Romans 5: 1-5
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perservervance; perseverance , character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint disappoints us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who he has given us."
Sounds of Blackness - Optimistic lyrics
Keep, keep On.... Never Say Die....
When in the midst of sorrow
You can’t see up when looking down
A brighter day tomorrow will bring
You hear the voice of reason
Telling you this cannot weigh me down *
No matter how hard reality seems
Just hold on to your dreams
Don’t give up and don’t give in
Although it seems you never win
You will always pass the test
As long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
Be optimistic
If things around you crumble
No, you don’t have to stumble and fall
Keep pushing on and don’t you look back
I know the storms and strife
Cloud up your outlook on life
Just think ahead and you'll be inspired
To reach higher and higher.
You’ll always do your best
If you learn to never say never
You maybe down, but you’re not out.
Don’t give up and don’t give in
Although it seems you never win
You will always pass the test
As long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky (you can win child!)
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
Be optimistic
Don’t you let no body stop you.....
Be optimistic
You can win, Yes
Never say die....
Galatians 6:9,10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Jennifer Lopez what is love with lyrics ( sing along ) new 2009
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.
Jennifer Lopez what is love with lyrics ( sing along ) new 2009
Ecclesiastes 2:10,11
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind, nothing was gained under the sun.
Related Links:
Open Heart- Love, Lust and Life
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind, nothing was gained under the sun.
Related Links:
Open Heart- Love, Lust and Life
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one from the one who want to borrow from you.
43You have heard that it was said,'Love you neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on evil and the good, and sends rain in the righteous and the unrighteous.46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not eve tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do even pagans do that? 48Be perfect therefore, as you heavenly Father is perfect."
43You have heard that it was said,'Love you neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on evil and the good, and sends rain in the righteous and the unrighteous.46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not eve tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do even pagans do that? 48Be perfect therefore, as you heavenly Father is perfect."
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "when you pray, say:
" 'Father,
hallowed be you name,
your kingdom come.
3Give us eah day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who
sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.' "
The withered fig tree.
Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it," may you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, I you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to his mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Matthew 19:16-22
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, "Don't not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do no five false testimony, honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
LL&L two cents:
Some people look at this scripture and see a greedy young man but for some reason my heart goes out to him. The first sentence helps to see another side; this man made time to talk with Jesus. He really wanted to know how to have eternal life so instead of going to a priest or making up an answer that suits his sensibility he when to Jesus instead. He had wealth and at the very least some spirituality; still he knew there was something missing and he wanted to do something about it. Without anyone else telling him he knew that following the commandments was not enough, he was starting to notice a void and recognized that it would only be filled spiritually. He really wanted an answer, but did not like the answer he received so he walked away unchanged and sad.
Though I have respect for the rich young man I still think he missed two major points: he already did what was required to have eternal life, and it was his choice if he wanted to pursue perfection. The young man asked Jesus which commands had to be followed to achieve eternal life and Jesus named 6 commands. Just in case you don't know the bible is filled with commands, too many to count. There were 10 commandments, but there were many rules and laws that God's people were to follow. The laws were supposed to be enforced but it was a small part of a big plan that God had from the beginning; a plan that includes salvation for us and a strong and healthy relationship with Him.
Something else that catches my attention is when Jesus said, "There is only One who is good…" This was in response to the young man asking, "…what good thing must I do to seek eternal life…" When you have some time just meditate on the first three sentences, Mt 19:16, 17; say them out loud a few times, say them silently to yourself, ask yourself why would the young man ask that question, ask yourself what did Jesus mean, say a silent prayer asking God for clarification and then just sit still, clear your thoughts, focus on your breath and be still. Try to meditate on this for 5-30 minutes………………or just skip ahead and read what I think.
I think that God does not expect us to be perfect; we put that on ourselves and then blame Him when we find out that perfection is impossible. All He expects from us is to love him with our whole heart, body, mind and soul and he wants us to love our neighbors as we love of selves. Sometimes I think we switch that command around: to love our friends and family with our whole selves and we love God as we love ourselves (half hearted, unconsciously and conditionally). The problem with that is without God we are incomplete and we will have a void in our lives. A void that we will try to fill with other things: big homes, job promotions, perfect parenting or even harmful pursuits like drug abuse. I believe that without God in our lives it is impossible to ever achieve balance.
I'm sure you've heard the saying that money is the root of all evil and so some Christians believe that you are far from God when you desire wealth. I don't believe that it is wrong to acquire or desire wealth. 1 Timothy 6: 10 helps to articulate my understanding about wealth, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." The bible communicates that it is difficult to balance pursuit of wealth with worshipping God but as Jesus states in later in Matthew 19:26, "…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Our separation from God is not because of wealth and is not because we sin. The separation comes when we try to do things without God. One of the major pitfalls in our relationship with God is that man has limited resources and capabilities. When we attempt to go it alone it is hard to see God' promises fulfilled, hard to believe that "…with God all things are possible." The more activities that we exclude God from, the harder it is for us to trust Him.
I believe that most people live out of balance. Sometimes in the chaos of life or because of strong attachment to a dream or goal it is easy to forget that you have many different needs. Our life is consists of many parts: seeking spiritual and ethical answers, maintaining mental and emotional health, meditating to achieving awareness, learning and experiencing from other cultures, maintaining or obtaining physical wellness, improving your and finding new talents, acquiring knowledge through education and excelling in a career, earning and managing money, exploring your passions, conquering your fears, and maintaining loving relationships. If you go through life unaware of the world around you will become detached from yourself and become unable to recognize when a need goes unmet. The solution is simple; if you want a balanced and fulfilling life seek God with your whole heart.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me with all your heart.
I will be found by you…"
Romans 5:1-11
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that sufferings produces perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
LL&L 2cents:
If you celebrate Easter don't forget to take some time to reflect on the meaning:
- Through your faith you are absolved of sin and you are free from guilt.
- Know that you are at peace with God.
- When struggling with hardships reflect on the Jesus' suffering and on all the good that came from it
- Always hold on to hope, it will never disappoint.
- God's abundant love is always with you.
- God will go through great lengths to demonstrate His love.
- Remember that God shows His love to you even if you turn away from Him.
- You are saved and free from condemnation; take comfort in that.
- Cherish your relationship with God; never forget how much he loves you.
- Thank the Lord for his sacrifice and all of your blessings.
Psalm 8
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
You put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8, A visual meditation
This is what the Lord says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
But blessed is the man who trusts in the lord, whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.But blessed is the man who trusts in the lord, whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
LL&L's two cents:
A person, who depends solely on themselves or on other people, will eventually turn away from God. We are suppose to work hard for the things that we need and want out of life, but each person is very limited in their strength and resources. God is without limits and has infinite strength. Without trusting Him we will eventually become lonely, desperate and blind. Have you ever met someone who to you seems rich, talented or beautiful but they can’t seem to see it themselves? I’m sure we’ve all been there. We work hard to aquire things that we've already attained, and we don’t take time to celebrate our accomplishments; even when we are surrounded by love from our families or friends we can still feel alone.
Without confidence in God’s love and power you can be happy, but happiness is circumstantial and fleeting. Happiness comes when something new and exciting comes into your life, but soon its value and excitement depreciate and you need a new and shinier thing. Joy comes from your soul and never wanes. Joy happen when we connect to our true selves, when we experience the presence of God and we look at the world and appreciate the beauty in all things. Joy comes from trusting and God and through mindfulness.
If you want to trust God more you should pray more, asking for his help on specific matters and keep a prayer journal. Highlight a prayer every time God comes through and you will understand why you should trust him. To experience mindfulness, meditate more; start with breathing meditations and read books that will help you understand how to sit with your thoughts, feelings and perceptions. A joyful man is a faithful man; when troubles come you will be confident that everything will work out and that you are already equipped with everything you need.
“The heart is deceitful above all things”; more deceitful than the mind, the eyes or the tongue. Your heart tries to convince you that all of your motives pure, and it dictates what your only option when it is time to make a decision. Can you ever think of an incident where listening to your heart got you into a lot of trouble?
No your heart is not evil. It also possesses honesty and sincerity. All I ask is the you make sure you are also trusting God as much as you trust yourself. You will hear people say, “God knows my heart” and they are correct. God is the only one that knows your heart completely. Our job is to guard are hearts so that it stays as pure as possible, and to trust God with your life: trust that he loves you, trust that he will answer your prayers, trust that he wants you to have an incredibly fulfilling life, trust that he will guide you towards your purpose, and trust that he knows you very well.
Jeremiah 17:10 states that God examines our hearts but rewards us by what we do. Don't worry about what is hiding in the shadows of your heart. Instead focus on the good deeds; when you don't feel like doing the good you know you ought to do, DO IT ANYWAY, and your heart will catch up eventually.
