Faith crushes worry!

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matthew 6:31

 

As I walked up to the cashier in a tiny coffee shop I frequent for breakfast, I picked through the coins in my purse, trying to find quarters to cover the cost of a sandwich and coffee. I sighed on my way back to the car, the cost of living is very high and like most people, everyday expenses eat a huge chunk of my salary. When I started my car, I found myself worrying about my future as I had been doing more and more recently. How will I be able to afford a house? What will I do when I am ready to have kids?  I was putting myself in a cage of doubt and defeat. But God, as always, stepped in and comforted my heart with peace and assurance in Him and His power to make the impossible, possible. Jesus’ words always insisted on us turning our attention and focus on God. In this verse He is telling the multitudes to not worry about things of this world. He says do not worry about what you shall eat and drink. He did not say that these things should be ignored, we all know we need to eat to live. But the key word He is using here is “Worry”, do not worry about where your next meal will come from. Stressed about not having a job and not being able to buy food?! Beloved, your Father rained down manna from heaven to feed the Israelites and as they are His children so are we. He will never leave you without. When Elijah the prophet visited a poor widow who had little to nothing, God blessed her “So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah” 1 Kings 17:15-16. God is your provider! Your Jehovah ireh! Your jar will never run out, your supply will never stop as David said “my cup runeth over” God will provide for you, trust Him and see. Do not waste another minute worrying, send up your prayers and thank Him, open your heart to receive what He has for you. He knows what you need and He is ready and willing to give it to you. I’ve seen it happen so many times in my life, a co-worker being tipped money for no reason, allowing them to buy lunch, finding an extra five dollar bill in my purse or someone giving a friend of mine clothes when they really needed it. It happens everyday, pray in the morning and expect God to show up, He will honor your faith and will exceed your expectations.

 

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for being such a gracious and giving Savior. As with the miracle with the fish and loaves of bread, you are able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask. We pray Oh Jesus for your powerful provision to take over our lives. Thank you for what I have dear God, I am forever grateful to you in the wilderness and in surplus because every good thing comes from you God. I expect good things Lord God and I trust you in the midst of my hardships. Thank you Jesus for the fullness I have in you, in Jesus’ name I pray Amen.

Freedom in Choices

"I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments" Exodus 6:6.

Bondage -
The state of one who is bound as a slave or serf.
A state of subjection to a force, power, or influence.


What weaknesses keep you bound? Are you a slave to anything in your life? Is it a drug addiction, a bad habit of smoking, eating unhealthy, always in a state of fear and worry, insecurity, negative thinking or even addicted to a destructive relationship? We have so many choices in our lives, but sometimes instead of choosing God's best for us, we choose what is familiar, comfortable and easy. God encourages us to choose life, "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction" Deu 30: 15 I knew I had a choice and I knew that God's way was best for me, but sometimes I would just ignore the truth and chose to do what I wanted to do. Instead of trying to stop smoke you just give in, it feels good so why stop? Or have a physical relationship with someone who does not treat you right, or who you are not married to. Isn't it easy to just give in to the pleasure and have some fun? Don't let the devil deceive you into choosing death over life. Yes it is easier but afterwards the shame, guilt and regret sets in and soaks your soul. But be encouraged! God can and will set you free, He WILL rescue you. When you make that first initial decision to make a change in your life and follow God's will - you will be amazed at how much easier it is each time. Saying no becomes easier to say :) Say No to addiction, brokenness and passivity! Say Yes to God and stand up against those things that hold you down, look to Him for guidance and His power to help you overcome. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you". Luke 10:19 You have the Power of God on your side. Nothing can keep you from the perfect, loving and happy life He has planned for you - you need only look to Him and let Him guide you. Let's choose life together friends, let us all choose to follow Christ!


Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for being my best friend and savior. Holy Spirit please remind me that Jesus did not die on the cross to save me once, but remind me that Jesus continually cleanses and saves me. Thank you for your good and perfect will and help me live according to it and have a life of happiness, love and prosperity. Amen 

Your Body is a Temple

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in  you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought  at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

This is such a lovely verse that speaks to our hearts and souls about the sanctity of our bodies by the Holy Spirit. It is phenomenal that God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, allows His Spirit to reside in us and become a part of our mind, body and heart to ensure we live in love and guidance. Just consider that verse a minute, you have the Spirit of the Living God residing in you. You have the ability and power of the Holy Spirit in you, this is not a gift you have to achieve or earn. This is a blessed gift of love that you receive from believing. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" Ephesians 1:13. The power of the Holy Spirit is immeasurable favor poured out on to you from God. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal 5:23 And these gifts are all available to us through Him.
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you". Romans 8:11. We are sealed by God, for God. This verse is reminding us of that saving power, that against all odds you are bound to Christ and are a part of Him. Therefore honor God with your body, respect it and take care of yourself. Your body is the vessel of which you live in on earth, and we only have one - that is reason enough to take care of it the best that you can and to not abuse it. You are purified in your body, mind and heart by Jesus, so remember that and treat it as such. No matter what you have done you are made perfectly clean and whole by Jesus. Give thanks to God for His abiding presence in our lives and thank Him for the power and grace that is available to us through His Holy Spirit.

Dear Jesus, we thank you for your amazing sacrifice that led us back to God's presence. It is through you we are healed and you made the way for us to have the Holy Spirit. The cross you embraced was the bridge made to reinstate us to God and we thank you that we belong to you for you are a good God and a great Father. Help us to honor our body and to not pollute it with abuse, immoral sex and bad health. Teach us how to love and honor your presence in our lives.

Revengful, hurt, angry?!

 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you”. Luke 6:27-28

 

Whooooa those enemies! This is definitely one of those controversial statements that Jesus made to the people during His ministry. Love your enemies! Pray for those who hurt, abuse, curse, treat you horribly, take advantage of you and make fun of you. Pray for those people! Pray for them to be successful, safe and happy. After recovering from the initial shock of reading this verse we tend to consider who our enemies are. Our minds fly to the office bully, the frienemy that stays in our life even though they continual hurt us or even a family member who puts you down any chance they get. We are taught to love these people, not just tolerate them but love them. Do nice things for them, speak highly of them, be nice to them and respect them. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” Ephe 4:32 I think this is a powerful and beautiful lesson. Jesus endured torture and a horrible death by His own people, but with blood in his eyes and nails in his hands, He looked up to God and said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34. Mocked, beaten, ridiculed, betrayed and abandoned – Jesus turned around and prayed to God to forgive those same people. Jesus’ words are profound “forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”. The people who upset us most times don’t know the effect they have on our feelings. When we pray for them and love them anyway, we open the door for God to take care of the situation while leaving you in peace, “if your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you” Prov 25:21.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you are my perfect example. Your life was one of love and forgiveness. Teach me and change me to love others despite the way they treat me. Help me to be your representative on earth so they may see You in me. Help me Lord to give you my battles, to not sit in bitterness and plot revenge. You are My God and I know you will protect and care for me. Thank you Lord for the freeing truth of your love.

Receiving Strength

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 
 

My Lord, My Father. My vindicator, my fortress, I come to you in my weakness. Shower me with your strength, purge my fear with faith in you. As the world closes in around me and my fear breeds more fear I will trust in you. Although things seem to be overwhelming and I might be at the end of my rope, help me to always see your light, for you are ever before me. “For the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard” Isaiah 52:12. In you alone I can rest, you lead me to stillness and tell me to look at all you have done for me. My past with you is filled with miracles and hope. You have encouraged me through this trial with kinds words from people and the sweet peace of Jesus that passes understanding. I will get through this! This is a temporary issue and my victory will be in your hands today and I believe in you for a good, healthy and happy future. Are you not the God who rose Jesus from the dead?! Are you not the God who healed many sick, blind, lame and desperate people? You are that same God, you are the same generation to generation. 

Silencing Worry

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. Phili 4:6-7

  

Sometimes fear grips us, fear of the unknown. Waiting for test results, wondering if someone is going to pull through a sickness, wondering if someone is going to come home safe, worrying if you’re going to get that job, worrying how you’re going to provide for your family, how you’re going to keep above the water with bills weighing you down. You sit down and try to figure out everything, calculate your bills over and over and you’re still coming up short. You are not suppose to take care of yourself alone! It was such a release for me when I learned how much God cared for me, while I was a sinner. I don’t mean after I was “good” or after I did something “good” I mean before I became a committed Christian. He cared for me, protected me and provided for me.