A Turtle of Change

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." Romans 12:2

A woman was walking along the beach when she saw a huge turtle stranded on the sand. She ran to get the ranger, who jumped into his Jeep, drove to the turtle, and hooked one end of a chain around the turtle and the other end to the bumper. Then he gunned the motor and dragged the turtle over the sand. At the edge of the water, the ranger stopped, removed the chain, and heaved the turtle out into the water. She hit the surface with a splat; then she shook her head as if she were dazed and dove under the water. As she surfaced, she shook her head once again, swam a few strokes, and then ducked under the waves. She was finally home where she belonged.

Isn't that the way many of us feel when we face change? As we're pulled into a new situations and challenges, we're not sure whether the change is going to kill us or be part of God's care for us. Change is uncomfortable - even painful - and we may not be willing to change until the pain of staying where we are (stuck in the sand) becomes greater than the pain it will take to change (the pain of hitting the water).

Romans 12:2 tells us not to stay where we are, where the rest of the world is.
Instead, we're to be transformed; that is, changed.

Like the turtle, we, too, may feel dazed when we find ourselves in a new environment. But if we keep on swimming, we'll arrive at the place God designed for us. Are you willing to be transformed? Ask God to bring you to the new place he has prepared.

 

Dear Lord, I do not like change. If you are wanting me to go to a new place, show me which direction to go. I know You have great plans for me and I want to honor You by following Your direction and not mine. In Your Name, Amen.

Friday Joy!

What Was Your One Moment of Joy this Week?

 

Some weeks I feel like a gold miner, sifting the sands between my fingers.

 

I search for joy.

 

And I wonder, "Will it ever come easy?"

 

I think the answer is not what we'd like to hear. Joy, it turns out, is unnatural to us. We are much more prone to fear and worry, to dark and doubt. Finding joy takes intention, perseverance, even sometimes pain. It's taking the grit of life in our hands and letting the water wash over it until we find that one glimmer.

 

Then we cling to it.

 

We hold it up to the sun and stare.

 

Because even one little bit can give us what we need to keep on going.

 

Sometimes we live in seasons where we find joy in abundance. Sometimes we sift and sort and sweat for what seems so small. But it's there, friends. Somewhere. Maybe in plain sight. Maybe hidden. Still ours for the taking from the Giver of all that's good.

 

Think back over your week, sift through in your mind, see the hurt and hard and tired, then also find one sliver of joy. A moment when you laughed, an unexpected kind word, a bit of beauty.

 

Then tell someone about it.

 

Because they may need to hear it.

 

What's one small thing that brought you joy this week?

Hope

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, My Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5-6

People hope in many things - money, possessions, other people, power, fame, and status, even their own strengths. None of those things have the power to sustain hope. But God does. Money and possessions can be gone in a moment, but He will never change. People will fail you, but He will never let you down. Power, fame, and status are remarkable fragile. Even your own strength will one day be gone. But God will still be by your side. Place your hope in Him.

Everyday Wisdom

Your Next Decision

"But I have hope when I think of this: The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great. I say to myself, “The Lord is mine, so I hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to those who seek him." —Lamentations 3:21-25

No matter where you are in life and regardless of the bad decisions you have made, your next decision can be a good one.

God’s mercies are new every morning.

Today is a new day. Don’t sacrifice tomorrow’s opportunity on the altar of today’s desire.

Success

"Wisdom brings success."
Ecclesiastes 10:10

God has great plans for you. Sometimes your own plans may sound more adventurous or even more profitable than what God has for you. But remember, He sees and knows all - the beginning from the end. He knows the best road to take to get you to your destiny. He sees the obstacles along the way. He sees the eternal as well as the physical. Embrace the future He has for you, and you'll be a true success story.

Dear Lord, I look forward to doing for You what You would have me do, I know I can be a real success if I follow Your direction. Help me to see where You might be leading me. In Your Name, Amen.

Everyday Wisdom

A Really Good Reason for Not Doing It All

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Here is something that I have been thinking about lately. While putting together the New Member classes at church, leading Bible studies and praying about what God might have me to do in the near future and how that could change what I do everyday, God has laid this on my heart and I thought I might share it with you.

If I say 'yes' to something that isn't really what God has for me, then I'm actually taking someone else's spot.

Isn't that freeing?

I tend to think I have to do it all but in reality I'm only to do what God asks, to use my strengths and skills in the unique way he intends me to while I'm on this earth. When I stay focused and purposefully say "no" at times then I can actually help others do what God has called them to as well.

We don't have to meet every need.

So let's breathe a big sigh of relief together and then say a little woo-hoo because we only have to do what God has for us! And we can cheer on our sisters as they do the same.

Go for it! Is God leading you to do something that you are not sure about? Have you been doing things that God is telling you to let go of? Pray about it and see what He tells you. Maybe you are the person for the job or maybe someone else is. Maybe you have done a job for awhile and now it is someone else's turn. Maybe God has other plans for you. You won't know until you pray about it and wait for God to show you what to do next.

Dear Lord, show me what You will have me do. I am ready to see it. I am excited to see how You will use me. In Your Name, Amen.

A Quiet Pace

"Teach me, and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong."
Job 6:24

 

Do you ever feel as though you simply can't sit still? That your thoughts are swirling so fast that you can't stop them? That you're so busy, so stressed, so hurried that you have to run, run, run?

Take a breath. Open your heart to God. Allow Him to quiet your frantic mind. Ask Him to show you how you can begin again, this time walking to the quiet pace of His grace.

 

Dear Lord, help me to find a quiet place, if only for a few moments, to draw close to you. In Your Name, Amen.

Bigger and Better

"Waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother . . . The longer we wait . . . the more joyful our expectancy." Romans 8:24-25 (MSG)

 

Life is filled with waiting - on slow people, transportation, doctor reports, even for God to act. Waiting often requires patience we don't have. It feels like perpetual pregnancy - anticipating a baby that is never delivered. The secret is to clasp hands with our Lord. He offers His shield of protection from impatience, irritability, and anger and replaces them with self-control, kindness, and joy. Waiting is inevitable, but we can draw closer to the Father in the waiting.

 

Dear Lord, waiting is an unavoidable part of life, and the Bible says we don't have to be undone by it. Help me to be patient and look to You. In Your Name, Amen.

Forever Joy

"We don't look at the troubles we can see now . . . For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. " 2 Corinthians 4:18

A painter's first brushstrokes look like random blobs - no discernible shape, substance, or clue as to what the completed painting will be. But in time the skilled artist brings order to perceived chaos. Initial confusion is forgotten in joyful admiration of the finished masterpiece. We often can't see past the blobs of trouble on our life canvases. We must trust that the Artist has a masterpiece under way. And there will be great joy in its completion.

Kindness

"What is desired . . . is kindness."Proverbs 19:22

Have you noticed that kindness sometimes seems like a lost commodity? It's understandable. Everyone's in such a hurry and on alert 24/7. You hear recorded messages when you call for an appointment. When you need help on the highway, it's often "tough luck." Then someone graces you with a spontaneous act of kindness and your mood brightens. God knew that would happen. It's His plan. He treats you with loving-kindness, so you can share it with others.

Dear Lord, help me to remember this week that I am influencing someone. Whatever my interactions are this week, help me to add a little extra kindness. In Your Name, Amen.

You Are Responsible for Your Own Life

"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."
James 1:22 (NLT)

 

One of the biggest problems in society today is that people don't want to take responsibility for their lives. They want quick fixes. Society has trained them to believe that if they have problems, somebody else is responsible. Their parents are responsible. Their spouses are responsible. Their schools or employers are responsible. The company that made the cigarettes or vehicle or junk food is responsible.

I'm not saying you are responsible for the current state of your life. Lots of uncontrollable events occur in our lives. Sometimes we do get very bad messages in childhood. Sometimes we have bad people in our lives who hurt us. The situation you find yourself in may or may not be your fault. But it is your fault if you take it lying down! You do not have to stay in that bad situation. You get to make a choice. And that choice is 100 percent yours.

 

No matter how you got to where you find yourself today, dont' let it be an excuse to stay there. We can have many excuses and reason for our poor health, bad attitude, and unbalanced life. As long as we offer excuses, we will never make progress.

 

The time has come to be very honest with yourself and with God. When you have a moment of privacy, take a deep breath, clear your head, and repeat this phrase: "I am responsible for my own life. No one can take charge of it but me. If I am unhappy or unhealthy, I know I have the power to change that. I have all the help and knowledge I need; and with God's hand today, I start becoming the person of excellence I have always known I could b."

 

Dear Lord, help me take responsibility for my life today. Show me what I need to do to take charge of my life. In Your Name, Amen.

Speech

"A [woman] finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" Proverbs 15:23

Your life experiences speak of God's faithfulness and love, and He wants you to share what He's done for you with others. Someone out there may be struggling to take the next step toward God's love and plan for her life, and you can bring encouragement by sharing how God helped you through the tough times. In the process, your own faith will be strengthened. You have answers. Be bold and courageous. Speak up!

Dear Lord, help me to be an inspiration to my family, friends, and coworkers. Help me provide substance for the souls of those around me. Your words have power, help me to use them to help others. In Your Name, Amen.

Endurance

"Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul."
Psalm 119:175

A marathon runner doesn't start out running twenty-six miles. She has to start slow, remain consistent, and push herself a bit farther day by day. That's how endurance is built. The same is true in life. If what lies ahead seems overwhelming, don't panic thinking you need to tackle everything at once. Ask God to help you do what you can today. Then celebrate the progress you've made, rest, and repeat. Endurance only grows one day at a time.

Dear Lord, give me the endurance to keep going even when I don't feel like it. In Your Name, Amen.

Everyday Joy

Even More

Close your eyes for a moment...

Think of the wildest dream.

The biggest hope.

The more you long for.

And then open your heart to this...
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory." Ephesians 3:20-21


You can't out-dream, out-hope, out-do God.

And how does it happen?

Through his power within us.

Within you.

We want God to hand us what we want

He says instead, "Take my hand and watch what we can do together."

It may not be what we have in mind.

But it's guaranteed to blow our minds.

With goodness. With grace.

With more than we ever thought possible.

Are you ready?

Dear Lord, I am ready!! Show me what we are going to do together. In Your Name, Amen.

Fruitfulness

"[Jesus said,] 'Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me."
John 15:4

You may think you aren't accomplishing anything in your life. Perhaps you work at a dead-end job or a disability has left you feeling useless and alone. No matter what your circumstances, God has a plan for you, and that plan is not out of reach. As long as you are looking to Him, your life will be fruitful and fulfilling. That's His will, His promise, and His plan.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your will, Your promise and Your plan for my life. I can do all things through You. Help me to remember to keep my eyes on You. In Your Name, Amen.