"Jealousy is simply and clearly the fear that you do not have value. Jealousy scans for evidence to prove the point- that others will be preferred and rewarded more than you. There is only one alternative- self-value. If you cannot love yourself, you will not believe that you are loved. You will always think it's a mistake or luck. Take your eyes off others and turn the scanner within. Find the seeds of your jealousy, clear the old voices and experiences. Put all the energy into building your personal and emotional security. Then you will be the one others envy, and you can remember the pain and reach out to them."
I found this a long time ago and was just reading over it again today...Wow, what a great check up!! This pretty much nails it right on. It's hard to love someone when jealousy is in the forefront of our emotions. God made us all unique, with different talents and personalities...all special in His sight. There isn't one who is more prized than another...yet as humans we are constantly finding things about people around us to compare. Did you see how perfect that woman's hair was? Wow, look at her complexion, I wish I had that!! Although I used examples for women, it is a problem that men deal with as well. Who can be the best self-made man? Who is the strongest and has the most endurance? There is an endless list of things that people can compare. However, God has made you to love who you are...just the way you are! Next time you find yourself in the comparison trap or filled with the jealousy bug, remember that you must see yourself the way God does. Wonderfully made with purpose and filled with talent.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Think Then Act
Proverbs 15:4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Have you ever had someone spread slanderous lies about you or leaked something that was initially meant to be a private matter? Have you ever done that to someone else? The verse above tells us that a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. It hurts to have lies and hurtful words said to you or about you. However, we all have the choice to use gentle words and to spread words that will uplift someone instead of tearing them down. Next time you are about to let your deceitful tongue take over, think about how it feels when you are the one being talked about. Think then act.
Have you ever had someone spread slanderous lies about you or leaked something that was initially meant to be a private matter? Have you ever done that to someone else? The verse above tells us that a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. It hurts to have lies and hurtful words said to you or about you. However, we all have the choice to use gentle words and to spread words that will uplift someone instead of tearing them down. Next time you are about to let your deceitful tongue take over, think about how it feels when you are the one being talked about. Think then act.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Ultimate Burden Lifter
Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
The most important part of this verse is the part that declares that we are to give our burdens to the Lord. There are going to be times in life when burdens of many kinds weigh upon our shoulders, however, God wants us to give our burdens to Him even though there are numerous things that people find as alternatives to the One who can truly lighten the load. He wants our burdens more than the alcohol that begs to be consumed until the burdens seem to be erased, more than the food that sits waiting to be devoured, more than the depression that wants to pull you in, and more than the person you believe can take away the pain. God is the only one who can take away the pressure of our every day lives and turn it into an everlasting joy! Learn to give Him those things that you have so willingly handed over to other people, things and ideas! He is your ultimate burden lifter.
The most important part of this verse is the part that declares that we are to give our burdens to the Lord. There are going to be times in life when burdens of many kinds weigh upon our shoulders, however, God wants us to give our burdens to Him even though there are numerous things that people find as alternatives to the One who can truly lighten the load. He wants our burdens more than the alcohol that begs to be consumed until the burdens seem to be erased, more than the food that sits waiting to be devoured, more than the depression that wants to pull you in, and more than the person you believe can take away the pain. God is the only one who can take away the pressure of our every day lives and turn it into an everlasting joy! Learn to give Him those things that you have so willingly handed over to other people, things and ideas! He is your ultimate burden lifter.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Big Dreamers & Innovative Thinkers
"Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men."
We all have dreams inside of us that are waiting to burst forth into reality. However, at times they get crushed by the things people say and do or even things that happen to us that make us discouraged to pursue what is really in our hearts. Our dreams start out big and become smaller and smaller until they become wishful thinking and eventually disappear completely. The quote above states that small dreams don't move the hearts of men, and quite frankly they don't move the heart of God. God wants us to dream big and ask for His help to accomplish them! He's right there cheering us on and He is a God of the POSSIBLE!! Philippians 4:13 says NOTHING is impossible with God!! Have you let your dreams become crushed by what others have to say? Have you stopped believing that with hard work & God's strength that they can come true? Think again! God is a God who loves big dreamers and innovative thinkers!!
We all have dreams inside of us that are waiting to burst forth into reality. However, at times they get crushed by the things people say and do or even things that happen to us that make us discouraged to pursue what is really in our hearts. Our dreams start out big and become smaller and smaller until they become wishful thinking and eventually disappear completely. The quote above states that small dreams don't move the hearts of men, and quite frankly they don't move the heart of God. God wants us to dream big and ask for His help to accomplish them! He's right there cheering us on and He is a God of the POSSIBLE!! Philippians 4:13 says NOTHING is impossible with God!! Have you let your dreams become crushed by what others have to say? Have you stopped believing that with hard work & God's strength that they can come true? Think again! God is a God who loves big dreamers and innovative thinkers!!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Dig A Little Deeper
Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
Patience- Enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance
Power- Physical strength
Self-control- The act of denying yourself
Conquer- To put down by force or authority
When I read Proverbs 16:23, I was immediately curious what the actual definitions of the words in the verse were. I looked them up in the dictionary and I was able to understand the verse at a deeper level by simply taking the time to look up the actual meanings. Sometimes all it takes to understand a scripture on a more intimate level is to dig a little deeper and see what you can do to analyze the message God is trying to speak to your heart! Next time you read a scripture that stands out to you, take the time to study it and go the extra step to find something that may change your perspective of what you just read!
Patience- Enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance
Power- Physical strength
Self-control- The act of denying yourself
Conquer- To put down by force or authority
When I read Proverbs 16:23, I was immediately curious what the actual definitions of the words in the verse were. I looked them up in the dictionary and I was able to understand the verse at a deeper level by simply taking the time to look up the actual meanings. Sometimes all it takes to understand a scripture on a more intimate level is to dig a little deeper and see what you can do to analyze the message God is trying to speak to your heart! Next time you read a scripture that stands out to you, take the time to study it and go the extra step to find something that may change your perspective of what you just read!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Purpose Through Pain
Psalm 119:71 My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
I don't always understand the things that happen to me or around me. Honestly, sometimes things that happen upset me, frustrate me, sadden me, stress me out and overwhelm me. Even though those are my feelings in the moment of the situation, I realize after it is over that it had a purpose. Whether that was to strengthen me, awaken me, challenge me, stretch me, or grow me. God has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives. His ways are not our ways. In the midst of a devastating circumstance it may seem impossible to see the purpose but God has one. A song by Kerrie Roberts called No Matter What says, "...before a heartache can ever touch my life it has to go through your hands." God is aware of what you are going through, He knows what is happening and why because it had to pass through Him first! God can take your hopelessness and create a story of great joy. He can take your unforgiveness and create a story that reveals His unending redemption. He can take your past of insecurities and make it into a story of His passionate love for you! The possibilities are endless through the mighty God we serve!! Look to Him through your circumstance even when you don't understand. He will show you the way!
I don't always understand the things that happen to me or around me. Honestly, sometimes things that happen upset me, frustrate me, sadden me, stress me out and overwhelm me. Even though those are my feelings in the moment of the situation, I realize after it is over that it had a purpose. Whether that was to strengthen me, awaken me, challenge me, stretch me, or grow me. God has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives. His ways are not our ways. In the midst of a devastating circumstance it may seem impossible to see the purpose but God has one. A song by Kerrie Roberts called No Matter What says, "...before a heartache can ever touch my life it has to go through your hands." God is aware of what you are going through, He knows what is happening and why because it had to pass through Him first! God can take your hopelessness and create a story of great joy. He can take your unforgiveness and create a story that reveals His unending redemption. He can take your past of insecurities and make it into a story of His passionate love for you! The possibilities are endless through the mighty God we serve!! Look to Him through your circumstance even when you don't understand. He will show you the way!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
We are Royalty
Isaiah 62:3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem (crown) in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her), and your land Beulah (married); for the Lord will take delight in you...
This verse outlines the very greatness that God has placed on the inside of each of us. We are sons and daughters of the King!!! That means we are royalty! In this verse God tells each of his sons and daughters the amazing gifts He has given them by becoming an "heir" of the King! By accepting Jesus as Lord of your life, you are ushered in to a royal family...the family of Jesus Christ! You are a crown of splendor, a royal diadem, you are a delight in the eyes of the Lord! What great news!! Let someone know that they can be a part of a royal family by accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior! There's nothing better!
This verse outlines the very greatness that God has placed on the inside of each of us. We are sons and daughters of the King!!! That means we are royalty! In this verse God tells each of his sons and daughters the amazing gifts He has given them by becoming an "heir" of the King! By accepting Jesus as Lord of your life, you are ushered in to a royal family...the family of Jesus Christ! You are a crown of splendor, a royal diadem, you are a delight in the eyes of the Lord! What great news!! Let someone know that they can be a part of a royal family by accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior! There's nothing better!
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