Beyond What We Can Do!!

Luke 1:37 says, "For nothing is impossible with God." NASB

What does that mean? When exploring this truth with one's own personal reality, this promise implies many different things. For the one who experiences healing, it reveals itself in freedom from such things as: disease, bitterness, or addictions.

It's realizing the existence of One capable of making something happen that in not possible by human strength. Absolutely nothing is beyond the scope of the One who made everything from nothing with just a word.

No matter what we might be struggling through today, may we look beyond our circumstances to the One who holds them in His hands with unfailing love for us.

Sweet Rest....AHHH!

In a moment an incident, phone call, or anything unexpected can topple life into a spin of chaos, pain, and confusion. When grasping for anything to give stability, a person quickly realizes control cannot be mustered up on their own.

Jesus knew that in those moments each one of us would need to recognize our need for His intervention. Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us to "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." NIV

We were never intended to carry the weight of our world and those we love upon our shoulders. In fact, when we do, we're told that it causes us to feel weary and burdened. However, when we release our cares to the Lord and carry His, we're promised that His load is easy and light. We find rest when we take on His load and give ours to Him.

Pray along with me as we give up what the Lord never intended us to carry:

Father, thank You for the reminder that Your desire is for us to carry the easy and light load while You carry those things for us that cause us to feel weary and burdened. I release my load (of__________) to You!! Amen.

For Our Comfort

*Way over due, but needing to write and post again!!

Psalm 23:4, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff--they comfort me." NIV

In the past the words that stuck out to me in this verse were "rod and staff", but only as only a means of discipline. As I walk in one of my darkest valleys right now in my life, for the first time I saw what the Psalmist was truly saying here. He found comfort in the rod and the staff.

It's the use of the rod and the staff that the shepherd can protect and guide his flock to safety. His purpose is for his sheep to be kept from evil and the harm that it could have on them. The shepherd lifts the sheep from danger and the fear that comes in those places. He never leaves them.

Father, thank You that You are the Great and Good Shepherd. You're always wishing to guide us to safety, and You never leave us. I find my comfort in that truth today. Amen.

His Wounds...Our Healing!!!

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

Our Heavenly Father sent His only Son to not only receive bruises as we might think so little about. Jesus Christ was tortured to provide salvation for us, who deserved to be tortured for our sin against our holy Father.

We often complain about the complain about the little inconveniences of life. Imagine what it meant for the Heavenly Father to do nothing while His Only Son received brutal treatment for something He didn't do.

May we realize these wounds, bruises, stripes, and chastisment enabled peace for us with the Lord. Our healing came at a great price!

Focus!!

Psalm 64:10 says, "The righteous man will be glad in the Lord, and will take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart will glory." NASB

Three things stand out in this verse that give us direction to our focus.

1) Be glad in the Lord

2) Take refuge in Him

3) Glory in the Lord

As we begin each day, let's start it off with praise to the One who made us and is faithful to us!

May we rest in knowing, we do have a place in which to take safety when we are insecure and circumstances are confusing.

May we recognize the wonderful ways in which the Lord makes Himself known to us daily and thank Him.

A Change in Us

My calendar saying for today with an anonymous author says, "Real love changes people."

Instantly the verse Romans 5:8 came to my mind. "God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we are yet sinners Christ died for us."

He didn't wait to prove His love when we changed into a better person. While we conducted our lives in selfish, self-centered ways, He died for us. When we allow ourselves to experience His love, indeed it changes us.

Praise the Lord for all the things He has done in your life since you put your faith and trust in Him as your Savior!

Why Christmas?

I read this statement on my calendar for today's date. The author is anonymous, but it really struck a cord for me.

"If you were God, would you sleep on straw, nurse from a breast, and be clothed in a diaper? I wouldn't, but Christ did."

As we celebrate Christmas again, this reminds us that God took on flesh, became a child, and to provide salvation for us. Matthew says that His name would be "Emmanuel, God with us". He desired a relationship with us and not only lived among us, but became like us.

Oh Father, may we always remember the sacrifice You made for us by sending Your Son to dwell among us, die for us, and allow us access into Your presence again. Thank You!