Are You On The Bottom Of The Sea? #26

Jonah 1:6 How can you sleep at a time like this? Get up and pray.

Ever feel like Jonah? The only way to describe your current situation is: “I am in a mess.” Jonah found himself in the belly of a big fish. That was certainly a mess. He got there because he was running from God. My advice to Jonah and to you: stop running from God. You cannot get away.

The second thing Jonah had to do was to accept responsibility for the mess he was in at that moment. Not always, but often the problem you are encountering is selfmade and self-perpetuated. Accept responsibility and do something about it.

Third, look to God. He is the only way out. Jonah saw that living at the bottom of the sea in a fish’s stomach was not the way to find abundant life. Maybe you need to come to the conclusion that you really need God. I believe God might even allow you to be ‘on the bottom of the sea’ in order to wake you up to your need for God Himself. Reach out to God right now. He is there waiting for you to come to Him.

I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.

God Is On Our Side #25

Ever feel insecure? Sure you have. All of us do. Certain situations in life lend themselves to our feelings of being unloved and uncared for. It is during those moments when you may feel insecure. I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul to the Roman church that gave them courage when insecurity knocked at their door. Maybe his words will help you.

Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect?
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height,
nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NAS)

Sounds like you are pretty secure if you are in Christ. God does love you and cares for you. No need to ever feel insecure. People will let you down, but God never will.

I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.

Who Do You Look Like? #24

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (NAS)

PBPWMGINFWMY Please be patient God is not finished with me yet. You are still a work in progress. God is at work in your life to make you Christ-like. He will use people, experience, things, struggles, and whatever is necessary to accomplish His purpose in you. God is in control of your maturity. The finished product will look and act like Jesus.

That means that whatever you face today God will not panic or be surprised, but will ahead of time know the purpose and accomplish it. You can also be confident that God’s grace is sufficient to see you through whatever it may be. He loves you and cares for you. He will give you the strength needed to match the challenge. God never promised a life void of tribulation. In fact He did promise that “through many tribulations you will enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22 He also promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.

I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus

Make Wise Choices #23

You may remember the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) who took his inheritance early, left home, squandered it on all the wrong things, discovered himself in a pigpen eating slop, and decided to repent and go back home to his father. Of course the story is of sin and its damage and the way back to God through repentance and faith.

The other person in this story is the elder brother who was at home all the time and was terribly upset by the father’s acceptance of the younger, rebellious son who had returned. Three things that can destroy your life even when you are in the presence of the Father exemplified in the life of the elder brother are anger, a negative complaining attitude, and an inability to let go. You may struggle with these kinds of feelings.

First, let me suggest that you choose to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32
32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (NAS)

Forgiveness is a choice to not take into consideration what has happened in the past or existing in the present. The only reason to not forgive is vengeance and that is God’s job.

Secondly, a negative critical attitude never gave anyone a fulfilling life. You are admonished in Philippians 4:8 after a list of positive comments: to “dwell on these things.” What you think about and toward people determines how you feel, not how they feel.

Lastly, let it go. The elder brother couldn’t let go of the situation. He was angry and negative because he was unwilling to let the past go. You may be bound today in something from the past. Forgive, be positive and let it go. It is not worth destroying your own life no matter what happened in the past.

I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.