Confidence

Can you imagine your parents sticking you with a name like "Ouch" or "Ugh"?! Well, that's basically what happened to poor Jabez, whose name sounded like the Hebrew word for pain. Did Jabez give in to the destiny his name implied? No way! He knew that God alone controlled his future, so he asked God to direct it and protect him. Are you stuck with some family baggage of your own-divorce, drug or alcohol addiction, cruddy relationships, abuse? it may seem like there's no escaping it, but by God's grace you don't have to carry that with you into your future.  1 Chronicles 4:9-10 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the Lord of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." 

Obedience :/

It can be tough to react God's way every time in a tough situation. Like always being nice to your annoying brother/sister, or always responding with grace when people put you down. Sometimes it would feel so good to just explode! But take a lesson from Moses: You'll pay for it when you do it your way instead of God's. Moses' whole future changed with his decision to strike the rock in anger rather than speak to it as God instructed. The cost of your decisions might be a broken relationship or a damaged reputation. Whatever it is, it's not worth it. Numbers 20:12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." 

9/11

I want to say sorry to all the family's who lost love ones on 9/11, :( and a thanks to the people who saved our capital building. May God bless them all! :) <3

Genuine Peace :)

Usually we think of peace as something that happens when nothing else is happening. In other words, no conflict plus no worries equals peace. But the Bible doesn't tell us to sit around and hope for peace. It tells us to seek peace and pursue it. Do you want peace in your life and relationships?  Do something about it. Be calm and patient instead of argumentative and angry. Try to change a situation rather than complain about it. Peace isn't for passivists; it's for activists. Psalms 34:14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Focus on God's faithfulness! verse

Psalms 27:1-5
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is my stronghold of my life- of whom shall I fear? 2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Focus on God's faithfulness!

Have you ever had a really bad, horrible, no good, very bad day? Some days all you want to do is curl up in bed and try to forget everything that happened. David had a few days like that when evil men, enemies and armies were all coming after him. So how do you cope with the fear and stress? He kept his eyes on what mattered most to him: God. When your day takes a sharp turn for the worse, focus on God's faithfulness and power to overcome any problem. And after locking eyes with the Lord, you'll find that you can face the world again- unafraid. 

Best Friends!!!!

A good friend is there when you need her. When you're sad, she hugs you and lets you cry. When you fail, you know that she loves you anyway. And when you're in trouble, she runs to help- without caring that it costs her time and energy. Abram was not only Lot's uncle; he was also a good friend. as soon as he heard about Lot's capture, he jumped into action. He didn't wait to see if someone else would save Lot, and he didn't care that he had to risk his own life. He was more concerned about Lot than about himself. John 15:13 No greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. Would you lay down your life for your friend? 

Does your love pass this test?

When you think about being in love, what comes to mind? Moonlit nights, starry-eyed gazes? Love is far more  than romantic feelings. Genuine love is a choice to act a certain way, regardless of how you feel. Love is patient when you're frustrated, kind when others are unkind. Love doesn't get mad easily or hold grudges. Love is trusting, protective, hopeful, and strong. Think you're "in love"? Would your love pass this test? How about your love for your family and friends? True love is to love as God loves.1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is Love. God is Love! 

Be content with what you have!

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.

Fruits of the Spirit!!!!

Galatians 5:22-23

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

   
 ²³meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.