Pray first, act second

 Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them.”  Are there good works you know you should do that you are not doing?  Paul said, “Why is it that I do the things I don’t want to do and don’t do the things I want to do?”  This is our human condition.       We are not to wallow in our flesh but to rise above and walk in His Spirit!  I can talk myself in and out of all kinds of behaviors.  When I pray first and act second this helps me embrace the ways of the His Spirit and reject the temptations of my flesh.   We are His workmanship, let’s pray first and act second today and always!😇❤️🙏

Grow where you are planted

 Galatians 2:6 “As for those who seemed to be important-whatever they  were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearances- those men added nothing to my message.  7 On the contrary, they saw I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. “.   Paul had ben entrusted to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles as Peter had been to the Jews.  Each of us have a demographic of people we are uniquely equipped to reach.   Who are the people you uniquely  equipped to reach for Christ?  Are you?  Today, let’s plant, grow and water the seeds in the garden we have been planted!!! He has uniquely equipped us to “Shine” for Jesus,  right where we are at!!

Endurance and patience joyfully?

 Colossians 1:10-12 “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

We have been redeemed!   We are strengthened with ALL POWER according to His glorious might!!  So we may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.    Endurance and patience are often produced because of suffering in verses 11&12 it states joyfully giving thanks!! Can we be joyfully giving thanks in our sufferings?

Don't look back, put your hand to the plow

 Luke 9:62 "Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."   The past is the past!!

I have plenty of moments I would like a "redo" on.   The saying, hind-side is  20/20 is pretty accurate.   But every thing we've done or said has lead us to our here and now and my here and now is good.   If I wallow in what ifs, my here and now seems not as bright.   The key for me to be present in my present moment is to be thankful for what is regardless of what was.  

Are you like a bad tooth or lame foot?

 Proverbs 25:19 “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot

    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.”  

We can’t expect non Christians to act like Christians are supposed to act.   Actually many of us whom call ourselves Christians don’t act as Christians are supposed to act.  When I think of how I am to represent Jesus in my actions, I think of His words, “Love others as I have loved you.”   He loved us so much that while we were yet sinners He paid the penalty for all our sins on the cross and gave is His right standing with God.   That is amazing grace and divine mercy!!  

2 Corinthians 5:17 states  that if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation the old is gone the new is here!!  We are to put off our fleshly desires and walk in purity of heart and love.  This is easy to say and takes Jesus to do!      We all need help from time to time. Today, seek friends that are trying their best to follow the Lord.  Be a friend that is trying your best to follow the Lord.  When we do this we won't be like a bad tooth or a lame foot when someone needs to rely on us in times of trouble.😇❤️🙏.  Put on purity of heart and sincere love!!

Team Jesus

Ephesians 5:15 “Be careful how you live- not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”  In my Bible I have a note; “God’s will, God’s timing, God’s honor”.  Today as we plan our day let’s keep this in mind.   I know when i walk in His will, timing and for His honor, every moment is better!! But, so easy to say so hard to do!   We need to encourage each other!  We are team Jesus!!!😇🙏❤️

Help eachother find peace evennin their mess ups

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”   I was in a Pickleball Tournament the other day, I did not do my part in making sure I was ready.  I showed up late, so I didn’t have time to get my head in the game and before our matches started, even though I said I would be there early.  I am often guilty of not being early enough for events.  I squeeze too many things in during my last minutes.   It’s a practice I really need to change.  My partner had every reason to be frustrated with me, but instead his patience , kindness and humility were all I saw.  He wasn’t just “acting”, he really had true peace in a disappointing situation.    I found that so admirable and his peace helped me be at peace with my mess up.   Today, when people mess up, can we be like my friend and help them find Peace?