Whew!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

We have all lost things in our lives. If you haven't you are a rare creature. I had been on a roll and had not misplaced anything in a while and felt like maybe I had passed the 'peace test'. But then it happened. I looked at my wrist as I was entering a local eating establishment  and my Fitbit was missing. I tried to stay calm. Much better than in the past. I left quickly and retraced my steps. I prayed and had prayer sisters pray. Searched my car. Returned to the coffee shop and it had been turned in. Oh happy day! Honest people. 

Life requires us to maintain cool emotions. Both my sons are in career fields that require calmness and cool thinking. Maybe your job requires you to stay cool and collected as well. Getting all flustered about losing objects does not bring them back any quicker. Sometimes it is necessary to resolve that no matter what, you will move on. Do not let it wreck your day or your life. Don't let missing things tear you apart. I know this is easier said than done especially when looking for keys, passports, birth certificate, adoption papers, car titles and other things like those. But still, fretting does not do one thing to help you or get the object back.

To help maintain a life of calmness and be able to function well at work and at play give your care to God. Fuming does not help but only creates more tension and stress. Ask God to help you. He is only a prayer away.

PRAYER: First of all thank you for helping me find most things I have lost. Thank you for honest people that turn things in that do not belong to them. Help me stay cool when I should misplace things in the future. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHITE CAPS MAKING YOU SCARED?

The part of the country I live in is pretty close to the beaches of both Florida and Alabama relatively speaking. The seashore is a great place to visit. When a storm is brewing at sea the ocean waves can be very scary and often dangerous. Sailors out at sea can attest to the tremendous power of the waves that form massive white caps.

Once on a cruise, my husband and I were on the upper deck around midnight and the dark ocean waves were very large and frightening. I love the ocean but seeing it so black and fierce that night stirred up fear inside of me. I could not even imagine what it would be like to go down with the ship. Pretty scary thought.

Do you recall the story in the Bible about Jesus calming the storm? Mark 34:35-39 recalls the story.'That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.' What they lacked was faith He could save them.

What storm or white caps are you facing in life? God can still the storms of life if only you cry out to Him.

PRAYER: I need you every hour in my life Lord. I can not do anything on my own. Thank you for getting me through some storms in my life and the storms sure to come. You are my hope! Thanks! In Jesus' name. Amen.

ON A MISSION FOR PEACE

I do not live in Manhattan, Boston, LA, Chicago, or any other number of huge metropolitan areas but I still find myself occasionally needing to break away and get rid of the "clutter" of life that can often distract me and weigh me down. Things such as constant noise, people everywhere, too much technology, too many emails, too many wrong phone numbers. I am not intending on becoming a grinch by any means because I indeed am a people person. My point is all of us need time to sit back and be quiet and still and "recharge". On the other hand there are those in our world yearning for someone to talk to or wishing they had a car or means to get out and about.

For those of you reading who need to get away and "recharge" the first thing I need to say is the best way to start off each and every day is to take time for God. Write Him first in your busy schedule. Perhaps lunchtime on a park bench somewhere or seated in your car works for you. Whatever, make sure time with God is not squeezed out.

Isaiah 30:15(NIV) says 'This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy one of Israel says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation and in quietness and trust is your strength but you would have none of it."' 1 Peter 3:4(NLT) says 'You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.'

Let's all try to let our aim in life be to maintain peace in all circumstances. To achieve this you need to get alone with God for His strength.

PRAYER: Today I choose peace and quiet. I choose to be intentional about getting alone and being still and spending time with you. Show me ways to do this Father. In Jesus' name. Amen.

QUIETNESS

A couple weeks ago there was a day when the gym at Redstone Arsenal I go to was unusually quiet and uncrowded. Perhaps furlough Friday affected it, the cloudy skies outside, or  summer vacation. Never the less,it was rather nice for a change. Just the sound of weights clanging and elliptical trainers whirling. Sometimes we just need a break from commotion and noise.

Made me think about how important it is for Christians to have a private quiet time with God to keep their spirits alive and refreshed. A person can not hear from God in the clutter of everyday life and constant talking in the background. You need to try to make an intentional quiet time with the Lord. For those readers who may reside in a city such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago it may be  a challenge to find a quiet spot. Sometimes even listening to Christian TV or radio you need to turn them off momentarily and be still and listen to God. Read His manual, The Bible.

"How do I do this" you might ask. My  first suggestion is at home before you leave. If you are single and have roommates that too may be a challenge. If this is a desire of your heart and your passion you will find a way. The prayer ministry Moms In Prayer International (www.momsinprayer.org) has something called a DAWG day or "day alone with God".  I love my DAWG days. My favorite place to go is up on the mountain at Monte Sano State Park in nearby Huntsville. You can really focus outside in God's creation. This DAWG day may not last all day but could even be an hour or two as your schedule permits. 

Psalm 46:10(NIV) is one of my absolute favorite verses. Commit it to memory if you can.

'Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted above the nations. I will be exalted above the earth.' This verse is also a great verse to regain peace if you have lost it through fears and worries.

Mark 1:35(NIV) says 'Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place where he prayed.'  Young mothers could have a prayer time with their children or when napping get alone to pray and study God's word.

Today is the day to decide if this is important enough to let it become a daily habit.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for stillness, for peace, and for quiet. I thank you for the Bible. Forgive me Lord when all other activities seem more important than you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BE STILL, IF YOU CAN

Sometimes in order to hear from God you have to be still. This might mean changing your schedule for some peaceful quiet time and getting away if you are able. If you work full time you may have to be creative. One job I had I used to go outside the building to a little stream that ran behind the office and sat there and enjoyed the quiet on my short lunch break. Parks are nice places to go as well.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, especially in major cities,
the pace can be quite frantic and fast paced. Bosses want something
yesterday! Work, work, work and then needing time to unwind. It is
crucial especially for the believer.

Psalm 46:10(NIV) is one of my favorite verses and it simply says 'Be
still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I
will be exalted upon the Earth.'

Parents who try to get their young children in all sorts of activities
at the same time I feel are doing them a terrible disservice. Go to
piano, then off to dance, then soccer practice, next to art class and
so on. These young ones are hardly having time for a normal family
life and can certainly not have time for God.

If you are a Christian parent are you teaching your young children
about quiet times and peace? It is good to start it early. Even take
away some of the electronics for a while. In all those activities do
not leave out alone time with God. That goes for adults too.

I challenge you to find a creative way each day to have a time alone with God.

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for the gift of quietness. Help me use my time here on Earth wisely. Forgive me for the days I rush off and

IS CALM POSSIBLE?

 The answer is yes. I can imagine for folks living in a huge city such as Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles it would be hard to find a place to go to sit still and be calm. Parks are always nice.

But is calm of all sorts possible? By this I mean, in the world we live in, that is getting further away from God's word and freedom, are we able to relax and know that God is still on the throne?

It is very difficult to remain calm and centered on Christ if you make it your priority to feed your mind on the fears going on in the world. Sometimes you have to take a "news break" and instead have a "prayer and praise break".

We are told in scripture in 1 Peter 2:11(The Message version) 'Friends this world is not your home so do not make yourselves too cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.' That is so very true. We are here on earth but for a moment it says in Hebrews 13:14(NIV). The verse reads as follows 'For here we do not have an enduring city but we are looking for the city that is yet to come.' God is going to take care of His people.

James 4:14(NASB) reminds us 'Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.You are just a vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away.' A good verse to commit to memory to stay calm is Isaiah 26:3(NIV) which says 'You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast for they trust in you.'

The prescription for a calm spirit is to spend more time talking to God and less time letting the cares of daily life consume you.

PRAYER: Today Lord I know you are in control. I choose to not let the fear of our leaders lording over us consume me but to only trust that you are indeed on the throne and rule on high. Protect my mind from believing the lies of the enemy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 

 

PEACE FOR THE INTERNET BABIES

Odd title I know, but this is about teaching your future children and grandchildren and school children to learn to 'be still and know that He is God'.(Psalm 46:10). Today's babies being born are in a generation that has never not known electronics and staying connected. Call me old fashioned but there is a time and place to be "wired" and a time and place to be still. In my humble opinion I feel children need to develop a habit of learning how to be quiet and still.

I can recall in 1994 when we got our first PC(personal computer) all the codes you had to type in to get it to turn on. But todays' little ones are being born into a very different world. Not only will they never know what is was like to not have a internet connection but they are bombarded on all sides by an immoral world. The culture is pumping out their garbage on television and through other forms of media. Truly my parents job was much easier as the television was actually moral.

It  is going to be a parents job to guide their little ones in the right way not caving into peer and societal pressure in raising them to be calm, cool, and collected or in other words, peaceful and able to sit still.

There is a verse in Proverbs 29:15(NIV) that says 'A  rod and a reprimand impart wisdom but a child left to his own way disgraces his mother.' Have we not all witnessed out of control children whose parents let them get away with all sorts of things? I recall an incident in the military chapel we attended back in  the early 90's where a little toddler spit on me. Yes you heard me right. You would think of all the people military parents would not allow such a thing. The mother simply said (name changed) "now Rodney stop that" and the child did it again. No intervention by the dad and no swat on the fanny. I was totally dumbfounded. I would hate to see this child today if he went through life without any form of discipline or correction. We are to train children in the way they should go it says in Proverbs 22:6, not the other way around.

So back to the title, these "internet  generation babies" are going to need to be taught right and wrong according to God's word and are going to have to learn that they do not always get their way or they do not always get pacified with an electronic toy. Peace is learned by being still and quiet and getting alone to pray. Some of we adults need to learn that concept as well. It is good for our souls. 

There is a verse in Isaiah 30:15 that says 'in quietness and confidence is our strength'. Is there something you need to be doing to learn to be quiet and to develop this skill in your children?

PRAYER: Father in heaven I thank you today for being able to get alone and pray. I know Satan is out to make me feel like I need noise and distracts me with busyness of life. I choose this day to make time to be still and get alone with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

YET HE UTTERED NOT A WORD

Can you imagine yourself being yelled at, beaten, cursed, made fun of, blamed, and belittled but yet not opening up your mouth to defend yourself? Maybe some of these things have happened to you and your gut reaction initially is to rise up and say "stop it" These things and more happened to Jesus yet He was kind, gentle, and merciful and he "opened not his mouth" scripture says. Isaiah 53:7(NIV) says '

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.' Imagine having this happen to you and naturally you want to scream and fight back. As a believer we are supposed to try as best we can, with the Holy Spirit's help, to be like Him in all our ways, to include reacting to people. If you "pop a cork" so to speak, at the first conflict, say with a rude store clerk,you are not glorifying God very well are you? Matthew 27:12(NIV) further says 'when he was accused by the chief priests and elders he gave no answer.' Silence is golden especially in times when our human nature could start a doozy of a argument. 1 Peter 2:23(NIV) also says 'when they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to He who judges justly. ' James 1:19(ESV) is a good verse to "sear" into your brain and be able to pull up when you are tested. It simply says 'Know this my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.'  Put this verse into practice both inside and outside your home. Many times in scripture there are references to speaking and being foolish when we do not think before opening our mouth. The gift of self control comes into play in a huge way. Do you suppose you could control the urge to lash back when insults and the like were hurled at you? With God's help you can. PRAYER: It is my desire Lord to control my anger and what I say. Sometimes I may feel I deserve to have the last word and get back at someone for hurting me. I know Lord what is needed is prayer and self control. With your help I can be a witness even when I am put to the test. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link below to worship God in song. http://youtu.be/CqIA_l2ypkE

CAN YOU BE STILL?

(Devotion for 13 April 13)

How hard is it to go without your electronic communication devices? Would you be able to go up to the woods and not take your cell phone for instance? Do you constantly have to be in motion? For this writer I definitely have to work on this discipline but it is truly freeing to be alone with no noise. In this hustle and bustle world of ours sometimes it may be challenging to get away and be "still" in God's presence.

If you have been reading this devotion very long you may have read about a "DAWG" Day or "Day Alone With God".  I highly recommend this to everyone. It is so awesome to get alone and talk to God without TV's and radios blaring in the background or distractions taking you in another direction. 

Luke 6:12(NIV) says 'One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying there.' He was alone talking to His father in heaven. Maybe you feel like saying 'But Becky there was no electricity back then so it was easier for Him plus He is Jesus after all.' Many work full time, but be creative and find a safe place you can go every now and then and make it your praying place. I know someone who has a "prayer garden" at the side of her home in a subdivision. It might even just be sitting in a park in your car. On my last job I only got thirty minutes for lunch and there was a creek behind the building and I often would go back there and sit on the edge of a bridge going over it. A nearby university has a small lake with parking next to it and it was also a good place to go. If you desire to "be still" with God pray and ask Him to help you figure out where to go.

Luke 5:16(NIV) says 'Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.' Are your prayers just at meals or do you spend time talking to him other than that? He wants to "hear" from you in prayer and He would like to daily. What if you had a friend and you barely talked to them or spent time with them.  Wouldn't be much of a relationship now would it? Well this is how believers should be with Jesus. You want to know Him better it takes more than one hour each Sunday. It takes some alone time to pray and study and read the word of God.

Isaiah 30:15(NLT) says

'This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.' Can you do this? Trying being quiet and still and just hearing God's voice through his word. Can you be still? Can you make time to spend with Jesus each and every day? Do you desire this in your life? Psalm 46:1(NLT) sums it up quite well. 'Be still and now that I am God. I will be borrowed by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.' PRAYER: My desire Lord is to learn to be still in your presence. My desire is to go daily to my Bible and be still as I read your word. My desire is to have an impact in the world you have placed me in. Guide me and show me the way to go. In Jesus' name. Amen.

STOP!! WAIT!! THINK!! PRAY!!CALM DOWN!! SHHH!!

Oh my goodness, the area of speaking before thinking is one area I could write oodles on. I am the queen of jumping to conclusions and making assumptions. This is a trait I do not like and am constantly working on. It is so critical in life to not be hasty especially in important decisions. In relationships with friends it is also important to think sometimes before speaking or answering email or texts. For those married, it is essential to be kind with your mouth to your spouse and try to keep being like you were when you were dating. 

Proverbs 29:20 (NIV) says 'Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for  him.'  That sort of summarizes it I would say. If you do not want to be classified as a fool then do not be blurting things out of your mouth without thinking first. Once those words go forth they can not be taken back. Sometimes a good rule of thumb, especially if you are angry or confused, is to wait 24 hours. I even wrote a devotion with that title a few weeks ago. 

Our words can sort of define us. Are you known for saying the wrong things, starting quarrels, lying, gossiping, hurting people or are you known as spreading cheer, giving praise and compliments, and being truthful and kind?  

1 Thessalonians 4:11(NIV) says 'Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we told you.'  Try to be known as the loving peacemaker and someone who is there to unite and encourage. I know encouragers are much more pleasant to be around than a griper or complainer. 

So there you have it. Stop,wait, think, pray, and calm down. It will improve your life dramatically.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I need your help to be careful what I say. Help me learn to slow down in all areas of life and to think before speaking. Thank you for loving me despite my faults. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LESS SAID THE BETTER

Have you ever heard the phrase 'the less said the better?' Many times
that is so very true. Also the phrase 'leave well enough alone' or
'don't add fuel to the fire' ? Very wise advice. The last few days we
have been dealing with words that wound or words that build up, or

spoken on impulse. Thinking before speaking is a very important thing

to do.

Words should build up not tear into someone. If you claim to be a
believer then it is critical you learn to gain control of the tongue.
Take a moment and review James chapter 3. In Matthew 12:36-37(NKJV) we
are warned about what happens if we say bad things. It says 'But I
tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give
an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you
will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.'

Do you have a problem with careless words? Don't you feel your speech
should bring glory to the Lord? The mouth can be deadly or it can be
life giving. It is how you choose to use it. Granted none of us are
perfect but if we strive to be holy in all areas of life and live like

Jesus then we need to get a grip on this.

'But what if someone says something ugly to me' you might proclaim.
That still gives you no right to be harsh back. Remember the verse

found in Romans 12:17(NIV) which says 'do not repay evil for evil. Be

careful to do right in the eyes of everybody.' If you are angry try
to make peace. There is a verse found in Ephesians 4:26( NLT) which

says 'And don’t sin by letting anger control you.Don’t let the sun go

down while you are still angry.'

'But wait' you might say. 'The person really hurt me so I feel I have

the right to get back.' So what, in fact ,would Jesus do? I think you
know the answer.

Your mission, and I hope you accept it wholeheartedly, is to seek to
only let kind, pure, edifying words come forth from your mouth. Stay
in the word of God and it makes it a bit easier.

PRAYER: Thank you for loving me Lord and for forgiving me when I say
things I should not. I choose to be holy in all areas of my life but I
need your help to do it. Thanks for putting loving friends and family
in my life. Help me be careful to never hurt them with words. In
Jesus' name. Amen.

TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES

Do you rush through your day hardly stopping to take a break or a
breath? You may use the all too familiar excuse that you are working
and no time for a break. Try to get yourself out of your cubicle and
outside to enjoy God's creation. Our lives are often times filled with
non stop activities such as meetings, classes, clubs, sports, shopping
and much more. In this busy time God is often forgotten in the
equation. Somehow all the other things make the "to do" list but the
most important thing, spending time with Jesus, takes a back seat to
everything seemingly more important.

Through a ministry I have been a part of now for over 16 years now,
Moms in Prayer International, formerly Moms in Touch, there is a thing
called a "DAWG" day which I encourage ladies, and men, to try to make
time for sometime. It stands for "Day Alone With God" where you simply
get away from your home and distractions and go someplace quiet, safe,
and peaceful and pray and read your Bible. My area of choice here
happens to be a state park nearby. You just sort of get time to
regroup, think, pray, confess sins in your life, and study God's word.
Even if you only have two hours to spare, try it sometime and leave
the cell phone off.

It is during these times of peace you have time to appreciate what God
has done for you. To "smell the roses" is to truly appreciate God's
mercy and goodness. We can not fully tune in to God if we are
constantly distracted by things in life so it is necessary to have
that time alone.

Psalm 46:10(NIV) says 'Be still and know that I am God.I will be
exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.'

PRAYER: Lord I need to insure I do not allow the busyness of life to
squeeze you out. I know the enemy is thrilled when I do not make time
for you. Forgive me Lord. I can not expect to know you by only giving
you one hour on Sunday. My desire is to seek your face and make time
for you daily making sure other things do not come first. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

JOY JOY JOY AND MORE JOY

It's Christmas time! Joy to the world! Many around you, or perhaps you
yourself, do not feel joyful due to circumstances in your life. You
just wish Christmas would hurry and go away as it makes things way too
painful. Why is it some people love Christmas and others dread to see
it come?

Maybe if we would not forget what this day is about then we could just
enjoy it in a simple way. When you have expectations that are not met
or feel let down then it is hard to get into the spirit of this
wonderful day celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus. Perhaps you
feel obligated to do certain things that end up causing you stress.
Why not sit back, go somewhere alone where it is quiet, and just pray
and be still? No cell phones. No music in your ear. Nothing. Just you
and God. It may be a challenge if you are a young parent with children
or work full time. Try to find time to schedule a "peace break" alone
somewhere. It could be at a park just sitting in your car. Or go for a
walk. Take time to decompress.

No one said you have to bake twelve dozen cookies. No one said you
need a tree. No one said you have to send Christmas cards.(I for one
send New Years photo cards instead around the 3rd week of January when
people are back in a calmer routine). No one said you have to have an
open house. No one said you have to go to parties. Try to sit and talk
to God and decide what this day is all about and go from there. How
can you have peace on earth when you are in inner turmoil?

John 14:27(NIV) says 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I
do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.' Remember the scripture in Romans
12:2(NIV) that reminds us 'Do not conform to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Then you will
be able to test and approve what God's will is. His good, perfect, and
pleasing will.' Part of this Christmas stress might be caused by
trying to fit into the mold of someone else. Relax and enjoy Jesus'
birthday. That is what this day is really about.

PRAYER: Father thank you for your peace. I want to enjoy Christmas for
what it is and not get caught up in the man made things that can tend
to cause stress. Help. Me Lord learn when to say no to things just
because "the world" thinks it is the thing to do. I want to enjoy your
birthday. In Jesus' name. Amen.

YACKETY YAK

Sometimes we can talk too much.There are times to talk and times to be silent. There are also places our parents taught us to be silent such as in church, at a funeral, at a play, in the movie theater,and in class. I am sure you can add to this list. Have you ever been somewhere you wanted peace and someone is 'yacking'  inappropriately and you can not concentrate?  Happens to me lots as I go places to write. I always feel God is giving me an opportunity to develop patience and peace myself. And when I am the one with a friend talking I always ask if I am disturbing someone if they look busy.

I guess the key to this is to develop a spirit of patience,peace, and self control. Self control so you do not inadvertently spout off and are rude to the person even though they maybe rude. Sort of a way to not repay evil for evil.  Patience is needed so you do not lose control and get angry. You learn to go with the flow so to speak.

Galatians 5:22 says "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentlest, and self control. Against such things there is no law." it can be easy to pop a cork so if this is a weak area ask God to give you the ability to achieve this. Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us "there is a time to speak and a time to be silent."  When you get annoyed it is probably best to deal with it and zip your lip. The best thing sometimes said is nothing at all.

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for ears to hear and a month to speak. Help me to be silent when needed and speak when needed. And when someone is talking and annoying me help me to remain quiet and show your love . In Jesus name. Amen.

UNSUBSCRIBE HERE

In this fast paced technological world we are a part of today, whether we like it or not, it is a challenge to not go overboard on too many busy activities,communication devices, and too much email clutter. We can waste so much time just uncluttering our junk email to get to actual notes from friends. Imagine if your regular mailbox by the roadside  had 100 pieces of junk mail per day. It could get to be a bit overwhelming.

In life we have to manage our time or we can get ourselves way overboard and end up having a mental collapse if we are not careful. I like it on emails that come in when at very bottom it reads "Unsubscribe Here". Yeah!!  You mean I can stop getting this and opt out? Even seemingly good things from Christian groups, news groups, and political items that keep us informed can tend to be time killers if we let them. You have to choose what to read and what to send to the trash.

Your activities you choose to be involved in can be like that. Let's say, for instance you are not working,  and feel you have to justify your existence by jumping into every meeting and every volunteer activity to just fill up your days perhaps to 'prove' to someone you matter .That is not really necessary as you matter tons to God and He is the only one that matters anyway. It is okay to volunteer  but if you are never home and spending more time at church or at a volunteer place and neglect your family and friends then it can be bad. The key is 'balance' as my friend Kim in Iowa used to have on her personalized license plate.

 You may be working full time and still volunteering for committees and clubs. You may in fact have valuable talents and skills but life only has so many days and hours. You need time to relax some too. Our society, at least here in America, tends to be constantly going. Do something and try to drop an unnecessary activity robbing you of precious time or the next time tempted to volunteer stop and just say no for a change.I am not saying to not help others but to have balance and use common sense.

 Get away and alone with God. Consider taking your lunch hour in a park where it is quiet and just praying and 'talking' to God. This would be a great time of physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal.

 The Bible says in Isaiah 30:15 that "in quietness and confidence is your strength." Turn to God and ask him to help you be able to 'unsubscribe' from some of the busyness in your life. Psalm 46:10 reminds us "Be still and know that I am God." How do you expect to 'hear' from God if you clutter up your life and do not leave time for Him?

 PRAYER: Father I thank you for times of refreshment and relaxation and times of peace. I know peace will not happen unless I take an effort to get rid of things in my life that are unnecessary. Forgive me Lord when my schedule has squeezed you out. Give me discernment in which activities to be involved in. In Jesus name. Amen.

SIT, STAND, STAY STILL

In the Bible it mentions three commands almost a if training a pet. We are told to sit, stand and stay still.

Ephesians 6:14 tells us to "Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, and the breastplate of righteousness in your place."Matthew 22:44 says "the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand till I put your enemies under your feet."Psalm 46:10 says " Be still and know that I am God.I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted a among the Earth."

 Are you able to be still in His presence? It is against the culture we live in almost to actually sit down and rest. The Bible does say John 14:27 " Peace I leave with you and my peace I give you. Not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Also in Isaiah 30:15 it says " in quietness and confidence is your strength."  Exodus 14:14 says "the Lord will fight for you, you only need be still."

Do you stand for Jesus in your life? Is He your strength? Are you able to be still in his presence? Sometimes it is hard to wait, to sit, to stand still or even to stay. We rush, rush, rush. It is time to let go and let God be your controller.

PRAYER: Lord I want to be still in your presence. I want to worship with confidence and peace. Help me to step back Lord and learn to be still. In Jesus name. Amen.

Attached link is a cute video called God and Dog which I find very eye opening.
http://youtu.be/H17edn_RZoY

STOP THE NOISE

Can you unplug from life for a while? All the technology we have today seems to prevent us from getting away and alone where it is quiet or we feel compelled to 'stay connected' less someone can not find us for 5 minutes. Oh horrors! I love the commercial on TV where a group of men are out on a hiking trip or outdoor trip of some sort and they intentionally keep driving deeper into the wilderness until they lose their cell phone signal. Now granted many people have a job that requires them to stay connected. A doctor for instance. In the good old days the Doctor was the only person who wore a pager that I can think of. Now it seems our generation has been made to believe we have to be able to be reached at all times. What will happen if you can not be reached? Or what if I miss a call? Maybe they will call back?

The point is we need to be able to get alone and sit quietly if we ever expect to hear the still small voice of God. This includes turning off even your Christian radio station in your car to have perfect silence. Your brain can not just keep all the noise clutter and not want to just scream sometimes. This is why I recommend when you are able,to do a DAWG Day,which stands for Day Alone With God. "Oh that is nice for you but I work 12 hour days weeks on end. How I am expected to squeeze in time alone with God?" Granted some out there will need to be a little creative on this one but if your cell phone is on your hip like a medical life saving device and you can not get away from it you may be suffering a slight bit of electronic gadget addiction. It is a real thing. This day does not have to be a whole day but can be as little as three hours. I did one yesterday out in a nearby state park. It is a time for prayer and reading your Bible and reflection without the clutter of the world's noise all around you.

Children today need to be taught to purposely sit and learn how to be still. Parents there is your challenge. Take those children out in nature and listen to birds without the phone attached to your belt loop. Take it for safety but turn it off til you need it. A  novel idea isn't it? Phones can be rude too when you talk to one person when you are with another person or carry on a conversation while a clerk tries to wait on you. Cell phones are extremely rude in movie theaters and at plays and concerts. Be polite. Have some courtesy.

Basically attempt in 2012 to start this year unplugging a little bit and see if you do not feel more calm and relaxed. It will be hard since our society is so geared up to laptops, phones, notebooks and all the other gadgets. But try it. Try to sit at Jesus feet and hear from Him. Let the phone ring. It is okay. You can call back.

How will you ever get to know Jesus and be still with Him if you do not make it intentional? The scriptures said that Jesus went away to a quiet place to pray ( See  Mark 1:35).Maybe this was  much more easy in His day with no electricity running everything. But I think if he had an electronic device He would not carry it all the time. Sort of comical to think of Jesus with a Smartphone huh?

John 14:27 says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Do you want His perfect peace? You can achieve it. Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Isaiah 26:3 tells us "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Is your mind on Christ? Try getting it there today. Start your day with the quietness of a home without noise in the background and take a moment to pray and read a bit of God's word. There is no set requirement for how much to read. Start today with the book of John and read it each day and see if your life isn't changed. Or at work on your lunch break get outside to a bench or just take a short walk. If it is cold where you live do not use that as an excuse but bundle up and get going.

I will leave you with one final verse and it is Philippians 4:7 and it reads "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."


PRAYER: Lord I want to hear your voice. I want to know you better. I need your help to unplug from the electronic world I am caught up in. Give me the ability to not always think I have to be on the phone or computer. Help me Lord to learn to sit at your feet with a non electronic copy of the Holy Bible. In Jesus Name. Amen




Click on link to enjoy yet another worship song by Sonic Flood.
http://youtu.be/JekX4mLQ56M

WIRELESS

Have you ever purposely turned off your cell phone and not used your computer for awhile? In other words disconnect for the world? I met a group of young moms once who thought their grade school children could not get along without having a cell phone. Does a  6 year old really  need a phone? Well these moms seemed to think they did. One of the best things for children I feel is to raise them without electronic gadgets and video games. One mom told me that was fine back then but now? Good old fashioned board games, toys without batteries and things that make them use their heads never goes out of style.Anyway the point of this devotion is not to bash techy young moms who think their children have to have an Iphone but is to make the point why do we feel we can not just sit and be still and disconnect for a while? It would behoove a young mom to teach her children the beauty of peace and quietness.

Do you have the ability to set yourself free from technology for a short time? I mean really does everyone really need to know on Facebook that you are sitting by a lake enjoying the beautiful day?  Today, just wading through junk email, is enough to drive one crazy. Get alone and away on purpose and leave the technology behind. The best thing is to go somewhere like a quiet park and just enjoy the trees, take a walk and get alone with God. The people who you need to text and talk to can wait for a few hours I think.

As I was preparing this devotion I had no Internet connection or cell phone signal  and that is sort of what gave me the idea initially to write on this subject.  I had gone to an auction with my husband in a remote country location in Western Tennessee and all I heard were the  sounds of auctioneers, an occasional small plane overhead from a nearby airport,  chirping birds, some machinery, and  passing motor vehicles. It was rather pleasant for a change. Try it and you might like it. For young moms reading this it is good to teach your young ones to sit and be still and not always have to have something noisy turned on.
 
One of the best vacations a person could take, because I have done it, is to be somewhere where you are in a cabin without a radio, TV or a phone. You think it would drive you nuts? Just tell someone where you are in case  of a emergency. If you are in a cabin by a babbling brook who wants to hear a beeping cell phone or be on their laptop?

God made so many beautiful things to enjoy. Take a day if you are able and try to get alone with God. If you have children then get them engaged in perhaps reading a book or playing a game. If they are old enough you can get them out on a day hike with you or if in a stroller take a walk in the park. Too cold? Bundle up. They make awesome winter clothes.

By being alone like this you will learn to develop a peacefulness. Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep in perfect peace  those whose minds are steadfast,  because they trust in you."  In Psalm 46:10 it reads "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth." Isaiah 30:15 says "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it."  Psalm 116:7 says "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." Isaiah 32:17 says "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Exodus 14:14 says "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Why not take the time and schedule a 'wireless' time on your calendar.Sure in today's world we get used to our gadgets to keep us connected but why not purposely just take a 'wireless break'.  In other words if you are able, although some jobs require you to stay connected, but if you can, take a technology break and get alone with God. You will not be sorry. 

PRAYER: Lord I love to be alone with you and pray.  When I get too busy and distracted by the world and the computer, phone, Ipad, and texts I send out I often run out of time to really give you quality time. Lord give me the ability to disconnect and be still in your presence. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Note: enjoy the worship song below. Click on the link.
http://youtu.be/6iqpqAjUWYo