries up the bones.😇🙏❤️

Walk in His newness of life!

Romans 4:25 "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."   This is the simple Gospel.  Christ died for our sins and gives us right standing with God.   We are RIGHT with GOD!!!  He died for all of our sins once and for ALL!!!    I can get pretty self condemning.    We each have been set FREE by the powerful gift of Jesus!!   Let's live in our justification today and walk boldly in the direction God is calling us.    Let's not look at our shortcomings.  Let's look to the fullness we are in Jesus Christ.    Through Him we can do all things!!   With Him we are more than enough!!!   We are set FREE!! Let's walk in this newness of LIFE!!  😇🙏❤️

Power, love and self-discipline

 2 Timothy 1:7 " For God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline....12 That is why I am suffering as I am.  Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to gaurd what I have entrusted to Him for that day......14 Gaurd the good deposit that was entrusted to you- gaurd it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."       When I read these verses today it really resonated with me that I need to “Entrust” God with my day.    I also need to Gaurd the deposit He entrusted me with.   How profound!!    We are not given a spirit of timidity. We are given a Spirit of power , love and self-discipline!!! Let’s be inspired today to BE everything God has created us to BE!!   Let us each be bold as we trust Him with this day, being good stewards of what He has entrusted us!!😇🙏❤️

Doing Gods with a sinful desire?

1Peter 2:11 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."   Sinful desires war against our very souls!!   When we "give in" to the desires of our flesh our "good deeds" are not what people see.   Recently  I did a " good deed" and then complained about it.   I decided I deserved a reward for my good deed and didn't get what my flesh said was what I should.  How crazy!!! When I do a good deed it is to be from a pure heart not of selfish ambition.   My sinful desires tarnished my good deed.    Dear Lord please grant us all pure hearts  that honor you in all we think, say and do!! 😇🙏❤️

Let Jesus be your “Face lift”

Psalm 34::4 "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."    Jesus is the best "Face Lift"!   One of my best friends used to say when you have Jesus in your heart, you look younger. She was such a beacon of light in all things.   We all have troubles.  We also all have the opportunity to TRUST Jesus in our troubles and in our good fortune.   Are you wearing your troubles or Jesus on your face?

Secrets keep us sick. Be bold!!

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."   Proverbs 28:1. "The  wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion."    Our secrets keep us sick!!   We can’t attack unconfessed, unrepentant sin.   We are to be bold as a lion!! It takes courage to confess and turn away from sin especially the ones we find comfort in and enjoy.   Yes.  The “sins”we find comfort in and enjoy.   I did say that.    We can’t pretend that we don’t enjoy the sin that is holding us.   If we didn’t enjoy and find comfort in them, they wouldn’t be so hard to give them up and turn from them.   I spent 29 years wanting to turn from my alcoholism.   But I found comfort in it,  even though it was destroying everything I loved.     That’s the way it is with sin.  We all fight different sins at different times in our lives.   Openly confessing the sin takes away its power.   Jesus through His Holy Spirit helps us resist the sin and run to Him.    I’m not suggesting to share your dirty laundry with everyone, I am suggesting we each have the boldness to be able to confess and turn from the sins that so easily captivate us.   Do this by; “Clinging to the cross!!”   James 4;7-8

The company we keep

Proverbs 22:11 "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for a friend." 

Proverbs 8:10-11 "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare to her."   I am meeting many new people this week.  It is so special when I meet someone that appears to have a pure heart speaks kindly, intelligently and uses good language.   On the contrary it is disheartening when I meet someone with insincere motives,  is harsh and swears.   Bad company does corrupt good character.    If I hang around people that use perverse language I will start to hear that very language come out of my mouth.   I am not immune from letting the company I keep “ rub off” on me.    I think it’s important to BE the love of Jesus to ALL people.   It’s also very important to have our main support  people be seeking the same wisdom we want to seek. (1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled: “Bad company

 corrupts good character.”).  I  like this quote : “ You’re only lonely if you don’t like who you are alone with.”  Be careful the company you keep.😇🙏❤️. I find I can "feel" very lonesome when I am keeping " bad company".

Thankful, multiplies

 Luke 9:16 "Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to Heaven, He gave thanks and broke them.  Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."     "Being thankful makes what you have more than enough!!"  Is a plaque I have at home.    I can look at the lack or I can be thankful for what I have.    God has given me more than enough to do His good work!    I have been visiting my beautiful Aunts this week in Az.  I'm getting anxious about going home because I'm enjoying being here so much.   I have two days left.  If I choose to spend those two days anxious about needing to leave or anxious about anything than I am choosing to not be thankful for the time I have.   Life is here, there and everywhere.  Today let’s choose to live in thanksgiving for what we have.   God multiplies  what we have into more than enough!!😇❤️🙏

Be the living!!

1Corinthians 15:42 "So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body."   I hope you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday!!! 1 Corinthians 14:47 "The first man was of the dust of the Earth, the second man from Heaven.  Thank you Jesus we can leave the perishable, weakness and dishonor of our natural bodies to be exchanged  for the imperishable, glory and power you provide us in our spiritual bodies!!!   Oh how marvelous is the powerful gift of Jesus!!!!   Be inspired to walk in your Spiritual body today!!! You have everything you need to do His good work in our here and now because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.    This weekend I heard a quote,"Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"   Today and everyday forward be part of the truly alive!!!!😇🙏❤️