Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. -Romans 12:16
There will be some times in our lives when we will study or train hard for something, and succeed at that task. There will also be times when we will be rewarded that prayed-hard-for job.
That's good. Remember, though, for every winner, there has to be a loser.
Wouldn't every one get along with each other better if we respected each other's feelings? Is there no reason, we can't congratulate those who have tried and failed with the same enthusiasm as those who have succeeded? Sure there is.
When we realize that God is in control, we should be excited no matter what the results. Pumping our fists and yelling in excitement shows not only a lack of respect for others, but also creates in others the feeling that God is good only when you get what you want. That's not true, for God is good...all the time and all the time...God is good. Amen!
Friday, July 24, 2015
Mid-day Thought: Not Left Alone in Danger
and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place. -Psalm 31:8
When an antelope is running away from a lion, he not only wants to be quicker than the lion, but also at least a paw length away. If the lion is within a paw length of the antelope he will swing that mighty paw and try to break the antelope's leg or in the least trip him up. If that happens then the lion will pounce on the antelope. The antelope would rather be in an open field where there is no cover for the lion to hide and be able to have a huge head start.
We, as Christians, don't want sin to creep up on us, but we want to be able to see sin coming clearly and get away sooner. He has set our feet in a wide place. Amen!
When an antelope is running away from a lion, he not only wants to be quicker than the lion, but also at least a paw length away. If the lion is within a paw length of the antelope he will swing that mighty paw and try to break the antelope's leg or in the least trip him up. If that happens then the lion will pounce on the antelope. The antelope would rather be in an open field where there is no cover for the lion to hide and be able to have a huge head start.
We, as Christians, don't want sin to creep up on us, but we want to be able to see sin coming clearly and get away sooner. He has set our feet in a wide place. Amen!
Morning Inception: A Living Creature
then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. -Genesis 2:7
The story of the creation of Man, its specifics, was placed right in the middle of the description of the forming of the Garden of Eden. The creation of Man was not placed at the beginning of the story or at the end, but placed in the middle for we were considered part of His garden. In God's garden, which had not been exposed to rain yet was a river for watering, beautiful land for growth, and trees that were beautiful to view and wonderful to eat. Man was included in God's workings as a partner, to help tend and care for the garden.
Although we may not see a garden as important like fruits and vegetables, but God did. The importance was a Father being with His children, working and enjoying each other's company. God still views each and every one of us as important. Sometimes, simple activities may come along that don't seem important, such as saying hello to a neighbor, or helping someone in need, but these are activities that the Father enjoys doing with His children. Amen!
The story of the creation of Man, its specifics, was placed right in the middle of the description of the forming of the Garden of Eden. The creation of Man was not placed at the beginning of the story or at the end, but placed in the middle for we were considered part of His garden. In God's garden, which had not been exposed to rain yet was a river for watering, beautiful land for growth, and trees that were beautiful to view and wonderful to eat. Man was included in God's workings as a partner, to help tend and care for the garden.
Although we may not see a garden as important like fruits and vegetables, but God did. The importance was a Father being with His children, working and enjoying each other's company. God still views each and every one of us as important. Sometimes, simple activities may come along that don't seem important, such as saying hello to a neighbor, or helping someone in need, but these are activities that the Father enjoys doing with His children. Amen!
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Night Etching: Feeling What Other's Feel
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. -Romans 12:15
There is nothing more rewarding than to enjoy our accomplishments with others. Although certain things we complete or win, gives us that deep down sense of worth, fully enjoying those things is best with others.
Feeling what other's feel in sadness is the same way when we have bad news come or we have just gotten through a rough day. When we have that ear to hear our problems or that shoulder to cry on how much better we feel. The best way to relieve our feelings whether they are good or bad is with our brothers and sisters. Amen!
There is nothing more rewarding than to enjoy our accomplishments with others. Although certain things we complete or win, gives us that deep down sense of worth, fully enjoying those things is best with others.
Feeling what other's feel in sadness is the same way when we have bad news come or we have just gotten through a rough day. When we have that ear to hear our problems or that shoulder to cry on how much better we feel. The best way to relieve our feelings whether they are good or bad is with our brothers and sisters. Amen!
Mid-day Thought: Being Considered
I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities. -Psalm 31:7
Have you ever had a problem, whether that problem was in a classroom, a doctor's office, or a mechanic's garage, where the person in charge who has the knowledge to help you says, "Your next and I will now consider your problem." This is the beginning of the solution to whatever may be your concern or trouble. This is the beginning of the relief we will feel when our problem gets fixed or solved.
That is the way that God is with us. He says that he has considered our trouble and our problems. He knows exactly what ails us and why we are hurting. And even greater is He will help us through these troubles and concerns. He will do all this for He is God. The relieve is on its way. Amen!
Have you ever had a problem, whether that problem was in a classroom, a doctor's office, or a mechanic's garage, where the person in charge who has the knowledge to help you says, "Your next and I will now consider your problem." This is the beginning of the solution to whatever may be your concern or trouble. This is the beginning of the relief we will feel when our problem gets fixed or solved.
That is the way that God is with us. He says that he has considered our trouble and our problems. He knows exactly what ails us and why we are hurting. And even greater is He will help us through these troubles and concerns. He will do all this for He is God. The relieve is on its way. Amen!
Morning Inception: Carefully Made
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. -Psalm 139:14
Nothing else that in Creation God created was described the way that we were described. The first word the psalmist uses for God creating us is fearfully. Whenever we would do something fearfully would mean we would be so accurate and careful that we did not want to make a mistake. God so carefully created us that we are the object of His affection.
The other word the psalmists uses is wonderfully. Think about when we do our work to the best of our abilities or play with enthusiasm how wonderfully we feel. We are joyful to the point of forgetting all our cares. God knows in each and every one of us, no matter what we think of ourselves, that we bring Him joy. In fact, we were made to bring Him and others joy. The problem is not in His making, but in our understanding, our patience, or trust in what He has created.
If you are down and lonely or discouraged, remember that is not the way God built you. Find the one within yourself He built, and let His joy fill your soul. Amen!
Nothing else that in Creation God created was described the way that we were described. The first word the psalmist uses for God creating us is fearfully. Whenever we would do something fearfully would mean we would be so accurate and careful that we did not want to make a mistake. God so carefully created us that we are the object of His affection.
The other word the psalmists uses is wonderfully. Think about when we do our work to the best of our abilities or play with enthusiasm how wonderfully we feel. We are joyful to the point of forgetting all our cares. God knows in each and every one of us, no matter what we think of ourselves, that we bring Him joy. In fact, we were made to bring Him and others joy. The problem is not in His making, but in our understanding, our patience, or trust in what He has created.
If you are down and lonely or discouraged, remember that is not the way God built you. Find the one within yourself He built, and let His joy fill your soul. Amen!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Night Etching: Bless your Enemies
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. -Romans 12:14
Can you think of the people that wronged you today? First, how did you react? Did you leave them knowing you weren't rattled? Did you leave them showing them the love of God?
And last, were they in your prayers tonight? Did you pray revenge or blessings on them? We are to pray blessings on those who hurt us. Remember, how Jesus reacted to those who placed Him on the cross? May we have His spirit in those times we are persecuted. Amen!
Can you think of the people that wronged you today? First, how did you react? Did you leave them knowing you weren't rattled? Did you leave them showing them the love of God?
And last, were they in your prayers tonight? Did you pray revenge or blessings on them? We are to pray blessings on those who hurt us. Remember, how Jesus reacted to those who placed Him on the cross? May we have His spirit in those times we are persecuted. Amen!
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