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Peacemaker

Have you ever stood on something and felt like it was about to crumble right under you?  I have.  It can be scary.  No one likes falling.  No one likes to have an uncertain foundation.

Life can be like that.  Are just trying to make it and you are not sure if the foundation you built will hold you.  As an adult, this aspect of life makes me want to be a kid again like nothing else.

Life has dealt me with some of those moments.  It can be super stressful to not know what your future holds – especially when your fate is held in others’ hands.  There is one thing that I know for certain – it is my foundation that never failed me.

Like the parable of the house on the rock versus the house on the sand – no matter what comes your way – if you allow God to be your foundation you will be okay.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? (‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭30-31‬ KJV)

Prayer: Lord, I ask you to help me trust you in everything.  Please help me understand that, no matter what life throws at me, you will always be there.  I thank you for being my foundation and the rock I can stand on no matter what.  I love you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Be blessed everyone!

  

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Speak

Speak life over yourself, your family, your finances, and your relationships today!

This was a common theme from church yesterday.  It is truly what we, as the body of Christ, need to continue to do.

Words are a powerful tool – use them to your advantage!

Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭20-21‬ NLT)

I challenge you right now to claim great things over your life…no matter how it looks right now!

  

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Letting it go

I have a new position at a job I’ve had for almost 3 years and, right now, learning all this new stuff is sucking the energy right out of me.  I have had moments where I lost track of days and hours where I knew nothing but insurance.  That is a far cry from what I was doing just a month ago.  

Oh how quickly life can change.  I will get used to my new job in time and will reap some great benefits from the long term of this move.  Thankfully, I can see the big picture and know my suffering will all pay off. 

There are many times where life throws us into new things…even catching us off guard.  It is a hard thing to handle on your own and dealing with life can become overwhelming.  We often feel in those times that we can’t handle it.  You want to know a secret?  We can’t…not on our own.

For me, realizing this was hard to do.  I want control and to know what is going on.  It stresses me out if I don’t.  You can imagine that there have been many days I’ve been over the top stressed.  That is one of my biggest flaws…trying to carry the world on my shoulders.  But that is too great a burden to bear for little ol’ me.  There is only One who withstood this flesh and carried our burdens for us so we never have to carry them again.

Check this word from Jesus:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28-30‬ NLT)

When we realize that God is ready and waiting for us to hand our problems over so He can give us rest, our lives will change forever.  Do it today and see how wonderful you feel afterwards.

Pray this with me: Lord, you know my temperament and how I handle stress.  You know the strain I have gone through and the burden I carry.  I ask you to take these from me righ now so that I may live free.  Fill me up with you, Lord, and help me learn to live a life of letting you lead.  I love you and thank you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Be blessed everyone!

  

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The cure for inadequacy

I hate being wrong.  Not saying that I am never wrong…I am wrong all the time.  I hate feeling like I am not enough. We are human and once sin entered our world, there was an inevitablness to our being wrong…a lot.  I hate it, our sinful nature.  I so desperately want to do right and still, I continue to do wrong.  Thus, I feel so inadequate and unworthy.

Paul wrote almost half the New Testament.  He was one of the greatest evangelists and prophets in the Bible.  Yet, he wrote this scripture:

“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” (‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭14-17‬ NLT)

He struggled with the same internal turmoil I do.  Paul also was a man God respected and used in mighty ways.  Acts 19 describes how God gave Paul so much power that an apron or handkerchief that had brushed Paul’s skin were used to then bring to the sick & they were healed.  God gave Paul a great anointing and great authority. And yet he penned the scripture above.

I have to ask myself…am I inadequate and unworthy if Paul struggled with the same things I did?  The answer is a definitive yes.  On my own, trying to make it by my self, I will fail every time.  That is why I (as did Paul) need God.  I need His grace and mercy.  I need Him to live in my heart and to fill me up with Him daily.  I need to (1) pray daily, (2) read my Bible daily, (3) attend a weekly worship service at a local church and (4) try to live righteously the best I can.  In doing these things, through my communion with God, I will make it.

I encourage you, if you at all identified with my feelings expressed above, please spend time with God.  Acknowledge that He is the only way and the only truth.  Pray to Him that He reveal those dark recesses of your heart that hold you back.  Learn the Bible and let it feed your soul.  Join a local church where you can connect with people who struggle with the same things you do.  This will put you on the right track.

Prayer: King Jesus, without you, I am inadequate.  I need you to come inside of me and clean the deep-rooted things that fill my heart.  Help me stay on the road to righteousness.  I understand that it will be a daily struggle, but I am willing to make that effort.  Thank you for loving me.  I love you deeply.  In your name, amen.

Be blessed everyone!

  

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A moment on the road…

Grace is one of the greatest gifts we have received from the Almighty.  It is how we can live now, in this time, without the regulations of the law of Moses.  The blood of Christ covers our sins – we can go to our Father with sincere repentance and our transgressions are blotted out.

One of the greatest pictures of God’s grace is found in Acts 9.  Saul, a Pharisee and Bible scholar of that time, took it upon himself to get rid of all these “Jesus followers” that kept popping up everywhere.  One day, on the way to Demascus, Jesus himself shows up, confronts him about his actions, and converts him.  As you know, Paul became one of the greatest prophets in that time and wrote half the New Testament.  

Let’s think about this for a moment – God sees a man killing off His people and says “I want that one.”  Makes no sense to this human brain of mine.  If it was up to me, I would have taken him out.  But that is why I am not God.  His ways are not like our ways.  He sees us differently than we see ourselves.  His love is unconditional.

This type of Grace is available for all.  You feel like you are unlovable?  Guess what?  You aren’t!  If God can take a man who is killing off His own people & show Him love, He can show you love too.  No matter who you are, what you have done, who you have hurt – He can make you new.  You have  to just be willing and trust that He will do it.

Let’s pray: Jesus, thank you for who you are.  Thank you for loving me just the way I am.  I know that I have not done anything bad enough that your grace cannot cover.  I ask you, Lord, to wash away all my sins.  Come into my heart, Lord, and show me your ways.  Also, Lord, help me show others grace like you have shown me.  In your precious name, amen.

Be blessed, everyone.

  
Credit: freeimages.com

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The Feast

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. (‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1-6‬ NLT)

How many times have you read that scripture?  Probably hundreds…kikr me. How many believe the promises in this Psalm?  Do you apply those promises to your life?

Sometimes God has to remind me that He protects me & prepares a feast for me.  Even when He gives me a peek at great things to come, I have a hard time trusting Him.

 I know I should trust Him, but my fleshly mind wants to try to apply logic where there isn’t, at least earthly speaking.  God works in a different realm than we live.  Because of this, His works rarely make sense to out sheepy brains.

I just went through a season of receiving confirmation after confirmation that something is going to happen…from God…and I was still anxious that it wouldn’t happen.  I knew I shouldn’t feel that way, but these earthly centered emotions got in the way.  My Father (and yours) already laid it all out before me.  I just had to wait for supper time to enjoy the feast.

Are you waiting for something, you know it is coming due to confirmation from the Holy Spirit, but you continue to struggle with doubt and anxiety?  Wait and trust.  The wait is worth it.  Let Him lay out the fine china and make that extra dessert.   It is all gonna be great, I promise.

Pray this with me: My dear Father, thank you for always taking care of me.  No matter how many times I doubt your works, you continue to do for me.  Forgive me, Lord, for not trusting you.  Help me do better. I love you with my entire being.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Be blessed, everyone.

  

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Determination

There is a hill in Siauliai, Lithuania called the Hill of Crosses. It is just that, a hill covered in crosses. But, for something that simple, people from all over the world come to see it. Why? Because it is a symbol of determination.

After World War II, the Soviet Union took over Lithuania. In that time, the monument of crosses erected was flattened, burned, and disgraced. Each time, the people of Lithuania never gave up. They would replace the crosses each time. Finally, when they won their independence from communism, the hill became overwhelmed with crosses. A picture of the hill is below.

How many times does this happen in life? Our plans are trashed or things don’t happen like we think they should. It can make us discouraged or even cause us to give up and walk away. I encourage you not to do that. Be like the Lithuanian people and keep on rebuilding – because one day you won’t have to rebuild…

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ NLT)

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Information about the Hill of Crosses and picture from: http://sacredsites.com/europe/lithuania/hill_of_crosses.html

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Purpose

2015 has been quite a year already. One aspect of this year is the overwhelming sense of expediency. As I shared with a friend this past week, it feels like I need to start doing something significant….something greater than what I have been.

In my 29 years on earth – I wonder if I have done anything of significance in this world. I don’t want to wonder anymore. I want to leave a lasting legacy. My life needs to make an impact for the kingdom…because I am not living for me, but for Him.

Why am I feeling this way this year? Is it a pre-midlife crisis? Maybe. Or it is a better understanding that I am made for more than how I was living? The greater I understand that, the greater the sense of “get it done!” becomes. What about you? Do you feel that way?

Take a deep breathe and then let it out. Were you able to do that? Do you know what that means? You have purpose. You were not created just for you, but for Him…and, essentially, for those around you. You can be the person that reach the unreachable.

Are you asking yourself if you are worthy? Well, ponder the significance of this scripture:

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ NLT)

He has a plan and purpose for you. Have faith that, even though you may not see the full scope of it yet, you are made to do the those things He has laid out ahead of you. Do not get discouraged. Do not let the enemy tell you that you can’t do it.

You will blossom when it is time. Keep on going down the right road and don’t give up hope. God will continue to do His work in you.

Be blessed everyone!

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ NLT)

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Playa Sucia, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

I had the privilege in 2012 to visit the beautiful island of Puerto Rico with my friend Michelle. It was an eye opening trip – life was so different there and I loved experiencing something new.

One thing about the island I loved was how beautiful the countryside is. I had the ability to see most of it because we flew into San Juan and had to drive over a lot of the island to make it to where we were going – Cabo Rojo. The tropical foliage, hills, and ocean view were all breathtaking – even from the backseat of a car.

One day, as we explored the island with Michelle’s family, we set out to see a beach named Playa Sucia. The exact translation is Dirty Beach, but there is nothing dirty about it. (See pictures below)

In order to get there, we had to drive off the beaten path…way off. There was a small road that later turned into a dirt road and, after a mile or so, I began to think we were lost. Finally, we arrived to our destination.

There was the white sand beach and the clear blue waters. It was so beautiful…life changing beautiful! As I stood there, the wind whipping around me. The smell of the sea and the sound of the waves. For a moment, it was just me and God’s creation. Nothing else existed in this world.

How many times does God take us through such a long journey down unknown, unkept roads that we wonder if, somewhere on the journey, we got lost. We start to doubt and wonder, but if we only keep going forward, the beauty that lies in store for us. So much beauty that it is life changing.

When we start heading down that path, remember Moses in the wilderness, Abraham and his many descendants, and David, the shepherd boy king. They all had points in their journey that led them down crazy paths that ultimately led to their destiny.

Never stop going forward.

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. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ NLT)

Be blessed, everyone!!

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Broken

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ NLT)

As a counselor, I saw a lot of broken people. One thing I witnessed was, in the times when my clients were the most broken – God would show up in a mighty way. It was beautiful and always moved me. That is the God we serve – God is Love (1 John 4:8).

If you feel like you are broken right now – know that there is a God who loves you & is there for you. He has already carried the burdens to the Cross so He is waiting for you to hand it over to Him (1 Peter 5:7). All you need to do is fully surrender it into His Hands!

Be blessed everyone. May His peace rule your life.

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