HOW MUCH STUFF TO TAKE?

Happy Sunday. This will be my big travel day. As I pack to be gone for 3 weeks, I'm trying to pack light. It's amazing how many last minute things we think we may need. I'm reminded that when we are packing for our trip to heaven, we will be traveling light. We will be leaving worry, illness and all things that hold us down. We are save and secure in Jesus as we face eternity.
When we travel, we never know what lies ahead. How much extra "stuff" do we pack and then complain about the weight or no room for more "stuff" to bring home We know we are safe and secure with the Lord, but we still hang on to the other stuff. I'm trying to focus on this scripture and leave behind all the unnecessary "stuff".

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 With this in mind, I will feel safe and secure wherever I travel. Jesus in Spirit will travel beside me.

I'll be on line when possible, but I can't promise anything, so be save while I am away and praise the Lord for each day's blessings.

STRUGGLE OR PEACE? MY CHOICE.

"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God."Romans 8:6-8

Do you ever struggle between what you know is right and shouldn't do and what you really thought you wanted to do? It really is a struggle between the flesh and it's desires and God's Spirit. Every time I chose the "flesh", I paid dearly in worry and regret and sometimes even financially. When I chose God's way and resisted the temptations, I felt at peace.
In my younger days I did what I wanted to, sometimes without consideration of the consequences. Experience has taught me to consider what I have to gain and what I have to loose more carefully. The thing I do not want to loose is my relationship with the Lord. It is my most valuable possession. Jesus gave his life for me so I believe I can give up a few of those things of the flesh for him. How about you? With his help, it gets much easier to resist those things we ought not do.

HOW MUCH SALT

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4: 5-6

I have always been one to sit down to a meal and immediately grab the salt shaker without even tasting the food. To me the salt just enhanced the flavor. Well I have had to practically give it up. I'm limited to 1/4 teaspoon a day. I used to use at least that much on one plate of food.
So then, Paul's statement about salt in Colossians has a lot of meaning. Some food is just not tasty without it.

So our conversation with others, especially those outside of the church lacks flavor without God's grace and his seasoning. That comes from many sources. Prayer and Bible Study keep us close to the source and learning about him so we know what to say to an unbeliever. He will provide us the knowledge and words we need to say....we don't have to lean on our own understanding or non-understanding.

When we are filled with God's grace, we are loving, thoughtful, kind, non-judgement and forgiving. Without God's grace, we can come across as judgmental. That's one of the greatest threats to a non-believer or someone who has been hurt by the Church or other Christians. So our job then is to speak through God's love and forgiveness, not just from knowledge. That doesn't mean preaching. It just means reaching out to someone, filled with God's Spirit. That Spirit will be our guide. Just trust!
He knows how much salt to add to the recipe so it is palatable, desirable and easy to digest.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

There are some passages in scripture that are best read in the Message. 1 Thessalonians 5 is one of them. We are admonished to encourage one another. We are all God's children and face challenges daily. It's easy to let the attitude of "my needs before others" to encompass our thinking instead of acknowledging our human weaknesses and working to lift each other up. And remember that our leaders need encouragement, too. Sometimes we tend to think they are infallible. But think again. They, too, are human and need their cup filled. Get to know the needs of each other, be patient with each other and pray without ceasing.

" Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out" I Thessalonians 5:13-15 (Message)

BURNED OUT

BURN OUT HAPPENS. I've been there and it's exhausting. It feels like the weight of the world is on the shoulders and the breath is being squeezed out of you by a boa constrictor. Your creativity has left the building. And it happens when you think you are doing good when actually you are too involved....in work, in church, in doing for your family, in doing good things for others, in being a martyr. Yes, these can all good things, but are you taking it a step too far? Are you hanging on when you should be letting go? Are you taking care of others while neglecting yourself. Are you taking on the responsibility of others instead of letting them do things they can do for themselves. It was happening in Jesus day. He realized the burdens people were taking on mostly to get ahead, just like we do. But he offered a solution. One he offers you today. Are you listening? Are you heeding his advice? Are you willing to let go and let him teach you a better way? His way gives you freedom.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” MT 11:28-30

RETURN OUR NATION TO PRAYER

Are we a praying nation? We know a lot of folks are praying, but are we praying as a nation? Why is it important that we pray as a nation? There was a time when we were a praying nation. But now we can not pray in public and even our national day of prayer has been forgotten. Our national prayer traditions are being forgotten? Shame on us! Perhaps we can't honor God in public, but we can still do so individually and in small groups. Our country needs our prayers now, more than ever. Just look around you.

"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Father in heaven, please turn your face toward us. Send us leaders like David who are strong in faith and can lead us back to prayer and worship of you as the true God. Keep us from getting sidetracked through "political gain". Do not turn away from us, even though some have turned away from you. Help us who are believers to bring those who have fallen away back to faith. We honor you and your faithfulness to this country. Keep us strong and believers in you and thankful for your blessings. Amen

FINDING YOUR CALLING

Do you tell folks you'll pray for them? Are you dependable? Do you carry through? It is so heartwarming to know someone cares enough for you when you are ill or facing trouble or questing the Lord's will to remember you to the Lord. In our human life, if we want something bad enough, what happens when several of us ask a favor in your name?

I love what Paul is asking God to bless us with...intelligence, discernment, to know him personally, focus and clarity in the work God has chosen for us. It's often difficult to find God's calling by ourselves, but with others praying for us, the answer can be very energizing and give us the strength to follow through. So when a friend is struggling with the answer, remind him of this passage and pray with him and others for the answer.

" But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength! " Ephesians 1:17-19 (The Message)

THERE IS HOPE

Where do you go for advice on safety? Where do you go to find joy? Where do you go to boost your confidence?

Try the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is filled with words of comfort and advice. Knowing how much you are loved by God is definitely a confidence builder. Too often we seek advice and wisdom from places that just pull us down instead of lifting us up. Think of the misery that Job and others whose stories are recorded in the Bible have experienced. God was there for them, even when they did not think so. He is here for you and for me. We may have to suffer a little while, but in time we emerge from our misery with new hope and new life.

"You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.
And you will have confidence, because there is hope;
you will be protected[g] and take your rest in safety." job 11:16-18