Little by Little...It All Adds Up!

Micah 6:8 NIV...He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. It was only when God let me see my own sin and how it broke His heart that I began trying to be an instrument for His purposes. When we begin to answer the question..."What breaks God's heart?"...We can begin the first step to becoming instruments of change for those things that are important to God. In the Christian life...the little things matter...not with regards to salvation...that’s already settled if we're in Christ. But when it comes to growing in God’s grace and deepening our relationship with Him...it’s the small...daily acts of love that serve as steps toward a more fulfilling relationship with God. Realizing the need to focus on the small things....and consistently spend time daily in God’s Word...sure does help in finding ways to show His love to others. It’s the small acts that will help us grow in big ways!

Who Defines Us?

We are constantly in danger of letting the world define us instead of God. It is only natural to shape our self-image by the attitudes and opinions of our parents, our peer groups and our society. It is only when we define ourselves by the truths of God’s Word rather than the thinking and experiences of the world that we can discover our deepest identity. The Scriptures exhort us to look to Christ, not to self, for the solutions we so greatly need. To genuinely believe and embrace the reality of who we have become...as a result of our faith in Christ...demands consistent discipline and exposure to the Bible. It also requires fellowship and encouragement in a community of like-minded believers. http://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/march-2014/how-to-be-conformed-to-christs-image/?SOURCE=BD143YDV2&utm_source=DecDevo3.12.14&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DecisionDevotional

Our Help....

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8). There is a spiritual solution for the problems in our country today, and there is a spiritual solution for the problems in our life, too. God has told us to call upon Him in our day of trouble. We need to believe the Word of God and then act on it. God has the answers we are looking for. He will give us the happiness and fulfillment we seek...and much more. Happiness is found in a relationship with God. “Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” (Psalm 144:15 NKJV)

Who Do We Think We are Foolin'

We may be able to fool others...even ourselves...but we won't ever fool God! No matter how hard we try! <>< Just sayin' We may fool ourselves into believing that we can simply bury our wrongs and go on, without ever having to admit them. In time, we all discover that those deeds we thought were buried once and for all were actually seeds. They grow and bear fruit. Eventually we have to deal with a crop of consequences and face the fact that self-deception doesn't work to our advantage. Galatians 6:7-8 KJV: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Since we can't ignore God and get away with it anyway, we might as well come clean and be forgiven. 1 John 1:8-9 KJV: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Best is Yet to Come

We've either been there...or will be there...one day.

We've either been there...or will be there...one day. Think about some of the most painful times in your life...times that you felt like "this will never end." Look at where you are now versus where you were then. Hopefully you can relate to what I'm trying to express here. Man...it's tough sometimes...taking those evil...vicious blows thrown at you from what might even have been someone really close and a major part of your life at one time...a friend or even family. Someone that you would have never ever expected would try to cause you pain and difficulty. Whether it's mental..physical...or even bearing false witness. The devil is struttin' swiftly and relentlessly across this earth consuming individuals and families...using his evil powers to succeed...but only temporarily. Don't give up or give in. KEEP THE FAITH! It will all come out in the wash! TRUTH PREVAILS! Grow your relationship with Jesus Christ and remember: Pain enables us to grow and mature spiritually in ways that nothing else can accomplish. Acts 9:15-16 NIV But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” God’s good plan for our life includes pain and difficult times! That doesn’t mean God is the source of all hardship in our life. We may experience attacks from the forces of evil in this world, or people may hurt us with evil motives. But God’s supreme authority means that His good purpose overrules all of those evil motives. He’ll even use those terrible things done to us out of evil motives to produce spiritual growth in our life. Years later, Paul wrote, “And no.t only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5). Re: Parts from Time with God and My Thoughts As Well

You Never Know.....

Follow up from this morning's post.... This has really been on my mind lately. Sometimes we miss opportunities that might would help others turn their life around, to help point them in the right direction to their Eternal Destination. "Don't take it for granted everyone has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour!" I know it took someone close to me, in my life to encourage me by sharing God's every chance they got. If it wasn't for "My Brother" sharing God's Word with me, only God knows which way I would be heading today. We never know who we might touch...turn around, get to thinking, wake up, etc. "with God's help" by using whatever gift God has given us to share His Word with others-whether it's through our actions, our words, financially, etc. We need to ask God to show us and help us to develop and use whatever His Will may be. There are so many of us...in need! God wants all his people to participate in worship. He also wants his people to avoid envying the gifts of others...but to instead be content. You may not be a master musician, a prophet, or a teacher...but God appreciates whatever you have to offer. Develop your special gifts so you can offer them in service to God. Romans 12:3-8 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 1 Corinthians 12:29-31 NIV Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

Putting it All Together

1 Corinthians 12:15-16 NKJV..."If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body?" If you've been alive for any amount of time, you've probably witnessed the strange things people will do to be "unique". Between hairstyles...clothes or body art, people want to be noticed for their differences. Any church that is living biblically will not be a factory of sameness. God's Word describes the body of Christ as different people with unique talents and abilities coming together with a single purpose in mind. He has created each and every one of us with special gifts that can be used for His glory. So instead of seeking out differences to hold against each other, let us use our differences in an effort to build God's Kingdom. Christian unity...does not mean uniformity or "sameness". Think about it like this....A puzzle is made up of many pieces...of many shapes...many sizes....and many colors...you just have to put them in the right places to complete it.

Simple as that!

Worth the wait!

Integrity

More than a Conqueror

John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. In our quest to see true spiritual growth in our lives, it is important to remember this truth: we put ourselves in position to receive God’s power through His Holy Spirit...when we become realistic about our limitations and inadequacies. God honors those with broken spirits who are utterly dependent on Him. God manifests His power in those who lay their weaknesses at His feet. I want God’s power working in my life to defeat the spiritual enemy who continually seeks to bring about loss, destruction, and an end to blessing in my life I am seeking the same things that all who deeply desire to follow the Lord Jesus seek. In my own strength I will surely be defeated. But in the strength of the Holy Spirit, I am in position to be more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37-39 NIV No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Worth

When people can't BELIEVE anything you say anymore....when you loose everyone's TRUST..."That's got to be a LONELY feeling!" Just sayin' Some things just aren't worth losing.....★

Some days are just this way!

Influence

Matthew 5:1-16 NIV Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Trusting Him

We must submit our reason to the One who sees the end from the beginning! The wisest way to order your life is to submit it to the One who loves you sacrificially and to trust it to the One who understands all things, who already sees “the end” of all your actions, because He is already there, at “the end”!

Faith

You see, our reasoning comes from ourself and our feelings come from within us, and we are a fallen beings. They will often deceive us. But our faith does not come from ourself. Faith comes from the interaction of our spirit with God’s Holy Spirit. Faith “is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). That is why Satan will always attack us through our reason and our feelings, trying to destroy our faith. Keep the Faith! Parts taken from Time with God Devotional

Pure Logic

Men have used the laws of logic in mathematics, science, and history, but when it comes to the spiritual world, they throw these laws away. Instead, they suggest: What is right for you to believe is correct, and what is right for me to believe is equally correct. Wrong is wrong....I don't care how you twist it turn it or spin it....you can't make wrong..right!!! Now that's "Pure Logic!!!"  

Just Thinkin'

A Friend That You can "ALWAYS" Count On! 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. It’s very common...even interesting how in times of desperation, troubles and pain...we tend to become more spiritual...talking and praying more...and even making promises to God...about this and that. Yet when those troubles pass....those promises wind up being empty and forgotten. REMEMBER: Our God is a faithful friend who is always with us no matter what we’re going through. God has an unconditional love for us. We need to remember to stay close to God in good times and in bad.

Spreading God's Word

God has given us many points of contact with others....through our jobs...our family...our community...our neighborhood...our church...even through social networking like Facebook..Twitter...etc...to make Him known. We each have special talents and experiences that God has allowed us to have so that we can reach those people He intends us to influence. God will give us opportunities to serve Him through the spiritual gift or gifts He has given us. We need to seek God’s strength as we step forward. When we embrace our God-given opportunities in obedience, we will see God’s glory in our life....and in the lives of others. Romans 12:1 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.