“Sitting on a Nail…”

Although this story is told in different ways, the final lesson is still the same. Here is my version:

One day, a man named John traveled from the city to visit a small town. He decided to shop in a local store. At the entrance were two men dressed in overalls, whittling wood and relaxing in rocking chairs. Further down was an old blood hound dog, howling, in apparent agonizing pain.  “Auuuuuhhhh………. Aaaauhhhh……….”

Although he found this perplexing, he entered the store. As he was leaving, the men were still calmly sitting in their chairs whittling as the dog continued howling… “Auuuuuhhhh………. Aaaauhhhh……….”

Curiosity overcame John. 
He asked, “Excuse me, is that your dog?”

One of the men replied, “Oh, yeah, that’s Old Red.”

John asked, “Why is he howling like that?”

The man somewhat smiled and said, “Oh, that’s cause he is sitting on a nail.”

John was shocked!
He asked, “Sitting on a nail?!!  Then, why doesn’t he just get up?!”

The man stopped whittling, looked John directly in the eyes, shrugged, and said,
“He will…when it hurts bad enough…”

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All of us have nails in our lives that are poking us. Some of us have career nails. Jobs we don’t enjoy. Work that’s dragging us down and sucking our life away. Jobs that we complain about, day in day out, yet we don’t do anything about them. Managers and/or colleagues who stifle us. Recognition that’s overdue. Limited career developments. Unsatisfactory pay and benefits. Not having made a name for ourselves yet in our career.

And there are so many other nails. Relationship nails. Financial Nails. Dream Nails. Health nails. Friendship nails. Spirituality nails. Family nails. Habit nails.

Each of us have different nails poking us. Some of us have a couple of big nails that pokes us every once in a while. Some of us have several small nails that poke on and off. Some of us have multiple big and small nails that poke repeatedly. Rather than take action, most of the times we just sit and howl. Because the pokes aren’t painful enough.

Are there any nails in your life you are not addressing? Why? Is it because they are not painful enough yet?  Don’t wait until the nails really hurt before you take action. Because when that happens, that usually means it’s too late to do anything. http://personalexcellence.co/blog/the-howling-dog-story/

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The Bible tells us how to “get off the nail”:

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hebrews 11:1(NKJV): Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV):  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV):  5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV): And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV): For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Memorable Quotes:

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

“If you want something you have never had, you have got to do something that you have never done.”

“You have got to be sick and tired of being SICK and TIRED.” - Steve Harvey

“The sooner you step away from your comfort zone; the sooner you’ll realize that it really wasn’t all that comfortable.” – Ed Harris, Jr.

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.  What you will discover will be wonderful. What you will discover will be yourself.” – Alan Alda

“Don’t ask God to guide your steps if you are not willing to move your feet.”

“Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is.” – Mark Twain

So, get up and get moving. While you remain “sitting on a nail,” Jesus Christ endured nails on the cross for you…

My “Cup Runneth Over”…

"My Cup Runneth Over" is a quotation from the Hebrew Bible (Psalm 23:5) and means "I have more than enough for my needs" though interpretations and usage may vary. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Cup_Runneth_Over

I have always maintained the position to “do good expecting nothing in return.” I believe that you should focus on putting out good to the universe.

The lesson for me is:  “Keep putting out good. It will come back to you ten-fold in unexpected ways.”

It is part of my DNA. My mind always thinks about how I can benefit or be a blessing to others.

What I am discovering is that as long as I maintain this and focus on what is pleasing to God, blessings seem to overwhelm me.

It is amazing how we don’t seem to grasp the point that “by grace,” you woke up this morning. Many did not.

If we would take a moment to realize how blessed we really are, we would truly embrace the fact that we are “blessed beyond measure.”

The Bible points this out:

Matthew 6:4 (NKJV):  that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Psalm 23:5-6 (KJV): ”5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Luke 6:35 (NKJV): “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”

Memorable Quotes:

“The more thankful you are, the happier you will be.”

“No experience is ever wasted. Everything has meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our ABUNDANCE.” – Epicurus

“I fill my cup with: Kindness, Love, Understanding, Hope, Peace and Gratitude.”

“I give all the glory to God. The glory goes up to Him and the blessing fall down on me.” – Gabby Douglas

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’ – Erma Bombeck

“Those who plant blessings shall also harvest blessings.”

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

The more you express gratitude, you too, will notice so many blessings that your “cup runneth over…”

“Like Sands Through the Hourglass…”

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives." For over one-third of a century, those words have introduced and underscored one of daytime drama's rare mainstays. NBC's "Days of our Lives" first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later. Today, it remains a favorite among viewers of daytime television serials.  http://www.nbc.com/days-of-our-lives/about

This is becoming more evident in the current day we are living in.

I know I never really put much consideration into my own mortality. That is a ploy of Satan. In his cunning way, he leads us to believe that we will live forever. However, that is not God’s plan for us.

The Bible says:

James 4:14 (NKJV):14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV): And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV): For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Every single second, minute, hour and day draws us closer to the end of this existence. It is imperative that we embrace each and every one.

Powerful Quotes:

“Yesterday is History. Tomorrow is a Mystery. Today is a Gift from God. That’s why it is called the PRESENT.” – Bil Keane

“The trouble is, you think you have time.” – Buddha

“Time is Precious. Handle with Grace. Time is one thing we cannot replace.” – unknown

“Today is the most important day of our lives.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of your life haven’t happened yet?” – unknown

“THERE IS NO TOMORROW! THERE IS NO TOMORROW!” – Apollo Creed to Rocky Balboa in movie Rocky III

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time given to us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

We must embrace and appreciate every single day we are allowed.

Are You?

"I Saw That Coming…"

I recall often hearing this saying, “I saw that coming from a mile away.”

This phrase is primarily a way to explain events that we believe have a predictable outcome.

Other scenarios include:

“You keep playing with fire and you will eventually get burned.”

“You keep traveling down this road, you’ll recognize it is a dead-end street.” – Janette McGowen

“If you continue smoking…it is highly likely that you will get lung cancer, have throat issues or acquire emphysema or other breathing ailments.”

If an athlete has bad behavior – they will eventually get released from the team.

If a college student parties all of the time and does not attend classes – they will eventually get expelled.

If you keep taking drugs – you will eventually die from an overdose, erratic behavior, etc.

It’s interesting how we can use this phrase for anything and everything but our spiritual lives.

“If you don’t study the Word; you don’t pray; you don’t attend worship; you don’t fellowship with other Christians; You refuse to be obedient and you make God an option instead of your main priority”….the outcome is predictable...and will be unpleasant.

Can you honestly expect to hear the Lord say the following?

Matthew 25:21(NKJV) - His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

The Bible instructs us to:

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV): 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV):  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The final questions we must all ask ourselves:

Do you see your Heavenly Reward a mile away?

“Is your outcome predictable?”

“Opt-Out?”

Most of us know that when you are online, you receive many advertisements, newsletters and emails. Usually, at the end, you are given the choice to “opt-out” or discontinue receiving them. It’s also used with your company insurance, giving you the choice to “opt out” of their coverage, especially if you are already covered on your spouse’s insurance.

The term opt-out refers to several methods by which individuals can avoid receiving unsolicited product or service information. This ability is usually associated with direct marketing campaigns such as telemarketing, e-mail marketing, or direct mail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opt-out

Unfortunately, we don’t get to “opt-out” of this journey set forth by God.

Even when Satan helps lead us to extremes, such as intentional suicide, we may have ended our existence prematurely on this time side of life, but we don’t get to “opt-out” of our individual appointment with God on Judgment Day.

Acts 17:31(NKJV):  because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Hebrews 9:27(NKJV):  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Romans 14:11(NKJV): For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

We can’t think what we want, say what we want, or do what we want…and think we can “opt-out” of the consequence. It doesn’t work that way…

Granted…God gave us all free-moral will. But “free is not free.” It comes with responsibilities. We will still be held accountable…

There are instances in the Bible where individuals tried to “opt-out” of their responsibilities. God did not allow it.

Cases in Point:

#1 – In Genesis, Cain tried to “opt-out” of his responsibility of being a loving brother.  NOTE: God already knew he had killed his brother Abel before He asked him.

Genesis 4:9 (NKJV): Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4:12 (NKJV): “When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

#2 – When God told Jonah to go to Ninevah to minister to the people, Jonah tried to “opt-out.” It took him being tossed overboard at sea and spending  three days in a whale’s belly to realize that this was unacceptable and to become obedient.

Jonah 1:1-3 (NKJV): 1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Jonah 1:15-17 (NKJV):  So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows. 17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:1 (NKJV): Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.

Jonah 2:10 (NKJV): So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

#3 – John the Baptist tried to “opt-out” of baptizing Jesus. He felt unworthy to do so. However, Jesus told him it was His Father’s Will that he do so.

John 3:13 -17 (NKJV): 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Quotes to Consider:

"Dying is easy, it's living that scares me to death." ~ Annie Lennox

“God never promised it would be easy; He promised it would be worth it.” – unknown

Many of us try to “opt out” of responsibilities, such as, as a parent; a Role model; even as a Christian. Guess what? This option is NOT AVAILABLE.

Now, we can choose to ignore it or simply refuse to do it.

“You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice.” - unknown

It would serve us well to stop trying to “opt-out” of this life, be faithful and practice obedience …ijs…

Do We Need Both Grace & Mercy?

I have often been confused as to the difference between Grace and Mercy. Do we need both? What do they mean?

I found this definition:

Grace is receiving what you don’t deserve;

Mercy is not receiving what you do deserve.    

Example:

Grace – waking up this morning;

Mercy – not getting hit by a car that you cut off; not having a house fire when you left a candle burning all night

Merriam-Webster defines:

Grace as “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a special favor: privilege; disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency; a temporary exemption: reprieve; “

Mercy is “kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly; kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation; compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment ; a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion”    www.merriam-webster.com

Question: "What is the difference between Mercy and Grace?"

Answer: Mercy and grace are often confused. While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not the same. To summarize the difference: mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy.

According to the Bible, we have all sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). As a result of that sin, we all deserve death (Romans 6:23) and eternal judgment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12-15). With that in mind, every day we live is an act of God's mercy. If God gave us all what we deserve, we would all be, right now, condemned for eternity.

We deserve nothing from God. God does not owe us anything. Anything good that we experience is a result of the grace of God (Ephesians 2:5). Grace is simply defined as unmerited favor. God favors, or gives us good things that we do not deserve and could never earn. Rescued from judgment by God's mercy, grace is anything and everything we receive beyond that mercy (Romans 3:24). Common grace refers to the sovereign grace which God bestows on all of mankind regardless of their spiritual standing before Him, while saving grace is that special dispensation of grace whereby God sovereignly bestows unmerited divine assistance upon His elect for their regeneration and sanctification.

Mercy and grace are best illustrated in the salvation that is available through Jesus Christ. We deserve judgment, but if we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we receive mercy from God and we are delivered from judgment. Instead of judgment, we receive by grace salvation, forgiveness of sins, abundant life (John 10:10), and an eternity in Heaven, the most wonderful place imaginable (Revelation 21-22). Because of the mercy and grace of God, our response should be to fall on our knees in worship and thanksgiving. Hebrews 4:16 declares, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." http://www.gotquestions.org/mercy-grace.html#ixzz37TsVQiLI

The Bible says:

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV): “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

2 John 1:3 (NKJV): “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you[a] from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

I am full of gratitude that the Lord extends me both Grace & Mercy. I know I need them both. Do You??

“My Current Situation…”

Michael Paul Sorrentino, known by his nickname “The Situation,” is an American television personality. He appeared on the MTV reality show Jersey Shore in all six seasons from December 2009 through its final episode in 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sorrentino

I have noticed on Facebook, people will note “My current situation…” as they post pictures of them lying on the beach, getting a manicure/pedicure, stuck in traffic, at a ball game, etc.  It simply describes what is going on in their life at that moment.

This led me to ask: “What is My Current Situation?”

Let’s take this deeper…What is my current situation, when it comes to pleasing God?

The thing that I find amazing is that we don’t seem to grasp the concept that GOD sees and hears everything. He knows our thoughts.

Proverbs 15:3 (NKJV): The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Psalm 94:11(NKJV):  The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.

Luke 11:17 (NKJV):  But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV):  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Let me do a self-assessment:

Do I really Trust God?

Is my life reflective of my love for Him?

Did I bless someone today, whether by a smile or a kind gesture?

Am I thankful that He woke me up this morning?

Have I prayed about it as much as I’ve worried about it?

We tend to worry about our situation at this moment, instead of investing time in our future situation to go to Heaven.

Life could change in an instant. What you thought was in the future could be thrust upon you right now…death, illness, car accident, job loss, health diagnosis, etc.

Are you ready RIGHT NOW to face the Lord on Judgment Day? Have You even thought about it?

What is Your Current Situation?