Thought for the Day shared on Facebook by a precious Sister this morning:
“We struggle, we climb, and we claw our way through the challenges that life throws at us. Sometimes we win; sometimes we lose. But the one constant that is always there is that God is always waiting to help. We don’t need to go it alone and with God anything is possible.” – Elmer Laydon
What are You Struggling With?
David danced before the LORD with all his might; II Samuel 6:14
One of my favorite television shows to watch is “Dancing With the Stars”. I love seeing the contestants start of with minimal skill then as the weeks go by they transform into skilled dancers with precision, poise, gracefulness, and moves that I could not even dream of being able to perform…
This show reminds me much of life. We start out clumsy and easily frustrated but as we face greater challenges we begin to handle them with more poise and tolerance.
But…it is so important we remember…whether we are tired, sore, frustrated, challenged, or even tempted to quit we must …
Living a life of service is not easy. Even in our jobs we tend to lose focus of the fact we are ministering spirits…Ministering God’s Grace in various forms. In a recent encounter, I was reminded of the difference one can make for another human being just by going the extra mile…
Trust me…If you feel people are an inconvenience or a burden they know how you feel!!!
Perhaps…it is time to get back to the basics of Christianity…
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:9-11
It is often refered to as customer service but I like to think of it as Christianity…Treating others as you would like to be treated. We must treat people with love and respect…You have the power to make a difference in someone’s life by going the extra mile.
It is human nature to want to be loved. In-fact some will go to great lengths to be loved and accepted by others. Often they compromise who they are, what they believe, and what they stand for all for the sake of this acceptance. They will accept love in any form to fill this need.
On the other hand there are those who are firm in their convictions, know what they believe, know they are loved and will not compromise even to gain the acceptance of others. They will not be moved.
If I were to choose a theme song for my life this would be it…
I am sure you have heard the saying “Wild Horses Couldn’t Drag Me Away” meaning…I ain’t moving!!! Paul is telling the church in Rome…
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nether angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
Rules…Rules…Rules!!!
Do you find sometimes all the rules and regulations can snuff out the joy of worship. You hear phrases like…
Last night while watching the Passion Play at First Baptist Church Brazoria, I was reminded of how many rules people had to follow in order to have a relationship with God…Living a life bound by Law!
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of written code. Romans 7:13
Today, there are still those that choose to live a life bound by law, rules, and regulations…
I thank God for the new way of the Spirit! There is so much freedom and release living a Spirit lead life!!!
Today’s media influenced world puts so much emphasis on appearance. You can’t be thin enough, your makeup has to be perfect, your clothes from the finest of stores, and every hair on your head perfect…
You feel you must hang with the “In” crowd and your interests become their interests. You seek their approval wanting desperately for them to recognize and accept you and will do just about anything to receive that approval.
You feel, you will be held in high esteem by others if you walk right, talk right, look right, and hang with the right people. Desiring desperately to receive favour in society.
Take a breath…I have good news!!! You don’t have to be all that!!!
Here is the answer…
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. – Proverbs 31:30
Live a life that brings Him Glory and Honor…remove the idols of vanity and society and put Him first in your life…
When I was a little girl, I didn’t have dreams of being a wife, a mother, or nurse. Nope, I was going to be a pharmacist just like my Pawpaw and Uncle Jack.
High school was centered around academics. I pushed myself taking accelerated classes and studying non-stop. Then I took the class that changed my life…Chemistry. I remember wondering why…why…why; Why do I need to learn the periodic table, why??? I called my Uncle Jack and asked, “Why?” and he said “Lee, you don’t need to know why; just memorize it and move on. Chemistry is the foundation you need to be a pharmacist”
Well, I gave this a lot of thought and realized perhaps I was not supposed to be a pharmacist because I needed to know why! I didn’t want to memorize…I wanted to know!!! Little did I know this concept would be the beginning point for a new path for my life. You see, God had a different plan for my life. He knew the desires of my heart before I did and redirected my steps. I didn’t know my way on this path but I do believe God has directed my every step.
Today, thanks to God, I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a nurse…Who would have thought?
“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’ Psalm 32:8,
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 (NASB)
There are days my heart is weighed down, times when I feel a heaviness but find all it takes is a good word from a friend, a smile from a stranger, a hug from a co-worker and my frown turns upside down.
Be a blessing to someone today…
A Love Lee Place 