“A father is tender and kind to his children. In the same way, the Lord is tender and kind to those who have respect for him. He knows what we are made of. He remembers that we are dust. The life of human beings is like grass. People grow like the flowers in the field. When the wind blows on them, they are gone. No one can tell that they had ever been there. But the Lord’s love for those who have respect for him lasts for ever and ever. Their children’s children will know that he always does what is right.” Psalm 103:13-17
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The Man Was Focused on the Familiar, But Jesus Was Focused on his Future
“Later, Jesus went to Jerusalem for a special Jewish festival. In Jerusalem there is a pool with five covered porches. In Aramaic it is called Bethzatha. This pool is near the Sheep Gate. Many sick people were lying on the porches beside the pool. Some of them were blind, some were crippled, and some were paralyzed. One of the men lying there had been sick for 38 years. Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been sick for a very long time. So he asked him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered, “Sir, there is no one to help me get into the water when it starts moving. I try to be the first one into the water. But when I try, someone else always goes in before I can.” Then Jesus said, “Stand up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Immediately the man was well. He picked up his mat and started walking. The day all this happened was a Sabbath day. So some Jews said to the man who had been healed, “Today is the Sabbath. It is against our law for you to carry your mat on the Sabbath day.””
John 5:1-10 ERV #throwback2018 @CTCHuntington
Your Response Matters
People are always watching and listening, whether we realize it or not. They may not remember every word we say, but they will remember how we respond when life gets difficult. Our reactions to adversity, setbacks, and challenges often speak louder than our successes. Someone is learning from your example, drawing strength trom your perseverance, or being influenced by your attitude. That’s why our response matters. The way we handle life’s difficult moments can either inspire hope, demonstrate character, and encourage others—or do the opposite. Be mindful, because your response may be making a bigger impact than you know.
You Are Uniquely and Wonderfully Made
You are uniquely and wonderfully made. You were created on purpose, for a purpose. You have meaning, value and worth!
Once upon a time, some animals wanted to start a school. They decided the courses would include running, climbing, swimming, and flying. Then they decided that all of the animals should take all of the courses.
That’s where the problem started.
The duck was better than his teacher at swimming, but he only made passing grades in flying and was very poor in running. So they made him drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his webbed feet to be badly worn, and his grade dropped to average in swimming. But everybody felt less threatened and more comfortable with that—except the duck.
The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but because of so much makeup work in swimming, he caught pneumonia and had to drop out of school.
The squirrel showed outstanding ability in climbing, but he was extremely frustrated in flying class because the teacher insisted that he start from the ground up rather than the treetop down. He developed charley horses from overextension, so he only got a “C” in climbing and a “D” in running.
The eagle was the problem student and was disciplined for being a nonconformist. For instance, in climbing class he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but he insisted on flying to get there. Finally, because he refused to participate in swimming class, he was expelled.
As you might imagine, the animals’ school didn’t work.
Different animals are designed to excel in specific areas, and they can’t be expected to do all the other things. A duck is made to be a duck—not anything else.
It’s the same for people. God has designed each person different from all the others. When you expect everyone to fit in the same mold, the result is frustration, discouragement, mediocrity, and failure.
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to someone else. This creates either pride or feelings of low self esteem.
It’s so easy to get frustrated. I get frustrated with you because you’re not like me and I get frustrated with myself because I’m not like you.
Or we experience the Imposter Syndrome-we are familiar with this and have in some form or the other felt or experienced this.
However, Ephesians says that we are the workmanship of God created beforehand for good works.
Workmanship is where we get our word—poem. It signifies a work of art. It as if when you were born God picked up a pen and started writing your life story or started painting a picture of what your life was going to be.
You are a unique masterpiece. You are a unique creation.
No one else is exactly like you.
It’s your shape that makes you uniquely you.
S-strengths: what you have developed over time that you are good at.
H-heart: what you desire, what is important to you, what you hold near and dear and value.
A-abilities: what you are good at that comes naturally.
P-personality: your basic nature, how and why you do what you do.
E-experience: what you have encountered that has now become something that you have built upon.
Don’t dare compare—you are a unique masterpiece—you be you!
Small Habits Can Make A Big Difference
Small choices.
Small habits.
Small adjustments.
Small contributions.
Over time, they can create massive change.
A degree here, a step there, a little extra effort each day—and eventually you look back and realize those “little things” have shaped your entire life.
Never underestimate the power of consistent, quiet contributions. Tiny shifts today can create a completely different tomorrow.
#inspirational #metanoia #hope #perspective
It Takes Wisdom to Wait
It Takes Wisdom to Wait…
1. Wait before you speak when you don’t know the entire story.
2. Wait before drawing conclusions when you don’t have all the facts.
3. Wait before responding, giving others the opportunity to speak first.
“Assumption is a fragile frame of reference.”
> Pause before making assumptions.
> Pause before making accusations.
> Pause before causing an argument.
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
#inspirational #metanoia #hope #fyp #perspective
Attitude Is Everything
Joseph could have pouted in the pit, pleaded his case at Potiphar’s house or protested at the prison, but instead he kept the right attitude and was promoted to the palace at the exact right time. He treated people who had mistreated him—well and he handled situations that had been mishandled—well. Therefore, he went from the pit to the palace all by God’s hand and all in God’s timing. #inspirational #metanoia #hope #fyp #hope
WAITING
Tom Petty gave us the song that says, “The waiting is the hardest part”, and I think that I would have to agree with Tom. Waiting is never easy, especially when you are waiting on God to move or you are waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. You’ve prayed and you have believed but yet there is no answer, or no tangible manifestation of what you are believing for– no evidence of what you desire to see come to pass or to take place. Mary and Martha were in this same position and they were friends with Jesus! They had had moments of enjoying one another’s company and they had shared conversations over meals together. They had done life and shared numerous experiences, but this one was different. Lazarus their brother had been sick and is now dead, so they call for Jesus. The problem is, He shows up 4days later. Nevertheless, He was right on time! He raises Lazarus from the dead. And, after several personal dialogues of questions being asked and questions being answered—everyone is happy and God is glorified. Even though Jesus showed up late—He was still right on time! Even though it doesn’t happen the way you had planned it or how you thought it should happen– You can trust the timing of God!