The thoughts that kept me from getting to sleep weren’t the ones as a result of worry, concern, anger, regret, or sorrow; they were just thoughts; the type of thoughts that lead from one to another.
My usually standby didn’t work; reciting Isaiah 26:3:
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
It didn’t work because I didn’t allow it to work. My mind quickly returned to thinking about other things instead of reciting the verse over and over again until I peacefully fell asleep.
I don’t know if you are like me but sometimes I wish my mind had a switch that I could turn off, but if it did then I would die. Our mind keeps us alive, it keeps our bodies functioning. This thought brought to mind another passage; Psalm 46:10:
Be still, and know that I am God;
Okay, now that’s a brilliant idea, I told myself. So I stopped thinking about anything. That’s worked before. However, again I didn’t give it enough time to work.
I got out of bed, straightened the covers then slide back in rolling over to the other side. Still my mind wouldn’t shut off. Finally, I said out loud. “NO.” Thankfully BH didn’t wake up, but that worked. I could physically feel something instantly inside of my body shut off.
You see, over the past two years I have been practicing the word “NO” and as a result my body and even physical and material things now respond to the word “no.” When I start feeling pain in my knees I tell it “no” and the pain goes away. When I’m hungry and it’s not meal time, I tell my body “no” and the hunger goes away. When I start getting upset or angry I tell myself “no” and it goes away. When I feel sad, I tell myself “no” and the sadness leaves.
The word "no" has power in it when said with authority. We see that in our children. When spoken with authority they instantly respond. We see that in our spouses and other people too. So naturally it will work on us and everything around us.
God gave us power when we became born-again. Often we don’t know we have that power unless we read the bible. God gave us authority over this earth and everything in it and that includes our thoughts, our bodies… everything. We just need to understand that authority and use it.
How many times have you thought something that you didn't want to come true only to see it come to fruition? When those thoughts try to enter my mind, I now tell them "no" and whatever I was thinking doesn't happen.
Once I took that authority last night I feel peacefully asleep.
God didn’t create flu season, allergy season, or even cold season. Those are terms man made. The only seasons God created were winter, spring, summer and fall. All the other seasons you don’t need to participate in. It’s your choice.
I read this in one of the books I often read a paragraph or two from before I go to bed. “Signs follow what you believe.” If you believe cold season is approaching and expect to get a cold, then you will get what you believe. The same goes with allergies, the flu and whatever else you are believing; good or bad.
Start believing for what you want and stop believing for what you don’t want.
So just say “no” at those thoughts and you too will see your body, mind and that around you respond to the word “NO.”
Yesterday morning I read Isaiah 66:4:
"So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight."
Thankfully because of Jesus, today God doesn’t choose our delusions. However, we do by thinking more as the world thinks rather than the way the LORD thinks. When we do this we bring fear into our lives and allow it to take control of our thoughts. Our thoughts run amuck and lead from one to another, eventually blowing things out of proportion. Our thoughts are prayers. Fear is a prayer for something we don't want. Trusting God, by casting our cares over to Him to resolve, is also a prayer. Our fears have a way of coming true simply because it is a prayer that we are believing to come true.
Job said in Job 3:25:
For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.
I wish I had known this years ago. I would have let go of fear, anxiousness, worry, and stress. Not only do these negative behaviors bring about our worse fears but they take a toll on our bodies, our relationships and so many other areas of our life. In the end, it isn’t worth it.
God’s Word speaks to us. God loves us more and knows us better than even our parents, friends, spouses or siblings. His greatest desire is to help us. He actually wants us to have a wonderful life. He created this entire world for us with everything we will ever need.
He gave us His Word which shows us how to simplify life, reduce the problems, handle events out of our control to bring us happiness, contentment, and peace.
He is our Father. Think about what a good Father would do for His children. Then think about the capabilities of God. Unless you know God's Word, you will never know His capabilities. You will be confused as to what God is capable of doing and what He has empowered us to do. Too many people today blame God for things out of His control. Believe it or not, God doesn't have control over everything. He gave us free-will. He can't force us or anyone to do anything. But He will guide us out of a situation or comfort us with the truth in situations He doesn't have authority to handle.
The LORD has called each one of us. Some respond and some just ignore Him and it’s easy to identify who hasn’t answered or when we have ignored Him. We can tell when we haven't been focusing on God and have reverted back to spending too much time on what the world is saying since we become frustrated, worried, fearful or confused.
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight."
Evil is simply refusing to follow God’s guidelines and doing things our own way. This doesn’t delight God since He sees the train wreck that we are heading towards.
Jesus tells us in John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Paul wisely has instructed us in Philippians 4:6-9:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Everyone desires peace but few are willing to do what it takes to receive it. It’s so easy to have genuine peace. It's just a matter of getting sick and tired and determined to make the necessary changes.
Set aside all negative emotions and you will have peace. Allow God to handle your problems. Why should we handle them when He tells us over and over again in His Word to let Him do it. We were not created to handle them. We were not designed to handle them. That’s why we have fear, bitterness, unhappiness, stress, or worry. That's why our body breaks down. That's why we end up with diseases or illnesses that our body can't fight off.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Many years ago I found myself in a situation that I didn’t have the strength to handle. I had just heard several messages about turning things over to God to resolve so I put my trust in God and turned the situation over to Him confessing “LORD, I can’t handle this right now so I’m placing all of my trust in You to take care of it for me.” And He did. I did what I was capable of then allowed Him to take care of the rest. I didn’t worry. I wasn’t afraid. Then I jumped for joy at the result.
Since then I have continued to do it more and more. God has never let me down. Each time I turn something over to Him to resolve He has done it. No exceptions. It's just a matter of waiting patiently to see the results. If we only focus on the way we want God to resolve a problem we might miss the fact that He has resolved it or provided an alternative way for us to make it happen.
Today I even turn over small things to have Him resolve. This is His desire for my life.
Years ago we purchased some large black plastic storage containers to hold items we wanted protected and items we wanted to keep but no longer used such as keepsakes. They were stacked and in the way. We also have a storage closet with a door to hide the contents. I got this brilliant idea to place the storage containers in the closet to put them out of sight. I measured the closet and sure enough there was exactly enough space for them to fit. I easily slid each one inside stacking them one on top of the other. Then it happened. I wanted to retrieve some items that were stored in the bottom container so I easily removed the containers then removed the items and repacked the containers filling in the void where items were removed. When I tried to put them back in the closet they wouldn't fit. I tried every which way but they wouldn't go in. I knew they had to since I did it once. I became so frustrated I just stacked them back in their old place. Each time I saw them I would try again thinking I had a different mind set and now they would fit. I failed each time. BH even tired and told me it was impossible. A year past and they still sat there. One day I got fed up and turned the situation over to God. "God please direct my hands so that I can get them back in." And voila, they slid right back in just as easy as they did the first time. I giggled, laughed and thanked the LORD all day long. Today the situation still brings a smile as to how easily God handled the problem. God's greatest desire is to a part of our everyday life and make things easy for us.
Just like Adam and Eve in the garden, God desires the same for me and you; a worry, stress-free life enjoying walking with Him, talking to Him and discovering daily how great and marvelous He is.
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Last night I became for a moment overwhelmed by the events taking place in the world which often happens these days. Sadness often overtakes me with the hurt being done to God’s wonderful people knowing the heartache being caused by those who do not know God.
I realize through social media we are being exposed to the evils of this world more so than ever before. It can be overwhelming at times. It’s during these times that we must step back and put things into perspective.
Thankfully, God has a way of revealing the truth. The truth is being kept from us as well as all the good that is being done to stop those who wish to hurt us.
This morning’s scriptural reading caused me to smile. It’s remarkable how once I pray, God brings me the answers and this morning was no exceptions.
A portion of my reading included, Isaiah 39:1-41:16, Ephesians 1:1-23, Psalm 66: 1-20 and Proverbs 23-25-28.
Many verses in the reading spoke to me as a reminder of how great our God is. He has a way of keeping things in perspective so that I don’t remain overwhelmed by the events taking place in this world.
I was also reminded this morning about Pastor Sheriff’s message this past weekend about “Unload” when we’re Overloaded.
“With God” and “Only Believe” are also portions of scriptures which get me quickly through frustrating and difficult times.
The bottom line is that God has the answers to whatever we are going through. His greatest desire is to help us navigate this life so that we can live in joy and be happy. He wants for us what He wanted for Adam and Eve before Adam sinned. He is the same today as He was at the beginning of the world. The truths from the beginning are still the truths of today. With that said, it is vital that we hold on to these truths to keep us sane in a world that is ever increasingly become insane. I can count on the LORD since He never wavers or goes back on His word.
I belong to the kingdom of God, not the kingdoms in this world. My position in God’s kingdom, by accepting Jesus as my LORD and Savior, makes me an heir alongside Jesus. I couldn’t be in better company.
This life we live on earth is smaller in size than the tip of a needle compared to eternity. Once we realize this truth, it's easier to put things into perspective allowing us to place the cares out of our control in God's hands and ignoring the trivial matters that weigh so many people down.
God chose us to be born, navigate through this life by the rules He set, so that we can live for eternity with Him in His garden. In Heaven I won’t even remember these times so why should I dwell on them now.
Today I will focus on God and all the wonderful things that He has blessed me with and be thankful that He chose me to be with Him forever.
Below are some of the scriptures that spoke to me:
Isaiah 40:4
Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth;
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:9
O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"
Isaiah 40:17
All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.
Isaiah 40:23
He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.
Isaiah 40:28
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:1
"Keep silence before Me, O coastlands, And let the people renew their strength!
Isaiah 41:4
'I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.'
Isaiah 41:6
"Be of good courage!”
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Isaiah 41:13
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'
Ephesians 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:4-6
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:12
that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:13
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:18-21
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 1:22-23
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Psalm 66:2-3
Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, "How awesome are Your works!
Psalm 66:5
Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
Psalm 66:7
He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah (Selah means stop and meditate on this)
Psalm 66:16-17
Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.
Psalm 66:19
But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Psalm 66:20
Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!
Proverbs 23:26-28
My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.
For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well.
She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men.
Luke 18:27
But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
Mark 5:36
“Do not be afraid; only believe."
Wrong is wrong. Evil is evil. What was good years ago is still good. This world is being turned upside down and those who know what evil is, are now the victims and the targets because we know the truth.
Hitler at times, seems like a pussy cat compared to what is going on today, even in our country.
After I’ve been bombarded with news story after news story I have to turn to God. He is my only refuge at times like these. I have to remember that I am not God, He is.
I often wonder what my role is in these times. The only thing I know is to turn the situation over to God to handle when it is beyond my grasps. Pray for the victims and most of all, I cannot allow anyone to persuade me to their way of thinking. I must stand on the truth of what is good and what is evil through God’s Word.
I must do as God tells me to do. He didn’t place me on the earth to increase evil. He placed me here because He loves me and wants me to have a good life full of His goodness and mercy. Scripture after scripture instructs me how to live my life. All I can do is be an example to others, love them and show kindness.
I need to live my life as Jesus would have me live it. His word tells me not to worry, not to be afraid, and to have good courage. That’s hard enough through the conditioning the world would have me believe. I must live my life outside of this world even though I live in it. I can choose not to become like the world.
I never believed I would see the second coming of Jesus since I thought it wouldn’t be for another hundred years or more but each day I see the acceleration increasing towards the end. But that doesn’t worry me since my house is in order. My bags are packed so to speak ready for the journey that lies ahead.
Tonight I’ll grieve but tomorrow I will rejoice in the LORD and keep my mind on focused on Him allowing Hm to guide me in the direction He knows is best for me.
"It's time to pass on to you this key. It is a symbol of your ability to unlock any door on your path to happiness. It represents a golden key of opportunity and potential.
Choose wisely. You probably weren't aware of it, but this key has been with you all your life. You just haven't learned to use it yet.
Whatever you want to accomplish in your life, you have the key to do so. It is the same key that allows you to find happiness and fulfillment in this life. And with which you can bless others.
Always remember that this key is yours and yours alone. Whenever you find yourself blaming others for your circumstances, look at the key. It cannot be taken away from you. You alone decide, which doors to open and which paths to take.
This is the gift of your life and you alone hold the key to it."
(courtesy of the "Letter Writer")
