Archive for The Gathering Place "The Gathering Place" is a web community where people can gather and make new friends, share ideas, enjoy a few laughs and learn about many interesting things together. It is a safe place where friends can correspond with each other about what they love.
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God's Warrior
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Life Is a Series of Problem-solving OpportunitiesLife Is a Series of Problem-solving Opportunities
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.
Five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:
God uses problems to direct you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 (GN)
God uses problems to inspect you.
People are like tea bags 'if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water!' Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." James 1:2-3 (NCV)
God uses problems to correct you.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something*health, money, a relationship*by losing it"*It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws." Psalm 119-71-72 (LB)
God uses problems to Protect you.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a man was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good." Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
God uses problems to perfect you.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems*they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady."
Romans 5:3-4(LB)
Here's the point: God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with HIM!
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God's Warrior
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RULES FOR A BLESSED DAY
-- Author Unknown
TODAY I will not strike back. . If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will not respond in a like manner.
TODAY I will ask God to bless my 'enemy'. If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand "enemy"
could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.
TODAY I will be careful about what I say. . . I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.
TODAY I will go the extra mile. I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
TODAY I will forgive. . .
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
TODAY I will do something kind for someone,(But I will do it in secret. . . ) I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
TODAY I will treat others the way I wish to be treated. .I will practice the golden rule. "Do Unto others as I would have them do unto me"- with EVERYONE I encounter.
TODAY I will raise the spirits of some who is discouraged. .My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.
TODAY I will nurture by body . I will eat less . . . I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my body.
TODAY I will grow Spiritually. I will spend a little more time in prayer today. I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational; I will find a quiet place(at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice.
LUKE 10:27
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Wherever you live, there are needy people close by. There is no good reason for refusing to help.
Remember, today is a gift from God so treat it preciously.
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