I've Got My Shovel....

The word of God is like a man who took a shovel and started digging, only to find that this hole had no end.  Yet, as he kept digging he found new treasures, new discoveries and found in the meantime the deeper he went the more immersed he became a mystery that many had never ventured out to search for.   

Many others have a dug a mere trench, a safe shallow hole, but the one who immerses themselves fully into the word of God will find they have dug so deep they sense that they have truly gone beyond ordinary and have discovered height and depths unseen.  They feel like an explorer who had the courage to venture out to find new discoveries when everyone else wanted to keep their feet firmly planted on solid ground. 

They find that as they dig deeper into the word of God they find mysteries become uncovered, they find joy seeps into them in ways they cannot describe and they realize that they have become closer with the one whom revealed all of scripture, Jesus Christ.  They cannot help, but fall more in love with the Father and His Son, Jesus. 

For if we truly submerge ourselves in dutiful study of the word of God we will find ourselves becoming all the more convinced that it is true and that is the very words of God.  We realize that the word of God is the most beautifully written book in all of history and we will find from beginning to end that through it cries out the very words of God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. 

I’ve got my shovel, how about you?

Just an average Monday, or is it?

The successes and strains of this world will often draw our hearts away from the sacred and eternal.

Our status, our accolades and accomplishments become the driving forces of all our pursuits.  Life becomes all about us and we forget that we were created for so much more.

Our vision becomes so small when we make it about one big life event to the next.  We live for that "mountain top" experience.  Yet, all along the greatest joys in life are found in those average days, what most might consider the mundane.  The problem is we're too busy looking for "the next big thing" to see the blessing that this day has to offer.

My life will be good when; I get that job, I go to college, I win that championship, I get married, have a baby, etc.  Go on, fill in the blank of what it might be for you. All these things, although good, are temporary.  King Solomon calls them, "a chasing after the wind".  You cannot catch the wind and you cannot catch true joy, hope and purpose through these pursuits.  Not anything that is truly lasting, because unfortunately, all of these can be taken from you.

We forget that God has an eternal purpose for this day.  His mercies are new every morning and He desires to do a great work in our hearts today.  Unfortunately, many of us are too distracted to see that the Risen Christ wants to do a tremendous work in our hearts, yes its true, even on an average Monday.

No need for worry

The life submitted to the perfect will of the Father is the life that exudes peace.  For in the perfect will of the Father there is no need for worry or grumbling.  There is only room for assurance and confidence in the steadfast love of the Father.  

If worry troubles you, then yield your own stubborn will to the Lord Jesus. Watch Him transform your worry into His assurance as you exercise faith that trusts in not knowing what God's plan is, but believes that it is for your good and for His perfect plan.  

Jesus Christ wants to set your heart at rest.  Do not be too busy or distracted to fall into His arms of rest.  If you continue on your own way you'll only become more frazzled, worried and discontent.  Yet, if you would just turn around and submit, you would find peace for your troubles, hope when life seems hopeless and life eternal through forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.  

He's waiting.  Yield unto Him today.  Do not let your stubborn and rebellious heart keep you from what Jesus Christ wants to do in you today.  

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything,^(B) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^(C) 7 And the peace of God,^(D) which transcends all understanding,^(E) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- Philippians 4:6-7