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.

 

 

TROUBLED?

 What is troubling you today? Many times we may be overwhelmed by problems or potential problems and can not seem to let our wandering thoughts go. This is where it is critical to practice mind discipline. By this I mean focusing your thoughts intentionally on "things above".

The verse I have written about numerous times in my devotions is Philippians 4:8(NIV) which says 'Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if there be anything excellent or praiseworthy, think on those things.' Make no mistake about it. Wrong thinking can mess up your life. Dwelling on fear,worry, and all the "what if's" of life can make you crazy if you let it. It is your choice. Read and do what God's word, The Bible, says to or be miserable and let Satan take control of your thoughts.

Perhaps fear of world problems has a grip on you. Maybe it is a situation with a family member you wonder will it ever end. It could be you are concerned about your job and can not stop worrying about what you will do if you lose it. Maybe an upcoming medical report or procedure has you concerned. There are many things that could occupy your thought life to get your mind off of God and onto constant turmoil.

You can not have peace if you can not give these up. You have to try. Guess what? God can help with that. You have to make up your mind you will put Him first and get into the word of God.It is your "peace and joy" manual of sorts. It is your guidebook for going through life on this earth.

Psalm 32:7(NIV) says 'You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.' Speaking of songs, one of the reasons I frequently include a song with my devotion is because when you are singing praises to God above it is hard to be flustered. Praising God is an awesome prescription for having a good thought life.

Why not begin today to truly let God have your troubles? What is stopping you?

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for being our burden bearer. Nothing I can humanly do will bring peace. Only you Lord bring lasting peace. I cast off the works of darkness that are trying to get me to give up and worry. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click the following link and lift up your hands and praise God:

http://youtu.be/HzNsEBPB-Z8

RISE UP FROM THAT PIT!

What has you down in the dumps? Maybe nothing does and if so praise God for that. But many people struggle with worries, fears, concerns, strife and turmoil in their life. Maybe the problems are real and valid but still God does not want you disabled by fear and worries. He wants you to be set free. When you are paralyzed by fear, chaos, and things in the world it is difficult to praise God. It is easy to start being a 'pit dweller' and be overly consumed with our self and our problems. The good news is God wants to set you free. Freedom comes by trusting Christ and believing He will take care of you. He is behind the scenes. Fear glorifies Satan and peace glorifies God. Who are you giving glory to?

Psalm 107:20 says " He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction's." Destruction's are things that put you in that 'pit' you are in when you can not seem to get your mind off the past, fears, problems, and things dragging you down. People who are drug down are not very close to God when they are dwelling in the valley. God wants to raise you up to the mountain top with Him.

Psalm 30:3 says "O Lord you brought me up from the grave , you spared me from going down into the pit." The remedy for 'pit dwellers' is to praise God even when you do not feel up to it and to stay in the word of God. A good book of the Bible for pit dwellers is to read a Psalm a day.

So choose today where you will be. Are you going to sink into a pitiful pit or raise yourself up to be on God's mountain. 1 Corinthians 15:57 says "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

PRAYER: Lord you are my rock,my redeemer,my strength. When I am afraid I will trust in you. Lord I love your word for in it I grow and learn to have your peace. Thank you Lord for setting me free. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/VTByzluCtMo