To Honor and Serve

Have you ever been in a disagreement with someone?  And has it just spiraled out of control that you don’t even know what you’re fighting about?  Yea, been there, done that, and will most likely do that again (to be truthfully honest).  However; I think before I let that happen again, I will definitely keep one thing in mind. Would I say disgraceful things, and use my tongue as a weapon if God were standing right in front of me?  I’ll answer that boldly and say NOT A CHANCE!  I honestly think if I could physically see the Lord with my human eyes everything would be completely irrelevant! I would focus all my energy and everything on him.

In the Bible it says this in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” I hope you find that just as interesting as I do. I mean down to the last drop literally! Whatever we do, he wants us to do it unto him.  So I began to reflect about my relationships and started to become very convicted…. I thought to myself….. “How can I handle an out of control circumstance a little better? ( and here’s where I had my AHA! moment)  by  looking beyond the shoulder of the person, that I’m at odds with, and looking to God.  I realized something…while not trying to be irreverent to the person I’m at odds with.  I should see them as being irrelevant.  Although, honoring and loving a difficult person may seem impossible at times. If I remind myself look pass them and focus on God it becomes a bit easier. Since, I certainly know I am very capable of living my life to be pleasing to my creator. John 13:34-35 says 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” What I really like about this is that God does not give us an option, it’s a command! And he doesn't say that we should” “love another….If the person is nice, or if we think they deserve it.”  It’s a statement, it’s a command.

 Personally, I know this makes me feel a bit relieved.  Because I know at some points I can be unlovable! I know that there are things that I do that can be unloving, but God loves me regardless.  Therefore I should love everyone regardless of their attitude, or their attitude problem, for that matter.  I am called to love because I am called to honor and serve God.  Friends we are called to loved and we are all called to honor God.  Look beyond the shoulder of your adversary and see the king, because even though we can’t see him he’s always watching us.

The LIfe of an Oyster....

Have you ever been oyster shucking before?  I did this about twelve years ago and I found a pearl in the oyster!  The guide who was helping us shuck the oysters explained to me how the pearl was formed and so today I will share with you, the information that was given to me.  A spec of sand gets into the oyster and it causes irritation, while causing irritation the oyster tries to protect itself and while it protects itself against the irritant the pearl is then formed.  Here’s a really interesting question to think about for a minute….without the sand could the pearl be formed?  No, it’s impossible.  However; the oyster is already equipped with all the inner properties to create the pearl the only thing that was needed was the sand to reveal it.

The oyster reminds me of certain relationships that we have.  We all have some people in our lives that may cause us irritation, its normal! It happens to every one of us.  However; does that person really cause you irritation? Or do they just reveal what’s really inside of you?  I’ll let you reflect for a moment on that… Sometimes, it feels like the people who are the most near and dear to us receive the brunt of our irritations…actually it may feel like that they are our source of aggravation.  But, in actuality these people do not cause you to be the way you are (agitated, moody, impatient, whatever it may be) no, they reveal who you really are deep down inside. 

I’m going to be candid and say that I am an impatient person, and sometimes I feel that certain people cause me to be impatient. However; after evaluating myself, I now know that I am this way because I lack discipline in this area.  Therefore; it’s my job daily to pray and ask God for help and be mindful of my behaviors.  In Proverbs 29:11 is says “Fools give full vent to their rage. But the wise bring calm in the end.” I feel that this scripture is very insightful it goes straight to my heart.  What I like best about this passage is that it holds us accountable for our own actions. Essentially we are making our own choices on how to react to our circumstances.   

Friends, sometimes we may feel that if our circumstances were different, we wouldn't be the way that we are.  But it’s quite the contrary….Each and every one of us is equipped with the ability to act accordingly in any situation.  But we have to be bold enough, to be able to make the right decisions to become a better person from our hardships.  Do not let adversity define who you are.  Instead let the hardships cultivate you and help you become refined just as the sand does with the oyster. Let it help you become a pearl. 

Temptation

Have you ever been in a tempting situation before?  I know I have! On many occasions! I battle my flesh every day to make the right choices that would be honoring before God.  But during these tempting times do you find it hard to draw near to God? 

Typically we turn to people who have been through whatever circumstance we are currently facing.  It always helps to receive some great advice from a great friend or mentor.  We reach out to these people because we want to hear “you can do it”  “you can pull through” we want someone to tell us that it’s going to be OK.  They are able to empathize with us because; they have gone through the same trials and tribulations that we are currently facing.  They know what it feels like to have anxiety, or to have not eaten or sleep in days.  But in my experience, it may not be enough. The only thing that will suffice is by going to the throne of grace.

God is really incredible when you think about it.  Think about the life of Jesus for a moment.  Although he was perfect, he was not exempt from being tempted day in and day out.  He had to deal with this life the same way that we are all going through it however; when he experienced the temptations he did not sin.  In Hebrews 4:15 it says  “15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” It’s so comforting to know that Jesus has the same life experiences that we have.  He knows what it’s like to feel human pain.  His life even ended with all the pain and horror and terrors of punishment for our sins.

The Lord knows what we are feeling, he knows what  pain we are going through. He sees our soul.  We should be pleased to know that we can approach his throne with assurance and sit at his feet and shed our tears with him. He longs to comfort you.   Hebrews 4:16 “16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Have you made your resolutions yet?  I’m sure many of us have! I know my resolution is to continue, to practice patience, and also to start my meal planning as a part of my fitness regimen and to read about 15 new books this year!  But let’s be honest, do we always stick to what we say we are going to do?  I know I never do! I make these resolutions and about one week later I cut my reading goal down to half, I forget that I am meal planning and I am scavenging around my kitchen trying to find healthy options, to avoid the batch of brownies on the counter. I mean, I had a great intentions from the get go, but I fall short every day.   

We make our own plans and our own goals yearly, daily, weekly whatever it may be.  But have we ever considered asking our heavenly father what plans he has for us?   Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  I love how God has our lives fully planned out.  See, what I think is really incredible is that, all we have to do is obey him and do what he has in store for us. But, how do we know what he has planned for us?  We must seek him!   Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” God loves it when we seek him! And when we do we will always find him! Sometimes we may even find him in the unexpected places.  (For me it’s when I’m at the gym listening to old school Steven Curtis Chapman. There you can usually find me running on the treadmill with my eyes closed, with tears streaming down my face from time to time.)  The Lord is everywhere! He is omnipresent! We don’t have to be in a Church to worship him or even to think of him.  God has a plan for each one of us.  He wants us to call upon him; he wants us to ask what we should do with the lives that he has given us.  Our job is to be a willing participant.

Friends I hope that you will diligently pray about what God has in store for your lives.  By doing this we will be able to attain everything he has in store for us.  His plans are only for good and never for evil.  The Lord wants to give us a future that we can only dream about.  I pray for a wonderful new year for you all and that God will give you what your heart desires.  But we must first pursue him to really know what he has in store for our lives. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Have a blessed day friends.