God Forbids Worry

We often hear people say, "I'm such a worrier. I always have been; I always will be." However, the truth is that God did not design us to be worriers. He designed us to be free to live this life under his love and control. Worry is a tool of the enemy designed to steal, kill, and destroy the beautiful free life we were given in Christ. Jesus doesn't take worry lightly. He doesn't just say, "Hey guys, try not to worry." or "You'll feel better if you worry less."  Read the following scripture noting what Jesus says about worry. 

 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear." Matthew 6:25

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ Matthew 6:31

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Jesus actually FORBIDS worry! Yes, forbids it! That is a strong word and if you are a parent you know that when you forbid your child to do something you are absolutely serious about it. So, if you are a worrier, stop it! Replace your thoughts with the truth of God's Word time and again until the worry is gone. Train your mind to live free in the light of truth. 

This Is What He Requires Of You

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: 

to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Leading up to this scripture Micah was telling the Israelites the many ways in which they had wronged God and others.  God had been so faithful to them but their response over the years was selfish.  They continued to worship other gods and complain when they didn't get what they wanted.  They took matters into their own hands and became a sinful nation.  Micah was declaring their guilt and speaking on God's behalf asking them what God had done wrong, describing all of the great things He did to save them from horrible circumstances in the past.  In a sense, Micah was pleading with God's people to repent and turn from their wicked ways because God's judgment was coming.  

Micah was repentent of his own sin and the sins of all the people and He was afraid of what was to come.  He offered pardon to those who confessed and repented but they thought their forgiveness had to be bought so they asked what they should offer up to God.  They begged to know what they could bring God to take away the wrong they committed and even offered to sacfrifice their own children for forgiveness, to save them from God's punishment.  God's answer through Micah was simple yet something we must never take for granted or forget in our own daily lives.  They need only to do what was right, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

Knowing God and the character of Jesus we are easily in tune with what is right and wrong.  If we ever question something we are more than blessed to have the bible to go to for answers and guidance and so at least knowing what is right shouldn't be hard.  The hard part is doing it.  Which becomes a choice we all have to make.  God is good and right and we can follow Him as we grow to know Him on an intimate level.  Doing what is right is asked of us by our loving Father.  

Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone that deserves punishment.  When we offer someone mercy we are witholding the punishment his or her sins deserve.  God asks us to leave the judgement in His hands and He asks us to offer mercy so that we won't harbor bitterness within our hearts because a bitter heart is a hard heart.  As God's children we are expected to offer mercy to those who wrong us and trust Him with their consequences and punishement.

Walking humbly with God is the third thing God requires of us.  We aren't supposed to boast in ourselves but glorify Him in our accomplishments and daily tasks.  Being humble is not acting proud or haughty.  It is taking on a meek and gentle spirit with a modest estimate of our own importance.  If we know God the way we should then we know we are nothing without Him.  God asks us to let down our selfish ways and trust Him with our lives.  He wants us to become nothing so that we can be His.  

God asked this of the Israelites because just making sacrifices was an easy fix.  God wanted more from His people.  He wanted changed hearts and He knew in order to create a clean, renewed heart in someone their actions had to change.  By asking His people to do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly they would have to make a huge change in their hearts, attitudes and actions.  He asks this of us, still today.  God wants our hearts!  And if we aren't ready to change for Him then we aren't listening to this ancient request.  God requires us to make these changes in our lives just like he did the Israelites many many years ago.  His Word is never changing!  It is a living Word that works today, and speaks today just like it did thousands of years earlier.  Are you fair in your dealings with people offering mercy and forgiveness when they hurt you?  Are you trying to do what is right?  Are  you learning humility and puting your trust in God instead of yourself?   These are the things we need to evaluate often in our lives.  The Lord has told us what is good!  Are we listening and acting?  

But the Word of Our God Endures Forever

All the people are like grass,
     and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
     because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
     Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
     but the word of our God endures forever.
                                  Isaiah 40: 6-8



Spring is such a beautiful time of the year. The flowers bloom, the grass awakens in a rich green, spring rains freshen the earth, and beauty abounds. However, this scripture reminds us how insignificant these things are in light of God's Word. The flowers fall and the grass withers as the very breath of God is breathed over them. And, we humans, are mere grass and flowers. Yet the Word of God remains. Nothing can destroy, diminish or detract from God's word. When all this world crumbles and no longer remains, the Word of God will remain... forever! Oh, that his word is hidden in our hearts and our souls remain in Him! Amen

Enjoy a worship moment and  be blessed by Third Day's song Your Words. Click here to listen!

Put Them To Use!

"And that about wraps it up.  God is strong, and he wants you strong.  So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials.  And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.  This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours.  This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels."

Ephesians 6:10-12 MSG

God has given us all we need to fight our daily battles.  Every day it is our choice to fight like we mean it, or keep struggling and suffering because we refuse to fight using God's tools.  Satan's attacks will not stop until we are secure in heaven.  He will always fight us with his lies and manipulations to get us to fall, fail, or cause someone else to stumble.  That is why God has given us everything we need in advance.  He has set out the tools we will need and it's our responsibility to use them.  God can certainly fight for us, but we have a responsibility to defend ourselves in certain situations.  This defense doesn't come in the form of physical weapons, like the world would suggest, no, God has given us something more powerful.  He gives us His truth which is strong enough to defeat satan's lies.  He gives us righteousness that protects our hearts, and peace that surpasses anything the world can offer.  Our faith is used to see things through God's perspective and not get discouraged when things don't go our way.  Salvation is ours and keeps us from doubting our future and that God can and will save us in His perfect timing and plan.  And one of my favorites......God's Word, which has been laid out for us to use in every situation to help guide us through problems and give us words to fight back with and stand on.  

Friends, we are in this for the long haul, and it's time we use His tools to protect our families and friends and ourselves.  God has gone before us and knows the struggles we will run into.  God has prepared a way for us by leaving behind some very important armor that we are to put on and wear boldly and confidently in His Name.       

Sunday Scripture

I lift my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Sing Along Saturday

God cannot tell lies!  And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed.  We have run to God for safety.  Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us.  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls.  In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.

Hebrews 6:18-19

Whatever storm you are facing know that God is your anchor and He will carry you out of the eye of the storm and place you safely where He wants you.  Trust in Him and He will not fail you.  I love the words to this song chosen for today.  Maybe because I love anchors, and the thought of God being my anchor, holding me tightly while my sails are torn and my life feels out of control, feels really comforting.  It's something we have all experienced, a storm, it's time we stop pretending everything is all right and live out our lives together.  Sharing comfort and encouragement with those who need it and removing the masks and coming out from our hiding places to live genuinely for the world to see.  It's okay to have problems, it's okay to make mistakes, it's okay that you aren't perfect!  In the eye of the storm He remains in control!

Eye of the Storm by Ryan Stevenson

Dear God I ask you to touch those who need you today.  Give them your amazing peace over their circumstances and be their anchor.  Let them see you and feel you and get a taste of what you can do in their life.  I pray they can place their trust in you, and believe you are able to help them through anything.  Thank you for this beautiful song of encouragement.......may it help those who need hope.

Amen

No Room For Doubt

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:6-8

Doubt is a tool of the enemy. If he can get you to doubt long enough, you will become discouraged and confused. Throughout scripture we are told of God's faithfulness and his desire to give good gifts to his children. When we ask God, according to his will, he will hear and answer our prayers. There is no room for doubt in the Christian heart and mind.

What do you need today? Are you lacking wisdom, peace, comfort, or direction? Do you need another Christian woman to walk along with you on your faith journey? Then ask it of the LORD and expect him to answer. He may answer through his Word, through another Christian, or through his still small voice within your spirit. But he will answer! Do not be like a wave blown and tossed on the sea, doubting God's goodness and love even if you must wait for his answer. Stand firm in the knowledge that God has heard you and is working for your good!