Highlighting God's Presence to Inspire Your Life!
Did any of you readers watch that TV show this season?
Through the years I have enjoyed watching the regular So You Think You Can Dance show. I do enjoy being graced by the talent of the choreographers and the elegance of the dancers even though I am not personally musical or artistic. Continue reading “MENTORS”
Have you ever been in a situation where YOU were heavily burdened, in a room full of people and yet you felt so totally alone?
The people were busy chattering and nobody seemed to notice you?
Lonely, hurting, burdened people are all around us.
What will YOU do about it?
Christ told us that WE are the light of the world.
We are to shine brightly, so that all people will see our light.
One way to let our light shine is by being there for one another during the rough times, and being truly concerned about them.
Then, we may begin to understand the situation they’re facing, and what perspective the person has. It is then that God can use us to help them through their problem.
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…needs some prayer to help them through a rough patch? Maybe they just don’t have enough faith on their own.
…could use a few dollars to buy some food?
…could use a ride to church or to the store?
…needs some handiwork done around their house?
…just needs to talk over coffee or lunch?
…Can you pray for them?
…Can you encourage them through a kind word or note?
…Can you share some of your treasure with them?
…Can you share some of your time with them?
…Can you share some of your talent with them?
The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” –Matthew 26:40 (NIV)
…Did your light shine enough to care about others?
…Did you sacrifice your comfort to be Christ for others?
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. –Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
As a Christian, you can consider your life on this earth as a pilgrimage to eventually spend eternity with God our Father and Jesus our Lord.
Have you really viewed your life as that? Maybe not focusing so much on the routine “things” you do daily but on the things that are really important for eternity?
On your journey home, you may travel down many different roads.
**Some roads may be heavily traveled–Maybe you find yourself following the crowd which could be good or bad.
**Some roads may be only slightly traveled–Maybe you find yourself forging your own path doing what you feel God has called you to do that others may not think is popular.
**Some might be very bumpy and full of potholes–These are the times when trials and tribulations are coming at you to test your faith.
**Some might be smooth–Things just seem to be moving right along on a nice, even keel where you know God is in control.
On your journey home, you have the opportunity of meeting many different pilgrims along the way.
**Some pilgrims will have the same views as you on life and faith–Maybe inspiring you to live a better life or giving you a different viewpoint to consider.
**Some pilgrims will not share the same views as you on life and faith–Maybe you will be an inspiration for them or your life may help them see something differently when the time is right in their life.
On your journey home, you have the opportunity to do things that build up the kingdom of God on this earth.
**Giving to the poor, lowly, needy
**Sharing your love of the Lord through whatever gift God has given you-inspiring music, writing, art, spoken word
**Serving the less fortunate through serving meals, sharing the Gospel
**Praying for others to make a difference in their life
**Showing love and kindness to all you meet–opening a door for a stranger, sharing a meal with a widow or widower
**Giving an encouraging word to someone who is feeling down or alone
Through everything in this life, it is important to keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus.
By keeping the proper focus throughout your journey, you will be prepared to make that final crossing whenever the Lord calls you home, without fear or concern. Then you can spend eternity face to face with our Lord—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. –Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
We must all search to find the special gifts that God has given us to share with one another. Sometimes we may not feel we have any gifts, but Paul says in Romans 12:4-8,
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
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We need to take time every now and then to evaluate the gifts we’re sharing, as well as where and how we are using them. It is possible that our gifts may be used in different ways depending on the circumstances of our life. God may be calling us to use our gifts in a different setting at various times in our life.
God may also call us to expand our horizons and develop other gifts that are needed at certain times in our life. He wants us to continually grow in our spiritual walk. Our giftedness will be a blessing for us, while also blessing the people around us.
Sometimes our gifts may be visible to others, and at other times nobody may see them. What is vital is that we let God use our gifts at each stage of our life for His manifestation, and not to worry if others notice our gifts. Then we can rejoice knowing we are serving Him and doing His will!
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Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. –1 Peter 4:10
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A smile will do so much
to brighten someone’s day.
And a hug will make such
a warm difference in today.
You might send a card
that says just what you feel.
And the receiver won’t find it hard
to make the feeling lasting and real.
If you listen for awhile,
you’ll show someone you care.
When you see that smile,
you’ll know the problem’s easier to bear.
So let’s begin today
and reach out in God’s love,
To brighten someone else’s day
with graces from above.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
–1 John 4:7
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Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. –Galatians 6:3