Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Only believe:

We serve a God who is able to do abundantly above all we could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). He is also the God of the impossible (Matthew 19:26). If we would ever believe that, we would never be hopeless. I heard a preacher say we don’t need to be hopeful if we are hope filled.

Hang on:

God is hope: He doesn’t have hope; He is hope. We need to hang onto hope so we don’t ever become hopeless. We have to work in this very dark, ungodly world to continue to hope, even through our worst moments, our worst days, and our worst mistakes! God is a God of hope. We need to possess hope. The Bible says hope deferred (put off) makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).

Choose hope:

There is always a choice to hope, to see light at the end of the tunnel. So, we can’t afford to have our hope deferred, put off, cast off. In fact, faith is the substance of things hoped for. We please God by our faith, by believing Him and His word. So, no matter what you are facing or what you have done, there is hope.

So, let’s continue to have expectations that our circumstances can get better.

Just a thought,

PSS

Have you ever thought about what it means to be an influencer? John Maxwell said, “Leadership is about influencing people to follow, while management focuses on maintaining systems and processes.”

Maintaining:

I think it is very sad that too many believers fall into the maintaining camp instead of influencing people to follow Christ. If all we do is maintain our faith, we will eventually start moving in the wrong direction. We need to become learners and keep growing, moving forward with God. So, to be an influence on people and the culture, we need to stand.

Being consistent:

1) We must consistently stand on the word of God and never back off, regardless of what the world says, what the culture says.

2) We must be consistent in our faith and walk before the Lord.

3) We must become lifelong learners.

Learning:

Even God cannot teach the unteachable. We must remain teachable and be willing to learn. Part of learning is to be able to say, “I was wrong” or “I didn’t know.” God can and will get us whatever information we may need if we are willing to learn, grow, develop!

So, let’s allow God to make us all influencers for good in this lost, dark world and to help people know there is a loving God waiting to help if we are willing to change and repent.

Just a thought,

PSS

In our culture today, tearing down people, wanting to see people fail, being critical seem to be the norm — a culture that rejoices at others’ shortcomings, at their failures. Success has almost become a dirty word. 

If you won’t work, you shouldn’t eat:

People today (this culture) violate the 10^th commandment —Thou shall not covet. The spirit of covetousness wants others to lose or fail so we can have their success and possessions. We are so concerned with what others possess and how much money they have, and some believe they have the right to someone else’s hard work and sacrifice and success. These people didn’t earn it, but for some reason believe they deserve it. People want to depend on handouts, government, anything except God.

Godliness with contentment:

When you depend on God, you won’t covet what others have. You won’t rejoice when others fail or make a mistake. You will look to God and strive to learn to live content in whatever situation you might find yourself. We really need to begin to depend on God and His word. When we do, our lives will be better and enriched by the power of the Holy Spirit. But it’s always our choice.

Choose this day whom you will serve.

Just a thought,

PSS

Attitude: a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something. Typically, one that is reflected in a person’s behavior. A way of behaving. It can also be an emotional state that’s counterproductive to our desired result. No doubt everyone has attitude. The question is, Is it a good attitude or a bad one? 

Good tude:

Here are some examples of a positive attitude: 1) changing our perspective (our perspective has a powerful influence on our life and happiness), 2) smiling and being kind to others, 3) practicing compassion, 4) not taking things personally, 5) being happy for others’ success.

Bad tude:

Some people have a bad attitude toward work, a person. Here are some examples of a bad attitude: 1) being rude to coworkers or those in authority, 2) not taking responsibility for our mistakes. People with bad attitudes are described as: aggressive, arrogant, belligerent, blunt, callous, critical, cynical, dishonest, distant, envious, guarded, hostile, indifferent, intolerant, pessimistic, prejudiced, prideful, resentful, rude, selfish, suspicious, apathetic, untrusting.

We all have attitude. The reality is, we can choose our attitude. If we find ourselves having a bad attitude, we can change it. If we have a good attitude, we can grow in it.

We all have attitude, but which will we choose? I hope we all choose a good attitude.

Just a thought,

PSS

Way too often we use our words to hurt and destroy others. Our words are powerful; they are full of death and life. We should use them to bless and encourage others, not to cause them pain. 

It spreads like wildfire:

Gossip is defined (Cambridge Dictionary) as: conversation or reports about other people’s private lives that might be unkind, disapproving, or not true. Gossip has destroyed more people, tarnished more reputations, broken more friendships, and split more churches than any sin I’m aware of. Gossip is quickly told, quickly heard, and quickly spread. Worst of all, gossip is quickly believed.

It is denied:

People will confess to stealing, lying, adultery, even murder. But no one confesses to gossip. God’s word teaches us to believe the best in people. The devil, who is a liar and slanderer, comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. He is the author of gossip and everything that causes people to be so insecure.

It is destructive:

We should not gravitate toward gossip or enjoy someone else’s demise. We don’t rejoice at injustice or someone else’s issues. We should seek to help and encourage. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Let’s use our tongues and words to encourage, to help, and to restore others.

Let’s ask God to heal us and put a guard over our mouths and ears, so we won’t allow gossip to come from our mouths or get into the inmost parts of our being.

Just a thought,

PSS