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!!

Ash Wednesday, will you observe Lent this year?

 James 4:15 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."  Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.   Many Christians use this time to draw closer to Jesus.   (James 4:8 “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands,  you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded.”). Prayz network (My favorite Christian radio station❤️), reported that one listener committed to only listen to Prayz  network, when she was in the car for the 40 days of Lent.  By Easter she was enjoying a deeper more encouraging walk with our Lord!! What will you do for Lent?  Personally, I want to be more focused on remembering  Jesus is with me always so I can be still and trust Him in my daily decisions.   I will be trying to pray first and react second.   When I intentionally remember Jesus is with me I am more apt to make good decisions.    I read my Bible most days, but even so in the middle of my day I forget to call on the ever present strength, knowledge, love and song of God.   This Lent season will you join me in actively seeking God first and remembering He is with you always?   Please share how you plan to do it.  Let’s stand strong in our conviction one day at a time from now to Easter and hopefully beyond!!    Have a blessed, happy, reflective Lent!!😇🙏❤️

Get strength for your battle

 Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest  for your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."   His yoke is easy, His burden is light!! Do you ever feel like you are walking up hill in both directions?  Do you feel like the wind and the hills are ever present? Maybe you aren’t walking in Gods will.   I heard a sermon from Adrian Rogers the other day, he said,”Stop trying and start trusting!”  When I am fighting hard for something and not getting anywhere, I need to evaluate whether or not what I am fighting for is truly God’s  will.   Sometimes the fight is worth it and He gives us strength and courage for the battle.  Sometimes we do face righteous fights.   It was a battle for me to give up alcohol.   Yet, sometimes we are fighting for the wind.   When I put Jesus, as the focus of my heart, my battle with alcohol became easy.  I longed for Jesus more than the numbing of the booze. I couldn’t have both.  Today, I’m looking at my battles, the ones I am getting wearied by are the ones I’m fighting for myself and my selfish desires;   The ones I am fighting to be closer to God for are energized!  I Hope this helps you put God first, so you can have strength for your battles and enjoy your life!!

Meaning of life?

 Psalm 39:4 "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is."   What are you doing with your life?   That is a question I often ponder.   There is a saying, “Life on earth is soon to pass only what’s done for Christ will last.”  Who has made the most difference in your life?   For me it’s the people who pointed me to Jesus and His word.   In the Bible I have found the meaning of life; “Love God and Love His people!”  ( The Kimberly paraphrase ).  Jesus said, “Love others as I have loved you.” He also said, “I give you two new commands all the other commands are based on these two, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and love others as you love yourself.”  I have always had a hard time with loving myself, so I try to love others as Jesus loves me.  Today, when we are figuring out what to do with our time, let’s plan to make an eternal difference!