Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 09:07

Good morning

As we enter a new day let's say, "this is the day the Lord has made." I read the headlines this morning about what is happening in the Middle East with Syria and Damascus. My heart aches for the loss of lives, the terror in the hearts of those left behind. Earthquakes in Mexico and volcanoes in various places...yet, all is in God's hands. If I couldn't have faith in Him then, I would be lost!

What is the rest of that verse? Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Only by faith can we rejoice in this day and age. We are called to rejoice as in I Thessalonians 5:16. Then in verse 17 called to prayer; the persevering kind. Then in verse 18..."Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."

This sounds more like a command doesn't it? Well, if God is the Captain of our faith then He is the One giving the commands. Can you still trust Him when everything around is falling down? 

There was one last never on Ella's list. It goes like this "Never dwell on tomorrow. Remember that tomorrow is God's not ours." Pretty strong words aren't they? And difficult to do. But, remember that walking in contentment can be learned. We just need to daily apply the Word of God and He will see it done.

I have a confession. I am a recovering...procrastinator. Yep. Years of laying down this thing that keeps me unproductive, wasting precious time has hounded me for years. I think it began when I was told to clean my room! I spent more time thinking about how to arrrange things, dreaming of making it better, that I wasted time that could have been spent having real fun. Hindsite!

I was reading 'My Utmost For His Highest' by Oswald Chambers this morning in my devotions. Today was a real eye opener for me. The first line said, "Dreaming about a thing in order to do it properly is right; but dreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong."  OUCH!  The last line..."Dreaming after God has spoken is an indication that we do not trust Him." Another owee. Truth can hurt sometimes but, Mr. Chambers also said, "Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action." So just get up and do it, I say to self!

Such wisdom! For me today, what I am hearing is, yesterday is over and tomorrow might not appear the way we anticipate. So, today really is the day that the Lord has made and I can rejoice knowing that He carries that tomorrow for me. I don't have to add or dream things into my backpac that don't belong there! So many scriptures come to my mind now! Matthew 11:30 promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Romans 8:1...no more condemnation and verse 28...He has a plan and will accomplish it in our lives. Proverbs 16:3...roll my works upon the Lord, trust and it will be successful.

If the Lord has spoken a direction for you today, please don't put it off for tomorrow. Let your dwelling place in thought be on this precious day. I am finding that there is freedom and much peace in the moments of the day. Worry is not rubbing me the wrong way. And, contentment and peace are twins. I can't have one without enjoying the other. 

The very last line in the song "Be Thou My Vision" is this..."High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever be fall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all." Amen.

This all ties together into a very nice present, don't you think? If you find yourself dreaming of better days ahead, take care to set it before the Lord Jesus. Allow Him the freedom to work it all out as He designs. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome."

Yes, even in the midst of wars and natures fury. Even when all around us is loss. Personally leaning hard into the promises of God will get you through the valley of the shadow of death. Keep your eyes on the Shepherds rod and staff and you won't be afraid. There is nothing to touch you except by His loving hand to shape and guide you further into wholeness, in His Love.

The question? Will we allow Him to lead us? If we have to pass through the fire He will be with us. If we have to cross troubling waters we will not drown. Remember the three Hebrew children in the furnace? They were there but the flames didn't even singe their clothes. And the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea on dry land! It all sounds too good to be true, until you are in it. Very few will be able to escape what is coming to this world. Only remember your name is written in the palm of His nail pierced hand. 

Do you know you are saved? If you don't and would like to be, don't put it off for tomorrow. Seriously. God doesn't play games with our lives. His hearts quest is that we come to believe in His Son, Jesus. That we cast our sins on Him and allow Him to raise us up to new life. I have come to realize today that procrastination is in fact a sin. Sin of unbelief and trust in Jesus. Now, I stand clean and want to open the rest of this gift called the present! The sun is shining today, the sky crystal blue. The snow sparkles on the ground and the breeze is bitter cold purifying the air. All beautiful gifts from God today. What are you seeing?

Please take time to talk to the Lord, about everything on your heart. Then rise and go forward into all that He has planned for you. Worship your High King! Bless you today, where ever you are and soon we will return together, here or in the heavens.

Abundance is...the life you were meant to live

 


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