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Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Steps of a Righteous Man

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and
he delights in His way.
Psalm 37:23

Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts
shall be established.
Proverbs 16:3

Good Morning Everyone,

Are you established in your daily routine?
Do you set goals and have things planned out
so that your day goes more smoothly?

Do you have your life mapped out?
Or do you feel that you are drifting through life
without direction. To be honest with you, even
if you are organized, planned ahead, goal minded,
many unexpected things can happen that throw
you for a loop mentally.

If you are a Christian, your first goal each day is
to go to God in prayer, and seek His will. Ask God
how he would have you act, what He would have you
do, and to guide you through the day. You SUBMIT
yourself to his will.

The second thing we must do is surrender our burdens
to him right at the beginning of the day.

Don't wake up and rehearse your problems over and
over in your mind. Instead, lay them at God's feet
trusting in His answers and Provision and Guidance.
Then don't pick them back up.. they will keep you
from enjoying your day, they will alter your moods,
your relationships and your mindset. You have to let
go to move ahead.

When we are established, we are strong, we are certain,
we are confident, because of what Christ says He will
do, and who we are in Him. We are his beloved children,
Called out by him, called to live a life of light, trust and daily
Hope in Him.

You can only do this if you seek Him first, and really mean it.
It cannot be a half hearted attempt, and leaving things out
we know we should not be doing, or not telling God everything.
If you want to be a triumphant, victorious Christian,
you have to walk the walk Jesus called us to,
and talk the talk that pleases Him.

NO compromise.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not
unto your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

As you do this, take time for Bible reading daily. It will
fuel your spirit, strengthen you, infuse you with hope
and draw you closer to God. It is NOT something
we can neglect. We all need this encouragement,
wisdom from God and hope daily.

God bless you my friends.

love,
millie

*********************************************


"10 Rules For A Happy Day"


1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is
unkind... I will not respond in a like manner.

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I
will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the
"enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or
stranger.

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I
do not spread gossip.

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO
IT SECRETLY:
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have
them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED:
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the
difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD
for my body.

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin
reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a
quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's
voice!!!

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled,
putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation
as a helmet." - 1 Thessalonians 5:8
-- Author Unknown

Monday, November 02, 2009

Sinking Sand

copyright Millie Plastaras 11/2/09

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will
liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew
and beat on that house; and it did not fail for it was founded on that rock!
But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do
them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand;
and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds
blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was it's fall.
Matthew 7;24-27

Most of us build our lives on certain principles and goals
we believe in. This is our foundation . It is what we stand upon,
hope in and structure around.

My question to you, is your house built on the rock?
The only rock to build this spiritual house on is Jesus.
For without His salvation, the hope and guidance from
God the father, how can we withstand the storms of this life?

What meaning has this life, if we build it on things we cannot count on?

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19

This life we build, with our hopes, dreams, accomplishments,
accumulation of possessions, relationships good and bad,
when it comes to the end was our body of work worthy?
Was it well thought out and something we can be pleased with?
Most of all, would it please God the Father?

When things you have planned fall apart, or people you love
disappoint you or walk out of your life, do you feel your
foundation crumbling? Truth is, if we have not planned for
the storms of life, and built our strength up through
God's word, when the storm hits, not only are we
unprepared, it can discourage us, or devastate us.
We have become weak in our faith, and troubled on every side.
Many people fall away from their faith during these times,
often blaming God or people around them, and it changes
their life, perhaps forever.

Ever have that sinking feeling come over you
when things start to happen you were not expecting,
or that overwhelm you? It is not a good feeling.

These times we are falling into sinking sand.
Our eyes off God, and out of his word, and out of his presence.
We have succumbed to the doubts, fears and worries
of life till it has robbed our very soul of His presence,
hope and direction.

When in the beginning, if we had trusted God,
if we had REALLY believed in Him, really relied on Him,
Really made him Lord of our life, Really made him our source,
we would have been building a foundation based on
our trust in his abilities and not on our circumstances or
goals, or even thinking. WE would have looked to a higher
power, and recognized even in the trials of life he is there,
a sure foundation, a anchor for our soul.

Day by day, hour by hour, our spirit and strength would
have been growing in his wisdom and knowledge,
and not in our own confidence, but In Him.

There have been times in my life, when I wanted to scream
because of the horrible things happening. I wanted to indulge
myself in the sorrows, and just give up. Longing for peace,
I would instead indulge in the worry and sorrow and fear
of the moment. It never got me anyplace. Indeed it made
me miserable. The light could not enter because I had
shut the door to that great inspiration that is found by
just quieting my spirit and submitting to God.

Saying God: even these times, I know you are with me.I submit to you, I leave these great burdens in your arms,
for I know not how to handle them. I cannot control any of it,
but you can. You are My Father God, my Abba Father,
all you are, is all I will ever need. I will trust and not be
afraid. I will trust in, rely on, cling to, and find hope in your
presence, and I won't leave your presence until I feel that peace.
Please look ahead for me Father God, guide me, show me
what to do, and when I am weak you are strong in me.
I rest in your ability and your provision, and I seek you first,
knowing whatever is ahead, I will never go through it alone,
but go from strength to strength as I grow in you, and read
your word, and find inspiration, hope and reassurance in it.
Forgive me for times I lack in faith, and restore me,
and help me please you and be founded upon you, My Rock
and My salvation.
Amen.

You don't have to sink when the storms of life hit.
You can build your house on the rock, Jesus Christ.
A firm foundation that nothing can shake or prevail against.

My friend, we have this one life, and soon it will be past.
Don't base your life on what you see, or what you feel,
base it on what God sees, and what He wants for you.
Look at the big picture. He is over all, above all,
sees all, and knows the answers before we even
utter the questions.

I will lift my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.
My help comes from the Lord, who made heavens and the earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

***********************************************

On Christ the solid rock I stand
Words by Edward Mote
Music by William B Bradbury.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain