Thought of the Day...

...God is more interested in what you become than what you do.

"Feel the Burn"

Feel the burn is an exhortation relating to physical exercise, popularized by actress Jane Fonda in her highly successful aerobic exercise videotapes. The phrase refers to the sensation arising in a muscle being intensely exercised, which may involve a local increase in temperature but is probably due chiefly to the accumulation of metabolic products as the muscle becomes increasingly fatigued. An underlying idea is that the sensation itself provides evidence of the effectiveness of the exercise being performed. (cf. "No pain, no gain").

Although it probably originated with twentieth century bodybuilders and its use is general in exercise and sporting activities, it can also be applied to our spiritual journeys. The amount of weight that we can lift or the number or reps that we can do will not strengthen our faith. Our physical stature may change and grow stronger, but not our faith. Faith is strengthened when it is put to the test. And yes, feeling the burn hurts, but the results make the pain worth it.

James says that we ought to "count it pure joy when we face trials because we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance..." (Jas 1:2-3). In other words, when we go through trials our faith is not only being tested, but it is also producing something. Just like weight training and the work required to produce the look we seek or the size we desire, our struggles help to develop our perseverance. And perseverance makes us grow mature and complete in Him. According to James, this is what we should know - that something is developing in us.

Therefore, when facing trials... while enduring what we are enduring with this economy, trust God that He's strengthening your faith. Paul even tells us in Romans 5:3-4 to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." At the end of what we go through hope is produced. And hope is the ability to hold onto to a thing, when you do not see a thing, until you have that thing.

It never feels good when your pressing, lifting up, or holding back that weight while training to strengthen your physical strength. But the results are incredible. The pay-off makes all that you went through to get to where you are feel like it was worth it. "Feeling the burn" does not feel good at all, but the results help both you and I to endure the pain.

"...train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Tim 4:7a-8)

Thought of the Day...

Our actions tell others what we believe about God regardless of what we say.
(Jas 1:22; 2:18-19)

Thought of the Day...

...Don't just do something... sit there.
(Lk 10:39)

Thought of the Day...

...love is not primarily an emotion but a decision of the will leading to action (1 Peter 4:8).

"I Will Grow Stronger!"

Everyone wants to live this Christian life without falling, failing, and ultimately frustrating or displeasing God. Yet, every now and again we happened to find ourselves in one of these categories. If I'm talking to you... know that you are not by yourself. It happens to the best of us. But here's the good news...

...No one in this world and in this life is perfect. So please don't think that just because you have made mistakes in past that you will not learn and grow from them in the future. And please do not think that the only thing you are good for is making more mistakes. The devil is a liar! The decision to overcome your battles is up to you, but the power comes from the Lord.

In order to change our circumstances or our situations, the first change begins with us. So stop blaming everyone else for the way you are, or why you are in the mess that you are in. Now, I will admit that there are some situations that are caused by others; however, the folk that caused them do not have the power to determine how we will respond.

John Maxwell says in his book "The Difference Maker," that our attitudes are our greatest assets. But it all depends on how we choose to use it. Whatever attitude, mindset, or disposition we choose in any given situation will determine our strength over the matter, which will reveal our growth.

However, this strength and this growth is not manufactured on our own. Jesus once said while teaching on the mount, "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." To those who chase after Him and those who sacrifice for Him for the sake of cultivating a love relationship with Him will be filled with His Presence and Power.

In this new year, seek Him like never before. Hunger and thirst after Him like never before. Especially when you know that it's His strength that will fill you. Overcoming our battles requires a decision to give Him our all. Choose Him today! And walk, talk, and stand with the attitude that says, "2009 is mine!" This is my year that I will grow stronger!

My Connection

One thing I appreciate about technology, in particular the internet, is that it has been made more convenient. Wireless, or WiFi, internet has made accessing the world wide web more convenient. And depending on where you are, whether at home or in a local public spot where there is a wireless router, or a "hotspot", you will find instant access to the internet. If your mobile phone/PDA or your laptop is equipped with the wifi capabilities, a few clicks here and there and you are surfing the net.

Now this is great if you have the right connection. In fact, before we switched from one internet provider to another at home, we had experienced major issues with this new wireless technology. No matter where you were in the house the signal from laptop to the wireless router was never strong enough to make a connection. So we thought.

The issue was not with the router or the laptops in the house, but the issues was with the signal that the provider was sending to the house. The signal was not strong enough to manage what we required. And instead of going straight to the source to fix it, we spent countless minutes, hours, and even days trying to troubleshoot the home office before we considered checking out the connection with the provider.

Had we started with the main connection instead of looking in the wrong places, all of our problems would have been solved. As believers, we often find ourselves exhausting our energy blaming our significant others, our jobs, or the world in general for failing at connecting or simply building meaningful and healthy relationships with others. And instead of examining the true reasons as to why we're not connecting with others ,we spend time pointing the finger and troubleshooting in the wrong places.

Stop looking at everything or everyone else except yourself and the connection that you have with the Source. Jesus told us to "Love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul; and to love our neighbors as we would ourselves" (Matt 22:37-39). If the connection that we have with God is one that receives our all, then we should not have issues connecting with those around us.

Have you done an internal check to make sure you are not the one blocking the signal from the provider. And have you taken the time to build a relationship with the Provider, God, first before attempting to use His provision in your life the wrong way.