Don't Base Your Worth On 'Likes'

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3

Wow 113 likes! That must be some person or quite a post. If you are all tied up in your worth based on Facebook then you need to know that 'likes' don't make you better or worse and you should not base your life on them. Forget about it and charge on. I was stuck on it for a time being then thought to myself how stupid it was for me to be checking this status as the only one who truly matters whether they like me is Jesus. My worth is not based on if someone likes a Facebook post or not. That type of living can be superficial at best. Let's say someone has 16 likes and you have none. There you go comparing then getting feelings hurt. Over what? Something really in the big scheme of things that matters little if at all. Or maybe you could have lots of likes and start feeling popular and superior.

The one person you should trying to be impressing already loves you no matter what. That is our Lord Jesus Christ. Even when we slam the door in His face and ignore Him He still is there loving you unconditionally. He does not need Facebook to communicate this love to you. You are very special to Him and are fearfully and wonderfully made. Your life has meaning and a purpose and He does 'LIKE' you and lots!

So next time you catch yourself looking to see which of your Facebook friends 'likes' something you posted, just remember that Jesus likes you yes He does, for my Bible tells me so.

PRAYER: Lord I need self control to not always be going checking my status on Facebook. Every time I am tempted too help me maybe pick up the Bible and read it instead. It holds much more value than my 'likes'. In Jesus' name.AMEN.

THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

Where are you at in your journey of life? Do you feel like there is something you are missing? Do you long for more of Jesus in your life? 

Depending on where you live and how busy you are you may have little or no desire for things of God in your life. My asking these questions today is not meant to point the finger at you but to only ask you do you feel okay with God and think all is well in your little corner of the universe? Is Christianity, in your opinion, a bunch of rules to be followed or else someone will get you?

I have news for you dear friend. No matter where you are in life or what you have done God is a god of grace, compassion and mercy. Often times churches bearing his name lack those qualities but instead are all about doctrine, rules, and judgment. I am here today to say "Jesus loves you this I know for my Bible tells me so." Is He a vital part of your life and is He truly number one? 

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20(ESV) Do you want to die to self and live for Him? 

PRAYER: I want more of you in my life. I want to die to being judgmental, mean, unloving, or self righteous. I want your love in my life so I can love others unconditionally. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

I'M WAITING

A few days ago two cute stray dogs showed up on my back porch. They were friendly and clung together like two little buddies. Out in the country where I live there are not "leash laws" like I was used to being a former urbanite city and town dweller. Anyway these two just hung around waiting to be loved on and ultimately fed. Being the soft hearted person that I am I gave them some cat food. One dog was a lab mix and the other a beagle mix. Both just laid side by side on the porch in anticipation. As they waited they drifted off into nap time.

Sort of reminded me of how Jesus is waiting for us each day to spend time with Him. He waits and does not pester. Like the dogs wagging their tails showing they were friendly Jesus too is sitting and waiting to be loved on by us His children. He waits, and waits some more and yet keeps waiting. We may throw him a "bone" to make him temporarily happy and to have Him settle down till we have time. He is not going anywhere. He waits, waits, and continues to be patient. He is not angry but is sad. Like a loyal pet, He wants attention and affection.

Are you too busy to be bothered? Is your "to do" list so crammed full of the duties of your daily activities that you forget to spend time with Jesus? He is not condemning you for ignoring Him but He sure wants His "children" to want to spend time in His presence and get to know Him. Just like a friend, there is no way to know them well unless you make an effort to go and do things together.

Why not make a daily appointment with the one who loves you more than anything? Each day make Him the most important thing on your list and see what happens. You'll probably end up with more time.

Hebrews 3:15(NIV) says 'As has just been said, "Today if you hear His voice harden not your heart as you did in the rebellion."'
Do you desire to spend time with the Lord? If not ask yourself why not? If you do not know where to begin just talk to Him. Sit down without the television blaring or radio playing and just talk to Him. Perhaps read a chapter in Psalms and just begin your day with Him as your first appointment. What do you think?

PRAYER: Father I am delighted to spend time in your presence. Forgive me because there are times I get distracted and let other things squeeze you out. I know you are sad and Satan is glad. I choose to out you daily on my high priority list. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link to worship God in song.

http://youtu.be/b-oZbBS_OhM

LOVE OF GOD THROUGH OTHERS

 Last week I was in a coffee shop writing when I looked up and a beautiful child who had Down's Syndrome was in the chair next to me. I said hello and she was very friendly pointing to her mother buying her a drink at the counter. When her mom got ready to sit down the child leaned over and gave me a huge hug. I loved it! Then a few moments later when they got ready to leave she once again hugged me. What a great feeling! Many people may find it strange around certain people who do not seem "perfect" in world's eyes but I might ask who of us is perfect anyway?

The love this little girl showed was the kind of love Jesus shows us. Unconditional, arms wide open, smiling. How many of us could stand to learn a lesson from this little girl? Society seems to want to get rid of imperfect people. Who is to say what a person who appears defective can't contribute vitally to society. Everyone is valuable in God's eyes and we are to love like Jesus loves.

This child was such a blessing. It made my day being hugged like that! Are you able to give "hugs" say in the form of a smile as you pass strangers each day? So many people look so grouchy and unhappy and you would be surprised if you shared the love of Jesus through your smile what a difference it may make in their day.

Mark 12:30-31(NIV) reminds us to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Love even those people you find it hard to love. You know who I mean. The person who said something cruel behind your back. Perhaps a co worker who lied about you to get ahead. Maybe even a friend who decided she or he did not like you anymore for whatever reason. God's love is unconditional and so should ours be.

Today why not try to ignore mean people in your life and pray for them. Also try sharing that smile and remembering to love others like Jesus would love.

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have maybe not been nice to someone who hurt me. Forgive me for not being unconditional with your love inside of me. Today I purpose to start allowing your love to flow through me and mold me and change me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON

What in life has you feeling you just want to check out,give up,or quit? The pain of something is way too great and you just do not think you can endure and hold on any longer. You maybe feel you just wish you could go home and be with the Lord. The passing of time takes care of most pain. The death of someone close is probably the hardest thing to endure or understand or perhaps the ripping apart feeling of a divorce.

Friend, God is here for you and He has a reason to keep you around. He knows what pain is like.After all he endured the cross. He loves you. Often when people are in pain they get mad at God instead of running to Him. The keyword here is to run and endure whatever is going on. Do not throw in the towel. Hang on to God. Jesus loves you this I know for my Bible tells me so.

James 1:2-4 says "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance and and perseverance must finish its' work so you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." Do not go up to someone who is suffering loss and quote this to them. Just listen and give them a hug. All of us will go through bad things in life. Being a Christian does not mean we are problem free. Hang on to Jesus and know he has a plan and you will be okay.

PRAYER: Lord God I do not know why bad things happen but I know you are our redeemer and you love us and feel our pain. Lord God help me to run to you and not let Satan drag me into a pit of despair. I know the enemy wants me to be crushed by pain but you want me to be victorious, I want to learn to praise you no matter what.In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to be blessed by an awesome praise song.

http://youtu.be/tZIMDcgrF-Q

YOU ARE SPECIAL TO GOD

Do you ever start your day by listening to negative thought patterns that say you are no good and you have nothing to contribute to the world around you? If so then you are not listening to God's voice. God always has something good for us in mind to do with our lives. If you are comparing yourself to someone with musical talent, brain power, or some other visible gift then that is wrong. Each of us is special to God in our own way. He does not find the Wall Street Broker any more important than the man who drives the city garbage truck. Each and very person reading this needs to know no matter what your age or ability you indeed are special and God can use you. Wake up daily and say out LOUD, "I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. God loves me. God has a special plan for me." When you speak out loud it helps. Try it and see.

1 Corinthians 15:10 says "By the grace of God I am what I am.and His grace to me was not without effect. No I worked harder than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me." 2 Corinthians 3:5 says " Not that we are competent within ourselves to claim anything to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." Philippians 2:13 says "for it is God that works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." Finally Ephesians 2:10 reminds us " For we are Christ's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Today stop what you are doing and thank God for your life and where he has placed you right now. Do not ever think you are not useful to Him or to those around you.

PRAYER: I know Lord you have a special plan for my life. Forgive me when I have gotten down into my pity pit and let the enemy control my thoughts. I want to have your thoughts and I know I get them when I sing praises to you and stay in your word. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/NWeEYKqAdQ8

YOU ARE ACCEPTED AND LOVED BY GOD

Do you ever feel like you do not matter and what on earth is your purpose? Do you look at others and they seem to be leading fulfilling lives but yours seems so little and wasted? That is negative thinking first of all and you need to start thinking good and positive and hopeful things. God is not the God of gloominess but is the God of hope. And you need to try to learn to be content and stop wishing for someone elses life. Philippians 4:11 tells us to " ...be content regardless of our circumstances."

Jesus loves you this I know for my Bible tells me so. You may have humans who treat you poorly but it doesn't matter because God loves you. For those people who do not act kind to you try to move on and stay focused on good things and the future and hope you are promised in Jeremiah 29:11. Do not put people on an enemies list but try to love even those who mistreat you. Even the latest thing in our techy world are those who do not want to be a facebook friend with you for whatever reason. Move on and give it to God. That is minor stuff in the big scheme of things anyway.

Just know God did not make a mistake when he created you. Psalm 139:13 says " ...He knit you together in your mother's womb." Picture that. No matter how you were born he knew you were coming. Take time and read all 24 verses in Psalm 139 and be inspired and blessed.

Start today and thank God for where he has you in life. Thank Him for loving you just the way you are. More important stop thinking you have no purpose because you do!!

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for seeing to it that I was born into this world. I thank you for your caring love for me and for your plan for my life. Help me not waste the talents you have given me. Help me remember it is the enemy who tries to get me feeling 'little' but I know to you I am very special. In Jesus name. Amen.