Take God’s Word Literally

How often do you read the word of God and say that you believe it, then do something that clearly indicates you do not believe it? I think one of the biggest areas that our behavior does not represent our belief in God’s word is in the area of casting our cares, worrying about things over which we have not control. We are told to cast our cares because He cares for us. He says come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

 

I think sometimes we may think that's it is actually easier to worry than to trust in God. Think about it. You don't have to give a second thought to worrying. It comes naturally, but it requires effort to actually trust God and believe He has everything under control. Your effort is mental, and occurs in the same mind that you are using to worry.

 

Unfortunately I have been known to worry on an occasion, or two, or three even though I try not to worry. Recently I was faced with a situation that would usually cause me to worry, but God worked things out so what I thought I was going to worry about became a moot point. All I could say was He really does love me. The God that gave the life of his only Son loves me so much that He does not want me to worry. That's incredible, but then He is incredible!

 

Talk about the peace that passeth all understanding. When you truly understand that God is in control, that He loves you and that He does not want you to worry you will have that peace that passeth all understanding. Have you ever been concerned about something then felt relieved when what you thought might happen didn't happen, or have you ever said to yourself that wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and felt relief? Well just imagine having that feeling of relief at all times.

 

Some of you may not even allow yourself to feel the peace that comes with knowing that God is in control and will never allow more that you can bear. You may feel as though you have to help God. God doesn't need your help and quite frankly I don't know of anything that we can do to help God. As a matter of fact what we think of as helping may oftentimes become a hindrance and prevent or delay God moving on our behalf or on behalf of those we are trying to help. The next time your mind prepares to worry allow God to take control.

Many times our worry comes with family matters or with our relationships with others that we love.  You've probably heard the phrase you always hurt the one you love. The other side of that is those that are closest to us are the only ones that can hurt us. If you are not in a close relationship with a person chances are what they say or do will not cause you to worry and will not cause pain. This is not to say that you are not concerned about that person’s welfare but they cannot evoke the same emotions in you that a person that you love can evoke.

 

By the same token someone that is close to you can cause your feelings to be hurt as well as cause you to worry when things are not the way you want them to be. Notice the use of the words “things are not the way you want them to be”. We all want the best for those that we love, however our choice of how we want that to happen may not be the same as what occurs. We do not know and cannot guess how God is going to work things out for those that we love but we can be assured that He will. What we must learn to do is to trust God and rest in His assurance.

 

We read in Matthew 6:27 which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? When was the last time your worry caused a situation to change? Worrying cannot change anything other than your own health. It can cause an increase in blood pressure, headache, as well as a lower immune system. Stop worrying and start believing. Believe that God will do what He said He will do. Believe God will keep you in perfect peace if you keep your mind on Him. Believe that great shall be the peace of your children. Believe that God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Just as Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue after being told his daughter is dead be not afraid, only believe.

 

Bless The Lord

As we enter into the holiday season many people are excited while others are experiencing stress and sometimes sadness. The holidays usually bring family and friends together. If you have suffered a loss the holiday season may not be very cheerful. You may be thinking about a lost loved one. You may have suffered a financial loss, the loss of a job or perhaps you are separated from family and friends. It may sound cliché, but believe it or not God loves you and He wants you to find peace in Him. I am printing the entire 103^rd Psalm to keep you from having to leave this blog to read it.

As you read this give your worries, stress and loneliness to the one that can handle it, Almighty God. Neither you nor I are equipped to carry our burdens that is why we are instructed to cast our cares. If you are prone to worry make a conscious effort not to worry. Rather than worrying read the lines below as often as needed until the promises below resonate in your spirit. 

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹ The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

 

Be Blessed,

Greta

What Are You Speaking Into Existence?

In Genesis Chapter 1 we read the account of how God created the universe by speaking it into existence. We read in Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Luke 6:45 reads a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Jesus says in Matthew 6:31 take no thought saying. And finally in James 1:19 we read wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

I am a firm believer in the power of the spoken word. What greater evidence is there than the world around us that was spoken into existence. I try to be very careful with the words that I speak and am quick to correct people who talk about how this or that is “killing them”, reminding them to be mindful of the words they speak and their creative power..

We read in Ephesians to be angry, but sin not. We are human so of course we are going to become angry, but the sin occurs when we act on our anger. How many times have you been driving down the expressway and the car behind you is right on your tail? You may think I wish I was driving an army tank. I would stop suddenly causing no harm to my vehicle while causing damage to the vehicle that is right on my tail, without harming the driver of course. You’re angry, and you just want the person behind you to slow down. If you are suddenly forced to slow down or even stop the car behind you may plow right into you. You may not stop suddenly out of anger and cause an accident, but there are some people with road rage that may.

I was driving home one day approaching a stop sign. The cars in front of me were slowing down to stop. The man in the car behind me wasn’t paying attention. I have a habit of glancing into my rear view mirror whenever traffic ahead of me begins to slow down to see how far back and at what speed the person behind me is driving. When I noticed this guy wasn’t paying attention I moved as far as I could to the right side of the road. He still hit me, but thank God we were not on the highway and by me moving over, it caused him to hit only part of my rear bumper. He said he looked away from the road because he was reaching for his soda.

We all have thoughts from time to time that we should not have but speaking those thoughts give them power. A teacher may have a student that is not performing well. The teacher may think to him or herself, although he or she shouldn’t, what is wrong with this child? Is he stupid? If the teacher speaks these words to the child the child will begin to think he is stupid. If the same teacher has these same thoughts about the same child but rather than vocalize these thoughts he or she says to the student. I see you are trying really hard, good job, next time you will do even better. The child will be encouraged.

This same principal applies to our thoughts towards our children, friends, spouse, family members and ourselves. What are you thinking, and what are you saying, for out of the abundance of the heart the mind speak.

You can create your own world of depression, oppression, sickness, failure and even death. Or you can create life, peace, joy, strength, health and prosperity by your own words. Usually we speak what we believe whether consciously or subconsciously.

If you think you are going to fail you exhibit a failing attitude and behavior. You may not try as hard. Maybe someone has said to you that someone else tried doing what you are trying to do, they weren’t successful so you probably won’t be successful. You believe what you have heard and start thinking and saying well I’m not going to make it either. You may even quit instead of following through to the end to see if you will succeed.

I believe God has blessed me with numerous gifts. I seem to have a zillion ideas and think each one is the best thing since sliced bread. I also believe that each idea God has given me will come to fruition at His appointed time. My challenge is my excitement. I want to do all of them at the same time. So I have on an occasion, or two, or three, or maybe four started a project and not completed it. But I refuse to label myself as a failure. What I have come to realize is that I must stay focused and follow through to completion before starting a new project. If I was to listen to some people I would believe that I would never finish a project because that is what I have been told.

What about you what are you thinking and what are you saying? I confess my success daily and am working diligently to get there. Have you given up because someone has told you that you can’t make it? Have you given up because you have convinced yourself that you can’t make it? Only speak those things that you want to manifest.

We read in Philippians 4:8 finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Not only should we think on these things but these should also be the things that we speak