Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Got Any Fans?


Think about the people in your life that are pro-you? I hope you have a long list! Those you consider friends, those who are loyal and supportive. Hopefully you number your family, spouse, kids, parents etc. in that number. A week or so ago my wife came home and found me initialing golf balls for a charity event I was playing in. She asked me if I was preparing ahead of time by autographing them. I laughed and told her no, but it made me feel so good and important for her to think somebody would value me enough to want my autograph. It made me feel special even if she was joking with me. Sadly, many of us think and act as if no one is pro-us!

I read this scripture this week and I hope it boots your morale! Somebody is for you! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) says, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” God’s not just on your side; He longs to be for you! He gets up each new day with the purpose of showing you compassion. This is His justice!

God is for us! God is an “Us fan”! He wants our autograph; he has carved our names in a tree with a heart around it, and has a picture of us on His refrigerator! Maybe I exaggerate a little but His word says our names are written on His hand, and He captures all our tears. Let this encourage us to believe the best, keep reaching forward in faith, expect our miracle. Our Heavenly Father is for us!

Blessings,

PK

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Worry Cure!


Is there something that you are worrying about today? To worry means to allow something to revolve in your mind over and over again. God doesn’t want us to live worried or anxious about anything. He knows that worry steals our peace and joy. It affects every area of our life. Matthew 6:27(NIV) says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Have you heard the saying, “Don’t worry yourself sick?” That’s because worrying affects our physical body. It affects our sleep. We  won’t ever gain anything by worrying; in fact, we’ll lose precious moments that we can never get back again. The good news is that God has promised that we can have victory over worry. It starts by making the choice to trust in Him. When you cast your cares on Him, He will give you His peace.
I love that Jesus gives us a worry cure a few verses later in this passage. Matthew 6:33-34 (THE MESSAGE) says, “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (34) "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
Decide today to put an end to worry in your life. Choose to feed your faith and fill your mind with God's promises. As you focus on God’s Word, you’ll drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy; and you’ll be empowered to move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you!
See ya Sunday,
PK

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Don't Fight Naked


Is there something in your life that you would like to put a stop to today? Maybe it’s a certain behavior, addiction, or bad attitude that isn't pleasing to God? Just as Adam and Eve were exposed in their sin, and needed to be clothed in the Garden, we need to clothe ourselves to protect us from sin. When you “clothe yourself” with the Lord Jesus Christ, He strengthens you against temptation.

“Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature]”

(Romans 13:14, AMP)

How do we clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ? In the same way we cover ourselves in the natural with clothing — by putting something on. When I was in college I had a t-shirt I wore all the time. The front of it said, “Don’t Fight Naked”. The back said, “Put on the whole armor of God.” Needless to say it started many conversations when I would wear it out in public.

The principle, whether physical or spiritual, remains the same. For ultimate success, we must be clothed! We have to daily “put on” the Word of God. We have to cover our ears by listening to His Word. We cover our eyes by watching what is pleasing to the Lord. We cover our mouth’s by speaking the Word and being an encouragement to others.  As we cover ourselves with Christ, we will be strong against temptation, and we will walk in the victory the Lord has planned for us!

Blessings,

PK