Training'N'Righteousness

So today is my first blog I'm using this as my journal. I got the idea after attending a Sunday service at Lakewood and hearing Joyce Meyers. Honestly I don't even know where to start. I think a journal is time to reflect on my day. Right now, I have been thinking about my job. I'm having trouble deciding what I want to do next year as a teacher. There are times when I want to work with a general ed teachers and students, and there are times when I just want to work with special education. I just know that I can do more with the skills that God has given me.

John 1-8 Jesus defends someone who has shown him love, sacrfice & respect. Mary honored Jesus & he stuck up for her when she was attacked by those who were suppose to love her. There are times when we want to honor Jesus. It may be by sacrificing our time, desires, money & possession.  When we honor him & do something extraordinary for him others around us are quick to critize. But Jesus is quick to defend us when we honor him, love him & sacrifice for him.

Do you ever feel like you should be doing something else or more?  There are times when I have that tug on my heart to be doing something else.  Now don't get me wrong, I love what I do.  I like where I work, but there is still something missing.  I invest so much into my work including my time, my talents, my energy and sacrifice.  My work almost becomes my identity.  And reality is that I put more into my work than I do for God.  Wow, did you hear that?   Americans spend most of our time either working or sleeping.  I think I'm starting to understand why I'm so restless.  Maybe it's because I'm not doing what Jesus said to do in Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind '; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself."   The key is to love him with ALL my strength and mind.  I can't give him whatever I left over after I worked 8 hours a...

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...