Whatever you are anxious about right now, did you know that this doesn't surprise God at all?


God hears the cries of his children, and He responds.  Now, the answer to your call may not be what you wanted to hear, but just know this.  He is there, listening to every thought, every cry out, every worry on your heart.


Anxiety is a distraction from our relationship with God.  This anxiety cripples us at times, taking over our minds and plunging our thoughts into darkness.


So, why do we do it?  We're all human, but it's the sinful nature in us that stirs up thoughts of worry and feelings of anxiety.  


But, there's hope in those who know Jesus.  I could tell you numerous stories, even within the last year, where things would come up in my life that should really cripple me, knock me out.  But, I held onto the promise that God gives us every day.  Fear not!  Fear is a liar.  Those promises are still true today.  I know from experience and my faith in God that no matter what lies before me today, God is with me and already knows the path of my day.  You see, once you can see and understand this, you can have peace.  And, everyone wants peace, right?


Give it to God today.  He's not surprised.  He's thrilled that you're giving it to Him to take care of.


Philippians 4:6 - "Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Nothing's free in life, right?  Everything has it's price.  Having a baby, well, from experience, you will have pain!  Buying a new house or getting a new job, very stressful.


If we put seeds in the ground, typically, they will not grow to maturity unless you water and feed them.  


In life, our seeds are our good intentions.  God takes care of the watering and nurturing.  We have to first do our part, and get planted.  How do we do that?  We give up our lives to Him.  The God who gave us life, we give it back to Him.


To the non-Christian, this may sound a little weird.  Maybe even a little peculiar.  But to those who know and love Jesus, it is worth every minute of growing.  Oh, you'll go through spurts where things just aren't growing fast enough and times when you just want life to slow down so you can catch up.


Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."


The more we plant/sow, the more we will reap.  This is from the bible (Galatians 6:7 - "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows."


Be careful though, your giving can't be for selfish reasons or to gain wealth in this life.  Your 'good intentions' should be directed toward God, and His promise of eternal life.  That's our reward, for those who love and follow Him.

When soldiers are facing battle, it is some comfort to know that they're not facing the army alone.  They have their fellow comrades along with them in the battle.  Comfort in numbers.


Isn't that the way with life?  Don't we seem to deal with the trials of life a little easier when we know that we have our friends and family supporting us?


Whether you're aware or not, we all have someone fighting us daily.  Satan.  He's prowling around daily, looking for someone to devour.  He's looking to take someone down to his level.  He's looking to destroy whoever he can.


That's why, as Christians, we can stand firm with our fellow believers, knowing that there's strength in numbers.  And there's power in prayer.  I don't know how many times I've shared my fears with my Christian friends who have all stepped up in prayer on my behalf.  Prayer is very powerful and it can destroy the very thing that Satan is out to tear down.


1 Peter 5:8-9 - "Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."


Stay comforted friends, knowing that the devil knows he cannot have victory over us if we are prepared to do battle against him.

Do you wake up each day dreading the day ahead?  Do you have an uneasy feeling of uncertainty that could possibly develop today?  I hope not.  God doesn't want this, nor should you.  


For us, as Christians, we know that we're living in God's purpose for our lives.  He works in all things, including our lives, according to His purposes.  Nothing in this life can happen without God ordaining it.


But, it's our choices and actions that also really matter.  God created each one of us uniquely and He does have a purpose for each of our lives.  Sure there will be difficult things you encounter, but overall we should have a sense of joy and excitement that fills our days.  This joy should be overflowing into our relationships, our work and families.


After all, what good does it benefit us to go around grumbling, down and just feeling sorry for ourselves?  It doesn't add one day to your life; so why not fill each day with joy, gratitude and a sense of pride in how we're living our lives out for God?


Take heart, my friends.  You know the saying "Not all who wander are lost?"  Seek God out.  Ask Him what your purpose is, here on earth.  You'll be surprised where you'll end up.  I hope it's with a joyful heart, giving God the glory, not ourselves.


Philippians 2:13 - "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Do you ever have those days when nothing is going right; everything you touch falls apart?  


When you feel down, do you think about looking up?  Do you think about wanting to be happy?  Some run after money, career, getting to the top as fast and hard as they can.  But, when something happens during that journey; something goes wrong, do they look to God for help?  Or do they ignore God and think they can handle it all by themselves?


Most of us make the mistake of thinking that happiness is related somehow to our circumstances.  We often think that "I'll be happy once this happens."  I honestly had spent most of my 20's and 30's thinking this.


The true key to happiness is to live happy, regardless of the circumstances.  Happiness is a feeling, one that we ourselves can manage.  Look around you.  See how blessed you are right now.  There are people in Peru would love to have what you throw away.


We, as Christians (more than non-Christians) should never be going around with our heads hanging down.  This doesn't mean that you'll find us happy and singing all the time either.  But, if asked how we are, we should be saying "I am very blessed today."


Look up to the one who created you!  He promises to wipe away those tears and fears some day.




Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

I think we all could.  Encourage someone today.  Email or text them an uplifting bible verse.  Speak words of life, not defeat to someone in your path today.  Encourage them in their walk with Jesus, or if they don't know Jesus, say something wonderful that's happened to you lately, and mention that it was Jesus!


1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."


We, as Christians, have to remember that we will have struggles, but it's not against our flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil... (Ephesians 6:12).


We are daily in the crosshairs of a spiritual battle going on.  We have to put on our spiritual armor, or we don't have a chance.  What is this spiritual armor?  It's God's Word, the bible.  Stay in the Word, study it, apply it to your life daily.  Your life depends on it.


Encouragement makes it easier to love as Jesus loves.  Encouragement also gives us hope.


Encourage someone today.  It will make their life and yours just a little bit brighter today!

Reality is defined as 'the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.'


Romans 8:8 - "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."


The true reality for Christians is to place our cares and concerns to God.  Sometimes we perceive God's inactivity in our lives as a lack of care.  But His care and love for us goes beyond anything we can see or physically touch.  The reality is that we have to live by faith.  What does that mean?  It means, even when we can't see the healing, the conflict resolved or the marriage restored, we have faith that through God, all things will work out because of His promises to us in the bible.


The bible addresses all issues on life...on God's terms.  He sets the agenda.


Satan deceives all of us.  He doesn't want us to see the reality in God.


God is working all the time in our lives; day and night; in ALL things.  Our life as a Christian is filled with growth and development.  Our reactions to some of life's difficulties are some of the most profoundly maturing processes that anyone can experience.


Wake up!  The reality is that this life here on earth will pass away for all of us. No one gets out of this life unscathed.  Give your life to Jesus and live the reality of an eternal home in heaven some day!

1 Corinthians 6:19 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own;"


We, as Christians should be able to relax, be peaceful and rest in God's promises.  But, do we?  Do we sit around and try to anticipate God's next move, instead of just being still and wait expectantly on His Will for our lives?


Listen and look for God's presence in everything!  You'll be amazed at the little blessings He lays out before you each day if He knows you're looking forward to finding Him throughout your day.


Since our bodies are considered to be temples of the Holy Spirit, shouldn't we be watching what comes in or goes out of it?


We are accountable to God for the way we take care of our bodies.  Eat well, exercise well and sleep well.  This will ensure that our minds and bodily actions will attempt to be pure.  Keep self discipline at the forefront of every day.


What is the state of your current temple (your body)?  We were carefully and wonderfully made by God with this body.  Take care of it, fuel it correctly and let the Holy Spirit dwell in it.