No foolin'

 There is Jesus. He can give you what you have been missing. Trust in Him. 

John chapter 19 verse 28-30.

Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures said, "I'm thirsty." A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so a sponge was soaked in it and put on a hyssop branch and held up to His lips. When Jesus had tasted it, He said, "It is finished," and bowed His head and dismissed his spirit.

How sour has your past been?

   Have you done things that you are not proud of? Relationships and money top the list when it comes to disappointments. It's uncomfortable living in sadness, feeling powerless to climb into a life that you would like to live in. Sometimes trying too hard to accomplish something leads us in the wrong direction, deceiving us, leaving us more confused than before. 

   How many times have you tried to move forward, only to find yourself shot down? Your intentions are right and they will benefit you, so what the heck happened? Disappointment and frustration is what happened.

   You know there have been good times that left you feeling wanted, proud and loved. How long is it going to take for you to get the life that you want? Desperation leads to letting your guard down, hopefully you like the direction it takes but be careful, cautious and aware of past failures. It's like walking on hot pavement, knowing it is the only way to get to the other side. 

   You know there is hope in Jesus, but you are nervous about giving up control over the decisions you make. Not that the decisions that you make are correct, in fact your decisions are more often wrong than beneficial. 

   In 2 Chronicles chapter 35 we read about King Manasseh and how he led the people to worship idols. There were alters for everything; an idol named Baal, there were shame-images and images of the sun, moon and stars. It says he even placed them in God's temple. People tried to tell him that he was wrong in the way he acted but he would not listen. Finally he was taken captive and carted off to a place he did not want to be. 

   It was there that he prayed and called out to the Lord. He was frustrated and broken. Unable to live the life that he wanted to. Left in sadness and disappointment. Verses 12 and 13 say; "Then at last he came to his senses and cried out humbly to God for help. And the Lord listened, and answered his plea by returning him to Jerusalem and to his kingdom! At that point King Manasseh finally realized that the Lord was really God!"

   It only takes a humble prayer, one that is sincere in it's words, calling out to God. Then watch as Jesus lifts you into a world of everlasting joy, filled with gratitude and mercy. Matthew chapter 7 verse 12 says, "Do for others what you want them to do for you." 

   I like Proverbs chapter 28 verse 12, "When the godly are successful, everyone is glad. When the wicked succeed, everyone is sad." Have you seen this action before? Is it something you have done? It is easy to want what is best for us. Try hard to not be selfish but think of others and trust in God to make all situations work for a good outcome. 

   It sounds nice and it would be nice if it were not for pride. Our emotions are so easily played upon and all to take our focus off of God. That is why life with God is a joy, because you want to please Him. You seek after Him and He gives you all the reason to be thankful to Him. Others get to share in your joy. 

   Matthew chapter 6 verse 31-34 say, "So do not worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and He will give them to you if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to. So do not be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time." 

   It is not easy giving up control and trusting God to provide. But when you do, you will find the truth. And the truth is Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit. God's plan is your focus, joy and happiness being on Him. It is also for others to see Him through you. 

   It is finished! Your old life without Jesus is gone. Your new life with God has begun.  

Thank You Father for Jesus. Thank You for what You gave so that we can be lifted up into a life with You. 😊   

Acts chapter 1 verse 6-9.

And another time when Jesus appeared to them, they asked Him, "Lord are You going to free Israel from Rome now and restore us as an independent nation? "The Father sets those dates," He replied, "and they are not for you to know. But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about Me with great effect, to the people of Jerusalem, throughout Judea, In Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about My death and resurrection." It was not long afterwards that He rose into the sky and disappeared into a cloud, leaving them staring after Him. 

John chapter 10 verse 38.

And you no doubt know that Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were possessed by demons, for God was with Him. 

2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 9 and 10.

It is God who saved us and chose us for His Holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was His plan long before the world began---to show His love and kindness to us through Christ. And now He has made all of this plain to us by the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, who broke the power of death and showed us the way of everlasting life through trusting Him.