I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Fight for Gratefulness
Cynicism can feel like the easy way out when we're presented with an idea or a situation we don't agree with. The more cynical we become, the more we judge others for their actions. And, if we’re not careful, we can grow arrogant and bitter.
The antidote to this way of thinking is not to be right about everything. Rather, the way to heal from a cynical heart is through gratitude and thanksgiving.
When you are grateful, you take the focus off yourself and put it on God. When you give thanks for something, you no longer judge something for what it isn’t; you appreciate what it is.
In this passage, Paul encouraged all believers in the church of Thessalonica to be continually grateful for who God is and what He has done. He told them always to be joyful. How is that possible? For Paul, because of God’s amazing grace, there’s always something to be joyful about.
As we are more grateful and joyful, we will be more closely connected to the heart and will of God. We will connect with God more deeply, and continual prayer will be possible. When we’re too focused on ourselves, we have no capacity to be in communion with God.
So, fight for gratefulness today. Press into God, even if you're struggling. Let others know that you're counting on Him to show up!
Jesus Does The Impossible
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to selfish prayers and a small view of God.
In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions—something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.
Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.
The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the ...
