Tuesday, February 26, 2013 - Rest

Did you know your body can go longer without food than it can without rest? A mind deprived of sleep is not as sharp. One cannot think clearly or process answers readily. We think on the surface, too tired for deep contemplation. When we are exhausted or fatigued, Satan becomes alert. He sees us grow weary in our routine and prods us with thoughts of monotony and tedium, standing ready to attack.  It is our duty to seek the rest we need, physically and spiritually. Make the time to withdraw from the day to day, if only for a moment. Stepping away to spend time with your Heavenly Father will quiet your mind, refresh your spirit, and replenish your soul.


So they went off in the boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. - Mark 6:32

Monday, February 25, 2013 - Compassion

As long as we remain on this earth, we will experience conflict and disagreement with others. We were not created to share the same point of view, but rather, to use these separate views for creativity and advancement. Helping another to feel good about their accomplishments when things have gone off course can be difficult as a parent, teacher, or an administrator.  Betty Clipman, acclaimed chorus director of Sweet Adelines International teaches that, "correction without compassion is brutality.” Our goal must be to help advance the other person, never to bring them down.

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. – Luke 6:36

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - Repentance

Sometimes I know I'm headed into the wrong direction, but I still allow my pride to take me there. The thought that others will think I'm a failure or, worse, taunt me with 'I told you so’s' becomes more prevalent in my mind than the fact that I am on a path of demise. Yet, Our God Creator of all Mankind repented of the evil He had threatened to do to Nineveh when He saw the pain and sorrow of His people. If God’s compassion can set us on a different course, can we not swallow our own pride and follow Him?

 

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. – Jonah 3:10

Thursday, February 14, 2013 - Love

When you wake up every morning, you are faced with a choice. Let it be one to love. 

And we believe and we know the love that God has for us, for God is love, and everyone who dwells in love dwells in God. - 1 John 4:16

Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - Stand

We should never use God as a platform for our cause. Rather, our cause should use God to justify its existence. Never stand on Him suppressing His Way, but step within Him and allow His Spirit to penetrate your very soul. With this, your spoken words will find Truth and your life will be glorified.

And you reject the word of God for the traditions that you deliver, and many things like these you do.” - Mark 7:13

Monday, February 11, 2013 - Actions

Yes, we know God can, but are we truly worthy enough that He would want to? If He wants to, is it right for Him to intervene? Would helping me hurt someone else? Am I more loved because he spared me and not another? Questions abound that can make our faith very shaky. And as long as we brood on these questions, we will never have an answer. Actions speak louder than words. When we find ourselves questioning God's motives, stop, for in all probability, we will never find the answers while we are still on this earth. What we must do is keep moving forward in faith. Place your thoughts into actions and become His hands to help another, His heart to love each other, and His voice to speak for another. When times are hard, we can be there in His compassion and hope. When we put our thoughts into action, we will find our answers. - Becki


They begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed - Matthew 14:36

Friday, February 8, 2013 - Self Knowledge

My mother used to say, "Be careful what you ask for.  It just may come true." Many times temptation enters into a split second decision. Pressure to act immediately may very well send us down a wrong path. For a person of prayer, these moments are less frightening when they occur. Walking closely with our Lord, makes us receptive to His discernment and our decisions become a whole lot easier. Facing a choice is so much easier with a clean heart and clear conscience.

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." - Psalm 27:8

Thursday, February 7, 2013 - Whine

I catch myself doing this a lot: whining. It is not very flattering. I become annoyed listening to it in another. I've tried to justify this by saying, "I'm just stating an 'awe' moment. I'm amazed that I have the endurance to get through this." But, the truth be known, I'm whining. God places every moment in our lives for us to enjoy. Let me repeat that. We are to enjoy every moment. I've buried loved ones, endured great sickness, watched my children hurt. How can I enjoy that? Merriam-Webster defines enjoy as "to have for one's use, benefit, or lot". Dictionary.com states "to experience with joy". Our loving God surrounds us with His Grace. It is up to us to open our hearts and minds to find Him in the moment. God is our only source of joy. This truth just becomes more apparent in our pain and despair.  

 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire. – Hebrews 12:28-29

Monday, February 4, 2013 - Simplicity

Life’s choices do not have to be complicated.  Simply order each with this one assessment:  Is the moment God driven or self-driven?  It’s your choice. - Becki

 

Love uprightness you who are rulers on earth, be properly disposed towards the Lord and seek him in simplicity of heart. – Wisdom, 1:1