Breadcrumbs Podcast: Recent Episodes
Barbara Smith
You will never get by with lying. We must try to do the right thing daily and live in truth. This is what is pleasing to God.
I does not need to be Thanksgiving or Christmas for us to show how thankful we are, we should be grateful for everything the Lord has given us, everyday.
God is no respecter of persons, meaning, He treats everyone the same, and expects us as Christians to do the same.
We must listen to instructions clearly in order to follow them correctly. This is true at home, on our jobs, and especially when it comes to our salvation. God’s word is our Instruction Manual, but we must read it and follow it for it to be effective in our lives.
God made a way that we can be forgiven of our sin and made free from sin, guilt, and shame, when he came to earth as the man Christ Jesus and died in our place.
When something breaks, we would take it back to the manufacturer for repairs or read the manual for quick tips and tricks. We are no exception. Whatever we need and whatever questions we need answers to, we can go straight to our Creator and He will be able to fix it!
We should never give up on the things that we need and want in life. Being persistent will lead us to the answers we are looking for.
No matter our age, we can have faith for healing, for ourselves and for others. God rewards faith.
Witnessing is not complicated. Just tell others what you have seen Jesus do in your life personally. This is witnessing, no matter how old or young you might be. This is what Jesus has asked us to do for Him.
No matter how young or old we are we all need rest. We have examples of this throughout the Bible that are given to us to follow and not feel guilty when we need a break.
Praying is something we all can do, no matter our age. Prayer is just talking to God, just like you would talk to a friend, parent, brother, or sister. Practice it, and you will start to be more comfortable doing it. Remember, you can pray anywhere you are, at any time, because is with us at all times!
Loving and being kind even to those who are mean to you, is how we show the love of God to others.
The time we spend preparing for life will teach us more than just a skill set, but it will build our character, that will allow us to be ready for whatever comes our way.
It is not just our parents who are wanting us to obey, but the Lord expects it as well. Learning to obey, honor and respect authority while we are young will serve us well when we are the one in a position of authority.
God will not ask anything of us that we do not have, but he will use what we give him, and he will multiply it.
To be Godly and content is great gain the Bible states. We must trust God to meet our needs daily. We may not always get everything we want, but God will take care of us and meet our needs.
It’s not the Easter eggs, candy, chicks we get to hold, or the pretty new outfits, but we are celebrating our Lord and Saviour who rose from the grave and is alive forevermore. That is worth celebrating.
Everything you do should be done as unto the Lord. Put your whole heart and soul into it, even if it is your chores around the house.
God will instruct us and lead us where He wants us to go, we do not always have to understand everything along the way. His ways are higher than our ways. When our parents ask us to do something, we do not always have to understand, just obey.
This is a very important lesson we should learn while we are young, so we do not make this mistake of judging others and situations by how they look. This is found throughout the teaching of Jesus.
We can prove that we have heard something and that we trust and have faith in someone when we actually do what we are being asked to do.
It is up to us to know God’s word, so we can obey it. His word is our roadmap and our manual on what God requires of us.
Thinking you are above everyone else will eventually bring you shame and embarrassment like the emperor in the story. We must stay humble before God and others.
We should never too overconfident in our own abilities, skills or talents. We must always acknowledge that they are all from the Lord, and that we cannot do everything on our own. We need others.
God does not like lying or bearing false witness. The scripture goes as far as to say that Satan is the father of lies, and that liars will not make it to heaven. We must guard our hearts so that the words that come from us can be truthful and honest.
Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost, bring healing to the sick and to set the captive free. It is his will for us to show kindness to others and not be partial.
We must forgive others so that God can forgive us, and so we can move forward in our lives.
We do not have to allow others to influence and change our dreams. If we are walking in with the Lord, He can make them come true in His time.
A heart full of greed will lead to hatred, which can lead us to do unexplainable things. It will also cause us to lose friends and respect from those around us.
It is important for us to remember that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus birthday, not ours. We will be blessed greatly, when we learn to give.
All of our actions have consequences. If we obey, we will reap blessing and peace in our lives, but if we are disobedient, we will have to face the punishment for our actions.
Everything we do is based on a thought we had, and a decision we made. All decisions will have consequences, whether for good or for bad; therefore, we need to always strive to make the best decisions possible and not be persuaded by others and peer pressure to make bad ones.
If we are lazy the Bible tells us we can only expect to live in poverty, but if we work hard and persist, we will have plenty.
We cannot hide from the Lord. No matter where we go, He is already there when we get there.
We should always think before we speak or react to something. Listen twice as much as we speak, so we can make better decisions.
Storytime- When God was ready for Moses to fulfill his purpose, he got his attention. We will not all see a burning bush, but God knows how to get our attention.
Storytime – Continuing with the story of Moses, we see that he had to have a little dose of real life, before he could fulfil the calling that God had for his life.
Storytime – God saved Moses’ life for a purpose. God knew us before we were in our mother’s womb. He has a purpose for all of our lives.
God loves us and has a plan for our lives; however, we cannot save ourselves. We need to apply his death, burial, and resurrection to our lives individually to be cleansed and become a new creature.
One guaranteed outcome is that if you quit, you will get absolutely nowhere and gain nothing.
We can allow the Lord to make such an impression on us, that the whole world can see it and know we have spent time with Him.
We do not have to walk through this world in fear. Jesus has already won the battle for us!
When we put our trust in the Lord and allow him to guide our footsteps, we do not have to rely on kismet, destiny, or fate to determine our future.
God has set forth directives for us and though he loves us unconditionally, he wants us to pay attention to his word and obey him. Anyone who is a parent can agree that this is not too much to ask of our children, and it is indeed expected.
It is pleasing to the Lord when we reproduce spiritually; however, this is only the beginning of the process. We are called to nurture those who we bring to the Lord and disciple them even as Jesus did in his earthly ministry.
It is not always the most boisterous person that can make a difference in their world, but more often it is the quietest person. It is the small and intentional things that can make the greatest impact.
We are the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth. Two distinctions that Jesus gave to those who are believers. This helps those in darkness find their way to Him, and then they receive teaching and discipling that helps preserve them in this crazy world until He comes to take us home.
God despises double mindedness as well as rebellion. What he is looking for from us is a determined, persistent faith and a humble and obedient spirit.
There is a lot of noise and chatter all around us daily; however, meaningful communication requires parties who have a message to convey to one another, for a specific purpose.
God has given us as Gentiles a chance to be grafted into the Olive Branch by faith; however, as He opened the door of faith to us it will close too. Don’t wait! Take advantage of this time of grace and faith that we are living in.
We can learn from nature, from children, from one another, and from God’s word. We will not be able to plead the fifth on the judgement day. We need to learn what pleases God and what displeases Him.
If you wrote a Psalm 23 to the Lord, using your own words and circumstances, what would it sound like?
The steps of a righteous man or woman are ordered by the Lord. We must not forget to give God the glory and praise He deserves for directing our paths, keeping us safe and working all things together for our good.
There is nothing that shows love more than forgiveness. The scripture tells us, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
We need to be heralding the good news of the Gospel now more than ever before! He is coming soon, and we need to emphasize the urgency of the hour we are living in to those around us.
We should not suffice with walking around blindly without direction. The scriptures hold all of the answers to any questions we have; we must just take the time to out in the work and search for them.
If a screen play was written about you and your life was portrayed for all to see, what would be the takeaway of the audience? What we do now, will determine the legacy we leave and the impact we make on our world.
We must seek answers to the seemingly hard questions; they can be found in the word of God. Salvation has been offered to all!
Our lives should be lived in a posture of prayer and communication with the Lord at all times. If we would follow the ‘pattern’ of prayer that Jesus left us, we would be surprised at the difference it would make in our lives.
The more we take of ourselves and the members of the body, the easier it is for our bodies to heal themselves. The body is physically and spiritually in constant need of restoration.
Just as Christ was one with God, so we can be by having His Spirit live within us. We can enjoy fellowship and communion with Him.
Though we may talk a good talk, actions speak louder than words. Walking the walk of a Christian is what will draw people to the Lord. People was to see if you are who you say you are.
There should be no debate or dispute on who was the greatest motivator of all time because we all know who it was; however, whether or not we choose to believe in Him and follow His example is an individual decision.
We must stay alert spiritually, to be able to decern truth from a lie, light from darkness, and the real from the counterfeit.
We should be careful to be mindful of our place in the Kingdom of God. We will at no point be able to predict our own future or live successfully without Him. He is sovereign; therefore, James tells us that “If the Lord wills, then we will be able to do this or that.”
When we have disagreements, which is a part of life, we should stop and take a moment before reacting in a negative way. When we allow the Lord to guide us, there can be harmony and peace even with differences of opinions.
The scripture tells us that if we continue to add to our faith, virtue, steadfastness, self-control, godliness, and brotherly love, they will help to keep us from being nearsighted. When we live only focused upon ourselves, we can become blind to the world around us, physically and spiritually.
God deals in fair weights and with equity, and He always blesses us above and beyond what we actually ask for.
We are the New Testament church. We have what the world needs to be saved. We must not keep it hidden but start sharing it! It is God’s will that ALL should be saved.
Knowing what our responsibilities and how a little about how to fulfill them, takes some of the guess work out of our day-to-day tasks in the Kingdom. We have been assured a harvest by God if we sow the seed of His Word, but we must not become weary and faint.
When we realize that we are not in competition with one another, it will take away the struggle and disharmony and repair our relationships.
There are many decisions we have to make as we navigate through the stormy seas of life; therefore, we need to always choose Christ first and foremost in our lives. This will help make the subsequent choices that we will have to make much easier.
We have the power to make our life count and be worth recording for others to read and learn from, just as the writers of the scriptures did. They were not perfect, and yet their accounts of redemption and overcoming are what makes their stories so valuable to us.
Though the truth does hurt at times, it is usually shared to assist us. We must be willing to hear the word of the Lord and obey it no matter the spokesman or woman that is bringing the message to us.
Trying to be like others all of the time and worrying about what others think is just exhausting. We need to accept ourselves for who we are and enjoy life. It is okay to be different and unique. That is how we were created to be.
Fear and dread can cause us to live in doubt and stop us in our tracks, when we are meant to walk by faith and live in victory. If we cast all of our care upon Him, he will set us free.
The scripture tells us that God is a God of justice, equity and fairness; therefore, we should not question his methods or his decisions, but trust that He has our best interest at heart.
Things can busy and crazy in our lives, but there must come a point where we stop just patching things temporarily and resolve to get the job done correctly. Though time, effort and money may be spent, it is well worth getting things done right!
Though movies about time travel are fun to watch and often have intriguing plots, we know there is no such thing as a time machine. As we see from these depictions, if we did go back to a certain point in time and change something we did or said, it would then affect everything thereafter. If we live the life we have been given to the fullest, then we will not live with regrets, nor with the feeling that we need to go back. This is possible when we give God control.
When we become a family, we are in this thing called life together for better or worse. We live, laugh, love, cry, and grieve together. Knowing someone has our backs makes it all worthwhile and doable, and adding Jesus into the equation, is the glue that holds everything together.
There may be something to the saying, ‘It’s not what you know, but who you know.’ Networking is not a new concept and was very prevalent in Bible times. We all need each other, and we definitely need to know and be known of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
When reading the Word of God, He does not lead us to believe that everything is going to be peaches and cream all the time, but he does give us promises that He will see us through every step of the way.
Think about not only what you say, but what you do. Non-verbal communication can often speak louder than words. If we would allow God to do his job and go about our day just showing mercy as we have also received mercy from Him, we would be much more content and need less doctor’s visits!
If we would take a moment to look around us, we would see that the blessings of God on our lives would be innumerable. May we make this our normal practice daily rather than always being a moaner, groaner and complainer. God is good!
The Comeback King
God is not waiting to hit us over the head with a Billy club when we mess up. The Word of God says, “…He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God is in the business of restoration.
Maintenance is a part of life whether it is physically, emotionally, financially, or spiritually. Anything that is worth having, is worth taking care of. Ignoring a problem will not make it go away but will be only create a greater expense in the end. We must take the time to do necessary repairs in our lives because fences have a purpose.
Never feel that technology or others can take your place. Anything is this world is here as an outflow of the intelligence, creativity and diversity that was instilled in us by our creator. God has created us as a complete being, with a mind, soul, and body, and we are instructed firstly, to love Him with all of our being, and secondly, to use it for His glory.
Just as many of the biblical characters we read about in scripture, we are called and chosen by God for a particular time, place, ministry and purpose. Use the tools, gifts, and talents you have to impact your world.
Music and song are close to the heart of God. They are seen as scripture as a means to praise and worship God, as well as a way to put memories and events, whether victories or defeats, to music, so that the legacy and history can be passed down to the younger generation. What is your story, your testimony? You can share the goodness of God in your life with others, through song.
Everything we do in life, from the smallest action to the biggest decision we will make in our lives, will impact someone else in some way. A tree that has been standing for over fifty years may look majestic, strong and independent, but it still relies on the nutrients in the soil, water and oxygen to continue surviving. We need each other, and we cannot survive without God.
Difficulties in life do happen to us all, but we must remember that they are temporary. Our attitude and outlook so often can be the deciding factor, not whether a trial or problem will come our way, but how it will affect us and how soon we can get through it. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;I have overcome the world.”
If we do not learn to let things go, our lives will begin to look like we are hoarders, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The scripture tells us, if we are in Christ, “old things are passed away and behold all things are new.”
The only two things that being a person of character and integrity takes is, reliance upon God and a backbone. Though telling the truth is not for the faint of heart, it is what reveals your heart and is pleasing to the Lord.
Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We do not have to struggle to get by on our own. He is present, aka with us, and desires to help us, if we will let Him.
You have heard it said, “Don’t put your eggs all in one basket.” We must have a contingency plan and be prepared for the unexpected that will inevitably come into our lives. The principles we live by should become second nature to us.
We do not need to look any further. The Word of God has the recipe, that gives us the perfect blend of ingredients that we need to live a successful and joyful life. So, why not enjoy!
Scripture admonishes us to be quick to listen but slow to speak. Being a ‘know it all’, or as we used to say, a ‘nosey parker’, is not attractive. We must let our voices be used for good and allow the word of God have the final say.
Though we are all human and experience fear at times, we should not allow them to identify us. The Lord is delighted when we ask Him to deliver us from them, because He already took them upon himself at Calvary.
God is present, not just a ‘Higher Power’ watching over us from a distance. When we call on the name of Jesus, he hears us and will respond. We see miracles happening in our lives daily and we should proclaim it! Shout from the roof tops, use your voice and influence, so that everyone will know how great our God is!
Intimacy in marriage is so close and special, that scripture uses this analogy to describe how close our relationship with the Lord can be. Both should be cherished and nurtured daily and are well worth the effort.
It is said that if it is worth having, it is worth waiting for. This statement covers almost everything we will face in our lives, whether it is material possessions, emotional wellness, spiritual soundness, fulfillment in ministry, and more. Even listening is an exercise in waiting that we should practice daily.
One thing we do too often is speak before we think! An important lesson for us all to learn is that if you do not know anything about a subject, do not try to advise others before you study it out for yourselves.
There are so many things that just leave us speechless and scratching our heads these days. Good ole horse sense seems to be a thing of the past, but one thing we do not have to worry about is what God is up to even when things He is putting us through do not make sense in the moment. He has everything under control, and His plan is clear.
Change is inevitable, but none of us like it very much. However, to be molded into what God wants us to be, we need to submit ourselves from time to time to the changes he is wanting to make in our lives.
We often feel trapped by our own fears, yet it is because we do not step out by faith and realize that the Lord has wonderful plans for us if we would only make the first step forward. If you do, you will be surprised to find that your cage has been open all this time.
Life does gets messy, and things can get crazy, but God will show up in the good and the bad times with us. He gives our life rhyme and reason.
The message has been preached, the warnings have been given, it is now time to respond. It’s time to pay the piper.
We as humans are fickle and very quick to judge others, hold grudges, and forget the wonderful things others have done, and relegate them to the back burner for a miniscule infraction. Thankfully, God forgives and forgets and still says, “You are my child and I love you.”
God has always sought to have a relationship with His creation. When the Israelites rejected Him, we, the Gentiles, were given this extraordinary opportunity. I for one am glad to be able to be the Bride of Christ, and I am watching and waiting for His return.
There is a place in the Kingdom of God for all of us, and the benefits package is out of this world. God promises not only everlasting life to us, but abundant life while we are still here as well. Your spot is reserved.
When it comes to praise, worship, glory, and giving credit where credit is due, God is a jealous God. He is the Almighty, and beside Him there is no other God and He takes this very seriously. He is loving, but He will not share His Glory, nor should He. He is the Creator of all things.
We should never despise our leaders or those who have gone before us, because they have paved the way and marked the best path for us. Battles have been won and lost and blood has been spilt so that we can be free and live in safety.
Change can come about in our lives, by incorporating two ingredients. First, we must ask God, who is our Father and wants to give good things to His children. Secondly, by having tenacity and persistence, which is manifest through the actions we take to bring about change.
We know that life never slows down, but we do have control of the brakes. We should use them from time to time to stop, pause, and refresh in order to remain effective in our homes, jobs and ministries.
Life is filled with moments that almost seem to be coincidences; however, when we look back we can see the hand of God was working things for our good all along. These are ‘but God’ moments.
When life gets busy, messy and overwhelming, it is easy to feel defeated, but we must remember, we can do all things through Christ. We can overcome. We can conquer this battle!
We know life will inevitably be messy at times but let us not expedite that and add to it by always being out of control. We must learn to trust in the Lord and let Him take control of our lives.
God takes fairness and equitable treatment very seriously. He measures with just weights and expects the same from us. It is not the extra pinch of salt that you took without paying that is the problem, but the motive of your heart.
We must not be 'that' friend who is always out to see what they can get from a relationship, nor should be hang onto so called friends who are that way either. Freely we have received, therefore, freely, we should give to others.
Jesus knew the value of building relationships with others. Not only is it what the human experience craves and needs, but when a trust is built with others, your words and actions will carry more influence and weight.
As Christ was born of God physically, when we are born again of water and The Spirit, we are born of God who is that selfsame Spirit. Old things are passed away, and all things become new.
Acts 2 tells us that when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all in one mind and one accord, and the miraculous happened in their midst. We should take notes.
Entertainment comes in many different packages, however, when we begin to say or do things to the hurt of others, it ceases to be funny. We are called to love one another as Christ loved the church, not to tear down.
We all know that person who exaggerates everything, or that one who repeats a story every time you see them, and as much as it annoys us, human nature thrives on repetition to learn and retain information. This is exactly why you remember them so well, so embrace these moments. You may be 'that' person to someone else.
I have always found people who are considered creatives, such as artists, teachers, singers, musicians, architects, and the list goes on, fascinating. They are visionaries and can see the 'what could be' scenarios. With this mindset, the possibilities are endless.
The Apostle Paul left us a great pattern to follow when it comes to leadership qualities. None of these are magical endowments, however, effective leadership is the goal that is well worth the effort we put into developing.
God is not interested in small talk, vague prayers or ifs, ands, buts or maybes. When He speaks, His instructions are specific and with purpose. He has a plan from start to finish and we can be a part of it.
Physical eyesight as well as spiritual, are wonderful blessings that should not be taken for granted. As spectacles help us with our physical vision, so does the Holy Spirit with our spiritual vision. It leads and guides us daily.
Using music in therapy can develop verbal and non-verbal skills. It engages the intellectual and emotional being at the same time bringing the desired change and transformation at any stage in life.
Music is used as entertainment, to create art, for therapy, to teach, and so much more. It is and innate within us all, whether we can carry a tune in a bucket or not. It is integrated into every part of our lives. However, the most important use of music should be to give Glory to the one who created it.
There is a music genre and style for everyone. The messages that music conveys can be for good or evil. As a Christian, we should seek to filter our music choices through the Word of God.
Music is tones, rhythms, vibrations, sounds, lyrics and so much more, put together in a melodic or pleasing way to the composer, in hopes of conveying a message, whether by feeling or words to another living being.
Music was created by God and transcends any language or culture. We must use it to bring Glory back the creator, then in turn we will be blessed by it also.
Because this life is fleeting, we must enjoy it and make the best of every moment. Do not count your successes or failures as man see them but seek to please the Lord in all that you do.
There are some principles in scripture that seemingly contradict, however, that could not be further from the truth, it is just that God's ways are just vastly different than our ways. Trust His plan for your life!
We do not have to live in the dark or in depression and negativity. Life, color and beauty is all around us, we must just open our eyes and appreciate the beauty of God's creation and life he has given us.
There is always a reason why things work the way they do or happen the way they do. We must learn to live in the present in order to not be sideswiped by life.
Seer, Prophet, Preachers, Teachers, Evangelists, Messengers, Word of God, A word from the Lord
Bitter and sweet water cannot come from the same source. We must decide what we will allow to come forth from us to the world, daily. Spending time with the Master, will make it a much easier decision.
We are not all called to stand in a pulpit, but everything we do in love for others is ministry. Continue to store up your treasures in heaven, because God will exalt you and reward you in due time.
Everything we do or do not do, say or do not say, our children will see and hear and pick up on, whether we think they are paying attention or not. We need to rethink our actions or inaction, in this technological age we live in, lift our heads from our phones and become involved in life that is happening organically around us, whether we are paying attention or not.
There is no two ways about it, discouragement and doubt will try creep into our lives, but if we discipline ourselves and seek after God in desperation, deliverance will come.
The whole duty of man is to keep God's commandments, according to the wise man Solomon, but it is an individual decision. However, when we make that choice to follow him, He will be with us every step of the way.
Burnout is a real thing, and we have probably all been there. It is important to get the needed respite from the daily rut we find ourselves in, in order to continue serving ourselves and others effectively. And it was God's idea!
Loneliness is a silent killer in our world, even though we are surrounded by crowds of people daily. Everyone has a need to be seen, known and loved. Step out of your comfort zone and acknowledge someone today, and in doing so, you will also be seen.
We must keep our eyes and focus on Jesus, so that we are not tricked by the master of deceit into thinking something is normal and okay, when it is actually sin, that will separate us from God.
We all need to have purpose in our lives. If we have a vision, make a plan, set goals and see it accomplished, we will extend our reach in this world, for the betterment of ourselves and others. If you reach for nothing, you will surely get exactly what you are reaching for.
Being different does not make something right or wrong but can in fact offer a contrast that can complement and bring depth of a new perspective to the equation or situation. Embrace your uniqueness.
So often even after we have been made free, we are held hostage by our own minds. We must let go of the mentality of captivity and allow Jesus to make us free, indeed, utterly, and completely.
How do people 'walk by faith and not by sight', you may wonder. It is because you have built a trust in someone, or something which brings peace of mind. That someone, who will never fail you, is Jesus.
Looking at the subject of tithing from a biblical perspective and not from man's point of view can help us understand it correctly. Remember that for everything God creates and commands there is always rhyme and reason.
There are things that annoy us and can get our dander up, however, let us not allow them to get the better of us. Whatever you pay the most attention to, will become the dominant force in your life. We must lay aside weights and sin, or they will bring us down and likely take others with us.
Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat, BUT, he had prayed for him. When we are used of the Lord, it does not thrill Satan, and we may find ourselves on his list of ‘most wanted men’. BUT, Jesus is our mediator, therefore, we do not have to fear or quit. We are more than conquerors!
All bakers know that in order for their cakes or breads to rise, they need a leavening agent. The Holy Ghost is a must have to raise us in our in the now and in the life to come. God will exalt us in every way if we allow Him to!
Before you can be an effective leader, you must learn to follow. In the season of following, traits that can be developed that will be invaluable to you in your leadership role and are greatly appreciated by your leader.
If we do not fight for our families and friends, who will? God wants us to go to Him with our needs and earnestly seek Him. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you.
True forgiveness, which is twofold, forgiving and forgetting, is a wonderful gift. When we forgive others, we in turn become benefactors of grace and peace.
We can be recipients of a literal, real, tangible salvation because Jesus took care of all the legal matters, jargon, paperwork for us. Sinless blood was needed for redemption, which we did not have, so He stepped up and paid our debt for us.
We know that physically, the higher you are, the greater the panoramic view will be. This can also apply to our lives spiritually and emotionally. God has sent us an invitation through His word, that will elevate us to a place in Him that will change our point of view. Accept it today.
A favorite quote I have repeated over the years is, “Procrastination is not your friend.” It will leave you wanting every time you put something off, and eventually allow mediocrity to slip in. The greatest potential in the world is yours but it cannot be realized until your kick these two bedfellows out of your life.
What we believe does matter. God is very precise in His word. He says what he means and means what he says. We must pay attention to the details, because it is a matter of life and death, ours.
We are often just sorry because we got caught, however, repentance is a true Godly sorrow that brings about change in our lives. Doing an about face and walking toward Him, with our backs to our life of the past. Starting a new a fresh life. This is all make possible because of the precious blook of Jesus.
He has come to seek and to save the lost, and we are to be His hands and feet to accomplish that goal. We must extend our reach, and keep in the forefront of our minds, that there is always someone out there who has never heard and who needs the Lord. Let Him use you today!
Life changes around us so rapidly, that we cannot get too comfortable in our surroundings, thinking that we can coast through life. Whether we realize it or not, we are all influencers to some degree. Let it be for the good! We can still make a difference in our world. There are still people who need the Lord.
You have heard it said that it is the thought that counts. When it comes to giving to God, His children, and His kingdom, it is the motive of the heart that He sees. It is not what or how much we give, but the spirit with which we give that matter. If we give our all to Him, he will repay, ‘pressed down, shaken together and running over’!
There are many avid readers out there who read for pleasure. The scope of genres could be from romance novels to mysteries, fact or fiction, etc. One precious book we should all be reading is the Bible. Though it contains historical material and stories that could be applied as inspiration to our lives, we must always remember that it is the authoritative Word of God and should be the final authority in our lives and is far from being just another common book. It is the living word.
We can still find absolutes in the 21st Century. God of course if immutable, unchanging. History and truth, though not Almighty, are based on fact and what has already occurred, therefore also unchanging. Though many today lack common sense and thing they can rewrite history however, things that are stable and set in stone can be beacons to show us the way and act as anchors when we have lost our way. They are a comfort in an otherwise troubled world.
A stumbling block can be something literal that causes you to fall or a hesitation, impediment or lack of understanding that causes you to faulter. No matter which, if we can at all prevent it, we must think twice before speaking and acting, to refrain from being the cause of others falling.
As servants of the Lord, we should strive to please Him and improve daily just as we do at our secular jobs. Though we will become very close to Him as time goes, and he calls us friends in scripture, we should always remember our place. He will always be our Lord and Master.
Physical as well as spiritual children are an asset to us not a liability. This means that they increase our value, not diminish it. According to scripture, they are considered a blessing and a heritage of the Lord. Remember, riches are not always calculated in dollars and cents, so enjoy the wealth that God has given you today!
The example that Jesus set in his ministry should certainly give us pause when we are dealing with others at home, at church, in public or in the workplace. Meekness should never be mistaken for weakness. Remember when dealing with people, there is a bigger picture and story behind each face.
They say the element of surprise is a huge part of winning a battle, however, we must never underestimate preparation. We must know who’s side we’re on, know what weapons are at our disposal and how to use them and know who is in charge. When the time comes there must be one who gives the commands, to avoid chaos and pandemonium.
God is always right. He is in control and will work things out in our lives if we put our trust in Him. His ways don’t always make sense to us, but they are always right on track.
Trying to keep up with the Joneses becomes a self-defeating plight. It is something that is not attainable because just when you think you’re there, they acquire something new or accomplish next, best thing that you will want to have or do as well. The scripture tells us that, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Not only is the work lighter when we work together, but more pleasant as well. Scripture tells us it is like a Holy anointing oil upon our lives.
The storm is always worse when we are going through it and cannot see our way out. However, once God has brought us through it, we look back and see that it really wasn’t as catastrophic as we first imagined. Are you going through a storm right now? Look back on past storms and see how God has brought you through. It will build your faith and help you get through.
We all have a purpose and a calling in life, and whatever that is for each of us, we need to endeavor to excel in it, however, there is only One Righteous Judge. Let us never try to step in and do His job. He is very capable and equitable.
The coverings we try to make for ourselves to hide our sins are always inferior to the provision that God made thousands of years ago. No, we certainly cannot 'reinvent the wheel' when it comes to our salvation. There is nothing that can wash away our sins except having the blood of Jesus applied to our lives individually.
We often start something and never finish it because we go into it with doubt and skepticism. If we do everything as unto the Lord and surrender our lives to Him, he gives us the peace, joy, endurance and sustainability we need. Ironically, even in the midst of change or turmoil.
For as long as I've been able to walk and talk, I have been raised in around the church. The old timers would say almost on a daily basis, 'This world is not my home, I'm just passing through." The Lord has not returned yet, however, I have begun to share their sentiments that it will be soon. We must not be procrastinators, we make the necessary preparations for our journey home, aka to heaven.
Without a physical object present, there would be no shadow. Throughout the history of time shadows had offered direction, shade and comfort for those trying to find their way, and the need of these still exists. Now is our time to point someone to the cross of Calvary so they might find their way.
The female branch of the family tree has always played a significant role in keeping everything running in the household and life in general. Proverbs 31 gives us a synopsis of this. Before we or anyone sell ourselves short and say we could never measure up to the 'virtuous woman' in this story, take a deeper examination of your life and you will be surprised!
The commandments in the word of God regarding reproduction come to us not only in a physical sense, but spiritually as well. He set His creation in order to be able to be fruitful and multiply. He has made us for His pleasure, just as our children bring joy to our lives.
If we study the genuine article, it is always easier to spot the counterfeit. We must teach our children the truth of God's word, so their hearts will be safeguarded against the lies of Satan and this world.
Sometimes expressions in the English language do not make much sense at first glance, however, upon further examination, we can glean understanding. When it comes to the Word of God, the scripture tells us we should meditate on it day and night. Why? To absorb and benefit from all of the nutrients it has for us that we can grow thereby.
My motto has always been, 'Variety is the Spice of Life', however, we must not allow Satan to present things in a skewed way to make us believe there is no hope. He will thereby take advantage of us and cause us to falter. We must get to know the Creator, who is the source of all things, so we can enjoy life to the fullest.
It is true that most of the pickles we get into are of our own making. This is true with sin as well in the beginning mankind were willfully disobedient to the command of God, however, this is where the definition of 'grace' originated. It is favor shown toward us that we do not deserve, nor can we earn. It is just pure love on the part of the giver. So amazing, that it is almost unexplainable.
Though we do love and appreciate our loved ones who support us and give us encouragement in this life, the only true foundation that we should build upon is Jesus Christ. He never changes, fails or falters. His very essence truly defines the words 'solid' and 'rock'.
We are living in a day where you need a password for just about everything, but when it comes to hope, joy, peace and everlasting life, they are found on an open format for everyone to access. When the miracle worker aka Jesus is near, there is always an opening that takes place. Spiritually, emotionally, or physically. Because of His Open Tomb, we have hope.
Changes in life are inevitable. We are more capable of adapting to them than we give ourselves credit for. Beauty all around us, we must seek it out, learn to love and appreciate it, and stop focusing on the what ifs or on what could have been.
To be fully known, with all of our flaws, faults and failures and to still be loved is a precious thing. Jesus knows us inside and out and still tells us to cast our cares upon Him. Take off the mask and be the best self you can be, because you are fully known and loved.
What makes your world make sense? What is the glue that holds everything together for you? Without a coagulation factor present, things can go downhill fast and even be fatal. Examine your heart and life. Getting back to the basics is what will be life sustaining.
We all are in different stages of maturity, however, there comes a time when we must take personal responsibility for our own actions. Let us not use our God given talents to try to get out of doing things all the time, but rather ask Him, "What can I do for you today".
There are many types of prayers that we can pray. Those of thanksgiving, those of requests to God and those of pure worship. Like having a balanced diet physically, these are all needed for our prayer life to have balance. However, while we are praying for ourselves, we must never forget to pray for the healing, salvation and protection of others. Listen to the prompting of the Spirit and allow God to use you in this way!
There comes a time in everyone's life when we have to grow up. There will be growing pains, but it is needful to move forward in life. Something wonderful happens though, you gain your independence and become of service to others and society!
This walk of life is not a sprint, but a marathon. Those who endure to the end will receive a reward. If you first don't succeed, try, try again! There is more than just one pathway you can take along life's way, so do not give up!
The simple life that everyone thinks of when they look back in time, may not have been as simple as you think. Another thing to ponder is, we may be living the 'Good Old Days' that our children will be talking about a few years from now. We need to make the best of the life we have been given in the present.
If we allow bitterness to take root in our lives, it will destroy us. Stay humble before God and practice forgiveness. This does not justify other's actions, but it will bring you peace and contentment in your life.
We all need each other, which means we must show love one 'to' another, respect and forgiveness daily. If we are selfish and unforgiving, we ostracize ourselves from those we love and need.
We should use our five senses to their fullest capacity. They are a gift to enhance our lives here on earth. As Christians, we have a sixth sense. It is also a gift, and we call it the Holy Ghost. He leads and guides us spiritually, where our five physical senses fall short.
God doesn't only give us a calling or task to do, but He provides the ability and means by which to fulfill it.
When we come to an understanding of what the word of God is telling us to do, we must obey. God will judge us according to what He knows our ability to understand is, not on what we try to portray, according to what we like or dislike. He no longer winks at ignorance.
We do not have to struggle or use our intellect and talents to try to make things happen in our lives. Jesus has things under control. We just have to trust Him. The storms and wind will cease at His presence.
When God makes a promise, it is forever. To show us this, he uses the most precious commodity that there is and that we cannot live without, to seal the deal, salt.
Does the bible address how we should conduct ourselves in the workplace? Yes, in fact the bible has an answer for any question you may come up with. If we profess to be a Christian, we should be one at church, at home, at work and wherever we go.
Those who say one thing but do another or pretend to be something they are not, are known as hypocrites. This is something we should avoid, if our goal as a Christian is to make heaven our home.
How do you measure success? If you do not fulfill your calling from the Lord, what will the world be missing? Scripture state, "Unless the Lord build the house, the labor is in vain".
The Holy Ghost will act as a Caller ID for us. With it, we can have the power to choose what 'calls' we answer. It will also give us strength and authority to know when to say no and 'block' calls.
We can use the life of Christ on this earth, and the teachings in His word to find answers to any question we may have, including this one.
We must not only talk the talk but walk the walk. The way to know how to do this, is first to determine what God's definition of a Christian is.
We plant, sow and harvest in the kingdom, but He winnows. Let us be faithful in getting our job done and let God do His. He is the judge, not us.
We are the church but staying connected with other believers and being fed the Word on a consistent basis is an absolute necessity to our spiritual wellbeing.