"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
-- Galatians 5:26 (NKJV)

Now, more than ever, it is time to heed this advice from Paul.  Our own American society is chock full of egos.  And many of the most admired people are setting a poor example for an impressionable generation of people who are beginning to believe that it is the most cool to be great, or famous, or popular, or rich, or wild and carefree.   One example is we have multi-millionaire athletes demanding more millions while threatening their coaches, or fighting with "fans", or abusing drugs and alcohol, or beating their wives, or refusing to play, etc.  And these attitudes are perpetuated by a large and powerful media that is slowly and systematically making many folks envious of these very poor human characteristics. 

Virtues like honesty, and integrity, and ethical behavior, and humility are considered passe and irrelevent to being "successful" as a human being.  "Look out for number one" and "if it feels good do it" rules the majority mindset today. But, God would desire that we have a servant's heart, that we be humble, gentle, kind, compassionate, loving, and caring.  That we would esteem others as better than ourselves.  I think that it is time that we all concentrate on lifting God and others up while lowering ourselves down.  Today, try talking positively about others without saying a word about yourself.  Then set aside selfishness, conceit, conflict and envy; I am confident you won't be disappointed, but rather, you will be blessed.

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."
-- Philippians 2:3 (NKJV8

Be encouraged, be hopeful, have a blessed day!

"And he arose and came to his father.  But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him."
-- Luke 15:20 (NKJV)

Ah, the story of the prodigal son, a story of true unconditional love.  It is a treasure to be loved or to love like the father of this story.  Here you have a son who asked for his inheritance so that he could leave home and have his own life.  And then the son's reckless extravagence led him to the very depths of poverty.  A level so low as to be less than his father's lowest servant.  So the son returns home hoping that he might be able to have the least job in his father's business.  But instead, the father greets his son with great rejoicing and throws a big party as he welcomes the boy home.  Would you do this for a your child gone astray?  Have you been a child gone astray?

Jesus himself tells this story.  And what would Jesus do?  Exactly as the father in this story.  Grant forgiveness and love which to most of us mere mortals would seem unthinkable or impossible.  But our God is a God of great compassion and love.   And if we are abandoned by all and left with no one but God, it is then that we realize that God is all we need.  There is real freedom that comes from a heart of forgiveness and love like the father for his prodigal son or the Lord for His children.   My hope and prayer for you today, is that you might experience the freedom of God's forgiveness and love and, likewise, extend it to those in your life who need it from you.    

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,"
-- Ephesians 2:19 (NKJV)

Be encouraged, be hopeful, have a blessed day!

"For you did not receive the spirit of again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
-- Romans 8:15 (NKJV)

I wish that everyone would read this scripture over and over again each day until the power of this promise was manifested in every heart and every mind.  Frankly, most people live their lives in to a spirit of fear.  Not a fear for one's life, but fearful of any of a multitude of circumstantial possibilities.  You know, things like insecurity concerning jobs, or relationships, or finances, or health, or looks, or popularity, or love, or the future.  Needless, wasteful worry that diminishes the quality and power of a life that God Himself intended to be blessed.   God desires to adopt us all that we might cry out, "Abba (Aramaic for Father), Father."  Rather than fear, God's adoption provides for comfort, strength, peace, joy, love and all the  desires of a righteous heart; regardless of your circumstances this very moment.  Today, you have the power to break the chains of fear that bind your life; I pray that you will.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
-- 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Be encouraged, be hopeful, have a blessed day!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
-- Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

If you are prone to worrying then you probably shook your head in agreement with this scripture and then promptly returned to worrying.  Other than an unforgiving heart, I do not believe that there is anything thing that wastes more time, causes more pain, or shortens more lives than worry.  You say, "Sounds good, Greg, but you don't understand my particular circumstances."  I do know this, there is no financial problem, no personal relationship problem, no addiction problem, no health problem, no employment situation, no family issue that has ever been nor ever will be resolved or even improved by worry.  Worry pays no debts, mends no hearts, heals no wounds, comforts no grief, provides no shelter, gives no joy, adds no strength, imparts no wisdom, relieves no stress, improves no struggle.  The only thing that worry changes is one's attitude.

You cannot live a victorious life if you succumb to worry.  It simply fixes nothing, no not one thing!  I know people who many would say have "everything"; money, supportive families, many friends, great jobs, beautiful homes and yet, they still worry to the detriment of their health and happiness.  Worry is not socio-economically driven; it can infect anyone anywhere.  And sadly, it is a worldwide epidemic.  The good news is, you do not have to be a slave to worry (no matter what your circumstances), because there is a God who has promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Whenever you are vulnerable to worry, remember His words, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I WILL give you rest." (Matt 11:28)

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
-- Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

Be encouraged, be hopeful, have a blessed day!