“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:5 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.5.5.nlt
I often get some weird thoughts. I want to blame the Holy Spirit who lives inside me. I'm not sure that's always fair! LOL! But maybe right now........
I am sure we can all agree "There is an abundance of hate in this world!" I have to admit my anger rises when I think of certain people in my life. It even rises to an unhealthy level. I think I'm not to hating anyone, but none the less, I do feel anything but love for some in my circle of influence. I hate that about myself and, thus, my weird thought.
Do I really Love myself?
I have noticed in my 57 years of life, I am a pretty harsh critic. I rarely cut my self any "slack". Yes, there are many times I look back and hate what I've done and hate what I've said. Yes, I often hate myself. God knows everything about me. He knows all my stupid mistakes, my sinfulness, and my hate. Yet, he still loves me beyond measure. He fills me with his love to push out the hate inside me. Even as a declared follower, I resist the filling of my life with his love.
How can I love others if I don't even love myself? How can I serve others until I fill myself with the word and heart of God? The world hates others because it doesn't even know how to love itself. We think people are mean to each other, the abuse we give ourselves is infinitely more severe. Lord help me love myself. Help me to honor the presence you have in my heart by serving only you.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Ok, Ok, I'm working on it!
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”
Philippians 2:13-16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/php.2.13-16.nlt
Ok, Ok, I get it! I'm working on it! Twice in the last week my daily devotions have centered around being thankful and NOT complaining. I really am trying. For those that have been around me, THAT is the reason for my silence. I stand by the solid theory, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." I have taken that approach to social media since December and since the end of May, I have been quieter face to face as well. Every once in a while I just can't hold it in and I rant. For the past 3 months there have been fewer and fewer rants.
Praise God he is helping me! I am spending much more time listening, praying, and biting my tongue. When I feel a "blurt" rising to the surface, it takes all of my own energy and the power of God to swallow my words. I have chosen this path for several reasons. First, no one listens anyway. Second, many times my leadership skills end up dividing more than uniting. In my opinion, when I speak, I am greatly misunderstood. When I don't speak, people still misunderstand me, but I don't give them fuel to feed their vision. Lastly and most important, I am afraid my boldness, my personality, might get in the way of someone getting to know Christ. The last thing I ever want to do is to build a case against Christ because of my words.
I am learning to be quiet and just lead from behind. I have always thought my boldness and my aggressive, tell it like it is attitude, was an asset. Not anymore. God is pushing me to be a better leader. I feel his presence and praise him 100%, no complaint, no grumbling, and a lot more silence. I LOVE YOU LORD!
Philippians 2:13-16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/php.2.13-16.nlt
Ok, Ok, I get it! I'm working on it! Twice in the last week my daily devotions have centered around being thankful and NOT complaining. I really am trying. For those that have been around me, THAT is the reason for my silence. I stand by the solid theory, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." I have taken that approach to social media since December and since the end of May, I have been quieter face to face as well. Every once in a while I just can't hold it in and I rant. For the past 3 months there have been fewer and fewer rants.
Praise God he is helping me! I am spending much more time listening, praying, and biting my tongue. When I feel a "blurt" rising to the surface, it takes all of my own energy and the power of God to swallow my words. I have chosen this path for several reasons. First, no one listens anyway. Second, many times my leadership skills end up dividing more than uniting. In my opinion, when I speak, I am greatly misunderstood. When I don't speak, people still misunderstand me, but I don't give them fuel to feed their vision. Lastly and most important, I am afraid my boldness, my personality, might get in the way of someone getting to know Christ. The last thing I ever want to do is to build a case against Christ because of my words.
I am learning to be quiet and just lead from behind. I have always thought my boldness and my aggressive, tell it like it is attitude, was an asset. Not anymore. God is pushing me to be a better leader. I feel his presence and praise him 100%, no complaint, no grumbling, and a lot more silence. I LOVE YOU LORD!
Monday, August 21, 2017
Can you feel it?
“They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.”
Luke 4:32 NIV
http://bible.com/111/luk.4.32.niv
I am amazed at what God has done in my life and even more amazed at what he is still doing. I can 100%, actually feel his presence and his guidance. Can you feel it? If not, why not? When you invite God to take charge, he will. If you truly let go, God will take you to amazing places.
Right now I feel his preparation, getting me ready for the next phase of my life. He is molding me and directing my decisions. Sure retirement is still three years away, but it is on my thoughts and I feel it is more than a coincidence. God is getting me ready for something new. He is full of surprises. Many people are stuck in lives they hate. They dread the day. Turn to God. He is the master of life and can take your life, like he has mine, and make it a wonderful adventure. He's in charge and his power and majesty can be seen in your life. Praise God!
Luke 4:32 NIV
http://bible.com/111/luk.4.32.niv
I am amazed at what God has done in my life and even more amazed at what he is still doing. I can 100%, actually feel his presence and his guidance. Can you feel it? If not, why not? When you invite God to take charge, he will. If you truly let go, God will take you to amazing places.
Right now I feel his preparation, getting me ready for the next phase of my life. He is molding me and directing my decisions. Sure retirement is still three years away, but it is on my thoughts and I feel it is more than a coincidence. God is getting me ready for something new. He is full of surprises. Many people are stuck in lives they hate. They dread the day. Turn to God. He is the master of life and can take your life, like he has mine, and make it a wonderful adventure. He's in charge and his power and majesty can be seen in your life. Praise God!
Sunday, August 20, 2017
The Challenge of Confidence
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1ti.6.12.
Have you ever had a time when you lost your confidence? I certainly have. It seems like the world has torn me down enough that I start questioning myself. Then I wonder if I am going to do anything right. My motives are questioned, my methods are questioned and then I doubt my God given talents and personality. It has happened to me and I am sure many others have shared those thoughts. The moments of doubt sometimes are fleeting and other times they persists. Right now, in some areas of my life, my doubts can not be shaken.
God is constantly at work in our lives. Even through times when my confidence is shaken, God is building me up. These verses assure me of one thing. God has confidence in me. He has so much confidence in me that he has guaranteed my eternal life. He wants me to know at the end of life's struggles is a beautiful eternal life. My fight of faith is the ticket. God is also with me here, today, to tell me that he has unwavering, grace filled confidence in me. It's not that he is satisfied with the person I am. He is always molding me, twisting my life in order to serve him. But just because he is trying to change me doesn't mean he doubts me. Praise God for his perfect love and his faith in me to do his will. Praise God that when doubts creep into my heart, I can turn my thoughts to Jesus. I can talk to my best friend and listen to his thoughts, let him mold me into someone better than I am today. Lord I invite you today to continue to mold me, love me, and I praise you now for everything I am and will be. Amen!
1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1ti.6.12.
Have you ever had a time when you lost your confidence? I certainly have. It seems like the world has torn me down enough that I start questioning myself. Then I wonder if I am going to do anything right. My motives are questioned, my methods are questioned and then I doubt my God given talents and personality. It has happened to me and I am sure many others have shared those thoughts. The moments of doubt sometimes are fleeting and other times they persists. Right now, in some areas of my life, my doubts can not be shaken.
God is constantly at work in our lives. Even through times when my confidence is shaken, God is building me up. These verses assure me of one thing. God has confidence in me. He has so much confidence in me that he has guaranteed my eternal life. He wants me to know at the end of life's struggles is a beautiful eternal life. My fight of faith is the ticket. God is also with me here, today, to tell me that he has unwavering, grace filled confidence in me. It's not that he is satisfied with the person I am. He is always molding me, twisting my life in order to serve him. But just because he is trying to change me doesn't mean he doubts me. Praise God for his perfect love and his faith in me to do his will. Praise God that when doubts creep into my heart, I can turn my thoughts to Jesus. I can talk to my best friend and listen to his thoughts, let him mold me into someone better than I am today. Lord I invite you today to continue to mold me, love me, and I praise you now for everything I am and will be. Amen!
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Life without Jesus
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV
http://bible.com/111/2co.12.10.niv
Right now I feel weak, insulted, down, and certainly persecuted. But, I feel the pure strength of the Lord. The world is depressing me. Even from areas I count on, my support has been weak. But I can and I am counting on the Lord. He always comes through. That's why when life seems at its worst, I remember how I arrived where I am today. It's not me . It's the power of Jesus.
I just don't understand how people travel through this life without Jesus. Life is not easy. The world is evil and can bring anyone down. People fall to drugs, gambling, sex, or other things to escape. Nothing works like the power of the savior. I'm blessed to be his. Life without Jesus is not an option.
2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV
http://bible.com/111/2co.12.10.niv
Right now I feel weak, insulted, down, and certainly persecuted. But, I feel the pure strength of the Lord. The world is depressing me. Even from areas I count on, my support has been weak. But I can and I am counting on the Lord. He always comes through. That's why when life seems at its worst, I remember how I arrived where I am today. It's not me . It's the power of Jesus.
I just don't understand how people travel through this life without Jesus. Life is not easy. The world is evil and can bring anyone down. People fall to drugs, gambling, sex, or other things to escape. Nothing works like the power of the savior. I'm blessed to be his. Life without Jesus is not an option.
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