Isaiah 46:9-11

"For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." Isaiah 46:9-11

Kari Beougher

We can rest in the sovereignty and supremacy of our God. There is truly none like Him. In the midst of confusion and when we feel like we don't know the next step, we can be certain that God knows everything from the beginning to the end, even the things that have yet to happen. Not only that, but we can trust that there is nothing and no one that can keep the Lord from accomplishing what He has purposed or planned. Therefore, when circumstances or situations seem contrary to His character; when hardships or trials seem hopeless, when we feel uncertain of the future- we can have confidence in the plan of a God who can do all things. 

Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." Government decisions, work situations and relational circumstances are all within the Lord's sovereignty. None can upset or frustrate His plans. He works "all things according to the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11). We can trust that the promises of the Lord will be accomplished.

Today, may we say with Job, "I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). May we rest in the sovereignty, purposes and plan of our good and gracious God. May we be comforted that the Lord is the one who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9) and His purposes always prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

Simple Anti-Stress Time Management!

Accept the life-time anti-stress guarantee that Jesus offers us all:

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Mark 6:31a


Years ago in one of my Women's Ministry Leadership Classes the words that were shared made an impact on my life when it came to leadership and times management that I wanted to learn how to practice, especially when my life schedule is full: We learned the 3 D's of Leadership = Decide, Delegate, Disappear!

Exodus chapter 18 teaches a great lesson on the 3 D's of Leadership. Let's learn from the wise counsel given to Moses from his father-in-law, Jethro, in Exodus 18:18-23;

"Moses’ father-in-law (Jethro) replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

Here is one of the keys to Moses finding a yoke and burden that fit him instead of being worn out all the time, we see the key in verse 24 "Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said."!!! Do you have a Jethro in your life? Someone that will give you godly wise counsel? Let's Listen & Live Stress Free!!

In my words:

1. Make a daily list of what needs to be done "right now" including a simple plan on how to get things on your list done! If I fail to plan I am planning to fail! (Decide)

2. Involve others, Ask for help! It is good to include and even hire some extra help from time to time when your calendar is very full. Also be willing to say "no, thank you" to overextending yourself or too many activities. No for you means Yes for someone else! Involving others is also a great witness, think about the people in our lives that are searching for purpose and meaning that is only found in Jesus Christ! You could be adding a blessing to other lives while they help you in your life! (Delegate)

3. Rejoice & Rest In The Lord!! (Disappear ~ Let Go ~ Trust God)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKzKQoIyGJU&feature=related (All To Jesus I Surrender!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPPSG_SpojY&feature=related (It Is Well With My Soul)

"Light and Shadow"

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands"  (Psalm 19, HCSB).

My heart beat stopped at first glance of these mountains in Winter Park, Colorado.  It humbled me and put me in awe of God.  My friend reminded me the other day of how it is a miracle that this King over all loves us and died for our sins.

This morning, a couple of weeks after seeing the beautiful scenery in the photo above, I read status updates and news about the deadly tornadoes in Alabama.  When I lived in Texas, I remember meeting families and hearing their stories of loss during hurricanes.  I pray for the families who are suffering presently, in Alabama and in other parts of the world.   

Jesus has risen, and I pray we rest in knowing He is here.  I pray we remember that God  - who created all and who has the deepest love - loves us.  Also, I pray we remember to share the hope we find in Him with others.

"When all seems lost
when we're thrown and we're tossed
we remember the cost
We're resting in the
shadow of the cross."
-David Crowder Band, in their song "Shadows"

Link:
News about Alabama storm, with summary and photos - news.nationalgeographic.com

Prince of Peace

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
(Isaiah 9:5-7, NIV).

God has shown me His leadership and faithfulness this week.  My week has started out feeling like a bit of a rush, since I have started new classes and a new job.  Papers are scattered across my desk, and I am still getting adjusted to waking up early to open the office where I am working.  However, God has been reminding me of His blessings all around, and He has been reminding me to rest and trust in Him.

He has given me a job that I did not think of looking for, where they train me and are taking the time to give me insider tips of how to roam the busy downtown scene.  In class, my teachers have given us time to read and absorb material before anything is due, and they are explaining things in more detail to make sure the other students and I understand.  It is a blessing, even though the week seems to be flying by! 

God  is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and He knows what is going on in this world of people that He loves.  When we believe and trust in Him to take care of and guide us, He will, because we are His sons and daughters.  Praise God!  I pray that we continue to remember that we can rest in Him and share this with others in joy.

"Bring us love, You who are love.
Bring us peace, You who are peace.
We need love, oh, divine love.
We need your peace, merciful peace, yeah"
("Eastern Hymn," David Crowder Band).

"think pink!"

The month of October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I think it is inspiring to see how people unite across America to support breast cancer awareness, from mailing Yoplait yogurt lids to participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. According to www.breastcancer.org and www.cancer.org, about 13% women and 1% men in the United States have the disease.

What does the Bible say about how we can live like Him in the midst of these statistics?

>We can show COMPASSION to those who suffer: When Jesus learned that Lazarus died in John 11, we see that He was "deeply moved" (verse 33) and "wept" (verse 35).
>He asks us to have COURAGE: "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world." –John 16:33 (HCSB)
>When we COME to and LEARN from Jesus, we will find REST: "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." –Matthew 11:28 (HCSB)

Do you have any verses that you would like to share to those who are going through struggles such as breast cancer?

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word."
-2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (HCSB)