Do You Want Strength & Character?

Discipline is not a joy ride. Like the Israelites, we all get reprimanded by the Lord. It's not fun, but grows our trust and reliance on Him.

Deuteronomy 8:2-5 (New Living Translation)

2 Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.

Keep in mind, His loving discipline only lasts a little while. But His goodness, it lasts forever.

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Humble?

Hey, here's a question for you. What does it mean to be humble?

Philippians 2:3-8 (New Living Translation)

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Jesus gave up a lot. He humbled Himself for me and for you. Look, we're not asking you to die on a cross. But to be like Christ, we have to be humble just like Him. So, what's that mean for you?

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What Do You Trust?

You know, there's a lot in the Bible about money. Why? Well, check out what Paul says.

1 Timothy 6:17-18 (New Living Translation)

17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.

"Being rich in good works" ... that basically means helping other in need. Whether you have lots of money or lots of time, God gave it to you for a reason.

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...But I Get Up Again

Imagine a super-bad day. Maybe it's today, for me, it was a day when I missed my train in Germany, which caused me to miss my flight to Paris, which made me miss my flight back home--and I was stressed, a lot!

Ok. Now picture your worst day.

2 Corinthians 2:8-10 (New Living Translation)

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

You've gone through tough stuff, and you're going to go through it again. But, you know, we may not be safe from being knocked down, but we're safe from being destroyed. Try to remember that and let it be a little light in your darkest moment.

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Exam Time

We all feel worthless sometimes, but here's the truth that crushes that lie.

Psalm 139:1-6, 16-18 (New Living Translation)

1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

...


16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!

Hey guys, stop believing the lie. Listen, love has no barriers--now that's acceptance.

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Quotes, Cuz They Make You Go "hmmmm"

"Jesus died for people, not principles. Pharisees care about keeping rules. Jesus cares about healing hurts."

-Rick Warren

Luke 13:14-15 (New International Version)

¹⁴Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."

¹⁵The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?

FREEDOM is what we are called to and that's how we need to live. Not just as an expectation for "me" but as way to interact with all those who come across my path.

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Thanks

Your turkey is defrosting, baking … maybe even gone. But the spirit of thankfulness hopefully lasts longer than warm pumpkin pie with home made whip cream.

Check out what what Paul does in 2 Timothy 1:3-5

2 Timothy 1:3-5 (New Living Translation)

3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

So be thankful. We are. Who are you thankful for? Tell them.

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