365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 245

We are well aware of how there are many sides to an issue especially when it comes to politics but I was reminded of how we are also divided when it comes to God. There always seems to be someone with another perspective that does not mesh with your own. I am sure that how we are made as unique individuals is the reason for this but I am also sure that God is the one and only way that we can be unified in spirit. Unfortunately, this takes every person on Earth opening their hearts to Christ. We won’t see this unity of spirit this side of Heaven but we have the hope of being a part of this unity in Heaven. Perhaps, with lots of prayer and working on our own spirit we can see a glimpse of this kind of unity within our own circle of family and friends.

Acts 23:6  Then Paul, knowing that some of t hem were Sadducees and the others Pharises, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee.

365 Days of Spirt-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 137

I think everyone is aware that people are unique and complex but I am not sure people really understand how unique each of us are. As I was studying temperaments the other night at the library, I thought, God could have created us all with the same temperament. My next thought was the answer; we would all be the same, like robots. God made each of us unique and special and put us in a special part of his grand plan for the world that only we can fill. All this uniqueness is complex which is part of the reason we find it hard to love one another. We have to figure out ourselves, which some people never do. The more you understand how God created you, the more you will be able to let the Holy Spirit within you, guide each of your steps, decide each of your words and give you all that you need. With the patience and kindness only the Holy Spirit can give, you will be able to truly love. And love is what it is all about.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 130

The Holy Spirit has guided me to the topic of judging. In a negative office environment, with issues out of our control, it becomes very easy to judge individuals in the scheme of what’s happening. But the Lord is telling me to stop the judging and set the example of righteousness. I need to put on the rose-colored glasses of Christ each day that will help me view those that I work with in the way Christ viewed us. We are humans who make mistakes and we should forgive them. We are all uniquely designed by God and we must celebrate this uniqueness rather than put it down. And lastly, we all have a special place that God has designed for us that fits into his big plan for all of us. What is happening at my work or yours, in our homes and everywhere is being used by God for his big plan so we shouldn’t be judging but asking God to guide us in his special plan. So along with the armor of God, I will put on the rose-colored glasses of Jesus and view others without judgment but only with love.

James 4:11-12 Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 95

The first thoughts about good or goodness in the bible are right there in Genesis chapter one when God is day by day creating all aspects of our world. At the end of each day, God reviews his creation and thinks it is good. Well, yah, some might say, you are God so it isn’t going to be bad. Let’s put this into other words: God planned his creation and  day by day as it came together he thought it was all working according to his plan and purpose. Something is good when it works out as we planned. I thought about my wedding plans. I had a Renaissance themed wedding with the outfits and all. Because it was such a unique wedding it was a bit daunting thinking about how it was all going to come together but the evening of my wedding, as I walked down that isle everything was good. It all came together beautifully and it was a wedding many will never forget. I felt not relief that it was all good but satisfaction and joy. I feel that way when I create a scrapbook page or card. When it comes together and it is good, I am delighted. We can look at each day we are given the same way. God created this day and what happens throughout our day will work according to his purpose and it will be good. No matter what our day brings us, there is good in it because God’s purpose is working through it. Keep that in mind, when your kids are driving you nuts or your boss is making you angry or the roads are a snowy yucky mess to drive in.

Genesis 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 173

This time last year, I was on a mission to discover that my daughter did not have ADD. We were told late in the school year of how Faith was having focusing issues, mostly daydreaming. Because this was the first time that this issue came up, I was pretty sure this was just a phase or something. We went through all the medical stuff with her to rule out anything medical just to be sure. I ended up with a very good book about natural ways to conquer ADD or ADHD. The writer spoke of how a lot of kids are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD and medicated but there are many ways to help children that are natural ways. The truth was Faith is a hands-on visual learner, combine that with her love of cats and you can get her to focus. I really think it was just a phase or that she wasn't being taught to her individuality as she has blossomed in this last year and her teacher says she doesn't have any focus issues at all. We are all unique creations and that is to be celebrated. We have to learn what our strengths and weaknesses are and utilize those things that God gave us. Faith is apparently a math whiz. She got that from her Dad for sure but she also has a creativeness that defnintely comes from me. In the end, God has given her some wonderful quirks and strengths that will be with her throughout her life. She is a blessing to us and we thank God for her. Know that what God has given you is to be celebrated!
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmansip, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God perpared in advance for us to do.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 125

Today I am praising God for me, who I am. It's so easy to get caught up in negative thinking about yourself. Those what you think are not so great character traits or physical traits but we are all created by someone who loves us through and through, in and out, all of the above. So, we have to stop from time to time and remember that no matter what we may think of ourselves, our creator totally loves all of me and all of you and all of everyone. Celebrate the unique creation of yourself today! Being unique is a wonderful thing.
1Timothy 4:4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.