Seek Him First

While on line at the grocery store, have you every caught yourself looking at the entertainment magazines, wishing you had what others had- whether it be the wealth, the popularity, the looks, or the clothes? Maybe, you have even turned on the television and have seen programs highlighting the lives of the rich and famous and have envied them for what they have. In our world today it seems that the mindset is always toward getting more, looking better, and gaining more popularity. And the sad thing is, no matter how much we do get, how great we already look, or popular we become, there is always just that little bit more to go because ultimately someone out there may have just a little bit more than we think we have. But really, if we take the time to think about it, is that how we are to be led in life, patterning our lives after the lives of celebrities? Should our goal be to always get more in this world and find ways to make ourselves happy in this life with what the world has to offer? If that is the case, the pursuit will never end. The truth is this present world is guided by three underlying pursuits- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- and we can often find two (if not all three) of these things continually promoted on television and on the magazine counters. But now, here comes the dilemma: in this life there are things we need and want, so then how do we find our needs met if we don't seek them in our own strength? I believe the answer to this question can be found in Matthew 6:19-34, which begins by telling us that we are not to store up treasures for ourselves here on earth but rather in heaven. Our mind is to be focused on God's Kingdom and not on the things in this world; we are to look toward the things of eternity rather than the things of this life. Okay, perhaps you're still wondering, "If we set our mind on spiritual things, how will we find our needs met here on earth?" God answers this unspoken question in the following verses (Matthew 6:25-33), promising that as we seek Him first, He will provide for us the needs that everyone in this world is striving after: food and clothing. He tells us not to worry about these things, because He will make sure our needs our met! In my own life I have seen this so many times with things the Lord has done for me, and not just "need" wise. Years ago (2003), when I started teaching, I wanted to work in a public school because I noticed that the teachers there were all "given" laptops. (Actually, the laptops were on loan to them by the school, but I don't think I realized that at the time.) Yet, God had other plans for me, instead of having me work in a public school for my first five years of teaching. When I went to meet with the pastor of a local Christian school, where my sister was already teaching, I felt an inner peace from God that this was where He wanted me to be. Although there were no laptop "giveaways" to teachers in this small Christian school, I enjoyed working there and God supplied my needs. Yet, He certainly surprised me one day when I joined the teachers in Orlando for their annual teacher's convention. It was the first day of our two-day convention, and the staff had arrived a bit late. So, most of us were seated in the back of the large auditorium, which seated around a thousand or more teachers. At the end of the morning general session, they did their usual prize drawings, and stated that they would be giving away a computer. I wanted it, and in my heart I believe that God could give it to me if He wanted to. Well, sure enough the man reached into the box full of teacher's names, and pulled out a piece of paper with my name on it! I won a Dell Inspiron Notebook. Wow, does God supply! I used that laptop to do many things I enjoyed. It was definitely a gift from God. When I share with people these and many other things God has done for me, some may say or think I am a lucky person, and that is not true at all. What I do believe is true is the principle found in Matthew 6, that as we seek God first, He will supply our every need (and perhaps even some of those "wants" too). God is definitely good, and when the Owner of all Creation is our first priority, you can be sure He can definitely give you what you could not gain in your own strength. So, next time you feel tempted to envy the life of someone else for what they have, look up and smile because God will take care of you in ways so much greater than you or this world could ever offer when you put Him first.

Rest in the Lord

Your significance does not come from what you do. Okay, I'm speaking to anyone who has ever felt as if they must accomplish "everything" that comes across their plate in order to have worth. While there are so many things I "would" like to do, no matter how much I accomplish in this life, there always seems to be so much more that can still be done. Yet, while there is definitely a time to work, there is also a point where we must learn to rest...and first and foremost, it is our soul which must do the resting before our physical body can ever fall in line. God tells us in Psalm 37 to "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him". You see, if internally we feel that our actions make us significant, we will not allow the physical part of us to rest either. So then, there has to be a point when we stop and realize that our significance doesn't come from the list of things we have accomplished, but rather springs forth from a reliance and trust in the Lord and His hand on our lives. So...what if I never read every book on my shelf, check my Facebook everyday, or catch the latest news? Is my life less meaningful? Of course not, the reason being: I am confident in this, "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me".(Psalm 138:8 NIV) And as long as I am doing everything that He has purposed for me to do while on this earth, my life will produce the significant results that He wanted me to accomplish, by His Spirit's power operating through me. So, may our prayer be, "Lord, live through me so that I can do and be all that You desire of me". Now that is a relaxing thought; isn't it.

God's Provisions

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19 (KJV)

This Bible verse is so true, and we have experienced it in so many ways throughout the years, which is one reason why during this difficult economic time in our country, I do not feel the need to fear. For one thing, God has already told us in Scripture that He will provide for us and that He cares for us even more than the seemingly insignificant little sparrows, but for another, He has truly proved Himself faithful in our lives time after time. For example, when my dad found it financially impossible to put my sister through college and shared with my mom that he did not want to enter debt because of it, the Lord revealed to my mom after she prayed that "He provided for His own", and sure enough He did. Shortly after, a man from our church wrote out a check for $12,000, the exact amount needed to enroll my sister in the prestigious music college of her choice, and He continued to provide along the way. During her years at the college, my sister was able to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, a desire and prayer request of hers during high school. So, the Lord continued to amaze us in many ways. Another example of God's provision, in my own life, was when I wanted a new car. You see, I had a little 1991 Geo Metro as my first vehicle during college, which my dad had purchased for me and for which I was and still am truly thankful (since many college students today have to pay for many things themselves). Yet after a few years, the little "guy" just seemed to become more and more in need of repair. At one point, I was rolling down the window to open the passenger door when my dad or mom drove me around in it, the air conditioner stopped working, and overall it was just getting old. When I became a teacher, I remembered how my sister had purchased a car for herself (a sunburst gold Kia Rio) a few years after becoming a teacher, and thought it would soon be time for me to buy one for myself. Yet, I thought about how that would be quite a bit of money to put out. However, I played with the idea and even looked at a few vehicles, but still was not sure. I was delighted, though, one day when my mom informed me that my dad was planning on giving me their 2001 Kia Rio when he purchased a new Kia Sorento for her. So, I got my newer vehicle and a Kia Rio at that! What a neat surprise and a great provision from the Lord and my dad. In addition to the finances and provision of a vehicle, the Lord has also blessed me time and again while shopping for clothes. I remember once seeing a pair of pink plaid capris at Sears, which I thought were absolutely wonderful, and I truly wanted to buy them. The only problem: they were $29.00. Now, my birthday was quickly approaching and I knew I would be getting some money soon, but even after they went on sale for $18.00, my dad (who heard about my desire to purchase them) advised me that this would not be a good idea. So, I took his advice, even though I still wanted them. Shortly after, I arrived at the store and found them at an even bigger discount: $8.00! Sounds great, right? Well, I thought so. Yet, after I brought them home, the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy occurred, and the thought of how meaningless my desire to have these pink pants was in light of the whole scheme of things circulated in my mind. So, I returned them. Priorities are priorities, right? Well, God was good; He certainly knew my heart and I did finally get to own them, but it was after one day going to the store and finding a clearance sticker on them for $2.90. A 90% discount! Talk about the Lord's goodness. Even though I do not still own those capris, I still enjoy sharing with others how God could lower the price on them and still have them in my size at the store. I continue to be amazed at how God can stretch our money when we serve Him and when we tithe. He alone can keep us "reeling in the fish" without "breaking our nets" and giving us wonderful testimonies of His goodness and provisions in our lives.

Letting God Dictate Your Mood

Have you ever allowed the reactions of others to dictate your mood? I know I have and have often stressed myself out wondering if I have offended someone or caused them in some way to become displeased with me by either my words or actions. (Now, I am not speaking of purposeful rudeness or moments of being inconsiderate, simply plain conversation or actions where we may feel as if we may say or do the wrong thing and in turn ruin things for ourselves.) Whether people, by their own actions or responses to me in the past have caused or led me to feel that way, I learned during a simple time of prayer with God that I was allowing people to be the "sun" and "clouds" in my day, dictating how I felt about myself and my future and in turn allowing it to determine my mood for the day. If I had a good word, then my day was awesome, but if not, I allowed myself to become somewhat weighed down, waiting for the next sunny moment to arrive. By letting others' words or responses become the primary gauge of how good my day would be and waiting for some morsel of goodwill from them, I realized that I had been putting people in a place where only God should be. He alone owns the place of being the central focus of our lives, being the true Light and Joy to guide our day. When the joy of the Lord is our source of strength there is no need to become concerned over what people think or how our day is "treating" us; He is our ever present help and there is no shadow of turning with Him. When we give people the power to dictate our mood, life can become very dismal. You see, people change from day to day- their moods, their feelings, and their desires, and like you and me, they too experience ups and downs. In fact, their own difficulties may be some of the reason they give off negative vibes, which- if you are not careful- may end up influencing your feelings about your own life. You may read their emotions and feelings as if they are a mirror showing you what your life looks like, but this is not God's way or the truth. In fact, the Scripture shows us that God desires us to look into His Word as we would a mirror and live by faith, walking out His commands. The Bible clearly states that the fear of man is a trap and how true that is. If we become so wrapped up in what people are thinking of us, we lose sight of Christ and the power He has over our lives and circumstances, as is seen in His Word. I am beginning to realize that I must look to Christ for my encouragement and joy rather than people; in His presence is fullness of joy and peace which surpasses all understanding. So, today, may you be encouraged to let God take over your mood gauge, as you look to Him to meet all of you emotional needs. My prayer is that starting today, I may live out what I have shared and continue to grow ever closer to the Lord as I find my Joy and Strength in Him.