The Lord Is At Hand!

Philippians 4:4-8

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say , Rejoice .

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds * through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

It isn't always easy to rejoice at all times.  But the scriptures says to rejoice IN THE LORD alway.  Now that is a lot easier to do.  No matter I am faced with, I know that God is in control because I completely trust Him.  And, when I have concerns or questions, I know exactly who to turn to and unload my burdens upon. So, I can be glad and joyful in Him at all times because whether I am going through a valley or climbing a mountain, He is by my side and ready to assist me at a moments notice.  

The Lord is coming back so soon.  I know that we've heard that for years.  But, I believe it now more than ever.  So, it is important to live our lives in moderation before all.  Just what does moderation mean?  The Greek Lexicon defines it as gentle & patient (enduring without complaining).  The Thesaurus list these words as synonyms:  temperance, balance, calmness, fairness, poise, quiet & restraint.  Now that may seems like an awful lot of things to remember to be.  We cannot be perfect, but we can strive to be all these things.  We will make mistakes...everyone does.  But, having a repentant heart and striving to be like Him is important.  Our lives can be an awesome testimony of God if we live in moderation.

There is no need to worry about anything.  But, in every thing that we go through learn to pray about it.  But remember to have an attitude of thanksgiving.  God already knows everything about us.  But, when we learn to go to Him, we begin to trust and rely on Him more and more.  

Rejoicing in Him, living in moderation and praying about everything will bring about a peace from God, that is beyond our comprehension, to guard & protect our hearts and minds.  There are so many things and attitudes that can enter our thought process and end up infecting our hearts.  But, when the peace of God reigns there...those things will be pushed out by the power of Jesus.

Finally, we need to think on things that bring blessing in our lives.  Things that are true (truthful), honest (honorable), just (upright, virtuous & righteous), pure (chaste, modest & clean), lovely (acceptable & pleasing), good report (accounts/stories that are good in nature), virtue (purity, modesty & moral goodness), and praise (admiration & approval).  

I may not be prefect...and I may make my share of mistakes in life...but more than anything, I want to live my life in a way that shines brightly for Him.  And, I want my heart to be ready for when He comes to take me home to Heaven.  ♥ 

Call...He'll Answer.

Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV), "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things , which thou knowest not."

To call means to ask, call out or request.  In this verse we are promised that when we call Him, He WILL answer.  In Philippians 4:6, it says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  Don't worry about anything and talk to God about everything.  And, while you are at it, give Him thanks.

The next part of the verse is exciting.  Not only will He answer when we call, He will show us great & mighty things which we do not know yet.  He will show us things that are abundantly tremendous & powerful.  Things that will blow out minds.  Things that we've never seen before.  

When I read this verse this morning, it reminded me of the words a man of God spoke over our family in January of this year.  We were told that God was going to blow our minds this year with the things He was going to do in us and through us. This verse just confirms those promises.

What a awesome God we serve!  Whatever He has promised, He WILL do.  I have NO DOUBT that God has great & mighty things for us.  ♥ 

Be Not Deceived...

1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV), "Be not deceived : evil communications corrupt good manners."

We've heard it said, "It only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch." But when we think of evil, we sometimes think of the "really bad things". But, in this verse, "evil" is defined as "a bad nature; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful; a mode of thinking, feeling, acting wrong". When you have companionship with someone who doesn't think or act as a Christian should, it can lead you away from the lifestyle of holiness that God intends for you to lead. 

You may think that their thought patterns and actions do not affect you...but like the verse says, be not deceived. An apple may look good on the outside, but on the inside it is all rotten. And that rottenness can spread from one apple to another. So how do you know who the "bad apples" are? Ask God for wisdom to help you. Like James 1:5 (NKJV), "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." God isn't going to think any less of you because you ask Him for wisdom to help make those kind of decisions. Sometimes it is difficult to understand someone's character & motives. But God knows it all and is willing to lead & help you. Just ask. 

One thing that is important to note is that just because someone is a "bad apple" doesn't mean that you shun them or treat them rudely. Jesus said in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Jesus loved with an unconditional love...we must do the same. This isn't a "mushy" kind of love for a love that shows kindness. You don't have to agree with everything someone does to love them. Like the adage says, "A little kindness never hurt anyone..."

Finding Peace In The Dry Times...

 Isaiah 58:11 (KJV), "And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." 

I am SO thankful that when we put our trust in HIM that He continually guides us. And in our "dry times", He supplies our every need and fulfills that longing in our soul. He equips us with everything that we need to "fight our battles". He strengthens us. When we trust in HIM to work everything out, we will be like a well-watered, flourishing garden. And, that strength, joy and peace that we need will spring up and never dry up. What an AWESOME God I serve! ♥