Today’s a new day! Perseverance helps one to overcome the greatest storms in life. Without a steadfast tenacity to press forward through challenging moments in life, we would never overcome the storms of life. The problem with giving up without a fight is that we are told to run our spiritual race as “one intent on obtaining the prize.”“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” 1 Corinthians 9:24.
We cannot win the race if we lack endurance and the will to persevere through the hard times. We must finish the race God has given us to run. Taking time to rest during the race is understood by our loving Savior. But we cannot curl up and stay down during the storms of life. We must keep getting up and running the race set before us. Giving up is not an option. We must finish strong. Stay focused on the prize. ~OC
Live In Unity
Today’s a new day! The church is one body with many members, called from every nation. In Jesus we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, education, nationality, economics or politics must not be divisive among His people. We should be united; not divided. Division among believers grieves the heart of Jesus. We must overcome all our differences to be one with Christ. That is the only way we can truly make a difference for the Kingdom. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another. We were created to serve one another, regardless of our differences. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all. This beautiful unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children. So today, let’s make it our mission to live in Unity with one another. ~OC
God Shows Up
In Disappointments God shows up.
In times of Victory God shows up.
In times of Loneliness God shows up.
In times of Happiness God shows up.
In times of Heartbreak God shows up.
In times of great Blessings God shows up.
In times of Sorrow God shows up.
In times of Turmoil God shows up.
In times of Peace God shows up.
You see, God shows up during the storms and during the sunshine.
My Mission Statement
My updated Mission Statement:
Wake Up. Give Thanks. Serve Jesus. Serve Others. Repeat.
A Beautiful Day
Today’s a new day! Slow down today. Share a smile and kind word. Show grace when it would be easier to judge. Show love even when hate is thrown your way. Don’t miss out on a beautiful interruption. Take time and embrace the moments you will experience today.
Those moments might seem small and insignificant, but they could literally change someone’s day. A kind word. A friendly smile. Asking someone who seems overwhelmed with life how are they doing and really wanting to hear their story. Maybe it’s going outside of your comfort zone and reaching out to someone who’s life is totally different than yours. No judgement, just a friendly ear to listen. You might be surprised how much you have in common with that person. A fellow human being. So today grab hold of life and make it a beautiful day. ~OC
A Call
God put this on my heart the last few days. I thought I would share it with you. God is sharing a lot with me these days.
Another sunrise, but today it’s not the same.
No, this new day starts with a call.
A Call that changes everything
I have seen the signs in the mirror and my clothes
I have to tighten that belt just a little more
I’ve heard the whispers
Those stolen glances of pity
I know the results before I even answer the call
As the sun was breaking through
I heard the words my time could be over soon
The Call, the call that can change everything
The Call that gives me new purpose
The Call that gives me new perspective
The Call that makes a 9 to 5 seem unappealing
The years of running for success now seemed like wasted minutes
In that moment, I was flooded with regrets
Time that was wasted
In that moment, I thought about riding my bike for the first time
In that moment, I thought about my first day of school
In that moment, I thought about the day I said I do.
A Call can change everything
In that moment, I saw everything I had missed
A Call that shifted my thinking
Saying I love you to my wife meant more
Making memories meant more than a spreadsheet
Breathing in God’s creation
meant more than making a deadline
Time might be short, but maybe I am just beginning to live
Could this be the day, anything is possible
When a Call changes everything
When a Call gives you clarity
When a Call fills you with purpose beyond yourself
Look up, look up, look up
Come on look up, look up
A Call changes everything
A Call changes everything
In a moment, a call can change everything
Our Yes
Today’s a new day! God can use our Yes in a life changing way. We only need to say Yes. ~OC
Stepping-Stone
Today’s a new day! Be a stepping-stone of love, forgiveness and grace. ~OC
A Gift
As we walk through our faith journey, we are instructed to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Why? Because it’s the very essence of who we are in Him. Every breath we breathe comes from God. Think about that for a moment. All that we are is God’s. Every breath is a gift from our Lord. He has given life to our bodies. Not only that, but we have also been bought with a price. A heavy price paid on the Cross. At one point in our lives, we were filled with fear, confusion and ultimately death. In one moment God changed our eternity. Today, we are free from our past. Living in the freedom and victory of God. Each day is a beautiful opportunity to live out God’s purpose for our lives. If our identity is entirely in God, it will be reflected in the way we choose to live our lives. How we love. How we serve. How we forgive. How we respond to the needs around us. How will you use your breath of life…your gift. ~OC
Storms
Living in Florida means we deal with a lot of storms. In the summer it can be sunny out, but around 3 or 4 o’clock a storm can come out of nowhere. Some days it can be raining hard in the front yard, but sunny in the backyard. Of course then there’s the hurricanes. Some hurricanes move quickly through, while others just stall over us.
On this crazy beautiful journey called life, we will face many different storms. Sometimes there will be a light rain that comes and goes in a minute.
Then there are storms that blow in, causing havoc for everyone and everything in its path.
We don’t like walking through the storms of life. Who does? We love the sunny beach weather. But unfortunately that is not the world we live in. We will all walk through a storm or two during this life. We will all face days of blowing winds and flooding waters. Stop for a minute and sit still. In that minute, I am sure you can think of one person who is currently walking through a storm. The storms of life are hitting them from every side. Maybe that person is you. I often hear pastors share we are either walking in a storm, just coming out of a storm or about to walk through a storm. How true. If you are currently walking through a storm, I encourage you to take hold of the strong hand of God. He will lift you up as you face the raging seas.
When we walk through a storm, that doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us or isn’t listening to our prayers. On the contrary, the scriptures tell us in this life we will all face trouble. We like to skip over that part because it isn’t very comforting or encouraging. But that doesn’t change the fact that we will all face troubles in life. When we walk through a storm we can take heart because God has overcome this world. That means He will never leave or forsake us. That should bring peace and comfort to everyone.
I have walked through many storms in my life. I have come to learn these storms have a purpose. That may not always be clear as we are walking through the storm. But if we will take the time to listen, God will reveal the lessons he has for us as we walk through a raging storm. I have learned God never wastes a storm. God can use a storm to show us the purpose for our lives or to reconnect us to our true purpose in life.
Hopefully this will bring you peace as you walk through your storm. Especially if you have walked through this storm for many years. You have been praying and crying out to God, but it appears he is not listening. Believe me I have been there. I’ve walked through a stormy season in life that lasted for almost 18 years. I was hit with one storm after another. So I get it my friend. Life can be hard. But in the mist of my storm, I saw God grow my faith in a life changing way. God allowed me to share the gospel with many as I walked the halls of the hospital or during my weekly treatments and doctor appointments. During the storm, God reminded me that my worth and value are not tied to my career, success or what I achieve in life. No, my value and worth are found in being a child of God. In being chosen by him, called by him, and equipped by him for a purpose.
Sometimes our lives are rocked by the storms of life, so that we can rebuild on a better foundation. On the firm foundation of God. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 