Example Living

 I opened my bible app this morning the verse of the day popped up...

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:9 NIV

I'm familiar with this verse, but this morning as I skimmed through it I thought, "Wow, if only I could live out all that I've learned or received or heard from Jesus and put it into practice."

Then I remembered, those weren't the words of Jesus. They were the words of the Apostle Paul, a man who once hunted down Christ followers to either put them in prison or kill them. That is, until Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, forgave Paul and changed his life forever. Paul became a believer who spent the rest of his life sharing the gospel and teaching others how to live a life that honors God.

I wondered if I could ever make a statement like that. I mean, could I ever tell someone to put into practice whatever they've learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me? My life is not perfect. My attitudes, habits and thoughts are not always something I'd want others to put into practice. But then, none of us are perfect. 

Neither was Paul. What Paul did was his best to honor God by the way he lived, loved and served others. He did his best to share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. He just did his best knowing that God was with him.

Can we live that "example" kind of life - a life that honors God and sets an example of true Christianity? 

Only with God's help and doing our best. That's all He asks of us and He is with us to help every step of the way.

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The Door is Open

 

"Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own, through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault - we who stand before him covered with his love." Ephesians 1:4

Think about that for a moment. Before God even made the world, he chose to make us his own. His children. His family.

Who did he call? Everyone. He wants everyone in his family. But even before he created mankind, he knew we would blow it. He knew Adam and Eve would introduce sin into the human race, but that did not dampen his desire to have us for his own. Knowing that we would have a bent toward sin, he decided to cover our sins and make us holy in his eyes through Christ's sacrifice.

Does he really want us all? Is anyone denied the opportunity to be a part of God's family? To be forgiven, and considered pure in God's eyes?

No. There is not one person who is beyond God's desire to make them his own.

Remember, John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Our bodies will perish, but for the one who choses Jesus, the one who believes in him and gives themselves to him, they will have eternal life. Our bodies die, but our spirit lives on forever in the place God has promised - Heaven. Free from trouble and pain. Free to live a peaceful, joyful existence forever.

No one is beyond forgiveness, no one will be rejected by God if they come with sincerity, asking for forgiveness, believing that Jesus is Lord and surrendering ourselves to him. Salvation is but a prayer away.

Do you feel you are too far gone to be accepted by God? You're not. He still wants you as part of His family. His forgiveness is free for the asking. Don't worry about cleaning yourself up first, God will do that once you become a part of His family. He will begin to transform you, transform your life and transform your eternal future.

The door is open, will you step through?

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10 Spiritual Gifts a Mom Can Give Her Children on Mother's Day

While our kids are wracking their brains about what to give us or do for us on Mother's Day, it would be great to give them something of lasting value in return.  

Here are 10 suggestions for gifts we can give our kids for Mother's Day that will bless them for a lifetime.

1. Prayer: Encourage your children to cultivate a strong prayer life. Give them a handwritten prayer journal or a personalized prayer card with verses to guide them.

2. Faith: Nurture their faith by sharing stories of God's faithfulness and provision in your life. Give them a symbolic item like a cross necklace or a keychain with a Bible verse engraved on it.

3. Love: Show them unconditional love, reflecting God's love for them. Write them a heartfelt letter expressing your love and support, highlighting how God's love is ever-present.

4. Bible Knowledge: Teach them the importance of knowing and understanding the Bible. Gift them a children's Bible or a devotional book tailored to their age group.

5. Wisdom: Impart biblical wisdom by sharing lessons from your own experiences and from Scripture. Give them a book of proverbs or wise sayings with explanations for daily reflection.

6. Service: Teach them the value of serving others by volunteering together as a family or engaging in acts of kindness. Give them a "service jar" filled with ideas for serving others, along with a commitment to do them together.

7. Hope: Instill hope in them by sharing stories of God's promises and how He brings hope in every situation. Gift them a piece of artwork or a bookmark with an encouraging Bible verse.

8. Forgiveness: Teach them the importance of forgiveness, both receiving and extending it. Write a forgiveness letter together, and then burn it as a symbolic act of letting go of past hurts.

9. Gratitude: Cultivate a spirit of gratitude by counting blessings and acknowledging God's goodness. Create a gratitude jar where they can write down things they're thankful for each day.

10. Identity in Christ: Help them understand their identity in Christ, that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. Give them a framed Scripture verse highlighting their identity, such as Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Happy Mother's Day!

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Want to Stand Strong in the Storm? Beware of these 4 Red Flags that Might Pull You Under

We all face storms in life. The loss of a job, loss of a loved one, serious medical issues...no one is exempt. 

If we're not prepared, we can be beaten down and battered around by the force of the problems coming at us, but it doesn't have to be that way. We can stand strong in the face of adversity. In fact, we can more than endure it, we can grow and thrive in times of trouble.

There are things we can do to prepare for hardships and things we can do during the storm if we know the red flags to watch out for.

Pre-storm Preparations

1. Spend time with God daily. Read the Word, pray and trust Him to walk you through each day.
2. Understand that hard times hit us all and be resolved to go through them in a way that honors God.
3. Speak words of life to yourself. Remind yourself about how God has brought you through storms in the past. Reassure yourself every day of God's great love for you and His faithfulness to provide all that you need in every circumstance.
4. Surround yourself with strong Believers who will encourage you and pray for you through the storm.

Red Flags in the Middle of the Storm

1. Lack of desire to read your Bible, pray and seek the Lord. 

• Go back to step 1 in Pre-storm Preparations. Be more determined than ever to stick close to God. Spend extra time in the scriptures and in prayer.

2. Finding yourself having negative thoughts about God's love for you, doubting His goodness and blaming Him for your trouble.

• Go back to step 2 in Pre-storm Preparations. Remember that Jesus said, "In this life you will have trouble, but be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world." (John 16:33) and "Remember that I am always with you until the end of time" (Matthew 28:20)

3. Increased grumbling, complaining and snapping at others.

• Go back to step 3 in Pre-storm Preparations. Recall God's past provisions and blessings. Write them down and give him thanks. Practice Gratitude. Remember Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

4. The desire to isolate yourself. Satan would like nothing better than for you to try to stand alone.

• This is where step 4 comes into play. Isolated, we are vulnerable. Together we are stronger. "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9,10, 12)

Yes, life will throw some pretty hard things at us. But if we know that we can prepare ourselves in advance. If we know the red flags to watch for and the way to counteract those flags, we will walk through the storm with courage and boldness, coming out on the other side with a faith that withstands the storm.

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