GRACE and LOVE

GRACE and LOVE: While we know Paul (from the Bible) was the greatest evangelist in history, he knew that, left to himself, he was the worst sinner. God chose him because of his weakness, so that the Lord could display His patience and greace in him. It's a great thing to know that we need not be perfect for God to love us or even use us.

Paul, who was mightly used by God, considered himself the cheif or the worst of sinners. I know without a doubt in my mind that many have felt that same way at least one point in our life time. We beat ourselves up so much when we fail but it's seems like that is when God displays His love the most. And through that love, we can and should love others for the wrongs done to us.

1Timothy 1:15,16; Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom i'm the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.

--Let Go and Let God--

The story about Jonah and the whale is a perfect example of releasing and cutting people out of your life. In the story a huge storm came and the men on the ship knew that is was cause Jonah was aboard the boat. Now the men didn't want to throw him over but they knew it was a must to calm the storm. The thing was, it was also a must for Jonah cause little did he know that God had a plan for him already. See God had a whale ready to swallow him cause it was the only way he would listen.

The point I'm trying to make is that there will be people in your life that you MUST cut out not only for your sake but for theirs also. You must trust that God will take care of them beyond you. Trust that He has a plan ready for them just like He does for you. So many times it's not people holding us back but it's us not letting go. Sometimes letting go is the only way for you AND others to move foward!!!

--Confidence--

The lack of self-confidence combined with insecurities can not only kill you on the inside but what it can do is push those who love you away. Since you don't love yourself, you can't understand how anyone could love what you see. What I've learned is that those who truely love us see past our imperfections. The key is to see ourselves in the same way of those who love us or better yet, to see ourselves the way GOD sees us. He is Creator of all, which includes us. All His creation is a work of art and luckily we fall into that catagory of beauty!

--The Real Thing--

An officer who worked at the U.S. Treasurey was asked how he detected a counterfiet dollar bill from the real ones. His answer was quite simple. He said that they are trained so many hours a day handling the real thing, so when it comes to a fake dollar bill, it's quite easy to detect.

The same goes with the voice of God, many times we can't decern if its His voice speaking to us or not. I hear it so often asked, How do you know what Gods voice sounds like? The only way I can explain it to you is the same way they detect a counterfiet dollar bill. The one way you can decern Gods voice from a fake is to spend time with Him. We must get a "feel for the real". The more time you spend in prayer, the more you begin to hear what He says and how He says it.

God speaks to each of us in different ways but just like a close friend or brother, when they speak, you just know it. The same goes with God, when He speaks, you'll just know it! Build that relationship with Him, it's vital!!!

--Keep Growing--

One of lifes most ultimate disasters that can befall upon us is that we would feel that we have arrived. That we have achieved all our goals and we have made it to the top. The moment you have this feeling, growth ceases! It's fine to achieve your goals in life but the moment you do, you better have a lot more to shoot for. NEVER STOP GROWING!!!

--Opportunities--

When we pray and ask God for something and don't get it in the way we want, we tend to be shocked. We also tend to think that God's not listening to us or being mean. But this is what i've learned, when we pray for wisdom, God doesn't just give us the wisdom but opportunities to be wise. When we ask for courage, He'll give us opportunities to be courageous.

God wants you to put what He's given you into practice. What good is it if we store away all our gifts and potential? Some of us just need that little push that God is so willing to give us and many times we don't even realize it.

So question; What Are You Doing With Your Opportunities???

--Luv--

Many times we take for granted the ones that love us the most because we're so worried about the ones that love us the least. Why is that? Maybe it's because we feel that we have that automatic love coming from those who love us and we try to work so hard to be loved by those who could just care less. But isn't it also funny how the ones that we love the most, drive us the craziest, yet we can't live without them. We must realize that the love we receive from those closest to us is so very special and even in our times when we mess up,it's those people that give the greatest love of all...UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!!!

I'll put it to you like this. You have those who love you "part-time" and those who love you "full-time". It's the full-timers that will get you through those tough times in life, those are the memory creators in your life. So the question I pose to you is; Are you a "part-timer" or a "full-timer" when it comes to showing love to others?

--Listen To Yourself--

The best advise you can take is usually your own. It's so easy to give out great advise but the moment we're in a tight situation, we tend to go blank. Knowing what's right and doing what's right are two completly different things.

--Eye Candy--

There will be many things along the way that will catch your eye but be careful that they don't catch your heart in the process. Some things that we let in our heart are extremly hard to get out. Big Idea: Gaurd your hearts!

--Think--

Cool off before you spout off; If you are too angry to have a conversation that is not in a loving or constructive manner, then put things on hold until you can simmer down. Words, positive or negative, can have extreme power.

We tend to let our tongue move faster then our hearts. Here is the problem with that; it's easier to tear someone down then it is to build them back up. So much is said but not really meant in the heat of the battle.

How will your words effect those you surround yourself with? Do you bulid up or tear down? Do you stop and think or just speak? Spread the love and don't let it end with you!!!