Every Breath Comes with a Purpose

Every time our family ventures out on vacation, my husband plans out the events.  He reserves a hotel room, researches the area on the internet and creates an itinerary for our enjoyment.  He never leaves one detail unnoticed. 

We arrive and begin marking off our list of 'to dos'.  After completing each one, we talk about the fun and express our favorite parts.  If it were not for my husband, we would sit around twittling our thumbs in the hotel room. 

I just sit back, relax and enjoy the plans made for our family!

"He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things." (1 Chronicles 28:12)

"The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
   he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
   the purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:10-11)

God plans every detail of your life.  He does not create without purpose.  Walk closely to Him and ask for your itinerary.  No detail goes unnoticed.  A clear picture will be revealed of the steps needed to fulfill His plan. 

Noah trusted and believed God and then followed exactly the instructions to build an ark.  He carefully loaded the ark just as God intended.  Just as God promised, floods came for forty days.  Noah and all passengers survived because they followed instructions.

God provided specific directions to the Israelites on how to travel and reach the Promised Land.  Unfortunately, they did not always listen and obey.  The Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness until they trusted and believed God and follow directions. 

Throughout the Bible, various temples were built.  God gave precise guidance on His vision for each.  He led nations to victory.  He healed numerous individuals, but they needed to follow His instructions and believe in His promises. 

God will do this for your life as well.  Give Him every day, every hour, every minute and every second.  Your every breath comes with purpose.  The plans for your life include prosperity, good, joy, peace and hope.  Your future is already made out; you just need to follow.  Sit back, relax; God will take care of the details.  After completing each detail, praise Him and share the experiences with those in your life.  Just as you would tell another about a fun vacation and suggest places for them to visit; guide others with the Truth you have seen in your walk.  Warn them of places not to travel.  Tell others of the miraculous life that waits for them.  Shine His light for all to see.

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for every breath taken.  This day is Yours.  Use me as a vessel and bring my experiences out to others when it benefits Your Kingdom.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Recruit the Holy Spirit

Marriage may present many difficulties.  Adding children in the mix can increase strain to an already rocky relationship.  Who suffers the most in the end?  The children, each in their own unique way.  My parents did the best they knew at the time.  They struggled behind closed doors and kept focused on providing for us kids the way each of them thought best.  As a child, I never NEEDED anything.  My dad provided financial and saved up money for our future endeavors.  My mom comforted, took care of daily requirements for survival and ran us where needed.  Both were great parents.  But, something was missing.

Neither one was happy inside.  You can only wear a mask for so long before the true hurt and sadness reveals.  As we grew up, my parents grew apart.  Their focus remained on the kids and not their marriage.  Of course, other factors led to the separation of my parents that were personal to them; but as a married woman, I now realize the required piece of the puzzle remained absent in their relationship.   

I learned so much as I began my walk with God on the importance of marriage.  I have learned what God intended for marriage and the steps required to maintain the relationship despite any outside influences.  The union between two people must remain healthy in order for the family to run properly.  Satan wants nothing more than to destroy marriages so to crumble the whole team God placed together. 

What ways can we protect families from Satan's schemes?  What steps will keep marriage full of love?

Let us turn to Scripture to see. . .

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

". . .But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

Love your spouse the way God intended.  Wake up each morning and place God at the center of your marriage.  Follow His ways and obey His commands to bond closer each day.  Seek God with all your heart, soul and mind.  Then, you will be fulfilled and walk in relationship with God.  He holds the plans for your future as a wife or husband.  Through His strength, you will be the spouse He created. 

God knew exactly what He was doing when He placed your family together.  The intent was to create a team that would work together for good, to serve and obey Him and further His Kingdom.  Throw away selfish acts, anxious thoughts, cruel and rude words, jealous mindsets, list of wrongs and lack of loyalty.  Place God on top of the priority list, then spouse, then children.  Follow the ways of our Lord and protect the happiness of your spouse, hope in the times spent together and persevere through the tough trials.  Keep sacred the vows announced on your wedding day and extend a hand of grace to each other.  Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and seek to honor Him in every relationship.  Protect your home by inviting the Holy Spirit to join your team!

God, thank you for another day to serve.  As I walk closely with You, show me how to love my husband, to honor and respect him, to cherish every moment I have here with him and to work as a team to obey Your commands.  Teach me the ways to discipline my children, love them for who You made them to be and laugh with them.  Thank You for my teammates in life.  I love them dearly.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Our Amazing Physician

Sickness lingered in my body for the past three weeks.  It began with a sore throat causing me to lose most of my voice; a blessing to my husband, a hindrance to my life!  I work in customer service, so by the time I came home, my throat hurt to even swallow.  I finally called in an antibiotic to help.  After completing the dosage, I had one or two good days.  Then, sickness hit again.  Among all this, my stomach did not agree with medicines and lack of sleep.  I came to be sick and tired of being sick and tired!

My step mom bought me a bottle of vitamins and I took an over-the-counter medicine.  The combo seemed to do the trick.  Slowly, hour by hour, I began feeling better.  Peaceful rest came at night; I forced myself to be calmer throughout the day and prayed for healing to come.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23)

It amazes me how a healthy body functions and carries out tasks more efficiently.  The past couple days have brought healing and increased strength.  I have accomplished much.  My eyes better focus on the activity at hand when fully nourished and mended.  A healthy body feels more alive.

I have experienced healing of even greater caliber my life.  God brought me through recovery from Anorexia.  He cleaned out the gunk inside my mind, body and soul.  My eyes opened to the love I had in Him.  Putting my body through such deprivation brought much damage to my physical being.  I never imagined being "normal" again.  I convinced myself that I deserved the physical damage because of the sinful life I lived. 

"Praise the LORD, my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
   and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
   and crowns you with love and compassion," (Psalm 103:2-4) 

God spoke to me of forgiveness.  He forgives all my sins, washed me clean and promises to heal.  I realized that I can get well emotionally AND physically.  I began giving all my health struggles to Him.  Guess what?  Our Great Physician never ceases to amaze me.  I cannot explain in words the blessings of health He provides for my life.  I am living proof that His promises reign true to heal, comfort, love and forgive. 

With every degree of healing, my mind becomes focused.  My eyes shine brighter.  My body works with more strength.  His power is alive within me.  The darkness inside can be no longer, for His Truth brings light.  The combination of faith in Jesus Christ, believing His promises and trusting Him with my life proves the correct antidote for healing.  Slowly, Scripture by Scripture, I began to restore my life. 

You too can feel this unexplainable peace and health that only God can provide.  No sin, sickness or pit is too great for Him to bring restoration.  He will forgive all, heal and carry up out of darkness.  He is the light needed to see the goodness here.  Once He begins the good work in you, He will not quit.  Ask Him in your life and allow Him to pour blessings upon you. 

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for continual healing.  I know You are the Great Physician and will always provide just the right prescription for my life.  With each season, You bring nourishment to my bones by feeding me Scripture.  Thank You for taking such good care of me.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

 

He is Our One True Savior

As I drove on a busy highway yesterday, I sped up a bit to allow another car to join the highway from the oncoming ramp.  I quickly found myself traveling behind an eighteen-wheeler!  I am not much for driving and don't particularly care to be in the current position.  I wanted to shift lanes and pass the poor fellow, but cars approached beside me (reason why I couldn't switch in the first place for the oncoming car).  My little van began feeling claustrophobic. 

I remained behind the semi for a bit until a spot opened to pass.  While there, I felt my van sway side to side uncontrollably.  My hands gripped the wheel to try and control the movements and keep straight.  The uncontrolled movement continued until finally I could pass.  Following so close to this bigger, more powerful vehicle caused me to lose sight of surroundings and control my path of travel.  SCARY!!!

'Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.' (Matthew 20:32-34)

'It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.  For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Romans 9:16-17)

"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.  For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus."

"so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2;12)

Before accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we remained lost, blind and empty.  God uses those with "skin on" to lead and teach.  He sends His Holy Spirit to spread Truth and lead the blind to follow Him.  We study Scripture and allow God to speak into our hearts.  We attend Bible studies to delve deeper into His Word among other believers who study daily with Him.  Our feet continue in the lane, He planned, on this highway of life.

Other individuals will come into our lane and to love, comfort, guide and speak Truth into their lives.  Allow Him to shine through you and display His power for all to see.  Continually praise and give all glory to Him.  Avoid following too closely to one with "skin on".  Just as my van swayed in the directions the semi controlled; we may begin moving in directions led by others, not God.  There is a thin line between receiving comfort from a loved one or friend and becoming dependent on them for healing and peace.  Only God can provide the comfort, love and Truth which leads to peace.  Yes, He uses some in our lives to guide; but, we must realize He is our Savior.  When times get tough, emotions run rampant, lies consume our thoughts or it is just a crumby day; run to Him, not the phone.  Seek Him for the peace and understanding.  Feed yourself with Truth.  If one with "skin on" is required to help Him, He will send just that person. 

A way to see we crossed the line is when struggle occurs to find peace without a particular person.  If an answer to a decision or solution to a problem cannot be determined without assistance from a person, then you may need to step back a bit and take some time to spend with God.  He will show you how to break that dependency.  When we follow Him and keep Him as our Savior, the travel is smooth and no struggle appears.  With Him in control, the movements will be straight and peaceful.  He takes care of everything and any situation!  Accept Him as your Lord and Savior.

God, thank you for another day to serve you.  Keep my focus on the comfort You provide.  I have truly seen and felt that peace in the last couple years.  I now know true, lasting comfort.  Thank You for healing my hurts, feeding me Truth and loving me unconditionally.  I turn to You and I know You will fight the battles for me.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig   

Discipline Leading Down the Path to Eternal Life

As a mom, I encounter difficult, surprising and frustrating situations.  Sometimes, I want to throw my hands in the air and give up on the matter.  The easier route would be to give into my kids, allow them to continue the behavior and ignore reprimands.  But, what would I be doing for my kids?  Giving into them is not the answer.  Allowing them to speak and act however they want does them no favor.  We must discipline, teach and love our children.  All three attributes help mold these children and prepare them for the world.  We also must allow them to learn from mistakes, build them up with praises and love them for who God created them to be.  Our plans for the future of our children are trumped by God's plan.  Your son may not become a doctor.  Your daughter may not ever marry or have children.  God holds a specific plan and purpose for your children. 

Parents may undergo persecution one day from children and then the next be the best thing since sliced bread.  Children's emotions ride a roller coaster as they decipher through the world and try to discover themselves.  New challenges are huge for kids to face.  Difficulties with friendships or in school create much anxiety in a little kid.  The pressures of homework and grades present the risk of failing for the child.  These overwhelming circumstances may lead a child to misbehave or take anxiety out on his/her family at home.  Although we may provide comfort and security, we must not allow the negative actions to occur.  We need to pray and ask God to send His Holy Spirit to guide us as parents and find a solution to help our struggling child.  God will provide tools needed to overcome the negative emotions and bring peace to all circumstances.  Continually point your children to Him. 

"Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.  Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him." (Deuteronomy 8:5-6)

"Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!  They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:9-11) 

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"

(2 Timothy 3:12) 

You see, being a Christian may be tough.  But, stay strong, receive His discipline with an open mind and obey His commands.  God loves us and wants the best for our lives; therefore, He must discipline.  Without our Father's guidance, teaching, rebuking, comfort, love, training and discipline, we would walk aimlessly down a path leading to destruction.  Seek His face daily and obey His plans for every moment of the day. 

As Christians, you will not always be accepted or understood.  Do not give up doing what is right; for in due time you will reap a harvest.  Others may throw terrible words at you, reject you, avoid or condemn you; but, He will not leave nor forsake.  His arms remain open to run and receive comfort in all times.  Avoid the roller coaster of emotions due to outside influences and stay focused on the path leading to Eternal life. 

Just as parents face trials of many kinds and may be rejected by their children; Christians face the unknown daily and others may not understand.  God understands and He will take care of you.  God must discipline.  He is not present to allow you to do whatever makes YOU happy.  He is present to teach and use you to further His Kingdom.  He sent you here to do work for Him, not just play around.  My children must be taught right from wrong and carry out the plan and purpose intended for them.  I am not to parent by giving them everything that makes them happy.  That is why God made grandparents!  I am to be the "bad" guy for a while and my day will come when I can spoil and send them back home.  :)

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for the discipline received.  With each lesson, I know that You are preparing me for Eternal life spent in Heaven.  Thanks for loving me so much as to guide me away from wrongful actions and keep my feet in the right direction.  Guide me as a parent and provide the words needed to help my children in every season of life.  Give me tools to help teach integrity, respect and love.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Never an Empty Promise

"and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

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

God is omnipresent.  At times in your life, you may find it hard to feel His presence.  Rest assured; He is there.  He promises to love, guide and comfort.  Fall into His arms.

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

God is omniscient.  He knows your needs before you speak the words to Him.  He will take care of every detail.  Trust Him with your life and watch Him fulfill the promise made to care for your every need.

"Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
   you shield my head in the day of battle." (Psalm 140:7)

"He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak. " (Isaiah 40:29)

God is omnipotent.  He provides strength in all circumstances and under any condition.  The trials faced can be overcome when you face them with God.  He never leads you into destruction.  Trust His ways and give the battle over to Him.

Today, take some time to meditate on His promises throughout the Bible.  See that He never promises without 100% delivery.  He is who He says, does what He says and loves unconditionally.  Believe in Him.  Trust in Him!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:1-3)

"if we endure,
   we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
   he will also disown us;" (2 Timothy 2:12)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. " (John 14:27)  

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Build your trust daily by seeking His Truths.  He never makes empty promises. 

God, thank you for another day.  I place all my trust in You.  Take me and use me daily to further Your Kingdom.  Thank You for all the promises fulfilled each day in my life.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Avoid Forty Years in the Wilderness

Life, as society knows, includes running from here to there and pushing ourselves beyond our limits.  A friend calls to talk or visit a while, but your schedule cannot allow for that.  A new women's or men's group appears at your church, but prior engagements count you out.  A highly recommended book/movie just came out to purchase, but when would you have time to sit and read/watch it?  Your health begins to slip, your body remains exhausted and the food intake consists of "fast foods"; but, you easily ignore it all and push forward.  You have somewhere you need to be!

It seems we all continue to move each day.  Are the daily movements productive?  Are they healthy?  Are they in line with the plan and purpose for your life?  OR, are you just going through the motions of survival, the bare minimum?  What does your priority list look like?

"The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
   he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
   the purposes of his heart through all generations.

 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
   the people he chose for his inheritance." (Psalm 33:10-12)

"Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors."

"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." (Deuteronomy 8:1;3)

Our schedules determine our goals in life.  Every hour can be crammed with 'things' to complete each day.  Evaluate those 'things' and avoid stagnate living.  God holds a plan and purpose for your life.  As long as we continue to travel around the same mountain and ignore His prompting to step in faith, we lack spiritual maturity.  We miss out on all the blessings He waits to pour on our lives.  We need to move with a purpose.  The power behind each move must be from Him, not our own.  Then, His Kingdom will benefit and doors will open to enter the places His Promises declare. 

The Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness struggling with their own itinerary and lacking trust from time to time.  The more trust they put in Him, as they surrendered each day to Him; they moved forward to the land of milk and honey.  God provided just the perfect amount of food, clothing and water needed for the Israelites DAILY.  He encouraged, showed His powers and completed His promise. 

His plans stand firm for every generation.  He pays much attention to each detail.  If a friend calls in need, don't check your schedule.  Take time to follow His prompting and He will take care of all the details for your day.  When various groups form at church, inquire about them and see where God created one to fit perfectly in your schedule.  Grab on to any means God places in front of you to grow spiritually (books, movies, studies, etc.).  So much growth and understanding comes from the tools He provides.  Most importantly, pay attention to your health.  Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit Himself (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  Take care of yourself so to better serve Him. 

Obey His commands and follow the purpose He holds for you.  Avoid going through the motions, checking the time constantly and running around aimlessly.  Daily, give your whole being to Him.  He will care for you physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Feed yourselves daily with His direction and His Truths.  Avoid forty years in the wilderness.  Take a stand today!  Fulfill His purpose.

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for another day filled with exciting events.  I never know what or who will appear in my path, but I place all trust in You to guide my every step.  Take the schedule and Your Will be done, not mine.  Bring nourishment to my body, mind and soul.  Thank You for creating me with a purpose and bringing the Holy Spirit to point me in the right direction.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig