Let It All Go

God Is Faithful

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21 (NIV)

But what would it look like if we consciously made the decision to give up control of everything to "let it all go"? To turn over not only what we hold dear, but also our fears, anxiety, anger, and grief...

You may ask "why would I give up what I cling to so tightly" and "how would I begin to let it all go"?...The answer is anchored in "Trust". God sent his Son Jesus to pay our debts so that we can live our life to the fullest through a relationship with Him. We will experience an abundant life full of unconditional love and acceptance, peace, hope and joy, once we choose to trust in Christ.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJ).

Because God is faithful, we receive God's blessings in abundance as we trust in Him.

Wise Choices

God Is Wisdom

The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 1 Kings 10:24

Solomon was a great leader, the third King of Israel. He was also known as the wisest man to have ever lived. He placed his trust in God, but over time he became disobedient and took matters into his own hands. At times of testing, it was evident that his own wisdom didn’t lead him into right choices. In the end Solomon concluded it is all meaningless without the one true God.

How many of us know the right thing to do, and yet fall short in our actions? Temptations to do things our way, to control the situation, to take shortcuts or follow the crowd… these short sided decisions get in the way of allowing Godly wisdom to prevail.

When building a career, business, marriage, or family, it is not enough to get off to a good start. We must remain faithful to God to the end, always yielding our selfish desires to make wise choices.

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Because God is wisdom, with Christ we can know and do what is right.

Nothing is Impossible

God is Faithful

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24

Feeling down? Like nothing is possible within this current economic circumstances? Don’t lose hope. Jesus’ words suggest it requires more than our own efforts to obtain results, that it requires faith. Jesus demonstrates what is possible if we place our trust in Christ -- because nothing is too difficult for God. As we face challenges and trials, trust Christ to strengthen you and give you peace for what lays ahead. With Jesus as the source of our strength and hope, we can believe and trust in our Heavenly Father to provide all that we need.

For I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Because God is Faithful, through Christ we can trust that all our needs will be met.

A Passion for Service and Excellence

God Is Gracious

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15

Since creation, God has given us work to do. Knowing that God created work should shed new light on our approach to the work week. And, if we focus on this truth, it is possible that even the most difficult aspects of work can become a passion.

Are you passionate about your work? Do you strive for 110 percent or is complacency lurking in you? Take a look at what is being asked of you today and think of how God has been gracious to you. As He changes your heart and mind, you will have the ability to transform an undesirable or mundane task into one full of joy and excellence. Passion comes from the heart, a heart humbled by the knowledge of God’s grace and mercy.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23

Because God is gracious, He can transform our hearts and enable us to serve passionately.

Why Ask Why?

God is Faithful

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.  The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.  Psalm 145:13

When passed over for a promotion, or still seeking employment, when illness strikes, or when things don’t make sense – we all want to know WHY.

In the story of Lazarus, Martha said to the Lord “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."John 11:21-22   Despite her grief and lack of understanding behind her brother’s death, she trusted Jesus.  Later that day, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead for all who believed to see the glory of God.

Some of life’s questions we’ll never know the answer….But what we do know is that God knows, and that He loves us, desires the best for us and has a grand plan for us.  And when we trust God with all the answers, we can find a peace that surpasses all understanding.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil 4:7

Because God is faithful, in Christ we can find peace even though we don't have all the answers.

Independence Day

God Is All-Powerful

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18


This week we will celebrate the 4th of July. We will be reminded that we live in a wonderful and free country. Our constitution provides each American with an abundance of civil liberties, but are we truly free as individuals? Each day we are faced with temptation and while we have the freedom to make a choice, do we always choose what we know in our hearts is best?

The Bible tells us we can not be truly free until we have made Christ the Lord of our lives. Because of our sinful nature, we do not have the ability to resist temptation in our own strength. We may be able to withstand a persuasion for a time being, but not forever. However, with Christ in our hearts, we are given the power to be free from all sin if we are willing. Yes, our country grants us many freedoms, but our own hearts will never be free without surrender.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Because God is all-powerful, with Christ we are set free from temptation

Once Upon A Time

God is Wisdom

My son, do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

Proverbs 3:1-2

Remember hearing childhood stories about fairy godmothers, princesses and super heroes?….Oh, what it is like to be a small child wrapped up in the arms of a loving parent while listening to fairly tales with happy endings! … We all wish for happy endings when it comes to our life story and especially when it comes to our children’s.  We do everything to protect them, to teach them, to warn them about poor choices, dangerous situations,...but we all know they don’t always listen nor do what we tell them.

Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is much the same….His word provides instruction to protect us, but we too sometimes don’t listen.  No matter what we have done, however, His arms are always wide open for our return.  Are we ever too old to be wrapped up in loving arms, cared for and forgiven?  God doesn’t think so – With Christ in our hearts, He longs to comfort us, forgive us for our sins, and to give us the wisdom and strength to avoid future persuasion.  And, it is in this context with Him that we can live …happily ever after!

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:24

Because God is Wisdom, through Christ we can live a victorious life.