God Planned For Us To Do Good Things

Hello, friends. Just a quick note to encourage you today.

God has big plans for you and He wants to use you to do good things!

Have a great day.

Be Kind

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

We heard these verses in church Sunday. It was a nice reminder to exude the same kindness and mercy to others that Christ gives to us.

People aren’t always going to say or do things that we like, but it’s important to remember that we’ve done the same – more than a few times. God is still kind to us, so we should do our best to be kind to others.

Have a great day.

The Gift of Peace

I came across this devotional and read it to our family during our recent vacation. Thought I’d share it here with you today as well.

Winning peace: Real peace is not won by avoiding or denying conflict. Conflict may be necessary to achieve peace. That’s why Jesus Christ fought and defeated the Enemy of our souls, freeing us to live at peace with God. “For he himself is our peace, who has … destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). No wonder the angels proclaimed “on earth peace to men” upon Jesus’ arrival in the manger (Luke 2:14).   

Receiving peace: Jesus told His disciples that He gives peace of a different quality than the world gives (John 14:27). The world can achieve a temporary absence of conflict through a change in circumstances. But lasting peace is received as a free gift from the One who defeated death and sin. It is not something we can obtain through our own efforts, nor something that can be taken away by life’s difficulties or conflicts. In Jesus’ words: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Experiencing peace: We can, however, rob ourselves of the peace that Christ offers. That’s why we are commanded to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). How? By replacing anxiety with prayer and thankfulness. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The result? “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Click the link above or click here to read more. You’ll find some key points and additional readings to go along with this topic.

There is nothing like the peace of God! It can get you through anything and keeps you steady when the waves of the world might otherwise toss you around. It’s available to you at no cost – the price has already been paid. What an amazing gift.

Have a great day.

Wonderful Power

Ephesians 1:19-20
I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power He used when He raised Christ from death and let Him sit at His right side in Heaven.

Amen!

Just wanted to share that with you this morning…a little blast of encouragement as you start your day.

God loves ya! You are made to do great things. All He asks in return is that you trust Him and let Him lead your steps through this life. He will never lead you wrong.

Have a great day.

Words

‘With a few kind words, you can change a person’s life.’
-Joyce Meyer (video)

So true…but at the same time, it is also true when you substitute the word ‘kind’ with ‘hurtful’.

Our words have power. Plain and simple. Harnessing them so we are speaking joy and love into others’ lives instead of pain and hurt is not an easy task, but it’s a very important one.

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Yep, that pretty much sums it up. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m a work in progress with this.

Ask God today for the strength to speak words of life, not words of death. It’s not something we can control on our own…no matter how skilled we are at communicating.

Speak life into those you encounter today. As the quote at the top says, you can change their life – and for the better, if the words you say are with love.

Have a great day!