Where do you put your trust?

FAITH:

Today many fears fill our lives. We fear poverty, sickness, loneliness, death. We fear the dangers of the night and the pressures of the day.

David learned that the only way to be released from fears was to TRUST the Lord. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." He changed the focus of his eyes from his situation to the Lord. Faith replaced fear. He PUT his trust in the Lord. This was an act of his will. "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me" (Psalms 56:11)

Freedom from fear is the result of confidence and trust in God. We may be helpless against fear, but God is not. When trusting God, there is nothing to fear.

Faith is more than believing what God can do. It is trust in the Person of God Himself. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He IS, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb 11:6)..........

One day a father discovered his little boy had climbed an old tree. The limbs were beginning to break under the boy's weight. The father held up his arms and called, "Jump! I'll catch you." The little son considered the offer for a moment. Then, as more limbs began to break, he said "Shall I let go of everything, Daddy, and trust you?"

What a lesson for us. Our Heavenly Father wants us to let go of everything and trust Him. by Millie Stamm

Think about the fears and needs in your life. In what ways have you "let go of everything" and put your trust in God to meet those needs? Pray or write your own psalm of trust to God. Praise him for his faithfulness to you.

You, Lord, give true peace
to those who depend on you,
because they trust you.
So, trust the Lord always,
because he is our Rock forever.
Isaiah 26:3-4

FRIENDS:

Father, Help us today to maintain our promise of faithfulness. We need you most, we rely on you and depend on you and trust you in everything. Our hope and our sights are always on the one thing that will never change, you and your love for us. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~ JUNE

Luke Ephesians Psalms 1 Kings
5. 1:67-80; 3:1-13; 119:33-40; 8
6. 2:1-20; 3:14-21; 119: 41-58; 9-10

~Ephesians~
I just witnessed a beautiful wedding. The most beautiful I've ever seen. That says a lot since I've seen a lot. Ministers see many weddings. It's a perk of the profession.

Is there anything more elegant that a wedding. Candles bathe a chapel in gold. Families fill the pews in love. Groomsmen and bridesmaids descend the aisles with bouquets of newness and rings of promise. What an occasion.

And nothing quite compares with that moment when the bride stands at the top of the aisle. Arm entwined with her father's, she takes those final steps with him and steps toward a new life with him.

Ahhh, the glory of a wedding. So to say I just saw the most beautiful one is no small thing. What made these nuptials so unforgettable? The groom Usually the groom is not the star of the wedding. The fellow is typically upstaged by the girl. But this wedding was made special by the groom

It was enhanced by something he did.

And who he was made what he did even more startling. You see, he's a cowboy: a stocky fellow who went to college on a rodeo scholarship. but what stood by me was not a nacho calf roper, but a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming boy who'd never seen a bride so gorgeous.

He was composed as he walked down the aisle. He was fine as he took his place at the alter.

But when he saw the bride, he wept.

It was the moment he'd dreamed of. It was as if he'd been given life's greatest gift---a bride in all her beauty. By the way, those are the very words Paul uses to describe the church: a bride in all her beauty.

"He (Jesus) died so he could give the church to himself like a bride in all her beauty. He died so that the church could be pure and without fault, with no evil or sin or any other wrong thing in it" (5:27).

Ponder that verse. Jesus died for a bride. He died so he could be married. This passage anticipates the day when the groom will see his bride---when Christ will receive his church. Jesus' fondest longing will be fulfilled. His bride will arrive.

The letter to the Ephesians celebrates the beauty of the church---the Bride of Christ. From our perspective, the church isn't so pretty. We see the backbiting, the squabbling, the divisions. Heaven sees that , as well. but heaven sees more. Heaven sees the church as cleansed and made holy by Christ.

Heaven sees the church ascending to heaven. Heaven sees the Bride wearing the spotless gown of Jesus Christ.

It's enough to make one weep.
by Max Lucado

FOOD:

Chef Paul Prudhomme's Poultry Magic
Use it when you barbecue, roast, grill, or sauté your favorite chicken, turkey, duck, or Cornish game hens.

1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp rubbed sage
dash cumin

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in a covered container. Sprinkle on any poultry to taste.

Makes 4 teaspoons

FUN:

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be "Recalled" by their maker.

* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* When every thing's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

* Birthdays are good for you, the more you have, the longer you live.

* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person..

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.