A God Kind of View

The Apostle Paul went through a lot in his life after he dedicated his life to Jesus. He was ridiculed, jailed, whipped, put under house arrest, questioned by other Christians, undermined in his ministry, as well as a host of other things. Yet Paul was able to go through all that he went through because he kept his mind on Christ.

Paul knew that in the larger picture, it was more important for him to spread the gospel than to be swayed by the circumstances around him. Paul recognized that he could not give up or give in. He saw that the temporary pains and disappointments could not compare to the joy and reward that he gained in following Jesus.

I often look at my father who is going through a great battle right now. Despite being unable to walk or use his hands, my father still does so much! He is still preaching and teaching the Word of the Lord on Sunday mornings. He still takes care of what business he has with our family and church. My father has not lost his joyful spirit or the great love in his heart.

My dad is able to keep his sweetness because he sees things in terms of eternity. He recognizes that God's plans for him will ultimately prevail. He knows that God's Word is sure. And because of that rock solid faith, my father can face each day with a smile.

So this week let's challenge ourselves to look at things in the scope of eternity. Instead of focusing on what's going on in the natural, let's acknowledge the spiritual. Instead of accepting the devil's negativity, let's adhere to what God says about us.

Yes, we all have trials and circumstances that we have to face. But we can face them head-on knowing that in the end we overcome! We don't have to be sad, depressed, or downtrodden. God's Word tells us that we win in the end! Have faith, and believe God's Word.

This week, let's strive to be kingdom minded. Nothing should be able to steal our joy or keep us from enjoying our lives.

Verse of the Day: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed... For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9, 17, 18

Thanksgiving Friday!

Wow, it's Thanksgiving Friday already! This week kind of sped by.

This week, I'm doing a special Thanksgiving Friday. I'm highlighting one of the major people I'm thankful for: my father.

My dad will be celebrating his 60th birthday this Sunday, and I am so thankful that he is still alive and with me. Right now my father is battling an illness, and we are all praying and believing for the Lord to heal him.

In the midst of this whole thing, my father has been a true example of what it means to have faith in God. He has remained faithful to God's Word, he has maintained his joy in the Lord, and he has not lost his hope. My father is still one of the most joyful people I know, and he continues to preach the gospel like he did before he became ill.

Growing up, my father was always a prime example of a man who showed love, tenderness, strength. He showed me what a man of God is, and he has set the standard (very high) for my future husband. I love my dad so much.

Thank you, Jesus, for blessing me with such an amazing man as my father!

Verse of the Day: Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12

Who Cares What They Think!

This morning I was having a conversation with a co-worker about how people today seem so consumed with what other people think about them. They are willing to go into debt, reorder priorities, and overlook necessities all in the name of 'keeping up with the Joneses.' No wonder America is in the state it's in.

People join clubs, volunteer, and participate in other social activities all because it looks good to other people. Some people are in debt up to their ears all because they have to buy the latest clothes and gadgets in order to stay up with the latest trends.

Everyone is concerned with what everyone else thinks of them. No one wants to appear like they need help of any kind. And this need for affirmation causes some people to get off track.

Some of us may do the same things with regard to our faith. We don't talk about our insecurities, problems, or concerns because we want to seem to have it all together. We're quick to testify, but slow to ask for prayer. We put up a front during Sunday morning services because we don't want to reveal how much we're actually hurting inside.

We're so worried about how other people will see us, that we miss out on the One who can help us out of our troubles.

God is the One who matters. His is the viewpoint that we should be most concerned about. He is the One who has a front row seat to look upon our hearts.

There's a saying that goes: Man has no heaven or hell to put you in. At the end of the day, those people that we're so worried about can ultimately do nothing for us. In the perspective of eternity, they have zero influence.

Our Heavenly Father, however, does control heaven and earth. He is the One who holds the answers all of our questions. He is the One who can turn our lives around and upside down.

So, why are we not more concerned with pleasing Him?

Today, don't be so concerned with what other people think. Instead, ask yourself what God thinks of how you're living. Is He pleased with how you're running your life? Is He happy with the choices your making? He's watching everything you do... Make sure He's proud of it all too.

Verse of the Day: The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. Psalm 33:13-15

Limitless Love

When Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was resurrected, they were no doubt overjoyed. After suffering through the agony of seeing Jesus suffer and die on the cross, they had spent the following days in seclusion and despair.

Then, the news came that He had risen! And their hearts were filled with joy. When Jesus then came in their midst they were probably overcome with emotion and love.

Still, in the middle of all of the joy and love that was flowing, I suspect Peter felt twinges of guilt, sadness and shame at the sight of His resurrected Lord. Peter probably recalled how he had betrayed Jesus before His death, and Peter may have wondered what Jesus' response to him would be.

You never see Jesus ask Peter to apologize. You never hear Jesus officially forgive Peter. It wasn't necessary. Jesus had already paid the price for Peter's sin. He had already shown forgiveness in His death and resurrection.

Yet, Jesus did take the time to let Peter know that all was well between them. After showing His perfect love on the cross, Jesus asked Peter whether he loved Him as well. When Peter responded that He did, Jesus told him to go and show that love to others. (John 21:15-17)

God's love for us is just as limitless as it was for Peter. We may not have outright betrayed our Savior, but we have participated in actions that have defied Him in our daily lives. Yet, when our hearts are convicted, and we repent, all the Lord asks of us is to show His love.

We were already forgiven when Christ died on the cross. He took care of our sins - past and present - in that one act so many years ago. Our forgiveness is already certain.

However, that love that has no limits only asks us to show love. That love that keeps giving of itself asks us to give it out in the same way. The love that was willing to lay down it's own life asks us to commit our own lives to it's cause in the same way.

Today, as you think on God's limitless love for you, make sure you are pouring out that same love to someone else. The same way that you were forgiven of the unforgivable, make the effort to forgive someone else in that same spirit.

God's love for us is limitless! So, we should strive to show limitless love to others.

Verse of the Day: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Heaven On Earth

On this past Sunday, I had the pleasure of talking about heaven with my teens. It was interesting to hear their takes on what they thought heaven would be like and what we all would do there.

We had fun discussing all the greatness and grandeur of heaven, but I also made a point to remind them that some aspects of heaven we can enjoy right now.

As Christians, we can enjoy the continual presence of God in our everyday life. We can choose to stay actively connected to Him, we can hear His voice, and we can spend time in worship whenever we would like. We can experience the fruit of the Spirit like joy, peace, and love every day. We can participate in corporate worship with other believers. And, even though we may not see them, we do have angels surrounding us in this world.

It's so incredible that God lets us get a taste of heaven before we get there! Through a song of worship, a touch of love, or an act of kindness heaven can be transported right to our doorstep.

Have you experienced a touch from heaven lately? Have you thought about the greatness that awaits and the pleasures you can partake in right now?

As you go about your day today, ask the Lord to bless you with a "heavenly moment." Go even a step further and give someone else around you a touch from heaven as well. Speak a word from God, perform an act of kindness, take some time to laugh with someone who needs to smile... All of these bring heaven right here to earth.

Verse of the Day: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

Attitude Adjustment Needed: Put It On Repeat...

So, this morning I was awakened early out of my sleep with a phone call about nothing. No emergency. No fire to put out. Just someone calling me because they were up already and felt like talking.

I am not a morning person. It takes a while for me to feel like myself at the start of the day. So, I was not in a good mood after receiving my early morning call.

From there, I got another phone call and some text messages that only added to my frustrations and work I had to do later in the day. Then I had to rush and take on an extra task that I was not planning to do. On top of that I had to come in to work and run around in circles trying to get things in place before the start of the day.

I was really on the way to being a grouch all day.

As I was walking through the hallway though, I became aware of my attitude and the nastiness I was feeling inside. I didn't like it.

Right then and there I said a prayer asking God for forgiveness and help. What I was experiencing wasn't that deep. I had no reason to be in such a foul mood, and I knew it. Today, I'm thankful that God is merciful. I certainly needed some mercy today.

So, I went back through my blog and found this post. Apparently, this is a test that I will continue to take until I pass. I'm reposting it because I clearly need to just pray today. Would you say a prayer for me too?

Thank you. :)

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Attitude Adjustment Needed!

So this morning I was in a funky mood. I woke up because of God's grace since my alarm certainly did not go off like it should have done. Then I forgot that I had to go get some gas before I started my commute to work, so I was about 10 minutes late getting on the expressway. The drizzling rain did not help lift my spirits at all (or move traffic along, for that matter).


I arrived to work with the work coming to greet me as soon as I walked in the door. I mean, can I get my coat off first, please? Yes, I was starting on work items - that weren't even my normal responsibilities - before I logged onto my computer. My bad attitude was turned all the way up. I was so not feeling today.

While doing the other person's job (they were blessed to be off today), I happened to ask one of my co-workers how they were doing just to make conversation. Listening to her response literally made me feel like the most ungrateful, selfish person on the planet.

In comparison to her, I was experiencing bliss! She was going through real issues and if anyone was entitled to be a little sour, it was her. Yet she still had a pleasant smile on her face. There was no trace of anger, attitude or crabbiness in her voice.

I immediately repented of my bad attitude and made an internal adjustment. Thinking about things later, I had to admit that I allowed that mood to overwhelm me. I woke up upset, but I didn't choose to put a stop to it and take on the joy of the Lord. Instead I wallowed in it, and probably made some room for it's growth as the morning went on.

So, I am going to work to give thanks in all things. Life is a blessing, and I should give praise at every opportunity. With all that Christ experienced and does for me, I should always strive to reflect His light no matter what's happening. How can I reach someone if I'm walking around wrapped up in a funky attitude?

Lord, help me to be a better person even when things don't go according to plan. Help me to realize that if it's happening, it's a part of your Master Plan. You still have everything under control, so I can just rest in You. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace.

Verse of the Day: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 (NLT)

**Did anyone else catch that I said I woke up because of God's grace, but I still had an attitude? Lord, help me!**

Thanksgiving Friday!

I'm glad today is Thanksgiving Friday. With all of the craziness going on around me... it's imperative that I stop and thank God before I get out of line over here.

This week, I'm thankful for progress! This blog's readership is growing, my creative juices are flowing, and I'm excited about what God is doing. I'm thankful to see improvement, grateful for all of your eyeballs, and I'm looking forward to blessing you with all that God has laid on my heart. I'm truly thankful for all of you.

I'm also thankful for wisdom. I had to share some advice with my friends this week, and I was so glad that I knew what to say! Reading God's Word, applying His principles, and spending time in prayer isn't just for you. It's for you to be able to bless someone else! Thank you, Lord, for Your wisdom!

Lastly today, I'm thankful for hope. Without hope, where would we be? There's this song in the movie The Prince of Egypt that says hope is "hard to kill." And that is so true. No matter what comes up, no matter how unbeatable the odds, no matter how dire the situation, there's always some little shred of hope that refuses to die. Thank You, Lord, for keeping me hopeful! Thank You Lord that I'm not succumbing to despair!

What are you thankful for this week?

Well, lift up your voice and let the Lord know!

Verse of the Day: Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
Job 11:18 (NLT)