"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
-Galatians 5:25
This verse has been on my mind the past few days. What I found interesting is that in the Greek translation, the word 'walk' in this verse means, "to proceed in a row as the march of a soldier." If we are daily listening for the Holy Spirit, He will direct us. We must take the time to pray and seek God to find our "marching orders", and then fall in line behind Him as He leads us.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Influence vs. Impact
In the day and age of social media, it's easy to get caught up in getting your name out there, how many people follow you, the amount of retweets you have, how many people read your blog, etc. You know, the ever-important platform. There's the common belief that the number of people who follow you shows how influential you are. And in many ways, that is true. But what's most important is not how MANY people you are "influencing" but HOW you are impacting those around you.
It is better to have a profound and eternal impact on a few, rather than have a superficial and non-eternal influence on the masses.
No matter who you are, you have influence, and I love seeing people use theirs in a positive way. But let's go beyond the game of who has the most influence and instead strive to make an impact for God's glory instead of our own.
It is better to have a profound and eternal impact on a few, rather than have a superficial and non-eternal influence on the masses.
No matter who you are, you have influence, and I love seeing people use theirs in a positive way. But let's go beyond the game of who has the most influence and instead strive to make an impact for God's glory instead of our own.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Faithful
I want to be faithful.
I think there's a real lack of faithfulness today. It's something I struggle with on a daily basis. But I don't want my life to be one marked by many well-intentioned attempts but no "I'm going to see this through come hell or high water" follow-throughs.
I love writing, I love digging into God's Word, I love encouraging people. It's something I know God has put on my heart to do... a passion.
There are specific things that I KNOW God is calling me to, and because I want to be faithful to those things and to give myself completely to them, there are other things that, at the moment, I have to let go of. After a lot of prayer, I believe one of those things is writing on a daily basis. I will still write blog posts as God puts on my heart to do so.
I just want to say thank you for reading and all the encouragement I've received from your comments, messages, and feedback. What I love the most is being able to share life and what I'm walking through, knowing that I'm not alone in my thoughts, my experiences, and along this journey.
I think there's a real lack of faithfulness today. It's something I struggle with on a daily basis. But I don't want my life to be one marked by many well-intentioned attempts but no "I'm going to see this through come hell or high water" follow-throughs.
I love writing, I love digging into God's Word, I love encouraging people. It's something I know God has put on my heart to do... a passion.
There are specific things that I KNOW God is calling me to, and because I want to be faithful to those things and to give myself completely to them, there are other things that, at the moment, I have to let go of. After a lot of prayer, I believe one of those things is writing on a daily basis. I will still write blog posts as God puts on my heart to do so.
I just want to say thank you for reading and all the encouragement I've received from your comments, messages, and feedback. What I love the most is being able to share life and what I'm walking through, knowing that I'm not alone in my thoughts, my experiences, and along this journey.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
When Things Need To Change (Repost)
If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
- Mary Engelbreit
Life can be frustrating. Last night, I was venting to my poor husband about the many things I am frustrated about right now. There are circumstances in my life and around me that I wish would/could change, yet they are beyond my control. But there are also circumstances in my life and around me that I wish would/could change, and I have all the power to make it happen.
For many of us, our issue doesn't come with RECOGNIZING what needs to change, but in IMPLEMENTING change itself.
My young daughter can get upset over the smallest things sometimes. In those instances, I tell her, "Don't get upset over something you can change." As I was venting last night, I realized that complaining was getting me nowhere in changing my circumstances. Instead, I need to take my frustration and use it to fuel me to make the right adjustments. For those things that are beyond my control, the thing I need to adjust is my attitude.
Look at the thing in your life that you are most unhappy about or that you tend to complain about the most, then find a way to change it. If it's something that you can't change yourself, then take it to prayer, ask God to change your perspective, and trust Him with the rest.
- Mary Engelbreit
Life can be frustrating. Last night, I was venting to my poor husband about the many things I am frustrated about right now. There are circumstances in my life and around me that I wish would/could change, yet they are beyond my control. But there are also circumstances in my life and around me that I wish would/could change, and I have all the power to make it happen.
For many of us, our issue doesn't come with RECOGNIZING what needs to change, but in IMPLEMENTING change itself.
My young daughter can get upset over the smallest things sometimes. In those instances, I tell her, "Don't get upset over something you can change." As I was venting last night, I realized that complaining was getting me nowhere in changing my circumstances. Instead, I need to take my frustration and use it to fuel me to make the right adjustments. For those things that are beyond my control, the thing I need to adjust is my attitude.
Look at the thing in your life that you are most unhappy about or that you tend to complain about the most, then find a way to change it. If it's something that you can't change yourself, then take it to prayer, ask God to change your perspective, and trust Him with the rest.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
What Is True?
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
-Philippians 4:8
So many great reminders in this verse! But for this post, I want to focus on the part that reads, "Whatever is TRUE". So often we allow our emotions, our circumstances, other people's words and actions to rule in our minds.
We dwell on anything and everything BUT the truth.
Many times when we feel discouraged or defeated, it's because we are focusing on and believing things that simply aren't true. Satan is called "the father of lies" for a reason. He is a manipulater and a deceiver, and he knows exactly what thoughts to plant in our minds. It is our choice whether or not we are going to let those thoughts take root.
We must learn to think about what we are thinking about. To distinguish fact from fiction, reality from emotion, and truth from manipulation. THEN, we can focus our minds on those things that are indeed true.
-Philippians 4:8
So many great reminders in this verse! But for this post, I want to focus on the part that reads, "Whatever is TRUE". So often we allow our emotions, our circumstances, other people's words and actions to rule in our minds.
We dwell on anything and everything BUT the truth.
Many times when we feel discouraged or defeated, it's because we are focusing on and believing things that simply aren't true. Satan is called "the father of lies" for a reason. He is a manipulater and a deceiver, and he knows exactly what thoughts to plant in our minds. It is our choice whether or not we are going to let those thoughts take root.
We must learn to think about what we are thinking about. To distinguish fact from fiction, reality from emotion, and truth from manipulation. THEN, we can focus our minds on those things that are indeed true.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
God Is Our Anchor
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
-Hebrews 6:19
I hate change. But ironically, my life over the past few years has been full of it. I like control and security. But ironically, my life over the past few years has been void of it. If you feel like life is tossing you about in the waves of a raging storm, cling to God as your steadfast anchor. He is hope in the midst of despair, peace in the midst of chaos, and a constant in the midst of change.
-Hebrews 6:19
I hate change. But ironically, my life over the past few years has been full of it. I like control and security. But ironically, my life over the past few years has been void of it. If you feel like life is tossing you about in the waves of a raging storm, cling to God as your steadfast anchor. He is hope in the midst of despair, peace in the midst of chaos, and a constant in the midst of change.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Letting Go
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."
-Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
Sometimes we just have to let go. When there comes a point where God is telling us to lay down all of our building plans and tools and just walk away. It definitely isn't an easy thing to do, especially if it's something you really desire or something you've put blood, sweat, and tears into.
I'm not advocating quitting because you're tired, or things get too tough, or because giving up is the easy way out. I'm talking about those situations when GOD is telling you it's time. When God has been speaking to your heart and you know in your gut (whether you want to admit it or not), that it's time to let go. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that seasons change... it may be a dream, a desire, a relationship, a specific plan.
As hard as it may be, the beauty of answering God's call to let go of something is knowing that He is with you every step of the way. He will help you and strengthen you. And ultimately, God is wanting to move you on to something better.
-Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
Sometimes we just have to let go. When there comes a point where God is telling us to lay down all of our building plans and tools and just walk away. It definitely isn't an easy thing to do, especially if it's something you really desire or something you've put blood, sweat, and tears into.
I'm not advocating quitting because you're tired, or things get too tough, or because giving up is the easy way out. I'm talking about those situations when GOD is telling you it's time. When God has been speaking to your heart and you know in your gut (whether you want to admit it or not), that it's time to let go. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that seasons change... it may be a dream, a desire, a relationship, a specific plan.
As hard as it may be, the beauty of answering God's call to let go of something is knowing that He is with you every step of the way. He will help you and strengthen you. And ultimately, God is wanting to move you on to something better.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Walking In Faith
"...for we walk by faith, not by sight."
-2 Corinthians 5:7
As I dropped my girl off for her first day of summer classes, she looked around the room to see if she saw any familiar faces. I knew that two of her close friends from school were going to be in her class, but they were not there yet. Extremely disappointed, my daughter turns around and says, "I thought my friends would be here." I tried to reassure her that they were probably on their way, but even as I talked to her, tears were welling up in her eyes.
I knew that her friends would be there... I saw the class roster and name tags outside the door, and even talked to one of the moms. But no amount of convincing would make my young daughter believe it unless she saw them with her own eyes.
How many times are we like that? Instead of believing God and taking Him at His word, we doubt. Instead of walking forward in confident faith, we grow discouraged and even angry, because we just don't "see" something happening. God is infinite and He sees so much more than we do. He knows the big picture.
Are you walking by faith or by sight?
-2 Corinthians 5:7
As I dropped my girl off for her first day of summer classes, she looked around the room to see if she saw any familiar faces. I knew that two of her close friends from school were going to be in her class, but they were not there yet. Extremely disappointed, my daughter turns around and says, "I thought my friends would be here." I tried to reassure her that they were probably on their way, but even as I talked to her, tears were welling up in her eyes.
I knew that her friends would be there... I saw the class roster and name tags outside the door, and even talked to one of the moms. But no amount of convincing would make my young daughter believe it unless she saw them with her own eyes.
How many times are we like that? Instead of believing God and taking Him at His word, we doubt. Instead of walking forward in confident faith, we grow discouraged and even angry, because we just don't "see" something happening. God is infinite and He sees so much more than we do. He knows the big picture.
Are you walking by faith or by sight?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)