OH WE GOT TROUBLE!!

 We may indeed have trouble in our world but we do not need to focus on it and dwell on it all the time. I am sure all of us have people we know who continually dwell on doom and gloom. Why not make a practice of trying to say positive things. Try this. "Thank you Lord for my home. Thanks for my friends. Thanks for food to eat. Thanks for having money to spend even if I think I do not have enough. Thanks Lord for my Bible. Thanks Lord for good health and for healing me. Thanks Lord for beautiful flowers and the gift of nature." You get the idea so now try it.

If each and every morning it is your habit to wake up and flip on the morning news then rest assured your mind will be filled with troubles. Likewise if you reach for the morning newspaper before having quiet time with Jesus that too is a solution for bringing you down. Not that these two sources do not occasionally have cheery things in them but the point being if you want to be content, peaceful and not live in constant dread and fear your focus has to be on "above".

Phillipians 4:8(NIV) says 'Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." Whatever your mind dwells on usually is what controls you. Scared of the end of the earth what is happening in the world? Give that care to Jesus. There does not have to be trouble in your heart. Even with the craziness happening around you it is possible to be at peace and set an example for Christ.

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for your perfect peace. I know I need not fear the terror around me and in this world. You are in control and I trust you no matter what the situation looks like right now. Help my unbelief at times. In Jesus name. Amen.

Assignment: Read Psalm 91

Click link below for a great praise song to lift your spirits.

http://youtu.be/8cJJGgRlQi8

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

 The saying goes that April showers, which we tend to complain about, bring us May flowers. Also without rain there are no rainbows. No one doesn't like to see a beautiful rainbow after a storm. Sometimes bad stuff brings good stuff. Everyone always seems to like and want good weather similar to how we like to have good things happen in life. When bad stuff happens or things go wrong we tend to gripe and complain. It is in the hard times of life that we learn and grow. When we make a mistake we learn from it, or should.

If we expect to have water to drink, water for swimming pools, fresh produce in the grocery store, running water to shower in and a host of other things then we will need those 'showers'. For some, only when tragedy occurs in their lives or lives of loved ones do they even think about praying or running to God for comfort.

1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us "In this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, these have come so that your faith, of greater worth. Than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may  result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Are you able to rejoice in the 'showers' of life?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you and praise you for both the good things ad bad things in life. I know and trust you that all things have a purpose and will work out. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link and worship God in song.
http://youtu.be/xGPS8sa-bRQ

VALUABLE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

 I saw a church sign recently that read 'Lost Battles Teach Valuable Lessons'. Oh how true that is. When we are at our lowest point sometimes is when we learn the greatest lessons of life. Trouble has a way of teaching us things. The best lessons of life sometimes are learned when we have to get on our knees in prayer. Things are going along great then something bad happens. Life takes a U Turn as the saying goes. Do we fall apart or do we 'get up little soldier' and keep going?

When you fall in a mud puddle you do not just stay there and get all dirty and wet but you get up out of the muck and go wash off. Same thing in life. Things happen and sometimes they are very hurtful but as in the Army they call it 'lessons learned', in life too it is a valuable teacher. When we are at our lowest point is sometimes when we reach out to God the most, or at least it should be that way. Also in the military it is called 'foxhole religion' but unlike in foxhole religion where it is a passing prayer "Oh Lord Get me out of this and I will serve you forever"  when bad things happen, if we run to God and get into the word and learn, then we do get stronger for what we have gone through.

 Sonia Lee, a singer out of Nashville who I heard perform at Nashville's famed  Bluebird Cafe a few years ago has a wonderful song called "Trouble Is The Best Teacher I Know" and there was a time in my life where that song helped me get through some rough times. Trouble is truly a teacher. If we did not ever have a problem how would we learn and get stronger? Think of the palm tree that weathers hurricane force winds yet still bends with the winds and remains standing. We too get beat around at times but we lean on the Lord and He alone is our strength and comforter when we have nothing else. For some that is literal. For instance the prisoner who has no one else to talk to.

My blog is called God's Lemonade Stand meaning it is a way to bring refreshment to weary souls but the other kind of lemonade you hear about in Christian circles is God making lemonade out of the 'lemons' of life.  Those lemons need doctored up a bit before they are sweet enough to enjoy as a beverage. God does heal our hurts and calm our weary hearts. He will see you through. Trust him. Time is a healer.

When problems in life overwhelm us go to the rock, meaning Jesus. Get into his word as it is only through the word of God that comfort can come. Psalm 92:19 says "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Isaiah 66:13 says "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

PRAYER: Father I need you today and every day. I do not need to wait til overwhelmed with the issues of life but I need you in good times and bad. Thank you for the hope and comfort only you give. I look to you as my strength father. I will not worry when problems come because you are bigger than any of life's problems. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link to listen to a wonderful praise song. I have included two today since it is Sunday for you to enjoy and worship the Lord with.
http://youtu.be/JmVxRl5bc4Y

http://youtu.be/cIvDCV4e318