Ask Yourself - Romans 12:3

Romans 12:3 -- "Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."

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We tend to look at others and knew just what will make their life better: to be most positive, stop worrying so much, keep out of other's business, stop working so much, work harder, and the list goes on and on.

But when was the last time you looked at yourself honestly to determine what you need to do to make your life better? Do some of those things you think other people should do apply to you? Often, we need to listen to our own advice more and speak it to other less.

To learn what you need to do, go to God. Pour your heart out to him and then listen. What is that one thing on your heart that you know you can do better with. It is hard to admit, but God doesn't expect you to change yourself in one day.

Acknowledging where you need to strive fore better is the first step. After that, try to be more aware when the opportunities to choose differently happen and then begin to act on them. God is with you, guarding and guiding you the whole way. Draw support from him and from trusted friends around you. Evaluate yourself honestly and don't judge yourself compared to others, but only to God's Word and His expectations.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Caretta the Turtle

This is Caretta the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. We visited her and many other fish and other animals at the SC Aquarium. She is young for a sea turtle, only 24 years old. This day she was posing and playing with the people visiting. We had never seen her so active before, it was a great treat. You can learn more about her HERE and more about the aquarium and sea turtle rescue HERE. They are not paying me to say how awesome the aquarium is, but we have been several times and have always had lots of fun!

  

Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!

Choose Peace - James 3:18

James 3:18 -- "And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness."

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There are lots of small moments in life when you can choose peace or discord. You can fight, yell and tear people down, but all you breed is more hate. Satan loves this choice because he wants you in discourse and in unstable environments. He wants to see you looking at your problems and not at God.

However, when you sow peace, you reap righteousness. By choosing peace, you act as Jesus did. Even when he was persecuted by the Pharisees and the Roman government Jesus remained peaceful and respectful. Even though he didn't agree with them, he didn't begin arguments or breed hate. Instead, he taught and lived in peace.

When those moments happen, when we are pushed by others to defend ourselves, we can choose peace or war. Only choosing peace will bring you closer to God and leave you with a sense of unity and a greater faith.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Never Forget the Good Things - Psalms 103:2

Psalms 103:2 -- "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me."

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Things aren't always pleasant. One of the things you can count on living in this world is trouble. However, trouble isn't quite as bad when you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light is Jesus Christ.

Give God praise always! Give him praise when times are good, but also when times are bad. When times are rough remember all the amazing things God has done for you. He even sent his own son to die for you because he did not want to be apart from you.

By praising God when times are rough we are able to look beyond our own circumstances and realize that God has it all under control. He will take care of you. Remember all the good things God has done for you and know he will teach you, guard you and guide you as you move in this fallen world.

God makes good out of the bad. If we are paying attention and staying in communication with him he will show you how much he is working in your life and in the lives of those around you.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

James (Bible in 90 Days)

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We live in a world with a lot of talk and not a whole lot of action. James confronts the church head on about the difference between knowing the right way to go and actually walking it. The book of James is easily the most pointed and concise look at true Christian living.

James 1:2-3 -- "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

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Right from the beginning James declares that there will be trouble, not if but when, but without it we couldn't grow.

James is not afraid to hurt anyone's feelings or to step on anyone's toes. Throughout the book, he says what needs to be said to get people up and out of their comfortable living where they are clinging to world values. He exposes hypocritical practices and tries to teach Christ-like behavior for the Christian followers. James challenges the people to have genuine faith and let it produce good deeds naturally throughout their life.

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James 2:18 -- "Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."

When we truly live with faith in Christ, we cannot help but let His love shine through us to others. The way to heaven is through faith, not good deeds, but it is a natural progression that cannot be unnoticed when you are living entirely for Christ.

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This is a small, concise book toward the end of the Bible, but it contains infinite wisdom. If you want to know where to look to get more out of your Christian life, begin with James. He provides a how-to book for Christian Living.