Are You Causing Ripples?

 I've always found the ripple effect of water fascinating. It starts with a small disruption, causing motion to take shape throughout the entire body of water, often small, barely detectable movement. If you're not pay attention, you might miss it. However, if you pause for a moment by a pond or lake...you see it, leaves dropping, the wind blowing, a fish swimming, a duck paddling...motioning the water to move.

 We too can cause a ripple effect in the lives of others. One prayer at a time. One kind act of unselfish love...going out of your way to comfort or help someone. A simple smile at a stranger, a hug, a kind gesture, something as small as allowing someone behind you in the grocery store to go in front of you. 

It causes a ripple. 

It shows Christ's unconditional love in a small way. Just enough to stir movement. To brighten the life of another. We may not see it, but acts of unselfish kindness, reveal the love of Christ that is in us. Allowing Him to move in their life through a simple ripple.

 

 Today, pause, look for opportunities to cause a ripple in someone's life.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else,  just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,  just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.

1 Thessalonians: 1:2-5

FREE-Lenny Kravitz & U2 Tickets!

We received free tickets to a U2 & Lenny Kravitz concert. We'd been looking forward to it all day...very excited. I drove (with my lead foot), making sure we'd arrive early. I didn't want to miss Lenny performing. As I was just about to turn into the paid parking ($25.00+) I noticed a sign off to my left which said, $1.00 Parking. In a split second decision, I checked my rear view mirror, ignoring the police waving me forward, swerved across 3 lanes to get into the left hand turn lane. I saw the $1.00 sign & NOTHING else mattered! The tail end of my car, unfortunately didn't make it all the way into the lane, cars were trying to get around me, horns blaring.

The policemen were glaring at us, shaking their heads...as we waited anxiously for the signal to turn green, uncomfortably avoiding their intimidating stares. When the light didnt change after 3 times, the cop started yelling at us. I was part way in the intersection in my attempt to get my rear end out of the fast lane...too far up to trigger the light, and someone was behind me stopping me from backing up. It was very stressful! When the light finally changed, I knew I'd still have to walk past the officer's after we parked. I was feeling incredibly anxious and didn't want to get out of the car. My night of fun was starting out full of stress and anxiety.

Sin can often affect you in the same way, making you feel guilty, believing everyone will know what you did and judge you for it. You start to avoid church, friends and family. You begin to isolate yourself. This is a trick of the enemy. He wants to get you alone, so the people who love you can no longer encourage and help pick you back up and lead you towards Christ's forgiving love.

Eventually I got out of car and reluctantly headed across the street. The police didn't notice or say anything to me as I walked with the crowd of people. I'm sure, had I been alone, it would've been a different story. I'd allowed a rash decision, stress, worry and fear, almost ruin my night.

Don't allow the enemy to continue to deceive you. Recognize his devices and grab hold of the outstretched hand of a friend or loved one. They are not there to judge you for your mistakes. The Lord has placed certain people in your life to help lead you back on the path towards peace, love and forgiveness.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Isaiah 41:9-10 

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today." Exodus 14:13

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 24-25

PRAYER TRIGGERS

I've found there's nothing more important than learning the habit of 'PRAYER TRIGGERS.' This one simple word of advice will be life changing once you begin to form a habit of it. A Prayer Trigger, is something that triggers your brain to instantly pray. When worry, fear, anxiety, doubt, sadness, etc...begins to fill your mind and body, that should instantly trigger you to Pray. No matter where you are, stop what you're doing and say a quick prayer.

example: "Heavenly Father, please remove all these thoughts and feelings that are not of you. Carry my burdens, lift them from me and please fill me with Your complete peace right now, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Prayer overcomes all negative situations, circumstances, emotions and thoughts. Prayer should not only be restricted to the morning and evening. It should be all day. The enemy doesn't limit his attack on you to only certain times. He is filling your mind with negative, self-defeating thoughts constantly. Why should you allow him free reign over you during the day?

Let each negative thought and emotion begin to be your 'Prayer Triggers.' Once this amazing, transforming habit is formed, you will begin to see changes in your daily thoughts. Start today and focus on your personal Prayer Triggers. It's time to let the Lord help you overcome the enemy's devices. You are not alone! He is faithful when you call upon Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Genesis 4:6 "Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? but if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Genesis 28:15 "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

1 Thessalonians 5:6 "So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

Why Is This Happening To Me?

How many times in your life do you ask the Lord, "Why is this happening? I'm a good person, I try to do what's right. I just don't understand why you're not blessing me Lord? Why do I continually go through struggles and trials?

I know I've felt this way. When I began to dig in deep, reading the scriptures daily, praying throughout the day, in all situations...more things were thrown at me. This seemed so unfair, especially when I truly felt that I'd turned my life around and was seeking my Heavenly Father's will daily.

Then I began reading about Joseph. When he was young, he told his older brothers that he had a dream and they would one day bow down to him. As you can imagine, this didn't go over too well. So they threw him into a pit to die, but then had a change of heart and sold him into slavery. They told their father, Jacob (Israel), that he'd died. Joseph however continued to trust in the Lord during his trials. He was given favor as a slave. But his master's wife continued to make passes at him. When he refused, she told her husband that Joseph had come after her to bring shame on her. The master had him thrown into prison for years. All the while Joseph continued to trust in the Lord.

Can you imagine? Our trials are nothing compared to Joseph's, and yet so often, we are ready to give up in the face of them and even get angry with God.

But Joseph trusted in what the Lord had promised him. He eventually became head over all of Egypt, just under the Pharaoh. Joseph was directed by God to save food during their 7 years of prosper, which eventually sustained them when the famine came. Years later, his brothers eventually came to Egypt, seeking food and bowed down before him, just as the Lord had promised Joseph in his youth. When they apologized, Joseph said, "And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." Genesis 45:5
Joseph didn't know God's complete and total plan during his hardships. Just as we don't understand why things are happening to us. But Joseph did know that God had a plan for his life. He wasn't given the complete picture, he couldn't understand what was going on, but I'm sure during those difficult times, God was working out some character flaws, some pride issues, just as He's doing with all of us.

Don't quit, don't give up before you see the glory of all that the Lord has promised you through His living word. He's given us many examples. Most importantly, sacrificing His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we can be free from our sins to fulfill our purpose. Today, in the face of your trials, remember the Lord promises, "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

Something's Got to Change!

Every morning while I'm getting ready, I turn on Joyce Meyer, really loud, so I can hear her all the way in the bathroom. It helps get my mind in shape to start the day. Today's message was so inspirational, encouraging and eye opening. It really hit home. Then I thought, "I think MOST of us fall into this category."

Our live's hit a snag, a stand-still, a brick wall. Whatever you've been dealing with right now...LISTEN/WATCH THIS (it may be the breakthrough you've been waiting for, you wont be disappointed.) CLICK LINK BELOW:

SOMETHING'S GOT TO CHANGE-JOYCE MEYER VIDEO