Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Did you know that you can work against God's working in your life? Jesus Himself said that you are either for Him or against Him.  No neutral ground there. I read in one of my devotionals this morning about how we can either work with God, or against Him.  I wanted to know how I can better work with God, so I asked Him how to do so. He gave me a short, simple list: 1. Always forgive 2. Keep smiling 3. Keep trusting Me 4. Always be thankful 5. Do not  limit Me! Ahh.  This list refreshes me.  It restores my soul.  How?  First off, it is not complicated.  Each of these is doable! If I had to say which one is hardest for me, it would be #5.  I'm sure I limit God in many ways and areas of my life.  Typing these words makes no sense as I see them written out!  I mean, I know that God is infinite.  I know that He can do anything, including the impossible.   I know these things in my mind.  Yet, when I ask of Him certain things, in my mind I cannot see how He can answer me!  There are

There is a hierarchy!  And all the world's problems point back to this - how we mess with the hierarchy and thereby make a mess. This happens at all levels - on the world stage down to the home. Here's the hierarchy: God Mankind Pretty simple, huh?  Do you see how it went wrong?   Here's the messed up hierarchy: Mankind God Yes, the Lord gave us dominion over the earth, to rule and care for it.  But!  But under His Lordship and rule.  What would that look like?  Exponentially better than what we've got! When we seek the Lord, He gives us direction.  He knows best because, well, He is Lord! How do I make the best decision here, Lord?  What is in the best interest for this country, this state, this city, this family?  Our position will dictate which of these we seek Him about. When we don't seek Him, we are relying on our own wits and brains.  Now there are some awfully smart people that God made.  But are any of them Omniscient?  Enough said on that! God knows the be

No other gods before Me.  That is what Jesus tells us to do - to put no one or nothing above or before Him in our lives, hearts, and minds.  Why does He want this of us?  It certainly isn't some ego trip on His part - He has no "need" of our allegiance, but He desires it not for His own satisfaction, but for our good.  For our best. He knows that nothing can or will ever, ever, ever fill us up in our souls like Him.  As we put Him first - worship Him, desire Him, seek Him - we are satisfied in our souls.  Why?  Because we were created for this.   Eden was perfect not only because there were no weeds.  Eden was perfect because Adam and Eve walked with God in uninterrupted communion.  Bliss indeed. Before sin entered the picture, Adam and Eve worshiped God freely.  Nothing came between their intimate relationship with God. That's what Jesus came for!  So that sort of closeness to God could be restored!  I can't imagine life without it!  We can experience a bit of he