Trusting in God

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

*No matter how things appear or what we feel about them, if we are in Christ, the negative will always turn into a positive in order to work in our favor. The process is the learning experience, while the end result is our reward and is based on how we handled the process. Despite how things feel or appear, know that there is a method to the madness...It will all work in our favor if we trust and believe.

Love Concurs All Through Sacrifice

1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 

*We all have sinned and fallen short, and no sin is greater than the other...There are just different levels of consequences that may occur. I am willing to say that I still have areas to overcome, but as long as we keep pushing forward then we can't remain complacent in our sins. God saw the potential for our faults, and still wants a relationship with us.. So much so, He made a way for us to be purified to connect with Him again through the sacrifice of His Son. There is no greater form of love that deserves to be trusted more than His. Now, imagine the love we are suppose to show...Despite His unconditional love, I know I'm working on showing love...Let's remember His sacrifice and how much He is entrusting us to either come back to or go deeper in Him. Do we trust Him in the same way? How deep is our love?

Boundaries

Proverbs 25:28 (ESV)

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. 

*No matter the circumstances, we should always exude self control. This keeps us from being open to any and everything without God's permission or guidance. This is not to be confused with the idea to have an open mind when it comes to learning and understanding situations and people. However, it doesn't mean you invite everyone into your personal circle, or allow yourself to participate in any and everything... Particularly, since we should protect our heart and mind. Boundaries also help define you, will protect you, and defines what you stand for while highlighting your commitments and who you are. We must learn to educate ourselves on life without subjecting ourselves to everything, which leaves us vulnerable to an attack. What boundaries do you need to establish or adjust?

The Power of Love

Ephesians 5:2 (ESV)

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

*Love is truly a sacrifice, especially when you don't like or want to be around someone. Let's be honest: It can even make you wonder if it's worth even putting forth the effort. However, God thought we were worth the effort despite our lack of obedience or actions. We may even try to love people when it's only convenient to us, but God inconvenienced himself to sacrifice His son despite our faults. Love is a powerful gesture that can soften the heart of even the most uncaring individual. The love of God has gotten through to people and changed their hearts regardless to how they originally felt. Perhaps love is the very thing we need to utilize to cause change, but most importantly to make peace within ourselves. May our love grow more sincere, and also may it become more consistent. How deep is your love, and how often do you use it? I definitely need more love..Do you?

Sacrifices

John 10:11 (NIV)

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

*The sacrifice that we are expected to make in guiding people does not just mean protecting them until death, but it also highlights the ability to set our own thoughts and comfortability to the side to be used for God's will. Many times we think we are being beneficial in what we do based off our own merit and convenience, but what about when it isn't convenient or not within the realm of what you are use to doing? It's great to share the word in the way you know how, but what about God's way in order to help us grow and push other's past the surface. Laying down your life is often the sacrifice of being in environments (perhaps work) or around people you aren't use to or may not understand...but, God will teach you and your inconvenience will be beneficial to everyone in the end.

His Will, Not My Way

James 4:2 (NIV)

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

*God spoke volumes in this verse today, highlighting all the efforts we put forth to obtain what we want while never doing the simplest method of all: Asking Him. Think about it: We overwork ourselves, over think, whine when others obtain what we desire, cry, formulate plans of action, try new methods, but we often don't adequately run things by the Father to first see if it is even His will or discuss how should we really go about obtaining our desires. Look at how much turmoil and unnecessary strains we put ourselves through, when all we have to do is just ask Him and wait to be guided. At times, we even cause unnecessary hardship to come upon ourselves because we don't wait long enough. God also wants us to be specific, but ask Him if our specifications are in line with His word, will, and way. Save yourself the drama and extras by learning to live with His guidance and talking to Him, rather than living and learning the hard way. Please, pray for each other in this area. I know I have fought unnecessarily hard enough, and I hope you have too.

Commitment

Psalms 37:5-6 (ESV)

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 

*If we commit ourselves to God, our lives are brightened and all that was taken from us will be redeemed before the day is up. By choosing God, everything we aren't sure about becomes clear and the answer illuminated....We are no longer in darkness about our situations when we surrender to Him. The answer stands before us as clear as noon, and as quickly as lunch time arrives when we dedicate ourselves to God. What is it that we need to remove in order to be more dedicated? What is keeping us from hearing the answers? What do we trust in more than God's word? Ask God...