It All Belongs to Him!

I went in for just a moment the other morning to say hello to my across the street grandkids before I headed to work. We visited for a moment but time flew by and I had to head for my car. This meant I needed my phone, which has become the grandkids’ personal play toy. Caleb was playing a game and not a bit interested in giving up the phone but I had to go! He continued to say “No, I don’t want to” quietly without making eye contact, but time was racing!




As his mother took it from his hands, he got angry! He let out a screaming growl of disapproval towards his mother. It was loud! It was not his will to hand over the phone. It was not his intention to have it pried from his fingers. And he let it be known. This otherwise quiet docile sweet faced angel changed in an instant!



Regardless of what he wanted the phone had to go with me. And I had to leave. His anger spread to a bit of chaos between brothers and sister. His frustration brought a room full of activity as everybody felt his anger and saw his response.



We adults laugh about such behavior, but we often mirror it. Our lives are just like we want them. Everything is in order, all our ducks are in a row and it’s all neat and tidy. We have our needs and most of our wants. We have our loved ones, our fun and our way. We’re playing our games and enjoying our life. We’re happy, kind and embraceable.



But let one thing ripple out of our order and we’re fit to be tied. We want to scream from the top of our lungs. We clench our teeth, stomp our feet and claim our rights. We become like children demanding things that don’t belong to us anyway. We forget that everything we have – everything – is from the generous hand of Almighty God. And since all we have is from Him everything must belong to Him not us.



Are you reeling from the loss of something most dear to your heart? Were you holding on very tightly and being very careful to keep close ties only to find it taken from your hand? Have you been having a tantrum with God? Have you been blaming Him, arguing with Him or screaming to high heaven about all you can’t hang onto?



Oh beloved, it’s time to quit rehearsing your loss, and start rejoicing in all that you have that cannot be taken from you! Every day is precious, every moment is a gift, and every sunrise is a new start. It’s time to stop feeling like a loser and start rehearsing the truth about your situation! You are a child of God! You are a blessed believer! You are a blood bought worshiper! Your Father has your very best interests in mind so that if He requires you to give up something, let Him have His way. Don’t make Him pry it from your fingers as though you are the owner! For you will find that it is only in the giving of everything to Him, including your very existence, that you can find true peace and happiness. Thank God for life, thank God for heaven, thank God for His Word and thank Him that He listens and answers and provides all we have need of forever and always.



God loves you, precious child, and He’s for you beloved believer, and that’s worth giving it all to Him!



Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.


Deuteronomy 10:14 Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God.


Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship You.


Colossians 3:2-4 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.


Psalm 25:1 O LORD, I give my life to You.

It is In the Giving Away that We find Real Joy

To make extra spending money when I was little, my mother crocheted doilies. I’m talking about the huge triple ruffled kind that was stiff starched and prominently displayed all over the house. She crocheted with tiny needles and fine thread. I have the last doily she worked on with the needle and thread attached that she was using.  Some would say that is a silly thing to hold onto. But it’s a visible reminder that regardless our life’s circumstances we should continue to create and enjoy every day.  She crocheted those lovely pieces as though she would be keeping them forever, never lacking in quality no matter that they were going to someone else’s home.  She thoroughly enjoyed the very things she was destined to give away.

Often we humans hold tightly to the things we hold dear. Whether it’s friendship or ministry or family or hobbies or talents.  They’re ours we reason. We don’t share well. We keep things to ourselves. We’re almost miserly with our affections.  Yet it is in the giving away that we find real joy.

Oh beloved, God knows your heart. He knows you want to enjoy the days He’s given you, but you find it hard to release the worry and the fear.  What if you give it all? What if you forgive completely, love whole-heartedly and let Him be first? What if you use up the talents He gave you for others? Run to Him this morning and lay it all at His feet. He will take what you are holding back and exchange it for a treasure trove of beauty in your life that’s meant to be shared, distributed, given away. You can trust Him beloved, because all that you give away and in the measure with which you give it is how He will give back to you. He says you cannot give too much. Even in your lack, if you begin to give you will see amazing things begin to happen.  How blessed are we to be people who can trust Him with everything? He loves you, He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

 Matthew 25:29 For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

Romans 8:32 Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.