I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;

I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”

(Helen Keller)

“May the God of Peace…

Equip you with everything good for doing his will,

And may he work in us what is pleasing to him,

Through Jesus Christ…”

Hebrews 13:20a – 21 (NIV 1984)

What we put into our minds will eventually come out in our words and actions. If we feed our minds on a diet of thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, there will be marvelous results in our outward behaviors. A continual feast of rightful thinking will transform your thoughts and lift your spirit. Your heart will become so full of goodness that it will eventually spill over into your communication with others around you; it will show in the expression on your face, and will be evident in your attitude and deeds.

If you have problems with negative thinking, examine what you are feeding into your mind through websites, social network sites, text messages, email, television, magazines, books, radio, movies and conversations. There may be people you gravitate toward who bring you down with gossip. Purposefully replace any harmful input with wholesome material. Don’t leave room in your mind for thoughts that are false, dishonorable, wrong, unwholesome, dreadful, disgraceful, inferior or blameworthy.

Ask God to help you focus on what is good and pure. Feast upon His Word and pray throughout your day. At first it may be difficult to wean yourself away from a diet of inferior thoughts and negativity, but eventually you will feel a refreshing transformation in your mind and spirit which will be evident in your countenance, conversations and conduct.

Think this…not that!

God’s love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.

Psalm 36:5-6 (MSG)

God’s vast love for us is unfathomable. It is deeper, wider and broader than our human minds can comprehend. His love is unchanging and never-ending. It’s sometimes difficult to imagine how the Creator of the Universe could care about the smallest details of our lives, but the truth is that even in His largeness…NOTHING gets lost. Be mindful of God’s attention to detail in your life. Share everything with Him. He cares about each tiny facet of your existence. Not a man, not a mouse, slips thought the cracks.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, a Peace which surpasses all understanding , will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7(MSG)

Worry causes us to experience our troubles many times over. Most of what we worry about never comes to pass, and we expend enormous amounts of brain power fabricating thoughts of what might happen at some point in the future. How many times have we lost sleep with agonizing thoughts running through our heads instead of peaceful dreams? As we try to think ahead and rehearse different scenarios of “what ifs” on the stage of our mind, we lose focus on the fact that God is right beside us through any trial we face, and He knows every detail of our lives. He has planned each moment of our days, and He will perfectly equip us for any battle. When we take our concerns to our Heavenly Father through prayer and focus our hearts and minds on Him, His presence displaces our anxieties and infuses our soul with Peace that surpasses our understanding. Instead of worrying…pray.

I remember the days of long ago;
   I meditate on all your works
   and consider what your hands have done.

Psalm 143:5 (NIV)

On New Year’s Eve, most of us are focused on the new beginning that we will face tomorrow with the birth of a New Year. But for every “new beginning” there has to be an “ending.” Today is a good time to reflect back upon the events of the past year and recall God’s presence in your life through each month, week, day and moment.

For some, the past year brought abundant blessings. It’s easy to thank God for good fortune that might have come your way, yet it is also easy to forget that all our blessings come from God’s hand. For others, the past year was filled with painful memories or difficult trials. During our darkest moments, we can lose sight of the fact that God is always by our side, helping us through any situation we face

Often we do not notice and appreciate all of the ways that God provides, protects, loves and cares for us along our journey in life. The fact that our daily needs are met is usually taken for granted. We have food to eat, clothes to wear, a warm bed to give us rest, and a roof to shelter us. How often do we stop and give thanks…genuine thanks…to God for these basic needs which are being met by His hand? Worse yet, we mistakenly take the credit ourselves for being good providers instead of recognizing God’s hand in the process.

As the past year comes to an end, I pray that God would engulf me with His spirit so that I may see my world through His holy eyes to envision His hand of blessing upon my life…even during the painful trials and darkest days of the past year. I pray that He would give me a spiritual mind so that I might understand His plan for each of my days ahead as His purpose for my life unfolds. I pray that He would give me spiritual ears to hear His voice as He speaks to me and that He would give me a spiritual heart so that I may love those around me the way He would want me to love them…unconditionally. I pray that I remain constantly mindful of the miracles He has performed in my own life and that I never take for granted that His favor and His hand of blessing is upon me and my family and that His presence never leaves my side…even in the deepest valleys. Amen.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:11

^“Let them give thanks to the LORD

for his unfailing love
   and his wonderful deeds for men.”

Psalm 107:15 (NIV1984)

Today we gather with family and friends and pause as a nation to “give thanks.” Take time today to truly focus on all the blessings in your life and remember to thank the One from whom all your blessings flow.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…  

Psalm 33:12a (NIV1984)

As we celebrate America’s Independence Day, let’s take a moment to think about on whom are we depending as a nation? Our Founding Fathers believed in creating “one nation under God.” Is God the LORD of our nation, or have we refocused our dependence upon our own strength and might?

“‘This is what the great king, the king … says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?
You say you have strategy and military strength—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me?” Isaiah 36:4-5 (NIV 1984)

On each note of our currency, you’ll see the words printed, “In God We Trust.” Have those become “empty words?” One of the biggest problems we are facing as a nation today is the stability of our economy. Perhaps if we each took a moment to embrace those four simple words in our own lives, we could begin to reverse the national trend of trusting in something other than God. Likewise, if each one of us whispered a prayer for our country every time we open our wallets and pull out a dollar bill to spend, we could make a difference for the future of our beloved homeland. Let the words “In God We Trust,” be a reminder to place your own trust in God and also to pray for our nation. God can heal our nation’s problems. He will hear our prayers.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV1984)

“May God Bless the U.S.A.!”

Peace I leave with you;

My peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (NIV1984)

Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles;

It takes away today’s peace.

(Author unknown)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV1984)

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him

for He shields him all day long,

and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders.”

Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV

We live in a fast paced, action oriented world. There are days when I feel like I am so busy that I can’t even take a moment to “come up for air.” It seems as though there is never enough time in the day to accomplish everything on my plate of responsibilities. Yet God demonstrated for us the importance of rest. When He had finished all the work He had been doing of creating the universe and everything in it, He rested.

“For six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them,

But He Rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.”

Exodus 20:11

If the Creator of the Universe rested from His work, then it should not surprise us to know that we also need to rest. In fact, rest is so important to God that He commanded His children to set aside one day each week for pure, restorative rest. Not only did God know that we need a day like this each week to revive and rejuvenate our bodies, but He also wanted His children to use it as a day of worship and remembrance. “Above all, keep my Sabbaths, the sign between me and you, generation after generation, to keep the knowledge alive that I am the God who makes you holy…There are six days for work but the seventh day is Sabbath, pure rest, holy to God…Yes, because in six days God made the heavens and the Earth and on the seventh day He stopped and took a long, deep breath.” Exodus 31:12-17 MSG

“Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

After a period of exertion or labor, rest is a blessing. It is refreshing and rejuvenating, and it is a relief from any type of weariness. As we take time to quiet our bodies and spirits, God desires for us to spend time remembering and focusing on all the amazing things He has done for us.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

God can also use this time of repose to speak to us. It is difficult for Him to gain our attention during the hectic activity of your daily life. When you sit still in His presence, you will hear the calming whisper of His voice.

“My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

When your time of purposeful quiescence is over, you will be revived and renewed, ready to face new challenges and strengthened for your responsibilities. By taking time to periodically observe a day of rest, you will be physically stronger and mentally sharper. You will be better equipped to accomplish your goals and purposes than if you did not take the time to rest.

Listen to your Creator in regards to the importance of rest. Your Heavenly Fathers knows what is best for His children.

I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

What we have heard and known,

What our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children,

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

His power, the wonders he has done…

Which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children…

So the next generations would know them,

Even the children yet to be born,

And they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their trust in God

And would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Psalm 78: 2b-7 (NIV)

Every family has a story. The threads of your family’s story are woven together like a richly adorned tapestry, from one generation to the next. It is important to pass down your family history so that your children, grandchildren…and even the children yet to be…will know the roots from which they are born and the foundation upon which their lives are built.

More importantly, children need to hear their parents and grandparents discuss the evidence of God’s hand upon their lives. They need to hear the stories of the wondrous ways in which God has intervened for their family and the miracles that He has performed in their behalf. Hearing your discussion about God’s provision, protection, healing, guidance and love is a verbal affirmation of His significance in your life. Your testimony is vital to helping your children place their trust in God.

How will your children ever know this information

about their heritage if you don’t share it with them personally?

In the Old Testament there are many accounts concerning the “family history” of the Children of Israel, the descendants of Abraham and Sarah, and their story is recorded for us to read.  God knew the importance of this type of storytelling, and He gave the Children of Israel specific instructions concerning this, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.”  (Deuteronomy 11: 18 – 21)

As children of God, we are also part of this family, and we too can learn from these accounts. Not only do the stories include examples where God blessed those who followed His commands, but likewise there are many narratives explaining the consequences His people suffered when they failed to obey God’s commands. We learn from both examples. God gave clear instructions about how His people should live, and He told them,  “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse — the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Not only will your children benefit from hearing about the times God has blessed you for your obedience, but they can also learn from your mistakes.  There may be examples in your life where you chose a path which led you away from God.  Perhaps you suffered consequences as a result of those choices.  Sharing these types of stories with your children will help prevent them from making the same types of mistakes in their own lives.  It will also help them remember the importance of following God’s plan for their lives, so that they can avoid the pitfalls which come from following a different path.  It’s possible that your story might even provide a roadmap back to God if your child has veered from His path.

The example you set for your children will be the one they follow in passing this legacy down to their children…and all the children of your family yet to be born.  Remember the grand purpose of these types of discussions:  to help your children place their trust in God, to understand His vital role in their lives, and to remember the wondrous ways He has intervened in their lives.  The results will go down in eternal history!