Training'N'Righteousness

James 3:8-10 Its amazing how our words can have such an impact on ourselves & others. James said it right that small things can make a big difference. I recently read that even verbal abuse during childhood can physically change a child's brain structure & predispose them to mental disorders. Knowing how harmful our words can be, I need to speak positive. That old saying of dont say anything if you dont have anything good to say is something to live by. I can see good things happen when I speak positive.  I am happier & the positive energy is contagious.

This is interesting. Im saved by Gods mercy & not by my good deeds. That doesnt mean I should stop doing good. It says earlier in the chapter that "we were" foolish & sinful. Now that we know of his grace & mercy its time to stop those things. I do good because that please god. Its not to earn my salvation or entrance into heaven. I do it because he's my dad & I want him to be proud of me.

What do you do when you get angry?  If you got cut off in traffic, can you wave to them and smile?  If someone breaks a promise, can you keep from yelling at them?  Everybody gets angry, but we have a choice of what to do with that anger.  Don't let it control you.  Anger can lead to sin and actions that are not pleasing to God and those you care about.  Channel that energy from anger into something good.  Go work out, get some work done around the house, or help somebody with their groceries.  Take that negative and turn it into a positive. Romans 12:21 ESV           Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV          Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

God has done something amazing.  He has forgiven us for not doing what is pleasing to him.  Not only has he forgiven us, but he has given us the ability to forgive each other.  Nobody is perfect and people make mistakes.  Mark 11:25 (NIV) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Sometimes people will continuely make mistakes, but God still calls us to forgive them if they say they are sorry.  Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) 21  Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Even if they are not sorry we still need to forgive them.  Forgiveness is not just for the other person, but it is for ourselves as well.  When you don't forgive someone and hold on to their mistakes and wrong...

Philippians 3:12-14 ESV Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. It is amazing what happens when we surrender our life to Christ.  Those things that use to hold us back have no more power over us.  We get a second chance to do what is right and move forward.  Our sins are washed by the blood and are forgotten.  We actually become a new person.  People will see a difference in your attitude and even the way you present yourself.   

1 John 3:6 ESV          No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Once we come to know Jesus and accept him as our savior, we also agree to stop doing the things that are not pleasing to him.  We once were sinners, but now we are saved.  To accept Jesus is to accept the path of righteousness.  I don't want to fall away from doing what is pleasing to Jesus.  I don't want to sin.  I want to grow closer to him.  When I focus on him, I am able to fulfill my purpose to bring happiness and light to those who are lost in the darkness.  

What is the "American Dream"? Is it having nice things? Big house? New car? Well paying job? Is it being married? Having kids? Traveling the world? This is not Jesus' dream for America.  When you chase after these things, you begin to think you are in charge of your life.  You start to identify yourself based on what you have accomplished.  If someone ask you who you are, what do you say?  I'm a mom, I work for XYZ.  You base who you are on what you have and what you have done, but that's not who you are.  Jesus doesn't want you to lose who you are in what you have or done. You are a child of God, and a new creation in Christ.  You are here to testify the greatness of the blood shed for all.  May your actions, words, and identity be lead be Jesus and not by what the world expects from you. Mark 8:34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s...