John 14: 27 - "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."
This blog is a summary of a chapter in Max Lucado's Book : Fearless.
Life comes with surprises; Modification, Transitions, Alterations. Everything seems great, then one day the unexpected happens. We just don't know what tomorrow has in store for us. Fear of what tomorrow holds can rob us of our focus of today.
The disciples are resting, feasting the might of the Passover Celebration in the Upper Room and Jesus says, "I am going away" (John 14:28). Can you imagine the shock they must have felt hearing Jesus say those words.
Think about it, Jesus popularity was soaring, the crowds lifted Jesus to their shoulders. they put all their hope in him.
No one passes through life surprised free. Remember Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 "For everything there is a season." Max said he counted twenty eight different seasons.
Earthly seasons we understand, but not lives season. When life gets crazy we need someone to stabilize us. Jesus promised the disciples an Advocate who would represent him - The Holy Spirit. Jesus told them I am going away and you will enter a new season. You will enjoy the presence of another Counselor.
Counselor means - helper; intercessor; advocate, strengthener, standby
Parakletos - para - alongside of
kletos - to be called out, designated, assigned, appointed
The Holy Spirit is designated to come alongside of us. He is the presence of Jesus.
Changes equip us for living life with purpose. So embrace change, accept it, don't resist it.
As Paul wrote, "These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing" (2 Cor. 4: 17)
Thanks Max! A very meaningful chapter.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Our Thoughts
Proverbs 23:7 - "As he thinks in his heart, so is he."
Have you ever wondered why people ask for, forgiveness of thoughts, words and deeds. Sometimes you may think no one knows what you are, thinking. WRONG! God knows!
You may say to yourself: don't talk to me, I am in a bad mood. a mood is not a place we are assigned. It is an emotion we permit. You may think, I am not going to mess with her/him, they have a bad disposition. A bad disposition is not like a cold or the flu.
2 Cor. 10: 5 - "We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ." This sounds like we are on a battle field: we are the soldiers and our thoughts are our enemies. Our assignment is to protect the boat (our hearts) and refuse entrance of trashy thoughts. The minute they appear, we need to go into action. We need to say; "This heart belongs to God," and you are not getting on board.
My prayer for you is to have great thoughts, and remember when some slip through God forgives. Nothing can separate you from God's love.
Have you ever wondered why people ask for, forgiveness of thoughts, words and deeds. Sometimes you may think no one knows what you are, thinking. WRONG! God knows!
You may say to yourself: don't talk to me, I am in a bad mood. a mood is not a place we are assigned. It is an emotion we permit. You may think, I am not going to mess with her/him, they have a bad disposition. A bad disposition is not like a cold or the flu.
2 Cor. 10: 5 - "We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ." This sounds like we are on a battle field: we are the soldiers and our thoughts are our enemies. Our assignment is to protect the boat (our hearts) and refuse entrance of trashy thoughts. The minute they appear, we need to go into action. We need to say; "This heart belongs to God," and you are not getting on board.
My prayer for you is to have great thoughts, and remember when some slip through God forgives. Nothing can separate you from God's love.
Our Thoughts
Proverbs 23:7 - "As he thinks in his heart, so is he."
Have you ever wondered why people ask for forgiveness of thoughts, words and deeds. sometimes you may think no one knows what you are, thinking. WRONG! God knows!
You may say to yourself: don't talk to me, I am in a bad mood. a mood is not a place we are assigned. It is an emotion we permit. You may think, I am not going to mess with her/him, they have a bad disposition. a bad disposition is not like a cold or the flu.
2 Cor. 10:5 - "We capture every though and make it give up and obey Christ." This sounds like we are on a battle field: we are the soloders and our thoughts are our enemies. Our assigment is to protect the boat (our heart) and refuse entrance of trashy thoughts. The minute they appear, we need to go into action. We need to say, "This heart belongs to God," and you are not getting on board.
My prayer for is to have great thoughts, and remember that when you fall into bad thoughts, you can be forgiven as nothing can separate you from the love of God.
Have you ever wondered why people ask for forgiveness of thoughts, words and deeds. sometimes you may think no one knows what you are, thinking. WRONG! God knows!
You may say to yourself: don't talk to me, I am in a bad mood. a mood is not a place we are assigned. It is an emotion we permit. You may think, I am not going to mess with her/him, they have a bad disposition. a bad disposition is not like a cold or the flu.
2 Cor. 10:5 - "We capture every though and make it give up and obey Christ." This sounds like we are on a battle field: we are the soloders and our thoughts are our enemies. Our assigment is to protect the boat (our heart) and refuse entrance of trashy thoughts. The minute they appear, we need to go into action. We need to say, "This heart belongs to God," and you are not getting on board.
My prayer for is to have great thoughts, and remember that when you fall into bad thoughts, you can be forgiven as nothing can separate you from the love of God.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Happiness
Matthew 25:23 - "Well done, good and faithful servant? You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and serve your master's happiness.
What is happiness? it is the quality or state of being happy. (good fortune, pleasure, contentment, joy, high spirits, satisfaction)
I found 49 synonyms and 8 antonyms for the word happy.
As a first grade teacher I taught my students that we use more facial muscles to frown than to smile and laugh. Laughter is a synonym for happiness. If we use less facial muscles to smile, then we were created to smile and laugh.
Since we have free will we can choose to be happy or sad. Since there are 49 synonyms and only 8 antonyms then surely it is God's will to be happy,and not sad.
My point is we have a choice whether we want to be happy or sad. We make our own happiness and when others are a part of that happiness they are gifts from God.
My prayer for you is be happy and let God fill your life with many wonderful blessings.
What is happiness? it is the quality or state of being happy. (good fortune, pleasure, contentment, joy, high spirits, satisfaction)
I found 49 synonyms and 8 antonyms for the word happy.
As a first grade teacher I taught my students that we use more facial muscles to frown than to smile and laugh. Laughter is a synonym for happiness. If we use less facial muscles to smile, then we were created to smile and laugh.
Since we have free will we can choose to be happy or sad. Since there are 49 synonyms and only 8 antonyms then surely it is God's will to be happy,and not sad.
My point is we have a choice whether we want to be happy or sad. We make our own happiness and when others are a part of that happiness they are gifts from God.
My prayer for you is be happy and let God fill your life with many wonderful blessings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
