Can You Escape From Uncertainty and Confusion?

In a few days we will remember an event the caused uncertainty to be widespread in our country. That day was September 11, 2001. The following Sunday, a record for church attendance occurred because uncertainty was so prevalent.

Reassurance and clarity in thinking were needed to be regained as uncertainty and confusion dominated. Did it ever occur to you that Jesus is present to help you manage feelings of uncertainty and confusion, regardless of how they originate?

Jesus will help you clarify God’s purpose for your life. God is not the author of confusion but rather provides wisdom and courage for facing the future. What’s required for clarity of purpose is a quiet time each day with God so your heart and mind will be receptive to the wisdom he will provide for you. Show your gratitude by offering thanks and praise back to God.                        

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[Come now], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 

~James 4:13-15 New International Version  

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How Well Are You Managing the Life God Has Given You?

While we may not be directly responsible for creating a crisis, we are accountable for how we conduct ourselves. Self-management depends on learning important skills like clarity of thoughts and feelings for navigating the troubled waters of life.

Everyone knows what it’s like to experience the absence of self-control. Thinking and speaking with clarity derives from an uncluttered mind, which is possible even when uncertainty abounds. Accountability depends on clarity of thoughts and feelings.

How well you manage varies with how comfortable you are with your surroundings. On several occasions when a situation became tense, Jesus would slip away to a quiet place to avoid those who were incompatible with his purpose.

Moments of quietness to regain clarity in thinking and feelings and to regulate your tone of voice help others see that you represent Christ in your actions and usage of language. May God bless and help you do this.                

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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 

~Psalm 32:8 New International Version 

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A Christmas Gift of Prayer: How Might God Lead You?

Who in your life makes gift-giving difficult? Not that they are unappreciative, but you can tell your gifts do not conform to their expectations. Perhaps gifting has gotten beyond your physical and financial resources and it’s difficult to accept that reality. 

Can I suggest something that could be the most valued gift you could offer? 

Consider giving each person the gift of prayer that speaks to their special needs or current situation. Yes, this takes time to make your prayer unique for each person. Listen to God’s promise in Psalm 32:8: “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” So Merry Christmas and God bless you!  

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The star…guided [the Wise Men] to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was… they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts.

~Matthew 2:9,11 New Living Translation

[The Lord] leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.

~Psalm 25:9 English Standard Version

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

~1 Timothy 2:1 New Living Translation

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From Sunday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs are being posted each day to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas". 

Can You Live with the Changes Society Demands?

The reality of role reversal is an issue with which society must comply out of necessity. It’s not uncommon for a husband to stay at home with children while his wife goes to work because she commands a higher income. They believe one parent should care for their children rather than leave them in daycare.

Some men are choosing to be nurses while some women are choosing to be doctors. These changes are met with acceptance, for society basically respects these changes instead of viewing them as unacceptable. Changes made with integrity and dignity enhance self-respect and self-worth.

New opportunities become available as society changes. Listen to God’s word: “Be alert, I am about to do something new. It’s bursting out, don’t you see it? I’m making a way through the wilderness and will provide for you there.”

So open your heart and mind to be sure you are following God's plan. 

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I will instruct you, says the Lord, and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.

~Psalm 32:8 The Living Bible

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What Important Lessons Are Learned from Past Distresses?

If preparing for a family gathering has created apprehension and worry in you, then it’s time to wind down and let go of all negative expectations. Calming yourself is a necessary emotional task for experiencing the potential happiness a family gathering can deliver.

If past gatherings have not produced the happiness you expected, whatever you now allow yourself to anticipate can set you up for what has always been. The alternative is for God to use you to gradually change an old system into a joyful reunion.

Many important lessons in life are learned from experiencing numerous disappointments and hardships. Yet we as humans strive to make life easy. One way to make life meaningful is to make it your objective to love God with all you’ve got so that all things work together for good because you do love him and are called according to his purposes. Think about it.

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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

~Psalm 32:8 Revised Standard Version

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Making Your Life Count

Making your life count for something is an objective most people pursue in life. It's comparable to pursuing a dream as if it were from the very heart of God. From early high school my niece decided to be a pharmacist. She followed that dream by taking chemistry and higher math courses to gain acceptance into a college degree program.

Her passion for reaching her career objective helped her stay focused when she encountered hardships and discouragements. Staying on track by following the natural progression of her college degree program provided hope for reaching her objective.

Samson seemed to be unaware of God’s purpose for him, so he followed what his passions dictated. That God has a plan for you is confirmed in Psalm 40:5. "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you plan for us." Be attentive and listen with your heart and your mind as God's plans for you become evident. God bless you with confidence and trust in your pursuit. 

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I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.

~Psalm 32:8 The Living Bible

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Instructions for a Lifetime

There is little information in the Bible about Samson’s childhood and adolescence. What we know is that Samson’s parents asked God to send an angel to teach them how to parent their son. All prospective parents of a first-born feel they too need special training on how to nurture and care for their infant.

It’s a mystery how God chooses a particular individual to be his representative for a special work. Samson was selected before he was born. Judges 13:24 confirms God’s choice of Samson. “The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. As he grew, the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of God began to stir in him.”

Have you ever thought it could be possible to possess passion for doing something special for God? Is it possible that God will give you passion, however it’s defined, to be of service for Him? He sends the Holy Spirit to empower you, to stir you up, to instruct, nurture and inspire you, so be on the alert.  

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Then [Samson’s father] Manoah prayed, “O Lord, please let the man from God come back to us again and give us more instructions about the child you are going to give us.” The Lord answered his prayer…So Manoah asked him, “Can you give us any special instructions about how we should raise the baby after he is born?” 

~Judges 13:8-9,12 The Living Bible

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

~Psalm 32:8 New American Standard Bible