Amen

Driving in my car today and listening to the radio I heard a song entitled 'Let the Church Say Amen'.  The lyrics are simple.  The chorus simply states, 'Let the church say Amen.  Let the church say Amen.  God has spoken, let the church say Amen'.  It made me think about the times in my life when God spoke something into my spirit and I doubted Him.  I didn't trust Him.  Instead I moved ahead of His plan causing disaster.  This song made me think of the verse that I quote to myself often.  "He who began a good work in you will carry it unto the day of its completion. (Phil. 1:6)  I have to keep reminding myself that I am a work in progress.  There is no need for me to worry about what my future holds because I know who is in control of my future. 

Now I know that some of you reading this may be saying that God doesn't speak to you.  What about the promises written in His Word?  The ones that were written for us to read during those times where we are wondering if God is listening.  Those times when we are wondering if God really cares.  When we are questioning God and asking Him if He has forgotten you.  The problem may not be that God isn't speaking to you.  It may be that you aren't spending any time with Him or being still enough to hear Him speak.  There is never a time when I read God's Word that it doesn't speak to me.  In fact if there is anyone in my life that wants the ultimate best for me it is God and He left His Word to remind me.  All I have to do is "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you". (Matt. 6:33)

So what does the word Amen mean?  Amen is simply a declaration of affirmation. It affirms what is true.  It affirms that something said is of absolute certainty.  Let's think about this for a minute.  When you pray what do you say at the end?  AMEN.  What are some of the things you say when you pray?  Lord you are awesome!  You are worthy!  There is no one like You!  I believe that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I can ask or think.  Lord I am placing IT (whatever IT may be)  in Your capable hands.  My finances, my marriage, my health, my job, my children, my safety, my protection....in Your capable hands.  You ask for healing, peace, joy.  Lord, Your will be done.  And then you say AMEN.   All these things said with absolute certainty that God will do it.  So my next question is this, "Why are you worrying?"  All things are working out for your good.  But you have to spend time with the Father.  You have to submit to His will and to His way.  You must have confidence in the Savior, praying with expectancy.  Anticipation.  Ask yourself one last question: 'Do your actions take seriously God's will and instruction?  Saying AMEN is  a personal commitment of trust in God.  That means making His priorities your priorities.  It's saying yes to doing things God way.  The time has come to allow It's time to start living a life of AMEN.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being patient with me.  I having done the best job in submitting to Your will and to Your way.  I haven't been praying with expectancy.  Instead I have been doubting Your ability to handle my situation in Your time and in Your way.  Please forgive me.  Lord, increase my faith.  Help me to be a steward on Your Word, trusting and abiding in it.  When my time becomes to busy, help me to prioritize and put You first above everything else.  I realize that only when I do that will everything else fall into place.  In Jesus' Most Wonderful Name Amen. 

Love

Love a word that comes and goes, but few people really know what it means to really love somebody....Kirk Franklin

Every day hundreds of relationships are destroyed. Friendships, marriages, families. Although I have never read any statistical information, I have my own thoughts about why this happens. I believe that most people (including myself) have a misconception about what real love is. We believe we know how we want others to love us without checking how we love them. Too often we find ourselves wanting something from others that we aren't willing to give. We become frustrated with our spouses, our friends and and our family members. Hold grudges. Don't forgive. The result - a destroyed relationship.

So what does the Bible say about love. There is one verse that immediately came to mind while I was sitting listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8  A simple verse with a powerful message.  The first thing I take from this verse is that loves is selfless.  To truly love someone you must give of yourself expecting nothing in return.  Personally, I have found this difficult to do at times.  Too often I find myself asking, "What's in it for me?"  I wonder what the results of our relationships would be today if both people involved (spouses, sisters, brothers, friends) spent more time being distributors of God's love what the world would look like.  God didn't wait to send His Son after we had gotten our lives together. He knew that in and of ourselves, we would never get there.  Have you ever stopped to think that the person you are getting so frustrated with is doing the best he or she can?  In fact, that person is just like you and how You are with God.  Over and over again we disappoint Him and after everything He has done for you.  It's not just about what He did in the past.  It's about what He is doing right now and will do in the future.  It's about unconditional love.    Have you ever stopped and asked yourself what if God would have just given you?  If not, take a moment right now and think about it.  As a Christian we should be more about self-evaluation and improvement.  We must allow the blood of Jesus to continue to clean us from within.  Stop being so quick to point the finger, pointing out the flaws of others.  Instead forgive more.  Love without expecting anything in return.  When Jesus walked this very earth, there were times He spoke.  But His most valuable example was how He lived.  Let  that be your lesson.  Real, true love is not only selfless but it's about action.  It doesn't sit around waiting for the other person to move.  It's more about doing what is right. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending your darling Son Jesus to die on the fact for my sins.  Thank You that even thought  I continue to mess up, You continue to forgive me.  You love me in spite of my faults.  Help me to be more loving with a love that is patient, kind, does not envy, is not puffed up.  Help me to forgive.  It's not about me but it's about letting Your light shine for others to see.  Help me to move self out of the way.  I realize that because I am bringing this to You, Satan is going to come up against.  When that happens, help me to respond the way You responded when tempted, with the Word.  Lord, I just want to be better.  Thank You already for answering my prayer.  I believe that it is already done.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.



Peace Be Still

Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Mark 4:38

Sometimes I cannot seem to quiet the voices inside my head.  There is so much going on in my life right now.  I'm going through changes. Transitions...is what I like to call it.  It's the time in my life when I'm about to move to another level.  How do I know this?  Experience. I can feel the stretching and the growing pains.  I can feel the bad behaviors being broken.  I can see people shifting out of my life.  I catch myself trying to hold on to things that God is telling me to let go.  The experience is actually amazing.  Yet and still, I'm a little afraid.  Who wouldn't be afraid of the unknown?  It would be so much better if this could happen without me having to go through the storm. 

There is, however, one blessed assurance I have and that is that God is right here with me riding through this storm.  It doesn't matter how strong the winds get, if water gets in the boat. I won't capsize.  Let the thunder and lightening come.  God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.  I am not going to drown because my soul has been anchored in Jesus.  At times I feel like the disciples crying out, "Master, carest thou not that I am about to perish."  Even though I know in my heart that this is not the case, that negative spirit of doubt still has a way of sneaking in some time.  I believe that just like the disciples there are times when God just wants to try our faith.  The test is not meant to frighten us but instead it is meant to prompt us to pray.  Even when we are experiencing doubt about our future, our security should come from knowing that God has the situation under control. Jesus was sleeping on the boat in the middle of a major storm.  And when the disciples woke him up, He still did not panic.  He simply spoke to the storm and the winds and the waves obeyed Him.  What a mighty God we serve!  I don't know how many times I have to tell myself that it is not about what I see but it's about the God I serve.  Situations in my life are just temporary.  Ask yourself one question.  'Has God ever let you down?'  I don't even know you and I can answer that question for you.  The answer is "No".  He may not come when you want Him but He is always on time.  There is not a detail of your life that God is not aware of, even those parts we try to hide from Him.  He sees our pain even when we wear a smile.  He knows that you are worried.  Those nights you stay up wondering what that pain is that you have been feeling the past few weeks but have been too afraid to go to the doctor.  He knows those nights you lie awake wondering where you are going to get the money to pay that bill.  He knows you are wondering about your relationship, worried about your children.  All these things the Father knows and He is speaking to your spirit and saying, "Peace be still."  You just have to trust Him.  Right now you are at a crossroads.  Either you are gioing to let fear overtake you or you are going to exercise your faith and stand firmly on the rock.  The choice is yours. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

There is just so much noise inside my head right now.  I want to believe that everything is going to be okay but right now I must admit that I am not sure.  I need reassurance Lord.  I need Your wisdom.  Show me the way to go.  Help me to go through this process without grumbling, leaning and depending on You.  I trust You Lord.  Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.  I submit to Your will.  Even in the midst of the storm I will continue to give You all the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Just A Glimpse

Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!" Exodus 33:18

Driving home from church today I happened to glance up into the sky.  The morning started with the sky kind of overcast but coming home as I looked into the sky I saw just a glimpse of sunlight.  As I sat at the light the Lord spoke to my spirit and said "Daughter I know that things in your world seem to be ever changing but always remember that all you need during those dreary, overcast days is a 'glimpse of my glory'.  Just a reminder of who I am and what I have done in your life.  A reminder that I have all power and that I am everything that you need in all situations.  Those next few moments in my drive home were awesome, simply basking in the presence of the Lord. 

Have you ever had an experience like that one?  I know how easy it can be to get so wrapped up in the situation that we miss that small ray of light that shows us just who our Father truly is. Isn't it just amazing how just a glimpse of the glory of God can change your life. I can recall many times when by human standards my situation seemed impossible but my Heavenly Father said "No, I have the final say. This is not the way I want the story to end."  There were many times when I had been told by God to stand my ground. Don't give in.  Be still.  Hold my peace.  Each and every one of these times I felt as though I was in the minority.  It would have been much easier to move in a different direction.  But my faith wouldn't let me.  I wanted to be the person of faith I professed to be, trusting God in every situation.  Each and every time when I was on the verge of giving up and giving in I can remember praying this prayer, "Lord show me your glory."  And even in those times when I was too weak to call on the name of the Lord, He still remained faithful.  He never left me out on a limb by myself.  I know at times it may seem like you are out there all alone.  Trusting God in the midst of an impossible situation.  I just want to encourage you to remember one thing, "With God all things are possible."  Just believe.  When the deepest desire in us, is not what God can give us, or His granting a favor, but God Himself, we cross over from self-focus to God focus.  And I am learning that is what it is really about.  Lord I just want to be used by you.  Every life experience I have had has drawn me closer to God and I am grateful.  It is not about me.  So even during those times when I can't see past my situation, I know that I can go to the Rock.  It is in God that I have a firm foundation.  It is in God that I find safety and rest knowing that everything is going to be alright.  Whatever you may be going through right now in your life, I dare you to take your eyes off the situation and focus your attention on God.  I promise you that it will be a life-changing experience.

Most gracious heavenly Father,

Right now I am surrounded by uncertainty.  I don't like it when my world is in such a state of flux.  Lord I need You to be my Solid Rock, that place I can go to when I need reassurance and hope.  I realize that You have a purpose and a plan for my life and that You will not lead me to a place where You are not with me.  Help me to lean and depend on You during these times.  I'm asking You to show me Your glory.  I need to see Your hand in the midst of my situation.  Just a glimpse, O heavenly Father.  I know that with just a glimpse everything will be alright.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

What's Your Handicap?

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  II Corinthians 12:9

Walk on any golf course in America and you will hear a conversation that goes something like this.  "What's your handicap?"  The answer would be numerical.  That same conversation in most American homes when speaking about someone's handicap would have a negative connotation.  The only positive most people get out of being handicapped is the close parking space at Walmart.  I want to challenge you today to look at things a little differently.  Instead of automatically looking down on yourself because of what your or others may view as a handicap, view your handicap as an opportunity for God to show up and be glorified.  Maybe you have been praying about something, asking God to remove something that you see as a deficiency.  Perhaps you have been praying fervently as Paul did in the twelfth chapter of II Corinthians for God to make a change.  Instead He says, "My grace is sufficient.  So that you won't make the mistake of thinking that you accomplished something on your own, I am going to leave the handicap and show you just how powerful I am."   Paul's prayer and God's response shows as that we are not to expect as a matter of fact that all our prayers will be literally answered, and that we should not be disappointed or disheartened if they are not.

Have you ever had that situation were you had already determined in your mind what God was going to do?  So much so that you did not recognize God at work when it happened.  As a  matter of fact you  were so set on your answer that you failed to thank God for what He did do.  Instead of removing you from the bad job, He sustained you.  Instead of allowing you to get a divorce, He honored your prayer and changed the heart of your husband or your wife and kept your family together.  Instead of healing your loved one, He allowed Your family to grow stronger together and you to become more resilient.  In situations like these I remind myself that my Heavenly Father knows best.  He sees the big picture.  He knows what we need better than we do.  He also knows what we have inside of us even when we want to give up on ourselves.  It is important for us to keep our faith in God.  The grace that Paul talks about in the verse above signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort us in all afflictions and distresses.  There is not a time when we are weak that we cannot go to the Savior and pull from His strength.  It's available to you.  Accept it.  Stop putting limits on a limitless God.  He has everything you need.  The next time the solution doesn't seem to be what you want, trust that it is absolutely what you need.  Why?  Because it comes from God. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I just want to take the time to tell You thank You for Your Grace, for it is truly all I need.  I know that there have been times that I have complained that You have not answered my prayer.  I know that is not true because in Your Word you tell me to come to You with my every need.  Thank You for not always giving me what I asked for but instead giving me what I needed.  Help me to seek Your face in all situations and know that even though it may seem as times that I may be lacking in one area, it is Your grace and power within me that allows me to stand.  Thank you for answering my prayer.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Control

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  Matthew 6:33

I am having a bit of a dilemma today.  I am trying to figure out why it is so difficult for me to give up control and allow God to completely lead my life. I have gotten to the point that I can do this in most areas but in some areas it is just hard.  I know the Father knows what is best for me.  In His providence He has already laid out the provision based on His promise.  Yet and still I find myself involving myself a little too much in the life that I surrendered to the Lord twenty-five years ago.  Now some of you may be reading this wondering what I am talking about.  Maybe you haven't looked at it this way.  Basically what I am talking about is the level of faith I have varies based on certain parts of my life. When I am sick or a family member becomes sick, I have strong faith.  But in the area of finances sometimes my faith is a little shaky.  There are times I lie awake at night wondering how I am going to make ends meet.  There are times I  have a hard time keeping my mouth closed and letting my husband lead because I think I know what is best.  But if I am praying for God  to lead him and I know that God got us then why am I worried.  Control is a funny thing.  I remember as a child I couldn't wait to grow up so that I could have control of my life and now I wonder what was I thinking.  How much better my life was when my parents were taking care of everything.  I remember my mom giving me her tithes when she was sick and couldn't make it to church.  There were times were we didn't have a lot but she always gave God His first.  And even in the roughest times we never went without. I know now that it was nothing but God providing for us.

I have been thinking alot about God's divine order.  You see, in the beginning when God created the heaven and the earth He had a 'divine order'.  First He created man and then He created woman.  Now we can make all the jokes we want about how He created woman because He made a mistake with man among other things but at the end of the day, we were designed to be our mates helpmate.  But let me back up a moment.  Before He gave man a helpmate He made him responsible over all the living things.  In other words He gave Him a job so that He might provide for His family.  We find out about this in the book of Genesis and as I look at the world today I see how far we have gotten away from this.  The verse above is one that I quote on a regular basis especially when I find myself worrying about different things.  In this verse we are reminded once again about God's Divine Order.  First and foremost, we are to seek Him first.  Before you get out of bed, say Good morning to your spouse or your kids,  talk to anyone at work, we are to commune with our Heavenly Father.  Ask Him what His plan is for us on this day.  Praying for wisdom, direction, discernment.  Asking him to let no ill word come out of our mouth except what is good for building up.  (I can't tell you how many unnecessary arguments I could have avoided if I had done just this one thing.)  Instead I am hardheaded, thinking I can make it on my own.  Silly me to think that there are situations that I don't need to Lord to guide me.  And what about you.  What areas have you not given over to the Lord completely, making your life more difficult than it needs to me?  Make a list and then ask God to help you to turn those things over to Him.  One thing that I have found is that the instructions we receive from God are always for our benefit.  He never intended for us to go through life so stressed out and worried all the time.  Yes we will have trials and tribulations but when he trust Him and have faith even those don't seem as bad.  The next time you find yourself worrying about tomorrow stop and ask yourself have you given that problem over to God. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for just being God. I find myself learning new meanings of what that means daily.  Whether you are my Provider, my Rock, my Waymaker, my Confidante,  I realize that You have been everything I need.  Help me to rely more on You.  Let me not lean unto my own understanding.  I believe that You know what is best for me.  Help me to walk in the path that You have laid out for me.  When I am tempted to try and take back control, remind me that there is no need.  You got this!  I will forever give Your name the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

God's Replenishment Plan

Have you ever felt drained?  I mean felt like you have given everything you have inside you to everyone around you wondering now who is going to be there for you.  Who is going to provide that shoulder for you to cry on, that listening ear?  Who is going to be that person who provides you with a place to refill your bucket.  I recall discussing a theory called the Dipper and the Bucket Theory in my Human Relations in Training and Development Course last semester.  The quick version of the theory is as follows:  We all have an invisible bucket.  It is constantly emptied or filled based on  the people within our inner circle.  We also have an invisible dipper.  We use this to fill or empty out the buckets of those same people who are in our inner circle.  The problem with this theory is that it never balances out.  In the real world alot of us give out more than we receive and we fill empty.  So much so that every now and then we decide that we are not going to give anymore.  We are tired  of  people taking advantage of us.  Just the other day I was feeling that way.  Tired of the people who are selfish and so self-centered, never really taking the time to really ask how I am doing.  Take, take, take.  What person wouldn't get tired of that?

But let's look at this from a different perspective.  How many of you believe that you have a God-given talent?  And what if that gift is the gift of encouragement?  So do you stifle that gift or bury it as the one did with the talents never to use it because of you getting tired of  people taking advantage of you. I must say that the power of God to reveal a different part of Himself just when you need it is awesome.  As I sat at my desk frustrated at people's inability to care about what is going on in my life I read the following:

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (II Corinthians 9: 7-8, 10)

And then I read:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble we the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  (II Corinthians1:3-4)

Thank you Lord for Your Word!  I couldn't have asked for a more timely word.  It was through the word that I was reminded that this life I live is not about me.  It's about God using someone like me and you so that He can get the glory. It may feel like at times that you have given everything you have to someone else. But when you realize that it was God that deposited your gift in you then you can give freely to others.  Not only that but you can have blessed assurance knowing that whatever you give and give freely and generously, God is there to replenish your supply.  That plan is better than any return on your investment I have ever seen.  It's alright to give, even to the point that you are close to being on empty, knowing that God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'.  Hold fast to that promise and when you feel that you want to give up, fix your eyes on Jesus.  Let Him be that shoulder, that ear, that friend in the midnight hour.  He is there to be all you need and more. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to you on this day thanking You for being a God of comfort.  The only God who sees my need even before I am aware and has already provided the provision.  I thank You for Your faithfulness.  Even in those times when I become more wrapped up in the situation than in serving You, you still remain faithful.  Thank You for your replenishment process.  I can rest assured knowing that what You have deposited in me, You will continue to supply.  I just can't say thank you enough for all You continue to do for me.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Gossip

"Let the words of my mouth and the medication of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord, my strength and my Redeemer".  Psalm 19:14

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences". Proverbs 18:21

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips"!  Psalm 141:3

"An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends." Proverb 16:28(Living)


"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear".  Ephesians 4:29


Have you ever been around a person and just about everything that comes out of his or her mouth is about someone else?  Now as you are thinking about the answer to that question.  Remember that as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we must always look first in the mirror before turn around and look at someone else.  So let's be truthful for a minute. Is that person you?  If it is take a minute and read the verses above one more time.  I love the way God uses the Word to cut us to prune away the things that are not like Him.  Just last week the preacher preached on "the tongue" and as I was reading my prayer devotional this morning I literally laughed out loud when I saw the title was "Gossip".  So many times we open up our mouths to talk without thinking, uttering careless words that we cannot take back.  Have you ever stopped to think about how many lives you have ruined just because you decided to share a piece of information about someone else? And how many friendships have you damaged because one friend confides in you and you go and tell another friend that has no real ties to the other person. Or better yet, you are that friend who just thrives on talking about other people's misery.  Every time someone mentions a name you have a story to tell even if it was from ten years ago.  Now don't get me wrong there are true friends that you can share something with and time has revealed that they will keep that confidence and pray with you in agreement for that other person.  Let me assure you that the percentage  of those individuals is very small.  Thank God I know someone that sticks closer than a brother who I can tell all my deepest secrets and know that they will never be repeated.

The older I get the more I am learning that I have enough business in my own life to always be worried about someone else.  I am also learning how I don't really have tolerance for others who seem to get pleasure out of always talking about other people.  That is just the convicting power of the Holy Spirit helping to keep my mind focused on other things.  So let's look at what the Word has to say about these things.  First of all it talks about how 'death and life are in the power of the tongue'.  This means that the so-called harmless words that you speak can do much more damage than you realize causing harm to the innocent.  We all fall into the trap of what starts out as an innocent conversation and then before you know it we are either listening or talking about someone else.  That in itself is not so bad if we acknowledge that it is wrong and redirect the conversation back to words that build others up instead of tearing them down.  As a Christian shouldn't it be our job especially to stay away from that type of conversation.  Absolutely!  And if this is a place where you are weak, it is simply a matter of asking God to help you to overcome this sin.  Bridle my tongue dear Lord!  The problem has always been that we place degrees on sin.  Gossip is not as bad as murder.  Gossip is not as bad as adultery.  Gossip is not as bad as drinking or doing drugs.  You know why most people say this?  Because murder, adultery, drinking and doing drugs are things that you can see while gossip is something that the most dressed up Sunday go-to-meeting individual can do in secret right after singing the morning hymn.  But let me set the record straight, a sin is a sin is a sin.  God frowns on them all. 

So the bottom line is that we have to get better.  If you are a person who finds yourself always talking about others from the pulpit to the back pew, ask God to forgive you.  If you are a person who feels that you are better because you don't talk about people all the time but you listen to what others have to say about other people, it's time to ask God for forgiveness.  I have always wondered how much better off the body of Christ would be if we spent more time encouraging and praying for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ instead of talking about them.  What an awesome experience of the power of God we would experience!  Truth be told we all go through things and we all sin and fall short of the glory of God.  Just because one person's sin might become public information doesn't mean that any one of us gets to escape the final judgment of the sins we commit in private when we will held accountable for everything that we have done.  I don't know about you but I would like that time to be as short as possible so that I can hurry up and spend time with my Lord and Savior to thank Him face to face for everything that He did for me.  For when we all get to heaven, what a time, what a time, what a time!

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to You today first of all thanking You for the revealing power of the Word.  That same Word that is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.  I come to You today asking for forgiveness.  Once again I opened my mouth to speak before I thought, talking behind someone's back.  Give me the strength and courage to ask for forgiveness.  I realize the damage that gossip can do.  Help me not to get caught up in the snares of others who are gossiping.  Help me to build up the lives of others instead of slowly chiseling and breaking them down.  Fill my thoughts with things that are good and right. Let everything I do and say be pleasing in Thy sight.  In the Wonderful Name of Jesus I pray Amen. 

Life's Lesson

"Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10

Once again God has shown me that He does not need my help.  There I was pulling out my best moves trying to get things to go my way and all the while I just needed to trust God.  Ever been there?  When are we finally going to get it that our ability is limited, so why not turn things over to a limitless God.  I can try all day to fight my own battles but it is not until I turn them over to God is He able to do 'exceedingly and abundantly above all I could ever ask of think'.  What do I mean?  Who reading this has not experienced people problems?  This could be your husband, your wife, your boss, your parent, your grandparent, a friend.  You try and try to change this person.  After all, you know the right way things should be done.  So you go back and forth trying different techniques to no avail.  It is not until you pray about the situation and for that individual do things start to change.  It may appear at times that things are better but then after a while things go back to the same madness.  Why is this?  Because only God can bring about a heart change,  a permanent change. 

So what do you do?  Human nature has taught us that we must always be busy.  That if something is wrong we need to do something about it.  Maybe that thing we need to do is absolutely nothing.  Finances not right so we go and take out loans or we get second jobs that take us away from our family.  If you are having a marital conflict we seek solutions in a friend or another man or woman.  Craziness on the job occurs and what do we do, we try to control the situation.  We start looking for another job or we become just as much a part of the craziness.  We forget that when we allow God to be in control that He will either give us what we need to sustain us through the turmoil or He will remove the problem person out of our path.  I have seen Him do much but it was not until I learned to "Be still".  Have you ever stopped and marveled at the names of God.  Jehovah Jirah, my Provider.  Jehovah Nissi, my Banner, Jehovah Shaloam, my Peace, Jehovah Rapha - my Healer.  And this is just a few of His names. Why am I telling you this?  Because the next time you feel the urge to step in with your limitless power to handle a situation beyond your control, DON"T.  Let God be God!  Allow Him to handle the situation for you.  I guarantee if you do you won't regret it.  You will be able to 'Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord'.  When Satan tries to attack your mind you will be able to fight back with the Word of God just the way Jesus did Himself when He was tempted by the devil.  Never forget there is a war going on and it is not against flesh and blood.  Ever heard the saying, 'don't bring a knife to a gun fight'.  Go ahead and try to fight Satan with human power.  You will be defeated everytime.  Put on the whole armor and give it to God and you will be victorious.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you Lord because You provide everything I need.  And thank You Father because it is not just about the tangible needs but the intangible needs, peace of mind and joy.  Help me to avoid the natural tendency I have to control and try to fix things.  Let me bring all my problems to you knowing that You can and will work them out.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

My Gift To You

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Isaiah 26:3

 

When trouble seems to be all around you, what do you do?  Seriously, take a moment and think about what your normal practice is when life gets chaotic.  Need a few examples...your spouse is acting up, the children have taken an unexpected turn in the behavior category, your job becomes unstable and a place of normal confusion.  There was a time when you enjoyed life.  Yes, it may have had ups and downs but lately chaos has become the norm.  I recall a time like that in my life.  In fact the case could be made that my life was teetering fast toward that direction again.  But then I remembered something, God is not the author of confusion.  In fact in one of his last conversations with His disciples He told them that there was no need to become agitated with the mundane cares of this world because He was giving us a gift -- PEACE.  And right now other than salvation I can think of no better gift from my Savior.  Just knowing that when  the very life I have come to know and love takes an unexpected turn I can go to God and ask for peace and He will give it to me. 

 

So what makes this peace different from the world's peace?  First of all, God's peace is eternal.  Make a list of those things generally thought of to bring peace right now in your life.  Money, status, a job, material things.  But what happens when those things are gone?  Do you still have peace or is your life filled with anxiety and worry?  The peace that God gives provides a calm that even when those things are gone you can go to sleep at night knowing that the Almighty God who sits high and looks low is looking out for you.  That is why there is no need to worry about tomorrow.  Tomorrow will worry about itself.  (Matthew 6:34) After all what does worrying get you but stressed out and trying to control things that you really have no control over.  Take people for example.  Can you control people?  If you can then tell me your secret.  Last week I found myself becoming more and more upset about the actions of someone else.  There I was allowing Satan to steal my peace and my joy, over the behavior of another person.  How many times had I told friends and family...stop giving that person control over you.  My friends who are reading this can attest to this.  What a convenient distraction.  The more I thought about the actions of this individual, the less I thought about God.  My mind was not fixed on Jesus. 

 

What else about God's peace makes it such a precious gift?  God's peace is internal.  God's peace is unmoved by external changes.  So your money runs out and you lose your job.  Because the peace that God gives is not linked to 'things' it is not affected by them.  Close friends turn their back on you...no worries.  he is a friend that sticks closer than any brother.  He is the best confidante.  When you tell your secrets to Him you don't have to worry about them going anywhere else.  God's peace provides tranquility of the soul, an uninterrupted happiness of the mind.  And I don't know about you but I'll take that over 'things' any day.  Just knowing what faith in God will do. 

 

So today I have a challenge for you.  My word for 2011 has been and still is self-evaluation.  In what ways can I become a better Christian, living a life that glorifies God in everything I do?  At the beginning I asked what your normal practice was when faced with chaotic times.  Some of you reading this may have said "pray and look to God".  But if you are anything like me, most of you probably said something like, 'try to control the situation, try to fix things, stress out, worry'.  Have those things gotten you anywhere?  Probably not!  So today, make a list of all the things that are causing your to stress out and worry and one by one give them to God.  Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus".  God did not mean for us to worry.  He wants nothing more than to give you peace and the only price you have to pay is a heart and mind that is stayed on Him.

 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

 

I come to You today giving you praise, honor and glory for Your wonderful gift of peace.  In times like these when it seems that everyday Satan is trying his hardest to bring a little bit of hell on earth to my life, I thank You for that peace that surpasses all my understanding.  No matter what my mind may conceive that You are able to do, You are able to do so much more.  Thank you for loving me enough for giving of yourself so generously.  I love You Lord.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.