“[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
What is real love? Well, love is not lust or emotion or sentimentalism. So what is love? The Bible tells us that the highest love is not based on feelings, but a commitment of our will. It is given unconditionally to another person, no matter how they respond to us. The Bible tells us this love is patient and kind. It’s not envious, arrogant, or rude towards others. It’s not selfish or easily angered. It’s not like a resentment accountant who keeps a record of how others have wronged us. Love hates evil and rejoices in the truth. Real love puts up with a lot, and endures it with hope. The Bible tells us God is love. He shows us this real love perfectly in Jesus, who truly loves you. Have faith in Him and you’ll experience the greatest love you’ve ever known. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”(Romans 10:17, NKJV)
Are you allowing negative thoughts to stifle your potential? Why don’t you start hitting the delete button? The experts may have told you that things are impossible or how it’s not going to work out, but those people don’t know what God has in store. He has the final say. He wouldn’t have placed that dream in your heart or given you that promise if He didn’t have a way to bring it to pass. It’s time to delete what the naysayers have told you. It’s time to delete the discouraging words. Delete the negative reports. You’ve got to delete and repeat. You’ve got to keep deleting those negative thoughts and keep replacing them with the Word of God until you get back to your original software, so to speak — until faith is stronger than your doubts. Who told you that you can’t be successful? Who told you you’re not tall enough, not smart enough, or that you’ve reached your limits? I can assure you that it did not come from your Creator. Don’t let others set the limits for your life. Delete those wrong thoughts, believe God’s Word, and embrace the blessing and victory He has in store for you! Father, thank You for Your Word which sets me free. I choose to delete every negative mindset and replace it with Your truth. Give me Your joy which is strength as I am daily transformed by the renewing of my mind in Jesus’ name. Amen.— Joel & Victoria Osteen Every adversity that comes across our path, whether large or small, is intended to help us grow in some way. If it were not beneficial, God would not allow it or send it, "For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." (Lamentations 3:33). God does not delight in our sufferings. He brings only that which is necessary, but He does not shrink from that which will help us grow. Jerry Bridges Pursuing God Paul said in II Corinthians 4:16-18, “We do not lose heart. . .for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” Hear what Paul called “light and momentary”—not what I’d have called them, and I think you’ll agree. Imprisoned. Beaten. Stoned. Shipwrecked three times. In constant danger. Hungry and thirsty. Light and momentary troubles? How could Paul describe endless trials with that phrase? He tells us. He could see “an eternal glory that far out-weighs them all.”
And you–you want to go on, but some days the road seems so long. Let me encourage you with this: God never said the journey would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worth it! One of the most important things right now is to, check your lifestyle. Being young with all that energy is great, but too many choose a party lifestyle that hinders their future. Often this involves wrong moral choices, with risky behavior that can include alcoholism, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases and unmarried pregnancy.
Don’t let fictitious Hollywood lifestyle lead you astray. Wrong decisions will not only affect your finances, but they can affect your mind and your life forever…and those of others around you. But remember that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Just prioritize what you want for your entire life. Then do the things that fit those priorities. While most who get college degrees will earn more than labourers, many do well with skills in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, landscaping, auto repair and the like. If you are not “college material” or enjoy working with your hands, don’t be afraid of this route. Physical work can be very rewarding, and usually you start your career debt-free. God makes it clear that if you seek Him, He will guide you. Those who make the proper choices are blessed with a more discipline life. This leads to stability, which in turn creates a commitment to right goals. Achieving these goals shows the older generation that you have your head on straight, leads to more rewarding jobs, higher pay and a happier, debt-free life. What should we do? Concentrate your God-given talents and energies on becoming the best person you can be, all the while trusting God to lead and guide you into making the right choices. We wake up every morning with decisions to make and it carries on throughout the day, until we go back to sleep. With so many choices to make, trusting God who knows everything isn’t a bad option, I think it’s the best way to go. Of course, I cannot speak for every one reading this email, but I found out long ago that God knows exactly how to turn a sour circumstance into victory. There are times when we do all the talking and no listening, but when you come to think about it, we should let God do all the talking and we should listen. I pray for a blessed weekend for you and your family Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the coming weekend. Lord may we find peace, joy and satisfaction in Your presence throughout. May You guide us all, may we remain focused on having the right attitude toward our fellow man regardless of circumstances. May You deal with our enemies in a fair and just way in Jesus’ name…amen Psalm 58 - For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”
“And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe. ...”(Ephesians 1:19, AMP)
If someone had a thousand gallons of water to give you but you only had a one-gallon container, you wouldn’t be able to receive what they had for you. The problem would not be with the supply; it would be with your ability to receive. If you would get rid of the small container and get something larger, then you could receive so much more. It’s the same way with God. You may think, “The economy is too down. I could never afford that house I really want. My business will never expand. I don’t have the funding. I don’t have the people behind me.” No, you’ve got to get rid of that one-gallon bucket. Get rid of that small container. The God we serve is a big God! He has an ocean, an unlimited supply. Jesus said, “According to your faith it will be done unto you.” It’s not according to God. God has all the power, all the resources in the world. It’s according to what we believe. Today, increase your capacity to receive. Enlarge your thinking by meditating on the Word of God. Praise Him and magnify Him because with God, all things are possible, and He has an unlimited supply! Father, thank You for Your unlimited supply of everything I need in this life. I open my heart to You; I choose to take the limits off. Increase me so that I can receive every blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.— Joel & Victoria Osteen When you pray continually about a concern, don't be surprised at how Christ answers.
Paul prayed to visit Rome so he could teach the Christians there. When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner. Paul prayed for a safe trip, and he did arrive safely - after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake. God's way of answering our prayers are often far from what we expect. When we sincerely pray, God will answer - although in his timing and sometimes in ways we do not expect. - Life Application Study Bible |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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