The Spirit produces the fruit of love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness,self-control. GALATIANS 5:22-23
In the third century, St. Cyprian wrote to a friend named Donatus:
This seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden....But if I climbed some great mountain and looked out...you know very well what I would see; brigandson the high road, pirates on the seas, in the applauding crowds....
Yet in the midst of it, I have found a quiet and holy people....They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians....
What a compliment! A quiet and holy people.... Quiet....Not obnoxious. Not boastful. Not demanding. Just quiet.... Holy.... Set apart. Pure. Decent. Honest. Wholesome....
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
God Sees Our Value
God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 SAMUEL 16:7.
God sees us with the eyes of a Father. He sees our defects, errors, and blemishes. But he also sees our value.
What did Jesus know that enabled him to do what he did?
Here's part of the answer. He knew the value of people. He knew that each human being is a treasure. And because he did, people were not a source of stress but a source of joy.
God sees us with the eyes of a Father. He sees our defects, errors, and blemishes. But he also sees our value.
What did Jesus know that enabled him to do what he did?
Here's part of the answer. He knew the value of people. He knew that each human being is a treasure. And because he did, people were not a source of stress but a source of joy.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
The Temple of God's Spirit
You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19.
You will live forever in this body. It will be different, mind you. What is now crooked will be straightened. What is now faulty will be fixed. Your body will be different, but you won't have a different body. You will have this one. Does that change the view you have of it? I hope so.
God has a high regard for your body. You should as well. Respect it. I did not say worship it. But I did say respect it. It is after all the temple of God. Be careful how you feed it, use it, and maintain. You wouldn't want anyone trashing your home; God doesn't want anyone trashing his. After all, it is his, isn't it?
You will live forever in this body. It will be different, mind you. What is now crooked will be straightened. What is now faulty will be fixed. Your body will be different, but you won't have a different body. You will have this one. Does that change the view you have of it? I hope so.
God has a high regard for your body. You should as well. Respect it. I did not say worship it. But I did say respect it. It is after all the temple of God. Be careful how you feed it, use it, and maintain. You wouldn't want anyone trashing your home; God doesn't want anyone trashing his. After all, it is his, isn't it?
Monday, August 14, 2017
What Are Your Strengths?
We all have different gifts, each came because of the grace God gave us. ROMANS 12:6.
There are some things we want to do but simply aren't equipped to accomplish. I, for example, have the desire to sing. Singing for others would give me wonderful satisfaction. The problem is, it wouldn't give the same satisfaction to my audience....
Paul gives good advice in Romans 12:3 " Have a sane estimate of your capabilities."
In other words be aware of your strengths. When you teach, do people listen? When you lead, do people follow When you administer, do things improve? Where are you most productive? Identify your strengths, and then .... major in them.... Failing to focus on our strengths may prevent us from accomplishing the unique tasks God has called us to do.
There are some things we want to do but simply aren't equipped to accomplish. I, for example, have the desire to sing. Singing for others would give me wonderful satisfaction. The problem is, it wouldn't give the same satisfaction to my audience....
Paul gives good advice in Romans 12:3 " Have a sane estimate of your capabilities."
In other words be aware of your strengths. When you teach, do people listen? When you lead, do people follow When you administer, do things improve? Where are you most productive? Identify your strengths, and then .... major in them.... Failing to focus on our strengths may prevent us from accomplishing the unique tasks God has called us to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)