In the Heat of the Day...

In Texas we are experiencing a drought like never before. Temperatures have risen well over 107 degrees with no end in sight. Our trees are shriveling and our grass is now a golden yellow. This season in our state is not short of complaints and murmuring from residents. As I stand in my front yard and notice the devastation occurring because of the extreme heat, I know that everything is in God's control.

I sense that this season is an opportunity for us to stand in the midst of heat, devastation and drought and evaluate our the dead areas in our own lives. What drought are you experiencing right now? What is burning up in your life? Relationships? Jobs? Hope? Encouragement? Are you seeing this season as the end of your dreams or as an opportunity for you to run to the one who provides shelter and shade to the weary? I challenge you to water your circumstances with words of hope and faith from your own fountain. Use the words out of your own mouth to saturate the desert places in your life. Things may not change overnight but I do know one thing for sure: it rains in the desert too, Beloved I pray that you learn to rejoice in this season and dance in the rain....that is to come.

Meditation for the week: Write the  verse on a few pieces of paper and place them all over your home, cars, and places of employment. At the end of the week, write down the ways in which God has fulfilled this scripture in your life. 
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever.
Prayer: Lord everything around me seems to be burned up and burned out. I feel hopeless some days and lost the next. Lord, I don't feel like I can move beyond this point. I turn to you because I am faint and weak and without hope. I ask you Lord to water me, refresh me and shower me with your presence, your love and your joy. I run to you for you are all the hope I need. Give me wisdom in these days and help me trust you.
In Jesus Name I Pray..Amen

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY

Life seems to consist of  many changes. Life is never consistent and it is definitely never predictable. In the blink of an eye everything around us can fall apart or be restored. I've had more successes than most my age and I've experienced more adversity than I should have. It was these ups and downs that made me appreciate the present moment. I can cry about yesterday, mourn about tomorrow and miss my opportunity to make today the first day of my life. I like the thought of having a new beginning every day. A new start to a job, a fresh outlook on my relationships and a new opportunity to smell the roses. I no longer have to daydream about what my life could have looked like If I had only....I no longer have to wonder what what would been if Only I had...I can relax and rest in God's promises to make his mercies new everyday. Today is the first day of the rest of Today and I will soak up all the mercy available to me. I will rest! Will you?

Prayer: God help me receive what you have for me today. Help me to rest in your mercies. I place my life in your hands and decide to trust you with my whole heart, relationships, failures and successes. I will rest..in you. I leave tomorrow in its place and refuse to grieve over yesterday for they both have enough worries of their own. Today is my first day.

Amen