Luke 6:39 - 'Then Jesus gave the following illustration: What good is it for
one blind person to lead another? The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also.' The devil loves to put people together that will rehearse failures, negativity, bad decisions, and sinful communications over and over again. You see, when you error, the enemy wants you to discuss it with a fool! When you are in trouble or doing the fool, the devil wants you to surround yourself with foolish friends. Why? Because you will talk about your stupidity to them and they will tell you how stupid they are, and both of you will fall into a ditch! It's like a foolish counsel or like you can't hear the right thing for always being surrounded by the wrong thing. Get off the island of misfit friends and allow God to bring people of purpose into your life. Friends that will challenge you to be better and a stronger Christian. Did you pray for the friends you have? I mean in the sense of, praying for God to bring the right people into your life? If your current friends agree with your stupid decisions or always have a foolish move to compare to your errors, then you need to ask God to add whom he will, and remove those that are not ordained to be your friend. There are even times when you have to forsake family for the cause of growth because it's more important to know God than to have a bunch of family and friends that reject his truth! You must make some changes if you plan to move forward. If you do not make certain adjustments, you may end up being in the same errors year after year, always the victim of foolish counsel. Suggested Reading: Psa. 1:1, Psa. 106:43, Prov. 19:20 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Love. How often we use the word. We love warm weather. We love our husband or wife. We love our sports teams. We speak the word in our most tender moments and then use it to describe our feelings about a flavor of ice cream. Do you know that you are loved? The God who created all of life loves you even if you don't love Him in return. He doesn't wait for you to demonstrate your love for Him. He loves you first. He clearly demonstrated His love through Jesus Christ, especially when Christ gave His life for us. Over the next few days, try to notice how many times the word "love" is used in casual conversation. Each time you hear it, think about the love of God--real love. Think of how much He loves you and begin to experience His love. When you begin to know His love, you'll be amazed at the joy in your life. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry - but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life." Ephesians 4:26-27 MSG
Anger: right or wrong? The answer is that anger is right ... but it can be wrong. Anger is God-given emotional energy designed for good. The expression of this anger-produced energy can lead to sin ... but it doesn't have to. With God's help, we can control our thoughts and actions. The Bible tells of many times when anger was a positive force for good. Moses' anger when the Israelites worshipped idols resulted in their repentance (Exodus 32:19-35). Jesus' anger motivated him to clear abusers from his Father's temple (Luke 19:45-48). Our anger can be a positive force as well. Appropriate anger at our children's wrong behaviors can motivate us as parents to exert firm but loving discipline. Anger against injustices and wrongdoing in our communities can motivate us to do something positive about the situation. Our anger can also lead to sinful acts of selfishness, unkindness or even aggression. It is our responsibility to use our anger-induced energy in positive ways, even if it's just walking around the block to cool off. The next time you feel angry, remember that it doesn't have to be a bad thing. It's your choice. Father, forgive me for the times I have used my anger in sinful ways instead of as a positive force. Help me control my thoughts and actions and to use my anger in positive ways. In Jesus' name ... "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result..." Genesis 50:20
One of the great stories of the Bible deals with the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob. He was loved by his father and resented by his ten older brothers. They sold him into slavery and told their father he had been killed and devoured by a wild animal. What is so amazing about Joseph is that he never gave up and never quit trusting in God, even though he faced setback after setback. He was falsely accused and unjustly thrown into prison. Miraculously, one day Joseph was called to interpret the Pharaoh's dreams. In so doing, he was appointed prime minister of Egypt to save the people from famine. Amazingly, because he saved the people from famine, the brothers who betrayed him were saved as well. When they realized the prime minister of Egypt was the brother they had betrayed years earlier, they were afraid. Yet Joseph forgave them and said, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good." What faith--what forgiveness--what an example for all of us. Whatever our hands touch...
We leave fingerprints! On walls, on furniture On doorknobs, dishes, books. There's no escape. As we touch we leave our identity. Oh God, wherever I go today Help me leave heartprints! Heartprints of compassion Of understanding and love. Heartprints of kindness And genuine concern. May my heart touch a lonely neighbor Or a runaway daughter Or an anxious mother Or a frustrated co-worker Or a hurting friend Or perhaps an aged grandfather. Lord, send me out today To leave heartprints. And if someone should say, "I felt your touch," May that one sense YOUR LOVE Touching through ME. "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40) -- Author Unknown Blessings can be a loving smile
Or even a soft tender touch A kind word softly spoken These blessings mean so much. Blessings are a special friend Being there in time of need Lending a hand and encouragement By doing a simple loving deed. Blessings are when someone cares When our lives seem to be adrift Blessings are hearing a prayer That gives our spirits a lift. Blessing are knowing God is near Our every prayer He will hear Giving us comfort in our fear Trusting Him with all we hold dear. "Always count your blessings" ~Quote by Glenna~ You might be a full-time Christian worker or a volunteer. You might be a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, a choir member or a nursery worker. You might be a mom or dad or involved grandparent. You might be pursuing a worthwhile career, working toward financial well-being for your family.
These are all good things. They can all be ways of serving God. It is important that he is in all these activities and that you are doing everything as unto him. But we can get so busy doing for the Lord that we don't spend time being with him, drawing closer to him, listening to him, knowing him better. And then all the flurry of activity involved in the doing can begin to produce exhaustion and stress. How do we break this cycle? By making a choice. By choosing to spend time sitting at the feet of Jesus. By being with him, worshiping him, loving him, listening to him. You might be thinking, "That's easy for you to say. You should see my schedule." Rest assured, if you choose this kind of time with Jesus, other things will fall into place. Make him the center of your life. Lord, I know that sometimes I do get so busy "doing" that I neglect time "being" with you. Please forgive me. Let all that I am wait quietly before you, for my hope truly is in you. In Jesus' name ... Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." Hebrews 12:15 NLT
When you feel angry with someone, do you express your feelings ... or do you hold the anger inside? People who bury their anger usually believe they are doing the right thing by appearing calm on the outside. The reality, however, is that unresolved anger can fester and develop into resentment, bitterness or depression. Some people respond to anger by holding it in and then releasing it or letting it go without hurting themselves or others. When this happens, the results may be beneficial. But if you tend to hold your anger inside and become resentful, ask God to help you share your angry feelings with people as they occur. Not in a rage or with unkind words ... just an honest expression of your feelings. The Bible teaches that we shouldn't carry anger overnight. Get it settled before going to bed. Otherwise, it is likely that resentment will begin to grow. Perhaps you are already experiencing bitterness because of past unexpressed grievances. The answer? Acknowledge the hurt. Forgive or ask for forgiveness. Then let go of the anger and move on. Holding on to bitterness can damage your relationship with God and with others, your peace of mind, and can even harm your health. Forgiving - and being forgiven - can change all that. Ask God - he will help you. Father, forgive me and help me deal with this resentment I have been carrying. Give me the strength and wisdom to acknowledge the hurt, to forgive and to let go. In Jesus' name. Elohim,
I KNOW You can create something out of nothing, please create something out of any nothing areas - the impossible situations in my life. El Elyon, I KNOW You are in control, sovereign, and I give You my circumstances today. Adonai, I KNOW You are my Lord and Master, I choose to follow You instead of the ways of the world. El Shaddai, I KNOW You are God Almighty, and I trust that You are sufficient for my deepest needs today. Jehovah Jireh, I KNOW You are my provider, and will supply everything I need today. El Roi, I KNOW You are the God who sees me, and that I am never alone, and nothing in my life goes unnoticed, for You know it all and see it all. Yahweh, I KNOW You are the one and only, self-existent, eternal, covenant-keeping God and that You will always love me. Jehovah Rapha, I KNOW You are my healer and I come to You now with every area of my life that needs healing today. Jehovah Nissi, I KNOW You are my banner, and the victory in every situation that threatens me today. Jehovah Mekoddishkem, I KNOW You are my sanctifier, making me holy, doing for me what I can never do for myself. Jehovah Shalom, I KNOW You are my peace, and bring calm in every storm I face in life. Jehovah Sabaoth, I KNOW You are the LORD of Hosts, and bring deliverance as You defeat my enemies. Yahweh Ro'i, I KNOW You are my shepherd, and intimately care for me even if no one else does. Abba, Father, I KNOW You are my Father and that I can run to You and rest in the security of your everlasting arms. In Jesus' name, Amen. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
How do you think that life came about? Where did it all begin? How was it all put in motion? Some believe life evolved by chance; others believe all creation came from God. The fact is, both philosophies take a great deal of faith. Imagine this: A Soldiers in the field sets off a landmine and out of the explosion comes a perfectly built 747, ready to fly him home. Would you believe that story? It would take a great deal of faith. And yet, it takes that much faith and more to believe that all of life evolved by chance because all life is far more complex than a 747. Look around you--the birth of a baby, the predictable seasons, the beauty of spring. Do you have enough faith to believe it happened by chance? I don't. I'm going to put my bet on God. He put it all in motion. |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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