As we continue with the Fruit of the Spirit, we will talk about kindness. Kindness can have such an impact in people’s lives. Even a smile can brighten a person’s day. I think along with that is generosity which is a form of kindness. Helping others in need. Giving a kind word. Standing up for those who are not strong enough to stand up for themselves. This can go a long way in changing a person’s outlook on life and changing an attitude, both for the giver and the receiver.
Continue reading “A Kind Fruit”Tag: encourage
Do Not Fear; God’s Got This
November is right around the corner and so are the elections. Scary, right?! But God tells us again and again there is no need to fear. Do not worry. He is in control. Even if we end up with someone in office we do not like or is a tyrant or is not qualified, God has a plan and we need not fear. Many do not have the freedoms we have here in the U.S. Let us be grateful for what we have while we still have it (and pray for those who don’t). We know that there will be tough times ahead, but we also know we have hope in Jesus and that one day He will return. But more than that we can have peace and joy now, no matter what the outcome or circumstances we face in the future.
Continue reading “Do Not Fear; God’s Got This”Job and His “Friends”
Many know the story of Job, how Satan inflicted great pain and suffering on Him to try to show God that He only praised Him for His blessings. It was a test. This is a hard read, and I am sure I will not do it justice, but I will try.
As with all of us, He didn’t pass all of the test, but He kept his integrity and faith, even through his doubt and questioning. Job lost his children, his house, his wealth, his friends and family more or less abandoned him, even his wife told him to curse God and die. He was inflicted with disease, pain, and great suffering, but in the end, He stayed strong in his faith in God and eventually repented of his pride. But he had some so-called friends that came to him to explain why he was suffering based on their own experience and short-sighted knowledge. From the end of chapter 1 through chapter 31, the author writes of the debate between Job and his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, as well as Job’s complaints against God. You should read through this on your own, but I will give some of the highlights. In another post I will write about God’s reply and the encounter between God and Job, and God and Job’s 3 friends. Between these events, another person comes into the scene, Elihu, and reveals some flaws in the arguments of both Job and his friends. So this younger man, after listening and respecting his elders, gave his opinion which contradicted the other men, explaining the character of God and the shortcomings of their argument. God does not rebuke Elihu as He does his 3 , but reminds everyone who He is and His power and righteousness, and sets them straight.
Continue reading “Job and His “Friends””Peace Through Troubled Times
Anyone besides me having a hard time having peace in these troubled times? I have been reading scriptures and other articles that we will have peace through Christ and I know it’s true. But, I still struggle with the anxiety of it all. Yes, I still do find peace inside, because I know God is there and he has a plan, as frustrating as it is not knowing what that plan is. I know God loves me and He is by my side even when I don’t feel it. I know that He is always there for me even through this chaos. Even though it seems the world has turned upside down with the virus, the empty shelves at the grocery store, the economy crashing, social distancing and all the bad news on TV, we need to continue reading God’s word and remember His promises and to continue in prayer and to trust in Him. Continue reading “Peace Through Troubled Times”
Praise Prayers
In our last discussion we talked about how Paul encouraged others in his prayer for them. He also never ceased to give God praise for all that He has done. This is something we all should remember in our prayers. As we talk to God, we should acknowledge how great a God He is, how good He is to us and all the things He has done for us. There are so many scriptures to choose from that have prayers of praise, particularly from the Psalms, but also many in both the Old and New Testaments. Many scriptures acknowledge God’s greatness and may not actually be part of a prayer, but I think by reading these and perhaps using some of them in our prayer will honor God. As the authors do, let us not only acknowledge Him in our prayers but share it with all those around us. Continue reading “Praise Prayers”
My Daily Scriptures 