Let the Lord do it

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless

  the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In

  vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for

  he grants sleep to those he loves. (Psa 127:1-2 NIV)

Emotions

Fear, frustration, and such are emotions. Emotion is not Truth.

God's covenant (and the promises it contains) is Truth. It is not

dependent on feelings. Emotions change. Truth does not change.

When feelings overwhelm you, override them with Truth. It is not

easy, however, you can do it. It takes determination and strength.

You provide the determination. God will help you with the strength.

It will change you for the better. That is how Truth works.

  You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water

  from the rock when they were thirsty. You commanded them to go and

  take possession of the land you had sworn to give them. But our

  ancestors were a proud and stubborn lot, and they refused to obey

  your commands. "They refused to listen and did not remember the

  miracles you had done for them. Instead, they rebelled and appointed

  a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a

  God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and

  full of unfailing love and mercy. You did not abandon them.

  (Neh 9:15-17 NLT)

Ministry

Have you ever thought of yourself as a minister? Here is a thought

for your consideration:

We are all ministers, all the time, in the various ways God has

gifted and enabled us. Use your gift responsibly "...so that in all

things God may be praised through Jesus Christ".

  The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-

  controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply,

  because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to

  one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he

  has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace

  in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one

  speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it

  with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be

  praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for

  ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 4:7-11 NIV)

What you Love

What is the most important thing in your life? Jesus gave us the

test: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.".

You may think you know the answer, but do you really? This is

another test: On what do you spend the most time and attention?

I ask myself that question often--and sometimes the truth is very

uncomfortable! However I must know because I cannot correct what Ido not (or will not/cannot) acknowledge.

Will you ask yourself that question today?

   "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and

  rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for

  yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy,

  and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure

  is, there your heart will be also. (Mat 6:19-21 NIV)

Rededication

Are you really serious about having a deeper relationship with the

Lord? Then join me in praying today's prayer. If you are sincere, if

you genuinely mean it, He will take you at your word.

This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We

  too, then, ought to give our lives for others! If we are rich and

  see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we

  claim that we love God? My children, our love should not be just

  words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

  (1 John 3:16-18 GNB)

  Prayer: LORD, I desire that every word I speak, every decision I

  make, every action I take, and even my most private thoughts would

  reflect my commitment to and relationship with You. Help me to be

  like You in everything that concerns my life--without exception,

  hesitation, or reservation. Do whatever You need to do in my life to

  make it so. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Are you at peace or overcome by worry?

We can look around us and find ample reason to worry, be anxious, or

even despair of hope. We do not have to look far.

God has given us reason to experience joy in even the worst of

circumstances: His promises transcend anything--everything--we can

see, touch, feel, or experience.

There is fact. Then, there is God's Truth. In which do you place

greater faith? One encourages peace. The other tends to anxiety.

Asked another way: Are you at peace or overcome by worry?

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.

  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my

  soul. Can a corrupt throne be allied with you--one that brings on

  misery by its decrees? They band together against the righteous and

  condemn the innocent to death. But the LORD has become my fortress,

  and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. (Psa 94:18-22 NIV)

Don't change partners

We can become so infatuated with "deeper" spiritual things that we

forget to give attention to the basics.

There is an old saying: "Dance with the one what brung ya." It has

come to mean essentially: Be loyal to the person/people, talent,

process, or system that enabled you to be where you are today.

Jesus is our reason. What He did is our why and how. Never lose

sight of who, how, and why we are here--or where "here" is.

 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our

  sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

  (2 Cor 5:21 NLT)