A child counts on another child to help her build a sand castle in the sandbox. A mother counts on her husband to pick the children up after school so she can work an extra shift. A classmate counts on his lab partner to help him with a group project. A student counts on the math teacher to help her with some concepts she's been struggling with. These are just some examples of how someone can count on another person. Whether it's counting on someone to cheer you up, give you good advice, or help you with a task, everyone has counted on someone. Merriam Webster defines the word "count" as "to rely or depend on someone or something." When we count on someone, we rely on them. Sometimes, the people we count on may disappoint us. Thankfully, there is one person that we can count on the most: Jesus himself. While the people we count on may disappoint us, he never will. People are like seasons: they are always changing. Some come into your life for a short season of time; others stay for a longer season. People come and go, but when God enters into your life, He stays for good. People will change, but God remains unchanging. As Hebrews 13:8 puts it, He is the "same yesterday and today and forever."
We can count on God, for He keeps His promises. Joshua 21:45 says, "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." What God promises, He always fulfills. What God promises, He keeps. Not once will God ever fail to fulfill what He promises. He breaks our chains, not His promises. When God makes a promise, He fulfills it in His perfect timing, not ours. We can count on God, for He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, as Hebrews 13:5 reminds us of this beautiful promise. No matter where we go, no matter what we face, He will walk with us every step of the way. We can count on God, for He is so faithful. Moses describes God in Deuteronomy 32:4 as "a faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." We can place our hope in God, for He is always faithful and does what is right. We can count on God during our bright days and during our bleak days. We can count on God, no matter what circumstances we may face. We can wait for Him, for he is continually faithful and remains true to His promises. When you feel like you have no one to count on these days, remember that you can always count on God.
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The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
-Proverbs 18:21 When I was a child, I remember hearing the phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." This phrase implies that sticks and stones may cause harm, but cruel words won't have any effect on the one who is being told these words. In reality, words can build someone up or tear them down. They can make one smile. They can make one angry. Instead of letting "unwholesome talk come out of your mouth[s]," speak words that would be "helpful for building others up according to their needs," as Ephesians 4:29 points out. Choose to speak words that would, as Ephesian 4:29 says, "benefit those who listen." Sometimes, when we are really emotional, we tend to say things that we may regret later on. We may lash out at someone when we are really angry. Sometimes, we tend to speak before even thinking. When we do that, the words that come out of our mouths may not be beneficial or helpful to those listening. When we speak what is true, what is just, what is right, our words leave a positive influence on not only the person hearing them, but on the person speaking them. When you speak, speak life into the lives of those listening to you. Use your words to inspire. Use your words to encourage. Use your words to break down walls, not build up barriers. Speak positivity over yourself and others. Speak love. Speak hope. The great thing about speaking kind words is that it is not a difficult task. It doesn't require much time or effort. Speaking kind words won't cost you, but unkind words can. Before you speak, think. Thoughts have a huge influence on what comes out of our mouths. As Mahatma Gandhi puts it, "Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words." Hebrews 4:15- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin.
We all go through some sort of pain in our lives. Sometimes, the pain seems unbearable and difficult to deal with. You may have lost a loved one recently. You may have just lost your job. Someone who you were so close to and cared about has just walked out of your life. Maybe you're dealing with the pain from a disease or sickness. No matter what kind of pain you're feeling right now, know this: Jesus understands. When you feel as if no one understands the pain you're feeling right now, know that Jesus feels what you are feeling right now. Our pain is incomparable to the pain that Jesus felt when he was pierced to that cross. Isaiah 53:5a illustrates that "he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities." The second part of this verse also points out that "the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5b) Pain is no surprise to Jesus. Jesus, "a man of sorrows," is "familiar with suffering." as Isaiah 53:3 points out. Jesus sees what you're going through. He feels the hurt you are feeling. When your heart aches, his heart aches too. Remember that he truly cares. He knows your pain. Tell him how you feel. Psalm 118:24- This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
If you're reading this right now, your heart is most likely beating and you're currently breathing. Today, your heart isn't beating by accident. Today, you're not breathing by accident. Today, you are here because God gave you another day to be alive. Every day is a gift from Him. The Webster's Dictionary defines the word "gift" as "something bestowed or acquired without being earned by the receiver." We are the receivers of this gift called "today", and God is the giver. God gave us today not because we earned it, but because He's not finished with us yet. You are still here today because God has not completed His work in you. Philippians 1:6 points out, "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." What God has started, He will complete. God never leaves his work to be unfinished. Another day is another blessing. Another day is another reason to praise God. Because God has given us this day, we should "rejoice and be glad in it", as Psalm 118:24 encourages us to do. To rejoice, as Merriam Webster's Dictionary puts it, is to "feel or show that you are very happy about something." If you can feel a pulse today, show God that you're happy about it! If you were able to get up out of bed this morning, breathing in fresh air into your lungs, show God your gratitude! Today is precious. Today is valuable. Give thanks to God for this wonderful gift. He's not finished with you yet. Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Kill 'em with kindness?" If you haven't heard of it before, you've been given this opportunity to hear it while reading this post. "Killing" people with kindness isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially when there are those in your life that are very difficult to deal with. It can be tempting to disrespect those who disrespect you. It can be tempting to say negative things about your coworker when he or she gossips about you. It can be tempting to argue back with someone who tries to start an argument with you on something that won't matter days later. Instead of choosing to treat someone wrongly because they treat you wrongly, treat them with kindness and goodness. Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." When you fight fire with fire, you create more fire. In the same sense, when you fight evil with evil, you will create more evil. Instead of fighting the fire of evil with more evil, fight the fire of evil with the water of goodness.
Jesus faced persecution when he walked this Earth. 1 Peter 2:23 points out how Jesus handled persecution in this: When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted to him who judges justly. Instead of cursing back at those who cursed at him, Jesus chose to "entrust to him who judges justly." In other words, he trusted his Father to take care of him, for God is a fair Judge. Dealing with difficult people is not always easy, but it is not impossible. Choose to "kill" those people with kindness by being patient with them, just as God is patient with you. Do good to those who treat you wrongly. Choose to speak good about those who speak bad about you. Let God deal with those difficult people in your life. Show them love and grace, instead of hatred and anger. As Scottish author Ian Maclaren points out, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." Novelist C.S. Lewis once said: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines humility as "the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people." In other words, being humble means that you do not think that you are greater or better than anyone else. A selfless man, Jesus demonstrated humility on Earth when he "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness", as Philippians 2:7 points out. He never saw himself as more important than those he encountered. He always looked to the interests of others. No matter who he met or spent time with, he always saw their value and worth. We are all imperfect beings, yet we are God's masterpieces. He doesn't see one person better than another. In His eyes, each and every one of us are priceless. There is not one person who has more worth than you, no matter who they are, what they do, or what their background is. In the same sense, there is not one person who has less worth than you. God does not treasure pride, but rather humility. When you are humble, you are reflecting Christ's humility. Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." In everything you do, do not let pride be your guide. Rather, do things with an attitude of humility. Value those around you above yourself. Take the time to look to other people's interests than just your own. Show others that you care. Show others that you appreciate them. See others the way God sees them.
Yesterday, I was working when my manager called me over to show me a customer's feedback that pertained to me. The customer's feedback was so positive and encouraging that it made me feel really happy. In addition, it made me realize that there are customers who will notice the little things I do, even if it may not feel like I'm doing much.
We all have great experiences at work. We all have tough experiences at work. There are days where work is so smooth that you come home feeling great. Other days can be so long and hectic that it leaves you feeling exhausted. Sometimes, you'll have friendly customers. Other times, you'll have unfriendly customers. You may feel as if your work is insignificant at times or you're just not doing enough. No matter what you do- whether you make sandwiches at a fast food restaurant or fill out reports for a patient- your work matters. Colossians 3:23 says that "Whatever you do, work at with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." No matter what type of work you do, give a 100% effort. No matter how your manager/supervisor, coworkers, or customers treat you, put in everything you have because your work truly matters to God. Give your best efforts, even when others may not see it. Do the best you can as if you're working for God. In an interview with BREATHEcast, Matt Redman shares the message behind one of his most popular songs, "10,000 Reasons," with these remarks: “It's about the many, many reasons there are to worship God. And of course when I say '10,000 Reasons' that's obviously a huge poetic understatement. When it comes to worship, there are an eternity of reasons to respond to God and His worth.”
Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines the word praise as "to express thanks to or love and respect for God." When we praise God, we show our gratitude and love for Him. In Psalm 86, David gives many reasons for praising God. He points out that God is:
Proverbs 2:6- For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Webster's English Dictionary defines wisdom as "[the] ability to make right use of knowledge." Knowledge is knowing information; wisdom is knowing how to apply that information in your life, using what you know for the right purpose. True wisdom comes from God. God gives wisdom so we could know the difference between what is right and wrong. When you obtain wisdom, you will "understand what is right and just and fair- every good path" (Proverbs 2:9). Solomon not only was a king, but a servant of God who sought wisdom. Solomon asked God for two things: for a "discerning heart to govern your people" and to be able to "distinguish between right and wrong" (1 Kings 3:9a). God wants us to obtain wisdom so we can make the right decisions. Wisdom can help you to follow the path that is right and good. It can help you make the right choices, instead of making the wrong ones that can cost you later. When you seek God for wisdom, He will give it to you. One of the best ways to be wise is to dig into God's Word and apply it to your life. You can also spend time with those who are wise, for as C.S. Lewis remarks, "The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are." Psalm 25:4- Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.
In 1996, GPS was introduced in cars. During World War II, GPS was used to help with the navigation of ships and planes at a long range. GPS, also known as Global Positioning System, is used by many people today to help them get from one destination to other. GPS can be accessed in many ways, from a mobile phone to even a car. GPS helps to show you the way to where you want to go. God is similar to a GPS, showing us the right way to go, leading us to where He wants us to be. It may seem right to follow the paths everyone else is taking, but just because everyone else is following it does not mean it's right. God wants us to follow His path, letting Him show us the way we should go. For the best direction in life, look no further than to the best director of all, God himself. Ask him to guide you to where He wants you to go. Follow His ways, for they are "loving and faithful"(Psalm 25:10). |
AuthorHello there! Welcome to my blog! My name's Johanna. I am a Jesus-loving twenty-year-old who also loves to make people laugh, spend time with family, explore the outdoors, and take photos. I hope my blog inspires and encourages you to draw more closer to God and enjoy life more. Remember that you were created for a purpose. You are wonderful. Archives
June 2017
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