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Peace of Mind

Posted on June 16, 2014 ·

picture peace of god

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7

 

We live in a difficult age. We are constantly bombarded by the news on our iphones, ipads and tv – bad news usually. We hear about the economy, wars and talk of wars in various places. Newspapers are full of articles about accidents, injuries, crimes and more. These anxious making bits of information can shake us up and make us anxious. We know that that is not the Lord’s best for us.

 Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit gives us some practical ways of dealing with worries and stresses. First He tells us to rejoice. Be glad. We are heaven bound, all our sins have been washed away and we stand in a close and loving relationship with the Lord.

 He tells us to be considerate of others in our lives. Being kind and thoughtful to others is a peaceful thing to do.

 Paul tells us to tell the Lord what we need. Yes, He knows everything, but like a loving father likes it when his children trust him enough to ask for what they need. He likes us to tell Him what we need. No games. Just honest talk with Him.

  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Faith and Trust, Peace, Uncategorized ·
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Why is This Happening to Me?

Posted on May 26, 2014 ·

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blog picture joseph and brothersBut don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. -Genesis 45:5 (NLT)

I remember having a new job as a Director of Nursing of a Health Department. I  I had applied just to see if I could compete. I had never had a job as any type of supervisor. I was shocked when I got the job. Eighteen months later, my boss decided to give my job to a friend and I was out. I had never lost a job in my life!

A few weeks later I got a job as a Manager to a Health Care visitation service. Five months later I was fired! What? Why? I thought I had been doing a good job, but there I was out of a job again.

I was in shock. I had three children to support.

I went to the Lord in prayer. A month later I and my children were 1300 miles away in our new home. I had a better paying new job and a good future. Five years later I met my husband – a great and loving Christian man who is also a great dad to my children.

But what if I had not lost those jobs? I might still be up in New York and would never have met my wonderful husband. I am thankful that I lost those jobs!

Notice what Joseph says to his brothers. “It was God who sent me here to preserve your lives.” The Lord had a plan and a purpose. Even though Joseph went though difficult times the Lord got him through and blessed him.

I am so thankful that the Lord is in control and that I don’t have to worry when difficult times come. I just trust Him.

Jesus is Lord!

Filed Under: Faith and Trust, Hope, Peace, prayer, Uncategorized ·
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It’s a Matter of Give and Take

Posted on May 12, 2014 ·

blog picture woman hurt feelings

 

 

13)Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13(NLT)

 

Offence: to cause (a person or group) to feel hurt, angry, or upset by something said or done.

 

I was thinking about “giving offence and taking offence” this last week. This is probably the easiest tool that Satan has for dividing the Body of Christ. It can effectively eliminate harmony and peace between people who have been told they must “Love one another” – if we let it.

We can all give offence. Let’s face it, an unguarded word or look can speak volumes to a sensitive person. Sometimes we can offend without even knowing we are doing it. Sometimes even a Christian can deliberately do or say something to hurt another Christian. Sadly, I have seen many “offended” people leave a church because their feelings were hurt by another Christian. We can more easily forgive a non-believer than a brother or sister in the Lord. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Forgiveness, Obedience, Peace, prayer, Uncategorized, Victory ·
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A Place Just for You

Posted on May 5, 2014 ·

960041_763046300375859_1610115485_n[1]14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b]3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going. John 14:1-4.

My husband and I were getting our rental condo ready for the family members on their way for a visit. We carefully planned for each person’s comfort and enjoyment. We had painted, bought new furniture and appliances and had put up artwork that we thought would be a blessing to them. We had a wonderful time preparing for our coming loved ones. As I was working, I remembered that the Lord is doing this for each and every one of us that trust in Him.

He is truly preparing a place for us. He knows our tastes and likes. He knows what colors we prefer. He knows what makes us happy. He is anticipating our arrival with joy and happiness. He is looking forward to having us there. He is personally going to come and get us so we can always be there where He is.

As the day of my family’s arrival draws near I am filled with happy anticipation. So is He.

Jesus is Lord!

 

Filed Under: Heaven, Hope, Peace, Uncategorized ·
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Something to Think About

Posted on January 17, 2014 ·

blog picture baby wtih cakeFor the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Philippians 4:8

 

Have you ever found yourself remembering a painful moment in life and in your mind adding in things you should have or could have said at the time? How about mulling over what someone at work said to you? Or at school today? Or worries about things that have not happened? These thoughts can make us feel angry, hurt, and sad or rejected or fearful.

 

Paul in his letter to the Philippians addressed this common problem. Led by the Holy Spirit, he advises us to replace these unpleasant and useless thoughts with thoughts about things that are true. When I start thinking about some worrisome thing I ask my self if it true? For example I was going on a plane flight. Thoughts of plane crashes started to pepper my mind. So then I had to ask myself, “Are my thoughts about me being in a plane crash true?” The answer was “No”. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Peace, Uncategorized, Word of God ·
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Putting on the Mind of Christ

Posted on September 23, 2013 ·

Corinthians 2:16 4, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s Spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us”.

love and light

Flickr image by James Jordan

One of the side effects of the Fall of Man was that we were cut off from the life of God. Adam and Eve enjoyed fellow-shipping with the Lord every day. It must have been great to walk with the Lord in the cool of the evening, to talk with Him and enjoy His company. But after the fall, the light went out.

The good news is that after we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, the light in us is restored. It is life and the presence of the Lord in us. That is wonderful. But… even though we have the Lord in us guiding and helping us, our minds are still programmed with the old things we learned and most of it is non Christian. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Obedience, Peace · Tagged: , ,
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