“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,”
James 1:2 NIV
Happy Tuesday! Since Hurricane Michael came through the Florida Panhandle, I talk to depressed people every day. Honestly, the feelings have washed over me from time to time. It’s difficult to find joy in your world when it has been devastated. Every time we walk out the door we are faced with it again. So, we face daily trials, which will last for many years. Of course, we all have many things to be thankful for, and we are all thankful. Yet that is not enough.
Many people face depression and trials that still their joy. It doesn’t have to be a hurricane. It could be a situation at work, or with family. It could be a problem with finances, especially with the government shut down. Many people worry so much about their children that they lose their joy. It’s a common problem. We look to the past have regret. We look too far into the future and have fear.
I was listening to a minister this morning who said “if you are not joyful, then there is a problem with your priorities”. This statement is powerful. Where do you find your joy. How many times have you posted photos on Facebook or Instagram to get likes. Do you think likes determine friendship? I use Facebook, but we can’t let it rule our life. Most of us have a few friends we can call on in emergency, and they aren’t the many who like our photos and memes.
True joy comes from a heart with God as the top priority. If you are finding your joy is gone and you are in despair. Check your heart and priorities. Don’t look to what’s around you. Don’t look to the past or too far into the future. Look to God and place him first. Realize that whatever trial your facing is temporary and is being used to shape you.
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:4 NIV
Happy Wednesday! It’s the day before a holiday and everyone has their minds on family, cooking, cleaning, traveling and similar things. Don’t forget to be thankful. It’s not just about being thankful at mealtime, but remembering all things big and small in your life that are truly a blessing. We all have them, even in bad times.
The current trend is to find friends and dates on social media. From what I have seen, it leads many to heartache and depression. Most people have a few friends in their lives that would stop everything to help them. These are the people who are there when you are sick, have a loss or celebration. They are not jealous or gossipy about you. They don’t just show up for the food or to be seen. They love you for who you are and would give up everything they have to help you. Friendship is not about the number of likes you have on a post or the number of people who follow your social media site. It is certainly not about the number of people who call you friend on Facebook.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, I have seen many negative posts and some that were downright nasty. I urge you to remember that there are two sides to every story, and usually the one posting something controversial is trying to sway your thinking. The Bible addresses the tongue many times. Although posts are typed and the tongue isn’t used, the outcome is the similar. Evil words posted, just like evil words said, crush the spirit. I encourage you, when on Facebook and other social media, to use soothing and lighthearted posts. Lift people up, instead of bringing them down.
Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us console and delight ourselves with love.
PROVERBS 7:18 AMP
Happy Friday! It’s Spread the Love Friday! What will you do to make someone’s day special? Sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference. Lending an ear, giving a hug, and leaving a note are just a few ways. I know a couple of people who pay the order for the car behind them in the fast food drive-through lane. Take someone to lunch or for coffee. Watch a movie with a friend. There are so many ways. I can’t wait to read what you did to make the world a better place. Have a great Friday! God bless you.
Happy Monday! Sometimes the busiest times hold the most rewards. This morning I’m watching Mickey Mouse’s Clubhouse with my grandson reflecting on the weekend before I take him to school. We celebrated Landon’s birthday Saturday afternoon. I think everyone had a wonderful time.
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Also, I thought I’d give you an update on Dominic. We adopted Dominic about six weeks ago. He’s five months old now. He’s at least as large as a grown cat, but wild as a kitten. This morning it was nice to be awakened by him nudging my leg with his head, rather than attacking me. We love him. He’s a good fit with our dogs, too.
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Sometimes when we are starting what we know will be a busy week, we can combat our anxiety by clinging to what is good. This week for me it is time with my family and my pets. I’m also very reflective today about a textbook I’ve been reading for school about God calling us into certain ministries. In less than two weeks I will begin teaching adult Sunday School and I’m very excited about this opportunity. So, these make me smile today. What makes you smile?
Sounds simple, but as stress comes your way today and throughout the week, think of things that bring a smile to your face, and don’t forget you are never alone. Have a wonderful Monday! God bless you.
Encourage each other and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Good Morning! Have you ever been so excited that you just can’t wait for something to happen? Tomorrow we are giving my grandson a birthday party. He turned three on the 18th, but I’m still excited. Funny, when I was a child it seem to take so long for birthdays to come around. Now, birthdays come around way too fast. We are so blessed to be able to see the world through his eyes.
I’m beyond happy this morning, but everyone does not feel the same. If you know someone with struggles this morning, build them up. If you are struggling, know that everything is temporary. I love you and God loves you. Never give up.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
It seems like we were just talking about Thursday and here we are again. Recently I have discovered that the less judgemental I am about others, the more time I spend asking for forgiveness and the less time I spend forgiving others. That just proves that forgiveness is really for us, not the person we are forgiving.
Last week I was listening to a group of people in our community talk about “how this person should do this, and this person should do that” to make the community better. Have you ever participated in a similar discussion? Of course, the answer is if everyone did their part, there probably wouldn’t be an issue. These poor people being discussed were most likely stretched too thin. Later, when I reflected on the conversation, I began to think about how this is a problem in many churches (in general terms). I must admit I have been guilty of this. Sometimes it seems like “everyone” has the answers, but “no one” really wants to be burdened with the work. It could be that only certain tasks are wanted, leaving many others undone. This must make life very difficult for the pastor, who truly cares for the sheep. Then, there are others who constantly call with prayer requests, always looking for a miracle, but never showing up.
I like Natalie Grant’s answer to this problem “it’s time to get our hands dirty . . . why sit around waiting for a miracle to come, when you could be one.” On the way to work this morning I heard this song. It is so true. If there are hungry people in your church or community, help feed them. If your neighbor is sick, ask if it’s okay to help with yard work. Visit friends, church members and family who are sick or in the hospital. Offer to help people who have lost a family member. If you have a neighbor who has financial problems, bring them dinner or pay a bill for them without telling them. Does anyone really need to know? God knows. Isn’t that REALLY enough? If you don’t work outside the home and notice children wandering around the neighborhood being a target for trouble, reach out to them. Don’t wait for your pastor or your government to take care of everything. There are so many little things everyone can do that will make a huge difference for someone else. Sometimes we all just need to know someone cares. You will find that you will feel more blessed than the person you are helping.
Today, I challenge you to make a difference in the world by getting your hands a little dirty being someone’s miracle. God bless you.
This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me and given me life. Psalm 119:50
It’s Forgiveness Thursday, and some of my friends are hurting today. I have some friends who have had a recent relationship break up. I also have some friends who have recently had to say farewell to a family member who has passed. It doesn’t get much tougher than saying goodbye when you don’t want to, or feeling rejection. It’s a time when people build up walls around them and hurt the people who love them the most. Of course, their intention is not to hurt, they are just trying to get through the tough times that they are experiencing. We all know it too. Have you ever tried to say the right thing, and struck out in a huge way? I certainly have.
These are also times when people who are hurting turn to substances like alcohol, tobacco and drugs for comfort. There is only one who can help in times like these, and that’s our Heavenly Father. First Corinthians 10:13 tells us that “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Isn’t that awesome! He understands and is always there. You are his child. He wants your happiness. Your life is not over. A new chapter is just beginning.
So, if you are sad or suffering today, put your trust in the one who knows the most about healing hearts! God bless you.
He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107.9
Happy Thursday! It’s a great time to practice forgiveness.
Have you ever felt empty? Have you felt like no matter what you do, you can’t find happiness? Is being content something you can’t seem to wrap your mind around? Are you an overachiever, a workaholic, a perfectionist or something similar? Do you feel you have to fill every moment of the day with an activity? Do you dread quietness? I know how you feel. There is only one thing that can fill that hole, God. You can try everything you can think of, but I promise nothing will fill that hole but God. Start your day with God and put God first all day long, and he will fill the emptiness in your soul.
We can’t always see where the road leads, but God promises there is something better up ahead we just have to trust him. Psalm 56:3
Happy Wednesday! It’s a great day to Use Your Gifts to Change the World! So, what will you do?
Do you ever feel like you are unable to make positive change? Do you feel like the world is too big? Then, I have good news. The smallest of changes are viral in the scheme of changing the world. Whenever you do something as simple as smiling at someone having a bad day, the results are beneficial, and that’s not all. Positive changes grow exponentially. Yesterday, I actually heard a very nice lady, who collects items for children in need, say that she had so many people donate that she had to create a new list of items to prevent sending volunteer donors away. She was also taking overflow donations to other agencies. Isn’t that great! That’s how it should be. When we work together to help society, government doesn’t have to. As I’ve said so many times before, changing the world doesn’t have to involve donations or money. You can smile, give a friend a hug, tell the manager of a restaurant or store about an employee who is doing a good job, leave a note, and the list goes on and on. There is no limit to what YOU can do.
As you go out into the world today, start at home and radiate. Make a difference everywhere you go. God bless you.
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22
Today, I am so excited and wish to thank Christi B. author of “Women Who Inspire” for spotlighting Hisperfecttiming! Christi spotlights inspirational women who make a positive impact. This is what she wrote on Friday.
Isn’t that great! Wow! I’m so blessed that Christi thought of Hisperfecttiming! I wish that I could take the credit, but God works through my life and work. I’m so thankful to Christi and all readers and followers! I pray you are all blessed as much as I am and more!
I saw a Facebook post this morning that caught my attention. It said “if you woke up this morning with all that you prayed for yesterday, where would you be.” Where would YOU be?
I’ve noticed that many people get caught up in the “how to” of prayer. I understand fully, because I’ve been there. I have been to prayer classes, where books have been passed out on what to pray for in various situations. I have read books trying to understand how to pray publicly and what to pray. I’ve listened closely and memorized prayers that I thought were especially nice, I’ve asked for feedback. While some of this was helpful, none was enough. I would pray freely in private, but publicly I would choke. My mind would go blank. Have you ever been there? I am still growing spiritually and I’m in no way an expert, but I have some ideas on the subject of prayer.
First, in order to pray effectively, you must have faith. Prayer is simply talking to God. I talk to God like I talk to you, my friends. How can you effectively pray, or talk to God, if you don’t believe? If you are praying and you don’t believe in God, to whom are you talking or trying to impress? God knows your heart. you must first trust and believe in him.
Second, as I stated above, prayer is talking to God. No matter where you are, or what you are doing, you can talk to God. It can be silently. No one has to know your private conversations. I pray throughout the day. I can’t imagine going an entire day without prayer. I’ve recently decided that instead of speaking privately to others, I would just begin and end with God. I’ve also found it especially helpful to pray for people who are hurtful. Ask God to bless them. This sounds a little strange, but I promise it works every time. I sometimes pray that the right people will be brought into a loved one’s or friend’s life, who will bring that person closer to God and help them to make good decisions. We just can’t be all things to all people.
Third, when you pray publicly, just talk to God and don’t worry about impressing others. That’s easier said than done when you are put on the spot, right? Take the focus off of you, and put the focus on God and helping others. Sometimes a brief pause to gather your thoughts will help, too. You should pray about something related to why you are with whoever you are with and what you are doing. For example, are you at a mealtime meeting? Pray about making good decisions and your thankfulness for the food.
I once saw a handy guide to prayer. The guide used the word — BLESS.
B- Body
L- Labor
E- Emotional
S- Social
S- Spiritual
The way this works is, you think of at least one thing in each category to pray about. If you know in advance that you will be leading prayer, you can write it down. If not, you will probably be able to come up with something quickly. I also jot down names of people who are sick, so that I can include them in my prayers.
Fourth, I always thank God first. I try not to just continuously ask for something. I am truly blessed and thankful. I pray regularly before each meal, in the mornings before work, and at night before I go to sleep. From time to time I suffer from insomnia and talk to God until I doze off. However, regular prayer does not keep me from talking to God throughout the day. My husband reminds me every day to enjoy my present. He means the present moment. Living in the present is something to be thankful for, as well.
Fifth, I have heard that God loves to hear his word. I think this originates from Jesus using God’s words when dealing with the devil. So, I read and meditate on my Bible, and try to do the same. It’s a great way to glorify God. As Third Day sings “the grass will wither and flowers will fall, but the word of our God will last forever.” I also pray before bible study, my classes, my blogs, and church, because I want to have an understanding of God’s word and be able to reflect it in my life.
Sixth, don’t forget to repent. Admit to and ask God for forgiveness of all the mistakes you made throughout each day, and then forgive others. I usually ask for forgiveness after I thank God for my blessings, but you decide what works for you. I also send up prayers as soon as I realize I’ve done something wrong, because by the end of the day I may forget. I’ve decided that forgetfulness that comes with age is also a blessing sometimes.
Seventh, ask God to help you with temptations. Trust me when I say, I have many. I pray for help with temptations all day long. Isn’t it great to know that we don’t have to fight the devil alone! God is always by my side.
Finally, the more you pray, the more comfortable you will be with praying. Similarly, the more you pray publicly, the more comfortable you will be with leading public prayer. There all types of tips, books and ideas to follow on how to pray, but I encourage you to keep it simple. God loves you and knows where your heart is.
