Beware Social Media Encourager

The only relationship that can be maintained without a physical presence is the spiritual relationship we can have with Jesus Christ. Technology has allowed us to communicate more easily but less effectively. How effective is a text response to a hurting soul that has lost a family member? How courageous is an inbox message asking that "special" someone out on a date? I believe some things need a voice and most things need your presence. Showing up in silence would mean more than a thousand words posted. It's all a matter of authenticity. It's about sincerity. Even social media has shaped us to believe that no one cares unless you get multiple likes and comments on your pictures and statuses. We have been fooled to be defined by how much or how little attention we get from the platform social media has so generously provided. 

If we'll just step back from the screen, we'll be able to see how social media has shaped and warped our relationships. We even hide behind our whiteout screens and peek into the lives of those who are simultaneously peeking into OUR lives to see what faults they can find. It waters down everything good and AMPLIFIES that which is bad. True encouragement is lost in the feed, while scandal ignites like wild fire and burns those that is in its path. Encourage and be encouraged. Text, IM, inbox, tweet, instagram and even post on my wall, but don't be limited to these when it's time to get real.  



Facebook Twitter Instagram Blog Vine Encouragement Social Media Authenticity Sincerity Relationships Family Friends Christian Communication 

Hashtag Winning

It is impossible to roll back the hands of time. Choices are made... some bad, some good. The outcome is being lived out in the here and now. I'm sure some of our choices in life were God's perfect will, and others have fallen under His permissive will. By God permitting me to venture outside His perfect will, and never leave me, is mind boggling. Not to say there's an imperfect will, but knowing His mercy endures forever is very inhuman. 

Just because we have made some not-so-wise decisions in the past, doesn't mean we have to walk with a dark cloud over our heads. What a forgiving and merciful God we serve. God doesn't have to take my life, He could just stop giving it to me. Of course we should aim for the bulls eye of His perfect will, but most importantly know the truth that you can't go wrong with Jesus Christ.  #Winning!!

God's Will Permissive Will Winning Jesus Christ Forgiveness Mercy Grace Wisdom Knowledge Christian Blog 

Toot Toot

If we played a highlight reel of all the good deeds we have done, they would still be as filthy rags before God. It may get you a high water mark of Facebook likes, or maybe even some record holding retweet status. I'm sure in all of our horn tooting, we would receive loads of praise, but our hearts would have none. There's a difference between testifying of God's goodness and glorifying of our works.  The Scripture says this:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  Matthew 6:1

So, whether you are giving money, time, or encouragement, make sure you give praise to the One it's ALL about.  Let us not boast about what we have given, but what we have received.

The old life is gone, a new life begins. A fresh start is created new.


Bragging Conceited Self-Righteous Legalistic Facebook Twitter Selfish Pride Haughty Boastful Facebook Likes Self Center of Attention Encouragement Enlightenment Rebuke Reprove Exhort Hypocrites Matthew 6   

What would I do?

I heard a wise man say "Go to your house, right into the privacy of your own bedroom. Put a chair out in front of you and sit in it. Look yourself straight in the eye and ask 'what would you do if you could get away with it?'" Whatever that something is, that is the way God views you. God sees the heart. While man judges you by what you do, God judges you by what you Would do.

Seems a little scary doesn't it? No need to worry though. God knew where your steps would be before you had feet. He knows your frame. He remembers your dust. He knows where you are going, and He can relate with what you are going through. He has been there, but He has not done that. He has bought you at a price and wore a cross in case you do. He is into forgiving you. You are forgiven. Say it loud... I am forgiven.

Soulmate

I remember you in 3rd grade. You had long hair with a cute smile, full of braces that caught my eye. As a crossing guard, I watched you get into your moms car after school. You had my mind wondering where you were off to. In middle school to early high school, I can recall lots of late night talks over the phone. Laughing out loud, trying to be quiet to not wake our parents. We were only children from broken homes, but not broken spirits. We were tougher than life. As life would have it though, we grew apart... but not for long. Even though the road we have walked has made us who we are, we are united once again. Years later, for the completion of His perfect will, we are called together by Someone much greater than Life and life's terms. You have always been special to me. You have always been beautiful to me. You have my eyes, my mind, and now my heart. Looking back, I can now see that I have loved you from the start.  "God blessed the broken road, that led me straight to you."

Temptation

To be swayed away or drawn from the lesser traveled path is a very real battle. It is present in the most lonely, deepest valleys. You can find its traces in the smothering canopy of pink clouds. It is even lurking in the heights of the hallelujah mountain tops. It listens to every murmur. It lies in wait for the most opportune time. No one is exempt from its painted landscape of lies. Resistance is our clarity back to reality. He died for you. He loves you. He lives today.

The old life is gone, a new life begins, a fresh start is created new.

He > me

I have to get to the realization that God is good whether He opens that door or keeps it closed. He knows best. He is good whether it is pouring down rain or if the sun is beaming. He is faithful when I am not. When my heart hurts, I can rest in the fact that He is greater than my heart. Just when I think I can not take anymore, and I am at the end of my rope, I find hope. I find peace. I have found a solid foundation in the midst of my desperation. I have stood on that Rock, and cried in celebration. I have found Him to be trustworthy in tragedy. He is everything that has been good to me. Jesus, my Savior, my Rock on which I stand. He is everything that has been good to me.