“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, Name Them One By One,

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.

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” Exodus 15:2

When we look to God for all that we need, He provides. Looking back, some of the hardest and most challenging times in my life were exactly the times that God gave me the most comfort, miracle last-second provision, or answers. Help would always arrive, just in time. As the sky was seemingly falling I would simply say, Jesus I trust you. All too soon a smile would cross my lips knowing

Jesus is in Control

Here’s the challenge. When you say, “Jesus, I trust you,” you have to mean what you say. Faith in God on your part moves the heart of God, and then mountains move and the battle is won. Indeed, He is faithful to provide the victory when we look to and trust Him as our provider.

“Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:5

Prior to the Wright Brothers taking flight over Kitty Hawk, man dreamed of taking to the skies in flight. The fascination is found all through scripture where soaring above the troubles of earth is a common theme. Today, I look at modern machines, some weighing hundreds of tons while sitting on the ground, yet lift like a bird when propelled forward, allowing an invisible stream of air to pass their wings and lift them with seemingly little effort. Such flight brings an interesting parallel to mind.

Even Your Heaviest Burden Can Be Lifted

Over and over again I’ve heard a recurring theme from those I meet on my journey; “My burden is too heavy”. They don’t believe it can be lifted. They don’t believe they can be, as Psalm 103 says, “renewed like the eagle”. You are right, you can’t do it alone. It is God alone who satisfies and renews. He is the ultimate remodeler of lives. The par-excellence ‘fixer upper’. No burden is too heavy for God to lift. Just ask Him.

“Let Thy will be done….” Matthew 6:10

I went for a walk a few days ago and came across the image above and thought I would share it with you. “Because you are alive everything is possible”. I don’t believe in coincidences in life, because, God is a God of purpose, not randomness. He wanted me to see these words, so I saw them. They reminded me once again that if I’m drawing breath there is something to be done, something to accomplish, someone to encourage, someone to lift. Every morning, for at least a decade, I have woken up and asked for directions by praying,

Whatever You Have For Me Today Lord, I Gratefully Receive.

And every evening my wife and I stop to pray, “Whatever you have in store for our future, we are so grateful.” These are two practical examples of how Jesus tells us to pray in Matthew 6:10. For when we pray, “Thy will be done,” we are giving God permission to take control of our lives and point us in the right direction.

Joy is a choice we can make, no matter what circumstances surround us. Philippians tells us:

Rejoice, and then rejoice again!

Just one line later, Paul, the author of Philippians, goes on to say why we can rejoice in all circumstances. “Be anxious for nothing,” he says, “but in everything by prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”