The Power of Love

Lately, I've been doing a lot of what I, and anybody who does management, calls "big picture" thinking. Lately, I've been tending not to be so practical, but more overarching, with broad thoughts, and trying to get the spirit of whatever it is rather than what I need to do in the next few minutes or hours.

I think I'll continue in that tradition, with yet another broad "big picture" post. This time, it's about love. Love, kindness, giving, showing graciousness to people around you, and smiling.

The main idea is this: There are so many things that make us happy. But it seems like there are even more things that make us unhappy. we are constantly looking for things that are wrong, always wishing for things to be different, constantly striving for that "one thing" that will make us really happy.

But more than this, not only do we usually spend most of our lives unhappy, but we allow it to affect how we relate with other people. Think about it: How often have you assumed someone is just unhappy? Did you ever stop to think about what that person might be going through? Or do you just loath meeting or dealing with them? I know I very often forget to think about it, and allow my opinion of their general mood to determine how I interact with them.

The basic idea for today is this: With so many people unhappy, and so much hate in the world today, what if you just loved unconditionally? No matter what they do too you, if you just keep loving them, no matter what their attitude, their position in life, the type of car they drive, anything. Just put aside any judgement or characterization you might make of them, and just really appreciate and love them for who they are?

Just how much change could we affect? Just how powerful would it be if everyone thought positive thoughts?

I'll leave you with one final thought. Life is too short to spend unhappily. In the grand scheme of things, we are only here for a short while. Do we really want to leave behind a legacy of unhappiness and hate? Is that really how we want to be remembered?

So next time you're out and about, in your daily life, just try loving instead of hating. Try blessing instead of cursing. Life is short, so live it well. You only get one chance.

~unclejoe

The Love of God: Chapter 4, Encouragement

Ever have one of those days where you just want to die? Your exhausted with your fight against yourself, against the devil and against the world. Had one of those this week, :p God had been so good and gave me an incredible revelation that I hope to share with you soon! But Satan, with his usual (and annoying) swiftness, swooped in soon after and tried with all his might to steal my joy.

Here is part of an entry from my journal, "Well, a day of fight, joy. :p Yea, I'm really happy and so excited about his revelation, but there is still the fight against myself."

The devil had brought me pretty low, I'm sure you know how it feels. You feel sapped of joy. You know it should be there, but......it's not. At this point I picked up my Bible, sure that I was going to read some scripture about how I should be addressing my faults and stop being so, so, whatever. Now y'all don't get me wrong here, we are here on this earth to draw closer to God, and that means getting out junk out. But sometimes we misjudge God and think that all He is ever going to say it "You're wrong." That is what I was thinking at this point. To my UTTER surprise however, I turned to Psalms 27:6, which says, "And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy. I will sing, yea I will sing praised unto the Lord."

Needless to say, I was shocked, my jaw dropped and tears sprang to my eyes. God did care. He realized that I was trying hard to become like Him and He valued that. He loved me and understood my pain and frustration. Here is another verse He gave me that night that I would love to share with you, especially if you are feeling this way right now. It's Lamentations 3:22, I encourage you to look it up in your own Bible and read it with me. Let the power of God's love for you and the message of deep concern for you embedded in this verse seep into your every fiber. Let it flow through you. Believe it. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail." Wow, if Satan ever tells you that God doesn't care, throw this verse back in his face.

Y'all, you are powerful, and wonderful because of Jesus Christ, it's not a joke, it's the TRUTH. But it's only real, if you believe it. God can say it to you every day of your life, but if you don't believe it in your heart, it means nothing. It's just empty words on a page. But if you do believe it, if you do accept it, the love of Christ can be the most powerful weapon you could ever wield against the enemy. His hosts tremble at the very sight of it, and Satan himself will one day be eliminated by it. The love of Christ ladies and gentlemen, can change you lives forever. God loves you, really truly, loves you.

I'de thought I'de show the rest of the journal entry to let you know how my night ended. "God is there though, and He will 'lift my head above my enemies. Then I will offer up sacrifices of joy! I will sing; yea I will sing praises unto the Lord!' I pray God gives my strength to go through this winter. I know You (God) have a purpose for me here in winter."

You too my friend have a purpose here in the winter your going through. God is good! Believe it people! Don't ever doubt that He loves you and always has your best interest in mind. I hope you've been encouraged. :)

God loves you!!!!!! Always praying for you all, :)
Tess :)

Challenge for the week... Or month... Or year...

I don't know about y'all, but right about now, I usually start to get discouraged and depressed. The semester is starting to drag on... Work is fun, but you wish it would alter from it's predictability sometimes. Deadlines come, they go. All around us, nature is doing her work, and all the trees are losing their leaves, or are about too...

Everything just seems to slow down, and life seems to hang in the balance. As the year draws to a close, you gain a more objective view of life in general. You get to review everything you've done, the goals you set, victories, and accomplishments over the past 10 months.

Maybe it's me, but it seems like everyone usually ends up focusing on what they didn't do. Instead of a review of what you've accomplished, it becomes a rememberation of everything you still haven't done, that you need to do, or you wanted to do. If you are like me, you begin to think about everything that has gone wrong, everything that has separated you, everything that didn't go exactly as you planned. And in the end, you get really depressed. You become really sad.

Well, if you feel this way at all, I've got two verses for you:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~Jeremiah 29:11

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

~Psalm 42:5

So, what will these two verses tell us? There are two main things we can learn:

1) We are completely and utterly out-of-control. In fact, David takes it as an assumption. He doesn't ask IF our soul is downcast, he asks why. He is assuming that we are depressed, and is basically saying, why???

2) For as much as we are out-of-control, God IS in control. For every doubt we have, for every misgiving we have, God knows exactly what is going on. Not only that, but He goes as far to ensure that the hairs on our head are numbered!

As teens living in the world, we are surrounded by examples of the very opposite emotions God expects us to have. Some of the biggest examples come from Hollywood. With movies like the Twilight series, and a culture obsessed with "emo," few people realize just how much they allow their emotions to control them. Not so much their emotions, but how they view their emotions, the attitudes they develop, and the choices they make. I'll admit, I've allowed myself to taken captive too.

So how do we (this includes me too) break free of the twisted emotion mindset that the world keeps trying to push on us? The answer is so simple, and yet so hard.

Just depend on God.

That's really all there is too it. It seems so easy, and yet it is so hard. By trusting in God, we can know that we don't have a care in the world. We really do have everything to gain, and nothing to lose! And when you are constantly thinking about what an awesome God we have, how can you not be happy? How can you not jump up and down for joy? How can you not rejoice in His amazing creation?

So now, instead of being depressed by the falling leaves around you, marvel at how God has created such an amazing system! Think about everything you have done this year, and all the goals you DID manage to get accomplished. But also start thinking about next year. Learn from your mistakes, try to move on, and most importantly, remember, God is in control!!

And if you are like me, and are easily amused, then go walk on some crunchy fall leaves. That always makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside...

~unclejoe

The Names of God- Introduction Part 2

David wrote:

Some boast in chariots, and some in horses;
but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
Psalm 20:7

In Old Testament days, chariots and horses were two means of protection and escape. Today our chariots and horses come with different labels, shapes, and forms. Even so, they are still a visible means of help, escape, or protection. Yet are these really a source of safety? No.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle:
but safety is of the LORD.
Proverbs 21:31

Why don't we turn to Him? Why do we hesitate to run into the arms of our all-sufficient God? Why is it that many collapse in the day of trouble and testing? Why are they immobilized rather than taking an aggressive stand in the face of fear?

I think it's because most of us don't really know our God. We don't understand His great power and might. We don't comprehend His fierce love and unspeakable tenderness. And because we don't know Him as we should, we can't boast in the name of our God.

What do I mean when I say, "Boast in the name of our God"? To boast in means to have confidence in, to trust in. To boast in God's name means to have confidence in His name. To know His name means to know Him. To boast in His name is to have a settled confidence in everything that He is!

In the day of trouble or need, we are to run to our God, to put the full weight of our trust in Him. That is why He says,

"Call upon me in the day of trouble:
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
Psalm 50:15

Is your heart troubled? Is fear lurking in the shadows of your consciousness? Do you feel insecure about anything at all? I believe that every problem in our lives can be traced back to an inadequate or incorrect knowledge of God, or a lack of faith and trust in His person and His ways. We know so little of this wonderful God who loves us! In the next few posts, as we explore His Word together, ask Him to show you one of His names that will meet your need.

Then, when He shows you (and He will), tell Him that you will boast in that name!

With that kind of boasting, God is well pleased.

~Anna

A promise of Love: A post from our girl overseas

Ephesians 3:16-20 (Amplified Version.)



Now.

Go read it.

Com’n, right now- it doesn’t take that long people: just google it or bring it up on Bible Gateway or something. I just need you to read this verse for yourself.

Hold it.

Read it again. Soak it in- immerse yourself in its meaning, ask yourself questions about what it truly means…and what God wants it to mean to you personally. It meant something different for me-as it will for you!

The day I flipped to that particular scripture-I was having a rough day. Like: one of those, “cry-every-few-minutes” kind. I have those far and few between-but this was different. I needed the essence of that verse. I felt dry and cracked up inside-and all I wanted was to find some sort of acceptance or praise from somebody-but nothing was filling the gap. I needed Him.

Especially as teens: we focus WAY too much on grapeling with our own self esteem. We look to our friends, our parents, our teachers and pretty much anybody else but God. And there IS a point where we become so dry inside for a promise of love that we can’t take it anymore.

But in this verse, it not only is a promise of His love…Oh no, it goes beyond that. It is a “Blessing” to us…to not only experience that Love-but that others may come to know and desire that Love through watching us. THAT is powerful. Not only powerful-but world changing. This verse isn’t just some ‘encouragement for a sec’ guys. It’s a promise and a blessing. But you need to claim it for your own. So take that verse…In faith: accept it…rebuke the enemy for stealing it…receive the promise, and take it to heart…

Others watch and see… and will be astonished at the Love of Christ flowing through you. And they will ask. And know. And also receive.

And run with it too…



Blessings,

Bri

(Written here in Jakarta, Indonesia)

The Names of God- Introduction Part 1

Currently, I'm researching and studying the names of God. Time and time again I am awestruck at the sheer amazingness of their significance and meaning. I want to share what I'm learning with you all, and I hope you get as many goosebumps as me. :)
~~

Where do you run in time of need?
Where do you run when the predators of trouble, worry, and fear pursue you?
Where do you hide when your past pursues you like a relentless wolf, seeking your destruction?
Where do you seek protection when the weasels of temptation, corruption, and evil threaten to overtake you?
Where do you turn when your energy is spent... when weakness saps you and you feel you cannot run away any longer?

Do you turn to your protector, the One who stands with arms open wide, waiting for you to come and huddle in the security of all He is?

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10

Is the Lord your great tower? Is His name your strong fortress in a time of weariness or attack or great distress?

But how, you ask, could His name defend me? In biblical times, a name represented a person's character. God's name represents His attributes, His nature. His name is a statement of who He is. And He has many names! Each reveals something of His power and love and purposes toward you.

The Father longs to have you know Him better, that you might "trust in the name of the LORD and rely" on your God (Isaiah 50:10).

Did you know that this was uppermost in the mind and heart of Jesus as He faced the Cross? Just before He went to Calvary, He prayed for His disciples- and looking down through the centuries, He prayed for you and me, too. His deep desire was that "they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

This was the burning goal of Paul's life and the cry of his heart, "That I may know Him" (Philippians 3:10).

Knowing your God means everything. Everything.
It's the difference between victory and defeat.
It's the difference between rest and constant turmoil.
It's the difference between an abundant, overflowing life and a life of barren emptiness.
It's the difference between deliverance and captivity.
It's the difference between finding a refuge and living as a fugitive.
It's the difference between life and death.
It's the difference between heaven and hell.

To be continued...
~Anna

Thoughts...On the Meaning of Life

Lately, I’ve really been thinking about the meaning of life. Well, not so much the meaning of life, but who we are, and what we should be doing, in the short-, mid-, and long-term. The main question I have been pondering lately is this: What specifically separates humans from say, monkeys? Obviously, many people just say we are above them, because we can reason, we can think, we have the ability for cognitive reasoning, and so on. With new discoveries every day in the scientific world, the general accepted idea currently is that we (humans) are no better than monkeys, mice, rats, or even a lowly amoeba.

So the question is raised: If we, as Christians, are going to say that we aren’t evolved from primordial slime, what does separate us? What makes us so unique?

This is a new idea, and I am still not sure exactly how true this might be, but I think I might have the answer. I’ve really been thinking about this quite a bit, and there is a whole story behind it.

Last year, I wrote a book. The main character, a computer, has the dream of becoming a human. After a series of events, she eventually does. However, I reached a conundrum. What does separate a human from say, an android? Or in this case, she became a human, but was she a full human, with every single ability and talent as a human? Obviously, I want to put a Godly message in everything, so what is the difference between us and a really smart computer? Can a computer even be smart? What is our special, inherent ability?

I would say it is innovation. It is the ability to create, to think outside the box, to develop, to introduce. Beyond just innovation, I have also been wondering how we are to use our innovation. We have the ability to think outside the box, and if we want, even think the box out of existence! If you accept the fact that we have the ability to create new ideas, to think outside the box, what are we supposed to do with this? To what end should we be using our physical bodies, and our mental capacities?

To God’s Glory.

We are to do everything to the glory of God. Everything we do should be as unto the Lord. Whether we are taking the trash out in the rain, or cleaning the gutters, or cooking over a hot stove, or anything we do, we should be doing it as unto the Lord. Regardless of whether we like it or not, we should be doing it with all our heart, and to the fullest of our extents.

So, the next time you have an idea, think about how you might be able to use it to the fullest extents. In everything you do, do it to His glory, and remember, ideas are good! Every idea you have is a gift from God! So go out there and innovate the world!