Never Underestimate The Power of Tomorrow

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25(NIV)

Has there ever been a  time in your life when you just simply were overwhelmed? I know there have been many times for me. A project is due and you may feel there is just no way you can have it done. Often times in college I felt that way especially if I had waited until the very last moment to do a paper. This  feeling can overcome housewives, Fortune 500 executives, students, ministers, and everyone in between. Our enemy,satan, likes to take advantage of moments like this when we allow circumstances or others opinions to get us fixated on defeat or failure. We must not allow him to get our thoughts captivated on the past or things that are in the future.

A simple message on a church sign gave me today's title. It makes a lot of sense. Tomorrow there is always a new start. Old stuff has passed away and we are to leave it alone. Continuing to worry and allowing pressure to come in on us robs us of trusting in Jesus to see us through.

PRAYER: Today let me concentrate on today. I know with your help I can do all things as it says that in your word. In Jesus' name. Amen.

STARTING OVER

Happy New Year! A chance to start new things and make resolutions. A time of new beginnings often brings hope for things you wanted to accomplish but did not. At the end of the old year and ringing in the New Year it is nice to have that chance to say "this is what I plan to do" and why not add "with God's help". 

Have you added any spiritual things to your resolution list? Often a big one might be read through the entire Bible. If that is your goal make sure you pray and ask God to reveal himself to you as you read and do not do it to simply check a block. As you go along make it into a study. Perhaps ask God to fill you with a desire and hunger for the things of the Lord. 

Another spiritual goal could be something like go on a mission trip if you have never done that. It does not have to be overseas but can be right in your own back yard so to speak.  

Do you find yourself complaining or judging others wrongly or being unkind to people? Then a super resolution is to ask God to give you His love for all people. 

The most popular resolution is usually dieting. If this is yours and has been over and over and over again why not put God in the equation and ask Him to make you see your body as His Holy temple and to treat it properly. Pray for discipline and self control and the ability to make this area a true priority this time. 

A good verse to memorize this year is Philippians 4:13( NIV) 'I can do all this through him who gives me strength.'

PRAYER: I thank you Lord that through you I have the power to do all things. I do not have to let the enemy drag me down and cause me to give up. Guide me as I seek to be faithful to the resolutions I have made. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHY?

 

Why do bad things happen in life and lots of times to very good people? I do not know the exact answer to that but I do know that the Bible says in John 16:33(NIV) 'I have told you these things so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble but TAKE HEART for I have overcome the world.'

In the aftermath of what appears to be a terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon people wonder "why". No one has that answer but this horrific and unthinkable tragedy will have good stories associated with it too. Many are now fearful and confused and just in a daze over how this event unfolded on of all days in Boston, Tax Day, Patriot Day. The mastermind behind an attack such as this needs our prayers too. Love overcomes evil all the time. Romans 12:21(NIV) says 'Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.' The solution is not to hate but the solution is to pray. Matthew 5:44(NIV) says 'But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'. Proverbs 24:17(NIV) reminds us 'Do not gloat when your enemy falls , when they stumble do not let your heart rejoice.'

When I read that verse above I wonder if God loved Hitler and others tyrants who do so much evil. I guess the answer is yes since he loved sinners. We are all sinners not all to the magnitude of being a dictator and killing people. Pray and ask God to help you pray for evil people.

You can be an overcomer. It is hard to grasp the magnitude of this tragedy on American soil. So what do we do now? Do we not go to things such as Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Disney World, NASCAR, World Series, or many places large crowds of Americans gather. If you are a runner do you stop going to road races and marathons? We need to continue living life as normal and keep praying.

In the aftermath of a tragedy such was what just occurred in Boston we tend to want to fear or it is easy to perhaps glue ourselves to the television as the tragedy unfolds. I did this during The World Trade Center tragedy. I could not stop watching. It is a discipline to back off from the news and instead pray.

Let me leave you with one simple Bible verse and that is found in Luke 18:1(NIV) which says 'Pray and never give up.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus in many countries life is filled with terror and destruction. We in the United States have not had too much worry or concern over this until a few years ago. Father give us courage to continue with our life and trust in you and not lead a life of fear. Also give us your love for others even evil people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BEGIN ANEW

Two weeks have nearly passed and hopefully all of you reading this
have started writing "2013" and not "2012" on things requiring a date.
A new year, a new date, and new adventures. What are you doing in this
brand new year to start anew?

A new endeavor, a hobby, or a goal in mind? Something to reach for or
finish? Procrastinators are happy for the first few weeks of the new
year each time it rolls around but not so thrilled when December 31st
approaches and they are still stuck in the same rut of not
accomplishing what was intended.

What is it you have set for your goals in 2013? Do any of them have
spiritual significance? Some ideas would be showing kindness to
strangers. Perhaps helping a family in need. Maybe writing to your
mom if she is still living and does not do email. Showing Jesus' love
in your job or wherever life has you at the moment. Being kind and
respectful to those closest to us. Sharing what God has blessed you
with if you see a need you can help meet. Reading the Bible daily and
starting a journal. Changing churches if you just go out of habit.

Praying with fervor and not just a "lay me downtown sleep" prayer. Not
gossiping or complaining or in other words, mouth control. Why not set
some goals for how you can be closer to the Lord in 2013. After all
you have a brand new year to shine for Him.

Move on and aim high. Aim high for Jesus!

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) is a good verse to commit to memory and it says
'I can do all things through Him that gives me strength.'

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gift of a new fresh start and a brand
new year. It is a chance to forget the past and make things right. I
look forward to spending time in your word daily Lord. The enemy has
no power over me in Jesus' mighty name. Help my light shine bright for
you in 2013! In Jesus' name. Amen.

HE MAKES BEAUTIFUL THINGS OUT OF MESSES

Several years ago there was a book by the author Patsy Clairmont  entitled "God Uses Cracked Pots". Great title for a book about normal people with normal issues in life that aren't perfect but God uses them for His purposes. Some people who at one time have been the furthest away from God are now working mightily for his kingdom.  It is through these "cracks" or imperfections in life we often learn to grow closer to the Lord. Mistakes often teach us valuable lessons. One of the greatest illustrations I can think of is former Watergate insider, the late Chuck Colson,  who went to prison for several years as a result of his crimes and later started Prison Fellowship Ministries.

Sometimes it takes complete brokenness to get someone to see their need for Christ.  When many think God is being hard on them, maybe He in fact has you on His "potter's wheel" shaping you and molding you so you can be more effective for Him.

You may recall the verse in Romans 3:23 (NIV) which says 'All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.' Don't  think you are beyond hope no matter what you have done. That is a lie from the pit of hell. He turns scars into stars.  From your mess He creates your "message". So no matter what, God can use you if only you will let Him. 

PRAYER: Lord I realize the enemy, Satan, is the one who lies to me to make me feel beyond redemption. I know Lord you are the great redeemer and came to set the captives free. You have forgiven my sins and remember them no more. For that I thank you. Help me lead a life pleasing unto you. In Jesus' name.Amen. 

FAMILY IS FOREVER

In the movie 'Dolphin Tale' one of the main characters gave his nephew a token of his love before he went off to war and it was inscribed with the words "Family Is Forever'. Your family is there or should be when the world runs out on you. Too many families are fractured in today's world. Wedding vows seem to be meaningless to many. The traditional family is indeed the backbone of our society.

When a family member suffers all should want to help. I know of a family where two siblings had a quarrel a few years ago and neither one would budge to restore their relationship. To this day they have not spoken. When the family unit breaks down it affects all members. If you are the product of a divorce I am not trying to condemn you because God can and does forgive and redeem and heal. He is indeed the God of a second chance. When a member of the body hurts all members should hurt. Do not point the finger and condemn.

If you are reading this today pray for the unity of your own family unit. Pray that you will always do what it takes to keep things working properly. Above all keep Christ in the center. If you are a married couple and one spouse claims to know Jesus but yet does not read his or her Bible and seemingly acts like the rest of the world after Sunday do not preach to them, simply pray.

Parents out there, if you have a child who has messed up or is a prodigal, love them and pray for them. God is not through with them yet. If you have messed up and hurt someone ask forgiveness. Harboring resentment and hatred only keeps the argument going. Be the bigger person and seek to restore a relationship if one is broken.

Be devoted to your family and your spouse. It is okay to be independent and have your own interests but you should also try to find things that you like to do together. Some couples are already very uniquely matched in their interests so this is not hard to do. Be thankful if you are and nurture that time together for intimacy and building a strong married life. Romans 12:10 says "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Treat others like you want to be treated. Go out of your way to show kindness. If you are spoken to harshly do not retaliate but respond with love.

 If you are a part of an estranged family and maybe you have been the one not willing to budge, then pray and ask for courage to confront this to mend a broken relationship. Some family members can in fact be downright mean and try to bring dissension in the ranks, so to speak. That type of person would indeed be hard to embrace and love. Just keep praying. Try to love them. Perhaps this person has told lies to try to break the family apart or pit one against the other and you have just about had enough. Continue to pray for them. The more you pray the less you want to hate. Romans 12:21 reminds us to "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." That is a good thing to remember. When someone talks sarcastically or hateful to you try to ignore it and speak in love. Hard to do humanly but not with God's help.

 Leave and cleave is the key for marriages. If you are a parent let the children alone once they are married. Do not try to tell them what to do. Do not run to mommy or daddy but seek advice of your spouse. Genesis 2:24 says "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Leave and cleave that is the key. If you are a child living in the same town as your parents keep this in mind. Meddling families are not a good thing. If your marriage needs help go seek Christian counseling.

Today I write this in honor of my husband of 35 years who affectionately introduces me as his first wife Becky.Today is his birthday. Marriages and families today are under fire more than ever so appreciate and love your family. Remember the vows you took. If you are newlyweds maybe it is good to make it a practice to read your vows each month on the date of your anniversary.  Joel 2:25 reminds us this about God and it says "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." Things aren't over if you have messed up. Keep on looking to Jesus. And if you are flourishing as a family keep it that way by looking to Jesus in all things. Keep him in the center. Keep in the word of God.

PRAYER: Lord God thank you for family. Thanks for the family you gave me. Thankyou Lord for problems for through them we learn to be strong. God I ask that you take care of my family and help grow them more and more into your image and  help me always love no matter what. In Jesus Name. Amen.