Why we don’t get to make deals with God…

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A recent conversation has caused me to think about the deals we often try to make with God. I think many of us assume that if we’re good enough, God will allow our lives to be transformed into something amazing. And although it’s true that by keeping a straight footing and aligning ourselves with what scripture tells us, we can often do better. Yet none of this will ever guarantee that we won’t face difficulties and hardships.

Despite what most people may think, we don’t actually get to make deals with God. Sure we normally bargain all day long with the people we’re around. It’s human nature to scratch someone’s back if they’ve scratched ours. But with God, none of that applies. We can never be good enough or cause him to do something for us just because we think we’ve done something for him. He simply does things for us because he loves us fully and completely.

There is nothing we can ever do to be good enough. In this life, we are all equally promised eternal life, just by merely believing in Jesus and recognizing his sacrifice on the cross for us. Anything we’ve ever done that was wrong or hurtful will not determine our destiny, the price has already been paid. All we have to do is believe.

~M xo

Our Desperate Search for Superiority

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Topic of interest:
When we bow to Christ’s true superiority we no longer need to seek our own.
Speaking about the passages found in John 4:1-45.

My teenage daughter’s response:
Sure, we are not superior, but as humans created in the image of God, we are always going to search for it. To create, to live, to know… it comes from a small wanting inside all of us to be like God.

Is it terrible to want to be like God? No, because we as humans strive to be like the people we think of as great. It is not terrible to strive for greatness. It is only when that greatness consumes us that we forget why we wanted it in the first place.

Great and terrible people throughout history have strived for this unreachable greatness to the point of madness. To be like God and to be God, are two different points. Though they both sound equally good, one is always available and one never is.

~Brianna Cook (Age 16)


Photo credit: pixabay.com

Pressing forward…

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Today I was reading over some of my favorite passages in scripture and came across Paul’s reminder; “Forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead.”  These scripture verses in Philippians 3:12-16, really spoke to me today and gave me the encouraging words I needed.  I hope by reading these words, you will be encouraged as well.

I also came across a related devotional over at: The Hill House

The devotional can be found here – Philippians 3:12-16 devotional

Philippians 3:12-16 (NASB)

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on [a]so that I may lay hold of that [b]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are [c]perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep [d]living by that same standard to which we have attained.

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!  ~M


Photo found at: pinterest.com

Quoted scripture found at: BibleGateway

 

 

Imperfection couldn’t be more perfect

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“Even our successes are failures, compared to the perfection of God” ~M

 

Today I am another year older and I know that I’m not perfect and of course I never will be. Only God can be perfect.  Yet I often wonder why I feel so discontented when it comes to my imperfections. Most of us continually strive for success; it is human nature to do so, but we always fall short because we are imperfect people.  This can be quite frustrating for those of us who are perfectionists.  I must remember this… If I was perfect, the Lord could not improve me; for he is the potter and I am the clay. I must bear in mind all of the things that he has revealed to me through his word, so I don’t end up feeling defeated or discouraged.  Here are some verses that always give me the proper perspective.  Hope everyone is having a very happy Sunday!  🙂

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Isaiah 64:8 – And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

Isaiah 41:10 – Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you; don’t be anxious, because I am your God. I keep on strengthening you; I’m truly helping you. I’m surely upholding you with my victorious right hand.”

 


Photo credit:  ebonyjohanna.com

The Writer’s Devotional

My husband and I decided it would be fun to get away for a few days and head up north to the Wisconsin Dells. During the four days we spent there, we did a little shopping and I found a wonderful little book called, “The Writer’s Devotional – 365 inspirational exercises, ideas, tips & motivations on writing.”  Written by, Amy Peters.

1c75f6883a671ea73d0b01bfbc5acd93One of the first things that I noticed when I picked up this book was the fuzzy cover. It’s nicely bound in a suede like material and includes an attached ribbon for bookmarking pages. It’s a hardcover book, with cardstock thick pages and the binding is top notch.

So often when I sit down to write, I feel distracted and need something to sort of settle my mind. It’s sometimes hard to really focus on anything when the kids are yelling at each other in the background. This little book provides me with a short daily devotional which focuses on writing, and it really does help me get into the “writing mode.”

Each day of the week includes different categories, which offer motivational support for people who like to write. Here is the weekly breakdown:

Monday – Writers on writing
Tuesday – Motivation
Wednesday – Writing class
Thursday – Editing
Friday – Biography
Saturday – Books writers should read
Sunday – Writing Prompt

If you’re looking for a devotional which takes less than a couple of minutes to read through each day, I would highly recommend this great little book. If nothing else, it will perhaps set the mood for you to write or give you an idea about what to write about. And isn’t that a writer’s biggest challenge sometimes?   😉  ~M


Photo found at: http://www.examiner.com