Don't exchange the truth for a lie

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 1:22-25 ESV)

In the beginning, God...that is how His story begins.  He is Holy, perfect, flawless, righteous, jealous, immortal, pure, loving, and He is unchanging.  Many through out history have tried to make God fit their own description of what He is like, often in an effort to justify their own sin.  I am confident that at some point, we have all done this...it's ok to ________, I deserve it...or I have every right to ________, it's my life!  Yet we know that when we do this we are sinning.  We must not adopt another view of God, who He is and has shown Himself to be in scripture.  If we alter our view of God, we are committing idolatry and if not corrected leads to false worship of the created and robs the Creator.  Let us instead remain in awe of His holiness and hold tight to the truth of His word, never exchanging His truth for the lies that this present age would have us believe.

Do nothing from selfish ambition

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:3-11 ESV)

Christ is the ultimate example of humility, servitude, and obedience.  He left the heavenly realm, came to Earth, lived a sinless, perfect life, and overcame sin and death on the cross!  We have no reason therefore to be proud and every reason to be humble.  Let us empty ourselves of self and instead pour our being into others, sharing the love of Christ and the message of salvation.

Every Life has a story...

I couldn't help but to watch this video and think about all of the people who walk into churches across the globe every week hurting, searching, in need of a touch from God.  It literally makes my heart break to think that even one person who is hurting may not find the acceptance and love that they are seeking from a body of believers.  The scripture on my heart tonight:

Matthew 22;37-40 “And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the great and first commandment.39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. “

If we were in the shoes of those who are hurting, what would we want?  A shoulder to cry on?  A person to listen?  Someone to pray with?  Someone to watch their children while they go for a job interview?  Someone to drive them to the hospital for treatment?  Whatever the answer is, we should be looking to fulfill it and demonstrate Christ's love by loving our neighbor as ourselves.  

Every life truly does have a story...if we are just willing to listen...

Let the Love of Christ reign supreme in all that you do, and let's love on some folks!

The glory of The Lord

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord ’s house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 7:1-3 ESV)

When I read passages like this, I find myself longing to be there!  How amazing would it be to bare witness to this amazing, worship filled event.  It makes me excited for heaven, when we get to be in the presence of God all day, everyday, for eternity.  While on Earth, God wants us to worship Him, He wants us to worship Him only, rely on Him only, give all we are to Him, get on our face in reverence.  When we can get to that place of surrender and awe, then we will see His glory.

Accountability

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)

We need people in our lives to hold us accountable for our words and actions.  Without accountability, we go from sharp, to dull, from on fire for Christ to lukewarm.  

When we delight in Him, He delights in us

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19, 20 ESV)

God's great desire is for us to delight in Him.  When we delight in Him, He delights in us.  We are His...think about that tonight, the God of the Universe is laying claim to us...and He is ours...what an awesome proclamation!

Walk me through the flames

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (James 4:1 ESV)

The simplest of concepts to grasp are often the most difficult to implement.  There are 2 sides to every battle.  Understanding that God is no one side and Satan is on the other is paramount.  Once we realize this, it becomes much easier to choose God.  So how do we know if it is God?  It is no different than any other relationship.  Upon spending enough time with God, reading His word, praying to Him, and listening and looking for opportunities to serve, we get to know His voice.  Once we know His voice, it makes it easier to follow it anywhere...and you would be wise to do so.

A fireman in a burning building suddenly can't see, he has been blinded by smoke.  He hears the voice of the fire chief on the radio, telling him step by step how to get out of the fire...if you were that fireman, would you listen?  God is our fire chief, he will walk us through the flames, we just need to listen for His voice and do what we are told.

Stumble and fall

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. (Proverbs 24:16 ESV)

When I came across this verse tonight, I was struck by the defining characteristic being getting back up after falling repeatedly.  It's the never ending faith and desire that drives us forward saying "He's not finished with me yet!"  It's the promise of future change in our lives through Christ.  When we stumble and fall, the most important thing we can do is get back up and seek The Lord.  

For all people

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. (Acts 10:44, 45 ESV)

Christ came for all people, all nations.  The Holy Spirit has been poured out onto all who believe in their heart, and confess with their tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Drink the cup

So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (John 18:11 ESV)

This passage shows Jesus' complete and total trust in the Father and that He knows what is best.  How many times do we find ourselves questioning God because of circumstances that we dislike?  Jesus is obedient all the way to the cross and beyond. We as followers of Jesus, must learn to trust deep and wide, without second guessing, that whatever is in the cup that the Father has put in front of us, is what is best.  We must trust Him as a little child trusts their parent, like Jesus trusts the Father.

One life at a time

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26 ESV)

This passage speaks so much truth and demonstrates such love.  Oh that the world would accept the unity and love of Christ.  We must live out our faith, we must love, we must make a difference...one life at a time.  Pray, get in the word, and show true, unbridled love for others...Let's ,commit to making a difference, one life at a time.  Maybe that means talking to new people, getting more involved somewhere, using your talents for God...whatever it looks like, God wants YOU to be involved and making a difference.

The fullness of God

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV)

The love of Christ surpasses knowledge...never forget this.  When our brain says no, or it's impossible, that is when His love is most magnified and we experience the fullness of God.

Grace and mercy

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-7 ESV)

Grace and mercy are such beautiful gifts!  Be sure to extend the same to one another.

Strong tower

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10 ESV)

There are times when it becomes easy to think of God casually, to think of Him as just something else that is in the background.  Yet when calamity comes, often He is the first one we run to.  I had a conversation with my 4 year old a few nights ago, and she asked me "why do we have big storms?"  I thought about this for a moment, and explained that in order for us to understand how powerful God is, we need to see things like big storms and know that God is even more powerful than that.  We proceeded to talk about the story where Jesus is in the boat asleep and a tempest comes and the disciples wake Him because they were afraid.  Jesus rebukes the wind and they were amazed.  

I was reminded of our conversation tonight while reading Proverbs 18.  His name is a strong tower, we can take refuge in Him and be safe.  No matter the storms that rage in our lives, real storms, mental storms, physical storms, emotional storms, etc.  He is stronger than all of it, He is our strong tower and in Him we are safe!

Thank the leaders in your life

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Hebrews 13:7-9 ESV)

I have been fortunate to serve under and along side many great men and women of God.  I hope that this can be said for many who read this.  When I hear the truth of God's word being taught in spite of what the world thinks on the subject, it makes my soul rejoice.  When the Truth of God's word is the anchor, there is no being lead away.  

Take a few moments tomorrow and thank the leaders in your Church, small group, ministry, or life in general.  Encourage them, pray for them, and make it a part of your daily prayers to lift them up.  Let the leaders in your life know that you are "with them".  

God NEVER fails

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7, 8 ESV)

Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:43-45 ESV)

Failure is something that we as humans understand, probably a little more than each of us would like to admit.  The crazy part is that we struggle daily to choose to either listen to ourselves and follow that path or we seek out and follow the path that God has for us.  The 2 scripture passages above are proof positive that God does not fail...He does what He says he will do.  So why is it that we continue to trust ourselves over the infallible God of the universe?  That answer will likely vary for each person, however, the root cause of the issue is likely that we are holding on to something that we don't want to let go of.  God is faithful, time, after time, after time, all through out scripture.  He does not fail.  Whatever we are holding onto, whatever the reason, it needs to be let go, surrendered to God.  God IS in control, and He wants to be the hero in our story, He wants us to depend on Him, rely on Him, need Him, love Him.  Read through the end of Deuteronomy and the book of Joshua and see just how awesome it was when the people relied on The Lord.  God will NEVER fail you!  It may feel like what you are going through could never be good, but God can and does use all things for good.  Whatever it is we are holding back, holding onto, it's time to let it go and instead hold onto Him who Never fails!

A special note for those currently struggling with failure:

There are many people who carry a tremendous burden around of their past failures.  Many people who struggle to move past it.  Failure is not a final outcome, it is an event that happened along the way.  Sometime today, walk over to a mirror and take a good hard stare.  While you are looking in the mirror, I want you to tell yourself that God loves you, failures and all.  Say it over and over until you believe it.  Then let go of all that you've been hanging on to and refusing to give up.  Give control of everything to Him...He will never fail you.  It doesn't mean we get what we want, it doesn't mean life will be all sunshine and rainbows, it means we get what He wants (He knows what is best for us) for our lives and eventually, what He wants and what we want become the same thing.  God never fails!  

Glorify Him above all, and be aware of your thought life...

There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth. There are those—how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift! There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind. (Proverbs 30:11-14 ESV)

In reading Proverbs 30 tonight, I was struck by the arrogance of humans (myself included).  When we are self focused, self seeking, self absorbed, we serve only ourselves.  We are not called to be self minded, we are called instead to serve one another.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10, 11 ESV)

The best litmus test I have found in my relationship with Christ is that if an action will glorify Him, and help others, that is likely the right thing to do.  If it will glorify me, and help others, there is likely a way for me to get out of the way and make sure that God gets the glory.  It's when we don't get out of the way, when we start focusing on ourselves that we become like Satan, seeking praise for ourself instead of giving praise for the blessings/gifts/talents that God has so richly blessed us.  

In closing, a great verse to live by in the battle for our thought life:

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV)

There is a battle being waged everyday for the thoughts that go on in your head.  Those thoughts must  not exalt anything above God and must be compatible with our calling through Christ Jesus. 

The shepherd's Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 ESV)

Probably the most famous of all of the Psalms, I love this part.  God sees to it that we are taken care of physically. Mentally, and spiritually.  

Idols

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:4-8 )

We are so blessed to serve a God who does speak, whose eyes see, ears hear, nose smells, hands that feel, and feet that walk.  Not only does our God do all of this, He sent His only son upon the Earth to die on a cross in the place of us as the sacrifice for our sin.  No idol can or ever will do any of that!

When we are down

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

When we are down and feel lost, hopeless, and anxious, we should turn to God's word, which is full of promises and examples of His goodness and mercy.

The Lord will provide

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34 ESV)

Worry and anxiety are feelings are feelings that all of us are familiar with.  Tonight's passage reminds us that God will take care of us and we need not worry, instead we are to seek His kingdom and righteousness.  My daughter's name comes straight from this passage of scripture, and beginning with when she could talk, my wife taught her to say "the Lord will provide".  That has stuck with her and she recognizes when mom and dad are stressed, and then her little voice reminds us, "the Lord will provide".  When i call her name, i am reminded that we are to trust in The Lord for everything.  God is faithful and He is so good, better than we can even fathom.

Where Moth and rust destroy

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)

Tonight's passage is one that is often referenced in times of hardship or adversity.  What about during times of plenty?  This passage is a reminder that we can't take our earthy stuff with us and that heavenly treasure is eternal.  Our hearts must not be set on the STUFF on earth, rather our hearts should be set on Heaven, on eternity.  

Living in this manner is a daily challenge (not that I have attained it).  It is our calling to a higher purpose , a calling to serve The Lord of all creation, who graciously loves us, and prepares a place for us for all eternity.  

Satan wants our worship

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” (Matthew 4:8-10 ESV)

The temptation of Jesus is a powerful passage of scripture.  Tonight I want to really focus on that which Satan is after above all else...He wants to be WORSHIPPED.  We can not worship 2 things, we are either for God or against Him.  This being said, we should be taking a close inventory of our heart.  What does our WORSHIP of God look like?  Are we putting Him first, can we look inward and say "God is who I worship and no other!"  There can be nothing more important in our lives than God and He deserves, He demands our worship.  Time, money, effort, energy, talent, it was all given to us by God, and He wants us to use it all to glorify Him and no other.

Jesus' response " Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Is amazing.  Let us go forth and worship God alone!

Impressions

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5, 6 ESV)

When we spend time with those who do not know us well, what impression do we leave?  I for one squirmed a bit when I read this passage, not because I disagree, but because of how convicting it is.  I know that my speech is not always gracious, yet God is gracious always.  Today, I'm giving thanks for all of the amazing good things that God has blessed me with, and asking for His help in learning to speak graciously always.

Prayer and thanksgiving

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2 ESV)

Prayer is not a time only to make requests known, but a time to give thanksgiving and praise.  I'm challenging myself and would encourage any who read this, to find more things to be thankful for in their prayer life and life in general.  It makes a huge difference when we stop taking all the "little things" for granted...in fact, we begin to realize how specifically God has blessed us and how His fingerprints are all over our lives.

Called to His word, to sing, and to be thankful

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:15, 16 ESV)

This verse encourages me so much.  Let us encourage one another through the word and with song, with thankfulness in our hearts to God!

God isn't an angry old man

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11, 12 ESV)

So many people have a picture of God in their head of an angry old man just waiting to slap us.  Often times this is due to societie's depiction and interpretation of Christianity.  There is an overwhelming need in our society today for Dads to be there for their children and for their wives.  I will assure you that if you have something missing in your relationship with your own earthly father, you will make the same assumptions about your Heavenly Father.  If you're a dad that finds this to be true for you, BREAK the cycle!  Tonight's passage talks about God as being a place of refuge, a place we can rejoice, a place where we are protected.  If this doesn't sound like the God that you heard about, dig deep, start asking questions, get to know Him.  If you are a dad, can your children say the same of you?  Can they take refuge in you, rejoice with you, and seek protection in you?  Our number one purpose on this earth as men is to act as a mirror that reflects God...our kids need to look at us and see Jesus in our lives.  If you need help, reach out in faith, there are many who will help you.

Let it go

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:16-18 )

We are called to live peaceably, so far as it depends on us, with all.  In the heat of the moment, this can feel like an impossible task.  It is easy to become offended, and thereby feel justified in bringing condemnation on others.  This brings to mind this passage:

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:21-35 ESV)

Jesus meets the issue head on, if we who have been shown great mercy do not in turn show mercy, there is something fundamentally wrong.  I'll sum up tonight simply by saying, you have been forgiven a lifetime of sins through the blood of Christ, don't allow bitterness to set in your heart, forgive, as God forgave you, and as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Not be shaken

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 16:5-8 ESV)

Have you ever been lost, looked at a map, and thought "if I only knew where I am right now..."?  Or after moving to a new home, or spending a lot of time traveling and staying iin multiple different places you find yourself confused when you wake up in the middle of the night and have to figure out exactly where the bathroom is?  These may seem like Od questions, but I relate them to my life in the sense that there are times when I'm not exactly sure how I fit into God's plan or where the plan is exactly in it's life cycle.  That being said, I choose to follow The Lord, He can hold my lot, for He knows the plans He has for me.  I pray for peace over not just my own heart tonight,but for believers the world over, that God would instruct our hearts.  Praying for peace and that no matter what lies the enemy throws our way, we KNOW that because He is at our right hand, we won't be shaken.

He holds everything together

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17 ESV)

Looking all the way back to Genesis, God was there...He has always been there.  God was there before you made a giant mistake, He was there before you received a blessing.  God also holds it all together, the Earth, the stars, universe, etc.  He holds us together too,not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.  He gives us peace & hope that no matter what we are facing, He will keep it together for us.  God has got it, He holds everything together.

The deception of being whatever YOU want to be...

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.(Romans 12;1-14)
I do a lot of thinking throughout the day.  Often times, that thinking leads to prayer and searching scripture.  I had a thought today that was one of the basic truths taught to me in child hood, "You can be anything that you want to be...".  I thought about this long and hard today and came to the conclusion that this is a tremendous lie.  While it sounds like a good message to teach to children to give them hope, Romans 12 points to a different life.  We are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, we are not to be conformed to this world, we are to seek and do the will of God...that is "what is good and acceptable and perfect.".  We should not be thinking of ourselves alone, but rather taking stock, honest stock, of what we are good at and where we need help.  Once we honestly asses ourselves, then we seek others who will compliment our weaknesses and who our strengths will be magnified all for the glory of God.  When we do this, our imperfections become means of which others can help us and our strengths become ways for us to help others grow and experience God's unifying love first hand.  Some of us wish we had certain gifts, while others of us deny that we have certain gifts at all.  In either of these situations, STOP, assess your self honestly and seek to glorify God with what He has given you.  Let us together be fervent in the spirit, serve the Lord, Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and CONSTANT in prayer.  When we all contribute to the body, we all benefit, and the biggest benefit of all is that the world witnesses first hand Love, unconditional, complimentary, clean, and unconditional.  We should not aspire, or teach our children to aspire, to be whatever they want...we should aspire, and teach our children to aspire to be what God created them to be.  Let us/them be prophets, servants, teachers, exhorters, generous, leaders, worshippers, etc...let none of us/them be conformed to this world, rather let we be conformed to that which God wants us to be.  Amen!