Do Not Be Anxious

Most of the time my long term desires don’t way me down. But….every now and then they do.

Mother Day, my nephew came running into “Big” church and said, “Happy Mother’s Day, Aunt B!”. I painfully said, “Thank you buddy, but I’m not a Mommy”. He looked down in disappointment, as did my heart. I know he was disappointed he had gotten it wrong. This sweet, simple, loving, little comment began a heavy burden on my heart.

Most of the time I don’t hear God well, but this morning he spoke words I could not deny were from his heart.

From the little church devotion book, (not the official title)

May 18, 2011
Philippians 4:4-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation ….with thanksgiving, present your request to God. –Philippians 4:

Vending machines are convenient when you are in a hurry. If you have cash, they can supply you a quick snack or drink.

But the technology isn’t perfect. Sometimes the machine won’t accept your old, worn dollar. Worse yet, it might not deliver a product after swallowing your money. Some unfortunate customers get so upset that they vandalize the machine while trying to take out their purchase.
(Here is the good part)
Sometimes we have similar attitudes as we pray to God. We try to use God as sme kind of heavely vending machine, and we demand quick fulfillment of our prayer request – or perhaps we should call them “prayer orders”!
When we pray in that way, we grow restless and upset if we don’t get the desired results. Our grumbling against God really does not hurt Him, but we hurt ourselves spiritually when we grumble and complain.
The Lord is near. So we can sincerely rejoice in His Love. That’s how restlessness is removed from our hearts. The Scriptures don’t say that all prayers will be fulfilled. But we are promised the all-embracing peace of God.

“Lord, thank you for being near. That’s why we don’t have to be anxious about anything. We can pour out our hearts before you, trusting in your love and mercy. Amen”

AMEN!

The Right Diet

If you are in the market for a diet, ther are many to choose from: Atkins, South Beach, vegan, mediterranean - the list goes on and on. I believe some diets are helpful if used in conjunction with a healthier lifestyle. But many of them overpromise and underdeliver. The aswere isn't a crash diet. It's permanently adopting healthy eating habits.

When it comes to spiritual nutrition, there is no lack of available diets either. But only one spiritual diet works; only one provides the nutritional ingredient we need for a healthy walk of faith. Jesus is your source of spiritual nutrition, and he will never disappoint you. He is the one who supplies spiritual health, inner srtength, and life everlasting.

John 6:57
"Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me weill live because of me. "

Even after being back, over 6 months, it is still hard to put all of my thoughts together. They are still jumbled up in bits and pieces, except know I have forgotten some of them. In Haiti I prayed I wouldn’t forget, that I would always remember the emotions, the faces, the memories, the tragedy and how it all changed me. I struggle to keep those memories.

“Jesus sais, I have blessed you for my glory. Not so you will have a comfortable life with a big house and a nice car. Not so you can spend lots of money on vacations, education, or clothing. Those aren’t bad things, but I’ve blessed you that the nations will know me and see my glory.”

~Radical by David Platt

Isaiah 41:9-10

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do no fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

For our bodies to get stronger, smarter, bigger, faster, thinner … better, it needs to be challenged. As we get older, our bodies also need to be challenged to stay strong as it begins to break down. Our faith is the same way. We need to challenge our faith to become and stay stronger, smarter, bigger and better; otherwise it gets weaker, slower and breaks down.

“Some wonder if it is unfair for God to allow so many to have no knowledge of the gospel. But there is no injustice in God. The injustice lies in Christians who possess the gospel and refuse to give their lives to making it known among those who haven’t heard. That is unfair….it makes little sense for us to sit over here asking “What do you want me to do, God?” The answer is clear. The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly to making the gospel and the glory of God known among all peoples, particularly those who have never even heard of Jesus.”

~Radical by David Platt

Psalm 145:17-20

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him, he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

2 timothy 1:8-9

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ahamed of me his prisoner, But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Jesus Christ before the beginning of time.