Romans 12: 1-8 (Message) "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best things you can do for him."
It is human nature to seek the approval of others, to feel accepted and part of the group. but when that doesn't happen we withdraw, become shy, self-conscious and we loose our self-esteem.
When we read the Bible we discover God's way of measuring things. We don't have to seek approval. We belong to God. He accepts us just as we are. After all He created us. He knows our true worth. He gives our lives meaning and purpose. We need to rely on God for a sense of purpose and reassurance as we live each day. We witness best by being who God created us to be.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Enemies
Matthew 5: 41-45; These verses remind us that all people good and bad are children of God.
Therefore we need to pray for our enemies. In almost every country, people of different cultures use violence to express fear and hatred of each other.
Jesus commands us to love our enemies. We need to show our enemies the respect due all human beings. Imagine how the world would change if we all lived by Jesus command instead of treating it as a suggestion. No more bombs, or bullets fired, or stones thrown. If people could agree to disagree we could work through our differences.
Can this happen in our world today? YES! If we open our hearts and minds, and we pray that God will open the hearts and minds of the enemy. With open minds and hearts we can become the kind of people worthy of the name Christian.
God loves us and God loves our enemies.
Therefore we need to pray for our enemies. In almost every country, people of different cultures use violence to express fear and hatred of each other.
Jesus commands us to love our enemies. We need to show our enemies the respect due all human beings. Imagine how the world would change if we all lived by Jesus command instead of treating it as a suggestion. No more bombs, or bullets fired, or stones thrown. If people could agree to disagree we could work through our differences.
Can this happen in our world today? YES! If we open our hearts and minds, and we pray that God will open the hearts and minds of the enemy. With open minds and hearts we can become the kind of people worthy of the name Christian.
God loves us and God loves our enemies.
Encourage One Another
1 Thes. 5: 6-24 - These scriptures are about words that help. Verse 11 "Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact, you are doing."
Paul urged the Thessalonians to encourage, to help, and to be patient. this is also God's will for us today. When we make conscious choices to encourage others by speaking a positive comment, complimenting a job well done and having an understanding heart - God uses us to help them. Our words can inspire encourage, give hope, and build confidence.
By following the guidance of scripture as part of our daily routine we can make encouragement a lifestyle. Verses 16-18 tells us how: "Be joyful always pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances." then we can fully encourage others according to God's will.
Paul urged the Thessalonians to encourage, to help, and to be patient. this is also God's will for us today. When we make conscious choices to encourage others by speaking a positive comment, complimenting a job well done and having an understanding heart - God uses us to help them. Our words can inspire encourage, give hope, and build confidence.
By following the guidance of scripture as part of our daily routine we can make encouragement a lifestyle. Verses 16-18 tells us how: "Be joyful always pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances." then we can fully encourage others according to God's will.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Witnessing
2 Tim. 1: 3-14 These scriptures are about witnessing. They tell us God gives us the spirit of power, love, self-discipline to witness.
While on the cruise ship we were at the rail whale watching. The lady next to me and I started visiting. she was from New York, NY. she told me in November she would be taking a trip to Egypt and was nervous about going. I told her that my brother had made the trip recently and was so excited to find Egypt is now over 30% Christian. She looked at me and said, I am a Jew.
Now I had two choices: Be ashamed or not ashamed. I silently prayed asking God to help me know what to say. I simply said, "You can be sure that at least 30% of the people truly believed in God". She smiled at me and we continued visiting.
I believe God gave me an opportunity to plant a seed of Christ in my conversation with this new friend.
While on the cruise ship we were at the rail whale watching. The lady next to me and I started visiting. she was from New York, NY. she told me in November she would be taking a trip to Egypt and was nervous about going. I told her that my brother had made the trip recently and was so excited to find Egypt is now over 30% Christian. She looked at me and said, I am a Jew.
Now I had two choices: Be ashamed or not ashamed. I silently prayed asking God to help me know what to say. I simply said, "You can be sure that at least 30% of the people truly believed in God". She smiled at me and we continued visiting.
I believe God gave me an opportunity to plant a seed of Christ in my conversation with this new friend.
God Knows You
Ps. 139: 1-2 "Lord you have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts."
On cattle farms, calves are separated from their moms to be inoculated. The cows mill around outside of an enclosure while the calves mill around inside the pen. How can they be sorted and matched with their moms. Through all the confusion they recognized each other through sound and by scent.
Now think about all the prayers lifted up in a single moment. So many people, so many cares, so many words to tell God. God hears each prayer, whether spoken, silent, eloquent, halting, desperate or ecstatic. God hears each prayer separately and knows each person's need.
God picks each of you out of the crowd. God knows every hair on your head, your voice, your scent. God rejoices over you and longs to be in a relationship with you. God knows you and walks with you.
On cattle farms, calves are separated from their moms to be inoculated. The cows mill around outside of an enclosure while the calves mill around inside the pen. How can they be sorted and matched with their moms. Through all the confusion they recognized each other through sound and by scent.
Now think about all the prayers lifted up in a single moment. So many people, so many cares, so many words to tell God. God hears each prayer, whether spoken, silent, eloquent, halting, desperate or ecstatic. God hears each prayer separately and knows each person's need.
God picks each of you out of the crowd. God knows every hair on your head, your voice, your scent. God rejoices over you and longs to be in a relationship with you. God knows you and walks with you.
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