To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Actions

"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Titus 1:16

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Actions speak louder than words, 

that saying is quite true. 

Many people don't believe what you say, 

but rather what you do. 

People often block out what you say, 

and just watch what you do. 

They want to make sure you truly believe what you are saying 

for yourself. 

Jesus was a doer, not a sayer. 

Follow His example.

Show love to those who do not have love,

do not just say that you are going to. 

Give food to those who do not have any, 

do not just say it would be a good idea. 

Being a follower of Christ requires that you live the life that you were called to live. 

Do you honestly think that God would want you to be two-faced?

People notice...

and when they do

they will want to run far away to a place where they believe God cannot reach them. 

However, that is not where they should be. 

Show them what faith and love really is. 

Show them the love of Christ. 

The love and grace that you received.

That is our calling. 

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

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As the time for Thanksgiving is coming near, I ask you to ponder something for me. 

Should we only thank God on this one special day a year?

What about the other 364 days...?

Have you not heard of what God has done for you?

He has determined your steps, before you even plan them; 

He has numbered every hair on your head;

He has given you a hope and a future;

He has sent his one and only Son to die for your sins;

He has shown you grace and forgiveness.

Should we not be thankful daily?

Every breath you take, shall you not be thankful?

Every step you take, shall you not be thankful?

Every person you meet, thing you see, scent you smell, shall you not be thankful?

Imagine it this way, God could have very well taken that last breath away from you this morning,

but instead,

You are living out God's plan for you on this earth. 

Be thankful that he is still going to use you;

Use you in ways that a human mind cannot fathom. 

While Thanksgiving is a time to be spent with family and friends, 

remember to spend time with your Heavenly Father (everyday), 

and instead of asking...

Give thanks for everything you already have. 

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In Our Speech

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we cruse human beings who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring. My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12 

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Have you ever stopped to listen to what comes out of your mouth?

What do you say to those who make you mad, 

sad, 

frustrated, 

annoyed,

happy, 

and loved?

Or what about those that you do not know?

Those who sit on the cement because they have no place to go?

Those who are abused but, they hid their shame?

Those who struggle with sin, and cannot come out from under its power?

Those who once meant so much to you, but have hurt you?

Those who are not like you?

Have you ever just stopped to think the impact that your words have on others?

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

What a lie we tell ourselves. 

We do care what people think of us, 

and what people say about us.

We take those things to heart and store them there. 

They rattle through our brains when we try to push them out. 

They bog us down into a world of perpetual sorrow. 

BUT, You, yes you, have been made in the image of God. 

Do you realize how much worth you have?

Do you realize how much worth they have? 

Jesus once said, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

Imagine yourself spewing words of hate at the Son of God. 

The one that saved you from your sins. 

The one that died to save you. 

the one that loves you with and endless love. 

All of the lies,

cruses, 

slander, 

and corruption that you throw at other people, 

you also throw at Him, who is on High. 

Stop and Think before you speak. 

And please if you do not have anything to build someone else up, do not say it at all.  

To You Be The Glory, Lord, In This Life.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:12

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Have you noticed how much time you don't spend focusing your life in the direction that God wants to?

I get so caught up in the glam, 

fame, 

money, 

relationships, 

and education

that I ultimately leave God trailing behind. 

But, He should not be far behind, 

not even behind at all. 

He is the one that should be leading me into this world, 

nothing else. 

I need to keep our eyes focused, 

but focused on the heavens.

This world is not my home

I am just passing through. 

and soon I will be face to face with GOD THE FATHER. 

Let Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Ask yourself this, do I want that? 

The answer of course is up to you, but if you answered yes... 

Pray

Pray Hard.

Ask God to take control over your story, 

to take away your desires of this world,

to guide you in His plan for your live. 

Our goal on earth is to live for Christ. 

Do not let things stand in your way. 

Remember that this is only temporary,

Heaven is coming. 

And we want to be ready.