Friday, August 31, 2012

Grow Strong In Your Weakness

Some of My children I've gifted with abundant strength and stamina. Others, like you, have received the humble gift of frailty. Your fragility is not a punishment, nor does it indicate lack of faith. On the contrary, weak ones like you must live by faith, depending on Me to get you through the day. I am developing your ability to trust Me, to lean on Me, rather than on your understanding. Your natural preference is to plan out your day, knowing what will happen when. My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness.
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." -JAMES 4:13-15
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. -PROVERBS 3:5
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faith. -ISAIAH 40:28-31
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I love schedules. I love planning my day and knowing what I will be doing to keep myself busy. I think what God is trying to tell us here is that instead of planning and constantly being on the go, we need to sit back at let Him lead the way. We should put our faith in Him and trust Him to guide us to do His will.

Some day I would like to go to another country on a mission trip. Instead of planning what I will do while I am there, I would love to just let God take control and show me where I am needed. I think this is what God wants us to do with more of our lives. If we open our hearts to him and stop listening to our own thoughts, we will be strengthened by the Lord. Yes we need to have a schedule and ensure that we get things done to function in the world in which we live. But we should also let the Lords will be done in more of our actions. This is the only way we grow as believers and improve our trust with God.

Pray for God to impact your life as you push your own intuition and thoughts aside. Trust me, you will be AMAZED!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

There is No Place

There is no place so desolate that you cannot find Me there. When Hagar fled from her mistress, Sarah, into the wilderness, she thought she was utterly alone and forsaken. But Hagar encountered Me in the that desolate place. There she addressed Me as the Living One who sees me. Through that encounter with My Presence, she gained courage to return to her mistress.

No set of circumstances could ever isolate you from My loving Presence. Not only do I see you always; I see you as a redeemed saint, gloriously radiant in My righteousness. That is why I take great delight in you and rejoice over you with singing!
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her. You are a God of seeing for she said, Have I not even here in the wilderness looked upon Him who seeks me and lived? Or have I here also seen the future purposes or designs of Him who sees me? Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi (A well to the living one who sees me).- GENESIS 16:13-14 
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.- PSALM 129:7-10
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with signing."- ZEPHANIAH 3:17
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God is with us, always. Even when we do not want Him around, He is there. God is the presence that we can depend on in every waking hour, in the morning when we drive to work and in the night when we cannot fall asleep and it is 3 a.m. This may seem like a scary thought at first. I mean who wants someone looking over their shoulder 24/7, monitoring every move they make? But God is not just anyone. Like a parent watches over an infant, God is protecting us, His children. We must come to accept God as our savior and realize that He is our true Father in Heaven. This will help us delight in His presence and be quieted by His love.

So how do we become "delighted by His presence"? Get in the word. Add God to your live everyday so that you become to accept Him making a change in your life. Be open to His word and know that He knows what your best interest is. Let Him be in control and instead take the back seat in your life ride. We are his children, He will always watch over us.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Demonstrate Your Trust In Me

Demonstrate your trust in Me by sitting quietly in My Presence. Put aside all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry about anything. This sacred time together strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring. By waiting with Me before you begin the day's activities, you proclaim the reality of My living Presence. This act of faith- waiting before working- is noted in the spirit world, where your demonstration of trust weakens principalities and power of darkness.

The most effective way to resist evil is to draw near Me. When you need to take action, I will guide you clearly through My Spirit and My World. The world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction. Doing coutless unnecessary activities will dissipate your energy. When you spend time with Me, I restore your sense of direction. As you look to Me for guidance, I enable you to do less but accomplish more.
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear...Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?- LUKE 12:22-25
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.- EPHESIANS 6:12
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and our plans will succeed.- PROVERBS 16:3
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Tv, iPhone games, Pinterest, Sports, the list goes on and on. All of these things can consume our lives if we let them. I know several times I have been caught online all night long looking at social media sights instead of spending time doing something more productive and meaningful. Now God is not telling us to erase those things from our lives, but there comes a point when things like those mentioned above become addicting and start to control our daily life.

Specifically in this passage, God is talking to us about time we spend with Him before our days begin. I know when I wake up I often check my Facebook. Instead of wasting time doing that, I should dive right into the word and be open to how God wants to influence my life each day. It is like going to a meeting. You would not bring your cell phone and play games on it before the meeting starts because it looks like you are unprepared. We need to come to God's meeting each morning prepared with a humble heart, ready to learn.

Today will be hard, because as many of you are reading you have already began your Wednesday. So instead focus on how you can increase God in your life this afternoon and evening. Instead of going home tonight and watching football, spend time with your family members, sit down for dinner together, go on a walk or have game night! Lets work on adding things to our lives that have a chance at furthering the kingdom of God. Hey, replacing 30 minutes of TV with reading this blog could change your life, so you are already on the right track!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Grow Strong

Grow Strong in the Light of My Presence. As My Face shines upon you, you receive nutrients that enhance your growth in grace. I designed you to commune with Me face to face, and this interaction strengthens your soul. Such communion provides a tin glimpse of what awaits you in heaven, where all barriers between you and My Glory will be removed. This meditative time with Me blesses you doubly: You experience My Presence here and how, and you are refreshed by the hope of heaven, where you will know Me in ecstatic Joy.
Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater job than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.- PSALM 4:6-8
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.- REVELATION 21:23
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God is praising us and the time that we are spending with Him. He wants to let us know that this interaction we are making with Him is strengthening our relationship. Personally, after my morning interactions with the Lord I feel refreshed and ready to face the day. The fact that this is only a glimpse of what we will get to experience in Heaven together is beyond amazing!

My goal for you is to reach out to others today and share with them the relationship you have with the Lord. Do not keep all of the happiness to yourself, but instead share it with the people around you and show them how something as simple as reading a blog about His word daily can improve your relationship with the One True King. We all need His Light in our lives and the chance to live with motivation that the best is yet to come!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Spend Time With Me

Spend time with me for the pure pleasure of being in My company. I can brighten up the dullest of gray days; I can add sparkle to the routines of daily life. You have to repeat so many tasks day after day. This monotony can dull your thinking until your mind slips into neutral. A mind that is unfocused is vulnerable to "the world, the flesh, and the devil," all of which exert a downward pull on your thoughts. As your thinking processes deteriorate, you become increasingly confused and directionless. The best remedy is to refocus your mind and heart on Me, your constant Companion. Even the most confusing day opens up before you as you go step by step with Me. My presence goes with you wherever you go, providing Light for your path.
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.- PSALM 63:7-8
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.-PSALM 119:105
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Spending time with God does not have to be a routine thing. We should not only be spending time in his company when we got to church on Sunday, read our Bibles before work, and pray with our families at dinnertime. We should come to learn more about Him and seek His wisdom throughout all our lives because it will bring us joy and happiness, and we all know that we could always use a little more of that! When we start to get away from His word it can be hard to get back into the swing of things. Make a conscious decision to redirect your path or your schedule to include God in it. It doesn't have to be the same connection with Him every day either. Break it up and have fun knowing that you have the Lord God in your life and that He will be with you no matter what time of day you need him.

Friday, August 24, 2012

I Am All Around You

I am all around you, hovering over you even as you seek My Face. I am nearer than you dare believe, closer than the air you breathe. If My children could only recognize My Presence, they would never feel lonely again. I know every thought before you think it, every word before you speak it. My Presence impinges on your innermost being. Can you see the absurdity of trying to hide anything from Me? You can easily deceive other people, and even yourself; but I read you like an open, large-print book.

Deep within themselves, most people have some awareness of My imminent Presence. Many people run from Me and vehemently deny My existence, because My closeness terrifies them. But My own children have nothing to fear, for I have cleansed them by My blood and clothed them in My righteousness. Be blessed by My intimate nearness. Since I live in you, let Me also live through you, shining My Light into the darkness.
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.- PSALM 139:1-4
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.- EPHESIANS 2:13
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.- 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21
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God is always with us. Amen! We are constantly asking, praying and wanting Got to stand before us, beside us, and within us and when it comes down to it, He already is! We just need to be blessed and accept God's nearness with us instead of running away from him at times. We do not get to do this half heartily, it is all or nothing. We do not get to choose when we want God with us and when we do not. If we are God's children, He will shine thorough us and we shall no be afraid or try to flee. After all,  who knows better how to deal with a given situation situation then God himself. He knows what is going to happen before it happens, because He made us and the world we live in.

When you really stop and think about it, it can be quite scary. But we need to pray and ask for strength to trust in God and not be afraid. This like all things will not come overnight, 'you can't get strong from going to the gym one day'. But overtime we will be able to develop a deeper relationship with Him where we can trust all that He is doing in our lives and just follow His calling instead of those of the world.

Before you make a decision today, stop and think, what would God be wanting me to do right now. Trust that he will lead you in the right direction.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Entrust Your Loved Ones to Me

Entrust Your Loved Ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one- as well as yourself. Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac. I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from sonworship. Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father's undisciplined emotions. I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love.

When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do.
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven. "Abraham!! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."- GENESIS 22:9-12
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...- EPHESIANS 3:20
The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."- EXODUS 33:14
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Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.-Proverbs 3:5-6

God is trying to teach us lessons everyday so that we may become stronger believers and greater proclamations of His word. In order to do so we are not to have any other form of idolatry here on this earth. Whether it be our jobs, money or loved ones. God is only one we should be holding above all else on this earth.

We must know, that we do not have to worry. God will help us with this, just liked He helped Abraham. God loves to teach us lessons. I believe this is because many of us learn by doing. When we have to physically go and do something or make a correction, it makes more of a lasting impression on our lives and we learn. With God's power He will set our paths straight.

If you are struggling with holding something higher in your life, something higher than God, I ask you simply to pray about it. Pray for Him to help you overcome these incorrect idolatry feelings. You may not see it happen the next day, but overtime God will help us all grow along the correct path he has painted for us.

All we must do is ask for forgiveness and submit our open hearts to Him.



Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Trust Me

Trust Me, and don't be afraid. I want you to view trials as exercises designed to develop your trust-muscles. You live in the midst of fierce spiritual battles, and fear is one of Satan's favorite weapons. When you start to feel afraid, affirm your trust in Me. Speak out loud, if circumstances permit. Resist the devil in My Name, and he will slink away from you. Refresh yourself in My holy Presence. Speak or sign praises to Me, and My Face will shine radiantly upon you.

Remember that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Me. You have been judged NOT GUILTY for all eternity. Trust Me, and don't be afraid; for I am your Strength, Song, and Salvation.
Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.- JAMES 4:7
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.- ROMANS 8:1-2
"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."- ISAIAH 12:2
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When you do something repetitively, your body develops a muscle memory pattern to a point where it it just becomes natural. Think about this specifically within sports. When you practice your shooting form over and over and over again with the same techniques, after a while everything will just fall into place on its own. During a game you will realize you are using that same form without even having to think about it. We need to develop this same pattern for our walk with the Lord. Yes we are going to have defenders, Satan, who want to step in our way and change our "shooting form", but by trusting the leader of our team, God, we will be protected from the opponent. He will shine down upon us in the "game" of life.

Now granted we are going to have those times where we don't feel like going to practice our shooting form, because we feel like we are already making all of the shots. But, not one of us is perfect and after a couple missed practices it is hard to get back into the swing of things. Changing that pattern can create a shift in performance, but remember in God's game, we will never foul out. (How much better of a basketball game is that!) He will forgive us of our sin for all eternity. All we must do is ask. Like yesterday,  I mentioned it is sometimes hard for us to ask, when we want to do it all on our own. But, God is the captain of our "team". He will protect us and make us stronger for this life battle that we face and on his team we will always win!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Wait With Me For A While

I have much to tell you. You are walking along the path I have chosen for you. It is both a privileged and a perilous way: experiencing My glorious Presence and heralding that reality to others. Sometimes you feel presumptuous to be carrying out such an assignment.

Do not worry about what other people think of you. The work I am doing in you is hidden at first. But eventually blossoms will burst forth, and abundant fruit will be borne. Stay on the path of Life with Me. Trust Me wholeheartedly, letting My Spirit fill you with Joy and Peace.
"O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below- you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."- KINGS 8:23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.- GALATIANS 5:22-23
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I think I can honestly speak for everyone, saying that there has been some point in our lives where we worry about what others think of us and our walk with our God. And it is hard, very hard, to accept the fact that we will be judged by others and they might even be people we have very close relationships with. But, in the midst of all of it, we should remember we can trust the Lord and talk to Him about it, and He will fill us with joy and continue to guide us on the right path.

One good thing for us, is that we believe in a God who forgives. If we are currently walking with God by the string of our teeth instead of giving fully to Him, we can start anew. We are human, so this is going to happen, no matter how hard we try. None of us are perfect. When we do get off that path, we can recognize that, pray to God for help, and start making the changes He wants from us. It is easy to ask, but the asking is what is hard for us as humans. Remember, if we trust Him wholeheartedly he will guide us along the right path.

Today is a new day. When you are around someone reading your bible or studying the word and they ask you what you are doing, do not be worried about what they will think of you, instead share with them the message of God and let them make a judgement about their own path. We know that our God will blossom a new life, when the time is right and He will continue to take us down His path for each of us individually. God loves us, always.

Monday, August 20, 2012

I Am A God Who Heals.

I heal broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives, and broken relationships. My very Presence has immense healing powers. You cannot live close to Me without experiencing some degree of healing. However, it is also true that you have not because you ask not. You receive the healing that flows naturally from My Presence, whether you seek it or not. But there is more- much more- available to those who ask.

The first step in receiving healing is to live ever so close to Me. The benefits of this practice are too numerous to list. As you grow more and more intimate with Me, I reveal My will to you more directly. When the time is right, I prompt you to ask for healing of some brokenness in you or in another person. The healing may be instantaneous, or it may be a process. That is up to Me. Your part is to trust Me fully and to thank Me for the restoration that has begun.

I rarely heal all the brokenness in a person's life. Even My servant Paul was told, "My grace is sufficient for you, "when he sought healing for the thorn in his flesh. Nonetheless, much healing is available to those whose lives are intimately interwoven with Mine. Ask, and you will receive.
Ye have not, because ye ask not.- JAMES 4:2 
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."- 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-9
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find."- MATHEW 7:7
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When I read today's passages I think to myself, "Ok, it is easy to pray when I need healing, I do it all of the time." But, the part that I think God wants us as current believers to understand is that just because we ask Him to heal our bodies or those of people we love, it does not mean that it will be an instantaneous thing. For example, I have been praying to God about some headaches that I have been having and get somewhat upset because the headaches are not gone from my body the next day. It almost seems to me like God is sending me a message, personally, saying that we must trust in Him and He will decide the timing of restoration.

In today's day, we are constantly wanting things now, now, now. And that is not something we can control it is simply the way the world is working. If you don't buy something "right now", the sale will be over or if you don't fulfill a request from your boss "right now" you will be scolded and looked down upon, even when you may be doing something of greater importance and value. God is not in this world. He is the one who decides timing with our faith and growth. When we slow down and talk to God we have to remember what we are asking it in His timing, not our own.

This is and will continue to be a challenge for me, to trust in God's timing of my prayers for healing. It will definitely be something we can also ask God for assistance on, however remember in His time, shall we receive.


Friday, August 17, 2012

Find Me in the Midst

Find Me in the midst of the maelstrom (large, powerful, or violent whirlpool).Sometimes events whirl around you so quickly the they become a blur. Whisper My Name in recognition that I am still with you. Without skipping a beat in the activities that occupy you, you find strength and peace through praying My Name. Later, when the happenings have run their course, you can talk with Me more fully.

Accept each day just as it comes to you. Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust Me enough to yield to My design and purposes. Remember that nothing can separate you from My loving Presence; you are Mine.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11
But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name and you are mine."- ISAIAH 43:1
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God is with us always. He is with us through the storms, but also with us through the calm and exciting times of our lives. He wants us to pray to him in all times, no matter what the circumstances, for He is always with us. I know that when I pray I can feel another strength behind my actions. This strength and peace is God showing us the way.

I did learn something new in this message today. Not only is it important to pray to God when we are in a whirlwind of a problem, but also talk to Him about what happened, after it is over. It is easy to pray about an issue when we are caught up in the circumstance, but we should also pray to Him and talk to Him about what happened, after it is over. I know for a fact this is not something I have done in the past. I will pray to God about what is happening, but when it is over I move on to the next thing that is happening in my life. It does make sense to talk to Him about the problem later, after the "sea has calmed".

It seems like it will be a challenge bringing up things I had a problem with to God after they are over, because we as humans want to suppress it from our minds. But, it also makes sense that that is how we learn to change the future. Praying to God should be a conversation about everything we are going through and have experienced. He is our teacher and we must submit to learning His message for that is how we develop our Christian faith with Him.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Meet Me

Meet Me in early morning splendor. I eagerly await you here. In the stillness of this holy time with Me, I renew your strength and saturate you with Peace. While others turn over for extra sleep or anxiously tune in to the latest news, you commune with the Creator of the universe. I have awakened in your heart strong desire to know Me. This longing originated in Me, though it now burns brightly in you.

When you seek Me Face in response to My Love-call, both of us are blessed. This is a deep mystery, designed more for your enjoyment than for your understanding. I am not a dour God who discourages pleasure. I delight in your enjoyment of everything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Think on these things, and My Light in you will shine brighter day by day.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -ISAIAH 40:31
One thing I ask of the Lord, that is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. -PSALM 27:4
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. -PHILIPPIANS 4:8
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God wants us to want to know him more. We don't always have to understand what he is doing in our lives or what he is telling us, but we can trust and know that he will bring us joy and happiness. It is important to take time out of our busy day to focus on him and meditate in his word. By learning more about God's love for us, we will only bring more happiness to our lives.

For example, by getting up each morning and reading these passages to trying to find a deeper understanding, I have come closer to God just within the last week. I feel like this renewal in my faith has brought me more happiness each and every day. Not only have I been able to learn more about his word, but also relate it to my life personally bringing me more joy and the ability to share that joy with others. Now, you do not have to go to work and give a testimony to every person you see. Having a closer relationship with God will naturally make you smile more, live relaxed, and walk a Christian life, which are all things everyone around you will start to notice. You will begin to reflect Gods light onto others and which is what we as Believers are called to do.

It is so easy for us, as stated above, to roll over, push the alarm, and go back to sleep, especially when some of us are running on 4-6 hours of sleep to begin with. However, I can personally attest, it really is worth it to get up and spend time with the Lord before you begin another day. Not only do you get a chance to learn more about your own life experiences, but it also helps you have a better outlook on the day. It is a constant reminder that God is here for us, He wants us to be happy, and He wants to shine His Light down on us.

So tomorrow, set your alarm for a half hour early and get up to share 30 minutes with God and his word. You will see a difference.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

I am the God of All Time

I am the God of all time and all that is. Seek Me not only in morning quietness but consistently throughout the day. Do not let unexpected problems distract you from My Presence. Instead, talk with Me about everything, and watch confidently to see what I will do.

Adversity need not interrupt your communion with Me. When things go "wrong", you tend to react as if you're being punished. Instead of this negative response, try to view difficulties as blessings in disguise. Make Me your refuge by pouring out your heart to Me, trusting in My at all times.
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. -PSALM 55:17
Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. -PSALM 32:6
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. -PSALM 62:8
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These passages go somewhat with what we talked about yesterday. God wants us to call to him at all times of the day. No matter if we are sick or healthy, poor or rich, or sinning or worshiping. God wants us to need him at all times and listen to what he has to say to us. We must be open to the word and trust that God has us in his best interest. If something goes wrong, we can know that God will provide and take care of us.

I completely agree with what is being said above. Sometimes, when things go wrong I think to myself "What did I do to deserve this?". Instead I need to look at the glass half full and know that God will teach me a lesson through what I am experiencing. It will be hard to turn the situation around but with time I believe it is possible. After all, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me (PSALMS 4:13) right?

Today, lets trust Christ more, for he will bless us through our negative circumstances. We may even learn something new!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

I am Yours for all Eternity

The world you inhabit is a place of constant changes- more than your mind can absorb without going into shock. Even the body you inhabit is changing relentlessly, in spite of modern science's attempts to prolong youth and life indefinitely. I, however, am the same yesterday and today and forever.

Because I never change, your relationship with Me provides a rock-solid foundation for your life. I will never leave your side. When you move on from this life to the next, My Presence beside you will shine brighter with each step. You have nothing to fear, because I am with you for all time and throughout eternity.
I am the Alpha and the Omega" says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." -REVALATIONS 1:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -HEBREW 13:8 
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of our hands.They will perish, but you remain; they will wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. -PSALM 102:25-27 
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. -PSALM 48:14
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God is telling us that we cannot do this on our own, and that is OK! He is here as a constant rock and provider for us. He made this world and all that is in it. He knows that we cannot handle the change that will face us on our own. We need to give into God and follow his guidance, for then we will live a worry free life.
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" -LUKE 12:22-26
Today it is so easy to get caught up in the next big change in our lives. We often worry if everything will turn out ok; if we will pass that test, land that promotion, or be a good parent. We are human so it is normal for us to worry, however we must remember that when worry comes we must pray to our God for he is the only constant in this life, and he will guide us on his path to heaven. Today it should be our goal to not worry, but instead pray to God about our worries and put our trust in Him knowing that He will take care of us all.


Monday, August 13, 2012

Learn to Enjoy Life More

RELAX, remembering that I am God with you. I crafted you with enormous capacity to know Me and enjoy My Presence. When My people wear sour faces and walk through their lives with resigned rigidity, I am displeased. When you walk through a day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in Me, your ever-present Shepherd. The more you focus on My Presence with you, the more fully you can enjoy life. Glorify Me through your pleasure in Me. Thus you proclaim My Presence to the watching world.
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a song, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us." -MATHEW 1:23
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."-JOHN 10:10-11
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 God is telling us to trust in him, for he knows what is going to happen because he made us and will protect us. He wants us to relax and know in our hearts that when we do trust him with EVERYTHING, we will enjoy our lives to the fullest extent. Today it is easy to trust God with a couple of things here and there, especially when we are having problems. For example, I find it very easy to trust God when I am sick or in pain, but why not trust him everyday even when I am healthy. I also trust Him when I give my 10% tithing from my paycheck, knowing that He will use it for His good will. But, why don't I trust God with the other percent of my paycheck, relaxing and knowing that if I put my faith in him he will help me with the rest.

We need to be like children of God. We all know that children do not care what others think of them. They will take a yucky worm up to a random lady at the park just because they think it is cool and everyone should see it. Hey, they may even have pizza sauce all over their face while they are doing it! We need to learn from the children and proclaim our trust in God, without worry of what others will think of us. This is very hard, especially in today's day and age, but if we build upon each other and talk each other through it, these steps won't be as challenging.

So today, lets try to be kids again. You don't have to preach from your desk at work about how great God is, but let people see how happy you are because you trust in the Lord our God.

Smile, God loves us.