Freedom in Forgetting - Joel & Victoria Osteen

Freedom in Forgetting
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
(Isaiah 43:18, NIV)

The Bible tells us that every person, no matter how much faith they have or how good they are, will face disappointments. It may be something simple like not getting a promotion you hoped for, or not closing a business deal you worked so hard on. Maybe you didn’t qualify for a house you really wanted, or maybe something more serious happened like a relationship not working out, the death of a loved one, or some kind of illness in your body. Whatever it may be, the reality is that we’re all going to suffer some setbacks. No matter what has happened, one of the main keys to overcoming disappointments is learning to let go of the past.

If you feel “stuck” today, you may want to examine what you’re holding on to. Be willing let go of past disappointments by choosing forgiveness. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? Release it to God. Do you need to forgive yourself? Do you need to receive God’s forgiveness? Let go of the past so you can overcome disappointments and experience the bright future God has in store for you! There is freedom in forgetting!

Father, search my heart and mind today. Show me any area where I may be holding on to the past. Help me receive Your forgiveness so that I can extend forgiveness to others and forget the former things and move forward in Your blessing in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Another Beautiful Morning!
Another great night sleep and another day to get things ready before company.  :-). Temperatures are in the 50's this morning...I have all our windows open to air out the house.  Really nice day ahead...highs are expected to hit around 73. So nice...

I've been having a lot of tingling in my legs, feet and body core :-(
I still have swelling and pain but I'm trying to get everything cleaned up anyway...the cleaning is something I needed to get done for a long time...
I usually move things around when cleaning and wash all the walls and knick knacks...it always feels great to get that task completed...the spring cleaning.  It's on my must do list and so far I've been able to do it myself...so happy for that.  I may need to sit and rest in between projects but I am so thankful for all I can do...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Today Bible Study

Failure to Listen to God
By Charles Stanley
Read | 2 Timothy 4:1-4

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul solemnly charges him to preach the Word and to reprove and rebuke with great patience (2 Tim. 4:2). A pastor could hardly have a more difficult assignment than this, because few people respond well to correction. What you do when you are criticized is a good indication of the maturity of your faith. The Bible tells us that “he who neglects discipline despises himself” while “he who listens to reproof acquires understanding” and “will dwell among the wise” (Prov. 15:31-32).

Every time criticism comes our way, we stand at a crossroads of possibilities for good or evil. We can either embrace correction and grow up or reject it and start down the slippery slope described in 2 Timothy 4. In this passage, Paul outlines the behavior of those who become tired of reproof. He says they will reject sound doctrine and instead embrace the teaching of those who “tickle” their ears (v. 3). This means they’ll hunt for churches or religious teachers who fail to apply the whole counsel of God. Then they “will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (v. 4). Most people in this state probably couldn’t trace how they went from truth to myths, but it may have started when they rejected some hard saying from the Bible or ignored good advice from a critic.

We can’t afford to “turn away our ears”—not even from critics who are immature, ignorant, or evil. Remember, if God spoke through Balaam’s donkey (Num. 22:28), He can speak through anyone. Be mindful to keep your ears open to God’s voice, regardless of the form it may come in.

Looking forward to another great day....

Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Another Beautiful Morning!
Wow I slept good last night...this morning I woke up at 6:30am.  I feel rested...

Today, my day consists of cleaning the house and getting ready for company.  My brother, Tim, his wife Connie are coming from AZ and Tim's Son, Joe and his three kids are coming from Kentucky.  It will be very good to see everyone...

I am so thankful for family and friends...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Today's Bible Study

Filling God’s Gaps
By Charles Stanley
Read | Genesis 16:1-6

Has God given you a vision that is as yet unfulfilled? Has He assigned you a task that remains incomplete, though you've done everything you know to do?

When the Lord creates “gaps” in our life, such waiting periods are designed for His specific purposes. Sometimes they are meant to prepare us for His pre-ordained answer. He may be waiting to fulfill His plan, because in the meantime there is something He needs to take care of—perhaps a rough edge that must be smoothed or a relationship that must be restored—before He will fully accomplish His purposes. He may also be testing our faith by plumbing its depths and expanding its borders so He can prove Himself faithful. Or He may be using a dry period as an occasion for correction: God will not reward a saint who is living in rebellion.

Oswald Chambers advises us to wait upon the Lord while He prepares us for His answers. It is imperative that we pray and trust God during these periods. We should not act until we’re certain that we have heard from Him. In fact, it can be dangerous to listen to others instead of the Lord. Even people with godly intentions can be wrong—look at Abram’s poor decisions after listening to the seemingly solid logic of his wife. The result was that Sarai’s handmaiden Hagar conceived Abram’s child, which certainly was not part of the Lord’s preferred plan.

Anything other than God’s plan carried out God’s way and in God’s timing amounts to self-reliance. Depend on His Spirit when deciding how to proceed; any other course of action can lead to serious and lasting repercussions.

Looking forward to another great day....

Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Another Beautiful Morning!
I took a nap yesterday and even after my nap I still felt tired. :-(

I went into work this morning for 4 hours.  Last week I put in enough hours for this two week payroll I won't have to be back into work until next Tuesday... :-)

I am so thankful for all I can do...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Today's Bible Study

Staying on Course
By Charles Stanley
Read | 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Christian life can be likened to a race with a predetermined course and a finish line in eternity. Each child of God has a personalized route specially designed by the Lord. Our goal is to stay on track and run with endurance, but the path can be discerned and navigated only by focusing on Jesus. Because He ran the race perfectly and finished His course, He can show us the way.

As with any long-term race, the course is full of obstacles that threaten to trip or sidetrack us. Temptations lure us to what we imagine are lush green pastures, while busyness can lead us down rabbit trails that end in exhaustion. Worry and fear grab hold of our minds, and emotions take us places the Lord never intended for us to go.

Although sins present the most obvious hindrances, other obstacles and detours are subtler. Anything that takes precedence over our relationship with the Lord can send us down the wrong path. Because involvement in the daily activities of earthly life is necessary, we can easily let our families, jobs, and pleasures distract us from a wholehearted pursuit of Christ. Surprisingly, even God’s blessings can become obstacles in the race if we start to pursue them more than we do the Lord Himself.

We must remember that the goal is not to focus on the path or to try and find our own way. Instead, we’re to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is not only our guide but also our destination. And He will welcome us home with open arms when we finish the race and cross into eternity.

Looking forward to another great day...

Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Another Beautiful Morning!
Today I'm really tired, exhausted...so I'm going to take it easy... :-)

So thankful for all I can do...
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Today's Bible Study

What Steps Can I Take To Apply The Truth To My Life?
By Dr. Charles Stanley

John 1:12
God wants us independent of everything but Him.

Once you know the truth of your position, personage, and possessions in Christ, how do you make practical application of this information in your daily walk?

Here are four steps:

You must choose to be free. You simply must make up your mind that you believe God’s Word and that you will break free from the bondages that have enslaved you. You made a conscious decision when you accepted Christ, and you can make another to believe the truth you have learned and throw off the old thought patterns and behaviors that haunt you.

You must continue in the Word. You cannot abide in God’s Word by memorizing a few verses or by zipping through it five minutes before bedtime. You must seek to absorb the deep riches of Scripture and ask God to show you how it applies to your life.

You must believe God’s Word to be true. Satan will acknowledge that God’s Word is true, but then he’ll whisper that it doesn’t apply to you. Yes, it does! God’s Word applies to everyone, and God will speak to you specifically through it.

You must claim by faith what rightfully belongs to you. You are a saint of God because of your faith in Christ and His work on the Cross. Your position, personage, and possessions are all in Christ and come only because of the Cross. Claim them with confidence, and trust God with the results.

Excerpt from In Touch magazine.

Great Peace - Joel & Victoria Osteen

Great Peace
“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
(Psalm 119:165, NIV)

God not only wants to give you peace, He wants to give you great peace! When you love His law, nothing can make you stumble, and you will have great peace!

Great peace gives you joy when it doesn’t make sense for you to be happy. It’s peace that passes understanding. Great peace keeps you stable and strong no matter what may come against you. When you focus your attention on God’s Word and discipline yourself in the scriptures, you will hunger for more of Him. That love for His law will naturally develop. His Word will direct your path. His Word will protect you. You can always find security in His Word. Today, choose to put His Word first and have the great peace and blessing God has in store for you!

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives me peace. I choose to focus on Your Word today so that You can protect me and guide me. I give You praise today for working in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen