Offer Deeds and Gifts with a Humbled Heart

Have you ever met someone who does good things for others? True, there are many who do so. But, there are also those who boast of their good deeds.

Consider the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. They both went to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed giving thanks to God that he was not a sinner for he didn't cheat, sin, or commit adultery. He held himself above others, especially the tax collector. But the tax collector only stood at a distance and beat his chest in sorrow, not even daring to look up to heaven as he prayed. He asked God to be merciful to him, a sinner.

God says that those wo exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

When good deeds are done, they should be with the right heart. We should not give and expect to receive in return, nor should be boast of what we have done. Doing so is not pleasing to God.

Yet, I know many people who profess to be faithful followers of God; who say the right things, and do the right things; but afterward they exalt themselves by letting everyone know what wonderful things they have done for others.

I would prefer to offer my gifts without acclamation, for a humbled heart is a happy heart.

May you offer yourself to others with a humbled heart.

Enjoying the Fruits of Labor

I never dreamed my husband's health would deteriorate to the point that I would become caregiver during the time we planned to enjoy doing things together, traveling, and being free. My once active, healthy love is now bound by oxygen tubes and other health issues which leave him trapped in our home. At times I feel like I'm caring for a baby again, and sometimes I feel cheated. That's when I'm wallowing in self-pity because I'm longing for "our dream," which will never be. At these low times, I pick up the Bible to receive the strength and regain perspective.

The real truth is...we ARE spending time together. We may not be traveling to new places, but where better to be than in the home we made together? Hard labor remodeled each room. My husband spent his life working long and hard hours, and in his off-time, he worked just as hard to make this house a home. Now, we have the luxury of being united to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

I'm grateful each and every day for his presence, for his sense of humor, for his unconditional love, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as ransom for many."

How can I not do likewise?

Thanks for stopping by!

What is Hope?

When I started this blog, I wanted it to be about hope and how to keep hope alive. These are trying times for many throughout the world. The media plays upon these events through television, newspapers, magazines, and radio. Experiencing second hand tragedies through the media can be very depressing. So, how do we keep hope? And what is hope?

There is a wonderful passage in the Bible which truly speaks to my heart about hope. Romans 8:22-25 "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

Hope is the faith within our hearts and souls, the belief in Christ Jesus that God is with us and will provide. God's word through Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, tells us that in order to have hope, we must learn to be patient. We must be still, have faith, and wait without grumbling to keep hope alive.

God bless.

Looking at Each Day with Expectation

Every day is a new day. A new beginning. A new chance at making a change in your life.

Life is an adventure. When I go on vacation, I am full of eagerness, looking forward to what I'll see, what I'll do, although I have no idea what that might be. There are so many new adventures we embark on every day if we only look at what is presented with an open, eager mind.

Only God knows what is in my future. Worrying about what will happen tomorrow only takes away time from today.

I'm looking out my window. The sun is shining. My spirit is smiling.

I don't know what God has in store for today, but I know it will be a grand adventure.