Peace On Earth?

I wouldn’t want to pick a fight with a sky full of angels, but I must admit that I’ve always wondered about the promise of peace the angelic host made to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem. For the last 2,000 years, peace on our planet has been at best a rare commodity. Wars continue to ravage innocent lives, domestic violence is a growing calamity, divorce rates soar, churches split, and peace in our restless and wayward hearts seems to be an elusive dream.
Where is the promised peace? Actually, on reflection, we can see that Jesus brought all that is needed for peace in our world. He taught the principles of peace, calling for people to love their neighbors as they love themselves. And as He was leaving this planet, He promised, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). He told us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, forgive offenses, reject greed, tolerate each other’s weaknesses, live to serve and love one another as He has loved us.
It seems that in large part, peace is up to us. Paul verifies that in Romans 12:18, “As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” This Christmas, let’s make peace our gift to the world in which we live as we reflect the Prince of Peace.

We know at times there will be strife;
On this we must agree—
When conflict drops into our lives,
We’ll solve it peacefully. —Fasick

When we experience peace with God,
we can share His peace with others.

Haven't you heard??????

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. John 15:16 As long as we live, there will be accusing voices. The faultfinders will always be there. When the negative voices come, we can believe them and stay where we are, or we can believe that we're forgiven, accepted, and approved by God.

 

It's up to us to cast the deciding vote as to what is going to dominate our lives-freedom or condemnation, faith or fear, love or bitterness.

Enrich your life..leave others as they are and ENJOY THEM!

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36 When we start "fixing" everyone around us, we miss the true riches we were meant to gain from those relationships.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalms 121:7-8

God has placed in you everything you need to rise higher, but you must exercise your God option. Keep yourself open to change, keep the right perspective, and don't automatically assume the worst.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Remember, your life has seasons; there is a season to mourn a loss, but there is also a season to press on to the new things God wants to do. It's so important to reach a point where you are ready to let go of yesterday and embrace the future God has for you. When you hold on to the past or old mindsets, you are actually falling into a trap that was designed to keep you from fulfilling your destiny.

Conversion is the miracle of a moment; maturing takes a lifetime.

Aim High

November 8, 2010 — by Dave Branon

When my daughter and her family were in town for a visit, I had a chance to take my son and two sons-in-law out for a “guy” outing.
We decided that while the ladies were shopping, we would go to a firing range and practice shooting. We rented two pistols and took aim at our targets. While shooting, all four of us discovered that on one of the firearms the sight was set too low. If we aimed using that sight, we hit the bottom of the target. We had to aim high in order to hit anywhere near the bull’s-eye.
Isn’t life a lot like that? If we set our sights too low, we really don’t accomplish all that we can. Sometimes we have to aim high in order to reach a desired goal.
What should be our aim in life? How high should we point our ambitions? Well, since Scripture is our true guide, we will shoot for nothing but spiritual maturity. In fact, in Paul’s farewell to the people of Corinth, he said, “Aim for perfection” (2 Cor. 13:11 NIV). And we also have the high aim of these words from the lips of Jesus, “You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).
Perfection is a lofty target, and we won’t attain it in this life. But if we want to honor God and get close to that high goal, we need to aim high.

O to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. —Chisholm

Conversion is the miracle of a moment; maturing takes a lifetime.

How ya gonna win the race, dragging all that baggage with you?

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Instead of allowing your past mistakes to rob you of your confidence, focus instead on those times when you succeeded. When you do this, you will begin to recognize your seeds of greatness for what they are!

Do EVERYTHING in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

One of the best ways to learn about the people in your life is to become a good listener. We can hear a lot of things, but when we're really listening, we're fully engaged. When people talk to you, give them your undivided attention. Look them in the eyes and have an interest in what they are saying.

At ALL times, witness the love of Christ to those around you, and if all else fails, open your mouth.

It's time to LET IT GO!

Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:135
Instead of dwelling on all your mistakes, just imagine God smiling down on you. It's very freeing to say "God is pleased with me. God approves of me." Embrace these words and let them create a foundation of His unconditional love in your life. Remember, you are His most prized possession, the apple of His eye.

This includes ALL our debtors!

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Mathew 6:12
We have to clean the slate often and make the decision that no matter what someone does to us, we are not going to hold on to the offense and allow it to pollute our lives. I am not saying you should be a doormat or let people walk all over you. But you can't measure others by using unrealistic expectations and expect a good relationship.

Be a cheerleader for those around you! Jesus is cheering you on..Pass on the encouragement!

Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'today', so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

Whether you are a natural encourager or you feel a bit uncomfortable giving compliments, you possess a unique ability to make others feel better about themselves. The truth is, we all have different personalities and different ways of relating to one another, but we can all become great encouragers. I truly believe encouragement is one of the best gifts we can give other people. Scripture tells us to "encourage one another daily."

Through Him all things are possible

I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Today I will do everything I can do, knowing that God will do what I can't do.

My dear brothers (and sisters), take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

When you are considerate and listen to others, it's amazing what you'll discover about them, even when you thought you knew them well. Moreover, when you show kindness and mercy toward someone, God can give you wisdom and new insights about that person. He'll help you understand them better so you can be more compassionate. Let's not be quick to share our opinions and cut people off, because you never know when God is trying to bring you into a divine connection.

Why do we stop at 3?

Ephesians 6:1-3 are commonly quoted: ¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
But how often do we talk about Ephesians 6:4?
 ⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

We need to be considerate with our children.

They may not want to answer 20 questions the minute you pick them up from school. Instead, wait until they have a snack and wind down a bit, then ask them how their day went. If you look for the best opportunity and wait for the right time, you will have much more success and much less tension in your relationship with them.

I always wanted to be a cheerleader!

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. 2 Samuel 22:26-27
You carry the seeds of change. If you want more encouragement in your home, be the encourager. If you want more affection and tenderness in your home, show your affection and tenderness in your home. Relationships are just as much about what you give as what you are hoping to receive.

Our constant, unyielding GPS

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
God is constantly giving us direction, speaking to our hearts, leading us by granting peace or unrest in our spirits, but even when we miss His instructions-and we all do from time to time-He will recalculate our route and get us back where we need to be.

Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 10:35

I recognize that God has given me everything I need for the future. I have the talent, the wisdom, and the strength to fulfill my destiny. And YOU do too!

Where are YOUR eyes?

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12
Because of God's love and constant support, you can wake up every day with an attitude of faith and expectancy. You don't have to live guilty or condemned, feeling like you don't measure up. You may have made some mistakes, but just like a parent helps a child when he is learning to walk, God will help you get right back up any time you fall.

He is our biggest fan!

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

People boo for many reasons. There may be critics at your job or in your family. People may be jealous or insecure, or they may simply misunderstand you. Maybe they aren't even booing you; maybe they are booing something you represent. Don't let the opinions of other people steal your confidence or cause you to shrink back.

Volunteer Match

I have inserted a search engine for you to use, where you can enter your location and find the opportunities near you to serve your community. There are literally thousands of opportunities out there. You can serve individually, as a family or even as a large group. God bless you all as you step out of your comfort zone and continue to take up His yoke in service of others.

Are you afraid to stumble?

If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he wil not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalms 37:23-24

Press on past the fears that threaten to paralyze you. Let His words live with you, in your heart and in your head each time you are faced with difficult situations. Each time we are facing a struggle, He is with us and will be with us through the journey.

Each time you are feeling uncertain, close your eyes and hear Him say: "Move forward, I will be with you."