If You're Truely Thankful, Show It

Good Morning, I trust That You Had A Terrific Thanksgiving Holiday!!  God is love, and He loves us, all. His love is not bound by language, doctrines, or traditions. At our very worst, He loves us; at our best, His love is there. When we reject Him, His love remains constant.  What He desires from us is, that we love Him in return, with all that we are, and then prove it by obeying His commands, in loving others the same way, unconditionally.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.—1 John 4:20 (NIV)

We have to stop placing conditions on our love, acceptance and approval of others. Our relationships, whether it's family, friendships, an intimate relationship, have times when things just simply aren't clicking. Lets face it, there are some people in our lives that are just hard to love. God is asking us to make a choice that goes beyond our feelings, and emotions, and to love unconditionally.

Love reaches out and does what is best for the other person, regardless of our feelings.

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We use the word love for many things, and for many reasons,...but it takes on deeper meaning when it is shown.

" If we are not so sorry for our sins that we're willing to stop,...then we are not repentant."

You Can, Do Something Different

Good Morning, My Friend!! We live in a world of serious conflict and struggle,...a world filled with pain, hatred, and senseless killing. We see it on an international and local scale,... it's even infiltrated the family dynamic. No one is entirely free from guilt, shame,...or remorse for things we've done. But the message we proclaim is that God offers to forgive us, and forget our past,...and make us new creations in Jesus Christ.

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)

Because of Jesus, our past has no power over our future. We are shaped by our past, but we are not controlled by it. Each day you awake is a new chance to effectively change the way you think, act, and fell. All you need do is; repent, ask for forgiveness and L.I G.( let it go).

God has given you something to say,....and the world wants and needs to hear it.

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O God, enable us to experience your forgiveness so that we may live in the fullness of your grace, free of shadows. Amen.

" If we are not so sorry for our sins that we're willing to stop,...then we are not repentant."

Love Stops Sin

Good Morning!! "In the absence of a code of law, how is one going to deal with human desires and drives (the flesh)?" The Galatia Christians knew they were hooked on sin. They were unsure of how they were to fight off the compelling indulgences of the flesh. Did they not need the law to overcome sin? Paul's answer was that love has replaced the law for Christians.

...but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself:—Leviticus 19:18b (NIV)

Love for others enables Christians to fight off the desires of the flesh. Love is a far greater restraint of fleshly passions than the law could ever be. The gospel of God's grace does not mean that I can do what I like. All restraints are not lifted. I am not free to follow my personal inclinations, passions, desires, and emotions wherever they lead me.

Salvation by grace through faith makes for great freedom,...but this freedom does not allow us to live lawlessly.

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Only after Jesus changes our identity and makes us partakers of His divine nature

will we be able to change our behavior.

" If we are not so sorry for our sins that we're willing to stop,...then we are not repentant."

You Can't Fix It, If You Can't Face It

Good Morning!! Even in our churches, many people are struggling with hurts and problems hidden behind Sunday smiles. These struggles can be described as addictions, dependencies, behavior issues,...or just the normal challenges of life, that sometimes overwhelm us. We can become so preoccupied and weakened that we are unable to grow spiritually and serve God, perhaps even unable to cope with day-to-day living. We resist admitting our struggles because we fear what others think, and so we hide our problem from others,...and sometimes even from ourselves.

 

The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.—1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NIV)

If you are dealing with something, please understand that you are not alone, or unique in your situation. Because we all struggle, everyone has the potential for being overwhelmed. When you fine yourself in this situation, it's not a time to hide,...it's a time to be honest, with God, with yourself and with others. It's a time to ask for, and seek help.

Talk to God today, and open your heart to His love, His forgiveness and His help.

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Father, You know we haven't wanted to admit that we have problems,...sometimes even to You. But we don't want to continue like this. Help us to be honest with You and with others,...and with ourselves. Help us today Jesus, Amen.

" If we are to have life ever lasting,...we must be born again."

Our Actions, Attitudes, And Reactions, Make A Difference

Good Morning!! O.K., one last look at inventorying our lives,...let's think about choices in the workplace. Sometimes we tend to live by a different set of standards in our career or business,...but God wants us to be guided by His principles in every area of our lives. It's especially important to consider our motives for doing what we do, at work. Are we motivated mostly by our desire to move up the ladder and make more money,...or is honoring our Lord still our most important motivator?

In taking inventory, make a list of questions to ask yourself, like these:

• Have I been swept into a competitive mode that causes me to try to get ahead even at the expense of hurting others?  
• Do I base business decisions solely on my desire to succeed, or do I first consider the integrity of my choices?  
• Has my work become so all-consuming, that I am putting it above my focus on my family?  
• Am I participating in workplace gossip, and complaining?  
• What kind of influence am I having on those around me?

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.—Proverbs 16:2,3 (NIV)
Honestly inventorying our attitudes, and actions, in the workplace is the first step toward correcting any bad behavior, or problem areas. As we confess our failures to God, He will forgive us and help us to chart a better path,...His path.

Only as we choose to do things God's way, will we find real success,...the kind that lasts for an eternity. 

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Lord Jesus, help us to clearly see our motives for all we do in the workplace. Forgive us for letting our own desires to get ahead of, or overshadow our desire to honor the Father, in all we do. We pray above all, that our employer and co-workers will see Jesus in us,...and that You would use us to encourage them, and influence them, toward You, Amen.

" If we are to have life ever lasting,...we must be born again."

IF We Want A Freiend, We Must Become A Friend

Good Morning!! This week so far we've talked abut taking inventory of our relationships with God and with family. Another important area to audit is our relationships with friends. The Bible has a lot to say about being a good friend, choosing our friends wisely, and the value of friendship. Here are some suggested questions,...feel free to add your own to the list.

• Do I have any friends who will tell me the truth,...even about myself?
• Will they help keep me accountable for my choices, and actions?  
• Can my friends see Jesus in me?  
• Am I self-centered in my relationships,...or do I really care about being a good friend?  
• Do I take offense too easily?  
• Am I forgiving when a friend hurts me?  
• Do I have any friends who are drawing me away from my walk with God?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.—Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)
God loves us and wants only the best for us. He has a good plan for our lives,... but we can still block, or slow those plans by making poor choices, and not facing them. Be encouraged to do things God's way. He loves us and He will guide us, and help us through every step of our journey.

True growth comes from honest evaluation, and accepting responsibility, for our actions. 

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Father God, help us to be a better friend. We hope and pray, that our friends can see Jesus in us. Help us to listen for Your voice, and to trust Your guidance in the area of friendship,...and in every other area of our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

" If we are to have life ever lasting,...we must be born again."

Check Yourself

Good Morning!! Continuing to think about taking inventory of our lives, another important area to examine is our family relationships. Many of us will gather with our family members next week to celebrate Thanksgiving,...an especially good opportunity to reflect on our relationships with them. Ask some hard questions: 

• Am I holding on to bitterness toward a family member who has hurt me?  
• How is my lifestyle affecting other family members?  
• Is there someone in my family in need of more of my time and attention?
• Are my priorities in order?
  

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.—Psalm 37:23,24 (NIV)
As you consider these questions and others, ask God to help you see clearly. The Bible tells us that He knows our undertakings and thoughts even before we act or think,...so be honest with Him about what you see, and feel. Always remember that God loves you, no matter what. He wants to help you in your family relationships,...and in every area of your life.

Focus on Jesus,...He will forgive you,...He will guide you,...and He will enable you to become the person He has called you to be. 

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Father God help us, as we examine our family relationships, let us see the places where we need to change, to grow. We thank You that You care about every detail of our lives. Forgive us for our failures,...and help us to set them right. Amen.

" If we are to have life ever lasting,...we must be born again."

You Can't Fix It, If Yu Can't See It

Good Morning!! Business owners take regular inventory of their stock. Inventories are an  a useful business planning tool,...they can reveal growth, or decline, in business productivity,..and even expose some possible obstacles to growth. They can assist business owners in making changes,...for a better future. Taking a regular inventory of our life can be productive, as well. It can help us answer questions about our life's directions. Are we growing or declining in character development? Are we moving toward our life goals, or are there hindering obstacles? Are we growing in our relationship with God? What changes do we need to make, to move ahead, more effectively?

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.—Lamentations 4:15 (NIV)

As we approach the end of another year, be open and determine to take inventory of your life. Consider your relationships with God,...your family,...your church,...and even your friends. Be honest. Ask God to help you see things as they really are, and to face any inappropriate behavior,...without making excuses for yourself or anyone else.

God loves you and He wants to help you eliminate those things in your life that may be hurting you,...and others. 

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Father God, help us to take a good, honest look at ourselves,...and all those around us. Help us see what is pleasing to You,...and what is disappointing You. Help us to reorder our lives under You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

" If we are to have life ever lasting,...we must be born again."