Its shocking..

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‘“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.’  John 14:27

A free gift. Peace of mind and heart. Not the peace that probably first comes to mind, which is only something the world can offer. Warm fuzzies, a warm cup of tea, being less busy (although they are all good things). But God’s peace. What does that look like? What does it look like practically to receive this gift?

Questions to ask yourself: Who is steering your boat? Your vessel? Who sets the course you take? The direction? What is your compass? Your guiding light?

The LORD should be your compass, direction, guider, master in command and captain. Though you may go through times of troubled waters where you can’t see two feet in front of you, you are cold, feeling lost, which is where i am .. i would not trust anyone else to be at the helm of my ship.. guiding me.

REMEMBER: Even if you are going through a storm in life .. God is the same today, yesterday and forever .. he does not change .. and he is ALWAYS with us no matter what. I would not entrust my vessel to anyone less than the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

“The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.

Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days.”
-Psalm 93

Sure we watch events like this and think of all the beautiful dresses we saw and wonder what it might be like to live such an extravagant life like that .. but then you get to the part in the Oscars where they honor those who have died in the film industry over the year .. and then i started to wonder .. did everything they invested their lives into all matter?

All those faces i saw flashing across the screen are now facing a bigger question .. what did they live for? Strive after? Put their time money and effort into? Was it worth it? Because they are now meeting Jesus and the King of Kings. Don’t get me wrong i get that some of those people could have been in the industry and sold out for Jesus .. but what about those that weren’t? It just gave me a slight reality check. Look at these verses that remind us how short our lives really are:

“Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:4

“They spring up like flowers and wither away; like fleeting shadows, they do not endure.” Job 14:2

Which led me to these verses of encouragement that i should live for God in my youth .. not wait till i am older .. wiser .. have more of life figured out persay. But life is fleeting, and i need to seize the day .. Carpe Diem!

“You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.”
-Ecclessiastes 11:9-10

-Psalm 91

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”  Psalm 27

Why do we let things fester? Why do we hold onto those things that stress us right out?

Why do we not automatically give them over to the Lord .. who tells us not to worry .. but to BRING these things to Him.

‎”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & 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.” Php 4:6-7

This verse hit me especially hard tonight.

Why do we sit in a pit of self pity and anxiety? When it would be SO much more effective to pray for that situation or person that is on our hearts!!

GUYS.. lets start praying for those things in our life that bring us discomfort. That bring us anxiety. It can make a WORLD of difference. Like night & day.

You go from focusing on self, and an inward, downward cycle.. to looking upward.. and uplifting that situation or person. Which brings about break through & the Kingdom for sure.

Prayer. JUST DO IT.