Living in the Present

When we live in the past or the future, peace cannot be found.  Error is never found in the present.  The more we release regret of the past or fear of the future, peace is ours.  2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  Only gratitude and humility will keep you in perfection and harmony.  God is the great “I Am”, not I was nor I will be!

Time With God

While at my desk this morning, I ponder my time alone with God and am so grateful!  There has been times in my life that I neither took this time nor thought I needed it.  How very arrogant and unseeing was that!  As I give gratitude for everything and quietly listen for His guidance, I am reminded of Psalm 119:104 which states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  God’s patience and mercy are forever.

Never Alone

This morning I am praying and knowing that man can never be separated from God.  God never changes nor leaves us and we don’t have the power to leave Him.  How reassuring is that?  The Bible tells us that throughout!  Psalm 139:1-4 reads, ” O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”

That is unconditional Love and God knows our heart, never condemning but patiently waiting for us to awaken.   My prayer today is to release “self-absorption” and hear what God is directing me to do and see.  Gratitude and humility will be prayer.

Right Here, Right Now

So often, we hear phrases like “He will come again” and “some day we will be with Him” and immediately, I refute the “some day” or “here after” and later!  The Christ is available to us every second!  Romans 12:2 reads, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by  the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Today, I will be conscious of these subtle suggestions that our joy will be later, not now and will not “sleepwalk” through today, but will see God’s glory everywhere!

Five Things to Remember (While Drawing)

Recently, I came across the above list my art teacher had given to our class and thought I would share it.  (And add to it)

1.  Step back from your work.  ( That means to me to never re-act or over-act but from this view, you can see clearer)
2.   Draw what you see, not what you know. ( Sometimes the human brain wants to tell you something that isn’t true.)
3.   Consider composition. ( Where do you want your focus to be?)  Shouldn’t we always be alert to this?
4.   Be patient with yourself. (No matter what we are doing)
5.   Enjoy the process.  (So true about everything in Life)     Psalm 119:27 reads, ” Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.” 

Mind without Chatter

Twice this morning, I would think of  a person and that person would call me.  It always seems surprising when that happens but it really shouldn’t.  Whenever that chatter is stilled in thought, we are able to hear God.  Romans 8:6 reads, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”  This can be achieved by replacing envy, judgment, condemnation with Love!  Love dispels all negativity!

Daily Bread

In Biblical times, bread is thought to be understanding and substance and in the Old Testament, it talks of the manna falling daily, which was a type of bread.  It could not be stored up and saved but had to be used daily.  This way  we are kept from regret of the past and fear of the future.  Exodus 16:15, 16, 19 states, ” Moses said to them, ‘it is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.’  This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs.’…No one is to keep any of it until morning.”

As we learn to lean more on God and stay in the presence, our every human need is met by Divine Love.

Awake!

One night I dreamed I fell into a pit.

I dreamed I prayed for God to rescue me.

So happy when He led me out of it,

I thanked my God that He had set me free.

But waking up a bit, I realized

I never had been in that pit at all.

When I was wide awake I recognized

There never was a pit, nor a fall.

So if it seems you fall into a pit,

That you are trapped, distressed, alone or flawed,

Awaken to the real and infinite.

There is no pit, for there is only God.

Carol Dismore    Psalms 112:7 “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

Always Express Gratitude

Whenever I become anxious or complain, that suggests that I know better than God on how to govern my world.  I am not aware of everything He knows and sees and today I will be so grateful that governing  the universe is not my job!  1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  I wish all a very Happy Easter and know He is risen!

The Resurrection

While reading about the resurrection in John, I came across John 20:17 which reads “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am  not yet ascended to my Father.”  One commentary states, “Researchers understand Jesus’ words as a call to drop the desire to cling to a physical sense of Him and release the thought of personality.”  Personality seems to be important to us and that is not who we are!  Man is spiritual and is perfect in Spirit since we reflect God and His qualities.  It is never about human good.  Man can never be perfect “humanly”.