Rely On Him!

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

The past week has been a hasty and excessive week of stress and anxiety at not only work but in my personal life as well. By mid week I found myself getting physically and mentally sick with thoughts and worries, and although I participated in my daily prayers and worship (yes...only participated!) it hit me that I was not truly giving it to God. Since when do I think I have control? What kept me from fully relying on God? I completely lost myself in trying to manage time, money, and circumstances without dependence on God. How well I know and have learned a "bazillion" times in the past that God is stronger than all of my fears and anxieties put together! When the going gets tough, I know perfectly well that I must talk to Him about my problems as if I were talking to my best friend.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Relying on God can be very effective in managing our persistent worries and anxieties. It is not always easy to realize the fact that God is in control, and that He listens and will help us if we ask Him. I had to stop and remind myself this week to be totally reliant on Him. I rediscovered that God wants to be involved in my everyday. Giving up on my own ability and trusting His is a choice I had to make, and once I submitted and humbled myself to Him I felt a spiritual release of worry, and a spiritual calmness and peace! Sometimes it takes risking it all, and removing all obstacles that "shut" Him out. We must let God mold and shape every area of our life. If I don't trust God I better be careful, or else I may find myself blind, and my life torn apart!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

RELY on God In the midst of the storm,

REST within His comforting arms.

KNOW tomorrow is safe in His hands,

TRUST even when you don't understand.

STAND fast in courage day by day,

WALK by faith when you don't know the way.

EMBRACE the Lord and abandon all fear,

BELIEVE with all your heart...

HE is near.   (Rebecca Barlow Jordan)

Eternal Not Material

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

For some reason, we like to own the things we love, even when it's not necessary. The more "stuff" we have the happier we are. Unfortunately, I think that many people place too much value on owning things and showing them off to others in order to make an impression. Maybe some people are greedy because somewhere along the way they haven't had their basic needs met, and they can't get enough of anything; they always want more and don't care if it is at someone else's expense. Someone who is the richest person in the world still wants more; it's a hole that never seems to be filled. If you try to create happiness by accumulating wealth and material items, you never have enough. Obviously this isn't true for everyone, but it saddens me to look around and see everyone's "stuff", and the need and greed for more when there are so many down-and-out, empty, and exhausted people all around us.

"May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light." (Colossians 1:12)

Our possessions are a gift from God, and everything good comes from God. If we place value of our possessions or relationships above Him, He is very likely to take them away. He wants us to view what we have with the right perspective. We all have our basic needs and should be thankful at all times for everything God has provided us. We are only here on earth temporarily, and God wants us to share with His people who are in need, and to practice hospitality. As Christians, we should not hesitate to offer hospitality because we are too busy or think that we are not "wealthy" enough to entertain. Love is always perceived to be real if it is demonstrated in a tangible way; God demonstrates His love in tangible ways and extends this even to His enemies, and requires that we too love our friends and enemies in tangible ways. All the wealth and material things we cherish here on earth are temporary, but the greatest memories we will have as we get older are those we have shared with loved ones and people in need.

"Gratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply. And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your maker, to the architect of the universe, to the spiritual core of your being. It's a phenomenal lesson." (Bob Proctor)

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

To wrap this up...I believe it's important to remember that life is not all there is; there is life after death! And knowing that we will live together with God, with new bodies and everything we could possibly need should be our primary focus for an everlasting life! :)