Tag Archive | Jesus

What’s Your Attitude?

This morning as I reflect on my calling in life and why God has placed me where I am…my first thought was I am humbled. Then I began to think…Do I even understand the meaning of humble?

The Dictionary defines humble as:

1: not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive

2: reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission <a humble apology>

Then gives synonyms and antonyms which helps paint an even clearer picture of humble…

Synonyms: demure, down-to-earth, lowly, meek, modest, unassuming, unpretentious

Antonyms: arrogant, bumptious, chesty, conceited, egotistic (or egotistical), fastuous, haughty, highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-handed, high-hat, hoity-toity, huffish, huffy, imperious, lordly, overweening, peremptory, pompous, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious, self-asserting, self-assertive, supercilious, superior, toplofty (also toploftical), uppish, uppity

In this day and age whether climbing the corporate ladder, advancing your business, or networking, only the outgoing, strong, and most boisterous tend to “move up” in the life. So when one hears humble it is often equated with being weak. Unfortunately the humble spirit almost always grates on the nerves of those who are not…

Paul urges us to “walk in a manner Worthy of the calling to which we have been called, with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). Yep, that means we must love those that portray all the antonyms of humble; which I might add is in itself not an easy task!

1 Peter 5:5 reminds us, “… Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Now I don’t know about you but I certainly do not want to be in opposition with God…I want to bathe in His grace!

Psalm 25:9 encourages us saying, “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.”

Yes, I think it is very accurate to say I am humbled and I am so blessed by God! However, for me to remain humble and show love around those people who exhibit all the antonyms above….that is the true test! Am I humble enough…NO WAY!!! So I pray God will help me grow more humble daily!!!

What’s Your Attitude???

Love Lee ♥

Two Wrongs Don’t Make It Right

Mar9

Have you been wronged? Someone hurt you so deeply that you feel you will never be able to forgive?

No matter what has been done to you or how you have been treated allowing God to avenge those wrongs can provide so much freedom. Think about it…by taking matters in your own hands to avenge the wrong which has been done against you then you are no better than the person who hurt you.

I am sure you have heard the saying…

“Two Wrongs Don’t Make It Right”

May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 1 Samuel 24:12

To harbor ill feelings, want to do harm, or speak negatively about the person who has hurt you is counter productive to healing and wholeness…Your healing and wholeness!

Really, do you think they are affected??? Absolutely not!!! They will not lay awake at night replaying the hurtful words or deed, they will not have a knot in the pit of their stomach, and they most likely will not even consider apologizing…

They most often believe they are right and may not even realize how their words or deeds have affected you.

Let go…Let go…LET GO and LET GOD!!!

Love Lee ♥

Moaning or Growing

Mar8

Frequently you hear people complaining…In the grocery store when it takes longer than expected to get through the checkout, at the gas pumps over the price of gas, at the dinner table when the meal is not to their liking…Gripe… Gripe…Gripe!!!

Constant Belly Aching and Moaning…Reminds me of the Israelites when they fled Egypt and were in the wilderness. God was with them but it seemed no matter what He did they were never satisfied. In-fact…one minute they were praising God and the next minute they were complaining!!! Talk about short-term memory!!!

Aren’t we like that? God does something awesome for us and then at the first sign of adversity we are back to our Belly Aching and Moaning…totally forgetting all He has done for us?

God wants to grow us and build our faith in Him…How can we possibly grow without a challenge? It is through our challenges He is able to reveal Himself to us. It is through these challenges we are so dependent on Him. But rather than complaining we should allow Him to shine like a beacon in our lives!

”Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4(NIV)

Are You Moaning or Growing?

Love Lee ♥

Come Out With Your Hands Up

Mar7

“Come out with your hands up”…is a phrase frequently heard when the policed are in the process of capturing a criminal. When the criminal makes the decision to surrender, he or she comes out with hands in the air as an act of surrender to the authorities. While they could cry out “I surrender” the police would not recognize the surrender until they see hands in the air…

I am of the belief actions speak louder than words and for me this is especially true in worship…I am frequently moved to lift my hands to demonstrate my cry for mercy, show of affection and act of surrender, relinquishing control and drinking in His anointing allowing my focus to turn completely to Him. For some this act of worship is not customary or even comfortable but it is a Biblically correct act of worship and is acceptable in the sanctuary!

Cry for Mercy: Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. Psalms 28:2

Show of Affection: I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalms 63:4

Focus on Him: I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. Psalms 119:48

Act of Worship: Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. Psalms 134:2

I know…I know…You are thinking to yourself, “But it just isn’t comfortable” or “I just feel weird” or even “I don’t want people looking at me”…

My response to that is…

Get OVER YOURSELF and Get INTO JESUS!!!

“It is You” by the News Boys says it best!

Come Out With Your Hands Up…

Love Lee ♥

We Could Change the World

Mar2

Life is hard, relationships are a challenge, and times are tough but, if we could only…

1. Wake Up !!
Decide to have a good day.
“Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
“He who guards his lips guards his soul.” Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!…
For what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
“Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good…” Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!…
To the Lord. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!…
For something higher.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!…
Your Prayers. “Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.” Philippians 4:6

We Could Change The World

Love Lee ♥

How To Be Happy

Mar1

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” Anne Frank

Yesterday’s post was “How to Be Unhappy” Take a few minutes to read it first.

Today, it is about Happiness…how do you define happiness? The dictionary defines happiness as…

Happiness: Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, or satisfaction.

What an awesome definition…It leaves the canvas wide open for you to paint your own picture of happiness…

So today we paint…

Supplies:

A cup of coffee, glass of ice tea or a glass of water
Comfortable chair or cushion to sit in and relax
An open mind

Location:

Preferably outdoors in a quiet serene setting

Prepare to Paint:

Sit quietly allow your mind to empty of all negativity
Take in a deep cleansing breath and then blow it out
Ask God to guide your heart and mind as you paint this picture

Begin to Paint:

With your eyes closed, envision a blank canvas. Mentally pick up a paint brush and load it with the color of paint that brings you pleasure. Now begin to add the content of your painting with all the things that bring you pleasure…

Family
Friends
Nature
Travel
Smiles
Flavors
Sounds
Hugs

As you are painting this picture, begin to thank God for allowing you to have experienced these things. Without experiencing all the wonderful blessings God has given, you would not have the ability to paint such an incredible picture.

Now, as you go inside, find a place to hang your picture. Each time you pass that spot in your home you will remember your painting of pleasure and it will serve as a mental reminder to Praise God for all the rich blessings He has given you…

It is the presence of memories, people, experiences, a touch or a look, a taste or a smell, a song or a sound…

Happiness is What Brings you Pleasure…

Love Lee ♥

Stuck in Your Circumstances

Feb24

Yesterday I asked, “Who Controls Your Storm”. Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in the storm and can’t get out? This is a great video by Beth Moore to give you guidance on what to do while enduring the storm…

Praise Him No Matter Your Circumstances

Love Lee ♥

First or Last Resort

Feb22

How many times have you had a worry or burden the was too big for you to handle? You struggle with it until you are at your wit’s end and then in desperation you throw up your hands and say…I have given this to God; it is in His hands now…Sound familiar?

Why is it God is the last resort?

It is often human nature to try to fix things yourself for 3 reasons:

Independence
Pride
Lack of Trust

Independence

We often get this one wrong! In our quest for independence we shut God off. Whether from our lives, situations, decisions, or from our relationships. You see, we should be dependent on God in every aspect of our lives. We often give Him the hard things when we are at our wits end when in-fact He wants us to give Him our everything. We do not need to be independent…Oh no, quite the opposite; we need to become more dependent on Him than ever!!! It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16

Pride

All too often we want to handle our own issues so we can say “Look what I did” or “This is how I did it” In seeking the glory for our successes we are taking the focus off of God and His ever-present help. God is a loving God but He is also a jealous God. He wants and deserves the glory!!! When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Lack of Trust

This one is pretty self explanatory…To leave God out, to not seek His guidance, deliverance, or help is essentially saying you do not trust Him. To that I say…Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalms 37:3

Is He your First or Last Resort?

Love Lee ♥

Do You Pick and Choose?

Feb18

Isn’t it a shame we live in a society that is driven by popularity, social status, and physical appearance? We are judgemental and conceited; picking and choosing our friends based on social norms; wanting nothing to do with those that do not fit our “little mold”.

You say “Oh, I’m not like that” and I say…

“OH REALLY; Let’s Test That Theory…”

When is the last time you…

Hugged a derelict
Invited co-worker to your home for dinner
Asked a person that wasn’t in your clique to have lunch with you
Loaned or gave money to the man on the street corner
Bought a cupcake at a bake sale put on by a different denomination
Tolerated the person driving 55 in a 65 mph zone
Offered to let someone go ahead of you in the grocery store check-out
Spoke kind words to the person that seems to be taking their sweet time waiting on you
Congratulated a co-worker on receiving the promotion you wanted

Need I say more?

When you get alone before the Lord do you ask Him to teach you to love others? I do…but fall short at times when He calls me to love the unlovely. To love the unlovely might mean we:

We are judged and ridiculed by others
Go without something we think we “NEED”
Are not the center of attention
Have to be delayed or inconvenienced
Have to humble ourselves

Loving the unlovely is not easy but Jesus did. He was a friend to the poor and a friend to sinners. We are instructed to be tolerant of people and love the unlovely…feed the poor and friend the sinner…

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Aren’t you glad Jesus doesn’t pick and choose…You just might not have made the cut!!!

Love Lee ♥

Just Be

Feb17

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Nowhere in this scripture do you see the words feel. All to often we base our Christian lives on feelings. We are not told to fake it till we make it…We are told to BE!

Be: Joyful in Hope

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Be: Patient in Affliction

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5