Problems are Part of Life

Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven into the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me.

Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the world around you. Don’t weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My perspective on the situation. Rather than trying to fix everything that comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the Light of eternity.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.- PSALM 32:8

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”- LUKE 10:41–42

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
- PHILIPPIANS 3:20–21

Infusion of Peace

Let Me infuse My Peace into your innermost being. As you sit quietly in the Light of My Presence, you can sense Peace growing within you. This is not something that you accomplish through self-discipline and willpower; it is opening yourself to receive My blessing.

In this age of independence, people find it hard to acknowledge their neediness. However, I have taken you along a path that has highlighted your need for Me: placing you in situations where your strengths were irrelevant and your weaknesses were glaringly evident. Through the aridity of those desert marches, I have drawn you closer and closer to Myself. You have discovered flowers of Peace blossoming in the most desolate places.You have learned to thank Me for hard times and difficult journeys, trusting that through them I accomplish My best work. You have realized that needing Me is the key to knowing Me intimately, which is the gift above all gifts.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.- ISAIAH 58:11

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.- ISAIAH 40:11

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Day to day we are reiterated the message of being independent and self-sufficient. God wants us to be dependent on Him. When we sit in peace with the Father and trust that he will lead our paths, that relationship that develops is indescribable. No longer shall we fear situations that arise that emphasize our weakness, for we will know that with God we can conquer all things.

Rest in His Presence

Rest in the deep assurance of My unfailing Love. Let your body, mind, and spirit relax in My Presence. Release into My care anything that is troubling you, so that you can focus your full attention on Me. Be awed by the vast dimensions of My Love for you: wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anything you know. Rejoice that this marvelous Love is yours forever!

The best response to this glorious gift is a life steeped in thankfulness. Every time you thank Me, you acknowledge that I am your Lord and Provider. This is the proper stance for a child of God: receiving with thanksgiving. Bring Me the sacrifice of gratitude, and watch to see how much I bless you.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.- 1 PETER 5:7

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.- EPHESIANS 3:16–19

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.- PSALM 107:21–22

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Let Thankfulness Rule

Let thankfulness rule in your heart. As you thank Me for blessings in your life, a marvelous thing happens. It is as if scales fall off your eyes, enabling you to see more and more of My glorious riches. With your eyes thus opened, you can help yourself to whatever you need from My treasure house. Each time you receive one of My golden gifts, let your thankfulness sing out praises to My Name. “Hallelujahs” are the language of heaven, and they can become the language of your heart.

A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles. Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful.- COLOSSIANS 3:15"

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.- ACTS 9:18

And again they shouted: “Hallelujah!…” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”- REVELATION 19:3–6

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.- PSALM 100:4

This is the Day!

This is the day that I have made! As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training. Walk with Me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you.

To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I have made, for I am your steadfast Companion.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.- PSALM 118:24

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.- PSALM 116:17

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Now that Thanksgiving is over, we must not forget what the holiday stands for. We must continue to be thankful throughout the rest of the year. This is hard to do when we are not put in positions where we are required to be thankful. We do not have the constant reminder to thank God for what He has given us. Nothing we have here on this earth is ours, we have been given every situation and circumstance by God Himself.

One way to protect our thankfulness from the Devil is to begin thanking God in every situation we are in. I tried doing this yesterday and I do believe that it improved my attitude throughout the day. By thanking God for the bed we have to sleep in, the car we have to drive to work and the job or career path we are currently on, we think less negative thoughts. We will no longer always complain about the stiffness of our mattress, the ugly car we are seen driving and the low paid job we are working.

Rejoice and be glad that the Lord will walk us through all of our circumstances. Give Him thanks every day, for He has given us all we have.

Give Him Thanks

Thank Me frequently as you journey through today. This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught. If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every situation. These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers. Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me.

When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining. If you practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker. Draw near to Me with a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
—1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 kjv

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
—James 4:8

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13

Thanksfulness

Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience—at times, blind obedience. To people who don’t know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.

Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—Ephesians 5:20

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
—Psalm 118:1

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
—Psalm 89:15

Sit Quietly

As you sit quietly in My Presence, let Me fill your heart and mind with thankfulness. This is the most direct way to achieve a thankful stance. If your mind needs a focal point, gaze at My Love poured out for you on the cross. Remember that nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from that Love. This remembrance builds a foundation of gratitude in you, a foundation that circumstances cannot shake.

As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way. I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day. Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one. When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet. Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart. Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 8:38–39

You have filled my heart with greater joy 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 4:7–8

Performance into Trust

I am pleased with you, My child. Allow yourself to become fully aware of My pleasure shining upon you. You don’t have to perform well in order to receive My Love. In fact, a performance focus will pull you away from Me, toward some sort of Pharisaism. This can be a subtle form of idolatry: worshiping your own good works. It can also be a source of deep discouragement when your works don’t measure up to your expectations.

Shift your focus from your performance to My radiant Presence. The Light of My Love shines on you continually, regardless of your feelings or behavior. Your responsibility is to be receptive to this unconditional Love. Thankfulness and trust are your primary receptors. Thank Me for everything; trust in Me at all times. These simple disciplines will keep you open to My loving Presence.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.- EPHESIANS 2:8–9

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.- EPHESIANS 3:16–19

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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It is hard for us to not focus on performance, when for most of our lives we learn implied perfection. God wants us to shift that focus of performance into trust and thankfulness of His presence. Instead of only being happy when we live up to our own goals and expectations, we must shift that to happiness for God being in our lives each and every day.

Now sure we still need to set standards and goals for ourselves, because these things keep us motivated and help build self-respect, but God does not look at those things. God's grace has saved us from Hell, it was not the projects we completed or the perfect score.

Today lets put our trust in go and stop worrying about how we can be perfect. Take that time and energy and turn it towards heaven to the one who matters most.

Take My Life

Leave outcomes up to Me. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help.When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.

You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me.

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.- PSALM 27:13–14

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”- EXODUS 15:13

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We as believers in Christ must offer up our lives to give it all to God. We must be willing to give up our plans for His. I have recently pictured my life journey as a road I am standing on looking down to what my future plans are. I am constantly focused  on the future, when I really need to let God take control. I have imagined a fog covering the "road I have laid for myself" and then God taking my hand leading me through, when I cannot see. I have come to the realization that this life I live is all for God. My plans do not matter, I need to give my life all for His glory. My life is His life. I want Him to lead me where He wants me to go, so that I may help further His kingdom and bring all of those that I love along with me.

I tell you, God works in mysterious ways. I had these thoughts last night and to wake up this morning and read this passage saying that He is ready for me to relinquish my control, it is just amazing how He sends us messages when we least expect it.

Today I want Him to "Take my life, and let it be, all for You and for Your glory. Take my life and let it be Yours".

I hope that you do the same because God is ready to take us on an awesome life journey if we let Him.

Come to Me

Come to Me, and rest in My Peace. My Face is shining upon you, in rays of Peace transcending understanding. Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, you can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything.As you lean on Me in trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete. This is how I designed you to live: in close communion with Me.

When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectations—real or imagined. You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim. Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you. You offer these people dry crumbs rather than the living water of My Spirit flowing through you. This is not My way for you! Stay in touch with Me, even during your busiest moments. Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- PHILIPPIANS 4:6–7

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”- JOHN 7:38

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.- EPHESIANS 5:18–20

Who are you following?

There is no condemnation for those who are in Me. The law of the Spirit of Life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Not many Christians know how to live in this radical freedom, which is their birthright. I died to set you free; live freely in Me!

To walk along the path of freedom, you must keep your mind firmly fixed on Me. Many voices proclaim: “This is the way for you to go,” but only My voice tells you the true way. If you follow the way of the world with all its glitter and glamour, you will descend deeper and deeper into an abyss. Christian voices also can lead you astray: “Do this!” “Don’t do that!” “Pray this way!” “Don’t pray that way!” If you listen to all those voices, you will become increasingly confused.

Be content to be a simple sheep, listening for My voice and following Me. I will lead you into restful green pastures and guide you along paths of righteousness.

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

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”- ISAIAH 30:21

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”- JOHN 10:27

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
m- PSALM 23:1–3

The Fog

As you look at the day before you, you see a twisted, complicated path, with branches going off in all directions. You wonder how you can possibly find your way through that maze. Then you remember the One who is with you always, holding you by your right hand. You recall My promise to guide you with My counsel, and you begin to relax. As you look again at the path ahead, you notice that a peaceful fog has settled over it, obscuring your view. You can see only a few steps in front of you, so you turn your attention more fully to Me and begin to enjoy My Presence.

The fog is a protection for you, calling you back into the present moment. Although I inhabit all of space and time, you can communicate with Me only here and now. Someday the fog will no longer be necessary, for you will have learned to keep your focus on Me and on the path just ahead of you.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.- PSALM 73:23–24

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.- 1 CORINTHIANS 13:12

Approach Problems with God

Approach problems with a light touch. When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me. You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately. Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious. Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

There is a better way. When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this matter to Me. Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence. This puts some much-needed space between you and your concern, enabling you to see from My perspective. You will be surprised at the results. Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself for being so serious about something so insignificant.

You will always face trouble in this life. But more importantly, you will always have Me with you, helping you to handle whatever you encounter. Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in My revealing Light.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.- PSALM 89:15

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”- JOHN 16:33

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Who do you turn to when you face a problem? I know a lot of times we turn to parents, friends, spouses, etc. Why not take all of that stress and give it to God? What is great about this is that even though we can have a problem with our job one day and a problem with our car the next, God will ALWAYS be there. He is the master of all things and knows every problem we have. Giving these things to Him will separate us from the issue and let in feelings of relief and calmness.

Not only will we receive His knowledge, but we will also be able to put the issue at hand in perspective to the rest of the problems going on in our homes, communities and country. The minor  accident you had last week, might be a struggle to pay off now and it may seem like a burden to your monthly expenses, but next year at this time is that really going to matter? No. What will matter is the relationships you build upon with your children, family members, friends, etc. Instead of using our time stressing out about circumstances, we should be spending it creating a stronger relationship with people we care about.

Give your problems to God today. Instead of stressing, go outside and take a walk with a special someone. Enjoy the time you get together because God will take care of the rest.

Depending on the Spirit

Bask in the luxury of being fully understood and unconditionally loved. Dare to see yourself as I see you: radiant in My righteousness, cleansed by My blood. I view you as the one I created you to be, the one you will be in actuality when heaven becomes your home. It is My Life within you that is changing you from glory to glory. Rejoice in this mysterious miracle! Thank Me continually for the amazing gift of My Spirit within you.

Try to depend on the help of the Spirit as you go through this day of life. Pause briefly from time to time so you can consult with this Holy One inside you. He will not force you to do His bidding, but He will guide you as you give Him space in your life. Walk along this wondrous way of collaboration with My Spirit.

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.- PSALM 34:5

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

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.- 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.- GALATIANS 5:25

God Within

I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory. The One who walks beside you, holding you by your hand, is the same One who lives within you. This is a deep, unfathomable mystery. You and I are intertwined in an intimacy involving every fiber of your being. The Light of My Presence shines within you, as well as upon you. I am in you, and you are in Me; therefore, nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from Me!

As you sit quietly in My Presence, your awareness of My Life within you is heightened. This produces the Joy of the Lord, which is your strength. I, the God of hope, fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Me, so that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.- COLOSSIANS 1:27

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”- ISAIAH 42:6 

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”- NEHEMIAH 8:10 

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.- ROMANS 15:13 

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We are made in the image of God. When He wove together our genetic makeup, His image was placed in the center of our being. No matter what we do, nothing can separate us from the King. As much as we may stray away from Him, He will always forgive us of our sins and accept us with open arms because we are His child. He walks with us, talks with us and lives within. There is no escaping the power of the one true God.

This may seems scary to some, but have joy in our Father that He will bless us with happiness. When we live like God our true reason for creation shines through. Once we accept that God is within us, and we give our lives to Him, we will live out our purpose He has created us for.

Don't be scared, for He is holding your hand and your heart.

Receive His Gift

This is a time of abundance in your life. Your cup runneth over with blessings. After plodding uphill for many weeks, you are now traipsing through lush meadows drenched in warm sunshine. I want you to enjoy to the full this time of ease and refreshment. I delight in providing it for you.

Sometimes My children hesitate to receive My good gifts with open hands. Feelings of false guilt creep in, telling them they don’t deserve to be so richly blessed. This is nonsense-thinking, because no one deserves anything from Me. My kingdom is not about earning and deserving; it’s about believing and receiving.

When a child of Mine balks at accepting My gifts, I am deeply grieved. When you receive My abundant blessings with a grateful heart, I rejoice. My pleasure in giving and your pleasure in receiving flow together in joyous harmony.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.- PSALM 23:5

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”- JOHN 3:16

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”- LUKE 11:9–10 

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?- ROMANS 8:32

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God wants us to accept his gifts. We must come with a grateful heart and receive with open hands. It is hard for us sometimes to think that something is given to us, as we approach a season of giving. However, God wants to make sure that we receive His gift from our hard work too.

A lot of time we can feel guilty from receiving and turn away. It is common for us with a Christian heart to be blessed with a giving heart, but we must also allow God to bless our lives.

This gift does not have to be tangible. God could be granting us a gift of silence or a day of work. God could be giving us love and family. What ever it is, open your heart and look towards, God praising Him for what He has provided you today.

Isolate Each Day

Do not let any set of circumstances intimidate you. The more challenging your day, the more of My Power I place at your disposal. You seem to think that I empower you equally each day, but this is not so. Your tendency upon awakening is to assess the difficulties ahead of you, measuring them against your average strength. This is an exercise in unreality.

I know what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly. The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables: the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on Me for help. Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual. Look to Me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do. As your day, so shall your strength be.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.- EPHESIANS 1:18–20

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.- PSALM 105:4

Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be.- DEUTERONOMY 33:25

Keeping Focus

Focus your entire being on My living Presence. I am most assuredly with you, enveloping you in My Love and Peace. While you relax in My Presence, I am molding your mind and cleansing your heart. I am re-creating you into the one I designed you to be.

As you move from stillness into the activities of your day, do not relinquish your attentiveness to Me. If something troubles you, talk it over with Me. If you get bored with what you are doing, fill the time with prayers and praise.When someone irritates you, don’t let your thoughts linger on that person’s faults. Gently nudge your mind back to Me. Every moment is precious if you keep your focus on Me. Any day can be a good day, because My Presence permeates all time.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.- PSALM 89:15–16

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.- 1 JOHN 3:19–20

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.- JUDE 24–25

In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.- PSALM 41:12

My Future

Sit quietly with Me, letting all your fears and worries bubble up to the surface of your consciousness. There, in the Light of My Presence, the bubbles pop and disappear. However, some fears surface over and over again, especially fear of the future. You tend to project yourself mentally into the next day, week, month, year, decade; and you visualize yourself coping badly in those times. What you are seeing is a false image, because it doesn’t include Me. Those gloomy times that you imagine will not come to pass, since My Presence will be with you at all times.

When a future-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Light of My Presence into that mental image. Say to yourself, “Jesus will be with me then and there. With His help, I can cope!” Then, come home to the present moment, where you can enjoy Peace in My Presence.

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?”- LUKE 12:22–26

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”- DEUTERONOMY 31:6

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.- 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

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I often can catch myself in this situation and I have never thought about it this way before. When I think about the future, sometimes I worry that things will not go as planned or I fear that I will fail. This situations are irrelevant to my life because those "thoughts" I am having, exclude my growing relationship with God.

With God in control we shall not worry. He knows our life path and we do not need to fret about the future because He is with us always.

Remember Those Days

Learn to appreciate difficult days. Be stimulated by the challenges you encounter along your way. As you journey through rough terrain with Me, gain confidence from your knowledge that together we can handle anything. This knowledge is comprised of three parts: your relationship with Me, promises in the Bible and past experiences of coping successfully during hard times.

Look back on your life, and see how I have helped you through difficult days. If you are tempted to think, “Yes, but that was then, and this is now,” remember who I am! Although you and your circumstances may change dramatically, I remain the same throughout time and eternity. This is the basis of your confidence. In My Presence you live and move and have your being.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- ISAIAH 41:10

But you remain the same, and your years will never end.- PSALM 102:27

“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”- ACTS 17:28

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We can be thankful today that God remains a constant ground for us throughout all of our years. He is the same God now, as He was when we needed Him ten years ago. When we face struggles today, we must look to our past and remember how He pulled us through. That faith and trust will bring us through again and again as long as we keep building our relationship with God.

Blessed Be His Name

Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. All true beauty reflects some of who I am. I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist creating loveliness within your being. My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession. Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away. I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that—abundantly!

Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way. I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence. This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment. Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive. Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in every situation.

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.- PSALM 29:2

One thing I ask of the Lord, this 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

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Why must give up all of our things? Do you feel like you are constantly getting something, but then having it ripped from under you? Why do our loved ones have to die, why do we have to lose our jobs and why do we struggle with money?

God wants us to learn about giving and taking away of our possessions. These things are not our own. God has blessed our lives with them and they are His. We have no right to complain when we know He is in control. We shall let His will be done and trust His purpose for doing so.

It is so hard to give what we have to God, especially when we work so hard for it. But think about it, we would not be where we are at today if it wasn't for God blessing our lives at some point. We owe what we have to Him. He died on the cross for our sins so that we may go to heave and live with Him forever.  Losing our job, struggling with money and suffering from a loss are blessings and teachings in disguise. He knows what His plans are. Blessed Be His Name!

What is Your God Reminder?

Seek to please Me above all else. As you journey through today, there will be many choice-points along your way. Most of the day’s decisions will be small ones you have to make quickly. You need some rule of thumb to help you make good choices. Many people’s decisions are a combination of their habitual responses and their desire to please themselves or others. This is not My way for you. Strive to please Me in everything, not just in major decisions. This is possible only to the extent that you are living in close communion with Me. When My Presence is your deepest delight, you know almost instinctively what will please Me. A quick glance at Me is all you need to make the right choice. Delight yourself in Me more and more; seek My pleasure in all you do.

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”- JOHN 8:29

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.- HEBREWS 11:5–6

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.- PSALM 37:4

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Instead of seeking to please yourself today, please God. Before you make a decision think about the repercussions and how God will view the situation. When we have a close relationship with God, like we talked about yesterday, this will come naturally. When we feel God's presence over our lives all of the time, the questioning in our decisions will disappear because God will show us the answer, no matter how big the decision may be.

To me it may seem like a lot of work, seeking God's answer for every single situation we go through each day. But, I do think that once we try to reach this goal, it will be more feasible with God on our side. After all, we are living our lives to further His kingdom, not our own.

Find something that will be a reminder for you to seek His wisdom today, whether it be a picture, a small prop or the bible. Find something that can be your God reminder.

Are You Content?

You can live as close to Me as you choose. I set up no barriers between us; neither do I tear down barriers that you erect.

People tend to think their circumstances determine the quality of their lives. So they pour their energy into trying to control those situations. They feel happy when things are going well, and sad or frustrated when things don’t turn out as they’d hoped. They rarely question this correlation between their circumstances and feelings. Yet it is possible to be content in any and every situation.

Put more energy into trusting Me and enjoying My Presence. Don’t let your well-being depend on your circumstances. Instead, connect your joy to My precious promises:

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will meet all your needs according to My glorious riches. Nothing in all creation will be able to separate you from My Love.

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.- PHILIPPIANS 4:12"

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.”- GENESIS 28:15

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.- PHILIPPIANS 4:19

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.- ROMANS 8:38–39

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When you come upon a difficult circumstance, where do you put your trust? Do you put it in your pay check? Your spouse? Your hobbies? Your work? Instead of putting trust in all of these things, we should turn to God. It is ok to share your problems and circumstances with family and friends, however trust that God will take care of you can bring you through.

When we have faith in God we learn not to worry about what the end result will be because we can know that it is in God's hands. Wouldn't you like EVERY situation to be like that?

Once we develop that relationship with God, which will take time, we can be content with a sense of peace. Building that relationship is like a friendship. You cannot build a friendship in one day. You cannot build a friendship by talking only two days a week. And you cannot build a friendship with rehearsed prayer that creates no connection. When we treat God like we do our friends we being to talk to him daily; in the car, before bed, during a workout, etc. The relationship we have with God cannot just be a one time shot. We must keep building that connection.

Start building your relationship with God RIGHT NOW, after all why wait for a better time!

Today

Walk peacefully with Me through this day. You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you. You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time. Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step. The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me. This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don’t know what to do, wait while I open the way before you. Trust that I know what I’m doing, and be ready to follow My lead. I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”- EXODUS 33:14

The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.- DEUTERONOMY 33:25

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.- HEBREWS 13:20–21

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.- PSALM 29:11

Disciplined Opportunities

Every time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me. This practice has several benefits. The first is obvious: Talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship. Another benefit is that disappointments, instead of dragging you down, are transformed into opportunities for good. This transformation removes the sting from difficult circumstances, making it possible to be joyful in the midst of adversity.

Begin by practicing this discipline in all the little disappointments of daily life. It is often these minor setbacks that draw you away from My Presence. When you reframe setbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost. It is only after much training that you can accept major losses in this positive way. But it is possible to attain the perspective of the apostle Paul, who wrote: Compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, I consider everything I once treasured to be as insignificant as rubbish.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.- COLOSSIANS 4:2

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.- PHILIPPIANS 3:7–8

My Weaknesses

Grow strong in the Light of My Presence. Your weakness does not repel Me. On the contrary, it attracts My Power, which is always available to flow into a yielded heart. Do not condemn yourself for your constant need of help. Instead, come to Me with your gaping neediness; let the Light of My Love fill you.

A yielded heart does not whine or rebel when the going gets rough. It musters the courage to thank Me even during hard times. Yielding yourself to My will is ultimately an act of trust. In quietness and trust is your strength.

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.- PSALM 116:5–7

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.- EPHESIANS 5:20

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”- ISAIAH 30:15

No One is Perfect!

Do not be discouraged by the difficulty of keeping your focus on Me. I know that your heart’s desire is to be aware of My Presence continually. This is a lofty goal; you aim toward it but never fully achieve it in this life. Don’t let feelings of failure weigh you down. Instead, try to see yourself as I see you. First of all, I am delighted by your deep desire to walk closely with Me through your life. I am pleased each time you initiate communication with Me. In addition, I notice the progress you have made since you first resolved to live in My Presence.

When you realize that your mind has wandered away from Me, don’t be alarmed or surprised. You live in a world that has been rigged to distract you. Each time you plow your way through the massive distractions to communicate with Me, you achieve a victory. Rejoice in these tiny triumphs, and they will increasingly light up your days.

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.- ROMANS 8:33–34

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.- HEBREWS 4:14–16

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How many times have you heard the saying "no one is perfect"? We hear it all of the time because it is true. There is no one in our lives who can get everything right, who can say the right words all of the time and who can go without sin. God knows this. We do not need to try to be the perfect Christian for God to accept us. He knows that we are going to stray off His path and sin and that is ok because He knows where our hearts truly are at.

Its takes practice to get to our goals and if we want to be a better Christian for God we need to set a goal for our self and then celebrate the accomplishments along the way. Having small checkpoints will reassure our life journey with God while also keeping us sane within the world we live.

It is not easy trying to be perfect, so don't try. Set goals, check-in and stay in communication with God.