I am blessed with a godly wife. She is willing to do so much for our family. She is definitely a mother any child would want; I am truly blessed. She doesn't just talk about sacrificial love, as a matter of fact, she doesn't talk about it at all. What she does is exemplifies sacrifice.
Another example of this type of sacrifice that I have seen lately is my brother-in-law. My sister broke her ankle, a really bad break, with pins and screws. She will be unable to put any weight on it for a while. I was talking to her last night, asking how things were going and how her husband was doing. She said that he is good, just working, and he has even more to do when he gets home with me unable to do much. You know what he said when she told me this? "Each day is a blessing."
Today's word is 1 Corinthians 13:3, ESV, which reads, "If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."
It's not about the sacrifice; it's about why the sacrifice. It doesn't matter how much you give; it matters how you give. It doesn't matter how much you say you are willing to do; it matters how much you actually do. It's not a matter of the doing; it's a matter of the heart.
I am grateful for the blessings that GOD has bestowed upon me. May I always be willing to LOVINGLY sacrifice.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
In my OWN eyes
I have probably shared before that I used to be a quasi-athlete. I tried really hard and did the best I could but I was mediocre at best. However, the older I get the better I was.
It's strange how perception plays such a vital role in what we think, what we believe, what we do, how we act. It seems, especially in today's society, that if some celebrity says you should be eating this or not eating that, or you should be doing this and not doing that, that everyone thinks that is the way we should think. But, if it's not in GOD'S will, it doesn't matter who says it - it's still wrong.
Today's word is Judges 21:25, KJV, which reminds us about the children of Israel and how they were behaving: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
The children of Israel had no king. The prophets had yet to come on the scene. They had no moral or spiritual leader to tell them, to show them, to explain to them what was right and wrong. So, everyone was doing his or her own thing; everyone was doing and behaving however they wanted. Yet, they had been instructed in The Ten Commandments what was right and wrong.
No matter our perception. No matter what someone else, even celebrities, may tell us. No matter what "everyone else" may be doing, we have GOD'S instructions, The Holy Bible, to direct us and to tell us how to behave. I don't care what everyone else does; I want to do what GOD wants me to do. I want to be found right in His eyes, not in my own eyes.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
It's strange how perception plays such a vital role in what we think, what we believe, what we do, how we act. It seems, especially in today's society, that if some celebrity says you should be eating this or not eating that, or you should be doing this and not doing that, that everyone thinks that is the way we should think. But, if it's not in GOD'S will, it doesn't matter who says it - it's still wrong.
Today's word is Judges 21:25, KJV, which reminds us about the children of Israel and how they were behaving: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
The children of Israel had no king. The prophets had yet to come on the scene. They had no moral or spiritual leader to tell them, to show them, to explain to them what was right and wrong. So, everyone was doing his or her own thing; everyone was doing and behaving however they wanted. Yet, they had been instructed in The Ten Commandments what was right and wrong.
No matter our perception. No matter what someone else, even celebrities, may tell us. No matter what "everyone else" may be doing, we have GOD'S instructions, The Holy Bible, to direct us and to tell us how to behave. I don't care what everyone else does; I want to do what GOD wants me to do. I want to be found right in His eyes, not in my own eyes.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, February 24, 2017
It's Huge
Have you ever had to overcome a really tough situation? I think we all have. One of the things that make difficult situations even more difficult are the doubts and fears that accompany the struggle. As we are going through things, fighting with every last bit of strength we can muster, we begin to wonder how long it is going to last. We begin to doubt that it will ever be over.
I haven't had to face the struggles and trials that others have, but I have had those moments when doubt crept in and I began to wonder how long the trial would last. It is absolutely true that all we can do is take each day one at a time and continue to persevere until the end. I came across something, though, that encourages me to remember that it will all be good in the end...
Today's word is: "If you saw the size of the Blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting."
While we are in the midst of the battle, we can't seem to focus on anything but the battle. We can't seem to draw our attention to anything other than the constant fight before us. Today's word is a reminder to step back, take a breath, and remember what GOD has done previously, how He entered a situation and how it turned out for the better. If we will just take time to remember what GOD has done before, it will strengthen and encourage us to push through what lies ahead.
If you find yourself in the midst of a monumental struggle, don't lose hope. Keep pushing forward. Keep fighting the fight. Keep pressing towards the mark. There is a blessing coming, and it is HUGE!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I haven't had to face the struggles and trials that others have, but I have had those moments when doubt crept in and I began to wonder how long the trial would last. It is absolutely true that all we can do is take each day one at a time and continue to persevere until the end. I came across something, though, that encourages me to remember that it will all be good in the end...
Today's word is: "If you saw the size of the Blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting."
While we are in the midst of the battle, we can't seem to focus on anything but the battle. We can't seem to draw our attention to anything other than the constant fight before us. Today's word is a reminder to step back, take a breath, and remember what GOD has done previously, how He entered a situation and how it turned out for the better. If we will just take time to remember what GOD has done before, it will strengthen and encourage us to push through what lies ahead.
If you find yourself in the midst of a monumental struggle, don't lose hope. Keep pushing forward. Keep fighting the fight. Keep pressing towards the mark. There is a blessing coming, and it is HUGE!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, February 23, 2017
My Tongue
The tongue is an interesting muscle that we all have trouble controlling from time to time. It isn't the biggest muscle or the strongest muscle but it can create some of the biggest messes. Now, the tongue is a wonderful thing: we taste things via the taste buds on our tongue. Contrary to popular myth, we don't taste different tastes on different parts of our tongue; we can sense any taste at any taste bud.
A significant other part that our tongue plays is communication. We use our tongue to form words and sounds. We often use them to form words and sounds that others wish they wouldn't make. We also, from time to time, use our tongue to say words we wish we had never said.
Today's word is a reminder for us all about the extreme power of our tongue: "Beware, sometimes the tongue is quicker than the heart, and words hurt others."
We can find ourselves saying something that the second it comes out we wish we could draw it back. Unfortunately, though, once it is out there - it is out there. We know in our hearts that we shouldn't have said it. We feel in our heart the pain that we know we caused someone else. We want to apologize with heartfelt remorse for our words, but, again, the tongue is powerful and is often deployed without fully considering the repercussions.
I am really working on controlling my tongue and controlling what comes off my tongue. I want to encourage folks. I want folks to know that GOD loves them and has a great plan for them. I want them to know that what others think of you, what others may say about you doesn't make it true. I'm praying that GOD will help me to find a better use of my tongue.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
A significant other part that our tongue plays is communication. We use our tongue to form words and sounds. We often use them to form words and sounds that others wish they wouldn't make. We also, from time to time, use our tongue to say words we wish we had never said.
Today's word is a reminder for us all about the extreme power of our tongue: "Beware, sometimes the tongue is quicker than the heart, and words hurt others."
We can find ourselves saying something that the second it comes out we wish we could draw it back. Unfortunately, though, once it is out there - it is out there. We know in our hearts that we shouldn't have said it. We feel in our heart the pain that we know we caused someone else. We want to apologize with heartfelt remorse for our words, but, again, the tongue is powerful and is often deployed without fully considering the repercussions.
I am really working on controlling my tongue and controlling what comes off my tongue. I want to encourage folks. I want folks to know that GOD loves them and has a great plan for them. I want them to know that what others think of you, what others may say about you doesn't make it true. I'm praying that GOD will help me to find a better use of my tongue.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Don't Stress
"Don't Stress," easily said, harder to do. We all have moments and challenges in our lives that it seems the only appropriate response is to stress over it. I try not to worry about too many things and I really try not to stress too much over anything but, the gray in my hair and the wrinkles on my face would tell you that I have my stressful moments.
There are those times when we seem perplexed and troubled on every side and there seems no way out of any of it. It is these times that causes the stress. If we just knew the when it would end, or the how it was going to work out, or the effort to put forth to make it happen in our time we would be alright. Yet, it doesn't work that way. We, Christians, are to live by faith, not by sight. We are to believe that GOD is working it for our good, even when it doesn't necessarily feel that way.
Today's word is something I came across that reminds us to be faithful: "Stress make you believe that everything has to happen right now. Faith reassures you that everything will happen in GOD'S time."
It is those things that we cannot control that we often stress the most over. It is those things that we cannot control the timing of that we often stress the most over. It is those things that we cannot foresee the outcome of that we often stress the most over. I know - I DO TOO.
But, it is the fact that we want to know the outcome, and we want to know it NOW, that causes us so much stress. I pray that GOD will help me to remember that it is in His timing that all things will work together for my good. I pray that you will feel His presence through your stressful times as well. I pray that we will all faithfully remember that GOD is reminding us - DON'T STRESS.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
There are those times when we seem perplexed and troubled on every side and there seems no way out of any of it. It is these times that causes the stress. If we just knew the when it would end, or the how it was going to work out, or the effort to put forth to make it happen in our time we would be alright. Yet, it doesn't work that way. We, Christians, are to live by faith, not by sight. We are to believe that GOD is working it for our good, even when it doesn't necessarily feel that way.
Today's word is something I came across that reminds us to be faithful: "Stress make you believe that everything has to happen right now. Faith reassures you that everything will happen in GOD'S time."
It is those things that we cannot control that we often stress the most over. It is those things that we cannot control the timing of that we often stress the most over. It is those things that we cannot foresee the outcome of that we often stress the most over. I know - I DO TOO.
But, it is the fact that we want to know the outcome, and we want to know it NOW, that causes us so much stress. I pray that GOD will help me to remember that it is in His timing that all things will work together for my good. I pray that you will feel His presence through your stressful times as well. I pray that we will all faithfully remember that GOD is reminding us - DON'T STRESS.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, February 20, 2017
President's Day
Today is President's Day 2017. President's Day became an official holiday in 1971. While it was originally instituted to celebrate Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays, which are just a few days apart, it has become a day we honor all those that have served this great country in such a great capacity.
With this thought in mind, I want to thank all those who have sacrificed and served our country as President. It is a thankless job, with a never-ending innumerable supply of critics. It seems that no matter what you do in that particular office, you will always make over half the population displeased. I think many people put way too much adoration into who is President and don't remember that GOD is still in control.
Today's word is Psalm 188:8, ESV, which reads, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man."
Man will let you down, always have, always will. Most don't do it on purpose but we are all human and human tendency is to take on too much and often accomplish too little. We have a propensity to rely on others to do things that they never do. But, we can rest assured that GOD will ALWAYS do exactly what He says.
Thanks Mr. Presidents for taking the time to help our country and to serve in such a great capacity. We pray for you daily, and our prayer is that you will rely on GOD to direct your path and your decisions. Happy President's Day!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
With this thought in mind, I want to thank all those who have sacrificed and served our country as President. It is a thankless job, with a never-ending innumerable supply of critics. It seems that no matter what you do in that particular office, you will always make over half the population displeased. I think many people put way too much adoration into who is President and don't remember that GOD is still in control.
Today's word is Psalm 188:8, ESV, which reads, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man."
Man will let you down, always have, always will. Most don't do it on purpose but we are all human and human tendency is to take on too much and often accomplish too little. We have a propensity to rely on others to do things that they never do. But, we can rest assured that GOD will ALWAYS do exactly what He says.
Thanks Mr. Presidents for taking the time to help our country and to serve in such a great capacity. We pray for you daily, and our prayer is that you will rely on GOD to direct your path and your decisions. Happy President's Day!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, February 17, 2017
Pancakes
We like pancakes around our house. It's not that we have them that often, but when we do, we really enjoy them. Whether you use the pancake batter mix or you make the mix from scratch, pancakes are good. However, they can be messy.
The last time we had pancakes, I made them from scratch, and it was messy. First, I had to sift the flour, which made a mess. Then, I had to add other ingredients, including eggs, which made a mess. Then, you had to mix it all together, which, if you mix too aggressively, can make a mess. But, once they come out of the pan, golden brown and ready for butter and syrup, it is worth the effort.
Today's word is 1 Peter 4:8, NIV, which reads, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."
If you get all hung up on the effort of making pancakes from scratch, you will probably not make them very often. As a matter of fact, you'll probably just buy the prepackaged ones that you microwave, which are decent when you're in a hurry but aren't like the real thing coming out of the pan. Yet, even the prepackaged ones are palatable with enough syrup. It seems that pancake syrup, like love, can cover most anything.
If we will love each other deeply, the way GOD intends us to, the way that He loves each of us, we will find that folks make mistakes but we still love them. Much like pancake syrup, once you pour love all over, you can't help but see the goodness in others. Love each other deeply, and go eat some pancakes.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
The last time we had pancakes, I made them from scratch, and it was messy. First, I had to sift the flour, which made a mess. Then, I had to add other ingredients, including eggs, which made a mess. Then, you had to mix it all together, which, if you mix too aggressively, can make a mess. But, once they come out of the pan, golden brown and ready for butter and syrup, it is worth the effort.
Today's word is 1 Peter 4:8, NIV, which reads, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."
If you get all hung up on the effort of making pancakes from scratch, you will probably not make them very often. As a matter of fact, you'll probably just buy the prepackaged ones that you microwave, which are decent when you're in a hurry but aren't like the real thing coming out of the pan. Yet, even the prepackaged ones are palatable with enough syrup. It seems that pancake syrup, like love, can cover most anything.
If we will love each other deeply, the way GOD intends us to, the way that He loves each of us, we will find that folks make mistakes but we still love them. Much like pancake syrup, once you pour love all over, you can't help but see the goodness in others. Love each other deeply, and go eat some pancakes.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)