What do you see?

You are His! He will care for you and watch over you. These are the promises of Jesus, who holds you close. 

Philippians chapter 4 verse 13.

I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. 

In Philippians chapter 4 we are asked to always be full of joy in the Lord. It says let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate. It tells us not to worry about anything, instead we are to pray about everything. It says we are to tell God our needs and that we are not to forget to thank him for His answers. 

   It says if we do live like this then we will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. It says His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. 

   For those who have found a life with Jesus and live in the presence of God it is not hard at all to be rejoiceful about everything. For the peace that comes from God does keep your heart and mind at rest. But what about those who want to argue this offering from God? Have they convinced themselves that their way of living is better? That all they need to do is be good and kind and hold within them the hope of seeing loved ones again? 

   There is way more to life than our emotions and our way of thinking. Jesus lived in a world no different than ours. Whether we have much or little, there is the human emotions of who we are and how we act. Jesus held onto God. No matter what the situation He walked in the presence of God. He offered the lady at the well 'Living water'. In John chapter 4 Jesus tells her, "People soon become thirsty again after drinking water. But the water I give them becomes a perpetual spring within them, watering them forever with eternal life."

   It is not easy to accept the fact that God is real and that our only hope for a peaceful life is having life with Jesus. That means we are asking to trust in God and not of our own decisions. Well there are two ways of making decisions. One is by prayer. That means bringing before God our concerns and having the patience to let Him guide us or watch as He walks us through our concerns. 

   The other comes from our walk with God and living in His presence everywhere we go. By holding close to our teachings from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit give you the right paths to walk upon. You can choose to walk with them and be awed by the outcome or you can live as you think and hope for a good ending. 

   Each day we wake up. We do not know what the day will bring but we can have some thoughts about what it is we would like to do and how it is to be done. Whether messy or clean, whether with food or without, whether with addictions or anxieties, whether singing, praising, worshiping, loving or through deeds of kindness. Or in a shelter, or hiding from hatred or crimes. You are not alone. 

   In the later books of Genesis we read about Jacob. He was deceived by his mother to fool his father out of his brother, Esau's, birthright. He feared for his life, for Esau was very angry and unforgiving. His mother told him to run and hide. He had a dream and when he awoke, he said, "God lives here! I've stumbled on His home! This is the awesome entrance to heaven!" 

   Then he was taken advantage of and fooled by his uncle. He had asked for Rachel's hand in marriage and was told that after many years of working for him, the uncle would agree. The uncle however wanted to marry off his eldest daughter first, so he forced Jacob to work on. Eventually God, spoke to Jacob and told him to return to his home land. 

   The story of Jacob continues with many upsets. Esau did end up forgiving him and he had another child who was Joseph, the one God favored with the Israelites. Throughout Jacob's life God was with him. Jacob was no different than you and I. He was born and life made it's path of being deceived by those who should not have done what they did. Death, relationships, and the greed for a better life can take it's toll on people. 

   We live to survive the next day and we do our best to make each day turn out good, with no consequences. But our decisions can be confused and misguided causing us nothing but heartache and pain. God wants us to walk the path of life with Him and hold close to His way of living. When we do our cup of joy will overflow and we will be at peace, at rest with Jesus.

   What is it you see? Is it the trials ahead of you or is it Jesus who wants to be with you through your trials. Put your trust in the right places and hold close to Jesus, He is God with you.

   Thank you Father for Jesus. Thank You that in our mixed up confusion, we can see Your love and enjoy a life of worshiping and loving You. 😊       

   

Philippians chapter 4 verses 8 and 9.

Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all that you can praise God for and be glad about it. Keep putting into practice all you have learned and God's peace will be with you.

Matthew chapter 7 verses 13 and 14.

Jesus said to them, "Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The way that leads to destruction is broad, and it's gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose it's easy way. But the gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it."

Deuteronomy chapter 30 verses 15 and 16.

The prophet Moses told the people, "Look, today I have set before you life and death, depending on whether you obey or disobey. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to follow His paths and to keep His laws, so that you will live and become a great nation, and so that the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to possess." 

Deuteronomy chapter 30 verses 19 and 20.

The prophet Moses told the people, "I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and to cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days."