Saturday March 19 Post

In what ways has GOD shown generosity towards you?

One of a Kind Kindness-"Showing others you're interested in them becoming all GOD wants them to be."

Acts of kindness are great. They make us feel all warm and happy inside.  It helps us feel accomplished and builds self-esteem. When committing an act of kindness though, we must make sure that we have the beneficiary of the act of kindness in mind as well.  We must ask ourselves, "Is this act of kindness to make us feel better or to better the life of the person we're being kind to?" The answer to this question will dictate what kind of kindness i give to another. If i see someone who needs a new pair of shoes and I decide to give them the worst pair of shoes in my closet, which are in worse condition than the ones the person already has, then this "act of kindness" did not better the life of the person I was being kind to.  Today's Devo says: "...Everything GOD does for you is an act of kindness to help you become all he created you to be." One of a Kind Kindness is an act that tells a person not just you were thinking of them, but that you are excited about them becoming all that GOD wants them to be. How should we show acts of kindness to others? By showing them one of a kind kindness, which means doing an act of kindness that tells someone I'm interested in you becoming all that GOD created you to be.  What actions have you shown someone lately that tells them that you are interested in them becoming all GOD created them to be?

A Patient of Patience

This blog is actually like a prequel of yesterday’s blog on a “Piece on Peace!”  We discovered peace is an option that we can choose in the midst of chaos, or any life situation.  If we respond ion the right way, we can always see GOD’s option of peace.  The key phrase is, “If we respond in the correct manner.  This is where it becomes important to be a patient of patience.  According to today’s devo, “patience is a form of perseverance and endurance that allows us to respond to frustrating circumstances with grace and self control.”  Before we can choose or see GOD’s option of peace in life, we must be a patient of patience which comes not from ourselves.  Being a patient of patience “is a by product of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of the believer.”  Run and tell others so they too can be a patient of patience.

A Piece on Peace

Today’s Devo says: "Peace is not the absence of conflict; it's confident assurance in the midst of conflict. Peace comes from dealing with conflict appropriately.  GOD calls you to pursue peace, which involves hard work."  In my journal I wrote. "Today I understand GOD to say conflict in this world is inevitable.  Peace comes when I understand that He is in total control and put my meager faith in a mighty GOD! Peace doesn't just so happen upon us; rather it's something that must be sought out.  In every conflict there is a peaceable option. How we respond decides which option we will take.  Finding, attaining, and showing the fruit of peace doesn't mean that the issue has totally been resolved neither does it mean I have become numb or blind to the issue.  Peace means I have a confident assurance that I am going to make it out alright no matter how this situation turns out."

the Race is not given to...any Race

Could Christian congregations be a source for intentionally/unintentionally teaching racism? Outside of demographically speaking, should there be a such thing as: Hispanic Christians, Asian Christians, white Christians, black Christians, etc.?  Each culture has a distinct style but should this be used to divide the body of Christ? For you are all children of GOD through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28

Obey Your Thirst

"GOD blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied...As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O GOD.  I thirst for GOD, the living GOD.  When can I go stand before Him...Jesus replied, Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give them will never be thirsty again...And let him who thirst come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." Matt 5:6, Psalm 42:1-2, John 4:13-14a, Rev 22:17b

Since this principle is true, in that if i look to GOD to quench my thirst I will never be thirsty again, then what does it mean when I am a believer who's seeking GOD and coming to Him yet have this constant feeling of being spiritually dehydrated?

What's Driving You?

Where are you currently in life and what DROVE you there?  For every place we have been in life, something DROVE us to it. Even for where we are going now, something is DRIVING us there? We must take time and find out what's pushing us. Is it money that DRIVES our life? Is it fame? Is it family?  We must be careful as to what DRIVES us. We all do it! Whenever there's a famine, lack, or scarcity of something in our lives, it DRIVES us from where we are to a place that we think will provide pleasure only to take us to our doom. 

What enemy of yours are you allowing to DRIVE your life?  What mistake did you make in your past that you are allowing to DRIVE your life? Is whats Driving you Driving yourself and those you love to death?

Is there a absence of love in your life? This absence of love can DRIVE you to give yourself in empty to another just to feel wanted and/or needed.  Ultimately this will leave lead to downfall by putting yourself into dangerous situations to do things that you said you would never do.  Like giving yourself over to STD's, abuse, homosexuality, and orgy's. You will continually be in and out of meaningless relationships.

Is there a lack of peace? This lack of peace can DRIVE you to use drugs in order to gain a 'high' or an 'escape' from the cares of life.  Once the high is over though, the problem or issue is still staring you in the face and has to be dealt with.  This road causes drug addictions because the drug has been given a false sense of resolve. 

Is there a lack of security? You will then spread gossip and lies about your so called friends in order to be the 'favorite' friend. You will say one thing to one friend, and another thing to the other all in the name of securing a friend. You will eventually always be involved in drama, fights, and lonely because no one will trust you. Letting insecurity DRIVE you, will leave you busted, disgusted, and alone. Do you want to be that person that everyone hates because you are messy with your friendships?

And just like Elimelech, we will die in our sickened state because we let famine or a lack of something drive us.  In Ruth 1:1-5, there was a family lead by a man named Elimelech. This family lived in Bethlehem-Judah (the future birthplace of Christ). The family had a great life there until a famine came. Once the famine came Elimelech searched for answers on how to care for his family during this time.  His search caused him to leave his settled homeland and move to Moab. Moab itself was quite a destitute and godless place. Elimelech had no idea this move would cost the ruin of his family. Both he and his sons died their leaving his wife behind widowed.  The famine, a scarcity of food, DROVE Elimelech to a godless and destitute land that caused the death of his family. Why move and settle for such a land? Why leave what's working and settled for death?

If you let GOD DRIVE you, HE will never lead you to a place of  total loss.  Even if HE lead you to an unfamiliar place, it is not a loss because you are in the will of GOD.  Even if HE leads to give up all your possessions, it is not loss because you are in the will of GOD.  Even if HE leads you to a place of isolation, you will not be alone because you are in the will of GOD and GOD is DRIVING you to the destiny HE has for you.  If GOD is not DRIVING your life, change vehicles and let HIM DRIVE your every move!

WHATS DRIVING YOU?