Fantastic Friday #538 - Approve

Approve

18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18

What do you want to be approved for? My guess is typically it is very personal like receiving approval from someone else. If you are seeking approval from someone else for how you are living, or if you are seeking approval from a loved one, each one holds its challenges. Typically when we seek approval from someone else, we pump ourselves up and tell ourselves how good we are or we act in a way that will get the attention of the other person. This self-endorsement at times can only lead to embarrassment or even rejection by that other individual. Remember that old saying of just be yourself? Being yourself should be easy, because it is who you are and when you are yourself, you reflect a presence that people can clearly see. Also, we probably shouldn't be so worried about looking for approval from these other people, but we should seek approval from our Lord who has already commended us by placing us here. If we seek approval from God first, and live our lives as a reflection of Christ, then naturally we will see approval from other like-minded individuals. We can't spend our lives trying to be someone we aren't and trying to impress others, but must spend our lives being who we are in Christ.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #537 - No!

No!

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:3-7

How do you react when God says No? My guess is that if you are like me your first reaction is Why, with a whole lot of emotion and a lot more questioning. In fact, I would say most of us try to fix something that God has already said No to. If you aren't like me than maybe you are either extraordinary or not being honest. The scripture doesn't say trust in the Lord and do whatever you want and things will come to you. Scripture also doesn't say Commit to the Lord when you want to or feel like it, and he will help you. As well, scripture doesn't say be boisterous before the Lord and get ahead of the Lord and His plan. Looking at God's Word, it is clear how God wants us to react and that is with continued trust, committing to Him fully and being patient.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #536 - React

React

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7

Our lives are filled with passion, enjoyment, and love but sometimes there are hard times. Many of us ask why we are having this difficulty in our lives and some tend to react to quickly to a situation. When we react quickly instead of stepping back and looking at the whole picture, this can lead to hurt feelings, frustration, and mistakes. Every individual is given challenges in their life and God wants us to step back at times, look at the challenge and see how we can overcome it. If we are thoughtful, we know that we can't overcome these things through our own power, but must rely on God. This very simple short scripture shows how easy it can be to get through these difficult times. God is our strength, God is our Shield. Don't you think if you trust in God with all your heart that He will help you? This is where we begin and don't forget to thank and praise God, because God does great things for all of us.


Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #535 - Hear

Hear


6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show me the wonders of your great love,

you who save by your right hand

those who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 17:6-7


Hear my prayer. I can't tell you how many times I have said that phrase this and last week. I have said it so many times, I begin to wonder if God is really listening. If I would stop and take a look at my past and the many times I have asked God for something and how many times He has come through with answers, maybe my anxious heart would not be pounding so much. The problem we all have is that our memory is short on the wonders that He has shown, and we tend to forget the times He has saved us physically and spiritually from the battles we face. Battles are going to come and so are major tests. God always wants to see how we are going to react under the stress and pressure of these tests. Now, if we would take a moment to hear what God is saying, I mean truly listen, then our anxiety would be lifted. Look at what He has done and hear what He will do in HIs time.

Have a great weekend.