Effort
15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:15-16
Baseball is a game of inches and my youngest son learned the hard way last night. There was some outstanding effort by all the players to compete for a prize, and although it would have been good, we all know the prize quickly diminishes as time goes by and nothing remains. I always praise God that there is nothing I can personally do to gain God's love, but it is His mercy on me that is that great reward. If we focused more on God's mercy and less on our personal effort, imagine how much better our lives would be on this earth. Now, that doesn't mean that we don't put forth any effort in our lives to be better, but it does mean that no matter the situation God loves us. How pleasant is that to know that no matter how much we mess up, God still loves us? Remember to stay focused on ways to make this world better.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Fantastic Friday #472 - Anxious
Anxious
8 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19
There are many days when we can feel anxious about something. Some people are better equipped to handle it than others. It all boils down to who we are and what we allow to bother us. I know that people saw me pacing back and forth this week in a dugout, and it kind of helped me handle the anxiousness I was feeling. What I tend to not understand is how in certain situations at work I can deal with almost anything thrown at me pretty well, but these minor, meaningless scenarios I tend to get the most anxious about. Maybe it is because those minor, meaningless scenarios most likely have an impact on my family or close loved ones, and the work situations I am less attached to. What I need to realize is that in all situations, the Lord is unfailing and is always there to support me and only he can console me in my anxiousness. While there is a great scripture about not being anxious about anything, I feel this one shows the full love of our Lord to bring us joy through His comfort. So, let him control your direction when your foot slips and let Him console you.
Have a great weekend.
8 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19
There are many days when we can feel anxious about something. Some people are better equipped to handle it than others. It all boils down to who we are and what we allow to bother us. I know that people saw me pacing back and forth this week in a dugout, and it kind of helped me handle the anxiousness I was feeling. What I tend to not understand is how in certain situations at work I can deal with almost anything thrown at me pretty well, but these minor, meaningless scenarios I tend to get the most anxious about. Maybe it is because those minor, meaningless scenarios most likely have an impact on my family or close loved ones, and the work situations I am less attached to. What I need to realize is that in all situations, the Lord is unfailing and is always there to support me and only he can console me in my anxiousness. While there is a great scripture about not being anxious about anything, I feel this one shows the full love of our Lord to bring us joy through His comfort. So, let him control your direction when your foot slips and let Him console you.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Fantastic Friday #471 - Test
Test
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13
Tests come in all forms and fashion. Students are taking tests at the end of the school year, we take tests to get a license or pass a special class, and God allows us to have tests regularly in our lives. It definitely depends on our reaction to the test in how we face it. Do you find yourself asking the question of why is this a test for me? I have so many things going on, do I really need another test? The answer is yes, because God tests us in our faith and our focus. He allows tests to rely on Him and His hand in our lives. He has these tests to help us learn what we should do. We must take on these tests with a positive attitude, with a faith in our Father and allow Him to help us get through these times of ordeal that will only make us stronger. Be strong.
Have a great weekend.
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13
Tests come in all forms and fashion. Students are taking tests at the end of the school year, we take tests to get a license or pass a special class, and God allows us to have tests regularly in our lives. It definitely depends on our reaction to the test in how we face it. Do you find yourself asking the question of why is this a test for me? I have so many things going on, do I really need another test? The answer is yes, because God tests us in our faith and our focus. He allows tests to rely on Him and His hand in our lives. He has these tests to help us learn what we should do. We must take on these tests with a positive attitude, with a faith in our Father and allow Him to help us get through these times of ordeal that will only make us stronger. Be strong.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Fantastic Friday #470 - Astray
Astray
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17
How many of you begin your day saying, I am going to do things the right way today. Then as the day goes along, people upset you and give you pause to wonder what you can do to avoid them altogether. As the day progresses, instead of doing the right thing, do you start to "move away from that which is right?" Do you see yourself "moving into error, confusion, or an undesirable action or thought?" The dictionary defines Astray in this way and their are some other ways to look at this. Deviating, wandering or roaming away from the correct path is so easy to do, even if you think you have the discipline to stay on the right path. Throughout all these things, we can still discipline ourselves to not stray from the path but to correct our own path through guidance from our Lord and Savior. We cannot ignore the correction people might provide us, and we certainly cannot ignore God's guiding hand. Don't be led astray but practice discipline to stay on the right path.
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17
How many of you begin your day saying, I am going to do things the right way today. Then as the day goes along, people upset you and give you pause to wonder what you can do to avoid them altogether. As the day progresses, instead of doing the right thing, do you start to "move away from that which is right?" Do you see yourself "moving into error, confusion, or an undesirable action or thought?" The dictionary defines Astray in this way and their are some other ways to look at this. Deviating, wandering or roaming away from the correct path is so easy to do, even if you think you have the discipline to stay on the right path. Throughout all these things, we can still discipline ourselves to not stray from the path but to correct our own path through guidance from our Lord and Savior. We cannot ignore the correction people might provide us, and we certainly cannot ignore God's guiding hand. Don't be led astray but practice discipline to stay on the right path.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Fantastic Friday #469 - Peaceable
Peaceable
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us… Titus 3:1-5…
Have you noticed lately how people feel like they aren't subject to rules and authority, and definitely there are those people how are not ready to do whatever is good? I have also noticed something else lately, while these people who are not peaceable and considerate, they seem to be in all the headlines and on every news medium. They make it really clear that they are people who hate others and know no kindness by their actions. What is interesting is what you don’t see on the news mediums, and that is the people who are subject to rulers and authorities, obedient, peaceful and considerate towards others. I take wise words from my daughter when she said, I don’t care if some think that those people won’t change, people can make a difference if they just step forward. The thing with being peaceful is that many of us forget the peace that God gives us when we are obedient. We can step forward and make a difference around people in our area. I also believe that the majority of individuals in this world are kind and considerate, it is just the disobedient who garner the attention. In a world full of hurting people, just think how acting peaceably would impact everyone around you.
Have a great Weekend.
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us… Titus 3:1-5…
Have you noticed lately how people feel like they aren't subject to rules and authority, and definitely there are those people how are not ready to do whatever is good? I have also noticed something else lately, while these people who are not peaceable and considerate, they seem to be in all the headlines and on every news medium. They make it really clear that they are people who hate others and know no kindness by their actions. What is interesting is what you don’t see on the news mediums, and that is the people who are subject to rulers and authorities, obedient, peaceful and considerate towards others. I take wise words from my daughter when she said, I don’t care if some think that those people won’t change, people can make a difference if they just step forward. The thing with being peaceful is that many of us forget the peace that God gives us when we are obedient. We can step forward and make a difference around people in our area. I also believe that the majority of individuals in this world are kind and considerate, it is just the disobedient who garner the attention. In a world full of hurting people, just think how acting peaceably would impact everyone around you.
Have a great Weekend.
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