Who Knows?

Who knows that you’re a Christian, based on your actions and not from you telling them?  Who knows that you care, based on your actions and not you telling them? 

Is your life your message?  Can someone spot you in the group and see the difference in you or do you just blend in?

Matthew 5:13 – 16… “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.

Many times we go in and out of the day without being cognizant of the fact that we are here for a distinct purpose – and that purpose is to be a light that shines in the midst of darkness.  That purpose is to live differently so that others come to know the God that we serve.  I often times here people say that I don’t know what my purpose is yet or I need to begin to walk in my purpose.  HELLO???  Our purpose is very clear – we are to live in honor to God in such a way that others are drawn to Him.  Plain and simple!  He has given us different gifts and talents, but the purpose is the same.

So today, Who Knows about you? Are you letting your light shine?

IF and WHEN...

Stuck between IF and WHEN; wanting to believe that God is going to bring you out (WHEN), but not sure IF it’s really going to happen.  Wanting to be strong and have faith in God and praying that He removes any trace of doubt.  Lord, I believe, but please help my unbelief.

We’ve all struggled with these moments, periods of time, and situations in life where we just feel in limbo about the things that are occurring all around us.  Our doctrine teaches us to be strong and trust God, but the circumstances mounting against us, at times create a since of fear and panic, which can ultimately lead to a lack of trust - so we begin to say IF.

Today I’d like to encourage us all to continue to trust our Creator; our Heavenly Father who knows what’s best for us.  There is a song that I like to sing when I feel down and the lyrics are “Sight beyond what I see, You know what’s best for me, so prepare my mind and prepare my heart for whatever comes, I’ll be ready….”  Encourage yourself today through His word and through prayer. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)…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.

Psalms 46:10 (NIV)… He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…

Jeremiah 29:11…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I Thessalonians 5:17…Pray without ceasing.

Deuteronomy 31:6…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Beauty Behind Ugly

So on my vacation, we've driven through some really rough looking parts of town.  To me they are just ugly.  Nonetheless, once we got through the rough spots, there was great beauty behind the ugly.  I've seen some of the most incredibly beautiful, breath-taking beaches and mountains and people. 

So what do I take away from this all?  Not to discount anyone or anything upon first appearance.

This is what God does to all of us.  He looks beyond our ugly to see the beauty underneath.  Once we allow the Lord to become the head of our lives and we submit to Him in complete surrender to His will - our true beauty begins to shine through. 

There's beauty behind all of our ugly.

First Love

This year I have been so blessed to travel for my summer vacation and experience things that most people would only dream of experiencing.  I have been fortunate enough to see some of the great and marvelous wonders that God has created, and I couldn't have imagined any of it, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. 

While here, I've been having some really good conversations with God.  I'm reading a book called "Sincerely, Jesus" and it's thought provoking.  The chapter that I'm reading now is discussing leaving your first love, who is Jesus.  As I sat there next to the beach, listening to the sound of the waves and looking up at the mountains, I began to think of the ways in which I have drifted away from my first love and how to reconnect. 

I can travel the entire world 50 times over; I can be the most educated scholar ever; I can have more money in the bank than I could count, but if I leave my first love - none of it matters! 

Think about all the things in your life that you consider to be magnificently awesome - now get it in your mind that without Jesus - it's nothing....

Come back to your first love!