Friday, January 26, 2007
Without Him
We're getting close to the end of January, and it makes me wonder about everyone's New Year's resolutions. What goals did you set for 2007? Have you asked Jesus to help you meet your goals?
If your goals are for His glory, then He will help you. If they're not for His glory, then are they even worthwhile?
Remember, if we set goals to get closer to Jesus, to more closely reflect His ideal for our lives, to overcome any sin or temptation, we can't do it alone. If you set a goal to achieve your very best possible condition of health and if you're working on this goal to give glory to God, don't attempt to do it alone. Take Jesus with you on the journey toward good health. Without Him, you're likely to fail.
Jesus Himself said,
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5, KJV)
Remember, without Him, we are destined to fail, but with Him, all things are possible.
If your goals are for His glory, then He will help you. If they're not for His glory, then are they even worthwhile?
Remember, if we set goals to get closer to Jesus, to more closely reflect His ideal for our lives, to overcome any sin or temptation, we can't do it alone. If you set a goal to achieve your very best possible condition of health and if you're working on this goal to give glory to God, don't attempt to do it alone. Take Jesus with you on the journey toward good health. Without Him, you're likely to fail.
Jesus Himself said,
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5, KJV)
Remember, without Him, we are destined to fail, but with Him, all things are possible.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
God's Ways Are Better Than Chocolate
Have you ever noticed when you crave some type of treat that after you eat it you still don't feel satisfied?
Isaiah explains in Isaiah 55 how to experience true satisfaction. And guess what? It doesn't come from chocolate! You can read the whole chapter here:
Isaiah 55
Notice the Lord asks why we focus on things that don't satisfy us. If you're like me, you've tried chocolate many times. But for real satisfaction that lasts, we need to follow God's ways.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8 & 9, NIV).
Let's trust God when He says His ways are better than our ways. Let's follow Him to joy and peace.
Isaiah explains in Isaiah 55 how to experience true satisfaction. And guess what? It doesn't come from chocolate! You can read the whole chapter here:
Isaiah 55
Notice the Lord asks why we focus on things that don't satisfy us. If you're like me, you've tried chocolate many times. But for real satisfaction that lasts, we need to follow God's ways.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8 & 9, NIV).
Let's trust God when He says His ways are better than our ways. Let's follow Him to joy and peace.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Self Control Muscles
If you're like many Americans, for the new year, you resolved to make better choices for your health. Perhaps you've been walking, jogging, or lifting weights. If you're like me, life gets so busy it's hard to make the time to exercise. But I notice when I exercise every day, even a little, like walk 1 mile and do 10 minutes of weights for arm muscles, it really makes a difference. It feels good when you notice the sit ups don't hurt quite as bad as they used to and maybe you can do 20 instead of 10.
Self control is like a muscle. God helps us build up stronger self control muscles over time with practice when we call on Him and follow His will. I have noticed that when I practice self control around food I control my temper better. The self control muscles can be used in multiple areas of our lives. What a wonderful additional benefit from practicing self control and sticking to our healthy new year's resolutions.
So as you're out building physical muscles, like in your arms, remember to practice self control around food, around spending, around use of your time, around all areas of life. Just like those arm muscles feel good from all those push-ups, self control muscles feel terrific, too.
Self control is like a muscle. God helps us build up stronger self control muscles over time with practice when we call on Him and follow His will. I have noticed that when I practice self control around food I control my temper better. The self control muscles can be used in multiple areas of our lives. What a wonderful additional benefit from practicing self control and sticking to our healthy new year's resolutions.
So as you're out building physical muscles, like in your arms, remember to practice self control around food, around spending, around use of your time, around all areas of life. Just like those arm muscles feel good from all those push-ups, self control muscles feel terrific, too.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Resolve to Remain Humble
You've heard pride goeth before a fall. These words of wisdom come from the Bible. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" Proverbs 16:18 (NIV). This happened to me right before Christmas.
My family returned home from our ski trip and I had lost about 5 pounds. I put on my size 10 jeans and they fit. It felt so great, I immediately gave in to feelings of pride. I became self confident and full of myself, focused on completely wrong motives (glory to me instead of glory to God). I totally ate whatever I wanted over Christmas including chocolate and cookies and ice cream (all those unhealthy treats I had used God's strength to resist all year) and gained the 5 pounds back.
That's why in 2007 my goal is to remain humble and really work on keeping the correct motive, giving glory to God. I love a new year, a new chance to serve God better, a chance to forget mistakes of the past year, a new chance to pray more and stay connected and grow closer to Him than ever before.
I hope you'll resolve to remain humble with me. And if I start talking about what a great job I'm doing at being humble, pray hard for me, really hard!
My family returned home from our ski trip and I had lost about 5 pounds. I put on my size 10 jeans and they fit. It felt so great, I immediately gave in to feelings of pride. I became self confident and full of myself, focused on completely wrong motives (glory to me instead of glory to God). I totally ate whatever I wanted over Christmas including chocolate and cookies and ice cream (all those unhealthy treats I had used God's strength to resist all year) and gained the 5 pounds back.
That's why in 2007 my goal is to remain humble and really work on keeping the correct motive, giving glory to God. I love a new year, a new chance to serve God better, a chance to forget mistakes of the past year, a new chance to pray more and stay connected and grow closer to Him than ever before.
I hope you'll resolve to remain humble with me. And if I start talking about what a great job I'm doing at being humble, pray hard for me, really hard!
