Tag: change

How Badly?

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1

How badly do you want it? To imitate God?

How much do you want to change in order to do just that?

We cannot do anything in our own strength.

It will certainly fail, why?

Because we are flawed. Human. Not God.

Oh sure, sometimes we can do things amazingly well in our own strength.

But that tends to lead us into pride.

And pride eventually leads us to humility in a usually embarrassing way.

The humble spirit is different.

A humble person is not weak.

They have quiet strength.

They have great wisdom, yet they do not push it on anyone.

They have peace, because they realize it’s not all about them.

Who can you relate to?

A prideful person who does everything themselves?

Or a humble person who realizes God must work through them to accomplish great things?

A prideful person thinks it’s all about them.

A humble person knows it’s all about God.

Prideful people demand.

Humble people serve.

When you look in the Bible, the Pharisees were extremely proud.

They knew everything and no one could tell them any different.

Know anyone like that?

Jesus is our example of a humble man who served.

He knew everything, but served the lowest of the low.

His gentle strength showed God’s power and love.

Standing before Pilot, Jesus could have explained it all.

He could’ve shown His accusers a thing or two.

How badly do you want to be like Jesus?

Are you willing to give up yourself?

Are you willing to put aside your own plans to follow His plan for you?

Ask God to fill you up with His strength, wisdom, and love.

Rely on Him to keep filling you every day.

In return, God will use you to bless others.

And you’ll be blessed right back in the process as you imitate Him.

Photos by Greg Shield, Aaron Burden, Patrick Tomasso, & Taylor Cole on Unsplash

 

Scattering Seeds

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. Mark 4:26-27

Ever become frustrated by a lack of growth in an area?

Could be yourself, a loved one, or a friend.

God’s timing is not always our timing.

Preaching to the choir, I know.

But our job? It is to remain faithful to the call God has on our lives.

Part of our call is to pray for the lost, asking God to soften their hearts.

Part of our call is to encourage others, pointing them to the One they can trust.

And part of our call is to be His witness.

God’s hands and feet to those we meet.

While we usually don’t see any changes, seeds are scattered. Planted. Watered.

You might be the one who scatters that seed.

Or maybe you planted a seed specifically.

Or maybe your job was to water the seed. Again and again.

We often don’t know what role we play on another’s journey to God.

But as long as we are doing our part, we can anticipate the harvest.

But sometimes we don’t even know we are planting any seeds.

We are unaware people are watching, weighing our words or actions with God’s gentle whispers.

And one day, when that harvest pops through, we are surprised as anyone!

Let me give you an example.

Last year I had two pots of pansies on my front porch.

Not sure what kind, but I know now. How do I know?

I have several little bunches popping out of my mulch in full bloom.

Did I plant them? Nope.

Did I scatter the seeds? No, but the plant did.

And this spring, I am enjoying the harvest.

Plus now I know what kind of pansies I had last year.

As you go about your day, praying for others, think about the seeds you are scattering.

It’s pretty incredible to be a part of someone’s story to Jesus.

May we all keep pursuing Jesus on behalf of others we know and don’t know.

And someday soon, may we see a glimpse of the happy souls we love rejoicing with their faith in God.

Your Closest Friend

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Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 1:5

Jesus is as close as you want Him to be or as far away as you choose for Him to be.

He’s always right by your side.

You can choose to let Him into your life, or not.

You can be as intimate as you want.

Jesus would like to be your all in all.

Your closest friend.

But it’s your choice.

If you choose to push Him away, He’ll go.

Not because He wants to, but because of your choices.

But the moment you change your mind, calling to Him, He’ll run right back.

Because He loves you.

Decide today to put God the very first in your life.

Life won’t be easy, but under the umbrella of God’s love, wisdom, and peace, His protection will filter the harsher bites of life and soothe the painful parts, too.

There really is no choice, but God.

Bring God close to you.

It’s why you were created.

For relationship with God Himself.

Photos by James Lee, Giorgio Trovato, Chris Curry, & Andrew Spencer on Unsplash

Running Free

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

Are you running into the freedom God has for you?

Running from the lies you have believed?

Running from the temptations that once held you captive?

Running from the ill reactions you normally exhibit?

Malachi reminds us that when you fear God’s name, when you are His beloved child, He will respond with healing.

Healing your mind.

Healing your will.

Healing your emotions.

When you ask Him to change you, freeing you from nasty ingrained responses, He will.

He promises you will not only be free, but you will run like a wild animal.

Uncontrollably free.

Decide to trust Him.

Read His word, worship, and pray.

And run as you are free.

Smile because you are loved.

Rejoice because you are His.

There is no turning back.

Every time you are tempted to return to the pit, align yourself with God and run free towards Him instead.

Run forward with God, never looking back.

Photos by Malik Skydsgaard, sporlab, & lucas Favre on Unsplash

Thankful for the Mud

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When you rejoice for the mud, the yuck, you thank God for all things.

For all things, including the yucky parts of life.

God is working for our good and when He works, sometimes there is mud.

Mud on your pants, mud on your hands, mud on your face.

Are you thankful for the mud?

God allows all things in your life. Even the mud.

He is working all things for good, and that includes, sigh, the mud.

Are you thankful?

Thankful for the good times and bad?

God uses life to gain our attention.

Sometimes we need a rude awakening.

Sometimes our family members need it.

God allows things because He loves us so much.

He sees the beginning from the end.

You cannot. All you see is the here and now with maybe a glimpse of the past.

Focusing our prayers on the immediate present, we seek God to intervene.

To stop whatever it is that is tormenting us or our family.

But what if God is allowing it to change us?

To change our family, bringing them into a deeper understanding of God?

To acknowledge we are not in control, but God is?

When we choose to praise God in every circumstance, we are acknowledging God’s sovereignty.

His perfect will for us.

God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).

Will you praise Him for the mud?

Praise Him for everything: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Remind yourself Who is on the throne, Who is sovereign, and Who holds all things in His capable hands.

God’s got this and more.

So praise Him for all of it.

He’s working all things out for your good.

Photos by Chris Yang, Jess Zoerb, Rupert Britton, & Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Stealer

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

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What steals your peace?

Your joy?

What types of things get your goat, causing you to focus on the ugly?

Turning your eyes away from life?

Anything can steal your peace.

I’m guessing lots of things do with you, with me, with us.

They can be little stupid things, or big ones.

Pictures.

I love hanging things on my walls.

My husband not so much.

He prefers clean walls.

Me, too, but I also like a few pictures.

So, we compromise.

Could we let our differences steal our joy?

Of course!

One can justify lots of moods, can’t we?

But should you let it steal your joy?

No!

Enjoy the compromise.

What?

Yes, enjoy the compromise.

Let it change you.

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Our new home is sporting natural Nebraska grass.

I think I even see a couple large sunflowers sprouting from the earth.

All around us are neatly manicured lawns with lovely sprinklers turning on every morning.

We notice them on our daily walks.

But not us.

We still have the natural grass, I mean weeds.

Tons of weeds.

Supposed to be finished a couple weeks ago, but there’s been rain delays.

That annoyance can steal our joy.

Pull our eyes away from the incredible home we now love.

Focus on the blessing, not the not yet completed annoyance.

Let it change you.

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Forgot to unthaw the frozen chicken for dinner and now your hangry attitude is beginning to color your vision?

You can either be perturbed beyond belief, creating an atmosphere of toxicity or you can choose to focus on the yes.

Yes!  Food is readily available, easily obtained from another section of my ample pantry or convenient nearby drive-through.

I also don’t have to daily plan for hours, coaxing a fire or hauling water to feed my family.

Hallelujah!

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Satan knows how to steal our peace.

Why?

Because he’s known you for years.

Wants you to be miserable.

So, the next time something pops up to steal your peace, say no.

Don’t let it.

Don’t let the joy stealer anywhere near your mood.

Focus on the Peace and Joy Giver, who created all things.

Focus on Him and the little annoyances will all fade away.

Today, I choose to focus on Him.

Will you?

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Photos by W A T A R I, Kat Yukawa, Jason Long, Tikkho Maciel, & Zhu Hongzhi on Unsplash

One Step at a Time

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The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

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Ever face a giant situation?

A large project, perhaps?

Or a looming life event?

How can we possibly remain calm at the prospect of a new baby?

Or starting a company?

Or a church?

The answer lies in one step at a time.

Concentrating on that one step.

Only one step at a time.

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How do you eat an elephant, the old saying goes?

One bite at a time.

Eww, I just went to the circus.

I love elephants.

They remember their own families.

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Anyway, if you concentrate on the end result,

You’ll become discouraged over and over again.

Goals take time and are sometimes hard to reach.

Choose your goal, but concentrate on each step.

After one step, think about the next.

And the next.

And the next.

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Before you know it, you’ll look back and see how very far you’ve come.

You’ll be that much closer to your goal.

You’ll stop and thank God for the progress you’ve made.

Even if you take a couple steps backward, look at the overwhelming path forward you’ve traveled.

Tremendous.

Stop fretting that you haven’t yet reached your lofty goal.

Smile at how far you’ve come.

And keep on going.

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Photos by Sweet Ice Cream Photography & Gautam Arora on Unsplash