I wonder...

I have been so tense. There is more for me to do than I can do in a day, the kids have had a little bit of a hard time transitioning into the school year, and my Mother-in-law is in the hospital.

I keep trying to talk myself out of this tense buzz, but I haven't been able to shake it. I wonder if the root is lack of faith. Isn't that really the root of all our problems? If I really trust in God, why am I so tense. God has everything under control, why am I so tense?

I think I like having and being in control much more than I like to admit, that's what I think. I want to know what the future holds - now!

God please forgive my lack of faith. I know You hold the future and nothing surprises You. I know You only want the best for all Your children and that You can use any and ALL circumstances to accomplish Your will. Please flood me with Your peace and I choose to look to You and not to the circumstance. Thank You for Your Love.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

You've got a Friend in Me

You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone . . . . If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (CEV)

God didn't create us to be lone rangers. He saw that Adam needed someone and made Eve. He made us to fellowship with Him as well. We need each other, and I for one am so grateful for all the people God has placed in my life. When I am down HE provides someone to encourage me. I get the privilege of laughing and crying with my precious friends.

There is such blessing in the giving and receiving happens in a healthy relationship. I am so blessed when I get to help a friend. Of course it blesses me as well when they get to help me, but I really look forward to finding my opportunities to do something to bless my friends.

My family are my best friends, even though sometimes I take them fro granted or need a break from them. We all have to love each other unconditionally each and every day. That can be difficult at times since we are all sinful humans. But we are richer for it because we learn about the grace of God through our relationships.

How many people bail on a spouse because they are not meeting their needs? They are missing out on so much and don't even realize it! Marriage is probably the most difficult thing I've ever done, yet the most rewarding because each time we allow God to bring us through a storm, the sun shines brighter on the other side!

Thank you God for blessing me with godly friends, two wonderful sons and a husband that loves me no matter how sinful I am. Please help me be a blessing to all of them. Please help us all see each other as You see us, and pick each other up when we are down. Please help us resist the devil and be a light for You.

In Jesus name, Amen

Can't You See Straight?

Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts . . .
but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right.
2 Timothy 2:22 (LB)

It is interesting just how big a role focus can take in our lives. For instance, we all know the folly of going grocery shopping when we feel hungry. We tend to buy more because we are thinking so much about being hungry. Or take dieting. We tend to think all the time about what we can't have, making us want those foods (or larger amounts) that much more.

On our first day of this new school year, my youngest had trouble with his first class. He kept thinking about how much he didn't want to have to do school. that made him extremely grumpy and he didn't listen to the teacher very well. He had to take twice as long to do the class because he had to go back and re-listen to what she said. by his second class, he decided to stop focusing on the fact that he didn't want to do school and focus on the task at hand. He did great! His whole attitude changed and he was no longer so grumpy. His focus changed and he was more effective.

When we focus on a temptation (like eating too much) our focus is still on that temptation and we will never be successful. But if we turn our attention to God, then with His help we can overcome that temptation because our focus has shifted.

The reason this is true is because we are stirring up an emotional response when we focus on our problem. When starting a diet, the overwhelming thoughts we usually have are focused on what we can't have. We start to feel deprived. Then we start to think of ways to get that dessert we can't have. We actually want it more because we can't have it.

What if we tried switching channels and just ignored the tempting thought altogether or get up and physically remove yourself from the situation and walk away? Now turn your attention to something else. When our focus shifts from the temptation to God I believe we will find true victory in Him!

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

True Fellowship

"As holy people . . . be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.” Colossians 3:12 (GWT)

How deep are you willing to go?

There are many levels of fellowship. At church we greet one another an even hug. With most people we see at church, that's as deep as we get. When we greet one another we often ask, "How are ya doin'?" When we really just want to say "Hi."

Then there are our acquaintances, those people we talk to in the foyer. This is a little deeper because we even ask what is going on in these people's lives. But that's where the fellowship stops.

But in the first level real fellowship We get involved in the person's life. We go over one another's house and share meals together. We do stuff together. We care about one another.

But in the deepest level of all, we share in the hardships, sorrow and sufferings of that person, or in other words, we offer sympathy. When we offer sympathy to another, we don't give them advice, or a quick-fix. We listen and then allow ourself to feel what they are feeling. We validate the other person's feelings, and in doing so we build on our relationship with that person. Trust is formed, and true ministry can take place because that person feels safe and loved.

When we allow ourselves to be sympathetic, God works in us as well. He can then start breaking down our walls of selfishness and self-pity.Let's not be in such a hurry that we keep our relationships surface level. Let's “share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NLT).

“A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14 NIV).