Comfort Zone

I woke at 6:00 am to the ring of the cell phone. I wanted extra sleep, yet something might be wrong. The call did bring urgent news, but nothing I imagined. There was a phenomenon taking place that I was sure to miss if I kept dreaming. At this exact moment, the earth was eclipsing the moon and was turning it red. My friend knew me well. A celestial moment from our Creator was not something I would want to miss. While watching this beauty unfold, I reflected on the many times that I had been lifted out of my comfort zone. I didn’t necessarily enjoy being pulled from those moments and thrown into action, but when I looked back on them from God’s perspective, the call was always good. What a beautiful gift God has given us in loved ones who help guide us into His presence. His Mercy and Love brings unceasing blessings.   

Come then, let us enjoy the good things of today, let us use created things with the zest of youth. – Wisdom 2:6

Skill

New ideas and skills appear in science, technology, and medicine daily. The talent found in the arts and athleticism are amazing. These Graces from our Heavenly Father are here to enhance our life on earth. Giving thanks to God and seeking His direction when we look for cures, ability and joy, brings delight to The Creator. Rely on Him when you seek. When He directs the path, your joy will be complete. 

Of all the promises that Yaweh had made to the House of Israel, not one failed; all were fulfilled. – Joshua 21:45 NJB

Believe

Demons are real and I believe we all have them at some point in our lives. They appear suddenly in many forms - fear, anxiety, addiction, despair - and seep into our doubts and confusion. In their strength, we begin to believe that this is who we are, what the world is meant to be. This is their goal. They seek to blind us to God and His promise to us of everlasting life. But, our God is an awesome God. He has gifted us with the Hope of Jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit. Never forget this. Even in your darkest moments know that God, the Omnipotent, is in control and the world is unfolding as it should.  In faith, call on The Heavenly Father and seek His mercy, for He stands willing and able if we but believe.

Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." – Mark 9:24

Positive

“As you fill yourself up with positive things, stress will

have a harder time establishing a hold in your life. -

Gregory L. Jantz PHD 

Guilty pleasures, we’ve heard this term used often. For me, it usually is centered around chocolate or sneaking away for time by myself. But, in reality, we should never be afraid or feel guilty for doing something truly pleasurable for ourselves or one another. Positive moments in our lives help to reinforce our own goodness and wellbeing. Any time we fill ourselves with good and positive things, we grow in goodness and love.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. – Philippians 4:8

Forgiveness

How often are we to forgive? 70 x 7? Christ did not mean for us to count our forgiveness and then give up. What He reminds us of is that our hurtful memories will keep surfacing even when we have forgiven. Then, we get to forgive again. And again. Until that past no longer has a hold on us and is replaced with mercy. Dr. Jantz states it this way, “You will have to make a daily decision to dismiss the hurtful memories of the past and concentrate on the positive things of today, until the past no longer controls you.” Think about the good things of the present, and let God’s grace fill you with gratitude for the life you live and the blessings of His abundant love.

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

Choices

Dr. Gregory L. Jantz states, “Making choices is a way for you to take back control.” I find that cleaning up the spirit is a lot harder than cleaning up a physical space. When we find clutter around our house or workplace, we can toss it away, yet the nagging desires deep within ourselves are harder to remove. They keep resurfacing and tempting, confusing our goals. When we pray over our needs and resolve to let the unnecessary desires go, life becomes less complicated, and our choices get easier.

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. – Proverbs 25:28

Plan

“If you don’t intentionally plan your day, your day will plan you.” Gregory L. Jantz, PHD

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Colossians 3:17