Friday, July 31, 2009

The Gift of Hope

"No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts His praises!
My body rests in hope.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence."
Acts 2:26-28 NLT

What would we have if we didn't have hope? Especially in this time period, it seems that hope is even more important. In this instance, hope means: "to place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good".

God is such a gracious God that He has given us gifts that have no monetary value. We can't touch them or sell them or even trade them. We just need to accept them with the graciousness in which they are offered to us. What a Father is He!

This weekend, why don't you try to be hopeful? I know that in these trying times, being hopeful may seem an impossible achievement, but you can. If you have put your heart and soul into the hands of your Father in Heaven, you can be 100% hopeful for your today, your tomorrow and your future. Just try it--I bet Monday may look 100% better than you ever dreamed!

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Spiritual Attitude

"Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 16:18 NLT

In the Noah's Webster Dictionary, the word "haughty" means: disdain; arrogance.

There will be times in your life when God will put you in a place that you are not going to like or be comfortable in. You may even be in a place where you feel is beneath you--but there you are.

How you do it--your spiritual attitude--will define the effect. You may think, "O.K., since I'm told to do this, I'm going to, but I don't like it. I'll show them." It's kind of like having a spiritual tantrum. And even though you think that you are hiding these feelings of anger, hurt, etc.--news flash--you're not. It leaks out by your words, your demeanor, your actions, your choices--your haughtiness. Stop it!

Another word close to haughtiness is bitterness. You think you are entitled to not have to be where you are at the moment, and because you are there, you can become bitter. Bitter against the people, situation, that has put you there. Or even against God.

It's a slippery slope and you need to confess. Confess to the Lord your true feelings. Confess to the Lord that you need His help to get this "haughty attitude" away from you. Pray that you humbly serve where He has you and for you to see the hidden blessings that He has there for you. And take ownership of why you are there.

If you look at your situation with eyes of faith and excitement that this is another piece of your life's journey, your whole spiritual attitude will change. And what a blessing you will be to the people that are sharing this journey with you!

"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD."
Proverbs 16:20 NLT

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Mind-Reading

"No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's own thoughts except God's own Spirit. And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." I Corinthians 2:2:10-11 NLT

I wonder, do you ever get into this trap? You hear or--maybe even actually personally experience--something that someone has done or said and if it seems out of character, you try to psycho-analyze why that person would say or do such a thing?

Why do we do that? How can we expect to know what that person is feeling or where they are spiritually? Or if we have just heard that it happened, that it really did?

It is not our job to second-guess or mind-read spiritually and emotionally where people are. Only God is capable to do that. We can pray for discernment to help that person who may have strayed, but when we decide on our own what and where that person is, we are doing them a great disservice. For many a broken relationship can be blamed on mind/spirit reading with false results.

With this age of mass communication devices, you know what is lacking? The old-fashioned, face-to-face, let's talk. Sometimes, all that is needed is to have a listening ear and an open heart--God's Spirit will do the rest.

So, the next time you hear a rumor or sense someone is heading the wrong way, don't mind-read. Pray to your Father for insight on how to help this person. And listen to what He tells you. Then you will know that the outcome will be blessed.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

What Are You Announcing?

"Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God." Luke 8:1 NLT

Jesus message is one of good news. In fact, it's great news! To think that when we were utterly helpless, God's son Jesus, would die for our sins. The result is total forgiveness. But the good news doesn't stop there. Not only have we been forgiven, we have been given a new life in Christ. Our old life was nailed to the cross of Christ. Through the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit we are granted new life. Life free from the bondage's that once held us down. Life free to love and be loved. Life free to live in God's Kingdom not at some distance location and some distance time, but right here, right now. We are free to live in righteousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit. We are free to announce the message of God's grace to the world around us.

But what is the message that we are announcing? Is it the love, freedom, acceptance and blessing of God? Or, is it one of rules, hypocrisy, fear and condemnation? Do we really understand the Good News?

"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:6-11 NLT

I pray that you will realize who you are in Jesus, and receive His complete love.

Monday, July 27, 2009

The Need to Know

"Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT

As I was reading the script notes at the bottom of the page this verse was on, it states that in some instances, "wind" and "spirit" are the same word in the original. When you read it that way, "just as you cannot understand the path of the "spirit" doesn't it make it more personal?

No, we don't always understand the path of our spirit. And the concept of how the Lord designed to have our lives begin, inside a womb, is totally mind boggling.

And have you ever been in a situation in your own life and made the statement, "I just don't understand God. Why is this happening to me?" Is it really necessary for us to understand? Sometimes not. For if we always understood, we would never need to lean on our faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 NLT

So, the next time you get into a situation in your life, don't try to understand it. Just pray it over to your Heavenly Father and He will take care of the rest.

"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7 NLT

Friday, July 24, 2009

Exalting

"God's way is perfect.
all the LORD's promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.

For who is God except the LORD?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
God is my strong fortress,
and He makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain
heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze
bow.
You have given me your shield of victory;
your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.

The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!"
2 Samuel 22:31-37, 47 NLT

There are days, like today, that just reading and meditating on His words are enough. I wish you a day of praising the LORD and thanking Him for being such the awesome, gracious, caring & wise FATHER that He is. Blessings my friend.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

My God Rocks!

"O LORD, you are my lamp.
The LORD lights up my darkness.
In Your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall."
2 Samuel 22:29-30 NLT

WOW! Isn't that powerful? When I came upon it this morning, it just gave me shivers to my core. My mind is still wrapping itself around the enormity of it's concept.

What this says to me is that with my God, I can do anything! I know--so simple--so elementary. Something that I know but I keep forgetting in my struggles of life and faith. I work too hard. Do you feel that way sometimes? We work too hard.

What I mean is that we work too hard at life. Life could be so simple. Oh, it will still have it's trails and hardships, that's just part of the learning process. But if we would just remember this verse, "O LORD, YOU are my lamp...in YOUR strength, I can crush an army, with MY GOD, I can scale any wall" we could make it through and make it through with better success than on our own merits, on our own strength.

Again, I challenge you to take this verse and memorize it into your spirit and life. When you are faced with whatever the LORD has put into your life, pull this verse out of your spirit pocket and put it into your mind. I know you will scale that wall with a lot more peace than you will ever dream.

"The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock!May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!" 2 Samuel 22:47 NLT

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Integrity

"But look, God will not reject a person of integrity,
nor will He lend a hand to the wicked.
He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy."
Job 8:20-21 NLT

What does integrity mean to you? I think that it is a word that the world uses very casually these days. But God doesn't.

In Noah's Bible Dictionary, integrity means, "Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; uprightness." If you listen to the news or read the newspapers or just at times, talking to your friends, the high standards that God had designed for us and our integrity, has been whitewashed to be just standard or even in some cases, below. If it doesn't hurt anyone, it's OK. Or the worse, if no one knows, who cares? Someone will always know--Jesus.

It isn't always easy to do the right thing--I don't care how old you are. But when you do do the right thing, doesn't it feel good? You can look others, yourself and especially your Lord in the eyes and not be afraid.

Having integrity may cause you to lose money, friends or favor, but as our verse states, "God will not reject a person of integrity," and isn't that what matters most?

So, the next time you are tempted to lower your standard of integrity--STOP--pray, listen to the Lord as He talks to your spirit and then act as a child of His would. You'll do the right thing.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Faith Living

"What is important is faith expressing itself in love." Galatians 5:6 NLT

I ran across this verse this morning and it made me stop. What a powerful statement!

Sometimes we allow ourselves to get bogged down with all the "to do's" in life. I'm as guilty as the next guy. I am so vision driven, that I can tend to lose the importance of the reason for being--living in faith and expressing that through acts of love.

Can you imagine a world where that was the norm? Where we were not driven by the "to do's" of the world, but by the "to do's" of faith & love? What a awesome place this would be.

Today I challenge you and I challenge myself. I challenge us to live a day guided by "faith expressing itself in love." And that day can turn into the next and the next, and before you know it, we ARE living a life doing what is most important.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Humble Pride

"And all of you, serve each other in humility, for

'God opposes the proud
but favors the humble.'

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor."
1 Peter 5:5-6 NLT

I got curious. I have my own definition of what humility means but what does it mean to God? Well, I got my Hayford's Bible Handbook out and looked it up.

It starts out with what I already knew,"modesty, lowliness, humble-mindedness, a sense of moral insignificance, and a humble attitude of unselfish concern for the welfare of others."

This is where some people stop. They take this part of the definition and run with it. They base their whole spiritual life on it and make it a platform. And there's nothing wrong with that--to a point.

The point that it becomes trouble is when some take it so far that in their humbleness, they become somewhat prideful. They make sure that everyone knows that they are humble. They take no ownership of what the LORD is doing through them. They insist that they won't, can't, absolutely forbid themselves from taking any credit for what the LORD is using their life for. How sad!

The next part of the definition is, "It is a total absence of arrogance, conceit and haughtiness." This line, I think is the balance. God wants us to be humble, but not to the point that we are arrogant in it.

God has made us all to be vessels for HIM. We know that. But when we humble ourselves to the point that we take all the glory from us, we take it also from HIM. When others comment on something we have done, in the GLORY of the our FATHER, we need to GRACIOUSLY accept the compliment, accepting with the acknowledgment that it was THROUGH our FATHER that we were blessed.

Does this make sense to you? I know there is a fine line, but just pray before anything you do, and the outcome will be from the LORD and you will be able to accept it in the right frame of spirit.

"God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to Him forever and ever!" 1Peter 4:10-11 NLT

Friday, July 17, 2009

Divine Discipline

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said,

'My child, don't make light of the LORD's
discipline,
and don't give up when He corrects you.
For the LORD disciplines those He loves,
and punishes each one He accepts as
His child.'

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children."
Hebrews 12:5-7 NLT

Divine discipline. When God puts it that way, doesn't it make you feel like you want to thank Him for making you feel so special? But wait a minute--discipline--discipline isn't good, is it? Discipline hurts, doesn't it?

No and yes. Discipline is good and it does hurt. But sometimes in order to learn what the LORD wants us to, He has to discipline us so that our spirit remembers the lesson learned.

As I think about the times that I have had to discipline Amanda & Jordan, it was hard for me. I love my children and it goes against my grain to bring them pain. Does my heavenly FATHER go through the same turmoil? Does He, as I do, go ahead, knowing that it is IN my love, that I have to discipline so that they can turn out to be the gift God designed them to be?

Your FATHER cherishes you. Can you see that in that love, He wants to encourage you to be all you can be? And sometimes, in order to do that, He needs to discipline you?

The next time you are being "divinely disciplined", remember the old saying, "love hurts" and rejoice in it!

"But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10 NLT

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Strength Arise!

For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked,
but I will increase the power of the godly.”
Psalm 75:10

What wickedness is coming against you? Is it a relationship that is toxic? Is it a sickness that seems to be incurable? Perhaps it is injustice, abuse, addiction, or finances.

I like the promise in this psalm. God will increase the power in our lives to overcome wickedness. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is the source of our power. The word for power is where we get the word, dynamite. Imagine the explosive power of Almighty God at work in your life.

The promise is for the godly. When we accept Jesus into our lives as our Lord and Savior, he dwells within us by his Spirit. We receive Jesus and his promises by an act of our faith in him. When we face wickedness we can overcome it by the power of the Spirit, the LIFE of Christ in us doing what we cannot accomplish in our own strength.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Surrounded

"When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, 'We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.'

But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, 'Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.' So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there.

The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, 'Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?'

'It’s not us, my lord the king,' one of the officers replied. 'Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!'

'Go and find out where he is,' the king commanded, 'so I can send troops to seize him.'

And the report came back: 'Elisha is at Dothan.' So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. 'Oh, sir, what will we do now?' the young man cried to Elisha.

'Don’t be afraid!' Elisha told him. 'For there are more on our side than on theirs!' Then Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!' The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire."
2 Kings 6:8-17 NLT

Have you ever felt surrounded? Not by good, but evil. You feel helpless, overwhelmed and afraid. Do you know how Elisha's servant felt? I'm sure at some point in everyone's life we feel surrounded. I know that I have. There are times when things can get pretty overwhelming. It may be your health or the health of a loved one. Perhaps you are sinking financially, emotionally, or spiritually. We probably have all cried out, "Oh, what will I do now?"

This passage gives us the answer. Elisha's servant realized he was in over his head. He asked for help. Sometimes we try to gut it out, figure it out, or give in to fear and disparity. The servant asked for help. He cried out for help. The next step was prayer. We need to pray for the needs of ourselves and others. But more that praying for our needs to be met, we need to pray for our eyes to be opened so we can see God moving in our situation. Then we can look up into the eyes of God and see the overwhelming victory we have in Christ Jesus.

I pray that God will open your eyes to see His power, love, mercy and grace in whatever struggle you are in right now.

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37 NIV

Monday, July 13, 2009

In His Arms

"Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms. Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death." Psalm 68:19, 20 NLT

This passage is a great reminder and encouragement of God's love and care for us. The last part of the passage is one of eternal hope. Those that know Jesus as their Lord and Savior have the promise of eternal life. When our last breath is expelled, we enter into eternity with Christ.

But Jesus is not just our Savior in the sense of giving us eternal life. He is our Savior right now. In a very real sense we have entered into eternal life now. He promises to carry us in His arms today! Every single day Jesus is caring for us. Nothing will come our way that He cannot raise us above or carry us through. Now that is a reason to praise the Lord!

What are you carrying that is weighing you down? Don't just give the problem to Jesus. Give yourself to Him.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Handling Life's Ickiness

"For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair." 2 Corinthians 4:6-8 NLT

Does it seem that every time you turn around, something is thrown at you?

At first, you are O.K. with it. You say, "God is with me and we can handle this together." And this is true. But then another icky is heaped on you and then another, until you say, "STOP! I can't handle it anymore! Whatever makes you, God, think I can handle ALL of this! I CAN'T! Stop PUNISHING me! I CAN'T deal with ALL of this. It's TOO much! WHAT did I ever do to DESERVE this?" Then we melt into a heaping pile of goo at the feet of Jesus.

Have you been there? Have you ever had a conversation similar to this with God? It's O.K. you know. God KNEW you were going to get there. Why He puts us into that spot? I think to built character in us and in others.

When we become believers, we also sign up as His disciples. As His disciples, it's not always sweet and clean and trouble free. How many times in the Bible do you read of the glamorous--conflict free life of Paul, Peter, of Jesus Himself? Not many. But how many times have we turn to their stories in the Bible and found strength and insight on how to handle icky situations?

I'm in the same boat myself--lately. Every time I turn around, there is someone--or something-else asking for money that I do not have. It's a sinking feeling. Then, in my fear, I get angry at God. I think, "Hey, I have given MY life to serve YOU and this is the thanks I get?! I don't get it! Please help me!"

Please know, as I do, that God is not "punishing" us, or playing games with our hearts. As a loving and caring Father would, He is guiding us to be ALL He knows we can be. It's like a trainer that is training his client to be the best runner, boxer, weight lifter, marathoner, that that person can be. But in order to get to that point, the trainer has to push his client PAST the comfort zone to come out better, stronger and more appreciative, on the other side.

God can take all the ickiness, the heaps of goo, in your life and turn it into beauty and strength. What do you have to do? Just totally give it ALL to Him and LEAVE it there. He will do the rest.

"Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies" 2 Corinthians 4:10 NLT

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Mercy

"What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion. We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers. All of us must come to you. Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple...Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy." Psalm 65:1-4,8 NLT

David wrote this psalm of worship. He knew first hand the discipline and mercy of God. David's life wasn't perfect. There were times when his life was a stellar example of being a man of God. Other times his life was ravaged by his sins. In all of the seasons of David's life one theme is constant; God's mercy.

I find that my life is like David. There are times when I'm doing pretty well. Other times I must cling to the hem of Jesus' robe and beg for mercy. I find that He is lifting me up with His nail scared hands. Mercy and love in His eyes. There is more of God's grace than my sin. I want to please God. I'm sure you do to. But isn't it comforting to know that when we blow it, His mercy is more than sufficient.

I think that deserves a shout of joy!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Quietly

"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1,2 NLT


Our family is facing some challenges, and our faith is being tested. I find that our challenges can tend to dominate our conversations. This morning as I read Psalm 62 the Holy Spirit ministered to me. I felt him saying to me to not just wait upon the Lord, but to wait quietly.


I think that it is natural for us to dwell on our challenges as we wait. We say that we are trusting God. I believe that I am. But to wait quietly, now that takes me to a place of even deeper trust. I'm a preacher. I talk. But to wait quietly, trusting Jesus to act in His way, in His time, that is both refreshing, and uncomfortable. The gift to be silent. To totally place our issues in the Lord's hands and be still, wow! Then, to not continue to externally process our issues, wow!


I'm going for it. The Lord knows my needs. I don't need to continue to rehearse my challenges. I'm going to wait...quietly. Pray for me. I like to blab. Let me know if I can pray for you.

"I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me." Psalm 131:2 NLT

Monday, July 6, 2009

Jackie

What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them." Luke 12:6 NLT

I was sad this morning. Our pet sparrow Jackie died. We found her several weeks ago on Mother's Day. We were at our local grocery store. She fell out of a nest above our truck, and landed on the hood. Featherless and eyes closed, helpless, and in need. My daughter and wife feed and cared for her.

Over time Jackie grew and became a part of the family. She would fly around the house, land on us, watch us do chores and just enjoy being with us. She would cuddle up in the palms of your hands and fall asleep. She taught me that there is no such thing as a dumb animal.

Yesterday she was somewhat lethargic. She wanted to be held. This morning my wife found her, dead in her cage. This is a very sad day for my wife and daughter. God has given them a very special heart for animals. I even cried. I thought about Jackie's life. All she ever knew was love. Amanda and Peggy loved and cared for her. I think about the mercy of God to even a sparrow. She fell out of her nest and onto our truck. She wasn't eaten, ran over or abused in that grocery store parking lot. When it came time for her to pass, she fell asleep.

I think that is how God wants us to see life. Living each day in His love and care. And when it is our time to pass, to do so into His loving arms.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Independence Day

"Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NLT

As we celebrate the anniversary of our country's freedom from England, it reminds me of another freedom. The freedom of self in God.

Freedom of self in God? Whatever do you mean? Well, as you may or may not know, we are a people that needs rules and regulations. In order to know how to behave or not to behave, how to respond or not respond--we rely on the "rules" or "laws" to guide us.

While the old church was full of dos & don'ts written in their daily scrolls, Jesus' birth, death and Resurrection changed all that. We are free in Jesus.

Don't get me wrong--as Christians, of course we have dos and don'ts--but instead of following a list of written rules, they are written in our hearts and spirits. Through Jesus, we have found the freedom that our ancestors had been searching for and fought so hard to keep.

So as you watch the fireworks and enjoy your picnic, please remember to thank the One who sacrificed His very life to liberated you forever. As you've heard the saying, "Freedom isn't free".

"You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world." Colossians 3:20 NLT

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Permission

"Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22 NLT

I find great comfort and strength in this passage. It give me hope and confidence during times of trials and tribulations. I have been wrestling with my faith...again. I know that God promises to care for us. I struggle with how he will care for us. Now I have renewed hope.

The first principle is to give our burdens to the Lord. When you give something to someone it belongs to them. I think we let God borrow our burdens and then we take them back. We do not give him a chance to care for us.

Next, we find that when we give burdens to the Lord, he will not permit us to fall. My fear is that God will let me fall. Even kick me when I'm down. What a warped perspective! God promises to care for our need and hold us up. We don't know how, we just take him at his word.

So, what burden are you letting God borrow? Why don't you just give it to him?

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Rest Stops

"God has told His people,
'Here is a place of rest;
let the weary rest here.
This is a place of quiet rest.'
But they did not listen." Isaiah 28:12 NLT

Have you been there? Are you there now? Emotionally weary beyond control. Feeling that you are going in circles. Go go to bed tired and wake up tired. You forget things that you normally wouldn't. Just can't quite keep things together.

It can happen to any of us. It can be caused by a job that is very demanding, a spouse that needs constant attention, other people's expectations of what you should or should not be doing.

When it gets too much for you to bear--or before it gets too much for you to bear--turn to God. It's O.K. It's O.K. for you to say to your boss, your spouse, your friends--I need time for me. I need time for my relationship for the Lord. We make time for everyone else but forget Him.

Don't you know that when you have taken the time to rest in His presence, you come out refreshed and renewed? A new person. You can handle anything. It's when we allow others or things to constantly pull on us, that we become emotionally weary.

Listen to your spirit. What's it telling you? Is it yearning for a place of quiet rest? Turn to your Father, He will take care of the travel arrangements.