Reminders

We are a people of limited memory. Sure, we may be good at remembering numbers or vast pieces of trivia. But how often do we remember how much God loves us, or how He has promised to never leave us or forsake us?

When times are going well, I remember how awesome He is. But often in those difficult and trying times, I admit I forget about all those instances (and, boy, there are many!) when God has come through with flying colors. We can trust His promises found in the Bible. Since God cannot lie, we can be assured that our needs will be taken care of, we will never be alone, and His grace is sufficient.

How about you? Do you need some reminders every now and then on just how wonderful God is? Grab your Bible. Read through His promises, and then rejoice!

Trust. Believe. Expect.

It's hard to stay focused and encouraged when life throws curve balls. We see engulfing situations instead of hopeful solutions. Part of that is because we can't see the end results. Our minds can't comprehend how things could possibly be worked out. But we need to hold on. We need to remember that the God who makes the sun rise and set each day, who made manna come down from heaven, and who created all things, loves you and is working on the best possible outcome.

What must we do? Trust, believe, and expect. Like the father whose child was demon possessed said to Jesus, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) And the Lord did great things for that family!

Friday Reflection

"To You, O my Strength,
I will praises;
for God is my defense,
my God of mercy."

Psalm 59:17

Keeping the Dust Away

It's amazing how quickly dust accumulates. You can wipe down a dresser or desk in the morning, and by afternoon there's another layer skimming the tops again. It seems like a never-ending process to keep things looking shining and clean.

This reminds me to keep my faith dust-free. Too much time away from my Bible and daily prayer can leave me with a layer of complacency and laziness. If I don't actively work to keep my faith alive and active, I will become weak and inefficient in my spiritual walk.

With all the distractions that our world has to offer, it's not easy to remain dust-free. But I want my faith to be strong, so I must make it a point to do all I can, with the help of the Holy Spirit of course, to keep in the Word and to keep Christ near and dear to my heart.

Friday Reflection

"Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!

There is no want to those who fear Him!"

Psalm 34:9

Recipe for Success

Yesterday my husband and I cooked a roast based on a recipe we saw on TV on one of the cooking shows. Our hard work paid off and we had a delicious meal that included some yummy gravy. But what if we hadn't followed the recipe? The roast may have turned out okay, but it wouldn't have been the delectable meal that was intended.

It's kind of like that with our relationship with God. He has designed the perfect recipe for our lives: accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Only this will bring us repentance and eternal life. Nothing else will do. We can try to fudge things to make our lives look good, but in the end, our lives have to pass a test, and that test is what we did with Jesus.

Are you looking for the perfect recipe for successful living? Try Jesus. You will be blessed with the most amazing results.

Friday Reflection

"Many seek the ruler's favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD."

Proverbs 29:26

Let Your Light Shine

Are you a servant of the Lord? Do you try to live your life showing others God's love? Then why do you doubt that your life is affecting anyone? I've had those thoughts, even quite recently. But those are just lies from the enemy. If we are living for God, following His precepts, loving others as He wants us to love them, then we are in some way, shape, or form, being a blessing. It won't be to everyone; but it will be to someone who will see God working in and through us.

We may never know how our lives affect others. But God knows. He sets up our situations. He determines our interactions. He knows what we need, and what others who come across our paths need. All we have to do is live for Him and let His love shine through us.