Warning! There Is Always Something to Worry About

The nurse’s voice recently on the other end of the phone caused every nerve in my body to ping to high alert. What news would her call bring?

Then the verdict: “Your lab tests are normal.” Wow. The relief was palpable. This disconcerting need for “a retake” finally gave way to exhilarating joy.

With new enthusiasm, I gathered my car keys, slung my favorite tote over my shoulder, grabbed my mini tumbler of coffee, and headed out the door. Life felt great!

But. Before. I. Even. Reached. The. First. Corner. — my mind started mulching another situation of equal concern. Where did that come from? What happened to my mental euphoria?

Right then and there the Holy Spirit created a classroom in my heart and offered this instruction: there is always something to worry about.

Think about it. There really is always something to worry about.

At my mental intersection, a question stares me in the face: “Where do I want my thoughts to turn?’ “Will I reach out to what might be wrong and allow this might be phantom to rob me of the blessing that exists right now?” Upon arriving at my answer, just like steering the car, I must steer my mind toward worry or toward truth. These two will always be at odds with each other, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, I am the referee.

The answer takes me—one thought at a time—toward worry or toward truth. And the decision determines the quality of life on my road ahead.

Worry robs, drains, distracts, and depletes. Worry is not real, only imagined.

On the other hand, truth revitalizes and refreshes; truth provides security because truth rests on the Rock of our Salvation.

 As stated by Hannah Whitall Smith, “We have nothing under our own control but our wills. Our feelings are controlled by many other things—our health, the weather, the influence of other personalities on us—but our will is our own. All that lies in our power is the direction of our will.”

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27 Berean Study Bible).

What most easily drags you into the quack mire of worry?

Does your worrying contribute to the solution or does it rob you of God’s resources?

What course of action could you take to give yourself the gift of not worrying?

31 Reasons to Smile at 2021

As you stand on the ridge and gaze out upon 2021, how do you feel? For those of us who know Jesus, our path forward into this New Year holds hope, promise, and joy. His Word marks every step and His Presence walks alongside. Wow! That makes me smile.

1. My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14

2. I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

3. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

4. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

5. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37, 38

6. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

7. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

8. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

9. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

10. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

11. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

12. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

13. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

14. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

15. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

16. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

17. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1

18. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

19. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

20. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

21. We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. Psalm 66:12

22. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

23. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

24. I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

25. But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

26. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13

27. Your statues are wonderful … The unfolding of your words gives light … Psalm 119: 129-130

28. The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

29. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

30. Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13: 20-21

31. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

From this collection of verses, which one brings a smile to your face? Do you have additional Scripture to contribute for 2021?

A Star-Stopping Christmas

Each year at Christmas, the journey of the Wise Men grips me. Within my soul rests this insatiable longing to mine down and glean the wonder of their participation in The Story. Please join me for a 2020 consideration of their journey in Matthew 2.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise Men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-5, 7-11)

Yes, the Magi were relentless in their pursuit. They pushed and pressed. But when they arrived, they stopped! They did not keep searching. The star stopped, because their search was over.  

Two thousand years later, you and I battle the temptation to search the Internet, to text the tribe, to turn on the TV in pursuing meaning and purpose in life, in seeking genuine, authentic connectivity. We push, and we press in our own longing for simple soul satisfaction, don’t we?

Now, in the context of our season, the Lord lovingly, gently guides us to consider His truth, the Bottom line of Christmas: the star still stops … with Jesus.

The. star. stops. with. Jesus.

In our weary and worn 2020 set of circumstances: the star stops with Jesus.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28. (NIV)

In our search for security: the star stops with Jesus.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13:5. (NIV)

In our seeking significance: the star stops with Jesus.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” John 15:5. (NIV)

In our longing for intimacy: the star stops with Jesus.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love …” Jeremiah 31:3. (NIV)

With our need to matter somewhere to someone: the star stops with Jesus.

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me” Psalm 139:1. (NIV)

In our thirst for authenticity: the star stops with Jesus.

“I am the way, the truth and the life” John 14:6. (NIV)

With our pursuit of success: the star stops with Jesus.

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor in life” Proverbs 22:4. (NKJV)

In our desperate hope for the future: the star stops with Jesus.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27. (NKJV)

His name is Jesus, Jesus.

Sad hearts weep no more.

He has healed the broken-hearted, Opened wide the prison doors,

He is able to deliver evermore. (Maranatha! Music)

In the Name of Jesus, may you and yours have a Merry, Blessed Star-Stopping Christmas! 

Living with Eternal Intentionality®

1. Which highlight concerning the Wise Men do you want to have influence on your Christmas celebration?

2. What do the Wise Men teach us about worship?

3. Is there an ongoing push or pursuit or longing in your life that needs to stop in the Person of Jesus? If so, what is it?

By God's grace, I will meet you again on January 20, 2021. You have no idea how much I appreciate the time we share here together. Lovingly in Christ, Debby