What Do You See:
Circumstance or Jesus?
I pray you had a blessed Thanksgiving Day! Mine was a most unusual one. Having moved to a new city and a brand new home I was far from those I love. I purposed to make this first holiday in my new location a special one. Thankfully, I was able to talk to my most cherished people that day. Although I missed them greatly, being able to hear the excitement of the day in their voices made all the difference for me.
The turkey I ordered came in the day before the big day so I rushed to the store to pick it up. At that late date I discovered it was not what I had ordered at all. Clearly it was too late to order another. So here I was without the proverbial Thanksgiving Day turkey on my first holiday in my new home. Not to be discouraged on such a trivial point, I decided to make it a vegetarian holiday with all the side dishes I had planned. I did have some turkey bacon so I cooked that for a bit of ‘holiday turkey smell’ in the house. Holiday saved!
Then Came the Flood
On Friday and Saturday I decorated for Christmas. Memories of Christmas’ past came alive with each decoration I touched. Things were progressing nicely. I decided to do laundry while I decorated. When the laundry tub emptied the entire drain system backed up into the master bath shower. The room flooded. I could not use any of the plumbing in my house.
Being new here and being a holiday weekend I prayed that I could get help quickly. God answered that prayer in record time. My neighbor offered help. A plumber was called and able to get the plumbing functional for now. Much work remains to be done to correct improper initial installation. But thankfully, by 11 pm that night all was put back in order. What a first holiday here!
What is Your Focus?
Throughout this whole week the word perspective kept coming up in my spirit. It became most relevant as the weekend progressed for me. As with each of us at times, I face challenges on many levels. Keeping eyes focused on the Lord is not always an easy task. Do you tend to get so wrapped up in what is going on in your situation that you fail to look to Him? He is the author and finisher of your faith. If you get caught up in circumstance you can easily get caught in fear. Fear takes you far away from faith that He has got you and your situation covered. Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
It is all a matter of perspective. If you look only at the plane of the earthly horizon you will miss the vertical blessings of the heavenly. Looking up to Him elevates your perspective above the mundane of what is happening around you. In the realm of all things will any of this really matter to you in a week, in a month, five years from now? If not, change your perspective to trusting that He will turn all around for good for you if you are called according to His purpose.
This weekend I focused on being thankful that I have a home, cherished memories of holidays long since passed and true friends though now at a distance. My perspective was one of thanksgiving rather than disappointment. I praised and worshiped God for who He is in my life.
Praise, Worship and Thank!
We live in a fallen world and much tribulation abounds in this season. Trials and people can steal your joy and peace quite easily. It is so important to continually lift yourself from the worldly plane and redirect your focus on Jesus. Maintain perspective! Praise, worship and thank Him no matter what you are dealing with in your life. Remember, the Kingdom of God is upside down from what you may do in the world. Who would think of praising, worshiping and being thankful in the midst of a storm? A blood-bought follower of Jesus Christ would pursue just this.
I am challenging myself daily to elevate my perspective. Although I am not where I would like to be, I am certainly not where I was even yesterday. The more you put praise, worship and thanksgiving into practice in your life, the stronger you will become. You will be less and less moved by what is happening around you. You will develop an eternal perspective that raises you far above your circumstance. Won’t you give it a try? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! No matter what the storm clouds around you may bring let your perspective be on the One Who is at the center walking you through each and every storm. My prayers are with you this week and always for victory in Jesus’ name!
Quotes To Ponder This Week
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Jesus, Matthew 11:28
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ~Jesus, John 16:33
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:10
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
“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
“Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have, for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” ~Hebrews 13:5
“Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” ~Revelation 21:5
“Let me tell thee, time is a very precious gift from God; so precious that it is only given to us moment by moment.” ~Amelia Barr
“After all, our problems lose their hold on us when we believe that God still makes the impossible possible.” ~O.S. Hawkins, the Jesus Code, 52 Scripture Questions Every Believer Should Answer, 2014
“A particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view:” ~Oxford Dictionary, Definition of Perspective
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our diplomatic corps, 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. May the Lord bless them and 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. We as Americans and the families of those murdered in Benghazi deserve to be told the truth. Pray that God will open doors to let the truth on all that has been hidden flow for all of us in this United States of America! The truth shall keep us free.
Pray for peace in Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for Christians throughout the world who face violence and death for their faith.
May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we 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. #Pray for America.
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to set us free. With You as our center, empower us to keep our eyes focused on You alone not looking to the left or to the right. Give us a heavenly perspective. Help us to walk in faith in step with Your divine will for our life. With humble and thankful hearts let us be a light for every darkened heart in this world. Great is Your faithfulness, oh God! We thank You that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.