My Anchor

What do you do when the storms of life come? To whom do you turn? Where do you seek comfort and security during such tumultuous times?

Throughout our lives, these storms come and go unexpectedly, but they do not have to throw us off-balance. Scripture assures us that we can maintain a steady footing regardless of the circumstances. So how do we do this? There is an amazing truth in the Bible that will keep us steady during the most trying times. Our anchor for the storms of life is simply this: Jesus Christ never changes.

Why is this so vital, and what do we mean by an “anchor”? Consider that every single thing in your life—career, relationships, finances—is in a state of constant change. You yourself are aging and changing every minute of each day, and there is nothing you can do to stop this process. In fact, even the current heaven and earth will grow old and perish, and like a garment they will be changed (Revelation 21:1). Yet through it all, Christ remains the same. 

If we try to hold tightly to any of these earthly things during our hardships, we will be tossed about in various directions since we’ve affixed ourselves to an unstable foundation that’s continually shifting. However, if we place our hope in Christ, we can be sure that the anchor will hold because He isn’t moving, changing, or leaving. In fact, Jesus Christ is the only sure footing in a world of movement, and He will steady all who trust in Him.

~Charles Stanley Daily Devotional

God Is Always with You

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present 

help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

Your Ever-Present Help

God is always with you. That means He is present at all times, continually, perpetually, throughout all time. In your day of trouble, He promises to be a help to you. How is He your help? “Help” means something different to each person. That’s because “help” is specific to your need. If you need money to pay your bills, a chocolate cake isn’t going to be much help! But we serve a God who is very specific. And because He is always with you, He always knows exactly what you need and is always ready to provide it! Today, are you facing trouble or adversity? Know that God is with you. Look to Him for help. Trust that He has the answer, and that He is working things out in your favor. As you continue to believe Him and follow His direction, He will lead you in the way that you should go. He will comfort you, revive you, restore you and bless you! He will be your ever-present help because He is forever faithful to His Word!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, thank You for being my ever-present help. I trust today that You are with me, that You are comforting me and restoring my soul. I lift my eyes to You this day. Help me to follow Your commands and honor You as You direct my steps in Jesus’ name. Amen." ~Joel Osteen Devotional

Christmas Star

I would like to share something this morning!  I was praying to God last night because I was needing His help and needing to feel him in my heart.

Early this morning I woke up bright eyed and thinking about Jesus and then a verse came to mind which was:
“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”     Romans 15:13

Then my husband said there was starting of beautiful sunrise, but what caught my eye immediately was a single star shining so brightly!!!  In the Bible it says that the Morning Star is Christ!

“as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning Star rises in your hearts.”
2 Peter 1:19
In my Study Bible it says about that verse that “ we have Scripture as the light and the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture for us and guide us as we seek the truth.”
Then I was guided to read 2 Peter;  I truly believe the Holy Spirit was trying to help and guide me this morning!!!

Keep Your Hopes Up

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take rest in safety.”

Job 11:18

Keep Your Hopes Up

In the world today, it seems there are so many things trying to pull us down. Every time you turn around, you're being bombarded with bad news. Life can be difficult, but there is a peace that God can give you in the midst of the challenge. If you'll keep your hopes up and keep your mind focused in the right direction, you'll get to the place where you'll say, "I should be upset. I should be losing sleep at night, but I'm not the least bit worried. I know God is still on the throne. I know He's working this out for my good." When you keep your hopes up, you eventually step into the anointing of ease. You don't drag around discouraged or despondent. You're in faith, hoping, believing and expecting. That's when God will move on your behalf. That's when you'll look up and say, "You know what? I don't struggle in this area anymore. God took the pressure off. Things are starting to fall into place." You may not be there just yet, but there is hope! God who promised to deliver you is faithful, and He will lead you in victory all the days of your life!

~ From a daily devotional

Anxious for Nothing

Today, I will live today.
I will face today’s challenges with today’s strength.
I will dance today’s waltz with today’s music.
I will celebrate today’s opportunities with today’s hope.

May I laugh, listen, learn, and love.

A new day awaits.  A new season in which you will worry less and trust more.  A season with reduced
fear and enhance faith.  Can you imagine a life in which you are anxious for nothing?  God can.  And,
with his help, you can experience it!!!

~ Words from Max Lucado’s book - Anxious for Nothing

A Prayer for You

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  
Ephesians 3:16-19

Just Laugh

Laugh as much as you Breathe,

Love as much as you Live.

“Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.”  Psalms 126:2

Laughter is an amazing ability that God gave us all.  

Laughter helps us cope with sadness and life.  

Enjoy the Laughter Yoga exercise!!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HJILWHNbSus

Peace of God

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”     Philippians 4:7

“This peace is a constant invitation in our lives as we through the doors of decisions of relationships, of daily tasks.  But how many times do we accept it?”
~ Anxiety for Nothing by Max Lucado

Let Go and Let God

Let go and let God. He knows what’s best (Jeremiah 29:11). Here’s five ways to surrender control today and practice letting go and letting God:

1. Stop Striving & Start Abiding

I saw a Christian Instagram account the other day and the description read, “striving to be a Godly woman.” No disrespect or judgment here, but didn’t Jesus come so that we could stop striving? Psalm 46:8 says, “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NASB). The first step in learning to let go of control is to stop striving. We don’t have to strive to make our life turn out a certain way; we just have to abide in Him (John 15).

2. Confess and Surrender Your Need for Control

If you’re like me and you crave control, the remedy for change is prayer. Go to God and be honest — tell Him how you feel. Say, “God I confess I like being in control. It makes me feel safe and secure. It makes me feel like I have a purpose. But I know that being a control freak isn’t going to get me anywhere. Help me surrender control to you each and every day. Help me trust in you deeply, so that I will not fear surrendering that control. Help me remember that you hold it all.”

If you’re having trouble surrendering through prayer alone, try taking out a piece of paper and write down the things you are holding so tightly to. One by one, lay the pieces of paper on the floor and as you’re doing so, imagine yourself literally laying them down at the feet of the Father.

3. Be Still and Know

In Exodus 14, we see the best Egyptian fighters try to capture the Israelites (this is the scene before the parting of the Red Sea). Instead of trying to control every little detail of their escape plan, in verses 13-14 Moses tells the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm … the LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (NIV). And you know what God did? He rescued them! He was in control the whole time, even when the enemy was on its way, ready to take the Israelites down. He can do the same for us when we trust and rest in Him.

4. Trust, Trust, Trust

Trusting in God is a lifelong process. Like many aspects o the Christian faith, it’s a choice that we make every day. We have to learn to let go of trying to figure out the “whys” of life and trust that God understands more than we ever could. Here’s what has helped me trust God when my flesh would rather trust myself: making a list of all the things God has carried me through, listening to Lauren Daigle’s song “Trust In You” on repeat, reading the Word.

5. Seek God

God holds the world in His hands — but we’ll never fully grasp the power and extent of those hands if we’re not tuned in to and focused on Him. When we surrender control, wait and trust in God’s plan, we can know that he will be faithful to lead us where He wants us to go. Jeremiah 29:13 says “You will find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (NASB). Seek God and he will direct your steps.

How to Strengthen Your Faith

How to Strenthen your Faith

Matthew 17:14-20

How do you know whether your faith is strong or weak? We realize that as believers, we’re supposed to trust God with every aspect of life, but circumstances may cause us to waver. This is not a new problem—five times in the book of Matthew, Jesus pointed out examples and symptoms of what He called “little faith.”

Anxiety. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed people who were worried about their basic needs being met (Matt. 6:25-34). He assured them of divine provision if God’s kingdom was their top priority. 

Fear. When a storm arose, the disciples were afraid even though the Creator of the wind and the sea was with them, asleep in the boat (Matt. 8:23-27). 

Focus. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he had faith to walk on water. But when he focused on his circumstances, he began to sink. (Matt. 14:24-33). 

Forgetfulness. Despite the feeding of thousands, the disciples failed to remember Christ’s past provision in their current situation (Matt. 16:5-12). 

Inadequacy.  Although Jesus had given His disciples authority to cast out demons, they felt inadequate and lacked divine power when faced with a particularly difficult situation (Matt. 17:14-20). 

In each case, the wrong mindset resulted in a lack of confidence in Christ. Diminished faith begins not with circumstances but with our thinking and focus. Therefore, if we want to increase our trust in God, we must fill our minds with the truth of Scripture, remember our Father’s faithfulness to us in the past, and look for His hand working in our present situation. When our minds are renewed, our faith will be also.

~ In Touch Ministries

Terrible and Beautiful Things

Psalm 57

Fear can leave us frozen. We know all the reasons to be afraid—everything that’s hurt us in the past, everything that could easily do so again. So sometimes we’re stuck—unable to go back; too afraid to move forward. I just can’t do it. I’m not smart enough, strong enough, or brave enough to handle being hurt like that again.
I’m captivated by how author Frederick Buechner describes God’s grace: like a gentle voice that says, “Here is the world. Terrible and beautiful things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you.”
Terrible things will happen. In our world, hurting people hurt other people, often terribly. Like the psalmist David, we carry our own stories of when evil surrounded us, when, like “ravenous beasts,” others wounded us (Psalm 57:4). And so we grieve; we cry out (vv. 1–2).
But because God is with us, beautiful things can happen too. As we run to Him with our hurts and fears, we find ourselves carried by a love far greater than anyone’s power to harm us (vv. 1–3), a love so deep it fills the skies (v. 10). Even when disaster rages around us, His love is a solid refuge where our hearts find healing (vv. 1, 7). Until one day we’ll find ourselves awakening to renewed courage, ready to greet the day with a song of His faithfulness (vv. 8–10).

Healer and Redeemer, thank You for holding us and healing us with Your endless love. Help us find in Your love the courage to follow You and share Your love with those around us.

~ Monica Brands
Our Daily Bread

God’s love and beauty make us brave.

Choose Faith

"Be strong and courageous...".   Joshua 1:9

Choose Faith Today

In the same way that faith opens the door for God to work in our lives, fear opens the door for the enemy to work in our lives. The Bible says that fear brings torment. Fear has no mercy. If you act on fear instead of acting on faith, it will keep you depressed, miserable and lonely. So many people today are missing out on God's joy, peace and victory because they keep giving in to fear. They feed fear by what they watch on TV or read in the news or on the internet. Don't let that be you! Romans tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The more you fill your heart and mind with God's Word, the stronger your faith will be so you can stand against the powers of darkness. Choose faith instead of fear by choosing God's Word. Remember, the power that is in you is greater than the power of fear. When thoughts come that say, "You're not able," choose faith by saying, "I can do all things through Christ!" Choose faith, overcome fear and live in the freedom God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, I receive Your Word today which is life, health and strength to me. I choose to close the door on fear by guarding what I say, listen to, and dwell on. Fill me with Your love and faith as I meditate on Your Word in Jesus' name. Amen." Joel Osteen

God Helps Us Pray

Romans 8:26-27 

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

“As a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems.  Even when you don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers.  With God helping you pray,  you don’t need to be afraid to come before him.  Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in accordance with the will of God.  Then, when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will always do what is best.”

~Life Application Study Bible

Do Not Fear

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you 

by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1

From the Daily Bread Devotional

During a visit to the National September 11 Memorial in New York City, I quickly photographed one of the twin reflecting pools. Around these two pools, the names of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the World Trade Center attacks are etched into bronze panels. Later, while looking more closely at the photo, my eyes were drawn to the hand of a woman resting on a name. Many people come to this place to touch a name and remember someone they loved.
The prophet Isaiah reminded God’s people of His unfailing love and concern for them, even though they had often turned away from Him. The Lord said, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
In the 23rd Psalm, David wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley [the valley of the shadow of death], I will fear no evil, for you are with me . . . . Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (vv. 4, 6).
God never forgets us. No matter where we are or whatever our situation, He knows our names and holds us fast in His unfailing love.

Father in heaven, thank You for calling us by name and surrounding us with Your love, today and forever.

Strong and Courageous

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”   Joshua 1:9

“Every new job or task is a challenge.  Without God it can be frightening.  With God it can be a great adventure.  Everyday we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations.  God promises, however, that he will never abandon us or fail to help us.  By asking God to direct us we can conquer many life’s challenges.”  
~ Life Application Study Bible

As for me, when anxiety or depression wants to creep in I let go of God until I remind myself to go quickly to God!  He truly can help us not sink into that darkness, it takes work, but with God’s help, we can do it!!!

Reasons to Pray

Psalm 25:1-22

What motivates you to talk with God? Throughout the Scriptures, we are commanded to pray. In fact, Jesus—the Son of God—considered prayer so essential that He regularly left the crowds to seek time alone with His Father (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). Any relationship requires communication if it is to grow and flourish, and that includes our relationship with God. 

David was a man who knew the Lord intimately. Since he recorded many of his prayers in the psalms, we are able to catch a glimpse of his heart as he poured out his soul before the Lord. Today’s passage shows us five reasons that we, too, should come to God in prayer: 

1. Guidance (Psalm 25:4-5). If we ask, the Lord will lead and teach us.

2. Forgiveness (Psalm 25:7; Psalm 25:11). Each day we need God’s cleansing for sin and His power to repent and turn back to Him.

3. Decisions (Psalm 25:12). When we reverentially fear God, He instructs us in the way we should choose.

4. Trouble (Psalm 25:16-18). When we’re overwhelmed by difficulties, no one can comfort us like the Lord.

5. Protection (Psalm 25:19-20). God is the one who guards our soul and rescues us from the enemy’s attacks. 

When we seek the Lord, He becomes our refuge. God understands our weaknesses and invites us to come to Him with all our concerns. It’s in the intimacy of prayer that we learn to know His faithfulness, compassion, and love. Then we can say, as David did, “O my God, in You I trust” (Psalm 25:2).

~ Daily devotional from In Touch Ministries

Trust

As we mature spiritually, we become more solidly rooted in the confidence that God is faithful. But sometimes doubt will creep in and wither our trust. In order not to lose ground, we must act decisively to reduce misgivings. Here are three steps we should take:

1. Recall God’s past faithfulness, and remember His promises. When we devote time to thanking the Lord for His intervention in prior situations, we are reminded of His love and provision. Meditating on promises from Scripture also reassures us that He will continue to meet every need. For example, Psalm 41:12 says that the Father is always present with His children, and His Holy Spirit was given to us for strength and direction (John 16:13;  Eph. 3:16).

2. Water your growing faith with God’s Word. When you ask for scriptural guidance, the Lord will direct you to passages that relate to your situation and offer needed emotional and spiritual assurance. Spend time meditating on these verses, prayerfully considering how to apply them to your circumstances.

3. Choose to believe God and His promises. He has proven Himself faithful from the first moment of creation to the present. We are wise to place our confidence in Him.

Developing a sturdy, well-rooted faith requires that we cooperate with the heavenly Father. Our human nature complicates matters by making us vulnerable to doubt. But when we choose to trust God, uncertainty cannot shrink our faith.

~ Today’s blog from In Touch Ministries

Dance for Jesus

Dance for Jesus!!!  He wants you to feel great!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUtYQrbCkMo

Rest Assured

"When we are feeling breathless with anxiety, we can rest assured in Jesus' power.  Whether He calms our waves or strengthens us to face them, He will give us the gift of peace that "transcends all understanding."(Philippians 4:7).  And as He releases us from our fears, our spirits and our bodies can return to a state of rest."
~ Our Daily Bread

Have Faith

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Ouiet!  Be still!”  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”   Mark 4:39

“Problems occur in every area of life.  The Christian life may have more stormy weather than calm seas.  As Christ’s follower, be prepared for storms that will surely come.  Do not surrender to the stress, but remain resilient and recover from setbacks.  With faith in Christ, you can pray, trust, and move ahead.  When a squall approaches, lean into the wind and trust God.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

True Joy

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:11

“True joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstances.  Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ.  The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us level headed, no matter how high or low our circumstances.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Just Dance

Just Dance!!!

Thought you all should know this little bit of information I read the other day, so true!  Maybe it is because I love to dance and want everyone to experience the enjoyment of dancing and that it is reelee good for you!

Why Dance?

The Art of Dancing is often described as a magical and transforming experience.  Dancing has the unique ability to lift the spirit and reveal hidden creativity.  Through the use of song and Dance, sadness can quickly be transformed into joy!  There are physical benefits to Dancing as well.  It has been proven that a Dance that requires you to remember various dance steps and sequences boosts brain power by improving memory skills.  Dancing can also burn just as many calories as other forms of exercise such as walking, jogging or lifting weights.

Dancing can help to:

Strenthen the mind and body

Tone muscles

Improve your mental outlook

Increase your stamina and flexibility

Reduce stress and tension

Build confidence

Provide opportunities to meet people

So, Just Dance!!!

God Is Our Hope

Found this great article!!!

  When we’re feeling breathless with anxiety, we can rest assured in Jesus’s power. Whether He calms our waves or strengthens us to face them, He will give us the gift of His peace that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). And as He releases us from our fears, our spirits and our bodies can return to a state of rest.


You have control on what you think. You have control on to embrace the evil thoughts or fearful thoughts or tell them to get out of here. I hope you caught that. Its in your power to loose them out of your mind. Take your God given authority, take the dominion that God has given you. Fight the good fight of faith. YOU WIN!!!!!!!! Having the understanding that NO Weapon formed against you SHALL PROSPER. Demons brings torment yet God brings peace.

Our HOPE group meets every Monday evenings at 7:00 at the DS Presbyterian Church on RR12.  Together we give each other support struggling with depression and anxiety!!  All are welcome❣️

Art Heals

I found this article and I wanted to share it because I really think everyone would benefit from doing some kind of art in their lives, really helps, I know!

The mental health benefits of crafting

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression — a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest — is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Traditional treatment with medications and psychological counseling are very effective for most people with depression. But alternative treatments are getting more attention these days, and researchers are beginning to study the mental health benefits of creativity and crafting.

Studies suggest that painting pictures, making music, sewing skirts, or creating cakes can have the following positive benefits for mental health.

Reduced anxiety

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. A study called “The Influence of Art Making on Anxiety: A Pilot Study” suggests that a little time working on art can significantly reduce a person’s state of anxiety. Another study indicates that art allows people to forget about their condition for a while, allowing them to focus on the positive things in their life. Being wholly focused on a craft project can have an effect similar to meditation, which research suggests can help in the management of anxiety and depression.

Improved mood

What researchers are beginning to document regarding crafting and our mood, we’ve known instinctively for quite a long time. Quilting bees offered colonial women an escape from isolation. Craft competitions at county fairs provided purpose for individuals in the 20th century. More recently, scrapbooking has given people a sense of pride and camaraderie. Recent research is providing evidence on how crafts and creativity can lift a person’s mood.

For instance, a study on clay work published in Art Therapy suggests that handling clay is effective for reducing negative moods. Another study finds that creativity allows people to change their perspective on life, which then helps them turn negative emotions into positive ones.

Increased happiness

Dopamine is a chemical associated with the reward center in your brain. Among other things, it provides feelings of enjoyment to help you start or continue doing certain activities. A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that people with depression are lacking in dopamine. Crafting is a nonmedicinal way to stimulate dopamine, which ultimately makes you feel happy. In a study of 3,500 knitters, researchers found that 81 percent of knitters with depression perceived that knitting made them feel happier.

Get creative

If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, talk to a healthcare provider. They may recommend medications or counseling. In addition to traditional recommendations, consider taking some time to get creative. Here are some ideas:

• Join a knitting group. Not only can group members help you improve your skills, they can also become friends and keep you from feeling isolated.
• Bake and decorate a cake.
• Color in an adult coloring book.
• Paint a picture.
• Make a door wreath.
• Create a seasonal centerpiece for your kitchen table.
• Sew a dress or pillow cover.
• Get out in nature and take some photos.
• Learn to play an instrument.

Birds of hope

I have to believe that making those green felt birds helped my grandmother cope with her depression. She must have had fond memories of making them, despite the fact that she was dealing with challenges in her life at the time. I like to believe that sewing the felt and picking out the sequins helped her forget her troubles, elevated her mood, and made her happy. And I like to believe that using them to decorate her tree every December reminded her of how strong she was.

I kept one of those funny-looking birds, and every year, I hang it on my Christmas tree. I always smile as I place it among the more sophisticated glass and ceramic ornaments. It reminds me that in the midst of our struggles, we can always create hope.

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by all of the activities we are doing that we forget to stop and give thanks for all the ways God has blessed us. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7. 

We give thanks to God for He is good. Thanking God is good for us. Everything we have is a gift from God. When we give thanks to God we have gratefulness. This gratitude to God gives us the gift of humility keeping us from being self centered and arrogant and keeps our heart in right relationship with God who gives us all His gifts. As we give thanks we are reminded of how much we have in Christ. 

This week let us begin each day thanking God for breath and life and the blessings He will give us today!

~ Jim Marroquin 

HOPE

“Put your hope in God,...”

Psalm 42:5

“Drepression is one of the most common emotional ailments.  One antidote for depression is to meditate on the word of God’s goodness to his people.  This will take your mind off the present situation and give hope that it will improve.  It will focus your thoughts on God’s ability to help you rather than on your own inability to help yourself.  When you feel depressed, take advantage of Psalm 42 antidepressant.  Read the Bible’s accounts of God’s goodness, and meditate on them.”

~ Life Application Bible Study

I have created a support group for those of us who struggle with depression/anxiety called HOPE.  We meet every Monday night from 7:00 to 8:30pm at the Drippings Springs Presbyterian Church on RR12.  All are welcome, just show up and hopefully you will!!!

“Hope Prevails” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, a book I highly recommend reading!!