Hope and Inspiration

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Comment by Leonora on November 23, 2009 at 9:25pm

Comment by Leonora on November 23, 2009 at 9:24pm

Comment by Leonora on November 23, 2009 at 9:24pm

Comment by Kelly P on November 23, 2009 at 11:26am

LivingFree.org

Don't Hide Your Feelings

Today's Scripture

"Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when laughter ends, the grief remains. " Proverbs 14:13 NLT

Thoughts for Today

Most of us have some degree of trouble admitting our true feelings and being able to express them, especially if we are struggling with life-controlling problems. But throughout the Bible, God encourages us to know our feelings and not keep them hidden inside. Jesus set an example for us: He had emotions and he expressed them. He cried. He got angry. He was sad.

We often hide the way we feel behind a defense to keep our real self from showing through. Inside we may feel fearful or angry or sad, but we hide those feelings by joking ... or acting superior ... or being silent ... or employing some other defense. We may try to cover our sadness with laughter, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

Hiding our feelings can give them control over our lives. Unexpressed anger or fear or guilt can have a destructive influence on everything we do. Hidden shame and sadness are roadblocks to hope and healing.

Consider this...

If you have been hiding your true feelings, has your "cover-up" helped? Or have you learned first-hand that when the laughter ends, the grief remains? Admitting your feelings can be a turning point. Be honest with yourself. And with God. And then with a friend. Being real will open the door for healing.

Prayer

Lord, I've been hiding my feelings for a long time, but I know now it's time to be honest. Help me to be real. Help me to share my real feelings with my loved ones. Set me free. In Jesus' name ...

These thoughts were drawn from...

Insight Group: Discover the Path to Christian Character by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. With its emphasis on developing Christian character it is a powerful group for those who want to be sure to prevent life-controlling problems from developing in their lives, as well as for those who need to overcome a current problem.

It enhances people's understanding of themselves and others.
It helps people bond together in meaningful relationships.
It helps prepare people for more meaningful relationships in subsequent small groups like home groups and Sunday school classes.
It surfaces people for help who may otherwise never seek help.
It helps break down the segregation of people in churches, turning "those people" and "our kind of people" into just "us."
It helps prepare people to minister to others.
It serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by ministering to people's felt needs and then pointing them to Christ.
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

Comment by Kelly P on November 23, 2009 at 11:25am

Nora, Yes, I am speaking it out of my mouth as if it is already so. I will trust and see it come to pass. Yes, thank you. You are so good to bring me straight.

I love you too!

Comment by Leonora on November 21, 2009 at 6:43pm

Kelly,


I tell you the turth, speak out of your mouth as if it is already so! :)
Trust and see it will come to pass..

Love you!

Comment by Kelly P on November 21, 2009 at 8:55am

In Touch Ministries Daily Devotional with Dr. Charles Stanley
November 21-22

Being Light in a Godless Age
2 Timothy 3:10-16

According to Scripture, our world is headed for terrible times. Politicians can't solve the problems. Neither can philosophers or philanthropists. Only God has the remedy—salvation and transformation, one life at a time.

As ungodliness increases, believers will be greatly impacted. Paul warned us to take precautions so we don't start following the dysfunctional choices of the godless. One way to do this is by being sensitive to God's work in the lives of His people. Timothy paid attention to the way Paul handled adversity and made decisions. He could see that God delivered the apostle from many tough situations, so the young man chose to emulate him. Like Timothy, we're wise to observe those who are choosing God's way.

Another precaution is to notice the spiritual foolishness of those living apart from Christ—and avoid their influence. They may be high achievers, financial successes, or generous givers, but without Jesus, they remain outside God's family. Their choices reflect man's priorities, not the Lord's.

Finally, we must be committed to the Bible as our guide for life. God's Word was written by ordinary men under His inspiration. He designed the Scriptures to be profitable for teaching, correction, and godly living.

We are commanded to be ready on all occasions to speak the name of Jesus, share what He has done for us, and relate His gospel message to others. When we do, we will be like lights reflecting the truth of our Savior to a world desperately in need of illumination.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Comment by Kelly P on November 21, 2009 at 8:54am

Nora, this is just what you were saying a couple of days ago. Your husband tries to beat you to loving more than you can. That is wonderful and I want that for me and mine also. It must start with meeee! :-) And, I can only do that through Him.

Comment by Kelly P on November 20, 2009 at 7:46am

UpWords: The Teaching Ministry of Max Lucado

Unfailing Love
by Max Lucado

"Love," Paul says, "never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8 NIV).

The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. God's love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished.

Love "will last forever" (NLT).

It "never dies" (MSG).

It "never ends" (RSV).

Love "is eternal" (TEV).

God's love "will never come to an end" (NEB).

Love never fails.

Governments will fail, but God's love will last. Crowns are temporary, but love is eternal. Your money will run out, but his love never will.

How could God have a love like this? No one has unfailing love. No person can love with perfection. You're right. No person can. But God is not a person. Unlike our love, his never fails. His love is immensely different from ours.

Our love depends on the receiver of the love. Let a thousand people pass before us, and we will not feel the same about each. Our love will be regulated by their appearance, by their personalities. Even when we find a few people we like, our feelings will fluctuate. How they treat us will affect how we love them. The receiver regulates our love.

Not so with the love of God. We have no thermostatic impact on his love for us. The love of God is born from within him, not from what he finds in us. His love is uncaused and spontaneous.

Does he love us because of our goodness? Because of our kindness? Because of our great faith? No, he loves us because of his goodness, kindness, and great faith. John says it like this: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us" (1 John 4:10 NIV).

Doesn't this thought comfort you? God's love does not hinge on yours. The abundance of your love does not increase his. The lack of your love does not diminish his. Your goodness does not enhance his love, nor does your weakness dilute it. What Moses said to Israel is what God says to us:

The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! It was simply because the LORD loves you. (Deut. 7:7-8 NLT)

God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.

He loves you when you don't feel lovely.

He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always. No matter what.

This is his sentiment: "I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I'll call the unloved and make them beloved" (Rom. 9:25 MSG).

This is his promise. "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself" (Jer. 31:3 NLT).


From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado

Comment by Kelly P on November 20, 2009 at 7:45am

Nora,

Thank you for the incredible confirmation. I must remember this and not forget it. I am just gonna have to create a habit of laser-focusing on this until it is set again. I used to have this down well.

Thank you Jesus that "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)" (John 10:10)

Thank you Lord. I praise your name on high

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