May You Walk in His Peace
From This Day Forward
The first month of each year offers so much hope as we look to the year ahead. Some of us are glad to see the previous year end. Some look ahead with trepidation. Some look forward with joy. It is interesting to observe how many different approaches there can be to standing on the threshold of the gift of another year.
Our only real guarantee of time is this very minute. We know not the day or hour we will be called home. So how do you choose to spend this moment and every other moment you are alive? Are you thankful for what you have? I do not necessarily mean material wealth and ‘things’ but rather the people, your abilities, the potential to grow and learn? Or, are you in a constant state of complaining to yourself and others about even the simplest things?
Be Careful What You Let In!
Several months ago I brought new plants into my house and a brand of potting soil I had never used before. I happily re-potted the plants as I had done all of my adult life seemingly without any issues. After a few weeks I noticed little gnats similar to fruit flies all over the house. They multiplied overnight. Imagine little bugs everywhere. They settled in water glasses and seemed to always find their way in front of my face. They had entered in the soil. Needless to say I was not at all impressed. In all my years of having indoor plants I had never even heard of these little critters let alone had to deal with them. I searched the internet for a fix as they multiplied. It surely seemed reminiscent of the locust plague in the Old Testament albeit on a much smaller scale.
I could not help but think of how one negative thought can morph into a swarm of negativity in the mind. That swarm can ultimately cloud your vision and drown any hope within your heart.
Joy is quenched and peace is a thing of the past. Discouragement veils the ability to see what is good.
Angst settles in as you struggle to handle life issues on your own. Without God and without a close relationship with Him, human efforts can be futile and leave you frustrated and riddled with anxiety.
There Is Help!
If you are at unrest about something or someone in your life take this time to seek the Lord’s help. His promise is to never leave you or forsake you. That promise is for every single aspect of your life. He even knows the number of hairs on your head. Think about that! If He is that aware of you He surely can lead you in His very best for you. The key is to be open to His lead.
I think at times we all would like a clearly written note from God explaining step by step the actions we should take. Even if that were feasible would we follow the steps or try to analyze and explore options that perhaps He failed to consider? Too much thinking can be like a swarm of gnats that can so divert your attention that you can miss what God has right in front of you.
I was able to eliminate the gnats but not without some effort. You can eliminate negative thinking but it does require effort. It is done one thought at a time before that one thought becomes a throng. Transforming your way of thinking from what may be a generational pattern requires the help of the Holy Spirit. You cannot do it in your own strength.
Take Action Today!
Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened. Ask, seek and knock are all action words. Take action today to seek Him and redirect your thinking for the coming year. Rather than becoming overwhelmed with an annual resolution take one thought at a time for that is really all you have for sure. As your mind clears His peace will settle gently and it will surely surpass all understanding. Just as my peace plant now flourishes sans gnats, so may your mind be renewed and your walk be in His peace from this day forward!
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Jesus, Matthew 5:16
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” ~Jesus, Matthew 7:7
“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.” ~Jesus, John 14:27
“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” ~Jesus, Luke 12:7
“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.” ~Deuteronomy 31:6
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” ~Romans 12:2
“…bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” ~2 Corinthians 10:5
“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.” ~Philippians 4:6-7
“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.” ~Philippians 4:8
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives.
God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May the Lord keep them safe. Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi and for safety in Israel. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we may arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history.
We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father we thank You that You hold us in the palm of Your hand. You know our coming and our going. You care enough to know the very number of hairs on our head. Your faithfulness is beyond measure and Your grace carries us through each moment. We thank You for Holy Spirit empowerment to ever renew our minds to Kingdom thinking to bring Your Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. Teach us and guide us to ever be Your light in this darkened world. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and amen.