We refer to life as a journey, while others refer to it as a rat race, but life can only be characterized by your experience. It may be a combination of a race and a journey, but it is your canvas, and you are the artist. If you are caught in an out-of-control cycle you believe to be a rat race, pay attention to your thoughts. If you control your thoughts, you can better manage time spent with order and calm.
Have you ever asked does God hear my thoughts? Does he hear what I think when I am cut off in traffic or miss an appointment? You may be embarrassed if you knew for sure that God listened to all your thoughts. But God will not eavesdrop, but he knows how you think_ he wants you to fill your mind with thoughts of Him—with thoughts and emotions that are good and pure and reflect Him instead of the evils of this world. The Bible says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
There are cases in the Bible where the minds of many were filled with hate and anger, like Saul or Paul, who made murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (Acts 9:1). We see this today with maga followers believing in a human who wants to be God but is filled with deviant thoughts. Perhaps, like Paul, they may meet Jesus and allow him to take away their anger and hatred and replace it with love, compassion, and purity.
The rat race is for rats. In the game of life, no one wishes to finish first; the goal is to finish strong.
Human
behavior was altered by living in fear, not fear of an attack on our soil, but
fear of living among people who have lost their spiritual way and forgotten
God. When God is forgotten, godly ways fade into hate and violence. If you do
not believe in God _ the principles that guide your behavior are no longer
based on the Love of life and humankind_ but on me, myself, and I.
We
find ourselves at a crossroads: one path continues to a democracy where 'In God
we trust," and the other road takes us to a place of dysfunction, possible
genocide of the unwanted, and a governing body led by a tyrant dictator. The
wealthy are concerned about paying lower taxes, so they opt for the un-godly
path. They cannot comprehend the fact that under a dictatorship_ all their
wealth will belong to the government.
"
Hemingway once said, "I live in a vacuum that is as lonely as a radio tube
when the batteries are dead, and there is no current to plug into." Eugene
O'Neill in "Long Day's Journey Into Night" typifies the philosophical
attitude of our day. He says, "Life's only meaning is death." I say
to Hemingway and O'Neill, who have already gone on, "There is more to life
than death." There is more to life than a radio tube that needs a place to
plug into. Jesus taught us the dignity and importance of being a person. God
put us on this earth for a purpose, and our purpose is to fellowship with God
and to glorify God.
Yes, we are in trouble, but it is orchestrated trouble. Someone formulated a plan years ago; now, it's being implemented. I remember JFK's inauguration speech, which ignited hope for a new generation of young thinkers. He talked of long-term goals for America, including a plan to put humans on the moon. "The torch is passed to a new generation."
A generation of ideals, brilliance, hope, activism, and promise_ a generation capable of making America the great nation it is capable of being.
Prayer for the day
Loving Father, Your Love for me transcends the hopelessness of this life and gives me the purpose I so desperately need.
Many sinners believe that if they sin a little bit, there is a little corner in heaven for them. They enjoy a life of variety while on earth and have no worries for the future. Others believe that their wealth and power on earth will give them privilege at the gates. No one has ever come back and told the world how this works, but we know that no one escapes the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit.
Knowing that God is merciful and loves his children, some are misled into believing they are so powerful they can negotiate, mislead, or sweet-talk their way into heaven. Everything you do in life is recorded in the judgment book. If you think you will be interrogated that day, now is the time to change your life.
This journey is the university of life. There are lessons and tests we must learn and pass as we prepare for eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Living a life in alignment with the life of Jesus, the man, is a significant test we must pass. Few may think about Jesus as the liaison between humans and God, but it is only through Jesus that we connect with the Father. All that we pray for, we ask in the name of Jesus, and that gives our prayers power.
Jesus reminds us _
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Laziness is the chief obstacle that keeps you stuck in discomfort. When our blessings cannot reach us, we are quick to lay blame on something or someone else when laziness is the culprit. No one will admit they are lazy, but pursuing what the spirit hungers for takes assertive energy. There are many blessings with your name just waiting to be claimed. They are swirling around the heavens, waiting for your prayer or for you to take spiritual action. When God knows you are putting forth the effort, He responds kindly.
If you are lazy, you may be lazy in your prayer life. We think that blessings should flow to us from above, and often they will, but others require acknowledging and praising God, from whom all blessings flow.
Some blessings require putting in spiritual work.
Are your blessings blocked due to your neglected prayer life? Are you as blessed as you could be? Are you in the valley, wilderness, or on the mountaintop? Where you are now will improve when you increase your prayer time. When you pray, and God guides you, MOVE YOUR FEET! You cannot be still and expect Him to do all the work.
Pray to God and ask Him to open the door to your blessings. Commit to him by reading scriptures and obeying him. Then, be a willing receiver of all that you deserve. Stretch forth open arms and hands, and you shall receive.
A very accomplished musician encourages others with this quote: “Many times during auditions, I was told that I could not carry a note in a bucket and that I sure could not play the piano.’’ What if he had given up? Even with the challenge that blindness presented_ he was wise and continued auditioning. That man was the late RAY CHARLES. Imagine our loss had he given up! Imagine what the world would have missed out on without his gift. Please think of the lives he influenced and the unsighted_ who may have never tried.
Each of you has had a Ray Charles experience. At home, work, and in many areas where you interact with others, somebody always waits to tell you what is best for you. Follow your heart. If you believe you can do it, you can. I remember my college days; I had one female professor who pounced on me from day one. As a freshman, I walked into her class a few minutes late because of difficulty finding the classroom_ she asked me if I thought I was the Queen of Sheba! I needed her classes for four years, but to avoid her Cs, I would take classes at Spelman, where I received As and Bs.
Be your motivator. Sometimes, effort and passion will get you ahead. It is not the smartest that is most successful. It takes a combination of attitude and the ability to learn, inspire, motivate, and get along with others.
So, follow the dreams that come into your spirit and make them happen.
When we think of sowing and reaping, our thoughts turn to the earthly process of planting seed. We also associate punishment for our wrongdoings as the result of what we planted. There are many examples of this natural law in our daily lives, but it is also spiritual.
We can learn from the relationship of Jesus the man and God the Father. God used the spoken word to make declarations. He would send prophets to deliver his instructions to humanity in the natural realm on earth. God ordered the prophets to spread the good news that a Savior would be born years before the coming of the Savior.
After years of sitting in a house of worship and communing with spirit, many find it difficult to accept the power in the spoken word. Declaring then doing is God's method of operation. His words are never mere repetitive promises, or incomprehensible sentences. He speaks with authority, and his declarations are non-negotiable.
Note that God will first make a declaration. Have prophets deliver his message and allow humankind to receive his word and act. What we sometimes forget is not our will, but 'His Will_ be done.' If we fail to do because of disobedience, he will rain down a punishment that encourages us to follow through. When He declares it_ it will happen.
His spoken word is planting the seed. Your obedience to what he declared will bring you benefits. Although he can make things happen, he allows you to willingly obey . There are consequences if you don't.
There is power in your spoken word; use it with compassion.