Category: Truth

Where Is Your Heart?

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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

God knows your heart. No matter how good you are at hiding your true identity from the world you can’t hide from God. He knew you before he ever formed you in your mother’s womb. And he still made you just as you are and he loves you just as you are. Boy I know things about myself I wouldn’t want anyone knowing. I’m sure we all do. But we are all imperfect people. The other day I heard someone say that they could tell you the true picture of your heart by looking at your checking account or your debit account. You put your money where your mind is. How do you spend your time. We can have all the best intentions but when the rubber meets the road it’s what we do that counts. Do I spend my time on myself, others, or God? Every minute matters because you can’t make any more time than we all have. Have you ever known someone who does 90% of the work load all by themselves while others just get by with the basics of life like eating and sleeping. They say 10% of people do 90% of the tasks while 90% of the people only do 10%. Their time is theirs and theirs alone to squander how ever they want. But do you want to know the sad truth, God helps the 10% do so much more than others because he knows their heart and the 90% he takes time away from because they aren’t using it wisely. So many things we do are not necessarily wrong or sinning but they aren’t really beneficial for us or Gods kingdom. He asks us or commands us to do so many things but are we doing them or not doing them as the case may be. For instance I think I need to stop thinking bad thoughts about what others are or are not doing and look more at myself. I know God wishes people wouldn’t do certain things but he is perfect and he has given them their choice to do as they please. It’s called free will and we all have it. I am far from perfect and we all are, but spend a little time looking how you spend your time tomorrow and maybe you will agree with me that you could make some better choices.

Light

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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Hallelujah and Amen! Isn’t it great to know that God has your back and will never let you down. In the very beginning God was as the trinity. Jesus is the light of the world and God is also a very bright light. In fact we cannot see God while there is sin in our lives because his glory is so amazing that we would burn up. When we get to heaven there will not be any need for the sun, candles, flashlights, or light bulbs because God’s glory radiates out so bright that it will be day light forever because we won’t need rest or sleep because our bodies will be perfect. When I was young my family loved to go camping and at night we would build a huge bonfire and sit around telling funny stories. It was dark all around but our area was like daytime. Have you ever lit a match in pitch dark and you could see that bright flame far away. We all have the Holy Spirits light burning inside us when we know God and have accepted him into our lives. We are to share that light with the rest of the world. A small church is like a small fire and when you get a bunch of Christian’s together it could burn a forest down. God created everything and evil started with his creation and he controls all he has made. So Satan may think he has a chance but we win in the end. There will only be perfection in heaven forever with no death, pain, or tears ever again. This is so good to dwell on because you can’t help but be so encouraged.

Servant

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“rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Jesus is just what we are supposed to look like. We are the only Jesus many people will see because they are oblivious to Gods workings. Jesus was made in man’s likeness but he did not act like man does but how his Father does. He needed the strength and wisdom to do it from above. He was in every way a servant. A servant says, what can I do for you. How can I make your day better. how can I show you love and respect. Looking to others needs before our needs. That does not mean you don’t take care of yourself or even love yourself for who God made you to be. But we should treat others special. Sometimes this can be hard. But God is always willing to give us the grace, strength, and wisdom to do just that. It doesn’t have to cost money all the time. A smile or a compliment or even a helping hand. But we can also help meet someone’s needs for food and shelter. Also meeting their emotional needs. Comforting them when they are hurting. Being understanding when they are short and unkind. We shouldn’t say, why bother. They don’t deserve it or they are too far gone. They don’t want to help themselves why should I. Too much trouble. Nobody is too far gone for God to give up. Nothing is impossible for God. People may give up on themselves because that is where Satan wants them. But God gives everyone a brand new day to try again and as long as we’re alive there’s always hope. Tomorrow could be awesome if we try. Only God knows what we’re capable of. Good people can have bad days that totally take them down nobody is free of trials. The strongest of Christian’s can say why bother. But they know where their strength comes from. God keeps pulling people from the slimy pit every day. Today is a great day to fight for a great tomorrow.

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“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong but always strive to do what is good for each other and everybody else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Our actions are being watched by others around us. Most people probably know if you profess to being a Christian. They are wanting to see if you are different. Our actions speak louder than our words. Do we react with anger, a bad attitude, or sarcasm. Do we complain and grumble. You may just think that is normal but if you are a Christian those are sins. We are to love all others better than ourselves and we should be humble and calm. Treating others with love and respect. You only have one chance to say and do the right thing. Once you react it’s done. you are no different than me, people feel that you are no different and they aren’t interested in Christianity. If you look deep into every one you interact with there is something good in them. They were made on purpose in the image of their maker and they are important to God. We shouldn’t say or do anything to hurt them. Words are so important and they have the power of life or death. They are also somebody’s sister, brother, son or daughter and they matter. Even when they say or do something we don’t like or even hurt you ,you shouldn’t try to hurt them back. Try to find a purpose in their life just waiting to come out and encourage them in it.

Great Power

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being ,…”. Ephesians 3:16

Jesus told his disciples that it was better for them if he left them to return to his Father. They didn’t understand why he had to leave but we know in hindsight that he overcame death, hell and the grave that day when he went to the cross. A better gift no one could give. Then when he overcame death and rose again great power was achieved. The Holy Spirit now dwells within us and gives us so much power. That same power resided in Jesus and he did so many miracles. Healing many and feeding thousands with a few scraps. He even spoke to the angry seas to be still. He knew that he just had to speak a word and he believed that better than anyone. He tells us that if we ask believing and not doubting that we have what we ask. We have been given the authority to do that. The more you pray believing the more you will believe because God loves to answer bold prayers with bold answers. There is no holding you back when you see just what God will do. I’m reading a book about miracles that would totally amaze you through very simple and very unlikely people throughout history. He will use anyone. He likes to use foolish things to astound the wise. He gives strength, wisdom, and comfort. We can’t really do it on our own, at least not well. And isn’t it great to know we don’t have to. He is always be there with us. He will never leave us. When you see with spiritual eyes and not just actual eyes so much is going on and available to us. So live boldly and see what God can do.

Pray Without Ceasing

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Have you ever thought of being anxious as sinning? If you should do something and you don’t do it, it is sin. God has told us to pray always. If we don’t ask then we don’t get. We should trust that if we ask he hears us and will answer. Not always exactly what we want, but what is best. I find myself lately asking a lot of things that I used to never think of asking. But if I’m thinking about it or upset about it I need to address it. From wisdom to healing to help for someone I care about. It doesn’t matter what but why. God is the only one who can help and I know he is willing so why not ask. As a child we never hesitated to ask our parents what we wanted. So many things were not really good or necessary but we wanted them so we asked. God is the perfect Father and will always take care of us. His are always the best answers even if it may not seem like it. Our thinking is not perfect and we shouldn’t rely upon ourselves. He is right on time with the best answers even though sometimes they are delayed. Life is hard and not always easy but in the end we can see Gods wisdom. I’ve gotten things that I didn’t know I needed when I just trusted in his Devine wisdom. He will always answer prayers that aren’t spoken when we can’t pray or don’t know how to pray or are resting in his peace. He does know our needs all the time. Then we have to be thankful. Someone said that we aren’t thankful because we think we are entitled to things. No matter how simple or even if you don’t need it or want it, you should be thankful that your needs, not always your wants, are met. This time of year spend more time thinking about what you have and a little more time being grateful and then let that become a habit.

Impossible?

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“For with God nothing (is or ever) shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37

I had a stroke in 2005 and I have never been the same. Now 20 years later as I’m getting older I find myself falling apart. I used to think, what can I do to make a difference in the world? I’m in a wheelchair and I only have my right hand that works somewhat. But God has helped me to stay pretty independent. I don’t need much after I am in my chair and am still able to help others. I keep my mind sharp and love to read. I have written 5 books over the last 20 years. I also write a blog of Christian encouragement to help others. My first book was about my life and stroke and all I was learning about the disabled as I learned my new normal. My stroke saved my life. I didn’t know I was destroying my life and also those around me until I looked back. I met a chaplain when I moved here and she loved the Lord so much. I wanted to know more. As I watched her I realized that I knew of the Lord but I didn’t really know the Lord. So I read everything I could about God as well as the Bible. Slowly my faith and love for God grew. I began memorizing scriptures so I could do all God told me to do in his words. I am able to share all God is teaching me with my friends and family as well as my blog. I try to stay organized so I can have everything ready for those who take care of me. God assures me that he doesn’t expect any more from me than he knows I can do. Just be available and ready to help. He does the rest. I used to go to a special needs camp every summer for a week and I learned that I am good at encouraging others. I don’t have to have all the answers because God gives me what I need to say when the time comes. What he gives me to say oftentimes lifts me up more than others. So don’t short change yourself you were created for a special purpose designed just for you and you can make a difference.

Jesus

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“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” John 1:1

Jesus was always with God and working with God to do everything that was ever done. The trinity is a tightly woven bond that has always been there and always will be. Nothing happens without them. This should bring you so much comfort and peace to know that such wisdom, strength, and power are always available to you. God the architect of this perfect world designed the perfect plans with his omnipotent abilities. But Jesus just spoke a word and that perfect plan came into being. They were always working together in harmony so it still amazes me that God would let Jesus give all that up to become a human being like you and me. A poor simple human that we could relate to. Then to give his life willingly as a sacrifice for our sins, to a selfish, prideful, bunch of sinners. I know if one of my children was facing death even after just some years, not forever, it would be devastating. It was the perfect plan they hatched and even Satan couldn’t see it coming. He thought he had finally gotten the upper hand. But when Christ rose from the grave early that morning they proved him wrong again. That will never stop him from trying to take as many as he can to hell himself. If he can cause the least little bit of doubt he knows our feeble minds get to worrying a little, and over thinking, and then feeling sorry for ourselves and he can cause us to make a rash decision and he wins again. That is why you need to keep reminding yourself of all God is always so faithfully been doing for you and always will be. Be your own cheering section. Praising God can also confuse the enemy and it is building our resolve. Then doubts don’t come so easily. The enemy is a liar but he gets you to think that maybe you just don’t know God as well as you think you do and questioning things you know are true, but. He never comes right out and lies because you would see it coming. We are warned to flee from evil for a reason. Don’t give the enemy a foothold. He will never stop trying and he has many helpers. The more you stay away from sin and just keep doing the next right thing. Standing strong and persevering the better. Remember many will give up before they see heaven so don’t be one of them.

Anger

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“In your anger do not sin.”: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, …”. Ephesians 4:26

Everyone gets angry. It’s a natural response to a hurt. Oftentimes the other person does not even realize they said or did anything that hurt you. Careless words get spoken when you cannot control a situation or a reaction by another. I live in a nursing home so some people have pain and challenges they are dealing with and have no control over their reactions. Mental illness can be so cruel because the person may not even know how they are behaving or acting. Or they get angry and bitter because they are suffering with pain and discomfort. Good people work at the home where I live and they have to deal with so much . But they realize that person cannot really help their reactions. In the real world, pressures and deadlines can set people off and they blow up. A haggard mother can loose control when their child acts out. We don’t really know what sets people off because we don’t know exactly what they are dealing with. Maybe they just lost a job or a loved one died. That doesn’t justify anger but it would explain it. Some people have mental problems where they just can’t control themselves. Some people have been treated badly all their lives and so they act the same way out of habit. But if you just take a minute to think that this is one of God’s precious children and he deserves great respect and so do his children. Maybe your response will be different. This world would be a whole lot better place if we could just take a moment to think before we say or do something we will regret later. It never hurts to take a deep breath or count to ten first, whatever works because once it’s out of your mouth you can’t take it back. Have you ever had to go to someone and ask for forgiveness? It’s much easier to hold it in. You never want to hold it in your heart because it will destroy you just like a disease. The sooner you can forgive and let it go the better you will feel. So quack like a duck and let it roll off your back. God knows it will do more damage to us than to the other person so that is why he told us to forgive before you go to bed. And it will help you sleep better also.

The Banquet

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“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalms 23:5

Our God is surely good to us. And yes, everyone is watching. That is why we are persecuted. People are jealous and envious. If they can’t be blessed, then why should we. They don’t understand us and they think we are crazy but the proof is that we are happier and full of peace and favor. God doesn’t hide it either, he loves to show love and goodness to those that love him and are called according to his purposes. If they only knew exactly how much they are missing out on. They think they have more stuff, friends, money, or whatever but they are only living on crumbs. Drugs, alcohol,sex, and stuff can’t buy true happiness and peace. The more I learn about God’s true power and amazing miracles , that I couldn’t believe if I didn’t see it every day, the more I just want to shout, “did you see that?”. God is good to everyone because everything good comes from him , everything we could ever wish for in places and things. A breath taking sunset, or a fancy meal. Good friends and family. Think of all the good things we will one day have in heaven. Only perfect days forever more. No pain, death or sadness. Everything waiting for you to explore. God does good things for everyone but their eyes are only on the negative and they miss out because they aren’t grateful for what they do have. There is beauty and wonder around us every day but they take it for granted and don’t enjoy it. I remember a time when I thought I had to make my own good (emphasis on I) by doing what I wanted. It didn’t matter who it might affect along the way. I probably hurt other people to get what I wanted. Now I don’t have to strive or push to get my way. God’s ways are my ways and he blesses me all the time. Or maybe I’m just grateful for what I do have and I am thanking him all the time.