Wondering Mind

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Lately, I find my mind wondering off a thousand miles away. I go before the Lord in prayer only to realize I have drifted away. Then I set down to read and know not what I read, so I must re-read. My mind being consumed with things... some good, such as a growing relationship with my girlfriend. This brings me great joy. But… then there is worry. Will the economy crash and burn or not? Will my IRA survive this crazy economy; I do not know what to think or do. It is scary having your retirement invested in what could be a collapsing economy, yet what is one to do? Then my mind is off to something else.

O Lord, what am I to do?

You will keep him in perfect peace,
      Whose mind is stayed on You,
      Because he trusts in You. 

(Isaiah 26:3)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 

(John 16:33)

Do Not Worry

  
²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

(Matthew 6:25-34)

Unbelief

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I just returned home from a wonderful vacation, and a much needed one I might add. While in Chicago, we attended a terrific Bible study one night; the topic was from Mark chapter 16 concerning the resurrection. There was one thing which stood out to me, unbelief. When those who had seen the resurrected Christ, they told the disciples, yet none believed.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

⁹ Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. ¹¹ And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

 ¹² After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. ¹³ And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. (Mark 16:9-13 NKJV)

My initial thought, “how could they not believe? How many times had Jesus told them this would happen? How is it that they did not believe?” The more I thought about this the more I realized we today are no different and I am no exception. Most people in the world have heard of the return of Christ, yet many do not think it will happen or at least they be judged. God has made this quite clear in Scripture; there will be a day of judgment. I think most Christians believe in the second coming, but do we live like it? Are we concerned for the lost? Just think; any day could be our last. The moment we step into eternity, we will never have the opportunity to tell a lost person of salvation through Jesus.

What about God promises has made us in His word?

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV)

If I live by this passage of scripture, do I really believe God's peace will guard my heart and mind? 

God has made many promises through His Word, yet do I really believe? If I really believe His promises, why do I worry so much?

Is there any areas of unbelief in your walk with the Lord? We can always trust God's Word to be true, but in our fallen sinful state, trusting can be easier said than done. 

Praise God, Even When It Hurts

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My tears have been my food day and night,

         While they continually say to me,
         “Where is your God?” 

        (Psalm 42:3)

I remember a time before I was saved thinking, concerning a Christian man who lost his job. “Where is your God now? He sure helped you, didn’t He?” During trying times, one may ask, “Where is God?” Maybe a job loss during these difficult economic times or the loss of a loved one leaves a person in doubt and intense sorrow.  They keep calling out to God, yet their suffering continues. It is easy to say "God has forgotten me."

         I will say to God my Rock,
         “Why have You forgotten me?
         Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” 

         (Psalm 42:9)

Life sure can throw some difficult things at us at times. I know in the past I have felt like God has forgotten me, or why would He help me? However, we must always remember when the storms of life come our way; there is always an open door. Are we going to walk through the door drawing closer to God remembering all the good He has done? Are we still going to lift up our praises trusting He is with us?  Or are we going to close the door?

        Why are you cast down, O my soul?
         And why are you disquieted within me?
         Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
         For the help of His countenance. 

            (Psalm 42:5)

No matter how terrible things may become, we always have a reason to praise God. He sent His son to die for us. God gave us eternal life, those who believe upon His Son, Jesus Christ. Is that not enough reason to continue praising Him? Yet He has done so much more. Maybe take some time right now to remember the good He has done in your life and never let it depart from your heart and mind. If you are struggling with something right now, Psalm 42 and 43 are awesome Psalms to dive into.

And always, always remember:

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

⁶ So we may boldly say:

      “ The LORD is my helper;
      I will not fear.
      What can man do to me?”  

      (Hebrews 13:5-6)

All scripture from the NKJV