Kendra Smiley's Blog: Kendra Smiley

Maybe you’re like me and you want everything to make sense. Things need to be logical and rational.

Whenever possible, I want an explanation. I may be like that, and maybe you are too, but God doesn’t depend on logic.

1Samuel 14:6 - Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.

Where’s the logic in that statement? Wouldn’t it make sense that the more warriors or resources or brain power, the better?

Maybe in human terms, but not when it comes to God.

We have a saying in our family -”When something doesn’t make sense, you don’t have enough information.” And that’s exactly the situation in this case.

Isaiah 55:9 - As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Trusting AND knowing “Nothing can hinder the Lord!” – the Next Right Choice!

People do all sorts of things to prolong (or regain) their youth. There's an entire industry that capitalizes on the desire to hide the signs of inevitable aging.

You can camouflage lines and wrinkles or invest in shots or surgery with the goal of eliminating, masking, or reversing what time has done.

Another thought is to follow a prescription for renewed. youth found in the word of God. From Psalm 103:1&5...
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name...who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles."

Praising the lord will satisfy your desires and renew your youth.

The next time you're feeling weary or a little older than you really are...Praise the Lord and renew your youth. It's less expensive, more effective and...the Next Right Choice!

Do you have an “if only” in your life? If only your parents had appreciated your talent as much as they did your brother’s. If only your father hadn’t left your mother. If only your spouse were more affectionate.

I could go on and on. There is an unending list of possible “if onlys.” Some of them you have created yourself (if only you hadn’t made that poor decision about drugs). Some are beyond your control (if only you hadn’t been the firstborn child). Some are seemingly insignificant (if only your garage were bigger), and some are monumental (if only you could conceive a child).

An “if only” has the potential to assume a tremendous amount of power. If unleashed, it can overtake your attitude and control your choices. The good news is, you can determine whether to give the “if only” control or give control to the Lord which is… the NRC!

Our Heavenly Father is the example of a perfect father. He is good to His children and He is a responsible parent.

1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

God doesn’t have favorites.
He judges with fairness and impartiality.
You are God’s favorite child and so is everyone else!

Isn’t that just like God…loving even those who don’t know Him or love Him? And His love is reflected in both His perfect mercy and in His perfect justice.

The Message says it this way - You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.

Loving and following that good and responsible God…the Next Right Choice!

1 Timothy 2:8 -Therefore I want the men
everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without
anger or disputing.

The verse is clear. God WANTS you to pray.
Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all
occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on
praying for all the Lord’s people.

Pretty clear again...You are to pray on ALL
occasions with ALL kinds of prayers and requests.
And you’re to KEEP ON praying for all the Lord’s
people.

If those 2 verses haven’t convinced you, check out
the other 365 verses on prayer in the New
International Version of the Bible.

You know it’s important, but why is it so difficult
at times? Maybe the answer lies in your focus.

Prayer can be difficult if your eyes are on the
circumstances. Praying with your eyes on the
Lord… the Next Right Choice!

Listen to these words from Matthew 7 - “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

That seems pretty clear. Jesus didn’t mince any words. “Do not judge” means…Do not judge! That assignment belongs to the one who is wiser – the Lord, the righteous judge.

What we are called to do is to be discerning. It’s important that we know who to listen to and who to follow and knowledge comes from discernment – having a sensitivity to the spirit of God.

Solomon received that gift from God. 1Kings 3 - “Since you have not asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked, I will give you a wise and discerning heart….

Avoiding judgment and asking for discernment the Next Right Choice!

Are you ready for the upcoming Christmas celebrations? Are you prepared for cooking and cleaning and sending cards and shopping and wrapping and baking and holiday parties and caroling and programs and…oh my, I have to admit, I’m getting tired just making that list! There are certainly a lot of things on the standard holiday preparation list; and undoubtedly, I’ve forgotten a few.

It’s interesting to note that Mary, the mother of Jesus, didn’t have an extensive list of preparations for the first Christmas. Her list contained only one thing…all she wanted and needed to do was to prepare her heart!

As the celebration of the birth of Christ draws near, my hope is the preparation of my heart will overshadow my list of things To-Do. My prayer is that the miracle of God’s love will overshadow every worldly preparation. Preparing our hearts for Christmas…the Next Right Choice!

Years ago I had the pleasure of meeting the eldest son of one of my nephews. When I saw this young man, I was overwhelmed by how much he resembled his father as a child.

As we talked together I realized it wasn’t just his looks, it was also his mannerisms. He walked and talked like his dad. He had the same inquisitive spirit and easy smile.

It was somewhat disarming and reminded me of this verse of scripture – John 1:14 from the Message - The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. 
We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

“Like father, like son…” When people see you are they overwhelmed with how much you resemble your heavenly father? Living and loving like Him…the Next Right Choice!

“What a coincidence!” We’ve all had them. Sometimes those unexpected connections are amusing and fun…sometimes they are very poignant. Years ago I had a “coincidence” that fell into that last category.

I was out of town and “just happened“ to connect with the older sister of my ”growing up best friend.” We shared with one another about our faith and its importance in our lives. Within 24 hours the woman was killed in a tragic automobile accident.

When my best friend and I connected she wanted to know about our conversation and I had the opportunity to share about our love for the Lord. That day my “growing –up best friend” came to know Christ as her savior.

Coincidence or God-incidence? Trusting the Lord to make the supernatural connections and then following His lead… the Next Right Choice!

“What? What did you say? I couldn’t hear you?”

Granted, there are times when I don’t hear someone
because they are speaking softly or because there is poor reception on my phone. But I have to admit that
sometimes I am simply not paying attention. Perhaps
something else has diverted my attention – the tv or
radio, my laptop, or even daydreaming. Admittedly
there are times when I don’t hear because I’m not really
listening.

That’s not only true when it comes to hearing a phone message or the question of a child, it also applies to hearing from God.
If you want to hear from the Lord, you must listen.>

I’m not suggesting that you will hear an audible reply
when you pray, but I am encouraging you to take time to be silent before Him to “Be still and know that HE is Lord. (Psalm 46:10)

If you want to hear from Him, listening is …the Next Right Choice!