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Monday, December 31, 2012

Resolve to LOVE!

With the New Year approaching, it is often a time of reflection, planning, changes, and yes.... resolutions. Some frown upon resolutions. Others swear by them. Today, I do neither. Instead I offer a humble suggestion. Whether you are for or against New Year Resolutions, consider this: the definition of “resolve” is a firm determination to do something.
In today's world, with all the chaos, murder, suicide, and mayhem that is taking place, we could ALL stand to resolve to personally SHARE MORE LOVE with one another. We could all stand to resolve to CARE more about others, in word AND in deed. We could all stand to pour more positivity into the lives of others in the way we treat people, respond to people, consider others, post on facebook, and the list goes on. So as the New Year approaches, I challenge us all (myself included) to take the time and to think of, not only how we can improve our own lives, but how we can positively impact the lives of someone else. Turn it into a DAILY resolution to bless someone else EACH day - whether with a smile, kind word or compliment, asking someone how they are doing... and then LISTENING to their response, volunteering and giving of your time and/or resources, donating, mentoring, adopting, and the list goes on. Say, “I love you” more. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Take time and work on your families. Love one another. Take time and really TALK to one another. Invest in your children. Invest in your community. Resolve to think outside yourself, this New Year. If you decide to join me,

Sunday, December 30, 2012

With My Whole Heart #4

{{Am I Loving God With My Whole Heart?}} 
Q: Do YOU read your Bible often & regularly? - - - Yes or No?
Are you reading, studying, and writing God's word on your heart? Are you committing verses to memory? Yes or No?
>>>> If you answered "yes" to the questions relevant to your life - please share how it is you are managing to do so. Why you do so. How were you able to overcome? What is your testimony? Share anything that has blessed you in this area.

>>>> If you search your heart, and find your answer to be "no" in any area. Please share. I am positive you are not alone in your struggles and the purpose here is to become better. As you share, you will provoke dialogue that will bless not only yourself, but your sisters as well. Let us get to the HEART of the matter, together, and may GOD be glorified. Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking God's word does not apply to us... Or allow ourselves to justify sin. Let us intentionally and purposefully seek to EVOLVE, to change, to become more like Him - better reflections of Christ. ♥ {James 1:22-25} But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves... he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
The following scripture speaks to the HEART of the matter (as well I have listed additional verses at the end; I urge you all to take the time to search the word for yourselves. Look these scriptures up, write them on your heart [commit them to memory], and APPLY them to your life).
 What does GOD say about the importance of reading, studying, and memorizing His word? 

{John 14: 15} “If you love me, keep my commands..." 
{Joshua 1:8} "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

{Matthew 4:4} But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

{Psalm 119:130} The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

{Psalm 119:105} Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

{Psalm 119:9} How shall a young man (woman) cleanse his (her) way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it].

{Ephesians 5:8-11} For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
 Today's "With My Whole Heart" is brought to you by: Ms. LaCrea Bucknell
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Friday, December 28, 2012

With My Whole Heart #3

{{ Am I Loving God With My Whole Heart? }}
Q: Are you living in sin and yet glorifying God with your mouth? Are you offering Him lip service but failing to give Him your heart and your life, failing to act in accordance with your words?

 
>>>>If you answered "no" to the questions relevant to your life - please share how it is you are managing to do so. How were you able to overcome? What is your testimony? Share anything that has blessed you in this area.

>>>>If you search your heart, and find your answer to be "yes" in any area. Please share. I am positive you are not alone in your struggles and the purpose here is to become better. As you share, you will provoke dialogue that will bless not only yourself, but your sisters as well. Let us get to the HEART of the matter, together, and may GOD be glorified. Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking God's word does not apply to us... Or allow ourselves to justify sin. Let us intentionally and purposefully seek to EVOLVE, to change, to become more like Him - better reflections of Christ. ♥ {James 1:22-25} But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves... he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
 The following scripture(s) speaks to the HEART of the matter (these are just a few; I urge you all to take the time to search the word for yourselves. Look these scriptures up, write them on your heart [commit them to memory], and APPLY them to your life).
 1 John 3:18 // Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

I have been pondering another Christian saying today: "Glory to God"....what does this really mean? We will often state that we give "glory to God" for this, that, or the other but are we just offering Him lip service?

Dictionary.com defines "glory" as....

2. something that is a source of HONOR, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an object of pride.
3. adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving.

Matthew 15:8 “‘These people HONOR me with their LIPS, but their HEARTS are far from me.

The real question is, do our hearts and therefore our lives, bring "GLORY to GOD"? It isn't about lip service alone. It isn't about accrediting Him with being the source of these things with our words but professing His greatness with the very lives we live!

Let us not make the mistake of being superficial with God. He knows better anyway and we are hurting ourselves by doing so. Let Him in. It is time to go deeper and truly live what we profess to believe. Let His grace work in you to bring forth the true glory of God in your life! And we will SHINE brighter and brighter ALL FOR HIS GLORY!
 Today's "With My Whole Heart" is brought to you by: Mrs. Tami Gale Theurer
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