So, this is what I learned today. So simple, yet soooo good!
How many of you know those people that never seem to stop complaining? They always have a sad story? They always have something bad to say? It always seems like something is going wrong in their life? Honestly, it is probably true. Their life probably is getting worse each day. And you know why? Because no one likes to be around someone who is negative! They will get less opportunities, more no's, and less invitations. I know this is harsh, but it is the truth.
1. Today I will choose to be happy/grateful.
What does that mean? Does that mean that whenever life hits us hard, we fake it and just pretend that everything is OK? NO. It means to focus on the positive. My Pastor always says that whatever is focused on gets magnified. So, if you focus on the negative, you will be negative. Here are some tips I learned to help us be grateful everyday.
-Write down 10 things that are going right in your life.
-Realize that if you are still breathing, God still has a purpose for your life!!
Answer your self these questions:
1. What are you excited about?
2. What are you proud of?
3. What are you thankful for?
4. Who do you love?
5. Who loves you?
Remind yourself everyday of these questions. Answer them. This will keep you pumped up.It will help keep you from focusing on the little negatives and to focus on the many positives.
2. Be likeable.
In the Bible, when Jesus was growing up, here is what the people had to say about Him. Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
How can you grow in favor with God AND man if you are negative all the time? You can't. In order to be in favor, Jesus had to be likable. Are you likable? Do people like to be around you? People that are likable have more opportunities, more yes's, and more invitation's. No, this is not about popularity. This is about having favor with God and man like JESUS.
3. SMILE
You get a different vibe from a smiling officer and a non-smiling officer. And this is not cheesy. When you smile, it can honestly brighten a room, especially when you are talking. It makes people feel at ease. I know that there are people I know that intimidate me because they NEVER smile. It is scary. You know it's true. It is a lot easier to talk to someone that smiling. YOUR FACE TELLS A STORY! Let people read it!
To learn more about me or KidPointe, please check out http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Control Freak?
In his heart, a man plans his coarse, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
I don't know about you, but I have been know to take things to the extreme. I will think up a whole entire conversation that I WANT to have with someone or I will think up something that someone said about me or the reason why they did something.
Am I relating to anyone??
Examples I have heard or experienced:
Think you should get that job, and you don't.
Think your kids would never do something like that, and they do.
Think a relationship will work out, and it doesn't.
Think you will stay in the comfort zone, and you move.
Think a person should respond a certain way, and they don't.
Think that a person is mad at you, and they are not.
1. Things never go they way YOU think they should. For us planners, we can think up a whole book based off of one page. I have been known to do that. I will get an idea in my head and then start planning of how and why it is just perfect. Lo and behold, God has something else planned.
2. Things go the way GOD thinks they should.
Let God choose your future. Don't try to plan it. God has a sense of humor and He will surprise you. Let Him. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Let Him Choose when/if:
You sell the house
You will have kids/grandkids
You will get married
You will get a job
You will get a vacation!
He knows. Let Go and Let God choose for you!
You can plan all you want, but YOU ARE STILL NOT IN CONTROL!
Here are some verses that help me let go and Let God choose.
Proverbs 20:24
A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Lord, You choose. I know that You know best. I want Your will to be done. Forgive me for getting in the way. I know that planning is good, but help me not to rely on MY plan and always rely on YOUR plan for my life. You choose Lord, You choose. Amen.
P.S. "Avoid irreverent babble and pointless discussions that lead your further away from God". 2 Timothy 2:16
Guard who you talk to and what you talk about!
To know more about KidPointe ministries or me, check out http://crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
I don't know about you, but I have been know to take things to the extreme. I will think up a whole entire conversation that I WANT to have with someone or I will think up something that someone said about me or the reason why they did something.
Am I relating to anyone??
Examples I have heard or experienced:
Think you should get that job, and you don't.
Think your kids would never do something like that, and they do.
Think a relationship will work out, and it doesn't.
Think you will stay in the comfort zone, and you move.
Think a person should respond a certain way, and they don't.
Think that a person is mad at you, and they are not.
1. Things never go they way YOU think they should. For us planners, we can think up a whole book based off of one page. I have been known to do that. I will get an idea in my head and then start planning of how and why it is just perfect. Lo and behold, God has something else planned.
2. Things go the way GOD thinks they should.
Let God choose your future. Don't try to plan it. God has a sense of humor and He will surprise you. Let Him. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Let Him Choose when/if:
You sell the house
You will have kids/grandkids
You will get married
You will get a job
You will get a vacation!
He knows. Let Go and Let God choose for you!
You can plan all you want, but YOU ARE STILL NOT IN CONTROL!
Here are some verses that help me let go and Let God choose.
Proverbs 20:24
A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Lord, You choose. I know that You know best. I want Your will to be done. Forgive me for getting in the way. I know that planning is good, but help me not to rely on MY plan and always rely on YOUR plan for my life. You choose Lord, You choose. Amen.
P.S. "Avoid irreverent babble and pointless discussions that lead your further away from God". 2 Timothy 2:16
Guard who you talk to and what you talk about!
To know more about KidPointe ministries or me, check out http://crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Golden Rule
Right now our church is currently reading through the New Testament in 90 days. What I read today was a good reminder, but it also revealed something I need to change.
Have you ever thought that you were good at something, and then one day figure out that you were not? For example, I remember when I was 15 yrs old, I would sing in the car like I was the next American Idol with my sister and my dad in the car. I promise you that their faces looked disgusted when I sang. I remember they would tell me all the time how horrible I was, but I didn't believe it. Well, one day, my dreams of becoming a singer were shot because my sister told me I sounded similiar to a cat getting thrown into water.(Ok the last sentence probably didn't happen).
All that to say, I finally realized that I was not a singer.I thought about what my family had said. I listened to myself and compared my voice to good singers. Hmm. My parents were right. I'm not so great at singing.
At the time, I was devistated. Crushed. The only singing I did was by myself in the car or the shower for awhile. :(
Well in High School, someone told me that I should try out for choir. Me? Yeah right. Everyone gets accepted into Choir, and they wouldn't let me go in there.
So, this is what I read this morning. Matt 7:12 So in everything, DO TO OTHERS WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU, FOR THIS SUMS UP THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
At first, I thought, well I am great at that!(Just like I thought I was good at singing) I am an outgoing person. I work at a church. I read my Bible. So on and so forth....
Not really. I actually had a time of reflection and thought about times where I have treated someone a way that I would not have wanted to be treated.
For example, have you been quick to judge someone when they forget something? Have you been quick to get angry when someone gets under your skin? I know I have. I know there are times that I will work up this situation in my head of what I WOULD HAVE DONE IF I WERE THEM.
Matt 7:1 Do not judge, of you too will be judged.
Put yourself in the other person's shoes. How would you want to be treated?
James 1:19 says to be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, AND SLOW TO GET ANGRY.Think before you judge. Think before you speak. Think before you think you are good at something. God will show you that you always have room to grow!
To learn more about KidPointe, visit http://crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Have you ever thought that you were good at something, and then one day figure out that you were not? For example, I remember when I was 15 yrs old, I would sing in the car like I was the next American Idol with my sister and my dad in the car. I promise you that their faces looked disgusted when I sang. I remember they would tell me all the time how horrible I was, but I didn't believe it. Well, one day, my dreams of becoming a singer were shot because my sister told me I sounded similiar to a cat getting thrown into water.(Ok the last sentence probably didn't happen).
All that to say, I finally realized that I was not a singer.I thought about what my family had said. I listened to myself and compared my voice to good singers. Hmm. My parents were right. I'm not so great at singing.
At the time, I was devistated. Crushed. The only singing I did was by myself in the car or the shower for awhile. :(
Well in High School, someone told me that I should try out for choir. Me? Yeah right. Everyone gets accepted into Choir, and they wouldn't let me go in there.
So, this is what I read this morning. Matt 7:12 So in everything, DO TO OTHERS WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU, FOR THIS SUMS UP THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
At first, I thought, well I am great at that!(Just like I thought I was good at singing) I am an outgoing person. I work at a church. I read my Bible. So on and so forth....
Not really. I actually had a time of reflection and thought about times where I have treated someone a way that I would not have wanted to be treated.
For example, have you been quick to judge someone when they forget something? Have you been quick to get angry when someone gets under your skin? I know I have. I know there are times that I will work up this situation in my head of what I WOULD HAVE DONE IF I WERE THEM.
Matt 7:1 Do not judge, of you too will be judged.
Put yourself in the other person's shoes. How would you want to be treated?
James 1:19 says to be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK, AND SLOW TO GET ANGRY.Think before you judge. Think before you speak. Think before you think you are good at something. God will show you that you always have room to grow!
To learn more about KidPointe, visit http://crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Be mocked or be given grace?
This is so exciting for me to share because it is new and fresh for me.
I am reading through the old testament right now.So, here is the setting and where we are at in the Bible.
I Kings 21-Ahab is King.Jezebel is Ahab's wife-the Queen. Elijah is around prophesying. And there is the guy names Naboth that had something the King wanted, but wouldn't give up.
Ahab wanted to trade with Naboth some land close to the Palace. Naboth had a vineyard near the palace.King Ahab was willing to give Naboth a better vineyard somewhere else OR just pay the guy for it. Naboth refused.
So,King Ahab throws himself a pity party and just sulks for a little while. Then, his wife Jezebel pretty much tells him to suck it up! After all, He is the King for crying out loud! Jezebel tells her hubby that she will "take care of it"...
Long story short, Jezebel schemes her way into having Naboth killed (the guy who owned the vineyard). Jezebel tells her husband that Naboth is dead. King Ahab went and got his vineyard. Problem solved.
Then, Elijah comes on the scene!
I Kings 21:20 "Ahab said to Elijah, 'So you have found me, my enemy!'".
Elijah: "I have found you, he answered, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. I am going to being disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last make in Israel-slave or free.23-And concerning Jezebel the Lord says: Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country".
Now-imagine this...
27-When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
28 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29" Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day...
WOW! This amazes me! Ahab did evil in the eyes of the Lord.He was the villian. The bad guy.He was arch enemies with Elijah-a big wig in the Bible! Sure, I understand how God forgave David-being a "man after God's own heart". But Ahab??
Then, I realized the key point that changed God's mind.-humility.Ahab humbled himself.
Why does God favor humility so much? Why would he turn his wrath way from Ahab simply because he humbled himself?
1. God wants humility from us. Proverbs 3:34 " He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble. God shows grace when we realize who we are and who HE is. He knows that we want to be our own boss. We want to get credit. We want to act like we have it all together. Watch out! God will mock you! When, we realize that we are absolutely NOTHING without God, we realize that our lives are in the hands of God. He chooses each day we live. We really have no choice but to be humble when we think about it that way.
2. Satan fell because he wanted to be God. If a "used-to-be" angel struggled with pride, you bet we are going to struggle as well. God knows we are human. That is why He gave us His Word. That's why he gave us His Son-to show us the true form of Humility.
What or how could we be used more by God if we just humbled ourselves daily? What heartache would be spared? How much more grace would be shown to us?
Here are some verses put in prayer form to help us humble ourselves daily.
2 Chron 7:14 God, if your people , who are called by Your name, will humble themselves and pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, then will You hear from heaven and will forgive our sin and will heal our land.
Psalm 25:9 God, You guide the humble in what is right and teach us Your way.
Zep 2:3 I want to seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.
Ephesians 4:2 God I want to be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:6 But YOU gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."...THANK YOU!!!
I am reading through the old testament right now.So, here is the setting and where we are at in the Bible.
I Kings 21-Ahab is King.Jezebel is Ahab's wife-the Queen. Elijah is around prophesying. And there is the guy names Naboth that had something the King wanted, but wouldn't give up.
Ahab wanted to trade with Naboth some land close to the Palace. Naboth had a vineyard near the palace.King Ahab was willing to give Naboth a better vineyard somewhere else OR just pay the guy for it. Naboth refused.
So,King Ahab throws himself a pity party and just sulks for a little while. Then, his wife Jezebel pretty much tells him to suck it up! After all, He is the King for crying out loud! Jezebel tells her hubby that she will "take care of it"...
Long story short, Jezebel schemes her way into having Naboth killed (the guy who owned the vineyard). Jezebel tells her husband that Naboth is dead. King Ahab went and got his vineyard. Problem solved.
Then, Elijah comes on the scene!
I Kings 21:20 "Ahab said to Elijah, 'So you have found me, my enemy!'".
Elijah: "I have found you, he answered, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. I am going to being disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last make in Israel-slave or free.23-And concerning Jezebel the Lord says: Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country".
Now-imagine this...
27-When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
28 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29" Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day...
WOW! This amazes me! Ahab did evil in the eyes of the Lord.He was the villian. The bad guy.He was arch enemies with Elijah-a big wig in the Bible! Sure, I understand how God forgave David-being a "man after God's own heart". But Ahab??
Then, I realized the key point that changed God's mind.-humility.Ahab humbled himself.
Why does God favor humility so much? Why would he turn his wrath way from Ahab simply because he humbled himself?
1. God wants humility from us. Proverbs 3:34 " He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble. God shows grace when we realize who we are and who HE is. He knows that we want to be our own boss. We want to get credit. We want to act like we have it all together. Watch out! God will mock you! When, we realize that we are absolutely NOTHING without God, we realize that our lives are in the hands of God. He chooses each day we live. We really have no choice but to be humble when we think about it that way.
2. Satan fell because he wanted to be God. If a "used-to-be" angel struggled with pride, you bet we are going to struggle as well. God knows we are human. That is why He gave us His Word. That's why he gave us His Son-to show us the true form of Humility.
What or how could we be used more by God if we just humbled ourselves daily? What heartache would be spared? How much more grace would be shown to us?
Here are some verses put in prayer form to help us humble ourselves daily.
2 Chron 7:14 God, if your people , who are called by Your name, will humble themselves and pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, then will You hear from heaven and will forgive our sin and will heal our land.
Psalm 25:9 God, You guide the humble in what is right and teach us Your way.
Zep 2:3 I want to seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.
Ephesians 4:2 God I want to be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:6 But YOU gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."...THANK YOU!!!
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