living – Amy Linnea

Living with Yourself

Published on April 29, 2023April 5, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

What would that be like?

Living with yourself?

Are you nice? Sweet? Generous? Loving?

Do you put others first before yourself?

Serve the other person the larger piece of cake?

Allow others into your life to bless them?

Or are you a bit mean? Angry? Standoffish?

Do you put yourself first, serving yourself the bigger dessert?

Keep to yourself, putting up a grumpy front so you aren’t bothered with others?

Are your moods up and down like the winds of the ocean?

Just wondered.

Sometimes we wish those we love acted differently. We wish they would think of us for a change.

But do you think of them?

Do you put them first?

Matthew 7:12 reminds us Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Sounds like we should treat others how we would like to be treated.

Didn’t we all learn that in Sunday School? You bet.

Take a minute and try living with yourself.

Would you want to live with you?

I’d answer honestly absolutely and heck no. Depends on the moment if you want to know the truth.

Lord, help us to be as wonderful to live with as we think we are.

Live through us, helping us to deliver your goodness to all around us.

Photos by Sage Friedman, Milan Popovic, David Marcu, & freestocks on Unsplash

Whose Are You?

Published on December 26, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:7-8

Are you your own?

Or are you God’s?

Do you live for yourself?

Or do you live under God’s breath?

Living for yourself can be fun, I will admit.

But it’s also sad.

Lonely.

And it’s a pit that never ends.

The deeper you go into yourself, the farther away you are from God, who, in fact, created everything, even that pit.

The more you chase the world, trying to find yourself, the lonelier you will remain.

What if, instead of chasing selfish whims, you chased God’s will for you?

What if, instead of slipping deeper into a selfish pit, you walked God’s plan for your life?

When you remember Whose you are, you’ll be able to stand a little taller.

When you remember Whose you are, you’ll realize none of it matters.

The matching tea towels.

The latest athletic shoes.

The perfect family photo.

None of it matters because it all points to you.

Stand up.

Stand tall.

And stand for the One who was born for You.

Because Whose you are matters more than who you are.

Photos by Fadi Xd, sergey mikheev, & Em M. on Unsplash

Coming to Our Senses

Published on October 17, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

“…and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26

I assume you want to come to your senses.

To live honorably before all men.

Senseless living showcases foolishness.

Usually on display for all to see.

Sometimes we don’t see our own folly. Why?

Because we have not come to our senses and are living under the influence of the devil.

The verse above states when we are not living wisely, meaning not living in our senses, we are in the snare of the devil, biding his will.

Actually participating in the devil’s evil plans instead of God’s holy design. Ouch.

Paul elaborates speaking to the Lord’s servant about not being quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. (2 Timothy 3:24)

Who are the Lord’s servants? Us.

Those who love God and wish to serve Him with our whole selves.

Especially pastors.

Those in spiritual authority over us.

If you want to categorize servants, pastors must strive more to live as examples of humble servants.