SERVING SIX ONE

God, Your love is unfailing. You are unfailing and always there. When I walk out from under Your love, I hear You call me and  I  return to You. I  look  for  You in whatever I do.

The many people You have put around me, the many you have let me meet, the many who You have allowed to come into my life, and even the many that I do not know. Bless them. Send Your spirit and live through each of them. Show them Your awesome love. There are so many of them who want You. Bless them. Give them their hearts desires. Let them always continue to burn for You. Use them. May You let Your beautiful light shine through them, and may that light shine as beautiful as all the colors of the earth making  the dark paths bright so that others may be able to see You. Bless them all. Bless the ones who are reading this. Use them. Lead them. Let them know they are never alone, they are never forsaken, that they are special because they are Your children.

Please God use them all. Don’t let a one of them not be used. Come down and reign inside of us all. All of us are undeserving of You. You owe us nothing. We owe You everything. We owe all to You. Use our lives God. Your love never fails, You never leave us. Thank You God. I Love You! †

Love never fails. And NOW abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a, 13

He love us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loves us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:10-12

I was reading in one of my favorite books the other day, and read this verse.

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understandings; In ALL yours ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

I realized that I hadn’t been trusting in God completely with everything like I should. We should trust God with “ALL” of our heart. DON’T WORRY ABOUT THINGS. Our minds are not like God’s. We can’t understand everything God has planned for us. Don’t look at what the world has to offer. God’s gifts are far more and much greater than you can possibly imagine. Don’t let the desires of this world go before what God has to offer you. Don’t let your fleshly desires go ahead of what God has for you.

Acknowledge God in ALL that you do. When you are at work, talk to God. When going to the store, talk to Him. When going on vacation, include God. Acknowledge God as if He were standing right there with you, because He really is. God is everywhere. In EVEYTHING you do Acknowledge God, and He shall direct Your paths. If God is directing your paths, then every desire you have has to be a desire God intended for you to have. He will give you the desires you need to be in your heart to fulfill the purpose and plan He created you for.

Life is short, only like a breath compared to eternity. Make your choices wisely, and make sure you are walking with God in whatever you do. God doesn’t make mistakes, but if you go off the path God has for you to satisfy your fleshly desires, then you are making a HUGE mistake. Sure God can fix mistakes, but they waste time, cause pain, heart ache and sometimes have serious consequences So avoid the mistakes by staying intune with God. Keep walking with God all the time, because God is sure to care for you. If you are walking with God, God is walking with you, and when troubles come, God will carry you through them. So in ALL things, Trust in God.

God Bless!

Proverbs 3:5 tells us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.” This is probably one of the most difficult instructions to follow. Just why is it so hard for us to totally trust God and stop trying to figure out things for ourselves? We always try to handle things on our own and leave God totally out of the mix. If we would just trust in the God who made us, loves us and has the absolute best for us, we would be so much better off.

As human beings, we are always depending on our limited knowledge. But the Bible tells us clearly not to depend or lean own that finite understanding. We need to trust in God’s infinite knowledge and understanding. Don’t try to figure things out and go your own way. Instead, put your trust in the One who knows best. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He loves you unconditionally. He is a 24/7, on time, all the time, God, Who cares about everything you do and everything you are going through.

Sometimes it is so hard to trust God. That is because we limit Him to the way we think. But Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts nor are His ways like our ways. He does not operate nor think with limitations. All things are possible with Him (Matthew 19:26). Things that may seem, and quite literally may be impossible for us, but there is nothing that God cannot do.

That is why Solomon with all of his wisdom, told us to “Trust in the Lord with all of our heart.” He knew that we would not be able to see our way through difficulties, problems, troubles, trials without the direction of our heavenly Father. He also knew that when we do rely on our own vices, we make things worse and we miss out on so many blessings.

For after Solomon told us to trust the Lord and not lean own what we know, he then told us to be sure and acknowledge God. Proverbs 3:6 says “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” We need to make a conscious effort to tell God that we need Him. Acknowledge that He is the One who can make things right. Then the Bible says that He will direct our paths.

If we will trust God, and not ourselves, and acknowledge Him, then He will give us the guidance we need to help us. He will help us to see clearly and speak directly to us and lead us in the way we need to go. So trust Him. He will never let you down.

There is no better word than God’s Word, and when we praise Him and lift Him up, He lifts us up too!!! The Bible says, “ If God is for us, who can be against us?” When troubles come and there seems no help the Psalmist declares in Psalm 3:3 “But Thou O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory and the lifter of my head.” He is our shield that blocks the fiery darts of the enemy. He is the lifter of our head, the one Who lifts our forlorn faces up to His, looks into our eyes and reassuringly says “everything is going to be OK, because I am with you and I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And in Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and our strength, a VERY present help in trouble.” He is on the job 24/7. He doesn’t leave us when times get tough. When no one else understands, and we can’t even explain how we feel, God is there, always understanding, always ready to hold us, to carry us and to see us through! His peace passes all of our understanding. His loving kindness never ends, and His mercy endures forever!!! What a mighty God we serve!!!

Though we have troubles and the enemy is around us on every side, God does not leave us. He diligently watches over us. His hand is always ready to save those who cry out to Him. There are times when we get discouraged and think that God has left us, but He hasn’t. He never leaves us. All we need to do is call upon the name of the Lord and He will save us.

The Psalmist declared in Psalm 91 that “though a thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, it will not come near us” and that He will give His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways; they will bear us up in their hands so we won’t even stump our toe on a rock!

God cares about you! He wants to bless you. He wants to take care of your every need. Just ask Him. Jesus declared that many times we do not have what we need simply because we did not ask. So ask, and believe and then you will receive.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Psalm 3:5
If you will only trust God and not rely on your own knowledge and limited understanding, and then acknowledge Him by talking to Him, spending time with Him, and including Him in your daily affairs, THEN He will then give you the direction that you need and guide you in the way that you need to go.

So trust Him. He will lift you up!

Don’t run away from God. Don’t go your own way. Don’t choose a path that is not in the right direction. But instead keep God’s Word in your heart. Meditate on His Word day and night. Keep right beside God at all times, and remember, if you are with Him, then He has to be with you. A sheep doesn’t lead the shepherd, but the shepherd leads the sheep. God is the shepherd, and we are His sheep. So follow God, and you will save your life from destruction and troubles.

Don’t run away from God for things you have done in the past. Don’t ever think you are not able to be forgiven. For God understands. While Jesus was on this earth, He was tempted more than you ever were, and ever will be. Remember God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Remember that verse, and when being tempted, always look for the way of escape, and you will find it. But just finding the way of escape isn’t good enough, you must take it. Keep in mind the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Keep your mind on the things that matter. Keep your head turned towards God, and away from all temptation. Surround yourself with what will keep you on track. And never turn around, or run the other way for any reason. God Loves you.

“Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

In today’s society, especially with the economy like it is, with doom and gloom headlines in the newpapers, on the internet and on the evening news, anxiety is a very present and common state. We have become major worry warts. We spend so much time worrying that we are virtually worrying away our lives. Worrying about what others think, worrying about what we will wear, worrying about bills, about taxes, about government, about tests, about mistakes we made or might make, worrying about our future or our kid’s future, worrying about our friends, our family, even about who will win the Superbowl, or over how we look, or how popular we are or aren’t. We are literally worrying ourselves sick.

Studies have shown that anxiety and stress can cause many sicknesses including high blood pressure, ulcers, sleep problems, headaches, immune system deficiencies, memory problems, some forms of cancer and even arthritis. Stress and anxiety can also cause mild to severe depression and even lead to alcohol and drug abuse in attempts to try to alleviate the symptoms.

Worry and stress have been plaguing people for years. People are looking for ways to deal with the added pressures of their day. People want peace of mind. They want to be able to not worry, to enjoy life, to be happy.

Back in 1988, a song came out written by Bobby McFerrin entitled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy. The song became the first
a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and it actaully held that position for two whole weeks. Then, in 1989 it won numerous rewards at the Grammys. The song’s message was simple and was repeated over and over throughout the entire song. People sang it. They wore it on T-shirts. Pasted bumper stickers with it on their cars.  Billboards displayed it. The message was so plain and simple, but obviously what people needed to hear–to not worry but be happy.

The Bible gives us the same message. In Luke 12:22, Jesus told His disciples not to worry about everyday life such as if we will have enough food or what clothes we need to wear. He said that life is a whole lot more than food and clothes. Life is about living and when you worry, you are literally wasting away part of it. He went on to say that worry wouldn’t do anything good for you. SO why do it? It will not accomplish anything good.

But how can we deal with anxiety? How can we really overcome it? Philippians 4:6-7 gives the answer.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

If you will REALLY take your problems, your needs, your cares, your concerns to God ask Him for His help and guidance, and  THEN follow up by thanking Him for taking care of you, you will experience His peace. He will flood you with a peace that is indescribable. But for you to genuinely experience it, you must really trust God.

You must believe that God wants to take care of you. He is a loving Father that wants to take care of your every need.
Luke 12:28-31
“And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

God loves you. He wants to take your burdens. So pray. Tell Him what you need. Know that He hears. Know that He cares. Trust Him. Thank Him. And then experience His peace!

“What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.”
Luke 6:22-23

Life is not easy, especially when you decide to take a stand for Jesus. As a matter of fact, sometimes it seems even harder when we look around and see all the people that aren’t serving God seemingly so “happy go lucky”.

There have been times in my life when things were so difficult. In my efforts to stand up for God, I was literally made fun of, and “left out” because I chose to follow God rather that a “good time”. Oh it was hard. Many times I was tempted just to give in to shut up the taunting, or to just lower my standards a little just so that I wouldn’t feel so weird or different. Just once go along with the crowd so that I could fit in.

And there were times that I did. Little things like watching a movie with a friend that I knew God wouldn’t want me to see. Or talking about someone, making fun of them because everyone else was. Just little things, right?

Well, according to God, when you feel something is wrong in your heart, and you do it anyway, you are putting your flesh above your spirit. you are putting that thing you desire ahead of doing what God wants you to. And all for the sake of how you look. All for the sake of your reputation to your friends. Basically, you are putting their opinion of you higher than God’s.

Jesus knew all about being mocked. He knew all about being made fun of. His own family made fun of Him. Called him crazy. In His own hometown, the place He grew up, no one accepted Him. They didn’t believe in Him. Oh, He knew way better than you or me what it felt like to be ridiculed for what doing right.  He knew what it felt like to be all alone for not going along with the crowd. He knew what it was like to not fit in. he knew what it was like to have a calling on His life to be different. Think about it. His whole life, He had to make choices, just like you and me. He had to choose not to make fun of people, not to sneak out, not to disobey, not to look at or listen to things that everybody else was just because it was popular. But, He did it. And because of His stand, a stand that He took and died for ….. we should stand for Him.

When you do, He says… Be Happy! that’s right, be happy when others make fun of you and mock you, or put you down, or try to make you feel stupid. He said that you will be blessed! God will take care of you. Please Him, and great will your reward be!

But, reward or no reward, Isn’t He just worth standing up for?

Don’t give up

Mark 10:27 …”with God all things are possible.”

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

You may have something you really want or need, or a goal that you want to reach. And you may find yourself praying and praying, and nothing ever seems to happen. But don’t give up. Don’t think that just because nothing has happened that God doesn’t want it for you. If you are abiding in God, and God in you, God will give you your heart’s desires.

“If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask for what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7″.

You may pray everyday, and it may seem as if your prayers aren’t answered. Keep in mind this verse

“Therefore, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you shall receive them and you shall have them. Mark 11:24″

You may say you believe in what you are praying for, but if you give up, and think that you aren’t going to receive what you pray for, then you never believed for it in the first place.

Don’t give up on your goal. Don’t give up on praying for the things you want or need. Just abide in God, and let Him abide in you. The day you give up, may have been the very day you were going to get what you had asked for. Just remember, every day that you don’t give up is one step closer to reaching your goals.

“Therefore, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you shall receive them and you shall have them. Mark 11:24″

Mark 10:27 …”with God all things are possible.”

The other day I was thinking about the verse, Romans 6:23…. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” . Well, I started thinking, if the wages of doing work for the devil, “sin”, is death, what is the wages of doing work for God….

My first thought was, the wages of working for God must be Enternal Life, because what can be better than that. But then after reading the verse again, I found out I was wrong. The wages of sin is death, but the “Gift” of God is Enternal Life…. right there it says that Enternal Life is not a wage, but a gift. That is one awesome gift! I just can’t begin to imagine what God’s wages are, but John 15:7 says,

“If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask for what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

Just repeating that verse, I know that if I abide in God, and His words abide in me, then He will give me my heart’s desire, and I can ask Him for anything and it will be done for me. That’s awesome to think about too. Now abiding in God is what we are supposed to do in life, and if we do just that, God will give us our hearts desire. I can go on so many tangents just using this one verse, and completely get off the subject I was on, but I believe that God’s wages are absolutely amazing. I think I’d rather work for God than the devil anyday. He pays better! I believe its not just Heavenly Riches, but earthly riches also. Now I am going to give an example of something I thought of.

Let’s just say there are two people whose jobs are digging holes… this is the best I could come up with…. well one of the guys uses a shovel and digs, while the other uses a large tractor and digs. Well, the one who uses a shovel – his work is probably much harder than the one who uses the tractor, but the one that uses the tractor – his wages are probably much higher than the one who uses the shovel.

Well, most likely the one who uses the tractor once started  off his job using a shovel, but as he worked harder and harder, he probably got promoted, and his wages went up, and his job actually got easier.

Ok, now saying all this, here is my point. If we can use the tools we have now for God, such as our hands and mouth as shovels, digging to help others out of the mud. Then God might promote us, meaning the wages we make, will go up. And if we keep putting all that we make with our wages God gives us back into helping others more and more, and buying better equiment, like we would a tractor, then the higher our wages might get. God wants to Bless you, but you must do work before you get your wages, so you need to learn how to use the tools you have now. So get busy and you’ll soon start getting paid.

If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask for what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Psalm 46:1
God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in trouble.

Oh my goodness how true this verse is and how evident its trueness has been in our lives these past couple of months. God is our refuge– the place that we can go and hide, the place of safety and security when everywhere else feels unsure, the place where we find relief from hurt or pain, the place of comfort and assurance. He is our shelter from the storm.

A storm hit our family on Saturday, January 10, 2009. I was awakened that morning by a phone call I will never forget. It was my dad calling me to tell me the devastating news he had just gotten….my brother was dead. Disbelief, shock, hurt, anger, confusion, pain, panic–all the emotions you wish never to feel, were all there. Swirling together. Clouding my mind. Dulling my senses. Gripping my heart. Distorting my sense of judgment. But in the midst of it all, there was a Presence. God’s presence. Holding me. Lifting me up. Giving me strength to somehow carry on. To get through the next minutes, hours and days that followed. Strength to not only get through my brother’s funeral, but also to speak and sing at it. Strength to be strong for my Mom and Dad. Strength to not only get through but to carry on. God’s strength is amazing.

It is because of that strength that my family and I have been able to go on. Though there are times when my heart literally feels like it will break in two and I am so weak and overcome with emotion that I can hardly stand, God is right there holding me, wrapping His strong, loving arms around me and girding me up. No one can fully understand it unless they have been through it. You just cannot understand how you can face another day, but God gives you what you need, when you need it. And believe me His grace IS sufficient. His love holds your heart.

God feels our pain. He understands. He grieves with us as we grieve, yet when the grief begins to be more than we can handle, He lifts it, giving us strength to carry on. He never leaves us. Never forsakes us. He is a forever friend. Without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. In Him we have all we need.

Indeed, God is our refuge. God is our strength. He will not only see through the valleys you have to go
through, but He will carry through them!