THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY

Wow! Have you ever stopped to think about the long way from which God has brought you concerning your attitude and outlook on life? I can remember how fear gripped me at the mention of anything negative. That was then, but not now.

I asked the question because of recent worries many people have regarding soaring gas prices. I hear the concern in the voice of others when they talk about it. I can see fear in their eyes. I've read news articles and heard news reports which state gas prices could reach $5 or more by this summer. Ouch! But, I'm not worried. A new reporter mentioned rising gas prices could put the U.S. back in a recession. Still, I'm not worried. I wasn't worried about the prior recession and I'm not worried about another possible recession. Whoa. Wait a minute. Another recession? I didn’t know we were out of a recession. Oh well. That's a topic for another day.

Maybe you’re thinking I have reason to worry. In the past, those type of news reports would have caused me to go into a tailspin. But not now. I'll tell you the reason I'm not worried. My Father will take care of me. God will take care of my every need. Why should I worry when I have a Provider? Besides, worrying does not benefit me at all. Neither will it benefit you.

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV

Be blessed.

YES, JESUS LOVES ME

It is Valentine's Day. This day is a happy day for some and for others, it is just another reminder of that special someone who has not come into your life yet. I am the first to admit I did not care too much for this day in the past. I did not dread it or anything, but it served as a reminder that another year passed and my lifetime companion had yet to arrive. Well, that way of thinking had to change. This day is a blessing just like all other days the Lord gives to us. Let me just tell you why.

We have the love of someone who does not care if we are bald, wear a pony tail or some other fancy do. He loves us pencil thin or thick. He loves us when we make a mistake or when we do not make a mistake. He does not remind us of the not so good things done in the past, but wants us to live in the present and press on living an abundant life. You see, He does not love us one minute and then fall out of love with us the next. His love is not fickle. He paid the ultimate price for us. Jesus loves me. Jesus loves you. Yes, He loves us. There is no greater love than the love Jesus has for us. You do not need a box of chocolates, roses, or anything else to be reminded of His love on this day.

I am not knocking the hype of today because love is a beautiful thing. But, it does not have to be only about the love of a significant other. I am celebrating my love with Jesus, the love I share with family and friends, and the love for strangers. To those of you who hide out, get depressed, or hate to see this day come, instead of dwelling on whom you do not have, be grateful and dwell on the love of those you do have. Most of all, just bask in joy knowing Jesus loves you. Just say to yourself, "Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me."

⁹ “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:9-17 NKJV

Be blessed.

GOD HAS A REASON

It has taken longer than usual for me to post this week. I did not I forget, but I think I made myself busy because I did not feel anything to blog about. I started an entry a day or two ago, but it just did not come together. That is okay. I know when the Lord gives me something, it is not a struggle for me to write. I guess that post will have to wait for another day. What I feel so deeply in my spirit right now is the following: God has a reason. I hope this post encourages you just as much as it encourages me. It will not be lengthy, but straight to the point.

You might be questioning yourself about why things are not happening for you in the time you hoped. God is not operating on your time and He is in no rush just because you are rushing Him in your prayers. God has a reason for the delay. Maybe you never imagined being at "this place" in your life, but here you are. God has a reason for placing you right where you happen to be.

Maybe one day God will reveal the reason or maybe you will never know. What you can be certain of is God has a reason for everything He does, how He does it, and when He does it. God's plan is far greater and better than any plan you can design or come up with for yourself.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

Be blessed.

YOU'VE GOT GIFTS. USE THEM.

"For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48 NKJV    

This scripture has come up many times lately and it has been heavy on my mind. The Lord has many ways of speaking and the fact that this scripture is weighing heavy on me, I know He is speaking to me. It took me a few days to finally get started on this entry. I would love to say it is because God directed me to other projects, but I cannot form my lips to utter such words. If I did, I would be guilty of lying. The truth is, I know once I posted this blog entry, I am held accountable to the words contained in it. There is now written proof each of my readers can bring back to my remembrance when I stray away from what God has called me to do.

If you research Luke 12:48, you will find different meanings of this scripture. Some say it is regarding finances while others state the scripture refers to spiritual gifts and talents. I am not blogging to start a debate about the subject of Luke 12:48, but only to share what has been placed in my spirit and what it means for me. 

God has blessed us with talents and gifts that we should use. The use of these gifts is not for you, but for others. You see, you will benefit from what God has given to you also, but it is all about kingdom building. When we do not use our God-given gifts and talents, we deprive others. I think once one realizes this, it becomes easier to focus on Jesus and operate in our gifts. 

We are responsible and held accountable for the gifts God has given us. We are expected our gifts for God's glory. God has been dealing with me about this because I know my talents and gifts should be at another level. A higher level. As a matter of fact, conviction has fallen on me because I know much has been given to me, which means much more is required of me. God has given each of us gifts and it is up to each one of us to use and develop these gifts. Use them or lose them. 

¹⁴ “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:14:30 NKJV

I acknowledge I have not always used my gifts and talents as I should, but that changes today. I recognize much has been given to me and I will do what is required of me. Will you do the same?

Be blessed.