Do All Things For Christ

All people (including ourselves) and all things are imperfect, and therefore they can let us down; but never our Savior.  We can count on Him.  So, do all things for the Lord, with an eye single to His glory.

Get up and try again when we mess up (for the billionth time).  Stay calm and breathe deep for Jesus.  Keep on for Jesus, despite difficult struggles and discouraging events.  Smile for Him (especially when we don’t feel much like it).  Hold onto faith, hope and belief when we feel confused, doubtful or afraid.  Reach for His peace and grace when we feel upset, worried or angry.  Try to have a good attitude and be grateful when we are discouraged or sick.  Forgive when we have been hurt and it is hard to let it go.  Serve our families and others when we are “weary in well-doing”.  Fight (dismiss) compulsions and addictions for the Lord.

Do all things for Him because……..

We are His children, and He wants us to be successful and happy.

 

 

 

 

Cultivating a Calm, Quiet Heart

When I am feeling encumbered, concerned, overwhelmed and fatigued (weary in well-doing and weary of my weaknesses); and when I am feeling like a “Martha” (bustling about, irritated, cluttering my life with things I could let go of — distracted from my priorities and purpose),…….I can sit at the feet of Jesus like did Mary of Bethany and just be still, breathe, and listen.

Or, if I find myself feeling critical and judgmental of others as Martha was (“Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”),  I can accept the Savior’s admonition to stop being “careful and troubled about many things”.   I can take my eyes off of that person (situation or concern) and look to the savior instead.

If I am unjustly accused as Mary was by Martha, I can have a quiet, calm demeanor and not lash back…letting the Savior answer for me and swallow my indignation, defensiveness and pride (realizing that it is about them not about me — and love them despite their unfair rebuke or comments).   When I am blamed, criticized, and judged I can forgive.  It takes more strength to be silent than to speak.  The Savior’s atonement covers our human weaknesses, sins, pains, worries, pride and sorrows.  He makes us whole.

I can show him my burden, like Mary and Martha did when Jesus asked where they had laid Lazarus — “Lord, come and see.”  Here is my weakness, my burden, my worry, my stress.  I give it to you to do what you know is best.  Then, he can comfort, strengthen, heal and bless me — giving me life — a rebirth as he did for Lazarus.

Please see Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:20-45 (KJV)