Am I Doing Enough?

 

I volunteered at an event last weekend (Christmas Eve) and was asked if I wanted a t-shirt. I can never turn down a free shirt. You should see my closet. Upon receiving the shirt, I unfolded it and looked at the front. It is what is pictured above. If you know me, things like this get me to thinking.

I started thinking. Am I doing enough? Am I generous enough? Do I really live that way? The way Jesus calls us to live? I like to think that I am. I mean I volunteer my time doing all kinds of things. Once again, is it enough?

God is so generous to us & since we are formed in His image, we should be just as generous with others.

1 John 3:17 Living Bible

17 But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?

I mean it's all God's anyway. Who are we to hoard from our brothers and sisters in need. If we have the resources to give, we should give. Joyfully!

2 Corinthians 9:7 Amplified Bible

7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

I don't know about you but, I love giving. I love volunteering to help out those who need help. I myself could end up in that sort of situation. I don't want to take anything for granted. Never know what tomorrow will bring.

Hebrews 13:16 The Message

16 Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

So I encourage you tonight. Live/give generously. Be a blessing to someone. You might be someone's answer to prayer. God doesn't withhold from us. He gives abundantly more than we could ever ask for! 

God Bless you all. 

Miss Informed.

 I had a conversation with a someone the other day who is not a believer. I was explaining all of the things that have been happening in my family's life over the last month, and year. I explained that I had an Uncle pass away, a cousin and some friends. A cancer diagnosis and some other health issues. An earth quake affected family on the West Coast. The person that I was talking to said, "I thought that since you were a Christian, nothing bad happens to you anymore." 

I explained that just because I am a Christian, Jesus never promised us a problem free life. In fact He said that there would be trials and tribulations that would come our way. 

John 16:33 The Message

33  I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

We were never promised a problem free life. Most people who are not believers are miss informed about this. While we are still living in this world, there will still be death, diseases, natural disasters that will come against us. 

We live with the hope of Heaven and living in Eternity with Jesus. In that day, there will be no more sorrow, tears, disease or death. 

Revelation 21:4 New Living Translation

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Family members pass away and that hurts. A cancer diagnosis, natural disaster strikes. News or events that we weren't expecting, shock us. Good news is........My God is bigger than all of this. 

He is the comforter for those who are hurting. (Matthew 5:4)

He is the Healer of diseases (Luke 4:40)

The restorer of houses and foundations. (Amos 9:14)

So, I encourage you tonight. No matter what news you have been given, a death in the family, a bad heath diagnosis or some kind of physical destruction, put your trust in God. He is still good. He is on the Throne and still in charge. No matter what life looks like at the moment.

God bless,

PK

Eight Plus Hours.

 James 4:14 New Living Translation

14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Eight plus hours. That is all the time I had left with my mom from the time I got the call that she thought she was going to die, until she actually passed. I didn't know it at the time, that is all the time that we would have left with her.

Vapor, mist, fog, whatever you want to call it, can burn off rather quickly. I've been thinking about this ever since my mom passed three years ago. 

She was 76 when she passed. She was my mom for 52 of those years. I've been thinking about those 52 years. Things I could have done differently. Spent more time with her. Visited her more often. Done more things with her. Definitely taken more pictures of us together.

You think that being my mom for 52 years is a long time right. I can not believe how fast the years went by. Starting school, getting my drivers license, graduating high school, getting jobs, getting married, grand children, etc. etc.

When I was with her in the hospital those last few hours, I thought about my life and what I had done with it. Her life on earth was coming to an end and I wondered if I had made her proud in those short, precious years.

When she took her last breath, I couldn't help but think about the verse above. How our lives are but a morning fog. Here one minute and gone the next. How short and fragile our lives really our.

So I encourage you tonight to take time with your parents and loved ones. You may think that you have all the time in the world, but you really don't. 

Take the time to spend with them. Cherish that time. Hug them and tell them that you love them. Don't wait till the end for them to hear you say that!

God Bless.

PK