What Incentive Is Prompting You to Change?

New beginnings are often a matter of choice so if you could make a new start in your life, what would be your choice? Feeling trapped by circumstances could initially be perceived as a barrier, but this can actually be the incentive for making a change.

Early in Jesus’ ministry he saw Matthew sitting in a tax collector’s booth doing work most people despised. In Matthew 9:9 Jesus issued Matthew a summons, “Follow me,” and Matthew made a choice that changed his life. Evidently Matthew was ready for a change, and this could be you.

God’s word gives us a formula for feeling confident when change is necessary. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things will be given to you.” This basic step is supported by Jesus in Matthew 7:7. “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door shall be opened for you.” Are you prepared?

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Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.

~Isaiah 55:6 Contemporary English Version

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How Does the Power of Secrets Dominate Your Life?

Human beings are exceptionally capable of creating problems and adversities that have long-term consequences. So much is publicized about the lives of celebrities since it’s impossible to hide from long-range camera lenses and the paparazzi’s investigative skills. However, most of our secrets are not subjected to this type of scrutiny.

Secrets have the potential to become destructive when saturated with guilt and shame, which then demand concealment from family and friends. The possibility of discovery creates heart-piercing anxiety about the truth getting exposed to the light for everyone to see.

An important blessing of life is knowing that our deepest, darkest secrets cannot be hidden from God. Listen to Psalm 90:8. “You, O God, have set our inequities before yourself. Our secret sins exist in the light of your presence.” When you realize that God knows your secrets, confess them and repent so he will forgive you and give you peace. 

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For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.  

~Mark 4:22-23 New Living Translation

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How Can God's Love Transform Your Mood?

 Your mood is an important indicator of what’s happening at any given moment, including your emotional disposition, your mindset, and your thought patterns. Your outlook on life, whether positive or negative, is an indicator both of your mood as well as of your attitude, which have an influence on how you choose to live your life.

Your mood is indictive of your state of mind. We know what it’s like to wake up in a grumpy, out-of-sorts mood. God evidently knew this would happen, so he commanded that we should never let the sun go down on unresolved conflict, especially a mindset involving anger.

Your mood can serve two functions. It can create distance or it can bring people closer together. A wonderful character trait of the Lord God is that he seeks you out to bring you close to himself regardless of your attitude or mood. Your mood is subject to change as you permit the transforming power and love of God to permeate your whole being. So seek the Lord your God while he may be found.  

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For to me, living means Christ, and dying means gain.

~Philippians 1:21 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Remember! God Favors You - Part 2

The pastor of a metropolitan church states unequivocally that God favors those who put their trust and faith in Christ Jesus. Do you realize how significant it is to be favored by God? We tend to forget and consequentially fail to appreciate the benefits of such a privilege. God's word assures us we can't begin to imagine what God has in store for those who love him.

Someone revealed how frustrated she felt because God seemed so distant. She felt frightened, lonely, and powerless because of the loss of God’s presence she’d known since childhood. Another person asked, "Why doesn't God cut me some slack and give me a break? I'm struggling and desperately need help that only God can provide!"

Search your heart, confess your sins, and repent by turning from every wrongdoing. God will forgive you and remember your sins no more. Do not forget, God favors you and will send resources to aid you when it is in your best interest for him do so. Seek God with all your heart and he will be found. While God may not be early, he will never be late.