Happy Monday! We’ve made it through the first few weeks of 2019! I am still trying to get over my cold from Christmas break. I started back to work last week so I am back in the swing of things.
For the last week, I have mulled over the question, “What does God want me to do in 2019?”
I love the message in Psalm 57:2, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” The key here is God will fulfill his purpose for you. In other words, God is in control and He has a plan.
I heard a message on being an overcomer this week by David Jeremiah. He provided some points on being an overcomer. The one point that stood out to me is not being defined by our past. In other words, we may have made some mistakes, but we should not let those mistakes define who we are in Christ.
Maybe you had a rough 2018 or maybe the start of 2019 has not been so good either. Friends, life is full of ups and downs. In Genesis 39: 19-21, Joseph was thrown into prison after Potiphar’s wife lied on him. “Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So, he took Joseph and threw him into prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and the he remained. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.”
The great news is that “the Lord was with Joseph.” Wow, you may be walking through a terrible time in your life but just know the Lord is with you. He never promised us a perfect life without troubles but he did promise us to never leave us.
Seek God today and ask him what He wants you to do in 2019. Search the scriptures and then spend time listening to God. Trust in knowing that He will be with you no matter what life brings.
Do you get easily distracted? Have you ever devoted time to reading the Bible or prayer, five minutes pass, and you are thinking about all of the to-dos on your list? Friends, the world is full of distractions from social media, to cell phones, to Netflix, etc. Have you seen the movie, Up? I love the talking dog. He would be doing one thing and see a squirrel and be distracted by the potential squirrel.
I confess I am guilty of being distracted from things that are important in my life such as reading the Bible, time with my family, and even prayer. I wake up in the morning and have my day planned out. I make a to-do list, and every time I check off something on my list, I am dancing on the inside. However, more times than not, I end up wasting a lot of my day with things that are pointless.
In my last blog, I shared that I have been asking God, “what does he want me to do in 2019?”
Friends, we have a purpose in God. If we ask God what He wants us to do, he will let us know. God determines our purpose. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God Works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also classed; those He called, He also justified, those He justified, He also glorified.”
Stay focused and do not be distracted by the things in life. Call upon the name of the Lord day or night! Listen to worship music throughout your day. Seek God!
Can you think of a time in your life when you were totally afraid? I know I can. Many times, in my life I was stricken with fear. Fear of losing my job, friends, family etc. Friends, fear is a liar!
Psalm 23:4 states, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” God never promised us that we would never walk through the valleys, but He did say He would be with us.
There are many different types of fear such as fearing the increasing violent crimes in our neighborhood, mass shootings, terrorism, or natural disasters. One of the biggest fears is being alone. It is perfectly normal to experience fear. There are also good fears such as a healthy fear that keeps us from harm or the fear of the Lord which is more of an awe for our Creator.
We cannot live in constant fear and have faith at the same time!
Joshua 1:9 states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Friends God wants us to be strong and courageous. Do not waste time living in fear. Go to God with these fears and ask Him to give you courage and strength. God has a plan for your life. Do not let fear hold you back from fulfilling that plan!
Take a few minutes to listen to “Fear is a Liar” by Zach Williams
