There's a popular song out now by Casting Crowns called "Only Jesus."

When I first heard it, I immediately thought about the mission field.  I'm leaving in 2 weeks to go back to Peru to a remote village in southern Peru.  Our mission individually and as a team is to tell others about Jesus, and just like the song says, "I don't want to leave a legacy, I don't care if they remember me, only Jesus."

When we are serving the people of Peru, I hope they see Jesus in our walk, in our talk, in our character.  I want them to see the love that we have for them, just as Jesus does.

I want our mission to be about Jesus and only Jesus. 

God can use each one of us to bring Him glory and honor.  This doesn't have to be on the mission fields.  It can be in our own neighborhoods.

Tell others of Jesus today.  Finish the race.  Leave a legacy that counts.

2 Timothy 4:7 – "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

We all need grace. But, do we really expect to receive grace?

You may have met someone in your life who dabbles in sin and tries to rationalize their actions. In the book of James, he tells us that friendship with the world isn’t an option for a follower of Christ. This is where grace from God steps in.

God gives grace to the humble. For those who acknowledge their sin and ask God for forgiveness, God shows up. Even when we don’t deserve it, God gives the humble favor.

God detests arrogance, and pride always leads to destruction.

Stay in peace with others, submit to God and receive His amazing grace!

James 4:6 - “But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Have you ever found yourself anxious about a situation where you became physically ill?  Or, you’re anxious and worried about something that might happen?

I know I have, and have felt the stress of worry and anxiety.  But, I have found, through my walk with God, that I don’t have to feel this way.  I can give all of this worry and these anxious feelings to God to handle.  I can trust that God knows how to handle this situation far better than I do.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25 to “not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,”…..  He goes on to tell us to “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reep nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?”

When your thoughts go astray and you’re feeling down or upset, give your anxieties to God. 

Most of our stress and worry is unnecessary.  After all, does worry add one more day to your life?  Does the stress of a situation resolve anything?

Give it to God.  Putting God first in your thoughts and in your life is a cure for anxiety.

1 Peter 5:7 - “casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

Have you ever watched a baby sleep?  It's a beautiful and soothing sight. 

Peace is something most everyone wants.  Yet, you will find many people in this world who are far from being at peace with life, or even with themselves. 

Ultimate peace comes from God, and for those of us who have found it, enjoy! 

On the other hand, there is so much counterfeit peace that is offered by the world.  Be aware, my friends, of false teachers, those who will make you promises that they don't intend to keep.

As a Christian, you have a choice to trust God's promises and stay in peace.  Peace is one of the 'fruits of the spirit.' 

Let peace rule in your heart today.  Slow down and take the time to say a kind word to a stranger.  Take the opportunity to serve the needy.

Show love and receive the peace from God that passes all human understanding!

 John 14:27 - “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

God is always doing something bigger than we can imagine.  There is a purpose in your journey.  You may not see it yet, or you may not be open to accept it, but God knew the plans for you before you were born.

Be able to see God at work in your life.  We may have our head so far in the sand, or so deep in our pity party that we miss the opportunities God has before us.

There are no coincidences in God's plans for our life.  God may be working in someone else's life, someone that's close to you, so that He can accomplish His purpose for you through them.

Even in the times of waiting, God is at work.  Trust His plan for your life and thank Him for the breakthrough even though it hasn't come yet.  God loves a diligent, persevering person who believes what God says is true.

Psalm 55:22 – "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."

Words can lift you up, and words can also bring you down.  Words are powerful.  Words can show love and they can reveal Christ in us.

Words can spread encouragement, or they can separate relationships.  Typically, if you don't have anything positive to say, then it would be best to stay silent.

How do others see you when you speak?  Do they see the love of God in your speech?

We can't do this on our own.  When you feel vulnerable and weak in the flesh, ask God to give you the words to say or to help you hold your tongue.

James 3:8 - “ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Change in life is inevitable. Some people become fearful of change, others embrace it. Some changes are good, others not so good. Change can disrupt our life, cause us to question God. There is one thing that never changes, and that is God. Even when life throws you a curve ball, God is there, never changing.

God has plans for us to prosper, if we’re a child of God and have surrendered our life to Him.

You will find in life, as I have, that some changes don’t happen fast enough. Our plans, our path in life, all are set by God. He knew before we were even born, where we would be living and where we would be in our career and family.

Embracing change means to be aware of it. Change can be a good thing if we’re ready for it, if we’re expecting it.

God is waiting to change us, to become all He has designed us to be.

Be ready and embrace it!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Are we living a ‘God-focused’ life? Or, are we so goal driven that we’ve forgot God in our plans? Just as Paul in the Bible was goal-driven for God’s glory and not his own, so, we as Christians should be.

Having a goal ahead of you and pursuing it means to be motivated by it. Unless your goal is just living day by day and getting by, your goal here on earth (as a Christian) should be God-centered. You should be striving to know Jesus intimately and seek his attention.

Sometimes this means that we have to accept what’s going on in our lives right now, even when we don’t understand it. We have to be open to experiencing God’s power in our lives. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, if you’re a Christian.

In my walk with God I try to make God my focus and rely on Him rather than myself.

When we start living a life as Jesus did; giving our time, our resources to others, that’s when our goals become attainable. That’s when we become God-focused.

The goal…..a lifetime in eternity with the creator of the universe. What more could you ask for?

Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”