Thoughts for Life: TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE PROBLEM

~ Andres Merrell- “Take your eyes off the problem,” God whispered.

The waves rose higher and higher as they rushed toward the shore. I stood at the water’s edge and dug my toes into the sand. The waves threatened to take me under as I fixed my eyes on them—just like the circumstances that had invaded my life. ( ID 120960649 © Oceloti |Dreamstime.com)

But as I watched the intimidating wall of water get closer, a strange thing happened. It quickly flattened and rolled up on the sand, its power left in the ocean.

If only my problems could dissipate just as quickly, I thought.

Then I heard a gentle whisper. They can.

Shortly afterward, I read these words by Sarah Young [in the devotional], Jesus Calling:

“Circumstances around you are undulating, and there are treacherous-looking waves in the distance. Fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes. By the time those waves reach you, they will have shrunk to proportions of My design. I am always beside you helping you face today’s waves. The future is a phantom, seeking to spook you. Laugh at the future! Stay close to me.” ~Jesus

Problems come and go, just like the waves, and the Enemy will always make them look bigger than they are. His goal is to get our focus off the Lord so he can steal our peace. But the Word says God will keep in perfect peace all who trust Him and keep their thoughts fixed on Him. (See Is. 26:3)

The Message says, “People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet.”

When the waves threaten to take you under, take your eyes off the problem. Turn them toward heaven and trust the Lord to keep you whole and steady.

Dear Lord, I approach Your throne of grace today in reverence and humility, with a trembling heart, fully aware that You are holy, and I am not. Speak, Lord. Show me the plans You have for me. Bind me to Your Word and to Your strength so I will have the courage to obey, to forgive, and to accept forgiveness. May my brokenness be restored for the beauty of Your glory. Please help me to trust your plan and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Take Your Eyes off the Problem
Andrea Merrell

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)

“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20b-21).

986-990 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

986- Pro. 20:11 "Even a child is known by his deeds, by whether what he does is pure and right." (NKJV)

987- Pro. 19:11 "The descretion of a man makes him slow to anger." (NKJV)

988- 1 Cor. 13:8a "Love never fails." (NKJV)

989- Ps. 68:4a "Sing to God, sing praises to His name." (NKJV)

990- Is. 40:26a "Lift up you eyes on high, and see who has created these things." (NKJV)

Quotes for today-

~ John Bevere- "Our holy fear (of God) grows proportioally to our comprehension of God's greatness." [p. 37, THE AWE OF GOD]

~ Phyllis Qualls Freeman- "We can rely on ourselves for some things and on friends for others. But God is the most reliable. If we obey the Lord, He will work on our behalf. He is trustworthy. He may not always give us what we want, but He works on our behalf for our ultimate good. We can live a victorious life by relying on God."

Words of wisdom-

- When seeking to help someone know the Lord, seek for a common ground to build a bridge to their heart. Our goal is not to win arguments, but to win souls! The lives of the one witnessing, hopefully, will cause others to consider what they're saying to be important enough to be adopted in their own lives. This is especially true of their own children.

Words from the Father in a journal:

"Do not complain, but hope in My mercies each day to see you through to victory for that day. You are seeing that I am able to guide you in and through each day's experiences. Let Me steer you in every situation, to honor Me and find your good in them. Keep open to corrections and the help that others will give you. When you see an attitude that isn't of Me, confess it quickly and get rid of it. I will be faithful to show you what is blocking My perfect will for you. I intend on making you a trophy of My Grace."

Special words of comfort-

Robert L. Segress- "The average life is spent living horizontally—believing that comparing ourselves to other people’s virtue provides adequate morality. God’s opinion differs and reveals that we must live a vertical life in which we discover that following the Creator’s opinions provides a life infused with mercy and comfort.

The compassionate Father of mercies, and God of comfort, provides insight and healing to be shared with others. Don’t trust in good works to find God’s acceptance. Jesus Christ is the only path to the heavenly Father, the source of mercy and comfort."

#13 of 23 Parallels between Moses and Messiah:

Moses initiated the sacrifice of a lamb during Passover (Exodus 12).

Messiah offered Himself as the ultimate passover Lamb (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

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22nd- STAY WITHIN RANGE

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