Worry

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Matt 6:27 (NLT)

So often we wear ourselves out by worrying.  We put so much energy into trying to fix ourselves or others, strategizing about the future, or dwelling on the regrets of the past that we have no time to enjoy the present. These thought patterns rob us of peace and serenity. What a relief when we finally realize that we have no power over these things. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow does not yet exist.  We can only take one day at a time. 

The original word for "to worry" or "to be anxious" is "to take thought."  Basically worry is over-thinking our lives.  Thinking has its limitations.  We usually don't have enough information or our thinking is defective because we have assimilated so many misconceptions.  We don't have the power or insight to figure things out, so over-thinking accomplishes nothing.  As Jesus said, "Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to his life?"

Things begin to change when we turn our lives and our will over to the care of God.  We are powerless, but God has perfect knowledge, perfect wisdom and all power. When we turn our lives over to his care, let go of our worries and rest in him, he begins to do his work.  

 You will keep in perfect peaceall who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.Isaiah 26:3 

Born to Love

Dear friends, let us love one another,

 for love comes from God. 

Everyone who loves has been born of God

 and knows God because

 God is love.

1 John 4:7 (NIV)

Love is a gift from God.  We cannot create it, will it, or manufacture it but only receive it with grateful hearts.  Whenever we experience love and affection for others we are experiencing God because God is love.  The greatest gift God has given is the ability as his children, born of his spirit, to experience and express his love. 

Things may try to come in to destroy love, but as we allow God to clear our hearts of resentments, love will spring up again. Nothing can destroy love because nothing can destroy God. 

Thank you Father for the gift of love that is born in us by your spirit.  Help us to uncover all the things that hinder your love from springing up in us. Help us to experience and express your love to everyone this holiday season.

No one has ever seen God; 

but if we love one another, 

God lives in us

 and his love is made complete in us.

1 John 4:12 (NIV)

In Times of Struggle

I will not fail you or abandon you.

Josh 1:5 (NLT)

Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and we feel like we are in the bottom of a deep, dark well.  Here is were we need the encouragement that God is with us where ever we are and will never leave or abandon us.  This is the encouragement he gives over and over again.  He does not change and is not affected by our moods.  He is forever constant, there abiding with us through all of our struggles.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:9)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

Read Because We All Have These Days:  When We're Just Hanging on by a String, 9/26/12.

 www.aholyexperience.com 

Hope

Why am I discouraged?Why is my heart so sad?I will put my hope in God!I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!         Psalms 42:11 (NLT)

In a time of discouragement, David penned Psalm 42 & 43.  These Psalms become for us a lesson to help in our times of discouragement or depression.  He doesn't hold back in expressing his negative thoughts and feelings, but in the midst of these expressions he inserts words of hope.  He calls to mind God's kindness (Ps. 42:6).  He acknowledges that each day the Lord is pouring his unfailing love upon him even if he can't feel it.  He sings songs in the night and he prays to the Lord, the source of his life (Ps. 42:8).  He makes a choice to put his hope in God (Ps. 42:5,11 & 43:5).

When we are feeling low, we can do some of the same things that David did.  We can remember and acknowledge that God loves us.  We can pray, even if it is only "Help me" or "Thank you."  We can sing a song or listen to some music. We can reach out to someone.  We can make the choice to put our hope in God no matter how we feel or how discouraging the circumstances around us seem to be.

....never give up hope in God.  He is all good and all powerful, and He will give whatever you need according to your faith.

Simply trust everything into the hands of God, be humble, and open up to His grace.  Through meditation and prayer, you will receive peace, and everything will gradually be worked out for you.  And the things which, in your hour of temptation, seemed so difficult will disappear almost imperceptibly.*

Speak a word of prayer, sing a song, put your hope in God.   What small step can you take today to reach up and to reach out of your depression? 

*Fenelon. Let Go. Whitaker House, 1973: 82,83. 

Fenelon (1651-1715) Archbishop of Cambrai, France, was spiritual adviser to many high ranking people in the court of Louis the Fourteenth.

He is There

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deut 31:8 (NLT)

I came across these encouraging words today.

Know that He is there with you and will go with you all the way.  A fresh awareness of His presence with you will give you peace in the midst of turmoil, power for your weakness, courage for your difficulties, strength for your inadequacies, rest from your fears.  He is there with you. By faith take hold of His almightiness for your present need.  

He is able and ready to deliver you, to give you strength and courage to face that difficult or impossible situation, to give you patience, to put His words in your mouth, to fully enable you for whatever He calls you to do or to be.*

 Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Josh 1:9 (NLT)

*Birkey, Verna.  You Are Very Special: A Biblical Guide to Self-Worth, Fleming H. Revell Co. New Jersey, pg. 133-134

Harmony

How wonderful and pleasant it is

 when we live together in harmony!

 Psalms 133:1-3 (NLT)

There is something so beautiful, so wonderful when we create an atmosphere of harmony in our interactions with others.  This isn't an easy thing to do with all the stresses and offenses that can assault our relationships.  Learning to live together in harmony is a precious gift which brings blessing and refreshing to our lives. 

Think of an orchestra.  Harmony is created, not by every instrument being alike or playing the same note, but by the instruments being tuned together and playing the sounds they were created to make.  When they all blend together a beautiful symphony is formed.

Each person has a different gift and a different style.  As we accept and honor each other as we are and build each other up with words of kindness, gentleness and respect we help to create an atmosphere of harmony.

Lord, we desire to live together in harmony.  Help us to work through the difficulties and deal with the offenses that make for discord.  Grant us the gift and blessing of harmony in all our relationships.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement,

 help you live in complete harmony with each other.

Romans 15:5 (NLT)

• ---

Relief

Crystal Cove

 

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.” 

Matt 11:28-30 (NLT)

Here we are on vacation, resting on the beach at beautiful Crystal Cove,  thinking about the rest and freedom God has for us.

Jesus came to set us free.  What do we need to be set free from?  The Bible tells us that we are slaves of sin.  The tendencies of our human nature bring us down, tie us up, making things unpleasant and unhappy.  

These are the heavy burdens that we bear, the things that we struggle with all of our lives.   All of our problems stem from our tendencies toward pride, arrogance, self-centeredness which give rise to fears, resentments, quarrels and fights.

Jesus offers us rest from the effects of all of these things.  He calls us to come to him, to unite our lives with him.  When we yoke ourselves with him his strength carries us along.  When we join ourselves to him, taking our eyes off ourselves and focusing on him we have a new perspective and a new outlook.  What a relief to rest ourselves in him.