Friday, November 30, 2012

"Changes Inside Out"

"Many people miss what's in front of their eyes,
Because they are looking through dark glasses with demise,
The character we stand for was created way back when,
If you've not followed Jesus it was developed by sin,
But there is a change that can take place in you,
It will require you saying a couple words to your Father God to do,
Once you've decided to leave your old life behind,
God made a provision by putting the Holy Spirit inside,
He will guide you through this journey called life,
And He is there to teach you, to comfort you, and avoid strife"


Monday, November 26, 2012

"Encouragement: Sweet As Candy"

I was thinking one day last month about what my "personal" definition of encouragement would be. Well, candy came to mind. I know it sounds funny, but listen to what my thoughts were. Imagine this, you are sitting in front of your fireplace in your favorite chair on a cold day, just getting comfortable. When all of sudden, a thought of your favorite candy races through your mind. So, at that moment, you go grab a couple of pieces that you've had stashed from everyone (so no one would eat them) in your favorite hiding spot. At this point, you get comfy again in your chair. You sit there with your wrapped candy in your hand, thinking to yourself "this is going to be good" (as it's still wrapped).
Now, you begin unwrapping your candy, knowing it's going to be good. It's unwrapped, you put into your mouth and begin to chew, thinking "this is the best candy ever". Now, think about this for a moment, sitting there holding your favorite candy, knowing just how good it's going to taste, is never actually as good as opening it up and putting into your mouth to savor the flavor.

Encouragement is similar, in the fact, we all know what it means. But until we've actually experienced it we don't truly know the full affect of it and appreciate it. There are lots of people in this world just waiting for someone to come along aside them to encourage them. We ALL need it, there is not one person that I know, that hasn't needed encouragement at one point or another. And I'm sure all of you can say the same thing. You know difficult circumstances hit everyone, it's not a matter of if it happens, but rather when it happens. We are all called to build up and encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11-"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.) We never know what kind of impact we can have on another person until we get out of our comfort zone and take the time to encourage someone today. God will give you the strength to carry this out. He is faithful! So you see, when a person has experienced the fullness of encouragement, it can taste like their favorite piece of candy.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

"The Face Without A Reflection (Identity)"

How many of us can say we truly recognize ourselves when we look in the mirror? We get older, our bodies go through changes, yes. But, I am referring to the spiritual side of things. We've all heard that the"eye is the pathway to the soul". We get up every morning, we look into the mirror while we brush our teeth, brush our hair, wash our faces and etc. Only just before we begin the rat race of life. We get off to work, grab some coffee, say hello to our co-workers and we're off!

The Word says we were created in God's own image.(Genesis 1:27-"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.") When you look in the mirror what do YOU see? Do you see a fleshly, aging body being enslaved to serve another day in the rat race or do you see the perfect creation (salvation/spiritual) God made and intended us to view ourselves as?  Our spirit is eternal and will live forever, but it needs a body to dwell in, so that God's Will can be carried out. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we belong to Him from that moment on. God has a plan (task) for each of us to carry out while we are on this earth. It is up to us to accept it. And if we are truly serving Him and staying in communication with Him (prayer) we will eventually learn what that is.

 It wasn't revealed to me until, I became physically disabled, to KNOW what my purpose was. I'm not saying it was God's will that this happened to me, but I know that He is using my current circumstances for the my good and His purpose (Romans 8:28-"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"). You all probably know it now, just by reading my post. But it is to encourage others that are going through really difficult times. And it's crazy, although I'm having a difficult time now, I find it peaceful to help others, we are instructed to do so in the Word (1 Thessalonians 5:11-"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing"). You never know who you will meet that day that just needed a little encouragement. And your encouraging words could be the deciding factor needed to change the way they see themselves.

Now, you may not know what God's plans are for you right away, or you might. But sometimes we are given things in stages, once we finish one, we are on to the next. This is part of our maturing process, I'm finding this out. By showing us a little at a time and completing each stage, we are proven trustworthy by God to proceed on to the next step. If God gave us the BIG picture (exam), and we had not studied for it, we would not have a clue how to handle it or what we are doing. We are to draw our strength from the Lord. This process is our schooling, in which I call, "spiritual continual education".  As long as we are on this planet, we will be always be learning and this causes us to grow in our relationship with the Lord. 

So you see, when we look in the mirror, God wants us to see us in His Image; His Creation. The more time we spend with our Heavenly Father, the more we act like Him and LOVE people. Let me say this, it's important to love and care for yourself because this dictates our love and care for others. It's hard to love someone else when you don't love or care for yourself.

Little by little, the more time I spend with God, the better I start to like me and see the potential He created me for. And I can't do this if I'm self-loathing and treating others wrongly. We are called to  sincerely love (action word) unconditionally (1 Corinthians 13:4-7-"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.")

The more time we are willing to spend with our Creator, the more we will want to emulate Him. This resulting in the reflection of the image of our Heavenly Father when we see ourselves. So, I leave you with a thought: How do you view yourself? And others?