Worry not....Steward Well!

"Do not worry about tomorrow! This is not a suggestion, but a command... When you worry about the future, you heap day upon day of troubles onto your flimsy frame... Throw off this oppressive burden with one quick thrust of trust. Anxious thoughts meander about and crisscross in your brain... (instead) affirm your faith... enjoy My presence... trusting Me at all times." Jesus Calling

Worry is a strong habitual thought pattern that many people develop, but do not enjoy or benefit from. Worry robs us of so many things...like peace, health, confidence, relationships, and joy!

Learning to "throw off" worry with "one quick thrust of trust" equips us to move forward with God-confidence. I believe God honors our efforts to "throw off" and to develop some trust-thrusting ability. Like building spiritual muscle that will glorify God!

I have been told I am a chronic list maker. My list for the day as a matter of fact was often longer than I could accomplish. But if I don’t have a list I don’t get nearly as much done—or I forget something important. I have been accused of “worrying”. So, what is the difference between worrying and planning? As I thought about it, I once proceeded to study the difference. When looking up the meaning, a plan is a “detailed method for the accomplishment of a goal”.

Worrying is “to feel uneasy or troubled”. Habbakuk 2:2-4, states, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. 3"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay. As long as I am trusting God I don’t feel uneasy or troubled.

It is one thing to worry it is another thing to prioritize and hold yourself accountable to things God places in your heart to accomplish.

There is a difference. I love the saying, “Live as though Jesus us coming back tomorrow, plan as though He will not.” There should be an urgency for us to live for the Lord today, while at the same time there should also be an urgency for us to steward those things and live responsibly with what God has placed in our hands, our home, our family, our children, our spouse and the list goes on. Worry not!

Nevertheless, STEWARD well!

Letting Freedom Ring - Happy 4th of July!

In the US, so many families are all about celebrating independence and national freedoms! Though we have gained a lifetime of independence celebrated via our national flags, parades, patriotic songs and fireworks that fill the night skies- it is equally important that we remember our need to acknowledge our DE-pendence on an ALMIGHTY GOD!

As Christians, we are not only called to be citizens within our community, but representatives as citizens of Heaven -responding to an almighty God through our worship, our celebration and through being a Witness of His Work that has given us a new found spiritual freedom. John 4:24 states, “God is spirit, and those that worship Him must worship in the Spirit and in truth." When we worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, we join with the almighty host of heaven who are continually before throne of our Lord ... worshiping Him!

 John 4: also goes on to state, "Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him….

On today, I am reminded of the great spiritual work the Lord has done in my life – breakthrough in me, my family, and those people who are attached to my life. 2 Corinthians 3:17 also states, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (another translation reads... "there is Liberty!")

We have great reason to celebrate and something eternal to sing about! Think of it!

I implore you today and everyday, in addition to celebrating our national freedom, don’t forget if you have given your life to the the King of Kings and Lord and Lords, celebrate the spiritual freedoms awarded us through the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is more than worthy of all the honor, glory, and praise due His name!

His Finished Work on the Cross was the greatest Work that we can witness! (On any day, not just the 4th!)

By God's Design!

Live well. Live purposefully. Live strong….not in yourself but in this- knowing that living is both a discipline and an art... of staying close to the Father, the divine Artist... You see Jesus seeks us out, and then He works His way into our lives as we allow Him to.

How the Lord crafted the universe, is beyond our scope of full understanding. How He could create the vast galaxy, endless sky, every star, every planet, every animal, every human – ALL of creation took great power, yet great meticulous detail and care down to the least of His creation.  Likewise, our lives are to be examples of God's Craft-ability at work. Daily He fashions us into extensions of His own Image.

I marvel at His handiwork in nature and in the hearts and lives of those He's placed around me. It is both purposeful and powerful, the way He crafts His Image, His Heart, His Desires into our hearts as we are naturally by nature sinner and then through His Word engrafts His Mind into our minds.  Even Jesus is the epitome of that mind and heart of the Father transformation:

Philippians 2:5-13 states, “5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is 

God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

 

All my insecurity, inadequacy, insufficiency, and vast inability can be miraculously God-crafted. Then through the blood of Jesus- Jesus healed, Jesus supplied, Jesus rectified... and divinely... His workmanship sealed through the blood of Jesus! God doesn’t call the qualified! He qualifies the called!  We may not feel qualified in all that God is calling us to do, but it is up to Him to qualify us whether we think we have all the qualifications needed to what He has called us to do or not. God is the author and finisher of our faith!  It's God's Divine' Ability at work in each of our lives! It is amazing and it is miraculous at the same time.  How He takes mere men made out of mere clay and uses us as mighty vessels fit for the kingdom to make an impact, first in our lives, our own families, our communities, and ultimately the World! Our God is an awesome God. Would you join me in praising Him for all that He has done, all that He does and all that He will still yet do in our lives TODAY! He is WORTHY! \O/

Loving Our Maker Loving Our Mate...

Making a love relationship work WELL can be quite challenging. How rewarding it is when we have a rich relationship with God! Just as a love relationship is between us and the Lord is rewarding, so it is for a married couple when they take the time to invest in a rich relationship with each other. I have witnessed too many marital relationships that have become too stale, strained and fractured from the stresses of everyday life when obsolete of God’s divine guidance and Lordship, no longer loving, no longer caring. Continually trying to withdraw from an overdrawn account of love without ever taking the time to put back or sow into it.  The marriage can truly become a balancing act to navigate through the emotional landmines!

Yet paralleling the two relationships offers us a continual life lesson that we must often be reminded of. The two most critical relationships of my life; must be centered in the Lord. My life and my relationship with my life love must be centered in His Word and grounded in prayer every day in every way!

I especially like how the Amplified Bible puts it... "The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17)

Also in Colossians 3:1-5 it speaks of the new life we have in Christ when we make Him THE priority, "If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God^.  And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.  For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

When we look at our eternal creator through the scope of a greater picture...We become open to receive from the Lord precious truths and guidance that save us from the turmoil, divisiveness, and senseless arguments of the world....  In other words, when we delight in the Lord, God will take delight in us and even cause us to reap of His presence, in turn guidance, and joy as He rejoice over our lives with singing.

I certainly want my spouse to view me from that same type of spiritual scope as it speaks of in Zephaniah! I want to encourage you to begin each day with a morning of acknowledging God, and His Presence. Maintain a thankful, open heart that accommodates for a rich relationship with a Great Savior and in return accommodates for a great relationship with your Spouse!

Break Every Chain!

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus

To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain (2x)

All sufficient sacrifice
So freely given
Such a price
Bought our redemption
Heaven's gates swing wide

     What a powerful song! You know  when we take God's Word seriously it is a weapon and a shield against life's circumstances! And weapons are used to fight against the daily wiles and tactics of the enemy. When we approach God's Word casually, we get casual results. However when we approach God's Word seriously, we get serious results, and we not only get serious results, but we gain a victorious life and lifestyle! I want to challenge you today- never let any temporary circumstance or distraction get your eyes off the mark of His high calling for your life! Utilize the Word of God by speaking it in trying times! It is one thing to speak the Word when you are well, it is a totally different level to speak the Word in the midst of a storm!

We must exercise our faith over existing in idleness.  Faith without works is dead, and if we settle for just going through the motions of life without a greater pursuit in the Lord, we shortchange ourselves! We must choose every single day to be that army that it speaks of in the same song that will rise up and see the chains of bondage, despair, and sin broken off of not only our lives, but our family's lives. It is up to us!

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2 Timothy Chapter 316 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
 

I want to encourage you today. Seek the Lord in His Word; and not only seek Him, but activate your faith through speaking the Word over your circumstance and praising Him for His faithfulness in advance. Trusting Him in All I DO! \0/

I lift my voice, that my soul may rejoice!

I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice

To worship You, Oh, my soul, rejoice!

Take joy my King, in what you hear

Let it be a sweet, sweet sound

In Your ear!

I exalt thee! I exalt thee! I exalt thee!

Oh Lord!

I exalt thee! I exalt thee! I exalt thee!

Oh Lord!

     You know as I sung this song to the Lord this morning, what came to heart was that our life is to be a continual song before the Lord! Not just when we sing along in a church service, or sing along to a praise song on the radio. 

     Though we can find praise and be inspired to worship daily through these times, Ephesians 5:19 (AMP) says to, “Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,” What that means is we should get to a place so much so in the Lord that our heart is founded within a well or source of peace in knowing that our Lord is enough to meet all of our needs ALL BY Himself. Where the joy we experience is not based on some outward circumstances. You will never find JOY that way. That is actually called happiness! And happiness at its best is a temporary high- if that!

But when our lives are drawing from a greater source found in communion with the Lord and His Word THAT brings true JOY! This world cannot offer to us what is intended to only be received from our heavenly Father. He alone provides that security and source of fulfillment, and when we yield to the Lord in the midst of our circumstances whether good or bad and offer to Him a song of love, a song of joy, a song of praise despite our circumstances we experience a great blessing. Because what we offer to the Lord is not dependent on what we see circumstantially outside of us, but more so what we know He has promised from inside His Word!  

When our heart is hid in God, we can find rest in our soul through our trust in the Lord. We must, however, worship Him over worry, we must put faith in Him over fear, we must decide for Him over distraction, doubt, and disbelief. And then we can know and come to experience that blessing of rest in the Lord every day, when we make this conscious choice! It is up to us!

     Psalms 28:6, 7 states, “The Lord is My Strength…6Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplication. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. 8 The LORD is their strength; And He is a saving defense to His anointed.…” 

I want to encourage you today. Seek the Lord in worship and song. Choose to trust, and find rest for your soul!