NCarolinian

There are many times I have found myself in the middle of a serious problem that I wished and prayed would either vanish or conveniently find its solution immediately. While that satisfaction would alleviate my burden and allow me to continue with my life, there are some productive outcomes that result from embracing our challenges. I have felt and seen in the lives of others the truth that if we don't firmly grasp our issues, they will not only firmly clinch us, they will likely dominate us. So, tackle the situation before it tackles you - if you can. If the circumstances took you by surprise, then respond don't react to the invader. Reacting is a sudden, knee-jerk, immediate action done due to some stimuli. Responding is the deliberate acknowledging of what is happening and planning of the necessary reply. I never said this was going to be easy and it often is not, especially in a heated and difficult situation. Although I do not wish problems on anybody, the more problems yo...

I've heard many times from the pulpit - "You cannot out-give God." While this is true and many of us would try to out-give God for honorable reasons, Christians need to understand the idea of being filled up with God before pouring out God to others. If resting in God's presence and allowing Him to minister to you does not happen, then whatever believers do is under their own strength.  Some people have a hard time with receiving anything from anybody, especially God. However, from the beginning, if we desire to be part of God's Family, there must be a reception of God's gift of love - Christ Jesus. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 Look at the ways Jesus loved us - He taught us His new way of Kingdom living, lived the perfect life we could not live, sacrificed His perfect life for ours as the redeeming substitute for our fallen relationship...