HeartofaAngel

He is Worthy We have a powerful Creator, but it’s easy to forget how magnificent He is. We live in a world filled with His miracles, but it’s common to become desensitized to the wonder of it all. God created something from nothing—speaking life, meaning, and purpose into existence. He's the author of everything. He is worthy of our worship. Whales roam the seas, bears scavenge the mountaintops, fireflies light up the countryside. People explore the world, build skyscrapers, cook meals, develop languages, and form complex relationships—with God and with each other. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:11 NIV “All things,” as the verse says, includes everything we can see and even the things we can’t—both the visible and invisible. “All things” also includes you.  You were intentionally and uniquely designed by God. You were put on this planet on purpose, at this specific time in history. You have been empowered to shine and share His love, in a distinct and special way that’s completely unique to you. So take a moment to recognize... God made you and He loves you. He is worthy of your praise.

Now is the Time to Reprioritize As much as the world around us tries to lure us into self-dependency, God created us for each other. For community. For a life that’s not lived alone. The author of Proverbs said it like this: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 NIV We’ll all face hard times—sometimes when we least expect it. But a friend’s genuine care can mean the world, a sibling’s unconditional love can’t be replaced, and a neighbor’s practical help is priceless.  We need each other more than we realize: emotionally, practically, and spiritually. If you’ve found yourself in a busy season where you’ve unintentionally neglected your true friends or been too busy for your real family, now is the time to reprioritize. If there’s unresolved conflict with a friend or family member, and it’s slowly deteriorating the relationship, now is the time to set aside your pride and choose to make things right. If you’re silently struggling on your own, now is the moment to let someone in. Give them a call, send them a text, or show up on their doorstep. If you can’t be honest and vulnerable, it will be difficult to get help. Not only do you need people, but those same people need you. You have strengths, gifts, talents, and a personality that’s unique to you and beneficial to them—and vice versa. Why bury them in the ground, in the name of autonomy, when they can benefit others? Sometimes we need to ask for help, and sometimes we need to be the help. Do you need help, or can you offer it? Could you use a hand, or do you have some extra time, money, advice, or expertise to give?  If you’re tempted to self-isolate, don’t forget: we were meant to live life together.

A Way Out Life is full of difficulties and challenges. Especially as Christians, our desire to follow God’s paths for our lives can sometimes go directly against what our culture tells us to do. Living according to God’s way can be particularly difficult because of various temptations that might cause us to get distracted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 casually acknowledges that we will all experience temptation. It also does not promise that all of our temptations will be easy to overcome. But it also says that God promises to be faithful to help us through whatever temptations we face. God will provide a way for us to escape every temptation. God will strengthen us so we can endure through trials. God has given us instructions and a pathway for right-living in His Word. Everything that we need in order to live a healthy, godly life is included in Scripture. Paul, the author of the letters to the church in Corinth, cautions his readers not to be prideful in their spiritual life. When we are prideful, we can falsely believe that we’re immune to temptations. But when we’re prideful, we are actually most susceptible to fall into temptation. So rather than being arrogant, we should be humble. We ought to depend on God’s power rather than our own. It is only through a growing relationship with Jesus that we truly find the strength to endure trials and temptations. If you find yourself caught in temptations, draw near to God. Ask Him to give you His strength so that you can endure. Make it a priority to strengthen your relationship in Him through reading God’s Word and praying to Him. Never forget that God always provides a way for you to escape temptation. He is always faithful and always with you.

Love in Action Scripture has a lot to say about the way we treat people. If we have been saved by God, and have been shown the mercy and goodness of God, then we ought to show mercy and goodness to other people. Essentially… What we believe should determine how we act. All of us who have received grace freely from God ought to also give grace freely to others. In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he encourages them to be kind and compassionate to others. This idea is spread across all of God’s Word… “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11 NIV  “…All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 NIV. “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:36 NLT Showing other people compassion is one of the primary ways that we can communicate God’s love to other people. If we fail to love others, we also fail to show them God’s love. Paul also says we should forgive other people in our life, just as we have already been forgiven by Jesus. Forgiveness and compassion go together. When we do not forgive others, we fail to show them the same compassionate love that Jesus has shown us. A love that, as it suffered for us and because of us, still allowed Jesus to say, "Father forgive them—they don't know what they are doing." We ought to be careful that we do not deny others the same love we’ve been freely given. If you want to learn more about how to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving toward others, you can read through the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry found in the books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But right now, take some time to think about the people in your own life who you may have the opportunity to show compassion to. Is there someone in need who you can help? Is there a person you can forgive? Is there someone who you can encourage? Today is a great day to show people the same love, compassion, and forgiveness that you have received.

Don’t Overthink It How much time do you spend thinking about what to eat, or worrying about what to wear? Do you obsess over having—or being—enough? While there’s nothing wrong with meal planning for the weeks ahead or creating a monthly budget, Jesus explains that worrying doesn’t help: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:25 NIV Jesus never said not to think about your basic needs—He said not to worry about them. God knows what you need before you do. God knows your prayers before you pray them. Recognizing your physical needs can remind you of your spiritual needs—an invitation to trust your ultimate Provider. Later in the same chapter, Jesus reminds His disciples that if God provides for the birds and the flowers, He will provide for His people that much more. Then He adds, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) Life is more than the food we eat, the drinks we consume, and the clothes we wear. In fact, Jesus is life. He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” to be exact. (John 14:6) So, let’s seek Him first. Let’s do the work entrusted to us while trusting in Him for provision. And let’s not waste another second overthinking it.