Today's Thoughts: To Stay or To Go

I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. John 17:15

Jesus prayed that we not be taken out of the world but that the Father would keep us from the evil one. There are times when some of us want to be taken out of this world as soon as possible just to be in heaven with Jesus. When you love someone, you want to be with them, and as Christians, our hearts yearn to be closer to Jesus. Other times, life here on earth is so hard and such a struggle that we want to be taken out just to get out of here. Admit it; we all have felt this way at times. But these feelings are no surprise to the Lord.
Jesus' prayer to keep us in the world was truly based on love. He has provided everything we need for life and godliness, despite our circumstances. He has given us creation to see His handiwork and understand His unlimited abilities. He has given us His Word that sanctifies us and sets us apart for Him. And He has given us His own testimony as Jesus, Son of God, who walked on this earth and lived in this world. He prayed that the Father would not take us out of this world but to keep us from the evil one. Jesus prayed that we be made one with Him while remaining on earth. At times, it seems impossible to walk against the pattern of this world. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus understands what we are going through. Our only hope is to depend on Him, which is exactly what He wants in the first place.
Where are you today? Do you secretly desire at times to be taken to heaven? Only you know the reasons why you feel this way but know today that Jesus has a plan for you being right here, right now. He loves you and has a plan for your life. Ask the Lord to give you strength in times of trouble, peace in times of struggle and hope when the world seems to be hopeless. Only in Jesus can we stay in this world and experience heaven on earth.

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Stop simply surviving and start thriving.

Don't let difficult circumstances stop you from making the most of each day you're alive.  Realize that even when times are tough, you can do much more than just endure your current situation.  You can actually enjoy life to the fullest - even in the middle of the worst circumstances - when you remember that life if a gift from God and decide to embrace it.  Ask God to help you notice His presence with you in every situation, and rejoice when you sense Him nearby.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind each day so you can have the positive attitudes you need to thrive no matter what is going on in your life.

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Attract others to faith as they watch you

Other people are watching you as you deal with difficult situations.  If you respond by being faithful to Jesus, they'll be drawn to Him themselves because you'll show them what real faith in action looks like, and that's attractive.  So rather than complaining about your struggles or compromising your values as you try to deal with them, invite Jesus to shine His light through your life, and reflect His character qualities so other people can see how a relationship with Him can help them when they face their own struggles.

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Learn and grow from your struggles

God allows you to experience challenging circumstances so you can learn to love and trust Him in deeper ways, and so you can grow more mature, developing a strong character to become more like Jesus.  Keep in mind that God is more interested in your lasting holiness than your temporary happiness, because holiness will help you learn to choose what's best for you.  Ask God to help you see your struggles from His perspective.  Let your struggles teach you whatever God wants you to learn from them.  As you deal with the difficulties in your life, stay focused on what matters most - eternal values - so you can grow into a stronger person in the process.

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Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguini

Prep Time:
15 Min

Cook Time:
25 Min

Ready In:
40 Min

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package linguine pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• salt to taste
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine, and cook for 9 to 13 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, and saute garlic about 1 minute. Mix in chicken broth, wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is reduced by about 1/2.
3. Mix shrimp, butter, parsley, and basil into the saucepan. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, until shrimp is opaque. Stir in the cooked linguine, and continue cooking 2 minutes, until well coated.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 481 | Total Fat: 18.3g | Cholesterol: 203mg

Serves 4

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The Goal: Two Weeks to a Slimmer, Trimmer You!

1. Log Your Calories
Set your daily calorie budget with the BMI calculator first, then track, track, track.
Goal: 1 Log in/day

2. Veg Out
The USDA's new nutritional guidelines recommend filling half your plate at every meal with vegetables and fruits, and the other half with whole grains and protein.
Goal: 1 "Plate" of fruits and veggies/day

3. Sleep In
Did you know that a lack of sleep can stimulate your appetite and bring on sugar cravings? Combat cravings, and strive for at least seven hours of sleep. Talk about lazy days of summer!
Goal: 7 Hours/day

4. Play Outside
Use those extra hours of daylight! Get on your bike, take a stroll, throw a Frisbee – it doesn't matter what you do, just get out there and get moving!
Goal: 420 minutes/week (or just 60 minutes/day!)

5. Turn Off the Tube
Curb your recreational screen time (TV, video games, online shopping) to one hour a day. You can do it!
Goal: Limit: 1 Hour/day

If you would like more information about this challenge go to http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/i-heart-summer-slim-down.aspx?xid=nl_MyCalorieCounterNewsletter_20110727

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FOR THE LADIES IN A HURRY TO GET MARRIED, here's a quick piece of Biblical advice: Ruth patiently waited for her mate, Boaz. While waiting on YOUR Boaz, don't settle for ANY of his relatives: Brokeaz, Poaz, Lyinaz, Cheatinaz, Dumbaz, Cheapaz, Lockedupaz , Goodfornothinaz, Lazyaz, or Marriedaz, and especially his third cousin Beatinyoaz . Please wait on your Boaz & make sure he respects Yo-az!

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How Do You Deal with Heartbreak? Conclusion

As you know, a close relationship (whether romantic or platonic) knits two people together, through time spent together, through thoughts, feelings and dreams shared via interpersonal communication and through a whole host of experiences that two may share as they do life together. Add in two people who are believers and share a strong spiritual connection, and that can give it an even deeper dimension.

you must first acknowledge that this person is still your “neighbor.” So you must love him or her as yourself  (Mark 12:31). I don’t think that means you go out of your way to spend time with them like you used to and try to renew the once-strong ties. But you can still be kind and loving and affirming from a healthy distance (even if you work together or go to church together).

tarting with prayer. We are instructed to pray for our enemies (Matt. 5:44). Now you may not view this person as an enemy, but you’re certainly not bosom buddies any longer and there is definitely a wall between you now, right? It’s a new boundary that has been erected between you as a result of the break-up, and it is emotional protection for the both of you.

Why not pray for this person as you would pray for yourself? No matter who initiated the break-up (or even if it was mutual), there is brokenness involved. And that means healing must happen for both parties.

Lord, I lift up ______ to you today. I pray that you will bring healing to _____ and use this break-up to bring _____ closer to you and glorify your name. You make all things work together for good, and I know you will do so in _______’s life as well as in mine.

Now, praying like that is easier said than done, isn’t it? Especially if you’ve experienced a painful break-up and there is anger or bitterness involved. But in order for God to heal you and work in your heart, it must be softened and it must be pliable and ready to be moved. Thus, praying for this person—as difficult as it may be at first—will help in yourhealing process and give you new focus (perhaps as God sees it?) in your post break-up situation.

It's good to talk to someone how you are feeling you should not hold everything in because that is not healthy! As women wouldn't you agree that it's a relief to get some of your thoughts and fears out of our heads and into the open.

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Kirk Franklin - He'll Take The Pain Away

I really needed to hear this today. God will take away all of your pain

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What do you do when you know it's time to move on from a job that you hate when you have nothing to fall back on? I'm so over it I can't take it anymore. God please show me what to do. I know if I leave it will be motivated by my flesh and not your spirit. I'm so confused.

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How Do You Deal with Heartbreak? Part II

Have faith God has plans for you to prosper and not to harm you (Jer.29:11)

You may never know or understand why the break-up happened; however, God may be protecting you from this person, He may want you all to himself at this time or he may have someone better suited for you. Whatever the reason, God knows our beginning, the middle and the end and truly wants the best for us, as our Father. Have the faith to recognize it, believe it and live it.

Place your hope in God and his Spirit, not in someone else (Rom. 5:5)

It may be difficult to do at times, but placing your hope in a perfect God is a better decision than giving your life to a fallible human. God continually shows this to be true in ways we can’t even fathom and hope placed in him does not disappoint. I’m not sure we can say the same about others, or ourselves.

Show love for everyone (including your “ex”) (Matt. 5:43).

Love in today’s society seems to be so fleeting and have no basis at times. The love God teaches us is neither selfish nor affected by emotions or situation, but rather loves through all things, including trials, faults and disappointments.

The most difficult part, as you have mentioned, is to see your former interest around work or at church, especially if he or she is with someone else. However, when you reach that point in your healing and forgiveness process when you will want the other person to be happy even if it doesn’t include you, you will find a peace that really does transcend all (human) understanding.

This isn’t an easy process, it will take time and there is no perfect “formula,” but it all begins with releasing any negative feelings you have toward your former partner, forgiving them for whatever wrong they may have done, asking the Lord to heal you of your hurt and pain and holding onto hope, faith and love.

When the next opportunity comes around, and there will be more, you will be better equipped to handle whatever that situation holds.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit 

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