Kindness makes you happy and happiness makes you kind. The statistics are clear: studies conclude that doing acts of kindness and volunteering makes you healthier. Alan Luke documented his study that concluded that a clear cause-and-effect relationship existed between helping and good health. Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health and it can decrease the psychological and physical effect of diseases and disorders (serious and minor). Performing kind acts reverses feelings of depression and provides a social connection. It also reduces feelings of hostility and isolation that can cause conditions such as stress, overeating and ulcers. These are only a few of the findings. When we do kind acts and help out others, it is beneficial and healthy for our lives. Actually, this reveals what God already knew. When we volunteer and do intentional acts of kindness, we’ll be healthier spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. So as we go through our days, let’s practice kindness whenever and wherever we can.

Just a Thought,
PSS
Legacychurch.com

When you think of all the things that could make you happy, have you ever considered doing kind acts for others as one of them? Studies have shown that doing things for others will cause you to be happier than doing things for yourself. It showed people are actually happier by doing intentional acts of kindness for others than going out and spending money or doing something for themselves. As we give of ourselves in blessing and helping someone else, it will cause more happiness in our lives. Selfishness or not caring for others is a deterrent to being happy. When it comes to God, He really knows what’s best for our spiritual and emotional health. It’s up to us to walk in it. Many people are looking for happiness. Maybe beginning to do kind acts towards one another would be a good start. The Bible says we are to let our light shine before men that our Father in Heaven would be glorified. In return, God helps us as we purpose to please Him. Happier people are kind people and kind people are happier people.

Just a Thought,
PSS
Legacychurch.com

As I conclude the series, “Money Talks,” it has been interesting to hear all of the testimonies that are already coming in from people who have decided to honor God by putting Him first in the area of their finances. The only way to put Him first is to begin to tithe (give Him [the church]) the first 10% of what you make. II Corinthians 9:6-7 talks about giving and the attitude that should accompany it. It’s amazing what can happen in our lives for the good when we obey the Word of God. If our money isn’t right, the other areas of our lives won’t seem to be right either. When we get it right with our money, everything else will work itself out. God wants to be first in every area. In Exodus 20:3 the first commandment God gives says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Anything we put before God immediately takes a position that belongs only to Him. Whatever keeps us from doing what He asks is a violation of the first commandment. In the area of money there seems to be a block or an unwillingness to trust and submit; to be obedient to God’s Word. The Bible says to trust Him in this area and see if He won’t open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing you can’t even contain (Malachi 3:10-11).

Just a Thought,
PSS
Legacychurch.com

In life, one of the major decisions we make is who or what takes first place. For some, it’s family, and for others it’s their job or their children. Still, for others, it’s their hobbies or sports. Bottom line: it’s OUR decision. Even though the above mentioned aren’t bad, the question remains: should they be first place in our lives? I believe the answer is a definite “no”. God and His ways should always take precedence and come first. If God is first, everything else will fall into place. If He’s not, nothing will fall into place. Again, it’s your choice.

Prioritizing God should be reflected in our finances. The first step in making that happen is to return the tithe to Him. The first portion, the tenth, of what you earn is His, and we should return it to Him. We return a tithe and give an offering. When we do, we place God in His rightful place in our lives; first. When that happens, every other area of our lives will start to straighten out. The choice is ours. Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Just a Thought,
PSS
Legacychurch.com

Serving God or mammon…who will you serve?

From Matthew 6:24, Jesus said, “You will either serve God or mammon, but you can’t serve both.” Mammon is the god of riches, stuff, and materialism. Mammon speaks to us and is a spirit that is in the world today. It represents a prideful, arrogant spirit of humanity that says, “We don’t need God, we can do it on our own.” God is our source; He is the one that gives us security, identity, hope, happiness and a future. These are the things that only God can provide. Jesus never told anyone that the answer to their problems was more money! The decision to serve God or mammon lies directly with us. One indicator that reveals who we serve is whether or not we tithe. If we tithe, we are saying God is our source. If we don’t, we are saying mammon is our source. We can’t serve both. So we either serve God or we don’t. So the next time that you get paid, you can choose to serve God or mammon.

Just a Thought,
PSS
Legacychurch.com