Extraordinary God, Extraordinary Life

1. I refuse to stay stuck in muck, mire and trivialities when I serve a God who teaches me to soar like the eagle. Isaiah 40:31

2. I refuse to live in fear when I serve a God of awesome power and might. Psalm 62:11

3. I refuse to live within the confines of a little old boat when I serve a God  who calls me to walk on water. Matthew 14:25-29

4. I refuse to live a mundane, dull and lack luster life when I serve the God Who created all the universe and continues to daily work miracles in the lives of His children.

Colossians 1:16 , 1 Corinthians 12:28

5. I refuse to live a life of unhappiness when I serve the God Whose very Presence brings joy. Psalm 21:6

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

~ Linking Here ~ 

No Ordinary Blog Hop Friday - Womanhood With Purpose, Fellowship Fridays

10 Little Actions to Help You Get Through A Stressful Day

Life, no matter how good you have it, is sometimes stressful. I wake up everyday knowing I am blessed beyond measure, and grateful for this beautiful life God has given me. But that doesn't mean that I don't sometimes feel stressed. That's just part of life and there's no point pretending it's not. However, there are a few things I've learned that help me to deal with those stressful times.

1. Pray. When I ask God to help me see the blessings around me my eyes are opened to so much I have been missing. And when I ask for strength or wisdom He always comes through.

2. Recite an encouraging Bible verse. Here are a few of my favorites - Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:14, John 3:16, and John 10:10

3. Smile. When I have a smile on my face, whether I feel like it or not, somehow things around me automatically seem a little better. 

4. Get outside - even if for just a few minutes. Breathe in fresh air, notice the color of the sky and the trees and grass around you. Even if you are in the city there is always the sky above and usually a few plants somewhere. See if you can find a blooming flower. There is something about taking a few minutes just to take in God's creation that always revives my spirit.

5. Read an inspirational quote. Quote Garden is one of my favorite places to go to find quotes on almost any subject. I can always find something inspirational as well as something to make me laugh here.

6. Take a short rest. I've found that just 15 minutes of sitting quietly with my eyes closed will often "reset" my brain and allow me to approach my day with a much better attitude.

7. Hug someone. Often kids give the best hugs, but a good friend or your spouse and other family members are also great people to hug. And you both get the benefits.

8. Turn on some music, whatever music you enjoy. Worship music and classical music are two of my personal favorites.

9. Drink a glass of water and eat a banana. Your body functions better and handles stress better when it is well hydrated. And bananas are a natural source of serotonin which helps to regulate mood. Plus if you eat a banana you are one serving closer to your five a day of fruits and vegetables.

10. Breath. Take ten deep breaths and thank God for loving you.

There, now don't you feel better already!

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Eternal, Abundant Life

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

READ

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

~John 10:28-30

EXAMINE

The Christian has the assurance that they have eternal life with Jesus. We are given to Jesus by the Father, and no one can take us away from Him. 

APPLY

This is an awesome assurance from Jesus that takes away any fear of eternity. Not only do we not have to fear eternity, neither do we have fear anything that happens to us in this world either. The eternal life we are given begins, not after we die, but now. John 10:10 says "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Now, I simply have to step out in faith knowing that I am His and He has given me all I need for that abundant life. 

PRAY

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for this abundant life that has been given to me. Thank You that no one can take that eternal, abundant life away from me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Adventure in Abundance



credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

Today at Faith Barista we are talking about this One Word:

Adventure

An adventure is defined as an exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome.

At the beginning of January many people chose one word for the year. The word I chose is Abundance. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 So this year I am claiming that abundance for myself and my family.

I believe that stepping out in this faith, claiming this abundance is going to be an adventure and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be an adventure of faith because it's going to stretch me further than I've been stretched before.

I believe it will be exciting. God never does anything halfway so this adventure is going to be beyond anything I can imagine.

I believe it will be unusual. God is not stuck in that box we often try to place ourselves and others and even Him in. So any adventure in abundance with God is going to be unusual in our eyes.

It will be bold. I believe this adventure in abundance will be a bold illustration of God's awesomeness.

Will it be risky with an uncertain outcome? Maybe at times it will seem that way to me, but God has already walked through this story from beginning to end so it is not risky for Him, and He knows the outcome. And since He is walking through this story with me, I can step out in the assurance that there will be a happy ending. 

It's going to be an adventure of abundant love because God is love.

It's going to be an adventure of abundant joy, and peace that passeth understanding.

It's going to be an adventure of growing and learning, of using the talents I was given to serve others.

It's going to be an adventure of abundant creativity because the Creator Himself is in on this adventure.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  1Corinthians 2:9

I'm excited and looking forward to this year's adventure in abundance!

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Abundance

Google GmailYahoo MailHotmailAOL MailAny email    

Google GmailYahoo MailHotmailAOL MailAny email    



credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

. . . I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

I used to think the abundant life Jesus was talking about here was life in Heaven, but more and more I'm realizing how abundantly blessed life is here on earth when we are walking with Him. Jesus doesn't make us wait until after we die to receive this abundant life. Life, true life, is knowing God, and we can know Him now, through Jesus.

What does this abundant life look like?

I'm sure it's different for different people but I believe there are some things that He wants to give us all.

He wants us to have an abundance of love. God is love. Therefore He gives us that love us well, so that we can give and receive love from those around us.

An abundance of peace is  also a fruit of the abundant life. To know God as our Heavenly Father is to know that He will provide for and watch over us far better than any earthly father ever could. We also know that provision is for now and eternity and that no one can come between us and Him. So we can rest in the peace that only comes from Him.

Abundant joy is another fruit of an abundant life. When we are filled with love and peace we are also joyful. This joy spills over to others and brightens their lives as well.

Some other abundant fruits are creativity, faith, and wisdom. I'm sure there are many others as well.

My word for this year is Abundance. I want to live the abundant life He has for me.

~ Linking Here ~