Sunday Inspiration: Together

Sunday Inspiration: Valentines's Day

 

Words Matter

The words we say make a difference.  They can express love or anger.  Build someone up - or break them down.  They can encourage someone - or shatter dreams and expectations. 

Whether positive or negative, when we hear the same words over and over - they can begin to take root.  We start to believe them and even beginning to act as if they are true. Whether they really are or not.

That's why it is so important to think about how we speak to others.  And how we talk to ourselves.  It is not only the words we hear around us that can affect us, but also the internal voice in our head.  Maybe even more.  

You can help to counter that negative self-talk that might be taking place inside our heads with positive daily affirmations, especially ones that are based on Scripture.  Research shows that we can "rewire" our brains by repeating thoughts or actions that develop new connections in the brain which makes it easier to have those thoughts in the future.  Science also states that faith can help improve our mental health by giving us something to believe in, a structure for coping with stressful life circumstances, and giving us a sense of belonging, as well as teaching us forgiveness, compassion, and kindness.

To help you get started, here are a few of my favorite affirmations along with the supporting Scripture passages.

• I Am Loved By and Loving Toward Others  -  "We love each other because he loved us first." 1 John 4:19" 
• I Am Valuable - "Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." Isaiah 43:4
• I Have More Than I Need to Prosper - "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:8
• My Future Looks Bright and Hopeful  - "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope"  Jeremiah 29:11
• I Have A Purpose To Fulfill -  "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10
• I Am Healthy in Body, Mind, and Spirit - "Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit"  3 John 1:2
• I Am Filled With A Spirit of Power and Love - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
• I Can Live Without Worry - "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6

Try to create a few of your own and share in the comments!

Sunday Inspiration: Humble Beginnings

Rising Above

"Zacchaeus was a wee little man

And a wee little man was he

He climbed up in a sycamore tree

For the Lord he wanted to see"

If you ever attended a children's Sunday school class, or a vacation Bible school, or attended a church-based pre-K program - you've probably heard the story of Zacchaeus.  

The short tax collector wanted very much to see Jesus, but was having trouble seeing over the crowd.  So, he went and found himself a Sycamore tree to climb overlooking the road where he knew Jesus would be passing.  Once he achieved that higher vantage point, he was able to clearly see Jesus.  That's when Jesus called to him.  (Luke 19: 1 - 10)

Just like Zacchaeus, sometimes we have to rise above the crowd if we want to see Jesus. 

We have to rise above the opinions and expectations of others. We have to rise above our own egos.  We have to rise above the selfishness, greed and pettiness of society.  We have to rise above what others tell us is "right" and look to what the Word says.  Even if that means sometimes having to rise above the rules, opinions and attitudes of our fellow Christians.  

We have to rise above it all and keep our eyes on the Lord. So that we can hear Him say “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

Sunday Inspiration: Nothing Better

Rejoice. Be Patient. Keep Praying.

This Bible verse seems to keep coming at me recently.  Again and again it shows up .  Or maybe it's always been repeating itself - in my morning devotions, in my Instagram and Pinterest feeds,  etc - but I am only now noticing it.

Rejoice.  Be Patient.  Keep praying.

Rejoice.  Celebrate what you have.  Big or small.  Be thankful for all of it.  Even the things that may not typically make you think of celebrating.  Rejoice in the day to day pieces of life.  Find joy in your routines.  Appreciate the things you have and the people in your life.

Be patient.  Things don't always happen when we would like to see them occur.  Things may take time.  When things are difficult, trust that if you wait them out - they will get better.  We're all on God's schedule.  And He knows exactly when everything is supposed to happen.  His timing is always best.

Keep praying.  About everything.  Always.

And never, ever give up.

Sunday Inspiration: Planning and Hard Work

Sunday Inspiration: Strength and Dignity

Sunday Inspiration: Content

Sunday Inspiration: Each Heart

Sunday Inspiration: Instead

Sunday Inspiration: Keep It Close

Sunday Inspiration: Encourage Others

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

Sunday Inspiration: Show the Truth

Sunday Inspiration : Be Kind

Sunday Inspiration: Happy Easter!

"He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed."  - 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

Sunday Inspiration: Winter is Past

Sunday Inspiration: Spring Rains

Sunday Inspiration: A New Season