He Gets You!

You can't take it with you.

 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

We have but one life to live. It's doled out to us in increments.

years
months
days
hours
minutes
seconds.

We spend those increments of our lives in pursuit of many things. Some pursuits are worthwhile and some are worthless, but once those increments are spent, they are gone - forever.

Some choose to spend their time in pursuit of riches, fame and pleasure. Their focus is self. Yet even if they acheive all of these, they leave this world with nothing. They can't take it with them. The riches of this world do not transfer to eternity.

Others spend their time pursuing God, seeking to do His will, to love Him and to love others. They are motivated by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - all fruits of the Spirit, given to us by God.  They enrich the lives of others, rather than seek riches for themselves. They gain pleasure from helping others and they do it without recognition. They make a difference!

We are not guaranteed one more second, but should you be given another second, minute, hour, day, month, year or many more years to come...how will you spend them?


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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

So, what's the plan, God?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

It's comforting to know that God has a plan for my future. He knows what the next season of my life will hold and His plans are for my good.  I just wish He'd let me in on them!

Photo courtest Trine Harritz Larsen
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I don't wait well. I want to know what the next step is so I can start working on it now, or if I can't work on it, at least I can start getting a little excited about it. Instead, I wake up each day thinking that just around the next corner is something really great for me, something fun and exciting.

The problem is that while I'm focused on the future, I'm not really enjoying the present...and that's just wrong!  Each day should be lived to it's fullest, with thanksgiving for the Father's provision and love. After all, if I can't treasure everything He's given me today, I can't move on to the new thing He wants to do in my life.

Am I the only one who's like this? Do you ever spend so much time looking forward that you miss today?

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If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to share it with your friends using the Facebook, Twitter and other share buttons below. Thanks! (Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Where is God?

I do not have to search for God, for He has made my heart His dwelling place.

I need only to still myself and shut out the noise of the world to hear his sweet voice.

Photo courtesy SSPIVAK,
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Ever near,
ever listening,
ever speaking,
guiding,
loving.

Only a quiet breath away is the Lord, God Almighty.


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If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to share it with your friends using the Facebook, Twitter and other share buttons below. Thanks!

(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)