Thankful Thursday

There is nothing more pure than the word alone.  I am not going to clutter this Thoughtful Thursday with my thoughts and findings for the week, but am going to leave you with this to soak in as you finish your day.

Psalm 138

A psalm of David.

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
    I will sing your praises before the gods.
2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
    I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
    by all the honor of your name.
3 As soon as I pray, you answer me;
    you encourage me by giving me strength.

4 Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,
    for all of them will hear your words.
5 Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,
    for the glory of the Lord is very great.
6 Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
    but he keeps his distance from the proud.

7 Though I am surrounded by troubles,
    you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
    and the power of your right hand saves me.
8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

Be Blessed!

I have this under control...I think?!?!

Philippians 4:7-13New Life Version (NLV)

7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing all the things you learned and received and heard from me. Do the things you saw me do. Then the God Who gives peace will be with you.

10 The Lord gives me a reason to be full of joy. It is because you are able to care for me again. I know you wanted to before but you did not have a way to help me. 11 I am not saying I need anything. I have learned to be happy with whatever I have. 12 I know how to get along with little and how to live when I have much. I have learned the secret of being happy at all times. If I am full of food and have all I need, I am happy. If I am hungry and need more, I am happy. 13 I can do all things BECAUSE Christ gives me the strength.

“Trying to be in control and relinquishing control at the same time just doesn’t work; they can’t co-exist inside the same heart. When we let God drive our lives and trust that He knows best, we are able to rest and stop striving, which means that we will ultimately experience peace.”   Shana Schutte

I am one that likes control, as most of us do.  Recently I revisited a memory of skiing in Jackson Hole, WY.  Adam and I were still dating.  I had never skied before, and lets just say learning how to ski in Jackson Hole is not recommended.  The bunny slopes felt like I was sliding down Mt. Everest.  Adam was so persistent and patient in helping me learn.  However, my legs had a mind of their own.  I had no control over them and felt like I was on one big piece of ice heading south fast.  In fact, at one point, I looked up at him and stated, “If you can survive this with me, childbirth will be a breeze.”  I was struggling and not letting his guidance take that struggle away.  

Control is something most, if not all of us, want to have over all aspects of our life.  However, there is nothing we can completely control without letting God do the driving and instructing.  Very few times in life do I remember completely letting God take the wheel and sitting in the passenger side sipping on a cool beverage and enjoying a good book.  We want to continue to sit in the passenger seat and still be a back seat driver.  The times that I do remember completely letting God have the matter at hand are the times in which I felt complete peace.  Looking back at those seasons, I see God’s handprints all over those situations.  I know that He orchestrated every move and decision.  So why is it so hard for us to completely let Him have control when he promises He has this taken care of?  Simple reason…we are human and our minds can’t wrap around the supernatural powers of God.  He can give us utter peace, a peace that no one can explain.  

God moves mountains because He created them.  Enjoy Lauren Dangle and let her words sweep over you today.  

Lauren Daigle - Trust In You 

Be Blessed!

Do not forget who truly is in charge!

Jeremiah 29:13New Life Version (NLV)

13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.

Genesis 28:15New Life Version (NLV)

15 See, I am with you. I will care for you everywhere you go. And I will bring you again to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you.”

Philippians 4:8New Life Version (NLV)

8 Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.

2 Corinthians 4:18New Life Version (NLV)

18 We do not look at the things that can be seen. We look at the things that cannot be seen. The things that can be seen will come to an end. But the things that cannot be seen will last forever.

My heart has been saddened over the last 24 hours.  Saddened in the disheartening things that have been on my Facebook feed.  As I said last week…I’m not going political, I PROMISE.  What saddens me is not the outcome of the election, but the way that so many have reacted to the outcome of the election.  “Our true priority should be seeking Christ and His kingdom above all else because if we do, we will have all that we need (Matt 6:33).” (How To Know You Are A Christian: 10 Traits Of A True Christian, Jack Wellman)

Do you remember the old statement “What would Jesus do”  (WWDJ bracelets were owned by many of us)?  Well, here is what Jesus would do…LOVE.  

Matthew 5:43-48New Life Version (NLV)

Jesus Teaches about Loving Those Who Hate You

43 “You have heard that it has been said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate those who hate you.’ 44 But I tell you, love those who hate you. (*Respect and give thanks for those who say bad things to you. Do good to those who hate you.) Pray for those who do bad things to you and who make it hard for you. 45 Then you may be the sons of your Father Who is in heaven. His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward can you expect from that? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? 47 If you say hello only to the people you like, are you doing any more than others? The people who do not know God do that much. 48 You must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

NOTHING on this Earth will ever be perfect.  In fact, eventually the world will be in turmoil, beyond what we can imagine. 

Do I fully believe that the leaders of this country will lead the way I want them too?  NO!  However, I know for sure, without a doubt, that God will lead us the way we need to be lead.   NO HUMAN CAN DO THAT.  As you listen to Natalie Grant’s “King of the World” replace “I” with “WE”.  

Natalie Grant, King of this World

I have put more verses in this week’s Thoughtful Thursday because we need more of HIM in this World.  

My prayer:  God please forgive us.  Forgive us for putting so much faith in the “person” who is leading this country.  Forgive us for not fully trusting YOU.  Help us to see YOU in our everyday life and give you the glory YOU deserve.  Amen.

Be Blessed!

DO NOT FORGET WHO IS IN CHARGE!!!

Jeremiah 29:13New Life Version (NLV)

13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.

Genesis 28:15New Life Version (NLV)

15 See, I am with you. I will care for you everywhere you go. And I will bring you again to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you.”

Philippians 4:8New Life Version (NLV)

8 Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.

2 Corinthians 4:18New Life Version (NLV)

18 We do not look at the things that can be seen. We look at the things that cannot be seen. The things that can be seen will come to an end. But the things that cannot be seen will last forever.

My heart has been saddened over the last 24 hours.  Saddened in the disheartening things that have been on my Facebook feed.  As I said last week…I’m not going political, I PROMISE.  What saddens me is not the outcome of the election, but the way that so many have reacted to the outcome of the election.  “Our true priority should be seeking Christ and His kingdom above all else because if we do, we will have all that we need (Matt 6:33).” (How To Know You Are A Christian: 10 Traits Of A True Christian, Jack Wellman)

Do you remember the old statement “What would Jesus do”  (WWDJ bracelets were owned by many of us)?  Well, here is what Jesus would do…LOVE.  

Matthew 5:43-48New Life Version (NLV)

Jesus Teaches about Loving Those Who Hate You

43 “You have heard that it has been said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate those who hate you.’ 44 But I tell you, love those who hate you. (*Respect and give thanks for those who say bad things to you. Do good to those who hate you.) Pray for those who do bad things to you and who make it hard for you. 45 Then you may be the sons of your Father Who is in heaven. His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward can you expect from that? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? 47 If you say hello only to the people you like, are you doing any more than others? The people who do not know God do that much. 48 You must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

NOTHING on this Earth will ever be perfect.  In fact, eventually the world will be in turmoil, beyond what we can imagine. 

Do I fully believe that the leaders of this country will lead the way I want them too?  NO!  However, I know for sure, without a doubt, that God will lead us the way we need to be lead.   NO HUMAN CAN DO THAT.  As you listen to Natalie Grant’s “King of the World” replace “I” with “WE”.  

Natalie Grant, King of this World

I have put more verses in this week’s Thoughtful Thursday because we need more of HIM in this World.  

My prayer:  God please forgive us.  Forgive us for putting so much faith in the “person” who is leading this country.  Forgive us for not fully trusting YOU.  Help us to see YOU in our everyday life and give you the glory YOU deserve.  Amen.

Be Blessed!

Not Going Political...Promise

Genesis 15:6Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

6 And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

Psalm 33:4-6Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

4 For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness.

5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth.

Jeremiah 17:5New Life Version (NLV)

5 The Lord says, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who trusts in the flesh for his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

It is something we have a hard time avoiding right now…political bantering and bashing.  No, I’m not going political.  I promise.  I’m always the first one out of the conversation when it comes to those discussions.  However, I know the stress of everyone and this election.  I see it on social media and all around me.  I hear it daily on the radio, TV, and through whispers.  However, in the midst of those discussions and whispers we are forgetting that God has got a plan.  

God brought his people out of Egypt and let them wander in the wilderness for 40 years.  Why did they wander in the wilderness that long?  Because of their lack of obedience and faith.  Abraham was asked to take his son Isaac up to the mountain to sacrifice him.  He didn’t hesitate, he was obedient.  

God sees the bigger picture and we don’t.  We may never understand, He is the King of this world.  We need to stay strong in our faith and be obedient.  Share the word to a torn world.  Yes, our future president does make a difference in today’s time, but does he/she make a difference in eternity?  I think not.  He is with us ALWAYS.

Enjoy!

He is With Us - Love & The Outcome

Be blessed!