Do Not Love The World

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

One of my favorite verses. Why? 

Because whenever I feel as if I have failed or not seen progress, I remember in this verse that God has provided everything I need. The world only provides ways to self preservation of desires. But because I follow a Great God I can have peace and know that my life is under His mighty hand and all I have to do is let go of the world and let God take control as He leads and guides me through the Holy Spirit.

I have seen a lot of famous people (including pastors) during my lifetime stumble & fall because of their desire to please themselves and make themselves like a god. Many have fallen prey to pride and seek it out like their food. Many may proclaim God but they still are their own gods, putting themselves in the limelight to get even more attention. Sadly their fate is sealed if they do not see that their ways are not pleasing to God. 

There’s always hope in Jesus Christ!

So what do I do when I get caught up in the world? I pray and ask God to help me remember who is in charge of my life, because if I was, I would surely be a walking mess. If I give it over to Jesus, I can live free and be in peace. I can love others and be a light for others in their dark place, because Christ loves us, even with all our messy parts. Not for what we do for Him but because He shows us grace which we do not deserve.

I pray your heart is changed today and that you are moved to know Jesus more. 

He is only a prayer away!

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

God Directs Us To A Better Route

I usually don’t share my dreams but this one I needed to share with you and it really got t me thinking about how God directs our lives.

I was riding on a very tall horse through the woods and I knew the presence of my husband also riding a horse behind me, I rode up to a steep cliff, almost falling but stopped. I looked to my left and there was a better route, so I turned the horse easily to go through a path lined with trees and I looked to my right  there was a shorter leap for the horse to the way down, I rallied the horse, and got him ready to jump. We circled big and took slight run and we made it! Then the dream ended. 

But it had me thinking.

When life’s circumstances get you to the “edge” there is always a better route, one that isn’t so complicated as we sometimes make things into. When you follow Christ there are no easy routes but ways that God can guide you through.

People walk in and out of our lives and we don’t understand why, we are detained in a job or a life “holding pattern” for reasons we could not possibly understand. Maybe it’s a position at work or promotion you have been waiting for and a daunting year by year process with no progress made. But don’t let the things that hold you hostage determine your route- just take a better one as God leads you along.

Just possibly when things don’t go the way you have  the option of two routes-be upset, angry, anxiety filled , frustrated or you can be looking to God to see that all of this is His master plan for you. You may think- “If that’s God’s master plan, it sure isn’t a good one!” But you see the hardest places are where we must stop, pray & look to Him to open our minds for  a change in the circumstances we are facing. He may be keeping us there for a long term reason of strengthening, growing and teaching you patience and sometimes even opening your heart to someone who may be unloveable or needs your love. 

We just can’t know or understand God’s plan, but it’s always a better route!

I think of King David, when anointed to be a King at a young age, do you think he knew he had to wait 16 years to be the King of Israel, he fled from King Saul ’s jealously of trying to kill him, talk about being frustrated? But David was a man after God’s own heart and waited for him to direct him to a better route. David trusted God as even in David’s darkest moments he turned to His Father in Heaven in prayer. Each day was a challenge, but he fully depended on God’s plan and direction.

Do you seek God’s master plan for your life and circumstances?

Or 

Do you remain bitter, frustrated and give up on things because what you thought you should have gotten didn’t happen?

Matthew 7:8

 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Let it go to Him.

Shalom

Nancy

http://www.harvestmetro.com

Hope When There Is No Hope

Have you been struggling with many different circumstances that you just have no answer for. Well you are not alone in this, there is hope when you think there is no hope.

God sees your heart and knows what is going on so don’t worry about what isn’t or is happening, allow Him to guide you through the darkest of days.

There is hope that tomorrow will be a s better day for you. What you are going through will not last.

We can only see what our eyes tell us, but it is what is unseen that we hope for and as we pray and have faith that God will show you the way, it is then that we can find the solution to what is wrong. When you are finding such things are happening to you, maybe it’s time to step back and wait for God to show you what to do. For He is in control, not us.

Be kind to people who frustrate you, be gracious to those who are not fair and be hopeful for all that God promises you. He will not leave you or forsake you, it is He who guides your path and makes a way. Now you must do your part and believe that He will.

Jesus tells us in John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Shalom
Nancy
The Christian Writer