“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51: 10-12
Peace be with you all through this New Year!
May we all give and receive the fruits of the Spirit this Christmas season and into the coming year…
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-Control
The places one can have experiences of growth and pure joy are the places that start out as the most uncomfortable. Often times to get to an uncomfortable place you have to step outside of “The Status Quo” of life in this world. Routines and doing things the same way with the same people every day can quickly turn into ruts. At first, the routine becomes comfortable we may experience contentment…however, if that continues for an extended period of time it can turn into a rut that we feel stuck in.
Society has many certain paths that are seen as normal or “the way you should do things” sticking only to these paths is typically the path of least resistance and the simplest to follow. These often are also the least challenging for your God given potential and if you spend time with God consistently you will learn that he is always with you even in the uncomfortable moments. As with everything in life you must have a balance of challenging, uncomfortable paths and being a contributing member of society. The uncomfortable places I am referring to involve issues of charity vs justice for the hungry and homeless…or choosing a role of work that is serving others instead of trying to climb the corporate ladder for personal wealth. Society tends to look away from the hungry and homeless and working to become a Director, VP or Executive is seen as ambitious. If we pursued justice for those who need a hand in life with that same determination we could impact so many more lives.
The bible teaches that we should be working to be living sacrifices…
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
Challenge yourself…look for that uncomfortable place that is in your community. Pray about it and stretch out of the status quo…you may find a new path that transforms your life and the lives of many others in ways you never imagined.
Peace be with you.
No matter what happens…no matter what other people say, think or do that hurts you…hold on to your faith. The prince of this world will constantly try to deceive you, knock you down and tell you that you are better off chasing after the things of this world…don’t listen to him.
Don’t believe you are all alone and don’t give in to the temptations that lead you away from your relationship with the One true God. God has a plan for you and he is with you right now…he knows your joy and your sorrow and he is working out the best for you. He never said this would be easy, you must trust in the Lord. Open your bible and read one of the highlighted verses…they are words that spoke a special meaning to you once before. He keeps his promises…he always has and always will.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
The love of God is unchanging and never-ending and if we do nothing else we must hold on to that in faith. These words are for me as much as they are for anyone else who reads them today; I am working hard to hold on…
God’s peace be with you.
The definition of the word promise includes the word ‘assurance’…when we give or receive a promise it is intended to give peace that something is going to happen or will be done. When a promise is broken it takes a big toll on trust in a relationship. As I continue on my faith journey there is one promise that has continued to be true ever since it was made thousands of years ago…it is assurance that we do not have to face anything in life alone…unfortunately as humans with free will we try to face many things alone. I share today’s thoughts with you so no matter where you are today you will remember no matter how bad your circumstances are you are not alone…God is with you…look for him and listen for him…
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
May we all find peace today and see how God is working in our lives right now…because…He is with you!
We see and hear so much negativity, hopelessness and violence in this world every day. Sometimes I think the media forgets about all the good people and positive things that happen each day. I am not saying we should ignore talking about the bad things…we just need some balance in the distribution of information. I have read a quote in a few different places recently that speaks to the attitude of kindness we all need to remember…
“Every person you encounter every day is fighting a battle that you know nothing about.”
I understand that to say, don’t be so quick to judge another person without knowing all the facts and do not trust any form of media to provide all the information necessary to be informed about an event or issue. I have stated in the past the Bible is a great instruction manual for life and here are a few encouraging verses…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
May we all find peace and a positive outlook today.
Trust
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:3-4
Today share something with another…share whatever you can.
Share some kindness…share your smile…share some food…share your ears by listening…
Share your heart with God…in prayer.
Today while driving I saw a message on a license plate of another vehicle “PSALM34”…this got my attention and made me wonder. What does Psalm 34 say that would prompt this individual to put it on their SUV. So I read it. Here is one of the verses…
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8
I am thankful for the person who shares this message with any person on the road that may notice it on their vehicle. They have no idea how they impacted me today…just think how many people they may be impacting for Christ every day because of one decision they made for God sometime in the past.
Never underestimate the impact you can have on someone else even if you never see the results firsthand…especially when you choose to live your life according to the Word of God.
So I will say it again…share something today with another person…you never know it may be just what they need or it may be just what you need too…
Peace to you.
Being a friend means listening…just listening.
Being a friend means putting the needs of others before your own.
Being a friend means making time to be together.
Friends can share thoughts…thoughts about dreams and goals as well as disappointments and frustrations without judgment.
Being a friend means laughing together…often.
Being a friend means offering your shoulder when someone needs to cry because the pain is too great to be alone.
A friendship is a give and take relationship…if your give and take are not balanced evenly the friendship will suffer.
This give and take in relationships is also necessary in your spiritual life…your friendship with Jesus requires both give and take…
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:15
We all have a friend in Jesus. Begin or continue to listen, to make time, to share your dreams and frustrations, to laugh with your friend Jesus…it is the one friendship that will definitely last forever.
Peace.
There are times in our lives where we may begin to feel lost or distant from God. These occasions are the perfect time to turn towards faith by prayer and by reading the Word of God. In fact, even during good times it is appropriate to look to your faith and praise God for all that he has blessed you with in life. Transforming your thoughts to be more about your relationship with God and how he is working in your life can start in small ways. It can be a gratitude journal, morning and/or evening devotions, writing or reading books, maybe listening to christian radio. Whatever fits who you are and what you like to do…if you are not sure how to transform your thinking then ask God in prayer…invite him to help guide you…after all he made you and he knows what will be your way. The important thing to remember is that everyday in life is a gift and every thing we do…every step we take in life…either leads us closer to or farther away from our relationship with the Lord.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Peace to you.
Take Your Faith With You 