Discouraged
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9
Have you walked through your week and found discouragement along the way. Maybe it was something your boss said to you that made you question your usefulness, or a friend didn't give you an encouraging word when you desperately needed it because they were too busy. Maybe you felt ignored by your spouse or significant other, when it really wasn't the case. We all feel discouragement at times, but that is a major tool of the enemy. He constantly will break you down and make you weak so you think that you are discouraged, when in reality you have nothing to be discouraged about in your life. As long as you have the Lord in your life, He has given you the strength, encouragement and His Word to be who He wants you to be in life. Be Strong and Courageous my friends.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Fantastic Friday #302-Internalize
Internalize
1 I said, “I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased;
3 my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. Psalm 39:1-7
Tongues being spoken that seemed to lash out, and in silence I sat there and listened. Have you ever felt this way? Then, have you walked away from the situation and began to completely internalize the whole one-sided conversation. Questioned why you had to go through it, whether you deserved it or not, and was the situation really in your control. It could be that maybe you even had a fire burn in you that pulled you away from what your focus needed to be, and made you keep thinking about the conversation. Well, David seemed to nail it on the head with these verses. He realized something that we sometimes really fall short on in our walk. We are only here for a limited time on this earth and we need to focus on the hope that we have. We shouldn't spend time internalizing the things that don't mean anything for us or for God, but we should focus on the things that do mean something and help us grow closer to our Lord.
Have a great weekend.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased;
3 my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. Psalm 39:1-7
Tongues being spoken that seemed to lash out, and in silence I sat there and listened. Have you ever felt this way? Then, have you walked away from the situation and began to completely internalize the whole one-sided conversation. Questioned why you had to go through it, whether you deserved it or not, and was the situation really in your control. It could be that maybe you even had a fire burn in you that pulled you away from what your focus needed to be, and made you keep thinking about the conversation. Well, David seemed to nail it on the head with these verses. He realized something that we sometimes really fall short on in our walk. We are only here for a limited time on this earth and we need to focus on the hope that we have. We shouldn't spend time internalizing the things that don't mean anything for us or for God, but we should focus on the things that do mean something and help us grow closer to our Lord.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Fantastic Friday #301- Mindset
Mindset
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phillipians 3:15-21
Do you have a certain mindset going into the work week, or even the weekend for that matter? When I look at the work week, sometimes there are so many things that I am thinking about or anticipating things that I have to get done for my job, I don't take the time to think about my future. I definitely know going into the weekend, I usually have it in my mind of exactly what I am going to do and what has to get done at home. How many times do I reach completion of those things during the week and on the weekend? It all depends on my mindset and what direction I give myself. If I find myself focused on the things of this world that don't have much of an impact on who I am, then it is really easy for me to beat myself up for not completing the tasks I sat out to do. But, if I focus on Who I Am and where I AM Going, then it can be somewhat more enjoyable and less stressful to complete the work I set out to accomplish. If we work for a passion for the Lord and what He wants us to do, then our mind will be in the right place and we can enjoy what we have completed or accomplished. Get your mindset right for any work and remember why and for Who you are doing the work.
Have a great weekend.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phillipians 3:15-21
Do you have a certain mindset going into the work week, or even the weekend for that matter? When I look at the work week, sometimes there are so many things that I am thinking about or anticipating things that I have to get done for my job, I don't take the time to think about my future. I definitely know going into the weekend, I usually have it in my mind of exactly what I am going to do and what has to get done at home. How many times do I reach completion of those things during the week and on the weekend? It all depends on my mindset and what direction I give myself. If I find myself focused on the things of this world that don't have much of an impact on who I am, then it is really easy for me to beat myself up for not completing the tasks I sat out to do. But, if I focus on Who I Am and where I AM Going, then it can be somewhat more enjoyable and less stressful to complete the work I set out to accomplish. If we work for a passion for the Lord and what He wants us to do, then our mind will be in the right place and we can enjoy what we have completed or accomplished. Get your mindset right for any work and remember why and for Who you are doing the work.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Fantastic Friday #300- Place
Place
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:1-5
Can you remember the place you were last week where needed the Lord and he picked you up, or a year ago, or even several 100 weeks ago? There are places in our lives when we need desperate help from the Lord and they are usually very vivid experiences that will mark a prominent place in our lives. If have you accepted Christ as your Savior, that is a place some of us can pinpoint very clearly. How many of us can pinpoint where God picked us up out of the muck and mire in our most recent days and weeks? I love the picture that this scripture gives us as David patiently waits for the Lord and once the Lord comes, He sets David on a firm place. David recognizes that firm place the Lord has provided and rejoices in the Lord. David knows that there are too many places God has taken care of things for him to list. I can remember 301 weeks ago something that a good friend Kevin showed me through God's guiding hand which has allowed my heart, words, and God's Word to hopefully bless those around me. Take a moment and try to find those places where God has rescued you and praise and thank Him for the blessings He has provided.
Have a great weekend.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:1-5
Can you remember the place you were last week where needed the Lord and he picked you up, or a year ago, or even several 100 weeks ago? There are places in our lives when we need desperate help from the Lord and they are usually very vivid experiences that will mark a prominent place in our lives. If have you accepted Christ as your Savior, that is a place some of us can pinpoint very clearly. How many of us can pinpoint where God picked us up out of the muck and mire in our most recent days and weeks? I love the picture that this scripture gives us as David patiently waits for the Lord and once the Lord comes, He sets David on a firm place. David recognizes that firm place the Lord has provided and rejoices in the Lord. David knows that there are too many places God has taken care of things for him to list. I can remember 301 weeks ago something that a good friend Kevin showed me through God's guiding hand which has allowed my heart, words, and God's Word to hopefully bless those around me. Take a moment and try to find those places where God has rescued you and praise and thank Him for the blessings He has provided.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Fantastic Friday #299-Happy
Happy
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13
I heard something on a television show that had me laughing for quite some time the last day and a half. The guy said something like, Happiness is like Birthday Cake, if you have too much of it you can get sick of it. While funny, I am not sure it is quite true. If you look around at people who are happy, there is always something about their face that glows and gives a look of special cheer. If you take a good look at people that aren't happy, their face is wrinkled up into a frown and the rest of their body gives off a vibe of negativeness. If we choose happiness over heartache, our spirit can be lifted and we can have a much more positive affect on those around us. Practice being cheerful and thank the Lord for giving you the power to be Happy.
Have a great weekend.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13
I heard something on a television show that had me laughing for quite some time the last day and a half. The guy said something like, Happiness is like Birthday Cake, if you have too much of it you can get sick of it. While funny, I am not sure it is quite true. If you look around at people who are happy, there is always something about their face that glows and gives a look of special cheer. If you take a good look at people that aren't happy, their face is wrinkled up into a frown and the rest of their body gives off a vibe of negativeness. If we choose happiness over heartache, our spirit can be lifted and we can have a much more positive affect on those around us. Practice being cheerful and thank the Lord for giving you the power to be Happy.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Fantastic Friday #298- Respect
Respect
8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. Hebrews 12:8-10
I saw a father this week that I know whose son and daughter were showing him a great deal of respect and it made me reflect and think about what brought those kids to that point of respect. I also saw several kids this week who were not respectful to parents and other adults and I wondered why the kids were this way. What I put together after reviewing this scripture was that respect comes from discipline and discipline comes from a loving hand who cares about us. If we had parents or other adults who cared enough about us to have disciplined us, then this probably helped us develop that respect for them. How much more do we need to pay attention to God's discipline for us, which should result in a Holy Respect of our Father in Heaven. Don't look at the struggles we have as punishment, but look at these things as discipline which only strengthens our respect for our Father.
Have a great weekend.
8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. Hebrews 12:8-10
I saw a father this week that I know whose son and daughter were showing him a great deal of respect and it made me reflect and think about what brought those kids to that point of respect. I also saw several kids this week who were not respectful to parents and other adults and I wondered why the kids were this way. What I put together after reviewing this scripture was that respect comes from discipline and discipline comes from a loving hand who cares about us. If we had parents or other adults who cared enough about us to have disciplined us, then this probably helped us develop that respect for them. How much more do we need to pay attention to God's discipline for us, which should result in a Holy Respect of our Father in Heaven. Don't look at the struggles we have as punishment, but look at these things as discipline which only strengthens our respect for our Father.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Fantastic Friday #297- Prudence
Prudence
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead. Proverbs 21:15-16
Have you walked through your week and heard this statement? "That would not be prudent." I don't think many people use that type of vocabulary these days, although it is in our Constitution. So obviously it was an important enough word to have people remember. But what actually does being prudent look like? Maybe it is using a different word rather than a profane one. Maybe it is watching or listening to something more fulfilling than what the world is putting out these days. Maybe it is treating your family members with a higher level of love and respect, than just focusing on yourself. Maybe it is involving yourself in a community of believers in Christ, rather the individuals who only talk badly about others and who think that God isn't needed in their life. God thought it was an important enough word that He used it in His Word. If you look closely at verse 16, a lack of good judgment puts us in a place I know I would rather not be. It would be prudent for us to pay attention to God and what He says.
Have a great weekend.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead. Proverbs 21:15-16
Have you walked through your week and heard this statement? "That would not be prudent." I don't think many people use that type of vocabulary these days, although it is in our Constitution. So obviously it was an important enough word to have people remember. But what actually does being prudent look like? Maybe it is using a different word rather than a profane one. Maybe it is watching or listening to something more fulfilling than what the world is putting out these days. Maybe it is treating your family members with a higher level of love and respect, than just focusing on yourself. Maybe it is involving yourself in a community of believers in Christ, rather the individuals who only talk badly about others and who think that God isn't needed in their life. God thought it was an important enough word that He used it in His Word. If you look closely at verse 16, a lack of good judgment puts us in a place I know I would rather not be. It would be prudent for us to pay attention to God and what He says.
Have a great weekend.
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