“For we are God’s handiwork” Ephesians 2:10
Bruno Mars hit song “Just the way you are” says, “and when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while. ‘Cause,
We don’t think that way enough. After all, God created you and I, just the way we are, and God does not make mistakes! It’s time for you to discover the beautiful person that you are, and also time for you to see the beauty in others, just the way they are!
“He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15
Yes, pictured above is my cookie jar. I love to laugh! From “The Three Stooges”, to worn out cliche knock-knock Dad jokes, to comic films or television. Give me a reason to laugh and I’m the first one on board. You may have heard that laughter is the best medicine. Well, that’s actually found in Proverbs 17:22, which says, “A merry heart does you good, like a medicine”. Does God love laughter? How about what we read in Psalm 126:2, where King David says “Then our mouth was filled with laughter.” Just imagine,
So what are you waiting for? Enough of the long drawn serious faces when talking about our faith. God invented laughter and he’s just itching for you to discover joy in your worship, in your prayer time, and in your life. Let Isaiah 55:12 be your new motto; “you shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace!”
“Sing to the Lord a new song!” Psalm 98:1
Why is it that we love new, but we hate change? We love a new car, new apartment, new house, new clothes, new phone, new (fill in the blank), and yet we loath change. Isn’t new, by definition, change? Sometime,
I think David knew this when he wrote Psalm 98, in which he said, “Sing to the Lord a new song”. Sometimes our prayer life can be a bit of a broken record. Same requests, same opening line, same closing line, and so forth. How long would your relationship with a loved one last if you said the exact same thing to them every single day. Mix it up a little! Perhaps pack away your old cliche’s and find some new ways to Praise God, for He is worthy. You’ll be amazed how your attitude toward prayer changes, and a new closeness you feel with your Lord.
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
If there is one concept that we need to grasp in scripture it is that we need to literally
An Angel approached Mary and said, “Do not be afraid”. Jesus said over and over again, “Do not worry” and “Do not be afraid”. And Today, Timothy reminds us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” You will win this war against fear when you surrender your fears to God. You will be amazed at how He responds with a peace that can only come from Him.
“All things work together for good for those who love God…” Romans 8:28
The above photo is no ordinary mud puddle. For as I walked by this morning there was a very young boy, perhaps no more than a year and a half old, crouched studiously over these muddy waters. What was so interesting to me was the fact that a large playground filled with slides and swings and monkey bars was only a few steps away. Yet those playground toys held no interest for this toddler. He was focused, and fixated, on the mud. He was absolutely convinced that,
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 and muddy bits of our lives God will pull together a wonderful plan that brings forth blessings you never thought possible. Take heart today, and understand that indeed something wonderful is waiting for you in your mud puddle.
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1
Sometimes you have to block out all the distractions and just focus on the Lord in worship. King David, the author of the Psalms knew this. He only knew only one way to praise God, and that was with everything he had.
One thing I have learned in my faith journey is that it’s impossible to praise God without Him drawing close to you. Learn this lesson for yourself today. Start singing!
I will lift up my eyes to the hills, From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121
I grew up in Colorado near the majestic Rocky Mountains. There was not a day that I did not look up and to the West just to see the peaks rising on the horizon. With such a backdrop I learned that there wasn’t much a view in looking down. Down revealed mostly my dirty shoes and cracks in the sidewalks. Looking down I saw problems.
You may find yourself spending too much time in life looking down. Looking up means dreaming something new, seeing the splendor around you, or finding hope in a hopeless situation. Looking up means looking into the face of God, for that is where your help comes from. Yesterday’s post talked about God being our endless supply. Look up, it’s time to realize your help comes from the Lord.
“For I am God, your God….I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50
Much has been written of the world-wide supply chain. It’s interesting to note that of all we make, homes, cars, clothes, computers, it all comes from this one home God gave to us called earth. Nothing is shipped over from Jupiter or Mars. Everything we have comes via “recycling” raw materials which God has already provided. It all belongs to God, and yet He shares freely with us by saying over and over again,
With a simple two minute search I found over 40 bible verses where God says, He is our supply. None more powerful than Deuteronomy 28, in which God provides a very long laundry list of blessings He is prepared to supply to those who love Him. God literally says He will, “Open the heavens, and the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land, and bless the work of your hands.” Look to God, and be prepared for rain.
Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
In this one sentence Jesus sets forth a monumental concept that makes the impossible possible. It’s an easy verse to look past for surely there must be some kind of qualifier or disclaimer to this statement. Whatever I ask in prayer, all I have to do it believe, and I will receive it? The simple answer is, Yes!
In the past few decades I have witnessed more impossible miracles that I have prayed for come to pass than I could possibly list on multiple pairs of hands. In every instance, I believed without a doubt that they would come to pass and they did. There are others that I have prayed over, some for more than a decade, that have not yet come to pass, but they will. I know for sure, without a single doubt, they will. I’m no different than you, I’ve just chosen to take Jesus at his word. I’ve not given myself the luxury to pick and choose which ones of Jesus promises to believe, and which ones not to believe. The Bible tells us that our job is to have faith, His job is to fulfill His word. Live this out in your own life and you will soon find yourself in possession of Mountain Moving Faith.
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Ever thrown a pity-party? I have, usually when things are not going well or I’m not getting the answers I’m expecting. When patience proves elusive I can easily find myself slipping and sliding into a sour mood. Then, I’ll remember an old song from my childhood that my grandmother used to sing as she cleaned the house,
Count your blessings, see what God has done”. My Grandmother was no Mariah Carey but when she sang that song, thinking no one was listening, she gave it all she had. Of course someone was listening for she was singing to God. Also listening was a grandson who needed to hear these words. Perhaps you need to hear these words today. Philippians says to mediate on anything that is praiseworthy. You have blessings in your life. Whether large or small, celebrate them today and your pity-party will soon vanish from your mind.
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