Nothing of Value

Apart from God we can do nothing of lasting value. Sure we can do nice things for people, and possibly accomplish something that people will remember for years and even centuries. The question is, will what we do have eternal value?

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Without the Holy Spirit guiding, directing, and empowering, nothing we do matters for the kingdom of heaven. When we don't know Jesus, we don't know real purpose. I know for me, before receiving Jesus, when I did something charitable I didn't even really know WHY I was doing it other than it made me and someone else feel good. I didn't see long-term implications or deep purpose, because there really wasn't any......for me. I did nothing in the name of Jesus or for the sake of the kingdom. It was all to make me feel good, temporarily. I wasn't storing up treasure in heaven. I was battling boredom or just trying to feel good about myself. No deep purpose there. It's a whole different story when I'm doing something in the name of Jesus. When I'm being His love here on earth, His hands and feet. I'm storing up treasure in heaven and making an eternal difference in someone's life, a difference that effects that person's eternity! Whoa! That's some deep purpose! That can't happen though, without the Holy Spirit working in, through, and around me and whatever situation He has led me to. Whatever situation He leads YOU to will have eternal implications and be of infinite value. Toss aside the things of no value and follow Christ to deep purpose. Amen!

Mindfulness

Who am I that the Creator of the universe would be mindful of me? The KJV uses the word "mindful" in Psalm 8:4. The dictionary definition of mindful is: "attentive, aware, or careful of". Almighty God is not only aware of me, but He pays attention to me. What an awesome thought, and one that begs a question. Do I pay as much attention to Him as He does to me? I would venture to say......."no". He knows how many hairs are on my head. I don't even know if He HAS hair. I would guess He doesn't since He's a spiritual being, but maybe there's spiritual hair. I don't know and that looks like too deep a well for right now. The point is, I could probably stand to pay a little more attention to my Heavenly Father. I get so caught up in the busyness of the day and all the "things" I want to accomplish, that I can sometimes go all day without thinking about Him. Does He go that long without thinking of me? I wonder. The Word tells me in Isaiah that I am etched on the palm of His hand. It would be hard to go for long without noticing something etched upon the palm of your hand. I think that God is much more attentive to me than I am to Him and I'd like to change that.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mindfulness of me; Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. Father, may I be as attentive to You as You are to me. Give me a heavenly mindset, Lord. I desire for You to be my focus because when that happens, everything else in my life will fall into place like it's supposed to, and I want that. I want Your plans and purposes for my life, to Your glory and the furtherance of the kingdom. In the name of my ever-present Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!

Control Freak = Less Joy

Why are so many of us without joy? Not just those who don't know Jesus, but many believers are seriously lacking in the joy department. I think it's because we have such a hard time relinquishing control. We are juggling so many different things in our lives and we have to have our hand in everything. We feel that if we're not worrying we're not doing a good enough job. If things get out of control we're somehow a failure. If everything is not accomplished to perfection and on time, there will be disaster. Really? Is it really the end of the world? Think through the worse case scenario all the way to it's possible conclusion. Would it really be the end of the world? Even if it meant the end of life as you know it, would it really be that bad? Maybe life as you know it is not the best life for you. Maybe it's not the life God intends for you. Psalm 5:11 says, "..let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy". Part of taking refuge in God is casting our cares on Him (1Peter 5:7) and being anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6). We do our best, of course, without worrying and being anxious. Without thinking everything has to be perfect. We do our best and give God the rest. Rely on Him to pick up the slack for our imperfection and trust that the situation will turn out according to His will. He is, after all, The Blessed Controller of all things. So, let Him have control, take refuge in Him, and sing for joy that you don't have to be perfect.

Father, thank You that You are in control and I don't have to be. Help me to always do my best and work as unto You without the stress and strain of trying to be perfect or create perfection. You're the only one who has any rights to perfection anyway. So, have Your way, Father. I cast my cares upon You and choose to be anxious for nothing. I choose the joy of Your shelter today and I thank You for it in the peaceful name of Jesus, Amen!