A Look at Love
1Corinthians 13:7 AMP Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening.] Marriage came to mind as I read this, this morning. Love bears all things; financial problems that come up, problems with an ex-spouse in regards to children and visitation for example. Sickness where it takes everything in us to be strong for them and keep a smile on our face. Job loss and making the other feel secure that something will come along and having the faith that things will be ok. Love believes all things. Believe the best in each other. Don’t constantly nic-pik all the stuff that needs improvement. Love believes that no matter what, trusting God, you will be ok. Love hopes all things. Maybe you are just to the point of leaving. You see no possible way to fix things. Maybe a spouse is incarcerated and you cant wait another day. Maybe you feel you have grown apart. The hope that God has instilled in each of you is what will see you through. All things work together for the…
Rejoice!
”Rejoice with those who rejoice!”(Romans 12:15a). This isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command. When someone is so excited, so thrilled with an event in their lives, God says: rejoice WITH them, not FOR them. What if you don’t feel like it? Push your flesh out of the way and shout when they shout, laugh when they laugh, and show them how important they are in your life. It is SO-O-O wonderful to share good news with a friend who can share in your joy!
Time to Fight
When it’s time to fight, it’s time to fight. I want to encourage those today who feel as though they can’t fight anymore. They struggle to get out of bed in the morning, their bodies hurt, their minds are being tormented by things they wouldn’t dare utter top another soul. Stand up and say “Enough is enough.” God has given you authority over everything that you are facing and anything that is holding you back. Lift your hands to a holy God who loves you more than mere words could ever say. It’s all worth the fight. Don’t give up when you’re on the brink of a breakthrough. God has plans for you if you’ll just keep fighting. (Sara Wylie)
Don’t Be Distracted
Don’t let the enemy distract you from God’s purpose and His plan for your life and others’ lives. No, we are not responsible for saving them, but it is our responsibility to point them to the One Who saved us. As children of the Most High God who are no longer on that path, don’t sleep this life away like you haven’t been freed. Like you haven’t been redeemed from a life with no life in it! Don’t be too busy to let Jesus Christ shine in, on, and through you. In Ephesians 5:14-15, we are called to wake up and assess what’s truly important. I feel like God is asking each of us if our lives are lining up with His priorities. Are our priorities His? Do our goals look the same? Will God be smiling when we reach those milestones? Are we chasing after His beautiful heart each and every day? Our days are gifts that He alone has blessed us with. We have to ask ourselves if we are about God’s business or our own. (Sara Wylie)
Heaven on Earth
I saw a sign today that read: “Live like heaven is on earth.” I instantly thought, How are we supposed to do that?? We don’t have to look very far before we see poverty, loss, kids treated badly…the list goes on and on. So are we supposed to ignore the ugly stuff, floating along with our heads in the clouds while others suffer? I don’t think that’s what God had in mind. We pray asking God to remind us of just how temporary this suffering is, then remind others of this fact as well. This too shall pass. We could all use reminders that there’s still good around us….maybe even something that looks a whole lot like heaven. (Sara Wylie)
Choose the Good
“There’s nothing in this world that can trouble you more than your thoughts.” Those thoughts can cause you to worry, become discouraged, raise your blood pressure along with your temper, and worst of all, live way below what God has planned for you. Time to ditch those thoughts and begin to think about Him and everything that is true, honest, right, pure and lovely. Good thoughts will take you good places!!