Encourage Others

The book of Samuel tells the story of how David was being sought out by Saul to be killed.  What’s interesting is that Jonathan, Saul’s son, was friends with David.  While David was feeling down about being hunted down, the bible says that Jonathan went to see David and encouraged him.  “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God” (1 Samuel 23:15-17). 

How often do we go out of our way to encourage someone we know is in need or perhaps depressed?  It’s easy to offer advice when someone is reaching out to us, but do we make the time to help those that we know need help even if they don’t ask?  Life gets busy and we become so self involved in our issues and routines that we lose focus of those hurting around us.  Let’s not be so closed off to the world.  The bible tells us to “encourage each other and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Now, I’m not recommending that we poke into everyone’s private life, but if we are aware that someone is going through a difficult time, we should offer our support. 

Here are some simple ways to help:

1. Share encouraging words or bible verses

2. Offer to run an errand for them

3. Set up time to pray with them  and/or for them

4. Give what you have- If they need clothes and you have it, give it to them.  If they need food, make them a dinner or pick up some groceries for them.

We can’t solve everybody’s problems, but we can certainly do more to encourage others. Do your part to help people see Jesus through you!

Give and Take

Ever had to give up something you wanted or had it taken away from you? Job 1:21 says “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” It’s so easy to praise the Lord when he gives us what we want, right? When things in life are going well, and we are feeling blessed it easy to be joyful and give thanks to the Lord. How do we act, when something has been taken away?

 

 

At times, we want to hold on to treasures because we cherish these things or these people, and can’t imagine life without them.  However, just as we are grateful when the Lord gives us things, we also have to be grateful for the things he takes away. 

 

Whether it makes sense to us or not, we have to trust in him and believe that he wants the best for us. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).  So regardless, of what you have or don’t have, be thankful and praise the Lord!

Spicing Up Your Soul

As we grow older, we tend to give up on things that at some point in our lives have made us feel free, creative, peace and pleasure.  It’s not something that we wish to leave behind, but our lives get so busy that we forget how the simple things can bring joy back to our lives. 

 

 

Since my daughter turned about 2 years old, I managed to get my energy and enthusiasm back into baking. As a young girl, I enjoyed baking, but lost it throughout the years.  Allow yourself to feel the breeze in your life.  Renew your spirit in your old hobbies or desire. For me it was homemade baking. What was it for you? 

 

Allow yourself to be liberated! Make a mess, enjoy someone else’s company, enjoy the little things that matter, and those that we’ve left along the way.    Experience the sense of accomplishment once you are done.  In the Bible spices were mentioned many times.  The spices represented the truth and they were combined with oil to make perfumed oils.  These two combined represented holiness.  Spices allow us to retrieve the inner incense of our lives and bring holiness, truth and love.  Spice up your soul and renew the sweetness in your life!

Expand your Reach

We all have the desire to look back a year from now and see that we have grown.  To see that our ability to influence others has expanded, or that we’ve grown stronger spiritually, mentally and physically. Perhaps, we envision receiving that next promotion, checking off another goal off our bucket list, etc…We want to expand and feel accomplished! But are we willing to do what it takes to achieve this expansion?

 

 

In Zechariah 3:7, we see that Joshua was told “If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my command, then you shall also judge my house.” The “if” makes this sentence conditional.  In other words, if Joshua would be obedient, then his reach would be expanded.  Instead of planning our next move or goal, we need to first ensure we are being obedient to God’s calling. “No longer is it a question of how can I expand my potential but rather how can I allow God’s power to flow through me?” (John Maxwell).

Luke 16:10 says, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.”  We need to start with what we have and allow the Lord to guide us.  As we move in faith and do what he has instructed, he will take care of expanding our reach.  It’s not for us to worry about or create our own waves.  It’s for us to be obedient, take action based on his leading, and allow him to work out the details.  Isaiah 1:19 says “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”

 

Do you want to expand your reach? Then be obedient!

Cast Your Cares

I was listening to the song “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns.  Great song by the way! Anyhow, the song begins with these words “I was sure by now that you would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day but once again, I say, Amen, and it’s still raining.”  Have you ever felt that way?  Ever feel that you’re at the end of your rope? Have you ever found yourself telling God that he’d better do something in your situation because you’ve had enough? I think we’ve all had those moments. 

 

The way to overcome these difficult moments is by casting your cares onto the Lord.  We want to control everything and attempt to handle all matters with our own strength.  Yet the word tells us that the Lord is our strength.  We need him in order to overcome all of the obstacles that come against us.  “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22). Don’t spend your energy attempting to figure things out on your own.  Spend your energy praising the Lord and he will guide you through the situation. 

 

So in the words of Casting Crowns…

“I’ll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands.  For you are who you are no matter where I am.  Every tear I’ve cried, you hold in your hand.  You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm”. 

Child Obesity: It's a Family Matter!

Unfortunately, child obesity is increasing in the United States.  As parents, we have the responsibility to teach our children the importance of exercise and proper nutrition.  Life gets busy and with the convenience of drive-thru restaurants and microwavable instant foods, it’s easy to get away from cooking a nutritious meal.  However, we have to make the time.  It’s important to our own life and health and important to our children.  “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6.  This verse is often used when referring to training our children up in spiritual matters, but it can apply to many other areas of life as well.  If we teach our children the importance of exercise and good nutrition now, they will develop a healthy lifestyle!

 

 

Below are some tips to help you address this serious issue:

 

*Implement family fitness time into your schedule! Exercising together not only allows you to bond with your children, but it also makes health and fitness a family matter as opposed to something you are imposing onto your children.

 

*Take advantage of the good weather and do outdoor activities. 

1. You can go out for a family walk/jog around the neighborhood or in a park. 
2. Take the kids to a playground to play but don’t sit down and watch them.  Take that time to walk or jog around the playground.  This way, you can still keep an eye on them but burn some calories at the same time. 
3. Go bike riding! If you have bikes for your kids, but not yourself, then you can have them ride their bikes while you jog beside them. 
4. Have access to a pool?  Turn it into a friendly competition and see who can swim the fastest.  Do some water aerobics by doing jumping jacks or running in place. The water resistance really helps burn calories, and to the kids, it will appear as if you are simply having fun jumping in the pool.
5. Do some calisthenics! Jumping rope can be a great family activity. You can do jumping jacks, leg lunges, toe touches, etc…

*The weather is horrible and you can’t go outdoors? Not a problem!

1. Do a workout DVD.  My girls love spreading out in the living room and exercising to a workout DVD with mommy.  I’m always amazed by their ease of learning the moves and their creativity of making up their own moves when they can’t do the ones on the DVD! J  Its lots of fun!
2. Calisthenics can also be done indoors.  In addition to the ones listed above, try incorporating some abdominal crunches and push-ups.
3. Grab some weights! You can do biceps and triceps curls.  Don’t have free weights around the house? That’s okay, get creative and find some items in your house that you can lift.   

A huge part of family fitness is good nutrition.  Here are some tips!

1. Have your children cook with you!  They can help you measure out ingredients, stir the pot, and depending on their age, they can even help you chop up some veggies! They will be more prone to eat (or at least taste) foods they’ve helped prepare.
2. Get your children to try new foods.  Some kids can be really particular about trying new foods especially veggies.  Tell them they have to try it at least once.  If they don’t like it, they don’t have to eat the whole thing but they do have to try it.  Learn which veggies they prefer and focus on making those.
3. Monitor their food portions.  They don’t need a whole bowl of pasta.  You can reduce the pasta in half and give them a veggie or cup of fruit on the side. 
4. Don’t let them raid the pantry! I find that when my girls are bored, they are more likely to go get extra snacks.  In those cases, find an activity for them to do and keep them entertained.
5.  Keep healthy snacks accessible.  Instead of having them reach for a handful of cookies, give them a piece of fruit.  Even when they do want some cookies, be the one to select some to give them. Read the nutritional facts so you know what a serving amount is versus giving them free reign to the bag.

 

We all love our family and want them to be healthy and strong.  Let’s pray to God to help us make good decisions daily and to make exercise and good nutrition a lifestyle for the benefit of our family!

A Loving Christian

Sometimes as Christians we forget the base of what it is to be a Christian; loving people.  We have to put away our pride, our egocentrism, stop being conceited and look at the bigger picture.  At times we get consumed with our own lives and we forget how to be humble in our everyday lives.  God wants us to realize when we have done wrong and be sincere and apologetic about it.  He wants us to love our family, friends and those around us regardless of where they are in their Christian walk.  “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:16-18).  God wants us to help those in need, and take action because that is what He has desired for us in that moment.  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8). You see, being a Christian is not easy, but it is doable. 

In 1 Timothy 1:12, it says “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.”  Instead of pushing back and not seeing the true blessing the Lord has for us, we have to take pride and joy in the work the Lord has given to us.  It is a gift and we need to take it, cherish it and learn from it.  As a Christian, we are not to push people away, through our service, good deeds and most of all, through our testimony. God will allow them to see the light that shines through you and in turn they too will be blessed in being saved.  Don’t let your pride get in the way of the Lord’s work.  Being a Christian is more than just going to church, praising God, reading the Bible, and fellowshipping with your church.  Allow yourself to love the world and those in it; it will give you a free spirit to do God’s work in all aspects of this world. 

Smile, keep yourself free to do God’s will, allow yourself to feel his presence and open your heart to others. Keeping yourself closed will not allow you to bless or be blessed.  “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 13:1).

 

Celebrate your Hard Work!

Today, our Nation is celebrating Labor Day.  According to the Department of Labor, this holiday is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.  It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

So on this day, take the time to rejoice in the hard work you do every day. Think of the mouths you have fed, the sweat you've dropped, the sacrifices you have made, the long hours, the late nights, and the creative ideas you've implemented. Be encouraged to know that you are making a difference, and that you add value to your family, your employer, your friends, and your community.

 

“And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

Suffer from Insatiable Thirst?

Ever been jogging, pushing through the pain in your legs, and attempting to catch your breath? At the first glimpse of a cold bottle of water, you reach with desperation to drink trusting that each gulp will alleviate your thirst and replenish your body.  In this same manner, we go through life, dodging obstacles, pushing through the pain, and wiping the tears in hopes that we reach that moment of replenishment.  That moment where we get a break and life stops beating us up.  The moment where the pain ends and we experience relief.  The moment where the tears stop and the smiles remain. And we may in fact experience some relief but then something else comes about.  We need to learn to satisfy our thirst in the Lord. “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:14). 

 

Jesus is the living water that will satisfy our thirst.  He is the only one that can satisfy our every need.  We don’t need to be involved in every hobby, or stumble from addiction to addiction in search of satisfaction.  The only true satisfaction comes from knowing that Jesus is our Savior; feeling his joy and comfort in the difficult times and being submerged in the peace that only he can provide.  There’s nothing like feeling the peace of the Lord when you look around you and you see mayhem and yet people look at you and wonder what’s different about you.  Well, Jesus is the difference!  “I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27).

 

Let’s not be troubled or afraid.  Spend time with the Lord and allow yourself to be submerged in his peace.  Stop thirsting and receive living water today!