Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A Prayer
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Finishing Projects
I think it must be a curse. I’ve been working on a project. I’ve been working at it for a while.
Then it happens. It sneaks up on me, as I get closer to the end of the project. It’s called. I get tired of the project. After doing the same thing three hundred times, it loses it’s appeal. After working at the same thing for a month it gets monotonous. After keeping at it for a while I just want to be done without having to do the rest of the work.
It happens a lot. We get halfway through a project and we don’t want to finish.
So what do you do when the half-finished project blues hit? Here are a few suggestions.
Put the project down for a while. Sometimes just setting the project aside for a few days can make a world of difference. You get a rest and come back ready to go another round.
Also find a new audiobook, or some new music to listen to while you work. If you are really enjoying what you’re listening to, it makes the work lighter.
Remember why you started the project in the first place. Keep in mind why or for whom you wanted this project to be for. It makes a big difference.
Lastly, keep at it. After everything has been said and done, just keep at it. That’s way projects get done is by simply, methodically, and sometimes strenuously get done.
In the end all projects are work, but in they are very much worthwhile.
Then it happens. It sneaks up on me, as I get closer to the end of the project. It’s called. I get tired of the project. After doing the same thing three hundred times, it loses it’s appeal. After working at the same thing for a month it gets monotonous. After keeping at it for a while I just want to be done without having to do the rest of the work.
It happens a lot. We get halfway through a project and we don’t want to finish.
So what do you do when the half-finished project blues hit? Here are a few suggestions.
Put the project down for a while. Sometimes just setting the project aside for a few days can make a world of difference. You get a rest and come back ready to go another round.
Also find a new audiobook, or some new music to listen to while you work. If you are really enjoying what you’re listening to, it makes the work lighter.
Remember why you started the project in the first place. Keep in mind why or for whom you wanted this project to be for. It makes a big difference.
Lastly, keep at it. After everything has been said and done, just keep at it. That’s way projects get done is by simply, methodically, and sometimes strenuously get done.
In the end all projects are work, but in they are very much worthwhile.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Dorcas: A Woman Of Charity
James 1:27 (NIV) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Dorcas for the Bible was practicing this long before James wrote these words.
In the days of Paul, Tabitha or Dorcas was a woman of charity. She was always doing good to others. If someone needed help at the soup kitchen, Dorcas volunteered. If a widow needed a new cloak, Dorcas got out her loom. If a beggar lacked food, Dorcas would get him some. She was a woman of kindness and love.
Although the account of this woman is short we can learn from this woman.
She was always helping others. There was never a time when she wasn’t busy. My mom says all the time; “If you’re busy it will keep you out of trouble.” This is very true. When we are so busy doing good and helping others, we won’t have time to do silly things like listen to gossip, dwell on sin, or have time for temptation.
This isn’t to say that just keeping a busy schedule will eliminate sin from your life. But it will help to keep you focused on Godly things.
She was well loved. When she died the widows sent to Joppa to get Peter. The church urged Peter to come and help them. Once Peter arrived he was surround by widows who showed of Dorcas’ work. When we reflect God’s love into this work, we will be loved. One of the telltale marks of a believers is that they are loved by others members of Christ’s body. As we work to love and give to others, we will gain friends that will help and encourage us. Dorcas had many of these.
Docas was even rescued from death. God saw that she still had work to do. He used Peter to bring her back to life. What we can learn? Use the time that you have well. God gives all of us second chances to do that what He calls us to do. Continue to work and do what He calls you to do. And you will be blessed.
Dorcas for the Bible was practicing this long before James wrote these words.
In the days of Paul, Tabitha or Dorcas was a woman of charity. She was always doing good to others. If someone needed help at the soup kitchen, Dorcas volunteered. If a widow needed a new cloak, Dorcas got out her loom. If a beggar lacked food, Dorcas would get him some. She was a woman of kindness and love.
Although the account of this woman is short we can learn from this woman.
She was always helping others. There was never a time when she wasn’t busy. My mom says all the time; “If you’re busy it will keep you out of trouble.” This is very true. When we are so busy doing good and helping others, we won’t have time to do silly things like listen to gossip, dwell on sin, or have time for temptation.
This isn’t to say that just keeping a busy schedule will eliminate sin from your life. But it will help to keep you focused on Godly things.
She was well loved. When she died the widows sent to Joppa to get Peter. The church urged Peter to come and help them. Once Peter arrived he was surround by widows who showed of Dorcas’ work. When we reflect God’s love into this work, we will be loved. One of the telltale marks of a believers is that they are loved by others members of Christ’s body. As we work to love and give to others, we will gain friends that will help and encourage us. Dorcas had many of these.
Docas was even rescued from death. God saw that she still had work to do. He used Peter to bring her back to life. What we can learn? Use the time that you have well. God gives all of us second chances to do that what He calls us to do. Continue to work and do what He calls you to do. And you will be blessed.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Encouragement
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Talents and How to Use Them Part 6
TIME
Time is the most precious thing we have. It’s one of the things that can never be bought back or wished back. It’s a great gift.
Your time is valuable and precious and there are many ways that you can use it for God. Giving of our time and energy can make a difference in our homes, our cities, and our world. Never discount the value of simply shining God’s light. Even if you are just sitting in a back room of a charity office, doing seemingly meaningless things. No matter what you do, ask God to bless it and He will. Remember you carry God with you wherever you go.
Having said that here’s a few ideas for how you could spend a few hours of you time.
Volunteer to go visit some sick patients in the hospital. Hospitals can be very lonely places. My little sister spent a month in ICU when she was three. We were so blessed by the people who took time to come visit. It made all the difference in the world to have brothers and sisters in Christ come and encourage us.
Volunteer at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.
Offer to coordinate a church party or a fun day out for your church. Sometimes all people need is a little help getting started.
Numerous charities and ministries need volunteers who are willing to address envelopes, sort through donations, or run errands. Just look around there are plenty out there that need help.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Just look around. Keep your eyes open and pray for opportunities to open up. You’ll be amazed to see what does come along.
Finally let God lead you. Let Him guide you into what He has planned. Remember this dear sister, as He leads, He always provides strength and peace.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Talents and How to Use Them Part 5
Encouragement. We all need it. Many times we get tired and discouraged. We take our eyes off our Savior.
That’s were encouragers come in. They are people who lift us up. They are people who build us up. They are people who point us back to the One who made us. They are people who spur us on to love and good works.
Do you have a heart to encourage people like that? If you do, I feel that this is one of the best gifts that you can have. I know that for me, encouragers are some of the most important people in my life.
Yet how do you use this gift? There are so many ways, some of which we’ve already talked about.
The biggest way you can encourage others is to offer them friendship. When you give someone the gift of true and honest friendship, it gives you the power to bless and encourage them.
Another idea is to start a small group that meets at your house. You can just get together and talk or you can do a Bible study, but in whatever you choose to do it gives you a great chance to encourage others. Or if you don’t feel comfortable starting something, join a group where you can feel comfortable.
Take a younger sister in Christ under your wing for a year and write her letters on a regular basis.
Live it out. Make encouragement a lifestyle that you live by. Wherever you go and in whatever you do, let you light shine. God is with you.
That’s were encouragers come in. They are people who lift us up. They are people who build us up. They are people who point us back to the One who made us. They are people who spur us on to love and good works.
Do you have a heart to encourage people like that? If you do, I feel that this is one of the best gifts that you can have. I know that for me, encouragers are some of the most important people in my life.
Yet how do you use this gift? There are so many ways, some of which we’ve already talked about.
The biggest way you can encourage others is to offer them friendship. When you give someone the gift of true and honest friendship, it gives you the power to bless and encourage them.
Another idea is to start a small group that meets at your house. You can just get together and talk or you can do a Bible study, but in whatever you choose to do it gives you a great chance to encourage others. Or if you don’t feel comfortable starting something, join a group where you can feel comfortable.
Take a younger sister in Christ under your wing for a year and write her letters on a regular basis.
Live it out. Make encouragement a lifestyle that you live by. Wherever you go and in whatever you do, let you light shine. God is with you.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Talents and How to Use Them Part 4
Teaching
Teaching. Does that word give you chills? It gave me chills for a long time. I had so much that I wanted to share. I wanted to help point others to God. I wanted to show others God’s love.
But I always felt that I wasn’t a good teacher. I stammered and faltered. I was a bit of a scatter brain and clueless as to how to teach.
Then one day, I was asked to teach a homemaking class. I paused. I thought, I want to do this, but can I? After all I’m just an ordinary teenager. How can I teach a class? What if I fail?
As I struggled, one of the things that I realized was that I was more afraid of failure than anything else. I wasn’t afraid of planning or my students, I was afraid of failure and the unknown.
Needless to say. God came and helped me overcome this. He helped me to see that He would be in me and would help me.
I said I would take the place of head teacher of the class. Sometimes all we need to do to overcome fear is to face it head on. I found out that your fear lessens when you take it on.
After a lot of preparation and prayer, I went and taught my first class. I was amazed at how easy it was. We did a craft and talked about homemaking. It was surprisingly easy. They’re learning (hopefully) and I’m getting to help. It’s a rewarding and fun.
If you want to share some of what God or your parents have taught you, but are afraid of failure or teaching, can I encourage you? Face your fears. Don’t let them rule you. If you want to teach, let the Spirit be your guide. Follow God’s lead and let Him show you wonderful things.
Teaching. Does that word give you chills? It gave me chills for a long time. I had so much that I wanted to share. I wanted to help point others to God. I wanted to show others God’s love.
But I always felt that I wasn’t a good teacher. I stammered and faltered. I was a bit of a scatter brain and clueless as to how to teach.
Then one day, I was asked to teach a homemaking class. I paused. I thought, I want to do this, but can I? After all I’m just an ordinary teenager. How can I teach a class? What if I fail?
As I struggled, one of the things that I realized was that I was more afraid of failure than anything else. I wasn’t afraid of planning or my students, I was afraid of failure and the unknown.
Needless to say. God came and helped me overcome this. He helped me to see that He would be in me and would help me.
I said I would take the place of head teacher of the class. Sometimes all we need to do to overcome fear is to face it head on. I found out that your fear lessens when you take it on.
After a lot of preparation and prayer, I went and taught my first class. I was amazed at how easy it was. We did a craft and talked about homemaking. It was surprisingly easy. They’re learning (hopefully) and I’m getting to help. It’s a rewarding and fun.
If you want to share some of what God or your parents have taught you, but are afraid of failure or teaching, can I encourage you? Face your fears. Don’t let them rule you. If you want to teach, let the Spirit be your guide. Follow God’s lead and let Him show you wonderful things.
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