Proverbs 20:3 NIV, “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”
It is honorable in God’s sight to avoid strife and strive for peace; as God’s Word says, “blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Taking time to pray and think before we speak and act will help us to avoid strife. We can not control the actions of others, but with God’s help we can learn to do what is right in His sight.
Allowing ourselves to get involved in foolish arguments and conversations can steal the peace and joy that the Lord wants us to have. It will also destroy our witness for Jesus. When we are faced with conflict and the opportunity to get involved in foolish quarrels, choosing God’s way will lead us to the best outcome.
A Prayer for March
Today, Lord, let my life be a prayer, let me be so close to You that You become part of my every conversation. Let me be open to Your presence, so that I sense Your power at work in the world You created. Let me be so filled with Your love, it flows out to others. Today, Lord, today, let my life be a prayer. -Anonymous
Psalm 19:1-2 NIV, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”
It is always exciting to me when I have the opportunity to gaze up at the sky and experience the awe of God’s creation. The heavens do declare His glory. It shows us God’s creativity, and reminds us of how faithful He is to keep everything in perfect order. The sun rises and sets everyday, right on time. Even when we can not see it, we know it is there; just like the Creator Himself. In good times and bad, God is there, bringing His order, purpose, and peace to our lives day by day.
Photo by: Hristo Fidanov of Macedonia 🇲🇰
Hopefully you were able to witness the “great conjunction of 2020” back in December, when the planets Jupiter and Saturn were on display next to one another for all to see. Although they were miles apart, to the naked eye, they appeared close together. It was amazing to see the two gas giants together in the night sky. Something they say will not happen again for many years.
As a bonus, planet Mars was also on display during that same time, right near the moon. It was very easy to see, since it was bright and red. Actually planet Uranus was up there too, but I missed that one. About three weeks ago, after several failed attempts, mostly due to cloudy weather and odd times of day, I was finally able to see the International Space Station (ISS) fly over. That was exciting! The instructions from NASA worked perfectly. Per NASA, the ISS orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes, which comes out to about 16 times per day! I admire the astronauts who are up there on the ISS working diligently.
Speaking of astronauts, for black history month, I would like to recognize Mae Carol Jemison, the first black women to travel into space. She is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. I admire her accomplishments and grateful for her contributions to science and society. You can read more about her here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_Jemison
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
As you gaze at the sky, I hope you too will be reminded of the majesty and power of our God. His faithfulness endures forever.
Psalm 119:90 ESV, “Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.”
1 Kings 2:3, “Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.”
I was recently having a conversation with a friend, and we were discussing the importance of obedience to the Lord. She was telling me how the Holy Spirit was leading her to get a new car battery. So she went and had her battery tested and was told it was still good. (Even though the technician did say, sometimes the battery test can show good one day and bad the next.) However, she decided to accept the “good” test and move on.
Then shortly after that, she heard the Holy Spirit tell her again to go get a new battery. So she said she went to another store to check battery prices, but still didn’t move forward with a purchase. Then a couple of days later, she found herself sitting in a parking lot with a car that would not start because the battery was dead. Oh how she wished she had obeyed the Holy Spirit’s instructions!
How often do we toss aside those instructions from the Lord because of our own doubts, fears, or rationale? Partial obedience (battery test and pricing a battery) won’t due the trick. We have to take action, and follow through with God’s instructions. There are blessings attached to our obedience, but if we don’t follow through we may never experience what it is God has waiting for us.
Let’s pray for a continuous desire and strength to obey the Lord in all we do.
Leading like Jesus involves our heart, head, hands, and habits. First, examining our hearts, gives us the opportunity to ask ourselves if we are serving God and others or just ourselves. In all we do, our motives should remain pure.
Second, we examine our head. We take time to consider our beliefs and how those beliefs impact those around us. The experiences we have had, rather good or bad, shape how we think, and how we treat others.
Mark 10:45 (NIV)says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Photo by: fauxels
Third, the actions of our hands show what is in our heart and head. Loving people means we want to see them be the best they can be. We praise them when they do good, and lovingly correct them when needed and help them to get back on track during difficult times.
Lastly, we establish healthy habits. Jesus exhibited healthy habits by spending time alone in prayer, applying scripture to His life, and by working to build meaningful relationships with those around Him. He always took time out for people. He lived His life in a way that inspired others.
Leading like Jesus in our hearts, heads, hands, and habits will help us to be quality leaders in our homes, workplaces, and communities. The Holy Spirit who lives in us will empower us daily as we work to bring Jesus glory.
1 Corinthians 4:13-18 (NIV) 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Do you ever feel challenged by God’s command to walk by faith? Although walking by faith is a privilege as a Christian, it is not always easy. It requires us to give God our hearts daily and trust Him wholeheartedly.
Living by faith does not mean that we ignore reality. Instead, it means we believe God for the best outcomes as we take life one day at a time and endure its challenges. Even when things do not go as we planned, we still by faith trust God to work all things together for our good as he promised he would in Roman 8:28, because we love him and are called according to his purpose
Living by faith means that we understand there is more to life than what we see. Faith believes in the unseen, and it propels us to move forward even when we do not understand. While walking by faith, we will encounter times of joy and hope, but also may encounter times of fear and uncertainty.
Nevertheless, we are commanded to not shrink back. Hebrews 10:38-39 says, “And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”
*Feel free to share how you keep from shrinking back in your faith when you feel like giving up.
I pray that you are all settled into the new year, and that everything is going well for you. It has been busy for me between school and work, but I am thankful for all God has done and is doing.
One of the greatest blessings that God has given to us is Himself. His presence with us is everything. Knowing that the Creator cares enough to come and live within the hearts of mankind, your heart and my heart included, is beyond my understanding.
God’s plans are perfect, so we can rest in His goodness as we embark upon this new year. There is no fear in perfect love (1 John 4:18), and His love is certainly perfect. Therefore, we have no reason to fear. Another one of God’s great blessings to us is prayer. Pray allows us to draw closer to Him, and know Him more.
Matthew 6:6 NLT, “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Photo by: Pixabay
Time alone with the Lord in prayer is vital for us as Christians. Through prayer, we not only draw closer to the Lord but we also receive knowledge, direction, and wisdom for the road ahead. He delights in answering our prayers as we seek Him and acknowledge Him in all of our ways.
I pray our desire for Jesus would remain our greatest desire, and lead to a purposeful 2021 as we continue to love and serve Him! I am thankful that we are always secure in Jesus.
It is unbelievable how fast this year has flown by, and as we all know, there have certainly been a variety of challenges, many of which we are still trying to navigate. But this verse brings us much comfort…
John 16:33 NLT, “… Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus has already overcome the trials and sorrows of this world. Nothing we face is beyond His control. We do not always understand why things happen as they do, or why God allows it, but we do know He has a plan. During this Christmas season, and always, we can find rest, peace, and safety in Jesus, as we celebrate Him for who He is, our Savior and Lord.
Photo by: Lacy Darden of Oklahoma, USA 🇺🇸
Jesus chose to come to Earth, live here, die for our sins, and rise again with all power in His hands. Through His sacrifice, we can have life more abundantly. A life not based only on material things, but based on the joy and hope that we have in Him. I pray that joy and hope that we have in Jesus, would fill your heart during this Christmas season and beyond. May you and your family have a Merry Christmas!
Father,
Thank you for the gift you have given to us in your son, Jesus. There is no gift more precious than Him. Thank you for your love and protection. As this year comes to an end, we trust you to continue to light our paths and make them straight. Help us to choose Jesus everyday in the way we live our lives, and in the decisions we make. Give us wisdom to know what is best. Thank you for who you are to us.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
P.S. I’ll be returning in January. Be safe, blessings!
Drawing Closer to Christ 