https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A33&version=NIV

Matthew 6:33 NIV – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

This week, I wanted to discuss the subject of seeking God. There are several areas in my life I have been pouring my heart out to God about.  There are many dear Christians who are going through financial or health issues, my husband and family members have financial issues, and life is not giving any room to breathe.

The only benefit to these hard times is voiced in this song by Tasha Layton. It makes an individual stop and evaluate whether their heart is right with Jesus.  Are these the only times we find ourselves worshipping, in the easy times?  As Psalm 34:1 states, praise to the Lord should be given no matter what we feel like or what is going on around us. 

I guess the problem boils down to whether we are putting our attention on ourselves, or our we giving God the first place in our lives. It really is a hard exercise of faith; it is saying, not my will, but yours Lord (Matthew 26:39).  Never should we come to the place of questioning God’s will.  Remember, Satan was the one to come to Adam and Eve and questined if the Creator had actually meant well by telling them to refrain from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Finally, I wanted to close by encouraging everyone to listen to the Spirit.  When He has given us specific tasks or situations, we can share with God how it is very difficult for us to handle; it is not the time to tell God how it should be done differently. Let our hearts cry out with the martyrs in Revelation 6:10, to long to see the retribution of the Father in making all things right.  Amen!

Psalm 90:12 NIV – Teach us to number our days, that we – Bible Gateway https://share.google/BPkr9YV6CUUMYKp9c

What an important life lesson is stated through Psalm 90:12 and Jeremy Camp’s song!  The older I have gotten, I have seen how some opportunities have been missed by believing there are many days to accomplish them.  In addition, fears actually hinder us from producing fruit we were meant to bear.

When a person is younger, that is an excellent time to really push towards attaining dreams and goals.  An individual never knows when it is their last day; neither is it known when a loved one is not going to be around the next day.

The way we all can make things count in life is to focus on God’s will and what is being placed before us presently.  The end result of this is not looking back in regret.  There is, instead, a gratefulness and joy in being a part of the Spirit’s moving. Let us use wisdom by paying attention to the gifts and people God has blessed us with!

Philippians 3:13-14 NIV – Brothers and sisters, I do not consider – Bible Gateway https://share.google/3lPapEMxwjmBoTmXa

Philippians 3:13-14, and Hallelujah by Brandon Lake, express the importance of perseverance in a Christian’s life. It is one of those things that the Holy Spirit has to bring about; it is related to long-suffering, one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

I have noticed, Satan tries to rob us of our joy in Christ by having us focus on issues we had in the past or will face in the future.  There are many times our flesh is weak, and we get tired out and depressed (Matthew 26:41).  Jesus was encouraging the disciples, and encourages us, to be vigilant in prayer. 

When we keep our hearts and minds on Christ, we will be following Christ’s example (Hebrews 12:2).  He didn’t let the cross distract and overwhelm Him.  He let God’s will develop in His life, and He trusted the Father.  Since He was in line with God in wanting the human race saved, He despised the shame of the cross and persevered to the right hand of the Father.

I am praying for so many of us, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, that we will please God by our faith and perseverance.  I want to hear that my job on the Earth was well done (Matthew 25:23). May this week be one of perseverance and victory!

Galatians 5:1 NIV – Freedom in Christ – It is for freedom – Bible Gateway https://share.google/Re0JzKwnAgvW9NVcS

Today, July 4th, marks another year for the United States of America. When I was dwelling on this and thanking Jesus for our freedom,  my heart was burdened for the spiritual state of our country.  This holiday has become nothing more than setting off fireworks and eating,  for most people.

We, as Christians, have so much to be grateful for!  We need the Spirit’s help in sharing how there is freedom, hope, and mercy in Him!  We can rebuke Satan, in the name of the Lord, when we start to gravitate toward the fleshly bondages.  Galatians 5:1 reminds us that, that is why Christ came.  He came so that we wouldn’t be burdened or heavy-ladened (Matthew 11:28-29). We can experience the rest that only the Savior can give!

When a Christian truly knows God, they will experience the freedom and satisfaction that nobody or nothing can bring.  I was recalling what Peter was speaking to the Messiah. When asked if the rest would turn away from Jesus, Peter asked the question of where else could they go (John 6:68). Amen! Where else would we go to experience life and love that Christ has graciously given?  Happy 4th of July!