Having nothing yet possessing everything!

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

Safe in His arms

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

Designed on Purpose!!

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

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

Be Authentic!

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

A glance becomes a gaze

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

Persevere

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

Heed the warnings

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