Have you heard the saying "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything?" I often thought it was a saying to laugh at. Looking back at my life, I found I was living that quote. I didn't care what I did, who I had to walk on to get what I wanted, I let others walk on me, and worse, it seemed the world was against me. The truth is that the world was what I was listening to that got me into the messes I got into.
I see young people today, I talk to them too, that hear what you have to say, but don't care to hear it. Just when you think they are listening, their choices they make say they aren't listening and they don't care. I use to say "If I had only listened to my mom and dad, I wouldn't be where I am now." Yet, I know, if I listened to them and did what they wanted me to do, I wouldn't have had the lessons in life I've had. Would it have saved me from my folly?
Life is full of experiences and we can either stand for something solid like a rock and let the waters around be rough or we can stand in the sand and let the sand swallow us whole.
Prayer works, the smallest of faith will get you out of the sand you are sinking in and placing your trust in the rock (Jesus Christ) will help you to stand firm. It takes a step and suggestion of choosing to commit all your life and will to Christ's care and control.
Matthew tells us "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (NIV) Humble yourself before God, lay your burdens down and let him lift you up. For once in your life, trust in what you cannot see. For once in your life, pray for help and know the Lord hears, He forgives, and He loves you in the sinking sand. I encourage you to start now, this moment, to believe in what you cannot see.
Your life doesn't have to be like cherries, full of pits. Your life will have a few lemons, but make it into lemonade. You have a choice and ONLY you can make the difference between sinking in the sand or standing on the rock. You choose. Whatever you decide is alright with me, but I'm praying for the rock.
Replace your name before the parenthesis and make this about you.
For God so loved the world (you) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever (you) believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world (you) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)
It is personal because wants a personal relationship with you.
You see when I read these two verse's I read them like this: For God so loved Marjorie that He gave His one and only Son, that if Marjorie believes in His Son Jesus that I will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son to Marjorie for her to be condemned but for her to be saved through Jesus
So again, if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
What is your choice are you making; sinking sand or the rock?
May God's word richly dwell in you today
~ Marjorie
Everyone needs encouragement and I want to encourage you today. I hope you will enjoy today's write up.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
An experience I'll Never Forget
I recently had an experience that I don't believe I will ever forget. Today, I heard the Lord say to take half of a meal that I didn't finish to a homeless man who was sitting on a bench near the courthouse. My friend took the meal because I am still without a car and found the man exactly where the Lord said he would be. (As if God would lie, right?)
As the day proceeded, I had the opportunity to find out why this man was homeless. The main reason he stated was because he fights depression. Isn't it ironic, depression is a tool of Satan's.
It is sad to see a man well educated and full of possibilities lack the strength to face another day.
I also had the opportunity to see a man who has been in the shoes of this homeless man have great compassion, understanding, and love for a man of this circumstance. It was great to see someone have a heart to help him out and want more for him. It can lighten ones heart, bring sadness and joy all at the same time. It was something to see this friend take this man and purchase his medicine, buy him things, feed him, love him. It was something to see my friend reach into his already empty pocket and pull out what he did have to help someone else. Not himself but someone else. He took what little he did have and we watched it multiply. We have and serve such an awesome most High God.
Last I noticed when we took this man to a public place, there was a woman who looked at our new friend with disgust. The first thought I had was to quickly say something to this woman, but instead I chose to pray for her. Sometimes praying for someone else doesn't seem to be enough. We think that we should do or say more, but God tells us His wrath is worse; His punishment is worse than what we can ever do.
It breaks my heart when people think they are so much better than another. I have to wonder what kind of lifestyle are they in to make them think they are better. I wonder what in their life is so perfect that they think they may never find themselves homeless or penniless.
It really makes me mad the more I think about it, but I believe what Jesus said "love your enemies and pray for them."
The best part of this day was our new friend received what he needed because the Lord prompted my obedience and I followed through. The victory in this belongs to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What have you done today to make the difference in someone else's life tomorrow?
When was the last time you had the pleasure of ministering in to someone? Not preach to someone but reach out and help someone. Reach out and know you made someone who needed love, mercy and grace and you showed it to them not told them about it. You didn't tell them how wrong they were, but you showed them how much you loved them. When was the last time you reached down to someone and gave them all you had to pull them up? When was the last time you ministered to someone. I can tell you this, through my friend I had the privilege of witnessing and sharing and being a part of just that. If you have not done this in a while or maybe never have; I want to tell you then you have missed the blessing of God. we can find it written in Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (NKJV) When was the last time you entertained an angel?
As the day proceeded, I had the opportunity to find out why this man was homeless. The main reason he stated was because he fights depression. Isn't it ironic, depression is a tool of Satan's.
It is sad to see a man well educated and full of possibilities lack the strength to face another day.
I also had the opportunity to see a man who has been in the shoes of this homeless man have great compassion, understanding, and love for a man of this circumstance. It was great to see someone have a heart to help him out and want more for him. It can lighten ones heart, bring sadness and joy all at the same time. It was something to see this friend take this man and purchase his medicine, buy him things, feed him, love him. It was something to see my friend reach into his already empty pocket and pull out what he did have to help someone else. Not himself but someone else. He took what little he did have and we watched it multiply. We have and serve such an awesome most High God.
Last I noticed when we took this man to a public place, there was a woman who looked at our new friend with disgust. The first thought I had was to quickly say something to this woman, but instead I chose to pray for her. Sometimes praying for someone else doesn't seem to be enough. We think that we should do or say more, but God tells us His wrath is worse; His punishment is worse than what we can ever do.
It breaks my heart when people think they are so much better than another. I have to wonder what kind of lifestyle are they in to make them think they are better. I wonder what in their life is so perfect that they think they may never find themselves homeless or penniless.
It really makes me mad the more I think about it, but I believe what Jesus said "love your enemies and pray for them."
The best part of this day was our new friend received what he needed because the Lord prompted my obedience and I followed through. The victory in this belongs to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What have you done today to make the difference in someone else's life tomorrow?
When was the last time you had the pleasure of ministering in to someone? Not preach to someone but reach out and help someone. Reach out and know you made someone who needed love, mercy and grace and you showed it to them not told them about it. You didn't tell them how wrong they were, but you showed them how much you loved them. When was the last time you reached down to someone and gave them all you had to pull them up? When was the last time you ministered to someone. I can tell you this, through my friend I had the privilege of witnessing and sharing and being a part of just that. If you have not done this in a while or maybe never have; I want to tell you then you have missed the blessing of God. we can find it written in Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (NKJV) When was the last time you entertained an angel?
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