CARRY HIS CLAIM

Psalm 37:4:
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

This first part is for All My Single Ladies:
It may seem like love and a man to cherish you are forever away... maybe it seems like you shouldn't want for those things... maybe it seems improbable. I do know... that if God has a man for you, then he has a man for you... I also know that God wants good things for you. He put desires in your heart so he could delight in giving them to you. If you have a desire for love, and a husband... let it be. Relax. God wants it for you... If he doesn't, then he will prepare your heart... he will take the desire away... you won't miss it. In the meantime... if you DO desire, you can relax knowing something good is on it's way and relax knowing God will prepare your heart for whatever it needs as long as you entrust it to his care.

JEREMIAH 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I have a hard time letting anyone else drive my car. They drive too slow, or they don't listen for the subtle changes in my car to know something is wrong. I also don't like it when cars drive in front of me. I can't see anything! I often get in front of God. I like to be in the front. I like to know where I am going. I think a lot of people are like that. They say, "Ok God, you can lead...tell me where to go... but let me drive!"

Think about it... from an early age, we are asked "our plan" and it continues on... an obsession always with what's ahead of us.

"So what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Where are you going to college?"
"When are you going to get a real job?"
"Have you found a guy yet?"
"You've been married a while, are you pregnant yet?"
"You've had that clunker forever, when are you getting a new car?"
"Do you have a decent retirement plan?"

Nothing is wrong with ambition. Nothing is wrong with having a goal. But so many people live for the next step...what's next on their calendar... what's next in their life... WHERE THEY SHOULD BE SPIRITUALLY... It's like a constant time bomb ticking...

And I hate to break it to you, but there is no freedom in that...and one of God's biggest platforms is Freedom... and I don't think he is JUST talking about sin. I think he means a freedom that comes from trusting a God so big he can handle your sins and your future and your LIFE.

MATTHEW 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Trusting God in all things has to be more than the big things... it has to be more than the future things... it has to be more than the tough things.

TRUST IS REST. TRUST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH GOD!

Trusting God is more than the small things too: We don't need to consult God with what color of socks to wear in the morning. God made us capable to make decisions. Trust is not the same thing as constant consultation. People use God like a Personal Assistant.

"I just don't know which shirt to wear... is the blue one more spiritual because it looks like heaven. I should probably avoid the black and red one then. It looks like hell. Can you get me a cup of coffee? I'm exhausted. How about a new job? I trust you. Thanks. Oh, and look for a bigger office and more pay."

What do you think GIFTS are for? CARRY HIS CLAIM ON YOUR LIFE!!! God has called you as his own and has therefore MARKED you... CLAIMED you. He has armed you with a unique and special artillery. It is all OVER the New Testament. What do you think Paul blabbers on about chapter upon chapter? God armed you with Gifts so you would be capable, functioning, and contributing to his body. His church. Your brothers. Your limbs.

Basically, You can pick out your own socks. Or you have a brother/sister gifted with good fashion sense to help you.

THE POINT IS:

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE!

MATTHEW 6:25:
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (the message)

I can guarantee you half of what you think matters, really doesn't.

What matters is Christ. To LIVE is CHRIST.

So...

Yeah...pray for direction. Pray for God's will. God wants to bless you... but then trust that he will either give the blessings you desire or direct you in a different direction. This touches so many things: occupation, vocation, spouses, family, destination, residence, security, prosperity, and on and on and on and on....

I'm a big believer that God works through open doors/windows... I'm sure you've felt that regret when an opportunity came your way and you didn't take it. Maybe afraid of giving up SECURITY in your present job/relationship/living situation/etc. Trust God and GO for things... apply for jobs if you feel dissatisfied in present occupations, volunteer somewhere in your community if you are looking for somewhere to help. If you trust God, I can guarantee he will let you know what is up. He closes doors too.

PSALM 118: 24:
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

SEIZE THE DAY! Isn't that a biblical principal? Doesn't God point out several times in scripture to LIVE FOR TODAY!? CARPE DIEM PEOPLE! WAKE UP!

Your life is now.

You've got RIGHT now. Right this minute. Not the vacation your taking with your family in a few weeks... not the day you learned to tie your shoe... not the raise you get after working at your new job for a year. RIGHT NOW.

Live every moment as though it were your last. THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!

Trust HIM with your life, so you can start LIVING IT!