The Magnificient Christmas Gift that Modeled Sacrificial Love By Babs Kincaid

The magnificent gift given from God given to man was his one and only son Jesus who modeled sacrificial love. Jesus left his beloved place in Heaven seated at the right hand of God to come to a war zone. He came as the gift to the world that the religious mocked, the Romans hated and the poor misunderstood. Even his disciples were slow to believe his worth. Consider this passage of scripture describing his sacrificial journey: “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ...Isaiah 53:1-12  So the essence of agape love is what Jesus himself said in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” He came as the sacrificial lamb for our sins. He came to build relationships with a people who were content to do life without the “giver of life.” (Psalm 36:9)

Through many countless acts of loving kindness, Jesus modeled the finest example of being a servant. At the last Passover Jesus had supper with his twelve disciples and after supper, he washed the disciple’s feet. Now that was one dirty and foul-smelling job. In his commentary on John 13, Chuck Smith records this explanation: “And Jesus, knowing that this is it, this is the last time He'll be sharing a meal with the disciples, He took a towel and He girded himself with it. A man girded with a towel was a bond slave. This was the sign of a slave, a slave of the lowest order. And Jesus took this towel and girded Himself with it. The disciples did not understand what He was doing. Why would He gird Himself with this towel? That's what a slave did.” The IVP New Testament Commentaries gives more enlightenment:  “Jesus tied a linen cloth around his waist with which to dry their feet, obviously not what one would expect a master to do. A Jewish text says this is something a Gentile slave could be required to do, but not a Jewish slave.” (Mekilta on Ex 21:2, citing Lev 25:39, 46) "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 Jesus exhibited the attitude of a servant rather than a chief: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men: Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

The gift was nothing short of magnificent but strangely it was announced to a field of shepherds who were ranked as least of the least. Did God get the address wrong when he dispatched the glorious choir of angels? According to Randy Alcorn from Eternal Perspective Ministries “In Christ’s day, shepherds stood on the bottom rung of the Palestinian social ladder. They shared the same unenviable status as tax collectors and dung sweepers. Only Luke mentions them.” It is written in Luke 2:8-9 with this description: “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.”  In contrast, it should not seem peculiar that Jesus called himself the “good shepherd: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 Jesus could relate to the meek and the lowly of mankind. It is interesting that the description of a shepherd from The New Compact Bible Dictionary is in these terms: “one employed in the tending, feeding and guarding the sheep.” It sure fits the description of Jesus as our Good Shepherd!

Christ’s acts of love and goodwill could fill endless volumes of books. Consider this quote from John 21:25: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that could be written.” One of my favorite quotes on God understanding man’s greatest need for sacrificial love is as follows:

“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.”

Unfinished Business, Charles Sell, Multnomah, 1989,pp.121ff

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17 

Merry Christmas

The Fall of Man Revealed the Resilient And Highest Love of God By Babs Kincaid

The Fall of Man Revealed the Resilient And Highest Love of God

By Babs Kincaid

          Ironically, the fall of man revealed the resilient and highest love of God. What could have resulted in a huge game changer became a huge display of love!  God created man for an eternal family relationship and man revolted at the first enemy attack! “I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.” Leviticus 26:12 God’s love was not derailed by man’s failure but ignited with hope and compassion. God’s mission to create an eternal family was not to be lost!

God offered Adam and Eve an intimate companionship with himself and each other, an enchanting garden, and savory food and more. Wow, what outstanding gifts! God presented Adam and Eve with the freedom of choice to enjoy their magnificent environment. The only restriction God imposed was his edict: “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:17   Their playbook had only one rule and endless perks! They had the joy of ruling over all of God’s awe-inspiring animals! What more could anyone desire for a fulfilling life? Despite God's warning, Adam and Eve took Satan's bait and ate an apple from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had set them up for the best life ever and they blew it! Because of God's grace, the story did not end in destruction.

To fully digest God’s merciful response to man’s sin we need to consider the depth and breadth of His Love! “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23 Consider how quick we are to resent others when they let us down or fail to meet our expectations! Consider how swift we are to say: “I’m done.” when others hurt our feelings or throw us under the bus! Consider the shortness of our fuse, when others do something irritating in our presence! The mighty hand of God did not overlook our sin, but provided a covering for our nakedness and created another plan to redeem us. God’s love for us was not compromised or diminished as ours so often is for others! “Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5 According to NASA:  “The Exosphere is the upper limit of our atmosphere. It extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km (6,200 mi).” The extent of God’s love reaches higher than that! We need to get a visual of that in our minds! “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3 My mind is blown away with that astonishing concept!

Photo by distinguished NC photographer Alan Ostmann

The resilient factor of God’s love is a fascinating notion to me. When I was in college I remember being intrigued by the concept of resilient fabric. According to the Free Dictionary the word resilience is defined as: “The ability to recover quickly from illness, change or misfortune. The property of a material that enables it to resume its original shape or position after being bent, stretched or compressed.” You can take certain fabrics and knot them and fold them up into a ball and they will recover their original shape. God’s love is likewise resilient to perfection! “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.“ Ephesians 2:4-5 God could have said: "Adam and Eve are too high maintenance for me and not worth the effort." Since God’s character is rich in mercy and rich in love He responded with incredible grace!

          Sometimes life seems to result in disappointment and failure, but God’s love never fails or disappoints. Dreams, relationships, marriages, careers, and plans often fall short of our visions. “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 That’s what true love from God looks like. The good news is “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 Our fellowship with God is beyond astounding and worthy of our praise!  I am so grateful that I can claim this verse:

 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Be encouraged by God’s ultimate love that still moves mountains for his beloved people! My prayer is that our love will be resilient as well!

Photo by FL photographer William Trausneck 

More Gratitude Not Attitude Spotlights God’s Genuine Ambassador by Babs Kincaid

More Gratitude Not Attitude Spotlights

 God’s Genuine Ambassador

by Babs Kincaid

It was time for a renewal trip to Islamorada, Florida Keys and I wanted God to bless every minute of my magical getaway trip with a dear sister in Christ. I love, love, love going to this tropical oasis! My mind, body, and spirit needed recharging. I wanted God’s presence and blessings on the trip so I earnestly invited Him to have His way in all of it. “In his presence is the fullness of joy.” Colossians 3:17 I wanted God to dwell in the center of it. I also intensely prayed for God’s insight. Additionally, I asked God, “What do I need to work on while I am away?” God always nails it when you ask Him for guidance! I heard a quiet voice say to me, “You need more gratitude and less attitude!” Wow, God went straight to the point, He didn’t sugar coat it! I knew He was right! “I will praise the Lord who counsels me.” Psalm 16:7 I was already pumped up for the trip so hearing from God was the sparkling inspiration that I needed! Sometimes life gets so challenging and heavy, I lose my focus and forget who I am. Duh! I am a child of God living in a foreign place on a journey to my Heavenly home! “But our citizenship is in Heaven.” Philippians 3:20a Yea God!

My mind and heart needed a tune-up to be more thankful and less fault finding! I have a plaque in my home which reads “Count your blessings” and I purposed on my trip to start doing that more often. Knowing that God gave me His wisdom for my benefit and not for my discouragement made me very thankful! I purposed to look for things to say thank you God and dismiss things that made me angry, bitter and resentful! “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God.” Hebrews 13:15 Frances Frangipane once said, “The thankful heart sees the best part of every situation.” That sounds like Jesus to me! Harry Ironside said, “Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” My favorite quote is this one by Andrew Murray “Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him; it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts.” That is how I want to live so thankful in my heart that I am drawn to God and deeply engaged with Him!

Faro Blanco Lighthouse, Islamorada, Florida Keys

I knew this trip to the Keys was a gift from God! “For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” James 1:17 Someone near and dear to me who wished to remain anonymous paid for my lavish lodging, meals, and expenses! Since I am a single mom with a modest job, such a luxury trip would be out of the question! God so often uses humble people and generous people to bless me to the moon and back! Yea God! It was pure joy to be on island time and be laid back and chill out! It was pure bliss to not be stressed or in a hurry! It was purely delightful to be able to listen to a live musician playing Jimmy Buffet music, with an ocean breeze while eating delectable food! Now you know you can’t go to the Keys and not eat some divine Key Lime pie! Yes, I did eat some Heavenly pie! It was an impressive gift and a Heaven drop mile marker forever in my life!

Even great composers have been characterized by reflecting more gratitude and less attitude. Patrick Kavanaugh in his book “Spiritual Moments with the Great Composers” told the story of Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn. “His joyful attitude was not the result of a life free of obstacles. He was born in poverty, had a difficult marriage, and worked hard to make a living, yet he never let trying circumstances darken his enthusiastic nature or weaken his faith.”  “Blessed are those who acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long;” Psalm 89:15-16a I want to be able to shake off the negative circumstances and people and rejoice in God’s presence each day!

Sometimes I need a wake-up call from God when I become complacent and just forget my calling and purpose in life. I forget I am an ambassador for Christ and here to shine a light that reflects my Heavenly Father! I get hung up in the worldly call to just do my own thing and murmur when things don’t go my way! One of my favorite Bible verses is “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 So it’s time for you and me to shine because our light has come and the glory of the LORD is on us!

Now is our Time to Shine

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Help God, I have a hole in my heart from grief” by Babs Kincaid

Photo by distinguished NC photographer Alan Ostmann

Tears came like a flood that day I refused to be ready for. My precious mom had been promoted to Heaven. She had died peacefully in her sleep in our home. Thank God for that miracle! She had been the rock of our family and the holy matriarch.  She was the one who gave us all Godly counsel and maintained a sense of humor at the same time. At her memorial, one of her dear friends told the story of her telling the EMT’s who came to take her to the hospital after falling, “My you guys have such tight buns!” OMG!!! She always knew there was a time to laugh! She was a spit fire! Betty Boop as she was called encouraged us as a faithful cheerleader. She cleverly called us out when we were drastically off base. But God was ready for her glory days to begin! This verse described my mom’s status: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2Timothy 4:7

          Bittersweet were my mixed feelings of loss and gratitude that my beloved mom who had been a champion of faith was gone. I was happy that her pain and suffering was over. She had prayed boldly and fervently for our entire family and others. I was not happy she wasn’t going to be around to hang out with. I was happy she was at peace and home with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and all the saints. I could smile knowing she would probably volunteer to become the hospitality queen in Heaven organizing all kinds of celebrations! I was her daughter and caretaker for so many years so my attachment to her was great. I had lost a devoted mom and a dear friend who showed me: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6 The hole in my heart was enormous and I felt overwhelmed by it all! I desperately wanted a do-over to go back and revisit so many days and make them better for her! Who wants to part company from “a beloved gift from God!”

My cousin had invited me to come to Asheville, NC to work through my grief.  I thought a change of scenery and new people would help accelerate my healing!  Because I love nature so much I truly believed my healing would greatly improve. The lie I believed was that the same nagging feeling of loss would not travel with me! That was not the case. I had the same reoccurring feeling of loss but a beautiful environment as my motivation to reconcile it! Despite the odds, God as the master genius used the beauty of nature to help heal the ashes of my life! This scripture gave me reassurance of God’s comforting role for those grieving: “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:3  A beloved family member generously funded my wild adventure, so I packed my bags and set off blazing a trail to the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains!

Me in front of the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC

The inviting wonderland of all, the Biltmore Estate, home of George and Edith Vanderbilt was where God planted me to work through my healing. My beloved cousin, Cherie Ostmann Behrens had graciously helped me to get a retail job at the 8,000 acre estate. Coming to work at this magical paradise was rejuvenating and uplifting! I was privileged to do prayer walks through formal rose gardens. Once three deer’s crossed my path as I drove through the estate. I also encountered stunning horses, sheep, Canadian geese, turkeys, cows, and farm animals. Meditating and seeking God in this Heavenly setting was awe-inspiring and therapeutic! “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” Isaiah 66:13a

I was radically aware that I now needed God to fill that earthquake hole in my heart with Himself. Nothing else would bring me peace or contentment! I had tried unsuccessfully to medicate with intense shopping therapy, organic muffins and romance movies. I now realized I had to build a stronger relationship with God to navigate the shifting waters ahead of me. I needed to spend more time just talking to God about everything. I needed to dig deep into the scriptures and not just go for a light dip in the scriptures! I needed to trade in my snorkel gear for scuba gear! My time to get more committed to God had begun! It was my time to step out of the boat and be fearless about my new venture. I now had to fully believe God was my lifesaver so I could safely step out of the boat! “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8

God directed me to study the Biblical book of Ruth as my first place to study for my healing. I had always thought the book of Ruth was all about romance and finding your true love. On the contrary, I found the book of Ruth was all about handling loss and rebuilding your life. Ruth was all in for God to intervene in her life after suffering the major loss of her husband. Ruth was a foreigner, a Moabite who chose to leave her homeland and follow her mother-in-law to Israel. Ruth made a decision to become better and not bitter after losing her husband. Ruth adopted a new faith in God to help her move forward in life. Ruth resolved to do whatever she could to help herself and her mother-in-law survive a new place. Ruth was not above going in the fields gathering up the left overs so she could put food on their table. Humility became a lifestyle for Ruth. Ruth selected an optimistic and positive approach to life rather than a fearful or regretful one. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Ruth was willing and open to new possibilities and hopeful they would come to pass. Ruth made a decision early on to capitalize on what she had and not on what she didn’t have. Cling to this verse: “hold on to the good.” 1Thessalonians 5:21b as Ruth did as a way of fulfilling life. Boaz, a handsome and wealthy landowner took note of her selfless and faithful lifestyle and said to her: “May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." Ruth 2:12 My prayer is that you would take refuge under God’s wings and let him direct your healing! God wants to take your massive hole and fill it up with hope, that does not disappoint. God wants you to discover you have an incredible purpose as you are wonderfully made to shine His Light!

For a courageous and liberating journey from tragedy to triumph, I highly recommend “180 Your Life” A Woman’s Grief Guide by Mishael Porembski.

http://180yourlife.com/

This book is uniquely heartwarming and practical. You will soar above the storm of grief and fan into flame your life’s mission. It is a must read for any woman dealing with grief!

         

Created to be a God Pleaser and not a People Pleaser By Babs Kincaid

          The one who “knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13b) created me to be a God pleaser and not a people pleaser. God hovered over my very formation as a loving Heavenly Father. God created me to “make it my goal to please him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9 A God pleaser demonstrates unconditional, fearless, and sacrificial love and a people pleaser exhibits conditional, selfish, and fearful love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 God gave us the ultimate love gift!

          I have to continually ask myself are my words and behavior pleasing God or just pleasing other people? “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 The chilling reality is a people pleaser is not pleasing God! “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4

          My childhood was rather rocky living with an alcoholic dad, so I went overboard in my attempts to please him. With each failed effort, I became more convinced that it was impossible to please him. My dad wanted me to an art major in college so I enrolled as an art major. Since I was crafty and not an artist my endeavor backfired! I couldn’t perform as an artist since I lacked the talent! My grades were a glaring proof of it. I wanted to major in social work but my dad said that was an inferior choice since social workers didn’t make any money. Ultimately, I chose a merchandising degree instead of my dream. I didn’t follow my passion by people pleasing my dad! I threw away my dream for his sake. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25 A snare is “a noose, a hook or a trap” according to Strong’s Concordance of the Bible. I took the bait and I have regretted that decision ever since! “The Lord be exalted who delights in the well-being of his servant.” Psalm 35:27b God genuinely cares about my welfare and my selfish and materialistic dad did not! My earthly father was only concerned about how my degree might make him look good! The grim reality is my degree has never been an asset to me in my pursuit of jobs.

Guy Harvey Painting

          Extravagant gifts were the required love gesture for each holiday to people please my dad. As I grew up, I found that such expensive gifts did not match my budget. I asked my pastor one day if I should feel obligated to meet his expectations. My pastor said no, God wanted me to be a good steward of my income and not be in debt. The Bible defines God’s steward with these words: “For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” Titus 1:7-8 My dad was furious at my refusal to meet his excessive desires. My faith and respect for Christ kept me from caving into my dad’s self-centered requests. With God’s help, I was able to forgive my dad, but he never was willing to be reconciled to me or to God. My dad chose to respond with revenge by writing me out of his will. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who did not abandon me: “his name is the LORD-and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless…God sets the lonely in families,” Psalm 68:4b, 5a God has been my faithful Father ever since!

  

          So each day I am faced with choices to please God or people please others and my goal is to please God! I try to keep my perspective on this golden verse: “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15 As God’s ambassador my goal is to please him. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appealthrough us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”2 Corinthians 5:20 People pleasing ultimately breeds decaying relationships but God pleasing breeds life! It is written: “for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6b Yea God! “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 The infallible word gives the best summary: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

 God, the fountain of living water is the one I aim to please!

“Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest” Photo by Babs Kincaid

Don’t limit God when creating Bodacious dreams by Babs Kincaid

        Adventurous and magnificent are God’s plans and in contrast, my plans are safe and humble. Spend a night star gazing if you need to believe God’s creative plans are excellent! Hmm…Knowing that, which ones do you think I select when building my plans and dreams? No brainer the safe and humble ones! Duh! Presently, I am in the process of changing that unworkable choice. When I look back at my life I want to see a beautiful painting not a paint by number canvas! My plans fall short and God’s plans reach to the skies!

Why do I limit God???? The answer is easy FEAR!!!!! The unknown is big and scary to me! I have no control over the unknown and invisible world! I am powerless over the supernatural world of God! But what does God say about FEAR? “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 1 Timothy 1:7 Check out this incredible verse: but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 What if I am in over my head? That’s why Jesus is called the Lifesaver! “He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” 2 Timothy 1:9 Did you get the hook “because of his own purpose and grace” he saved us? God has a glorious purpose for us and a provision of grace to carry it out! We have God’s Spirit living inside of us to keep us on the right path: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1John 4:4

Consider the intriguing and romantic Bible story of Mary and Joseph from Matthew 1. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18 Joseph was betrothed to Mary. He found out that Mary was pregnant before they were to officially live together! The definition of biblical betrothal: “The period of engagement preceding marriage; betrothal was a binding contract established between two families and sealed by the exchange of gifts. During this period the couple did not live together; sexual relations with each other at this stage was regarded as equivalent to adultery.”(www.BibleGateway.com betrothal 5654) Back in Bible times it was a huge stigma and frowned upon situation! Women were stoned to death! Joseph decided to be noble and divorce her privately. “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:19b That seemed like a reasonable alternative to Joseph. Did you catch the word disgrace in that verse! That meant all Hell would break loose on young Mary! This was Mary’s predicament: “If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done an outrageous thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from among you.” Deuteronomy 22:20-21 It made perfect sense, Joseph didn’t want Mary publically shamed! However, that was not God’s plan for Joseph to divorce her.

It would take a huge leap of faith for Joseph to trust God with such a huge impediment standing in the way of his sacred marriage. FEAR was knocking at Joseph’s door and he had to shake it off if he was ever going to follow God’s design for his life. To fulfill his dream for love and marriage Joseph had to trust God. Joseph had to fully surrender to God. Joseph chose God’s best plan rather than his own for the greatest life! Joseph married the girl of his dreams!

What does fully surrender to God look like? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 I have to openly and boldly pray that God would take over the leadership of my plans and dreams. I have to let go of my plans and dreams in exchange for His plans and dreams! If I want God’s perfect plans and dreams for my life I have to get out of the way! I have to ask God what his plans and dreams are for me and I have to be quiet and listen. I have to pray: 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:9 I have to be in an undistracted place and I have to focus on God! I have to not be in a hurry. For God’s best I have to get into agreement with Him! Check out God’s reassuring response “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 Did you notice God has a loving eye on you? You can limit God or let go and let the God who calls the stars by name shine in your life!

Photo by NC Photographer Alan Ostmann