What Are You Looking At?

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)

Are your bills overwhelming and all you see are the late notices? Is your body so sick all you think about is how bad you feel? Are the kids rebelling and all you want to do is scream? Well, it’s time to stop looking at the problems and focus on what God’s Word says. It doesn’t mean we’re to ignore the problem. I know, easier said than done. But if we’re to have victory over the circumstances and problems in life, we’ll have to take a stand and fight. To do that, we need to take God at His word and believe in his promise more than how deep in debt we might be or how sick we are.
That means we’re going to have to first find out what God’s promise is for us in any circumstance we may encounter. Then, meditate and speak it out. That way, we get our minds and eyes focused on what God says and not what the circumstances are trying to tell us. And the circumstances will always try to convince us we’re never going to get out of debt, or we’ll always be sick or even will kill us, or the kids will never change. If we continue to look at the problem, we are only setting ourselves up to let them win. However, the good news is God tells us we don’t have to be broke anymore and we don’t have to be sick.

So, what are you looking at today?

Jolie - A Sweet Dog

I’m not sure what it is that draws us humans to such an endearing relationship with our pets, but once we’re caught in the wave of emotions throughout the life with our pet, when it’s time for us to make the decision to put them to sleep, we fall apart. Today, I had to take our little Lhasa-poo girl, and have her put to sleep. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I had a choice of either dropping her off and let the vets do what vets do, or choose to stay with her during the heart-wrenching procedure – for me, not her. Even though it broke my heart, I’m glad I stayed. Our family will miss her, but we all knew it was time for her to go. She was a sweet puppy and gave us over 15 years of fun, entertainment, love, and affection. It was a great 15 years. We will miss you Jolie. Thanks for being such a great little puppy.

Pruned to Grow

If you’ve ever gardened, there may have been times you had to prune a tree or two; or even thousands. Why? Because when you prune (cut back or cut off), you are removing branches that are stealing the food, nutrients and water from the other branches. If you don’t cut them off, they will prevent the other branches from developing to their fullest potential.

So it is with us, there are things (branches) that will crop up and begin to grow in our lives that are stealing the potential of those areas that need to grow spiritually. If we don’t allow God to prune us by His word, we will not be able to develop to our fullest potential. What things you may ask need to be pruned? Instead of making out a list of Do’s and Don’ts, I will give a few examples. It may be something as simple as what we’re watching on TV, or the amount of time spent watching it. Or, how we treat others on the job, home, school or church. Are we spending time to pray, or are we allowing things to steal that time from us?

How, you may ask, are we pruned? We’re pruned with God’s Word. As we read and study the Bible, God will show us areas that need to be adjusted or even cut off. Warning, you should never feel condemned when God shows you something in your life he wants trimmed or cut off. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:1, “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ”.

Today, as you read your Bible, ask the Lord to show you what may be sapping away the abundant life He wants for you. As you do, you’ll grow stronger and produce fruit in your lives that others will see. When they see that fruit, I’m sure they’ll one day ask you about your life, and you will have the greatest opportunity to tell them about the Master Gardener Himself, God Almighty. So, go forth and be pruned today.

Thanks For What?

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. (I Thessalonians 5:18, Amp.)

It’s so easy to say thanks when all our needs are met, kids are serving the Lord, marriage is heaven on earth, we have more friends than the house could hold for a summer BBQ, and the job is going great. Why is it so hard then to thank God when from out of nowhere, we or a family member gets really sick, or we end up owing on our taxes when we thought we’d get a huge refund, or one of the kids flunk a class.

One reason is we focus on the problem rather than the ‘problem solver’. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we won’t have any more problems in our lives. Jesus forewarned us about that, “In the world we have trials, tribulation, distress and frustration.” Now, if that were where he ended His statement I’d say we are in big trouble. However, he continues, “but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

The other reason is we haven’t made it a lifestyle to be thankful as it tells us in our key verse. No matter what the circumstances are – good or bad – we’re to thank God. We’re to have a thankful attitude. Now, let me say we’re not to thank God for the circumstances. Rather, we’re to thank Him for the answer he’s given us in His Word to overcome each and every trial, tribulation, distress and frustration we’re confronted with.

So, starting today, whether or not it’s a good one or not, take time throughout your day to thank God. Don’t know what to thank him for? Start off by thanking Him for Jesus. When you do that, you’ll be doing the will of God and heading in the right direction to victory.