Anxiety verses Peace

1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has know the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?  But we have the mind of Christ.”

Last night a lady from my Bible study said, “Do you think when we get to Heaven we can give God a few suggestions about what He could do differently here on Earth?”  That would be thinking 1.  God doesn’t already know. 2. We know more than God.   3.  He’ll hear us more in Heaven than He hears us now.   There are so many  things here on Earth, I would change if I were God.  I am not God. (Thank God!) For my heath and wellness I choose to TRUST Him in all things, when I question God, my anxiety takes over, when I TRUST Him, I take on His peace.  I can not possibly understand many things.  Through it all, I choose to TRUST; He knows, and He is in  control working all things out for His glory and our good.  Remember He is God, He knows and it is right, even when it seems so wrong. 

Seek good of others above own good?

 1Corinthians 10:24 “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”   …..31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God.  33 Even as I try to please everybody in every way.   For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.”  Selfless service that honors God is rare.   In todays culture we have been taught, “ Take care of Number One!  That number one is you!”   That is not at all what this passage says, at least as I understand it.  When I intentionally do good for others when it is not at all convenient for me to do so, I can feel my selfish pride roar.  When I overcome this pride, and do what I need to do, with a good attitude, it always pays off.   Not in me getting my way, but in me knowing I did the right thing.   Today, whatever you do; do it for the glory of God.  Do not seek your own good but seek the good of others.

Will you walk in pride or selfless service today?

He is faithful even when we are not.

 Romans 3:3 “What if some did not have faith?  Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?”  Certainly not!!! We will waver in our faith all our lives because we are human and it is impossible to understand God.  He knows every star in the sky, every grain of sand, every hair on everyone’s head and every word on all of our tongues before they are even formed.  We cannot begin to fathom God.  One prayer I use is, “God I believe,  help me with my unbelief.”   His faithfulness is constant. His love for each of us is constant!!   Trust His faithfulness today!!

Fight the good foght, finish the race, keep the faith

 2Timothy4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  This verse says it all!!   Fight the good fight of righteousness.  Do what is right.  Keep trying even when you are weary.  Finish what you start.   Keep the faith above all!!  Stay in hope, trusting the Lord even if your race doesn't turn out the way you think it should,  finish it.  Finish strons know He who began a good work in you will see you through to the end!!  Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith!!

People pleasing verses God pleasing

 Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”   I can be a people pleaser, and attention seeker .   I look for accolades from others to help me feel good about myself.  This people pleasing, looking for approval from my fellowman can take the place of looking for approval from God.   If my hope is truly in God, then my focus will be unity with Him above all.  Today, let’s seek God  “likes” verses man’s.  If my confidence is in getting man’s “ likes” I become drained and weak, weary and faint because those “likes” are fleeting.   Only the Lord can provide true strength!  Let’s put all our hope in Him today and soar like eagles 🦅!!!

Happy Easter!

 Luke 24:45 “Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49. I am going to send you what my Father has promises; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from in on high.”   

Happy Resurrection Sunday!! Lord please open each of our minds that we can understand the scriptures and fill us with the power from on high!! Thank you Father for Jesus our Hope and Life!!

John 16:33 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. Inthis world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Hope

 Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”   This is the perfect verse for the Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday!!   It’s the perfect verse for each of us in so many ways.   We all have struggles that take time, wait patiently on the Lord.   Watch in hope for the Lord!! Wait for God our Savior, He hears our every prayer 🙏.   He will rise, we will rise!!

Good Friday

 John 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”   In the garden, before He was crucified Jesus. prayed for us!! He continues to intercede for us daily!!   Yesterday, we went to a moving Maundy service.   It was on John 17.  If you can take ghe tkmeto read and reflect on that chapter. Jesus, knows and loves each of us intimately.   This is imparative to remeber in our Christian health and wellness.   We are loved!!! Take this eternal love and truly live your brother and sister today.   Let us be one!! As the Father, son and Holy Spirit are One.  May your Good Friday be reflective today. 😇❤️🙏

Dont do anything that will make ypur brother stumble

 Romans 14:21 “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”   Holidays can be very difficult for people that har issues with over eating or over drinking.   This Easter, try to let your behavior encourage others, not hinder them.   Happy Holy Week!!

Faith when petrified

 Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.    Even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death…..Have you ever been petrified with fear?   Yesterday I was.   We were hiking on a trail in AZ.   My friend heard a rattle and said, “that sounds like a rattler”.  I yelled out, Bob! There is a snake-by your feet!. He jumped back and the snake slithered away.  He said, “It’s safe the snake is curled up now under the tree.”   I didn’t want  to go close, but decided to trust my friend since he knows the dessert.   When I got close, I heard a huge amount of rattling in the tall grass to the side of the trail.   I yelled out, “ We have to get out of  here!”   We both took off and I stated quoting Psalm 23.   If you are in fear today.  May Psalm 23 comfort you too!

True forgiveness heals

 Matthew 18:35 “This is how my Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”   Do you have someone you need to forgive?   Forgive from your heart and you will be healed!   

Be strong and Courageous ! For tge Lord your God is with you wherever you go!!

 Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”   Be strong and courageous today!!! The Lord your God is with you!!! Do you know what you need to do, yet lack the courage to address it with your full heart and your full fight?   We are not called to be cowards, we are called to be courageous!!! If you know it’s God’s will … go get it!!   What is the worse that can happen? You have miss read God’s will and it won’t work out the way you hoped.   So what.   You were courageous and God is still with you!!

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!