Getting sucked in?

 Jude 1:16 “These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow thier own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for thier own advantage.”    Do you know these people? Their grumbling, complaining and faultfinding draws you in. They make you feel like you’re a part of their elite group with their flattery.  Be careful.   All of us are sinner and fall short of the glory of God.  We are not to think more highly of ourselves then others.  We are not to judge we are to love!!

Health in our minds verses depravity

 Romans 1:21 “ For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but thier thinking became futile and thier foolish hearts were darkened…….26 Because of this God gave them over to shameful lusts……28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.”    Do you ever feel like you have been given over to a depraved mind?    When I get caught up in the cares of this world and my desires for things that are not of God, I can feel the depravity of my mind take over.    My desires for my own way, out shine my desire to walk in God’s way.  To combat this erroision of my minds health; I will intentionally be thankful for what is from God today!    We dont have to look far to see the many beautiful things we have to be thankful for.  Let’s steer our mind to health!  Let’s fill ourselves with His word, His peace and His truth no matter how tempting it may be to let our mind go to dark places.   Stay in the light!!!

Be the example

 Proverbs 20:7 “ The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him……..22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!  Wait for the Lord and He will deliver you.”

We are examples!!   Our children are watching.   We maybe justified to want to take revenge, but forgiveness leads to peace.   Peace in our own hearts.    Peace for those watching.  May you have His peace today!!

True humility not fear.

 Hebrews 13:5-6 “ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because the Lord said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”   Be content with what we have!   Never will He leave us nor forsake us.   Be content!! Yesterday I was playing with my Grandchildren, the sheer contentment they have in the here and now amazed me.  Jesus said, "unless you humble yourself like a child… "true humility is contentment.  How many moments I have wasted wishing things were different than they are.   I find when I am struggling with contentment it helps me to stop and be thankful for what is.  I need not be afraid thatbI wont get what I want.   If God wants me to have something, aHe will provide.  He is very capable.    We need not be afraid.   Let’s practice contentment, which is practicing humility.

Happy St Patrick’s Day

 Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!   Today is one of my favorite days!!  22 years ago today, I was at a low point in my life, I had been a Christian since I was a child but felt far  from God. I got down on my knees and said, “Lord, I have known you, but I don’t know you now, if you are real, please make yourself real to me.  He did!!  I was given an epiphany later that evening of how He has made me clean, pure and beautiful as a virgin.  He made me realize I am deeply loved.   I never wanted to forget His immense love for me and I knew I would if I continued on my then current path.  He has this immense love for you too!    For me to keep remembering God is with me always, loving me through every step of the way; I try to read His word daily, fellowship with other Christians and pray continuously.     I Hope my testimony helps you today too.   Remember you are His beautifully beloved always!!   Through the powerful gift of Jesus!!  Happy Saint Patrick’s day!!! John 3:16. 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. . 2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!”

Obedience through faith

 Romans 1:5 “Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.  6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. “.  Obedience that comes through faith, this is hitting my heart hard this morning.    Left to my own thoughts, I  live in compromise.   I want to do right, but can feel defeated and think, “ A little compromise, that will be okay”.   I do not get away with this type of thinking when I seek God first.  When I seek Him first, I remember He is with me always, and He is working all things out for His glory and my good.   I remember He sees my every action and loves me.   I want to be obedient because I want to be pleasing to God,  I have faith that He truly knows and cares for me. This is faith.  This discernment helps me accept the things I cannot change, have the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to not the difference.   Thank you Lord, for giving us the desire for obedience because of faith.   We are saved by grace not by works but walking a good walk is a much better life here on Earth. 😇🙏❤️

Better to cut off a relationship than to sin together

 Matthew 18:8 “If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.  9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”

These have always been difficult verses for me to wrap my heart around.   I don’t think, I could ever cut off a limb or gouge out my eye.     Today, as I am reading them, I am thinking about relationships that lead me to sin.    People that when I am with them I end up in gossip, complaining…….  When I used to drink I had “friends” that were drinking buddies.  Those are the people, I had to cut out when I needed to stay clean.   It is hard to cut off relationships.  It is better to be alone with God than to be in bad company.

Procrastination is sin

 James 4:17 “Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins.”

Procrastination gets me every time.  I know what yo do, but sometimes I lack the fortitude to do it.   This is sin.   The more I know the word of God, the more I realize how much I need a Savior.   Thank you Lord, for the powerful gift of Jesus!!”

Better not Bitter

 Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, 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 everlasting.”   Dear God let me have a pure heart!!! Romans 5:3 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character and character hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”   Hope floats!!  

If you are dealing with difficult right now, know God has a plan!!  His goal for each of us is to be more like Jesus. Often we become more introspective in adversity than in pleasure.    Let God do His good work in you today.   Don’t get bitter , get better!

Faith not Fear

 Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”   Yesterday, I was coaching snowboarding.  🏂.   One young man was afraid to go up the T-bar because the year before he  had a bad experience with it.   I told him, “You  have to be courageous!   Don’t let your fear ruin your fun.    He responded, “I hate snow boarding.”   I said, “I’d hate it too, if I had to walk up the hill every time taking my boots in and out of the bindings, while getting a really cold, wet butt.   I promise you, you’ll have a lot more fun if you use the T-bar.  He didn’t try the T-bar immediately.  I kept checking in with him and he eventually did try again.   He mastered the T bar!! He started having fun!    He was bale to board from the top of the mountain!!  He went from asking me, “When can leave?” How many more minutes do I have to stay?”  To one of the last kids on the hill for the night.   I am so proud of of that young man!!  He overcame his fear and was able to enjoy snowboarding.    Fear is paralyzing!!!   We are to be courageous, not afraid, not dismayed.   The Lord our God is with us wherever we go!!   Do you have a fear that is paralyzing you?    Be courageous today!! Choose faith not fear!  The Lord your God is with you wherever you go!!

With a whip or with love?

 1Corinthians 4:12 “We work hard with our own hands.  When we are cursed, we bless, when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly.  Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. …21What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

This was Pauls instructions to the Apostles of Christ.   How are you doing in this area?   Do you retaliate when someone wrongs you?   Do you take offense and lash out?   Or do you respond in love?   Hurting people hurt others.   This is a statement that helps me respond in love when someone treats me poorly.  When someone hurts me, I reason,  they must be hurting to treat me that way.  I try not to take their behavior personally.  Everything we go through in life takes us to who we are now. Many people have been treated very poorly. They may feel like they are “caged rats” and sometimes they just lash out.  Sometimes people need to be right, because they’re afraid that if they’re not, you won’t respect them.   They may hold onto being right,  even when they realize they may be wrong. These are the things I’m reminded of what I’m reading Paul’s instructions to the apostles.  Today, may we all bless when we are cursed.  Endure persecution and be kind when we are slandered.  It not worth the fight to hurt hurting people.

Brand new, white as snow! Live loved

 Isaiah 1:18 ““Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!”

We are made brand new!!    We are forgiven for All our sins!   Jesus died once, for All sin!!   I remember the feeling I had the first time I sinned, after my “revelation”,  that I was forgiven.  I felt ashamed and dirty again.   I was identifying with my sin not with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.     I have to continually remind myself who I am in Jesus , so I don’t become self condemning.     When we get to Heaven we will be done with sin.  Praise God!  Until that time we will have to deal with our propensity to sin.    Shake it off!   Repent and try, try, try again.  Accept the forgiveness Jesus died to give you.  We are Made white as snow, we are new creations.   Live that  way!   Live loved!!  

No matter how unloveable you may “ feel”.  Know you are forgiven, made new and deeply loved!!

You look down you go down

 Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”   I take such comfort in this verse.   I have been, “burning the candle at both ends”again lately.   Therefore I am a bit extra tired.  When I get tired,  I  can feel a bit hopeless.     When I feel hopeless I look down.  Looking down never works well for me.  I teach skiing and snowboarding.   I tell my students, “when you look down, you go down!”  Today, let’s look up, get up and stay up.   Let’s trust God with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways to keep looking up, He will make our paths straight!!

When we judge we will be judged

 Romans 2:3 “So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think  you will escape God’s judgment?” 

Judging others often ends with me, being in a similar situation doing a similar thing that I judged someone for.  This week I am babysitting my 3 and 1 year old Grandsons.    It’s wonderful and full.    Very full, when I was a young mom, I somehow was able to mange three boys  two years apart, still keep the house, clean, work full time and get a regular exercise routine in.   Now, as grandma, the house is a mess, they are my main job and I am struggling getting any extra exercise in.  Ine main thing that is different is I am fully present with my grand boys.   I am able to enjoy each and every moment with them without worrying about, getting the not so important done.    I remember, 30plus years ago, a friend of mine babysat my kids for me for one afternoon.   When I returned, the house was a disaster, I was judgy of how she could leave me such a mess.   Today, I realize, that mess ment she was “ all in” with the kiddos.    So cool how God shows us how to see things differently if we just open our eyes.   What is He showing you?

The Lord has plans for you

 Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Sometimes things are absolutely not as I had planned.   Somethings are extremely tough.    Through it all, when I remember, God has plans for me; plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future then I find the courage to and determination to press on.    I have a saying, “Keep looking up yo keep your chin up!” May you press on today too, knowing His plans for you will work for the good.  😇💪🙏

Be careful with your inner circle

 Romans 1:12 “that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith…..,,,,,32 “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”   These two verses make me think of how important choosing friends can be.  I n AA we have a fellowship of people whom desire to quit drinking.   I need that fellowship for many reasons.  I also need the fellowship of my Christian friends. In kindergarten , my boys were taught how to pick friends; good friends are kind, generous, share, and have good citizenship… bad friends are selfish, mean, greedy, and dont share. (This is my memory from a list the kindergarten teacher handed out).  Today let’s realize how important the influence the people we hang out with are.   Many time we think we can change people by hanging with them.  Often it is the opposite.    Today, embrace the friens that are helping you go where you want to be.   Love everyone, but be careful with your inner circle.

With God all things are possible

 Mark 10:27 “Jesus looked at him and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God; all things are possible.” 

Are you facing something that seems impossible?  All things are possible with God.    I have a plaque on my wall, it states, “ Don’t tell God you have a big problem, tell your problem you  have a big God!  “.  Today, know God will work this out too.  He didnt bring you this far to drop you now.  TRUST Him in this,  He will get you through it!!

Live life to the full!!

 What a wonderful Birkie Weekend!!!  I cant believe the great conditions considering  what the Birkie team had to work with    They did an amazing  job with the snow!!!   I was able to have a fantastic ski with Tonto!! Tonto is 11.  He won the “ patriarch” award and he was only 40 seconds off first place.   If I was a better akiier he may have won.    But we togeter finished 5th over all and missed the ladies podium by 14 seconds.   Well done Tonto!!!!    I was able to Ambassador for all three days Skiing Korte at Open track, Korte Friday and full Birkie classic Saturday.  What an honor to be anle to be on the Ambassador team.  I was able to help people and cheer them all on especially as I sang  the “ Ants go marching one by one song up the hills”.  Great Birkie!!  Praise the Lord!!!   John 10:10. “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”   Go live life to the full!!

Be ready, but victory rests in the Lord!

 Proverbs 21:31 “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.”     We can prepare and we should, but our victory is through Him and Him alone!!  Go be victorious today through the powerful gift of Jesus!!

God’s got this

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

Remember; No matter what direction life goes… “ God’s got this!!”

Let your inside match your outside

 Matthew 23:26” Blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and the outside will be clean. …..28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”   In the movie 28 days, Sandra Bulluck needed to get her “inside” to match her “outside” in order for the horse to respond  to her.    

We need purity of heart!!  When we seek God first (Matthew 6:33) with our full heart, we get purity of heart.   When I quit drinking, I needed to want sobriety not only to avoid consequences, but to truly embrace an alcohol free life style.   In order to do this God had to be my God not alcohol.     Over my life time, I have put many things in God’s place.   That is worshiping the created not the Creator.  Today, let’s ask God to fill us with His Holy Spirit, that we may truly want what He wants for us, firmly TRUSTING Jesus as Lord.   When Jesus is Lord, we can; accept the things we cannot change, change the things we can and have the wisdom to know the difference!   Be fit and be blessed today with purity of heart!!

A heart at peace gives life to the body

 Proverbs 14:30. “ A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”   What a great passage to describe walking in pure humility.    A heart at peace is a heart in complete TRUST that Jesus has us where He wants us even if it’s not what we had planned or had hoped for.   Envy is rooted in pride thinking we know more than God about what is best for us and our beloved.   Envy is not only wishing for what someone else has but wishing we had something different than what God has provided.    Today to be healthy and well.   Let’s enjoy what ever is and isn’t, knowing God’s plan is the perfect plan.

There is Poer in the name of the Lord

 Proverbs 18:10 “ The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”   There is power in the name of Jesus!!  Many times I simply call on His name, not a long prayer just a one word prayer, “Jesus”.      Sometimes at night when I cant sleep, I quiet my mind of everything aside from His name.  Soon I am calmed down and can rest.    “Those who call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. “.  Years ago, my uterus ruptured and as they were rushing me to the OR they called out, “Get the Clergy!”  I immediately called upon Jesus.   I said, “Jesus, I need your help!”   I was immediately surrounded by by a warm white light and a peace that surpassed all understanding.     I knew that I was on my way home to Heaven.   Then I heard a voice that said, “You cant go yet,…” I woke up in recovery room disappointed not to be in Heaven, but assured; because of Jesus, Heaven is my final destination.     Call upon the name of our Lord today no matter what trial you are facing.   The name of the Lord is a strong tower!!

Live loved this Valentines day

 John 3:16 “For God  so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Happy Valentine’s Day!!❤️.  We are each loved deeply by The Most High God!!   He knows each of us intimately and He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us.  He is with us always, even to the end of the age!!  Rest in His love today.   Sometimes, we can have unreasonable expectations on this Hallmark Holiday.  When we put our expectations on what the world tells us we should have, it can be disheartening.    When we look at what we do have in Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus,  we are full to overflowing.   Today be thankful in all things.   Embrace the never ending, always intimate love of God!   He is our best Valentine ever!!

We all become cold and miserable when we splash in the mud

 2 Corinthians 5:17 “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new has come!  19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation….21 God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 

I didn’t have to reach my Grand-boys how to slash in the mud.  They just naturally found the puddles and jumped in them.   It was just “in them” to do it.   That is the way sin is.    The first time I saw my grandson splash in the mud puddles. I thought, “It’s fun to slash, let him splash as much as he wants. He has boots on.”  Then he got really dirty,  even inside those boots. We had to go home and change and not go to the park because he would’ve gotten too cold and miserable.   That’s also the way sin is.  we can splash around in it and it can be fun for a moment, but then it’s cold and miserable.  No matter how far we fall in our sin,  all sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ. He died once and for all of our sins.  Therefore if you’re caught up in sin today, returning to the same old patterns you thought  you had conquered.   Shake it off!!  Start over, accept the forgiveness. Jesus died to give you. Walk in the your new creation,  even if you just messed up again.   You are His “new creation even when your sin is fresh.   Repent, accept the forgiveness Jesus gives you,  be reconciled!!

Shake off the dust let your peace trturn to you

 Matthew 10:12 “As you enter a home give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust of your feet when you leave that home or town.”   Shake the dust off your feet and let your peace return to you!!   There are many times when we can’t help someone.   No one is beyond God’s help!! We can pray for people and TRUST God.   This is letting your peace return to you and shaking off the dust.   God has a bigger plan, than you can see.   He is God!!

Are you listening?

 Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,  “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”…..19 “For they have not listened to my words, “ declares the Lord, “words that I sent them again and again by my servants the prophets.  And you exiles have not listened either.” declares the Lord.”

God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, to hive us hope and a future.   Many times we don’t enter into His promise, because we don’t listen and because He loves us, He cannot reward disobedience.    Where and what is God telling you through reading His word?  Are you listening and obeying? Or do you think you have a better plan than God?

Take it head on! Don't Numb out

 Proverbs 23:29 "Who has woe?  Who has sorrows? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?  30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.  31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!  32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.   33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things."   What great reasons to stay away from alcohol!!!   It’s easy to want to “numb” ourselves from the pain in this world.  What I have found, is if I take the pain on in complete awareness and TRUST God in it all.  I have PEACE in pain, not just a temporary relief that leads to more pain.   I hope this helps you today.  You may not struggle with wine, but many of us “numb” ourselves with something.

Do you turn to God or something else in your trouble?

Let His peace and Joy rule your heart

 1Thessalonians 5:15 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  16 Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Be joyful

Always!!! Happiness is fleeting Joy is a way of life.   Joy is letting the peace of God rule your heart in all situations with all people!!  John 14:27 “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.”  Take His peace and joy with you today in all you think, say and do.   This would be putting on your faith!

Bind love and faithfulness

 Proverbs 3:3. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Let love and faithfulness, never leave you!!  Often we love people only when they love us back.  We love when others are good to us.  We are faithful to when we “feel” their love for us.  These verses makes me question my love for people.  Do I show conditional or pure love, to love others?  We are to love others as Jesus loves us.  That would be putting on love and faithfulness, no matter what our beloved actions and behaviors are.   Sometimes we have to love people from afar.   We can have purity of heart towards them even if we can no longer can tolerate them in our lives.   Love and faithfulness what a beautiful way to live.   

Conquer anxiety

 Proverbs 4:25 “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.”   Fix your gaze directly before you!!!  Do the next right thing!!!    When we wallow in our past or do things we know we shouldn’t, anxiety grows.   We are all prone to; not do what we want to do and do the things we don’t want to do.   It’s our human condition.   Shake it off and try, try again.   Let your eyes look straight ahead and your gaze directly before you.   Conquer your anxiety by accepting the forgiveness Jesus died to give you and do the next right thing.   We cannot change what is done.  We cannot change even a moment ago.  We can shake it off and  keep trying!! 

Happy Groundhog Day

 Proverbs 2:1 “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as a hidden treasure 

, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  6 For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”    

Today is Groundhog Day. Will we have six more weeks of winter or will spring come early? Groundhog Day is also associated with repeating the same thing over and over, living the same day, over and over.  If we do not learn from our mistakes, we repeat them.  History repeats itself.  Let us  seek the knowledge of God, understanding and insight.  Let’s apply that to our lives, so we don’t get caught in the trap of repeating the same hurtful patterns over and over.  Happy Groundhog day!

What are you zealous about?

 Galatians 5:19 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexually immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 Idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, fractions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23, gentleness, and self control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires .   25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

Galatians 4:17 “Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good.  What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.  18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good and to be so always and not just when I am with you.”   

What are you Zellous about today?  Are you being Zealous out of people pleasing or God pleasing?   Good thing to contemplate today.

Forward in Faith

 Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him…..15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them… 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin for a short time.”   FAITH, is putting our TRUST in God fully.  As I read these verses, I am reminded to simply BELIEVE He exists and He has prepared a city for me.   When I look longingly for the past I cannot embrace the future.  Many times the allure, of my sinful nature 

Entices me to go back to old familiar ways.  This is like a dog returning to its vomit.    Familiarity is comfortable even if it’s painful.  Today, let’s put on our FAITH and press forward to the city He has prepared for us!!

Refrain from anger, do not fret

 Psalm 37:8 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath, do not fret-it leads only to evil.”

Refrain from anger, turn from wrath it leads only to evil.  Do not fret.  Wow!  How profound! You don’t have to look far to see people getting passionately angry.   When I let myself get angry and upset my emotions are easily tipped to rage.  I used to live this way.  The roar inside of me would be so loud it consumed me.  I have found it is better to seek first to understand, love people where they are and not take offense in the first place.  When I let even a sliver of anger, fret, worry and wrath in my soul it destroys  my peace. Today if I’m tempted to be angry with someone or something, I’m going to stop. Try to see their point of view, pray then leave it in God‘s very capable hands.

Stand in awe of God

 Ecclesiastes 5:7 “Much dreaming and many words are meaningless.  Therefore stand in awe of God.”    Stand in awe of God!!!  

Many times I can go into daydreaming about what I want instead of standing in awe of God.  The secret of happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.   Learn to be content,  where you are,  right here right now!    Are you able to stand in awe of God today? Or is your mind racing with much dreaming and many words?  Be inspired to stand in awe of God!!   You’ll be amazed at how BIG He shows up and how small the dreams and words become.  😇🙏

God made the good times and the bad

 Ecclesiastes 7:14 “When times are good be happy; but when times are bad consider: God has made the one as well as the other.  Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.    ……21 Do not pay attention to to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you- for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.”

“When times are good be happy and when times are bad consider God has made the one as well as the other”, how profound!   Many times our bad times take us further in understanding and depth than our good times.  Sometimes, we allow ourselves to have bad times because of the words people say.  Take heart!   Words can come quickly and are often not a pure reflection of the heart, just a temporary frustration.  The word of God assures us, we  are enough through the powerful gift of Jesus.   Let His word strengthen you today whether in good times or bad.

Put on Faith be fit for anything!

 Hebrews 11:1”Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…..6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him…….24 By faith Moses, when He had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin for a short time.”

Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter. Today, I am using it as a mirror, do I have great faith?   Many times God says, “No” or “Wait” to my prayers.   During these seasons I can “feel” a shrinking back of my faith.   How ridiculous!!! Great faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.   Great faith has us TRUST in the difficult even when we can’t possibly understand.   Today, will you leave the sins that are ensnaring you and walk boldly in the upward call of God?   May we each hold unswervingly to our faith today!!

Saved from the toilet

 Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shadow 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.”….4 He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. …..9 If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the Lord, who is my refuge-10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For  He will command His angels concerning you to gaurd you in all your ways.”      He will gaurd you in all your ways!!! Today,  my phone almost went into the toilet.  Immediately, I said, “Thank you God,  for letting my phone not go in the toilet!”  The I realized there are many times that God has helped me not go in the toilet.   Many times we can’t see,  in the moment,  His divine protection.  He takes away something that we really wanted. We don’t get the promotion.  We don’t get the house or the spouse.    We get stuck in a traffic or a long line.  Sometimes His divine protection is a divine detour.  Today, rest in whatever your divine detour is.  Rest in the shelter of the Most High!!

Assurance of Faith

 Hebrews 10:22 “ let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

Today,  may you seek God with a pure heart and full assurance of faith.  Do not feel guilty and shameful, walk in the cleansing and renewal of Jesus Christ.   What  a beautiful gift this is, complete restoration, complete health. and  wellness it is  the “powerful gift of Jesus”!!!

Are yoj being disciplined?

 Proverbs 15:9 “The Lord detests the way of the wicked but He loves those who pursue righteousness. 10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die……31 He who listens to life giving rebuke will be home among the wise.”

I am going through a season of discipline.  God is calling me to be more careful with my thoughts and actions.   Worldly desires have started to take the place of Holy desires.   My pride has been telling God what I want instead of my humility telling me to want what God wants for me.    I am thankful for a recent rebuke of one of my most treasured friends.      When I was a child I recieved a lot of discipline from “the belt”.   So it’s hard for me to recognize discipline that is not a physical pain but a correction pain.    I am praising God today that He has gotten my attention!!! Now may I pursue His direction with the same intensity I have pursued my own way.🙏.   Are you suffering consequences?   Maybe God is trying to get your attention too.   What is He calling you to do?

If I perish, I perish

 Are you facing something tough? I’m sure Esther felt exactly that.  Her response was courageous.    She decided to pray and fast and asked others to do the same, after a time of prayer and fasting she planned to act!! And if she was to perish, she’d perish!!   Are you facing a giant in your own life maybe that giant is there pacifically for a reason so that you can grow and grow closer to God be bold and courageous!   Do what you know God is telling you to do!   Don’t look back 

Give your testimony?

 Ephesians 2:4 “ But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.”  Yesterday,  I ran into a man at Walmart and somehow we ended up talking about Faith.  I told him,  how thankful I am for the forgiveness of my sins through the powerful gift of Jesus Christ.   He said, “I don’t know about the bad thing that you think you did in your past that you need forgiveness  for, but that should not condemn you.   I smiled and said “Sure, I have bad things in my past but right here right now I still struggle with sin. It’s the human condition. We all struggle with sin every day; the greed, the lust, the envy… It’s a human condition but through Jesus Christ, we keep laying it down and pressing forward to the high calling of God.  It is not by our acts we are saved.  It is by his single act of dying on the cross for us that we are saved, When we believe Jesus paid the penalty of all our sin on the cross rose again from the dead its the beginning of our true health and wellness.  My attempt at witnessing didn’t seem to produce much fruit. That’ll be up to the Holy Spirit.   I’m thankful  God gave me this random opportunity to give my testimony.

If you have a chance to share your testimony today, will you?