How do you feel today?

Anxious? Worried? Fearful?

How you deal with these feelings is very important. According to Philippians 4:5, we need to "let [our] gentleness b e evident to all. The Lord is near." In the verses surrounding this, we learn that we are to be anxious in nothing, but with prayer and petition and with thanksgiving, bring our requests to God. When we do this, we will have the peace of God which is beyond all understanding. (Philippians 4:2-9)

We can't stay away from the Bible. In order to educate yourself, you must be in it. This has always been hard for me. Why? Because I struggle with reading it only as a historical reference and reading it as God's holy Word? Why? Who knows, but I need to read it everyday. There is truth in the Word and answers to life's questions and problems.

We can show our opinions in many ways. The Bible shows us some of these ways.

Psalms 126:2-3

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, the LORD has done great things for them. the LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Recently we had a speaker, Tara, and she spoke of how we can be lights for Christ in very ordinary places. For example, while at the dentist, she was able to be a light for Christ to the dental hygeinist. This is not an easy task, mind you, because first of all, she had someone else's hands in her mouth, but was still able to share her faith with this woman and show her the truth of God.

Also, we teach our children everyday through things we don't realize that we do. Are we really showing our faith to our children, or are we being fake?

The world wants us to have drama. This is Satan's goal. Drama sells. But do you realize that you dny God when you buy into the drama? We all have drama in our lives. We are all broken. As Beth Moore says "From the time I was very little, my world has been broken. The Bible and God are the only things that keep me grounded."
Psalm 131

A song of ascents of David
My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and for evermore.

Psalm 125

A song of ascent
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures for ever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and for evermore. The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted fto the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. Do good, O Lord, to those whoa re good, to those who are upright in the heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.

We need to be mindful of what Satan is doing with us and to us. He uses our feelings against us: doubt, shame, fear, and blame.

But we have a Force more powerful than anything that Satan can throw against us. We must work together as the body of Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us the God created us to yearn for a connection with Him.

We are also commanded to pray for those who are in charge whether they are the President or our pastors. They are the ones who need it most!

Recently, we had the elections for President of the United States. For some people, the results were exactly what they wanted, while others had a less than desired outcome (for lack of better wording). Throughout the entire election season, there was a lot of name calling and mud slinging. But according to the Bible, we need to be respectful no matter your political affiliation. We need to show our opinions, not just talk about them. Talk is cheap and anyone can talk, but can you show why you have the opinion? God allowed Barack Obama to be elected our future President for a reason. The future will show why. No matter what happens, it will be for God's glory. Read about David and Saul and you will see an example of this. I'm not comparing Obama to David or Saul, but God makes things happen for a purpose.

The only way to really connect with God is to get down (on your knees in prayer) and then He can lift us up.

If you can't get down, then you can't be lifted up. That is when Satan gets ahold of you.

When I do things, what am i showing other people? if people can hear me now, what am I telling them about Christ.

There's another saying: "Garbage in, garbage out" We have to be careful whe you're around because that's what you'll become. if have found this in my own life. if I'm watching too much tv, espcially tv with foul language, I'm more likely to have thoughts that include this kind of language. I must surround myself with Holy things and make sure that I'm in relationship with God. Again, not one of my strong points.

Finally, don't let Satan in your car because He'll demand to drive. Dress yourelf in the Bible just like you get dressed daily. Put on the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Wit this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Do not fear, but go to God in prayer daily and you wil be clothed in His light and be used for His glory.