Accentuate The Positive

“If God be for us, who can be against us.” Romans 8:31

In 1945 Johnny Mercer was nominated for an Oscar for a little song he wrote for a film staring Bing Crosby called “Here Comes The Waves.” The song said, “You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, and don’t mess with Mr. In-between!” I think we can all agree that one small positive thought can make a dramatic difference in our day, and is really a perfect prescription for

A Faith Filled Life!

After all, Romans 8:31 tells us that “if God is for us, who can be against us”. Just think, the creator of the heavens and the earth is on your side. With that outlook, you should indeed accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and don’t mess with Mr. In-between.

Peaks & Valleys

“Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” Isaiah 40:4

Our lives are filled with peaks and valleys. Many times it feels like we are trudging uphill then quickly experience a rapid descent, all while we nervously hang on for dear life. Isaiah 40 foretells the coming of Jesus, and speaks poetically of valleys being raised and mountains being leveled. In truth that’s exactly what Christ has done for us. What have we to fear for God has shown to us in Christ who He is, that He is our Savior, our Advocate, our Provider, and our Healer!

The Peaks And Valleys Have Been Leveled!

Peaks and valleys only have the power we decide that they do for Christ has removed the barriers. We just need exercise our faith and enjoy this ride called life, knowing Jesus has already conquered whatever we face.

Alternate Ending

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

Alternate endings have become popular in stories and film. Don’t like the ending, then simply choose the alternate. Our lives are not that much different. Many times we look at our lives and wonder how, “how did I get here?” We’d love the opportunity to take a few steps backwards and start again. The good news today is, you can

Choose A New Path.

The ultimate alternate ending comes when we invite Christ into our life. Corinthians tells us, “if anyone be in Christ they are a new creation, old things have passed away and all things have become new.” When Christ went to the cross, He took on 100 percent of anything that separates us from God. Christ voluntarily in a great act of love became our intermediary, our perfect advocate, and the singular reason that no matter what our past looks like, our future can be brand new. Christ give us the ability to have the ultimate do-over. If you’ve taken this step already, celebrate it today and say “thank you Jesus!”. If you haven’t, Look up, a brand new life awaits.

Possible!

“I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

Jesus meets a man whose son is sick. The man says to Jesus, “if you can, help my son.” Jesus responds to this man with a powerful statement:

“Everything Is Possible For One Who Believes”

The man then responds saying, “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.” How many times do we miss out on incredible blessings in life simply because we walk around with timid faith, or we believe in a timid God. If you lack faith in your life, ask for more. Jesus has an endless supply just waiting for those who ask. Everything is possible for one who believes.

There Is Hope

“Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who made us and not we ourselves.” Psalm 100:3

I watched a video I highly recommend on Youtube called “Vapor” by Michael Gungor recently that explores Ecclesiastes search for meaning in life. The video talks about the history of the universe. Taking their premise at face value they said the universe is billions of years old while man has been here for a few hundred thousand years. For perspective if you stretch out your arms and think of that length as the historical time the universe has been in existence, a simple rub of a nail file from the tip of your fingernails would wipe out all of human history. Our lives are a literal blip in the history of time.

So, Where Do We Find Our Hope?

David reminds us in Psalm 100 that we belong to God, the creator of this vast universe. We spend most of our days and never give these words much thought, but if you sit back and realize the significance of these words a flood of hope should flow through your mind. Forget the universe for a minute and think of the care, the craftsmanship it takes to make a human mind and heart and nervous system and muscles and tendons, and then give you the capacity to think and reason, and then above all that God gave you a free will to decide how you spend your days. Then, with one act of faith on your part, the same creator who made you and all that you can see will unleash His plan for your life. You may say, my life doesn’t look so pretty. My response is open your eyes. This life is but step one in eternity for you. You were made for more. Place your life in the hands of the Creator and find out how much more. Jesus is calling.

Fearless!

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

God, the creator of the universe, is on our side, and is telling us that He’s given us a spirit of Power, Love and a Sound Mind. What I don’t see listed is a spirit of fear, anxiety, or helplessness. So, if God did not give us these, why do we walk through life with such defeat? The truth is we have more power than few think we do. How do I know this? Read 2 Timothy 1:17 again.

Time To Celebrate!

The battle has already been won for God has given us a spirit of power. That’s why Jesus said over and over again, “Do not worry” and “Do not be afraid”. You will win this war against fear when you take God at His word and celebrate the fact that He is in control. You will be amazed at how He responds with a peace that can only come from Him.

The Messy Bits

“All things work together for good for those who love God…” Romans 8:28

In a word, life is messy. Yet in the book of Romans, Paul writes that “All things work together for good for those who love God”. That means lurking in the messy bits of our lives God will pull together a wonderful plan that brings forth

Blessings From Your Mess.

Indeed, something wonderful is waiting for you in you in the very midst of your mess.

He’s Listening

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you,” Jeremiah 29:12

There is one truth in life that you should pay attention to, and should give you great comfort:

We Are Never Alone

God is so near to every person on this planet, quietly waiting in the stillness to be invited to draw near and fill every empty void in your life. In Jeremiah 29 God makes a promise that if we call on Him He will listen. Amazing things are about to happen for you when you reach out in prayer, and call the Lord.

God’s Presence

“Your (God’s) love is better than life” Psalm 63:3

In Psalm 63 King David wrote, “You God are my God. Earnestly I seek you. I thirst for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Notice how David is not asking for anything other than God’s presence. He’s not seeking rescue, or answers, or miracles. David simply craves God’s presence. He prays this way because he understands that,

God’s Presence Is Better Than Life Itself

When you feel anxious, or nervous, or scared, or lonely, try doing as David did and reach out to God, and simply ask for His presence. God will not disappoint you. The atmosphere will shift and you will quickly begin to understand why David prayed the way he did.

It’s All In The Asking

“You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss.” James 4:3

Is God listening to me? I’ve heard this from so many people over the years who have grown weary in their prayer life. My response is that I have found receiving answers to prayer easy when you share your hearts desires with God, and follow them up with seven key words.

Not My Will, but Thine Be Done.

That is how you are certain not to ask “amiss”. Remember, God knows everything, your past, your present, and your future. God also wants to bless you with the best. Your job is to trust Him.