Jesus Sets You Free Forever by Tom Holladay

“You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It’s the last one I’ll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God.” Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, “Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I’ll not drink  wine again until the kingdom of God arrives.”  Luke 22:15-18 (Msg) "The picture that some people have of heaven, that it is a boring place, but there will be parties in hell, that's the exact opposite of the real picture." This cup is full with promise because one day you and I are going to drink together with Jesus in the kingdom of God – in eternity, in heaven. One day there will be what is called the great wedding supper of the Lamb. That's quite a picture, isn't it? It's really a picture of Jesus Christ having a party with us for all of eternity; that we get to be with him and celebrate with Him for all eternity. So even that night before his death, Jesus says, “There is still promise.” There is the promise of how he sets us free. He sets us free from ourselves, he sets us free from tears and fears, and he sets us free from our sin and our guilt. And this fourth cup is a reminder that Jesus sets us free forever. This isn't a temporary freedom; it is forever. Jesus says, “One day we're going to celebrate together forever.” The picture that some people have of heaven, that it is a boring place, but there will be parties in hell, that's the exact opposite of the real picture.  That's one of the greatest lies of Satan because Hell is the boring place. Hell is a place of loneliness for all eternity. Heaven is a place of connection with God for all eternity and it is a celebration connection. We will be celebrating in ways that you and I cannot even imagine. And on the night before he died, Jesus, along with his disciples, looked forward to this celebration. Jesus says even today, “I'm going to set you free forever.”

 View the online archives.
Did someone forward this Daily Devotional to you?

Get your own free subscription to

The Purpose Driven Connection Daily Devotional,

 your daily inspiration via email.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6

How comfortable are you with uncertainty? Most of us agonize over decisions because we are afraid of making a mistake, but God doesn't promise to give us absolute certainty. He invites us to know and trust Him in the midst of uncertainty. 
That's what faith is all about! 
If you constantly worry about people, places, and things, surrender your fears to God. Instead of being determined to figure out what God wants you to do, focus instead on who He is.
As human beings we have finite minds and we do not always understand the eternal purposes behind events. Faith is trusting that our story will fit perfectly into His story.
Trust God's character in the midst of uncertainty and embrace the wisdom and goodness of God.
“Faith without works is dead.” Big Book pg 88 
 “…let me see your faith without your works, and I will make my faith clear to you by my works.” James 2:18 Have a blessed day y’all!  

First Five People Forgiveness Plan

“Resentment is the 'number one' offender. It destroys us more than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.” Big Book pg 64

Sometimes forgiveness seems impossible and we become stuck in the quicksand of our own resentment. When everything else fails, we can try the "First Five People Forgiveness Plan."

Come on, give this a try! Each morning, make a decision to forgive the first five people you come in contact with who make you feel slighted or mad. Just forgive all five people without analyzing or deciding if they deserve to be forgiven. Immediately forgive each one of them without exception.

This simple plan can work wonders for those of us who tend to hold on to resentments and anger. Letting go of anger and resentment lets us feel our loving side. In learning to forgive others we can begin learning about how to forgive ourselves, too. Please also remember that you also deserve forgiveness.

 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespass” Mark 11:25 

Spring Clean Your Spirit

Spring is the time when many people deep clean their homes, unload unwanted junk, pull out the lawn furniture and spruce up the landscaping. It's also a great time to do a spring-cleaning of our spirit, especially pulling the weeds of unforgiveness and resentment. We continue to beat ourselves up for past mistakes, living as a prisoner to fear and old outdated thoughts.

I'm often amazed at the kind of garbage we humans choose to willingly drag around with us in the form of  painful memories, resentments, fears, and other types of mental and spiritual debris from the past that WE REFUSE to release. WE REFUSE to let go of the slights and unfairness of a situation with our families, friends, at work, church, or some other group we're a part of.  Think about it friends;

WE CHOOSE to hold onto these thoughts and feelings, WE REFUSE to let them go!

The costs of our unwillingness to let go are huge. On one level what we focus on tends to expand. So if we have something from the past that we have refused to let go of, we tend to recreate similar experiences for ourselves under the guise of “comfortable pain.”  We begin to focus on it intently and it dominates our thoughts, behaviors, and actions. This brings more misery upon ourselves. We stunt our spiritual growth and healing does not happen.

On a more rational level, why let someone or something from our past (whoever / whatever it is) continue to hurt us and potentially rob us of an extraordinary present and future? Remember, that which we hold onto, whether it be a hurt, resentment, fear, unforgiveness, and or pain is actually holding onto us...keeping us stuck in a never ending cycle of pain and misunderstanding. This thing that we are choosing to hold onto blocks the sunlight of the Spirit from reaching us.  The weeds of fear and negativity continue to grow and influence out heart and our thoughts. There have been studies—enough to fill volumes—on the health risks of unforgiveness: ulcers, heart problems, alcoholism, (your vice of choice here-ism), eating disorders and more...almost any physical ailment has the potential of being rooted in an unforgiving spirit. Dr. Paul said it best on page 449! “Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.”

I would like to encourage you to do a thorough inventory of your spirit. Much like when we go through our closets at the beginning of a new season, weed out that which no longer fits. I would be glad to help! Please let me know!

Closing with one of my heroes! Dr. Paul

“And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation -- some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.” Big Book pg 449 or 417

What are you planting and growing inside of your heart and home?

“the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." Mark 4:30-32

If we focus our attention on what God’s will is for us, rather on self-will, it brings us back to clarity. That is why it works really well when we help each other with problems. It seems to me that is what God’s will is for each and every one of us to live in harmonious action with not only other human beings, but all of God’s creations. Think of the tiny mustard seed. What are you planting and growing inside of your heart and home?

“Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." Psalm 37:5

Have you ever had a painful toothache yet had to continue working? Or have you had an ingrown toenail that made you wince with every step? No doubt you had trouble paying attention to others’ conversation or even concentrating on your work. Shame and pain are two emotions that keep us focused on ourselves. When we are embarrassed or fear exposure, whether from someone seeing our underwear or uncovering our secrets, we consume enormous amounts of energy trying to disguise or minimize our discomfort, leaving us physically and emotionally depleted. Likewise, when we hurt, whether from an abscessed tooth or a broken heart, we can think of little else beside our pain. In those moments, we truly become selfish and self-centered.

“Selfishness–self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of all our troubles." Big Book p. 62

The key to overcoming self-centeredness, like any negative emotion, lies first in awareness. Often we are in so much pain we are unaware of how our world has shrunk to contain only our concerns. Hopefully, someone who accepts us will care enough to risk breaking through our denial and tell us we are, in fact, self-centered. Since the Golden Rule reminds us to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us,” how we interpret self-centeredness in others can provide us relief. If we can remember that self-centeredness and selfishness stem from insecurity, shame, low self-esteem and emotional pain, often unrecognized by that person, we can view such unpleasant self-absorption with compassion. The person who only wants to talk about themselves and their agenda may inwardly be craving approval and attention. When someone does not listen, they may be so upset they cannot concentrate. Amazingly, as people do the hard psychological work often required to heal shame and emotional wounds, they spontaneously begin to direct their attention outside themselves. In life, we receive in the same manner we give. A renewed interest in others is usually reciprocated, closing the circle of grace. Just as shame begets self-centeredness, service brings gratitude 
and compassion.

As Saint Francis of Assisi challenges, “Let me seek not so much to be comforted as to comfort…For it is in self-forgetting that one finds.” We discover that in healing our wounds, as our pants are mended, our zippers fixed, our teeth made whole and our feet restored, we lose interest in ourselves and discover the joy in helping others. This week, may we see the self-absorbed among us with compassionate understanding, and with new eyes direct our attention to serving others. The rewards are fantastic!

“This is the how and the why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn’t work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom”. Big Book pg. 62

Take the High Road!

Pastor Allan said it best; "Take the high road"

As I have learned in 19 years of AA meetings and in my daily walk with God that when I have a conflict with another person I must pray for them constantly and look at my part not theirs! No, I don’t like this, but YES IT WORKS over time, EVERY TIME!

So many times I wanted to stop praying and let my resentment take me down the low road into the pits of  negativity, but I know that nothing goods comes of this when I stop praying and trusting God.

Friends, please try this and tell me how it works for you! When you find yourself at odds with another person due to anger, fear, resentment, jealousy, or some other negative emotion or feeling…PRAY FOR THEM!  Ask God to soften their heart and to allow HIS grace to flow in. Pray for them to be successful and have good things happen to them and pray for them daily for at least 30 days.

"Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you, and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:44-45.

Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, "This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done." We avoid retaliation or argument. We wouldn't treat sick people that way. If we do, we destroy our chance of being helpful. We cannot be helpful to all people, but at least God will show us how to take a kindly and tolerant view of each and every one. Big Book page 67

There is no right way to pray.

Prayer is not a requirement of Twelve Step programs. In fact, the program has no requirements. It has only suggestions that if followed will change how we see our experiences. This, in turn, mysteriously changes our very experiences. One suggestion is that we seek, through prayer and meditation, to know God and God's will for us.

The idea of prayer scares some of us initially. It seems religious. However, we learn from other people, if we're open to their words, that the program is not religious but spiritual. This means that we can expect help from a Power who wants to safeguard our lives. All we have to do is let that Power in, using any method that feels comfortable. Kneeling to pray isn't for everyone. Friendly casual "chats" appeals to some. Others seek the knowledge of God through meaningful heartfelt prayer. Whatever is comfortable is not only adequate but appropriate.

Praying in our own special way becomes a wonderful habit. It protects us all day long, giving us strength every time we need it.

“We shouldn’t be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions.”  Big Book pgs 85 & 86

"On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self- pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our thought-life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives." Big Book pg 86

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

WE PAUSE . . . AND ASK

Today I humbly ask God for the grace to find the space between my impulse and my action; to let flow a cooling breeze when I would respond with heat; to interrupt fierceness with gentle peace; to accept the moment which allows judgment to become discernment; to defer to silence when my tongue would rush to attack or defend. I promise to watch for every opportunity to turn to God for guidance. I know where this power is: it resides within me, as clear as a mountain brook, hidden in the hills – it is the unsuspected Inner Resource. I thank my Higher Power for this world of light and truth I see when I allow it to direct my vision. I trust it today and hope it trusts me to make all effort to find the right thought or action today. 

From http://www.daily-reflections.com/

“As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.” ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p.87

Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”

Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable

The very first step of Alcoholics Anonymous is to Admit Complete Defeat. To admit that we are powerless over Alcohol and that are lives have become unmanageable.

The real first step in AA is to admit that you are powerless over the alcohol in any and all forms and that your life has become unmanageable. In short, the first step isn't to take charge over your will; it's admitting that your will got you in trouble. It's not a step of empowerment, but of surrender.

The very best way to take the first step is to surrender completely and without reservation. In order to do this you must have W.H.O. The WHO of AA will help you get through every step. The WHO of AA is the Willingness, the Honesty, and the Open Mindedness to proceed. Without this your ego will over power your initial gift of desperation and you will go back out.

Well, let’s take a closer look at that one. Complete defeat is complete, meaning everything, completely, utterly, totally. So that would mean that our powerlessness doesn’t stop at just Alcohol, but stretches much, much further into every aspect of our lives.

The truth is that we have an affliction that not only affects every aspect of our life, but almost every aspect of every life of those that come into contact with us as well.

I believe the lesson Bill Wilson tried to pass on to us through Step One goes something like this: We alcoholics are POWERLESS over alcohol – that means when we take alcohol in any form, it triggers within us an allergic reaction that results in a physical craving – this carving leads inevitably to yet another drunken spree and to all the attendant problems that go with it. But these many problems are not the thing that makes our lives unmanageable – they are only the consequences of our destructive drinking and they do make life one chaotic mess!

But when we finally make up our mind to quit – it's only then we discover that our lives have become UNMANAGEABLE – that we are afflicted with a mental obsession – that "we have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes nonexistent. … We are without defense against the first drink." When the physical allergy of the body (POWERLESS) is coupled with the mental obsession (UNMANAGABLE) the Big Book says we are suffering from "a hopeless condition of mind and body." If we want to sum up the lesson of Step One in a single word, that one word is: HOPELESS!

Step One is the necessary beginning we need to journey out of the pit of despair and onto the road to recovery.

“Thy will, not mine, be done.”

Step 10 Prayer

"Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of Gods will into all of our activities. How can I best serve Thee — Thy will (not mine) be done."
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85

I ask simply that throughout the day God place in me the best understanding of His will that I can have for that day, and that I be given the grace by which I may carry it out. As the day goes on, I can pause when facing situations that must be met and decisions that must be made, and renew the simple request: “Thy will, not mine, be done.” I must always keep in mind that in every situation I am responsible for the effort and God is responsible for the outcome. I can “Let Go and Let God” by humbly repeating: “Thy will, not mine, be done.” Patience and persistence in seeking His will for me will free me from the pain of selfish expectations.

The difference between Resolutions and Decisions

It’s a New Year and many of us make New Year’s Resolutions. I have made many in the past and so few have ever come to fruition.  I finally learned what was missing from my resolutions…ACTION! My best Resolutions that I have seen come true are from my daily actions surrounding my chosen goal.

 I learned in 12 Step that actions must follow DECISIONS not RESOLUTIONS!  Step 3 states that “We made a DECISION to turn our will and our lives over the care of God as we understand Him.”  It doesn’t say we made a resolution, it states that we made a decision.

Stop the Insanity!
“and we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10

In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays a character living the same day over and over again.  At first he thinks he's going crazy, but in time he decides to identify his shortcomings, address his faults, and make better choices.

The movie's moral is basically this: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, all-the-while expecting different results.  And if you'll accept that working definition of insanity, then you'd probably admit that, from time to time, we're all a bit off kilter.  I know I am!

Everyone has areas of their life in need of change.  When you recognize a problem and sincerely desire better for your life, that's a good start. However, genuine change requires more, and that can be intimidating.

You can stop the insanity of your own Groundhog Day, and live differently and better. Ask God to help you stop the insanity, then take the first step to do so.

I decided to change my life and be free of alcohol and drugs.  I decided to be the best husband and father that I can be. I decided to get my weight under control and change my eating and sedentary habits. All of these require DAILY DECISIONS and ACTIONS!

 “A New year: 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes–a time to consider directions, goals, and actions. I must make some plans to live a normal life, but also I must live emotionally within a twenty-four hour frame, for if I do, I don’t have to make New Year’s resolutions! I can make every day a New Year’s day! I can decide, “Today I will do this . . . Today I will do that.” Each day I can measure my life by trying to a little better, by deciding to follow God’s will and making an effort to put the principles of our A.A. program into action.

The idea of “twenty-four-hour” living applies primarily to the emotional life of the individual. Emotionally speaking, we must not live in yesterday, nor in tomorrow.” As Bill Sees It, p. 284

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.” Benjamin Franklin

Have a blessed and prosperous New Year!

Inspiring Others

This is an excellent guide on how we can inspire others and ourselves!

Enjoy!

Ten Ways To Inspire Others To Be Their Best by Michael Angier

We all know people who are inspiring.  But just how does one inspire others?  Here are ten simple ways you can inspire people to be their best:

1.  Be a good example.  People watch what you do more than they listen to what you say.  Be someone worth emulating.

2.  Care about others.  People don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care.  Ask questions.  Take a genuine interest in people.

3.  Encouragement.  Everyone goes through tough times.  When you support people and encourage them through these times, you'll be inspiring them to see the best in themselves and in the situation.

4.  Be inspired yourself.  Look for people, ideas, environments and knowledge that you find inspiring and motivating.

5. Share from your own experience.  You have more to share than you realize.  Mine the rich experiences of your life and share your wisdom from your unique point of view.  You may be the only one who can touch someone with your inspiring message. Share your experience, strength and hope!

6.  Be vulnerable. Be willing to share your failures as well as your successes.  Others will relate to you.  They'll understand that they're not the only ones with challenges.

7.  Tell stories.  Facts tell and stories sell.  They inspire, too.  We learn best from parables and we all need to develop our own inspiring stories.

8.  Be a good communicator.  Increasing your ability to communicate effectively is a critical element for you to inspire others.  Watch how you speak and what you say.  Invest in your communication skills.

9.  Challenge people.  Many of us have had teachers who at times seemed more like tormentors than mentors.  They challenged us to do our best, and we were better for it.  Practice "carefrontation"--the careful and caring confrontation of others.

10.  Read.  It may not follow that all readers are leaders, but certainly all leaders are readers.  Stay informed. Share what you read with others.  Tell people about books that have inspired you. Share the knowledge.

Copyright Success Networks International

"Christmas Presence”

"Christmas Presence”

It's Christmas again. Since October, we have seen stores put up their special displays and begin their Christmas specials beginning with the day after Thanksgiving sales. This year, as in other years, we have seen prices slashed to absolute rock bottom with stores offering 10, 20, 30, 40 and even 50% discounts. We are encouraged, cajoled, gilded, and goaded to buy, buy, and buy at every turn. Our children have to have the latest electronic gadgets and adults the biggest television sets and the latest DVDs. If we want something our cultural norms tell us, we just go out and buy it. Our lives seem to be on a treadmill of rush, rush, rush and buy, buy, buy! We don't seem to have time for conversation, meals with the family in our dining rooms, or just plain relaxing.

Emotionally, too, it seems to me that many people place all their hopes on this one holiday. Some have in their minds an idealized version of a "perfect" family and "perfect" relationships. We are lulled into thinking that this one holiday can make our lives so much happier!!! No wonder it's so disappointing when we don't feel the wonder and we don't see the Light.

 "Jesus is the reason for the season" and in my humble opinion, our society focuses on the wrong things like material things, possessions, designer clothes. Hopefully my Christian friends have been preparing themselves and their loved ones for this night through reflection, truth, prayer, and preparation for the Christ Child.

Isaiah 9:2-4 promises, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”  What brought on the light in darkness? The answer is in the scripture: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given.

If we place all our hope in material things and fairy tale visions of a perfect Christmas without Jesus, we will be let down miserably and more importantly, the Prince of Peace, we will be disappointed.

To me, this is the true meaning of Christmas  Luke 2: 1-20 "Do not be afraid, for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people, to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord."

Christ's birth is a mystery but God became a human being. He took on human flesh that night so he would live as one of us, be crucified and rise from the dead to save us from our sins.

Christ is the Light of the World! Is he your Light? Do you reflect his light and love in your lives?

The true meaning of Christmas is that Christ came into the world for you and me! Whether you come to church frequently or not and especially if you only come on Christmas, please pray for faith tonight. Pray that the Christ Child may come into your heart, transform it and give you a new life in Him. Pray for his Light to fill you with peace. Pray for his Light to have you reconcile yourself with estranged relatives, friends and neighbors.

Pray for this Light to heal whatever ails you. Pray for His grace and strength to do whatever He has called you to do. Pray this week that you may bring Christ's light and love into other peoples' lives, that you may reconcile with those you have had differences, that you may help someone through a difficult period in their lives or that you may be a "non anxious" presence for those who worry constantly or are distressed.

Whatever your Christmas is like, Jesus understands it and you fill it with His presence. There is no joy so great that Christ cannot raise it to greater heights, there is no disappointment so bitter or sorry so profound that he cannot come into it with his love right now and the true hope he offers of eternal life and joy beyond all description. This is Christmas, the celebration of the birth of hope and joy in the Savior who is come and no one and nothing can stop. You are seeing and experiencing a great light tonight--let it shine in your heart and free your passion to be a Christian in a very broken world.

Merry or not at Christmas we always get a present: Christ's presence where we really are, and our hope of being where he is. God Bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your families!

Its not all about me!

 Beautiful lyrics to the song AWARE by the artist Salvador

It reminds me that it is not all about me!!

Please read the words and reflect!

“Even in the little things
That never seem too big to me
And the things that I thought
Didn’t matter much at all

As simple as my daily bread
To the strength I need to get out of bed
When I fly, when I’m about to Fall

It’s you in me
That I fail to see

Make me aware, make me see
Everything I am is not all about me
Take my world, turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found

Make me aware, make me aware

When my life is hanging from a thread
And I think about the things you said
In this moment seems so far away

Help me see the guarantees
That first brought me to believe
So I can make it through another day

Oh, it’s you in me
That helps me to breathe

Make me aware, make me see

Everything I am is not all about me
Take my world, turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found

Make me aware
I have been missing so much
Not recognizing your touch
All acknowledging you’re the reason I’m even here

I have been missing so much
Not recognizing your touch

Make me aware, make me aware

Help me see, Everything I am is not all about me
Take my world, turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware”

THE CAPTAIN IS ON THE BRIDGE

As we head towards Christmas day, I am sure you can think of a few people going through some rough times. My family and I get to be of service this week as we deliver gifts anonymously for the Angel Tree project.

I wanted to share this writing from Emmet Fox.  His “Sermon on the Mount” is an excellent read for those seeking to know about Jesus. 

I think these words are just as timely now as they were 70 years ago.

THE CAPTAIN IS ON THE BRIDGE by Emmet Fox

"The world is not going to the dogs. The human race is not doomed. Civilization is not going to crash. The captain is on the bridge.

Humanity is going through a difficult time, but humanity has gone through difficulties many times before in its long history, and has always come through, strengthened and purified. Do not worry yourself about the universe collapsing. It is not going to collapse, and anyway that question is none of your business. The captain is on the bridge.

If the survival of humanity depended upon you or me, it would be a poor lookout for the Great Enterprise, would it not? The captain is on the bridge.

God is still in business. All that you have to do is to realize the Presence of God where the trouble seems to be, to do your nearest duty to the very best of your ability; and to keep an even mind until the storm is over."

A final note: When Dr Fox wrote this Hitler was on the rise in Europe, the Great Depression was at hand and the "black blizzard" was displacing millions and turning America’s heartland into a dust bowl.

When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

How do you know when you're serving God from your heart?

In one of her great books, Marianne Williamson stated “Do what you love and the Money will follow!”

 I would like to share this from Pastor Rick Warren! Please enjoy this and hear his words!.

The Bible says to "serve the Lord with all your heart." God wants you to serve him passionately, not dutifully. People rarely excel at tasks they don't enjoy doing or feel passionate about. God wants you to use your natural interests to serve him and others.

The first sign is enthusiasm. When you're doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you, or challenge you, or check up on you. You do it for the sheer enjoyment. You don't need rewards, or applause, or to be paid, because you love serving in this way.

The opposite is also true: When you don't have a heart for what you're doing, you're easily discouraged.

One characteristic of serving God from your heart is effectiveness: whenever you do what God wired you to love to do, you get good at it. Passion drives perfection. If you don't care about a task, it is unlikely that you'll excel at it.

On the other hand, the highest achievers in any field are those who do it because of passion, not duty or profit.

We've all heard people say, "I took a job I hate in order to make a lot of money, so someday I can quit and do what I love to do." That's a big mistake. Don't waste your life in a job that doesn't express your heart.

Remember, the greatest things in life are not things. Meaning is far more important than money. The richest man in the world once said, "A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches" Proverbs 15:16.

Don't settle for achieving "the good life," because the good life is not good enough. Ultimately, it doesn't satisfy. You can have a lot to live on, and still have nothing to live for. Aim instead for "the better life" - serving God in a way that expresses your heart.

Figure out what you love to do - that which God gave you a heart for - and then do it for his glory!

                

WE SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS

Many people have the misconception that being “called” by God is something only missionaries, pastors, and other church leaders experience. The truth is that the Bible says everyone is called to serve God by serving others.

 We are not saved by serving, but we are saved for serving.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

“Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.” AA Big Book pg 77

 The Apostle Paul gives three thoughts related to this:

 First, the basis for serving others is salvation. Paul says in the verse above, “You were called to be free.” We cannot serve God until we have been set free by Jesus. It’s the prerequisite for serving. Until we experience the transforming power of God’s grace in our life, we are too enslaved by our own hurts, habits, and hang-ups to think much about helping others. Without the freedom of forgiveness, we will end up serving for the wrong motives: trying to earn the approval of others, trying to run away from our pain, trying to remedy our guilt, trying to impress God. Service motivated by these false reasons is bound to leave us burned out and bitter in the end.

Second, the barrier to serving others is selfishness. Paul warns, “Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.” The main reason we don’t have the time or energy to serve others is that we’re preoccupied with our own agendas, dreams, and pleasures. Not many of us truly use our lives to serve others, but Jesus said, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” Mark 8:35

This is a tough one to swallow whole. I try to serve daily, one day at a time. I now know why I have my special license plate on my car. My wife and daughter got it for me several years ago. Being a long term 12 Stepper, they got me the plate to celebrate my walk one day at a time. My special plate reads DAY B DAY, not only does it show my 12 step walk, but also my service to God and others!

Third, the motive for serving is love. Paul says, “Serve one another in love.” This is an important key to building relations both personal and in community: 1 Corinthians 13:3 “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” 

God is far more interested in why we serve others than in how well we serve them! He’s always looking at our hearts, hoping to see us serving willingly and eagerly out of love for Jesus and gratitude for all he’s done for us.

We are most like Jesus when we are serving others. After washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:14–15

What now?

Its Christmas time and there is need all around us. Please look in your hearts and ask God to show you how you can serve this week and bring hope to someone not as fortunate as we are right now

- How can you help? — Consider your response to this Scripture verse: “Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’” Romans 15:2

- Who will you serve this week? Ask God to place someone on your heart that you should serve this week, and ask Him what you should do for that person. Then do it!

-Who will you serve this week?