We’ve entered a new year and time is quickly passing us by.  How’s your year going so far?  Do you still have the excitement that you had on January 1st?  Are you still focused? Surely, we’ve all had things thrown our way that we hadn’t expected- some good, some bad.  The daily distractions and responsibilities of life seem to overwhelm us and take all the energy that we have. How do we handle daily life, yet still stay focused on our goals and dreams? Here are 3 Tips to Keep Moving Forward: 1. Create a theme for the year.   Pray and think about what you really need to focus on.…

As the Lord is growing me in grace, He is showing me how grace and compassion are intertwined.  Jesus is compassionate.  Are you?  Christ has been so gracious toward us, but we are often so hard on others.  We must extend compassion to others, just as Jesus has extended compassion to us. We are only able to extend grace to others when we are compassionate toward them and their situation.  So often, instead of being compassionate, we criticize.  We have gotten so hard that instead of empathizing, we simply judge.  We talk about why people got themselves into situations instead of praying for them, helping when we can. Jesus is…

Why do you do the things you do?  If we’re honest, we’ll find that we do many things for the wrong reasons.  We must constantly check our own hearts to assess the motives behind our actions. Naturally, we are selfish creatures.  We have to be taught to share, to care, and to love.  We don’t have to be taught to go after what we want, to think about our own desires, to take care of ourselves.  Naturally, we will think about ourselves. Consider any 2 year old: Mine! No! I want that! They may be more dramatic than us as adults, but honestly we are just as selfish.  It’s imperative…

Are you focused on conquering the sin in your life?  What sin is in your heart? It’s so easy to focus on everything and everyone else, overlooking the fact that we have an issue with sin in our own hearts.  Most of the problems that we have can be traced back to sin.  The apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison, but he still wrote with joy and contentment: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”   – Philippians 4:11 This demonstrates that it’s not about our circumstances, but rather what’s in our heart.  Circumstances…

Have you ever wanted something or even prayed for something, but then just as quickly doubted?  Thoughts like: Well it may not happen or that’s probably too much creep into our heads and prevent us from fully believing. We must believe without a doubt. No Doubt.  Only Faith. Doubt is a form of fear and we must put a stop to it. We must spot it first because it tries to be oh so sneaky. When I read of those that were healed by Jesus it was always about their faith.  One thing that seemed to consistently irritate Jesus was a lack of faith- Doubt, unbelief, fear. They all prevent…

We all look at our plate sometimes and wonder: Can I handle it?  We ask ourselves: Can I do this?  Let me encourage you today: You can handle it. We serve a God that will never give us more than we can bear.  His Word tell us that He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle.  There is always a way out (I Corinthians 10:13). You can handle it. There is always a way to push through.  There is always an open door.  There is always a way.  You just have to open your eyes to see it.One way to see it is to remain positive.  Negativity…

Have you ever found yourself in a situation or dealing with someone and you find yourself questioning what it is?  You feel a certain way, but you’re not sure if you’re right.  You think you see something within them, but you won’t let yourself believe it.  It’s easy to make excuses, justify, or reason why it couldn’t be what it feels like it is.  Well, I’m coming to understand that most of the time: It is what it is. We have a hard time accepting the things that we see in people that differ from us.  For instance, it can be hard to believe that someone could take advantage of…

We’re too easily distracted by issues that don’t even matter.  We have to grow to a place of realizing that some things are just not that important.  Don’t be petty.  Use your energy wisely, focusing on issues that really do matter. If we don’t grow beyond focusing on petty matters then unfortunately we won’t accomplish very much with our lives.  If we spend all of our time on petty issues how can we devote ourselves to worthy matters?  How can we live the lives that God has called us to live if we fuss and fight over insignificant issues? Don’t be petty. Overlooking petty issues requires maturity, patience, and spiritual…

We always want more.  We’re always searching, working, and praying for something more.  We think to ourselves: If I had that then I’d be happy.  The truth is: Until we learn how to be content we will never be happy. Contentment must be learned and I’m learning that contentment is priceless.  When we are content we’re peaceful, joyful, thankful, and enjoyable.  When we aren’t, we’re irritable, we’re anxious, worried, and on edge.  We think it’s because of a circumstance or a situation, but really it’s us- we aren’t satisfied.  We’re the reason we’re not at rest.  We’re discontent.   We must learn to be content. “Not that I speak in respect of…

The faster we’re moving, the less likely we’re being directed by God.In order to hear from God throughout our day, we have to slow down.  Lately, the Lord has been doing just that with me- slowing me down.   I’m finding that as I’ve slowed down I’m consulting with Him more.  I’m taking the time to pray more- about big and seemingly small things.  A slower pace allows us to be more aware of ourselves, how we’re truly doing, and how we’re responding to others.   As we slow down, we become more sensitive to the convictions of the Holy Spirit. The faster we’re moving, the more likely we’re depending…