Keeping Up!

You might think of times you had to keep with an older sibling or cousin. Think about how you tried to keep up in school or in gym class as a young teen. Of course we have tried to "Keep up with the Jones'" one time or another in our lives. When do we ever learn we are not in a race with any other but ourselves. Maybe we tumbled to that conclusion after much trial and error!

Then the golden years hit and you just want to keep up with your children and their children. Now that is a task! Or keep up with the day to day activities and planning and goings on in your life!

Whatever our reasoning may be to "Keeping UP" it is the flesh that causes us to strive in areas for our ego to be puffed up in one way or or another. In Philippians 3:8-9 tells us Paul to consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord for Christ's sake he has lost all things considering them trash so that he may be found in Christ. Paul goes on to say having righteousness of his own only comes from law (and may I add the World's competitive nature). Yet the righteousness found through faith in Christ gives us power of His resurrection! That power enables us to carry out our destiny designed by our heavenly Father.

Philippians 3: 13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Will we ever learn that in our Father's eyes there is no "Keeping UP". We run the race of one, setting our aim at the prize and running with confidence that He and He alone will accomplish every good deed within us.

As we live our lives, I suggest we cling to those things that are from above and let those other things fall to the wayside. Let us seek out Christian friends who are also in the race of one. Let us band together and encourage each other as we all walk this journey of life towards eternity.

Today I pray, Father guide me and lead me to those who are like minded and are walking the walk of Faith. Bring me to a clear understanding of my prize that is stored for me in Christ Jesus! Amen

I Have a Friend

Boy do I have a friend! When I am down my friend picks me up. My friend prays for my every need. He dispatches angles before me and sends the Holy Spirit to guide my every move. I have a friend who supplies all my needs and gives me strength when I am weak. In time of trouble my friend supplies a shelter in the cleft of the rock. My friend sends wisdom when I am dumbfounded and discernment when I find myself in a quandary.

Today I look around and see His handy work in my life and within me. By His spirit I know I am free. I can walk in confidence knowing He will always be there. He has given me His authority and power to use for His glory.

My friend is the best ever. He even sends me others to confide in and walk out my faith journey with. I am so grateful for what He has supplied me. Now I have people in many states I can call on in a moment. They are friends that honor me and I honor them. For in Christ we walk as brothers and sisters, reaching for the goal He has set before us all. No matter where we travel, I can feel at home. What a family of friends my Lord Jesus has supplied.

Proverbs 18:24
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)

Today we take stock in who you are to us, for us, and within us, Jesus. You are our all in all. Heavenly King and beloved, You are the lover of our souls!

In Love

Do you remember when that special someone came into your life? You jJust couldn't get enough of them; right? There was constant communication and you were never lost for words. You couldn't wait for that intimate embrace in the honeymoon suite. Every chance you got you were trying to surprise him with a treat of sorts.

How about when it came to all your friends? You just couldn't wait to show him off, telling them all about his dynamic talents and attributes. What a catch I have; what a treasure!

Yeah, when we are in love with that special someone we cannot help but boast about him, share our excitement, and have others experience for themselves that unique relationship you have with him-a relationship that could only have been made in heaven.

I must confess that I am frustrated that I do not see many boasting about Jesus. They say they love Him and yet do not talk about what He has done for them or how wonderful He is just being who He is. If you confess that you are a Christian and you never boast about Jesus or share about your treasured relationship with Him; it is time to sit back and ask yourself this question. "Am I truly going to heaven to spend the rest of eternity with my Savior?"

Luke 9: 26-27
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." (ASB)

"Lord I pray that my heart melts and my eyes, ears, and my mind are open to Your everlasting, perfect love. Help me Lord to crave Your Word and a relationship that will change me and grows me into the bride you expect me to be! Amen"

Saving for a Rainy Day

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

"Save for a rainy day" my dad told me. Have you ever made some creative meal with leftovers? Or do you have a veggie garden and learning to can and freeze so you can have fresh veggies all winter? Some learn to knit and sew so they can have nice new clothing to wear. Or you may be like me and have a friend cut your hair or be like my husband who cuts his own hair. These are just some ways we can save for a rainy day. It does not always have to do with putting money into a savings account at the bank.

We all have gifts and talents; with some of us those gifts and talents are very obvious while with others they may be subtle. Who would think that gardening and freezing and canning would save money? Or for that matter how about hand-me-down clothing and homemade dresses?

Save for a rainy day in the spirit. You may not think you are saving for a rainy day when you read the Word, or while you are enjoying some Christian music, or listening to a Christian speaker. Maybe just hanging around some Christian friends will do it for you. Maybe you think that doing a Bible study is the way to save for a rainy day. The fact of the matter is that they are all ways to build up your spirit man so you will be able to fight the wiles of the enemy.

It is in all we do, think, and ponder that adds to our transformation journey. So when you awake in the morning, consider those small things you may do that saves for a rainy day. Because when trouble strikes you will be prepared; that song will pop into your head or that scripture verse will come to remembrance and protect you from some wrong.