To Be Still and Know

"Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust Him, and He will help you."   Proverbs 37:5 It's that time of year again when people start thinking about all the things they want to do differently and see happen in the new year that's about to begin.  There is something about the beginning of a new year that inspires people to begin anew, start over, change things up, and wipe the slate clean.  It's sad though that people only really think about this at this time of year and most "new years resolutions" fizzle out all to quickly, and are forgotten about until the end of the year rolls around and people are faced with another new year.  So how do we go about making changes or resolutions that take root in our hearts and bring forth permanent life changes and what do those types of resolutions look like according to Gods Word?   "Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed."  Proverbs 16:3 That verse is so easily misunderstoo...

"You can't get rid of Christmas!"  my 8 year old daughter quietly proclaimed after I had announced, not so quietly, I would do if the behaviors and actions of she and her older brother didn't change immediately.  It stopped me in my tracks because the way she said it made me realize she wasn't trying to back talk me but rather had a greater meaning of those words in her heart.  I asked her what she meant and she replied "Even if you get rid of the presents and the decorations you can't stop Jesus birthday."  WOW!  An arrow right to this mommas heart.  I was so caught up in the frustration of my children's incessant fighting and arguing that I had forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.  I mean I never forget it is Jesus birthday and that is why we celebrate this holiday but I had declared I would get rid of Christmas and I never thought about it being His birth we were celebrating when I made that declaration.  I was thinking of the decorations,...

"For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us."  1 Thessalonians 5:9 I read something this week that didn't set well with me.  I have pondered it and prayed about it throughout the week.  It was an article suggesting that Christians should not participate in any form of yoga because it's roots are Hindu and doing the various stretches are ways of worshiping the Hindu gods.  The comments that followed this article varied greatly but the ones that made me start thinking and praying were the ones regarding God's wrath.  Many people quoted Old Testament Scriptures about God's wrath being poured out on people who worshiped idols and compared that to Christians who do yoga.  The first thought that came to my mind was "the hearts intents and motives".  Any and everything we do in life comes back to what our motive and intent is behind the action. "People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examine...

"Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways.  It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.   For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation.  There's no regret for that kind of sorrow.   But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death."  2 Corinthians 7:9-10 There is a lie this world is pushing on everyone and because it sounds good many people are not only believing it but embracing it and living it like it is truth.  That lie is that we are supposed to always be happy and that anything and anyone that doesn't make us happy or "serve us in a positive manner" needs to be removed from our lives.  The goal for most people has become achieving and then maintaining happiness all the time.  If it's hard they quit it.  If it causes them discomfort they ...

"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him .  This is the same power mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now He is far above any ruler, or authority or power or leader or anything else - not only in this world but also in the world to come."  Ephesians 1:19-21 Last night my oldest child asked me what the term "faith that can move a mountain" meant. He was having fun ideas of being able to fly and literally pick up mountains and while I truly do believe that if there was a purpose for us to do those things, God could certainly make it happen, I explained to my son about metaphorical mountains that faith in God is able to move.  You know what I am talking about. Those mountains of human impossibility that stand in our way.  These mountains come in many shapes and sizes and kinds.  They can come ...

"Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy."  Ephesians 4:23-24 After Bible study this week I was inspired to write about the topic of finding your identity in Christ alone.  I have come to realize over the past few years that I have found my identity in being "the favorite" for way too long.  Let me explain...  See I was an only child growing up and therefore obviously my parents favorite!  I also got along really well with all my teachers and authority figures and while I may not have been the favorite, I felt very much liked by them.  School came easy to me.  I got straight A's and was valedictorian of my graduating class (albeit that was a teeny tiny class of 9 kids haha!).  The time I spent in college, I also got straight A's and was on the deans list.  At my jobs I always seemed to be very well liked and trusted by my bosses. ...

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you have made to the Most High."  Psalm 50:14 Here we are in the month of November, a time of year when everyone suddenly remembers there are things for which they are thankful!  I am glad that there is at least one month a year where thankfulness is on the hearts and minds of a lot of people but there are 11 other months of the year when it seems thankfulness is forgotten and replaced with a lot of complaining.  Complaining is a nasty little spiritual sickness that we ALL seem to stay sick with more often than not!  "Do everything without complaining and arguing."  Philippians 2:14.   It is easy to complain. It is natural in our human sinful flesh to let complaining be our first response to uncomfortable, inconvenient, and negative situations.  I think it ste...