A Renewed Journey

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Today I embark upon a new journey that will take me to greater destinations. Happiness is no longer distant but it starts right now. I manifest. Everything that is promised to me, is coming to pass.

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Why Worry?

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Everyone worries, but do we need to? In this powerful passage, Jesus uses illustrations from nature to answer this question. Have you ever seen birds store food in barns? Or have you seen lilies work to clothe themselves? If you have, it may be time to worry, because this shows that God no longer cares about his creation. But the good news is, you haven’t seen lilies struggle to dress themselves or watched birds plant, harvest, and stockpile food. And if God cares for them, how much more will he provide for us?

It’s easy to let useless worries and “what ifs” consume our thoughts and crowd out our confidence in God as provider. But Jesus says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Jesus tells us to place our focus on eternal things rather than temporal needs.

So why worry? God is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. He knows our needs, and we can trust Him to provide. That frees us to think about building his kingdom rather than fretting about concerns. Let’s allow the worry-free birds and flowers to remind us of God’s constant provision.

Lord Jesus, remove my worries and keep me focused on your kingdom and your righteousness. You know my needs and will provide. Thank you. Amen.

Questions: Give some illustrations from the Bible where God talks about the fact that we need not worry. What is generally the result of worry?

Facts about Fruit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."(Galatians 5:22-23) (NIV)

-by Rick Warren

One of my fondest memories of growing up is my father's garden. It seemed my dad grew everything in his garden. In fact, he always grew enough to feed the entire neighborhood. Whenever people would stop by our home for a visit, they'd usually leave with a sack full of fresh vegetables and luscious fruit.

The kind of fruit my father grew is just one kind of fruit – natural fruit. There is also biological fruit, the offspring of animals and the children of people.

Then there is spiritual fruit, and that's what God is talking about in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (NIV)

The question is: How do we develop these character qualities? Obviously, God doesn't just zap us one day and suddenly these qualities materialize in our lives. He uses a process that involves a partnership with us and also the time to grow.

It requires partnership. The apostle Paul describes this partnership in Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV), where he says "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," but then he also says, "for it is God who works in you …."

It's important to note that Paul doesn't say, "Work for your salvation." The Bible clearly teaches we don't have to work for our salvation. It is a free gift of God's grace.

In a sense, Paul is talking about a spiritual workout, just like when you physically work out to develop or tone muscles. We're to make the most of what we've been given. God provides the power for our spiritual growth, but we must flip the switch.

It requires time. It takes time for fruit to ripen, and in the same way, there's no such thing as instant spiritual maturity. When you try to rush fruit, it doesn't taste as good. If you've ever eaten tomatoes that have been artificially ripened to speed up the process, then you know there's no comparing them to the wonderful taste of naturally, vine-ripened tomatoes. It takes time for fruit to ripen, and it takes time for spiritual fruit to ripen in your life.

You can begin by telling God right now that you want to be a productive, fruitful disciple, one who cooperates with his plan.

Ask God to use his Word to change the way you think. Invite the Holy Spirit to have free rein in your life. Don't hold anything back. Ask God to help you respond to difficult people and unpleasant situations just as Jesus would. God wants to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life, so partner with God on your spiritual growth and watch what develops over time.

Question: How can you make time, either personally on your own or with your church, to work with God in growing spiritual fruit?

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Life Transitions

"Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition, if we
could only realize it. To stay with that shakiness - to stay with a broken heart,
with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge
- that is the path of true awakening. Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the
knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic - this is the spiritual
path."
- Pema Chodron

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Going Through Changes

One thing that I have noticed lately is 'change'. A change in environment, a change in direction, a change in attitude, a change in priorities, and a change in tolerance. Change can indeed be an uncomfortable thing; however it is needed to bring out the best in each person.

Change reminds us that to come out refined you have to go through the fire.

**I am grateful for my present because now is where I live and now is where I love. I rejoice in every moment that God has given me, and I take great delight in all the changes life brings. God made life a never ending journey of change and growth. Don’t fear it. Embrace it, rejoice in it, and be grateful for it. It is all beautiful. It all can work for greater happiness, love, and goodness if we let it. Life’s changes never stop but neither does life’s joy.**

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Darkness before the Dawn
Written by Helen Lescheid
June 2, 2010

In the Bible a new day begins with evening. In the creation account in Genesis we read: “and there was evening and there was morning, one day.”

When God wants to take us into a new day (a new experience), he begins with darkness. He leads us into a period of confusion, pain and disappointment. Take, for example, Joseph. God had told him he would be ruling one day. Instead, we find him in an Egyptian prison wrongly accused. Forgotten by family and friends and even by the cupbearer whom he had helped. Where was God in all this? He was preparing Joseph for his “new day” experience. In God’s perfect plan and timing, Joseph did reign over Egypt. God’s promise was realized.

Can you relate to this process? I can.

Since my teens, I’ve had a deep desire to reach others with God’s message of hope and salvation. I wanted to be a good Christian – a good testimony.

Instead, God led me through a dark, confusing time when it seemed that I was losing everything I valued – even my credibility as a Christian.

Still, in the midst of it all, I had a deep knowledge that God was in it. “This suffering is measured,” I seemed to hear him saying. “It has meaning not just for you, but for others as well.”

Now looking back, I can honestly say, “It was the best thing that happened to me.” Because of this night-time experience, I can now connect to people in a more compassionate way. The pat answers are gone. In no time at all, people want to share their hearts with me. Christian and non-Christian alike. Love and empathy fills my heart for them – I want to hear what they have to say, I want to know them because I truly care.

Perhaps, you’re going through a night-time experience right now. Be encouraged. It will end and you will experience the excitement of “a new day” when your deepest longings will be realized.

Lord, I want to have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones; and when I have accomplished my daily task, I want to go to sleep in peace, knowing that you are awake.

Question: What are some examples of people who experienced periods of darkness in their lives yet through the grace of God were able to not just make it through, but excel? What can we learn from their experiences?