In all the things that happen in your day, the Lord is wanting to teach you something. This walk with Christ is not about pummeling through so we can get to heaven, it's about having a relationship with Christ NOW and sharing Christ with others through our actions and words. But sometimes things don't go right - not how we want them to go. We get hurt. So what then?
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:18
God wants to take those things that hurt and develop something new in us. So we take what has happened to us, show love to others, and try to learn something new.
When our parents ask us to do something we don't want to - we learn to be obedient.
When our friends let us down - we learn to forgive.
When we have to wait on something longer than we ever thought we'd have to - we learn to be patient.
When someone is hurting and in need - we learn to show compassion.
When we make mistakes - we are quicker to show grace to others for their mistakes.
What are you going to learn today?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Anger - Grrrrr!
I probably get angry at some point every day (or every other day, maybe). So what does the Bible say about getting angry? We all do it - so is it a sin?
In your anger, do not sin: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
-Ephesians 4:26
Paul is NOT telling Christians they should never be angry. He is telling them that when they are angry, they should control themselves and keep from sinning. So if your mom does something that seems unfair, you can get angry and it isn't a sin. If you disrespect your mom because you are angry, you have sinned.
Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. -Ecclesiastes 7:9
The second part of the first scripture is Paul saying that we should forgive others the same day that they hurt us. We should not let night come and still be angry. This is not just some weird rule that Paul gave to make things difficult for us - it is for our own good! Holding on to anger is like drinking a poison and expecting the other person to get sick. It hurts US.
More importantly we choose to forgive others NOT because they "deserve" it, but because Jesus has forgiven us and we want to be like Christ.
Lord, help me think of people that I am angry at (or who are angry at me) and help me to forgive (or ask forgiveness). Help me to remember how you have forgiven me when I sin, so I have no right to not forgive someone else. I love you.
In your anger, do not sin: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
-Ephesians 4:26
Paul is NOT telling Christians they should never be angry. He is telling them that when they are angry, they should control themselves and keep from sinning. So if your mom does something that seems unfair, you can get angry and it isn't a sin. If you disrespect your mom because you are angry, you have sinned.
Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. -Ecclesiastes 7:9
The second part of the first scripture is Paul saying that we should forgive others the same day that they hurt us. We should not let night come and still be angry. This is not just some weird rule that Paul gave to make things difficult for us - it is for our own good! Holding on to anger is like drinking a poison and expecting the other person to get sick. It hurts US.
More importantly we choose to forgive others NOT because they "deserve" it, but because Jesus has forgiven us and we want to be like Christ.
Lord, help me think of people that I am angry at (or who are angry at me) and help me to forgive (or ask forgiveness). Help me to remember how you have forgiven me when I sin, so I have no right to not forgive someone else. I love you.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
No Fighting, No Biting
Weird title today, right?
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel (fight or argue) but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. -2 Timothy 2:24
When I was teaching at an elementary school, Daniel brought Noah to eat lunch with me one day in the classroom I shared with another teacher. There was a book that Daniel pulled off my shelf to read and it was called No Fighting, No Biting! We thought that was the funniest title for a book, but I guess it did its job because I have remembered it two years later.
In the scripture above, Paul was telling Timothy (a young man who followed Christ) how Christians should act. We should not fight or argue with others, but instead be kind to everyone. Some people aren't easy to be kind to, I know, but it doesn't matter. We should be kind to everyone, showing compassion to them.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. -1 Thessalonians 5:15
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32
Lord, help me to show kindness to others today. Help me to not fight or argue with people, because I know you are pleased when I obey Your Word. I will remember how You have forgiven me when I sin daily, and that will encourage me to forgive others when they do me wrong.
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel (fight or argue) but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. -2 Timothy 2:24
When I was teaching at an elementary school, Daniel brought Noah to eat lunch with me one day in the classroom I shared with another teacher. There was a book that Daniel pulled off my shelf to read and it was called No Fighting, No Biting! We thought that was the funniest title for a book, but I guess it did its job because I have remembered it two years later.
In the scripture above, Paul was telling Timothy (a young man who followed Christ) how Christians should act. We should not fight or argue with others, but instead be kind to everyone. Some people aren't easy to be kind to, I know, but it doesn't matter. We should be kind to everyone, showing compassion to them.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. -1 Thessalonians 5:15
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32
Lord, help me to show kindness to others today. Help me to not fight or argue with people, because I know you are pleased when I obey Your Word. I will remember how You have forgiven me when I sin daily, and that will encourage me to forgive others when they do me wrong.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Purity {Diamond Clarity}
How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your word. -Psalm 119:9
When I was waiting for Daniel to propose to me I did a lot of research on diamond rings. I found one factor that determines the cost of a diamond is its clarity (how pure it is). There are diamonds that have small flaws inside them. These have low clarity (aren't pure), so they aren't as expensive even if they are pretty large. On the flip side, if you get a small diamond that has high clarity, it can be very expensive.
We are God's diamonds. Look in your heart today for the flaws you have, and work on getting those out. God's Word will help purify our hearts if we obey Him. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit - how are we treating His temple?
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galtaians 2:20
Lord, help me to walk in purity today. Help me guard my mind and body against anything that would not glorify You. Teach me your Word so that I can stay pure while I am young. Give me strength to fight against temptation.
When I was waiting for Daniel to propose to me I did a lot of research on diamond rings. I found one factor that determines the cost of a diamond is its clarity (how pure it is). There are diamonds that have small flaws inside them. These have low clarity (aren't pure), so they aren't as expensive even if they are pretty large. On the flip side, if you get a small diamond that has high clarity, it can be very expensive.
We are God's diamonds. Look in your heart today for the flaws you have, and work on getting those out. God's Word will help purify our hearts if we obey Him. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit - how are we treating His temple?
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galtaians 2:20
Lord, help me to walk in purity today. Help me guard my mind and body against anything that would not glorify You. Teach me your Word so that I can stay pure while I am young. Give me strength to fight against temptation.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Garbage In = Garbage Out
...let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.
-2 Corinthians 7:1, The Message
Paul (use to be Saul, who killed Christians and then had his life transformed by Jesus) wrote this to the Corinthians (people who lived in a town called Corinth). To purify someone's life was a struggle for people 2,000 years ago and it still is. What are we putting in our body that defiles us? (Defile means to make something filthy.)
Images... Lyrics... Movies...
What is going into your mind and spirit everyday? Is it going to help your relationship with Christ GROW, or is it putting a gap between you and Christ?
Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. -1 John 2:15, The Message
An easy place to start is with your music and movies. We listen to stuff because we "like the beat" or watch something because it is funny, but there is trash surrounding it. You cannot take in trash without it dirtying up your mind.
There ARE cool alternatives! Click on the link below to check out a cool resource for Christian music bands that are out there! Ministry Media
Lord, show us areas in our life that we need to change and give us a desire for things that are pleasing to You. Thank you for your forgiveness when we make mistakes.
-2 Corinthians 7:1, The Message
Paul (use to be Saul, who killed Christians and then had his life transformed by Jesus) wrote this to the Corinthians (people who lived in a town called Corinth). To purify someone's life was a struggle for people 2,000 years ago and it still is. What are we putting in our body that defiles us? (Defile means to make something filthy.)
Images... Lyrics... Movies...
What is going into your mind and spirit everyday? Is it going to help your relationship with Christ GROW, or is it putting a gap between you and Christ?
Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. -1 John 2:15, The Message
An easy place to start is with your music and movies. We listen to stuff because we "like the beat" or watch something because it is funny, but there is trash surrounding it. You cannot take in trash without it dirtying up your mind.
There ARE cool alternatives! Click on the link below to check out a cool resource for Christian music bands that are out there! Ministry Media
Lord, show us areas in our life that we need to change and give us a desire for things that are pleasing to You. Thank you for your forgiveness when we make mistakes.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
To Lie or Not to Lie?
Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. -Colossians 3:9, The Message
Lying isn't THAT big of a deal, right? Your friend asks you if she can copy your answers for homework, your mom thinks you're at youth group but you're really over at a friend's house, you tell a cute older boy you're 17 when you're really 14...
The bible is super clear about lying - a Christian should not do it. In the scripture above, Paul is talking to the Colossians (people who lived in a city called Colossae). Lying is part of your life BEFORE you knew Christ. Once you started a relationship with Him you took off bad habits like lying and got rid of them.
Why not lie? When we lie we lose trust, and trust is VERY difficult to earn back. More importantly we see from scripture that we please God when we speak the truth.
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth. -Proverbs 12:22
We all make mistakes. We cave under pressure because we don't want to get in trouble. This is where we have to be quick to ask Jesus for HELP! He will give you strenth to tell the truth when it is not easy and strength to apologize when you've lied.
God, may I speak only truth so that I can bring you delight! Help me to stop myself when I want to lie and remember that lying is no longer part of who I am, since I am a new creation in Christ.
Lying isn't THAT big of a deal, right? Your friend asks you if she can copy your answers for homework, your mom thinks you're at youth group but you're really over at a friend's house, you tell a cute older boy you're 17 when you're really 14...
The bible is super clear about lying - a Christian should not do it. In the scripture above, Paul is talking to the Colossians (people who lived in a city called Colossae). Lying is part of your life BEFORE you knew Christ. Once you started a relationship with Him you took off bad habits like lying and got rid of them.
Why not lie? When we lie we lose trust, and trust is VERY difficult to earn back. More importantly we see from scripture that we please God when we speak the truth.
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth. -Proverbs 12:22
We all make mistakes. We cave under pressure because we don't want to get in trouble. This is where we have to be quick to ask Jesus for HELP! He will give you strenth to tell the truth when it is not easy and strength to apologize when you've lied.
God, may I speak only truth so that I can bring you delight! Help me to stop myself when I want to lie and remember that lying is no longer part of who I am, since I am a new creation in Christ.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
True Beauty
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. -Proverbs 31:30
I think of my grandmother: her 94 year old body bent with age, face covered in wrinkles, hair thinning and white. She was the picture of true beauty - a woman who feared the Lord. She was greatly praised by her children and grandchildren.
In a society that makes everything about appearance it is hard for me not to get wrapped up in keeping up, but the way I (or anyone) looks on the outside does not indicate what is on the inside. The most beautiful face and body can be a shell to rottenness.
Lord, we praise You because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We love You for who You are and the great things You have done. Help us to put our appearance into perspective, knowing that people look at the outward appearance but You look at the heart. Help us to read Your word so we can learn more about You and be confident in who we are in You.
Check out this video that I was reminded of today:
Do you think girls put too much emphasis on the way they look?
I think of my grandmother: her 94 year old body bent with age, face covered in wrinkles, hair thinning and white. She was the picture of true beauty - a woman who feared the Lord. She was greatly praised by her children and grandchildren.
In a society that makes everything about appearance it is hard for me not to get wrapped up in keeping up, but the way I (or anyone) looks on the outside does not indicate what is on the inside. The most beautiful face and body can be a shell to rottenness.
Lord, we praise You because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We love You for who You are and the great things You have done. Help us to put our appearance into perspective, knowing that people look at the outward appearance but You look at the heart. Help us to read Your word so we can learn more about You and be confident in who we are in You.
Check out this video that I was reminded of today:
Do you think girls put too much emphasis on the way they look?
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