''For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?'' 1 Corinthians 4:7
Okay, confession time: I have been guilty of this! Since being on my own, I have several times been convicted of an ungrateful attitude concerning the things with which I have been blessed. It's easy to look around and think that I provided myself with the things I have instead of being thankful to the One who actually provided me with them.
This can apply to possessions, status, praise, authority, relationships, and anything else God has given us. We cannot hold on to these things, and we cannot boast ''as if [we] had not received them.'' Instead of taking these blessings for granted today, let's look around and recognize the things God has provided and thank Him for them!
April 27, 2013
April 24, 2013
Thought for Today - Raining Love
'''But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.''' Matthew 5:45
Not everyone likes rain, but I do. Something about the sound of falling rain is very soothing to me, and I love the effects of spring rain as the grass turns green and flowers begin to bloom. God doesn't have to give us rain, but He chooses to let His rain fall on the earth for everyone's benefit.
''Love your enemies'' is much easier said than done. Being kind to those who have been unkind to us can be done by the power of God in us, as it is impossible on our own strength. If we are indeed children of our heavenly Father, let's rain down love and kindness today on everyone around us, whether or not they are kind to us.
Not everyone likes rain, but I do. Something about the sound of falling rain is very soothing to me, and I love the effects of spring rain as the grass turns green and flowers begin to bloom. God doesn't have to give us rain, but He chooses to let His rain fall on the earth for everyone's benefit.
''Love your enemies'' is much easier said than done. Being kind to those who have been unkind to us can be done by the power of God in us, as it is impossible on our own strength. If we are indeed children of our heavenly Father, let's rain down love and kindness today on everyone around us, whether or not they are kind to us.
April 15, 2013
Thought for Today - Encouragement
''Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ''Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance...'' Isaiah 35:3-4a
When I run, the last leg to the finish line is both the hardest and the easiest. It is the hardest because then I am the most fatigued and want most to give up. However, it is also the easiest because I am within sight of my goal and can push it harder knowing that my run is almost over. And if I receive encouragement near the finish line, such as the cheering of those who have already finished, I can push even harder.
Encouragement can mean all the difference in someone's performance or even their life. There are times when we all need a helping hand, a kind word, or a listening ear.
Who can you encourage today? Is there someone you can come alongside and comfort or strengthen?
When I run, the last leg to the finish line is both the hardest and the easiest. It is the hardest because then I am the most fatigued and want most to give up. However, it is also the easiest because I am within sight of my goal and can push it harder knowing that my run is almost over. And if I receive encouragement near the finish line, such as the cheering of those who have already finished, I can push even harder.
Encouragement can mean all the difference in someone's performance or even their life. There are times when we all need a helping hand, a kind word, or a listening ear.
Who can you encourage today? Is there someone you can come alongside and comfort or strengthen?
April 9, 2013
Thought for Today - New Mercies
''Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.'' Lamentations 3:22-23
Great is His faithfulness! We can't even begin to comprehend a fraction of what God sees and does.
His mercies are new every morning. Every morning we wake up, in possession of things only He can give, things He can also choose to take away: life, health, safety, nourishment, shelter, and everything else we have. It's a little cliche, but it's true. When we wake up each morning, we have no idea of what God is doing in the background just so that we can wake up, and can have the same things we did when we went to sleep. God is constantly moving on our behalf and blessing us as He sees fit.
''We are not consumed'' - only by His mercy. If He took His eye off you for a moment, you would not exist. Great indeed is His faithfulness, and His compassion does not fail!
Great is His faithfulness! We can't even begin to comprehend a fraction of what God sees and does.
His mercies are new every morning. Every morning we wake up, in possession of things only He can give, things He can also choose to take away: life, health, safety, nourishment, shelter, and everything else we have. It's a little cliche, but it's true. When we wake up each morning, we have no idea of what God is doing in the background just so that we can wake up, and can have the same things we did when we went to sleep. God is constantly moving on our behalf and blessing us as He sees fit.
''We are not consumed'' - only by His mercy. If He took His eye off you for a moment, you would not exist. Great indeed is His faithfulness, and His compassion does not fail!
April 4, 2013
Thought for Today - Let It Go
'''And if anyone says to you, ''Why are you doing this?'' say, ''The Lord has need of it,'' and immediately he will send it here.''' Mark 11:3
Our Lord was completely sure that the owner of the donkey was willing to give it up for Him. There was no doubt, no question of whether the donkey's owner would try to keep it for himself or deny the Lord use of it.
I wonder if God is sure that each of us will give up the things we hold dear. If He asked for anything I think I own, would I give it up willingly, even gladly, for His service?
Everything we have is given to us by the Lord, and anything can be taken away again. We should never hold too tightly to people, possessions, status, or any other thing we have. If the Lord asks for it, let it go.
Our Lord was completely sure that the owner of the donkey was willing to give it up for Him. There was no doubt, no question of whether the donkey's owner would try to keep it for himself or deny the Lord use of it.
I wonder if God is sure that each of us will give up the things we hold dear. If He asked for anything I think I own, would I give it up willingly, even gladly, for His service?
Everything we have is given to us by the Lord, and anything can be taken away again. We should never hold too tightly to people, possessions, status, or any other thing we have. If the Lord asks for it, let it go.
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