Opened Eyes

Gratefulness

Gratefulness is more than a temporary emotion; it's a heart posture towards God. When life throws us a curveball, it's easy to forget that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). But it's true just the same. Let's give thanks when we see the positives and when we don't quite understand how it's working for our benefit, because we know we are to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We have a loving Father in Heaven that loves to give good gifts to his children. We can trust that even when we don't understand, He is in control and is working it out for us. What are you grateful for today? Book reference: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

The Call to Pick Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

When Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24 that in order to be his disciples we must pick up our cross and follow him, he isn't describing a burden we must bear. He is simply asking us to think twice about our level of commitment to Him. Are we willing to give up our self-centered desires and our own path in life? Are we willing to surrender absolutely every area of our life to God? He reminds us in Matthew 16:25-26 that "whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." What are you willing to lose to follow Jesus? The reward is worth the price!

Storms Serve a Purpose

How many of you jump up and down and praise the Lord during a trial in your life? Not many of us do, but the Bible tells us that we should consider it joy whenever we face trials because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3) Storms may seem unexpected, but they serve a purpose in our spiritual growth. Instead of acting surprised, we should ask the Lord for the strength to get through and realize He is working it out for our good.

Where Are you Going?

Heaven or Hell, it's just that simple. When you die you will go somewhere. Where are you going to end up? Why would you gamble with eternity? Accept the free gift of salvation today. Tomorrow might be too late. Romans 10:9-10 "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." John 14:6 "Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Where Is Your Foundation Built?

To call someone "Lord" is to acknowledge their authority in your life. Are you leading your own life or is Jesus leading it? Are you standing on a firm foundation or a foundation that may look good, but quickly collapses when the storms come? If you woke up this morning, God is giving you a chance to get it right. Build your foundation on the rock of Jesus Christ today! Luke 6:46-49 The Wise and Foolish Builders “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."