Keep Living the Right Life

Noah lived in a time when everyone was living a wicked lifestyle. Everyone was choosing to live according to their evil thoughts all the time. Yet, Noah chose to live a just life before the Lord. In the midst of literally everyone else going the opposite direction, Noah chose the narrow, righteous path.

As a result of Noah's choice, God chose to spare him when he decided that man's wickedness had gone too far. Mankind had gone so far that God decided to wipe them off the face of the earth. But, since our God is a just God, he knew that Noah did not deserve to die. So God made a way for Noah to survive.

If there hadn't been a Noah, we more than likely wouldn't be here. Because of his righteous living, we have the chance to live today.

Are you in a "Noah" situation? Does it feel like you're the only one living right in your world? Are you feeling like everyone else is turning their back on God while you're trying to live holy?

Don't give up! Don't get weary in doing what's right before God. Just like He saw Noah's upright life, God sees yours. Just like He chose to bless Noah and his family for righteous living, the Lord will bless you as well. When everyone else around falls apart because of the calamities of life, God will provide a miracle for you to escape.

No matter how hard it may seem, continue to stay on the right path. No matter how alone you may feel, remember that the Lord always walks with you. You are not by yourself. You have the Lord of All on your side, and He will make everything work out for the best on your behalf.

Verse of the Day: And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:7, 8

Handle With Care

Right now, millions of people are walking around thinking that no one cares. No one cares about them… No one cares about their problems… No one cares about a certain situation or issue… No one cares about the tragedies going on around them…

They walk around feeling helpless and alone. They don’t see any hope. They don’t feel any love.

Jesus’ ministry was so effective because He cared. He could have walked around performing miracles and preaching God’s Kingdom and not had as great of a result if He had not have cared in the midst of all of it.

Because Jesus cared He reached out to the lepers – a group of people the whole nation was instructed to shun because of their illness. Because Jesus cared He ministered to the Samaritan woman – a member of a race with whom the Israelites were enemies. Because Jesus cared He preached and ministered to the crowds when He Himself just wanted to rest and get away. Because Jesus cared He followed through on His mission all the way to the cross and the grave.

I know at times I go about life as if I have blinders on. I have tunnel vision and can only see what relates to me and my needs, wants, and desires. Too often, I miss out on interacting with another person in a more meaningful way or doing a good deed that would bring a smile to someone’s face. All because I didn’t take a minute to notice… to care.

Do you care about those around you? Do you consider other peoples’ feelings, issues, and situations? Do you notice when someone around you needs some care?

Today, make an effort to care about what’s going around you. Turn off the tunnel vision and pay attention to the people, situations, and issues happening in your world. What can you do to show that you care? How can you give someone the same kind of attention that Jesus did?

Don’t just live today for yourself. Make it about someone else.

Verse of the Day: But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Praise In The Midst of Adversity

Today is starting off to be... a day. Things are not going as smoothly as I would like, I have items piling up that all need prompt attention, I have one major problem I have to figure out asap, and I'm not feeling so hot physically. Plus, I logged on here and could not think of one thing to write on. Not one.

Today was shaping up to be the perfect set up for stress, negativity, and frustration.

BUT...

I am choosing to fix my mind to be positive. I am choosing to fix my attitude to be pleasant. I am going to give God praise for another day of life! I am going to praise God for employment! I am going to lift up my hands and thank Him for health and strength!

In the midst of what seems like chaos and awaiting stress, I am choosing to remember the great God I serve. I am choosing to think on His goodness and love. I am making the choice to adjust my actions and reactions to His will.

I will not succumb to stress. I will not get a nasty attitude. I will not grow frustrated. I will not get sick!

I WILL rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will rejoice! I WILL give thanks in the midst of adversity, because I know the Lord is working all things together for my good. I will acknowledge God in all of my ways, since He will guide my feet on the right paths. I WILL give Him all my problems, concerns, and troubles... He'll take care of them much better than I ever could.

SO...

Today is going to be... a great day! Because of all that's going on around me, I will get to experience the wonderful saving power of my Heavenly Father. I will get to experience the greatness of His peace that passes all understanding. Today, I will walk in the comfort of His strength.

Today, make sure you lean on the great God you serve to bolster you through any hardness you face. Don't allow your emotions and attitude to take on negativity. Remember the majesty of your Savior. Take hold of your benefits in Christ! No weapon formed against you will prosper. You can and will succeed!

Verse of the Day: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Partners In Prayer

I am a strong believer in prayer. Prayer connects you with God, and it allows you to hear His voice. Prayer - when done correctly - has a way of calming your emotions and causing you to focus on what's really important.

I find it interesting that in a passage that speaks on effective prayers, we are instructed to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another.

Frankly, sometimes I find it difficult to confess my sins just to God, let alone another person! But, this verse is speaking to the great fellowship and family we are to have as believers. We all should have a confidant in our Christian walk. Some folks call them accountability partners or prayer partners. Whatever the name, we should all have someone who we can be transparent with in our walk with God.

None of us know it all. All of us fall short of God's glory. When we can humbly admit our faults, we are able to grow and change for the better.

On the flip side, when we can listen to someone admit where they've gone wrong and not judge or condemn them... When we can keep their confidence and not go gossip to others... When we can embrace them still in love and bring them up before the Lord... That's when our prayers become effective. That's when our prayers produce results.

Do you have someone with whom you can share your struggles? Is there someone else praying with you about the things you are dealing with? If you don't, ask the Lord to show you another believer that you can trust to stand with you in faith.

Are you a trustworthy person with whom someone can confide in? Are you believing God for someone else's breakthrough and not just your own?

Make sure that you are taking full advantage of the power of prayer. Sometimes you do need another person in your corner. Sometimes it takes the faith of another person standing with you to see something come through.

Verse of the Day: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 (NLT)

Thanksgiving Friday!

Happy Friday, Everyone! It's been a wonderful week! I've been back at work preparing for this new school year, registering for school, and watching the Olympics. (Is it okay that one of the things I'm thankful for this week is Gabby winning gold in gymnastics? History was made! So happy for her.)

This week, I'm thankful for provision and being able to learn from mistakes. As I registered for my classes after taking the summer off, I learned that I had forgotten to do something rather important with regards to my schooling (How did I miss filing a new FAFSA?). As a result, my financial aid is on hold. I was so very disappointed. BUT, praise God, I had the money to pay for the class. I didn't want to use that money for school, but I'm grateful that I had it to use. I'm thankful I didn't have to wait one more semester to go back to school. Leaned a lesson. Grateful that I had it to pay. Praises be to God!

I'm also thankful for creative ideas. Last night, as I was in our church's prayer service, God showed me some things that I can do with my teens to enhance our ministry. These last few weeks, I'd been kind of concerned about them, and God showed me something simple to do to be a blessing to them. Thank You, Lord, for Your inspiration!

Finally, I'm thankful for mature people who can sit down and - even though the sides may not agree - have a fruitful conversation. I was a part of a couple of these talks this week. One was regarding the whole Chick-fil-A thing, another was concerning a relationship, and another was regarding faith. All of them were conversations where I learned from who I was talking to, was able to show respect for their opinion, and was able to properly voice mine. I may not have agreed with all of what was said, but I was happy to have a positive engagement. Thanks God, for opening me up to some positive learning experiences.

What are you thankful for today? How has the Lord brightened up your days this week? Take some time to give God some glory!

Verse of the Day: Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. Psalm 111:1

By the Grace of God

Yesterday, I was able to throw my two cents into a lively discussion about faith. Some folks were wondering why Christians say that they believe the whole Bible, but in some respects ignore some of the rules that God put forth in the Old Testament.

It's true. We no longer stone people for sin. Some of us don't follow the dietary laws. We don't offer up animal sacrifices. We can wear whichever fabrics we choose. There's a lot of things that were put down in the law that God gave the Israelites that we don't follow today.

Are we being hypocritical?

No.

Jesus Christ is the reason why the law no longer applies. His sacrifice on the cross ended the need for any more animal sacrifices to absolve sin. His death and resurrection instituted grace in place of rigorous rules. Because of Jesus, we don't have to worry about a laundry list of laws. Through His love, we experience an inward change and are blessed with the Father's forgiveness.

True, there are some things addressed within the law that still apply under grace. Sin is still sin in God's eyes. Yet, if we come before Him repentant and ask for forgiveness, we receive His grace and are made right with Him again.

It's so amazing what Jesus accomplished for us!

Man has a way of getting caught up in rules. We focus on what we should or shouldn't do, we judge people by what we consider to be right or wrong. But under grace, all God is looking at is our hearts. He's looking to see a love for Him and a desire to please Him.

Our Father knows that when our heart is in the right place, our actions will follow. When we desire to please Him, anything we do against Him causes us remorse and we will work to make things right.

Today, give God thanks for the grace that He has shown you. Praise your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who freed you from the curse of the law. And show someone else that same amazing grace that was shown to you.

Verse of the Day: So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, "It is through obeying the law that a person has life." But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. Galatians 3:11-13

God's Plan For Your Day

Every day, I sit at my desk and ask God, "What would you have me to write today?" Sometimes the ideas come quickly, other times I have to sit, think, and wait for inspiration. But I always come up with something to post on this blog.

This morning as I asked God this question, another question came up right behind it: "Lord, what would you have me to do today?"

It's nice to start your day off in meditation and devotion. Thinking about God's goodness and desires for us is always in order. Discovering ways in which we can better our Christian walk is beneficial.

But, can you imagine what would happen if we all just asked God what He would like for us to do each day? What would occur if we all took time to sit and listen for God's instructions on the day and then went out and followed His lead?

There would be some pretty amazing things going on.

Jesus kept His ear ready to hear everything God had to say. He knew which city to visit next and which routes to take to get there. He recognized which people He needed to spend time with, and Jesus was wise enough to know which words to use in order to reach them. His every step was ordered by God.

Do you include God's input in your daily decisions? Something as simple as changing where you go to get your breakfast this morning could have caused you to have a moment of destiny.

Don't miss out on what God wants you to do today! Make sure you include Him as you go about your day. Keep your ears cocked to hear His voice. Follow through with what He's asking of you, and watch how your life thrives.

Verse of the Day: Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19