Tag Archive | God

Guts and Glory

When our youngest daughter was in Jr. High she played league softball. I would often purchase T-shirts which had softball themes on them and give them to her for gifts. One particular shirt caught my eye. From a distance all I could see was…

“Guts and Glory”

As I looked at it closer it had a batter at the plate about to take a swing and the fine print said “Lord Give Me and I will give You” Then when put with the large print the logo said …

Lord Give me the GUTS and I will give You the GLORY

This became my cry from the stands…”Guts and Glory Brandi…Guts and Glory”. Then it was game on! Whether she was pitching or hitting she would turn on the determination and give 110%.

As Christian’s this should be the cry of our daily life…Guts and Glory

Lord Give Me the Guts to…

Live for You
Speak up for You
Trust in You
Depend on You
Follow You

Then to say…I will give you the Glory…

Despite the outcome
Despite whether things are going right or not
Despite how I feel
Despite my surroundings
Despite what others say

What is Your Heart’s Cry? Mine is…

Guts and Glory!

Love Lee ♥

Love Always…

Feb14

To understand the origin of Valentines Day….You should watch this video The History of Valentines Day .

But I ask…can anyone know the true meaning of love without Salvation? I think not!!!

You see, God has demonstrated the ultimate love by offering up His one and only Son as the perfect sacrifice. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God commands us to love one another but can we grasp the true meaning of Love?

Paul does an awesome job of teaching us some profound principles of Love in 1 Corinthians 13…

1 Corinthians 13

¹ If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4 does and excellent job of defining for us exactly what love is and what love is not followed by the “Always(s)”

Love always…

Protects
Trusts,
Hopes
Perseveres

By incorporating Paul’s teachings we not only celebrate love on Valentines Day but…

ALWAYS!!!

Love Lee ♥

Are You Running With Me Jesus

Feb10

There are mornings I would just love to go back to bed and this is one of those mornings for me! However, I am on assignment for the Lord today! He has a plan for my day…someone out there needs to be loved and ministered to so, I just finished my quiet time and now…I am up and running!!!

Are you running with Me, Jesus?

by Malcolm Boyd

It’s morning, Jesus. It’s morning, and here’s that light and sound all over again.

I’ve got to move fast . . . get into the bathroom, wash up, grab a bite to eat and run some more.

I just don’t feel like it, Lord. What I really want to do is get back into bed, pull up the covers, and sleep. All I seem to want today is the big sleep, and here I’ve got to run all over again.

Where am I running? You know these things I can’t understand. It’s not that I need to have you tell me. What counts most is just that somebody knows, and it’s you. That helps a lot.

So I’ll follow along okay? But lead, Lord. Now I’ve got to run. Are you running with me, Jesus?

Have You Ask Jesus to Run With You Today?

Love Lee ♥

The Hair Brush

Feb9

Wednesdays With Beth on Life Today is such a blessing…

This is one of my most favorite videos of Beth…Enjoy!

Love Lee ♥

Encourage Them

Feb8

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

Everyone has the ability to provide positive encouragement, but to do so often requires us to step out of our world, take our minds off of ourselves and re-direct our thoughts towards others. Too little encouragement to others can lead one to believe you are self-centered and uncaring. Too much encouragement can be construed as pushy or obsessive.

To be a great encourager you should…

Keep an open mind and allow others to voice their opinions. Give them a chance to say what they think and feel.
Focus on the needs of others showing them you are on their side and have only the best intentions in mind.
Be spontaneous by giving encouragement for the things they do, their performance, or how they are in general and not just when they do something praiseworthy
Be honest when giving encouragement because chances are the other person can tell when you’re being fake.
Always find a way to flip a negative into encouragement. All encouragement is based on success…so, For example, instead of telling someone that what they did was completely wrong, tell them at least one or two things that they did right, then explain how it can be even better if they consider doing something else as well.
Offer to help. Suggest several ways that you might be of service, then ask if there is anything else that you can do. If the person turns down your request, let her know that you are there to help whenever possible. This lets the person know that she isn’t alone.

Encouragement should be…

1. Personal – Tell them personally how much you believe in them.
2. Pointed – Tell them specifically what you appreciate about them.
3. Public – Talk them up in front of others.
4. Purposeful – Have a goal that you are shooting for in their lives. Don’t make it meaningless.

How being an encourager effects you…

Your focus becomes positive rather than negative
Your thoughts are turned towards others rather than yourself
You become more aware of others efforts and hard work as well as their disappointments.
You are being obedient to God’s word

Lifting up others may not be second nature to you but with prayer and practice you can become an awesome source of encouragement to others…

Who do you know that needs a little encouraging today?

Encourage Them…

Love Lee ♥

God’s Favorite Song

Feb7

At work when a baby is born the sweetest chime plays announcing the arrival. The song is “Happy Birthday” and sounds like it is coming from a little music box. As I sit at my desk working away, I hear the chime and I stop what I am doing and ask God to bless the child. When I hear the chimes it makes me smile and even tear up at times.

I feel there must be a chime which goes off in Heaven to announce the birth of a Christian. And, oh the celebration that must follow. The day we are born in Christ the angels in heaven rejoice and greatest song of all fills heaven…

And…It’s His Favorite Song Of All

Love Lee ♥

How to Change Your Mind

Feb3

Everything that happens to you; everything from your past and everything in your future all relies on one simple thing: How do you choose to process that which happens to you? The way you choose to process everything that has or will happen to you makes up your entire experience of life. Most people are oblivious to this powerful fact, mostly because the majority of our thoughts are shaped automatically by our past conditioning.

I have always said the hardest thing to change is your mind; how you process information has been ingrained in you since the day you were born. You have spent years watching your mom and dad’s reactions to life circumstances. Watched others respond to both positive and negative occurences over the years and without even knowing it your prejudices, likes, dislikes, and opinions have been formed; both good and bad…

I have good news…All those negative concepts, thought processes, prejudices and opinions can be reprogrammed. It all began at birth right? Rather than go back to the beginning your natural birth…Just get born again!

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:3-7

To Change Your Mind and Your Mindset and Letting Your Past Be Your Past…

Be Born Again!!!

Love Lee ♥

The Snowball Effect…

Feb2

It is so much easier to tell the truth than it is to tell a lie. In-fact it is virtually impossible to tell a lie and pull one off without being found out…my kids can attest to this hypothesis…In-fact they think I am human lie detector.

In some ways I guess they are right…My Father gifted me with the gift of discernment. From out of nowhere this sense of “something’s not right” comes over me and I become a little nauseated when someone is telling me an untruth.

Recently a friend was in a dilemma and asked me “what do I tell them?” My reply was “try the truth!!!”

Being truthful is a choice. Like any attribute of a Believer’s life, integrity can release blessings if you choose to live a life based on truth. The Bible says, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9, NIV)

Oh, and just for the record…there is no such thing as a “Little White Lie”. It is what it is….A LIE!!! If you tell one then you have to tell another and before you know it, you are burdened with the task of remembering who you told what…The Snowball Effect.

Yes, there may be consequences for telling the truth and may even be a little uncomfortable but…

God Will Bless You for Living a Life of Integrity!

Love Lee ♥

Hey Goldilocks What’s Your Temperature?

Feb1

The big headlines this morning in the news is for a hard freeze. Temperatures in the 20’s is so atypical for South Texas. It is not uncommon to hear “I can’t stand cold weather” but then in the summer I frequently hear “it’s too hot”. We are sooo like Goldilocks we don’t want it too hot or too cold. Instead, we want it just right!

Hmmm….Not God!!!

Our Father is very clear on this matter. He finds it distasteful to be lukewarm. So much so He wants absolutely nothing to do with us…He will just spew us out!!!

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.Revelation 3:16

So what does lukewarm sound like, look like, or feel like for a Christian?

Here are some questions that might help you determine whether your Christian walk has become lukewarm…

Do you find yourself worrying?
Is there sin in your life?
Do you love the things of the world more than you love God?
Are you too busy for Jesus?
What are your priorities?
Do you use God’s name in vain?
When is the last time you prayed for someone or something other than yourself or your desires?
Do you share your faith no matter what others think or say about you?
Do you seek wealth and recognition over God?
When is the last time you followed God’s direction or obeyed His word?

Well there you have it…He didn’t call us to be perfect. He called us to be on fire for Him!!!

What’s Your Temperature?

Love Lee ♥

Mover, Shaker, or Procrastinator

Jan31

In life there are three kinds of people…MOVERS, SHAKERS, & PROCRASTINATORS

The Movers

The “movers” are those that dive in and help crank out the work. They are result oriented and like immediate gratification. The “movers” can work circles around all others and typically enjoy getting their hands dirty. A “mover” typically walks fast and completes assignments on time or ahead of schedule.

The Shakers

The “shakers” are those that walk in and make an announcement about what needs to be done. They typically motivate others to get busy and do a great job of delegating work to others. They often pitch an idea, sign you up to carry it out and then step back and watch it all happen. A “shaker” typically talk fast and conducts business verbally.

The Procrastinators

The “procrastinators” are those who know what needs to be done and may acknowledge it verbally but does not take action. They typically think or say to themselves they will do it later but usually talk themselves out of doing anything all together. They have minimal to no motivation and seldom if ever follow through. A “procrastinator” walks and moves slowly, talks slowly, and is typically seated and often announces “I’m gonna” or “I’m fixin too”.

Movers, Shakers, and Procrastinators are found in the home, the work place, on the job, and even in the church and often each are intolerant of the other.

The “mover” doesn’t want the “shaker” to tell them what to do and they certainly don’t want the “procrastinator” to sit and watch them work.
The “shaker” gets frustrated when the “mover” makes things happen before they are even able to delegate the task to them and to delegate to a “procrastinator” is even more frustrating because they know typically the work won’t get done.
The “procrastinator” does not enjoy being around the “mover” or “shaker” because it means work or being told they should participate in work.

The word work appears occurs 420 times in 380 verses in the KJV. God gives instructions on how to be a “mover’ and a “shaker”. He put more emphasis on work than rest.

Even God worked for seven days prior to resting. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Genesis 2:2

And…He tells us to do the same. Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest. Exodus 34:21