 I have often heard the word "Blessed" in response to the question how are you doing - "I'm Blessed," or "I'm Blessed and Highly Favored." Or I have heard the word "Blessed" used in the following ways:
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." There are simply somethings that are beyond my understanding. So instead of asking myself why is one person "blessed" with a home, and another is not? I simply asked myself why is a person "blessed" with a home, job, health, etc. Certainly part of the answer can be found at Luke 12:48: "But he that knew not and committed things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." God expects more from those to whom more was given. What does He expect? He expects His blessings to be used to bring glory to Him. I wonder how different our actions and views would be if we started thinking in the following way:
Whatever it is that you believe God has blessed you with - He blessed you with it for a reason - there is a responsibility attached - and it involves more than just you. So the question is - what you are you doing with God's blessings? Glory To God For All That He Has Done! Blessings - Janice
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 My congregation recently distributed a booklet to aid us in winning souls to Christ. As a part of the booklet it has a section providing 20 ways to Thrive from within. I was so moved, that I had to share:
Glory To God for All That He Has Done Blessings – Janice  Be Encouraged is one of my favorite phrases. It is a phrase I often say to others and to myself. I have been told for years that I am an “encourager” – so I guess it would be natural that “Be Encouraged” is a phase I would use.
This past week I have instructed myself to “Be Encouraged” several times and this morning I started thinking about what it means and why it is so profound. As is my habit I went to the dictionary. Merriam-Webster defines encourage(d) as being hopeful, cheered, heartened, motivated, stirred up, fired up, emboldened, invigorated, vitalized, uplifted, inspired. So I am saying to myself and others to:
Generally the words “be encouraged” are offered when someone is going through a challenge, is having difficulty – having a life struggle. These are certainly the times in which I am seeking to be encouraged. So why during these difficult times would we feel we can be encouraged?
Glory To God For All That He Has Done! Blessings – Janice  This is the second part of an earlier blog post. The first post spoke to what a “gift” forgiveness is to both the giver and the receiver. This blog post is about the act of forgiveness. I would often ask myself “What does forgiveness look like?” I was trying to figure out what my mindset should be and how I should behave. After much prayer and study on the subject, I have arrived at what I feel forgiveness looks like for me. There are general questions that we ask about forgiveness, to which the scriptures provide specific answers: How Often Should I Forgive? – Answer: There is no limit. Matthew 18:21-22: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. What is the Consequence of Not Forgiving? – Answer: If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us of our sins. Matthew 6:14-15: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Although I understood all of the above, I still struggled with what does actual “forgiveness” look like in my life. I finally realized that God expects my forgiveness to mirror the forgiveness that He provides to me. That I am to afford others the gift, in like manner, which He has afforded to me. Hebrews 10:17: And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Isaiah 43:25: I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Acts 3:19: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Isaiah 1:18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. God has provided the example of what forgiveness looks like. When God forgives my sin, He no longer remembers them, He blots them out, and He makes them white as snow and as wool. When I forgive someone, I should no longer remember the sin and blot it out. I know, personally, how hard this can be, but it is the high level to which God is calling us to rise. We can see how this works when we observe the innocent nature of children. Take two children playing on the playground. One child becomes angry and hits the other child. After the parent speaks to the child and makes him understand he was wrong, he approaches the other child and apologizes. Within seconds the two children are playing again, as if nothing ever happened. I know there is an ongoing dialogue between forgiving and forgetting. I believe it is a thin line, but one that can be understood by another example. Take a wife who emotionally hurt her husband. The wife asks for and receives forgiveness. The husband has forgiven his wife, and over time has healed. The husband still has a memory of the hurt, but he does not charge it to his wife; he does not hold his wife accountable. This level of innocence (1st example) and forgiveness (2nd example) is what is expected of Christians – and it is a supernatural act for adults, which is only achieved by seeking God’s guidance and strength. Glory To God For All That He Has Done Blessings – Janice |
Janice CaldwellAssociate Certified Coach, ICF Archives
September 2021
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