10 valid needs of people: appreciation

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (Romans 12:10)

This verse speaks of community. As a Christian, I am created and wired for community: to laugh, cry, rejoice, with others. Without community, I am missing something critical to growth. An aspect of living in community is appreciating everyone for their diversity: what they offer and what I can learn from them. I learned to treasure differences not cast them off as if their opinions/views/attitudes don't matter: I'm right and they're wrong.

I believe self centeredness and pride destroy community faster than anything else.  In contrast, humility builds up community.

I want to appreciate others and what they contribute to the body of believers. I also want to honor their efforts.

Appreciation for others is needed in the church today.

The Beauty of Surrender

Surrendering to God is never easy. I fight and fight against what I want instead of what He desires. So what is the solution? What is the key to surrender?

The key to surrender (which leads to peace) is authority: knowing God is who He says He is. Also, peace comes from an active, ongoing, and obedient relationship with God. In order to have complete peace, I must surrender everything to Him. (Luke 14:33) This becomes a reality when I find delight in Him.

 Psalm 37:4 states Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

When I am happy in God, when He satisfies my soul more than anything, and when I am content in Him, God will provide me what I want the most for He satisfies me more than anything.

There is peace and beauty in surrendering to God, but He can't take something that isn't surrendered to Him.

I believe surrender is laying down my pride and control and saying, "God, You are strong enough to take this." I must replace feelings of pride with humility.

That is my prayer: to live a surrendered life and that happens every moment where He is center to everything in me.

I Found My Way Back

Sometimes I lose my way.

I put up a wall where I pretend I'm growing in my faith. Then I say one thing and do the complete opposite.

Hypocrisy.

I'm guilty. I'm not going to hide it or say I'm immune.

Throughout my spiritual journey, sometimes I want to go my own way. It's driven by rebellion and pride. And it works out for a while. Then it backfires. I get caught. That sucks.

It's in the dark times where I recognize my need for God.

I gain strength in the midst of all my weakness. It's all God.

I may, at times, go my own way but I always find my way back to the One who gave it all. :-)

All for HIS glory!