When something goes wrong a self-centered person will often try and blame someone. Fixing blame won’t fix the problem. Someone has wisely said that we should not be concerned with who is right and who is wrong but what is right, and what is wrong. Do not waste energy pointing the finger of blame, just do what needs to be done to right it.
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2020
There are many desires in my life that remain unrealized. Like most, I want a healthier waistline. I desire a greater control over which thoughts occupy my mind. I want the pure heart Jesus described. When I am honest with myself, I realize that my heart is divided between what I want and what I really want. Lord I ask you to flush out my impure heart and rinse my soul with the grace of your love and goodness.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer.29.13 Conversations Within” ts 11/17/2020
I am not one to place stock in religion. I say this because I prefer to view my interactions with God as a relationship not a religion. Having said this, I understand that in any healthy relationship there are actions that one practices religiously--with conscientious regularity. I religiously tell my spouse that I love her. There are many wonderful actions that we can religiously practice, and kindness is surely one of them.
“Love is kind.” 1Cor.13 Conversations Within” ts 11/18/2020
Did I ever tell you how grateful I am for you? Yes I am talking to you if you are reading this. I am grateful that you are a witness to my life. I am thankful for the privilege to be a witness to yours. We share posts, pictures and prayer request of good, even bad days. There is so much beauty in my life because we do. Let me say it, “Thank you!” I can't say it enough. You are one of the reasons for the joy in my life. Father, thank you for the blessings of family and friendship.
"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Phil.1.3 Conversations Within” ts 11/24/2020
At first glance it might appear that saying thank you is only a gift we return to others for some benefit they have given to us. The simple truth is that we do ourselves a good turn as well when we make gratitude a regular part of our interactions with others. There are a number of medical studies that conclude that happy and grateful people live longer and experience better health than those who are unhappy and ungrateful.
“A joyful heart is good medicine.” Prov.17.22 Conversations Within” ts 11/24/2020
I think it is a good practice to pause and give thanks before we eat a meal, not only to remind ourselves of all we have to be grateful for, but to nurture a grateful spirit. A grateful heart is one of those things that promotes nothing but goodness, and the rhythm of saying, “Grace,” returns grace, because it stirs joy in us and then back to us.
“Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts 11/24/2020
I try to practice this adage when making decisions. The problem is that I am one to always question myself, so I can find reasons to doubt every decision. Another adage I like is, “Live decisively.” I believe that the wisdom that comes from above can join being cautious and being decisive together so that our actions do not cripple us, but enable us to live with confident joy.
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecc.11.4 Conversations Within” ts 11/16/2020
I have often said that we should make room for the doubts of others because God certainly does. Why should I insist that people move at the same pace, or be on the same page I am where God is concerned? God has done nothing but help me move through my doubts into faith. Don't shove religion on people, and humbly give people room to express their doubts.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb.11.6 Conversations Within” ts 11/15/2020
The politics of Jesus, if any, might be summarized by His encouragement that when we pray we say to the Father, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Jesus spoke often of seeking God’s will and doing it. Perhaps the “one thing” that matters in any and every circumstance is knowing what God wants from us and humbly ask Him for His grace to do it. The Kingdom of God comes to earth first in my own heart.
“Only one thing is necessary.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/13/2020
There are matters in this universe that will simply have their way. There will always be cause and effect. It is what it is. I find great comfort knowing that even though I cannot grasp the wind in my hand or control the path of a storm, or a million other natural wonders, My Father oversees them all. Everything works His magic, which means I can trust that no matter what the cause, He will rule the final word in how it affects.
“You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.” Ps.89.9 Conversations Within” ts 11/12/2020
It dawns on me that I have never once asked God for something when I did not get an answer. He has not always given me what I asked for, but He has always answered. Reviewing this has left me with the strong impression that I have not asked nearly enough. I fear that so many things have escaped the influences of my prayers and His gracious offer to answer them.
“Call to me and I will answer…” Jer.33.3 Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2020
It astounds me to realize that I can harden my heart to God’s grace and doing so, wind up missing out on His intended blessings. It is rather clear that our Father does not force us to follow Him. I think it is also rather clear that anytime I convince myself that I do not need God’s help, and try to go it alone, I fall flat on my face. Grace is there for the talking, take it, use it, enjoy it.
“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Gal.2.21 Conversations Within” ts 11/10/2020
It’s all grace. We are surrounded by it every single day. Every urge we have for goodness, for positive change, to forgive someone, to keep our words in check, to hold our temper, or express kindness comes from God’s sweet grace working in us. Appropriate it, give thanks for it, and cooperate with it.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am,” 1Cor.15.10 Conversations Within” ts 11/9/2020
It’s all grace where my life with God is concerned. I have no personal footing to stand on that merits His favor. What I cannot do, He has done in Jesus. Every good thing that I am able to do is a reflection of this. I am not earning a place in Heaven when I do something good. Eternal life is His gift to all who look to Christ. Doing good works like love is its own reward.
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Conversations Within” ts 11/8/2020
People who practice prayer know it is never the last thing we do, but have made it the first habit. This does not mean that we do not do what we are able to do and should do. Prayer is where we find the wisdom in what we should do and the very strength to do it. Prayer can also be proactive and head things off before there is a crisis. Pray!
“Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/5/2020
I sincerely desire that my daily schedule grow out of my intercessions for others. What I am saying is that what we do everyday, can grow out of insights we gain from our prayers for others. Speak often with God for the people in your life. Then follow up by doing what He instructs you to do for them. Praying consistently for them is a good place to start.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” 2Tim.2.1 Conversations Within” ts 11/3/2020
A father will often ask his children to responsibly take out the trash every day before he entrusts the family car to them for the weekend. Faithfulness in small matters is the dress rehearsal for it in matters of greater importance. Say your prayers. Keep watch over your thoughts and words. Whatever God has entrusted to you, do your best with it.
‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 11/2/2020
Do I see myself as one engaged to Christ? Am I off the market as we say about an engaged person. Fidelity to Christ is what the good ole fashioned word “holiness” means. This means that I will not give a second thought about anything that betrays the commitment that I belong to the Lord--not in thought, word or deed.
“And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.” Hos.2.19 Conversations Within” ts 11/1/2020
Do we have the power to create our reality with our words? Consider the person who says, “I can,” and the one who says, “I can’t.” How about someone who says, “I’m having a good day, and one who says the opposite.” There is certainly power in our words and often the kind of day we are having is greatly influenced by them.
"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/30/2020
There is a time to watch and wait. There is also a time to act. It is important to act with caution but it is also important to act. Wisdom knows when to do what. The good news is that wisdom is not only gained from the trial and error of experience, but from humbly asking for it from our Heavenly Father. He promises to give it when we ask. Go ahead and ask. Act at lease on that.
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecc.11.4 Conversations Within” ts 10/29/2020
The promise of Jesus of an abundant life is not conditioned on the kind of weather we are having. What I am suggesting is that in Christ we can experience the abundant life even if our partner in marriage is not being a partner, or our health is declining, or we have lost our job or any other negative circumstances we might find ourselves in. The reason is that the life that Jesus offers is first spiritual--the very healing of our inner life. Everything else will eventually follow, in this life or the next.
“I have come that you might have life, abundant life.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/28/2020
It is easy for us to give our energy to matters that don’t really matter. A productive day can be lost to a thousand unimportant things that pop up every hour. Put your hand to the plow and finish the task before you go to another. Just be sure you are plowing in the right field.
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2020
The love of action is always a choice, one that purposefully seeks to benefit and bring goodness to others. Make no mistake about it, this is the life that Christ calls us to live. We must often deny ourselves something in order to love and live this way. Even so, this is one of the ways we are set free from the prison of selfish living and brought into the joy of Jesus.
“Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 10/26/2020
I deeply admire people who kindly “agree to disagree.” This kind of maturity understands that respect is always the proper way to treat people, whether we agree with them or not. We might even say that respect is especially proper when we have a disagreement. Never mock, or despise someone because they have a different point of view.
“Do not quarrel over opinions.” Rom.14.1 Conversations Within” ts 10/25/2020
