Everyday is a Gift, Open and Enjoy It.Written by Barbara White
There is a bottle of perfume sitting on my dresser that I was given when I was ten years old! As you can tell I have pack rat tendencies! For me that pattern started as a young child. I could never bear to throw things away. There was more to it than not wanting to throw things away. I loved feeling I had when I would receive something new, and would not want to spoil it by using it unless it was for something special. I would want to save it for a special occasion. A new dress would sit in closet, until a special event to wear it. Perfume would sit on my dresser, not to be used for everyday, but for a special ‘something’. This was a pattern in my life for many years. Recently though I’ve realized that this is not best perspective to live life. I don’t want to be like that woman on Titanic, who when was being lowered into lifeboat said…”If I’d known this was going to happen I would have had that Chocolate Mousse dessert.” This reflects a view of life that speaks a lie. It is a false belief that if I enjoy something now, I won’t be able to look forward to anything good like that in future. This belief steals joy from living in present, and also lies to me about what future might hold. Often it takes sad or traumatic situation to cause a person to stop and take stock their life’s perspective and lifestyle. For example, let me tell you how it happened for Ruth. One day, out of blue, Ruth got one of those devastating ‘phone calls’ that we all dread receiving. Her sister Jane had passed away unexpectedly. Ruth went over to home to help her brother in law with sad task of preparation for funeral. They were in bedroom deciding on clothes Jane would wear as she was laid to rest. He pulled out of drawer some beautiful lingerie wrapped in tissue. Ruth gasped as she saw astronomical cost on price tag. “Jane bought this in Paris 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. I guess this is it.” he said. It was exquisitely, handmade in silk, with a delicate cobweb of lace .As he slammed drawer shut he said something that changed Ruth’s life for ever. “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion!
| | Our God of More than EnoughWritten by Daniel N Brown
Copyright 2005 Daniel N BrownThere is no shortage in abundance of blessings we are promised as God's children. We should expect to receive from Him if we believe promises He's given us in His Word. To believe otherwise is to show that we have no confidence in God's word. This would indicate that we believe that He lied when He gave us these promises and throughout Bible, we are told over and over again that God cannot lie. Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Our God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or even think, according to power that works in us." This power is our faith. Our faith in God! It is by faith we receive from Him, for Jesus said, "According to your faith let it be unto you" (Matt 9:29). So where is your faith? God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you can ask or even think! If you are ever going to experience fullness of God's blessings in your life, you must absolutely believe in His ability, and willingness, to bless you outrageously. Many people will say, "Well, it's not all about me." That's exactly right. We were put here for God's pleasure (Rev 4:11). What is his pleasure? To bless, care for, and prosper His children. We bring Him honor and glory when our lives are fruitful, for He takes pleasure in prosperity of His children (Psalm 149:4).
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