THE FUTURE

IF you ever catch yourself thinking about your future (whether worrying or wondering) you have got to: (1) be CONFIDENT that he who began a good work in you will carry that work to completion (Phil. 4:6-7), (2) TRUST in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Prov. 3. 5, 6), (3) KNOW God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil. 2.13), (4) SEEK the LORD and His strength, continually (1 Chron. 16.11) and remember, (5) "No eye has seen or ear heard or mind conceived all that God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor. 2.9). Today I am thinking about my future. I have a lot on my mind and heart. I am comforted to know that God will reveal His plans to me through His word that is described as a light to my path (Ps. 119.105), by wise counsel that He will also place in my path (Prov. 15.22) and through emotionally disciplined prayer, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4.6,7). It is not uncommon during a season of reflection, decision making or uncertainty that we become emotionally derailed. Worry is proportional to our sense of security. When life is going as planned and we feel safe in our life routines, then worries subside. Yet, worry can increase when we feel threatened or insecure. Final encouragement to you: “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach (Js. 1.5) and, God will guide the one who is humble and will also show them what is right (Ps. 25.9).

Sir, do you have brains? (facebook series)

Heard this story and thought I would pass it your way- An atheist asked the local pastor, 'You do not believe in a God you cannot see, do you?" The pastor, being a polite man said, "Why, of course." The atheist responded, "Believing in something you cannot see is ridiculous!" The sincere pastor then asked, "Sir, do you have brains?" "Of course I have brains!", shouted the irritated atheist. To which the pastor said, "Have you ever SEEN them?"

I've been talking with someone about how they might reach their FUTURE that they cannot even see. I told them a FUTURE-oriented person believes in things they cannot see. FUTURE-oriented people stay clear from people who are loaded with negitivity. One Hebrew word for "hope" does NOT mean merely wishing for something. For the ancients, hope was a determined confidence and also seen as, a place of refuge. So, do you want to hope for something? If you do, be confident in the thing you desire and, rest in it with all your heart..and thank the Hope-giver!

Present/past or Present/FUTURE? (facebook series)

An idea from Graham Cooke flooded into my mind today and I thought I would give you my spin. There are two ways people go through life: one, as present-PAST people or, as present-FUTURE people. Present-past people live life as if today were still yesterday or like five years ago. (Entire churches are like this!). Present-past people usually have a historical emotional wound that will not let them go. These people live in the past (and will tragically die there). God warned Lot's wife not to look back. Most of us usually remember selectively or, see the past as being far BETEER than it was or far WORSE--both perspectives are equally dangerous. Bill Johnson said, 'when our memories outnumber our dreams we are beginning to die.' Make the decision today to be a present-FUTURE person believing, the best is yet to come!! Resist the temptation to look back, God is at work in your present-FUTURE!!