If you have big dreams and goals, there is no substitute for diligence. We must prove ourselves capable of handling small matters if we want to be trusted with larger ones. We must tend to our garden if we want God to expand our fields and multiply our harvest. We must manage our small fortune wisely if we ever want to be entrusted with vast abundance. We must have integrity in the unseen matters of the heart if we want to experience love for a lifetime.
Just like these servants had choices when the master was away, we have choices too. We should ask ourselves: How do I conduct myself when no one is watching? Could anyone overhear my conversations or look at my phone or read my email or go through my things?
In the small matters of daily life, do I conduct myself with honor, integrity and grace?
*** What is the meaning of this parable Jesus told in Luke 19:12-13, “ So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ *** If you are one of his servant, what would you do with the ten gold coins given? What does the ten gold coins look like in your everyday reality? Let’s be practical…Is it your social security, your pay check, your investments, your gifts, your talents, etc? What are you doing with them? *** let’s get more practical! For a long time, I struggled with ‘tithing,’ giving church 10 percent of my income from whatever source until I was convicted by God’s Word :-) God gives me everything, 100 percent of my income from whatever source and He wants me to keep 90 percent of it…He is so generous! I kept 100 percent of it for a long time until I realized I was that servant who stored away the ten gold coins thinking I was poor not making enough money for my living (meaning I was not content with God’s provision)!!! ******* Choices for me starts with the basic, money, God’s provision for me! *** Tithing in Leviticus 27:30, “A tenth of everything the land produces belongs to the Lord. That includes grain from the soil and fruit from the trees. It is holy. It is set apart for Him!” *** The only thing God told us to test Him with a promise in Malachi 3:10, “Bring the entire tenth to the storerooms in My temple. Then there will be plenty of food. Test Me this way,” says the Lord. “Then you will see that I will throw open the windows of heaven. I will pour out so many blessings that you will not have enough room to store them!” *** We should tithe with a cheerful heart resulting in even more of God’s blessings in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, “Here is something to remember. The one who plants only a little will gather only a little. And the one who plants a lot will gather a lot. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You shouldn’t give if you don’t want to. You shouldn’t give because you are forced to. God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to shower all kinds of blessings on you. So in all things and at all times you will have everything you need. You will do more and more good works!”
Cheryl, Heaven has welcomed Aunt Zita’s beautiful soul and she is at peace with the Lord. May her peace grant you comfort.
♥️✝️♥️
"Aspire not to have more, but to be more." St. Oscar Romero
AMEN!
Kristin wonderful words to help heal wavering hearts. My goal everyday is to see something good in each person I meet. God will judge the rest. It's not up to me to do that. Blessings to all the LFF. May those with extra needs these days be held close to him and guided to see a smooth path. May we all spread his love through all the world everyday.
Amen!
"Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and mind and the master of my home and goods. Fill me with a generous and wise spirit that I may use the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom." Amen
God gave us free will, this is to say the right to choose. If we stop to consider the amount of choices we make daily the sheer volume of choices we make it a lifetime is enormous. Some choices are simple and of minimal consequence, some are at the other end of the scale and can be life changing. Nobody gets it right all the time, but reflecting on our choices that have not ended well enables us to choose again and again. It’s never to late to make the right choice, course correct and get back on track again. Choose to forgive self or others, choose to keep growing and never stay stuck. I take full responsibility for the consequences of the choices I make. No more blaming “you made me do it” “circumstances dictated it”. It makes me think carefully before I make final decisions. Choices are never ending, they are like water; very slowly they wear away the old and find a new way. It’s clear that God knows that choices matter, to us and Him, that’s why He is an ever present guide for us.
Kristin, your writing is so direct, yet elegant. Thank you for continuing to share your gifts with our Living Faith Community. Yes, my conversations, emails and trails…are they honorable ones? I’m sure I can do better…it’s always good to do that check. Vicky, I am glad you have a capable driver to take you to Atlanta. Asking God to be with you during your journeys and for your safe passage during this season. I am thankful for cooler weather and the beautiful Thanksgiving season upon us. Lord, eternal rest grant unto Chuck (Ken’s friend) and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
Amen... thank you all for your prayers yesterday for my dear Aunty Zita... however, she passed away peacefully last night
Continued prayers for Aunt Zita, you and your family, Cheryl.
"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." St. Thomas More. And with Zita in heaven, your sadness will turn to joy. May she rest in eternal peace.
May Aunt Zita rest in peace. Cheryl so sorry for your loss.
Cheryl she's at peace looking down at us. Will pray for both of you right now. Ken
Cheryl, she is reunited with her Creator and at peace. Eternal rest grant unto Zita oh lord and may perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.
Amen.☮️
Viktor Frankl described life in a concentration camp. There were prisoners who chose to care and share with others. Under the most extreme conditions, people still had choices and some chose to do good. No doubt these people were helped.
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Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (make your request here) - and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen