Love them where they are at

John 15:12 "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you,".  This is a verse I quote often.    People often complain about each other.  They will give you all the reasons why they are justified in their own poor behavior because someone else offended them.  I too can be guilty of this.    We are all o love others as Jesus loves us!!  How does He love us?   He loves us so much that while we were yet sinners , He laid down His life died for us!!      It’s hard to love that way on our own.   We can ask God to help us to do so.   People that struggle with mental health issues are often treated very poorly.  Many people loose their patience with them and shun them.   It’s hard too to be patient with people that have other deceases, but seems like as a culture we are more likely to give a person with cancer a pass over a person with alcoholism.    Are you truly loving others as Jesus loves you?     Ask God to help you.   After all He is our vibe and we are His branches.”

Walk in His peace. No matter what

 John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  Bad things happen.   Unexpected things throw us off our game.   Many things don’t seem “fair”.  In ALL things God is working.  I don’t understand the Why.   But I do TRUST Him in it ALL.   When TRUST is my default answer.   I have His PEACE.    Today no matter what you have to stress about decide to rest in your stress by trusting God will make a way.    After all, He is "The Way"!

Power in His name!

Lamentations 3:55 "I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit.  56 You heard my plea:  " Do not close your ears to my cry for relief." 57 You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear."    Call upon the name of the Lord!!! There is power in His name!!!    Sometimes I can’t sleep.   When this happens I quiet my mind by thinking only on the name of Jesus.    It’s amazing how that settles me down.   There is nothing that is beyond Him.    Good quality sleep and being able to rest in stress is essential for our good health.   For me, when I concentrate on Jesus this helps me do both.   There is power in the name of Jesus.    The simplest most effective prayer I pray is simply calling on His name.  

Will you stand Or coward?

John 13:38 "Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me?  I tell you the truth, before the roster crows, you will disown me three times."” I can "feel” very spiritual during praise and worship, reading my Bible and praying.   I can “feel” like I would lay down my life for Jesus.   I sometimes imagine facing being martyred for my faith.  Would I truly have the guts, the courage to stand strong?     I can imagine that I would.    Then while having a conversation with strangers and sometimes even with my friends I’m not as bold in my faith as I know the Spirit is promoting me to be.     If I cave to being politically correct in my speech will I truly, stand for Jesus when the going gets tough?      I pray that I have the courage today in my speech and my actions to be the woman God created me to be even if I don’t “feel” like it.   I hope to practice courage in Christ today,  so I can stand strong in all things in all times .   That includes resisting the sins that seem acceptable.

Servant is not greater then the master

John 13:6 "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."   Pride! I have fallen into the trap of getting a great message then thinking I did it not giving credit where credit is due.    Everything we have come from God.   If I can run well, bike well or water ski well these are all abilities I have because I have received an able body.   Sure I have to use my skills in order to get to be a good athlete.   But the ability is first a gift.   Reading His word, understanding it and being able to tell others is also a skill that takes practice.    Some people say, “I wish I could memorize scripture like that”.  God give us His Holy Spirt.  With His Spirit we can understand scripture and TRUST Jesus as our Lord and Savior.    Today, I will thanks God for His Holy Spirit when I am understanding and ask Him to fill me when I’m struggling.    Then I hope to remember when everything goes well.   It all from Him in the first place.

Give and get

John 13: 15 "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." These are the words of Jesus as He washed the feet of His disciples.    We are to serve others.   When I focus on myself I can see my emptiness.  When I get out of my head and help someone else, I can see God has given me more than enough to do His good will.    Of course there is a balance of taking care of myself and taking care of others.  I am truly joyful when I let the joy of Jesus fill me then I share that joy with others.  Today be inspired to Share His Joy.  Go, be of service to someone.

Faith not fear!

John 12:27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? "Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" 

Isaiah 41:10 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will 

Strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Psalm 3:6.  “I will not fear

 though tens of thousands assail me on every side."      Many of the trials I have faced I would have preferred not to have gone through.  Everything I have been through has molded me into who I am and helped me relate to other people who have been through similar experiences.    We all go through lots of trials in this life.   Will you let them make you bitter or better?    Today, "FEAR NOT!" God is with us!! He can make our test into our testimony!!!    We have to go through to get to!