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.

Rambling to Get to The Point

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

I don't know about you, but it sure does seem like me and almost everybody else is always in a hurry. As far back as I can remember, I was always rushing to get the job done...moving on to the next task...at work and life in general. Though now a days I still have that desire to move fast and have the energy to keep going non-stop, like I use to do in my younger days, but I just can't seem to do it! Actually for me...it is real tough and frustrating not to have the same "get up and go" that I use to have. "LOL" But I am beginning to realize that slowing down a bit is not so bad and it does have it's advantages.

God desires for us to pay attention to Him and his creation in our life each day. When we race through life doing everything as fast as we can, we miss out on some pretty awesome things along the way. 

And having said all that, let me touch on this....something I think a lot of us have in common, "HEALING." Many of us are currently going through, have gone though, or will have to go through a healing process of some kind, for whatever reason it may be. Healing can be slow, but it doesn’t mean you’re not gonna get better and get through it. So don't get discouraged or give up. REFER BACK TO THE SCRIPTURE... Ecclesiastes 3:1. I may be wrong about this, but I don't remember Jesus ever getting in a hurry...so it must be a GOOD IDEA!

Just sayin'.....DECISIONS...DECISIONS!

Just sayin'.....DECISIONS...DECISIONS!

From the thinking about what's happening in the Middle East....to just the everyday happenings in our lives here at home....referring to "His Word" can help us in making the "RIGHT" decision.

1 Timothy 5:13 CEVDCUS06

Besides, they will become lazy and get into the habit of going from house to house. Next, they will start gossiping and become busybodies, talking about things that are none of their business.

Proverbs 26:17 CEVDCUS06

It's better to take hold of a mad dog by the ears than to take part in someone else's argument.

Some things in life just aren’t our business...and it’s not our place to meddle or get involved. It can be very tempting to try to solve other people’s problems...as though we don't have enough of our own. Dont get me wrong...God does want us to help other people in some cases of need...but as Christians...our outreach needs to be led by God’s Spirit...not by a “busybody spirit.” Sometimes God wants us to steer clear and not interfere with what’s going on. Rather, we ought to entrust its resolution to the appropriate people.

The Facts Are.........

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

The facts are......... We should think about this long and hard!

None of us are immune from making poor choices in our lives. God's forgiveness restores the broken relationship between Himself and sinner, but forgiveness can't make everything exactly as it was. Sin has consequences that forgiveness cannot change.

Just Look Around!

Philemon 1:7 NLT
Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

Next time you go shopping, walking through WalMart or anywhere as far as that goes, pay attention to how many people there, that are walking around stressed, depressed, and burdened down. Marital problems, financial problems, job lay offs, spiritual doubt's and questions, etc, etc...No one ever said that life was easy, because it certainly isn't. I think it's safe to say...some people are actually "losing it!" Really...just do this the next time you are out and about. We might even be one of them ourself.   : )

Now...think about this!

God wants to refresh our soul and give us a new lease on life.  He wants to lift our spirits so that we can lift the spirits of others. He is truly a wonderful Savior.

Matthew 11:28 NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

"God's Grace" Not Meant To Be A Get Out of Jail Free Card

Romans 2:4-5 GNT

Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent. But you have a hard and stubborn heart, and so you are making your own punishment even greater on the Day when God's anger and righteous judgments will be revealed.

Understanding grace doesn't mean that we can sin without penalty. Understanding grace means that we never want to sin again. It is the goodness of God that motivates us to repentance and holy living. Counseling sessions, accountability, personal discipleship, the twelve-step program, etc. won't be enough to ward off the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Only when we look upon the grace of God and realizing God paid the debt for our sin with the blood of His Son, will we be motivated to consciously quit our sin.

No Second Class!

Remember this......there are no "second‐class" members of God’s family. God still wants to give us His best. And as we seek Him together, He will!

Jeremiah 31:34 NIV

No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord ,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord . “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Doing God's Work...Without excuses.

Jeremiah 1:6-7
Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth." But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak."
NKJV

God choses us not because of what we want to do, but because of what He can do through us.
How many times have we thought this? "Lord, I know You want me to do this but...? "How can we say "Lord" and "but" in the same sentence? You can't, my friend. It's one or the other. Either He is Lord of your life or He isn't. If you are throwing out excuses not to do what God has asked you to do, maybe you need to consider just who is Lord of your life? Just think about that... Makes sense doesn't it?

Our Heavenly Rewards

Matthew 16:27 NKJV

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Our Heavenly Rewards

Salvation is free and comes when we trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. Accepting Jesus Christ as Savior is the most important thing that we can do during the short time that we have here on earth "our temporary home."  Once we accept Christ as Savior, the Bible also tells us of God rewarding those who served Him during their life here on earth. We serve our King because He is worthy of our service. We show love to others because we love Him. Yet, we also serve Him in great expectation of the rewards He has prepared for us. I think everybody likes receiving rewards...I know I do. It might be an A for having worked hard at school, a trophy for our achievements, be it in a sport or other activity, or the bonus check that we receive for having met or exceeded our goals at our job. It would also be even greater to have some rewards waiting for us in Heaven "our eternal home," presented to us by God. Think about this...we have all eternity to enjoy our rewards in heaven, but only a short lifetime to enjoy our earthly ones. Time is also short for the earning of our Heavenly rewards, that will be waiting for us when we get there. I think there's nothing wrong with receiving earthly rewards, but I know that our Heavenly rewards will be greater! It's either rewards or regrets...we get to decide now.