Feeling Courageous Yet?

I have to write about courage again today... over the past months I've needed a lot of that and felt like I had so little. I also realized in looking through my posts, that it seemed to me that I write a lot about courage. I think it takes a lot of it to live this life and that I admire it in others. People who have the courage to use their gifts and talents  to help, serve, lead, speak up, create beauty, heal; in ways too numerous to mention but they're all important and vital to our being.   If you're low on courage too, remember that our courage comes from above. God not only uses the courageous, He uses the quiet and broken and meek. Look at Moses, who I so often can relate to - he felt so inadequate, God made Moses just the way He wanted him; a perfect person to lead with just the perfect gifts to do the job He wanted, but Moses felt so inadequate. No doubt, Moses was beating himself up over past failures instead of looking at possibilities available with heavenly help.  How is your courage meter today?

Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Wherever You Go...

Joshua 1:9 

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 There are things in life we all have to go through that are hard. There are some things that one can really go through  with us - no one but God. Whether it be physical pain, loss of a loved one, an operating room, or struggles in the workplace we are never alone. Isn't this verse a great comfort?

 I remember when I was having my neck surgery I began to get very nervous laying on the table all alone waiting for my trip to surgery and I began to feel very panicky. This nurse came looked at me and saw I was upset and said, "Don't worry, you won't be there all alone. God's going to be in there with us."  That was just what I needed to hear! Don't be afraid - Be Brave - Wherever you are God is there too!

You're a Friend of God!

John 15:13.Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14. Ye are my friends, If ye do whatsoever I command you.

Friends can encourage and help us through tough times. If you've ever had a close friend you know what a blessing he/she can be in your life. Today, as I read this verse "Ye are my friends"  really touch me - have you really considered that? God considers us His friends! I've thought about the father/daughter relationship but never fully considered how wonderful it is to be a friend of God and how much He wants to be our friend. We can be best friends with an almighty God!   I hope you keep in close contact with your friend -I bet He's waiting to hear how your day went.
Now, that's a friendship to brag about! CC

Be Still

Psalms 46:10

 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

 Sometimes life just doesn't go the way we have planned. In spite of our best efforts, in spite of our fruitless attempts at planning for the future and avoiding heartache - things fall apart. Bad news, emergencies, moments of crisis, our health fails - whatever the disaster -God isn't surprised. In my moment of bad news this week: "Be still and know that I am God" immediately came to mind. We may not always understand the things we will go through but  be still and know that God is with you and will help you through it. God bless you and whatever you are going through it isn't too big for God. Have a Great Day!

Be strong and of Good Courage

Deuteronomy 31:6   Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

 Philippians 1:6      Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 

 I hope the week ahead brings you days full of love, peace and joy. I hope that you'll not have a moment of frustration, fear, loneliness, regret, or insecurity about the tasks ahead. Judging by the previous weeks I've faced, I'm sure to face many, if not all - plus a few more- of those. Life and the troubles at hand can seem overwhelming if we don't take the time to read and pray. Reading just a few scriptures can be just what I need sometimes to give me the confidence and assurance to get through my day, or through a difficult task. 

The two verses above are two that I am going to take with me all week.  I love that  Deuteronomy 31:6 begins with a command to BE STRONG and of GOOD COURAGE! We can be strong because the Lord is the One who is with us. There is no better help than He! He will NEVER leave us!  It's amazing how easy it is to lose sight of that - to lose that courage - to lose our strength - to lose our confidence. I know because I do it too.  This week let's claim these verses as reminders because God isn't finished with us - He has begun a good work in you too! Have a great week! CC

You Are So Loved!

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

^{Romans 37} Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

February 14th is a day to celebrate love.... maybe you feel very loved on this day - or maybe this day finds you feeling unloved on the whole earth...Consider for a moment God's love for you. God is someone who loves you so much that he gave His only son to die a terrible death for you - so that you would be able to come and live with him in heaven someday. God is someone that loves you so much that nothing  (there will never be anything strong enough, high enough, wide enough, in life or death) can ever separate you from His love. You will never do anything that will make Him not love you. He may not always like the things you do because He knows those aren't good things for you but He will always love you!  He will always hear you and help you - you are more than a conqueror through Him. He's never too busy for you either. Now, that's a love worth celebrating! I pray you will feel surrounded by God's love today because you are precious to Him. Have a great day. CC

God Will Make a Way

Isaiah 43:19 

¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

 Don Moen writer of the song, "God Will Make a Way" shares that Isaiah 43:19 is his life verse on You Tube. He tells how after losing his nephew in a car crash he searched for a way to comfort his family and wrote the song. 

Oh God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way...
He will make a way

Whatever you may going through - whatever you may face today - God will  even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert for you too! God will make a way! No problem is too small - Casting ALL your cares upon Him for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. Have a great day! CC

Help for Daily Life

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This is one of my favorite verses and one that we can remind ourselves of often in our daily lives. If we are anxious about something and fearful about what may happen we can remind ourselves that doesn't come from God - He has given us a spirit of power.  If we feeling lonesome, neglected, or feeling outcast, that doesn't come from God - He has given us a spirit of love. If we are feeling confused, unclear, and unsettled, that doesn't come from God - He has given us a sound mind.  Grab onto this verse and claim it for your life - God will answer your prayer - He promises He will.  What's your favorite "go to" verse?
Have a great day! CC

A Winning Team

Psalms 118
6 The Lord is on my side: I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

 Do you remember PE class? Standing and waiting to be picked for a team? I was never very good at sports so I was usually left standing watching others more capable quickly get called. A person was quickly judged on ability and athletic appearances as captains tried to assemble a winning team. Thankfully, those days are over.  These verses in Psalms remind us that with God on our team we will always win!

  David in verse 6 must be thinking about his opposition and he knows that with God on his side his enemies don't stand a chance! He doesn't even have to worry because God will work out things for him and help him for his good (v. 7) even with his enemies. No one else can ever do that for us! We don't have to put our trust in man who can make mistakes but in God who is the most trustworthy and can truly help us! I hope you are God's winning team! If not, why not ask Him if you can join today?
Have a great day! CC

Words of Faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.


11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a reward of them that diligently seek him.

 Moved any mountains lately? I haven't either...yet doesn't the bible say if we had faith the grain of a mustard seed we could do that (Matthew 17:20)?? I believe it is the measure of my faith that really determines how joyful, confident and secure in Christ I live my life.

I have a little dog that likes to sleep right behind me on my office chair while I am working. I am not sure why but he stays right there with me until I get up; sometimes I forget he's there but I can always turn around and there he is. We can always be assured that God is with us too - Prov. 18:24 says He's closer than a brother. Our faith can be renewed that He is there by reading his word and seeking him.

We can live with faith and pray with faith - not based on anything we see - not based on anything we do - but based on everything HE is and did for us! Have a great day! CC

Seeking Peace

^{Psalms 34:14} Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. 

For me I feel like this verse is straight forward and direct. I like the "bottom line" approach when I do my work - just tell me what I need to know and do and I will do it. However, while it is direct - it is also multi-dimensional.
The command to stay away from evil or sin, is followed up with you should also do good things. The second part the command to seek peace is followed with you should live a daily life to keep peace.

For me, I think the hardest part of that verse is the second part. Peace is hard to come by and  even more difficult to keep sometimes, isn't it? Worry, anxiety, frustrations, anger, hurt, loneliness, sickness, finances, and so many troubles can rob us of our peace.  But this verse reminds us we have to seek peace and pursue it. That takes action on our part.  Won't you join me in trying to actively seeking peace in turning over our troubles and anxiety to the only one who truly can help us? God is good and ready to help! Have a great day!
CC

Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Becareful little mouth what you say....

Psalm 34:13¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
         And your lips from speaking deceit.

 Do you remember that little Sunday School song: "Be careful Little Mouth What You Say"? Our mouths can sure get us in trouble. Psalms 91:11 tells us though that He sends angels to watch over us to help us and keep us going in the right path!! That's another one of the amazing things about being a child of God! We have heavenly help anytime we need it. He is always ready to help us and equip us with the necessary tools to get the job done.

I don't know about you but I sure feel like I could use a host of angels not only to hold my tongue from evil.... but to give me the right words to say some days!   God is good! Have a great a day! CC

Anxious Much?

Philippians 4:6 
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

 If there is one thing I am really good at -it's worrying.  I worry about my kids, my husband, myself, my family, my job - their  health,  - well, you name it...there's no end to the list of things of silly things I can imagine. Maybe you don't do that - and I wish I didn't.  I have to work hard at not letting my imagination get carried away. I have to remind myself that God doesn't want us to live with anxiety and fear. He wants us to hear our worries - there's nothing He can't do to help us - just like Philippians reminds us we just need to ask.
A great reminder isn't it?
Have a great day!
CC

Encouragement!

 He loves the righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 33:5

Charles Stanley writes about God's goodness: it always seeks to encourage and lift up rather than tear down or condemn... God knows the times you struggle, and He longs to pour out His encouragement and hope over your life.. Nothing is strong enough to deter His help when you call to Him.

That's just what I needed to hear after a couple of difficult days. I hope it helps you too. Have a great day!
CC

Isaiah 43

 Isaiah 43 ¹But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

 ²When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 43:25 “ I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. 

 I hope you will take some time to read through Isaiah 43. What wonderful promises and reassurances we have there there :  Fear not; I will be with thee; thou art mine; thou wast precious in my sight; you are my servant whom I have chosen; I will not remember your sins! Nothing is stronger than His love for his and he never remembers what we do wrong, to hold it against us later. Once you confess it - He forgets it! That's quite amazing, isn't it?  Have a great day! CC

 

     

Do Unto Others

 ^{Luke 6:31}And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 ^{Matthew 7:12}Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Can you imagine how different our world and lives would be if we would all live by these verses? What do you think?

A Balanced Life

Proverbs 11:1 A False balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

 I constantly struggle with maintaining proper balance in my life, do you? Maybe everyone has at  least one area in his/her life that tends to get out of balance. For some it may be spending, shopping, TV, gaming, internet, etc.  I don't know - I probably struggle with most of those at sometime - throw in there reading too much too -  but I most often tend to let work consume too many hours and too many thoughts in my day. After all, I tell myself we have financial obligations so I need to do a good job; but the truth is I just put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself. I know God has a perfect plan for us and part of that plan is to be happy. When I don't follow that plan and make choices that aren't good for me I won't as happy I could be. The truth is balance takes work; balance happens on purpose by making good choices - the right choices. Proverbs is full of advice of making good choices for our lives.
Do you struggle to maintain a balanced life too? What will do this year to keep balance in your life? What are your favorite tips?

 CC

Who Am I?

Exodus 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

 4:1 Moses answered and said, But behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither theretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue. 


For those of you unfamiliar with the story of Moses' calling, he was a keeping a watch on his father-in-laws flock of sheep when he had a visitor. An angel appeared to him in a burning bush. Once God had his attention, He called to him and told him to take his shoes off because he was on holy ground. God then told him he had seen the affliction of his people and wanted to deliver them and send Moses so that he could deliver his people out of Egypt.
 In the verses of above Moses is explaining to the God of the Universe - who created all things- including Moses himself,  why God isn't good at making decisions. You see, Moses thinks he's just a lowly Shepard, they won't listen to him, he can't talk right, he would never think of anything to say... God tries to tell him that HE would be with him and HE would teach him what to say. Moses asks him to send someone else and God gets angry at Moses but He doesn't change his mind he sends him Aaron as a spokesperson.

Do you and Moses have a lot in common? I do... maybe we all do the same things to God a lot more than we realize. We don't like the way He made us look, the gifts He gave us, the life He gives us, the task before us.  I have to admit that I think Moses and I must be the same personality types.  If God showed up in a burning bush, if I didn't try to talk him out of it - I'd blast him with 50 questions and He'd be angry with me too. I struggle with feeling like Moses all the time.  However, this I know-- it's not about what I can do, or what I can't do, but it is about what He CAN do and that's important here. He is ready and able to help us face whatever we will need to accomplish today. It's not about who I am or who you are - it's about who HE is.
Have a great day today!
 CC

A New Year - 2012

I sure didn't keep up my posts for the year. I pretty much quit half way through the year. I have plenty of excuses and none of them very impressive nor worthy of posting. However, I had convinced of myself of the fact that no one would really miss these little posts of mine anyway and that no one really reads them. I am not sure of the truth in that but this is what I think; I am sure Satan wants me to quit. I like doing them though; just on the chance they may be a blessing to someone - or lift someone up someday.  So, instead of beating myself up for not doing these like I had planned - I am just going to start over. That's what a New Year is all about... Fresh Starts... Trying again... Hope for success...  and I know God is never giving up on me or you! He's always ready to help us whatever the task ahead. and  He is always thinking good things about us! Have a wonderful New Year!

Jeremiah 29: 11 - 13
 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
 ¹²Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
 ¹³And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.