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Did you ever notice?
Did you ever notice that the Bible is filled with short passages that give us amazing life principles to follow? In a few brief words, these passages can change your life when you follow the simple advice.
Ever ignore it?
Likely, you have, as we all have, but that was where your trouble began.
Like us, you did what you wanted to do anyway. Choosing to go your own way, you ended up, we would say in my old neighborhood, “In a world of hurt.”
The next time we did the same thing.
Sound far too familiar?
The world has gone this way for ages, literally.
Look at this simple verse of Proverbs 16:3 that is one of the most profound teachings ever:
“Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established.”
Commit your works to the Lord.
Give all that you do to the Lord.
Maybe that alone will give you pause as you might think that much of that which you do is not fit to give to the Lord, or anyone else. Does your work contain your anger and bad feelings about others? Do you pound out your work on your computer while upset with your co-worker, neighbor, spouse, or children boils through your veins? Notice the quality of your work that day?
Give the upset to the Lord first.
He is aware of it all anyway.
He knows the details better than you do.
For that matter, He also knows the solution.
Give all of your words and thoughts, work, ability, your life to the Lord.
Ok, you say. I prayed. I committed it all to God.
Now, I am here waiting.
Soon, if you allow Him to pour out your sins and sorrowful thoughts, the thought patterns running through your mind begin to change. A new idea emerges, sometimes quite quickly, and you then have another thought. And another. Each one more the way that Jesus would think things and handle things.
Of course, you know that is because it IS Jesus Who is giving you these thoughts.
It is He Who is replacing your thoughts of revenge with thoughts of peace.
Slowly and steadily, your thought life changes.
Now think of all the troubled times that could have been avoided if you had followed this plan from the beginning.
Imagine your day if you had sought to give your work to the Lord Before you let anger rule.
Before you said all you did to your loved one.
Before you ruined your day and the day of another.
It is not too late.
It is better to start now with Jesus, than not to start with Him at all.
Ask Him to forgive the past and leave it in the past.
God will wipe it away when He forgives you.
There might be scars left but sincere apologies to others can be made, and there is a future with God stretching out ahead of you to live.
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There is another passage that I reread recently and want to share. It too is life-changing and so very simple.
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV
Watch for the Lord.
Watch what we say and do.
Stand firm in our faith in the Lord.
Be brave.
God will give courage to you as you need it and infill you with His Strength.
Be strong in the Lord.
He supplies all you need.
Then the powerful, powerful conclusion. LET ALL THAT YOU DO BE DONE WITH LOVE!
Do you do everything with love?
That means everything…every word, every action, every expression on your face, every motive, everything you do to everyone you are surrounded by. Every neighbor, even the one who blocks your driveway with his garbage can, every person you know, every relation, friend, co-worker, and all of the children with whom the Lord has blessed you to raise and love and care for. Everything you do for everyone should be done with LOVE.
And just as you are thinking that you cannot possibly do everything with love, remember that God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit of Love will be available to help you.
Just do one other very simple thing first.
Ask them.