Life in 100 words or less - No Worries

Do you worry? 

As a teenager I put off school work, then I stressed about it. If I’d done what the teacher asked I’d have had a lot fewer stomach aches and better grades. I still put things off, only now my Heavenly Father is the one asking.

This morning I read about Mary at a wedding in Cana. She was worried about the wine. When she tells Jesus, he’s unconcerned. Mary went to the servants and said, "Do whatever he tells you."

How much simpler life would be if we did what he told us.

No worries. 

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God - Do you need a bit and bridle?

I think mules are so cute. But I'd rather not be compared to one.

This morning when I sat down and read my morning devotional, Jesus Calling, the words on the page nudged me. I went to the suggested scripture reading and that's when I found out more about mules.

Psalm 32:8-11 says this, "The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control. Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"

Do any of you feel like a mule that needs a bit and bridle? I hate to admit it, but I do . . . too often. Did you notice the part that says mules are senseless? Sigh. I know when I read that, that God is referring to people like me who get stubborn and want their own way. 

There was a time when self discipline (God's discipline) was one of my strengths. Now, most days, I struggle to do what I know is best for me. I am truly grateful for God's mercy, but I understand that being merciful doesn't always release me from the consequences of my sin. God wants better for me - if only I would obey. His Word says He will advise me and watch over me, and that He doesn't want me to be like a senseless horse or mule. 

It goes on to say that disobedience brings sorrow. But adds that those who obey will be surrounded with His unfailing love. What a beautiful promise. I'm so thankful for His love.

My life is good, but it could be better, richer, sweeter. He offers each of us SO much . . . if only we will listen. 

God has a BEST for me. He has a BEST for you.

This morning, I pray for ears that will hear and a heart that submits to His tender guidance. And I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ will not have to be bridled, but will find freedom and joy in obedience, knowing that Jesus is Lord of all.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie   

Thoughts For Today -- Letting Go

It is only one day until the national and state elections. I am something of a political junkie. I take being informed and voting seriously. And I admit to sometimes having strong opinions and carrying around too much anxiety about voting outcomes. I worry about my local district, my state and my country.

BUT . . . WORRY NEVER GOT ANYONE ANYWHERE.

I believe in the sovereignty of God. He is in control. However, I know that he did not fashion puppets when he created human-beings and that throughout history mankind has gone astray, standing willfully against their Creator. So, I know we can get "it" wrong.

However, even when we make mistakes God is with us. He does not abandon us. And he can bring goodness even from what was intended for evil.

And so I am doing my best to release my angst to him. The outcome of this election is not up to me. I've done all that I feel I've been asked to do. And though in speaking out I've tried to remain respectful, I have been unfriended by some. That makes me kind of sad. But God never said, obedience would be easy or even pleasant.

Whomever wins the presidential election, I look forward to moving beyond these days and serving God wherever and however he directs me.

Please pray for one another. Pray for the candidates. And pray for our country.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Just Do It

"Just do it," is an idiom we're all familiar with. When Nike coined the phrase it meant go all out, live life, but they implied that we couldn't do that without wearing a pair of Nikes.

Over the years it's been used in a number of ways with countless meanings. I was reminded of this while in church Sunday when my pastor shared a quote from Harry Blamires who said, "Do we have a bowed head or a turned back?" You might wonder what this has to do with a Nike slogan. The context of the quote was that we have only two responses to authoritative spiritual counsel -- either do it or don't do it. That's pretty straight forward.

When we consider our spiritual walk are we more likely to bow to Christ or to turn our back? Think about the last time you knew God was asking something of you; what was your response? I've said no to the Lord many times. Often I'm not aware that that's what I'm doing. My decision to say no may be disguised as simple practicality. Or convincing myself the time's not right. There are a lot of things we tell ourselves to reassure us that we're not turnnig our backs. I do it. You do it.

What if we decided to always bow, always say yes to Christ no matter the consequences or circumstances? Our lives and the world would be transformed. We would be open vessels filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We would posssess the peace that comes with knowing we are in God's perfect will. What better place can there be?

We are imperfect creatures. We will not always get "it" right. But if we decide to say yes more often the results may be stunning.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Seize Opportunities

This week while reading in the book of Esther I was struck by something I hadn't noticed before. When reading the story of this remarkable woman I've been impressed by her courage, her faith, and her obedience, admirable traits we should all strive to live out. However on this read through I noticed another quality in Esther--she seized opportunities.

When King Xerxes decreed that all Jews be killed Mordecai said to Esther, the queen but also a Jew, "Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" Esther's response? "If I must die, I must die."

Esther could have saved herself by keeping her lineage a secret. Instead she took hold of an opportunity to save her people. But she didn't jump into a plan carelessly. First she called others to join her in prayer and fasting, then trusting God she stepped forward, hoping to save her people. Knowing it might cost her life, she told the king the truth and requested he change his decree. The result--a nation was saved.

The opportunities presented to us most likely do not require that we put our lives on the line, but our decisions and actions have the power to change lives. Like Esther, we need to be aware of God's open doors. We need to be people who pray and when we're presented with a chance to make a change we need to seize it. God will provide opportunities.

Years ago when I first decided to write I had no idea that my hobby would become a career and a ministry. God had a plan and he flung open the doors. I walked through them. I'm not especially brave, but I could see that the opportunities presented to me were clearly God's doing. I didn't dare ignore him.

Don't turn your back on the open doors in your life. There are blessings and surprises on the other side. Step through and discover your destiny.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Wait for the Command

Many years ago, a Christian friend told me, "Bonnie, there are a lot of needs, but that doesn't mean you're supposed to fulfill them all." His wise words have always stuck with me. Yet I still struggle. I often say yes when I should say no.

This morning while reading from "My Utmost For His Highest" Oswald Chambers words struck a strong chord in me. He said, "The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus."

I thought about that for several minutes and realized that like so many others when I see a need I step in to help. What if the task isn't mine to do? Doing the work intended for someone else only makes me feel overwhelmed. Been there, done that.

I'm not saying if we walk by a person in need that we're supposed to just keep walking and ignore their plight. The story of the good Samaritan clearly tells us what we need to do. What I'm talking about are the many committees or organizations that call out for helpers or for me it may be the one more marketing idea that will boost sales of my latest book or I may hear from a budding author who needs just a little guidance . . . My list goes on.

There are a lot of needs in this world, but before we decide we're supposed to fill the ones we happen upon we need to stop and think about whether God asked us to step in. Perhaps it is meant for someone else. When we take on a responsibility intended for another we're robbing that person of a blessing.

There are consequences for doing too much. It saps our strength, steals our health and usually means that what we are doing isn't being done very well.

Our solution is to listen to and obey God. If we can learn to walk in His will, rather than our own, life will be more productive and satisfying.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Know My Heart

How often have we heard the term, "be real"? More times than I can count. I suspect when people coin this phrase they're not thinking about being real for God but more likely considering being transparent with people. In my Bible reading I came across a verse where David has quite another perspective.

Psalm 129:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." David invited God to examine him. He so loved and trusted his Lord that he completely opened himself up to God's scrutiny.

David was willing to look at who he was--no pretenses, no masks. David is often lifted up as an example of a Godly man and yet he had no shortage of sins. He slept with another man's wife, then had the man killed. In my opinion this comes under the category of odious sins. I would think it took great courage for David to look at who he really was.

David's devotion to God drove him toward transparency. He longed for unvarnished truth, but only because God had reigned in his heart.

So it should be with us, to desire God above all else and let Him shine a light on who we are. Then we can be fully and completely His. Being all His enables us to walk with confidence. God knows all there is to know. Even before we've taken a breath of sin He knows and loves us anyway.

Let us not forget that it is in brokenness of spirit and obedience that we discover our Lord and are empowered by God. Only then will we fully see the possibilities He offers.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Dry Bones?

For several months I’ve been pushing my way through what’s felt like a marathon. I had a book due, there were several speeches to present, appearances to make, and interviews to give. Plus, there’s life. Sometimes it felt as if I were approaching the finish line, but didn’t have the strength to carry through. I’m certain God carried me the last month.

Three weeks ago my rest began. The first week off I was so exhausted that no matter how much I tried to relax it didn’t feel like rest. My adrenaline was still going. The following week the effects of pushing too hard for too long set in. Ouch!

I’m in the midst of my third week of rest and only now am beginning to feel more clear headed and the pain in my body is slowly dissipating. I'm praising God for that.

Today when I came across Ezekiel 37:1 – 14 I felt as if God were speaking directly to me. I’ve been feeling like dry bones. I failed to listen to God and the plans He intended for me. Instead I chose my own course and paid a price. I’m thankful God is merciful and patient.

He does not give up on us. In the thirty-seventh chapter of Ezekiel, the Lord asks Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” Ezekiel replied, “You alone know the answer to that.”

The bones represented Israel who said, “We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.”

God put those bones back together, covered them with flesh and muscle and breathed life into them. He can do that, for you and me. Our dry bones can be made new and vibrant. But if that’s to happen God must be first in our life. When He speaks we need to listen and then obey.

It hurts a bit to have your bones put back together and the flesh and muscle put back on, but the breath of life, well that’s pure joy. I’m resting in the Lord now, breathing in God’s fragrance and looking forward to HIS plans for me. I pray I listen well this time.

God's plans are the only ones we should pursue. When we do, walking with Him is a delight.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- The World is Watching

This morning while reading from Ephesians 4:22-32 I was struck by a pattern. There are several commands (not suggestions).

Put off
Put on
Do not let
Do not give
Steal no longer
Do not grieve
Get rid of
Be Kind & Compassionate
Forgive Each Other

These passages shout, “Choose!” God stands by, he instructs, he encourages, he empowers, but he does not pull strings as if we are puppets. We decide what we’ll do. We choose who we will be, how we will treat others, whether we’ll allow bitterness or forgiveness to reside in our hearts, whether we’ll give in to slander or be kind. And we choose to obey or not.

We can blame others for our misbehavior. But when we do, we’ll be lying to ourselves. We decide who the Lord of our life is—God or someone else.

May we seek God’s strength and do the right thing. The world is watching.


Grace and Peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- When God Calls

One morning while reading from Oswald Chambers book, My Utmost for His Highest, I was struck by God’s perfect timing. He made sure I was reading exactly what I needed to hear at the precise moment I needed to hear it.

I’ve been struggling about the direction my life ought to take. What is it I ought to be doing? Should I stick with what I know and do well? Should I do what is expected? Or stay with what has proven successful?

Sometimes being reasonable makes absolute sense, but occasionally God asks us to do the unreasonable thing. How do we know the difference? We wait patiently, listen to Him and allow Him to guide us. And sometimes we need to shut out other voices, especially our own practical one.

Oswald said, "The call of God is not a reflection of my nature; my personal desires and temperament are no consideration. As long as I dwell on my own qualities and traits and think about what I am suited for, I will never hear the call of God."

Weighty words.

I remember when I felt called to write. There was nothing about my education, my brain power or my nature that said “Yes, this is it! This is what you ought to do.” To the contrary. I had very little college, and although I’d always loved to read, I’d written little. But how could I ignore the sudden powerful desire to write, to put my thoughts and my heart down on paper? I was literally dragged toward the calling.

My inner voice told me I couldn’t do it. “Who do I think I am?” I asked myself more than once. I knew I needed to be reasonable. Money was short and a full-time job was a must.

God put a stop to that thinking and set me on a new course. It took months of searching and asking that He show me His will. He did, through His Word and in that quiet voice that belongs only to Him. He opened every door and encouraged me to step through. When I grabbed hold of His plan I clung to it, sometimes by fingertips, but hanging nonetheless.

So dear friends, cling to the Lord, trust in Him not your strengths or your personal desires. He and He alone knows what He’s calling you to do. Go then, and do it.

Grace and Peace to you from God.

Bonnie