What Difference? Feb. 12

 

The Spirit Reminded:

        At times, you need to consider what difference it really makes that you call yourself Christian. One of the major variations of your life should be that you make a conscious effort daily to practice the Christ kind of other-centeredness, whether you benefit from the experience or not. When dealing with people who misunderstand you, just say, in Jesus’ name and continue to serve others the best you can. Do not defend yourself. Remember Christ is made strong through your weakness. Sometimes, when you gain strength through your weakness, Holy Spirit can do what seems God miracles. God’s peace shows loving faith at rest in Christ. Over time, mature unconditional love does not have to THINK of acting.....it just responds.

Prayer: Lord, help me respond with your love as natural as breathing.

 

Irony of Inaction Feb.11

 

The Holy Spirit reminded:

                There is a time to rest in Christ, but striving only for ease will leave you static and stuck. Soon, you will stagnate like a pond that never receives fresh water. The flesh wants to design life for indulgence. The self tends to accumulate rather than share. This becomes your most subtle war. Pursuit of happiness moves you toward comfort. There appears no discomfort in having everything you want. There is no struggle, no growth in too much ease. Remember, you grow through the effort of giving yourself away. Christ taught you to help make disciples. Don’t forget…. you are your best disciple!

 

Prayer: Lord, help me know the best balance between rest and effort for kingdom growth.

How You Spend Your Time Feb.10

 

Holy Spirit said:

                Simply practice what scripture teaches. Daily, trade your earthly self-will for heavenly Father service. Use other-centered compassion even on those who do not deserve it. Give away parts of yourself, like importance. Find your strength in Christ and let others take the spotlight or be great. Flush out strife and non-forgiveness daily. You can listen to the hostility of others but rest at peace. Exercise your ability to absorb the anger of others. Listening to others does not mean you give them consent to do evil. It just gives them opportunity to find the better way.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us guidelines to walk in your kingdom.

 

Divine Opposites Feb.9

 

      And scripture teaches:

  Trust in Heavenly Father’s ability to balance opposites in your life:

* What deserves justice, lace with mercy.

* What is painful can be a route to relieve another pain.

* What seems risky may be the way to true safety.

* What seems to need your hate, needs your love.

        Place confidence in heavenly Father, like when a physical doctor must give more pain when he manipulates a dislocated shoulder. In a vulnerable way, give yourself to Christ, like when you shelve things in order to sleep. God’s Grace always flows along with human ways. Trust.

Prayer: Lord, help me pay close attention to the manner you think and work, instead of just human effort.

 

Unexplained Hurt Feb. 8

 

Holy Spirit comforted:

        When suffering happens ,try not to ask questions like, where is God? You may even wonder: ”Is my pain someone else’s gain?” Try not to look backward in time, or ask why didn’t God intervene? Rather ask: How may I remain faithful in this present circumstance? Just consider, there may be some unknown reason why suffering can honor heavenly Father. Then, tell yourself to look at the present and future of the author of your salvation. God is still in control. Keep trusting the mystery, especially the puzzle of pain. Truly, you have conquered every pain and death through Christ, but it does not mean you will avoid them.

Prayer: Lord, although I do not understand all suffering, help me turn any condition to you.

Thinking Feb.7

 And Holy Spirit taught:

          On one occasion, Jesus said through his apostle Paul that you should renew your mind and be transformed in nature to discover the will of God. Sometimes you really are what you think. Some days you think too much with your emotions, not considering the unlimited resources of the Father. The mind stays an important switch that can be thrown toward negative influences or toward the winning aspect of truth. You are chosen to represent Christ. The truth has set you free. As you think in your mind, so you will be.

Prayer: Lord, help me retrain my senses and purify my mind to keep me viewing the right perspectives throughout any given day.

Daily Tasks Feb. 6

 

And the Spirit said:

        When you go on vacation or make a long trip, you always look forward to arriving at your destination. But if you are not careful, the little activities along the way get overlooked as trivial because you are so focused on the big finish of the trip. You may feel the little things in life are not important enough to bring to Christ…but work the everyday tasks repeating Jesus’s name. And in heavenly Father’s love your whole day will have a better consciousness.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me that every little thing matters when we are linked with you. Please make the connections!