How Do We Give Others a Taste of God's Goodness?

Without exception, Jesus commissions all believers to be salt of the earth and a light to the world. Narrowing down the world to whom we daily  encounter, it is possible to be salt and light. We do this by staying focused on who we represent so we will not become indifferent to others.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth and a light to the world.” Picture yourself enriching the lives of those you see each day with actions that prove Jesus is a part of your life. Imagine being a light that reflects the presence of God’s love to those who surround you.

Jesus encourages you to give others a taste of his goodness and kindness by the life you live. He challenges you to be a beacon that helps others navigate the darkness they encounter in their world. 

This is the purpose Jesus has called you to fulfill, and he promises to provide you with courage and eagerness to be that person. May God Bless you.     

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What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it – we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.

~1 John 3:1 The Message

Many are the plans of a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

~Proverbs 19:21 New International Version

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Are Common Sense and Humility required for Success?

Regardless of a person’s heritage, each is endowed with a variety of strengths and weaknesses. Both are activated in every choice and decision to determine what measure of success will be obtained in the time frame prescribed by the Lord God.

Practical intelligence and common sense play a major role in gauging success in a career and in personal relationships. 

Common sense, combined with an innate and acquired intelligence, recognizes that God’s design and plan for each person should be thoroughly pursued. This helps ensure lasting personal peace and contentment.

Humility acknowledges it is the Lord God who gives understanding and wisdom for managing success. Solomon, the son of King David, asked God to help him understand his people’s deeper needs so he could govern them in ways that pleased God. Humility is a character strength that helps ensure success as you endeavor to please God with your life.               

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Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

~Proverbs 19:21 New International Version

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How Can Stress Be Good for You?

Stress management is what every person attempts to do each day. Infants who feel stress have a way of the alerting parents or caretakers to their discomfort. Stress continues to be an issue at every phase of life since society is continuously changing and will generate feelings of fear and uncertainty.

Yet change can be challenging, even helpful, if hope for the future is built on faith in God’s promises. So stress can be good when it promotes a healthier lifestyle plus serves as motivation for trusting God’s purpose for your future. Life is not easy, but if you actually expect God to intervene, your faith will be your security.

There are individuals who believe all stress is bad because of the ways it affects their thinking and feelings. One way to reduce stress is to redefine your life based on God’s purpose for you. 

Can you say, “God knows every detail of my choices and still approves of my life?” If not, make the necessary changes so he will approve.          

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He has saved and called us to a holy life not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

~2 Timothy 1:9 New International Version

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New Year Hopes: What Changes Are a Necessity for You?

We human beings need periodic change, whether or not we actually want it. We resist moving away from what is familiar because the threat of change creates anxiety or even fear. We will stay with what is familiar even when we are absolutely sure God would help us to change.

Overthinking what needs to be done is a means of putting off what should have been attended to much earlier. The beginning of a new year can be a new beginning for attending to your spiritual needs that have long since grown cold. 

Clear your mind and heart to make a place for God. Hear these words from Isaiah. “Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear, for I am your God. I will make you strong as I protect you with my arm and give you victory.” Anticipate the very presence of God as you visualize what can be accomplished with his help and provision. Happy New Year!                 

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Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the advice of the Lord will stand.

~Proverbs 19:21 New American Standard Bible

We wait in hope for the  Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

~Psalm 33:20-22 New International Version

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New Year Expectations for God's Purpose

Expectations are a powerful, driving force, so it’s important to be astute and perceptive in structuring your plans and objectives for the future. It’s possible for us to become arrogant with too much confidence in our self-importance. Then we forget that God Almighty has a place for us, including a specific purpose, and he will see it through to completion.

Understanding that should prompt us, to the best of our ability, to keep moving forward in a spirit of discovery to capture and live within the bounds of God’s purpose. So, what are you expecting God to reveal to you concerning his objective and purpose for this coming New Year?

Perhaps that’s something you could begin praying about today. Why seek God’s insight and approval? Expectations that agree with God’s purpose and plan compel us to give thanks and praise to him for his kindness. What can you possess that’s more satisfying and fulfilling than being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ?  

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We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.

~Proverbs 19:21 The Message               

 

It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.

~Ephesians 2:10 The Living Bible 

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Master Control

 One of the significant issues a relationship will face, regardless how it’s defined, is that of control. Realistically, everyone should have a measure of control. An infant learns immediately that if he or she cries, someone will take care of their needs. Even a child is given power to decide on limited issues. 

As children advance into adolescence and on to adulthood, more control is allocated, provided appropriate maturity is validated. The French philosopher Jean Rousseau noted, “The strongest is never strong enough to always be the master unless he transforms strength into justice and obedience into duty.”

Jeremiah 10:23 declares, "Lord, I know no one is master of their own destiny; no one has complete control over their life." The name Adonai identifies God as Lord and Master. His ability to direct your life is superior, so his plans for your destiny are above reproach.  

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The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.

~Proverbs 19:21 New Revised Standard Version

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Discovering God's Purpose

Devising plans for achieving an objective depends on an underlying purpose that motivates the drive to succeed. Purpose creates and sustains momentum for success. A job may become boring, but a purpose such as supporting a family or planning for retirement provides enthusiasm for showing up each day.

Parents are well aware that children approach their schoolwork and chores at home with a relatively good attitude when they believe there is a purpose worthy of their efforts and energies. The rewards for doing well are essentially connected to long-term objectives, but acknowledging God's purpose for your life provides contentment and peace.

Samson found a purpose worth dying for at the very end of his life. He believed that this purpose was from God himself. It was perhaps consoling to realize God was working out his plan and purpose for him, as he is working out his purpose for you. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  

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The Lord will complete what his purpose is for me. Lord, your gracious love is eternal; do not abandon your personal work in me.

~Psalm 138:8 International Standard Version

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Conflicted Within and Without

Conflict between individuals usually has its roots within one or both persons. When someone is troubled by conflict, it’s usually because of being forced to choose between different courses of action. After high school, I had to choose between a course of action that would please my parents or bring peace within myself.

One side argued for college and another for military service, which put me in conflict with my parents. This inner struggle represented distinct parts of my personality, each vying to be heard with their equally important viewpoints. This inner conflict eased when I chose the military, but tensions increased between me and my parents. 

Whether conflict is internal or external, decisions are demanded. The conflict with my parents subsided when they chose to honor and trust my decision. God does manage to “work all things out for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” It was during my time in the military that I came to realize God’s purpose for my life.  

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Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

~Proverbs 19:21 New International Version

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Isaiah 65:24 The Living Bible

Jesus answered, “You do not now understand what I am doing, but by-and-by you will learn.”

~John 13:7 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People