Happy New Year!

The Priority of Focus

As you study the Bible, you begin to discover that God has some things He considers very important -- things that should become priorities as we begin a new year.

One of the things that God considers most important is focus. In fact, the priority of focus is absolutely crucial if you are to be the wise man or woman you want to be. Why?

Because understanding the priority of focus can keep you from pursuing the trivial and unimportant.

A great example of a proper focus is found in Deuteronomy 4:9, where it says...

"Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'"

God wants you to remember your encounters with Him. He's saying, "Take heed to yourself and guard your soul lest you forget the things your eyes have seen.

When you remember and rehearse what God has done for you in the past, it will keep you free from depression and it will keep you in faith. It will keep the door open for God to do things in your present circumstance and situation.

So today, take time to focus on what God has done for you in the past. Count your blessings.

When you do this on a consistent basis, you will be able to move forward with great confidence and faith, remembering what God has done for you... and what He can accomplish in your life again.

Happy New Year!

An Article by Bayless Conley

Don't Worry

Today I have a simple but important word for you directly from God’s Word: Don't worry.

1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us,

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Jesus said, "Don't take an anxious thought for tomorrow. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." When we worry about tomorrow, we pull tomorrow's clouds over today's sunshine.

I have shared many times in my ministry about the incredible truth of Jesus' command, "Do not worry about tomorrow." It is like we have this 24-hour fuse. We are wired up to deal with the stresses of life one day at a time.

If you worry about tomorrow today, you are putting a 48-hour load on a 24-hour fuse, and something is going to give somewhere.

Some people don't just worry about tomorrow, they worry about next week and next month. No wonder the fuse is blowing!

You see, what the mind cannot contain, it will impose upon the body. If your health is breaking down, worry may just be the problem. The Bible says to cast all of your care, the whole of your care, all your anxieties, on Him, once and for all.

Roll your burden on the Lord. The Bible says be anxious for nothing. And that means nothing. Do not worry about your children, do not worry about your money, do not worry about your future, do not worry about anything.

Your Heavenly Father does care for you, and it is His good pleasure to give you the Kingdom

Peace Through Prayer

"God's peace... will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

The worrisome heart pays a high price for doing so. Worry comes from the Greek word that means "to divide the mind". Anxiety splits us right down the middle, creating a double minded thinking. Rather than take away tomorrow's trouble, worry voids todays, strength. Perception is divided, distorting your vision. Strength is divided, wasting your energy. Who can afford to lose power?
But how can we stop doing so? Paul offers a two-pronged answer. God's part and our part. Our part includes prayer and gratitude. "Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks" (Philippians 4:6, emphasis mine).
God's part? "and God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

From Come Thirsty

I Asked God

I Asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations
It isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all of the things I might enjoy in life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE OTHERS, as much as he loves me.
God said... Ahhh, FINALLY YOU HAVE THE IDEA!

Let Your will be done in my life

I was reading Matthew 6:10 and the devotional notes in my bible. I thought i might share what ps Lucado writes with you, readers
To pray that God's will be done is to seek the heart of God. The word will means 'strong desire"... so what is HIS heart? His passion? He wants us to know it. Shall God hide from us what he is going to do? Apparently not, for he has goe to great lengths to reveal his will to us. Could he have done more than send his Son to lead us? Could he have done more than give his Word to teach us? Could he have done mote than send his Son to lead us? Could he have done more than give his Word to teach us? Could he have done more than orchestrate events to awakens us? Could he have done more than send his Holy Spirit to counsel us?
God is not the God of confusion, and wherever he sees seekers with confused hearts you can bet your sweet December that he will do whatever it takes to help them see his will.