Category Archives: scripture

How Much Is This Going To Cost Me?

The older we get, the more we begin to realize and recognize value. We start to understand that some things are worth it and some things are not. I’ve heard more than one old timer say: “You get what you pay for!” and “How much is this going to cost me?”, and I have lived just long enough to discover that this is absolutely true most of the time – we do get what we pay for and anything of value is going to cost us. What is extra important to remember is that we don’t just pay with dollars, we also pay with our time and life.

This human experience that we call life is too short to waste on things that do not really matter, but if we are not careful, that is exactly what we will end up doing. We allow ourselves to get caught up in stuff that does not really matter and end up loosing the precious gift of value.

25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. -Luke 12:25-27

We have already established that worry is a waste of time and resources. But how do we take on and take out worry, so that it stops robbing us of the precious gift of life. Jesus said: Look around you and see God’s faithfulness! In other words: Realize that you have the power to choose what you will focus on and the direction you will live your life…

If God takes care of this great big world, then He is going to take care of you! Just open your eyes and see all of the things God is taking care of. Look back on your own life and remind yourself of all the times God has taken care of you. Do you really think that the God Who has been taking care of you and seeing you through is going to stop? Of course not, we know better, but we often allow our minds to wander to the worst of places. Remember: God’s got me and I’ve got this!

Every now and then it is good to stop everything we are used to doing. Turn off all of the noise and take a few moments to sit in the still, quiet presence of the One Who brought us to the dance. Spending this time in God’s presence will help us to think about and remember what really matters. We need to Consider our investments! Your life and the way you spend it is an investment, so you need to ask yourself: Am I living a life of diminishing returns or am I living a life of blessing and growth? You were created for a life of blessing and growth. If worry does you no good, then why waste your time???

So remember: A good question to ask yourself is: How much is this going to cost me???

The Real Enemy!

There all kinds of different things that come into our lives to do battle against us and try to rob us of all the good things we were created to benefit from and experience the blessings of. And out of all of those things, I believe one of the most destructive is worry. I think worry is is such a destructive enemy, because we underestimate it’s ability and power to do damage and often when we realize the damage it’s done, it’s too late to do much about it.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” -John 10:10

Worry Is The Real Enemy!

Worry is one of our greatest enemies, but it does not get to call the shots in our life, unless we empower it to do so. To defeat worry, we have to decide to not allow it any power in our lives. To overcome worry, we have to choose to trust something or someone else above worry. I would suggest that the One to trust is the One, Who created us, loves us and has a plan to bless us with an abundant life.

Worry Is Sneaky!

Worry sneaks into our life and begins to steal, kill and destroy! It steals our happiness, kills our joy and destroys our life. Often it is in, doing damage and wreaking havoc, before we know what has hit us. It often starts out as a legitimate concern, but then turns into a hideous and ugly monster that wants more and more real-estate in our life and living, Before you know it concern has turned into worry and worry is calling the shots.

Worry Is Only Interested In Itself!

If we are not careful, worry will actually take our life away from us! For worry to survive, it has to feed and it get’s it’s nourishment from the negatives in our life. The great tragedy is that often worry starts out as a very small thing, but before we know it, worry has morphed into something that takes control of our thoughts, influences our decisions in negative ways and causes us to actually lose seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months = life.

The Dangerous Game Of Worry!

Worry starts out making you think that it’s looking out for you, but then some where along the way, it slips into self preservation mode and our process become more about the survival of worry and less about looking our for ourselves. The result is that “our best life” had now drifted even farther away from us. We think that worry is harmless, but we know better! In a lot of ways, worry is like a drug that we get hooked on. Before you know it, you don’t think you can do life without it, but that is one of the greatest lies of the enemy, because the truth is: Most of the time worry is nothing, but a BIG DISTRACTION.

The time we waste worrying is time we lose trusting. Every minute spent in worry is a minute taken away from growing our faith and living a life that gives God glory. God has blessed us with this amazing gift called life. God has given us everything we need to enjoy His blessings that will flow to and through us, but worry causes us to miss out on this grand plan of God.

Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in it. If you are worried about something, then here are a few ideas to shake yourself free:

1.) Have A Conversation God! Remember that a good conversation involves talking and listening.

2.) Make A Plan! Do what you can and then let go of the rest and believe, have faith and trust in God. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it, if you will love and trust Him. Do your part, trust God and I promise you, He will do His…

3.) Live And Learn! Looking back on my life, I have discovered that so many of the things that I wasted time worrying about never happened. Out of the things that did happen, most of them were not near as bad as I convinced myself that they were going to be. And from everything bad that flowed my way, as I lived through it, I grew from it. I am a better person and I am enjoying life better today, because of everything I have been through.

One of the most simple and great reminders that keeps me on a good path is simply this: God’s Got A Plan And It’s To Bless Me!

Spoiled Milk!

When Something Stinks We Get Rid Of It!

When I was a little boy growing up, I loved and looked forward to eating a bowl of cereal every morning for breakfast. Sometimes it was Rice Krispies, Count Chocula, Honey Combs, Fruit Loops, Corn Flakes or Lucky Charms. The very first thing I would do, was find the biggest bowl in the cabinet and then pour it full of cereal. I would then get the milk and ask my Mom if it was okay, she would check the date and if it was out of date by a day or two, she would open it up and smell of it. If it smelled okay, then I was going to get to enjoy my bowl of deliciousness, but if it smelled sour, then down the drain it went.

25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? -Luke 12:25

Check The Date And Smell The Milk!

I learned way back then as a kid to check the date and smell the milk and if it stinks, get rid of it. And this is exactly what we need to do with some of the things that are taking up and wasting space in our lives, heads and hearts.

When Something Stinks, It’s Time To Get Rid Of It!

The problem with rot, decay and negativity is that it spreads to whatever it touches and whenever you discover it in you, then you best get rid of it as soon as possible. Some people like to hold onto the negative, not realizing all of the damage that it is doing to the life and relationships. Simply put: When something stinks, it’s time to get rid of it, before it starts getting rid of the good and positive stuff in your life that really matters and can make a difference.

Worry Stinks, So Why Do We Want To Hold Onto It???

Worry, anxiousness, distress and discontentment are all negatives that will do more harm than good. When your mind begins to worry, then you need to immediately ask yourself: What can I do about this thing that I am worried about and do it. Once you have done what you can do, then worry does not make things any better, only worse. Worry stinks, so get rid of it as soon as possible, before it stinks up the rest of your mind, heart and life.