Monday, November 19, 2012

THINK before you speak...

Satan loves to use this time of year to cause as much pain as possible.  He uses us against each other, stirring up selfish thoughts, past hurts, or presumed wrongs.  The bible says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”, 1 Peter 5:8.  He loves to turn our thoughts selfishly inwards, and away from being thankful for the loved ones God has placed in our lives, whether by blood or by friendship.  Remember that this season, as you celebrate Thanksgiving.  Make a list of all the things about each member of your family that you are thankful for.  Remind yourself that carrying around a grudge or a hurt from the past only makes YOU miserable.  When you lash out at the ones you love over past hurts, it makes you look like a fool, and makes Satan laugh with delight.  The word of God says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  This is how we are to love each other.  So remember this at Thanksgiving and Christmas when you get together with your family and friends, even the ones who get on your nerves sometimes, to love them the way God says to love them.  No, it’s not always easy, but I would much rather bite my tongue and keep from hurting someone, than cause them pain and in the process, Satan joy.  The acrostic below is something I keep in mind when I am hurt or angry, and honestly you can’t get very far down this list when you’re thinking selfishly.  What you want to say might be true...but words spoken in anger are seldom ever helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind.

THINK before you speak.
T - is it true
H - is it helpful
I - is it inspiring
N - is it necessary
K - is it kind

The Message - Ephesians 4:31b
“Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Advice...


My Advice...

If I were to give advice to the young folks in my life
I'd have to start by saying that this life is filled with strife.
It is not always easy, it is not always fair,
and there are times you really wonder, does anyone out there care?

You will fall down, you will get hurt, you will get angry too.
But everything that happens, well, that helps to make you, you!
They say what doesn't kill you, can only make you stronger.
And sometimes you will think that you can't go on any longer.


But listen child, I've been where you are, and there is always hope.
Keep looking up, keep moving on, don't waste your time and mope.
For if you place your hope and trust in God's unfailing hand,
you will get up, you will go on, and once again you'll stand.

The secret to this life you see, is not a secret at all.
It's simply trusting God because He will not let you fall.
There's so much more to life than what you see with your two eyes.
And you might find that what you see will fill you with surprise.

In order to be happy, and fill your heart with joy,
Share the love God gave to you, with every girl and boy.
Giving, caring, loving, sharing, and making someone's day,
will fill your heart to overflowing and that's all I have to say!  

By:  Amy York


Sunday, November 4, 2012

He KNOWS me - Do you KNOW Him?

But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: "The Lords knows those who are His..."


Think about that for just a minute...let it sink in.  He KNOWS me.  The creator of the universe KNOWS me.  The One who hung the stars KNOWS me, and cares about me.  He knows me better than any person ever could.  He knows my every, single thought.  He knows my true nature.  He knows every thing I've ever done, and yet, He loves me anyway.  As hard as it is for a mother to imagine...He loves me even more than I love my own children.  The knowledge that God, Himself, knows me, loves me, cares about every detail of my life, gives enormous hope and peace.  I do forget sometimes and start worrying about things, but then I remember....He knows my name.  No matter what you are going through, whether it be the best times of your life, or the worst, the God of the universe wants you to know that He knows you by heart, that He loves you unconditionally, and His love for you cannot be shaken.  He's always with you...whisper His name...He's as close as the air you breathe...and He loves YOU

There is only one way to get to heaven.  ONE.  I'm not being racist, judgmental or narrow-minded.  The bible puts it very simply... "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, so that whomever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16 
Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father but by me."  John 14:6