Earth Day vs. God’s Day

Do you celebrate Earth Day?  Do you focus on it?  How far do you take it?  Do you tell others what it represents?

If someone gives you a gift, what do you do it?  Do you spend it?  Or do you share it and pass it on?  God created the earth and gave it to us.  Do we spend it and trash everything He gave us or do we share its bountiful uses and pass it on to our kids?

In Genesis 1, God created earth.  He created the land.  He created the sea.  He created the vegetation.  On the sixth day, He created man and gave us all the fruits  to eat.  And after He created, He looked at each one and said, “it was good.”  Can you think of something in your life that is good?  It’s good to have food.  It’s good to have shelter.  It is good to have clean water and clean air. I value my food and value my shelter, my home.  I would not have them except that God gave them to me. 

Be aware of material values. There is an old saying, ‘a home is where you make it.”  A home can be an apartment or a mansion. Value it for what it is, a shelter, a home. It is not the end all.  Don’t live in a place to try and impress people.  Just thank God you have one.

Earth day will not save the planet in one day but it will draw attention.  It will show me how to use less energy.  It will show me how to quit using plastic bags.  It will show me how to recycle.

God created  the earth and He gave it to me.  Everyday should be God’s Day.  What are you passing on?

 

Write (Right) For Your Life!

Remember your reaction in high school when the teacher asked you to write an essay?  I don’t remember anybody jumping for joy.  I remember moans and groans.  But I did what was required.

Now, as an adult, I volunteeer to write.  What happened?  Did I change?  Did I grow?  Why don’t I moan every time I write for my blog?  I guess it is because I want to write.  And I want it to be right.  The topics you can write on are limitless.  How do you choose a topic?  I pray and ask God to lead me.  Sound silly?  I never turn down help, especially when it is from my Father in heaven.

When I write on a topic, it helps to remind and confirm.  Remember when I read that book in the Bible yesterday that talked about . . .?  Remember when it said this and that happened?  For me, to see words written, words that I wrote, come to life.  Sometimes it is hard to share my views.  But when I write them down, It is as if I am confirming them with myself.  I write this.  I believe this.  Not everybody can talk a mile a minute and express themself and have everybody believe them.

Is it right to write convictions?  Only if it is backed up by the Word of God.  It is right if it is confirmed by God as He wrote it in the Bible.  Write right for your life!

Teach Me, Jesus

As an adult, are you still learning?  Where do you get your knowledge from?  The newspaper?  Friends?  Your kids?

The Bible is still relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.  When you have a problem or question, you should refer to the Bible.  Jesus taught.  He didn’t preach down to people.  He didn’t talk about people.  And He didn’t yell and pull out His hair.  Jesus calmly answered anybody who asked Him a question.  His answers were simple.  His answers seemed like they were right in front of the person who was asking.  Why do we want to make things completed?  Do you need confirmation of an answer?  Get your confirmation in the Bible from Jesus.  Or ask Him yourself.  We can ask God anything and He will answer.  But we must be able to accept His answer.  It may not be the answer you want but it will be the answer you need at that time.

Teach me, Lord.  Show me Your Ways.

Sign of the Times

Do you ever feel like there is a sign on your forehead?  I like going to craft fairs.  Some people are naturally very talented and it shows through their creativity.  Others, like me, have to work at it.  But when I see something new that I haven’t seen before and it is presented in a unique way – weather I need it or not – I buy it, just because it’s so cute.  Sometimes I feel like there is a sign on my forehead that reads ’sucker, will buy anything!’

But, God, has already bought me.  He died for my sins.  And He put a sign on my forehead that reads, ‘bought and paid for by Jesus!’ God wants me more than any craft fair item.  He protects me.  He cares for me.  He loves me. And He wants me to know that I belong to Him. 

I need to show people my sign.  How do I react when I see things on sale?  Do I ask God for it?  Or do I buy it and then ask God to help me pay for it?  I need to show people my sign.  Do I cut in front of  the little old lady pushing her basket to the open cashier in the grocery store or do I run there , save her a spot, and help her with her groceries?  I need to show my sign.  Do I let people in when trying to get through traffic or do I say, ‘let them get behind me?’  I need to show my sign.

When you look at other people, what sign do you see?

Starting Your Day Right

God’s mercy is new everyday.  When you start your day, do you start with a smile on your face? In Psalm 23, it says that the Lord God “renews my strength.”  He will lead me through my day.  If I keep my eyes focused on Him, He will “guide me along right paths.” 

Why do we think we can do it all ourselves?  When I try to be super-human, I fumble jobs, I get anxiety, and I want to hide.  When I ask the Lord’s guidence, He will lead me, smoothly, gently, and even let me “rest in green meadows.”

Start your day right.  Start your day with Jesus.  Start by thanking Him for all you have.  Then read His Word.  Read a couple of verses, or longer if you have time. Ponder those verses throughour the day.

God is there in your closet when deciding what to wear.  He is with you when you are driving in traffic.  He is with you when you spill coffee on yourself as you are walking in to give your powerpoint presentation.  He will help you get through your day. 

Always make time for God!

Giving Thanks

Did you thank the Lord this morning for all His goodness?  You wouldn’t have a roof over your head if it wasn’t for the goodness of the Lord.  You wouldn’t have food in your mouth if it wasn’t for the goodness of the Lord.  

Psalm 29 tells us to honor and worship the Lord and the glory of His name.  One way to honor the Lord is to thank Him for all He has given us. Don’t just thank Him for a new car or a new house.  We need to remember to thank Him for having clean clothes on our back.  We need to thank Him for the oatmeal we had at breakfast.  And we need to thank Him for never leaving us, for being there to always pick us up when we fail.

Honor the Lord!

Memorize A Scripture

Open your Bible and pick a scripture.  Write it down.  Look at it during the day and say it (outloud, if possible) several times a day.  The more you read it, the easier it becomes to memorize.  Todays scropture is 1 Corn. 10:11

Give Glory to God

Everyday, we should give Glory to God.  We should give Him glory when we wash dishes and when we give a power point presentation.  Everything we do should be for the Glory of God.

See 1 Corn 10:11