In life it is easy when someone does something ugly to get mad and get them back. That is not what God wants us to do. In Romans 12:21 it says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." "But wait, you do not understand. This person said bad things about me behind my back, lied to the boss about me, and hurt me." It can be a variety of things. God does not want us to wish evil on people or seek revenge. Instead he wants us to love them despite their ugliness to you. At times depending on the situation this can be difficult to do.
This person who hurt you may be a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker, or total stranger.(This could even apply to evil tyrannical rulers who do not listen to the people.) Still God does not get much glory and your witness is ruined if you start to be mean and lash back. That is human nature to act like that. God's nature is to forgive even when the person does not deserve it and to just move on. A friend of mine used to say, 'blow it off'. Good advice. Showing love might put lawyers out of business because you give up your right to get back for a wrong suffered. The thing to do is to pray.
Proverbs 24:17 says " do not rejoice when your enemy falls. And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles." Now that takes a walk of faith and God's help to not say something like, 'well hey he deserves exactly what he is getting." Another good verse is Job 31:29-30 (New Living Translation) which says "Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way? No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge."
If you have never had this happen to you then be thankful but when a person says mean things about you behind your back you somehow may want to set the record straight. All you will do is dig your hole deeper. It is best to ask God to help you and let it go.
PRAYER: Father today if anyone reading this has issues with someone and they feel they are justified to hold on to a grudge help them see it does not do any good and only causes the division to widen deeper. The only person who is happy is Satan because he keeps anger in the heart of the offended one. Help this person to move on and let go and pray for the right attitude and spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
WHERE ARE YOU STEPPING?
Did you make a New Years resolution? I find it a nice way to have a fresh start on something you need to do. What about spending more time with God? How do you do that you might say? Purpose in your heart to lead a life that pleases him. Walk with the Lord daily and seek to get closer to him through Bible study and prayer.
The Bible says 'the steps of a good man are ordered by God."(Psalm 37:23) Are you steps leading you down the right path or away from the Lord? In Proverbs 2:20 it says,"Follow the steps of the godly instead, and stay on the right path." Sort of like in the Wizard of Oz with the yellow brick road. Dorothy,Toto and her 3 companions were told to 'follow the yellow brick' road to get to Oz. If they got off of it they would not get to Emerald City. Likewise we have to stay on God's highway to get to his heavenly kingdom which is far better than the land of Oz in the movie.
Psalm 25:4-7 says,"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD."
PRAYER: Father help those who may be reading this who need direction and help for staying on your path. In Jesus Name, Amen!
The Bible says 'the steps of a good man are ordered by God."(Psalm 37:23) Are you steps leading you down the right path or away from the Lord? In Proverbs 2:20 it says,"Follow the steps of the godly instead, and stay on the right path." Sort of like in the Wizard of Oz with the yellow brick road. Dorothy,Toto and her 3 companions were told to 'follow the yellow brick' road to get to Oz. If they got off of it they would not get to Emerald City. Likewise we have to stay on God's highway to get to his heavenly kingdom which is far better than the land of Oz in the movie.
Psalm 25:4-7 says,"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD."
PRAYER: Father help those who may be reading this who need direction and help for staying on your path. In Jesus Name, Amen!
THE WOW FACTOR
Sent out late due to being delayed in Washington DC and having no WI fi connection.
Who doesn't love looking at beautiful homes and imagining what it would be like to live in one? I am referring to the type of home that makes you say 'wow' when you pull up in the driveway. Now I am not trying to teach you to break one of the ten commandments that says 'thou shall not covet thy neighbors house' (See Exodus 20:17), but I know we can ooh and aah over these magnificent showplaces. Some of you reading this may be blessed to live in an extraordinary home that is the kind you would see featured in Better Homes and Gardens. God has truly blessed you.
I do not want you to be ungrateful for the home you do have as many are homeless in our country. Most Americans live better than the rest of the world even if their 'castle' is a small apartment or a mobile home. Be thankful for what God has given you and be content.(See Philippians 4:11 and Hebrews 13:5).Do not be jealous of others. Do not compare yourself to others either.
The ultimate best home is going to be our heavenly mansion. I heard a sermon once about tithing and the chaplain was telling a fictional account of how a person complained when he got to heaven and found out his home was tiny. God said, 'well you did not send up enough money for us to build it any bigger' referring to tithing. That makes you think, although I am not sure that is how it works. The Bible does mention in several places about our mansion in glory and speaks of streets of gold. It is pretty exciting to think about. Wouldn't you say that is the real 'wow' factor?
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--(1 Corinthians 2:9).
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for blessing us with a place to lie down and sleep at night. Help us to never be envious of others. Thank you Lord for the heavenly mansion that awaits all of us who have asked Jesus into our hearts. In Jesus name amen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Who doesn't love looking at beautiful homes and imagining what it would be like to live in one? I am referring to the type of home that makes you say 'wow' when you pull up in the driveway. Now I am not trying to teach you to break one of the ten commandments that says 'thou shall not covet thy neighbors house' (See Exodus 20:17), but I know we can ooh and aah over these magnificent showplaces. Some of you reading this may be blessed to live in an extraordinary home that is the kind you would see featured in Better Homes and Gardens. God has truly blessed you.
I do not want you to be ungrateful for the home you do have as many are homeless in our country. Most Americans live better than the rest of the world even if their 'castle' is a small apartment or a mobile home. Be thankful for what God has given you and be content.(See Philippians 4:11 and Hebrews 13:5).Do not be jealous of others. Do not compare yourself to others either.
The ultimate best home is going to be our heavenly mansion. I heard a sermon once about tithing and the chaplain was telling a fictional account of how a person complained when he got to heaven and found out his home was tiny. God said, 'well you did not send up enough money for us to build it any bigger' referring to tithing. That makes you think, although I am not sure that is how it works. The Bible does mention in several places about our mansion in glory and speaks of streets of gold. It is pretty exciting to think about. Wouldn't you say that is the real 'wow' factor?
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--(1 Corinthians 2:9).
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for blessing us with a place to lie down and sleep at night. Help us to never be envious of others. Thank you Lord for the heavenly mansion that awaits all of us who have asked Jesus into our hearts. In Jesus name amen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
JOY
JOY
The definition of Joy is 'feeling of great happiness or pleasure.' Joy
is mentioned many times in the Bible. What does it mean to have the kind of
joy that the Bible speaks of?
1 Peter 1:8 says ' though you have not seen him you love him, though you
do not now see him you believe in him. You believe in him and rejoice with
joy that is inexpressible and full of glory.'
When you are walking with God and following his commandments and seeking
to please him it is easier to have joy. When you start focusing on your
troubles the enemy can quickly get your mind off of Christ and off of praise
and worship. If you don't feel joyful remember that joy is not always based
on feelings. If you have trouble 'feeling' joy I suggest listening to some
praise music or reading a Psalm or two. Perhaps sit down and make a list of
things you are thankful for.
We are to have 'joy unspeakable and full of glory.' Let the joy of the
Lord be your strength. (See Nehemiah 8-9).Do not allow someone else to
steal your joy. Purpose in your heart to be joyful.
PRAYER: There may be those reading this who have reason humanly to feel less
than joyful. I pray you will restore to them the joy of their salvation and
sustain them and get them through whatever is dragging them down. (Psalm
51:12) In Jesus name, amen!
The definition of Joy is 'feeling of great happiness or pleasure.' Joy
is mentioned many times in the Bible. What does it mean to have the kind of
joy that the Bible speaks of?
1 Peter 1:8 says ' though you have not seen him you love him, though you
do not now see him you believe in him. You believe in him and rejoice with
joy that is inexpressible and full of glory.'
When you are walking with God and following his commandments and seeking
to please him it is easier to have joy. When you start focusing on your
troubles the enemy can quickly get your mind off of Christ and off of praise
and worship. If you don't feel joyful remember that joy is not always based
on feelings. If you have trouble 'feeling' joy I suggest listening to some
praise music or reading a Psalm or two. Perhaps sit down and make a list of
things you are thankful for.
We are to have 'joy unspeakable and full of glory.' Let the joy of the
Lord be your strength. (See Nehemiah 8-9).Do not allow someone else to
steal your joy. Purpose in your heart to be joyful.
PRAYER: There may be those reading this who have reason humanly to feel less
than joyful. I pray you will restore to them the joy of their salvation and
sustain them and get them through whatever is dragging them down. (Psalm
51:12) In Jesus name, amen!
Monday, January 3, 2011
OUR SURE FOUNDATION
There is a Christian hymn that says "on Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand." What exactly does this mean? Here in Huntsville a new hotel is being built downtown. A couple weeks into the construction process they had to stop because a sink hole was found in the ground. Had they proceeded without making the necessary corrections once the hotel was built it may have collapsed into this hole. It was not on a firm foundation.
Our life in Christ is much like that. Christ is the solid rock and as long we we are firmly with him doing his will and following him we will be able to deal with the 'sinkholes' in life. These sinkholes will come. No one is exempt. If we are firmly grounded in Christ we will be able to stand up under trials and not cave in.
1 Corinthians 3:11 says, "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid,which is Jesus Christ." Matthew 7:24-27 says " Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
So what will it be for you. Do you choose solid rock or sand?
PRAYER: Dear Lord help those people reading this who have not made the Lord their solid rock. Help them turn to you and stand firmly on the 'solid rock' . In Jesus name,amen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsgwfliQoqg
Sunday, January 2, 2011
KEEP TRYING
When we were small all of our parents probably tried to encourage us and instill the 'don't quit' and 'never give up' attitudes in us. I know I did this with our two sons and hopefully it has paid off. Sometimes we try something in life and it does not work out so you may say to yourself, " this must not be what God has for me." But if you have a dream and want something sometimes you just have to keep on. There have been famous personalities who were told they would not amount to anything and had they listened our world would not be the same as they would not have achieved the greatness they did.
Lucille Ball was one that was told she had not acting talent. Clint Eastwood was fired from a TV series called 'Riverboat" because his Adam's apple was too big. Back in 1927 Walt Disney was told his 'Mickey Mouse' character would never work. Director Steven Spielberg did not get into UCLA film school because of his poor grades. Albert Einstein was told by one of his teachers he would never amount to anything. Even though Thomas Edison held 1093 patents for his inventions which we use daily he had several failures too.
When I was in high school I really wanted to be a class officer. I tried both my freshman and sophomore years. Neither year did I make it. This was very humiliating. My best friend encouraged me to try again my junior year, and I did, and I was elected and re-elected my senior year to the position of Class Treasurer. Right now I am really wanting to be a community columnist for the local paper in Huntsville but for the 2nd or 3rd year was not selected. Do I quit? Not if I really want it. I just try again next October when the contest for 2012 opens and write my two articles to enter and wait. Maybe God has another plan for me right now. Another door will open.
Is there something in your life you want and are about to give up on? Is anyone discouraging you from your dream? Do not let people tell you that you are too old, not enough experience, and the rest of the ways people may discourage you. Instead if you feel in your heart you want to try for something why not just go ahead with it. Do not give up.
Some verses to help you stay encouraged follow. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." Revelation 3:8 says "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me." And finally Psalm 118:6 says "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" So I encourage you to keep on trying. If you fail at something just like famous inventors who mess up the first time, just keep at it. Keep your focus on God and do not talk yourself into being a failure.
PRAYER: Father encourage those people who have a dream to keep on dreaming and planning and to not give up or lose hope. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Lucille Ball was one that was told she had not acting talent. Clint Eastwood was fired from a TV series called 'Riverboat" because his Adam's apple was too big. Back in 1927 Walt Disney was told his 'Mickey Mouse' character would never work. Director Steven Spielberg did not get into UCLA film school because of his poor grades. Albert Einstein was told by one of his teachers he would never amount to anything. Even though Thomas Edison held 1093 patents for his inventions which we use daily he had several failures too.
When I was in high school I really wanted to be a class officer. I tried both my freshman and sophomore years. Neither year did I make it. This was very humiliating. My best friend encouraged me to try again my junior year, and I did, and I was elected and re-elected my senior year to the position of Class Treasurer. Right now I am really wanting to be a community columnist for the local paper in Huntsville but for the 2nd or 3rd year was not selected. Do I quit? Not if I really want it. I just try again next October when the contest for 2012 opens and write my two articles to enter and wait. Maybe God has another plan for me right now. Another door will open.
Is there something in your life you want and are about to give up on? Is anyone discouraging you from your dream? Do not let people tell you that you are too old, not enough experience, and the rest of the ways people may discourage you. Instead if you feel in your heart you want to try for something why not just go ahead with it. Do not give up.
Some verses to help you stay encouraged follow. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." Revelation 3:8 says "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me." And finally Psalm 118:6 says "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" So I encourage you to keep on trying. If you fail at something just like famous inventors who mess up the first time, just keep at it. Keep your focus on God and do not talk yourself into being a failure.
PRAYER: Father encourage those people who have a dream to keep on dreaming and planning and to not give up or lose hope. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
WELCOME TO A BRAND NEW YEAR
Hallelujah, a brand new year is ahead of us!! A year to start things and finish things. A year to look forward to daily blessings and be a blessing to others. A year of new beginnings and new challenges. A year to mend fences with those who you may have a grudge against. A year to move on and try new things. It is exciting. A year to wake up each day and say 'this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!'(Psalm 118:24). We all have a good deal to look forward to. A year to have a positive attitude. What will 2011 have in store? I always love the New Year. It is a time to look forward to what is ahead and take stock of what we need to change.
Isaiah 43:19 is a great verse for the New Year. It says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." This is a time you can let go of things that are keeping you from being closer to God and start new habits to get you nearer to the Lord. Remember when we knowingly do things that make the Lord sad we only give the devil a foothold. Human nature wants our own way but we should seek God's way.
Why not start 2011 by reading Psalm 1 since it is day 1? And do not forget to pray daily and never give up. God is there for you when others run out. Happy New Year!
PRAYER: Dear Lord convict us in 2011 of those things in our lives that displease you. Help each of us Lord to want to be closer to you and make it a priority in this new year you have given us. Help us number our days so we use them wisely. We know all we have is from you. Thank you for family and friends. Help us never forget our blessings. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Isaiah 43:19 is a great verse for the New Year. It says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." This is a time you can let go of things that are keeping you from being closer to God and start new habits to get you nearer to the Lord. Remember when we knowingly do things that make the Lord sad we only give the devil a foothold. Human nature wants our own way but we should seek God's way.
Why not start 2011 by reading Psalm 1 since it is day 1? And do not forget to pray daily and never give up. God is there for you when others run out. Happy New Year!
PRAYER: Dear Lord convict us in 2011 of those things in our lives that displease you. Help each of us Lord to want to be closer to you and make it a priority in this new year you have given us. Help us number our days so we use them wisely. We know all we have is from you. Thank you for family and friends. Help us never forget our blessings. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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