Tag: Jesus

Back to the Basics…

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

ltalManners

            We are now in the year 2013 and things have changed so much over the past two decades.  Technology has most certainly advanced and the way we go about our everyday life has just been transformed all together.  Right now, for a brief moment, I want to go back to the basics.  Not knocking technology because I think it is great to advance and move forward.  Certain things however, seem to have gotten away from us.  I can remember as a child not having to worry about issues such as obesity.  We played outside literally all day long.  Our parents would have to make us come inside in the evening time.  Now, children, teenagers and even adults are on the computer all the time or playing video games.  They have no concept of what it means to go out and play.  Another issue I’ve noticed and seems to get worse all the time is a matter of respect.  There was a time in my life where I could never imagine anyone asking for something and not saying please or thank you.  Unfortunately, that is not the case in today’s society.    People just seem to feel as though they are entitled and that the world owes them something.  It is sad because first of all, that is not true.  No one owes you anything.  Secondly, whatever happened to the golden rule?  You treat others as you would want to be treated.  Self-reflection is a good measuring tool.  Always consider how you would feel if another person acted the way you act.  Would you be happy with their behavior or would it make you angry.  If it makes you angry then that means that something is wrong.

As adults, we should be role models.  Not only teaching those younger than us proper conduct through our words, but by exemplifying proper conduct in our actions.  It is a known fact that our children will mimic us whether our actions are good or bad.  The same is true of grown-ups.  We should model good behavior by doing kind things for others.  And not allow the actions of other people to cause us to distort the example that we set.  What I mean is, if someone else is being rude or mean instead of copying their behavior you set the example and behave in a manner that is more becoming.

Manners are in our heart.  Interpersonal skills such as listening, opening doors, saying please, thank you, you’re welcome, and sharing with others reveal the good manners in our heart.  These also correspond with the fruits of the spirit.  Manners cost nothing and are priceless.  True indeed, we all have super busy lives, but there is always time for courtesy.  Be polite, say hello, offer help, smile, pay a compliment and use please and thank you.  We have to get back to the basics, so we can be the example that Jesus Christ wants us to be.   #iDeclare #backtothebasics

please and thank you

Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, I thank you for taking me back to the basics.  I repent and ask for your forgiveness in times when I have not displayed pleasant behavior.  I decree and declare that I will operate in love at all times.  I will say please and thank you.  I will be a good example for others.  And I will not allow the behavior of others to prevent me from doing so.  I will purpose in my heart to be the example that Jesus wants me to be.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture:

Luke 6:31 NIV “Do to others as you would have them do to you”

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Two Simple Letters…N-O!

Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

NO

Learning how to say no is one of the most difficult but most powerful lessons one can learn in life.  It’s funny because on the flip side, hearing no can also be one of the most difficult but most powerful things to hear.  This goes for children and adults.  We have a tendency to want what we want, when we want it.  As a parent, what I would call that is being spoiled. The desire to have is not always bad, but you have to know that everything you want is not necessary what you need.  God taught me this about a year after I graduated with my undergrad degree.  I got a job that I thought I had always wanted and ended up being so miserable.  He gave me what I wanted to show me that it was not what I needed.  If we would learn this concept, then I think it would be easier to receive it when someone tells you no.  I can also remember praying on multiple occasions asking God for this or that and when I did not get it, I would actually get angry because I did not understand why He was telling me no.  In fact, God wasn’t even telling me no, it was more of a not right now.  My inability to see beyond my present situation caused me to want something I thought was good, when God had great waiting for me around the corner.  Stop letting two simple letters make you feel like is the end of the world.  Whether you hear no from God or from man, take it in stride and learn from it.

We also have a tendency to shy away from telling people no.  Yes, we should help people.  Yes, we should bless them.  And yes, there are some times when we will have to be willing to say no.  It’s as simple as that.  Some times your no is what people need to hear because they have been told yes their whole entire life.  Every time they have ever asked for anything, they have gotten accustomed to getting what they want.  Saying no is a way to humble them.   It brings them back to reality.  Not to mention the fact that saying no gives your ‘yes’ that much more power.  If you say yes all the time, how powerful is it really?  A lot of times this could even cause you to be taken for granted.    Why are we so afraid to tell folks no?  I keep thinking about it and even as I write this I still do not know.  Is it because we are afraid to hurt their feelings or disappoint them?  Is it because we want to please people?  Is it because we feel as thought they will reject us?  Are we afraid of what the response will be?  I’m sure there are several reasons.  Nevertheless, I’ve learned that when we say yes to everyone all the time, there are instances when we could possibly be rejecting our self.  It is ok to bless others as I’ve mentioned before.  Selfless service is always great.  On the other hand, what’s not so great is doing so much for others that you completely forget about yourself.  If something happens to you, then what?

Just my thoughts that I wanted to share.  I hope you will truly think about them.  Ask God to increase your spirit of discernment as well as to open your spiritual ears so that when you are pulled on by others to do this or that, you will know which direction you should be going on instead of allowing kindness to get the best of us.  Never allow your kindness to be mistaken for a weakness.  We allow our emotions to get the best of us and put us in situations at times that we were never meant to be in.  If we are truly in tune with the spirit and the voice of God and our discernment is heightened we will know how to not only react but respond to people accordingly.  All in all, if you think about it, two simple letters N-O can truly be empowering.  I am not saying tell everybody no from now on.  I am saying when you say yes to others, make sure you are not saying no to yourself.  More importantly, make sure you are listening to the voice of your Father and being lead by His spirit and not your emotions. #iDeclare #twosimpleletters…N-O!

ltal365NO

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you God for the power you are showing me behind these two simple letters.  Please God help me to say yes when and only when it is according to your will.  Give me the strength to say no when I should and not concern myself with how other people will respond.  I decree and declare that my spiritual ears are opening and my discernment is growing day by day.  I will not tell someone yes unless I am sure I am being lead by the Holy Spirit.  Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayer, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

Scripture Reference:

Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Proverbs 16:3 NIV “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Matthew 6:33 KJV “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Don’t Worry Be Happy

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

worry

“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27 NASB).  Life is full of uncertainties and will be until the day we leave this earth.  The issue is that it seems to be human nature for people to constantly worry.  What we have to do is learn how to bring your mind, body and spirit under subjection.  If a problem can be solved, why worry about it?  And vice versa, if a problem cannot be solved why worry about it?  It’s simply a matter of putting things into perspective.  I can say that a lot of times when an issue presents itself in my life, the first thing I tend to do is try to figure out a solution.  I try not to spend too much time focusing on the problem itself, although there have been some times when I have allowed my emotions to get the best of me.  Hindsight is 20/20 and I can honestly say in those times when I let my emotions get the best of me, besides feeling horrible on the inside I lost a wonderful gift that God gave me, time.  Time where I could have been happy, time I could have had joy, time I could have been at peace.  I’ve said before how precious time is and of course we know, once it is gone we can never get it back.  In addition, think about all the other irrational things our emotions can make us do.  All for what?  A situation that nine times out of ten we have no control over.  Or the control that we do have over it will not solve anything by wrecking your nerves over it.

Here’s something I want you to do, think about an issue you were worrying about a year ago today.  If you can even remember something from that long ago, you can probably see how that situation has now been turned around.  It is tough to see it while you’re going through, but as the saying goes, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.  I encourage you to focus on that light.  Don’t worry about anything.  Instead we must pray about everything.  As you focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, trust God.  Give your burdens to the Lord and He will take care of you.   Walk in the joy, happiness, love and peace that God gives.  Find comfort and peace through Scripture that promises you hope and a future.  Gain knowledge on how to live free from worry by meditating on the Word and casting your cares upon Jesus! #iDeclare #dontworrybehappy

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Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to say thank you.  Thank you for life, health and strength.  Please help me God to not worry.  I decree and declare that I will trust you at all times.  I will walk in peace, love and joy at all times no matter what may be going on around me.  I will not lose precious time by worrying, instead I will focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and trust you with my whole heart.  Instead of worrying, I will pray.  Thank you God for increasing my faith.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT “ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV “ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”