On Our Side

If God is for us, who can be against us?  Who can beour foe, if God is on our side?  Romans 8:31

Looking back on my life on this earth, I have wasted a greatamount of time and effort being a "people pleaser" and notnecessarily following what God has planned for me.  The most strikingdifference in being a "God pleaser" rather than a "peoplepleaser" is that we don't have to depend on our own futile human effortsto earn favor with God.

Come to think of it, why does it really matter what peoplethink of us?  (It is easier said than done!) Our weaknesses and inabilities do not matter to God in theleast bit.  With God, there is no hidden agenda, no list of talents andabilities that you need, only your availability.  Simply stated, God islooking for people who are willing and able to yield to His lead.

Let God shape who you are, what your perception is and whatpath you need to take in your relationships and career.  He always keepsHis promise and takes care of His people and will never fail to deliver youfrom adversity!

Slip Sliding Away

I myself always strive to have a conscience without offensetoward God and men.  Acts 24:14

Have you ever contemplated just how short our time on thisearth really is?  We should make the most of our time here, but all toooften, we let time slip away from us and we don't follow the path that Godintends us to follow.

To live without regrets, we must choose to live in such away that we do our very best in every task and with every relationship. We must choose to love and obey God's commands; they weren't written torestrict us, but are there for our protection and to unlock His manyblessings. 

We must choose to forgive people who have hurt or harmed usfreely.  And lastly, we must choose to follow God's will and not our own.

The Best of What's Around

I will be filled with joy because of you.  I willsing praises to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:2

As a Christian, it is easy sometimes to view aspects of lifewith their appropriate seriousness-sin and its consequences, fighting againstevil, etc., but sometimes we overlook some of the great delights of being afollower of Christ.

I have enjoyed running for several years now.  A fewweeks ago, I began experiencing some painful discomfort on the top of  myleft foot which eventually led me to talk to my doctor who informed me that Ihad a stress fracture.  My doctor advised me to take at least six weeksoff from running to avoid any further damage or a possible broken bone. This news was certainly disappointing to me as I had been increasing my mileagein preparation for a marathon in beginning of April. 

I have been able to work out every day, but I have nowincorporated different physical activities such as riding my bike and swimminginto my routine.  At first, I was angry that I could not run, but now havereally gotten into swimming and actually feel like I am in better shape. 

The point I am trying to make is that life sometimes makesan unexpected turn, or things don’t always happen the way we would like forthem to.  God, however, is constant in His love for each of us andregardless of our circumstances, has a plan for us.   He made thiswonderful world for us to live in and enjoy and wants us to serve Himenthusiastically and filled with joy.

Let us not lose our perspective on being able to enjoy thejourney that God has planned for us, even if it is not the way we wouldnecessarily have it.

Eyes Wide Open

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.  2 Thessalonians 3:5

Recently, in seeking God's wisdom and guidance about a situation, I began to grow tired and frustrated because I just couldn't seem to hear an answer.  In fact, I felt like I was hearing other people's insight, but not God's.  It finally dawned on me that I was neglecting an important aspect of my faith walk by not digging deeper into the Word, hence the reason I was not feeling God's nudge either way. 

God can and will speak His truths into our lives if we allow Him to.  When seeking Him, He will always move us closer to His will and His never ending love.  He always leads us to what is right, never wrong, and His answers to our prayers are clear cut, definitive, and absolute. 

If you think you can truly seek God by only showing up to church on Sundays or just praying your personal wish list, save yourself some time and frustration by incorporating God's Word into your daily routine.

Gimmie A Little Sign

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  James 1:5

Have you ever asked God for a sign?  Looking back, there have been many instances where I have asked God to perform a miracle so that his guidance was crystal clear.  While God sometimes works that way, many times he does not.

The best roadmap or guidance for our lives can be found in His Word by reading the Bible.  If you are looking for guidance in any situation, study the Bible.  If you want God to personally guide your steps, study the Bible.  At the expense of sounding cliché, God intended the Bible to serve as our guidebook for getting through life.

God also wants us to have faith in him and trust him every step of the way.  In summary, we are to read the Bible, ask God what to do next, and then take a step of faith each and every day.  God promises to lead us and guide us in the right direction!

Could You Be Loved?

That the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  John 17:23

I had a meeting with a potential client this last week and felt that I showed poorly.  It was a difficult task, as I went into the meeting with only a small amount of information and still had many more questions that I needed to answer before I could possibly provide firm insurance rates for this organization's group benefit program.  Leaving the meeting I felt like a failure, despite my manager telling me that I did an outstanding job.  Have you ever felt that way?  How do we know we are valuable? 

The answer is found at the cross.  Our youngest son was playing with the cross that I wear on my neck and it got me thinking about the reality of what Jesus' death by crucifixion really means.  If we weren't valuable to God, He wouldn't have sent His beloved Son to die on the cross to save us from certain death. 

If you are ever feeling down or unloved or that you are not valuable, look no further than the cross and understand that you are worthy and loved!

The Seeker

You will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Deuteronomy 4:29

Being a creature of habit, I like to keep to my same and familiar routines in the mornings.  Feeling somewhat convicted about not seeking God more by spending time in His Word, I read Luke 11 yesterday morning and, as always, that verse was exactly the one I needed for the day that awaited me. 

To seek God means to pursue Him as the only source of definitive truth and wisdom.  Instead of letting our problems pile up and seeking God out of desperation, how different would our lives be if we sought Him first and foremost in all matters?

To seek God and His way puts us on the path of a life that is blessed and pleasing to Him.