In yesterday’s blog post Helping Isn’t Always Easy I spoke about a situation I’ve been in recently where I been finding it quite difficult to help someone in need. So I wondered, was it just coincidence that today I came across the following quote?
Stop talking about what everybody has done to you and start talking about what you can do for somebody else.
Life isn’t about the past and what has happened in it, it’s about living in the present and looking to the future. Therefore forgive those who have hurt you in the past, move on, and find things you can do to help others. After all there are so many people in need in this world it’s not difficult to find someone who needs your help!
Helping isn’t always easy however there are plenty of people in this world in need of help so don’t be put off just because some may not react in the manner you’d expect when you try to help them.
Ever wondered if you can rely on God in all situations and in all circumstances?
Well I can answer that for you…God is most definitely the most reliable person you will ever come across.
God’s love for us is unconditional for each and every one of us. God cares for us in every aspect of our lives in which He is part, but as God cares able every part of our life, His care for us is always reliable.
Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. (Psalm 89:8 NIV)
Ever come across someone who appears to listen to you but later shows they really haven’t listened to a single word you’ve said?
I would guess we all know someone like that! I would also guess that they are not particularly caring people when it comes to others, am I right?
J Clarkeonce said
One who cares is one who listens.
and that kind of sums up what I was saying doesn’t it.
Of course there is one person who we can all talk to who I guarantee will always listen to every word you say, and will show is love and compassion for you on a daily basis.Do you know who I’m talking about?
GOD!
Don’t ever stop caring about others. Be Christ-like and listen to what others say to you and saw you care about them.
It’s only human nature, but we I’m sure we all find ourselves comparing ourselves to others at some time or another. However there is no need to compare ourselves with anyone other than Jesus…
Don’t live life comparing yourself to everyone else. God has created you to be you and you are free to be yourself! – Joyce Meyer
God wants us to be ourself!
We may not be perfect, we may not be able to do all the things we would like to be able to do, however God can help us be just who and what He wants us to be…ourself!
It’s all about who/what that person is today and who/what they will be tomorrow that is important.
God doesn’t care whether you’ve lived a perfect life, or one in which you’ve committed serious crimes; whether you’re rich or poor; black or white. God doesn’t care…we’re all the same in, but unique, in His eyes.
Because God sees us as individuals and loves us in spite of, or despite our flaws, we too must do all we can to love others, regardless of their background.
Reinforcing this message is David Phelpssinging Just As I Am:
It can be tough when you’re struggling to cope with what life is throwing your way, people you have to work with or things in general just don’t seem to be going your way. However it’s during times of difficulty that your true faith in God will shine through…
1 Peter 2:20 (The Message)
You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God’s sake when you’re treated badly for no good reason. There’s no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.
Maybe in life we’re never rewarded for our good deeds or our good works, but don’t despair, God notices. God cares that you continue to do good during times of difficulty, so have patience, and your relationship with God will flourish even during the darkest of times.
Today is Saturday 21st May 2011, and today, according to some preachers in New York, the world will come to an end…
So is there any point in me writing today’s blog post? The world might have ended before it is published at 19.30! Then again if it hasn’t, I might disappoint my usual readers by failing to post anything today! So on I write…
If today is your last day on earth, how do you feel? Have you lived a good life? Have you any regrets? Are there things you wish you’d had a chance to say or do?
Although I doubt that today is the end of the world, maybe this is just the kind of thing we all need to remind us that we should take every opportunity we get to tell those we love how we feel, make peace with those whom we’ve fallen out with, take a chance and do the things you keep putting off for another time…after all you never know when today is going to be your last one.
In conclusion I want to leave you with the words ofMark 13:32-33 (NIV)
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
I prayed for you before we met, not knowing who you’d be. I asked the Lord to send a friend. One chosen just for me.
I asked that they’d be Godly, with wisdom of His ways. A friend to help and guide me in the troubles of these days.
So often in life, we need someone to listen while we talk. Someone who will not condemn or judge, but encourage us as we walk.
The narrow road we choose to follow may sometimes make us stumble, but to have a friend to catch our fall, teaches us to be humble.
When I asked the Lord to send a friend, though many came and went, He gave much more than I ever asked, for you are the friend He sent.
Are you in need of a friend? A friend who will support and care for you while you are going through some tough times. God is there for you during your darkest times, as well as during your times of happiness. However sometimes God may not help you directly, He may send you an angel to help you through…and angel to watch over you on behalf of God. i.e. God’s angel.
Spend all your time waiting For that second chance For a break that would make it okay There’s always some reason To feel not good enough And it’s hard at the end of the day I need some distraction Oh beautiful release Memories seep from my veins Let me be empty Oh and weightless and maybe I’ll find some peace tonight
In the arms of the angel Far away from here From this dark cold hotel room And the endlessness that you feel You are pulled from the wreckage Of your silent reverie You’re in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line And everywhere you turn There’s vultures and thieves at your back And the storm keeps on twisting You keep on building the lies That you make up for all that you lack It don’t make no difference Escaping one last time It’s easier to believe In this sweet madness oh This glorious sadness That brings me to my knees
In the arms of the angel Far away from here From this dark cold hotel room And the endlessness that you feel You are pulled from the wreckage Of your silent reverie You’re in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
You’re in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
I came across the song The End of the BeginningbyDavid Phelpsa number of months ago. However in the last few days I’ve found the words of this song coming to mind over and over again…
The End Of The Beginning by David Phelps
I was taking a trip on a plane the other day, just wishin’ that I could get out. When the man next to me saw the book in my hand and asked me what it was about. So I settled back in my seat. “A best-seller,” I said, “a hist’ry and a myst’ry in one.” Then I opened up the book and began to read from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John…
He was born of a virgin one holy night in the little town of Bethlehem. Angels gathered ‘round Him underneath the star singing praises to the great I AM.
He walked on the water, healed The lame, and made the blind to see again. And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend. And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, the angry crowd chose Him. And then He walked down the road and died on the cross and that was the end…of the beginning.”
“That’s not a new book, that’s a Bible,” he said, “And I’ve heard it all before. I’ve tried religion, it’s shame and guilt, and I don’t need it anymore. It’s superstation, made-up tales, just to help the weak to survive.” “Let me read it again,” I said, “But listen closely. This is gonna change your life.”
“He was born of a virgin one holy night in the little town of Bethlehem. Angels gathered ‘round Him underneath the star singing praises to the great I AM.
He walked on the water, healed the lame, and made the blind to see again. And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend. And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, the angry crowd chose Him. And then He walked down the road and died on the cross and that was the end…of the beginning.”
“The end of the beginning?” he said with a smile. “What more could there be? He’s dead. You said they hung Him, put nails in His hands and a crown of thorns on His head.” I said, “I’ll read it again, but this time there’s more.
And I believe that this is true: His death wasn’t the end but the beginning of life that’s completed in you. Don’t you see, He did all this for you…”
“He was born of a virgin one holy night in the little town of Bethlehem. All the angels singing praises to the great I AM. He walked on the water, healed the lame, and made the blind to see. And for the first time here on earth, did you know that God could be a friend? And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, He was the one the crowd chose. And then He walked and He died, but three days later, three days later, three days later… He rose! Three days later He rose!
You see, He came, He lived, and He died, but that was the end of the beginning.
My favourite words from this song are…
He walked on the water, healed The lame, and made the blind to see again. And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend. And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, the angry crowd chose Him. And then He walked down the road and died on the cross and that was the end…of the beginning.”
Why? Because it reminds me of some of the amazing things Jesus did during His short time on earth. But more than that, it reminds us that God can be a friend to each and every one of us.
Don’t let the birth of Jesus this Christmas, be the end of your relationship with God…make it the start of your relationship with God!
