We can know… it’ll be okay

1Corinthians 2:9 "However, as it is written: " No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him".  We all have storms in life.   In order to weather the storms we have to TRUST God is sovereign.   We cannot possibly understand the difficult or the miraculous but we can TRUST!!   Be encouraged to walk in faith today.   Keep His word in your heart let it guide all you think, say and do!

Stay determined!

Ruth 1:18 "When Naomi realized Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her."  When I first quit drinking some people would still encourage me to; "just have one" They stopped when they realized I was determined not to drink.    Even now if I meet new people, they may at first encourage me to have a drink with them, until they realize I am determined to not to drink.   Conviction is respected.   If I waiver on my convictions I can be like a wave tossed in the ocean.  Today I am convicted to have be Jesus as my strongest conviction!!! When people see I am determined to follow Him, they don't actively continue to tempt me to go a different direction.    Stay determined to fight the good fight of faith today!!

Get out there!!

 1Peter 4:7 "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self- controlled  so that you can pray.  8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.   10 Each one should use whatever gift he has to serve others, faithfully administering God's  grace in its various forms. ".  The weekend is here!   For many of us that means we have the opportunity to  be more social.   I enjoy the comfort of isolation too much.  If I am living in the comfort of isolation,  then I am not sharing the gifts God has given me.  Often,  I have to show up to events by myself.  I have to intentionally get out of my comfort zone and be vulnerable.  Sometimes when I get out there amongst the crowd I really don’t make any connections.   This can feel like rejection.    God never  rejects us and He is the rewarded of those who diligently seek Him.   So this weekend I plan to go try, try,try again to get out of my comfort zone and use my gifts for Jesus.  What will you do with your gifts this weekend and beyond?

Pride

Psalm 119:169 "May my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word."    Today I am confronted with my tremendous pride.   My pride has kept me from enjoying my life to the full.   My pride says I should seek  approval.  Problem is I seek approval from man more than from God.   Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Fear of death

Romans 6:8 "Now if we die with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him.  9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him."   John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live even though he dies.”     Death of our beloved or the fear of our own deaths can be paralyzing.   I know both.   The only thing big enough to deal with death is Jesus!!!  When I choose to focus on the promise of Jesus I don’t have to be paralyzed.   

Godliness with CONTENTMENT!

1Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain."   Yesterday I was feeling a bit empty.  My day was full of fun and friends but still I was struggling with emptiness.  I was looking at lack and not being content with what I have.    So crazy because I have so much.  Someone pointed out that I was struggling with not being good enough on my own.   At first I thought, “no I have Jesus.   That’s not true.   I know I am complete in Him.”   But do I?   I looked at myself and I am realizing that instead of being content with the many blessings God has given me I'm focusing on the things I think I want that I don't have and blame God for not providing.  I let a lack of trust divide me from my confidence in Him because He is not giving me what I think would be best.   Therefore I am living in worldliness not godliness and the result is emptiness.   So crazy that I can read my bible most days and still go down the wrong path of thinking.  Today, I will rest in being content in christ Jesus.    1 Timothy 6:6 “But, Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Foreign land?

Proverbs 4:14 "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the ways of evil men."   Yesterday, the sermon focus  was  on the prodigal son.   The pastor warned us not to go walking in the " foreign land".  We each have our own alluring "foreign land".   Sometimes even  our friends from church can be inviting us into behaviors that lead us to the" foreign land".   We have to be careful and discerning at all times.    Getting attention and camaraderie from people is immediate gratification.  Gods ways are often not immediately rewarded.   Be strong and of good courage!!   No matter how comfortable the group sin is it's still a "foreign land".   I'm so thankful no matter how many times I drift off, into the ways of the world instead of the ways of God.   He opens His arm and welcomes me as a lost sheep who has been found!!! Praise the Lord!!! Oh how He loves us!!! No matter what!!