Have you been tempted lately? By what? How did you react or respond?
I have been sorely tempted recently. It was a scary situation, to be honest. The enemy wanted to ensare me. He knows our weaknesses and our vulnerabilities, and plans his attack directly on that area of our life.
Just as Lazarus needed the people to untie him from the bondage of his bandages, so we need others to help us to set us free, for we cannot help ourselves sometimes.
Dr. Tony Evans spoke about being free and our right to be free tonight on his program. He shared how the Israelites kept wanting to go back to Egypt. Isn't that exactly what we do sometimes? We are drawn back to oppression; whether it be overeating, drug or alcohol abuse, or an unhealthy relationship.
When are we going to appreciate the freedom that Jesus died for us to live in? Jesus said that He came to set the captives free. What are you captive to, dear one? What is there in your life that is trying to ensnare you?
Jesus conquered the enemy and so can we, through His power. We are more than conquerers and we can overcome any temptation, just as Jesus did. Make no mistake, the enemy will never stop trying, but we have a power greater than he within us. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4). Be encouraged today, and fight the enemy and he will flee, and while you're at it, help set someone else free today too!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Do You Know What Faith Is?
There are lots of ideas out there these days about faith. What is it exactly? Where does it come from? How can you make it work for you?
Webster’s dictionary defines faith as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof and as “a belief and trust in and loyalty to God.” Faith is the positive belief that everything will turn out for the best, even when things seem hopeless. The Bible says that “Faith is being sure of the things we hope for but have not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
The key here, I think, is to ask ourselves the question "What do I put my faith in?" Am I putting my faith in my job, my abilities, my strengths, or in something or someone higher and stronger? Eventually, we all come to the end of ourselves when we realize we cannot make some things happen on our own; that is when the revelation comes in that there must be a greater power out there in the universe that is in total control and totally loves us. It is what the 12-Step folks refer to as 2nd Step: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
I call this higher power God. I believe that if we put our faith and our trust in God, He will take care of us and see us through any storm in our lives. God is faithful. He is more than able to take care of any situation that arises and in fact, He allows many situations to arise to test our faith and to increase it. I don't know about you, but I feel better knowing that there is a God out there who cares about me and who only wants the best for me.
For Reflection
What do you have faith in, dear one? Are you putting your faith in something solid or something that can be washed away when the storms of life hit? Today I encourage you to give God a try. He will prove himself faithful to you.
Stay tuned for more on how to ignite the power with and discover YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
Webster’s dictionary defines faith as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof and as “a belief and trust in and loyalty to God.” Faith is the positive belief that everything will turn out for the best, even when things seem hopeless. The Bible says that “Faith is being sure of the things we hope for but have not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
The key here, I think, is to ask ourselves the question "What do I put my faith in?" Am I putting my faith in my job, my abilities, my strengths, or in something or someone higher and stronger? Eventually, we all come to the end of ourselves when we realize we cannot make some things happen on our own; that is when the revelation comes in that there must be a greater power out there in the universe that is in total control and totally loves us. It is what the 12-Step folks refer to as 2nd Step: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
I call this higher power God. I believe that if we put our faith and our trust in God, He will take care of us and see us through any storm in our lives. God is faithful. He is more than able to take care of any situation that arises and in fact, He allows many situations to arise to test our faith and to increase it. I don't know about you, but I feel better knowing that there is a God out there who cares about me and who only wants the best for me.
For Reflection
What do you have faith in, dear one? Are you putting your faith in something solid or something that can be washed away when the storms of life hit? Today I encourage you to give God a try. He will prove himself faithful to you.
Stay tuned for more on how to ignite the power with and discover YOUR destiny!
Until next time, keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Third Language of Love
Do you like to give gifts? Do you like to receive gifts? If so, your love language may be giving gifts.
Gift giving does not have to be expensive. Little things like a bouquet of flowers, a mug of his/her favorite coffee, perhaps a card or a note. Little things on a regular basis can certainly put the spark back in your relationship.
Giving gifts shows we are thinking about the other person, we care about them, and we made the time to purchase something we think they would like. Note that I said "purchase something we think they would like." Many people give gifts, but I have noticed that they are giving gifts THEY would LIKE. When purchasing a gift for someone, you really have to think about them as an individual - their tastes, their likes, their personality.
How often have you received a gift and thought "Why are they giving this to me?" A few years ago, someone gave me a green pin cushion as a birthday gift. I was perplexed. I don't have a sewing machine and I thought, either a) they were regifting it or b) they had no idea what else to get me. If you know someone well enough to feel comfortable giving them a gift, don't you have enough information to get them something they either like or could use?
If you are going to give a give, realize that it takes a bit of thought; that's what makes it special. I know the expression "It's the thought that counts" and that is true, but if you want your gift to be meaningful, it is important to make sure the recipient likes it.
Until next time, try giving your loved one a surprise gift and see their reaction. You may be tapping into a new source of closeness between the two of you!
Gift giving does not have to be expensive. Little things like a bouquet of flowers, a mug of his/her favorite coffee, perhaps a card or a note. Little things on a regular basis can certainly put the spark back in your relationship.
Giving gifts shows we are thinking about the other person, we care about them, and we made the time to purchase something we think they would like. Note that I said "purchase something we think they would like." Many people give gifts, but I have noticed that they are giving gifts THEY would LIKE. When purchasing a gift for someone, you really have to think about them as an individual - their tastes, their likes, their personality.
How often have you received a gift and thought "Why are they giving this to me?" A few years ago, someone gave me a green pin cushion as a birthday gift. I was perplexed. I don't have a sewing machine and I thought, either a) they were regifting it or b) they had no idea what else to get me. If you know someone well enough to feel comfortable giving them a gift, don't you have enough information to get them something they either like or could use?
If you are going to give a give, realize that it takes a bit of thought; that's what makes it special. I know the expression "It's the thought that counts" and that is true, but if you want your gift to be meaningful, it is important to make sure the recipient likes it.
Until next time, try giving your loved one a surprise gift and see their reaction. You may be tapping into a new source of closeness between the two of you!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Favor of God
Have you experienced the favor of God recently? I'm sure you have but are you aware that you have? It wasn't until a few years ago that I became familiar with the favor of God. A Christian friend of mine kept pointing it out whenever we were together and something good would happen.
A parking space, front row seats, finding a $20 bill in the street, a stranger providing directions at a timely moment, a package or unexpected gift showing up in the mail when I'm having a tough day; these are all examples of the favor of God.
Last night I was out to dinner with some friends. We were at a casual Italian place and the tables were few and far between as it was a saturday night. We had a party of 7. As we were greeting each other, a coworker of mine walked up to say hello. "What are you doing in this neck of the woods?" he asked. "We're celebrating a friend's birthday and then going dancing," I replied.
Right about then, one of our party suggested we capture a table. There were only single tables that sat 4 people available. As we were pulling out extra chairs and trying to decide how to accomodate everyone, my coworker and his wife, who were in the middle of eating their dinner, pack up their food and plates and move to another table so we could pull the two tables together. Now what are the chances of running into someone I know, who lives in a totally different part of town, being at the same restaurant at the same time, offering to give up a table for us? I ask you!
Now some might call it serendipity, good luck or coincidence, but I know better. When it happens over and over again, it is not chance, dear reader. I know God's hand in action and I believe in giving credit where credit is due, you know what I mean?
God loves us; that is the bottom line. When you are walking with God, it's like Christmas everyday. You never know when he is going to surprise you with some blessing. Today I encourage you to look out for God's favor. Be thankful and realize how much God truly loves you!
A parking space, front row seats, finding a $20 bill in the street, a stranger providing directions at a timely moment, a package or unexpected gift showing up in the mail when I'm having a tough day; these are all examples of the favor of God.
Last night I was out to dinner with some friends. We were at a casual Italian place and the tables were few and far between as it was a saturday night. We had a party of 7. As we were greeting each other, a coworker of mine walked up to say hello. "What are you doing in this neck of the woods?" he asked. "We're celebrating a friend's birthday and then going dancing," I replied.
Right about then, one of our party suggested we capture a table. There were only single tables that sat 4 people available. As we were pulling out extra chairs and trying to decide how to accomodate everyone, my coworker and his wife, who were in the middle of eating their dinner, pack up their food and plates and move to another table so we could pull the two tables together. Now what are the chances of running into someone I know, who lives in a totally different part of town, being at the same restaurant at the same time, offering to give up a table for us? I ask you!
Now some might call it serendipity, good luck or coincidence, but I know better. When it happens over and over again, it is not chance, dear reader. I know God's hand in action and I believe in giving credit where credit is due, you know what I mean?
God loves us; that is the bottom line. When you are walking with God, it's like Christmas everyday. You never know when he is going to surprise you with some blessing. Today I encourage you to look out for God's favor. Be thankful and realize how much God truly loves you!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
How to Love
What is loving others all about, anyway and how do we do it effectively? The older I get, the more I understand that I need to learn how to love other people better and differently. Loving ourselves comes easily,for most of us, doesn't it? But when it comes to loving others now that is quite a different story. It is not something that comes naturally to most. Although I consider myself a very loving person, as most of us probably do, I am realizing that there is still much room for improvement.
One of the main characteristics of love, I think, is the ability to give; to give of one's self, one's time, one's energy, and one's resources; to give without expectation of something given back in return. Giving is love in action. A good test of how loving we are is how easy is it for us to give.
Valentine's Day has just passed and for me it was an opportunity to think of a creative way to bring a smile to someone's face. Over the years I have baked cookies and distributed them to my neighbors' doorsteps, nicely wrapped with red ribbon. At work, I leave those Valentine cards we used to give when we were back in school at my coworkers' cubicles when they are not there. I try to mix the playful with the romantic. My thinking is that Valentine's Day is a day set aside to remind us to show others that they are loved. Don't we all need to know that?
In this busy life, I think we do need reminders to be loving. We can get so caught up in our own lives, problems, and stresses, that we can easily forget to look out for others who may need a loving gesture, a smile, a box of chocolates or even a small bouquet of flowers to brighten their day. We never know what someone is going through and everyone is fighting their own battles.
Stay tuned as the topic of how to love continues and please do write and send me your thoughts and ideas. Until next time, be a blessing!
One of the main characteristics of love, I think, is the ability to give; to give of one's self, one's time, one's energy, and one's resources; to give without expectation of something given back in return. Giving is love in action. A good test of how loving we are is how easy is it for us to give.
Valentine's Day has just passed and for me it was an opportunity to think of a creative way to bring a smile to someone's face. Over the years I have baked cookies and distributed them to my neighbors' doorsteps, nicely wrapped with red ribbon. At work, I leave those Valentine cards we used to give when we were back in school at my coworkers' cubicles when they are not there. I try to mix the playful with the romantic. My thinking is that Valentine's Day is a day set aside to remind us to show others that they are loved. Don't we all need to know that?
In this busy life, I think we do need reminders to be loving. We can get so caught up in our own lives, problems, and stresses, that we can easily forget to look out for others who may need a loving gesture, a smile, a box of chocolates or even a small bouquet of flowers to brighten their day. We never know what someone is going through and everyone is fighting their own battles.
Stay tuned as the topic of how to love continues and please do write and send me your thoughts and ideas. Until next time, be a blessing!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
True Love
It's February and I'd like to talk about true love. What is true love? Is it that butterflies in the stomach, can't think of anything or anyone else, crazy for you feeling? We have all experienced this euphoria at least once or twice, right? It is something that kind of happens to us all of a sudden out of the blue. We are "smitten" as they say.
As wonderful as this "falling in love" stage is, I think it is a precursor to the possibility of true love. Experts say this romantic stage lasts at the most 2 years. Then what? What happens when those butterflies are gone and the reality of the humanness and flaws of our partner begin to appear?
Then we get to choose whether we want to truly love this person or not. True love is intentional. It is a choice we consciously make. To love another human being, despite their "issues", to want and to do everything in our power to help and support that person and to allow them to grow. Are you getting the idea? True love is not for the faint of heart or the uncommitted, "I'm outta here" when the going gets tough. True love is for mature people who know that love is worth the effort, the expense, and yes, even the heartache.
For a great definition of what love is, check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. "Love is patient, love is kind, love is not self-seeking, love keeps no record of wrongs". This is what true love looks like in action. What kind of love are you expressing these days, dear one?
As wonderful as this "falling in love" stage is, I think it is a precursor to the possibility of true love. Experts say this romantic stage lasts at the most 2 years. Then what? What happens when those butterflies are gone and the reality of the humanness and flaws of our partner begin to appear?
Then we get to choose whether we want to truly love this person or not. True love is intentional. It is a choice we consciously make. To love another human being, despite their "issues", to want and to do everything in our power to help and support that person and to allow them to grow. Are you getting the idea? True love is not for the faint of heart or the uncommitted, "I'm outta here" when the going gets tough. True love is for mature people who know that love is worth the effort, the expense, and yes, even the heartache.
For a great definition of what love is, check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. "Love is patient, love is kind, love is not self-seeking, love keeps no record of wrongs". This is what true love looks like in action. What kind of love are you expressing these days, dear one?
Saturday, January 8, 2011
The Sign of Snow
This morning as I look out my window, the sky is puffy and white and the snowflakes are softly floating through the air. Some might look at the snow and see it as a nuisance, an interference in their plans and schedules. I see it as a sign.
A sign, you ask? Of what?
A sign to slow down. To sit back by my fireplace, with a cup of hot tea, and maybe a book, a pet, or a loved one close by. The gym will always be there, so will the stores, the shopping, the errands. After a hectic week on all fronts, I enjoy a snowfall on a saturday morning. The peace I feel watching the snowflakes fall to the ground is a welcome respite from the busyness of the week. To me, it's a reminder from heaven to slow down and relax, to focus and perhaps meditate on what is really important in life.
As we rush through life, and worry and fret about the daily issues and annoyances, I remember Ps. 46:1 "Be still and know that I am God". That's all we really need to do, take some time to be still and listen. Enjoy the snow!
A sign, you ask? Of what?
A sign to slow down. To sit back by my fireplace, with a cup of hot tea, and maybe a book, a pet, or a loved one close by. The gym will always be there, so will the stores, the shopping, the errands. After a hectic week on all fronts, I enjoy a snowfall on a saturday morning. The peace I feel watching the snowflakes fall to the ground is a welcome respite from the busyness of the week. To me, it's a reminder from heaven to slow down and relax, to focus and perhaps meditate on what is really important in life.
As we rush through life, and worry and fret about the daily issues and annoyances, I remember Ps. 46:1 "Be still and know that I am God". That's all we really need to do, take some time to be still and listen. Enjoy the snow!
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