So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. — Romans 14:13
How do we cause other people to stumble? The answer is very simple. We cause other people to stumble by not caring about them.
Jesus said, "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet" (Matthew 18:8). He basically was saying that we should get rid of anything in our lives that would be a bad example. If there is something in our lives that would cause us to stumble, then we need to deal with it, because it could cause someone else to stumble as well.
I think of couples who decide to get divorced and say things like, "Oh, don't worry about the kids. They are resilient." That divorce will hurt them—trust me. I know from the personal experience of being a child of divorce and seeing my mother married and divorced seven times. I know what that is like, and I know what it is like for a child. Parents are to be an example to their children. Be something they can emulate.
Younger believers are watching what we do as well. Sometimes we will take our so-called liberties and flaunt them, and then we cause younger believers to stumble in their faith. But the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 14:21, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble."
You might think, Well, that is their problem. No, not really. It is your problem. It is our problem. We don't live and die to ourselves. What we do affects other people (especially our children). So be a good example.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Waiting for Answers to Prayer
Read ~ Psalm 33:20-22
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyle of disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture makes it clear that our heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. Yet we all experience times when, though we pray for God to act right away, He does not. What are some reasons for the delay?
At times the Lord sees that our attention is misdirected. Our relationship with Him should have priority over any earthly matter (Mark 12:30). Yet minds and prayers can become so fixed upon a need that our gaze shifts away from Him. The Father may delay His answer until we refocus on Him. In other situations, God waits because the timing is not right for granting our request. Perhaps certain events must happen first, or people’s thinking needs to be changed.
There are also seasons when the Lord wants to stretch and grow our faith. One of the ways He accomplishes that is by having us watch for His response. The Holy Spirit will work in these times of waiting to mature us and bring forth righteous fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Other reasons are a wrong motive for our request (James 4:3) and the practice of habitual sin. We all fall short when it comes to God’s standard of holiness, but some of us persist in a lifestyle of disobedience. The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him.
Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy—faith and trust are needed (Heb. 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren’t practicing habitual sin. Then believe that His response will be for your good and His glory.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Training to See God
24) You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. 25) You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, 26) for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Proverbs 3:24-26 (NLT)
David was confident that the Lord was always at his right hand (Ps. 16:8). His psalms reveal that in surveying his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. Like David, we must train our spiritual eyes to notice the evidence of our heavenly Father’s presence.
Seeing with spiritual eyes isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Those who walk before the Lord with a clear conscience will take captive unholy thoughts, habits, attitudes, and words. They cast out sin and live in righteousness. As a result, such believers have a spiritual clarity that sharpens their awareness of God’s presence and involvement in their lives.
I developed a habit years ago that has helped me to focus. When I lie down and talk to the Lord before going to sleep, I try to recall the events of my day. What I’m really doing is looking for evidence of God at work. How did He guide this decision? Answer this question? Protect me in this situation? Help me in this relationship? Appreciating the Lord’s handiwork a second time (even when the initial experience was difficult) etches the reality of His care deeper on my heart.
The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life, if only you will see it. Viewing the world with wide-open spiritual eyes changes one’s perspective. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say, “I can because the Lord always enables me.” Live confident in our loving, omnipotent God, who dwells within every believer.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
David was confident that the Lord was always at his right hand (Ps. 16:8). His psalms reveal that in surveying his life, he saw God’s fingerprints all over it. Like David, we must train our spiritual eyes to notice the evidence of our heavenly Father’s presence.
Seeing with spiritual eyes isn’t a now-and-then kind of thing—it’s a lifestyle. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Those who walk before the Lord with a clear conscience will take captive unholy thoughts, habits, attitudes, and words. They cast out sin and live in righteousness. As a result, such believers have a spiritual clarity that sharpens their awareness of God’s presence and involvement in their lives.
I developed a habit years ago that has helped me to focus. When I lie down and talk to the Lord before going to sleep, I try to recall the events of my day. What I’m really doing is looking for evidence of God at work. How did He guide this decision? Answer this question? Protect me in this situation? Help me in this relationship? Appreciating the Lord’s handiwork a second time (even when the initial experience was difficult) etches the reality of His care deeper on my heart.
The evidence of God’s great power is all over your life, if only you will see it. Viewing the world with wide-open spiritual eyes changes one’s perspective. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say, “I can because the Lord always enables me.” Live confident in our loving, omnipotent God, who dwells within every believer.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, June 27, 2011
Put it into Action
And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ” Philemon 1:6, (NLT)
The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. If we don’t put our faith into action, it’s not really faith; it’s just nice ideas. You see, when God truly does a work in our lives, it affects everything about us. It affects our words, our thoughts and our actions. How do you know someone is generous? By their generous actions. How do you know someone is kind? By their kind actions. How do you know someone is gentle? By their gentle actions. How do you know someone is a follower of Christ? By their Christ-like actions.
Can people tell by your actions that you belong to God? We all have areas where we can come up higher, but as believers in Jesus, we can be confident that God is at work in us. He is faithful and will complete what He started. As we invite Him to search our hearts and minds, as we surrender every area of our heart to Him and put our faith into action, He will finish His perfect work in us!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for changing me, for making me more like You. I invite Your love to do a work in my heart so that You are reflected in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(via Joel & Victoria Osteen)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. If we don’t put our faith into action, it’s not really faith; it’s just nice ideas. You see, when God truly does a work in our lives, it affects everything about us. It affects our words, our thoughts and our actions. How do you know someone is generous? By their generous actions. How do you know someone is kind? By their kind actions. How do you know someone is gentle? By their gentle actions. How do you know someone is a follower of Christ? By their Christ-like actions.
Can people tell by your actions that you belong to God? We all have areas where we can come up higher, but as believers in Jesus, we can be confident that God is at work in us. He is faithful and will complete what He started. As we invite Him to search our hearts and minds, as we surrender every area of our heart to Him and put our faith into action, He will finish His perfect work in us!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for changing me, for making me more like You. I invite Your love to do a work in my heart so that You are reflected in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(via Joel & Victoria Osteen)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Dealing with Disappointment
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Read ~ Habakkuk 3:17-19
After preaching a sermon on disappointment, several men and women approached me with the same reaction: “I desperately needed to hear those words.” Countless people feel defeated and let down by disappointing situations. But our response can make all the difference. Frustrations can be either an opportunity for spiritual growth or a destructive blow.
A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness. If someone else was involved in the situation, don’t be quick to judge his or her conduct. We can’t fully understand what is going on in others’ lives or what motivates them to act as they do. Our second step should be to ask the Lord, “How am I to respond?” God can guide us to a wise and righteous reaction because He has all the facts.
Third, follow His direction, even if it isn’t what you want to do. Oftentimes the Lord’s way contradicts our own desires and the advice of friends. However, His plan is the one that will bring about growth and result in our greatest good.
And finally, keep your focus on God and His higher purpose in your life. People are prone to dwell on their hurts and the harm that comes to them, which is what makes disappointment so destructive.
There is only one healthy method for dealing with letdown—pursue the Lord’s way and His will. Though human plans can be derailed, nothing alters God’s purpose. No matter how deep your hurt goes, He will shepherd you through setbacks and sorrows while growing your faith.
via Charles Stanley
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Read ~ Habakkuk 3:17-19
After preaching a sermon on disappointment, several men and women approached me with the same reaction: “I desperately needed to hear those words.” Countless people feel defeated and let down by disappointing situations. But our response can make all the difference. Frustrations can be either an opportunity for spiritual growth or a destructive blow.
A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness. If someone else was involved in the situation, don’t be quick to judge his or her conduct. We can’t fully understand what is going on in others’ lives or what motivates them to act as they do. Our second step should be to ask the Lord, “How am I to respond?” God can guide us to a wise and righteous reaction because He has all the facts.
Third, follow His direction, even if it isn’t what you want to do. Oftentimes the Lord’s way contradicts our own desires and the advice of friends. However, His plan is the one that will bring about growth and result in our greatest good.
And finally, keep your focus on God and His higher purpose in your life. People are prone to dwell on their hurts and the harm that comes to them, which is what makes disappointment so destructive.
There is only one healthy method for dealing with letdown—pursue the Lord’s way and His will. Though human plans can be derailed, nothing alters God’s purpose. No matter how deep your hurt goes, He will shepherd you through setbacks and sorrows while growing your faith.
via Charles Stanley
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Knowing God's Will Is Not Always Easy
Let me say something that may surprise you: The will of God is not always easy to discern.
Most of my Christian life is one of faith, where I read Scripture and pray for wisdom. Then I make decisions and act on them, hoping that I am in His will. I hope that is not a disappointment to you.
You may have thought that I get a message from God every day, just like on Mission: Impossible (cue theme song). "Good morning, Mr. Laurie. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves leading a person named Joe Smith to Christ. He will be pumping gas at the station across from the church at 1:35 P.M. today. This message will self-destruct in five seconds."
In real life, the chances are that I will see my "idiot light" come on, and then pull over to get some gas. Old Joe will be standing there and say, "How ya doing?" And I will find myself smack dab in the middle of the will of God as I share Christ with him.
This is also true of the Christian life, in general. Emotions will come and go. Some days, you "feel" more spiritual than others. Some days, you are very encouraged, and other days you are discouraged. The best thing to do is just hold your course.
It's not unlike marriage. You cannot expect to have a euphoric high every day, where your heart flutters whenever your mate walks into the room.
I have been married to my wife Cathe for 37 years now. If I still felt the way around her that I did when I was first getting to know her, it would be absurd. Imagine this: your spouse walks in the room and your heart flutters, your mouth goes dry, and your mind goes blank. My wife would think I was having a heart attack!
No, we have been married all these years and we have made a life-long commitment to each other. The same is true of our commitment to God. Those emotions come and go, and come again. The Christian life is one of faith, not mere feeling. Scripture says "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
So hold your course today!
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Most of my Christian life is one of faith, where I read Scripture and pray for wisdom. Then I make decisions and act on them, hoping that I am in His will. I hope that is not a disappointment to you.
You may have thought that I get a message from God every day, just like on Mission: Impossible (cue theme song). "Good morning, Mr. Laurie. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves leading a person named Joe Smith to Christ. He will be pumping gas at the station across from the church at 1:35 P.M. today. This message will self-destruct in five seconds."
In real life, the chances are that I will see my "idiot light" come on, and then pull over to get some gas. Old Joe will be standing there and say, "How ya doing?" And I will find myself smack dab in the middle of the will of God as I share Christ with him.
This is also true of the Christian life, in general. Emotions will come and go. Some days, you "feel" more spiritual than others. Some days, you are very encouraged, and other days you are discouraged. The best thing to do is just hold your course.
It's not unlike marriage. You cannot expect to have a euphoric high every day, where your heart flutters whenever your mate walks into the room.
I have been married to my wife Cathe for 37 years now. If I still felt the way around her that I did when I was first getting to know her, it would be absurd. Imagine this: your spouse walks in the room and your heart flutters, your mouth goes dry, and your mind goes blank. My wife would think I was having a heart attack!
No, we have been married all these years and we have made a life-long commitment to each other. The same is true of our commitment to God. Those emotions come and go, and come again. The Christian life is one of faith, not mere feeling. Scripture says "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
So hold your course today!
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, June 20, 2011
Just Checking In
An oldie but goodie!
A minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, he decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say:
The minister feeling foolish, told Mike, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Mike smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Mike's prayer: 'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO
PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Mike hadn't come. As more days passed without Mike,
He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Mike was with them, brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Mike was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. he had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Mike spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, MIKE,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY
YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO Mike, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
May God hold you in the palm of His hand and Angels watch over you. So, FRIEND, this is ME ... "Just Checking In Today"
A minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, he decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS MIKE CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish, told Mike, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Mike smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Mike's prayer: 'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO
PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Mike hadn't come. As more days passed without Mike,
He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Mike was with them, brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Mike was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. he had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Mike spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, MIKE,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY
YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO Mike, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
May God hold you in the palm of His hand and Angels watch over you. So, FRIEND, this is ME ... "Just Checking In Today"
Be Blessed!
Dawn
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