Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Envy Makes You Miserable

Did you ever play "King of the Hill"?  You know the game: There's only room for one guy at the top. We’re envious of the person at the top and we like to make others envious of our position.

As adults, we still play that game — we just do it more subtly. "Hey! Look at me!
Notice the car I'm driving, my jewelry, my kids are smarter, the color of my credit card"

But the truth is, envy can make you miserable. It's an expression of insecurity.
When we feel inferior, we get envious.

When I was a kid, I got a new bicycle for Christmas. It had big wide handlebars and a banana seat. I thought I was hot. I was so proud of it until I saw my friend’s bike that was fancier. My joy went down the tubes. I was envious when I compared. 

When I look back, I realize the real problem was my low self-esteem. When we have it, we’ll always feel threatened by people who are more beautiful, better dressed, have more status, more education, and more charisma — or better bikes!

No one is immune to envy, and you probably know from experience that it can make you miserable.

Envy is to your soul what cancer is to your body. It will eat you alive if you don’t watch it.

Envy can cause us to become obsessed with changing our circumstances. We think the answer is more money, so we become consumed with making more money. The problem is that once you get to that level, there's a next level.

If you're motivated by envy, you're going to burn out, because there's always a next level.
Envy is a hidden sin. It is destructive!

It devalues others. It destroys relationships. It causes you to miss out on sharing in much joy, such as weddings, births, or promotions. Instead of being envious, God wants us to be happy when he blesses others.

When you learn to enjoy others' success, you’ll experience a lot more joy.


Talk About It
  • What joyful experience has God made available to you that you were unable to appreciate because of your envy?
  • What can you thank God for today that you already have?

 - Daily Hope

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Leaving the City of Regret

I had no plan on taking this trip but found myself packing. I knew that no good would come out of this journey but the sucky baby in me went anyway -- to the annual “Guilt Trip”.

I got a ticket to fly with “NORTH WISH I HAD Airlines”. I got my tear up baggae which I could not check and carried it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a ton of memories of what might have been. No one greeted me as I entered the feeling crappy terminal to the “Regret City International Airport”. 
As I checked into “Last Resort Hotel”, I noticed that their hosting the city's most prestigious event, the annual “Pity Party”. I heard many of its leading citizens would be there so I wasn’t going to miss out on that.
First, the “Done Family”, you know - should have done, would have done, could have done. Then the big in the industry “I Had Group”, you probably recognize ole wish I had and his entourage. Of course, the dazzling couples Opportunities would be present, Missed Opportunities and Lost Opportunities.
The biggest company is the “Yesterdays”. Too many of them to count but each have a sad story to share.
Then “Shattered Dreams” would surely make an apperance and "Their Fault” would regale us with stories, I mean excuses - about how things had failed in his life. Each story would be loudly applaud by “Don’t Blame Me” and “I Couldn’t Help It”.
Well, to make a long story short, I went to the party thinking that it would help. But as usual, I became depressed.  As I thought about the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that the remainder of this trip and subsequent pity parties could be cancelled by ME!

I realize that I didn’t have to be there.
One thing going through my mind, I can’t change yesterday but I do have the power to make today a wonderful day. I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged , as well as encouraging to others.
So, I left the City of Regret immediately.
Am I sorry for mistakes I’ve made in the past?  Yes! 
But there is no physical way to undo them.
If you’re planning a trip to the City of Regret, please cancel your reservation.  Instead, take a trip to “Newness Town”. It's nice here so I got a permanent resident. My neighbour, “I Forgive Myself” and “The New Starts”  are so kind and helpful.
By the way, you don't need to bring and carry a heavy baggage. All load is lifted upon arrival.
God bless you in finding and living in this great town. When you come, look me up. I live on “I Can” Avenue. You won’t miss it, it’s by the famous Lake Love and Joyful Park across the street.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

New Life

What does it mean to be "born again". 

No amount of going to church, no amount of Bible reading, no amount of praying, no amount of giving, no amount of good works.

We do these things not to get God to do something for us. 
It is because of what God has done for us.

All you can do is take the first step of faith and surrender.

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIz2YlrnI2c

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Wua4HTtOI&feature=relmfu


-J.Meyer

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Characteristics of Humility

Ever think you can handle things on your own?
Do you treat people poorly or you think you are better than them?
 
If the answer is yes to either one, you may be in danger of a very serious issue: pride.
 
Discover how to combat that pride with humility.
 
Part 1:

http://www.joycemeyer.org/BroadcastHome.aspx?video=Characteristics_of_Humility_–_Pt_1

Part 2:

http://www.joycemeyer.org/BroadcastHome.aspx?video=Characteristics_of_Humility_–_Pt_2


-J. Meyer

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Confidence That Conquers

A good teaching about confidence.

There are many people with impressive talents, skills and capability who fail to fulfill things in their lives.

Why?  They lack confidence.

This message teaches a person's confidence level is one of the most reliable predictors of whether or not they will succeed in life.

Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgOEG88Qksk


I challenge you to make a decision today. Begin claiming the promise in Philippians 4:13 as your own. Accept it by faith on the basis of your personal relationship with God and the promises made in the Bible.

Expect to be transformed as the Father reveals His perfect will for your life day by day. Instead of holding back in fear or uncertainty, you can move ahead in confidence that you have His assistance, direction, and provision to fulfill anything He calls you to do.


- Dr. Charles Stanley




Friday, April 6, 2012

A Man's Rib

Woman was made from the rib of man
She was not created from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be stepped upon


She was made from his side to be close to him
From beneath his arm to be protected by him
Near his heart to be loved by him.