Our Pressure Relief Valve

When a child leaves for school, pressure immediately begins.  The pressure to behave all day long.  The burden of receiving acceptable grades on schoolwork hovers over their heads.  The worry of where to sit for lunch, who to play with at recess or what child may reject their friendship.  One other pressure may occur; the need to 'fit in'.  How do you 'fit in'?  Well, I guess if your clothes are 'cool' enough, your hair styled just right or maybe even your body the correct size. 

Really?  Who creates these standards of acceptance anyway?  No wonder our children come home and act out of sorts.  The difficulties they face in society builds up so much emotion that they become like a pressure cooker ready to blow.  They arrive home and 'let their hair down'.  The strict rules, societal pressures and fears of rejection have been too much.  I feel so sorry for these children, but also must be the authoritarian and teach them to not act out as such because of a tough day.  Acting out, taking the stress out on loved ones will not help anything.  We must calm ourselves and discuss hardships with God and one another. 

"who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:5-7) 

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Children may not understand that you do not bring your frustrations home only to be thrown at loved ones.  But, as an adult we understand this concept clearly.  So, why do we still take part in such nonsense?  We must set examples for our children to see calm discussions of a hard day, prayers said to ease our pain or anxiety and a house full of love.  Love comforts and never is rude.

Adults experience some of the same pressures during the day as children.  Trials and tribulations will come as long as breath enters your body.  The world is full of sin, full of flesh driven individuals and Satan prowls around ready to devour.  How can we keep strong and faithful when surrounded with so many pressures and burdens?

I have found keeping God at my side every day, every hour, every minute and every second brings peace to any situation.  From the moment your eyes open until they close again for the evening; keep an open ended conversation flowing with your Creator.  Our Heavenly Father loves to hear your concerns and struggles so He may provide comfort.  He becomes our pressure relief valve, releasing the pressures one by one, to prevent a blow!  Turn each pressure, sadness, anxious moment or worry over to Him.  He never leaves your side.  Our faith grows as the situation placed in His hands brings refinement to our soul.  We must rely on His wisdom and strength. 

As you arrive home, your attitude and demeanor differs from before.  You enter the front door with a sense of calm relief to be in the presence of loved ones.  God provides us with families so He may extend comfort through someone with skin on.  Take advantage of this comfort.  Humble yourself with one another and 'let your hair down' in a constructive manner.  Working through struggling times with your loved ones creates a stronger bond and unity as God intended. 

God, thank you for another day.  I know my day will bring trials, pressures and tribulation, but I walk in peace knowing You are at my side.  You have gone before me to protect the way.  I ask You to send the Holy Spirit to create joy in tough times, to bring laughter to my day.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Mind, Body and Spirit

Comfort comes in many forms:

-A shady spot on a hot day.
-A warm meal after a long day at work.
-A cup of hot chocolate after playing in the snow.
-Watching a child sleep.
-Watching the sunset or sunrise.
-Feeling the arms of a loved one wrapped around you.

All these provide comfort physically, mentally and emotionally.  The comfort received lasts but only a while.  Something appears absent in the instances above; one piece of the puzzle not quite present.  

"he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
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." (Psalm 23:3-4)

"My comfort in my suffering is this:
   Your promise preserves my life." (Psalm 119:50)

"Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom." (Isaiah 40:28) 

 

Your spirit must be fed.  How do you find that true, complete comfort? 

God provides.  He comes to comfort your mind, body and spirit.  He does not pick and choose where to give peace.  Your whole being comes to know unity through Him as you accept Him into your life.  Run to Him for comfort.  He will bring the very thing needed to calm the situation.  Scriptures will feed your starving spirit.

He is the center piece in the puzzle of life.  Then, all other pieces come together to bring serenity, joy and well-being.  His promises never fail.  His love never changes.  His presence never temporary.  No matter the bump, hurdle or mountain in life; He will be there to see you through.  He never grows tired of weary and his understanding exceeds any we can imagine.  God is comfort!

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for the peace brought in all situations.  Though trials and sadness may strike, I rejoice for I know You will be there to comfort and love.  Thank You for always understanding and teaching me the way to go.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Do Everything to His Glory!

A popular cartoon character began the idea of singing to help children clean up their toys and mess.  There are many other songs this character teaches so to learn basic skills in life and have fun while completing chores.  Our life, from toddler age, is full of tasks we rather not finish.  Our "to do" list becomes a burden and we dread even beginning it for the day.

Does life need to be this dull, monotonous and unpleasant?  Is life full of task after chore after task?  Can we really enjoy cleaning, working, eating, sleeping, etc.?

"Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.  For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.  If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living." (Romans 14:6-9)

Whether you go to work in a business suit, restaurant uniform or jeans and a T-shirt; do so for the glory of the Lord.  He made you in His image and for His purpose.  Take each step with the Holy Spirit activated and praise Him for each task given.

Instead of dread, find joy.  Instead of dull, see excitement.  Instead of monotonous, take the step to change things up a bit.  God is working in every aspect of your life.  Accept Him and invite His active role.  He will provide smiles, laughter, peace and joy.  Just as the cartoon character creates a fun atmosphere with every task, God will do the same for you.  Sing to Him all day long and enjoy all that surrounds your every day.  Everything matters to Him who made you.  Do it for the glory of God!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEqdDdvFXZ0

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for another chance to enjoy the talents and gifts provided to me.  Thank You for the roles I play in life.  I praise You for blessing me with a job, children, a husband, friends and family.  May I do everything on my "to do" list today with a smile.  Join me today on my adventures and let us have a great day together.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

God-Ordained Submission

Our hearts may be rebellious by nature.  Rules don't apply to our lives.  We make decisions with our best interest at heart.  Not another person here will create puppet strings to control my life.  We eliminate the word submission from our vocabulary.

The attitude above only expands our "me" box.  In marriage, parenthood, employment and friendships there must be a degree of submission.  In the beginning of any relationship, the balance of submission may be difficult to establish.  It takes work!  Submission must enter your vocabulary.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:7-8)

 “Submit to God and be at peace with him;
   in this way prosperity will come to you.
Accept instruction from his mouth
   and lay up his words in your heart." (Job 22:21-22)

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." (Ephesians 5:21-23)

Now don't quit reading.  Submission has taken on a negative tone throughout the years.  I do not suggest the submission level to be where one person in the relationship becomes a doormat for the other.  A relationship created as such would not be healthy.  Out of respect to our Creator, comply with one another, love, acknowledge the needs of one another and grow to honor our God.

Accept the instructions God provides and obey His commands.  Peace will overwhelm your heart with every step surrendered to His Will.  Don't try and fight His plan; that path only leads to destruction.  The closer you walk with God, agreeing to live on His terms; He will teach you the ways to submit without becoming a slave to another.  

Allow His Law to manage every day of your life.  Throw out all rebellious attitudes and humble yourselves before the Lord.  God is not a puppeteer.  He is a loving, comforting, knowledgeable God.  He created you in desire for a relationship with you.  He wants you to spend every moment enjoying the life provided.  We must submit daily to Him and walk in accordance with Him.  Strengthen the bond and He will show you how to bring health to all other relationships here on Earth.

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for all the instructions provided in Your Great Book.  I surrender my every moment to You.  Guide me in the way I should go.  Provide me the strength needed to submit to the plan for my life.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Not Always Easy

-As you stand and agree to your vows on your wedding day, you envision easy, fun living as a married couple. 

-During the nine months of pregnancy, you feel excited and foresee a fun, happy, easy future with your child.  You commit to being the best parent and always available for your children. 

-You decide to commit your life to the Lord and become an immersed believer.  That day you are excited, at peace and feel life will be fun and easy now. 

These moments in life provide an atmosphere of comfort.  At that moment in time, all seems well; nothing can stop these wonderful feelings and thoughts of happiness.  No one can take away your joy.  Life will be just as you imagine. 

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:6-7)

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36)

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

(James 1:12) 

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

Well, the time comes when those vows, words of commitment and promises made must come into play.  Satan will throw out all stops and come to try and steal your joy.  There will be suffering, trials and tribulation here on Earth, our temporary home.  What will you do when tough times show up at your door?

Will you say, "Jesus, could you answer the door?"  OR, will you open the door and try to battle it on your own, throwing out all words and promises made before?  If we try and battle the enemy alone or run from the pain and strife, we will lose.  Not only will it effect us, but it effects all those around us.  Our spouse suffers when we choose to run from difficult times and not abide by our vows.  Our children become lost when we choose to ignore their struggles and not help them through by speaking Truth and showing love.  We suffer and bring all we meet down if we choose to give up in hard times.  Committing our life to the Lord means so much more than just words or motions.  It means clinging to Him in trials, persevering when waters become rough, taking a stand against the enemy, squashing all his lies and loving others when anger rises up.

Giving up is not an option.  Persevere, hope in the Lord, listen to His teaching, learn and grow with each hardship.  Give praise to Him who runs with open arms to you when suffering strikes.  God never takes back His promises or speaks of meaningless commitments.  He is there always and waits for you in your Eternal home. 

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for the confidence I place in You.  I know You will never let me down.  Help me persevere through all trials.  I will keep my eyes focused on You.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Until Death Due You Part

I attended a wedding last night.  Both bride and groom experienced marriage in the past.  Before meeting one another, life felt incomplete.  The choices in the past built memories for each to learn exactly what they desired in marriage.  God's plan prevailed despite the world's trials and tribulations.

The beautiful bride walked up to her nervous groom and began to make the commitment among many witnesses.  The decor provided a gorgeous scene.  Family members shared the gifts and talents God provided to celebrate this evening with the couple.  A brother led the couple in the ceremony as the minister, a grandson held the rings, a great-niece prepared the isle with fall leaves for the bride, a son played a trumpet beautifully to send the couple out of the church, another son led the music for the reception so all could celebrate and the sisters organized the whole reception and cooked an awesome meal for all to fill their bellies. 

I can only imagine the joy inside the hearts of these two as they meditated on this perfect evening.  Not only did they begin a life together as one, but also were able to share it with all their loved ones supporting them.  Before leaving the ceremony, the couple chose to each take a small vase of sand (one slightly darker in color than the other) and pour into one container with the initial of their now shared last name engraved on the front.  As each poured, the sand ran together and bound itself as one.  This symbolized unity, bringing two families into one and choosing to take each step forward hand in hand.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:7-9)

 "Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
   that I may follow it to the end.  Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.  Direct me in the path of your commands,
   for there I find delight.' (Psalm 119:33-35)

God created woman for man, to become united and share in this land, obey His Law and strengthen the bond so nothing may separate the two.  Sometimes we travel along our road, through all our trials and ignore huge signs from God to avoid that relationship, walk away from a date or just wait on Him to bring the one He chooses into your path.  The road becomes rough, broken and we feel lost at times.  God will direct your path, help you heal the brokenness and set your feet in the right direction.  He remains by your side and waits for your hand to reach for His.  Then, He may take the lead and open your eyes to the delightful plans in store for your life.

The song, "God Blessed the Broken Road", played a couple times throughout the evening.  It brought a memory to my mind of the paths my husband and I traveled together and then apart until God merged our path back together (where He intended the whole time).  We dated in high school and everything felt just right, but circumstances, life and this world tore us apart.  We traveled apart for years and faced very tough trials, unhappiness and broken hearts.  Each one built a stronger desire to want to be in the arms of my high school sweetheart.  I think back and wish for the time apart to be given back so to lengthen the time I have now with my husband.  Then God quickly tells me, "No, those experiences I took you through were for a reason and now enjoy the path I laid before you and your husband, the one I wish for you to travel hand in hand." 

I believe God led the couple last night to one another after traveling a broken road separately.  They see now the plan and smile as they embrace the path laid before them.  May they keep Him at the center, focus on every message spoke clearly to lead them closer to Him and enjoy every memory until death due them part!

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for every breath drawn so I may spend more time here with my husband.  I enjoy every moment given, even the silly arguments that mean nothing in the grander scheme of things.  Thank You for merging our two paths again.  May the couple last night be blessed every day by Your hands.  Keep smiles on their face and joy in their hearts.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Spiritual Boot Camp

Gratitude is synonymous with thanks.  If you receive a gift for your birthday, anniversary, special holiday or great achievement; you would send out cards to express gratitude, right?  You may also show appreciation by baking an item for another, spending some time together, a call, flowers, a hug, a handshake, etc.  In society, many ways exist to extend thanks.

Unfortunately, times occur when thanks remain silent, is forgotten, deemed unimportant or simply not even in one's vocabulary.  In our "What about me" and "I deserve this" society we live in today, appreciation flies to the wayside.  Respect for one another often does not appear in our lives. 

It seems when boys and girls return from boot camp in the service, their respect for others highly increases.  It is so nice to hear a young man say please and thank you when coming to my place of employment.  It feels nice to be respected and thanked for providing a service to another.  I think we all need to go to boot camp and allow our hearts to fill with respect and gratitude.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:15-17)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5) 

Along with boot camp here on Earth, I think we need to attend a spiritual boot camp.  Too many times we do not show gratitude to our Creator, Physician, Counselor, Savior and Father.  We consume our days with tasks, chores and events, forgetting to take the time to praise our God for all He provides.  Look at the sunrise and sunset.  Take in a breath, touch the hand of another next to you, read, write, drive, eat and drink.  Look at the oceans, mountains and feel the chill of a beautiful fall day.  All is provided by our one true God.  He loved us so much to create these pleasures for our enjoyment.  He sent His only Son to die so we may live an abundant life.  And we just drive on through each day honed in on our "to do" list?  We fail to take time to simply say, "Thank you"?

What is happening? 

Our God is so awesome and He continually provides, gives freely the gift of grace, loves us unconditionally, believes in us, supplies comfort and counts none as lost.  He stands with open arms for you to come running.  He asks nothing from you; no money, gift, card, flower, baked good, etc.  He only asks for you to believe in Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.  Invite Him into your every moment.  He created us in His image to have a relationship.  He did not need us.  Oh, but we NEED Him.  Seek Him, thank Him and love Him for all He does and has done.

How can you show gratitude to your Creator today?

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for breathing life into me.  I give thanks with my whole heart and just cannot express in words my appreciation for the beauty surrounding my every day.  Thank You for providing Truth which set me free from a long life of bondage.  I now see Your goodness and love.  Keep my eyes focused on You and my obedience to Your Will.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig