Trick or Treater

Recently I was thinking about small children dressed as ghost and goblins for Halloween.  When we open the door to pass out candy, we even feign fear and surprise at whatever costume that is before us.  But never, do we believe for an instant  that the child wearing that costume is what he/she is portraying.  As we think of an adult with an unpleasant character trait, shouldn’t we see that as not belonging to God’s precious creation?

Ephesians 1:32 states “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  Today, I will not be fooled by anything ungodlike belonging to one of His children, including myself.  That will include even a physical ailment!

 

Adversity

The very instant we experience adversity, doubt about God and His goodness come flooding into our consciousness.  Actually, at that exact time, we can turn from fear and know God is just working His purpose out.  It seems so easy to turn to discouragement but the Christ, Truth is just waiting for us to replace our thoughts about self and replace them with thoughts about God and our relationship to Him.  “Turn the other cheek” which could just mean look at the situation from a different angle.

Isaiah 55:8-9 reads “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declare the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  That verse is self-explanatory to me.  Don’t trust my thoughts  unless they are from God.  If we are entertaining negativity of any sort, we know that is NOT from Him and then, we simply and humbly ask to see what He sees, which is always His perfect child.  He also works out every detail and takes you all the way!  Not partially, but all the way.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

God Has the Answer

Recently we gave one of our granddaughters my husband’s car.  Now she is off to college and we committed to help.  Instead of a couple of hundreds, it turned into hundreds and hundreds!  When I should have turned to God and listen for an answer, I had pencil and paper in hand attempting creative financing!  There didn’t seem to be a way out without breaking our promise which my husband would never do.

This morning while at my desk reading and praying, a humble thought appeared as God revealed to me “I’ve got this!”  Now I don’t know exactly how but I am willing to listen and take human footsteps and  I do know our every human need is met by Divine Love.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 states “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Today I will listen with expectancy of Good.

Denying the Christ

Today as I was pondering how Peter had denied the Christ after the Crucifixion and questioning that information, I was reminded that I do that daily when entertaining the thought that there is something not possible to God.  The Christ represents the Truth and there can be no imperfection in perfection.  To doubt God is to deny the Christ.  Our every need is met by Divine Love.  I Corinthians 10:13 states “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Today, I will keep my focus on Good, God which dispels all opposing erroneous thought.  Right where a challenge seems to be, the Christ is right there revealing the Truth to us!  Only Spiritual growth is going on and that does not have to be painful!

Fake News

Fake news has become a common phrase that we hear daily.  People are discussing whether or not to believe what they are hearing or reading.  There is more and more frustration being exhibited because of this, when actually, this could be a good thing.  ICorinthians 2:5 states “Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”  Doesn’t that tell us to not be dismayed but keep our focus on what God knows.  God remains in control.  This is His universe, not some man in office here or there.  Of course, praying for that office is important but we need not get wrapped up in personalities.  God is in control and this is apparent when our thoughts begin with God/Love.  God is Love.  Today I will help my fellowman by staying alert and listening for inward guidance.

Self-immolation

This morning as I was working with the term “self-immolation”, the thought came to me of all self-pity, justification, righteousness, absorption and on and on.  To self-immolate means to kill off pity, self-righteousness, absorption, etc.  Then as I researched more about the word “immolate”, I saw it also means sacrifice and/or blessing.  This was so interesting to me because when I truly listen to God, I remove all sense of “self” and the blessing appears.

Philippians 4:4-6 states “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.”  I can only hear God when I am mentally on bended knee with no sense of self and this occurs by putting God first.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Kingdom of Heaven

This morning my day is beginning with Matthew 13:31,32 which reads “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”

As I ponder this verse, I am reminded that the smallest good deed, a compliment or a smile done with Love can express the kingdom of heaven.  Then the widow’s mite comes to thought.  Everyone is capable of a kindness, no matter the size.   It is just being alert to another’s need and this is done only by releasing self-absorption!  Today I will reject any thought of self-pity, with Truth and Love for another.  This is more important in our growth than a dozen sit-ups or a mile run.  Complaint of any kind will be replaced with gratitude.  Love will be my focus!

 

No Randomness

While sitting at my desk this morning and glancing out the windows at the various clouds, beautiful trees, numerous deer, I know that everything in God’s universe is in it’s perfect place and there is no randomness!  I believe the same is true in my life.  Everything and everyone is in my life for a reason and I can find out that reason when I give up human will and outlining and quieten worldly thoughts throughout the day.

It is so easy to get caught up in this world with the overstimulation of the human senses due to all of the technology surrounding us.  We need to master it not vice versa.  Let it serve us!  Philippians 4:6 which is one of my favorite verses, states “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Feeding the Multitudes

It made no difference how many people needed to be fed when Jesus fed the multitude.  His disciples wanted to send them away because they didn’t see immediately how this would be possible with only a few fishes and a several loaves of bread.  They were coming from a lack of Good or supply in their consciousness.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The Christ expressed gratitude and the human need was met.  We never have to leave to find Christ.  The Truth is always right where we are when we open our thoughts and rid ourselves of doubt, staying humble and grateful.  Matthew 5:6 states “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.”

Human outlining keeps us from seeing the Truth before us.

Waiting for Validation

Several months ago, my husband and I each sold a picture (he sold a photo and I sold a small watercolor) to a client several hours away.  When she received them, she sent a message to my husband and a picture of his framed and told him  where she was hanging it.  Immediately, I began having second thoughts about mine and wondered if she liked it.  Thought about calling her or messaging her but held back, but the doubting thought was persistent.  Finally, it dawned on me that validation should only come from God.  I didn’t really need it from another person and I then let go of the nagging thought.

Several days ago, I received a text from her stating she so loved the picture and had had a difficult time on choosing the right place to put it and had decided to put it next to a picture of her lovely daughter sitting in a field of flowers.  She included a picture of it.

My heart was filled with gratitude, not because I had heard from her which I was glad but that I had realized my validation comes from God always!

Job 22:21 states “Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way  prosperity will come to you.”