A to Z Blogging -- E is for Every

Every Thought

Paul commanded, “…and take every thought captive to obey Christ…”

2 Corinthians 10:5b

Thoughts are powerful. They can build us up, or wear us down. They can encourage, or discourage.

How often do you have discouraging thoughts?

Thoughts of “I’m not good enough.”

“God can never forgive my sins—they are too bad.”

“I will never succeed at what I’m trying to do.”

“I am a failure at marriage…as a parent…at my job…as a daughter…as a Christian…in everything.”

These thoughts that come from disappointment can lead to a spiral of discouragement and despair.

Take these thoughts captive! Tell yourself, “That is not true. That is not how the Lord sees me!” and then replace them with positive thoughts

“The Lord has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession.” 

Deuteronomy 14:2

“…casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

“Whatever is true…honorable…just…pure…lovely…commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

What thoughts are YOU going to “take captive” today?

(I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is . The post for today is titled “E-mail…More Productive Things to do than to Check Yet Again.” Check it out!)

A to Z Blogging: T is for...Thoughts

By Shelly Burke, Editor

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” 2 Corin. 10:5

My thoughts, especially in the middle of the night, can take me to scary places. “What if I lose my jobs—both of them…can’t get another nursing job of any kind anywhere in the whole state (or country!)… and I eat alllllllllll of the food in my cupboards….still don’t have a job so get evicted…and my Envoy breaks down….so I have to have it towed down by the river so I can live in an Envoy, down by the river…?(Like whatever that song is, about “ living in a van, down by the river”).

Or, even darker…”What if I can’t get insurance when our COBRA runs out…and then I get cancer (I’ve had two friends diagnosed with breast cancer in the last few weeks)…and I’m all alone…and NONE of my friends will take me to ANY appointments…and anyway I’m living in my broken-down Envoy, down by the river…”

OK, in the bright light of day, and even during the night, I realize how ridiculous these thoughts are. For one thing I am blessed with many wonderful friends who would help me out, just as I would help them.  But I think everyone has had those dark and racing thoughts at some point—especially during a time of transition and in the dark of night.

I think the devil likes us to have these thoughts—he wants us to live in fear, both to take away our joy of living, and to make us doubt what we know about God, and the promises that God has given us.

What Paul is telling us here is that we have more than just ourselves—our flesh—to fight these thoughts. We do not have to do it alone! We have the divine power of the Holy Spirit, working through God’s Word, the Holy Bible, on our side, to dispute these thoughts. We can look to His word and destroy the thoughts that are contrary to what we know of God.  

And what does God’s word say about His character and His promises to us?

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

     Deuteronomy 31:6

“And He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”

Psalm 91:11

“Cast all your anxiety upon the Lord because He cares for you!”

1 Peter 5:7

Pray to be discerning, to be able to tell when your thoughts are going into those dark places. When dark thoughts enter your mind, take them captive. Compare them to what you know about God and about His Word. Claim His promises. Accept His peace.

For FREE verse cards of the above verses, e-mail your request to shelly@shellyburke.net. I’ll get the verse cards in the mail to you, to encourage you when those dark thoughts intrude on the peace that God wants you to have, in Him.  

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Shelly is also the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. Click to find out more!

A is for...Anxieties

By Shelly Burke

“Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:1

                                    

What are you anxious about today?

·              Finances?

·              A troubled relationship with your spouse or child?

·              Your job?

·              World events that seem to be spiraling out of control?

·              Test results (whether a test as part of a class, or a medical test)?

·              The economy?

                                                      ·              Your future?

Our day-to-day lives are packed with potentially anxiety-producing events and happenings. If we start looking into the future, with the uncertainty of world events—unrest in the Middle East, financial crises in Europe, massacres in Africa—we could, literally, worry ourselves sick.

Anxiety can cause:

·              Sleepless nights

·              Eating too much or too little

·              Inertia—the inability to move or get necessary tasks completed

More important than physical reactions, however, excessive anxiety can cause you to miss:

·              A beautiful sunset

·              A quiet moment with your spouse

·              A hug from your kids

·              A walk on a balmy spring day

·              The endless blessing God gives us every day of our lives!

God does not want us to be anxious; he wants us to enjoy our lives!

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

So what can you do to combat the anxiety in your life?

·              Read a “Good Word”—His word! Copy verses about anxiety and worry onto notecards, and put those cards where you’ll see them every day—the mirror in your bathroom or on your refrigerator.

·              Pray! Tell God your anxieties (or write them down) and ask Him to take them away. Then…let them go. Shred the piece of paper, if you wrote them down…God has them now.

·              Give thanks! When you start listing the things you have to be thankful for, you’ll immediately see how God is taking care of you and your family.

·              Do something for someone else; it will take your focus off of your worries  and is guaranteed to cheer you up.

Lord, thank You for all the blessings you have given me. I know that You are taking care of me; please take away my anxieties so I can enjoy You and the blessings of every day. Amen.

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Would you like a FREE “Casting Cares” verse card, like the one shown at the top of this page? 

If so, e-mail your address to shelly@shellyburke.net and

 I will get it in the mail to you!

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I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide Today, read

Suggestions for teaching kids about the “Armor of God.” 

Stormy Thoughts and Stormy Skies...and God's Promise

Stormy Thoughts and Stormy Skies…and God’s Promise

By Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher, Nebraska Family Times, and author, Home is Where the Mom Is

These pictures were taken
outside of our home this
afternoon.

As I pulled weeds this afternoon I had stormy thoughts. Too many friends are facing serious health problems and personal difficulties. I heard news that promises turmoil in my own family’s life over the next few months. There’s no way around these problems; our friends and our family will just have to go through them.

This afternoon we had a nice, much-needed rain shower. After the shower I went outside to see where the storm was moving. I was awed to see one of the most beautiful double rainbows I’ve ever seen. It stretched all the way across the sky and I could see the whole thing, which is very unusual.

Seeing the rainbow reminded me of God’s promise to Noah, as he and his family came out of the ark after the flood.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making

 between me and you…Whenever I bring clouds over the earth

and the rainbow appears in the clouds…I will remember my covenant

 between me and you…Never again will the waters become

 a flood to destroy all life.” Genesis 9:12-14

My friends and family and I are not facing a literal flood, of course. But the circumstances in each of our lives could be devastating. I was reminded of God’s promises to each of us; that He will walk beside us through any and all of the troubles we experience. That He is only a prayer away. And that, at the end of our lives, no matter how stormy, as believers we will spend eternity with Him! 

Thank You, Lord, for reminding me of Your promises to each of us. We are not alone; You are always with us. 

Tired

Tired
by Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher, and author of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home

(from Google images)

Are you tired today?

I don’t mean physically tired, I mean tired of enduring challenges, emotional and spiritual.

Tired of being hopeful in the face of financial troubles.

Tired of setting a good example for your kids, an example which, at almost every turn, is contradicted by the world.

Tired of praying for a spouse or friend to become closer to God.

Tired of working so hard for what seems to be so little.

Tired of praying for a long-time difficult situation to change.

Tired of struggling with illness.

Tired of an ever-growing prayer list that friends and relatives facing serious illnesses or devastating situations.

Today my Bible reading was from 2 Corinthians 9. I tried to pick just one verse that represented the “tired” theme, but I quickly realized that verses 6-11 all represent encouragement for the tired in spirit.

This section starts with these words: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” We usually think of this verse as meaning to “sow” with money, but it also refers to our spiritual gifts like love and encouragement. When we give generously to others--of our love, our encouragement, our patience--we will then reap bountifully.

The next verse says, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” As a writer, I try to avoid repetition of a word in a paragraph or sentence unless I want to emphasize a point. Paul repeated the word “all” four times in this single verse, so I think he wants us to focus on the fact that God is truly gives us His grace in all of our works, all the time.

A verse later we read the promise that God “will supply and multiply your seed for sowing…You will be enriched in very way to be generous in every way” not just financially, but with our time, our encouragement, our love, our patience, our work.The more we give, the more we will get, so we can be even more generous! I am so thankful that when I am tired of praying, tired of struggling, tired of just enduring…I don’t have to do it by myself. I can know that God’s grace is sufficient, know that He will multiply what I want to give, that He will enable me to meet the needs of others.

Thank You, Lord, for enabling me to endure when I am tired. Please continue to give me Your grace so that I can sow generously in all ways, to those around me.

(I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is. Read

today’s post, titled “It’s not Written in Cement.”)