Good Morning Memorial Monday.......
Dear Father, thank You for this NEW day. Guide us as we make this day's JOURNEY. Lift us as we fall. Show us Your LOVE, and HELP us to show Your Love to others. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ's Name we PRAY. Amen. - Status And Its Negative Effects Busyness seems today to serve as quite the status symbol. It's as if we show others how busy we are, it makes us look more important, wanted, liked, or some other fantasy we create in our minds. It's an illusion created by a fallen world, our sinful natures, and the constant bombardment of advertisements, magazines, television, and technology. These outside worldly influences, along with our "flesh," can make it very difficult to even be aware of what is happening. We can get so caught up trying to create the illusion of status, wealth, or importance that our spiritual life begins to slip with no notice until we are so busy or worn out that we nearly collapse. We buy bigger houses than we can afford, elevate vacations on social media, making them a need instead of a want, we brag about how busy we are or how many things we have going on, but we do not allow others to see the rest of our lives. The things that we have all seen others do, and even witnessed ourselves do, for status or status symbols in our lives is ridiculous. Of course we all want to feel important, We all want our lives to count, but with all our busyness... we are going about things in the wrong way. While all our tactics, strategies, performing, and over-loaded schedules may help us hit a goal, get an award, or be the person who everyone thinks is "doing well"... what is it doing for our working towards righteousness in God? Those "things" don't even get us to the first step toward Our Father. Our Savior told us that all our boasting may get us "things," but it won't get us the only thing we truly seek after: The Soul-Rejuvenating Love of Our Father, nor will it give us the comfort of feeling that we are perfectly acceptable the way we are. Let's take a look: “Everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” 1 John 2:16 NIV The Gospel of Matthew tells us not to be like hypocrites. We are not to be those who love to pray and be seen by people, who love to brag about their spirituality, status, or stretch our stories to try and impress others. Instead, Our Savior tells us we should be working on our inner selves, spending our time helping others, and working to develop gentle spirits that are of great worth in Our Father's eyes. 1 Peter states: “rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4 NKJV May we all strive to cultivate a gentle, quiet spirit. This is something all can do no matter where we are. It's as simple as grabbing our Bibles and taking a few minutes to spend with Abba. We can know Our Father smiles down on us as we Seek Him. It's as simple as setting our alarm so we say a few extra prayers throughout the day or taking one day a week to, instead of seeking to gain status; we seek and put time into disciplining ourselves to move towards a more gentle and more quiet spirit. It's as simple as taking just a little time with Our Father, our families, and us with nothing on "the agenda" and not seeking to impress anyone. May we all find a little time to tuck ourselves away, block out the worldly influences, and "Be Still." Prayer: Dear Father, help us to realize we don't have to impress anyone but You. Help us to recognize when we are fighting, struggling, and staying busier than we should trying to gain status from the world, instead of moving closer to You. Show us how to move towards a more gentle and quiet spirit, so that we can shine Your Light to this world. And finally Father, please help us to sustain these new disciplines as we learn them and then share them with others in a helpful way. All Glory Be Yours Father. We Love You, We Thank You, and We Pray In The Name You Made Above All Names Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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SERVANT OF YESHUA 7
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