Post by mommadee48 on Apr 13, 2022 13:50:29 GMT -5
OUR DAILY BREAD, READ: (MATTHEW 5:13-16).
I LOVE THIS STORY of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to a stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a police officer, who ordered her to exit the car with her hands up. He took her to the police station and placed her in a holding cell.
An hour later, the officer returned and said, "I'm sorry, Ma'am. This has been a big mistake. When I pulled up behind you, I noticed your "What Would Jesus DO?" license plate holder and your "Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker. When I saw how you were acting, I assumed the car was stolen!"
Satan doesn't care so much if you're a Christian as long as you don't act like one. If he can get you to live by his signals, he can damage and disarm you every time and dishonor the name of Christ in the process.
Instead, Jesus calls believers to be "salt" and "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your FATHER in heaven" (MATTHEW 5:16).
When Jesus in the driver's seat of our lives, we can show off the love and glory of God Jehovah.
THE BLAME GAME, READ: (LEVITICUS 16:5-22).
I'VE BEEN BLAMED FOR A LOT OF THINGS, and rightly so. My sin, failure, and incompetence have caused grief, anxiety, and inconvenience for friends and family (and probably even for strangers). I've been blamed for things that were not my fault, things I was powerless to change.
But I have stood on the other side of the fence hurling accusations at others. If they had just done something different, I tell myself, I would not be in the mess I'm in. Blame hurts. So, whether guilty or not, we waste lots of time and mental energy trying to find someone else to carry if for us.
Jesus offers us a better way to deal with blame. Even though HE was blameless, HE took it upon himself the sin of the world and carried it away (JOHN 1:29). We often refer to Jesus as the sacrificial lamb, but HE was also the final scapegoat for everything that is wrong with the world (LEVITICUS 16:10).
Once we acknowledge our sin and accept Christ's offer to take it away, we no longer have to carry the weight of our guilt. We can stop looking for someone to blame from others trying to do the same.
IN TOUCH WITH CHARLES STANLEY, READ: (LAMENTATIONS 3:24-26).
MANY CHRISTIANS STRUGGLE WITH WAITING.
There are a lot of things we want right now---and we usually have the ability to follow through on our desires. In fact, that's what the entire credit card industry is all about: Have now; and pay later. But possessions aren't the only thing we're in a rush for. Some people are so eager to be married that they make an unwise choice regarding a mate. Others are in such a hurry to become successful and well-respected in their career that they look for shortcuts to get ahead.
So why might the Lord have us delay?
One reason is to protect us. Those who can't say no to their own desires end up enslaved to them. God wants us to be mature believers who have the character and self-restraint to wait for HIM to provide in His perfect time. Because our heavenly Father is omniscient, HE alone knows what's best. You can trust that if HE asks you to hold off, HE has something more wonderful in mind than you could ever provide for yourself.
Does anything seem to have a power over you?
If so, it may be an area that requires the practice of self-restraint. Yield to the LORD and submit your desires to HIM. Then, begin saying no to temptations as you wait for God to reveal HIS will for your life.
BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS, READ: (2CORINTHIANS 9:6-15).
GOD's BLESSINGS TO US ARE NOT MEANT TO END WITH US.
His desire is that they flow to others. This principle applies in all areas of life, including finances.
Did you know that our heavenly Father has plans for your money?
The Lord graciously provides for our needs and even our wants. "And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." Sharing blessings with others will never lead to deprivation. In fact, the Lord promises to increase the harvest of our righteousness and enrich us in everything in response to our generosity. We can never outgive God.
A hoarded blessing won't ever be enjoyed as richly as a shared one. Using your gift to meet someone else's need glorifies God by demonstrating His grace at work in your life. DON'T LET HIS GENEROUS PROVISIONS END WITH YOU. Pass them on and discover the joy of a never-ending cycle of blessings.
I LOVE THIS STORY of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to a stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a police officer, who ordered her to exit the car with her hands up. He took her to the police station and placed her in a holding cell.
An hour later, the officer returned and said, "I'm sorry, Ma'am. This has been a big mistake. When I pulled up behind you, I noticed your "What Would Jesus DO?" license plate holder and your "Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker. When I saw how you were acting, I assumed the car was stolen!"
Satan doesn't care so much if you're a Christian as long as you don't act like one. If he can get you to live by his signals, he can damage and disarm you every time and dishonor the name of Christ in the process.
Instead, Jesus calls believers to be "salt" and "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your FATHER in heaven" (MATTHEW 5:16).
When Jesus in the driver's seat of our lives, we can show off the love and glory of God Jehovah.
THE BLAME GAME, READ: (LEVITICUS 16:5-22).
I'VE BEEN BLAMED FOR A LOT OF THINGS, and rightly so. My sin, failure, and incompetence have caused grief, anxiety, and inconvenience for friends and family (and probably even for strangers). I've been blamed for things that were not my fault, things I was powerless to change.
But I have stood on the other side of the fence hurling accusations at others. If they had just done something different, I tell myself, I would not be in the mess I'm in. Blame hurts. So, whether guilty or not, we waste lots of time and mental energy trying to find someone else to carry if for us.
Jesus offers us a better way to deal with blame. Even though HE was blameless, HE took it upon himself the sin of the world and carried it away (JOHN 1:29). We often refer to Jesus as the sacrificial lamb, but HE was also the final scapegoat for everything that is wrong with the world (LEVITICUS 16:10).
Once we acknowledge our sin and accept Christ's offer to take it away, we no longer have to carry the weight of our guilt. We can stop looking for someone to blame from others trying to do the same.
IN TOUCH WITH CHARLES STANLEY, READ: (LAMENTATIONS 3:24-26).
MANY CHRISTIANS STRUGGLE WITH WAITING.
There are a lot of things we want right now---and we usually have the ability to follow through on our desires. In fact, that's what the entire credit card industry is all about: Have now; and pay later. But possessions aren't the only thing we're in a rush for. Some people are so eager to be married that they make an unwise choice regarding a mate. Others are in such a hurry to become successful and well-respected in their career that they look for shortcuts to get ahead.
So why might the Lord have us delay?
One reason is to protect us. Those who can't say no to their own desires end up enslaved to them. God wants us to be mature believers who have the character and self-restraint to wait for HIM to provide in His perfect time. Because our heavenly Father is omniscient, HE alone knows what's best. You can trust that if HE asks you to hold off, HE has something more wonderful in mind than you could ever provide for yourself.
Does anything seem to have a power over you?
If so, it may be an area that requires the practice of self-restraint. Yield to the LORD and submit your desires to HIM. Then, begin saying no to temptations as you wait for God to reveal HIS will for your life.
BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS, READ: (2CORINTHIANS 9:6-15).
GOD's BLESSINGS TO US ARE NOT MEANT TO END WITH US.
His desire is that they flow to others. This principle applies in all areas of life, including finances.
Did you know that our heavenly Father has plans for your money?
The Lord graciously provides for our needs and even our wants. "And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." Sharing blessings with others will never lead to deprivation. In fact, the Lord promises to increase the harvest of our righteousness and enrich us in everything in response to our generosity. We can never outgive God.
A hoarded blessing won't ever be enjoyed as richly as a shared one. Using your gift to meet someone else's need glorifies God by demonstrating His grace at work in your life. DON'T LET HIS GENEROUS PROVISIONS END WITH YOU. Pass them on and discover the joy of a never-ending cycle of blessings.