Radiant face? or doom and gloom

Exodus 34:29 "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord."    When we spend daily time with the Lord in prayer and reading His Bible it shows in our countenance and radiance.    On the contrary, when we spend time in worry, regret, complaining and fear that show up too.   When I’m in the latter; people will often say, “You look tired today” or "Is everything okay? You don’t look yourself".   Just like Moses didn’t notice his face was radiant , I am slow to notice when I’m focused on the wrong things.  It usually starts with just a little compromise here and there, then all of a sudden I feel like I’m under a huge rock.  To get out from under the rock; I read the Bible, pray and then intentionally put my faith into action by trusting God even when I'm not a fan of His ways.  When I focus on Gods' word, I feel the warmth of His Sons’ shine radiating on my face, once again.    Are you basking in His Son? Or are you hiding under a rock?   Be radiant!!!  Focus on His Sons' Shine!!!

Knocked down but not destroyed

2 Corinthians 4:8 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed."    1 Corinthians 2:4 “My message and my preaching were not with wise words, but with the demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”    It is not with our own strength, but with the power of God within us that helps us thrive in the darkness.   Sometimes things can feel overwhelming and hopeless.  There is always hope in Jesus!!!   We may get knocked down but we are not destroyed!! 

Go team!!

2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."   We have been sanctified, “set apart” to be Holy.   Set apart for His Holy purpose!!

1 Corinthians 1:2 "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be Holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ- their Lord and ours."   

Be Holy together!!!!   It is so much easier to have a team in our attempts to live a Holy life.   Often I am by myself, I have found if I listen to Christian radio that can help me remember I am on a team!!!  Jesus is always with us and is always on our team.    It's nice to have people too.   Who is on your team?       Be encouraged to be an active part of your team!!

No greater act of Love!

John 15:12 " My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." These are the words of Jesus.       “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”    I woke up  thinking of this verse, being thankful for our military.     I feel so blessed to be living in this amazing country of ours.   Freedom isn’t free.      Thank you Veterans!!! May God bless you as He has blessed us with you!!!! Praise the Lord for our military and their service!!  It is an amazing act of love!!! 

Be the Temple, not the trash can!

Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."   Romans 12:1. I appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”     When I get started on salt or sugar I just keep going.   I start treating my body like a trash can, not  the "Temple of God".  "Throw it into you tank!" Are words that can describe how I can consume  certain foods.   We only get one physical body here on Earth.  If we fill it with junk, junk comes out.   This is referring to what we eat but also be carful with what you think!!   All our actions, over eating, under moving, faith or lack there of all start with what we concentrate on.   Today over come evil by focusing on good.     If I want to avoid chips.  I concentrate on eating healthier foods.   If I want to be stronger in my faith, I concentrate on the word of God.    Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinketh in his heart so shall he be."   Be the temple of God in all you think, say and do!!

Sleep well! Be well!!

Psalm 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."    SLEEP is one of our most important pieces of health and wellness!   It is one of the hardest things for me to discipline myself to do.    If we don’t get enough sleep our bodies don’t function as well as they can.  Studies have shown that people sleep deprived operate vehicles in similar ways as people who have been drinking.     Personally, when I am sleep deprived, I drop words, names and loose my train of thought.  Adults need 7-10 hours a sleep a day.  Optimal sleep is achieved in quiet dark environments at a regular time a day.    Many people struggle with anxiety that impedes their sleep.   When I can’t sleep because of thoughts that won’t leave my head.   I simply concentrate on the name of Jesus.   When my focus is on HIM, He gives me peace no matter how troubled the waters may seem.   For our optimal health and wellness; TRUST Jesus!!! Get regular planned sleep!  TRUST Jesus!!  Sleep in His peace!😇❤️🙏

Avoid strife, don’t quarrel!

Proverbs 20:3 "It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel."     I live alone with my old dog.   I really don’t have anyone to argue with.   Single women  were determined to be the  happiest group of people in a research project comparing single men, single women, married men and married women.    Reading this verse today I’m reminded of that.  Second happiest group of people according to this research study was married men.   (I am assuming it’s because their wives have learned how not to pick an argument.( 😉lol). ).   We all have many different opinions about many different subjects.   When I am in groups of people I can want to force my points of view on them.  This is like trying to pick a fight. The opposite of being love. Love people where they are at!!   Jesus said, “A new command I give you: love one another,as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” ( John 13:34). Avoid strife!! Don't start quarrels!!

Using your gifts?

Exodus 31:3 "and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts."    God equips each of us with the skills we need to do the work He has for us to do.   When I let myself get overwhelmed, thinking,"I just can't", I need to remember if I don't use the talents He has gifted me with it's like throwing my gifts back in His face saying, I don't care about this.   When my children or my friends give me gifts I'm careful not to waste them.    Why when God gives me gifts do I take the gifts for granted?   Today may we each use our God given gifts and talents for His kingdom.

Overflow of the heart

Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks." 

Sometimes I have to STOP and readjust my heart.  I can get grumbly and complaining.   I often don’t realized that I’m doing it.  I start focusing on lack, instead of the sufficiency I have in Jesus.  When I STOP and choose to be joyful through Jesus, then my countenance changes and my mouth speaks life.    If I need to change my actions, I have to refocus my heart.   Choose hope not fear choose joy in Jesus!! 

Beating the air?

Romans 13:14 "Rather clothes yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful Nature." 

1 Corinthians 9:26 “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  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.”                                                           When I am truly seeking God first my behaviors follow.   If I'm thinking "Christ in me", I'm not as likely to "hog up" on the ice cream, gossip about my neighbor, or pursue the many other behaviors I want to keep a secret.   When I pursue the desires of my flesh, I am like the man running aimlessly or the one beating the air.    

Teammates

Ecclesiastes 4:9 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"  Having a good team mate is important!   Often the only teammate I have is Jesus.  He is more than enough!     He is with each of us always and is always able to understand and direct us through His word.      He also blesses us with people.  The other day a friend helped me get a lot of work done.   I would have been over whelmed and discouraged without her.   Genesis 2:18 "The Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone, I will make  a helper suitable for him.""   Helper friends and family are extremely important in our lives.   Jesus is our most important helper.   He gives us people in our lives to help and be helped by.   How are you doing as a good teammate?   Are you someone who is helpful?  Do you allow people to help you?   Today, remember you are on Team Jesus.  You are not alone.  Go be a great teammate!!!

Luke warm?

Revelation 3:15 " I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.   I wish you were either one or the other!   16 So, because you are Luke warm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.   ......19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.  So be earnest and repent."    Accepting certain sins because they are too hard to change makes me Lukewarm.   This acceptance of a sin,  I am convicted to change but lack the will and true desire to give it up makes me feel “Luke warm” toward God.    Sin does separate us from God.     I’d like to pretend it doesn’t but it does!    God gave us Jesus so we can repent, be forgiven and move on!!   Some sins take such deep root they are difficult to simply “ move on” from.   Gossip, complaining, gluttony, judgy attitudes, drunkenness, fornication, laziness……these are all sins I’ve battled.   If I’m truly honest they are always right here with me waiting for me to say….”it’s not a real bad sin, surely God doesn’t care if I do it a little.”    This attitude of accepting my sinful behavior,  pretending it’s not sin creates in me a luke warm attitude toward God.    How are you doing with your attitude toward God?   Are you hot, cold or Luke warm?

In lack there is hope

Lamentations 3:24 ""The Lord is my portion", says my soul, " therefore I will hope in Him.""    When I remember , it is God that provides me everything, I have deep peace in my soul.   I know that He didn’t bring me this far to drop me now.  Sometimes I’m tempted to look at lack.  When I do, I get  anxious.    Truth is God has already given me so much.    He has given me the ability and desire to work.   He has blessed me with me with people to love and be loved by.  He has given me many things that I enjoy in this life like beautiful sunrises and birds chirping and water in babbling  brooks.     When my soul remembers the Lord is my portion!   I am filled to over flowing and I can TRUST what ever perceived lack I have in my life is nothing compared to the glory He gives me!!    Hope this helps you too, trust in His great provisions!!!😇🙏❤️Always, always hold unto HOPE!!

Faith in Action

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."......27 "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act."    Faith in action!!  Trust in the Lord, acknowledge Him in all things and He will make your path straight, He will give you the ability to do  good for others.   Then just “Do it!” Don’t worry about why you can’t…. Do what you can, trusting God all the way!!

Silver will turn to gold

 Proverbs 2:9 "Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path.   10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul."   Seek Godly wisdom and understanding, seek it like silver!   Reading Gods' Word daily helps me tremendously.   Doesn't seem to matter where the Bible opens, it speaks to me when I take the time to be quiet and listen to what I'm reading and really meditate on how it applies to my life.     So funny, when I was younger, I used to think," The Bible is "out dated".   People act differently now days, God could t possibly mean things like ... no sex outside marriage.... no drunkenness.... no complaining.....etc... In today's  world things are different.    Now I realize todays’ people are the same as they were back in Biblical times .  God made all those "rules" to protect us from ourselves.    We are and always have been a sinful race.   Thank you Jesus for giving us Your Word and Your Holy Spirit to guide us.   Seek His wisdom like silver today and always.   It'll show up as gold in your life!!

Happy May Day!

Happy May Day!!   

Revelation 7:12 "saying; "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever Amen!"    As a child we would drop off May Day baskets 🧺.  And decorate the May pole.  I don’t know if people still do that or not.  But it was such a fun thing to do to celebrate the change of season.   March 21st is the first day of Spring,  but it usually takes tell May 1st here in Wisconsin to actually see the green grass , blooming flowers and feel the warmth of the new season.    This reminds me of when  I had my revelation of being truly loved by God and realized Jesus is my Savior.   I was changed immediately in my heart but it has taken a while for people to see it in my life.   God who has begun a good work in you will never leave you nor forsake you.    Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power and strength be to our God for ever and ever!!!😇❤️🌸🙏. Let your “May Day” shine today!!!