What if you.....

     What if you.....

- referenced your Bible as often as you do you cell phone

- spent as much time in prayer as you do complaining

- trusted more and worried less

- loved those that you have differences with

- gave others the things you have stored away and never use

- took the time to say thank you to someone that does what to them seems ordinary

- started a movement to make a difference in even just one life

- visited someone that lives alone or is lonely

- encouraged a young person that is having a tough time

- apologized instead of being stubborn 

- increased the amount of joy in the corner of the world you live in

 - cared for others as much as Jesus does

The impact you have on others and on the world is significant. Don't underestimate your potential or power to take up the mission of Jesus Christ and love your heart out. You will be blessed, filled to overflowing, and have much joy when you do. Spread love wherever you go and leave everything better than you found it.

 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Joy

It's a great day! The sun may not be shining and it may be the middle of winter but still you are filled with joy. Your joy does not depend on the weather or the season. It is not something that requires a special 

occasion or celebration. The joy you possess is not limited. It doesn't decrease over time or require that you replenish it. Your joy can be tapped into no matter where you are at any time.

True joy is a result of knowing and having a relationship with Jesus. He is the source of joy. Jesus doesn't require you to earn joy or do something to be the recipient of it. Joy flows abundantly from Christ as you fellowship with Him. Soon, you will come to know a joy that is like no other. You will be all filled up and beaming with joy! 

The best aspect of Christ's joy is knowing that you can reach out to Him in any situation. He will provide steadfast assurance that He is in control and has your best interest well in hand. That is the biggest joy of all.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

Abundance

 

Isn't it heartwarming when actors winning awards, athletes crossing the finish line and even some brave politicians publicly thank and give praises to God?  Wow! That to me really shows character. Sure it is easy to seek God in times of trouble or hardship but it is even more important to lift our hands and voices to Him when we are blessed and full. Abundance comes from God. He will fill your cup to overflowing when you set Him as your highest priority.

Are you acknowledging God when you are blessed? It doesn't matter the season or reason just know that your gratitude and reverence to God is always something that is important.  When all is well and life is so very full you can easily become so caught up that you forget to spend time in praise and fellowship. Do not lose focus on what matters most.

Father, thank you for all your blessing and for abundance. You are our reason for our lives and we praise you for caring for, loving and keeping us. You fill us up Lord and we love you always. 

When you are full, don't forget to be reverent to him and to serve him and to use his name alone to endorse your promises. Deuteronomy 6:13

Love You To The Moon and Back

You may be one who finds yourself intrigued by the moon. It truly is quite beautiful and mesmerizing. What about the face you can see on it when it is full? Is that something or what? The man in the moon on a clear cloudless night seems to be right there just an arm's length away. The moon is really so much further away. The distance to it from earth is 238,900 miles. That is about 10 times the distance around the earth. That is a lot of miles!

There is an expression to demonstrate just how much someone loves another expressed as "I love you the moon and back." That means I love you almost half a million miles or I love you out of this world. Wow! Now that is a lot of love and such a sweet way to communicate the vastness of it.

Loving to the moon and back is not enough when it comes to Jesus. Jesus Christ loves you way more. He was there when the moon was created and knows all about its limits. He loves you without limits. His love is infinite and never ending. He loves you to infinity and beyond! You are His pride and joy. He wants nothing more than to have you know how much he cares for you. When you do, you can't help but love Him too - beyond measure. Yes, it is true. The love relationship with Jesus is the greatest of all.

Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5

No Trespassing

The sign is up. It was posted some time ago but it is still in effect today. The perimeter has been appropriately fenced and the gate installed. The audible alarm is on and the door and window locks in place. Still, no matter what you do, and no matter how proactive you are, there are trespassers. Trespassers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They may be family, friends, neighbors and yes, even spouses. Trespassers come at all times of the year. No season is off limits. They may trespass during a holiday celebration or while you are on vacation.

Trespassers use various modes to accomplish their act. Some text, others call on the phone and many send their stinging message by way of a third party messenger or accomplice. Shock, disbelief, anger and hurt feelings typically follow the trespassers act. How could they? What were they thinking? It is hard to understand and even harder to forgive them. 

Forgiveness is a gift that you give yourself. It may seem that you are letting the trespasser off the hook but really when you forgive them you release their hold on you. Without forgiveness they hold you hostage. You are the one reeling in anger, re-thinking and re-telling the story and being stuck in their selfish and ignorant web of insensitivity.

Think about it. When you do, you may decide to change the no trespassing sign you carefully placed to one that reads "No Trespassing but if You do I Forgive You."

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18: 21-22