God's Kindness

                                    God’s Kindness
                   A condensed article by: Carol Weeks
                www.speakinghopeministry.blogspot.com
      “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient... We lived in malice and envy, 
     being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love 
                         of God our Savior appeared He saved us...”
                                          Titus 3:3-5a
 
        I went back to school in my early thirties to become a court reporter.  Most of the students were right out of high school
        A group of six girls hung around together, ate lunch together, went to movies together and etc. They loved to get in a tight huddle and whisper and laugh. Sometimes one would look up and focus on somebody in the class, then turn back to the group with more whispers and laughter.  
 
       I kept hearing my name spoken throughout the day. Not liking it, I finally ventured to their little huddle and asked, “Are you talking about me?" 
       They were stunned – deer in the headlights kind of thing – and very quickly assured me that I was not the Carol they were talking about.  It was the other Carol. I asked, “What’s the problem with her?”
        Answering crabbily, “She’s trying to be the teacher’s pet. She always has the right answers, always had her homework done. She dresses weird too.” 
       Over time the snubbing increased. I tried to avoid the group and ignore their whispers. 
       One day in typing class, the ringleader of this clique forgot her carbon paper. Not the worst crime in the world, but the teacher was very strict. If you came unprepared you were dismissed from class for that day. 
       Frantic not to miss a class she called to her friends for help but no one in her little circle had any to spare. 
       About that time, Carol said, "I have some you can use."  Much to everyone’s surprise, she handed her a piece of carbon paper.  The whole room stopped and stared.  This girl in particular had been very rude to Carol, and here was Carol offering her the very thing she needed. She took it, mumbling a quick thank you.
        This is a picture of God’s grace, His kindness to you. He is calling your name today. Please--don't turn Him away.
 
Dear Lord,
Forgive me for snubbing you. I am not ashamed to call you my best friend.

Free to Run

                                                                                                           I’m Free to Run
                                          *Please leave you own comment after you read Annemarie's. I want to hear from you!
    

       Where’s your favorite place? Do you like the mountains, the beach, or a secluded island? What’s your favorite food? Is it pizza, hamburgers, or ice-cream? Do you like flowers and seashells, ice and snow? Look at the beauty all around you. God could have made everything gray, tasteless, and boring. But He didn’t. He didn’t because He made them for you to enjoy. That’s how much He loves you.
   
        Do you know where God’s favorite place is? Oh yes, He really does have one.  It’s the mercy seat. That’s where you and Jesus meet and He forgives you of your sins. Wow! He loves to forgive you. He loves to make you free from guilt. He loves to see you free.

       The devil hates the mercy seat. He will do everything in his power to keep you away. But God is greater. When you know God’s love, you can run free.
    
       When you see all God has made for you and how much He loves you—say out loud, “Oh, Lord I love you. I love the way you made things.” Now listen. Did you hear Him? This is what He said, “I love you more!” And you can run! You can run with freedom. You can run with purpose. You can run with confidence. No sin, no sneering face, no scorner, can hold you back. Jesus has set you free!
 

“So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.”

John 8:36 MSG
       

 Dear Lord, I love you so much. Run with me today.

This make sense to me. The devil will never keep me away from God and I am grateful for what He's made...grateful to be free!

But--There are Giants

 But—There are Giants!

Please leave your own comment after reading Jacob's. Tell us your story!

  

“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”
Numbers 13:33 (KJV)
            

       No way! I’m not going to even try. Me, do that? It’s too hard. Besides…everyone will laugh at me. Who am I trying to fool anyway?  It’s too risky. And so you sit on your hands and watch others achieve what you feared to attempt. You are not supposed to live that way.!
 
       God told His people to go into Canaan. It was their land for the taking. The Lord said He would be with them. He would give them victory. Well, as soon as they saw the giants they felt like grasshoppers and weaklings. They acted the way they felt. They were afraid to battle giants. They had forgotten God was with them.  The giants looked at them and sneered, “What a bunch of sniveling babies.”
    
       You are no sniveling baby. You are a King’s kid. When you walk on campus, walk tall and smile. Keep your head up. Don’t walk with it down. Be confident because you are God’s child. He wants you to have lots of confidence. The devil wants to take it from you. Don’t be ashamed of your dreams.
 
        How do you think Jesus walked? When God said, “This is my beloved Son. I’m pleased with Him.” Did Jesus say, “Well, I don’t know about that.”? Of course not! Men tried to shame Him but He kept on doing His Father’s work. He paid no attention to the bullies!
 

I dunno what hit me, man!

“God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself
as a cherished, personal treasure.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 MSG
        

Dear Lord, I know you are always with me. I will not be afraid. I will not be ashamed. I am confident in your great love for me!

Don't think lowly of yourself or else everyone else will too. Think highly of yourself and so will the people around you. Look to God to help you remain confident. 

Keep you head up and BE confident!

What If I Stumble

Peter replied, ‘Man, I don't know what you're talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him:
‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’
And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Luke 22:60-62 NIV
   

 
   “Never, Lord! Never will I desert you. Even if everyone else does, I won’t.
 I’m your man.”
 
    Those were the words spoken by Peter before the handcuffs were slapped on Jesus and He was dragged away. Jesus knew. He knew that Peter would fail. He knew this disciple, whose feet He’d washed, would run like fire and ditch Him for his own selfish reasons. Three times, Peter swore “@#&*, I don’t know this Jesus!” Fleeing from the courtyard and the accusing faces, Peter crumbled to the ground and sobbed. He could never take back his words. How could he ever face Jesus again?
    
 But Jesus had a plan. “Do you love Me, Peter? Are you sure you do? I’ll ask again.
Do you love Me?—Then feed my sheep.”
   
 Three times, the Lord cancelled Peter’s sin. Three times, He gave direction. Three times, a new beginning was offered. All Peter had to do was say yes. And he did. Peter became a powerful leader in the early church. His very shadow brought healing. He didn’t stay stuck in his failure. He was forgiven and moved forward. The scripture below was written by Peter. Take it from one who knew!
 
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
                                                                                            Acts 3:19 NIV
       
 Dear Lord,
        Forgive me for ________________. I will follow You.

We all make mistakes. I have. But God has forgiven me. He doesn't hold a grudge against us when we mess up. We sin a lot, but just turn to Him. Your faith in God will grow.

God Has Plans for Me?

                                                                                 God Has Plans for Me?

              Jacob left a great comment. Do you ever wonder if God       has plans for you? Please leave your own comment.

“For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD.
"They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

 David wasn't very important.  Today as every day, He was taking good care of a few of his father's sheep. But his brothers, impressive and muscle bound,  were parading before the great prophet Samuel. One of them would be hailed king before Samuel left the little town of Bethlehem. David’s brothers looked like kings: tall, virile, handsome. Their father beamed too…yet the Lord rejected all seven of them.
 
   “Do you have any other boys?” asked Samuel.

      His father spoke reluctantly, “Well—there's David—but he's just watching a few sheep.”
 

     Samuel's voice boomed with authority, “Bring him to me! I’ll not rest until I have done the Lord’s business.”

What about you?

     Perhaps you know the story of how this wimpy, underestimated brother got the prize and became Israel’s most famous king. God had a plan for David that blew his brothers away.

    
 Not only are you chosen, but you are picked for a purpose.

Could it be that the Almighty has plans that will amaze me, my friends,

 and even my teachers and parents?

Yes!

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and

 appointed you as my spokesman to the world." Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
God calling
 “Do you hear me now? Are you ready to put on your boots and follow the passion I have given you?” says the Lord who formed you, chose you, and called you for purpose.
  

Dear Lord,
  Show me the path—Show me the passion—Show me—and 
  I will put on my boots and follow.

God doesn't look for beauty, intelligence or money.
He looks for those who truly love Him and want to serve Him.

Say No to the Jabs

                                                                                          Say No to the Jabs
  

        Leave your own comment after reading Jacob’s.

You're blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you."
                                         Luke 1:45 GW                                                                        

                    Two gossips
 
Mary – “Did you hear about Renee?”

 Judy -   “No. What going on with her?”
 
Mary– “She was accepted at Dream University! Can you believe it.?”

Judy – “Are you sure? Not just anybody gets in there.   
 
Mary   - “I was right there when it happened. She got a phone call from her mother.
 
Judy – “Renee is such a scatter brain. She’s very blond, you know.”
 
Mary –“Oh, yeah. Do I ever!”   
 
Judy –“She’s always wanted to teach children.”         
 
Mary – “Well, I guess we should be happy for her but …well…go figure?”
 
                                                                             Who cares what they think?
     Don’t let what people think keep you in a box. God has given you a dream. Come out of the box, dream big and take steps toward the goal. The enemy wants you to compare yourself with others and feel bad. You look at air brushed pictures of models and muscle bound heroes and feel ugly and puny. Stop it!
    Others may poke fun at your dream. Don’t listen to them. There are always going to be naysayers. They’re a dime a dozen. There’s something better going on for you. You’ve got the whole cheering section in heaven shouting your name!
 
What really counts? God has the final word.
 
                                                                    “… If God is for us, who can be against us?”
                                                                                        Romans 8:31 NIV
        Dear Lord, I only care what you think. Thank you!

Don't let others put you down or tell you, you aren't good enough. 
Don't compare yourself to people in the media. 
It will only lower your self-esteem. 
Don't let it distort your view of what "good" is.

He Sees You

He Sees You
Emma has a great review at the end. She would love to hear your story.

"'How do you know about me?’" Nathanael asked. And Jesus replied, ‘I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.’" 

John 1:48 NLT
  

  “You knew me? You saw me? Awesome! You must be the Son of God. You’ve got to be the King of Israel!” Nathanael was shocked that Jesus would even notice him. But He did. Jesus saw Nathanael while he was sitting under a tree.
    If you’re sitting under a tree right now, Jesus sees you too and He thinks you’re amazing.
Yes, Jesus sees you. He knows exactly where you are.  He walks with you now—right now. He will walk anywhere with you—today. He will help you find a good friend—He will help you excel in school—He will help you with anything. Just ask.  He cares about every detail of your life.

                                               How do I know? The Bible tells me so.

                                     “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God    has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ Hebrews 13:5 NIV

 Does the enemy try to slap a label on your back? Are any of the following familiar?
    NI -  Not Important                    SC -  Sports Klutz
    S – Stupid                                    NC–  Not cool
    NAGA – Not as good as……       O  –  Overlooked
    NGL – Not good looking                BC -  Bad clothes

 Rip off that label. Walk with confidence. King Jesus walks with you. He sees you. He chooses you. He knows you’re cool because He made you. He’s looking at you—watching you. You are in His heart forever!
“I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works 
                                     are  miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.”
                                                                Psalm 139:14 GW

        Dear Lord,
        Thank you for seeing me. Please walk with me today. Thank you.

                                                                                  Emma's Review

People have said rude things to me in the past but I should not let those words get to me because God made me who I am. I am a daughter of The Lord. God knows everything about me. He knows my past and my future but His main thing is where I am right now--the way everything just is. He knows when I sit and when I rise, when a sparrow falls. He loves everyone even the foul mouthed and unworthy.
Lord, your love is beyond my understanding and I am not worthy of it, but still, You love me always.