Sometimes I have to remind myself to focus on the NOW. It’s easy to get caught up with what we want to be happening in the future.
Our future arrives as we take one step after another. The choices we make NOW mold & shape the future we hope for…
It’s time to turn the page! God has so much more ahead for you!
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
As time goes on, I observe my hair turning gray and wrinkles appearing deeper and more pronounced. My eyesight has dimmed and my body has changed. Yes, outwardly there is a “wasting away.” Time does indeed affect our physical bodies.
BUT, we are told to not “lose heart” – to not get discouraged. Even as our physical bodies may let us down, our spirit is not getting weaker, it is getting stronger as we are being renewed day by day! Hallelujah!!
As we go through challenges and troubles, the Lord reminds us that in and through them we are receiving an eternal glory that outweighs them all!
So, I won’t focus on the changes of getting older. I won’t focus on COVID-19. I won’t focus on all the turmoil that is raging around us. I will remind myself that all that I see is temporary.
Brothers & Sisters! May we not focus on the problems, but focus on the SOLUTIONS. When we pray, may we not bring a list of everything that is wrong to the Lord, but may we seek His vision, plan, and purpose and join Him in praying that!! God knows what we need in our lives. God knows what we need in the world. As we seek Him, and move our focus from the seen to that which is unseen – we will be focusing on the eternal!!
Oh God!! We join You in speaking Your will, plan, and vision for our lives, our church, and our world. Help us, Lord, to get our eyes off of the problems and onto YOU! We join You in the midst of it all! We want to be a part of the solution that You want to bring to a hurting world. Speak to us, Lord! We are ready to be Your hands, feet, and mouth. Pour through us and touch this world for Your glory! In Jesus’ Name. Amen! ~Tina K. Roach
Without counsel plans fail, but with advisors they succeed. Proverbs 15:22
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 ESV
God does not expect us to figure things out by ourselves. As we travel this road of life, there are choices and decisions that must be made, plans that need to be fulfilled.
It is okay and even to our benefit to seek out the counsel of others. But, it is important to be aware of whose counsel we listen to. In Psalms we are reminded that we should not walk in the counsel of the wicked, but delight in the law of the Lord.
We are told in Proverbs that with many advisors our plans will succeed. But, we need to make sure that we don’t remove the Lord from our decision-making process. Yes, listen to the counsel and advice of others. But, remember to take it to the Lord before making the final decision. He knows exactly what we should do and when we should do it. And He knows exactly what we shouldn’t do!
May we take the time to go to the perfect Counselor and put our plans in His hands. And may we know that He will guide and direct us in His perfect will.
Thank You, Lord, for loving us and for helping us as we journey with each other and with You. Help us, Lord, to seek Your guidance, Your will, and Your presence in everything we do. Thank You for not leaving us to figure things out apart from You. We are so thankful!
I wasn’t really planning on doing a written post today. To be honest, I woke up a little depressed. If it were a “normal” day, I would be getting dressed in a beautiful, colorful outfit and looking forward to joining my friends at church to celebrate this special day. Of course, I know this day isn’t about me…I know that it is a day of focusing on our precious Jesus…I know this and yet I still find my thoughts drifting towards my isolation. Am I the only one?
So! At this point, I CHOOSE to refocus my thoughts…I CHOOSE to trade in my depression for the oil of gladness! I CHOOSE to celebrate the awesome resurrection of our precious Lord!
As I said, I really wasn’t planning on writing a post this morning – but the Lord had other plans. Thoughts of resurrection have been floating around in my mind and spirit. And I know I am to put it to “paper.”
When we receive God’s Truth we are expected to react to it. We know that the resurrection of Jesus is true! So what should our reaction be? Hopefully, foremost our reaction should be to accept the NEW LIFE that Jesus offers to us through His death and resurrection. If anyone who reads this has not made that salvation step – I would encourage you to stop…seek the Lord…and CHOOSE to accept what Jesus did for you.
Again, what do we do with this Truth of the Resurrection of Jesus? We must DO something! I am reminded that “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26). We have faith that Jesus was indeed resurrected from the dead. What are we going to do with this knowledge? How will our lives be changed with this knowledge? How do we “walk out” this Truth?
Resurrection Power is within us! Through the Holy Spirit living within us, we walk in the same power that Jesus walked in on this earth. Sometimes it’s hard for me to wrap my brain around that Truth. But, Jesus confirms this Himself!
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” John 14:12 NASB
CHURCH! Are we walking this out in our ministries and lives? Jesus is our example. Are we seeing the works that Jesus did being manifested in our families, in our church, in our communities?
I believe that on this Resurrection Sunday, as we celebrate our risen Lord, He is calling us to be the expression of His Life on earth!! BE the hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mouth of Jesus! HE IS ALIVE and HE LIVES IN AND THROUGH US!!
Oh Jesus! We thank You for dying on the cross for us. We thank You for the resurrected life we have in You. When we accepted You as our Lord and Savior – You brought us from death in our sins to eternal life in You!! We celebrate Your resurrection on this most high and holy day! WE CELEBRATE YOU!! Amen!
~Tina K. Roach
With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD ; And in the midst of many I will praise Him. (Psalms 109:30 NASB)
May we not be silent this day and in the days ahead. May ALL who are around us know Who we thank and Who we praise!
This is not just in Church…but everywhere that we happen to be! WE are the Church!!
Our Thanksgiving and Praise should not be shaped and molded by where we are or what circumstances we may find ourselves in.
Our Thanksgiving and Praise is a response to WHO GOD IS!
This Scripture says, “With my mouth…” Thanksgiving and Praise is meant to be SPOKEN!
Out of our hearts, our mouths speak. (Based on Luke 6:45).
What is in our hearts today? May our words express our love of our God!
Don’t let bad choices stop you from making good ones!
Reflection of Glory! 