365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Day-321

My bible study is working on The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell. We had a good discussion on chapter 4 which is about the law of reflection. I love what he said about experience. It is not the experience that makes you grow it is the evaluation of the experience. I think for most of us have random growth moments but what if we really took the time to stop and reflect each day on what we may have learned for that day? How much more growing we could accomplish! As I drove home from work yesterday, I thought about that question, “what have I learned today?” I ended up having a great learning moment. I realized the stress I feel from work is because of my drive to be recognized and successful. The work I do is done well and I do what I can so stressing about the rest of it waiting for me the next day isn’t going to make it go away any faster. I realized God wants me to just take pause in my plowing through work to focus on Him and give it to Him. I am doing my best and the rest is for God.

Matthew 25:23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 153

One very important point in my recent studies is that because we are triune beings with a spirit, soul and body each of these parts needs to be fed. Without food our body would wither away and die. It is the same for our spirit and our soul. Our soul is the place where our temperament lies and is where our intellect is. We feed our intellect with books, conversation, television, etc. Without daily feeding to our soul, we will become out of balance. The same is true for our spirit. It needs to be fed regularly to ensure growth and maturity. We need to be in the Word and prayer fostering our relationship with God the Father and Jesus, our King. All three parts are interconnected and if one part suffers the other parts will also. God created us to be in balance but sin knocked us off balance. We are cleansed from our sin thanks to the gift of Jesus. He has cleared the way for us to be in relationship with God in ways we could not before we accepted him. If you are not using the gift that Jesus gave in clearing the way so you could have a relationship with the One True God, than your faith is stuck. We need to turn away from the temptations in this world that draw us away from God and our relationship with him. There can be no more excuses because our lives are too busy. Like Jesus did often when he was with us on Earth, he went off to be alone with God. He was intentional about it. He didn’t worry about the time or what needed to be done. He took the time and walked off alone to be with God. I find that my own relationship with God is not that intentional. Aside from my blog writing time, I am an opportunistic praying Christian which means when I find myself in a position to pray like alone in my car. Perhaps with the warmth of summer heading our way, I will get myself intentionally out of the house walking with God; feeding my body and spirit at the same time.

1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 253

As I was laying in bed this morning, contemplating all the plans for the day, I realized how very nice it was to be able to sleep in and wake up without the need to get up and get going.  In our fast paced world, it seems these moments of just peace, quiet and comfort are rare. This reminds me of how God wants us to be still and listen. We have to find the time, NO, make the time to just be still with God. These are the moments when our hearts are ready to receive the blessings of wisdom, clarity, guidance, insight, inspiration and on. Just like everything it is something we have to be intentional about. Jesus would go off alone into the mountains to just be with God. Are you making consitent alone time with God? Before the rush of the day starts, maybe this would be a good time to talk to God.  Lord, we thank you for the gift of our alone time with you. We forget how much it can help us and our relationship with each other. Help us to make the time to just be still and be with you so we can hear your voice. Amen.

Isa 30:20-21 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 231

For some of us, being giving and generous just comes natuarally. It is your gift but for others, like myself, it is something that I have to work at. The ladies at my work that I sit next to are very good examples of the kind of person who is just natuarally giving and generous. Judy always has a snack drawer filled and welcomes all to come and take whatever they want. The other Judy brought in the makings for a salad the other day for everyone for lunch. Yesterday, I ended up sharing my lunch with a young lady in my office. I had planned to eat the rest of it today but I really enjoyed offering to share with her. Turns out she has never tried avocado ever. Wow! That was cool to be able to give something that she had never tried. Because I am not giving and generous naturally I will have to be more intentional about it.  I am going to start with a list of ways I can give and be generous that I can refer to.  Help me out with my list!  1. Baking something and giving it to a neighbor. 2. Bring donuts or bagels into work, just because! 3.....?  Thank you Lord for the examples of giving you have placed around me that help me strive to be a better giver.

Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 179

Have you heard of the concept of 'paying it forward'? There is a good movie by that same name that shows the concept in action. Recently, I heard of a friend who was in the drive-in line at some fast food place. When she got to the window to pay, she was told the car in front of her paid for her meal. She expressed her surprise and briefly learned that it started ten cars ago. She nor any of the 9 in between her will know who started this kindness but they will have taken that kindness into their day and passed more blessings on to others. One act of kindness can reap so many blessings. The person who started it all is smiling in his or her heart just thinking of the surprised smiles he/she created by this thoughtful act. We have the opportunity everyday to express our kindness and to act thoughtfully towards others but how intentional have you been about it.  I know I haven't but I will start a prayer card to use as my reminder to pray everyday for my heart to open up to acting out in kindness towards someone in ways they don't expect.
Ephesians 2:7 ...in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.