My challenge for this week is to start and end my days in a positive state of mind. (See this post). So, what better way to kick off this post than with some good news?! We are no longer the house of germs! Moo and JJ are feeling much better. And I didn’t get sick this time around either.
More good news is that the apartment owner came out and had our bedroom window installed finally! It might have taken almost two months, but it’s done. The kids were so happy to see the boards being took down and I’m glad to have the eye removed. Now on to my Week 46 recap.
Paul is back it again in Week 46 writing letters to the churches. Reading his letters has me wondering if any of the other disciples wrote letters to churches they had visited? And if so, who did those letters say? What key points or personal testimonies did they share? I definitely believe that there are some lost books of the Bible out there that we could further give us insight into the life the Jesus and how we need to live as Christians. Until those books are found and authenticated, here are some of the key points that stood out to me in Week 46.
Some of us struggle with people pleasers. I once had the problem and know first hand that it can be very stressful and borderline torturing. “For do I now persuade man or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
We can’t always have it both ways. When it comes to who to please, God should always trump everyone. It is through pleasing God that will please those around us. Now not everyone will recognize that, especially if they haven’t found Christ yet. However, we please God by loving our neighbors as ourselves. That is one of His greatest commandments. And I don’t know a person on this earth that wouldn’t pleased to be loved.
“But from those who seemed to be something-whatever they, were it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man-for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me” (Galatians 2:6). I once went to a church where the pastor thought he was better than his congregation. He even went so far as to claim that none of us would ever be blessed unless he said because he felt like God had given him that power. Needless, to say I left that church.
We are all equal in God’s eyes. (Also reference Galatians 3:28). As stated in the scripture above, none of us are more special the rest and none of us has any kind of special favoritism. So, don’t get caught up in titles or positions. A lot of people allow themselves to be led astray because the person leading them is pastor or has a high position in the church. Always double check the Bible for yourself and listen to what God is telling you!
Ever wondered what WON’T get you into Heaven? Adultery, sex before marriage (fornication), uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, jealousy, drunkenness and more are all listed as practices that will not inherit you the kingdom of God in Galatians 5:19-23. It’s a little easier to stay on the straight and narrow if you know the actions and things that you need to avoid. Knowing what displeases and pleases God certainly helps me in my quest to be a better person inside and out.
A lot of people wonder how I can still focus on giving back and uplifting others when I’m going through a difficult season right now in my life. My answer is Galatians 6:9-10: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
It might not be my season now, but I know that better days are coming soon. So, I’m not going to sit around feeling sorry for myself. I am still blessed. I can still be a blessing to others. And as long as God continues to give me the opportunity to give to others, I will keep doing it.
Because we are living in difficult times, it’s so important to make sure that every day we, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;…” (Ephesians 6:14-17).
We’re always telling each other to get thicker skin in order to survive in this world, but the truth is what we really need to be getting is the armor of God. Everyday, we should put those things on and walk out of our homes with heads held high knowing that we guarded by the Most High!
What piece of God’ armor do you never leave home without?
Week 47 Reading
11/18: Philippians 3
11/19: Philippians 4
11/20: Colossians 1-2
11/21: Colossians 3-4
11/22: 1 Thessalonians 1-3
11/23: 1 Thessalonians 4-5
11/24: 2 Thessalonians 1-2
Leave a Reply