by Alisha | Mar 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:15 to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”
Have you ever wondered how to do that? It’s not always so easy, is it? Especially when the cares of life, the weight of worries, and an overwhelming flood of emotions are bearing down on you.
But the Lord would never tell us to do something that we couldn’t do, right?
One thing I find very interesting about this verse is that the word “rule” here comes from the Greek word, brabeuo, which refers to an umpire or referee.
In fact, the Amplified Bible adds that facet to this verse, which I believe helps give it a bit more clarity. It says,
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds…
Now, here’s a useless bit of trivia about me: I love Atlanta Braves Baseball! So, when March comes around and the leaves are budding, the flowers are blooming, birds are singing, bees are buzzing, and the whole earth is coming alive, my mind immediately turns to “Spring Training” and “opening day” for Major League Baseball!
(Stay with me here, I’m going somewhere with this…)
Now, being a Braves fan, I am well aware that their former manager, Bobby Cox, holds the all-time record for ejections (158 regular season, and 3 post-season). And I have personally watched a lot of those.
Let me set the stage: An umpire would call a strike or a ball or any play that Bobby didn’t agree with, and out of the dugout he would come. You could see him spewing off words. He would get right up in the umpire’s face and argue…and then it would come, the “magic word” that always got him thrown out.
The umpire would throw his arm and yell, “You’re outta here!” And Bobby Cox would add another ejection to his resumé.
This is a fabulous illustration of what we must do when thoughts or emotions come to our mind that produce worry, fear or any other negative emotion.
Peace is to be the umpire of our heart and mind.
When those thoughts or emotions come, arguing against the Word of God, screaming at you, getting right in your face, trying to upset you, trying to get you out of faith and over into doubt, then eject them! Throw them out of the game! Say, “You’re outta here!” And refuse to allow them to stay in your mind.
Let the peace of God decide and settle with finality all questions (all thoughts, all emotions) that arise in your mind. If it doesn’t produce peace, it has to go!
Never allow those thoughts to “stay in the game” and wreak havoc in your mind! You are in control.
If you didn’t read last week’s post, What Are You Thinking?, then I suggest you read it and the “thought checklist” which will help you know which thoughts you can think.
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by Alisha | Mar 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
Did you know that the thoughts you allow yourself to dwell on are vitally important?
Thoughts are shapers. They produce emotions which produce decisions, actions and habits. If you are constantly thinking negative thoughts, you will make wrong decisions, which will cause you to take inappropriate actions and eventually develop bad habits.
Martin Luther once wrote, “You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
You may not be able to keep a thought from entering your mind, but you certainly can keep it from staying there. How? You must do exactly as the Word says – cast it out! (2 Cor. 10:5).
Never allow a thought that is in direct opposition to God’s Word remain in your mind.
Instead, keep your mind “stayed” (fixed, firmly established) on the Lord, then He will keep you in perfect peace!
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJ) says, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
So, how do you know if you’re thinking a wrong thought?
When a thought comes into your mind, you must first determine where it came from. Was it a “God” thought? Did it minister life or faith or peace to you? Or did it minister fear, worry, dread, doubt or unbelief? If it is one of the latter, then that thought is from the enemy and must be cast out.
Another method for determining whether or not a thought is from the Lord or from the enemy is found in Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This verse gives you a “checklist” for which thoughts you can think on and which thoughts you can’t.
Thought Checklist:
- Is it true?
- Is it honest (honorable)?
- Is it just (right, fair)?
- Is it pure (clean)?
- Is it lovely (pleasing, agreeable, friendly)?
- Is it a good report?
- Is it virtuous (excellent)?
- Is it praiseworthy (commendable)?
If the thought lines up with this list, then it’s okay to think on it.
Love thoughts, faith thoughts, peace thoughts, joy thoughts – those are the thoughts that you should continually dwell upon. Those are the ones you are to think about.
Think about God’s Word (His goodness, His faithfulness, His grace, His mercy, His healing power, His provision). Meditate on it continually.
When you train your mind to think on the Lord, when you learn to keep your thoughts fixed, or “stayed” on Him, you will have His peace that passes all understanding.
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by Alisha | Sep 3, 2012 | Uncategorized
Has your heart ever been overwhelmed? Have you ever felt besieged by the storms of life? Inundated with problems of all sorts? Have you ever felt that you just couldn’t take it anymore?
In times like this, what do you do? Do you succumb and surrender to these storms? Do you allow yourself to accept failure or defeat? Do you feel sorry for yourself and throw a pity party? No way!
You keep standing – in the midst of the storm – you keep declaring that God’s Word is true. You keep pressing into Him and His Word, and you keep holding fast to your faith.
Psalm 61:2 KJV says…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
The Contemporary English Version of Psalm 61:2-4 says, I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me. You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies. Let me live with you forever and find protection under your wings, my God.
When you feel overwhelmed, when you begin to feel hopeless, when you lose heart, cry out to the Lord. He is your Rock, your Strong Tower, your Safe Refuge from the storms of life. Remind yourself that the God you serve is a mighty God. He will protect you. He will keep you safe. And He will deliver you. Always.
Everyone goes through difficult tests and trials. We’ve all felt overwhelmed and hopeless at one time or another. But it is not okay to continue feeling that way – not when Almighty God is your Father!
You must put yourself in remembrance of God’s great love for you. You must remind yourself of His faithfulness and of all the times He has come through for you. You must refuse to waver in your faith and trust in Him.
Psalm 34:19 says, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
We are guaranteed afflictions, but we have a promise that the Lord will deliver us out of them all.
We must be so grounded in the Word of God that when we face these tests, trials, afflictions, storms, and outright assaults from the enemy, we will not waver, be swayed or shaken.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT), Anyone who listens to My teaching and obeys Me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock.
The storms of life will come, but you don’t have to be swept away by them. Instead, you can just stand firm with your feet planted on the solid rock of God’s Word. Though the storms may come and the winds may blow, you will remain steadfast and immovable because of the Word of God that is in your heart.
You will look the storms in the eye and laugh because they are powerless to harm you. You are sheltered safe within God, your Refuge. Nothing can by any means harm you. No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
Storms come and storms go, but those who remain fixed and stable on the Solid Rock will weather the storms and grow stronger still.
Just like David, we must learn to “encourage ourselves in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6), and we do that by reminding ourselves of the Lord’s great faithfulness to us in times past, and by meditating on scriptures that speak of His goodness and faithfulness to us.
I have a included a few scriptures for you to remember when your heart is overwhelmed. These are just a starting point. If you would like a FREE printable of even more scriptures to help you stand in the midst of a storm, sign up below and we’ll send it to you.
- Psalm 91:2 (KJV) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
- Isaiah 54:17 (NKJ) No weapon formed against you shall prosper…
- Luke 10:19-20 (NKJ) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- 1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Thank you!
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by Alisha | Jul 30, 2012 | Uncategorized
As mothers, there are numerous occasions when one of our children may fall down and hurt themselves. Or perhaps they get their feelings hurt by a sibling or someone else. Or maybe they are afraid of something. At those times, there is only one place that will bring comfort and peace to that little one – our arms.
We naturally scoop them up into our lap, wrap them in our arms, and begin to reassure them. We may gently rock them, kiss them, sing to them, quiet them. We give them our time and attention. We give them our love. We tell them it’s going to be all right.
Our loving embrace brings comfort, peace, and consolation like nothing else can. And usually, after just a few moments, that little one calms down and jumps out of our lap to run and play and be all joyful once again!
Have you ever been hurt or afraid, and wished that you were a small child again so that you could be held, comforted, and reassured that everything – the circumstances or situations you are facing – will be all right?
If so, then I’ve got wonderful news for you!
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) says, The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
And, Psalm 68:19 (NLT) tells us that …each day He carries us in His arms.
I love the picture this gives us of our heavenly Father! This is just like what we as mothers do for our children. We “quiet them with our love.” We sing to them to comfort and console them. But our Father can do this so much better!
Zephaniah tells us that He takes great delight in us! He loves us like no other can. Our problems, our hurts, our fears all matter to Him. He wants us to come running to Him. And He will scoop us into His lap, wrap us in His arms, sing songs to us, and quiet us with His love!
As much as we love our children, desire the best for them, and would do anything for them, God’s love for us is far greater!
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 7:11 (AMP), If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
He loves us so much more than we could ever love our children. And because of Jesus, we can run to Him fearlessly and confidently any time we need Him (which is every moment of every day)!
Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) says, Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace…that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Isn’t that wonderful? Aren’t you glad you can come into His presence – His throne of grace – without fear or condemnation, and receive His grace to help, “appropriate and well-timed help…just when you need it?”
He is so good and so faithful!
I don’t believe we can even begin to fathom God’s great love for us, but we can rest assured in the following truths about Him:
- He has a great and wonderful and intense love for us! (Eph. 2:4 AMP)
- He delights in every detail of our lives. (Ps. 37:23 NLT)
- He cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully. (1 Pet. 5:7 AMP)
- His goodness and unfailing love pursues us all the days of our lives. (Ps. 23:6 NLT)
Whatever you are going through today, whatever hurt or fear you may be experiencing, whatever the situation or circumstance, run to your heavenly Father. Allow Him to scoop you up and wrap you in His loving arms. Receive His love, His comfort, and His encouragement. Listen as He rejoices over you with singing. Let Him quiet you with His love.
He will make everything all right.
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by Alisha | Jul 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
So many people today are living a life of constant worry, anxiety or fear. They are deeply troubled – even depressed – about many areas of their life. They have no joy or peace, and their insides are all knotted up due to the stress, anxiety and apprehension they continually feel.
Does this describe you? Are you worried or fearful concerning a circumstance or situation you are facing? Are you in the midst of a test or trial that seems impossible to make it through?
If so, listen to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25, 31 (AMP). He says, Stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life…do not worry and be anxious…
The Lord Jesus Himself has said to stop worrying.
“What?!? How can I stop worrying???”
I’m so glad you asked!
Remember, Jesus wouldn’t tell us to do something that He knew we couldn’t do. With His help, we can be obedient to His words in this scripture.
The first step to living a life free from worries, cares and anxieties is to know the character and the nature of God. Let’s look at several verses that reveal that nature:
1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love. And throughout the Gospels, Jesus teaches us that we are of great worth and value to the Father – more so than the wildflowers or the birds of the air. God even has the very hairs of our head numbered. (Mt. 6:25-34; 7:7-11; Lk. 11:9-13; 12:7, 22-32)
And Hebrews 13:5 (AMP) tells us, For God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not! According to this scripture, we can be assured that the Lord will never fail us or let us down.
Psalm 37:23 (NLT) assures us that, The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. This shows a loving, compassionate Father who loves us so much that He cares about anything and everything that concerns us!
In Exodus 15:26, the Lord declares, I am the Lord that heals you. And in Psalm 91:16, He says, With long life will I satisfy you and show you My salvation. These verses reveal a Father who cares for our physical health and well-being, and wants to give us a long, satisfying life.
In Philippians 4:19, the Apostle Paul tells us, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. So, here we see that the Lord is concerned about any and all of our needs. He has promised to supply whatever it is that we need.
When you truly understand the character and the nature of God – how much He loves you, how He has healed you, provided for your every need, directs your steps, and delights in every detail of your life, then you can cease from worry, because you are trusting in Him to take care of every one of your needs.
The Apostle Peter, who was part of Jesus’ inner circle, understood the Lord’s love, care and affection for His children. That is why he wrote: Cast all your cares [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, (1 Peter 5:7 AMP).
The second step to living a life free from worry is to cast (throw) your cares – once and for all – on the Lord. That means you give them to Him AND leave them with Him. Once you give your cares, anxieties, worries and concerns to the Lord, you trust Him to take care of them. How can you trust Him to do that? Because you know that He “cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” You must trust in His love, faithfulness, and ability.
The third step in living a life with no worries is found in Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP):
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours…and that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
After you understand God’s love and concern for you, and after you have cast your cares upon Him, you must refuse to fret or worry about the circumstance or situation anymore. You have prayed and asked the Lord for His help and He will answer you.
When you think about the problem, remind yourself of the scriptures concerning what you’re believing for. Also remind yourself that you’ve given the situation over to the Lord and that He is handling it for you. Then continue to thank Him for taking care of the situation – thank Him for healing your body, thank Him for meeting your needs – whatever it is, thank Him that He’s got it all under control. Then you can begin to receive His peace that surpasses all understanding!
I would trade worry, fear and anxiety for the peace of God any day! Wouldn’t you?
Remind yourself of the Father’s great love and concern for you. Then cast all of your cares, worries and anxieties on Him – once and for all. Refuse to fret. Refuse to be anxious. Refuse to worry. Instead, thank the Lord for taking good care of you, and receive His peace that passes all understanding.
He is faithful. He will never fail you, forsake you, or let you down!
Prayer:
Father, I thank You that You love me and that You care about everything that concerns me. Today, I cast the care of _________________ on You, knowing that You will take care of me. With Your help, I refuse to fret or have any anxiety about it. Instead, I thank You in advance for meeting all my needs and working out this situation for Your glory. I trust in Your faithfulness and provision. I receive Your peace. In Jesus’ Name.
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