Reflecting on the weekend, here are some key things I found valuable and thought you might too!
~Most Christ followers experience only about 5% of what God has for them. Get deeper with the Lord through Bible-living! Do what the Bible says, it was written to change our lives. We should not only read the Bible we should apply to our lives all that it says-it gives direction on every matter in our lives.
~Not yet believers and believers alike should know you are a Christ follower by your life. The words you choose to say, the level of honesty and integrity that your daily life reflects and the love you show others, speaks for itself.
~Colossians 1:25-27
~Remember it’s not Christ and you, it is Christ IN you!
~We serve an all-powerful God who lives in us and gives us His power to live like He would!
Share what you gleaned from your Church this weekend!
Instead of saying, “they grow up too fast”
I’m going to say, “cherish every moment, even the challenging ones!”
Instead of saying, “time goes by so quickly”
I’m going to say, “I am moving in the right direction at the correct speed!”
Instead of saying, “What am I doing here (physically, spiritually, emotionally, etc.)?”
I am going to ask God to use me right where I am.
What will you say instead of saying what you’ve been saying?!
We simply loved, all the time.
We gave freely.
We forgave.
We cherished the time.
We spoke gently.
We lived out loud.
We listened.
We cared more for others.
We understood our purpose.
We reached out.
We did not judge.
We loved unconditionally.
We were patient.
We cared more about what God thinks of us rather than what people think of us.
Throughout our lives, we meet many people. Every single day, we are given terrific opportunities to allow others a glance into our lives. I love meeting people and the interaction is often uplifting and interesting. One thing I have realized is I am more intrigued by genuineness than any other aspect. You see I would rather converse with a nonbeliever who speaks from their heart than a believer who is insincere. Being real is what comes easier for most people although there are many who work hard at creating a facade, who speak one thing yet do another, who will work against others instead of working on themselves.
Determine that you will choose to live a genuine life, being open and honest not only with others but with yourself.
Care more about what God thinks that what anyone else thinks.
Share your life experiences with others.
Remember that every person who comes into your life has a purpose, something to bring to your life or something you are supposed to bring to their life.
Live authentically!
Today on Twitter I read the following tweet by Pastor Jonathan Miller:
A balanced friendship requires equal distribution of loyalty, love, trust and communication. Lopsided friendships collapse.
This got me to thinking about relationships and how so many people struggle with broken bonds in their lives. It is my belief that God has placed people in our lives for His purpose.
Remember:
*It is better to be loving than right.
This means that we let pride go, especially in a situation where we may be right. It is far better to love than to win!
*When someone has done something that hurts you, let them know right away.
That way you can clear the air immediately. Be sure you talk about the situation ONLY to the person who offended you, not to everyone else! And get on with living instead of binging on bitterness.
*Be genuine.
Friends want the real you, with all your fears and failures. Rejoice with them when they are happy, and be compassionate when they are struggling.
Pray for your friends~past, present, and future!
Are you a worrier or a worshipper?
If we are so involved in worshipping God with our lives, we don’t worry. We leave our concerns at the feet of the cross and move on. This allows God to do what needs to be done. Who are we to think we can do things better than the Creator of the universe?
If we worry constantly, we don’t worship our God. Instead, we attempt to control things that we cannot control!
With that said, ponder on the following questions and consider where you stand. Does your answer line up with what you claim to believe? If not, change it!
Remember, we are one or the other because they can’t coexist in the same life.
Are you a healer or a conspirator?
Are you a bridge or an obstacle?
Are you compelled by love or condemned by hate?
Are you forgiving or bitter?
Are you fearful or free?
Are you kind or rude?
Are you complacent or concerned?
Are you a giver or a taker?
Are you a contributor to the problem or a partaker of the solution?
Do you rant or rave?
Heavy heart? Be grateful it’s beating.
At the bottom? Lift your hands and reach for God.
Desperate? You will move forward on your knees.
Depressed? Prayer changes things.
Lonely? A community awaits you, you were born for relationships.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
As we are preparing for Christmas, let us not forget to live Christmas!
As we get busy during this time of year shopping, decorating, traveling, visiting, receiving guests, baking, cooking, and attending various events, it is important to remember the reason behind everything that we are doing.
Find your peace, then pass it on.
Share your joy.
Extend grace.
Give.
You are blessed to be a blessing!
The more of ourselves we give to God~ our problems, our past, our present, our future, our worries, our sins, our bitterness, our unforgiveness,~ the more He will show up in our lives!
Are you waiting for God to show up in your life? Make sure you have given Him everything!
What a great weekend! I hope that you celebrated Easter with your family, sharing the love and experiencing freedom in Christ.
Today a clean slate awaits us. I think it’s so awesome how God divided our time into 24 hour days here on earth!
All we have is right now. Today. We can’t change yesterday (no matter how much we’d like to or how hard we try). We can’t dive into tomorrow, it’s not even promised to us!
So we have this day.
It is an important day, there will never be another one just like it!
Enjoy it:
Smile a little more.
Open your eyes a little wider.
Sing a bit louder.
Listen not only with your ears, but also with your heart.
This day is sufficient.
You are enough to make it glorious!
