nothing is enough until God is

Nothing is enough until God is. Until God Is Enough nothing is. This is a tough message to understand in our material and self-reliant world. Often we need to come to our end to say that God is enough. And then it's a discipline to keep saying, God is enough. It's so easy for me to take my eyes off Jesus. When I look down, it's when I am in control but when I look up with my hands open to the heavens, that's when Jesus is. He wants that to be my attitude every day, a surrender to him of all that I am, all that I dream of and all that I have. Funny that all that we have is from him anyway but we hold it so tightly. As I go through another tough spot in my life, I am reminded to look up, he is enough.

Hear my cry

Father in heaven I thank you that you give us permission to ask why questions and how questions. I thank you that you give us permission to complain, to lament. I know I can have deep confidence in a big God. Your power and might are established over and over again in your word and in my life. So I cry out to you and lay the heavy burdens I carry at your feet, and surrender them to you for your purpose to be worked out. Amen

why do we worry

Why do we worry? It is because we are in control of our life versus God. I am certainly a worrier. Overtime I have learned to take my worries to God sooner. It's not easy when we wonder about our families and loved ones futures. It's not easy when life is in upheaval. Prayer - I thank you that I can trust you in all things, help me to cast my worries and fears at your feet. Help me to seek you first. Amen

“Mathew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

slowing life down

Sometimes it's important to slow life down, to take stock, regroup and re-energize. Many do this by taking vacation. Sometimes that's not an option. How do we slow life down in the midst of chaotic health challenges? What will people think if I seek more solitude. It's interesting to me that Jesus sets the example of solitude and prayer "Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." This is the most proactive Solitude we can take, to simplify life and come before our Lord and savior. Prayer - Lord please help me to seek you and to come before you to lay my burdens at your feet. Help me to be proactive and make quality time with you. Amen

Corrupt governments

Greed, misuse of power are words that come to mind when we consider some of our world leaders. It is simply ugly what people in this world are subjected to. In Canada we have had it good still. I don't know what it's like to feel the threat of a Hitler like my grandparents did on my father's side. This impacted my dad too as they lost their home in Hungary, lived for a bit in Germany where they were not wanted and eventually came to Canada. Our physical well-being is not a threat right now but perhaps our rights and economy are. Mr Trump has seen fit to threaten tariffs again as he did during his first reign in power and now he also feels we should become the 51st state. How real the latter is I don't know. The reality is he keeps saying it and even during the recent four nations hockey tournament he saw fit to mention it in his speech to the American team. Our economy is already in dissmay with the price of things being ridiculous, let alone 25% tariffs being a threat. Who does he think he is to swing his power and make threats to various countries in the world? What right does he have? What is his purpose? We have become used to the Canadian way and have no real interest in being Americanized. That is not to say we lack respect for Americans or their way of life. We are simply patriotic to our way of life and the things we have become accustomed to. So as Christians what are we to do when we see misuse of power. Too often we stand pat. Our biggest weapon in all things is prayer and we are urged to pray for our leaders. Prayer is so often seen as a you mean that's all we can do kind of thing. But hey when we are talking to the King of Kings and putting our petitions to him, it's not a last resort small thing. It's a big deal to talk to the king, be real with him, and explain our petitions. He wants to know them from us even though he already knows them. He wants to know our heart from our lips so let's do as he asks and pray for our leaders."1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Wisdom comes from the Lord

"Proverbs 2:6a For the Lord gives wisdom".  "Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!" It would seem by God's word that wisdom comes from God and that it is more precious then gold. The Bible talks about asking for wisdom being a very good thing. King Solomon was rewarded for asking for wisdom. Is it as simple as asking or are there other ways to get wisdom. Being in relationship with God I believe is the key. That seems obvious perhaps, but many of us find spending time with God a challenge especially when things are going well. Being in true relationship means being in his word and talking to him. It means doing life with him and in surrender to him. These things are often grown by difficult experiences. Those experiences when we are in fellowship with God throughout them also gain us insight and wisdom that we could not gain otherwise. Going through the Refiner's Fire seems to be the process for most of us to develop a closer relationship and grow in insight and wisdom. What a painful and yet rewarding process. Perhaps one of the reasons we are to try to look through God's eyes and find joy in the midst of trial. Prayer - Lord as I wallow in my own trials, I thank you for your patience as you mold me and make me.

spite house or grace house

Do I live in the spite house or grace house? Sad to say, too many times I have dwelt in the spite house holding a grudge against Christian brothers and sisters. It's easy to do because Satan is working overtime to accomplish it. He wants even the slightest of grievances to become massive. He wants our service towards our Lord to be disrupted and uses any means he can. Max Lucado writes " forgiveness has fits and starts, good days and bad. Anger intermingled with love. Irregular mercy. We make progress only to make a wrong turn. Step forward and fall back. But this is okay. When it comes to forgiveness all of us are beginners. No one owns a secret formula. As long as you are trying to forgive, you are forgiven. It's when you no longer try that bitterness sets in". How true Max's words are. “The bible has this to say

 Ephesians 4:26-27 In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold". Prayer - search my heart oh God. Show me where I need to have a hard change and forgive . Grant me a heart of forgiveness and a willingness to reconcile.