No Buts!

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Yesterday we all saw the heartbreaking news of the tragic shooting in San Bernardino.  When things like this happen, its easy for our faith to falter. I don't know why so much pain is allowed in our lives, but in the absence of answers, I try to put my focus on Him.  

When I focus on Him I am reminded of a very important truth: GOD CARES FOR ME.  He actively watches over me and is concerned with everything that concerns me.

And please note that there is no "but" to the verse above. He cares for you, but only when your faith is perfect.  He cares for you, but only when your attitude remains good.  He cares for you, but only when you pray a certain amount of times.

God cares for us no matter what, and that right there is reason enough to do a happy dance!

Let’s not use this unfailing love that God has for us as an excuse to not build our faith, to have bad attitudes, and never pray.  But rather, let’s allow His love for us and the power that He has at His disposal to ignite a passion for Him as we approach 2016. 

Let’s do what it says in Philippians 4:7, “…Let God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your unconditional love for us.  As we share our concerns with You today – (insert your concerns here) – we look forward to settling down.  We joyfully await all the wonderful things that happen when Jesus becomes our focus instead of worrying all the time. We also ask for Your divine protection from all the madness that is all around.  We desperately need a sense of Your wholeness because when that happens, nothing is missing from our lives. In Jesus' name, AMEN~ 

An Immediate Blessing~

Acts 3:6-7 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.

One final thought on this passage.  After Peter helps the lame man connect with the healing name of Jesus, he helps him up.  What good would a healing be if you never stood up and proved it?  I believe we all have a responsibility to help those we pray for (when we can), and sometimes this will be most evident in our own families.

Case in point…

Almost two weeks ago lovely me tripped on an uneven sidewalk, and I sprained the juice out of my ankle.  It immediately swelled up to the size of an orange, and well, you know, it was not pleasant.  But it has been wonderful seeing my family rally around me.  Slowly but surely I am getting back to normal, and Jorge prays for me everyday.  But what if that was all he did?  What if he said, “Yenise, I bless you in the name of Jesus with healing and wholeness!” and then walked out the door?  Those first few days I was totally immobile.  I couldn’t put any pressure at all on my foot, and if not for the office chair with wheels that acted as my transport, I might have had to use a diaper.

Jorge and all four of my children have dutifully picked up the slack by cleaning up and making sure everything is in order.  They have lifted my spirits in more ways than one, and I am blessed.

The Bible says that when Peter took the lame man by the hand, the man’s ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.  The greater point for all of us today is that the moment we pray and follow through with love in action, there is an immediate blessing.  May we have the faith to believe it!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your beautiful word.  We all want to be used by You to bring immediate strength and healing into the lives of others – especially our families.  In Jesus’ name, Amen~