Heavenly Minded

The Lord says, “My people perish for lack of vision.” Are you one that is “heavenly-minded”? Or are you one who is easily distracted by the world around you and is “worldly-minded” Cling tight to the vision that Lord has put within your heart. Don’t allow the things of this world to deter you.

In Exodus, we read that the Israelites had been crying out to the Lord taken as captive slaves in Egypt. For years they had a vision of being free and living a promised life. Yet, when that day finally came, right before they were going to enter into the Promise Land, they grumbled against the Lord and said, “It would be better to be slaves there [in Egypt] than to die here in the desert.” (Exodus 14:12). Beloved, do you sometimes feel that way? Have you believed the Lord for a certain promise but when things got tough, you wanted to go back and do things your own way? The Lord says that when we return back to the old things, it is “like a dog returning back to his vomit”. Don’t go back. Hang tight knowing that God’s promises are just on the other side of that mountain. Satan wants to put doubt in your mind to turn you away from the things of God. That’s been his wryly scheme since the beginning of time. He did it with Eve in the Garden of Eden, “Did God really say you couldn’t eat from the tree in the garden?” Don’t fall into that trap. Be heavenly-minded.

Again I say, don’t give up before you get your promise. Don’t be like Moses. Right before entering the Promise Land, he got tired of doing things God’s way and in disobedience, struck water from the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded. He was banned from entering into the Promise Land. Do you desire to have that same fate?

Consider this, after several plagues, the Egyptians finally decided to listen to God and let the Israelites go. However, soon after, they reverted back to doing things their own way and chased after the Israelites. When God parted the Red Sea, every single one of the Egyptian soldiers were brought to death as they were swallowed up by the depths of the ocean sea.

Do not allow your heart, mind, body, spirit, and soul to be brought to death in disobedience to God. Stand firm in obedience knowing that your promise is on the other side. Don’t worry about what is happening in the world around you. Make your head like flint and remain “heavenly-minded”!

GOD'S PROVISION

Beloved, do you feel you are in a hopeless situation today? Is your life in such despair and disarray that there seems to be no hope for you? Well rest assured, help is on the way! Our God is a God of provision. He is never too late, never too early, but just on time. If you are in a desperate situation today, do not be discouraged or think God is being delayed, know that He is simply preparing the provision. He will present you with your provision at its proper time. He has already foreseen everything that you would need before you were even in your mother’s womb. He thinks of you day and night and He is the God that never sleeps or slumbers. While you were sleeping, His eyes were not removed from you. You are constantly in His sight!

In Genesis, He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

For Abraham, God provided a ram in the thicket.

For Isaac, God provided a good wife.

For Jacob, God provided the father’s blessing.

For YOU, God will provide!

So do not be discouraged today. Help is on the way and God is preparing His provision for you. Be encouraged. His eyes are forever fixated on you!

SELFISHNESS

Beloved, I urge you to check your heart today. Are you a person who is selfish? Or are you a person who rejoices with others although you do not get your way? Selfishness stems from the fear of “getting the short end of the stick”. You need to rest in Christ. To “rest” in Him means to be still and quiet. Not to act upon your own selfish ambitions or motives. It is wise to rest in the heart of God. Rest in Him, beloved. Rest in HIM.

My husband and I once took a trip to an amusement park. It was filled with challenging games, exhilarating rides, and delicious foods. Although my husband loves to ride on those extreme rollercoasters, honestly for me, the best part of the amusement park is the funnel cake! My husband gets a thrill from rollercoasters that does the most excellent job of twirling your stomach…right to the point of regurgitation. I don’t quite feel the same. With a nervousness in my tummy, clinched teeth, and eyes shut…up and down and all around on the rollercoaster rides I went. Sick to my stomach, consumed with anxiety, and drenched in nervous sweat, was my experience as I stood in line every time. Why would I do it? Why would I put myself through such “torture”? Simply because I knew my husband enjoyed it, that’s why. Seeing his facial expressions turn from a tough, rugged man to an excited, teenage boy made it all worth it!

What about you? When you take a family vacation, are you the one that kicks and screams when you don’t get your way? Or are you the one that lets others make decisions on what they want to do, resting and trusting in God? A great joy can take place even when you do not get your way. The type of joy that comes from knowing God loves you and knows who you are and where you are going…a joy of knowing that EVERY circumstance and your future is secure as you rest in HIM.

“When God finds a soul that rests in Him and is not easily moved…to this same soul He gives the joy of His presence.” – Catherine of Genoa

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken…My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge…One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.” (Psalm 62:1-2, 7-8, 11-12)

So beloved, today I urge you to rejoice with others although you may not get your way. Do not be consumed with fear and thoughts of getting the “short end of the stick”. Do not act on your own selfish ambition or motives, it will get you in trouble every time. Rest in the heart of God. Be still. And be quite.

FEAR

With reports from the news, friends, and family; on job loss, economic downfall, violent crimes, and terrorist attacks – it’s difficult to remain calm and not be consumed by fear. When fear seizes us, it rules over our lives and we become captive to it. Don’t be consumed by the “what ifs”. “What if I get Cancer?” “What if I lose my job?” “What if I don’t make enough money?” “What if my spouse leaves me?” “What if no one respects me?” Ninety-nine percent of the time, we worry ourselves sick over negative circumstances that never happen. We worry ourselves sick for no reason! “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27)

If you are reading this today, and if you are a believer, then God has adopted you as HIS son (or daughter). When you’re in the presence of a strong and loving Father, there’s no need to fear!

If understanding God’s love for you is an area that you struggle with, pray that you will clearly perceive the love of the Father. Significant events take place when we do not allow fear to rule over our lives. Have reverence for the Lord and He promises to deliver you from your enemies, protect you from evil, keep his eye on you, show you mercy, give you riches and honor, supply everything you need, reveal all you need to know, bless your children and grandchildren, give you confidence, give you a satisfying life, longevity, and the desires of your heart!

So do not allow your present circumstances to paralyze you with fear. Walk in the confidence of knowing that God loves you and He will protect you from the seizing fear of the “what ifs”.