Cool Your Jets

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." John 20:21

Simmer down now. Settle yourself. Chill out. Take the high road. Cool it. 

All these statements reflect the same thing and that is getting a grip and not letting every little thing throw you off course. Don’t let someone else’s ugliness drag you down. Don’t let the world situation get you upset and spouting off. 

Be at peace and take Jesus’ breaks throughout your day. Realize this too shall pass. God has got this. Focus on the good and things ‘above’. Don’t let Satan get you dwelling on things you have no control over. Beat the devil at his game and let your life reflect the goodness and glory of God instead of a person who is no different than those around them. The blood of Jesus is over you and your situation so keep cool. 

PRAYER: There are times I get flustered and because I have not been focusing on ‘above’ I let stuff get to me. I choose right now with your help Lord to stay collected and be an example for you. I have your strength to help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Peace Be With You Every Day!

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Has something got you frazzled today? It could be a bad medical report, fear of socialist destruction of democracy, anxiety of job termination, inability to pay bills, loss of a friendship, or many other things.

There are apps designed for purposeful relaxation and in this frazzled world of always busy and being worried and on edge it may be a good discipline to incorporate into your daily routine. Breathing exercises to help relax you and instill peace. Not referring to mind control but simply relaxing on purpose. There are even Christian apps that read scripture to you and help you change your mindset. One of my favorites of called Abide.

Just like the words I AM GOD in the verse for today remember who holds the future. Get to know Him better. Give him the first part of your day and trust Him above all others. Get rid of things causing you to fear and fret and saturate yourself with Jesus!

PRAYER: I love your word Lord and seeking you and bowing down to you and not fear that mere men create. I pray for any others today who may be anxious over things to let you take those concerns and help them have peace and pursue peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Staying Cool Regardless

           Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for     you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

What has you flustered today? The enemy sure loves to disable Christians by making them shoulder all their burdens and not trusting their Heavenly Father has got their back. 

Did you ever sit and think about worry? It accomplishes not one single thing! You pray right? So why then continue to fret over something totally out of your control? Each of us has probably done it but it is time to get a grip and stop and focus totally on God and His immense love for you and for whomever  it you are lifting in prayer.

Stop saying “well I’m just a worrier” and instead be bold in your faith and say “God is way bigger than this little issue and He has it” and once you do that go do something else and above all praise God through the storms of life. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I need you. Every hour I need you. Forgive me for the times I have picked my burden back up and not left it at the altar. I know you have my back. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link below to praise God with a powerful worship song: 

https://youtu.be/uHdcyue0bSw

Peace Be With You

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

We are living in chaotic times. People seem to be hoping for a quick fix after the election if the right person wins. Unfortunately we have ignored God's warnings so we may be in for judgment too. Regardless, God is omnipotent and isn't going anywhere. He wants His people to love Him, serve Him, love people, and obey His word. 

What causes you to lose peace? Fear of a dictatorship.  Financial trouble. Loss of insurance coverage. Loss of a job. Sickness. Family problems. Wayward children. Fear of bad weather. Maybe you can add some I have not listed. Peace isn't something automatic. You need to decide to not be fearful and rattled.  If you say "Well I'm just a worrier" just stop worrying. Worry won't change a situation so you are wasting energy all wrought up. 

Try today to make up your mind that you know God cares about even the sparrows so why wouldn't he handle your problem. Don't just go crying to Him in troubled times but  prepare your heart daily to fellowship with Him. Get up and start each day with at least a Psalm perhaps corresponding to what day it is. Don't let Satan rattle you. Just tell him to get off your back because you are a child of God.  

PRAYER: Lord you are good and you want me to trust you. It is so easy to fear and fear is from the pit of hell. I choose peace and trust. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Peace.....Gotta Love It!

You will keep in  perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

As I sat recently in a customer waiting area of my car dealership with four male customers, the area remained quiet. Yes there was a television but not one of the men turned it on. It was probably so odd that no noise was coming from the waiting area that the customer service guy popped his head in and said "Feel free to turn on the television" yet it remained silent. I loved it! On this day it was sunny with clear skies out the window of the room I was in. Just a calmness prevailed.

Do you allow yourself moments of peace to think, unwind, relax and just be still? There are those whose lives may be so chaotic they feel there is no time to just sit and be still. I know some whose jobs keep them hustling and they feel there is no extra time to just not do anything. You almost have to just schedule it. Granted that may be hard in some lines of work but try never the less. Moms may have to lock themselves in their closet to have quiet.

Try this if you can. Maybe just go to a park if it is not blazing hot out and park your locked car in the shade, keep the radio off, turn off your phone, and just be still. Maybe take your Bible and read some Psalms. Perhaps your favorite non alcoholic cold beverage. The more you try to do this the easier it may become. As for me, it is nearing time for me to do my DAWG day or 'Day Alone With God' where you go somewhere you feel safe and sit on a park bench, picnic table, by a stream, etc and for a couple hours just have time with Jesus. Give it a try.

PRAYER: I thank you for those moments in life where I can just sit and rest and know you are God. Help me not think I always need distractions of noise but learn to get away with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Peace Be Still

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

I always like they names of lotions in various hotel chains we stay in. In one hotel  the lotion was called 'Peace Be Still' and I laughed thinking how appropriate that was for 'yours truly' to not get all upset about stuff you can not control. In other words 'go with the flow' and you are a much happier, calmer person. It is something for me I try to do. I am not there yet but am coming right along in my progress. 

What area of life are you having trouble being still in? Maybe worry about children. Wondering if you will have enough to money after retirement. Worried a tornado or hurricane will destroy your home. Perhaps concerned about the direction our country is going in. Maybe wondering if there is going to be a war. So many things can cause unnecessary stress and there is no reason we have to allow it to. 

God wants you to give Him your burdens. Just think for a moment. Does worry and fret accomplish anything other than giving you illnesses and inability to enjoy life? All the worry in the world is not going to do anything. There are those who may say "well that is just me, I am by nature a worrier." If that is you decide today to get a new nature and a new normal. Why live life consumed by things can not control? Now is the time to start trusting God to work things out. 

PRAYER: I realize there is nothing all the worry in the world is going to do to change a situation. Help me Lord rely on prayer instead of scare. Thank you for the peace I can have only through trusting you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Simmer Down Now, Ok?

You will keep in perfect peace him whose minds are steadfast, for they trust in you.Isaiah 26:3

There was a girl at my first church I attended here in Huntsville who used to jokingly say "Simmer down now" meaning I guess to calm down and smell the roses so to speak. Every time I utter that phrase I think of her and maybe she is reading this today.

Many things can make people agitated. In my travels I see an occasional disgruntled flyer. You see folks angry at store clerks. People who don't like to wait at a doctor's office may boil over. Just sit and think about things that can make people angry. The point is what does getting angry do about it? Nothing at all is the correct answer. Trial lawyers love angry people for that is how they make their living getting back at people.

Be still and be grateful for all God has blessed you with. If you encounter angry ill mannered people do not talk back to them but pray for them. In all cases remember you represent the Lord Jesus Christ so let you light shine in a positive way.

PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for life. I thank you for your many blessings. I even thank you for opportunities to practice patience and to pray. Help me not fall into the trap of being a complainer or getting riled up. I turn my situations over to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.