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Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Learning to Pause
~ When anger flares, stop to ask for God's wisdom.
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 25:20-35
• How do you respond when someone mistreats you?
• Are you quick to judge that person, cataloging all the reasons you didn’t deserve to be treated so unfairly?
That was David’s initial response when the fair treatment he expected was denied.
David, while still on the run from Saul, sent men from his army to request provisions from Nabal, a rich man in the area. David felt sure Nabal would look favorably on him and meet the needs of his army. Not only would that have been customary, but David had also earned the favor by protecting Nabal’s flocks. Yet the request, though reasonable, was scornfully rejected.
When we feel spurned, mistreated, or unappreciated, it can cause us to respond in a way that only makes the situation worse. In David’s case, his anger flared and he set out for revenge. But before he and his 400 warriors could make it to their destination, Nabal’s wife Abigail intercepted them, falling on her face to apologize for her husband’s behavior and to reason with David.
In that moment, David had a choice to make. He could either charge right past her, fueled by his own rage and need for justice, or he could pause (James 1:19-20). God gave him the wisdom to make the better choice.
The next time anger erupts in your heart, will you follow David’s example and stop to listen to wisdom?
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/learning-to-pause
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The Daily Article — May 23, 2024
~ Why are people mad about Harrison Butker’s commencement address?
When Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College — a small Catholic school in Atchison, Kansas — on May 11, he understood that his speech would be controversial. In fact, he essentially led off by acknowledging “These are the sorts of things we are told in polite society not to bring up.” However, I doubt even he thought he’d still be making headlines nearly two weeks later.
• So what is it about Butker’s speech that has caused such a stir?
• And is the criticism he’s received warranted, or is it another example of modern society’s penchant toward free speech for me but not for thee?
As you might expect, the answer to both questions is complicated.
Let’s start by looking at what Butker actually said:
The part of his address that has received the greatest amount of attention is when he spoke specifically to the women in the audience:
"For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly, because I think it is you — the women — who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles that you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world."
While those thoughts would not have been terribly controversial fifty years ago, they understandably caused quite a stir today. The problem, however, is that much of the criticism he’s received has been levied by people who took his words and interpreted them through a lens that did not necessarily fit the context of his speech.
AJ Willingham, for example, claimed “Butker suggested that a woman’s accomplishments in the home are more valuable than any academic or professional goals.” It’s easy to see how Willingham would reach that conclusion, particularly since Butker proceeded to spend the next few minutes of his address thanking his wife for making the choice to stay home with their kids and detailing the joy she feels as a result.
Yet, his statement about women was one example within a larger message encouraging people to find peace and contentment by accepting God’s plans for their lives. If he truly thought that the only path God could have for a woman would be as a wife and mother, he would not have surrounded that statement by congratulating the women graduates for earning their degrees or for the “successful careers in the world” that some of them will surely go on to achieve.
Now, it’s probable that, given the larger worldview he espoused within his speech, he would agree with the idea that the most fulfilling life a woman could lead would be as a mother and wife. And it’s all right to disagree with that assessment.
However, it’s important to note that he did not say — as Sam McDowell surmised — that such a life was “their duty as a husband’s servant.”
Fortunately, there were some — including from some surprising sources — who saw Butker’s comments differently.
“Can’t that just be a choice too?”
On last Friday’s episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the host addressed both Butker’s speech and the response it received.
He started by saying, “I can’t express how much this guy is not like me. He’s religious. He loves marriage. He loves kids.” He then went on to state, “I don’t see what the big crime is. I really don’t.” Speaking specifically of Butker’s comments about being a wife and stay-at-home mom, Maher added, “Can’t that just be a choice too?”
And I think that final thought was at the heart of Butker’s address.
• Is motherhood and homemaking the only acceptable vocation for women? Absolutely not.
• Is it God’s calling for some? Yes, and in such cases it is every bit as valuable and worthy of praise as those who are called to pursue a career outside the home.
You see, what ultimately defines the value of a person’s vocation is that it comes from the Lord. Everything else is secondary, and that is true for men and women alike.
Unfortunately, that part of Butker’s message has been largely lost amidst the controversy over his thoughts on the role of women.
The admonition to find our sense of peace and purpose in God’s call for our lives rather than the expectations of the world — or even ourselves — is something our culture desperately needs to hear.
Learn to be content in your calling:
One of the primary sources of the stress and anxiety permeating every facet of the population today is the result of our lives failing to live up to the expectations we’ve placed on them. And when those expectations come from someone or something other than the Lord, we should not be surprised when they prove unsatisfying.
After all, why would God bless a path that differs from the one he has called you to take?
Ultimately, you don’t have to agree with Butker’s views on women, Catholicism, or any number of the other topics he addressed in his speech to see the wisdom in finding contentment within the vocation God has called you to uniquely pursue.
And while, as the Apostle Paul notes, contentment in the Lord is something we have to learn rather than a state that will come naturally to us, it is by far the best way to go through this life and the only way to experience the peace and strength God longs to give.
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:11–13
___________________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/why-are-people-mad-about-harrison-butkers-commencement-address/
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Lessons from the Redwood Forest
"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His [Jesus] return is drawing near.” ~ Hebrews 10:24-25
Giant Sequoia trees, also known as redwoods, are the biggest living things on Earth. Heights of 300 feet and diameters of 30 feet are not uncommon. They can range in age from 2,000 to 3,000 years — some of which were living when Jesus walked the shores of Galilee. The largest specimen, the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park, is 275 feet tall (84 meters), has a diameter of 36.4 feet (11.1 meters) at the base, and has been estimated to weigh 2500 metric tons. The Pacific coast redwoods in southern Oregon and northern California range in height from 100 to 367 feet (30 to 112 meters) — a size approached only by the eucalyptus of Australia.
What is fascinating about these majestic redwood trees that reach their leafy arms heavenward is that they stand for hundreds of years surviving raging fires, violent storms, and fierce winds. I have also read that they have a comparatively shallow root system which makes their survival even more amazing.
So how do they survive?
They survive because they live in groves with their root systems entangled with numerous other trees. In other words they support each other. They couldn't survive alone.
Neither can we. We need each other. We were never meant to go it alone. We need the support of one another to make it. One of the major purposes of the Christian church is for the very purpose of encouraging and supporting one another. We need to be both an encourager and to be encouraged by being in fellowship of other Christians.
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~ by Dick Innes
~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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"Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings On Me"
You know folks...its easy to have a grateful heart and give thanks to God when things are going well in our life. However its often a different story when the circumstances of life take a downward turn all the way to life altering events walking through our front door. Life can be hard and thankfulness to God often takes a back seat because we feel we have little to be thankful for due to our circumstances...our problems and burdens. You see...i believe having a thankful response in all circumstances starts with having a positive perspective on life. Having a good attitude knowing and accepting that as long as we are in these earthly bodies we know we can expect adversity all through our life. I mean...have you ever heard it said..."we are either coming out of adversity...going thru adversity or about to enter into adversity." Im not being negative...it just seems to be a fact of life...Right? Its easy to become narrow in our outlook and forget the big picture. When we become so focused on ourselves and our problems...the problem usually ends up being a lot bigger than it should be. So today… I encourage you to take your eyes off your problems and instead...look to God. Say a prayer of thanks to Him that He has created you and given you life...and look at today as a gift from God to start fresh. Most often we cant change our circumstances...but we can change our response to difficult times. If you allow every trial and tribulation to become an opportunity to thank God He will always show up! When we come into the presence of God and sing praises to Him...He is always there! God loves the praises of His people and it can change your entire perspective on whatever it is you may be facing today. Trust Him and praise Him not only in the good times but also in the bad times. You will be amazed how much better your mental and emotional and especially spiritual life will become!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:27
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22–23
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The In-Between
“Then He [Jesus] returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” ~ Luke 2:51-52
It is easy for us to forget that Jesus’ ministry begins in earnest when he is well into adulthood. There is the account of his birth. Then the scene with him and his parents at the temple when he is twelve. And then these two little sentences at the end of Luke 2 that account for the majority of Jesus’ life on this planet.
Before the fanfare. Before the miracles and the parables. Before disciples and death and resurrection. Jesus spent most of his life on the plains.
He does not enter the scene at the wedding at Cana out of a Divine vacuum. His ministry begins after years and years of growth. Wisdom. Stature. Faithfulness in the mundane.
Our best moments are the result of years and years of character development, healthy living, and growth. If it is so for Jesus, how much more so for us?
Life is not just the big moments with lots of lag time in between. Life is what happens in the in-between. It is the decisions we make on the plains that determine who we are.
When Jesus’ ministry is marked by His baptism, His Father comments on the thirty years Jesus lived on the plains: “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17). The Father was immensely pleased that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature being faithful at work, home, and in the neighborhood.
Do not overlook the years of everyday life. It is an opportunity to grow in wisdom and stature. An opportunity to live a great life. An opportunity to please God by being faithful in the small things; small things that turn out to be big things.
_________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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A Fork In The Road
“…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.’” ~ Acts 14:22
One of the effects of pain in our lives is that it interrupts our path. The impact of suffering causes a fork in the road. Our expectations and the reality we face crash together like two tectonic plates and it changes the terrain of our journey.
If our pain is not addressed properly, it can lead to dysfunction. This is one choice in the fork of the road. We can choose to make poor decisions in the wake of pain. We do this for a myriad of reasons. Trying to punish our pain, in rebellion to a life we felt betrayed us, through defensiveness, out of shame or embarrassment, or trying to short-circuit the pain by ignoring it – to name a few. Pain feeds insatiably on blame. And we can choose ourselves down a path of recurring pain, inevitably spiraling into dysfunction.
The other choice, the alternate path, is to learn and grow. Just like in exercise, pain is how character strengthens. We should never go looking for pain, but we need to understand that the earthquake it causes is not meant to destroy us but to develop us. We can’t stay on the path we were on before. A new development has caused a fork. And we must choose.
These choices are not easy. We had a straight path. We could see the horizon. And pain has shifted the journey. It’s not that pain knocks us off course, it just realigns the track. Making the choice to journey toward true perspective is the subtle, yet powerful opportunity of life in the midst of pain.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Great Are You Lord - All Sons and Daughters
Good Monday morning to all y'all!... im happy to report that the good Lord saw fit to open my eyes again this beautiful morning and so far no new aches and pains so i say thank you Jesus! Ive been out on the porch early this morning enjoying my coffee and as always...getting serenaded by an awesome choir of birds that seem to give me some funny looks when i join in? Not sure if they are amazed at my singing...wink...or busy putting their ear plugs in...regardless...we are singing praise to God for yet another day of life here on planet earth! And while im sitting there...im thanking God for allowing me to live in this country where we have freedom like no other. I thank you Lord that i can carry my Bible and worship and pray in public without fear of being put in prison or even killed. I thank you Lord that i always have food to put on my table...that im able to pay my bills...that i can look past my health issues and rejoice in the fact that i am alive again this day and that i have a home in heaven. I thank you Jesus that you love me so much that you died for me and rose victoriously from that tomb to save me from myself the world and satan! Isnt it just an awesome day to be alive! So...im headed back out to my feathered friends and another cup of coffee and enjoy this beautiful sunrise God has givin me and rejoice in knowing that all the time....the SON is shining brightly upon me!....Ive got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart!..Down in my heart to stay......Y'all have a fantastic and blessed day!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
2 Peter 1:3
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
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.
Jeremiah 29:11
Adjusting to the Lord’s Plan
~ While following God may involve change or, at times, even loss, we can trust Him for a just reward.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-22
Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen before they became Jesus’ disciples. Their lives revolved around the details of their occupation — weather conditions, equipment repair, catching fish, and turning a profit. But in today’s passage, when Jesus called them to become fishers of men, they made a dramatic change.
In contrast, the rich young ruler walked away sad when he realized what he’d have to give up to follow Christ (Matthew 19:21-22). An invitation from the Lord usually means modifying our way of living. Whether this involves switching jobs or altering habits, God expects us to adapt to His plan.
At times, the Lord may call for a shift in our relationships. Before being invited to travel in Jesus’ company, James and John had worked in the family business with their father. Saying yes to God meant seeing friends and relatives less frequently. But Christ promises a great return on any sacrifice we make (Matthew 19:29).
Our heavenly Father’s plans are based on His goodness, justice, and mercy. Because of His perfect character, we can trust the direction He gives us. Adjusting to God’s design — accepting His will and making needed changes in our circumstances and relationships — is always the wisest action to take (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/adjusting-to-the-lord-s-plan
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Well Done
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” ~ Matthew 25:21
“Glory” in the Bible is a translation of the Greek word “doxa” and it means “the essence of something being clearly displayed and observed.” Our great privilege is to exhibit God’s truth through the way we live, in a way that it is clearly seen by others. We are promised that if we show God’s true essence through our lives, God will grant us the glory of His approval.
The greatest end of our life will be to sit with Jesus as He reviews our life and continually hear: “This was very well done.” That is a glory that will never fade.
Life is an opportunity where we can display to others the essence of God by the way we live. The choices we make. The perspective we choose.
We participate in glory when we make decisions that manifest the goodness of God.
The whole process is modeled in this parable in Matthew 25. The voice of the master speaks and makes clear the connection between the master and the servant, the joy of approval, and the blessing for continued action.
In all our striving, this is what we truly desire. We all long to hear “well done” from an earthly father. Even more, each of us, is longing for the approval of the Heavenly Father. We want to be counted among His faithful servants. We want to be entrusted with His vision. We want to participate in His kingdom.
Each day begins anew, and is an opportunity to walk in obedience, and hear “well done.”
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net/devotional/well-done/
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The Daily Article — May 17, 2024
~ The Chosen passes Baywatch as the most widely translated show in history!
When "The Chosen" set out in 2017 to crowdfund its way to a first season, their goal of introducing “the authentic Jesus to a billion people” was ambitious, to say the least. And while they still have a ways to go to reach that point, they’ve recently crossed the threshold of 200 million viewers around the world.
Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and The Chosen app have contributed greatly to that number. However, their growth has been fueled just as much by the degree to which the show has been translated and dubbed into so many languages around the world.
As Adam MacInnis writes, "The Chosen has partnered with Come and See to dub the show into fifty languages, with the hopes of eventually taking that number beyond six hundred. That number far surpasses the previous record holder — Baywatch — which saw its episodes translated 34 times."
And the extra effort to dub the show rather than just make it available through subtitles is crucial for areas where literacy is lacking.
Making the Gospel Accessible:
MacInnis describes how, in Madagascar for example, the nation’s president — Andry Rajoelina — reached out to Come and See to request that the group make the native Malagasy language a priority, even though it is spoken by a relatively small number of people. When it was made available last year, The Chosen became what is believed to be the first show ever dubbed into the language.
And, as Come and See CEO Stan Jantz describes, the impact has been felt throughout the island nation, with the show taken into remote areas, reaching people with the gospel in ways that were previously impossible.
However, the people at Come and See are quick to note that for such efforts to be effective, it takes a lot more than just typing a script into Google Translate. The intricacies of making sure that the message is conveyed accurately and in a way that makes sense to its audience require the ability to hear it spoken through the ears of native speakers.
That’s why the ministry seeks out pastors, Bible translators, and biblical scholars who speak the language when trying to translate the show. Moreover, they also strive to work with people who share their passion for the project. And the ability to partner with people who are not only capable but share their vision for what God can do through The Chosen is a big reason why the show now has more viewers outside the US than in its American audience.
It should also serve as a powerful reminder for each of us.
“The torture you’re comfortable with”:
Jerry Seinfeld was in the news recently after a group of students walked out of their commencement ceremonies at Duke in protest to the comedian’s support of Israel in its war against Hamas. And that’s too bad, because there was a lot in Seinfeld’s address that they needed to hear, including a thought that is particularly relevant to our conversation today.
While the comedian covered quite a bit of ground in his speech, his thoughts on work were what stood out the most to me.
He encouraged the graduates to “Find something where you love the good parts, and don’t mind the bad parts too much. The torture you’re comfortable with. This is the golden path to victory in life. Work, exercise, relationships, they all have a solid component of pure torture, and they are all 1000 percent worth it.”
I bring that idea up today because, even when we are pursuing God’s calling for our lives and partnering with Him in work that truly matters, there will be days and moments where that work feels like torture, where the bad parts seem to outweigh the good.
And that’s alright.
Even Jesus had those moments (Matthew 26:36–46). And if God-incarnate didn’t always enjoy doing the Father’s will, why should we think it would be any different for us?
How to Discern God’s Calling:
One of the most debilitating mistakes we can make in our relationship with God is confusing times of difficulty for evidence that we aren’t walking in His will. The inevitability of such trials is why it is so important that we make sure we are not only adhering to God’s calling for our lives but also walking that path in His strength rather than our own.
The path to getting The Chosen from an idea to a reality — much less taking it to people around the world — has not always been easy. However, one of the most consistent messages from the show’s creator, Dallas Jenkins, is that he and those who work with him on the project feel a genuine calling from the Lord to help people know Jesus through their work. As a result, the difficulties they’ve faced are akin to — in the words of Jerry Seinfeld — “the torture you’re comfortable with,” and it’s helped them persevere.
As you think back on the trials you’ve faced, can you say the same? If not, it’s possible that a change is needed and you’re not living in accordance with God’s will for your life. I feel like for most of us, though, the reason is less that we aren’t living out our calling and more that we’ve forgotten to see our work — at school, home, the office, or in whatever form it might take — as our calling.
To put it another way, we’ve forgotten that work done for the Lord always has a higher purpose and is “1000 percent worth it.”
And if you need help seeing your calling through that lens, know that its Author would love to help you do just that.
Will you take the time to ask Him?
_____________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
Note: One of the keys to discerning God’s calling for your life and how He wants you to live it out is understanding your spiritual gifts. To that end, our ministry provides a free spiritual gifts test. We have also written a book that takes a deeper look into each of the gifts as well as how they are used in Scripture. We hope that these resources can prove helpful in gaining a better understanding of God’s gifts and calling in your life.
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/the-chosen-passes-baywatch-as-most-translated-show/
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Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
Ups And Downs
“Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?” ~ Job 11:7
Life is like a roller coaster. There are ups and downs. Twists and turns. Terror and glee. Although at some times it feels it might last forever, it is truly over in the blink of an eye.
There is no way to fully prepare for what comes next. Part of the design of a roller coaster is the exhilaration of not being in control. Similarly, life is full of mystery and surprise.
The only thing we can do to prepare is to understand the journey we are on. An accurate perspective allows us to adapt to the changes, enjoy the best parts and endure the worst.
One twist leads to another. One dip sets up a rise. The whole of life is a beautiful journey. We did not design the ride. We cannot control its architecture. But we can make choices to control the perspective we will have along the way.
Observation is an avenue for preparation. It informs perception, setting the standard of awareness within us. We might not know exactly where we are or what’s next, but we do know God is in both places, and is the designer of our “ride.”
If we wrap our minds and hearts around the value of the ride, understanding the incredible investment God makes to teach and prepare us for a lasting joy, we are set free from getting lost in every loop.
The terrains of life are opportunities to probe the infinite depths of God.
______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Traffic Jam
“...in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” ~ Romans 8:37-39
Perspective is a choice. The decision is hardest when our expectations do not match the reality we are facing. We sometimes feel like these kinds of situations victimize us, stealing our choices away. But they do not. They just provide the context for our choices.
If we find ourselves stuck in traffic, there are two ways to perceive.
One is frustration. We are angered that the world did not meet the expectation of circumstances to which we are entitled. We cannot control our circumstances, so we react in anger. We decide that being mad at other drivers and poor road conditions and the city infrastructure is the proper perspective. In a sad sort of way, we decide that since we can’t control the traffic, we will instead destroy our joy, for that is something we do control.
The other option is to see the traffic jam as a blessing. Take the unforeseen opportunity to pray, to make a phone call to a friend, or just take a deep breath. See the people as comrades, fellow humans, also trying to make their way in this world. Understand that others have plans and that sometimes interruptions are opportunities.
Nothing can be done to change the circumstances – but your perspective can change and your choices can be made.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Amen brother. Thank you for sharing the Godly perspective that we all need to be striving for as we traverse this world daily. Have a blessed day!
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Im 68 years young....and from knowing myself a little to well...wink....and from reading and looking into it....and never being medically diagnosed...i have no doubt that i am ADHD. Now i dont let that get to me in any way shape or form im use to being me....i think...but at times...often times....it can be challenaging...but as i said...im use to being me. A couple weeks ago i was talking to one of my doctors and the topic came up...she is a born-again believer....guessing she is mid 30's and a single divorced mom of a 8 year ole girl. She is a awesome doctor....and she told me that she was ADHD...and then she said...but it is my superpower! We didnt go into detail about that statement but i think i get it. Like so much in this life....with the power of the Holy Spirit living in us....is it not a matter of prospective.....David standing before Goliath comes to my mind!
I cant say this with all certainty but im pretty sure each of you have many people in your lives be it family or friends that you love and folks that love you in return. So when we think about the fact that God is love and love is God...im thinking we can say that the main theme of the Bible is Love? And that word Love....is spoken of in different forms. The thing is...there are many people in the USA that dont really know Love. They have people that they may be close to....acquaintances...even family...but they really dont know love from anyone. Think about not having Love in your life...i mean not having real...from the heart...people love in your life....or...just having 1 or 2 or 3 people to share some sort of Love with. Thats beyond sad! Jesus told us the 2nd greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves. Are we doing that? Do we make a difference in the world and in other peoples lives everyday...even the folks we dont know...by sharing the Love of Jesus and ourselves with them? If not why is that...and...if so to just what extent and is it truly from our heart? Ive heard it said that "true love is giving the other person what they need the most when they deserve it the least at great sacrifice to ourselves"!...thats what Jesus did for us. Its not just about saying those 3 little words..."i love you"...its about actually showing others our love and at the same time the love of Jesus! So many hurting people in the world...the USA....our home town...our community...what can we do today to show someone our love for them that might otherwise feel no love today and even more importantly how can we also show them the love of Jesus Christ and from that brighten their day and maybe even change their life? I dont know how it is where you live...but here in east tennessee...people are strugglin to pay rent...pay bills...keep food on the table...try and give their children a decent life...you just see so many sad looking folks and i have no doubt that those things along with maybe not knowing the love of Jesus in their lives and maybe not knowing "true heart felt love" from others....it is a tragic existence. So...im not going to sit here and rattle off a list of ways to show folks love...if you are a born-again believer you already know that list...but i will ask...what are you doing to make a difference in someones life...2...3...5 times a week...and yes...that includes strangers! And remember...the sins of omission are just as sinful as the sins of commission!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
True love is giving the other person what they need the most when they deserve it the least at great sacrifice to ourselves....
Love is patient...love is kind. It does not envy...it does not boast...it is not proud. It does not dishonor others...It does not insist on its own way...it is not easily angered...it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects...always trusts...always hopes...always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11
WHEN WE DIE: 10 THINGS THAT GOD "WONT" ASK US!
1..... God won't ask what kind of car you drove.
2..... God won't ask the square footage of your house.
3..... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived.
4..... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet.
5..... God won't ask what your highest salary was.
6..... God won't ask what your job title was.
7..... God won't ask about your earthly social status.
8..... God won't ask how educated you were.
9..... God won't ask about how much stuff you accumulated.
10....God won't ask you for excuses.
When we draw our last breath and close our eyes for the last time. Thats it! Our eternal destination is set. What lies ahead is judgment day and that means either heaven...or...hell. There are no do overs. Where are you headed?
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
God Remembers Us
~ It is impossible for God to forget us — we are His children and are inscribed upon His hands.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 49:13-18
• Does it ever seem as if God has forgotten about you?
• Do you ever feel overlooked, abandoned, or unimportant?
In seasons of suffering, it’s easy to think He doesn’t see or care about what we’re going through. With Jerusalem destroyed and most of its inhabitants sent into Babylonian captivity, the people of Israel were also tempted to think God had forgotten and abandoned them.
Today’s passage, however, directly challenges the assumption that pain and hardship are indications of His absence. After God acknowledges that He knows all about Israel’s fear of abandonment, He counters by asserting His unconditional love. He is as near, attentive, and giving as a mother with her nursing baby, and it is impossible for Him to forget us. To make this point clear to the apprehensive, weary Israelites, God gave reassurance that He had inscribed them upon the palms of His hands. Does that image sound familiar?
Centuries later, Jesus Christ hung on a cross with nails driven into His hands — proving that God’s words were true and that we are worth more to Him than we could ever imagine. We are God’s unforgettable, beloved children.
How would it change our daily lives and our relationship with our heavenly Father if we lived safe in the knowledge that we are always on His mind?
______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/god-remembers-us
•
Our Weakness Can Be Our Strength
A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"
"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: He dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.
On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"
"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."
The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
"'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
________________
~ published by: The Daily Encourager
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
•
Caring for One Another
~ Ask God to show you how to minister to the people He’s brought into your life.
Scripture Reading: John 19:25-30
The last mother named in Matthew’s messianic lineage is “Mary, by whom Jesus was born” (Matthew 1:16). Mary watched her Son’s ministry, no doubt treasuring all He said and did (Luke 2:51). She likely felt a range of emotions — from motherly pride to worry and fear — despite the fact that she understood He was “about His Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Then, when Jesus was on the cross, she undoubtedly felt anguish watching Him suffer but also heard Him lovingly entrust her to John’s care (John 19:26).
Even though she had long anticipated a sword through her soul (Luke 2:34-35), that knowledge didn’t lessen her pain. But she didn’t endure it alone. She was surrounded by other believers in the days before and after Jesus’ passion. Following His ascension, she waited with them for the Comforter (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1) and likely lived for years as a member of John’s household and part of the growing Christian community — worshipping, praying, and serving with those Jesus had come to save. And in that early church environment, she would also have been served by them.
• Do you know of friends or acquaintances who are dealing with adversity?
• How can you show them the love of Christ?
Ask the Lord to reveal ways to care for the people He has brought into your life.
______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/caring-for-one-another
•
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!! :) http://mobilelegacies.com/mothersday/ 💗
As born-again believers there is nothing that can probably get us into trouble in Gods eyes any faster than our mouth which is connected to our heart! And if you are not saved im not talking about our heart that beats and pumps blood...im talking about our biblical spiritual heart...who we are as a person....in our spirit and soul. There is no such thing as idle words or casual conversion when we are talking about other folks be it true or not. Even if we are talking to family...even our spouse...its just not what God wants to hear from us. Gossip...backbiting...slander...bearing false wittiness...no good ever comes from it so why do so many folks do it? The fact of the matter is God has said that it is sin! Plenty of scripture addresses gossip and tells us it is sin and as we know that in Gods eyes...sin is sin...so we cant just try and write it off as no big deal....Theres an old earthly saying...If you cant say something nice about someone...then just dont say nothing at all....and another comes to my mind...if folks would pay more attention to the dirt on their own porch they wouldnt have the time to concern themsleves with the dirt on their neighbors porch. And as my dad use to tell me if a man tells you something...keep it to yourself...if he wants anybody else to know it he will tell him. Why does so many good folks have a problem living by all that? There is NEVER any good that comes from gossip. Ole Apostle James was pretty point blank about the tongue. On the other hand...when folks start to tell us something about someone...why do we stand there and listen? Is that not just as bad when all we have to do is say...i really dont care to hear that! Id sure enough rather make them mad than to participate in their sin of gossip...Think about it!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Matthew 12:36
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
Proverbs 16:28
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
James 3:5-6
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
Proverbs 20:19
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