Tomorrow

“being confident of this, that He (Jesus) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” Philippians 1:6

Martin Luther once said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

Tomorrow’s Hope Begins Today

Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6 that what Jesus has started in your life He will carry through to completion. Translation: when you put your life in Jesus hands He forgives your past so yesterday is indeed gone, He is carrying you today so you can open your eyes and see things in a different way, and He has a plan for your future so just think what tomorrow will bring!

Escape

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Denis Healey, the longest tenured British defense minister in its history famously said, “When you’re in a hole, stop digging.” That’s probably one of the greatest pieces of advice we could ever receive, and a lesson that the Apostle Paul learned from God in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul had a problem, and even though we don’t specifically know what the issue was that’s really not what’s important. What’s important are the words God gave to Paul in saying,

“My Grace Is Sufficient.”

In other words, God is saying to us stop toiling and spinning over this problem and hand it to Me. We have to understand that while we are weak, He is strong. Strong enough to deal with whatever hole you have found yourself in. So hand God the issue and say “Lord, I trust you.” then be content with how He works it out. His solution may not be your solution, and that’s where the trust factor comes in. Trust in God.

Good News

“Wherever Jesus entered into, cities or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.” Mark 6:56

I’m fascinated at the speed with which news and information travels around our world. Go back a hundred years and imagine the snails pace at which news traveled, or a thousand years ago it was probably even slower. Yet in Jesus day everywhere He went people clamored to be around Him. Every village He entered they had already heard stories of this miracle worker.

Good News Travels Fast.

Are you ready for a miracle? The same Jesus that people clamored to touch over two thousand years ago is alive and well and ready to bless you. If you are reading these words know that I’ve already prayed for you. I don’t have to see your face or know your name to do that because Jesus knows exactly who you are, and what your circumstances are. I just have to care enough about you to to say, Jesus, bless this dear soul reading these words with a very special surprising touch from You today. Meet them at the point of their need and let them be filled with Your joy, right now, in this very moment.

Arise

Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14

Are you spiritually asleep? Is your relationship with God something you only think about on Sunday for an hour, or when you need a hand, or when your life turns upside down? 

Arise, Life Is Calling! 

God’s life giving, miracle working power will absolutely transform your life, but it is up to you to tap into that power. Start with prayer. Praise God for everything from his magnificent creation that’s all around you to the love He has for you! Ask God for His will to be done in your life, and tell God that you are willing to be used by Him to accomplish something beyond your wildest dreams!

What now?

“Where can I go from Your spirit, or where can I flee from Your presence?” Psalm 139:7

Sometimes life throws things at us that we simply do not expect. We use the term ‘blindsided’, but that hardly describes the darkness or pain we feel as though we’d just been run over, either physically or emotionally, or both. From such a dark pit we wonder, what do I do now? Yet in such times there is a Psalm that perfectly describes what we are going through, and at the same time boldly reminds us that

God Is Always With Us.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”

Nothing Is Impossible

Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Beloved American Pastor Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) once said, “Empty pockets never held anyone back, only empty heads and empty hearts can do that”. What does Jesus know that we don’t? The answer is, plenty!

Where We See Impossibilities God Sees Possibilities.

Faith is trusting that God will have the last word and that word will be good. Our job is to love one another, do the best with the gifts He has given to us, and trust that God will guide our steps every minute of every hour of every day.

Refuge

“God is our refuge and strength” Psalm 46:1

There is a story dating back more than a century about a Queen’s vessel that was sailing off shore on a very dark night. The Captain spotted a light in the distance that appeared to be directly in his path. He sent a message across the wire that said, “Approaching ship, Please alter your course.” The response came back quickly, saying, “We cannot comply. Please alter your course.” The Captain grew frustrated as the light drew closer and fired off another message that said, “This is the Queens vessel and I’ve been its Captain for 10 years, I would urge you to alter your course.” The response came back rather quickly, saying, “My name is Samuel Smith and I’ve been operating this lighthouse for 5 years. I would urge you to alter your course.” Sheepishly the Queens Captain complied. So often we go through life trying to have our own way, when God as our lighthouse gently says,

If You Seek Refuge, Alter Your Course

The simplest way is to say to God, “Thy will be done, Lord. You alone know where all the rocks and hazards are in life so You guide me, You lead, and I will happily live in the refuge of Your protection.”

Lacking Nothing

“Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10

Ever thought of what would happen if you spent your life seeking God? Try adding a thirty second prayer to your morning when you get up. “God, be with me today, I could really use your help.” At noon, perhaps say “God, thank you for protecting me today. I know you’re there and I know you love me.” In the evening try, “Lord, as I sleep, let me hear from you. Teach me, I’m yours.” A conversation once started with God will

Bring Forth Welcome Results.

God makes promises in the Bible. All we need to do is have the Faith to believe they are real. Seek the Lord and you will lack no good thing.

Trust

“My God will supply all your needs…” Philippians 4:19

We don’t always know what we really need in life, but God does. There’s a trust factor that has to be implemented in order for us to be truly satisfied and fulfilled.

Trust God,

He knows you better than you know yourself, and has your best interest in mind every minute of every hour of every day.

Do Not Worry

Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life.” Matthew 6:25

My father-in-law once told me a story about a giant tree in Colorado that had died. The tree was hundreds of years old, which they could tell by counting the rings when they cut it down. Through those hundreds of years it wasn’t the big things that killed the tree, like a drought or lightening strikes. It was a tiny little bark beetle. Only the beetle did not come alone, he brought its aunts and uncles and cousins and friends and they had a party killing that tree. The moral of the story was, when you let one little negative thought into your mind, it will never come alone. That negative thought will bring its aunts and uncles and cousins and friends and they will have a party putting a negative fear based hole in your mind.

One Negative Thought Leads To Many

The story so closely aligns with Jesus when He said, “Do not worry about your life.” When we fear the negative we leave very little room for trust in God. Big or small, hand your fears to Jesus today. He’ll happily take them off your hands.