Don't Take it Back

Photo by Groovypat

One of the main reasons I order from Amazon is if I am not satisfied with the merchandise, I can simply send it back. Taking things back is an easy process. There are no questions asked and no return fee.

This works great for Amazon but not for God. You may have surrendered a problem or need to him and decided you will handle it on your own. Or you may have become impatient with waiting on God and think you need to step in and help him out. That's taking it back!

When you take something back from God, it demonstrates a lack of faith and trust. Do you think you are more powerful than God or have more knowledge? That's absurd. God is beyond capable of addressing any need you have and orchestrating the perfect solution.

The next time you hand over an issue, or a loved one, to the care of God remember, the Creator of the Universe knows what he is doing. You don't need to be God's project manager. He has been managing the entire universe way longer that you have been alive. Don't give into doubt and fear. God, has it covered. You just need to trust him and be still.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 

Victorious in Christ

You know the story of David and Goliath. It’s a miraculous Bible story showcasing the way God uses the most unassuming and seemingly unprepared individual. That’s God! He knows all about the heart of people and their potential once their heart is set on him. 

You have your own Goliath story whether you realize it or not. There is someone or something you are up against that only God working in you can overcome.  A second cup of coffee won’t add clarity for how to tackle the problem head on. No, you don’t need advice from your friend, or a pep talk from your husband to plan a strategy. What you need is to bring the matter to God and hear what he has to say. He may say “be still” or “just let it go”. He could ask “why are you worried?” or “why is your faith so lacking?”. Whatever he says, trust God for exactly what is needed. You see, God has you covered, and he won’t let you down. Just like David, you will be victorious in Christ. 

"All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; 

for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 17:47

Welcome to 2025

Is this the year that Jesus will return? Only the Father knows, and still I wonder if it will be. If it is, are you ready? Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior and asked Him into your life? We don’t know the day or time. We can’t see into the future. All we know is the One who created time and that we can trust Him.

  

No matter whether it’s this year or another, our responsibility is to follow Jesus, share the Gospel, and love no matter what. Be present. Don’t be distracted. Pay attention. You were  not created for an intermittent relationship with the Most High. You were created to focus and be aligned in fullness with God. In this way, you will experience all you are intended to know and be for the purposes of the Kingdom. Set down your disbelief and skepticism. Know the truth and live in such a way that all who meet you will get a glimpse of Christ 

 

So, celebrate the New Year and embrace the future. Love, worship, pray and remain in Jesus. There you will find comfort in all the days ahead will hold. You are not alone. God sees you. He is walking into 2025 beside you smiling at the masterpiece you are.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Just Believing

 

Autumn provides a great opportunity for reflection on the thoughtfulness, love, and order of God. Autumn is a living testimony to the fact that God knows exactly what He is doing. It’s a time for you to recognize the power and provision of the Lord. The harvest is rich with color and abundance of the season. What a perfect plan God established. Summer blends into autumn. The result is a variety of flavorful and colorful fruits and vegetables hand made by God for your pleasure. The weather is cooler, the sky clearer, and the air crisper. It is all by perfect design of the LORD.

 

Jesus Christ is on the throne. His purposes and plans prevail. You may encounter times when it is difficult to believe this, but God will always find a way to remind you. He is in charge. He reigns over everything including the change of seasons and your life. No one can prevent Him from unfolding His plans for your life. Your blessings already have your name on them! Believe that Jesus has your best interest at hand. Believe that His way is the answer. Believe that He loves you and desires to be close to you. Seeing is believing. When you open the eyes of your heart you will see Jesus at work in your life. 

 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Cross Culture

Imagine the scene. The cross where Jesus was crucified the day following the event. The bible points us to the emptied tomb to communicate the truth that Jesus Christ has risen. There is no mention of what became of the cross.  In today's culture, there would be photos of the cross captured and spread on every news channel and across social media. Christ's cross likely would have been divided up and sold on Ebay or at a live auction.  In a way this is really occurring, as the cross has become a frequently depicted symbol of pop culture, often taken for granted and without reverence to Jesus Christ. It is found on tee shirts, car decals, jewelry and even tattoos.

In the time of Jesus, the cross represented death. For Christians today the cross represents life. Still, in our culture it has lost its significance and true meaning. If the apostle Paul were alive today, what would he find regarding the cross? It is likely that Paul would not find many examples of people wearing or displaying crosses that have died to the world and are living for Christ. Rather, they are living for the world and have little understanding about the significance, power and glory of the cross of Christ. 

What about you? Do you take for granted the truth and meaning of the cross? Are you placing emphasis on the cross as a fashion statement or are you making a statement about the power of the cross through Jesus Christ? 

  "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14