The Golden Rule is to do to others as you want them to do to you. This is a great way to live a life free from guilt and regrets, but what about the times when others do not return your kindnesses?
I have found that many times I will do for others hoping they will get the hint and do the same for me. when they don't I feel hurt and unloved. The problem does not start with them but what is in my heart!
Doing good to others so I can get good in return should not be my motivation for doing what is right. Selfishness and self centeredness can never be the foundation for our good works. Good deeds should flow from a heart of love.
Father, You love purely. Teach me to do the same! Set Your golden rule deep within my heart so that I might love like You!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Always
Even when I do not sense His presence, Jesus is ALWAYS with me!
He is always faithful
Always loving,
Always knows
Always gives,
Always right!
Jesus is always available, ready to hear my prayer and answer with wisdom. Always with Him is a wonderful mysterious delight!
Lord, thank You! You are always to be praised!
He is always faithful
Always loving,
Always knows
Always gives,
Always right!
Jesus is always available, ready to hear my prayer and answer with wisdom. Always with Him is a wonderful mysterious delight!
Lord, thank You! You are always to be praised!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I Like Minutes
Awhile back my Granddaughter, Brooke, became frustrated waiting for a fun outing. she expressed her frustration to me saying, "I don't like hours! I like minutes!" I understood perfectly, because I, too, like minutes better than hours when waiting for the good things promised to me.
It tries our patience to wait, but in the waiting and persevering we can reap the reward of Gods' best. We may need to persevere for years before the best shows up. It beats a second or third best any day, though.
Wait upon the Lord. Wait and don't settle for second best. Wait for God's ultimate best! This is what I keep telling myself and someday I will be delighted in the very great reward My Lord has planned for me. Till then I wait in expectation staying faithful and pushing through the doubts and difficult times. His best always is wrapped up in more of HIM!
Teach me to wait, Lord! Teach me Your ways! I want more of You!
It tries our patience to wait, but in the waiting and persevering we can reap the reward of Gods' best. We may need to persevere for years before the best shows up. It beats a second or third best any day, though.
Wait upon the Lord. Wait and don't settle for second best. Wait for God's ultimate best! This is what I keep telling myself and someday I will be delighted in the very great reward My Lord has planned for me. Till then I wait in expectation staying faithful and pushing through the doubts and difficult times. His best always is wrapped up in more of HIM!
Teach me to wait, Lord! Teach me Your ways! I want more of You!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Joy Unspeakable
How can we describe God? We are given many names for God in scripture that describe to us who He is. I AM. I cannot recall any scripture describing Him as Joy but it is the fruit of the Spirit and so I conclude that He is Joy as much as He is Love!
Joy unspeakable is Our God and Lord Jesus Christ dwelling in us, living life fully with us. We cannot explain our joy in Him. It is unspeakable.
His Joy may not be said in words, but it will be seen on our countenance and in our living life to the fullest serving with happiness.
God of Joy, fill us with You till our hearts are so full that we have no words to speak the pleasure that You are to us! Let it shine through us and be a light in the dark world.
Joy unspeakable is Our God and Lord Jesus Christ dwelling in us, living life fully with us. We cannot explain our joy in Him. It is unspeakable.
His Joy may not be said in words, but it will be seen on our countenance and in our living life to the fullest serving with happiness.
God of Joy, fill us with You till our hearts are so full that we have no words to speak the pleasure that You are to us! Let it shine through us and be a light in the dark world.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Pour In~Splash Out
Pour in Gods' Word and good things will splash out.
Oh how I wish I could keep my mouth shut! I don't talk idle talk often but every time I do it seems to come back to me in the wrong way. When will I ever learn?
Cleaning up the mess of careless words is like trying to catch the spilled milk before it reaches the end of the table or the space between leaves. On the other hand pouring Gods' word into myself and others will allow only good to splash out and no clean up is necessary! It is time to clean up a mess, but also time to pour in God's word. Maybe the splash will help with the clean up!
Father forgive my careless talk and teach me to guard my tongue even with those I think I can trust. Help me as I try to clean up the mess and stay true to the truth. I know Your word will help me!
Oh how I wish I could keep my mouth shut! I don't talk idle talk often but every time I do it seems to come back to me in the wrong way. When will I ever learn?
Cleaning up the mess of careless words is like trying to catch the spilled milk before it reaches the end of the table or the space between leaves. On the other hand pouring Gods' word into myself and others will allow only good to splash out and no clean up is necessary! It is time to clean up a mess, but also time to pour in God's word. Maybe the splash will help with the clean up!
Father forgive my careless talk and teach me to guard my tongue even with those I think I can trust. Help me as I try to clean up the mess and stay true to the truth. I know Your word will help me!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Faithfulness
We must be faithful in our belief, while God is faithful in being believable!
There are times when our faith is tested. It is in those times that we must remain faithful to what we believe about God. For myself, I believe God is with me always. He is always Good and loving. His way is always right. I believe that I will someday see the blessing that comes from faithfully following Jesus even when I face trials and suffering.
God is believable! My faith remains in Him.
Faithful God, I trust in You alone! The world and all it contains will never be what I need but You are! I am determined to persevere and be faithful to the end because of who You are!
There are times when our faith is tested. It is in those times that we must remain faithful to what we believe about God. For myself, I believe God is with me always. He is always Good and loving. His way is always right. I believe that I will someday see the blessing that comes from faithfully following Jesus even when I face trials and suffering.
God is believable! My faith remains in Him.
Faithful God, I trust in You alone! The world and all it contains will never be what I need but You are! I am determined to persevere and be faithful to the end because of who You are!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Heavy Burdens Turn Light
Heavy burdens can become lighter when we walk with the Lord.
During our Firework tent sale we had many little problems that ranged from minor irritations to the more serious "Let's talk this over, Lord" situations. A couple of our tents had rain that puddled and made things miserable for our workers and customers alike. In fact one tent was so muddy that people were driven away by the mess. We also had the hot muggy weather with which to contend. Then there were the permits and inspectors that were a struggle to obtain this year or caustic when dealing with them. Opposition and attacks of theft burdened our days. But in it all we were blessed to be around many people who were celebrating the freedoms we still enjoy.
God enriched our lives with His simple delights! He always makes our burdens easier to bear. My daughter told stories of tourists from other countries who came to their tent just to take pictures! They had never seen anything like it. They were shocked at our freedom to sell such things that explode just so we could celebrate our nation's birthday. A little old man and his tiny dog came by our tent and as he left God spoke to my heart to go talk to him. I simply asked him if he was a Veteran. Yes, he was, from the Korean war. When I thanked him he was taken aback. He told me that so few people had ever thanked him for his service to our country. He was visibly touched and so was I. Late on the Fourth I narrowly escaped two possible accidents. A deer ran across the road in front of me and someone ran a red light as I neared an intersection.
We welcomed little children who spoke about their lives and what they were doing to celebrate; met a man who is an alumni from our Alma Mater, Colorado State, living here in Central Florida; encouraged people to get involved in the political process and campaigned a bit for Marco Rubio for Florida Senator. Family and friends came to visit and some even helped without pay! We were brought cookies and enjoyed some really good food, especially after it was all finished!
We could dwell on the losses and the trials but we choose to put our trust in God, thinking about the good things. His provision, protection and pleasure is more than enough. It does not matter that the enemy is against us, because God who lives in us is greater!
Thank You, Provider of all good gifts. We have been richly rewarded because You have watched over us in all things. Thank You for lifting our burdens and bringing Son light into our lives!
During our Firework tent sale we had many little problems that ranged from minor irritations to the more serious "Let's talk this over, Lord" situations. A couple of our tents had rain that puddled and made things miserable for our workers and customers alike. In fact one tent was so muddy that people were driven away by the mess. We also had the hot muggy weather with which to contend. Then there were the permits and inspectors that were a struggle to obtain this year or caustic when dealing with them. Opposition and attacks of theft burdened our days. But in it all we were blessed to be around many people who were celebrating the freedoms we still enjoy.
God enriched our lives with His simple delights! He always makes our burdens easier to bear. My daughter told stories of tourists from other countries who came to their tent just to take pictures! They had never seen anything like it. They were shocked at our freedom to sell such things that explode just so we could celebrate our nation's birthday. A little old man and his tiny dog came by our tent and as he left God spoke to my heart to go talk to him. I simply asked him if he was a Veteran. Yes, he was, from the Korean war. When I thanked him he was taken aback. He told me that so few people had ever thanked him for his service to our country. He was visibly touched and so was I. Late on the Fourth I narrowly escaped two possible accidents. A deer ran across the road in front of me and someone ran a red light as I neared an intersection.
We welcomed little children who spoke about their lives and what they were doing to celebrate; met a man who is an alumni from our Alma Mater, Colorado State, living here in Central Florida; encouraged people to get involved in the political process and campaigned a bit for Marco Rubio for Florida Senator. Family and friends came to visit and some even helped without pay! We were brought cookies and enjoyed some really good food, especially after it was all finished!
We could dwell on the losses and the trials but we choose to put our trust in God, thinking about the good things. His provision, protection and pleasure is more than enough. It does not matter that the enemy is against us, because God who lives in us is greater!
Thank You, Provider of all good gifts. We have been richly rewarded because You have watched over us in all things. Thank You for lifting our burdens and bringing Son light into our lives!
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