July 23: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ADD WISDOM BUT DON'T SUBTRACT LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, AND PURPOSE.

Affirmation: I find balance between giving and receiving.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
“Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. Bring them here to me,” he said. (Matthew 14:16-18)
Pay attention and obey. Such a simple command, and that is all He asks of us. Do this, and let God do His part.~~~~~~~~Ponder, Practice, Personalize: Continue to ponder 1 John 4:16. Pay attention to the verbs John used: Know, Rely, Is, Lives in. Each of these verbs are focused of God’s love. Know it, Rely on it, God is it. Live in it and God lives in you…so much to ponder and  meditate on.


And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 NIV

~~~~~~~
Reading for Today
Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

                       July 23


SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ADD WISDOM BUT DON'T SUBTRACT LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, AND PURPOSE. 

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. 
PROVERBS 13:20 

When I was young and in school, I remember hearing about the president's "cabinet" and assumed he was keeping a secret stash of snacks in the Oval Office. Then I learned the cabinet was a group of people who surrounded the president and offered counsel on how to lead various parts of the government. (I'm still holding on to the idea of snacks too.) 


My wife also knew about the president's cabinet and loved the idea so much that she decided to create one of her own. If it works for the president, she figured it would work for her too. Throughout her adult life, she's had an informal cabinet of five or six people. She's pretty choosy about this group and makes sure it's stocked with people who listen and offer advice without forgetting the role of love and acceptance we all need. None of us outgrows the need to get feedback from other people who see the world differently. But a bunch of naysayers can stymie your progress. Cynics are lightweights. Keep them at a distance. 


I expected to see Sweet Maria's cabinet members help her make wiser deci­sions, but I found something more-something maybe a little bit better: they give us emotional support. When we're wrestling with big life decisions, most npeople want love and acceptance first and information second. When we've failed, we need hugs, not advice. If you happen to be on someone's cabinet, whether they made it official or not, the first purpose of your appointment is to be a terrific encourager. 


Who would be in your cabinet? 


                   

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

July 20: MOST OF OUR DECISIONS ARE DRIVEN BY EITHER LOVE OR FEAR.

Affirmation: I am compassionate. I care about myself and others. (Repeat 10x) “When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.” (Matthew 9:27-31) Our compassion seems to be tied to belief in the Lord. Do you believe He is able to do this? Even more importantly, do you believe the Lord has compassion for YOU? ~~~~~~~ Ponder: Memorize Psalm 25:4-6. Make this your prayer today. This is a prayer for everyone to personalize and practice at any and every moment as you seek to live your best life. Pray this prayer at least 10 times today. “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from days of old.  Psalm  25 :4-6 ~~~~~~~ Reading for Today Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff                ...
Read more

August 22 Sailboat without a Sail…

Affirmation: I am grateful for this body, mind & soul. God made me. I have had times in my life that I questioned God’s existence, His goodness, His love. But my questions never changed the reality of His love for me and it won’t change the reality on your life either. He created you in your mother’s womb. He loves you intensely. ~~~~~~ Ponder, Personalize, Practice: There are many promises in these verses… -the Lord will always guide you -He will satisfy your needs -& strengthen your frame -You will be like a well-watered garden - ruins will be rebuilt -God will you use to repair broken walls & restore streets. Spend time pondering on this these verses. “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, ...
Read more

January 28: Keep Showing Up; You’re The Only You There Is

Affirmation: I am imperfect and I am enough. ~~~~~~~ Ponder and Personalize :  The book of Joshua was written after Moses died and Joshua is left to lead the Israelites into the promised land. God has freed them from slavery in Egypt.  “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, …” What significance does the Book of Law have? Why was it important to meditate on it day and night? Talk to God about this directive and how it might impact you. Joshua 1:8-9 “ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night , so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~~~~~~~ Catching Whimsy: 365 Days of Possibility.  By Bob Goff                        Jan ...
Read more