Bringing Happiness To Others

The Holy word of God tells us to love one another. This is the second greatest commandment according to the bible. Peter reminds us of this in his sacred writings in:
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV)
⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. Have you ever stopped and thought about how your daily happiness depends on how others express themselves toward you. The looks and tones of those in your own household. The conduct of your fellow workers, the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the people you rely on. The letters and cards you get, the friends or foes you meet. All these make for a happy or unhappy day.


So turn that around and then think how you and your actions affect others around you and those whom you deal with. Are you adding misery to another person each day by your actions or are you bringing happiness to others and lifting them up with your encouraging attitude.  We as Christians must begin to do as Jesus did and consider those around us and especially those whom we worship with.
Some things that happen in our lives we can't control. But we can control the way we either give happiness or suffering to others. I hope you will consider these things and take it to heart and begin to notice the way you affect others either for good or bad.
As Christians we can call on the power of God's Holy Spirit to help us love those around us. The question we need to ask is what would Jesus have me do? And when we ask that question we get His answer in:
Matthew 22:35-40 (NKJV) 
³⁵ Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
³⁶ "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
³⁷ Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.
³⁹ And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." 

Let us be like Jesus and "love your neighbor as yourself."

If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord there is no way you can do what Jesus commands. Also your eternal destiny will be Hell and you do not want to go there. If there has never been a time in your life where you stopped and asked Jesus to forgive you and save you from Hell, now would be a perfect time to do that. Ask Jesus right now to forgive your sins against God and then ask Him to give you a home in heaven. Please don't put it off!

Christian, if you have not been loving toward your fellowman, you are not living your life pleasing to God the Heavenly Father. He tells us in His word to: 1 Peter 1:16 "Be holy, for I am holy."

 Just ask yourself how would you like Jesus to treat you as you treat others. When you look at it from His eyes we see the necessity to bring happiness and joy to others.

May God forgive us Christians and move us on to be more like Jesus. That is His plan for our lives.

Romans 8:29 (NKJV)
²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
May you choose to be more considerate of others. God bless you and I and fill us with the power His Spirit to live as He intends for us to do.

Growing In Grace

Have you ever heard someone say "I know Jesus!" What they really mean is they have a head knowledge of Him but they really don't know Him because they hardly ever or never read His word, pray, or spend  any  private time in praise and worship of Him. 2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)  tells us to 
¹⁸ grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. If we have been saved by Jesus Christ then there are no reasons why we should not be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. It is our privilege and duty. We belong to Jesus Christ. We have been purchased by His blood. To know someone well we have to spend some time with them. Could I ask how much time do you spend with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Why would anyone not want to grow in the grace-(unmerited favor) of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Jesus has much more grace He wants to pour out on us. If we don't grow in Christ, the devil will give us misery. The bible says in John 10:10 (NKJV)
¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Jesus wants to bless us more abundantly than we could even begin to imagine. But if you are not reading God's word  the devil will steal from you. He will steal your peace, joy, confidence, and weaken your faith in God and His Son Jesus. He will put doubt and worries in your mind because your mind is not being filled with the powerful faith filled words of God. As I said before but it needs to be repeated, how much time do you give God's word and prayer compared to t.v., newspapers, or other books? If you are not growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ then you have become stagnant in spiritual things. You have all kinds of problems that you can't seem to get on top of. You lack God's power in your life and the list goes on and on. Having been saved you know the power of God but you are not now experiencing it. The good news is you can change all the negative things in your life by repenting of  your sin of putting other things before God and His word. The word of God puts power in our lives. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

It also shows us the way to live the most successful lifestyle. It is a "lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path." 

Let this message penetrate your heart and soul. As a Christian you deserve better than what Satan is giving you. You have to resist the devil. James 4:6-8 (NKJV) 

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

As you humble yourself before God, He will give you more grace. Draw near to God through prayer and bible reading and He will draw near to you. What have you to lose but your misery? May God bless you as you draw closer to Him.

If you are not a Christian you don't stand a chance against the devil because you can't resist him till you submit to God and turn from your sin of ignoring Jesus Christ and your need of His salvation of your soul. If you are ready for a change, ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins against God and for ignoring your need of Him to save your soul from hell. Invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you, and then go to church and tell the pastor you have been saved and want to be baptized publicly. Don't be ashamed of Jesus. Luke 9:26 (NKJV)
²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. Lets all grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because He is coming soon!

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)
^18b To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.  May God bless our every attempt to grow in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. Come quickly Lord Jesus! 

Finding Peace In God's Presence

Psalms 46:1 (NKJV)
¹ God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Use your imagination as we study this chapter. Think about what a refuge is. It's a cover from the storm. When I carried mail for the Postal Service I had a walking route for a long time. I remember one day as I was walking along with a load of mail in my pouch when a hailstorm hit. There I was with hail falling on my head. As I looked to my next house to deliver to I noticed they had a covered porch. What a sight for sore eyes. I made a mad dash under that porch for my protection and it protected me from the storm. This is the image you get from verse one of Psalm 46. God protects us from physical as well as spiritual storms. He is always near by. He is A very present help in trouble. You can run to Him and He will protect you and get you through whatever you are facing right now. Run to Him in prayer, come under His cover and cast your cares upon Him.                                                             1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)
⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
God stands waiting for you to call on Him. He is able to help you overcome any situation you find yourself  in. You must first according to this scripture humble yourself under God's mighty hand. This means to subject yourself to His will and way. If you do He will exalt you over the situation you find yourself in. When you place yourself under God, He becomes your covering from whatever storm you are facing.  Then the second part of verse one says God is our strength. Sometimes we don't have the strength to go on so God becomes our strength. God by His word and by the power of His Holy Spirit within us becomes our strength to go through whatever we might have to face.                                                                                                                                                          Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)      
¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God's word is powerful because when He speaks things are done. Speak and claim His word over your situation right now and watch things change. In the second and third verse the Psalmist King David says God protects from the most severe circumstances so there's no need to fear. Let's look at these scriptures.                                                                                                                                         Psalms 46:2-3 (NKJV)
² Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
So, we are protected by our Father God no matter what we face.Your responsibility in all of this is to make sure you know God through His Son Jesus Christ. If you don't have a personal relationship with God, just ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and then invite Jesus into your life to lead, guide, guard, and direct you each day. Then God will become your refuge and strength. Then begin to pray and read His word and claim His word over your life. You will find peace within God's presence in your life. He waits for you to respond right now. Call on Him now!