Life's Hills and Valleys

Happy New Year! I pray you are thankful for all God seen you through in 2011 and that you are excited about what He is going to do in 2012.

"...but the land which you pass over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares, the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year" (Deuteronomy 11:11-12).

We stand upon the verge of the unknown. There lies before us the new year and we are going forth to possess it.

Who can tell what we will find? What new experiences, what changes shall come, what new needs shall arise? But here is the cheering, comforting, gladdening message from our Heavenly PaPa God, "The Lord thy God cares for it. His eyes are upon it away to the ending of the year."

The land is a land of hills and valleys. It's not all smooth nor all downhill. If life were all one dead level, the dull sameness would oppress us. We want the hills and the valleys. The hill collects the rain for a hundred fruitful valleys.

So it is with us...it's the hill difficulty that drives us to the throne of grace and brings down the shower of blessing.

We cannot tell what loss, sorrow and trial are doing. Only trust. PaPa God comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way "today."

God promises...

Because of your unbelief, for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).

You have to think BIG! Don't let ego, fears or failures stop you from thinking big.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).

Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do, because I go My Father (John 14:12).

We have to start small (as a mustard seed). So often we focus on the size of our mountain, not the size of our God.

Unlock the promises of God in your life this New Year, He has so many for you. Go possess the land. It shall be a good and blessed year. God will bless you as you seek to know Him more fully this year.

"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Lord God, have not forsaken those who seek You (Psalm 9:10)."

Making the Most of Your Mind

Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (any false idea that controls your mind such as fear, guilt, envy, impatience). We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

• Don’t believe everything you think. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) There are things that come to our mind that’s just not true. We have an amazing ability to lie to ourselves. Our brain tells our eyes what to see. It’s important what we put into our minds.

• Guard your mind against garbage. “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” (Proverbs 15:14) Good food gives good results-bad foods give toxins with bad results. Whatever you resist persists. Focus on good. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil.) “I will not look at anything wicked. I hate those who turn against you, they will not be found near me.” (Psalm 101:3) (Philippians 4:6-8)

• Never let up on learning. “Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15) Become a questioner…ask questions! “Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.” (Proverbs 10:14) Even a broken clock is right twice a day… ”Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor, and those who love learning will succeed.” (Proverbs 19:8)

• Renew your mind daily with God’s Word. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.” (Isaiah 26:3) We need daily encouragement with the Word of God.

• Let God stretch your imagination. “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17) “Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes). May He be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of His master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1Peter 1:13) You have to have a dream, a vision! God will always give us what we need to accomplish His purpose.

Thank You Father

We should always be quick to lift up the Lord when we are tempted to worry or fear over the negative situations that come our way. The Lord is to be magnified above all things and our confidence in Him should be reflected by the actions we take in facing the negative reports that are presently before us. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:16; Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord wishes to meet our needs, but we must call upon Him and let God know of our needs while also giving thanks and praise for promising never to leave us nor forsake us. Be encouraged to have a thankful attitude to the Lord. Give thanks for everything that God has given to you. Do not wait to call upon Him only when you are in need, but rather when all is going well become one who gives praise and thanks for the good in your life. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I hope this inspires and challenges your heart to be quick to give God thanks. It is easy to murmur and complain when things go wrong, but if we change our attitude and call upon the Lord with our praises, our problems will soon seem minuscule.

Dear God:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am
thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am
thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop
talking about me, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking
you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to
thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is
quiet, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that
has caused me pain or grief, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are
removed. I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more
and do better.

I'm thanking you because Father, you haven't given up on me.

Author Unknown

Jeremiah 32:17-18: Ah Lord GOD! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the
earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too
hard for Thee: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest
the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them:
the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is His name.

2 Chronicles 16:9: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the
whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is
perfect toward Him...

Romans 8:31-32: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us,
who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him
up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Matthew 21:21-22: Jesus says,...Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith,
and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but
also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast
into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in
prayer, believing, ye shall receive.