I have everything I need because Jesus is my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1).I have been forgiven of all my sins because Jesus died on the cross (I Peter 3:18).I’m beautiful because He has given me beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3).I’m gracious because He is gracious toward me (John 13:34).I love because He first loved me (Romans 5:8).I forgive because I have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32).I don’t get vengeance because He said vengeance is His (Romans 12:19).I don’t worry about a thing because He said pray about it all (I Thessalonians 5:17).I give because then I receive (Luke 6:38).I am patient because everything will work out for my good (Romans 8:28)I trust…
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LIFE & RELATIONSHIPS: Beware of Dividers
Dividers are out to divide, separate, and destroy. Dividers can’t always be easily identified, though they are all around us- even close to us. Dividers are good at suppressing their true motives. Though they won’t say it, it’s in their hearts. As we go through life, we must beware of dividers. Dividers suppress a lot in their heart. Actually, it’s those undealt with issues that cause them to divide. Don’t hate dividers and take their behavior personally; but rather spot them, love them, and protect your relationships. It requires wisdom & discernment from God in order to spot dividers. Have you ever had an issue with someone even though that…
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Don’t Be So Easily Entangled: 5 TIPS.
If you are going to be all that Christ created you to be, you must stop being so easily entangled in the issues of this world. If you are going to make lasting progress in life, you can’t be so easily entangled in worthless issues- distracted by problems that aren’t your own. Don’t Be So Easily Entangled: 5 TIPS. 1. Know your priorities. This is first and foremost. If you don’t know your priorities then take some time to identify them. Take some time to get to know yourself, assess your life, decide what needs to change, and then structure your priorities. Some things aren’t up for discussion. Christians must…
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5 Ways to Learn From Life
As we live life, we are constantly learning. Often, we become frustrated when we fail to see the lesson at hand. Read on for 5 ways to learn from life! Often, our mindset causes us problems. We tend to think we should know everything, but the truth is that we should constantly be learning. If we go through life without learning, it may be because we’re not open to it. Sometimes we unintentionally prevent ourselves from learning & growing. We think that our success in life depends on knowing, but rather it depends more on growing. No one knows everything. Regardless of what it looks like, no one has it all together. We’re…
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CHRISTIANS: Free to do what?
All throughout the Christian world, Christians scream: I’m free! Some focus on freedom from sin, while others emphasize freedom from the law. Both perspectives are accurate, but why are we free? In Christ we are free, but free to do what? We want to be saved with our sins, not saved from our sins. Or, we want Christ to free us from our sin but we’re really not interested in serving him. This is wrong. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…
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Can You Diplomatically Disagree? 3 TIPS!
As I watch the inauguration events, I’m humbled and encouraged by the diplomatic engagement between former President Obama and current President Trump. I’m forced to look within and ask myself: Am I capable of diplomatically disagreeing? Can you diplomatically disagree? I believe that this is a question that all of us should ask ourselves. So many marriages dissolve because of the inability to diplomatically disagree. Friendships end, violence erupts, people hate and even kill all because of an inability to disagree. This shouldn’t be so. The ability to disagree diplomatically displays a high level of maturity. It also displays a high level of emotional intelligence and self-control. It takes intention, and…
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JEALOUSY: Fight against it
All of us have our vulnerabilities. We all have those weaknesses that we will constantly have to battle against: pride, insecurity, anger, and the list goes on. We shouldn’t downplay any of them because they all have the potential to limit us in life, but this morning my heart is on jealousy: “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? – Proverbs 27:4 Jealousy left unattended is dangerous. If jealousy is not an issue for you, be grateful but be compassionate towards those that do struggle with it. Who decides what our vulnerabilities will be? We all come into this world with our…
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16 Lessons from 2016: Living & Learning
Another year is coming to a close. Before I enter into the new, I must reflect on the lessons I’ve learned this past year. 16 Lessons from 2016 1. Take care of yourself. There is always something to do but we can only offer what we have to give. Replenish, refresh, rest and restore yourself. 2. Don’t lose yourself. Before you are anything else, you are you. Always remember that. 3. It’s all about the heart. We must get deep and pay attention to the heart issues. The heart, not our actions or appearances, will tell us everything we need to know. 4. Just apologize. No explanations or counter-arguments. Just…
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FAMILY LIFE: 10 Ways to Celebrate Christ during Christmas
What is Christmas all about? How does your family celebrate Christmas? December 25th is the day that the world acknowledges the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but do we truly celebrate Christ during Christmas? Do we spend more time exalting Santa Clause than Jesus Christ? Do we spend more time shopping than praising God for the wonderful, perfect gift of Christ? Throughout the last few years our family has been on a journey of making Christ the center of our Christmas. First, we started by buying less stuff. There is a tendency to just buy, buy, buy; but how is that celebrating Christ? If we’re…
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You Control Your Mind
In life, we often find ourselves trying to control everything around us: our mate, our children, our friends, etc. You may not think you’re trying to control, but how do you respond when things don’t go your way? Instead of trying to control situations, I’m encouraging you to control your mind. Our mind is such a powerful force, yet we must control it to make it work for us and not against us. Where our thoughts go everything else will follow. Our emotions follow our mind. Our actions follow our mind. Beliefs, attitudes, and even self-esteem are all directed and influenced by the mind. We can have everything in…
