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Marico Early

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Clean On The Outside, Messy On The Inside

Clean On The Outside, Messy On The Inside

1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

On yesterday a friend came by to pick me up for lunch. When I got in her car, there was dog fur everywhere, from her sweet dog shedding his fur.  Please be clear, I am not sharing this with you, to be judgmental or gossipy.  This lady has a super busy schedule and I realize that. So I understood that she had been on the go so much lately, that she just had not had a chance to take her car in to be detailed.   In her defense, I must say that I know for a fact that she does have her car detailed from time to time because of her dog’s excessive shedding.

As we were riding, she decided to whip into a local car wash and have her car washed.  Afterwards, it was nice and shiny and it even looked brand new. It’s actually amazing what a little soap and water can do.  But what the other drivers passing by could not see when they saw her shinny cleaned car, was how dirty it was on the inside. I immediately thought that this was so much like life.  How many times do we see someone who is all put together, and we decide that everything in their life runs perfectly? They couldn’t possibly have any issues, because we are basing it on their outward appearance.  Only to find out that they are a hot mess on the inside. They may have low self-esteem, or they may be dealing with low self-worth.

It may be that their life is filled with sin. They may even have secret sins that only they and God know about.  We only see the gorgeous clothes, the flawless makeup, the perfect hair and the matching shoes and purse and we immediately decide that they have it all together.    I want to assure you that at some point, from time to time we all look like the inside of my friend’s car, a mess.  We look great on the outside but we are torn to shreds on the inside with fear, worry or doubt about something.

Today I want us to make a decision to love people where they are, remembering that we are not perfect either.  We are all a work in progress.  We have absolutely no authority to judge anyone.

| Let’s love as Christ loves, and that is unconditionally.
Let’s also commit to spending as much time focusing on our inner self as we do our outward appearance.   When that becomes our focus, I think our world will start to see a change. Have a blessed week my sisters!

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
1 Peter 3:3-4

 

Mandatory Pause

Mandatory Pause

Last week in my part of the country a large snowstorm blew in.  Prior to the snowstorm, I made a list of the things that I wanted my husband to pick up from our local grocery store.  You see when we hear that snow is in the forecast, we start to get a little excited. Snow on the ground usually means that my husband will be off from work for a few days for a much-needed break.   I love it because life quiets down long enough for me to focus on projects around the house that I really need to get done.

I must tell you that when I heard the forecast this time, I immediately planned to work on something that I had been trying to complete for months. I just knew that I would have three to four days that I could get in my office and knock it out.  I considered it very high on my list of priorities, because I didn’t know when I would get that opportunity again.

Well don’t you know that absolutely nothing turned out as I thought that it would.  As I am writing this, I am on day five of being in bed with the Flu.  Yes, the Flu!

So frustrating!  But apparently so necessary for God to reveal some answers to things that I had been praying about.   When I got still even though it meant being in bed with the Flu, God started to enlighten me through training material I was lying in bed listening to, and through scriptures I was reading. Also, He spoke to me through some resources that had been shared with me that I had not yet had time to research.

You see, had things gone my way, I would have been so busy working in my office that I would have missed what God wanted to share with me. And believe me it is something that will be life changing for my business. I am sure that my focus would have been on my own agenda, and I would not have heard God’s whisper and God knew that.

Don’t you just love that God knows His children and that He knows each of our personality types.   He knows just how to communicate with each of us and how to get our attention.  And apparently, He knew that I needed a mandatory pause.  Oh, how I love my Savior, He always knows just when and how to rescue me.

Today I want to encourage you, not to fight Him if you are given a mandatory pause.  Look for the good in it.  Ask God what He wants you to learn from the experience.  And most importantly trust that he always knows what He is doing. You will be better, wiser and stronger on the other side of your mandatory pause.  Embrace all that God has for you by simply trusting Him.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Psalm 32:8
8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Proverbs 19:21
21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
Proverbs 16:9
9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

 

 

What’s Your Plan?

What’s Your Plan?

18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,[a] but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Isaiah 32:8
But he who is noble plans noble things,  and on noble things he stands.
Proverbs 16:9
9 The heart of man plans his way,  but the Lord establishes his steps.

In some households, the Christmas tree comes down the day after Christmas.  Typically, at my house the Christmas tree will be up at least until New Year’s Day.  In all honesty, there have been some years, that it has been up way past the New Year.
It seems that each year on January 2nd, I start to shift gears mentally and I am excited and ready to focus on what’s ahead, not behind.  I want all signs of Christmas decorations and wrappings, and the tree back in a safe place until next year.
Don’t you love that a new year is  God’s way of blessing us with a fresh start and a clean slate?  It’s a time to hit the reset button and it’s the perfect time for us to contemplate where we want to go, and what we want to achieve in the coming year.
I do want to encourage you to remember while setting your goals, to leave room in your plans for God’s divine interruptions.  In other words, don’t have your plan so stuck in concrete that you are devastated when He takes you in a different direction.  God’s plans are usually totally different from what we are planning.  Be willing to stay open to change, be flexible, and be available to whatever God desires of you. Remember He always knows what’s best for us.
Here are some things to contemplate as you set your goals for the coming year.
1.  What was my best achievement in 2024?
2. What happened in 2024 that I am most proud of?
3. What was my biggest disappointment in 2024, and what did I learn from it?
4.   As I look forward to 2025 I am most hopeful about?
5. What are the five things that I would like to see happen in 2025?
6.  My top priority in 2025 will be?
7. What is my goal for 2025?
8. My spiritual, emotional mental, physical, and financial goals for 2025 are?
9.  My word for the year is?
10. Because I am fully aware that God is on my side I will do what this year?
11. What is the one thing that I am afraid to do, but I will choose to feel the fear and do it anyway this year?
12. Write a letter to God expressing your heart’s desires for 2025 as honestly as you know how.
13. Who do I need to forgive so that I can move forward freely in the New Year?
My prayer is that as you take time to sit and contemplate the answers to these questions.  I pray that God will bless you with clarity and wisdom for the New Year.   I pray that you and your family will be blessed abundantly this year.  May you be blessed spiritually, emotionally, and financially.  I pray that you will be in great health throughout the year and that you will have the strength and stamina to run the race that God has set before you.  I also pray that you will surrender completely to His will for your life and that you will know and experience God’s abundant love every second of every day!
Have a Happy and prosperous New Year.

Proverbs 16:3
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Matthew 17:20
20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”[a]
Proverbs 3:6
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,  and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,  but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
Psalm 20:4
4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yield Not To Temptation 

Yield Not To Temptation

Have you ever gone through the process of psyching yourself up to start a new diet?  Well I have, and it seems that the moment that I decided to start my new food plan, every commercial on TV is about the most mouth-watering cheeseburgers or the best-looking pizza you have ever seen.  That also seems to be the time that my husband decides to surprise me with a brand-new carton of my favorite Butter Pecan ice cream.
Temptations are all around us at every turn.  Food may not be the thing that gets to you, it may be something else, but what I do know for sure is that we all have weaknesses, and Satan preys on those weaknesses.  For some it may be overeating, others may deal with alcohol, drugs, or sexual temptations.  There are some that may deal with issues of greed,  gossiping, or even lying.  Whatever the case, in order to overcome the constant temptation to participate in these sinful acts, and live a life of holiness that God calls us to, we must use the greatest weapon that we have and that weapon is prayer.
Each morning when you arise, ask God to give you the power and strength to resist the wiles of Satan.  Also, it’s important that you don’t set yourself up to be tempted.  Stay away from people, places, and things that trigger you to fall into temptation.  With God’s help, you can overcome any temptation.
 Remember, Satan even tried to tempt Jesus, but Jesus resisted his temptation.   As Christians, we must do the same.  Tap into this power to resist sin by maintaining a healthy prayer life.  My sisters get prayed up and stay prayed up.  Prayer is the catalyst to transform your life and have the strength to say no to the enemy.

Yield not to temptation!

40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:1
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Stress

Holiday Stress

Last week a dear friend of mine expressed how stressed out she was about Christmas.   My heart went out to her because I know that she is not alone.   The hustle and bustle that occurs during this time of year can be overwhelming.

Everyone either has a list, or is making a list of the things that they need to accomplish by Christmas.  Whether it be a list of groceries to purchase for all of the delicious goodies, or a list of toys and other gifts to buy, there is work to be done.  And let’s not forget to mention the decorating of the house and the Christmas tree.  There is also house cleaning to be done in preparation for the special day.   There are Christmas plays to attend, Church Christmas programs and Christmas Parties to attend.  Wow there can be a lot going on in the month of December!  Just listing these things makes me want to take a nap.

The thought of all that needs to be done from Thanksgiving to Christmas can be quite stressful and absolutely exhausting for some.   Obviously this was not God’s intention.   This should be a time of joy and it should also be a peaceful time, when we can be in God’s presence full of gratitude and hope for the future that lies ahead of us because of the birth of Christ.  Today I would like to share a few tips that can possibly help you to have a calmer Christmas so that you can refocus on the reason for this special season and that would be Jesus!

10 Ways To Calm Your Anxieties During The Christmas Season

  1. Start each day in the presence of God through prayer and by reading your Bible.  Just get still.
  2. Play soft Christmas music throughout the day in your home and in your car.
  3. Make a list of all that you need to do, and do things over several days.  Stress comes when we try to accomplish too much in a short amount of time.
  4. Maybe this could be the year that you suggest pulling names to your family, instead of trying to purchase gifts for everyone.  It saves time, energy and money.
  5. If finances are a bit tight this year and you have the time, you may consider giving baked goods, such as cookies etc. and trust me, they will be well received.
  6. Delegate.  Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do it all. Share the load. You don’t want to be totally exhausted on Christmas morning and the day after that          too.
  7. Nothing makes us feel better than doing something nice for someone else.  Why not take a name from an angel tree this year and bless a stranger with a gift. You will be surprised at how quickly you will forget about yourself and all that you need to do when you focus on someone else’s needs.
  1. Take a moment after one of your long days and sit and watch a cute Christmas movie, preferably a funny one. Laughter is a great stress releaser.
  2. Take a 20-30 minute nap if you need to recharge.
  3. Review your list and determine if everything on it is really necessary.  If you see places to cut back, be willing to do so.

I hope that this helps!   Have a Merry and Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Matthew 6:34
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace  those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Colossians 3:15
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,  whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought  and never fails to bear fruit.”

 

Are You In Alignment?

Are You In Alignment?

Have you ever had a season when it seemed that no matter how hard you tried, things were just not working out as you had hoped?  Well I certainly have had a season or two in my lifetime, when I have experienced this.  As I look back over those years I have come to realize that there have been times when what I wanted was simply not in God’s will for my life at that time.   There have been other times when I simply was not in alignment with God.
You may be asking, how exactly does one get out of alignment with God?   You see even though we are Christians, there are times when we get off track. We may know in our hearts what God’s will is for us and we selfishly don’t want to surrender to it.  He may be leading us in a direction that He desires for us to go and we are pushing back with resistance.  Something as simple as a recurring sin may also block our blessing from coming through.
I encourage you today to eliminate the frustrating struggle that you may be experiencing, by simply doing a self evaluation.
Ask yourself the following 10 questions:

1. What am I resisting or running from?
2. What is the one thing that I know that I need to be doing, but I keep putting it off?
3. What are my secret sins?
4.  What is it that I keep doing over and over that I know is sinful?
5.  Do I have a consistent prayer life?
6.  Am I reading my Bible daily?
7.  Who am I choosing to be influenced by?
8.  Do I have a Christian accountability partner?
9. Do I truly trust God with my life?
10. Am I willing to do whatever God asks of me?
Prayerfully these questions will help you to see if you are in or out of alignment with God.   Hopefully you will be able to get back on track if you are not happy with what you conclude.  The wonderful thing is that we serve a God that forgives and restores.  Repent and ask for forgiveness where you have fallen short.
I hope that you will make a commitment to walk in alignment with God. He is so worthy of our faithful obedience.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33
32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
28 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you.
11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.
12 The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.
John 14:23
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Psalm 33:18
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
Proverbs 28:14
14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
John 15:10
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him……..

Are You Willing To Trust And Obey? 

Are You Willing To Trust And Obey?

John 21:1-14
21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. Have you ever felt like Jesus asked you to do something that defied all human logic? 

In John chapter 21:1-14 it is quite clear that the disciples probably felt this way.  They had been out fishing all night and had caught absolutely nothing.  Jesus shows up and instructs them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. Well of course this probably made no sense to them, since they had already told Him that they had been fishing all night and they had not caught anything.

 You see these were professional fishermen.  This was not their first rodeo so to speak.  They did this daily for a living.  One would think that if something as simple as casting their nets on the other side of the boat, would bring about a successful fishing day they would certainly have enough experience to figure that one out.
What I love about this story is that they did not try to think of all the reasons why it did not make sense to cast their nets on the other side.  Two things happened immediately. They heard Jesus’s voice, and they obeyed His voice.
What we must remember is that our blessings are always connected to our obedience to God.  Because the disciples were willing to obey and cast their nets on the other side of the boat, the Bible says when their nets were drawn from the water they had caught 153 large fish.   God did more in a second than they had achieved all night and possibly even over several days.
Where are you today?  When God instructs you to do something, do you obey without question, do procrastinate, or do you try to rationalize and figure out all of the reasons why it does not make sense to you?   May I suggest that you respond immediately, trusting that God has always faithfully guided you correctly, and this time will be no different?  Let’s make it a point to respond to God’s voice without hesitation.  He is a loving kind Father who knows what’s best for us.
Remember He knows where the fish are so
Don’t Miss Out!  Trust and Obey!

God Has Provided All That We Need

God Has Provided All That We Need

During this month of Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to focus on how great our God is.   He is so worthy to be praised!  All that we have He has provided.  We even see His provision through all of creation.  Every person, animal, and even the plants and trees are all blessed by the hand of God.
He has thoughtfully planned and orchestrated it all.  How can we not love and praise such a thoughtful, kind and loving God, who is a Father to us all?   He is our great Provider and His wisdom and generosity cannot be matched. Oh God how we love and appreciate you, should be our daily anthem.  May your hearts be blessed as you read the scriptures below that speaks to the greatness of our God. Blessings to each of you!
Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Psalm 7:17
17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 145:8-9
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
Psalm 89:8-14
Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
You rule over the surging sea;
when its waves mount up, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.
12 You created the north and the south;
Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.
13 Your arm is endowed with power;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.

Isaiah 40:28
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Psalm 103:3-14
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[a]
Psalm 104:5-33
He set the earth on its foundations;
it can never be moved.
You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
But at your rebuke the waters fled,
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
they flowed over the mountains,
they went down into the valleys,
to the place you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross;
never again will they cover the earth.
10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it flows between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens human hearts,
oil to make their faces shine,
and bread that sustains their hearts.
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests;
the stork has its home in the junipers.
18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats;
the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night,
and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away;
they return and lie down in their dens.
23 Then people go out to their work,
to their labor until evening.
24 How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
26 There the ships go to and fro,
and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27 All creatures look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
29 When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
30 When you send your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works—
32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalm 146:6-10
He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
    the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.
Psalm 147 :6-11
The Lord sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
make music to our God on the harp.

He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 147:15-18
15 He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

James 1:17
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Psalm 69:30
30 I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.

 

Missed Opportunities

Several years ago, my husband and I were attending a basketball game.  As I was sitting there watching the game, I struck up a conversation with a lady that I had never met before.  She was quite friendly and seemed to have been a nice person.

At some point in the conversation, I asked her where she did go to church, and she said “we don’t go to church”.   I kept talking to her as if she had not just told me that she did not go to church.

Because I am a Christian, that reply should have sent bells and whistles off in my head.  For some reason I did not feel comfortable speaking up when I heard her response.  I don’t know if it was because we were at a game, that I didn’t speak up, or if I was just at a loss for words when I heard her response.  But what I do know for sure is that I missed an opportunity. On the way home I kept thinking, why didn’t I speak up. Why didn’t I invite her to come to church with us for Sunday worship?

The Holy Spirit really convicted me over this one.  The sad thing is that I never saw her again.  What if I was the one assigned to share the Good News with her.  If so, I missed my chance.

As Christians we have opportunities to share God and to do good all throughout our day.  Whether it be to invite someone to church or take meals to the sick, or to make a donation for a worthy cause, there are always opportunities to serve.

I encourage you to stay alert, and when you see or hear a way to serve or help someone, don’t miss your opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to that person.  Let’s make a commitment to seize the opportunities that are presented to us, to share the Good News or to serve in a way that brings God honor and glory!

Philippians 2:3-8
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 3:15
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
2 Corinthians 5:20
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Psalm 96:3
Declare his glory among the nations,  his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

You Are Worthy

You Are Worthy

This past weekend I was asked to speak at a retreat.  The theme of the retreat was Worthy To Win.  I thought that this was a great topic, because at some point or another we all have felt unworthy to some degree.
Feeling unworthy comes from believing the lies that Satan tells us.  He wants us to doubt the promises, and truths that God’s Word has given us.  He wants us to live in doubt, fear and unworthiness.  These are the tools that he uses over and over and over again.
Another one of his tools is to accuse us of things that God has already forgiven us for.  Although God has forgiven us, Satan’s constant accusations make it hard for us to forgive ourselves. He reminds us of past failures or past experiences and that causes us to feel shameful.
 He knows how this eats away at our self-esteem and our sense of self worth,  so he keeps the accusations coming.  It is difficult to feel worthy when you are constantly reminded of all of the reasons why you should qualify as unworthy.  Through this process we are held hostage and we lose our effectiveness to grow and achieve all that God would desire of us.  Believing Satan’s lies keeps us from stepping into our purpose.
Be clear, God sent Jesus to sacrifice His life for us, because we were important to Him.  That in itself means that we have value and we have worth.  God took the time to masterfully create us, and all that he created was good.  We are worthy because of what God has done for us, not because of who we are. Because we wear His seal we have worth.
We are worthy to live a joyful life.  We are worthy to enjoy the blessings that God has provided for us.  We are also worthy to walk in freedom, because we are no longer held captive. We have been set free by Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection.  We can only be held captive if we choose to believe Satan’s lies.
How Do We Change Our Thought Process And Start Believing That We Are Worthy?
1.  Pray!  Since our worth comes from God, we should spend time in His presence.  Daily when you pray, ask God to help you believe that you are who He says         that you are, and that you can do what He says that you can do. Remember, it is His power that works through you to achieve great things.
2.  I encourage you to Journal.  Journaling is one of the best ways to process your thoughts and feelings.  It also helps you to release the things that you have             been holding on to.
3 Forgiveness is key!  If you have been hurt or abused in some way, it is crucial that you forgive the person that offended you.  This helps you to move forward         in believing that you are worthy.  Remember you are not what happened to you.
4.  Read your Bible daily.  I recommend that you read scriptures when you rise each morning and before you fall asleep each night.   Keep God’s word on your           mind and in your heart at all times. It has transforming power.
5.  Take ten to fifteen minutes each day, and just be in total silence.  Listen for God’s voice during this time.  Remember, total silence!
6.  Believe that you are worth the personal work that it will require to change your thought process.  Your goal is to get to a place where you are in full agreement       with God, that you are worthy of all of the blessings that He has for you.
7.  Positive affirmations are important.  Look in the mirror and tell yourself five to ten great things about yourself each day.
8.  Be grateful!  Write down ten things that you are grateful for each day.  Gratitude opens the door for more blessings to enter in and it helps you to be appreciative of what God has already provided.
9.  Don’t allow people who are consistently negative to occupy your time or space.

10.  If you are still struggling after several months of follog these steps, I suggest that you seek a good Christian Therapist, or Counselor to help you work   through issues that may be more serious.  Don’t be afraid to get the help you need, because you are worthy!

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Luke 12:7
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 8:4
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,  human beings that you care for them?[a]
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,