Fuss Free, Effortless, Simple

 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."Philippians 4:4

All these are buzz words in my title help the lives of busy people of all ages but there is not always going to be an easy way some things take brain power and effort to accomplish a desired end. When you feel overwhelmed like say with planning a dinner you like effortless answers. 

What about in relationships? They take more prayer, more patience, more work, more really trusting God. Are you hoping right now for a miracle in a relationship matter? It is not easy to wait. You know ‘God is at the wheel’ but somehow can’t relax and let things progress. 

Take it from me trying to jump in and orchestrate things does not work and only can cause misunderstanding and confusion in addition to potential heart break. Just keep talking to God. Don’t run to the phone run to the ‘throne’ to tell God what you are anxious about. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my brain and how it works sometimes a tad overactive. You know my concerns and you are working so help me trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Mind Your Own Business

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 1Thessalonians 4:11

Today’s world leaves followers of Christ in a quandary when it comes to spending time with the Lord or diving into the meaningless world of social media which adds nothing to your life if I might add except maybe heart break in comparing yourself to others on Facebook. 

To raise a child in this selfie obsessed all about me generation is a challenge. You do pretty good while the little ones are at home but when you put them out there beyond your protective walls watch out. I tried the 21 day fast from social media but you really have to discipline yourself in staying off of it. In raising children insure you are giving them personal time apart from devices. 

Truly you do have to mind your own business. Junk on social media isn’t accurate most of the time. You can think you are an expert by sharing must read medical advice but you don’t know it is true. Perhaps the pink jello challenge for weight loss which takes you on an endless quest where there is no real answer. Are you able to get up without your phone and do a devotion and perhaps read the Psalms and then ask yourself why all that celebrity gobbly gook matters anyway? Have a Blessed day. 

PRAYER: Father I need you and I need discipline to guard my heart from the lies of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Need To Laugh?

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.Proverbs 17:22

I was recently watching the best Super Bowl commercials. Most of them are comical and a few pull at your heart strings. Laughing for sure helps lifts anyone’s spirit. 

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to laugh. Humor helps healing just like the verse indicates. If you are in a constant state of doom and gloom and allowing Satan to drag you in a pit you will have a hard time escaping. But alas laughter is the best medicine. 

I don’t know what you are dealing with now but having laughter of some form in your life will help set you free from the darkest pit. Let God work. 

PRAYER: Lord God thank you for the gift of laughter. Use me Lord to help someone smile. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

 

Assumptions Can Get You Into Trouble

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.Proverbs 18:2

Do you ever assume something but you really don’t know for sure something is true? I am sorry to say I have done it many times. When you do that you are burdening yourself with information you don’t need to even know or sticking your nose into someone’s business that is not yours. 

Want to start a ‘fire of words’ then start judging or assuming when you don’t know the facts. To keep the peace be still. 

Guard your heart as being careful what you read or listen to is so important. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me not automatically assume something to be fact when I don’t know. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Foolish? Who Me?

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent and discerning if they hold their tongues. Proverbs 17:28

Do you ever feel like a fool? There are many incidents in God’s word of foolish people and none of us want to be called a fool. Kind of like in the old school Highlights For Children magazine ‘Goofus and Gallant’. 

A fool doesn’t think things through. A fool speaks before thinking how it will affect others. Foolish people can make tragic mistake's. 

Do you want to keep away from being labeled foolish? Then slow down, listen, pray and let God direct your steps. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord each and every day to watch my words and actions and represent the kingdom well. In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

Under Construction

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

No matter what your age in the big scheme of things you are under construction in God’s scheme of things. 

Don’t give up on life and try to fit yourself into the world’s mold of at a certain age you have no use or purpose. That is a lie from Satan. Your body may look older and wrinkled but inside you are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

One thing to make sure you keep renewing is your mind and your thinking. No pity parties. No nursing past hurts. No imagining scenarios that don’t exist such as people not liking you. To renew your mind you have to stay in the word of God. Everyone does that in a different way. There is not a set formula to hiding God’s word in your heart. 

PRAYER: Help me Father to cast off wrong thinking and to keep looking up. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

You Need Community

 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?" Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 

There is a TV show my husband and I found when we first moved to Idaho in 2020 entitled ‘Alone’ where survival experts are placed alone in the wilderness with only a few items to help them and the one who makes it longer than others wins a huge cash prize.Total isolation except for wild animals or fish.  Problem is many people ‘tap out’ due to social isolation. As one female contestant put it “I need community” so she called in to be picked up. 

It is okay to be alone sometimes. Every one needs their space and their time for solitude and thinking but to be dropped off in the remote wilderness is pretty extreme for anyone. Could you do it? 

God meant for us to have community even as a body of believers joining together on Sunday for fellowship or during the week for studying the Bible. If you don’t have a church home there are many outstanding body of believers throughout the United States. Start here www.associationofrelatedchurches.comto find a body of believers near you. 

PRAYER: Many lonely people just yearn for a smile, an invite, or a hello. Help me be aware of those around me hurting and needing community. In Jesus’ name. Amen.