FOCUS

COLOSSIANS 1:18
He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have
first place in everything.

Does Jesus have first place in your life and in your schedule? If
not, why not? True Christianity is not a religion based on rules and rituals,
but a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

I struggle in this area from time to time. I can get caught up in trying to do right and not sin. Is that what I should be doing? I really do believe I should focus more on God instead of my sin. The more I focus on God the less I naturally sin. Again I’m reminded that I can’t do anything in my own strength but I can do all things through CHRIST.
It is only through his spirit working in me that I can be pleasing to him. I can’t earn it or do enough good deeds to merit his grace.

This morning one of my devotionals asked this question: Do we serve something or someone as a substitute to Jesus?

We can even become BUSY with doing good things for God and leave out the most important ingredient.

I don't want to waste my time focusing on my failures and dwelling on my sin. God is more than capable of taking my sin and forgiving me when I do make mistakes and fall short! Its as simple as confessing,asking for his forgiveness and praying that the Holy Spirit dwell in my heart BIG in order to live a life that is pleasing to God.
I’m praying that today we can each have the same focus in life and that our main focus will remain to be JESUS!


Hugs,

Holly

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday I wrote about my struggle with the ole flesh! This morning I read this scripture:
2 KINGS 6:17
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes
that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young
man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

What we see with our physical eyes is not all that's happening. Isn't God always right on time?
This mornings scripture assures my heart even more that just because I may see and think one thing, doesn't mean that God isn't at work behind the scenes working on others hearts just as he does mine.

It is easy to focus on what we see instead of walking in faith believing those things we call out. Believing that our Sons and Daughters are saved and claiming that. God tells us that we must ask BELIEVING, not doubt that he can ever answer us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ACTS 26:18
18 'to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are
sanctified by faith in Me.'

This is my prayer today. That God would open the eyes of my loved ones (and me) to see his truth and his light. To share that light with the world and the unlovable. Way to often we love the ones that love us back.

I'm reminded today that this is not what Jesus calls us to. He calls us to love those that are our enemies even.

Thankful this Thursday for the Word! For his gentle reminders as he speaks softly to my heart any time I quiet myself and actually HEAR HIM.

Hugs,

Holly

WHERE OUR PEACE COMES FROM

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). This is the same peace the Bible describes as passing all understanding. (Phil. 4:7)

I’ve been struggling in this area lately. I have been wearing my feelings on my shoulders for the past few days. I have been picking certain issues up each morning and putting them on just like I would put a shirt on.

The other day I allowed an issue to just penetrate my heart. Nothing huge, just enough to eat at my heart the more I dwelled on it. I tried talking to myself, telling myself I was being silly and self absorbed. Then I tried to work it off. Get busy and stop thinking…
Well, I’m sure you know what happened as soon as I sat down for a minute after working? Yeap… There it was – taunting me – You know they don’t love you. You know deep down that they don’t want you in their lives, etc. etc. etc.

Finally………….. After trying with all that is within me to get my mind off of the issue at hand I decided to open the word of God. Immediately he began to speak to my heart and I read his ways. Love is patient and kind… Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. That we may suffer light afflictions and even great afllictions BUT GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is where our peace comes from. I don’t have to allow my heart to be troubled. I can share my burdens with the Lord and leave them there. Knowing and trusting that he is working behind the scenes AT ALL TIMES. That I can have faith that things UNSEEN are being worked on. That he is always, always, always tugging at the lost and their hearts drawing them to him. It will only be through Christ that others will love the way that he desires us to love one another and he is the only one that can penetrate harden hearts and cause forgiveness.

Trusting today that God loves the lost more than I will ever love them. Even when its family. Praying this day to allow Christ to shine through me and cause me to love others NO MATTER WHAT and to never be irritable or resentful~

In Christ,

Holly