Are You Afraid?

What Would Jesus Say to this Fig Bush? (Photo credit: Old Shoe Woman)

Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
⁷ They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

      We certainly get more than enough bad news if we watch television, listen to the radio, read the newspaper, or wherever it may be that we get updates on what's going on around us in the world.  When it's not the natural events, it's the woes that humans bring upon themselves.  If what's happening in the world doesn't kill us first, it's possible the stress of worry will.

        It can be so difficult not to be upset about things.  When the threats are far away they don't seem so bad, but when they get closer to home we may begin to get more concerned.   But let's face it, sometimes there's not much you can do about the bad things.   We have this life to live and we need to make the best with what we have while we have it.

         Our lives are short by the standards of the history of the world.  These troubles that we may be facing now will not always be with us.   Get your peace where real peace of mind and spirit dwells.  Give your heart into the heart of God.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

New International Version (NIV)

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Real Love ( #atozchallenge )

God the Father 01 (Photo credit: Waiting For The Word)

       Have you experienced real love in your life?   Can you give real honest to goodness love to another person?   I guess we can call this unconditional love.  We probably most associate this with our love for our children or perhaps even our spouses.   But sometimes we can be pushed to certain limits where we might question that love.  How far would you have to be pushed before you started questioning the unconditional love that you thought you might have had?

       Think about God's love for us.  Throughout the ages God has given humans so many second chances and what did they do with God's love for them?   Rejected it.   God has faced more rejection than any one person ever has.   To think that He has given us everything including our very lives and so many continue to reject Him.  Why?

        If you think that God has put conditions on His love for us, perhaps you should consider this more thoughtfully.  He has laid everything right before you.   God's children are the ones who have established the conditions.  We can accept or reject Him.   We have two choices in the end.  If we accept then we will be in God's presence for eternity.

        God shows us real love.   Can we love Him back?

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please click on the above tab labeled Take the Next Step. 

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Quiet Places ( #atozchallenge )

Meditation (Photo credit: Moyan_Brenn)
Copyright by Moyan Brenn

        Previous posts have brought up things like prayer and meditation, but sometimes it seems so difficult to be able to tune ones mind into these modes.  How can we pray and meditate when so much is going around us?  It's a busy noisy world!

        Jesus went into places like gardens, desert places, and the wilderness to be alone in silence.  Once Jesus began his ministry he was nearly always surrounded by others and the Bible tells us of various instances where Jesus would retreat by himself or with the apostles to get away to a solitary place to pray.

         Most of us are not surrounded by crowds like Jesus was, but still we have many distractions that interfere with our communication time with God and our time to reflect on His Word.  Quiet surroundings make for better mediation and study opportunities.   Silent solitude helps one to focus on communing with the Lord.

         Find your quiet places where you can make your retreat to restore your mind, body, and spirit.  Turn off the televisions and radios.  Shut down the computer for a while.  Find a room in your house, a place in your yard, or a peaceful spot in a park.  You may even have to create your own metaphorical quiet place in your own mind where you shut out everything around and focus on God.

          If God has something He needs to tell you then you need to be able to hear His still small voice.  You can hear much better in the quiet places away from the distractions of the world.

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step. 

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Prayer ( #atozchallenge )

The Lord's Prayer (1886-1896) from the series The Life of Christ, Brooklyn Museum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

   
     Prayer is our direct line of communication to God.  If you need help, answers, or comfort, you can talk to God in prayer and let him know what's on your mind or what it is that you need.   You should approach God with humility and use the prayer model that suits you best.

         There are different prayer models that you can use, but Jesus said it best in what we know as "The Lord's Prayer" ( Matthew 6:9–13).   Prayer can be broken down into the following components:

1. Praise--We should begin by acknowledging God's power and sovereignty.  He is Lord and in His power he is capable being able to grant that for which we pray.
2. Expressing gratitude for his love and all that he provides us.
3. Asking Him to provide what we need now for ourselves and others.
4. Confessing our sinfulness with contrition.
5. Entreating God for his mercy upon us.

          Praying in this way will help bring us peace of mind and blessings in our lives.   Prayer should never become just empty ritual or half-hearted obligation.  This should be the quality time when you let God know how you feel and what your needs are.   God will be listening.

          Prayer should equal peace.  Your peace of mind.  Your peace of body.  Your peace with the world around you.   But most of all your peace with God

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step. 

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Obedience ( #atozchallenge )

Franciscan Allegories: Allegory of Obedience (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

      If you are a parent you want obedience from your children, not to restrict their freedom, but to keep them safe and bring order in your family.  Obedience is not a bad thing or a negative thing.  On the contrary obedience is necessary and expected.  We all have to obey the laws of the city, state, and country where we live.

      Many reject the Bible as a book with too many rules to follow.  Yet some of these same people would think it outlandish if a sporting event were played without rules.  Without laws and rules the world would be chaotic and we'd never get anything done.  In fact we'd be living in a very unsafe place.

       If you have a problem thinking in terms of laws or rules, let's think in terms of the Bible providing God's guidelines to give you a better life.  Sure, it seems like there are long lists of rules in the Bible, but these guidelines are there to help us.  Jesus simplified things when he told us that the greatest laws were to love God first and then each other.  If we focus on these ideals, then everything else begins to fall into place fairly naturally.

       Obeying the law is not what provides our salvation.   We are saved by God's grace if we choose to accept it.   Once we have accepted the Lord and begin to live by faith. obedience becomes a part of the way we live and the way we want to be.   We obey because we love.

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step. 

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New You ( #atozchallenge )

One step at a time. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

        Have you ever been discouraged about your life or unhappy with the way things have turned out for you?  Perhaps you are now.   Maybe you wish you could just start over.  Well, I have Good News for you.  You can start over with a brand new you.

         People sometimes get confused by the term "born again".  Jesus often spoke using metaphors and parables.  When he said "born again" he was not referring to a literal rebirth of the body, but a renewal of the mind and spirit.   Becoming a follower of Christ involves a life change and becoming as though you were a new person.

        Many of you have probably experienced a time when you felt renewed in putting an old undesirable self behind you and committing yourself to new behavior.  This might involve getting rid of a bad habit like drug abuse, losing excessive weight, or even getting more education to help you get a better job.  Positive life change can involve many things that can make you feel different and new.

        When you renew your mind and spirit you become like a new you.   Are you ready to make your life better?

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step. 

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Meditation (#atozchallenge)

Bible studies at Capernwray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

       Who has time to think about God or read the Bible?   We are busy people with things to do!   We may have jobs to go to, school classes to attend, or work around the house.   Then there are activities for our kids or for us.  Let's not forget time for exercise, shopping, or eating out.  And to give us a break from all of those things we need time for the recreational activities like reading, watching television, or going to the movies.  Life is short so why fill it up with little God things?

         Yes we are busy people in a busy world.  Our schedules are filled with activities and we don't have available time to fit in much of anything else.  Or do we?  What is really important in the long run?  When we think of things that are important to us at the present time we can probably see that a lot of them won't mean anything five, ten, or twenty years from now.  Think of what you were doing ten years ago.  Which things do you remember?  What is still important to you now?

         We don't need to give up living, but we should think about adding those few little things that might enhance living and even help us to live longer.  None of us could go without eating or sleeping.  These are activities necessary to survival.  Likewise sometimes the body and mind need a break from the world around us.  And I mean something besides escapist reading or blankly staring at a television set.

        Try a few minutes of contemplating God and creation.   Read a bit of the Bible.  Start with five minutes a day and see how this works for you.  Surely you can spare five minutes.  Turn off everything for those five minutes and direct your mind solely on the things of God.   You don't even have to believe in God or the Bible.  Just try it for a week or two to see what happens.  If you are giving it an honest shot then I believe you will see a difference in the way you feel and think.

        Are you willing to do this?  I hope so.  At least for that trial period.  Time is our greatest asset.  Do you spend your time wisely?

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step. 

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