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?

5 minutes ago is just as over as 50 years ago

Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."  Five minutes ago is just as over as 50 years ago!!   Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we have in Jesus Christ!! Today, we each have much opportunity.   I am choosing to focus on the goodness of God and what I can do today, to shine and make good use of the talents and blessings He has given me.   I have done plenty of stupid, sinful things.   I have wrecked many of my days being focused on my guilt and shame when I focus on that I bring those around me down not build them up. .   How silly!  Jesus gives us a new day!! Today let’s love God and love each other with purity and newness of heart!  ❤️ 🙏😇

Rid it, tell you get it!!

Colossians 3:1 "Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  2 Set your minds on things above not on earthly things.  3 For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these the wrath of God is coming.  7You used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived.  8 but now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips.  9 do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on a new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of it's Creator. ". Take off the old and put on the new!!!    Funny how I can be thinking I’m doing pretty good in my  “Holiness” then  I read things I’m supposed to be RID of and I realize how broken I still am.    Yet, in Christ I keep shaking off the old and putting on the new.  It’s my constant battle.  In order to win the war, I need to remember the battle has already been won by Jesus on the cross!  I confess, ask for forgiveness and try, try, try to change my thinking so I embrace God’s ways not mine.  How are you doing in your war?  Let Christ fight your battle!! He has already won the war!!  Let’s walk in the newness of life He suffered and died to give us!!