God is Working in You

“for it is God who works in you to will

and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:13

“God has not left us alone in our struggles to do his will.  He wants to come alongside us and be within us to help.  God gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases him.  The secret to a changed life is to submit to God's control and let him work.  Next time, ask God to help you want to do his will.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Just Ask...

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 

that if we ask anything according to his will,

he hears us.”    1 John 5:14

“The emphasis here is on God’s will, not our will.  When we communicate with God, we don’t demand what we want; rather we discuss with him what he wants for us.  If we align our prayers to his will, he will listen; and we can be certain that if he listens, he will give us a definite answer.  Start praying with confidence!”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Just...Live in the Present

“Living in the Present: Live Life, Enjoy the blessing!
Bible Verses about the best way to live… Enjoy the blessing of each day!
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, MSG After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.”

~ jollynotes.com

Perspective

"Perspective is all about seeing something from a larger frame of reference. The thing is, having the right perspective is awfully hard sometimes because we see things from such a small vantage point. It’s hard to step outside of our ordinary ways of thinking to see God’s bigger picture. Even when we are looking for that bigger picture, many times God, in His infinite wisdom, chooses not to reveal it to us.

This can result in frustration and bad attitudes as we deal with our own lack of understanding. We will often have the wrong perspective because we are looking at things through our own eyes instead of having the faith the look up and see the One who is holding the framework of a bigger picture."

~ journeytoimperfect.com

Angels Among Us

“Angels Among Us”

Lyrics by Alabama

Oh I believe there are, angels among us
Sent down to us, from somewhere up above
They come to you and me, in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone, to come along, and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend, just to say, I understand
But ain't it kind of funny, at the dark end of the road
That someone lights the way, with just a single ray of hope

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places
To grace us with their mercy, in our time of need

Trust in God

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

“Our relationship with Christ can be strong enough to trust Him when life hurts.  When we live by what we see, feel, hear, touch, and think, we are limited to the natural realm.  Within those limitations we will get caught in a vortex of expectations, disappointments, and doubt.  We’re like spiritual yo-yos, spinning up, down, and all around.  We can overcome this downward spin by trusting God.  As we get closer to the one who loves us, He can make Himself known in ways that we have never experienced.  Our goal is to reach out to Him and receive Him.”

“There is life-giving power and hope that are unleashed when we put our focus on God instead of our problems.  There is also a negative power when we focus on our problems; it’s called worry.  It’s a form of fear, and it will drain the joy and strength right out of our lives.  However, we can look to God for who He is, what He does, and what He gives.  He will change us on the inside and plant faith firmly in our lives.”

“Trusting in God’s goodness raises us toward His perspective of power, possibility, and life to the fullest - regardless of out circumstances.”

From the book “Thriving” by Nancy Grisham

Live in the Moment

“Living in the Moment”

Some of the lyrics sung by Jason Mraz

If this life is one act

Why do we lay all these traps

We put them right in our path

When we just wanna be free

I will not waste my days

Making up all kinds of ways

To worry about all the things

That will not happen to me

So I just let go of what I know I don't know

And I know I only do this by

Living in the moment

Living my life

Easy and breezy

With peace in my mind

With peace in my heart

Peace in my soul

Wherever I'm going, I'm already home

Living in the moment

“Don’t worry about tomorrow - Let tomorrow worry about itself.”

Matthew 6:34

Live for the moment, Live in the moment 

A Prayer

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,

for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God; may your 

good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Psalm 143:8-10

“David was losing hope, caught in paralyzing fear and depression.  At times, we feel caught in deepening depression, and we are unable to pull ourselves out.  At those times, we can come to the Lord and, like David, express our true feelings.  Then he will help us as we remember his works, reach out to him in prayer, trust him, and decide to do his will.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Live Unafraid

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust

and not be afraid.”

Isaiah 12:2

Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up your requests to God 

in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. 

Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep 

your hearts and minds safe in Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“You and I will experience fear, but we don’t have to be oppressed, defeated, or controlled by it.  We can face our fears with faith, examine our assumptions in light of facts, attack our anxieties with action, and release our cares to God.  And in doing this we will discover the “peace of God that exceeds all understanding.”  This peace allows us to live unafraid with courage and hope.”

~ From the book “Unafraid” by Adam Hamilton