Let It Go

Disney   

I'm sure by now you've probably heard the song from the movie "Frozen" called 'Let It Go'. Even if you haven't seen the movie you've probably heard the song at least once, twice or ten times. Seems like everyone from the Marines to your grandma is singing that song. One quick Google search and you'll find a myriad of renditions of the song - some quite enjoyable. In fact, just the other day at the park my boys and I were serenaded by a group of seven year old girls who found the chorus so intoxicating that they mindlessly sang it over and over. And over. And over.

I'll admit, it's a great song. It helps that the original singer is quite talented and sings it perfectly. And since the catchy chorus tends to have a lasting impression, I've found myself singing it like a seven year old girl running free in a park - if only in my head.

However, it's become more than just a sweet tune to occupy my brain at random times, it's become somewhat of a mantra for me. A reminder, if you will, to literally let it go. Frustrated at the insensitive driver that just cut me off? Let it go. Annoyed with the amount of time it took my boys to get ready for bed? Let it go. Washing machine leaking like a river into the hall? Let it go.

I love what Jesus tells us in the New Living Translation of Matthew 6, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" Think about that. That's Jesus' way of saying, let it go, girlfriend.

And not just that, He goes on to tell us, "... but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." That's like thinking you'd like an ice cream cone and Jesus suddenly hands you a huge hot fudge sundae with everything you ever wanted on top. Then He says, Dad wanted you to have this. He knows all our needs. God is telling us, let it go, girlfriend, I've got this.

Generous Giving Father,

Thank you for knowing what we need before we can even express it. Thank you for the promise that you will supply us with all that we need. We long to fully realize the extent of your love. We know that we fall short in the area of worry, Lord. Please give us a renewed heart so that can more easily let things go. Change our heart so that it is quick to look to you and not of the world; a heart that is at peace and not waging war against the things that have no meaning. Grow our faith in such a way that the cares of this world are but a speck compared to you. Just as you nurture the birds, we can rest knowing that you also clothe and feed us. We let it go, God, we let it go to you.

Amen

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough.” Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT)

On Our Hearts: Bland No More

Have you ever made a meal and then discovered that you left out that one key ingredient? That one seasoning or spice that provides all the flavor? Instead of a mouth-watering feast you ended up with a tasteless flop. Spices enhance the flavors; it's still beef, chicken or potatoes only better, much better. Of course you could live without it, but if there's no zip what's the point?

This is how God feels about you when you're bland. Are you lacking flavor in your spiritual walk? Are you just vanilla for God? Do you enhance the room when you gather with friends and family or are you weak and forgettable? Do you sprinkle God's love everywhere you go and leave a pleasant taste for Jesus? You don't have to be a culinary expert, just ask God to infuse you with His word.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the seasonings that enrich our food and our lives. You have given us so many flavor combinations; some sweet, some savory. Lord, show us how we can add flavor to the lives of those we touch. Forgive us for being tasteless and indifferent. We no longer want to be bland, we want to be You so that others will hunger for You. You have given us all the ingredients, we just have to follow the recipe. When we measure and integrate Your word into our lives, it's easy to reveal the heavenly banquet that You have prepared. You are the Alpha and Omega, Lord - that means that You are the one who cultivates the thirst and then You are the one who quenches it. What a glorious God you are! You are the sweet aroma among the stench of our society. Praise You Father that You are able to use us to pour out Your flavor on the world.

Amen


"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage." Matthew 5:13

On Our Hearts: Back To The Basics

Do you ever have days where you feel like the Lord is leading you but you don't know where? Or when life is so overwhelming you just don't know where to start praying? Sometimes we just need to get back to the basics. Lay it all down and let your Father pick it up. He knows what you need. He can work in us despite how we feel, what we do and where we're going.

"... for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

Matthew 6:8-13

Amen

On Our Hearts: Literally Pray

Has a friend ever come to you and shared something and you say, I'll be praying for you? Do you actually do it? What about when someone sneezes and you say, God bless you. Do you bless them - really? How many times do we flippantly toss around the words pray or bless? Are you actually praying for those when you say you are? Do you talk about blessing your enemies but secretly wish they'd fall on their face? What about when something good happens and you say, praise God. Do you right then actually praise Him? In this throw away society, it's easy to think that our words are disposable too but the Bible tells us that our words are eternal and powerful. Oh sure, it's nice that our hearts are in the right place but what is good is aim if we never reach the target? Next time that friend asks for prayer pray for them right that instant, hold her hand and lift her up to God. The next time someone cuts you off in the carpool line ask God to bless them right then, outloud even so little ears will hear. And the next time a prayer is answered praise God, literally. Raise your hands and thank the Father for His unending love and blessing for His children. God is listening, He is waiting for all those prayers you promised you'd pray.

Father, thank you so much for giving us direct unhindered access to You. Help us to remember that whenever and wherever through prayer we can talk with You and You'll listen. Let us do a better job of being a vessel for others who may come to us. Give us confidence to pray with others, let us be an example of faith for them. Lord, we desire to do good and we mean well, but we need Your help in following through. We don't want to just offer lip-service, we want to be women of action. Prayerful, spiritual, and faithful women who come to You with our needs, the needs of our spouse, the needs of our friends, co-workers, and even our enemies. Lord, assure us as we step out of our comfort zone. Give us wisdom to see a need and courage to reach out and help someone through prayer. Lord we thank You for Your patience with us as we chart new territory in our prayer walk.

Amen

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Matthew 18: 19, 20