Put God First, One Day at a Time - Matthew 6:33-34

Easy to Worry
Isn't is easy to get caught up in worrying about bills, food, and clothing instead of trusting God to take care of everything? My natural tendency is to be a "worry wart." 

Trusting God to provide for my needs isn't my natural tendency. No, I have had to learn how to do this by focusing on today and today only. 

Replace Worry Thoughts with God Thoughts
Once my focus is on today, then I have to consciously make my thoughts turn to trusting God. I do this with self-talk. Yep, I just kick those worry thoughts right out of my head and replace them with Jesus and God thoughts. 


Here are some examples:

1. Worry Thought - Hmmmm...I wonder if I will be able to buy a new pair of jeans after I pay the bills.
God Thought - I know God will take care of everything I need. He has taken care of everything so far and he is faithful. 

2. Worry Thought - I don't know if I will have enough gas to get to work this week.
God Thought - Lord thank-you for taking care of my needs. I know you will make sure I have enough gas to get to work today and every day. 

Once my focus is on God; worry, stress, and anxiety go away and are replaced with calmness and peace. 

Barnes Notes on the Bible states it this way:

• But you, who have a knowledge of your Father in heaven; who know that He will provide for your needs, should not be anxious. 
• Become interested in His favor, and all necessary things will be added to you. 
• He has control over all things, and He can give you what you need. 
• He will give you what he deems best for you.                                        
• Commit your way to God. 
• God will be the same Father then as today, and will make then, as he does now, proper provision for your wants.
• Though you will have needs, yet God will provide for them as they occur. 
• Do not increase the cares of today by borrowing trouble from the future. 

Adapted from Barnes Notes on the Bible

Scripture Prayer
Thank-you Lord for taking care of my needs and smoothing out each trouble that is in my path today. Thank-you Lord for helping me to stay in today and helping me to seek your kingdom and righteousness. Father God, help me to continue seeking your kingdom and righteousness first, not last. Help me to stay focused on today. I ask these things in the mighty name of your Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for me and is my Lord and Savior. Amen. 

The Pit of Doubt and Fear - Psalm 40:2-3

Jesus is My Rock 
 My experience with being in a horrible pit of fear and doubt, feet slippery with miry clay, is a distant memory. However, I know that the minute I stop letting Jesus be in charge of my life; I am in danger of slipping back into the pit of doubt and fear that he took me out of. I am glad that he is firmly in charge of my goings, today and every day.

Jesus did indeed put a new song in my mouth.  
I continue to praise Him daily. Today, my worst day is still better than the best day of my pre-Jesus, pit-dwelling life. 





Doubts and fears are a horrible pit and miry clay to many a beloved child of God. 

• There is power enough in God to help the weakest and grace enough to help the unworthiest of all that trust in him. 
• The psalmist waited patiently; he continued believing, hoping, and praying. 
• This verse is applicable to Christ. His agony, in the garden and on the cross, was a horrible pit and miry clay. 
• Those that wait patiently for God do not wait in vain. 
• Christ is the Rock on which a child of God can stand fast
• Where God has given steadfast hope, he expects there should be a steady, regular walk and conduct. 
• God filled the psalmist with joy, as well as peace in believing and he will do it for all of his children.
• Multitudes, by faith beholding the sufferings and glory of Christ, have learned to fear the justice and trust in the mercy of God through Him. 
• Many are the benefits with which we are daily loaded, by the providence and by the grace of God.

Adapted from Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary

Psalm 40:2 Scripture Prayer
Fill in the blank with whatever doubt or fear you see as a pit in your life and pray this prayer to Jesus.

Lord, I need your help. I know you can hear my cry. Lift me up out of the slimy pit of________________that I find myself in. I know you will lift me out of the mud and mire because you are faithful. You will set my feet on a rock so I will have a firm place to stand. Lord Jesus, put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to you. I will praise you Jesus so that all will see how you helped me and be in awe.  Amen.

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Cupcake Morning

I slept restlessly last night. In my dreams, I decorated 4 dozen bridal shower cupcakes over and over again. The Mr and Mrs candy melt toppers were piped over and over.  Even in my dream, I wanted my loopy cursive writing to look elegant. At last, I awoke at 4:05 AM and left my bed to start on the task of baking the cupcakes that had taken over my dreams as I slept.

The hubby walked through the kitchen at 5:00 AM and greeted me with a hug. Then, he complimented me on the naked cupcakes that sat on the kitchen table. I hope the sound of the mixer isn't what caused him to wake up several hours early. 

To settle myself down, I will read a few of my favorite bible verses about worry. 

Luke 12:24-26

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If you then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take you thought for the rest?

Psalm of the Week - 37:7 - August 31, 2015

 PATIENTLY: AN ACROSTIC POEM by Sallee Bonham

Pray for the unrighteous
Always know that God has a plan
Trust in God's plan
I will not fret, I will pray
Earth is not my home, heaven is
No one will escape God's notice, do not fret about wrongdoing.
Turn to the Bible and read God's promises
Love the unlovable
Yes, God will take care of everything. He always does.

Job Stress and Change

I have worked in my current job position for thirteen years. Next year, my position is going to be in another department that I started in seventeen years ago. I wish I could say that I put this in Jesus' hands and left it there, BUT I did not. Prayer was the first action that I took and the Lord spoke to my heart and told me to stay where I am.

Change is hard for me to deal with - leaving it up to Jesus is easy to say, hard to do. For a week or so, I have been alternating between acceptance, sadness, and anger. The Serenity prayer has come to mind two or three times.

God grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot changethe courage to change the things I canand the wisdom to know the difference.

The moment the Lord spoke to my heart I should have let things go, but I keep picking at the issue like a child picking at a scab on a healing sore until the sore is bleeding again. 

The position change is not a demotion. My head knows this, my heart doesn't. Part of the problem is that I love my job. Yes, LOVE it. The satisfaction is part of what keeps me going even though the pay is low.

The department I am being sent to isn't quite the same. The five previous years I spent in that department had me feeling burnt out. The gains and goals were much lower. However, you can see that I am still trying to weigh the pros and cons.

The pros and cons keep bouncing around in my head even though the Lord spoke to my heart and told me to stay and it is not time to change. He always has a plan for his beloved, even when I can't see it.  My finite brain trying to understand an infinite God just doesn't work. Acceptance is the answer. HE has spoken. 

As the refrain from the old hym says, "Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 
Proverbs 3:5-6

Stop, Drop and Pray on August 16, 2014

I cannot wait to sit at Jesus' feet tomorrow morning and pray. Snuggle time with the Savior of Us All. I do not know about you, but I need some comforting, healing, and quiet time to pray for this world we live in.

Praying for my persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Bill and I have been praying daily for the persecuted in Iraq and the persecuters.

So sad to see massive rioting in my home state. Lord please pour your calming and healing presence over Ferguson, MO.

I know, I am starting early, but feel so much upheaval in and around me that I keep reaching out in prayer.

Suggested Prayer Points 

1. Pray for persecuted Christians around the world.
2. Pray for God's people to seek Him by reading the Bible.
3. God's leaders and his people to be strengthened for spiritual battle through the Bible.
4. Pray that Satan is defeated in the lives of all Christians.
5. Pray about anything you feel led to pray about.

Hugs,
SalleeB

#StopDropandPray 

Grains of Truth - Number 8

 It’s time to shuck off the worry, the what if’s, the why’s and the sorrows. Not only does this magnificent, ever present, inspiring God got the whole world in His hands, He has you in His hands!

Rebekah Beene

The Captivity of Activity - Week 7

Sallee's Notes

Philippians 4:6-7 
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

•  Prescription for our stress - pray about everything (Philippians 4:6)
• Prayer will affect everything - God tells us to pray about everything to gain the result of peace. (Philippians 4:7)
• Prayer for anxiety issues will bring us God's peace. Tell him everything. 
• Control issues are connected to our pride
• Pray about every part of your anxiety

Psalm 62:8
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Luke 10:40-41
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”


41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but few things are needed—or indeed only one.f Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Point 3 -  At any given time God gives us the right to choose.

• No matter what age we are, we can begin to change one choice at a time
• One choice at a time choose what is best - give it to GOD
• We cannot do a thousand things to the glory of God
• We are losing excellence because we are doing too many things and none of them well
• We can chose the one thing that is absolutely necessary that cannot be taken from us
• Only God can fix it - Only GOD
• Testimony from Beth  - continued on next video

 I'm working hard to change my behavior, one choice at a time.

My anxiety tends to be about finances. If I can't control my finances, I feel like I am failing. God is giving me everything I need. Clothing, food, travel money, everything. EGO as an acronym - Edging God Out. Pride is ego. I love the Lord and I do not want to be edging him out of my life. I want his peace. I want my heart and mind to be guarded, in Christ Jesus. Prayer fills my life, but I still tend to talk to other people about my anxiety, instead of God. 

The Captivity of Activity - Week 6

Sallee's Notes

• Control freaks - Are you a control freak?
• We feel at peace when we have a tight hold on things
• The lie - I want to control it for God. What I want to happen is what God would want to happen.
•  He wants to take control and I will be the glove through which he puts his hand.

Luke 10:41

41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 

• Key words - worried and upset, or anxious care

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

• Key word anxiety, or worried
• Cast - to throw
• The faster we throw our anxiety the better.
• Anxiety causes physical ills.
• We never had any control even though we are positive God needs our help

Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1; Revelation 4 all say,"one sits upon the throne..." and it is NOT us.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

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

• there's our word - anxious
• this is our prescription
• everything can be affected by prayer
• prayer is the prescription of anxious driven care
• the kind of prayer that says you are God and I can't do this.
• whole heartedly give everything to God

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

• Humbling yourself
• Control issues are pride
• Pour out your anxieties to him.
• Talk to HIM. Tell him your concerns.
• Psalm 62 says, "He is a refuge for you."

Trusting God for Monetary Solutions

Trouble Staying Serene

Finances are an area where I have trouble staying serene and trusting in God. I really had no idea how much my mind dwells on the "I can't do .....because I can't afford it." until recently. The Lord has provided low cost, economical solutions to my career wardrobe and many other areas of daily living. However, I just keep grabbing ahold of money issues and clasping them tightly to my chest, again and again.

Happiness is God's Goal

I want to be an obedient, mature Christian. Confident that the Lord overshadows every area in my life. He is in control and I am going to let him be in control. Sound good doesn't it? Scripture tells me over and over that God takes care of his people. He provided manna for the Israelites, and meat when they complained about the manna. Happiness is God's goal for me and you. He doesn't want me to be mentally wrestling with money problems. That is his job.

Turning to the Bible - Again

Shrinking income isn't just my problem. I know everyone is facing this issue as gas prices and food prices continue to increase. Worrying over things like a dog with a bone isn't going to help me. So, I am going to reread Matthew 6:25-34 again. The scripture encourages me to trust God to provide for my needs. My plan is to read verses 25-34 until the words are imprinted upon my heart. God knows what I need and he will give them to me as long as I continue to seek his kingdom first and his righteousness.

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “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?

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.

Matthew 6:25-34 NIV

 

Overcoming Spiritual Dryness

Spiritually Dry

I am feeling dry. Spiritually dry. My life has had a lot of ups and downs all packed into seven days. My seven month old grandson's shunt isn't operating correctly, so he underwent surgery. My sister and her hubby were in a wreck. Sounds bad doesn't it? It's not.

 Praises

God cupped my sister's truck in his hand as is hydroplaned, at fifty miles an hour, and began spinning. The spinning truck went airborne, impacted hard enough to break an axle, and finally came to rest against an earthen embankment, upright. You know God was involved because the truck didn't roll upside down, or tumble. The damages: stiff necks, cracked rib, bruised forearm, and overall stiff muscles.

My grandson was diagnosed with spina bifida during the first trimester of pregnancy. He had neurosurgery and spinal surgery when he was twenty-four hours old. Two weeks later, he was home with his momma. No complications, swift healing, and lots of examinations from a team of specialists. Every specialist has used the word "miracle" in connection with Ashton's recovery process. This surgery was no different.

Streams of Prayer

A flood of prayer has been lifted for my sister and grandson. Prayers of healing, thanks,and strength have streamed to heaven from the lips of many prayer warriors, including myself. Now, in spite of all the thankfulness, I feel spiritually dry. I'm not sure why.

The Lord Hasn't Moved

The Lord is right where He has always been. I know he is with me. This feeling will pass. Feelings are temporary if I take the right action.  The right action for spiritual dryness is to bury myself in the word and renew my spirit. Everyone has a period of spiritual dryness that must be treated with meditation on the word of God.

Sallee's Six: Favorite Verses from the Book of Matthew

 It's Thursday again! Last week I posted Sallee's Six: Favorite Verses from Joshua, Psalms, and Isaiah. This week's focus will be in the New Testament book of Matthew. Enjoy the verses and feel free to share your own favorite verses from Matthew. God bless you brothers and sisters.

Matthew 6:31- 33
So do not worry, saying, : What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father know that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 7:1-2
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 15:11
What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "

Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus replies: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:39-40
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Worrying about Work Clothes is Unproductive

Required to Dress Professionally

My job has a dress code. Employees are required to dress professionally. In the last two or three years, state and federal budget cuts have reduced my income. This income reduction means I can only buy underclothing, pantyhose, and shoes at the store. I have always liked to bargain shop, but it has been more of a hobby than a necessity. Now, I find myself bargain shopping out of necessity. 

 Clothing Worries

A couple of weeks ago, I caught myself worrying about my shrinking income, increasing expenses, and aging wardrobe. My mind kept spinning around one thought," How am I going to afford any new clothes?" I had purchased a bare minimum of work-related clothing last year, so acquiring new clothing items was unavoidable . My brain just grabbed ahold of this thought and wouldn't let go.

A Scriptural Answer

Finally, I opened up my bible to Matthew 6: 25-33,Do Not Worry, and started reading. My attention was caught by the following words:

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin...So do not worry, saying,'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'...your heavenly Father knows that you need them...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I felt humbled. How could I have let doubt and worry creep into my thoughts, again? Prayerfully, I talked with my heavenly Father and apologized for focusing on the financial problems. Prayerfully, I told him, You are in charge of my life and I am trusting you to provide for me. My brain let go of my clothing worries and became worry-free.

$1.89 Blessing

Earlier this week, on my way home from the post office, I read a sign -  Crazy Lady's Resale Shop. Happily, I stopped to see what bargains I might find in this new shop. Quickly, I looked through the clothing racks for career clothing. A tropical print blouse, in subdued blues and greens, caught my eye; I removed it from the rack. The tag revealed that it was from JC Penney's and was in almost new condition. Swiftly, I said a quick Thank-you Father and placed the blouse on the check-out counter. Returning to the clothing racks, I continued sifting through the clothes and  a pair of gray slacks appeared. My heart beat happily, I just knew these slacks belonged with the blouse I'd already found. A quick check of the label verified my guess, the slacks were also from JC Penney's and matched the blouse. At the checkout counter, the cashier announced my total,"$1.89." Wow, a two piece outfit in excellent shape for $1.89. I knew where this blessing came from. I had focused on seeking the kingdom and He was bringing me what I needed.

Two days later, I stopped at another resale shop that supports a ministry, God's Hand Extended, in Owensville, MO. Guess what I found? A brand-new, black and white cardigan from Macy's, a like-new, red and black floral blouse in my favorite style, AND a crocheted tablecloth in my favorite color, celadon. Total cost of the three items? $5.00.

I know what some of you are thinking. I would have found these bargains anyway, but there is no way of knowing that. What I do know is that I was not finding any bargains while I was letting worry dominate my thoughts. After turning my worry over to the Father and after trusting Him to take care of me, I found clothing that was in styles I liked, that matched pieces I already have, and that cost less than $8.00.  Additionally, at the God's Hand Extended store, my money was supporting a ministry.

My Conclusion

Worry is unproductive and decreases my faith. Trust in action is what the Lord wants from us. Next time worry creeps into my thoughts, I'm seeking out the kingdom by reading Matthew 6: 25-34 again.