God gives us a new day every morning :-)

O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

Find peace in the morning rush and you will have a good day. ~Mike Dolan
Have you ever been up early in the morning, sometime around dawn? It is very quiet, very few cars are in the streets, there is no one to be seen walking around and even the birds are quiet. There is a serene quality early in the morning. If you want to get somewhere without rushing and
stress get up early and go. If you want to get a lot done at the office or even around the house get up early and get to work, you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish. I'll admit that I'm one of those "morning" people but I think we are rare. lol In the morning, I find peace to pray and to read the Bible to start the day off right. If I miss it because of oversleeping, getting things done - it just feels like I've forgotten something all day.

When is your "quiet time with God"? If its hard to find time, just take a few minutes to pray about those whose concerns are close to your heart. Or to pray about situations that are concerning you. If you forget (as we all do!) just remember tomorrow is a fresh new start.




Father God - Thank you for new beginnings every morning. Help us to start the day with purpose, prayer and promise. Help us to be grateful to start a new day and have strength to handle each and every situation that lay before us. Thank you for your unconditional love. Amen.

"There are no shortcuts to a place worth going"

9 We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9



You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! 25 All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. 26 So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
We can easily lose heart and run out of strength when we come up against the same problems over and over again as we cope with life and relationships with others.  Some of the great apostles, including Paul; recognized that fatigue and discouragement might cause Christians to throw in the towel and quit. So he presents two incentives to keep us from giving up when we grow weary of serving others in love. First, he assures us of a reward for doing good: at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (v. 9). Sometimes the harvest is experienced in this life. When we sow acts of love, we reap a harvest of love in return. When we sow the seed of God's Word in needy lives, we experience the joy of response. But we must remember that reaping a harvest almost never happens on the same day as sowing the seed. We may not even see a harvest in this life from what we have sown. Nevertheless, we must never give up, because we know that at the proper time God will allow us to reap the rewards, growth and all good things.



Father God - Give us gudiance and strength to fulfill our destinies that YOU have planned for us. When we grow tired, help us to "walk another mile" despite the strong desire to quit. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that will encourage us to move forward and receive blessings that YOU want to give us. Thank you for your unfailing love. Amen.

Finding Peace Despite the Problems

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" Phillipians 4: 12

Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up."
― Steve Maraboli,

　

What is it about when we hear about other's trials, problems and losses - it helps us to put things in a better perspective? Let's be honest - its easy to think we are going through "hard times", maybe get filled the thoughts of "why me". But when we "get out of our situation" and look around; we actually have what we need at that time.

When I think of Paul and the circumstances he went through to live his life for Christ, it helps me put my situation in a better perspective - to say the least! :-)

Paul maintained this Christ-centered faith during at least four years of suffering as a prisoner of the Roman government, first in Caesarea and then in Rome, possibly in other places as well. During his imprisonment, Paul wrote four letters that survive in our New Testament. They are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Paul’s prison life, admittedly, was less than ideal. However, that is not the issue for the apostle Paul. He learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Can we change our perspective and have peace instead of focusing on the problem? Prayer definitely helps. Practicing thankfulness daily can help. Focusing on blessings rather than problems, though difficult, is what we can strive for to have peace through uncertaintity.

Father God - Thank you so much for the daily blessings that we take for granted. Please give us peace and joy through any circumstance that we may find ourselves in - knowing that You are in ultimate control. Help us to "do our part" in finding peace; despite the problems. Thank you for constant encouragement through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Brokenness leads to Blessing

I was doing the treadmill and listening to Dr. Charles Stanley. His message was on "Brokenness Leads to Blessing". In his message, he talked about how brokenness in his life led to more devotion, more dedication.

" It's difficult to discern the blessing in the midst of brokenness. Certain circumstances in life hurt, at times so intensely that we think we will never heal. After brokenness, we can experience God's greatest blessings. The dawn after a very dark and storm-wracked night is glorious. Joy after a period of intense mourning can be ecstatic. Brokenness is what God uses to replace our self-life with his desires and intents for us. Its end is blessing far greater than we could ever discover apart from being broken. It's spiritual maturity and joyous intimacy with God. Greater depth and power in our ministry to others. New dimensions of freedom, strength, and peace. And a wholeness that comes as God himself reassembles us into someone more closely resembling Jesus Christ. "

Isnt it difficult to imagine Dr. Charles Stanley having difficult times? But, come to think of it; many people I look up to today have "hit their low", "been broken" , etc. They have chosen, with God's grace and love to move forward, to receive blessing. Not an overnight process but it can happen.
　

Father God - Thank you so much for Your grace and love as we go through difficulties. Remind us that, if we look at ourselves honestly and make changes to improve through You, that you will provide the blessing. Help us to lean on others when we are in the midst of these changes - to help us to be accountable and honest with ourselves and You. Amen

Running "TO" problems instead of Running " AWAY"

This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s." 2 Chronicles 20:15

In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6

I have had many years of practice "running away" from problems". Times when I've said to myself "I'll deal with that tomorrow,next week, etc when I feel more like dealing with it". "I don't want to make anyone mad, so I won't say anything to them". "Ill do _____ one last time. This time I just need to get away from everything that is going on". Do any of these excuses sound familiar?

If we are caught in a pattern of "running away", how can we stop? Are there times when running away is the answer?

In 1 Corinthians 6:18, it discusses times to flee when we are in the midst of "temptation". However, during trials and seeing problems up ahead; God wants us to lean on him to provide learning through tough times. These are times we have to see clearly what we and or others around us are doing to contribute to making the problems worse. And confront! Confront ourselves if we have gotten ourselves in a situation that we need to get out of. Confront others as well if they are contributing to the problem. Acknowledge and through baby steps, climbing out of the emotional "hole" we placed ourselves in.

On the BRIGHT side, once we are out of the "hole" and walking in the light - we never know what God will put before us. It will probably be much different and even better than what we imagined. :-)

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step....."

Father God - Thank you so much for trials that we must face and overcome, for they provide an opportunity to learn and grow in you. When we feel like running away, putting things off, not wanting to cause problems with others - give us strength and wisdom to confront these situations so we can move on and be more effective for you. Thank you for Your unfailing love. Amen.

Stop BLAMING and start AIMING!

Stop BLAMING and start AIMING"

The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12-13

“It’s time to care; it’s time to take responsibility; it’s time to lead; it’s time for a change; it’s time to be true to our greatest self; it’s time to stop blaming others.” ― Steve Maraboli

As we can see, even the first human beings that God created had problems with "the blame game" :-) Adam blamed Eve for tempting him with the fruit of the "forbidden tree" and Eve blamed the serpent for tempting her to pick the apple to eat. Did it solve any problems? No, actually they were banished from the Garden of Eden to an earthly world to work, feel pain, and depend on their "free will" to obtain peace.

I definitely can admit that I have played the "blame game" in my relationships with friends, family, loved ones. What happens when we get stuck in "the blame game", blaming others for our problems? We MAKE the decision to NOT move forward.

Even the best of relationships can be affected by the "blame game". We blame others for many reasons, but the outcome is usually the same: The other instinctively goes on the defense, blames us in return and an argument ensues.

Blame + Defensiveness= No communication

Blame is a victim mindset, not an empowered one. Blame is a way to proscratinate solving the problem and improving it. Blame is a way of NOT taking responsibility for our future, for our happiness, for our lives.

So how do we stop blaming others for circumstances?

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for our actions and reactions; for our thoughts, feelings, and words. This applies to the blamer and the blamee. Avoid blaming – focus on how to make improvements. Blaming is almost never associated with making improvements in a relationship.

COMMUNICATE with openness and with honesty. If you are blamed, discuss with your partner how you feel about being blamed, rather than point your finger back at them and blame them for blaming you!

Father God - Thank you so much for free will and personal choice in our lives. If we are blaming others for our situation - help us to examine how our decisions got us in the situation. Encourage us to move forward with Your strength and guidance. Help us to be a testimony for You to others by discipline and commitment. Thank you for wanting us to feel better, live better and have purpose through You. Amen

Angels with Weapons :-)

Angels with Weapons"

Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. Numbers 22:31

After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side ...of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. e. e. cummings



 My best girlfriend, whom I treasure dearly; told me a peculiar saying "even angels carry weapons" when we were talking recently. Angels carrying weapons?? lol. Not playing a harp, saving humans that are on the brink of danger, comforting those who grieve. Sounded crazy to me. However, when researching I did find verses that referred to angels carrying weapons to carry o...ut God's will, battling evil. Amazing!

So, if angels carry weapons - how can this apply to us? Sometimes even easy going, "not going to ruffle feathers" kind of people have to "raise our proverbial sword" to do battle for ourselves against Satan. To fight for God's will in our lives. It means to fight for what's right! Its ok to guard ourselves against people in our life that can't accept, respect God's will for our lives - God wants us to protect ourselves to be effective for him.

Thank you Charmayne  - for teaching me a new saying, making me laugh and putting things in perspective. Love you chick!

Father God - Thank you so much for showing us Your Will in our lives - through Your Word, communication with You. Help us to feel Your strength when we have to fight against others to do Your Will in our lives. Help us to understand that you want us to have positive people in our lives that will ENCOURAGE us to be closer to you. Help us to claim Your favor in our lives. Amen.

OBTAINING GUIDANCE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR "GUT FEELINGS

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27 (KJB)

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 (ESV)

Seek and embrace knowledge and advice but trust your gut feeling. Kenny Nola

The rational soul and conscience are as a lamp within us, which should be used in examining our dispositions and motives with the revealed will of God (Matthew Henry's Commentary, Proverbs 20:27)

As a person that only used "head knowledge" and "followed emotions" of the heart for most of my life thus far; learning to ask the Holy Spirit to guide me has been a relatively new process. As a best friend always tells me, "if I knew then what I know now...." lol. In my opinion, biblically; God instructs that if we base our decisions in life only on "head knowledge" or "emotions of the heart"; Satan truly has an easy foothold in our decisions. For me, its been easier to "trust my gut" when I am in daily communication and study with God. Some people believe we are listening our "conscience". I think that's true. But what I know, from my experience is that when I quiet my mind and heart - ask God to reveal what he wants me to do in a situation, the ANSWER is there. I feel it, believe it. A feeling of knowing what to do amongst the clutter of the mind and ever changing emotions.

If you haven't experienced how to tap into your "gut feelings" I'd encourage you to try with God's guidance. In a prayerful state, ask God to reveal what he wants you to do in a particular situation. Usually, for me; there is a strong YES if He wants me to proceed. If there is not a strong direction one way or the other; then He is telling me to not proceed. And sometimes there can be a strong answer of NO.

I understand that for some the concept of the Holy Spirit and "gut feelings" is difficult to believe, or comprehend. But everyone has a different walk with the Holy Spirit. The key is to examine yours:)

Father God - Thank you so much for Your Holy Spirit prompting us to discern, make wise decisions and be closer with You. Thank you for making us complex beings in Your Image. Help remind us that You are with us in our daily walk. Amen.

New Year-New Beginnings Start with Daily Blessings

Blessed be the Lord day by day: the God of our salvation will make our journey prosperous to us. Psalm 68:19 (DRB)

"Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering." ― Steve Maraboli

A secret to happiness is prayerfully counting your blessings, while offering thanks to God. This is something I continue to work on DAILY :).

When I'm having a bad day, sometimes I remind myself to take a few minutes and start thanking God for all the blessings He's given to me. Shelter, food, my immediate family/children, a job, etc. Thankful for basics? You betcha! I find that my focus turns from things that make me sad, to things that make me happy. Before long, with God's guidance and in God's will; we begin to have faith that ALL things are possible. There is hope for the future and options are limitless, through His Love for us.

In summary, counting blessings that we receive is the first step in identifying, working toward and achieving goals never thought possible through Him.

Blessings in the New Year !

Father God - Thank you so much for giving us the blessing of starting afresh every morning. Help us to count our blessings more than we count our problems. Guide us to be a blessing for others. Show us that with daily discipline in Your Word and communication with you that ALL things are possible through You. Thank you for your faithfulness and love. Amen.