Are We Behaving Wisely?

Typically, we use the word, misbehaving, when it comes to the way our children act up. But, I'm sure you will agree that we have been inundated with "misbehaving" adults lately, particularly in the political arena. But, that's them, what about us? We faith-talking, Bible-toting, cross-wearing, Christ-following people are being watched by those in our sphere of influence. They scrutinize us and the life we live at home and outside the home is one we cannot afford to compromise or lose. Like David, we need to BEHAVE ourselves wisely. Take a look at his example:

We first hear about David` as a shepherd boy keeping watch over his father's sheep. Then we read about him being anointed by Samuel to become king one day. Soon he started serving King Saul in a musical capacity and though he still tended his sheep, when Saul called for him to play his music, he showed up. Not long after that, he defeated the Philistine giant, Goliath.

That conquest was greater than only killing Goliath. When the Philistines saw that their leader was dead, they ran in terror. That's when the Israeli armies ran after the Philistines, killed them all and plundered their tents. Not only were their enemies defeated, but they took home the goods and treasures with them.

The crowd's victory cheers went like this "Saul has slain his thousands, but David, his ten-thousands." From that point on, Saul's jealousy made him bound and determined to kill David, but all his attempts were foiled. This leads me back to my main point in today's post. In 1 Samuel 18:5, we read "So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he BEHAVED wisely." Verse 14: "And David BEHAVED in all his ways, and the Lord was with him." In Verse 30, "David BEHAVED more wisely than all the servants of Saul so that his name became highly esteemed."

David did the right thing when the wrong thing was done to him. He could have become arrogant and self-serving when he received all the acclaim, but he BEHAVED well. He could have taken revenge on Saul, but he BEHAVED well. He BEHAVED well even when he carried a lot of responsibilities. As David behaved himself wisely he earned the respect of the people of Israel and even the servants of Saul. He served patiently and faithfully and he was noticed and respected for that.

Our country is in desperate need of Godly leadership. We need those who will live a life of integrity before God and others. Integrity is not just measured by who we are in public, but who we are in private when no one else is around. Integrity and character are doing the right thing when no one is watching. As followers of Christ, we should BEHAVE ourselves in such a way that it pleases and honors God. Shouldn't we, in every situation, be men and women of integrity? Shouldn't we consistently be asking ourselves: "Am I behaving well in this situation? Am I making a difference in the world around me? Do we hear God saying about us "She/He behaved wisely." If not, shouldn't we make it a priority to start NOW?

What's Wrong With Me?

I had three siblings that graduated to heaven; two of them had Alzheimer's disease and the other had Diabetes so severe that she lost one foot to the disease. My Mom, now in heaven, had congenital heart disease. My Dad, also in heaven, had a malignant brain tumor. Goodness gracious. With all that medical history, you'd think I'd be saying "What’s wrong with ME?”

Honestly, when I forget someone's name or where I've put my keys or where I was headed in my house and forget why I was going there.....my mind tries to tell me "You've inherited your family's issues." I take a baby aspirin each day to fend off heart problems. I take mineral and herb supplements to help keep me healthy. I walk and work out to keep my body strong. I do the things that I can do to be healthy and strong as though it depended on me, but I've learned to pray, speak God's Word and BELIEVE God as though it ALL depends on Him. The best antidote against the lies of the enemy and the threats he tries to place over me when it comes to my health and well being is I purposely change my thinking to keeping my mind on the ONE who paid the ultimate price for my healing, my freedom and my victory.

BUT, stuff happens, regardless of our strong faith. How do we handle those times? I really am a very healthy gal. Thanks be to God. I've refused to get a Flu Shot because I hear feedback more about the negative side effects. So this week, right when I was making my move to my new house, the pain in my throat, the fever, the coughing and the lack of energy assured me I needed to go the doctor. Sweet Denise Gerrich was a life saver for me as she directed the movers in my absence, has been an incredible nurse and responded to my every phone call for picking up things I need. It would certainly be easy to question God about this timing, because it most certainly is not without His knowledge. And to make matters worse because this flu is so contagious, I had to cancel going to Tulsa to see Mom, attend my godson's little sister's First Communion and to spend time with my besties, Mick & Sheila Michie.

I have a choice -- to wallow in self pity or to BELIEVE and stand on God's promise that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…” (Romans 8:37) Period. The end.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our healing and our victory in every area of life. All those sicknesses, diseases, challenges in every area of life were broken and paid for on the cross. It's time we lay hold of the victory Christ brought us in overcoming and defeating the enemy. A little shepherd boy, David, defeated the giant with his words and his slingshot. The same holds true for us today in defeating the giants in our lives. It starts with a simple word....BELIEVE...and you shall receive! Matthew 21:22

Here are the TRUTHS of the ONE who loves and ONLY speaks TRUTHS to us: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
BELIEVEELIEVE

Integrity Matters So Are You Behaving or Misbehaving?

I'm reading through the Bible this year and reading about those people that got themselves into some really crazy situations, has sparked my interest like never before. I'm having so many "aha" moments in my readings.

Take for example, King Saul and David. Remember the story of the "little" shepherd boy, David, and how he took down that ginormous giant, Goliath? Most writers and speakers end the story there, but it's not the end. When those Philistines saw that their leader lost his head.....literally.....they ran in terror. Then the armies of Israel ran after the Philistines, killed them all and plundered their tents. Not only were their enemies defeated, but they took home the goods and treasures with them. Now that's what I call....being MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

The crowd's victory chants and cheers went like this "Saul has slain his thousands, but David, his ten-thousands." More than that triumph and victory, what struck me most was how King Saul became so jealous of young David. From that point on, Saul was bound and determined to kill David, but all his many attempts to kill him were foiled. And here's what was impressed upon me. In 1 Samuel 18:5, you'll read "So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he BEHAVED wisely." Again, in verse 14 "And David BEHAVED in all his ways, and the Lord was with him." Then, in Verse 30, "David BEHAVED more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed."

Three times we find that David behaved himself wisely. Typically, we use the word, misbehaving, when it comes to the way our children act up. But, I'm sure you will agree that we have been inundated with "misbehaving" adults lately, particularly in the political arena. But, that's them, what about us? People watch you and me. They scrutinize us and, for sure, the life we live at home and outside the home is one we cannot afford to compromise or lose. We need to do as David did and BEHAVE ourselves wisely. That phrase has the idea of “being wise; considerate; paying attention to what's right."

Yesterday, my post was about "curb appeal" -- being full of God's love and character. In those scriptures, David did the right thing, when the wrong thing was done to him. He could have become arrogant and self-serving when he received all the acclaim, but he BEHAVED well. He could have taken revenge on Saul, but he BEHAVED well. There is no mention of David arguing or trying to pass his work off on someone else. He BEHAVED well even when he carried a lot of responsibilities. As David behaved himself wisely he earned the respect of the people of Israel and even the servants of Saul. He served patiently and faithfully in every aspect of life and he was noticed and respected for that.

As ambassadors for God, we, too, have an obligation and responsibility to BEHAVE ourselves in such a way that it pleases and honors God. Shouldn't we carry ourselves wisely among all who know us, and in every situation, be men and women of integrity?

Our country is in desperate need of Godly leadership. We need those who will live a life of integrity before God and others. Integrity is not just measured by who we are in public, but who we are in private when no one else is around. Integrity and character are doing the right thing when no one is watching.

Let's keep this word in the forefront of our minds. "Am I behaving well in this situation? Am I making a difference in the world around me? Do we hear God speaking about us "She/He behaved herself/himself wisely? If not, shouldn't we make it a priority to start NOW?

I Am A Promise and I'm Something Special

Day 277 of Photo Inspirations -- I Am A Promise & I'm Something Special
#TBT  When my children were little, we always had them singing  little Gospel songs that had such great messages in them. But there were none greater than two of Bill Gaither's songs:  "I Am A Promise" and "I'm Something Special".

Both songs were so self affirming that spoke of the potential and possibilities that God had for them. Honestly, that's where it started with our children.  We taught them how precious and valuable they were.  We taught them that with God's help, they could do anything that they wanted to.  We taught them to speak positive.  "I can't" words weren't allowed.  "I can" words were God's words and we insisted they be our words.

And that affirmative atmosphere was a core value in how we lived our lives, and those two children carried on in this mindset and those core values continue in their families today.  These two children were our greatest assets and investing in them by purposefully speaking into them the possibilities that God had for them was our mandate from God .   We spoke God's Word to them: "Nothing is impossible with God" and "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you" and "You are more than conquerors".  They believed it and it was settled in their hearts.  

My FB friends and families, I implore you to invest in your God-given, precious assets.  Don't leave it for them to figure out.  Cultivate their abilities.  Strengthen and encourage them, and keep reminding them how beautiful, how smart, how gifted and talented they are.  Before long, it will be ingrained in them and they will be the remarkable and brilliant world changers that you hoped they would be.

At what age do you start?  When they are in your womb.  Speak God's words into them. At what age is it too late to start?  Never is it too late.  I still speak into my two children on a daily basis. "You are a mighty woman of God/man of God.  You are blessed and highly favored.  If God be for you, who can be against you.  You are a chamption and a winner. For such a time as this, God called you to this place."

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says: "Remember my words in your hearts and souls. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign. Tie them on your foreheads to remind you. Teach them well to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road. Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up."

Here's the words of those two great songs:

I'M SOMETHING SPECIAL

Ryan sang this verse:
"I have a little sister who’s not at all like me.
She can write a lovely poem, but I can climb a tree."

Then Staci sang this:
"My brother though is different, with freckles on his nose,
When my questions need answers, he’s the one who knows."

They both sang this verse:
That's why I'm something special.  I'm the only one of my kind.
God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.
He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find.
That's why I'm something special.  I'm the only one of my kind.

I AM A PROMISE

I am a promise, I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital “P,”
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learning to hear God’s voice,
And I am trying to make the right choice
I’m a promise to be anything God wants me to be.

I can go anywhere that He wants me to go
I can be anything that He wants me to be
I can climb the high mountains
I can cross the wide sea
I’m a great big promise you see!

Hey Leader! Strike Up the Band!

Day 276 of Photo Inspirations -- Hey Leader!  Strike Up the Band!
I love these photos of a group of kids hugging the gal in the middle of them -- the Drum Major for their high school band!!

At the end of school year this last Spring, a dear friend reached out to me with her "mother's love" for her daughter.  She was looking at her "Senior" girl and wondering if I could share wisdom to help her daughter through a tough season of low self esteem and value.  She said:  "My daughter is seemingly capable of accomplishing anything she sets her mind to, but she revealed to me the other day that she has a fear of not being perfect -- a fear of being judged by OTHER people as not being perfect. We've always told her "just do your best, no one's perfect".   And she wondered if I could recommend a book for her that might help her to see that she doesn't have to be perfect -- just good enough?  And went on to ask if my daughter, Staci, had gone through something similar at one point?

I understood her.  It's hard to believe it, but, at one point, I had a daughter with low self esteem.  She questioned her value, her abilities, her future, her friends, and her self worth.  So, in my reply to her, I told her my girl had gone through the same concerns and fears, but conquered it and became the strong, determined, resilient, confident woman she is today.  I gathered up Staci's teaching series on "Developing a Healthy Self Image", her book "Mission Possible" and other materials and gave them to my friend for her daughter.

Just a few weeks later, I saw a video her Mom posted of her on FB in her element.  She had been selected as the Drum Major (the leader of the band) for her high school band, and was leading with such self confidence, strength and determination.  There was absolutely NO SIGN of questioning herself.  I was sending out thanksgiving to God for the difference in her from just a few months before to her Mom and said, "I had chills as I watched this! That sweet girl is leading with confidence and attitude! YES -- a tremendous LEADER in all ways! 'Oh, The Places She Will Go!'"  Her Mom replied, "And to think that a few short months ago, she was afraid of being judged by others as inadequate. I think that God had this planned for her as we were worrying over her fears. If we could have heard Him then, He would have said 'I have plans to bring her out of that shell into splendor!'"

This precious young woman was struggling with fears and concerns that we have, too!  "Am I good enough; pretty enough; smart enough; liked enough?"  Friends and peers sometime make us feel less than best.  Rejection is a tough pill to swallow.  But, when we realize how loved we are by God, how beautiful we are to Him, that He made us in His image and likeness and that He formed and made us to be just who we are -- with a destiny and purpose in mind......then, like this precious young woman, we find self worth, value, and even great joy in knowing we are loved and approved.   He even makes us MORE THAN CONQUERORS in life!  (Romans 8:37)

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you a future and a hope."

Isn't it time we opened our hearts to the possibility that God has a perfect plan, with just who we are today AND tomorrow -- a plan that is packed full of promise and possibility?  No doubt, He has plans to bring us out of our shells  into splendor, too!

What's Wrong With Me?

Day 197 of Photo Inspirations -- What's Wrong With Me?
I had three siblings that graduated to heaven; two of them had Alzheimer's disease and the other had Diabetes so severe that she lost one foot to the disease.  My Mom, now in heaven, had congenital heart disease. My Dad, also in heaven, had a brain tumor.  Goodness gracious.  With all that medical history, you'd think I'd be saying "What’s wrong with ME?”

Honestly, when I forget someone's name or where I've put my keys or where I was headed in my house and forget why I was going there.....my mind tries to tell me "You've inherited your family's issues."   I take a baby aspirin each day to fend off heart problems.  I take mineral and herb supplements to help keep me healthy.  I walk and work out to keep my body strong.  I do the things that I can do to be healthy and strong as though it depended on me, but I've learned to pray, speak God's Word and BELIEVE God as though it ALL depends on Him.  The best antidote against the lies of the enemy and the threats he tries to place over me when it comes to my health and well being is I purposely change my thinking to keeping my mind on the ONE who paid the ultimate price for my healing, my freedom and my victory.

We must put a halt to the voice and the lies of the enemy.  The more we put up our "shields of faith" against his fiery and lying darts, the stronger we are in defeating him.  God doesn’t want us to allow the enemy to convince us we are defective or infected.  He doesn't want us entertaining the enemy who loves to cast a shadow of doubt over us.  His sly tactics are to get us to focus on what could be wrong with us (real or perceived), instead of focusing on ALL THAT IS RIGHT with us.

To put it bluntly -- Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44) and his main intent is for us to worry, doubt, fear, be dismayed and discouraged. That's just the way he operates.  But we can change that -- starting today. First, we need to realize Satan’s schemes are the same for us as they were for Eve.   She fell into his trap.  Second, we need to determine we are not going to keep falling into his traps. Instead we BELIEVE an stand on God's promise that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…” (Romans 8:37) Period. The end.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our healing and our victory in every area of life.  All those sicknesses, diseases, challenges in every area of life were broken and paid for on the cross.  It's time we lay hold of the victory Christ brought us in overcoming and defeating the enemy.   A little shepherd boy, David, defeated the giant with his words and his slingshot.  The same holds true for us today in defeating the giants in our lives.  It starts with a simple word.....BELIEVE.....and you shall receive!  Matthew 21:22

Here are the TRUTHS of the ONE who loves and ONLY speaks TRUTHS to us:  "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:57
"Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
BELIEVE

Raising the Bar -- Status Quo....Unacceptable!

God certainly set the bar high for us when He said words like this: "Love your enemies!” “Have peace in the midst of storms!” “Overcome evil with good!” "Be perfect as I am perfect." "Don't judge and you will not be judged." "Have faith and don't doubt." "I've made you MORE than conquerors." He didn't give us much "just-get-by" wiggle room, did He?

God didn't create us for mediocrity. He created us in His image -- He makes the impossible, possible. He makes darkness, light. He makes can't, can. There's nothing mediocre about Him. So, His expectations for us are extremely HIGH! Why should we be satisfied with a just-get-by mindset, when we have a Father who is unlimited and abounding in love and favor toward us? And, if He didn't think it were possible, He would have never set such high standards for us. Everything we do should be done with excellence. When we are asked to go one mile, whether it be in a job, a project, or a service, we should be ready to go the second mile, too. That's raising the bar. Yes, our Father gives to us in above-and-beyond measure, so His lead sets the bar high for us. It means we'll have to stretch out of our comfort zone, but I promise you, the benefits of stretching gives us rewards beyond our greatest expectations.

God didn’t set the bar high so that we would fail. He did it to show how high He can take us! Let's stop being satisfied with the status quo -- let's raise the bar, and be all He destined us to be and do!