Have you ever had a conversation with someone and something said, maybe just one word, shifts everything? It is as if a key opens the door to something you may have long forgotten or may have never even seen before. That key may bring you to a totally different place in your heart (for it is always a heart issue).
God often uses people to orchestrate His plan for your life. Despise not seemingly small beginnings. Pay attention. Listen. Do not judge. He is always working in your life. Do not miss it!
Life is a series of choices. Each choice, not matter how seemingly insignificant, builds on others and sets in motion those to come. Consider your choices carefully for from them will unfold the rest of your life.
If you commit to something, choose to follow through even if you do not feel like it. That is integrity. If you are in a challenging situation, choose the high road even if you would rather not. That is character. If you have been wronged, whether
The other day a person, who sits in church every Sunday, told me that they pass the same woman daily on their walk and have chosen not to say hello or even give her a smile. She appears unfriendly so they have decided that she will never respond and therefore they will never show any kindness to her.
WOW! Talk about heart issues (and it is always a heart issue!). I could not help but think that this very woman could probably use a kind word-not a lengthy conversation, just a simple hello or smile.
Things are not always as they appear. Truly, we only see in part. God alone sees the heart of another.
Show mercy and not judgment from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). To pass judgment only corrupts your heart and any work God may be doing in you. Stay Kingdom focused and seek His leading for your own life. Let Him change you from glory to glory. Do not change yourself from carnality to carnality.
There is so much division swirling around today in our country and in the world. We appear divided on every front…race, creed, political proclivity, etc. I cannot help but think that corporate division manifests as we allow division into our heart and into our individual lives. It starts with each of us.
If you follow Christ you are called to love one another. That does not necessarily mean that you will like everyone but you are called to love them. Seems confusing, doesn’t it? Let’s go a bit deeper. This includes loving yourself and those in your own household.
Deception is everywhere today. Pay attention. Use discernment. Seek wisdom. Be honest with yourself and others. Pursue truth. Abide in His word. Read the Bible. Get it into your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Walk it out in your life. Stay ever close under the shadow of His wings.
Follow faithfully His moral code and “unfollow” the ways of the world.
If you find someone has lied to you, know that you cannot trust them. The size of the lie is really insignificant. If they lie…they lie. Your choice is whether or not you want to stay in close relationship with a liar.
For it is written:
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Some people live as whirlwinds going from one thing to another with little stability. They toss to and fro depending on the latest thing they hear. Engaging with them long term can lead to frustration as they never really mature beyond a childish pursuit without wisdom. Remember, maturity is not necessarily measured by the number of years on lived earth!
In reading the Psalms this weekend I came across Psalm 78:9 which says that: “The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.” They walked away from God’s covenant and His law. Further, they forgot all that He had done in the past for them.
I could not help but think how often do we, “turn back in the day of battle?” These were God’s people who were equipped. If you have chosen to follow Jesus Christ, you are also a part of God’s people, His Army, which is fully equipped.
In this life you will not like everyone. That is OK. You will not like everything that happens. That is OK also. Just remember to be kind and gracious to all you encounter. Do not let circumstance dictate your response!
