Blessed

Photo Credit Casie Steele

Blessed

It may not seem like it. There are all kinds of issues to deal with and even more to be concerned about. The news is going from bad to worse to the point where you just shut out that noise and pray. Every day presents another challenge, hiccup, problem or setback. Still, no matter the picture or details of what you are dealing with, you are blessed. 

To start with, if you are reading or having this read to you, you are alive. God loves you and created you to be the one and only you there will ever be in all eternity! You are one of a kind, unique, special and His very own child. 

You may not have everything in life that you want or dreamed, but no matter the situation you have your Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. You have the promise of eternity and in this place the promise of His mercy and grace. Through Him you can do all things. You are blessed.

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, your wallet, and some spare change you are among the top 8% of the world's wealth. If you woke up with more health than illness you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive the week. 

Yes, YOU are BLESSED.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Life's Seasons

Photo credit Alyce Kennedy

School started this week in many neighborhoods. It seems that children learn better with a shorter summer break so they return to school earlier than years ago. Gone are the days of an entire summer off with the once dreaded Tuesday after Labor Day first day of school.It seems strange and sort of illogical to have children going to school in the hottest monh of the summer. The days are long with lots of daylight savings time but it's bedtime none the less. 

Summer now seems shorter. Even retail stores fall season items have managed to appear on the shelves. Christmas won't be far behind. The seasons are upon us faster and faster. It's like summer with a smidgen of fall or fall with a bit of winter. 

Life's seasons seem to be slipping by much quicker as well.  Apparently the older you become the faster time ticks away (or so it seems). Perhaps that is because are lives are so busy and filled with distractions. It may have been many seasons ago when you first came to know the Lord. Perhaps you were a child or teen. It doesn't matter though. The Lord loves you just the same no matter the season of the year or season of your life. You are His creation and He loves watching you move from season to season rooted in Him. See, the world changes and the seasons change but God remains the same no matter what.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:2

Restore

Lately it's been a time of focus on restoration. Home improvement, sprucing things up, and repairs. It may have been the result of pretty much solely watching TV channels that have things to do with home remodeling and do it yourself project. There are also TV selections where individuals purchase homes that are uninhabitable and totally restore them. Really incredible to see the before and after comparison. It's pretty unbelievable what can be accomplished with a bit of imagination and care.

House restoration is amazing but what is truly miraculous is the transformation that occurs when someone gives their life to Jesus Christ. They may be down and out, addicted, troubled, homeless, jobless, and even hopeless. No matter the condition of their heart and soul, Jesus is the Great Restorer. He transformers people and makes them new again. 

Perhaps you are reading this and know exactly what I am referring to. You may have been restored and transformed from a life of sin and emptiness to one of joy and grace through Christ. It could also be that you are reading this and do not know the Lord or you may know someone that doesn't know the Lord and you long to bring that person to the Lord. Whatever the situation, Jesus Christ is right where you are. He is not out of reach or inaccessible. He wants to know you and the people in your life that don't know Him. Won't you be the one that leads them on their way to restoration and brand new life in Christ? 

Cry out to Jesus, pray and ask Him into your life. Not sure about the way to do that? 

Here is a link that you can reference or send someone to http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/ God bless you in your journey with the Lord.

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 

Acts 3:19-21

PEACE

Peace. It's desired and prayed for but for many impossible to attain.  Peace is defined as a freedom from disturbance, war or violence. Further it is noted to be tranquility and quiet. Quiet and stillness are often difficult to attain let alone peace. Still, we all long to have this state of being for ourselves and those we care about. 

Peace starts with you. Your thoughts, actions and word either align with peace or are counter to it. The way you interact with others, including those closest to you, reveals the degree of peace in your life. Yes, it can be difficult to find peace or quiet even in your own home, still it's important to strive for peace every day.

The Bible has much to say about peace. Read these scripture and keep them close at hand to encourage you as you seek and pray for peace:

 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.. Galatians 5:22

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.  
Psalm 119:165

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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

Peace be with you!

Balance

Isn't it incredible how balanced God's design is? He created day opposite night, north and south, moon and sun, oceans and land, spring and winter. The contrast and way that balance is woven into every aspect of creation is really quite remarkable. It is although God is pointing to us to realize that there is a purpose and need for change in life. Even so, God's creation unfolds in an orderly way that demonstrates how important balance in our lives really is.

Often you can become out of balance. There are aspects of life's journey that pull and push you into one direction or the other. It is very easy to become consumed or so focused that you lose your sense of where you were headed or why you are even there. You can regain your purpose and restore yourself to true north when you stop and set your eyes on Jesus. No matter the matter, He knows the way and has the power to set you back on the right path. Don't try resetting your life on your own. Balance and restoring balance are God's specialty. He will provide the words, thoughts, circumstances and people you need to right things again. Pray. Seek Him and be open to His hand upon your life as balance is restored.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8