My Vision for 2019

God has worked with me on my vision for 2019 for this entire month, and maybe going back to the end of last year. It is simple: PLEASE GOD; BLESS PEOPLE.

It is perhaps a summary of Jesus' summary of the 10 Commandments:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And, love your neighbor as yourself.

It is also kin to Micah 6:8
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

These verses certainly support my vision. I needed one that I could remember, and I needed one that my heart was into. God guided me tenderly and patiently. All praise be too Him!!!

GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT

     God’s Timing is Perfect

                              (Reference: WILD GOOSE CHASE by Mark Batterson)
            Note: Much of this blog is derived from direct quotes from Batterson.

To get where God wants us to be, we must depend on Him totally. Sometimes God has to disorient us. Disorientation is natural and healthy. God is far more concerned about your future than you are. He has angels at His disposal. He can cause devine delays and devine detours.
Have you ever experienced that? Remember He loves us enough that He gave His only Son for us. We are one trip—one meeting—one conversation away from God changing our direction. As we run free like animals on the Galapagos and not like animals caged in a zoo, God can direct us. But how can God use us in a cage if we decide to stay there?

There are factors God can use to accomplish His plan. Sometimes, reasons for which we are not aware. For example, Paul’s shipwreck landed him on an island. He witnessed to many there and it changed the course of that island’s history. On another occasion, Paul and Silas were beaten because of their faith. They were then placed in a dark prison. where they began singing and praising God around midnight. Then, an earthquake happened. Because of this, the jailer and all his household were saved.

Sometimes we want to know the will of God more than we want to know God. Let’s always be seekers of God, like the Wise Men were.

Another way to look at this: a quote from Oswald Chambers. “What we call the process, God calls the end.”

Devine Detour Appreciations:
The longer you wait, the more you appreciate.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just hang in there.
A sense of humor can get you through just about anything. And remember, God invented humor (ie Look at the giraffes.)

Roams 8:28
Psalm 37:3a
Psalm 103

Compare Not

There are times that some of us sit around and chew someone up and boil them down to one word that we can just spit out. That is so AWFUL. But I confess that I have done it. It accomplishes nothing good. As a matter of fact...we need to refrain from that exercise.

Why do we compare ourselves to others?
Maybe we are jealous
Maybe we are insecure
Maybe we don't feel good about ourselves
Maybe we find a flaw in their character so that we can feel better about ourselves.
Maybe we are spoiled
Maybe we are listening to the Devil's whispers

Why shouldn't we compare ourselves to others.
Psalm 139:14 (NIV) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
God made us to be the exact person we are. We have a unique finger print from anyone who has or will be born. Doesn't that blow your mind!
To compare ourselves to others can make us feel of less worth.
To compare ourselves to others can fool us to make us think we are more valuable than someone else.
We should focus on being the best me God made us to be!
We should use our mouths to bless and pray for people--not bless them out!

God, I need HELP!
This is a prayer. I desire to worship God and bless people. I want to be a better listener. I desire eyes to see those hurting around me. (But I need God to help me want this more--I am very selfish!) Let my feet follow the path you choose for me, O Lord.

Kruger

George's boss on Seinfeld was named Mr Kruger. His middle name could well be Apathy, because he was always saying, "I don't really care." Now, we certainly need to have concern in most areas of our lives. We need to pray. to seek God. to serve our fellow human-beings.

But, we do NOT need to worry! So many times it would be a good idea to be Mr. Kruger and say, "I reeeealy don't care." It is therapeutic.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Signs Follow Faith

                                            What are YOU going to do about it?!
                      (heavy reference to WILD GOOSE CHASE by Mark Batterson)

I. Mark writes that the Book of Acts is self-explanatory. It’s Not the book of IDEAS or THEORIES or WORDS.
God will not say: “Well THOUGHT, good and faithful servant.”
God will not say, “Well SAID, good and faithful servant.”
God will not say, “Well THEORIZED, good and faithful servant.”
Scripture: Matthew 25:23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”

II. Signs follow faith.
In Joshua, God tells the priests to take a few steps into the river, THEN it parted! We can’t always wait for a sign…they often follow our act of faith.
Scripture: Joshua 3:14-16; 14 So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priest who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. 15 It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, 16 the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.

III. Think about Joseph. (Genesis 37-50)
He was sold into slavery at age 17.
Because of God, he found favor with Potiphar.
He was falsely accused and thrown into prison.
Because of God, he found favor with the Head Jailer.
He had a dream that helped Pharaoh’s Cupbearer, and two years later the Cupbearer remembered Joseph.
Because of God’s favor, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and was made Second-in-Command to Pharaoh.
He saved the world and won his family back.

IV. How about Agnes and her 3 pennies.
With God’s help, she built an orphanage. She would minister to countless people in her native land of India. Agnes was also known as Mother Teresa. When asked, “What can I do for God?” She said, “Find your own Calcutta.” (This referred to her own place of ministry in Calcutta, India.)

**So, WHAT IS YOUR CALCUTTA  AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?***

Unanswered Questions from Movies

Disclaimer: Some of the language and other stuff from the following movies, may not be suitable for most people.

1. Rocky 3 Did Apollo dog it and allow Rocky to win that race on the Beach?
2. It’s a Wonderful Life Did Old Man Potter ever get caught and subsequently arrested for taking the $8000?
3. Can’t Buy Me Love How long did Cindy and Ronald last together?
4. The Water Boy Did Bobby Bouche finish college and get a Bachelor Degree in Water Science?
5. Forrest Gump Did Forrest meet 3 more Presidents? Did Forrest continue his friendship with Lt. Dan? Did Forrest continue to wear Nikes? Did he become their spokesperson?
6. There’s Something About Mary Did Ted marry Mary?
7. The Breakfast Club Did Bender serve the remaining 2 months of Saturday Detention?
8. Die Hard Did the Nakatomi Plaza ever get completely built?
9. Here Comes the Boom After Scott saved Fonzi's job, did the school have enough money the next year to pay Fonzi?
10. Kickin It Old-School Did Justin and Jen get married? Did their children bust a move?