Psalm 69:30 (The Message) Let me shout God's name with a praising song,
Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks.
Have you ever stopped and really listened to all the negativity that is around you? How about the negativity in your own mind? I have a friend that is pretty certain that she has always and will always get the “raw deal” in life. She is convinced that everything bad happens to her, and that she can’t do anything to stop it.
The enemy of our souls (the Devil) would have to us to look at everything that is wrong in our lives. In relationships he would have us to look and each other’s faults. I think of all the divorces there are in the world, of the all the people who used to be friends, of the families that used to be close. You know somewhere inside them they still love each other…but what went wrong? I believe one of the biggest things is that they stopped appreciating the good things about one another and only began focusing on the bad.
It is so easy in this day and age to get caught up in all the bad there is in the world and in everything that’s wrong. One of the biggest ways to combat this is by thanksgiving! I have found that a powerful tool in my live to combat the forces of darkness is to look for the good things in my life and thank God for them! Every single day of my life I can not go a day without thanking God for something. And usually it’s multiple things. I can thank him for all the people that love me. I can thank him for my job in the midst of this crashing economy. I can thank him for a beautiful day with blue skies and green grass!
The Bible says that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights….” (James 1:17).
Thank God for the good things in your life. It doesn’t matter how small! It will re-focus your mind. Instead of only negativity all around you, you will realize that there are many good things in your life that if it were not for God would not be there! It will make you happier! It will give you joy when everyone is worried, anxious or sad. And you will be able to tell them why you can smile!
Be blessed,
Arlene
Monday, November 17, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
thanks
In this devotional I want you to think about two simple words. They are simple but they are two of the most powerful words in our language that we take for granted. Do you know what they are? You guessed it, THANK YOU! It is the holiday of Thanksgiving and I want to focus your attention on the words "thank you".
Can I ask you a question? Have you ever done something for someone and they never said thank you? You went out of your way, above and beyond what you normally would do and you didn't even get a look. How did that make you feel? I try not to get offended or upset because I do things for people because I have the love of God but sometimes it has gotten to me. But what about those people who are thankful for what you do for them? They always say "thank you" and not only that but they give you back more in return than what you gave them. I know most of you have not experienced that. I understand. But you would be more willing to do something for the person who thanked you and gave you back more in return than the one who did not even acknowledge you.
The bible says "in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you". If you want to know what you are supposed to be doing in life, don't worry, I just gave you the master key. "Give thanks". That's what you do. "Give thanks". Thank God for your parents (I know that can be hard sometimes but it will change you), thank God for your friends, thank God that you have the opportunity to get an education, thank God that you have clothes, thank God that you have food to eat, thank God that you can walk, thank God you can see, thank God that you can breathe, and thank God that He sent His son to die for us on the cross so that we could go back to our highest way of living.
And not only are we to give thanks but "in everything give thanks". That means in every circumstance and situation. Even if things don't look good give thanks, even if you are broke or your heart is broke, even if you have problems in your home or school, or with anything, you still give thanks. Not only will it make you feel better, but who knows what God will do for you if you are thankful. Remember the example about the one who gave thanks and the one who didn't. Who do you want to be? Give thanks!!!
Mick
Can I ask you a question? Have you ever done something for someone and they never said thank you? You went out of your way, above and beyond what you normally would do and you didn't even get a look. How did that make you feel? I try not to get offended or upset because I do things for people because I have the love of God but sometimes it has gotten to me. But what about those people who are thankful for what you do for them? They always say "thank you" and not only that but they give you back more in return than what you gave them. I know most of you have not experienced that. I understand. But you would be more willing to do something for the person who thanked you and gave you back more in return than the one who did not even acknowledge you.
The bible says "in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you". If you want to know what you are supposed to be doing in life, don't worry, I just gave you the master key. "Give thanks". That's what you do. "Give thanks". Thank God for your parents (I know that can be hard sometimes but it will change you), thank God for your friends, thank God that you have the opportunity to get an education, thank God that you have clothes, thank God that you have food to eat, thank God that you can walk, thank God you can see, thank God that you can breathe, and thank God that He sent His son to die for us on the cross so that we could go back to our highest way of living.
And not only are we to give thanks but "in everything give thanks". That means in every circumstance and situation. Even if things don't look good give thanks, even if you are broke or your heart is broke, even if you have problems in your home or school, or with anything, you still give thanks. Not only will it make you feel better, but who knows what God will do for you if you are thankful. Remember the example about the one who gave thanks and the one who didn't. Who do you want to be? Give thanks!!!
Mick
Money is Power
While the world will tell you money makes the world go ‘round, we as Christians know the truth as to what’s really important. When you leave, all you’ve worked for here on Earth won’t amount to anything in heaven. UNLESS… you do what’s right with what you work for.
I’m sure we’ve all been pasted in front of the TV, drooling over other’s wealth and riches from the nicest houses to the sweetest rides, and other crazy luxuries, and to be honest, it’d be nice to have all of that. Time and time again, I have to ask myself is it wrong to have all that and still be a Christian. And while I’m still searching for an answer I know in my heart that it’s not God’s will for Christians to be poor.
While I don’t believe that money makes the world go ‘round, I do truly believe that “money is power”. Money is a means to get things accomplished at a faster rate and I can assure you that if all Christians were rich, this would be a better world. (Ya’ll know me, If I spent the time to get into the possibilities, this would be another devotional in need of a part two.) I believe that when you put money in the right persons hand they can do amazing things, and although one person can’t change the world, one step towards change is progress.
I believe money is beautiful as power because it’s a heavenly lasso, so to say. I believe that with doing the right thing, blessings will come. But when take something you work hard for or “earn” and lift it to God, even more blessings will come. And I’ll take a blessing over working hard for money any day! But this is why it’s very important to participate in tithes and offering.
In my… “earlier” youth, I use to think giving tithes and offering were the same thing. They are two completely different things and at my Church, presented at two different times to further drive the principle. We receive the tithes first, because that’s 10% of what you’ve earn offered to God as a sign of your faithfulness to him, as well as an indicator that you trust him in your finances. You’d have to be really dumb not to want God’s hand in your pocket. All he’s pulling out is 10% and in return your hand gets to be in his. I like the thought of God’s pockets! Shoot!
Offering on the other hand is like a gift that shows God how much more you love him and believe in his blessings. My pastor refers to offering time as preparing your harvest or seeding your blessings. I love how we save the offering for the end of the service as well because nothing compares to sewing a seed in a positive atmosphere where you just know a harvest will grow. It’s like planting a seed in the most fertile and healthiest of soils and watering it with… Fiji water! (That’s “God’s Water” if you didn’t know. If you’ve tasted it, you know what I’m talking about) But getting back to the principal, offering is so much more than “spending money at church”. You tithe because it’s what God’s entitled to. You offer because that’s truly your chance thank God, be it for something he’s already done, or something he’s about to do.
So next time, you’re sitting in your pew or on your row of chairs and you see that bucket coming your way. Don’t be selfish and think about what you need the money for or what you have to buy, or how much more of your money the church is taking from you. We all have felt this way one time or another. But have the power within yourself to bind those thoughts from your mind. Look at your tithes and offering as “God’s money”, not yours, and be thankful your Church has given you an opportunity to send your blessing to God. And if that’s not good enough for you, think about the air conditioned room you sit in, or the lights you sit under, and any other luxuries you have or may even need in your church and make an investment towards them or help keep them going.
That’s all for this month! Just keep these things in mind. Remember the difference between tithes and offering and you WILL be blessed. Let’s get rich together Christians! We can easily do this by putting God’ first!
- C.j.
I’m sure we’ve all been pasted in front of the TV, drooling over other’s wealth and riches from the nicest houses to the sweetest rides, and other crazy luxuries, and to be honest, it’d be nice to have all of that. Time and time again, I have to ask myself is it wrong to have all that and still be a Christian. And while I’m still searching for an answer I know in my heart that it’s not God’s will for Christians to be poor.
While I don’t believe that money makes the world go ‘round, I do truly believe that “money is power”. Money is a means to get things accomplished at a faster rate and I can assure you that if all Christians were rich, this would be a better world. (Ya’ll know me, If I spent the time to get into the possibilities, this would be another devotional in need of a part two.) I believe that when you put money in the right persons hand they can do amazing things, and although one person can’t change the world, one step towards change is progress.
I believe money is beautiful as power because it’s a heavenly lasso, so to say. I believe that with doing the right thing, blessings will come. But when take something you work hard for or “earn” and lift it to God, even more blessings will come. And I’ll take a blessing over working hard for money any day! But this is why it’s very important to participate in tithes and offering.
In my… “earlier” youth, I use to think giving tithes and offering were the same thing. They are two completely different things and at my Church, presented at two different times to further drive the principle. We receive the tithes first, because that’s 10% of what you’ve earn offered to God as a sign of your faithfulness to him, as well as an indicator that you trust him in your finances. You’d have to be really dumb not to want God’s hand in your pocket. All he’s pulling out is 10% and in return your hand gets to be in his. I like the thought of God’s pockets! Shoot!
Offering on the other hand is like a gift that shows God how much more you love him and believe in his blessings. My pastor refers to offering time as preparing your harvest or seeding your blessings. I love how we save the offering for the end of the service as well because nothing compares to sewing a seed in a positive atmosphere where you just know a harvest will grow. It’s like planting a seed in the most fertile and healthiest of soils and watering it with… Fiji water! (That’s “God’s Water” if you didn’t know. If you’ve tasted it, you know what I’m talking about) But getting back to the principal, offering is so much more than “spending money at church”. You tithe because it’s what God’s entitled to. You offer because that’s truly your chance thank God, be it for something he’s already done, or something he’s about to do.
So next time, you’re sitting in your pew or on your row of chairs and you see that bucket coming your way. Don’t be selfish and think about what you need the money for or what you have to buy, or how much more of your money the church is taking from you. We all have felt this way one time or another. But have the power within yourself to bind those thoughts from your mind. Look at your tithes and offering as “God’s money”, not yours, and be thankful your Church has given you an opportunity to send your blessing to God. And if that’s not good enough for you, think about the air conditioned room you sit in, or the lights you sit under, and any other luxuries you have or may even need in your church and make an investment towards them or help keep them going.
That’s all for this month! Just keep these things in mind. Remember the difference between tithes and offering and you WILL be blessed. Let’s get rich together Christians! We can easily do this by putting God’ first!
- C.j.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
