Do you know you are unique? There is no other person in the entire world who is just like you, with the same hair color, habits, eye color, and personality.
Do you know what makes you unique? You are designed by God. He did it because He loves you. He chose you specifically to be the exact person you are now, knowing that you have the potential to be so much more.
I don't know about you, but I feel that if God took so much trouble to mold and shape me and to take the time to put life into my body, then I need to realize I am someone special. I am a child of the Most High. I cannot let personal discouragements, or bad days, or the taunting of others get me down. I am of value because God loves me.
So next time you get the blues, remember that you are special in God's eyes. There is no one else like you. Aren't you glad?!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Transformation
One corner in our city has been in transformation for the last few months. We have been watching, in great anticipation on the part of my kids, for the completion of our new Taco Bell.
It has been interesting watching the progress these many days. First, the ground was raised and packed down. The foundation was poured and the frame was set up. Walls were added and plaster was applied. Inside electrical and plumbing were being installed, along with all the fixtures. Outside, paint and stonework were added. Soon the recognizable logos were attached to the building.
The past two weeks the driveways and parking areas have been under construction. They have even laid out a very nice brick pattern on the entryways. Now the landscaping is taking shape, with the grass put in just yesterday. Everything is taking shape. Soon the doors will be open for business.
Wouldn’t it be nice if our transformation allowed us not to be open for business until we were complete? Unfortunately, we are a work in progress. We have to remain active on a daily basis, accepting the small nuances of change. It is a slow and sometimes painful process. But it is necessary because only our hearts are transformed immediately when we accept Jesus into them. Our characters need a lot more time to refine.
Transformation of character takes time. Don’t be impatient for the process. The results will be worth the wait.
It has been interesting watching the progress these many days. First, the ground was raised and packed down. The foundation was poured and the frame was set up. Walls were added and plaster was applied. Inside electrical and plumbing were being installed, along with all the fixtures. Outside, paint and stonework were added. Soon the recognizable logos were attached to the building.
The past two weeks the driveways and parking areas have been under construction. They have even laid out a very nice brick pattern on the entryways. Now the landscaping is taking shape, with the grass put in just yesterday. Everything is taking shape. Soon the doors will be open for business.
Wouldn’t it be nice if our transformation allowed us not to be open for business until we were complete? Unfortunately, we are a work in progress. We have to remain active on a daily basis, accepting the small nuances of change. It is a slow and sometimes painful process. But it is necessary because only our hearts are transformed immediately when we accept Jesus into them. Our characters need a lot more time to refine.
Transformation of character takes time. Don’t be impatient for the process. The results will be worth the wait.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Through Him Alone
When I answered the knock on the door the other day, I never expected to get into a debate about religion. Two ladies had come to invite me to their Bible study at a nearby church, which would have been nice normally, but after a few minutes into the conversation, I felt on the defensive. We were supposed to be fellow believers, yet they were pushing an issue that I felt was strictly un-Biblical. They wanted me to agree that it was Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and baptism that saved a person and allowed them to go to Heaven.
The more I tried to explain the Biblical viewpoint, the more adamant they were to convince me I was wrong. However, the Bible is not wrong. The thief on the cross didn't have to come down and be baptized. Jesus told him, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward conversion. You have to accept the finished work of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross in order to be saved. Nothing else works. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Baptism is a work. It is not our savior.
The tension with the ladies was escalating. They were not listening at all. I decided to end the conversation. One lady said, "So we aren't going to agree?" I shook my head. "No." How could I agree to something that was so against God's Word? It will never be Jesus and... It's only Jesus who saves.
The more I tried to explain the Biblical viewpoint, the more adamant they were to convince me I was wrong. However, the Bible is not wrong. The thief on the cross didn't have to come down and be baptized. Jesus told him, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward conversion. You have to accept the finished work of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross in order to be saved. Nothing else works. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Baptism is a work. It is not our savior.
The tension with the ladies was escalating. They were not listening at all. I decided to end the conversation. One lady said, "So we aren't going to agree?" I shook my head. "No." How could I agree to something that was so against God's Word? It will never be Jesus and... It's only Jesus who saves.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Keep Encouraging
Are you an encourager? Do you encourage others to keep trying, even when things aren't going their way?
Encouraging is a wonderful ministry because we all need our spirits lifted up at some time or another. However, for all the energy we exert to bolster others, it is rare to receive the same amount in return.
I find that in times when I need to be lifted up, especially after giving of myself to others for long periods of time, I turn to the Lord in prayer. I ask Him to encourage me with His word. Then I open my Bible and read. There have been many times when a Scripture will leap off the page and bring me hope and refreshment and renewal. One recent verse that the Lord gave me was from Psalm 94:19, "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."
Encouragers need encouragement, too. If you find yourself needing some strengthening, seek help from the Lord. He is our source and our refuge. He is waiting to lift you up.
Encouraging is a wonderful ministry because we all need our spirits lifted up at some time or another. However, for all the energy we exert to bolster others, it is rare to receive the same amount in return.
I find that in times when I need to be lifted up, especially after giving of myself to others for long periods of time, I turn to the Lord in prayer. I ask Him to encourage me with His word. Then I open my Bible and read. There have been many times when a Scripture will leap off the page and bring me hope and refreshment and renewal. One recent verse that the Lord gave me was from Psalm 94:19, "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."
Encouragers need encouragement, too. If you find yourself needing some strengthening, seek help from the Lord. He is our source and our refuge. He is waiting to lift you up.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Recommitment
We’ve all heard about couples, after many years of marriage, recommitting themselves to one another in a renewal of their vows. We’ve also heard of people who have walked away from God only to return down the road to recommit themselves to Christ. Recommitment is a great way to say how serious we are in wanting a relationship to continue.
But recommitments aren’t only for long lasting marriages and backsliding believers. I think every Christian needs to reevaluate their relationship with the Lord every once in a while to check if he/she is on track with Him.
Have you ever tried to use a compass while on a hike? You set your bearing, then you look off in the distance straight ahead of you to find a landmark that is easily identifiable. You walk in that direction until you hit that particular spot. But what if you set your bearing and the land has many dips and hills ahead of you? You can easily lose sight of your landmark. That is when you need to reorient yourself, checking your compass to make sure you are heading in the right direction.
As Christians life can easily cause us to lose sight of our landmark. The Holy Spirit is our compass, showing us the right direction to head. But unless we recommit ourselves to following the right landmark (meaning following Jesus), we can end up wandering away from the close relationship we once had with the Lord.
Take the time to make sure you’re following the right path. Recommit yourself to following after Jesus.
But recommitments aren’t only for long lasting marriages and backsliding believers. I think every Christian needs to reevaluate their relationship with the Lord every once in a while to check if he/she is on track with Him.
Have you ever tried to use a compass while on a hike? You set your bearing, then you look off in the distance straight ahead of you to find a landmark that is easily identifiable. You walk in that direction until you hit that particular spot. But what if you set your bearing and the land has many dips and hills ahead of you? You can easily lose sight of your landmark. That is when you need to reorient yourself, checking your compass to make sure you are heading in the right direction.
As Christians life can easily cause us to lose sight of our landmark. The Holy Spirit is our compass, showing us the right direction to head. But unless we recommit ourselves to following the right landmark (meaning following Jesus), we can end up wandering away from the close relationship we once had with the Lord.
Take the time to make sure you’re following the right path. Recommit yourself to following after Jesus.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Importance of Remembrance
My Bible reading the other day was about Noah and the flood. What a horrific event that must have been to live through! Torrential rains, being tossed about on the waves, people and animals in fear, and probably thoughts of, "Is this ever going to end?" And then, when the rain did stop, there was no sign of any land or landmark since the waters covered the highest mountains by over 22 feet.
I would have been frightened. I would have needed a whole lot of trust in that situation. The Bible doesn't tell us that Noah knew what was going to happen after the flood. It just mentions that God told him there would be a flood that would wipe out the entire population of the earth.
For 150 days Noah, his family, and the animals were floating about, not having any idea what their future held. The Scriptures even seem to imply that God was silent during that time. But then there is a sign of hope. Genesis 8:1 says, "But God remembered Noah and all the animals in the boat." What a wonderful Scripture of hope! In the midst of trials and seemingly aimlessness, God was still at work. He hadn't left the scene even though He hadn't been "heard."
That chapter goes on to say that God sent a wind to blow across the waters so the waters could recede. The ark then came to rest on Mount Ararat. It would still be many days before Noah could leave the ark and begin a new life in a semi-new world, but what a wonderful testimony of God's faithfulness to watch over those He loves.
Do your trials make you feel that you are being tossed to and fro with no sign of hope? Wait on the Lord. Trust Him completely. He does remember you!
I would have been frightened. I would have needed a whole lot of trust in that situation. The Bible doesn't tell us that Noah knew what was going to happen after the flood. It just mentions that God told him there would be a flood that would wipe out the entire population of the earth.
For 150 days Noah, his family, and the animals were floating about, not having any idea what their future held. The Scriptures even seem to imply that God was silent during that time. But then there is a sign of hope. Genesis 8:1 says, "But God remembered Noah and all the animals in the boat." What a wonderful Scripture of hope! In the midst of trials and seemingly aimlessness, God was still at work. He hadn't left the scene even though He hadn't been "heard."
That chapter goes on to say that God sent a wind to blow across the waters so the waters could recede. The ark then came to rest on Mount Ararat. It would still be many days before Noah could leave the ark and begin a new life in a semi-new world, but what a wonderful testimony of God's faithfulness to watch over those He loves.
Do your trials make you feel that you are being tossed to and fro with no sign of hope? Wait on the Lord. Trust Him completely. He does remember you!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Out With the Old, In With the New
This blog was one of my goals for 2008. I had wanted to start an inspirational blog to share with others hope and encouragements. Lord willing I have accomplished some of that. It's amazing that a year has already passed!
As I took last week off to get some rest and re-evaluate old goals and contemplate new ones for 2009, I realized that I had been pushing myself too much. Although I enjoy writing this blog, I was on a too strict schedule. Toward the end of the year, I was more blog writing than career writing. I was getting a bit burnt out.
So, I'm going to cut back a bit. I will write at least 3 times a week, which will allow me time to be inspired by the Lord and still have time to comfortably work on deadlines and writing goals. I'm looking forward to what God has planned for 2009!
As I took last week off to get some rest and re-evaluate old goals and contemplate new ones for 2009, I realized that I had been pushing myself too much. Although I enjoy writing this blog, I was on a too strict schedule. Toward the end of the year, I was more blog writing than career writing. I was getting a bit burnt out.
So, I'm going to cut back a bit. I will write at least 3 times a week, which will allow me time to be inspired by the Lord and still have time to comfortably work on deadlines and writing goals. I'm looking forward to what God has planned for 2009!
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