Start Running!

How long have you been staring at that dream?

Seriously, how long have you been looking at it?

You've thought about it this way. Dreamed about it that way. Talked about it to her. Wrote about it to him.

But when are you going to stop holding onto your dream and get to living it? You can only stare at the finish line for so long. Unless you start running, you'll never really know what it's like to finish the race. Stop camping out at the starting line and get to running!

The Israelites had wandered for forty years trying to make it to their Promised Land. When they finally arrived at the river Jordan, they could see their promise. They witnessed it's riches, and they could see what blessings were waiting for them. They could have sat at that bank and dreamed about possessing that land all they wanted. But they would have never experienced it if they didn't step out in faith and go and possess their land.

They had to follow God's instructions. They had to remain diligent in what He told them. They had to unsheathe their swords and fight. They had to get out and do the work in order to posses their promises.

What work do you have to get out and do? What instructions do you need to start following? What steps do you need to make?

Go ahead and start running! Stop holding on to what could be, and start walking out what will be! Make your way toward the finish line. Get started, so you can finish strong.

Verse of the Day: Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21

No Cause for Complaint

It is far too easy to complain. Reasons to gripe seem to appear everywhere: the pain we feel, the trouble we have to tangle with, the attitudes others give us, the injustices poured upon us... the list for reasons to complain is never empty.

Yet, it is not Christlike for us to complain. Jesus never complained. Even though he was constantly stalked by throngs of people, even though he had no real place to call home, despite being constantly challenged by the Jewish leaders... He never said a word.

Paul chose not to complain. In fact, he counted it a joy to suffer for the cause of Christ! Even when he was beaten, imprisoned, mocked and ridiculed, Paul counted everything a blessing. (Philippians 4)

We have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice. We no longer are bound to sin, hell, or the grave. We have been counted righteous before God. We have the privilege of direct access to the throne room of God. The Holy Spirit is always with us, ready and waiting to guide and direct us as we go through life. Whatever obstacles or challenges we face, we were already declared victorious over it all.

We have not one reason to justifiably complain about anything.

Today, let's challenge ourselves to rejoice in the Lord always. Let's look to send up words of thanksgiving in place of complaints during today. We are blessed beyond measure! There's no need to complain.

Verse of the Day: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

Throwback Thursday: You Can Stay Full of Joy!

So, yesterday I declared I was going to have a happy day. Of course, that didn't work. Happiness is fleeting, and by the afternoon my happiness had flown. Today, I'm going to be a bit wiser and declare that this will be a joyful day! Read the post below to figure out the difference.

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I don't know what it is, but I've been feeling a bit blah lately. Maybe it's the gray clouds in the sky. Maybe it's work. Maybe it's the fact that I really don't understand this new class I've started this semester. It could be a host of other things that aren't that great that are going on in my life.


Yesterday, I had enough of feeling blue. I reminded myself of the fact that the joy of the Lord is my strength. I shook myself and chose to change my mood.

It's easy to allow the occurrences of what's going on around us to affect what's going on inside us. I'm amazed sometimes at how quickly my own mood can change. There I was singing a happy song, feeling great, and something (usually it's a someone) just breezes through and ruins my sun shiny moment.

Sometimes we have to choose to rise above the negativity that would love to pull us down. We must remind ourselves that since we have the Lord, we have His joy. One of the definitions of joy is a source of happiness.* God is a constant source of happiness!

No matter what's going on, no matter what we face, we always have a source of happiness on the inside. It's just up to us to go to God and grab hold of His joy.

Just thinking on His attributes and meditating on His goodness is bound to bring a smile to your lips and a twinkle to your eye. Remembering His bountiful blessings and His renewed mercies is always a way to shift our perspectives and focus.

So, don't allow yourself to wallow in despondency. Don't give in to the frown that's trying to invade your face. As you stand in the midst of adversity, fight to maintain your source of strength. Remember that you have the joy of the Lord.

Verse of the Day: ...neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

*Dictionary.com

Wednesday's Word: Look to the Heart

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
1 Samuel 16:1, 6-12 (NIV)

Our society focuses so much on the outward appearance. Some people judge merely off of how someone appears. Samuel did this when he went searching for Israel's king. He focused on the outward qualities of Jesse's sons. Yet God was searching their hearts.

These same tall, strapping men cowered in the face of adversity. Later on, when they were challenged by the giant Goliath, not one of them stepped up to defend Israel. It was their youngest brother, David, who answered the call. He wasn't even old enough or even trained to fight! Yet, David knew the God that he served.

God sees your insides. He knows your heart. Despite how other people may judge you, the Lord knows your true worth. Don't allow the superficial judgments of others keep you from answering God's call. And, make sure you take time to get to know someone before you make a snap judgment. Look to their heart. You probably will change your mind.

True Forgiveness

Lately God has been dealing with me about forgiveness. In our society we like to say, "I'll forgive, but I'll never forget." We say that we forgive someone, but we always hold the offence against them. We never allow their error to be fully erased in our hearts.

Imagine if God treated us the same way! How many of us consistently offend the Lord - often in the same areas - and He consistently chooses to forgive us completely. When we ask for His forgiveness, He forgives and remembers our sin no more.

I know for me God's mercy and grace are two of the greatest things I love about being His child. No matter how much I mess up, the Lord is always there to take me in.

Yet, we humans have long memories. We never forget the one time someone offended us, let alone a couple of failures! We hold on to hurt, and we use that against those that seek redemption. But, how can we act this way as Christians? The very fact that we were forgiven for so much should motivate us to forgive someone else for the small things that they have done to us.

I'm not going to act like forgiveness is easy. I know how hard it can be to truly forgive. Yet, it is our responsibility as Christians to show love. We are to show the same kind of love that we've been shown by our Heavenly Father. If you find it hard to forgive, ask the Lord to strengthen you to get to the place of forgiveness. Allow His love to help you to love someone else in return.

Today, choose to show forgiveness. Purpose in your heart to really forgive that person who has wronged you. Even if they have not apologized, make it right in your own heart so that you can stand free before the Lord.

Verses of the Day:
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21, 22

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14, 15

Your Influence

The sign of a good leader is their ability to replicate themselves in others. Moses had Joshua. Elijah had Elisha. Jesus replicated Himself in His disciples. Paul helped Timothy grow as a leader.

In your life, who are you taking the time to pour into?

You may not consider yourself a leader on the same levels as the examples I've given, but you do have people watching you. You do have people who notice your good and bad habits. You do have people who notice your walk. It could be a coworker, your children, a neighbor, or a friend. Whoever it is, are you giving them a positive influence?

Take time this week to actively pour into another individual. Ask the Lord to show you who needs your positive influence. Ask Him to show you the right keys to place into someone else's hands.

As you focus on helping another person grow, you'll find yourself growing as well. As you share your wisdom, you'll learn some new things as well.

Don't keep all of your goodies to yourself! Go out and share what you have with those around you! You are full of priceless treasures that can be sown to produce a legacy that stands long after you are gone. Don't let the world miss out on your knowledge!

Verse of the Day: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Thanksgiving Friday!

This week I'm thankful for LIFE! With so many tragic things happening, I am reminded that life is a gift that should be enjoyed. So, I don't have everything I may want, but I definitely have what I need. I have breath in my lungs, love all around, and a relationship with my heavenly Father.

Life is good.

I'm also thankful for the power of prayer. Through prayer, I can send comfort to those hurting, stand proxy for those in need, and show love for my fellow man.

What are you thankful for today? Make sure you show your gratitude!

Verse of the Day: Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. Psalm 105:1-6 (NLT)