REPLACING WORRY WITH PEACE

Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts

and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

~~~~~

We live in a troubled world. It’s always been troubled, but it is especially so now. Bloody revolutions – serious world-wide economic crises – terrorist threats - moral decline on every hand – US government actions threatening our freedom of religion. It’s easy to be troubled, and worry over what’s happening, and what tomorrow may bring.

Paul tells us: Don’t worry about anything. Worry is a natural response to troubling situations, but it certainly isn’t the best response - it doesn’t solve anything, it only adds trouble to trouble. It affect us negatively both spiritually and physically - it is opposite to trusting God. Worry focuses on the problem, when we really need to be focusing on the only One who is able to help us face and deal with the situation in a positive way. God alone is the ultimate authority, and as chaotic as things may be – He is in control, and can see us through.

Paul's instruction is, instead of worrying over what could happen, we should pray about everything – world – national – local - economic – moral – family – personal – everything; everything that makes us anxious and tempts us to worry. Though God knows what we need before we ask, we need to tell God what we need, and thank him for all he has done. There is so much that God has done for us through the years, and there is infinitely more He has done which we know nothing about!  Expressing gratitude to God for what He has already done, not only honors Him, but also stimulates our faith that He will grant us what we need now.

The results of that kind of praying, is wonderful! We will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. God’s peace is so incredible; it goes way beyond what our human mind can fully grasp. And that precious peace will guard (that is, will protect) our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. And that is what makes it possible for us not to worry about anything as we live our lives in this troubled world.

Turn up your sound and listen to  WONDERFUL PEACE

If you would be interested in my life's story - click on THE STORY OF MY LIFE under Pages on the column to the right.

TRUE LOVE = LOVING ACTION

Love never gives up,

never loses faith,

is always hopeful

and endures

through every circumstance.

I Corinthians 13:7 NLT

~~~~~

Those of you who have been following our blog over the years know that February holds special memories for Donna and me. Valentine’s Day marks the beginning of our love for each other which led to sharing life together for sixty one years, and hopefully many more. I recoded our wedding ceremony, on a Webcor Wire Recorder, and it's on record that we not only said our “I do’s” but that I sang to Donna:

“I love you truly, truly dear,
Life with its sorrow,
life with its tears
Fades into dreams
when I feel you are near
For I love you truly, truly dear.

Ah! Love, 'tis something
to feel your kind hand
Ah! Yes, 'tis something
by your side to stand;
Gone is the sorrow,
gone doubt and fear
For you love me truly, truly dear."
By – Carrie Jacobs Bond

As I looked at today’s key verse, it struck me that every phrase implies action - never gives up - never loses faith - always hopeful endures through. Words of love are precious, and wonderfully heart- warming, but only when loving words are followed up by loving deeds is true love expressed. I know Paul is referring here to church members loving each other, but certainly these words also apply to husband and wife and family relationships.

In every family there are times of friction and disagreements – some may be short lived others may linger. True love doesn’t give up it keeps on working on a solution. It’s ready to forgive – make changes – and even make painful sacrifices – it doesn’t lose hope – it endures through every circumstance.

Love is best expressed when we focus more on the needs of others and less on our own desires. If we really are being honest, we have to admit that can be a challenge at times. We need help, and the Lord has lovingly provided that help as we see in Romans 5:5 -- For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. With His love in our hearts it becomes possible for us to love Him and each other in every circumstance.

Listen to LOVING GOD LOVING EACH OTHER

by the Gaither Vocal Band

HE IS ALWAYS WITH US

“And be sure of this:

I am with you always,

even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 18:20b NLT

~~~~~

 

As we face 2012, some people are expecting a year of clear sailing. Others have concerns over what the new year may hold. Whatever 2012 brings us, none of us have been on this stretch of our life’s road before. However, the good news is we will not be alone - our Lord will be with us all the way - whether we are skipping along smooth places or struggling over rough ground. His presence will make the smooth places all the more enjoyable, and because He is by our side we can be assured He will help us over the rough and difficult stretches!  His promise is be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

If we had the choice, most all of us would choose a smooth path. But with everything going smoothly for too long, we are likely to begin to feel like we are in control of life, and the presence of the Lord won’t seem all that important to us.

On the other hand, if our path is rough and difficult for long periods of time, we soon become aware that we really are not in control, and when we are crying out to God for help, and no help seems to come, we begin to question – where is God, why isn’t He helping me with my struggles?

If that should happen, our focus needs to be redirected - off our struggle - and on the Lord’s promise, I am with you always. By faith we need to acknowledge and praise Him for His presence whatever we are going through. The smooth and the rough are both designed by Him to teach us to trust Him more. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God promised, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper.”

In 1897 Ludie D. Pickett wrote:

“When in affliction’s valley
I’m treading the road of care,
My Savior helps me to carry
My cross when heavy to bear,
Though all around me is darkness,
Earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise,
“I never will leave thee alone.”

“No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.”

Listen to Randy Knaps sing: NO NEVER ALONE

GOD SO LOVED…THAT HE GAVE

“God loved the world so much

that he gave his one and only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 NLT

~~~~~

Most of us have been familiar with John 3:16 for so long that at times we have taken it for granted. Let’s take a moment to refocus on how incredible God’s love is.

When we consider the creation of heaven and earth - from the endless expanse of space to the microscopic forms of life – from angels – plants – animals - God is the creator of them all. As a climax to His creation He said, Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. The “us” in this passage is a reference to the Trinity. He designed us with the ability to communicate and have fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as they have with each other. Of all His created beings, only people are made in His image - which is the only way He can have the warm and loving relationship He longs to have with us now, and throughout eternity.

We all know what happened in the Garden of Eden. Sin separated the human race from the God of love who also is the God of justice and requires that the penalty for sin be paid in full. Our sinful nature makes it impossible for us to pay the penalty we are charged with.

This is where God’s love comes to the rescue – He loved us so much that he gave his one and only Son. We get our first glimpse of the Son in human form as a helpless infant in the manger of Bethlehem. At the outset of His ministry He was tempted by the Devil, and each time He fought him off by quoting appropriate scriptures. Hebrews tells us He has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. That makes Him absolutely unique. Only He had the credentials to pay the penalty that human sin incurred.

Throughout the years of His ministry He was keenly aware why He had come to this world. He came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Repeatedly He said, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. Even though He knew He would rise again, He also knew taking our sin upon Himself meant separation from the Father, and that was unthinkable. So in Gethsemane He repeatedly cried out in prayer, My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. His love for us won out – He went to the cross and died in our place!

“Oh, love of God,
how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure -
The saints’ and angels' song.”

 

Click on  THE LOVE OF GOD  to Hear Billy Graham and The Gaithers 

      

IT’S GOOD TO GIVE THANKS

It is good

to give thanks to the LORD,

to sing praises to the Most High.

It is good

to proclaim your unfailing love

in the morning,

your faithfulness in the evening.

Psalm 92:1-2 NLT

~~~~~~

As December is associated with Christmas, so November automatically brings Thanksgiving to mind. To be thankful doesn’t take much of an effort when everything is going our way, but when hard times come it becomes more of a challenge.

Whether our situation in life makes it easy or difficult to give thanks, it is always good to give thanks to the LORD because everything our Lord allows to come our way is always for our good. To give thanks for His gifts makes them all the more precious to us. Not to be thankful for His provision reveals a proud and presumptuous heart which looks at His blessings as something deserved. That kind of attitude leads to grumbling and complaining when things don’t go our way, and that’s not good.

 Relationships are strengthened where mutual gratitude is shown. When we express thanks to others, it lifts our spirits and the spirits of those whom we thank. It is good to give thanks.

Studies at the U of California at Davis as well as other studies find overwhelming evidence that gratitude has a profound positive effect on peoples’ lives. “Gratitude journals” – in which people make a daily list of things they are thankful for – have become a popular practice and have proven even helpful for people to come out of depression. It is good to give thanks.

Now if it is a good thing to thank each other and to think about things we are grateful for - how much better and how much greater the benefits if our thanks are also directed to the LORD. . . Most High! Thanking and praising God throughout the day for His unfailing love and faithfulness needs to be our goal. He wants us to continually PRACTICE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul writes “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” It is good to give thanks to the LORD!

THE LORD HOLDS US BY THE HAND

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Though they stumble, they will never fall,

for the Lord holds them by the hand.”

Psalm 37:23-24 NLT

~~~~~~~

If you have a toddler, or ever had one you can easily remember how carefully you held their hand and helped them maneuver up or down steps – step by step until they cleared the last one. Even when they mis-stepped, they didn’t go crashing down the stairs; instead, they found themselves dangling from your hand until you safely set them down again. Children are a precious gift from God and every conscientious parent does everything possible to protect them from harm. It brings us incredible joy and satisfaction as we watch them develop and grow through the various stages of life.

If we who are so far from being perfect and so limited in our abilities - do as well as we do - in protecting our children from falling, how much more is our perfect – all powerful – loving heavenly Father able to keep us from falling.

We are so blessed that our spiritual safety does not depend on us holding onto the Lord’s hand. We wouldn’t be any safer than a toddler holding unto their daddies’ hand. The first stumble, and that little hand would lose its’ grip and down they’d go. Our safety depends on the fact that our Lord holds us by the hand. His grip is secure, and will protect us from falling. His promise is, Though they stumble, they will never fall. It was when we committed ourselves to Him, that He took hold of our hand, and now even though we (spiritually speaking), misstep at times - trip over things – lose our balance – get banged up, we never go down all the way! Because He holds us by the hand!!

The amazing truth is, that God almighty who created heaven and earth, not only has “The whole world in His hand," but personally holds each believer by the hand! We are precious to Him, and He delights in every detail of our life and lovingly directs our steps.

If you are going through troubled times these days, and it seems like you're all alone, and no one understands or even cares. Bad as it may seem, you really are not alone. He is holding you by the hand! Trust Him, He will hold you up, and once again set your feet on solid ground. He will lead you all the way home, step by step.

Listen to the Broolyn Tabernacle Choir sing:    MY LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS

PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.

Ask God to help them;

intercede on their behalf,

and give thanks for them.

Pray this way for kings

and all who are in authority

so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives

marked by godliness and dignity.

This is good and pleases God our Savior.”

I Timothy 2:1-3 NLT

~~~~~~

We are living in troubled times. Our nation is involved in several military conflicts – one longer than any war we have ever been involved in. It has cost us thousands of precious lives and billions upon billions of dollars. Poor financial management on every level has brought us into deep financial problems - lost jobs – bankruptcies – foreclosures and a skyrocketing national debt – resulting in our nation losing its AAA credit rating. People of every political persuasion are angry and are expressing themselves in no uncertain terms. It’s easy to get caught up in the hateful, negative criticism of our president and elected officials.

 

But as Christians, we have a higher calling than to fill people’s ears and inboxes with corrosive ranting over our broken national economy, and blaming our political leaders for causing it or allowing it to happen.

 

Paul writes Timothy, I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Our higher calling is to pray for all people - not just for our family and close friends - and those who treat us right, but even for people who may treat us like dirt at times. We are to pray even for our enemies. Ask God to help them; that their needs may be met – intercede on their behalf - pleading with God that they will put their trust in Jesus and be saved - and give thanks for them. Even the worst of people have some merit for which we can be grateful.

 

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority. Our higher calling is not only to pray for people we commonly associate with, but also for governmental and civil leaders - for the president – judges – members of our national or state senate and congress as well as local officials - whether we voted for them or not. (Even the most inept or cruelest leaders are better than no leaders.) Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. - so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.