“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

A friend of mine went through a hip replacement surgery. I remember my surprise at hearing the news because he is relatively young and in good shape. But the joint had worn to the point where he was walking with a visible limp, and over the past few months even started to use a crutch. He went through the surgery and thanks to the skill of a modern day surgeon was quickly up and around on his new hip. Yet for weeks after the surgery, even a month or two, his limp remained the same. Then suddenly, to my surprise, the limp vanished. Where did it go? That limp was there the day before. Had it vanished in the night? “Your walking great,” I said. “What happened?” His response to me was priceless! “My physical therapist told me that,

I Had To Retrain My Brain”

His brain had been trained to expect pain with every step, so it told him to limp in anticipation. Even if he didn’t feel the pain right away, his brain said, don’t worry, it’s coming. Those word struck me with tremendous force for Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:7 gives to us those same words. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” We have to retrain our brains to believe and ACCEPT that in Christ we are a new creation. Christ has already done the restoration work in us. Just as my friend had a new hip, Christ has given you a new life. The old one is gone, along with any horrific thing you have done, thought or said. Behold you are a new creation today! Retrain your brain to accept Christ forgiveness and restorative work. It’s time to stop limping through life and start walking!   

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

How often do we go through the circumstances in our lives with anything but peace. Large or small, we carry the burden of our circumstances with fear, anxiety, and trepidation. Then we come to the words of Jesus from John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Why not

“Hand To God Your Burdens.”

Once you do, make a decision not to carry them anymore. After all, you just handed them to God so why not trust him. So many times we pray and give our burdens to God, then say amen, then proceed to carry that burden we just prayed over away with us and hold onto it as tightly as we can. Instead trust the promise of Christ that He will bring peace to you. Accept His peace, not as the world gives, but as only He can give. Perhaps it’s time for you unpack all the baggage you are carrying around with you and hand it to Jesus. Only this time, after you pray, don’t repack your bags!   

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind…” Job 38:1

Job is probably one of the most well known individuals in the Bible, mainly because he literally lost everything, his family, his great fortune, and yes even his health. If there was ever a man who suffered it was Job. Yet even through all of his pain, and the cynical comments from his well meaning friends that he must be cursed of God for doing something wrong, Job never once cursed God. He questions his lot in life, and laments his loses, and yet,

Job Never Blames The Lord

Then in Job 38, God finally answers Job’s questions by providing an awesome resume of His greatness and His majesty. Take the time to read this one chapter and you’ll see what I mean. Whenever I’m feeling blue, or sorry for myself, or questioning my lot in life I simply re-read Job 38. Instantly I’m reminded of how truly great God is, and just how fortunate I am to be His child, and in His care. And every single time I soon find myself saying, “Lord, how great Thou art. Let your incredible will be done in my life. Whatever you have for me this day I gratefully receive.” Be reminded today that you have an awesome Heavenly Father.

“Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1

Jesus gives us an amazing road map for prayer in Luke 11. When you’re not sure what to pray, or how to pray, give Jesus seven step process a try:

Praise God first : Ask that His will be done : Ask Him for the desires of your heart : Ask Him For forgiveness : Forgive others : Ask Him to Lead you away from those things that would displease Him : Praise God, again.

In other words, pray – Our Father who art in Heaven Glory be your name : Let your Kingdom come and Your will be done on this earth as it is in heaven : Grant me this day my daily bread : Forgive me of my sins : I forgive those who have hurt me : Lead me away from temptation and deliver me from evil : God Your’s is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever! Talk to Him.

Jesus said, “Why are you so fearful, o you of little faith” Matthew 8:26

I love the image of Jesus sleeping in the boat in Matthew 8. A great tempest has risen on the sea and the disciples, ravaged by fear, find Jesus peacefully asleep. Even after the disciples frantically wake him, His first words are, “Why are you fearful, o you of little faith.” In other words, storms in life may be inevitable, but,

Storms Are No Match For Jesus.

I’ve been in plenty of emotional, stress filled storms where the waves were clearly coming over the bow. So have you. Yet, in the middle of your storm Jesus is saying, “Do not be afraid.” You only need to turn to Him.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

A friend recently lost a loved one, and I remember them saying that they were just not ready for the loss. Are we ever? Another friend endured a bitter divorce and they are finding it hard to trust. Still another is dealing with a strained relationship with a child and have a feeling of helplessness. Life can be a series of heartbreaks, broken promises and shattered dreams. Faith comforts and compels us to move foward, anyway. Martin Luther King Jr. said,

“Faith its taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

When we approach Jesus, He has an amazing way of wrapping his arms around us and hope is reborn in His embrace. Paul tells us in Hebrews that we can approach His throne with confidence that mercy and grace are there waiting for us in abundance. Faith brings us the courage to live and to love again, safely resting in our Savior’s arms.

“God said to Gideon, “You have too many men.” Judges 7:2

Gideon, in the Bible’s book of Judges. has an army, 32,000 strong, ready to go up against the mighty army of Midian. Surprisingly, God tells Gideon “you have to many men”, it’s time to downsize. Over the following verses God whittles Gideon’s army to a scant 300 men before He finally says, “there, that’s all you need”. What God was really saying to Gideon was,

“I Am All You Need”

With God you can take on the world. The numbers, be it in people or in a bank account, are no match for God. Romans 8:31 says it best. “If God be for us, who can be against us.”

“My God will supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory.” Philippians 4:19

You don’t need all the answers. You just need a little faith. Every single morning I pray,

“Lord, whatever you have for me today I am grateful.”

In other words, “Thy will be done”. I’m continually amazed at how God answers that prayer. Surrendered to God is an amazing life. Indeed, you don’t need all the answers, you just need to be ready to go when God opens the doors for you to walk through.