I believe that a smile is the attribute of a positive attitude, both for yourself and the perception of others.
We don't honor just to get a reward; we honor because it is the heart of God, and it is our delight.
Offended people still may experience miracles, words of utterance, strong preaching, and healing in their lives. But these are gifts of the Spirit, not fruits. We will be judged according to fruit, not gifting. A gift is given. Fruit is cultivated.
Just as Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered, we learn obedience by the difficult circumstances we face. When we obey the Word of God that is spoken by the Holy Spirit, we will grow and mature in the times of conflict and suffering. Our knowledge of Scripture is not the key. Obedience is.
Grace gives us the power to live, and mercy keeps us free from guilt, condemnation, and shame.
God doesn't author hardship but uses it to strengthen us for greater conquests. He never leads us into a storm that He doesn't give us the power to overcome.
I am so tired of criticalness being called discernment. Do you want to know true discernment? Paul said "That your love may abound in all discernment. " When you are willing to die for somebody that is when you are actually discerning them. Jesus could call the Pharisees hypocrites and snakes because he went to the cross and died for them. So the next time you are quote "discerning" about somebody ask yourselves the question could you die for them? If you can`t say yes, you're critical because the love of God is to lay down your life for them, and discernment is rooted only in love. Got it?
I think I was probably always a liar; I just get paid for it now.
Beauty is the moment of transition, as if the form were just ready to flow into other forms.
Being 5' 10, I was supposed to be too short to play college volleyball. So that gave me the hunger and the fire to say, Oh yeah? I'd just hit the crap out of the ball.
I want nothing to do with privilege.