give yourself a break...

Give Yourself a Break

Philippians 1:6….he who began a good work in you

          If you find it difficult to like yourself, you are not alone. I struggled with self-rejection during much of my life and I have discovered many others also struggle with the same thing. However, that is not God’s plan. He does not want you to feel afraid and insecure…..or to be consumed with achieving perfection in hopes of being considered valuable.

          God is the only one who can perfect the good work He has started in your life, but it takes some time. In addition, during the process, He wants you to recognize you are making progress. So give yourself a break and say, “I’m okay and I’m on my way!

 

7/4

Lighten Up

Proverbs 12:25…Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.

          If you struggle with anxiety, you know about the uneasiness, worry, and feeling of heaviness that comes with it. Often it is a general feeling of fear that has no specific cause or source.

          Many serious things are going on in the world and you need to be aware of them and prepare for them. But, you also need to learn to relax and take things as they come without getting all nervous and upset.

          You need to learn how to enjoy the good life God has provided for you through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ (see John 10:10). So the next time you are tempted to become anxious or upset, think about what you are doing, and find something to be happy about. Have a talk with yourself about all the good things God has done in your life.

 

a faithful servant

 

A Faithful Servant

1 Corinthians 4:1-2…………should be found faithful

          A faithful person knows what God has put in their heart, and even though they may feel like quitting, they do not give up. They do not get out of a relationship because it is not easy anymore. They do not leave a church because there is some “new” thing across town or a job because it gets too challenging.

          One of the most important lessons you can learn is to be faithful with something until God lets you know you are finished with it. Sometimes God will call you out of one place and put you into another one - but God does not change the plan very frequently. A faithful person is committed to doing whatever God tells them to do – no matter what!

 

The Sneeze (a must read !!)

HOW'S THIS FOR TAKING A STAND AGAINST THE NON BELIEVERS !!!! THE SNEEZE They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears. This class would NOT pray during the commencements, not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED !!!! The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, 'GOD BLESS YOU' And he walked off the stage... The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval. Isn't this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your friends.........and GOD BLESS YOU!!!! This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland. Oh, how I wish THIS one would take off and FILL the whole Country!!

 

Life's Blessings in Life's Difficulties

This is a modern parable

Once upon a time, there was a busy professional who had two teenagers, and a husband. Her mother lived in a not so nearby suburb. Her sister had a second stroke, and was getting medical care and services situated at her home. Her mother had been campagining to go visit her brother in a nursing home, in the opposite end of the state. The professional woman hemmed and hawed, with valid excuses as to why she could not go...

She then agreed to do this for a major summer holiday-- in the winter. As the holiday approached, it seemed like the trip would have to be cancelled. [She had a business meeting that week. She would have to fly in from her out of town meeting, go home, drive, organize children, sister, find a hotel, pack, etc. It did not seem that it all could come to fruition...]  Then, everything fell into place:

• power outtage in Washignton, DC
• trip to Washginton DC cancelled
• power outage at corporate headquarters-- office closes one day early
• hotel found online-- able to add an extra day to the trip
• husband, children and sister all checks, packed, and situated...

The business woman was still worried and passed a sleepless night, thinking about :
- how her mom would handle seeing her brother
-how the businesswoman would handle seeing my uncle.

Well, Uncle W-- was waiting for them in the lobby- looking strong, buff and handsome in his wheelchair.
He was peppy, and radiant-- he was glad to see them!

But what was insightful was all the people who hugged him and were talking and joking with him.

What the businesswoman thought would be a sad visit, was quite joyous. She, her mother and uncle went out to the garden and chatted-- and took a happy picture.Things went so well, the usinesswoman drove another fifty miles to bring the uncle's wife to visit at the nursing home. [They all took another picture!]

Moral of the Story-- do the emotionally difficult stufff. There is an opportunity for personal grownth, learning and blessings.

Choose Your Words Carefully

 

Choose Your Words Carefully

Ephesians 4:29….let not foul or polluting language, or evil word, or worthless talk come out of your mouth

          As a Christian, you have an awesome responsibility with regard to the words you speak. The Bible tells us that words are containers for power – either creative or destructive. You can tear down or build up the people around you by what you say.

          There is an abundance of discouragement coming from the world, but you have the great privilege of bringing encouragement to others by being positive in a negative world.

          It can be difficult however, so I encourage you to ask God to help you choose words that will bring positive changes in the lives of others….and in your own life too!