Serve or Be Served
By Robin
Western society in recent years has developed an economy and culture that values service. Fine cuisine, luxurious goods, highly crafted cars and technology all engender a mindset of wanting the finer things of life. But is this desire for the best helping us become our best? Have we become so distracted by what pleases us, that our time to serve others – the ill, the impoverished, the discouraged, the orphaned, bereaved or widowed- is itself impoverished?
Each day presents us with choices:
The thoughts we allow
The words we say
Where our eyes gaze
How we use our time and money
The things we do
Every choice carries a consequence. It can affect the visible, natural world. It can affect the invisible, spiritual world around us.
Did you ever think that our words or actions might have a greater impact upon a person or a circumstance than we might ever know?
What if our word or action has a radical consequence?
Would you think twice before you spoke or acted hastily?
In the Laws of physics every exertion or force has an effect. The Bible says our thoughts, prayers, words and actions have effects or consequences. If we examine the theories in physics and neuro brain science of neuroplasticity – our thoughts have a physical change on our brains. Thoughts often precede our actions.
Philippians 4:8 encourages us to spend our time and thoughts thinking about those things that are noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or worthy of praise. If we cannot do that, then Hebrews 3:1 encourages us to fix our thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ and He will raise us up.
Let’s carefully consider what we allow our minds to fix upon and retrain our thoughts to dwell on things that are lovely, excellent and noble.
Each day presents us with choices:
The thoughts we allow
The words we say
Where our eyes gaze
How we use our time and money
The things we do
Every choice carries a consequence. It can affect the visible, natural world. It can affect the invisible, spiritual world around us.
Did you ever think that our words or actions might have a greater impact upon a person or a circumstance than we might ever know?
What if our word or action has a radical consequence?
Would you think twice before you spoke or acted hastily?
In the Laws of physics every exertion or force has an effect. The Bible says our thoughts, prayers, words and actions have effects or consequences. If we examine the theories in physics and neuro brain science of neuroplasticity – our thoughts have a physical change on our brains. Thoughts often precede our actions.
Philippians 4:8 encourages us to spend our time and thoughts thinking about those things that are noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or worthy of praise. If we cannot do that, then Hebrews 3:1 encourages us to fix our thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ and He will raise us up.
Let’s carefully consider what we allow our minds to fix upon and retrain our thoughts to dwell on things that are lovely, excellent and noble.
What We Gaze Upon Matters
By Robin
Every day our eyes and minds are bombarded with countless images of products, people, and images. All designed to stir up our passions or appetite for food, clothes, products or people. Consume. And consume more. These are the mantra of a modern society.
The Bible encourages us to guard our eyes from looking at things or people that stir up jealousies or desires. So when we are faced with that temptation. Look away. Walk Away.
Direct your eyes to the sky or nature. These things proclaim God’s handiwork, His glory.
Ponder the truths of God’s word in Scripture.
Let’s spend our time looking at things that are beautiful, pure and excellent. And encourage each other in noble endeavors that serve others.
The Bible encourages us to guard our eyes from looking at things or people that stir up jealousies or desires. So when we are faced with that temptation. Look away. Walk Away.
Direct your eyes to the sky or nature. These things proclaim God’s handiwork, His glory.
Ponder the truths of God’s word in Scripture.
Let’s spend our time looking at things that are beautiful, pure and excellent. And encourage each other in noble endeavors that serve others.
Joy
By Robin
Psalm 118:24 of the Bible states:
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Joy is defined in The New Oxford American Dictionary as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness”. This definition is a worldly view that suggests a fleeting emotion that is dependent upon external circumstances or relationships.
The words in Psalm 118 above use the “imperative” state. It is a command from God, not dependent on our circumstances. We are to rejoice in the awesome work of God: His creation, our salvation, and the day we have, whatever and however it unfolds.
Not only are we to find joy in all circumstances, good and evil, but we are further urged to find joy in our difficulties and trails. James wrote in James 1:2-4: “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
This passage makes it clear that not only are we to endure trials with joy, but view them as a necessary step in our walk as a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is in our trials and tribulations that we gain understanding, wisdom, patience, long-suffering and compassion for others who face similar trials.
Our patient endurance of suffering and our decision to be joyful in the midst of them are the pearls of wisdom we must learn and incorporate into our daily life. If we obey God’s Word, we become more like the Lord. He is our example of holiness. We are called to show love and compassion to all people, even those who treat us spitefully, just as our Lord did when He died for the sins of all on the cross at Calvary.
Joy is a choice. It is a state of mind we chose to have. It is our choice.
Are we choosing to be obedient and rejoice in what the Lord has created; or do we allow our feelings and emotions to ebb and flow with our daily circumstances? Are we going to allow our reaction to an unkind word, a challenge at work, financial or relational pressures, illness or loss be the deciding factor in our state of mind; or will we make a choice to rejoice in the promises God has made to us through His Son, the way to our eternal salvation. Whatever the trial or tribulation we face in a day, we are to accept them with joy. In the end, this life is fleeting. The choices we make in our words and actions are eternal.
Make the right choice starting now. Decide to be joyful in your present circumstances. Choose your words. Consider your actions. Do they reflect our feelings or do they reflect God’s truth and way of living? Decide and reflect a joy that is a light of hope to the world.
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Joy is defined in The New Oxford American Dictionary as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness”. This definition is a worldly view that suggests a fleeting emotion that is dependent upon external circumstances or relationships.
The words in Psalm 118 above use the “imperative” state. It is a command from God, not dependent on our circumstances. We are to rejoice in the awesome work of God: His creation, our salvation, and the day we have, whatever and however it unfolds.
Not only are we to find joy in all circumstances, good and evil, but we are further urged to find joy in our difficulties and trails. James wrote in James 1:2-4: “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
This passage makes it clear that not only are we to endure trials with joy, but view them as a necessary step in our walk as a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is in our trials and tribulations that we gain understanding, wisdom, patience, long-suffering and compassion for others who face similar trials.
Our patient endurance of suffering and our decision to be joyful in the midst of them are the pearls of wisdom we must learn and incorporate into our daily life. If we obey God’s Word, we become more like the Lord. He is our example of holiness. We are called to show love and compassion to all people, even those who treat us spitefully, just as our Lord did when He died for the sins of all on the cross at Calvary.
Joy is a choice. It is a state of mind we chose to have. It is our choice.
Are we choosing to be obedient and rejoice in what the Lord has created; or do we allow our feelings and emotions to ebb and flow with our daily circumstances? Are we going to allow our reaction to an unkind word, a challenge at work, financial or relational pressures, illness or loss be the deciding factor in our state of mind; or will we make a choice to rejoice in the promises God has made to us through His Son, the way to our eternal salvation. Whatever the trial or tribulation we face in a day, we are to accept them with joy. In the end, this life is fleeting. The choices we make in our words and actions are eternal.
Make the right choice starting now. Decide to be joyful in your present circumstances. Choose your words. Consider your actions. Do they reflect our feelings or do they reflect God’s truth and way of living? Decide and reflect a joy that is a light of hope to the world.
Obedience: I am the Vine, You are the Branches
By Robin
When we obey God’s voice (those gentle nudges) He blesses us. We bless others doing His work as his hands and feet in the world. When we obey Him, the good work branches out to others like a vine or tree. It continues the good work of God and bares fruit in others. It is like a running river or branches of a vine – continuing far beyond the reach of our understanding.
The fruit that is borne from our obedience to God is eternal too, with profound consequences in other people’s lives. When we are obedient, we are walking in the Spirit of God, and we have access to God’s insight, wisdom, strength and power. We can do immeasurably more than we could dare to hope or imagine because we are tapping into the awesome power of our Creator.
Every day we have the opportunity to walk in our flesh and obey the lusts of our needs/wants; or we walk in the Spirit of God and have access to His awesome power to change the world for good and influence many people by our example.
Let us make the decision to obey God’s Word and watch His grace work in the situation. You just might be surprised.
The fruit that is borne from our obedience to God is eternal too, with profound consequences in other people’s lives. When we are obedient, we are walking in the Spirit of God, and we have access to God’s insight, wisdom, strength and power. We can do immeasurably more than we could dare to hope or imagine because we are tapping into the awesome power of our Creator.
Every day we have the opportunity to walk in our flesh and obey the lusts of our needs/wants; or we walk in the Spirit of God and have access to His awesome power to change the world for good and influence many people by our example.
Let us make the decision to obey God’s Word and watch His grace work in the situation. You just might be surprised.