NOTHING!!

In case you were wondering... when God says nothing can separate you from His love, what he means is... NOTHING!! His love is so powerful, life giving and life changing!!

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A List of "No's"?

Our faith in God and our Christianity isn't a list of "no's" or "can't do's" .. it's actually filled with promises that work beautifully within boundaries of His ultimate love and protection!

2 Cor. 7:1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

Starting to Gravitate Away?

It's only when we actively stop loving Him that we find ourselves restless and gravitating toward other means of fulfillment. He is ALL we need!

Psalm 16:11 Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.

Our Best

God wants our best...
Deserves our best...
Demands our best...
Don't be like Cain and offer God what you think he wants, do things God's way!

Genesis 4:5 But on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Called to be Comfortable??

God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust in Him SO completely. To put ourselves in places where if we don't trust Him and rely on Him we may find ourselves in trouble.

Hebrews 11:5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

Get Happy and Wait!!

It's ok to ask God for what we want. However, when we ask Him, we must trust Him. Trust Him to know that He knows what is best for us and that He will give us what we need in His timing and in His way. In the mean time, it's much easier on us if we can learn to be content with what we have!
This is one of those truths that is easier said than done, it's a learning process- everyday!!

James 4:2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

People Pleaser?

Someone said " I cannot tell you the secret formula to success, however the exact formula for failure is trying to please everyone else!"
How true is that?!?!
Try as we may- we cannot make everyone happy, we must do our best or those around us but ultimately live to serve and please the Lord!

Col. 3:22 Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.

Check Your Roots ( Not your Hair, ladies)

My kids always think that band-aids will fix everything...
sore fingers, busted knees, splinters, hurt feelings, upsets stomachs, the works...just "give me a band-aid"!!
Sometimes I wish that the issues I face in my personal life could be fixed with a band-aid, how great would that be? What I HAVE found out is that everything in my life has a root issue, most things that arise are simply symptoms of a deeper issue. If I lash out in anger at something my husband says to me, the issue is normally not a "yelling problem"... it is something deeper.
The bible tells us that we need to be "rooted" in love. (Roots are deep) If everything in our life stems out of that, the symptoms or reactions we live out will be the opposite of strife. It will free us up to be more peaceful and enjoy life more as well as everyone around us!

Eph. 3:17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Be a BIG Giver!!

My parents taught me so much but one thing that really stands out in my mind is that "You can't out give God". What I have seen first hand in my life is those who are known as being generous or BIG givers are blessed and are constantly receiving from others. Those who are always taking and never giving are the ones who are always needing! It's just laws of God's kingdom... "give and you shall receive".
Yes we are to be wise with our money any spend it properly, not blowing it or wasting it but there is a HUGE difference between being frugal and being cheap! I'm tried of the church being known as being cheap!
When you eat out... BLESS your server~
When you have the extra... buy your friend's coffee~
When you can... pay for the people in line behind you~
When you can... give a single mom a 20.00 bill~
Find ways to bless people!!
Be a leader in giving!!!

2 Cor. 9:6 [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [[a]that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.