Are U Up for the Challenge?

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.”
‭‭James‬ ‭3:13-16‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/jas.3.13-16.msg

I was once a wanderer lost and confused, battered and broken trashed and all used. Until I met you my life was in shambles, I felt like I climbed through miles of thick brambles. Not wanting to carry on with even one more day, that’s when you entered my heart for an eternal stay. Slowly but surely you worked on my heart, tugging and nudging giving me a brand new start. You filled it with love, compassion, and life, you even placed in my path a beautiful wife. Every nook and cranny in my heart mind and soul has you inside it making me whole. I love when you hold me like only you can, loving me so much even when it feels like I can no longer stand. You give me the strength to not only get through the day but also giving me the heart to want to stay. There are no words to thank you for dying for my sin, except that I love you and thank you from beginning to end.

”My dear friend, I know your soul is doing fine, and I pray that you are doing well in every way and that your health is good.”
‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/105/3jn.1.2.ncv

Our spiritual health is equally as important as our physical health. We live in a fallen sinful world where sickness and disease will attack our human bodies. The antidote for spiritual health is Jesus Christ.

“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD ’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent GOD ’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that GOD corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-12‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/pro.3.5-12.msg

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. This is one of my favorite verses only because I love doing things for others. This verse kind of confused me when I first read it. How could you not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing? Do you hide it behind your back so it’s not visible? No. This is simply saying that when we give then we need to do so in a manner that is quiet. When we give do we do it in front of others so we can show off? Are we giving so that we can get something in return? I will give you a couple of good examples of giving without people knowing. Someone could be short on cash for the month with an unexpected bill. Pray and ask God how you can help. My wife and I have been impressed by the Holy Spirit to drop a box of groceries on a doorstep. You can pray unceasingly for that person. Maybe the Holy Spirit even impresses you to leave an envelope with money without a name on it. Pray today and ask how you can help these individuals who are in need. It is always fun and rewarding to see how He answers us.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://www.bible.com/116/lam.3.22-23.nlt

“Why should any living mortal, or any man, Complain [of punishment] in view of his sins? Let us test and examine our ways, And let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands [in prayer] Toward God in heaven;

I called on Your name, O LORD, Out of the lowest pit. You have heard my voice, “Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, From my cry for help.” You drew near on the day I called to You; You said, “Do not fear.” O Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause [You have guided my way and protected me]; You have rescued and redeemed my life.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:39-41, 55-58‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/lam.3.39-41,55-58.amp

Amen 💕🙏🙏🙏💕

“I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31:25‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/jer.31.25.msg

This is such a great promise!

When we feel like we can’t do one more thing. We are physically and spiritually tired and worn out. God restores our tired bodies and tired souls. Come to his throne and unpack your burdens at his feet. Spend time in his presence and you will be refreshed.

Jesus is calling you today!

““Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/mat.11.28-30.msg

God bless you as you spend time alone with God! 🙏

“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/1co.16.13-14.msg

My wife and I have been married for around 7 years and I love her just as much as the day we met. I challenge myself to get a smile on her face by doing something sweet or funny. I absolutely love her smile. The best ones though are when they are least expected. We purchased a flatbed work truck for me but it’s a single cab with a bench seat. We went to a friend’s house because they needed our help and the truck to move some furniture into their new home. While driving I had put my arm around my wife because she had to sit so close to me. I made a comment about having never had a woman sit so close to me and how nice it felt. Out came that beautiful smile and her head rested on my shoulder. Many spouses can rack their brains trying to figure out how to make the other feel loved. I found that the best way is to cease the little moments that are so easily missed. Jesus did this all throughout the bible with everyone that he loved. He showed us how to love every soul even if they weren’t very nice. John 15:12 My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/col.3.12-14.msg

I stand in my closet every morning thinking, what should I wear today. My closet is packed full of a variety of colorful clothes in several designs. However, before I dress my physical body for the day I come to the throne of God and dress in the spiritual wardrobe that God has chosen for each one of us.

It always fits, never to small or too big. It never calls out, look at me. It feels so good to wear. The fabric that it is made of is; Peace, Joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. The thread that holds it altogether is LOVE. This is the most valuable garment that you will ever wear. It never wears out and without it you are spiritually naked.