Grapevine

Many of us live a life of boredom, mediocrity, and unproductivity.  Something is missing but you just don’t know what it is.

We are built with so much potential that we can only dream of fulfilling only half of it.  But the only way of achieving full potential is by staying connected to your source and that is Jesus Christ.  As our designer and creator, He alone can help us be all that we can be.

“Yes I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.  Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers… But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!  John 15:5-7

What do you want out life?  Success does not necessarily mean making a lot of money.  Money might be one of the benefits of being successful, but it must not be the goal.  If you focus too much on money, then you are sure to fail.

Whatever your dream in life, make Jesus the focal point of that dream and you are sure to succeed.  Of course, it still requires hard work, but you will find things go quickly and smoothly much more than if you were to do it on your own.  As a matter of fact, make Jesus the focal point of every aspect of your life, marriage, career, finances, children – whatever – and success would be yours for the taking. 

Even when you succeeded in accomplishing your goals, remember that it is still not the end.  You still can accomplish more as long as you are alive and have strength.  The Apostle Paul understood this.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection!  But I keep working to that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.   No dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is callinig us up to heaven.  Philippians 3:12-14

Fruits of the Spirit – Are you Bearing Them?

Reflection in Water

What you think in your heart is what is reflected on the outside.  To change your outlook on life you must change how you think.  The type of life that you live is dependent on what you think and believe.

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects a person.”  Proverbs 27:19

To change your life to something better and more positive, you must change your thoughts.  No-one is responsible for your life but you.

What is your destiny?  Only you can decide.  Do not blame others for your failures or lack of accomplishments.  You are in control of your own life.  Your ideal life can be attained by constant positive thoughts and beliefs.  You should not change them to suit your circumstances, but build a positive, spiritual life by entertaining positive, spiritual thoughts everyday.

If you wish to change then you must build a relationship with Christ and as with any other relationship it takes commitment, patience and communication (prayer) to be successful.  Once you do this, it will be the best relationship you will ever have, and not to mention a life filled with happiness, joy and contentment.

Each and everyone of us have weaknesses and faults we sometimes cannot help.  If you are fortunate enough to have taken control of your life and deal with your shortcomings then praise be to God.  However, not everyone is so fortunate.

If someone is not leading an ideal life or has done something awful to you, then you should not judge or condemn them.  We must always look for the good in that person – The Christ in him.

We were all created in God’s image which means we all have the potential to do good.  We may not always understand why some people do the things they do.  Sometimes circumstances in their life have led them to live as they do, but they are not necessarly ‘bad’.

The bible tells us “all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23)

We all have sinned and it is only through Jesus Christ can we be made free from sin.  If someone has chosen not to believe in Jesus, then we must pray for them and hope one day they turn their life around.

Seeing the Christ in others is what helps us to love everyone, including our enemies, for this is what Christ commanded us to do.

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.  For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too.”  Matthew 5:44-45

This is a very important aspect in developing your spiritual life.  Your quiet time should not be less than one hour.  You can break this down by spending 15 minutes praying, 30 minutes reading your bible and 15 minutes meditating.  Of course if you can devote more time to your quiet time, that’s even better.

You can add reading a spiritual book, listening to an audio sermon or gospel song.  Either way make God’s time the most important item on your agenda for the day.

If it is possible, try and make it the same time everyday.  It can be early morning or late evening.  Once you’ve developed a schedule it becomes easy.  Of course, with life being what it is, it may not be possible to keep this schedule everyday, however, whatever you do, try not to postpone it.  Always make time for your quiet time.

If you study the life of Jesus Christ, he always made time to pray and prayed often.

“The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray”.  Mark 1:35

“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer“.  Luke 5:16

“One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night“.  Luke 6:16

Jesus always made time for his quiet time.  Even before his crucifixion, he prayed three times in one night.  This was how he got strength to face his final hours.

“Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane and he said, “Sit here while I go on ahead to pray… He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.  Yet I want your will not mine.”  Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep… Again he left them and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away until I drink it, your will be done.”  He returned to them again and found them sleeping, for they just couldn’t keep their eyes open.  So he went back to pray a third time, saying the same things again.”  Matthew 26:36-44

Once you’ve gotten into the habit of spending quality time with God, you can face any situation in your life, and thus, strengthen your spirituality.

Slow Down: There’s no need to rush, life is too short to be on the hustle and bustle for things that won’t last forever.  However, you are destined to live in eternity with Jesus Christ and other believers, so make that your main priority.

And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”  John 17:3

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store up your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves.  Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be .”  Matthew 6:19-21

Stop Worrying: Whatever you are worried about now, won’t matter in a few years time.  Put your faith and trust in God  because he loves you and would help you get through all challenges.

“So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?  Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”  Matthew 6:31

Don’t Judge: Don’t be quick to judge other people.  You don’t know what trials or problems they are facing.  None of us are perfect, for we all have made mistakes.  Never judge!

“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged.”  Matthew 7:1

Forgive: If someone has done you wrong, don’t seek revenge against them, or hold malice in your heart for them.  Leave them up to God who will do justice on your behalf.  Forgive them and you will be forgiven also, as well as have peace of mind.

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins too.”   Mark 11:25

Stop Complaining: Be thankful for what you have and stop complaining for what you don’t.  Learn to be at peace with yourself always.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand…”  Philippians 4:6