Today is Holy Thursday and my week has been hectic so far. As I go about my business thinking about all the things that have to be done since I got back from vacation, the pressures of work and life, to be honest, I am feeling tired from it all.
But then I think about Jesus. What might he have been doing on this day so many years ago? What thoughts filled his mind? He knew what the next few days had in store for him and I can't even begin to imagine how he must have felt. Pressured? Stressed? Tired? Angry? Or not...
My trials and tribulations are nothing compared to His and this helps me to put mine in perspective. Yet, my Father in Heaven cares for me just as much as He cared for Jesus. We were never promised a rose garden in this life. Jesus said "In this life you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome."
The miracle that Jesus gave us is that no matter what we are going through in life, we can rely on His strength, His power, and His Grace to get us through it; that is the miracle of the Resurrection. Somehow by coming to the end of ourselves and realizing we cannot accomplish everything on our own and that we need Jesus, we are reborn and made new.
For me is is an iterative process. I am constantly dying to old habits and old ways of thinking and being remade by God's grace and mercy. What about you, dear one? Are the tribulations of life wearing you down? If so, why not give your burdens to Jesus? Let Him carry them and show you the way. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by me."
"Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." It is a promise for all of us this Easter season. Will you take Him up on it?
Journey to Faith
Follow your own path
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Getting Away From It All
Last night, I returned from a week's vacation to the Caribbean. The pace of life slowed down tremendendously. No one was in a rush to do anything. The taxi lady kept us waiting 30 minutes while she waited for more passengers. The smoothie attendant wasn't even at the stand for ten minutes and then casually sauntered up to her post. As my son put it, "They are on Caribbean time".
My life here, however, is hectic and busy. It seems no matter how hard I try to slow down and simplify, the busyness of life creeps back up on me and before I know it activities, distractions and responsibilities overwhelm me.
What to do?
I think the answer is to be found by looking at Jesus once again. What did he do when the people crowded upon him, demanding healing, help, and clamoring for his attention? He departed to a place of solitude, usually early in the morning to spend time with the Father.
Time alone with God refreshes, restores, and renews my energy. The busier I am, the more time I need alone with God. I am able to clear my mind of all the clutter and noise and just be. I am able to focus and choose what is important.
Just as time with my sons is precious to me, God treasures the time His children spend with Him. Just as I delight in listening to my children, so He delights in listening to us. Look at Mary and Martha. What did Jesus say to Martha when Mary chose to sit at his feet while Martha fretted about everything that needed to be done? He said "Martha, Martha. You are worried and upset about many things, but Mary has chosen what is best." (Luke 10:41-42).
Today will you choose to spend time with the Lord? What distractions are worrying you and making you upset? Let's choose to be more like Mary and cast our cares on Him, for He cares for us.
My life here, however, is hectic and busy. It seems no matter how hard I try to slow down and simplify, the busyness of life creeps back up on me and before I know it activities, distractions and responsibilities overwhelm me.
What to do?
I think the answer is to be found by looking at Jesus once again. What did he do when the people crowded upon him, demanding healing, help, and clamoring for his attention? He departed to a place of solitude, usually early in the morning to spend time with the Father.
Time alone with God refreshes, restores, and renews my energy. The busier I am, the more time I need alone with God. I am able to clear my mind of all the clutter and noise and just be. I am able to focus and choose what is important.
Just as time with my sons is precious to me, God treasures the time His children spend with Him. Just as I delight in listening to my children, so He delights in listening to us. Look at Mary and Martha. What did Jesus say to Martha when Mary chose to sit at his feet while Martha fretted about everything that needed to be done? He said "Martha, Martha. You are worried and upset about many things, but Mary has chosen what is best." (Luke 10:41-42).
Today will you choose to spend time with the Lord? What distractions are worrying you and making you upset? Let's choose to be more like Mary and cast our cares on Him, for He cares for us.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Our Temptations
Have you been tempted lately? By what? How did you react or respond?
I have been sorely tempted recently. It was a scary situation, to be honest. The enemy wanted to ensare me. He knows our weaknesses and our vulnerabilities, and plans his attack directly on that area of our life.
Just as Lazarus needed the people to untie him from the bondage of his bandages, so we need others to help us to set us free, for we cannot help ourselves sometimes.
Dr. Tony Evans spoke about being free and our right to be free tonight on his program. He shared how the Israelites kept wanting to go back to Egypt. Isn't that exactly what we do sometimes? We are drawn back to oppression; whether it be overeating, drug or alcohol abuse, or an unhealthy relationship.
When are we going to appreciate the freedom that Jesus died for us to live in? Jesus said that He came to set the captives free. What are you captive to, dear one? What is there in your life that is trying to ensnare you?
Jesus conquered the enemy and so can we, through His power. We are more than conquerers and we can overcome any temptation, just as Jesus did. Make no mistake, the enemy will never stop trying, but we have a power greater than he within us. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4). Be encouraged today, and fight the enemy and he will flee, and while you're at it, help set someone else free today too!
I have been sorely tempted recently. It was a scary situation, to be honest. The enemy wanted to ensare me. He knows our weaknesses and our vulnerabilities, and plans his attack directly on that area of our life.
Just as Lazarus needed the people to untie him from the bondage of his bandages, so we need others to help us to set us free, for we cannot help ourselves sometimes.
Dr. Tony Evans spoke about being free and our right to be free tonight on his program. He shared how the Israelites kept wanting to go back to Egypt. Isn't that exactly what we do sometimes? We are drawn back to oppression; whether it be overeating, drug or alcohol abuse, or an unhealthy relationship.
When are we going to appreciate the freedom that Jesus died for us to live in? Jesus said that He came to set the captives free. What are you captive to, dear one? What is there in your life that is trying to ensnare you?
Jesus conquered the enemy and so can we, through His power. We are more than conquerers and we can overcome any temptation, just as Jesus did. Make no mistake, the enemy will never stop trying, but we have a power greater than he within us. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4). Be encouraged today, and fight the enemy and he will flee, and while you're at it, help set someone else free today too!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Do You Know What Faith Is?
There are lots of ideas out there these days about faith. What is it exactly? Where does it come from? How can you make it work for you?
Webster’s dictionary defines faith as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof and as “a belief and trust in and loyalty to God.” Faith is the positive belief that everything will turn out for the best, even when things seem hopeless. The Bible says that “Faith is being sure of the things we hope for but have not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
The key here, I think, is to ask ourselves the question "What do I put my faith in?" Am I putting my faith in my job, my abilities, my strengths, or in something or someone higher and stronger? Eventually, we all come to the end of ourselves when we realize we cannot make some things happen on our own; that is when the revelation comes in that there must be a greater power out there in the universe that is in total control and totally loves us. It is what the 12-Step folks refer to as 2nd Step: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
I call this higher power God. I believe that if we put our faith and our trust in God, He will take care of us and see us through any storm in our lives. God is faithful. He is more than able to take care of any situation that arises and in fact, He allows many situations to arise to test our faith and to increase it. I don't know about you, but I feel better knowing that there is a God out there who cares about me and who only wants the best for me.
For Reflection
What do you have faith in, dear one? Are you putting your faith in something solid or something that can be washed away when the storms of life hit? Today I encourage you to give God a try. He will prove himself faithful to you.
Stay tuned for more on how to ignite the power with and discover YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
Webster’s dictionary defines faith as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof and as “a belief and trust in and loyalty to God.” Faith is the positive belief that everything will turn out for the best, even when things seem hopeless. The Bible says that “Faith is being sure of the things we hope for but have not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
The key here, I think, is to ask ourselves the question "What do I put my faith in?" Am I putting my faith in my job, my abilities, my strengths, or in something or someone higher and stronger? Eventually, we all come to the end of ourselves when we realize we cannot make some things happen on our own; that is when the revelation comes in that there must be a greater power out there in the universe that is in total control and totally loves us. It is what the 12-Step folks refer to as 2nd Step: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
I call this higher power God. I believe that if we put our faith and our trust in God, He will take care of us and see us through any storm in our lives. God is faithful. He is more than able to take care of any situation that arises and in fact, He allows many situations to arise to test our faith and to increase it. I don't know about you, but I feel better knowing that there is a God out there who cares about me and who only wants the best for me.
For Reflection
What do you have faith in, dear one? Are you putting your faith in something solid or something that can be washed away when the storms of life hit? Today I encourage you to give God a try. He will prove himself faithful to you.
Stay tuned for more on how to ignite the power with and discover YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
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