Garden – Page 6 – B Is for Blessed!

Open Your Eyes!

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
Mark 10:51 NKJV

I was standing in faith for God’s provision but couldn’t see how He would solve a particular problem. If there was to be a solution, God would have to provide it.

During this time, a piece of mail sat on my kitchen counter. God finally drew me to it because I have a huge stack sitting there. I half heartedly opened it and in the envelope was my answer.

Often what we need and prayed for is right before us if only we would see what God has done!

Our blessings can’t bless us if we don’t “see” them. To see them, we must open our eyes and minds. Our assumptions cloud our vision!

We must train ourselves to see God’s presence and provision in the midst of our trials!

My “answer” looked like junk mail! How many times do we overlook answers to our problems simply because they don’t appear the way we expect them to?

God often directs people to us, but we can easily look past them because they don’t look or act the way we do. Wisdom, friendship, understanding, and comfort we lose because we are blind to what is really there.

I read an interesting statement recently. “We are so busy trying to work up to God that we fail to see He has already reached down to us.” ***

The posturing, rituals, and habits we propose to worship Him sometime get in the way of truly communing with God. When we look for God all around us, we can abide with Him right where we are.

Open your eyes and open your mind to something different. Different people. Different places. Different possibilities.

You just may find the blessing you’ve been searching for has been in front of you all along.

Open your eyes and see…

***If you are the author of these words I can not get out of my mind please let me know so I can link back to your original post!

Soar!

Unlike this butterfly struggling against the breeze, I spotted a hawk soaring high on those same winds. Hawks trust the breezes to lift them higher. No GPS or google maps, they just stretch their wings and go!

The higher we want to go, the more we must trust God to take us there.

Small things we can do in our small power. Larger missions, accomplishments and dreams of any real substance are all acquired with God.

Few people reach their full potential without that absolute trust. There are those who do reach certain heights in themselves, but eventually the burden of their pseudo-success becomes too much for them to bear. Most “self-made” people often collapse under the strain of relying on themselves for everything.

We must grow larger spiritually and mentally into a wider wing span, stretching ourselves, daring to go higher than we ever thought possible if we are to soar as God intended us to do.

Likewise, we must have a keen eye just like a hawk. These birds aren’t flying blind. We shouldn’t either. Large fowl can spot the smallest of opportunities/food from their great heights. God gives us this same vision and discernment when we ask Him, trust Him and have faith enough to actually follow where He leads.

Now, I’m not keen on going anywhere and not know where I’m going. Yet, this same reluctance can cause us to miss out on some of our largest blessings. Admittedly, I’ve gone a few places in life with my eyes wide open (or so I thought) and that didn’t turn out well at all!

So…I’d rather go blindly with God than move forward eyes wide open, but aimless and with no direction!

Besides, my tiny little wings can only take me so far. But with God…

Technically, bumble bees can’t fly. Their bodies and short wing spans defy the laws of physics. But God creates those “laws” and breaks them as He deems fit. Man will never understand all of God. We see only a glimpse of His Majesty. That’s why we must trust!

All things are possible to him who believes!

“Jesus, said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth,” Mark 9:23 KJV

Will my hopes and dreams come to fruition? Only God knows. But knowing that they are indeed possible is enough for me to spread my wings and try to fly just a little bit higher.

What about you?

What Do You See?

Sometimes it is not a failure to let go of the past that prevents us from moving forward. Instead, a lack of vision for our future prevents the preparation necessary to manifest our innermost dreams.

Dare to prepare for opportunities that lie ahead. Your greatest victories await if you have faith for what God can do ~~for~~ with you!

“Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.” Proverbs 29:18 NKJV

“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer,” Proverbs 30:25 NIV

“But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.” And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” Isaiah 58:13-14 NKJV

How Do You View It?

perspective a) a specific point of view in understanding things or events b) the ability to see things in a true relationship, Webster’s Dictionary

The majority of the frustration and anxiety we face is not necessarily due to an “enemy attack.” The mental chaos we sometimes experience stems from failing to view things in the proper perspective.

Psalms teach us to “Magnify the Lord.” However, many Believers who magnify the Lord at church services obsess about and magnify their problems when challenges arise.

We sometimes fail to appreciate just how great our God is and His omnipotent power. Instead, we may talk (repeatedly) of our problems, struggles and daily aggravations.

If we would put the same effort into acknowledging the greatness of our God as we do reiterating our circumstances, we would realize how inconsequential most of our “problems” are in comparison to Him.

God is larger than your “situation” or whatever you are dealing with. You must have faith that what you can’t do, God can do for you!

When we continually moan, gripe and complain the only thing we do is enlarge our “thing” in our mind’s eye. Our negative words distort our vision. We can find faults where there are none and create major issues out of minor annoyances.

The wrong perspective is akin to viewing life in a carnival house of mirrors. What we see is distorted and warped, not at all reality.

The right perspective guides us away from poor decisions. The right perspective eliminates stress and allows us to live blessed.

P is for perspective. Changing how you view it might just get you through it!

Meek not Weak!

“Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth,” Matthew 5:5 KJV

Meek is not a virtue most people seek or regard highly in Western culture. The term is usually identified with someone who is timid, fearful, submissive and lacking courage. However, one definition as defined by Webster’s is “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.”

The instinctive nature of most people is to escape injury, let alone endure it. Furthermore, most of us are swift to retaliate against anyone who causes us pain or upset. It takes an extraordinary amount of strength and determination not to lash out and trust God.

As “Christians” we claim to “follow” Christ yet very few of us are jumping up and volunteering to actually “suffer” for Him.

Christ was very well aware that His followers would suffer. He did not tell them how to escape suffering but taught them instead how to endure it. (See John 16:22-33)

We must push through our injuries and struggles if we are ever going to inherit the best God has for us. Inherit means “to come into possession of or to receive as a right or divine portion.”

“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace,” Psalms 37:11 KJV

This Old Testament verse reaffirms what Jesus spoke in His sermon. Furthermore, this verse promises an inheritance of “peace” which is far more valuable than any material object.

Our God does not direct us to do anything He has not given us the ability to do. By His power we are able, even when our situation looks hopeless. Our inheritance comes after we go through whatever “injuries” life throws our way.

We often strive (and pray) to get out of our circumstances instead of trusting God to get us through them.

God provides the strength, faith, and power necessary for us to obey His Word and become meek. This requires that we recognize God will fight certain battles for us. We don’t have to prove how strong we are.

Our God is stronger.

With Him we are stronger than we ever thought possible. We are strong enough not to take the bait that would draw us into an argument. We are strong enough not to have the last word. Or, belittle other people.

To be meek is not a weakness. It is strength enough to know your “injury” is only temporary. It does not define you. You can endure it. You can be patient through faith that your situation will be okay. No matter what it looks like right now.

You can endure with a promise of peace yet to come.

Christ endured the cross and inherited a place at the right hand of the Father. If He who was free from sin had to endure, how can we expect anything less?

Blessed are the meek, the patient and the enduring, because our God promises a reward well worth the journey.

A is for Anger Management

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm,” Psalms 37:8 NKJV

Anger management is an important tool for living. The Bible is very clear about anger’s destructive potential.

Anger spreads quickly like a spark igniting dry brush in the wild. Like fire, it spreads far quicker that it can be extinguished. It is the emotion that leads people to make hasty decisions, regrettable mistakes, and to speak words that can never be taken back.

Anger is easily fueled, grows exponentially, and wreaks havoc in people’s lives. Instead of giving in to feelings of wrath, don’t speak or act in haste. Be silent and be still. Allow God’s Word to dictate your behavior.

Anger management isn’t always easy. In fact, it is rarely so. You may have every right to be angry. Disappointment, betrayal, and a host of injustices can evoke this primal reaction in almost everyone. However, feelings are often deceptive but the Word of God is true.

If you are serious in pursuit of the best life possible, get a grip on your anger by giving it to God. Allow Him to extinguish your wrath and propel you above your emotions. If you have anger management “issues”, pray on it. Don’t stay on it.

Learn to manage your anger before it manages you.

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city,” Proverbs 16:32 NKJV

”The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression,” Proverbs 19:11 NKJV

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NKJV

Getting Through to Get To…

Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea before they were free from Egypt. Joshua led the same people through the wilderness before they saw the Promised Land. Jesus endured the crucifixion before He would then take His seat at the right hand of God the Father. Life requires that we go through to get to!

Everyone has trials and tribulations, each of us our own cross to bear. Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed that our issues loom larger in our minds than they should. This skewed perspective often diminishes our hope for the future. To maintain faith, patience and perseverance we must realize the journey is just as important as the destination.

Enduring the miles builds strength and stamina for the runner. It is the burn of the muscles and the strain on the lungs that makes the body stronger than before.

We so often focus on obtaining our goals that we dismiss the necessity of the journey required to meet them. We are increasingly persuaded by today’s media to expect what we want when we want it.

God’s best just doesn’t happen that way.

The bigger the blessing, the more it is going to take to realize it. You must gain more training, experience and knowledge in preparation for God’s best for you. Surely God can give us our blessings immediately without all our effort, but very few of us are mature enough to properly receive and appreciate them without first going through what is necessary to bring them to pass.

Patience perfects us. Trials mature us. We get stronger when we go through the fire. Only by enduring the fires of life can God burn out the impurities that lie within us.

Sometimes the heat is overwhelming, and we feel we can’t go on but God’s faithfulness lifts our fatigue. His hand heals when life beats us down. Our hope for tomorrow comes when we seek His face. True success comes when we dare to keep going not in our own ability but through faith in His.

Trials will surely come and we may stumble, fall, and even find ourselves crawling on hands and knees. Just keep moving.

Whatever you are facing is only temporary. God’s love for you is forever.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls,” Hebrews 12: 2-3 NKJV

Work Wise…work to live or live to work?

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV

“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:8 NIV

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17 NIV

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17 KJV

“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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 12:28-30 NIV

Big Ears

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19 NIV

“for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,” Psalm 95:7 NIV

“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
Psalms 143:8 KJV

**The Elephant Ears featured above are on display at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Look for Your Cloud!

Like many people, I’ve a few areas in my life that are a bit…dry. One in particular is quite crispy. Crisss-pee!

My “situation” soured and then died years ago, yet for one reason or another the last nail was never placed in its coffin.

I was illegally “wronged,” tried to muddle through, then eventually gave “it” to God. This set me back financially and took years (yes, years) before I could finally forgive and move on.

The last thing I prayed concerning the matter was that “it would bless me.” This was over three years ago. And it was hardly a sweet declaration of optimism.

I stood in my bathroom crying. I screamed that “it” would no longer hold me (and my sanity) hostage. I figured I learned a hard lesson and at the least I would be wiser. This was only one thing in a season of drought that appeared endless.

Sometimes we do what is right and are still wronged. We wonder where is God? I believed God’s view was “I didn’t tell you to do that,” so I suffered the consequences.

Today, I was at an appointment and learned my desert may not be so dry after all. What I finally buried and put behind me, God may resurrect for my good!

God may be the reason that final nail never went into the coffin. My loss may have been a “strategic delay.” The most prominent cactus in my years long drought may actually bloom!

I’d given up on this “cactus.” It had drawn enough blood out of me. I didn’t want to touch it! However, when all was silent, could it be God allowed matters to fall as they would and bless me?

This blessing may or may not manifest but its potential has stirred my faith and expectancy. Sometimes when we wander in the desert, we forget that cooling rains can come. God will answer. Just in His time.

As my husband and I ate lunch outdoors, out of nowhere the skies opened up with a tremendous downpour. We had to scurry for cover. Less than an hour after I caught a glimpse of my “cloud.”

I realized today that in this particular area, I’d stopped looking for my cloud. I’d sadly let the heat of my drought sap me of spiritual strength and expectancy. God has been so faithful, why did I doubt Him in this one area?

Keep your eyes open for your cloud. Elijah sent his servant out seven times looking for a sign of rain. Finally, the servant came back with a report. It wasn’t rain but it was the potential for rain.

Don’t lose your hope in what God can do. Dare to look beyond the obvious and have faith for the miraculous.

I think I can finally smell the rain.

“Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” James 5:7 NIV

“Go and look toward the sea.” He told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there.” He said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” I Kings 18: 43-44 NIV