"God Picks Us First"

Have you ever been picked last?  Everyone else was picked for the team in the playground and then they came to you.  It makes you feel like the lone looser.  Nobody wants you so the last team to choose gets stuck with you.  Or maybe you were the one that was always chosen first, but now your life seems to have slid into a place where you feel as if you are being picked last or worse yet, picked on.  In the whole game of life, you feel as if you are the looser still standing on the sideline watching the game instead of playing.  No matter how you feel your life is going, you need to know that you have been chosen for the winning team.  And, you weren’t an afterthought.  Before the foundations of the world, God was thinking about you.  He was dreaming about the day that you would be born.  He was picturing the day that you would realize He was waiting to have a relationship with you.  If you haven’t already, isn’t it time that you walk over to his side?  If you have already responded to Him, and you still feel like you something is amiss in your life, maybe you need to begin to stand next to the coach more often and listen to his strategies, encouragement, and affirmation.  God is waiting for you.  You are part of a dynasty.  Don’t keep your coach waiting.

"What He Says"

What do people say about you?  Are you useless, difficult, hopeless, a mess? Those words can hurt, but do you want to know what God sees when He looks at you? He sees beauty, purpose, a priceless masterpiece.  He sees one of His kids that He loves.  He sees someone with great value and great potential.

If you listen to what people say, you might be discouraged and become disappointed. But, if you discover the way God sees you will begin to smile.  God thinks the world of you.  Don’t you think His opinion is most important?

"Instant Help Please"

Even though it has been over twenty years since the accident occurred, I can still remember it with great detail.  Our car landed upside down in several feet of water, and chaos was reigning.  The water added extra confusion to the fact that I could not get my bearings.  I did not know which way was up, and I was struggling to release my seatbelt that was holding me captive in the murky stream.

But, it ended up that I didn’t have to do it on my own.  Within seconds, someone was at the window working to assist us in our escape.  People that had seen our car jump off of the road were quick to our aide.   Before I knew what had happened someone had broken the window next to me, cut my seatbelt, and pulled me out of the car.  Sounds very similar to the way that God rescues those that are confused, wounded, and alone. 

No matter what the circumstance, God rushes to the aide of those that are unable to help themselves.  Whenever you find yourself in the murky waters of difficulty, you can be sure that God is right there to help you overcome.  All you have to do is pray to Him and ask for His help.  In those moments, you will feel His arms, lifting you to a safe and secure foundation.

"Jealous Father"

The other day as I sat upstairs in my house, I was listening.  The neighborhood outside was alive with energy.  That is when I heard something that disturbed me.  A young girl from down the street targeted my daughter and ambushed her vocally.  I about came out of my skin.  I wanted to run downstairs and defend my daughter.  I wanted to put her behind my back and fight her battle.  However, because the aggressor was so young, I thought better of it.  Sometimes in life we get attacked. And, no matter the form that it comes in it always hurts.   Words scar.  Abuse can leave haunting affects.  Abandonment can damage,  and insecurities can be paralyzing.  In the midst of every painful situation, it is the loneliness that amplifies the emotion.  It is the feeling that no one cares that makes magnifies the anguish.  For that reason alone, it is important for you to know that God hurts when you hurt.  He wants to rush to your aide, fight your battles, and take away the pain.  
However, many people never let Him.  They struggle on their own to overcome, continually ignoring the one that can truly bring help and healing.  The next time you feel the painful twinge that reminds you that sometimes life hurts, ask God to help.  You will be amazed at how quickly he comes to your side. 

"A Word From The Optimist"

Although I consider myself to be an optimist that doesn't get bogged down in gloomy scenarios, the other day I realized that I had been hopelessly looking at financial stresses, relational issues, and other tedious things.  It was in this moment of self-evaluation that I made a conscious choice to change my thoughts.  Right there, I began to pray- but not out of desperation where I listed everything that was collapsing- I began to list God's attributes.  I told God, and myself that He was my provider.  That He had promised to never leave me or forsake me.  I declared that I was wrapped in His loving arms.  That he was the only God who could do the impossible.  For ten minutes, I went on voicing things that I knew about God.  And, when I was done, my attitude was different.  I was no longer driven by a defeatist mentality, I was consumed with awe for God and the realization that the God of the universe was on my side.  

The same is true for you.  The God of all Creation longs to rush to your side.  The real question is "will you let Him?"  Will you get your eyes off of everything that is wrong and spend some time looking at the one thing that is always right?