Why I stopped doing things for people.......

First of all I am a people pleaser! I want be liked and I want to solidify it in the books that I am a good person.

There you have it!

I am completely vulnerable right now. I have ripped off a layer of protection and you see more of my true motives.

What if everyone that you came in contact with knew what you were thinking? Just like that movie "what women want," where Mel Gibson has an opportunity to know what every woman was thinking in his presence. He became overwhelmed by the experience.

As I have grown up and hopefully matured a little, I have realized that doing things for people is a dangerous thing, when you do it with the wrong motive.

If you want them to like you, you do things for them. If you want them to forgive you, you do things for them. If you want benefits in the relationship, you do things for them. It is dangerous because eventually it can become a rat race. In other words, giving and getting becomes a tally sheet.

God is different! In His perspective and His kingdom it is all about grace. We can't do anything to earn His love, forgiveness or blessings. He loves us no matter what we do, whether good, bad, or ugly!

That is why instead of trying to please others to feel loved and cared about...., I am going to love God first.

and when He tells me to go do a specific act of love, I will remember that I am doing it for Him.

Peace,
P Matt

Whether or not there is a rapture...Would I live my life differently?

I'm not a theologian and I am not sure this is a primary kingdom concept. So....whether or not there is going to be a rapture is secondary. The primary idea is that Jesus said He was coming back! He said that He was going away to prepare a place for us. What happens in the meantime is important and this time we have here is to prepare us to love Him for eternity. Unfortunately our perspective is trapped in time and God is not bound by time. And what we think doesn't change the outcome or process of the coming of the King. God is gracious enough to let us know of birth pangs.
Let's just think about this for a minute. If there is a rapture it doesn't change the fact that Jesus is coming back. Some believe that the rapture is 7 years before the coming of Christ.Some believe that it is 3 1/2 years. Some believe that it will be at the end or at the same time.
If there is a rapture that happens, it is a another gracious warning sign like blood moons and famines, wars, earthquakes, typhoons and such.
Some have indicated that we should be excited that Jesus Christ is coming and some have said we should fear that He is coming. My answer to that is ''Yes."
When Jesus comes again every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that He is Lord. I think some will bend there knee against their will and in complete fear. But then their will be those that bow because they respect and honor Jesus and they fear Him because He is God!
If there is a rapture our perspective should be: "time is short" and there are many people that need to come to know Jesus Christ! But if there isn't a rapture then our response should be: "time is short" and there are many people that need to come to know Jesus Christ!
Either way Jesus' coming back is eminent!

Will I live like He is coming today?

Matthew 24:6

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Courageous

"Everything" by Quest youth group

Home - I Am Second

Home - I Am Second

How to Really Fight For Your Marriage — We are THAT Family

How to Really Fight For Your Marriage — We are THAT Family

Avoiding the deadly poison of gossip

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Proverbs 11:13

One sin that I think is constantly looked over in American Christianity today is that of gossip. Not only is it the most looked over, but it is also one of the most destructive to relationships because it happens in secret and explodes when it's revealed.

Now if you dislike someone and you want to hurt them, one way to do it is to spread gossip about them. Some may say, "Well, it's true, so I guess I can tell it." But spreading disparaging stories about someone, true or untrue, only dispenses hate.

On the other hand, if you really love that person, you want to cover their sin by keeping matters confidential. If your child sins, would you want people talking about it? No, you would want to protect your child by covering that sin and dealing with it among trustworthy people.

One of the most dangerous tools you have is your tongue. It can either edify or it can tear down. The Bible says, "The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!" (James 3:5).

So before you talk, think. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm about to say edifying to others?" I don't mean for you to sugarcoat your speech and only say nice things all the time. But if you have criticism toward others, either take it directly to them or just let it be. That way, you will build others up and bring glory to God.



GOSSIP IS A DEADLY POISON FOR RELATIONSHIPS. LOVE OTHERS BY BUILDING THEM UP INSTEAD OF TEARING THEM DOWN.


Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org