Feeling empty? Idols and Satisfaction

"You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3 NIV) Anything you put before God in your life, is an idol - Food, sleep, a celebrity, Facebook, friends, clothes, a hobby, TV, fun, music, etc. etc. etc. A good way to find out is to look at what you spend your money on. Your heart is hooked to your wallet. DO NOT FOLLOW IN THE PATTERNS OF THIS FALLEN WORLD - the world teaches that you find satisfaction in earthly things. The only place you can find complete satisfaction, is in Jesus Christ. Without him, you will have a huge God-shaped hole in your heart that will cause you to feel extremely empty. Put God first in your life, and begin to examine your life for potential idols... Then GET THEM OUT!! Let your satisfaction be found in God alone!!

Your Problems in Perspective

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds," (James 1:2 NIV) Hard and challenging times are opportunities. Opportunities to trust God, and to grow closer to him. There is nothing we can't handle!! - we've got God beside us and the holy spirit inside us!! Next time you face a problem or challenge, instead of measuring it up against your strength (where it will always look like a giant), measure it against God's, whose strength makes the problem look like a tiny ant! Stay close to God and don't let your ant-like problem turn into Goliath! Put your troubles into perspective against His strength, not your own!!

Peace

"May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!" (2 Thessalonians 3:16 MSG) Let his peace replace your fears and worries. And as soon as your fears and worries are out, stay alert!!! They will try to creep back in! In what area of your life do you need peace today? Ask God for it and get ready for change!!

Just Like Him

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2 NIV) If you have no idea what God wants you to be, but all you do know is that he wants you to be like him, then aim for that. How do you do that? By spending time in his word, learning his nature, talking to him, etc. Godliness doesn't come from anything you do or a list of rules - that's legalism. Don't get yourself caught up in that like that Pharisees did!! Don't let the rules of being a "typical Christian" get in your head - instead, find out for yourself who God is, and aim to be like him!! God, I want to learn to be just like you!!!

Perfectly Mapped Out

"As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." (Psalm 18:30 NIV) God's way is perfect and his word is flawless. He maps out every single one of our days perfectly. He knows the problems we will face that will bring us back to him, the people that we will see who will encourage us, and the opportunities he will give us to do his work. He has it all planned out. Stay conscience of the Holy Spirit today letting God guide you step by step through the day. Don't let your mind get stuck in the mud of the fallen world... Keep your mind in heaven!!!