Anything is possible if a person believes.

Jesus Christ in Mark 9:23

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

Romans 15:13

Between yesterday's regret and tomorrow's dream lies today's opportunity.

-- Barbara Johnson

I'm waiting in a quiet room. The crowds have all gone home. I'm standing by the door now, I had to come alone. I long to live the life that's mine, the one that bears my name, the one that's true-- that comes from you and returns to you again.

Sheila Walsh

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

God's approval is based on what we can bear. He will allow us to be pushed to the building point, but not the breaking point. It's a little like weightlifting. Too much weight will crush us, but greater weight than we have lifted before is needed to make us stronger. Only the Lord knows the difference, and He filters every additional load.

-- Author Unknown

Be on guard.    Stand true to what you believe.       Be courageous.          Be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free." What "freedom" do you seek? Freedom from sin? Freedom from yourself? Freedom from alcohol, lust, lying, manipulation, too much television, anger? Freedom from your fear? Freedom to live your life to the fullest in Christ Jesus? If Jesus sets you free, you are truly free. That's a promise from Jesus himself. Today, lift up your hands and praise God for the freedom that comes through knowing Christ, our Savior.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.

Luke 9:23-24

I love this scripture! It is powerful when you read it and let it sink deep into your soul. It's the wonderful, Christian paradox--you've got to die to live. This is so true when confusing, anxious thoughts pervade your mind. The more you hold on to your life, the more you lose it. But, to find "true life", you give up your life for Christ. Prayer: "Lord Jesus, give me the courage to lay it all down for you. Help me to die to myself, my selfishness, my this, my that, my, my, my... I give you my life, my hopes, my dreams, my aspirations, my inspirations, my ambitions. They are yours. Use them as you see fit."

And Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return, a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property--with persecutions. And in the world to come they will have eternal life."

Mark 10:29-30

For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.

Zephaniah 3:17

I just love this scripture! It's powerful. The LORD your God has arrived to live among you. Do you want God to live among you? "Well, I don't know. Maybe he will boss me around. Maybe he will tell me what I can't do." Here's what God will do when he lives among you: With his love, he will calm all your fears. All your fears. Not just some. Not just the most intense ones. All of your fears. Would you like to have all of your fears calmed? Then invited God to live among you.

Does your situation seem overwhelming huge? Does it even seem possible that peace and rest could be a part of your life? Going to the store, leaving your home alone, driving to mall, flying on an airplane--possible or impossible? This week, I've battled many similar thougths: "Surely, this is it. You will never experience peace or rest or freedom. You will be like this the rest of your life." Lately, my situation just seems so impossible. Yet, I read this from Mark 10:27:

Jesus looked at them intently, then said, "Without God, it is utterly impossible. But with God everything is possible."

If I stand,    let me stand on the promise,    that you will pull me through And if I fall,    let me fall on grace,    that first brought me to you.

If I stand, Rich Mullins

Listen to my prayer, O God.    Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me,    for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. My heart is in anguish.    The terror of death overpowers me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me.    I can't stop shaking. Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove;    then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away    to the quiet of the wilderness.

Psalms 55:1-2, 4-7

Daved, a man after God's own heart, was a man consumed with "fear and trembling". He constantly sought God for help. God was his refuge, his stronghold, his place of safety in the storms of fear and confusion. And God saved this fearful man. God kept him safe and guarded his life, even through he felt like God had abandoned him. God is with you, even right now, as you call out to him fro help.

I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn�t like the peace the world gives. So don�t be troubled or afraid."

John 14:27