Shine On…..

17 02 2017

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:14 – 16 (New Living Translation)

“This Little Light of Mine” is a timeless children’s favorite. The song has several familiar verses reminding us about the importance of letting our light shine. It is a vital message for the young and the old in today’s dark world. Just imagine if everyone were committed to being a light in their homes, work and relationships. What if we used our words to build people up, being a positive influence and eliminated complaining? Just as natural sunlight penetrates the darkness of night when the sun rises, it would transform the world we know.


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Off and Running

2 01 2017

Motivational Monday

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.  Philippians 3:12-14

I am moving forward in the new year. I am pressing onward toward God’s purpose for my life. Today, I am blessed with life, health and strength. I will use all of God’s blessings to keep moving forward. Putting one foot in front of the other, I will soon be well on my waywalking feet. With clarity, I will be off and running, pressing toward the mark. I am moving forward in the new year.

 


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Purpose

11 04 2016

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

I have a purpose. My existence is not a mistake.  I am not an afterthought.  My purpose was designed by the Creator.  The Creator intends for me to live and for my life to have meaning.  God knows His awesome plan for my life.  His plan is full of HOPE.  God does not intend evil for my life.  God’s plan is full of expectancy; hope, love and a bright future.  As God’s creation, my mission is to seek His purpose for me.  His purpose is my priority.  Making His plan my plan will help me to fulfill my purpose.  I am seeking to live and thrive in His purpose.

jeremiah 29


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Fan the Flame

2 06 2015

March 2013 Picture IPhone 323This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. II Timothy 1:6-7 NLT

We were each born with a God-given purpose. We are equipped with unique abilities that give us all the tools and talents needed to accomplish our assignment. During our life’s journey, we explore and nurture our gifts as we accept the call on our lives for God’s service. We are all called to serve. We may not be called to proclaim God’s Word from a pulpit but in our families, our communities and in our interactions with one another we are to demonstrate God’s love in ways that fulfill our purpose. Our hands, our words, our tasks emanate His love, His compassion, His mercy that exemplify His Son, Jesus Christ. What a tremendous gift to the world to use the gift that is inside of you. You have what it takes to accomplish the task and to carry it through. He made you for this task. He has given you the tools and the talents to make it happen. You are empowered, careful not to embrace fear but to walk in confidence of the God we serve. Our passage today reminds us to keep our gifts active, alive and on fire. We are to fan the flames within us to keep our gifts fueled with the air that it needs to grow and to shine bright. We fan the flames today within us to use our gifts for His Glory.

That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.  II Timothy 1:5-7 MSG


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On Purpose

1 05 2015

Yellow TulipsTeach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

During childhood, the days we have ahead seem as infinite as the leaves on a tall oak tree. Hopefully, this time is spent learning, developing and maturing into the individuals God crafted us to be. As we get older we begin to realize how God’s gift of another day is precious. For some of us it takes the experience of aging, illness or even the loss of a loved one to bring the value of our time on Earth into focus.

Our society is full of distraction that keeps us away from things that bring meaning to our lives. We may drift from one thing to another without real direction or authority of over our daily living. It takes a conscious effort on our part for us to live according to God’s individual purpose and calling. While it is easy to allow things that simply don’t matter to consume our time and resources, we can make the most of the opportunities God gives to us. We can live with a grateful heart. We can show love in our words and actions.   We can demonstrate forgiveness and mercy. We can honor the gift of each day living on purpose.


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Ready, Set… GO!

20 04 2015

beach runner“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”  St. Luke 10:2

Some of us may be waiting for the sound of a starting gun to begin working toward our purpose. We may be waiting for the right time, the right money, the right dream job and as a result we entered into a phase of perpetual waiting. We may be waiting for a booming voice from the Father, when we hear whispers of what we should do, with tugs on our hearts and our abilities to move forward. We may be waiting for something special to happen but the starting gun went off again when we woke up this morning. Our challenge is to start walking, running or sprinting toward our purpose this morning. Not sure what that is, start with the things you have been meaning to do. Get organized to see, hear and receive direction. Pray and meditate on God’s word. Spend dedicated quiet time with Him. Listen… The Lord promises to provide both wisdom and direction when we ask for it.

The harvest is indeed plentiful but the laborers are few.  As people of God, we are called to support experiences where those who are hurting, lost, oppressed in very dark places can see Jesus more clearly. If we lift Him up in our calling, our behavior, in our faces, people will be drawn unto Him.  So ask the Lord this morning for direction, clarity and courage and GO!


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First

14 04 2015

March 2013 Picture IPhone 323Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT

Putting our Heavenly Father first is the key to a blessed life. Making God our first priority in our daily living – His Word, His teachings and His ways – is the compass we need each day. His way is higher ground that will keep us from things that don’t reflect His righteousness or His plan or purpose for our lives. Serving God and His Kingdom is our first priority. Pursuing Him and His will first, organizes our decisions to align with the wonderful journey He has planned for us. Putting Him first is a pathway for receiving everything that we need. We need His peace, His direction and His righteousness to abide in our hearts as we put Him first.

“So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. Matthew 6:32-33 TLB


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His Greater Plan

8 04 2015

giving imageI know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Jesus came so that we would have life and life more abundantly. His plan for us is to experience His many blessings in relationship with Him. It is a plan and future that is filled with hope. I remember thinking as an immature teen that God’s Word was full of judgment and limitations that resulted in a boring life. Now that I have reached both age and maturity, I know that I was completely wrong. A life in the Lord provides liberty and blessings beyond measure. I remember pondering about the things that I would need to give up if I accepted Christ into my life, things that I thought I would need first to get in order but it was a childlike notion compared to what a life in Christ has to offer. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us; to be in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, that we may be able to experience His abundant peace and love along our life journey. His Greater Plan for us includes salvation, healing and deliverance. Once we make a step toward Him and accept Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we can experience the blessing of being in relationship with Him. His love, His peace and His mercy surround us in our daily living. We can mature and grow in Him and walking into our purpose. We have the assurance that we are never alone. Our God is with us each step of the way. We can walk into His Greater Plan today by establishing a relationship with Him.

Dear God –

Thank you for the plan that you have for my life.  I confess that I have sinned.  I am sorry for my sins.  I ask for forgiveness for the things in my life that don’t reflect your will for me.  I accept Your Son Jesus Christ in my heart today as my Lord and Savior.  My desire is to live for you and to follow your Word.  I am thankful for the blessing of salvation.  I love you Lord and I am thankful for this new day in You.

In Jesus Name.  Amen  


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Bright Lights Shine

26 03 2015

Newport_Sun_Set3Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:14 – 16 (New Living Translation)

“This Little Light of Mine” is a timeless children’s favorite. The song has several familiar verses reminding us about the importance of letting our light shine. It is a vital message for the young and the old in today’s dark world. Just imagine if everyone were committed to being a light in their homes, work and relationships. What if we used our words to build people up, being a positive influence and eliminated complaining? Just as natural sunlight penetrates the darkness of night when the sun rises, it would transform the world we know.


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His Vision and Our Purpose

24 03 2015

Crew (48 of 86)For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11  NLV

Our Heavenly Father created us with vision and purpose. We are not here to lead our lives according to the values of this world but we have an eternal purpose for His kingdom.   Each of us is uniquely built for what God has our hands to do.   It is amazing to think of the specific attention God places on who we are, our abilities and our experience to allow us to journey in His purpose for our lives. So many are searching for purpose and meaning. The purpose of anything comes from the One who created it. We may try to change that purpose but seeking God’s intent allows us to seek His vision and will that can transform the mundane into amazing. Aligning our vision and journey with His will gives us the ultimate peace, joy and wellness we desire. Our passage for today is a reminder that His plans for us are for good and not for trouble. As we make goals and commitments, ask the creator first for His will and direction. His response and our compliance to His direction will allow us to make progress toward fulfilling His vision and our purpose.


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