Devotion & Reflection For Today

What Am I So Afraid Of and Why
Do I Have This Large Bump on my Head?

I have to admit I have a fear of failure and worse yet sometimes that stops me from even trying and I may have missed opportunities along the way in the way. But for me the older I have become the less fearful I am. I think working at a place where you know that doesn't make you happy places a BIG part. More and more I am realizing the I have to take that so called "leap of faith". But here is thing that I do not get, why every I have part my trust in Jesus whole-heartily he has always come through for me yet I still become fearful at times?

The problem is we as Followers of Christ at times look around at our circumstances instead of putting our focus on Christ and what he has already finished for you and I. As time has passed I am realizing that now my work place is just a "tent" and not my land of milk and honey. I do not have any personal items on my desk because one thing my job has taught me is this: (1) Keep my eyes on Christ Jesus (2) the company is growing (3) I could be let go at any with today's market (4) if I'm going to work this hard for someone else and not like what I'm doing why not spend that energy doing what God has placed in Spirit to pursue. (5) my work is "work" and my home life is my "home life". I find it keeps things simple and less stressful for me.

I am also finding that putting my trust in God is the best thing because I now that when beginning my morning, before my feet hit the floor I give God thanks for another day to pursue what He has in store for me. I'm learning that knowing that Jesus has told me to follow him and that he will give me strength to go through my valleys is very assuring.

In today's devotion and Bible passage is that Moses too was afraid of many things, questioned the Lord at times and I'm learning that it's okay to have doubts at times. Every time when Moses questioned God and assured Him what he was with him and that is what I am learning now in my 40s...asking God to lead me, reading His word and then ACTING ON IT!

This is why so many Followers of Christ fall short, we ask God for his help, his guidance, he gives it to us and if we do not like on how he wants us to carry it out we say, "Ummm....I don't think you want me to do it THAT way. Here's what I think" and that is when we fail each and every time. I have to get it through my thick, "I'm so smart I'm stupid" skull that how can I tell the creator of all, the person who sees my Beginning and my Ending what is best for me? God has a sense of humor, I know he does because He doesn't force us to do it His way, he tells us to see if we will obey. If we don't and when we get frustrated and we cry out, get angry with Him I think He just sits back just begin humming to himself; and after we have finished our little tyrant, He says softly, "now, are you ready to do it the "right" way or do you wish to continue keep to keep bumping your head and starting from scratch?"

God knows we need some struggles in our life because it builds character within us, our faith grows stronger and stronger, He reminds us time and time again, "do what you can do and I will do what you can't do." because this is covenant you have with me. We have seen in the real world that when parents do everything for their children how they turn out when the children become adults and how dependent they are on the parents and that's not a good thing. So why do we continue to think God is our Daddy Warbucks? When we do our part, our very best while completing the task in His will what a wonderful testimony we are for Him and others see how God truly works in our lives.

Thank God I am learning this in my 40s and not when I am old and gray.

Be blessed, Be Safe, and Have a Great Sunday.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Respect

"Lord, help my children to show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands."

1 Peter 2:17

Devotion & Reflections for the Weekend

Thoughts on the Devotion: Quiet Please
from RBC Ministries

I wrote on this a while back and it's funny how when you get into the word of God how know matter how many times you read it, you get a deeper many of his passages. It's funny how now when I travel to work I have no radio on to and from because I that is my time with Him. I don't know if I'm getting it's making me appreciate the nature of quietness or I'm I mature with my walk with God but one thing is for sure, it's really peaceful.

Many times we try and not think and hear what we really need to hear about ourselves, our love ones, the purpose of our lives but we can not run away from it because we are only hurting ourselves. I know coming up when I didn't have directions I would have to turn on the radio, the television "just because"...why? Because it was automatic, it sometimes helped me cope with being alone. I'm not saying everyone does this but I know I did but one thing change that for me...

When I was younger, single, and foolish with money I kinda "forgot" to pay my light bill and coming home to an apartment with no electricity is not cool. Of course I scrambled and paid it to have it restored the following day but something happened, no television, no radio...just quietness. The first hour I was climbing the walls and I could have gotten out of there but then the quietness made me reflect on me. My accomplishments, my shortcomings, what was I truly doing with my life and to be honest, I truly needed that. To be alone with your thoughts at times is a scary thing but then you realize how important you are in the eyes of God. How much he truly loves you. How things you think are "so bad" are not so bad. You realize how your life truly has purpose, meaning and how your uniqueness has so much value. At first I used to beat myself up at that time because I thought I should be so much farther ahead in life, why I didn't have a new car by now, how I didn't own a home but that quiet time with God and myself told me,

"you're not doing so bad. you are single and doing this by yourself."

"the reason you are not ahead is because you are afraid to step out of your comfort zone."

"it takes time, it's takes discipline, you have to be a better manager over your finances."

"who are putting before Me?"

some things I have accomplished, some goals I haven't reach yet but one thing is for sure, He gives me another chance each day He breathes life into my body. I'm learning to prioritize and stick to it and it's a process and the key thing is "sticking to it" no matter what may come up because things will come up, that's just life.

One thing I have learned about God, he does not shout at us, he does not force us to live by his principles but as a loving parent, he let's you know the benefits of following his lead the consequences when we do not. I try and live by this principle, "God has giving me instructions on how to live my life but it's still my choice, but I can't get upset when I choose not to follow Him. I can't blame him, my wife, no one around me for my actions."

I love how when God explained to Adam and Eve what they could have and could not have (and mind you it just "one" tree they could not eat from and they had an entire garden to choose from) and when they did disobey and when given there excuses it was as if God just tuned them out. He didn't want to hear because His word is his bond. He did not stop blessing them but they paid a heavy price for their disobedience. I am maturing (as I said I am a work in progress and process) to know now that looking within, being still, listening and being obedient is the key to doing it God's way and to be honest, it really does make life much simpler, it helps you cope with the curve balls of life, it makes you humble, it allows you not to let things blindside you and you have a calmness about yourself that people seek.

Learning to be in a quiet place is not easy at times but it's truly worth it in the long run because you learn about yourself, you teach others in this day and time it's okay to not have your television, radio, iPod going, you can have a joyful time just being still and silent.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, and Have a Blessed Weekend.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Mercy

"Oh Father, grant that my children would be full of mercy and compassion as you are Lord."

James 5:11