Drops of Sunshine - Daily Bread

We have a lot more confidence in the things we have knowledge of. That's the type of relationship God desires of us. To truly know and to understand him. In so doing, our swag is a little lighter than we were carrying all those burdens. Instead, we have a confident hope in the God that we know will come through.

 I remember a few years ago when I was having a really hard time mentally. I stepped outside of the Sunday morning worship service and sat outside, seeking that one-on-one time with God. In tears and pouring out my heart, I remember this feeling of absolute calm settling over me. Like that hug just when you need it. That's what we need to remember about our Father. He cares and he's concerned about us. Really cast your cares on him and grab hold of his peace.

A while back when I was conversing with a friend, we noted the importance of timing when it comes to the things of God. For example, what purpose would a lamp or a flashlight serve in broad daylight? Or, just as the verse shows, what purpose does that light have if it's hidden? Don't worry about what people think about you because in reality they will think what they please and will find something to talk about anyway. Don't dim God's light just to appease others.

It's a wonderful thing to be chosen. Growing up, we used to play a lot of outdoor games. The truth in friendship, at that time, was in choosing your team for whatever game we were playing. What a thrill to not be the last one picked. You didn't feel like you were settled for. You were intentionally chosen and it was a wonderful feeling. I have to imagine that this is what God wants from us. He wants us to choose eternal life. Choose walking in the light. Choose righteous living. Choose Him. It's a choice we need to make every single day. No days off.

When we talk about the concept of waiting, it's instantly paired with impatience. We've all seen that and have probably even been impatient. Our mindset when we are waiting for God, for whatever the purpose, should be that of confident expectation. God is not slack on his promises. What he did then, he is more than capable of doing right now. But sometimes you gotta wait...

When it comes to believing for things unseen, I often hear the example of air. It's so essential to our life. We depend on it, sometimes without a second thought. We assume our next breath will happen uninterrupted. Yet, we never see it. A more modern example we can all relate to is wifi. We may not see it with our natural eyes, but the evidence that it is there is illustrated in our connection. We can recognize immediately when we are disconnected or when our signal strength is a little weak. That's the way our faith needs to work. Be more in tune with your God connection.

I'm so glad that God knows me. At times, it's a struggle to understand myself. But having a Father, a Good Shepherd, that knows and understands his sheep is vital to the livelihood of the entire flock. Thank God every day that he knows you far better than you know yourself. Continue to trust him for what you need and what you want.

In a previous bible lesson, we were evaluating the dangers of pride. It would be foolish to assume that our class or status can get us a first class mansion in heaven. Salvation isn't something earned. It's not something I can buy either. The price for it has been paid long ago. What I can do is accept God's loving grace and the great sacrifice of the blood of Jesus and know with certainty that it is by that alone that I've received the gift of eternal life. There's nothing I can do to earn it, but be careful that the choices you make are not causing you to in turn reject the gift of life.

I was discussing the importance of process this week. When we know what the end goal should be, according to us, it's a challenge to stay on the path and not try to skip ahead. But we don't want to miss all those lessons and blessings that God has stored up for us if we stay the course and trust his process. Stay on the strait and narrow road and continue to trust God's process, not your own.

 I was listening to an elder I know discuss the varying situations that take place in life that can cause us to drift into a state of woe. I've had a similar discussion before. It can seem like an easy thing to list all the things that are going wrong. The struggle seems to be in identifying the good in those tough situations. So truly, even in those moments when you may not be feeling it, be all the more intentional about giving God the praise.

 Walk into your weekend with an expectation that God will show up for you. He is the same God today that he was for the men of old. Because he is consistent, he is still able and willing to deliver. Don't abandon your faith. When hard trials come, pray harder and believe God even more than you did the day before!

 Darkness is disorienting. We are more likely to experience fear, injure ourselves, or even be misdirected because we can't see clearly. That illustrates the importance of our sight. Not just naturally speaking, but spiritually as well. Several scriptures admonish us to be children of light and to steer clear of darkness, for a reason. If you want clear vision, avoid the darkness.

 Why is timing such a hard thing for us? Maybe it's because we at times envision the end result. Once we do that, the journey to the end seems like it's filled with obstacles. But every single day is another opportunity for us to exercise our faith and illustrate that we are trusting God's process. That might be challenging, it might even be tempting to give up, but trust that God is doing something for you that will defy explanation. Impossible is not who He is.

 Many people wonder what their purpose is. Why are we here? What are we supposed to do with this life? That's a struggle believers face at times. What is this work that God has for us? What has helped me along the way is to stop focusing on me. But to instead make a conscious effort to be one that is focused on God's purpose, not my own. So if you are one that struggles in that area, that's a good place to start. Strengthen your relationship with God, get to know his voice. When you walk obediently and do what God instructs you to, you will fulfill that purpose.

 There is a saying, "Another day another dollar", which is a different way of saying same story, different day. I like to approach life with an attitude of 'another day, another blessing". Truly understanding that without God granting me life, I would not exist. Giving him thanks each day is a small thing and I don't want to become someone who is to busy to do that.

In life, we encounter plenty of struggles. Some more challenging than others. Through all those circumstances, we should be careful not to put limitation on who God is and what he can do. As the verses this week have shown, God is the maker of all things. There is no mountain he can't move on our behalf if we trust him to do so. Let our faith and our trust in him for the impossible be as big as God truly is.

There is so much comfort in recognizing that we are truly in God's care. Whatever I find myself in need of, God already knows. He created us! Who would know us better? Who else should we trust with our hurts and our struggles but the one that created us? 

When we are faced with trouble, which many times feels like it's just one obstacle after another, it seems like the easier solution is to give up. Why bother continuing to forge ahead when it seems like the only thing waiting is yet another obstacle? The comfort comes in knowing that God alone can breathe life into what seems like a dead situation. When many others count you out, God is still on your side. 

In acknowledging God as the creator of all things, it becomes easier to see a reflection of Him in his children. Afterall, that's the imagery we see each day with our own families. How many people have you encountered who look like near clones of their mother or father? Sometimes, it's not just their natural characteristics. It's in their behavior, the way they talk or think. That's how we should be as children of God. So, when we encounter those that do not reflect godly characteristics, we have reason to believe that they are not His children.

When we look at God as creator, we should look beyond what we understand in the natural order of things. Yes, He created earth, man, and creature. But without His say so, even our emotions would not exist. The creator of it all, of course, would know how to love us better than we can ourselves. That's the kind of hope we can hold on to each day. He knows and He understands. God didn't have to put in hours to earn the title "master artist". Life is because He is. Trust His direction.

 It's strange that people will often choose comfort over truth. Rather than be told when they are wrong, they'd rather be endorsed, even in their wrong. Yet, we learn so much through our errors. Or at least we should. As children, we aren't born with every motor skill there is that allows us to take off running fresh out of the womb. Unlike certain animals, like horses or elephants for example, it's not in our nature to get up and go. Our process takes more time. We learn to crawl, stand, walk, and then run. Each step, hopefully, teaching us something that will help us become even better. Rather than have itchy ears or seek after "yes men" for our inner circle, seek after those that are able and willing to provide Godly wisdom. It's essential for our spiritual growth and development. 

 A verse that I always pair with thoughts of peace is Philippians 4:8. When I'm in need of peace and an opportunity to reset and recenter, I've learned that there is no other solution than to think on the things of God. When life seems off balance with no clear path in sight of my ship righting itself, God is my answer. That is a sure way of putting all your cards on the table. Talk things over in your time of prayer with the only one who truly does know and understand.