Chasing Rabbits

In Arizona are some of the biggest Jack rabbits that I have ever seen. For the life of me I cannot figure out what they eat around here that makes them grow so big. You will see them running around in the open fields where only scrub grows. I am assuming that must be what they eat, and we have plenty of that so maybe this is why they are so big!

We have one of those fields right across the street from our house and everyday we take our dog Frissee over there for her daily run. When we ask her if she's ready to go chase a rabbit, she knows exactly what we are talking about and she gets all excited with anticipation in hopes of seeing the rabbit. Of course she could never catch one, they are super fast and would leave her in the dust every time. That doesn't matter to Frissee though she just enjoys seeing the rabbit and getting the opportunity to chase it a little while. The rabbit is a master escape artist, it will zigzag while it is running and then before you can blink an eye it has made a hard turn and off it goes disappearing into the brush. It is so funny watching Frissee, just as she is going full throttle seeming to be on the rabbits heals, bam it turns hard and Frissee will begin to slow down and then stand there puzzled wondering where in the world did that rabbit go? LOL!

My animals have taught me so many life lessons, especially my dogs, it is amazing how they excitingly anticipate each new day. Even though Frissee has never caught the rabbit that doesn't matter to her, after all it was a great chase and she will sport herself as if she has accomplished the greatest joy of the day. What makes her excitement for the chase even more amazing to me is that most of the time when we take her to the field we never even get to see the rabbit. Weeks even months can go by before she gets to see the rabbit again. But that doesn't matter to Frissee because she anticipates each day as if she will get to chase the rabbit, and sometimes her anticipation pays off. Each day Frissee will enter that field with expectations that today will be the day of the "CHASE"

Watching Frissee made me do some self-examination. Do I look forward to each new day with excitement and anticipation of what the day has in store? What if that prayer still isn't answered? What if today isn't the day of that financial blessing? What if I don't get to chase the rabbit today? Do I still make the best of the day as my dog Frissee does? Did I still rejoice in the day? Did I decide to just give up hope today and never hope again? Afterall it has been weeks, months, maybe even years and there has been no rabbits to chase. No adventure, nothing has changed. It is still the status quo or even worse!

Do you find yourself growing weary and losing heart? I have at times. But I am reminded of scriptures to Hope thou in God, to not grow weary in well doing for you will reap if you faint not, and that His plans for me are good.

Do you know that our hope should go beyond this world? Really now, just think about that for a moment. Our Hope should go beyond this world but a lot of times we can't seem to see past what is in front of us. We limit our hope by keeping it held close to our hearts to only be used for here and now. When we can look beyond this world and hold hope in our heart for the eternal things a supernatural peace and rest will invade our souls, because at this point we will begin to see that the suffering that we go through here is nothing to be compared to the glorious day that awaits us. Understanding that will lift the heavy burden of this world off your shoulders! (Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest)

When we can get a glimpse of the finish line and the reward that awaits us it makes the chase an enjoyable one. And unlike chasing rabbits this chase will end with apprehending the goal! So in the meantime may we anticipate each new day with great expectations!

1 Cor. 15:19 If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.

Hope always shines through

Despite everything that might be going on in the world or even your own personal life don't give up hope. You may be looking at your situation and it seems to be as big as a mountain standing before you. But I am hear to say that hope always shines through the most darkest of storms. Don't forget what Jesus promised you, He said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." The Word of God also says, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." This is a promised truth that the Lord has given to you. Hold onto it with all of your might and don't let it go. Cling to Him.

There will be times of trouble in our lives but all in all He has made us more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus and we must know that if God is for us who can be against us? And we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
There will be battles if there are going to be victories. So take heart my brothers and sisters and know that there will be seasons when He will cause you to lie down in green pastures and He will lead you beside still waters and restore your soul. God can give you His supernatural comfort and encouragement and His grace in these times of trouble. Through it all lean upon Him and trust Him for it.

At these crucial times in our lives it is so very important that we listen to the voice of Truth and not the voice of lies. Listen to the voice of Truth straight from the Word of God;

"You may be troubled on every side, yet not distressed, you may be perplexed, yet not in despair; you may be persecuted, but not forsaken; you may be cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." (2 Cor. 4:8-11).

During these troublesome seasons in our life this is our opportunity to come to know Christ more intimately by being still and knowing that He is God and listening to His voice of Truth. Allow His Truth and Love to take precedence in your heart and make it's abode there.

Truth and Love have even a greater name which is above all names and that name is Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man can come to the Father except through Him.

Our Good Shepherd knows us better than anyone else. He calls you by name, He knows your person/heart, He knows you intimately. When our Good Shepherd speaks may we listen and hear and know that we are His and nothing will separate us from His Love, and we can continue to always place our hopes in Him for our lives.

His peaceful freedom!

Life can be hard and very cruel at times. But we can take heart and know that God does care about our trust and peace remaining in Him in the midst of the storm.

With God's peace in our lives comes ultimate freedom. Peace of mind, a sound mind, and contentment; this is the BIG one people. Without His peace in our lives we would be totally miserable and in constant turmoil. (Is. 26:3 KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

The word perfect in this scripture means complete. No matter what has happened or what is happening or what might happen you can have complete peace. Why? Because you have placed your trust in the Lord. Now this is true FREEDOM. The battle that might be raging in your thoughts or in your life right now needs to be told to BE STILL.

Ask yourself; am I trusting God with this or not? Obtaining peace is simply trusting God. Are we going to trust God or lean upon our own understanding of things? This is our decision, we have been given a free will by God to make the choice to trust Him or not. This takes a renewing of our mind which will then bring about a transformation.

Here is what the Word of God says; (Rom. 12:2 Amp.) Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Let go and abandon yourself to God so that you can experience His peaceful freedom in your life. The world around you might look bleak, but you can have peace and be free despite it when you make the decision to trust the Lord in and for your life.