The Holy Spirit prepares us...

I have been thinking today about something God lead me to read and ponder a couple months ago (multiple times). It is the fact that He uses His Holy Spirit to bring "trouble" into our lives in order to strengthen and refine us. When I feel like life isn't going the way I would choose for it to go, it always helps to know for certain that everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) happens for a specific reason. Sometimes the reason things happen are for the benefit and purification of those around us; but I think, most of the time, things happen for multiple reasons that we could never grasp the complexity of. Just think about the timing that occurs to place each of us where we are right this second. If everything didn't happen the way God designed, then you would be in a different house, with a different family, and we could go on forever down that wormhole. My point is this--if you have something that is bothering you, and it keeps coming up, then God is probably telling you to work on that "something". For example, if you are impatient, God will place you in situations that put your patience to the test until you improve. If you are quick to anger, He will probably allow you to be angry often. If you covet (or are jealous) of things others have, He will allow you to see others with things you have dreamed of having. Why? I think it is so we realize that those emotions and feeling are not of God, and they are not pleasant to have. God is patient, merciful, and kind. This is all done out of love, and when you recognize that, the Light of God will brighten and color your world in a way you could never imagine.

AMEN

Being Helpful

I am getting finished with dinner tonight and I ate by myself. My sister and I live together now at home with our dad, and I know she will really enjoy the meal, even though I won't see her eat it because I'm heading off to bed. Often we do things for others just knowing they will find enjoyment in it without expecting any accolades or favors returned. God is always giving us returns on our investments and we usually don't even notice what He is doing. When we feel alone, or lonely, He is there. When we are happy, and amongst friends, He is there. God is always with us, reading our hearts and minds. He knows the motivation behind every good (and bad) thing we do. When we are helpful to friends and family He must take joy in that; but, just think how much more delight He must take in seeing when we are helpful to strangers? Are any of us actually strangers though? We are all brothers and sisters with one Heavenly Father and Creator! Why would we treat another family member any differently? In being a good Christian (or whatever your faith is) we should be good "hosts" to humanity. In the Old Testament, God was called The Lord of Hosts hundreds of times. He is the ultimate host to all of us in this world He created. We will only know the true glory of His abilities when we are with Him again in eternity; but if we carefully look around we can get a glimpse of His Majesty in our lives every day. Be grateful, be helpful, and keep your eyes open!

AMEN

Eleven From Heaven

What do we do in the name of eleven?

It's the New Commandment Jesus gave us before He ascended to Heaven.

He gave us the golden rule;

To do it we don't even need a tool.

Normally, all we must do is listen to our hearts;

But you say, "Wait, mine's been stabbed with darts!"

If we have a heart in need of care;

Helping others may seem like despair.

So, instead we throw a wrench in their way;

Our minds tell us maybe we should make them pay.

Pay for what--our sins?

Living like that, the devil wins.

The evil one will use our pain and our hurt,

As a reason for us to throw others in the dirt.

Does that make us feel alright,

Or just cause a bigger fight?

The devil sees our mole hill;

And wants to turn it to a mountain, which doesn't take much skill.

Jesus gave us His gift of peace,

In the west and through the east.

He gave us hearts that prayer can heal;

And minds that care about how others feel.

If we love ourselves, then we can love others the same;

Enough with all the shame and blame.

Ask Jesus to fill you with peace and love;

And practice eleven as He looks on from inside you, and up above!

AMEN