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People Pleasers

Mar25

There are so many demands and peer pressure in our world today.  If I asked you, “Who are you?” would you answer with your job title?  Would you answer with the sport you play?  Would you answer the way your friends or family see you?  What would you say?

More time than not, you would answer this question quickly and with some sort of a title.  But do you really know who you are and what truly makes you happy?

I ask this question because there are way too many people trying to be something they are not.  They want to fit in with the crowd.  They want to look like someone else.  They want to be popular.  But, the problem with this is that most are unhappy deep within themselves.  I can tell you from experience that it never is all its cracked up to be nor can you please everyone.

As Christians, we tend to be “yes” people.  Yes, I’ll help you.  Yes, I’ll be there.  Yes, I can do that project.  And so on.  Unfortunately, most of us take on too many obligations which create pressure and stress within our own lives; losing the very essence of who we are.

When we try to please people around us, we tend to make them happy while making ourselves miserable.  The key here is to learn how to make ourselves happy first.  This is not selfish, by no means.  When we make ourselves happy and be who we really are, then that happiness overflows onto the people around us; creating a wonderful, loving environment that has more impact on others than just trying to fit in.

Let’s see what the Bible says about who we are:

  • We’re a child of the Most High God (John 1:12)
  • We are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)
  • We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • You’re a friend of Jesus Christ (John 15:15)
  • You have been chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4)
  • God looks at the heart of a man, not his outward appearance (Samuel 16:7)
  • The king greatly desires your beauty (Psalm 45:11)
  • You are a sweet aroma to God (2 Corinthians 2:15)

If God sees us as a beautiful child then don’t you think the best thing we can do is love ourselves in a meaningful, humble way.  I’m not talking about having an ego and thinking you’re all high and mighty.  What I’m talking about is, loving the person you are, loving yourself just as you are, and knowing that you are beautiful just the way you are.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t wear what everyone else is wearing or you’re not driving the best car or you don’t have the biggest home on the block…what matters is that you are happy from deep within your mind, body and soul.

There are always going to be naysayers or people who want you to be something you are not.  In Romans 12:12, we are specifically told “not to conform to this world…”  For when you are walking in God’s love and loving yourself, it will spill over onto others.  It will bring such peace and joy within your life; you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it before.  In Colossians 3:15 we are told to “be led by peace in making decisions”.  That is so much more important than doing things out of obligations.

Things don’t need to feel like a chore when you help someone.  If it comes from a deep passion within yourself, it will catapult the love you feel onto those around you.  This calm, stable and relaxing state of mind is the ultimate, rewarding experience.  People will notice the change.  People will realize that they too can enjoy life fully and will want to know how you do it.  That’s what it is all about…helping others from this standpoint of peace and leading by example.  It is more powerful than you realize.  Making a difference comes from the love inside of you; knowing who you truly are in Christ and allowing it to flow into others.  We all have received our very own special gifts and abilities (1 Peter 4:10) and we need to walk in these given talents.  It is a very rewarding experience.

SO…TODAY IS A NEW DAY!

EMBRACE YOURSELF!  For when you do, you will become an amazing person that will make a huge difference in the world around you.  For there is no better place to be than walking in your DIVINE DESTINY, being the person you are meant to be.  Believe it!  Live it!  There is no one else like you so stop trying to be like everyone else.

CELEBRATE YOUR UNIQUENESS…YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL!  YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND!

The Wonderful Aromas of Thanksgiving

Nov28

Ah, the wonderful time of Thanksgiving. Sitting around the table with family and friends. Enjoying each other’s company filled with happiness and laughter. And, we certainly can’t forget about all the turkey, trimmings and pumpkin pie. What a glorious day to enjoy each year. The wonderful aromas filling the air.

But, have you ever taken a moment to look at the word, Thanksgiving. Do you realize that it can be broken down into two words? THANKS and GIVING!

When I think of Thanksgiving…sure, I remember all the wonderful memories of the years gone by. Cooking in the kitchen, enjoying the laughter, and watching football on TV. It is an amazing time for all to be had.

Have you ever realized that it could and should be a daily occurrence? Every time we wake up, we should THANK THE LORD for a new day. We should be thankful and grateful for the amazing day He has in store for us. It doesn’t matter what our circumstances look like at the moment. He has the answers and His ways are far beyond ours…so, we should be thankful that He will provide, heal, strengthen, and guide our steps.

We should also wake up each morning and be on the lookout of GIVING to someone in need. Giving is not just financial. You can GIVE a smile. You can GIVE time. You can GIVE kindness. You can GIVE a helping hand. There are so many ways to GIVE to our fellow man without breaking the bank. We just need to keep our eyes open and be ready to move when God shows us the way. It can be something as small as opening a door for someone. The key here is not to miss a moment; for giving is a beautiful way of living. You never know what that person is going through and you just might be God’s answer to them.

Let’s take a quick glance at what the Bible says about “Thanksgiving”:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18   Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  • Psalm 107:1   Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
  • Philippians 4:6   Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
  • Luke 6:38  Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

See, every day is filled with opportunity. It can be filled with anger and depression or it can be filled with love and laughter. We all have a choice to make every time we wake up in the morning. So, from now on, how will you treat Thanksgiving? For me and my house, I will serve the Lord and continuously be thankful in all things and give wherever He leads me.

NOTE: Please disregard any advertisements you might see on this website as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

Your True Identity

Jul16

So many of us look at the past and think that is who we are. Do you see yourself through the eyes of betrayal, hurt, rejection, mistakes and pain? If so, you will constantly strive for approval and perfection. That’s the world’s way, not Gods!

Your past does not define you. Wherever you grew up, whatever you did or whatever happened to you is the past and that’s where it needs to stay. Once you became a Child of the Most High, all of your sins and everything that happened in the past goes away. Your true identity lies in Jesus and who He is.

Now when you start seeing Jesus and all of His beautiful attributes, the devil is going to bring up everything in the past to try and make you feel guilty, shameful, hurt, angry and everything else he can try to persuade you that you aren’t worthy. But the devil is a liar!!!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17

You are a new creature in Christ. His strength, power, love, kindness, freedom, holiness, and righteousness became you. You are a child of the Most High. The one and only true God! You are born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6). You are saved by grace as a gift, not because of your performance (Ephesians 2:8).

The right to your new life is a gift from God Almighty! You are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), you will shine like stars in the sky (Philippians 2:15), you are the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13), you are a vessel of God’s divine light (2Cor 4:6).

That is your identity. Jesus died to give us life and life more abundantly, to make us the head and not the tail, above and not below, to be more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Embrace the new you. You are royalty, an heir to the throne, and God’s loving arms are wrapped around you everywhere you go. You are an amazing person. Don’t look back, continuously look forward. God’s grace, love, power, strength, provision and healing power is upon you. Be the light in this dark world and remind the devil that he is a liar. You are special, loved and highly-favored by God Almighty.

Please disregard any advertisement you may encounter as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.

Your True Identity

Mar14

So many of us look at the past and think that is who we are. Do you see yourself through the eyes of betrayal, hurt, rejection, mistakes and pain? If so, you will constantly strive for approval and perfection. That’s the world’s way, not Gods!

Your past does not define you. Wherever you grew up, whatever you did or whatever happened to you is the past and that’s where it needs to stay. Once you became a Child of the Most High, all of your sins and everything that happened in the past goes away. Your true identity lies in Jesus and who He is.

Now when you start seeing Jesus and all of His beautiful attributes, the devil is going to bring up everything in the past to try and make you feel guilty, shameful, hurt, angry and everything else he can try to persuade you that you aren’t worthy. But the devil is a liar!!!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17

You are a new creature in Christ. His strength, power, love, kindness, freedom, holiness, and righteousness became you. You are a child of the Most High. The one and only true God! You are born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6). You are saved by grace as a gift, not because of your performance (Ephesians 2:8).

The right to your new life is a gift from God Almighty! You are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14), you will shine like stars in the sky (Philippians 2:15), you are the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13), you are a vessel of God’s divine light (2Cor 4:6).

That is your identity. Jesus died to give us life and life more abundantly, to make us the head and not the tail, above and not below, to be more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Embrace the new you. You are royalty, an heir to the throne, and God’s loving arms are wrapped around you everywhere you go. You are an amazing person. Don’t look back, continuously look forward. God’s grace, love, power, strength, provision and healing power is upon you. Be the light in this dark world and remind the devil that he is a liar. You are special, loved and highly-favored by God Almighty.

Please disregard any advertisement you may encounter as the author does not endorse them. Thank you.