Be Not Afraid

A friend just told me she “doesn’t worry.” She must have a peace with God that surpasses all understanding.

I have worried my whole life about one thing or another. I’ve always believed in God but worry has taken a large part of my life. I’ve worried about my weight most of my life. (Like thinking about it can change things, right?) Maybe some of my thoughts could have changed, (like make up my mind to change bad eating habits.) Some times I have succeeded in getting things done without worrying about them.

I’ve worried about conversations the day after. Saying things to myself like: I could have told them this or that. We have probably all had conversations like that. There have been situations where I have gone over in my mind trying to change the outcome.

Just think about the things you could have accomplished if you didn’t worry about them. The clothes would get washed in a timely manor. We would get all the other chores done around the house. Things turn out just right without all the worry.

Melinda Martin in her “Musings of a Ministers Wife” says, “There are something like 80 + times scriptures in the context of ‘fear not,’ ‘Do not be afraid’, ‘do not fear,’ and

‘Be not afraid.’”

On the Internet site: kingjamesbibleonline.org the phrase, “be not afraid” is listed as being 26 times. And “fear not” is listed as 62 times. That’s a total of 88 times.

So, I tell myself “Get up off the couch and be active. Get the dishes done, wash the clothes and sweep the floor. Show God he gave me life to live abundantly, without all the worrying.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and a sound mind.”

1 John 4:18  (KJV “There is not fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear.”

CHOICES

It was an overcast day and sprinkling rain on and off. I felt miserable. I wanted to sleep, yet had just awakened from an early afternoon nap. We had planned for a week to go out of town to get away for the weekend. The trip had been postponed. It was disappointing.

My husband woke up energetic and had a pep in his step; keeping himself busy with this and with that. He decided to bake a cake. ”Ugh,” I thought, “I’m going to have to show him which beaters go in the mixer, there are three sets. Then I’m going to have to show him how to use it.”

Then the thought occurred to me, “You can choose to sit and be sorry for yourself or choose to get up and do something. You can choose to change your attitude from declining to thriving. I could choose to be mad at him for being cheerful on an uncheerfull day or I could join in the celebration of enjoying the day.

I had just finished reading the book by Joyce Meyer, “Enjoying Where You Are On The Way To Where You Are Going.” So I decided to do something I enjoy doing, “Writing.”

On a rainy, not so cheerful day, I hope you can find hope and something to cheer you and as Joyce Meyer said, “Enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going.”

(By the way, the yellow cake with chocolate icing was delicious.)

Walking And Not Be Faint

It’s not so much soaring with Eagle’s wings, as it is walking and not be weary. We find peace with God in everyday living.

It’s washing the dishes, sweeping the floor and cooking dinner. Every day living can get you down. It’s the hearing co-workers complain and not listening. Don’t’ adhere to the devil’s small voice that says, “Be unhappy with your situation, because others are.”

It’s when you see others in a better place than you are and being happy for them. Seeing others as God’s children just as you are, even with their faults and failures. Who’s to say I wouldn’t fall for the devil’s trap just as others have in being sad or mad or envious?

I pray that you may know the breadth and depth, length, and height to which the mercy of God reaches toward you. Always keep singing and praising God for his good works in you that you may show others the compassion and patience, love and mercy He has shown you first.

“and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature created in after likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23-24 RSV)

KNOW YOUR HEART

A friend of mine said, "Know what's in your heart. Do what your 'heart' tells you to do.'"
God will lay on your heart a desire to do what is right.

The devil seeks to kill and destroy.
Pursue God so the enemy will NOT overtake you.

Living through a crisis in your life with faith is far better than not having faith.
When your heart is full of God, when his desires become your desires, you will find a peace that passes all understanding.

Don't forget your first love. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given unto you." (my paraphrase. Matthew 6:33)

It's hard remembering faith in times of crisis but you must put the rock of remembrance, Jesus, in  your heart. "Flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you but the Holy Spirit of God."(my paraphrase
Matthew 16:17b)

God loves you! And so do I.

Walking Vs. Soaring

Life can overwhelm us. Endless hours of routine life can make us dull to the senses. Others get in the way of our happiness. The world drifts longingly by, wandering from here to there. We forget where our power comes from. We try every way we can think to change the world. The world does not listen. Only in God's time will they listen It's too late for us to wander with the world. It is time for us to move forward. We cannot afford to spend our valuable time with those who do not wish to follow the same dreams we have.

We grow and others do not. We outgrow some friends and turn to others for the happiness that has illuded  us for a lifetime.

We change; others do not. We listen for that still small voice. We hear. We heed. We are overcome with thankfulness to God for providing that which we need.

Our power does not have to soar like wings of Eagles but should allow us to walk and not faint.

INNOCENCE OF BIRTH

Jesus' birth was the beginning of a new family. It marked the consummation of vows of faithfulness of Mary and Joseph to each other and to God. It marked the beginning of an innocent life.

We are reminded of the responsibilities of parents to bring up their children in the safety and admonition of the Lord. We realize once more how precious life is. We long for that innocence of a newborn babe.

God chose his son, Jesus, to come to earth to experience this earthy life from beginning to end. He had to be taught to talk and walk as a human being. He had to build a body to withstand the trials and temptations we all have had to face.

This time of year we remember and envy the innocence and vulnerability of a baby. How dependent we are on other people. As in birth, we find in death our vulnerability to this human form we call our bodies. How we must depend on God to, …grant us with a willing spirit to sustain us. (Psalm 51:12b) my paraphrase).

MOM'S LAST CHRISTMAS GIFT

     Christmas was my mom's favorite time of year. She gave to each family member: Aunts, Uncles, nieces, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, she even gave to friends and their family who couldn't give back.

     Her last days on earth, she was given a Christmas gift she didn't wear. My aunt had given her a nice, pink robe because mom was ill. She had not worn it three days after Christmas when she died December 27, 1969.

     I remember my aunt asked to return the robe.  I remember it was a curious request, but did not jump to judgment. Years later I realized the two women's viewpoint. They were from the "Great Depression" era. They were frugal. "Waste not, want not," was evident in their decisions.

     Mom knew the thought behind the gift was genuine love. She loved back through a last gesture of frugality.

     I see this same quality in her grandchildren as they have grown. They love to shop. They love to give, even when the recipients can't return the favor. Praise The Lord for a giving family.

 …."It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) NIV