5 Minutes of Peace

WOW!  The last time I wrote was 2013!  It's a been a while... way too long probably, but oh well!  I'm back...

When I started this blog it was kind of an extension of our crawfish boil, but then turned into a way for me to talk through my devotionals.  My mom got me a new devotional for Christmas, and as I read the introduction I thought... I need to get back on my blog.  A way for me to really dive into my thoughts, but I also thought of several people in my life who would benefit from this book as well (or just this page).  So here we are.  WELCOME!  :)

This was my favorite part of last night's read (and marked by my mom for me)...

The author prefaced this by sharing the story of Jesus walking on water and Peter's faith as he walked on the water toward Jesus.  (Matthew 14)

"We are guaranteed moments in this life when the winds of adversity rise, when our boat seems way too small for so vast an ocean, and when we can't bail water fast enough to stay afloat.  We gaze into the fearsome storm that rages all around us and realize we can't navigate it on our own.  In such moments, what can save the child of God?  What will bring her peace?  Peace comes when we remember whom to call and where to look.  Is a storm raging in your life today?  Don't look down.  Instead, keep your eyes on Jesus." (5 Minutes with Jesus, Peace for Today by Sheila Walsh)

I don't think it is a coincidence that my last post on this blog was titled "LOOK UP!".   It says: 

"Look up...because in times like these, your very life may depend on it.  Some time ago, the Lord showed me that a spirit of weariness is trying to work its way into our lives these days through all the pressure and bad news that surround us. It's working to get our eyes off the Word of God by bombarding us with negative forces. It's trying to get us to look down at defeat instead of up at Jesus."

2016 has not been my most favorite year.  Have I (we) had trials this year... ABSOLUTELY!  Have they been fun... no... they are not and have not been fun at all.  I get tired (weary) of dealing with the same stuff over and over and over again with no avail, but I must remind myself that there are better days ahead.  This too shall pass.  For a while, my eyes, my thoughts, and my soul have been wandering.  I can feel it... others can see it.  But I am ready to get back to where I need to be.  I am immensely blessed, and I want to be able to say... It is well with my soul.  So I will end this post here...    

"My eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; 

in you I see refuge; leave me not defenseless!

Psalm 142:8

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Good Morning.... LOOK UP!

Here is the regular morning devotional.  I don't know that I have to share my thoughts on this one... I think we can all relate!

Look Up!

by Kenneth Copeland

Look up...because in times like these, your very life may depend on it.

Some time ago, the Lord showed me that a spirit of weariness is trying to work its way into our lives these days through all the pressure and bad news that surround us. It's working to get our eyes off the Word of God by bombarding us with negative forces. It's trying to get us to look down at defeat instead of up at Jesus.

If you let that happen, your spirit man will begin to lose his dominion. And the Word tells us what the result of that is. It says you will "be wearied and faint in your minds."

Jesus put it this way in Mark 4. He said that when the cares of this world enter into your heart and mind, they'll choke the Word and cause it to become unfruitful. And since your faith is the product of the Word, that means your faith will wither. Once that happens, you're headed for disaster.

What can you do to stop this chain reaction of weariness?

Look up! Get your eyes back on Jesus. I remember on the field of athletic competition that when an opponent allowed himself to drop his head, he was no longer dangerous. He could be very easily defeated. So keep your head up. Keep considering Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Consider Him instead of the cares of this world. Consider what God says in His Word. Be moved by the thoughts of God. Let His thoughts become your thoughts.

Look up! Get your eyes off the circumstances around you and onto your heavenly source. Don't be afraid you're going to lose everything. God is your source, not the world. He can take care of you regardless of what happens around you.

If you've gotten weary lately, begin to lift your eyes. Raise your head up instead of looking down. God is up. Jesus is up. The devil is down―under your feet. Look up!

Starting New....

I am starting a new year devotional on YouVersion and wanted to share it with you.  I think it's perfect because we always look at starting over with a "It's best to do it on Monday or New Year's or the first of the month..."  This devotional is talking about the beginning of the year, but also says that we can start over any time we want.  Life is never too far gone to come back to the One who hears our hearts.  I hope you enjoy it!

From Faith to Faith

Day 1 of 366

A Happy New Year by Kenneth Copeland "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 Today people everywhere are gathering together to celebrate the first bright moments of the new year. Yet, for thousands of others, this day will be the toughest 24 hours of their lives. For those people, New Year's Day will serve only as a dim reminder of loneliness and loss. It will simply mark the beginning of another year of failure. What about you? What's this year really going to be like for you? You may appear to be happy enough. You may be passing out seasonal smiles and holiday greetings just like everyone else. But inside, you may hurt. You may be disappointed. You may even feel like you can't go on. If so, I want you to know something. All of that can change in an instant. You can start your life over today and make this New Year's Day the most joyful day of your life! How many times have you said to yourself, "If I could just start over, I'd do it all differently"? That doesn't have to be simply an idle wish. Jesus Christ has actually made it possible. That's His Christmas present to you. He paid the price for all your sins. He paid the penalty for all your mistakes. That's the reason He came to earth. That's the reason He was born―so you could start over! You may look at your life and say, "But I've made some terrible mistakes. I've done some despicable things." That doesn't matter. Jesus paid the price for them all! How can you make a new start? Romans 10:9 says that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." It's as easy as saying, "Jesus, I'm turning my life over to You. From this day forward I'm Yours." What better time to turn your life around than on this first day of the new year. Right now, wherever you are, just give your life to Jesus. Then jump up and down and holler, "Praise God, I'm starting all over!" And find out what it really means to have a happy new year! Romans 10:1-13 NIV 1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”