Let Your Life Shine
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A Time to Think
"The magic of enthusiasm can work magic in your life. Its powerful effect can remake your very existence." — Dr. Norman Vincent Peale |
| To Act Be patient, have faith and work towards what you desire. |
| To Pray Lord, help me to take the opportunities You give me and work with them, not against them. |
~ Daily Thoughts from Guideposts
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"Are you ready for some football?" Now, whether you're a sport's fan or not, surely you've heard this question before. It's not a REAL 'question', but a statement, meaning 'gear up, get ready, and go for the win' !! It denotes excitement and anticipation. Shouldn't we, as Believers, always have that 'built it' enthusiasm for praising the Lord and doing His work?
Deuteronomy 28:47 says, "If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received..." then goes on to list the various 'penalties' which God would reign down upon us. Scary? Not really if our heart is pure, and our excitement in serving the Lord is great.
Ephesians 6:7 - "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." However, if we are 'working for the Lord', then we ARE serving people.
Romans 14:18 - "If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too." Now, this is a 'Maggie-ism'..... We don't 'serve' for the approval of others, but in obeying God and working as ambassadors for Him.
2 Corinthians 5:11
2 Corinthians 5:11
"Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord,
we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere........."
So, whether you're spending the day watching football or not, remember to shout to the Lord with enthusiasm, and FOR the Lord with love.
Hope you have a great day, and enjoy being on God's team. Maggie
Hope you have a great day, and enjoy being on God's team. Maggie
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Let Your Life Shine
"Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)
One thing the world needs to see is good examples. They need to see believers walk in love and purity and faith in their homes, in their schools and in their businesses.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:17 to live above reproach in the sight of all men. Other scriptures teach us to avoid all appearance of evil. So, when you go after God, don't walk out on the edge, trying to see how much you can get by with. Go all out in God's direction. Conduct yourself in a way that will put to rest any question about whether or not you're a Christian. Let the people around you see your love and faith and purity in every situation.
Your example will go a lot further than your words. When our son, John, was a little boy, we were spending time with my grandparents. John was sleeping with my granddaddy and he woke him up in the night and said, "Pop, I have an earache. Would you pray for it?" Well, my grandparents were raised in a church that didn't believe in healing. I don't know what Pop did, but it didn't work. So, John just got up and said, "I'm going to go get in bed with my mother. When she prays, it stops hurting." About 18 years later, Pop told me the story.
You see, I had set an example of faith and love and John remembered it. While your children are growing up, they might forget some of the sermons you've preached or act like they're not interested in the things of God. But they'll never forget your example.
Even at the place where you work or go to school or just in your neighborhood, people might reject or argue with the words you say. But they'll never refute or forget your acts of love.
Don't let petty sins and spiritual compromises cast a shadow over your example. Live above reproach and let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you.
"Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)
One thing the world needs to see is good examples. They need to see believers walk in love and purity and faith in their homes, in their schools and in their businesses.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:17 to live above reproach in the sight of all men. Other scriptures teach us to avoid all appearance of evil. So, when you go after God, don't walk out on the edge, trying to see how much you can get by with. Go all out in God's direction. Conduct yourself in a way that will put to rest any question about whether or not you're a Christian. Let the people around you see your love and faith and purity in every situation.
Your example will go a lot further than your words. When our son, John, was a little boy, we were spending time with my grandparents. John was sleeping with my granddaddy and he woke him up in the night and said, "Pop, I have an earache. Would you pray for it?" Well, my grandparents were raised in a church that didn't believe in healing. I don't know what Pop did, but it didn't work. So, John just got up and said, "I'm going to go get in bed with my mother. When she prays, it stops hurting." About 18 years later, Pop told me the story.
You see, I had set an example of faith and love and John remembered it. While your children are growing up, they might forget some of the sermons you've preached or act like they're not interested in the things of God. But they'll never forget your example.
Even at the place where you work or go to school or just in your neighborhood, people might reject or argue with the words you say. But they'll never refute or forget your acts of love.
Don't let petty sins and spiritual compromises cast a shadow over your example. Live above reproach and let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you.
- Gloria Copeland
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RUBBER BAND - to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out. -
* Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."
BAND AID - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's. -
*Colossians 3:12-14 - "Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."
PENCIL - to remind you to list your blessings everyday. -
*Ephesians 1:3 - "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us
ERASER - To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay. -
*Genesis 50:15-21 - "But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful.
CHEWING GUM - to remind you to stick with it, and you can accomplish anything. -
*Philippians 4:13 - "For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength."
MINT - to remind you that you are worth a 'mint'. -
*John 3:16-17 - “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son,
God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him."
CANDY KISS - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. -
* John 4:7 - "Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 'Please give me a drink'.”
DAILY SURVIVAL KIT: Items Needed............
TOOTHPICK - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. -
*Matthew 7:1 - "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged."
TOOTHPICK - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. -
*Matthew 7:1 - "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged."
RUBBER BAND - to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out. -
* Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."
BAND AID - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's. -
*Colossians 3:12-14 - "Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."
PENCIL - to remind you to list your blessings everyday. -
*Ephesians 1:3 - "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ."
ERASER - To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay. -
*Genesis 50:15-21 - "But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful.
"Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,' they said.
So they sent this message to Joseph: 'Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. 'Look, we are your slaves!' they said.
But Joseph replied, 'Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.' So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them."
CHEWING GUM - to remind you to stick with it, and you can accomplish anything. -
*Philippians 4:13 - "For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength."
MINT - to remind you that you are worth a 'mint'. -
*John 3:16-17 - “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
CANDY KISS - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. -
* John 4:7 - "Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 'Please give me a drink'.”
TEA BAG - to remind you to relax daily and go over your list of blessings. -
*1 Thessalonians 5:18 - " Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
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