Are our thoughts too narrowed

There are many reasons we all fall into this trap. Let us look at just a few. We might judge others because:

-They are different from us. 
-They do not agree with us. 
-We do not like them. 
-They hurt us or offended us. 
-We feel rejected, accused, or insulted. 
-We expect or look for the worst in them. 
-We are angry at them. 
-We want to hurt them or get them back.

Sometimes we are quick to judge or form an opinion about others when we do not really know them or their motives. We condemn them before we know the facts or truth about a matter. How often we make quick judgments!

We cannot be truly happy and fulfilled when we judge, criticize, or hate people. We do not have to agree with them or like their ways. We do not have to allow the hurt they may have caused to bring out the worst in us. I love this quote by Booker T. Washington. He said, "I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him." Is that what we sometimes do when we judge others-allow our souls to be narrowed and degraded by choosing to hate them?

This powerful quote brings up a great point. It reminds us that we have the power to choose how we will respond to others. It is far too easy to judge and criticize the person instead of the behavior. If we will distinguish between the two, we will be less likely to judge others and more likely to have proper respect and love for all people.

How quickly we can find fault with others and pronounce our judgment upon them without seeing our own faults or dealing with our own problems. Please do not make any excuses and make it a point we no right to judge anyone but ourselves.

We are all guilty of judging and condemning others at times. But we can be encouraged because when we work on bettering ourselves, we spend less time judging others, trying to fix them or change them. We have plenty of work to do on ourselves if we want to be our best. And we can do it when our focus is one being the best that we can be.

I encourage you to look for the best in others & to bring out the best in yourself!

People judge by outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Were you taught to “BELIVE"

We simply know a tiny bit about God.

I once had a conversation with one of my Wild Boys about the difference between knowing about someone, and actually knowing them. He (oh so sweetly) professed to want to tell people about God when he grew up. And I told him that that’s wonderful, but people don’t just need to know about God, they need to know God.

And I asked him, “What if I knew a boy, and I told him all about you? I told him your name, and I told him when you were born, and I told him who your mommy and daddy were, and I told him the things that you’ve done, and what you eat on holidays, and how wise you are, and some of the things you say…..would this boy know you, or only know about you?”

This is what people do with Jesus.  They agree with a list of historical facts, but they never turn away from the things about themselves that aren’t of God and passionately pursue following God in a transformed life.

Do you know who knew about God?  The Jewish religious teachers of Jesus’ time.  Did it save them?  No.  You know who absolutely believes in our God and knows that Jesus was a sacrifice for us?  Demons.  Satan himself. Does it save them?  No.  Jesus himself even  said that not everyone who says “You are Lord” will be saved.

We don’t just need to tell people about God, we need to take them to meet Him. Because when people meet God, it changes their life.  And a changed life is the only real evidence of salvation.

But, how do we take people to meet God?

Well, I believe that if you’re a really real, truly real, life-changed Christian, God lives in you.

Which means, if you’re really walking with and following Him, then when people see you, when they interact with you, when they hear you speak, they should see some  small (or large) glimmer of Him.  They should see something.  That’s why Christians hurts me so much.  Because there are so many people claiming the name of my Jesus, but showing the world a different Jesus.

If Jesus is in us and we reflect Him like a mirror to others, then a lot of people are telling their friends and the world that…the old you die.  Just like Jesus did.  And the new you rises.  Just like Jesus did.

And you are changed.

Forever and irrevocably changed.

Simply believing won’t save you.  Only jumping into the deep end of faith and following will.

Were you taught that “believing in” Jesus would save you?

A coffee break

One day shopping I just felt the need for a coffee break. I stepped into a coffee shop bought myself a little bag of cookies and put them on the table. I then got in line to grab a coffee, and sat at one of the many tables, and taking out a magazine I began to sip my coffee and read. Across the table a man sat reading the newspaper. After a minute or two I reached out and took a cookie. As I did, the man seated across the table reached out and took one too. This put me off, but I did not say anything.

A few moments later I took another cookie. Once again the man did so too. Now I was getting a bit upset, but still I did not say anything.

After having a couple of sips of coffee I once again took another cookie. So did the man. I was really upset by this - especially since now only one cookie was left. Apparently the man also realized that only one cookie was left. Before I could say anything he took it, broke it in half, offered half to me, and proceeded to eat the other half himself. Then he smiled at me and, putting the paper under his arm, rose and walked off.

Was I steamed? My coffee break ruined, already thinking ahead of how I would tell this offense to my family, I folded my magazine, opened my shopping bag to take my mobile, and turned around and there I discovered my own unopened bag of cookies. 

This taught me something - it made me think about how well God treated me even when I was not treating him well or thinking all that kindly about him.

Why Me ?

Life seems so filled with uncertainty sometimes, that we forget who is in control. We forget who we are, and we ask, “Why me?”

God allows trials in our lives to mold us into who he wants us to be. This requires that we give up control of our lives to God. We can consider bad or good things happening to us , because we know that they are part of God’s plan to draw us closer to him. 

One of the miracle God worked by sending fire down from heaven to consume the altar would have been amazing enough, but God used Elijah’s water to really show his glory. Our sacrifice is much more pleasing to God because we stayed true to him while going through hard times. When things just seem to be pure chaos around us,  praise God, because he’s getting ready to show how faithful he is!

Again “Why do bad things happen?” So that God can give you a better testimony. When you call on God’s Name during the hard times in life, you can rest assured that he will see you through them. Then you can share that experience with others who are also going through bad things in their lives.

Of course, it’s important to note that, again, we don’t know God’s plans.

So, “Why me ?” The answer is, so that God can be God in your life. If something bad or good has happened to you, and you’re hurt, know that he is there and that he loves you. His love for you knows no bounds. Jesus died for your sins.  He loved you that much. After that, everything else is temporary and unimportant, and will pass away. Only God remains and he is enough.

A Heart Filled With God

Before prayer, a man of god often said, "Lord, melt my cold heart. Break my hard heart and prepare it for Your touch."

Oh that we would be willing to approach the Father in that way. And when we come with such a heart, the Holy Spirit will meet us as our Helper and prayer Partner, enabling us to approach the throne of grace and touch the heart of God. For He promises as we draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to us: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8).

You will know when He is present as your heart begins to break and the coldness begins to melt. Suddenly your empty words become life giving.

God wants fellowship with you. He doesn't just want words and formulas. He longs to answer that prayer that comes from your heart. You see, prayer is your heart listening to and talking to the Lord.

Listening to the Lord is the key to power in prayer: "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools... Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2).

Be ready to hear the Holy Spirit's voice as you enter into God's presence. Real prayer is not filled with meaningless phrases but is the result of a heart filled with the abundance of God's presence.

Therefore, prayer is the overflow of a heart filled with God.

A New Reason To Be Together

Many a times we try to define love and yet get lost amidst emotions. It perhaps cannot be defined or perhaps can be defined in more ways than we think of. "Life has taught us that love does not consist just gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction". I would described love in such a form that many of us will agree with. I would consider messages as the best option for expressing your feelings. It strengthens the bonding and gives the relationship a new meaning. Expressions add a new reason to be together and it gives a new dimension to life. 

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. 

To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. 

On a cloudy night, when nothing seems above, still, there is love. Always love. For something, from someone. It's never done. Never.

Not everyone in this world is perfect. Nevertheless, love makes everything seem so beautiful and perfect.

Set Yourself Down and Rest

Not long ago, I was at the airport traveling for an event and needed to make a connecting flight. I didn't have much time, so I was rushing through the terminal trying to dodge all the people with a smile on my faces so I could make our connection. You probably already know that there's nothing fun at all about missing a flight, and my heart was racing as I hurried to my gate. Well, I finally arrived not knowing what to expect and behold, my plane had been delayed. There I was with all the other passengers just sitting at the gate. I was so relieved I didn't miss my flight I just took a deep breath and let my bags fall to the floor. In that moment, I thought about the scripture that says, "Come to Me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I could just hear Jesus saying to us all, "Come over here, take a deep breath and set your bags down. Just let them go and exhale! Find rest in Me."

          If you've been rushing through life anxious and worried that you are going to miss something, frustrated because there are obstacles in your way, and tired because you've been carrying a heavy load, today the Father invites you to set your bags down and rest. He wants to refresh and revive you. He wants to renew your strength like the eagle and restore your soul. He's not anxious about your future. He's going to make sure that you are in the right place at the right time. He's not going to let you miss His wonderful plan when you submit your ways to Him. Today, take a deep breath, let go of your burdens, and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).