Day 220  A Fresh Start

2 Samuel 22:21-25   The Message (MSG)

God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him.When I cleaned up my act, He gave me a fresh start.

Who doesn’t need a “fresh start” from time to time.  Sometimes it’s just to have a better attitude, but maybe it’s even to have a better life!

Everyone comes to a cross roads where we have a choice to make.  For me it was at age 33 when I took a look at how I was living and knew that that was not going to work.  I was so dissatisfied and frustrated.  I was trying to move ahead but I just couldn’t.  I was spinning my wheels in my frustration and making everyone around me miserable. On that day, I stopped to listen to myself and I knew I could not go on this way.

That’s when I turned to my face towards God and said, “If there is anything You can use of my life, You can have it.”  Peace (the peace that I so longed for) rushed over my life that day.  I was totally amazed that He found anything in my life that was worth saving.
He made each one of us and we are all precious to Him, so when we turn to Him, He is there for us with arms open wide.

When the scripture says “when I cleaned up my act…”  You would think that means that we have to do things right in order to receive His “fresh start.”  No, Jesus did everything right for us so all we have to do is turn towards God and say, “Here’s my life.  I give it to You.”

If at some point in your life, you have done that, you know exactly what I am talking about.  If you haven’t done that, you can.  God is waiting for you!

And oh by the way, God is the author of “do-overs.”  In fact out of His amazing love for you, He sent Jesus to the cross so you can have a fresh start---a “do-over!”

Today could be your day for your fresh start!!!

GPS  (Direction from God’s Word)

• Psalms 139
• Romans 5:19  MSG
• I Corinthians 6: 9-11

Prayer Focus:

Here I am, God.  If there is anything in my life worth saving, You can have it right here and right now.

Day 219    Co-laboring With God      

2 Samuel 22:21-25  The Message (MSG)

²¹God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him.

What a powerful truth!  And when did it happen??  “….when I placed all the pieces before Him.”

As I continue to get to know God better, I am seeing that we have a part to play in what we are asking God to do for us.  I call it “co-laboring” with God.  I am learning to hear His voice and to do my part in bringing about the answer.

In this verse He is asking us to place all our pieces before Him.  No hiding, no shame, no guilt, no fear—just lay the pieces of our lives out there.

Our lives are like a jigsaw puzzle.  The pieces are all over the place and it seems like a monumental task.  If you say to yourself, “Where do I start,” let me offer this suggestion.

Two things:

1.      Choose a place--in your home, your office, your car, at the coffee shop…where you will not be interrupted…

 

2.      And choose a meeting time—when you will have the least amount of interruptions.

There now—you have framed in your puzzle.  All of a sudden it does not seem so overwhelming.  Your framework is complete.

Next, get yourself a Bible that you can understand and a new notebook where you can write your insights.  When you have done that, go to your place at the time you have set aside and begin by saying, “God, what do you want me to know today?”

Your answer will be in the Bible.  Now that may seem a little overwhelming too, so here’s how to get started:

Find a good devotional.  Open to the first day and read the scripture. Find it in your Bible and keep reading until certain words jump off the page concerning your personal life.  Write those words down on your journal page.  God just showed you what He wants you to know for today.

Isn’t that amazing??

Tomorrow repeat the same thing….and the day after that and the day after that.  When you reach Day 7 of your week, STOP---go back and read what you have written in your journal.  This is important because you will see how God’s words tie together.  Your puzzle is coming together.  God is making your “life complete.”

GPS (Direction from God’s Word) *

·         Matthew 11: 28-30  The Message (MSG)

·         Isaiah 49:16

·         Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer Focus:

God, what do you want me to know today?

*If you do not have The Message (MSG) Bible, you can find it online at www.biblegateway.com  or on the YOU VERSION app on for your phone or iPad.

 

 

Day 218 Joy Unspeakable

I Peter 1:8-9  NIV

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The other day I was talking to a new friend. She was telling me about some circumstances that were causing her distress.  I said to her, “I know what you mean..." and went on to briefly tell her about some things that can cause me concern. She looked at me in surprise and said, “I thought you had the perfect life.” Immediately I replied.  “Oh no, but I am perfectly sure that God is taking care of these things because I have given them to Him.”  That just came flying out of my mouth and it was then that I knew that it was true!!  

Only in trusting God can we be “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,”  I heard a minister say the other day, “Someone large is in charge.” That would be God and He’s in charge because we put Him in charge of the things that want to cause us distress.  

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

• II Timothy 1:12
• Psalms 138:8  
• Romans 15:13

Prayer Focus:
Take a 3 x 5 card and list the things in your life that you are putting God in charge of. Keep it in your Bible and remind yourself that God is in charge of those things.

Day 217  God Keeps You Stable and Secure

Isaiah 33:6  (NIV1984)
He will be the sure foundation for your times-- a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

THE MESSAGE BIBLE uses the words, “….your days stable and secure.”

That is a wonderful promise in these uncertain times.  You may say, “I don’t feel very secure,” but God’s promise still remains.  Safety and security is available for us.

The above verse says, “for your times” so that says to me that He knows exactly what “times” we are in.  He knows what we are experiencing and what is happening all around us.  He wants us to invite Him into the middle of our lives, our emotions and our fears.  When we do, we will have His peace.

In that peace, we will be able to receive the words God is speaking to our hearts through His word.  Here are a few of those words:

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

• Hebrews 13: 5-6  “I can say with confidence…”
• Psalms 121:4
• James 4:8

Prayer Focus:
Ask the Lord to remind you of His presence.  Thank Him for His promise to be with you in “your times.”

Day 216  God Cares For You Watchfully

Deuteronomy 11:12 (NIV1984)

It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.

God cares for what concerns you.  His eyes are continually on what concerns you.  Isn’t that good news??

You are not in this alone.  You don’t have to figure it out alone.  He has all your answers and He cares for you. 

     I Peter 5:7 Amplified Bible

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Not only does He care for you watchfully, He cares for you affectionately.  Now that’s personal!!

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

·         James 1:5

·         Hebrews 13:5

·         Psalms 138:8

Prayer Focus:

Thank your wonderful Father that He is watching over those things that are a concern to you.

 

           

Day 215  Your Future Is Bright

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV1984)

 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”

One day when my heart was hurting beyond measure, I remembered this scripture.  Why now?  It was God bringing comfort to my heart.  No matter what happens, I can always go back to these words from God and know that I have a bright future.

Here  is another truth from God’s word:

Romans 8:28  The Message (MSG)

That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

God is good and when I stop to think about that word “good,” I realize there are not words to describe God’s goodness.  His “good” is so far over and above all that I can even think about.

People many times say that God “allows” bad things to happen.  I even used to think that!  Then I got to thinking about well- meaning earthly fathers.  Do they “allow” their children to run in the street in front of a car?  Do they allow their children to be bullied at school and made fun of?  Do they allow their children to be hungry?  Of course not.  So God being totally “good,” would not allow that either!

Today we can be so thankful that in everything we can give thanks because, as we come to Him, He will turn our circumstances and use them for our good!!  What a wonderful God we have!!

GPS  (Directions From God’s Word)

·         James 1:17

·         Psalms 27:13

·         Luke 12:32

Prayer Focus:

Father, help me to know You as a loving Father who always wants the best for Your children.  When bad things happen, help me to turn to You, the One Who is the very author of "good."

Where have I been all these months???  Packing.....loading......moving......unpacking.......organizing... decorating......getting used to our new environment...... 

How are those for excuses??  They were okay for awhile but they aren't working right now.....so I AM BACK!!  I am ready to encourge you with God's promises once again.  

Day 214   God Hears Your Prayer

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV1984)

For He says,“In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.

 

”I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."

 

When I first began to read this, I began to think in terms of "a long way off." Then I went on to read that "now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." That's some very good news!! He hears us now and now is the day that help comes!!

Here's the next thing....we must be still and listen for that help....that advice....that direction.....that answer. In this day of "information overload" with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, texting, email subscriptions and even junk mail in our mailbox, we must silence ourselves.

I sat down to read the Omaha World Herald last night so I could start the week without newspapers all over the dining room table and an hour and a half later, I had only gotten through the ads and the Christmas events around Omaha. I didn't even get to the news!! Talk about "information overload!!"

 

God is answering now. We must be still so we can hear.....that answer.

 

GPS  (Direction From God’s Word)

Psalms 46:10

I John 5: 14-15

Hebrews 3:7

 

Prayer Focus:

Begin to thank Him for all the times that you can remember that He has guided you, instructed you, given you peace, saved you from problems, etc.

 

God bless you with moments of silence at this busy time of year!! He wants to speak to you today!  He wants to answer you today!  And remember.......

 

you can get there from here!!