Like Destiny’s Child are you a survivor

There are times in life things don’t go accordingly to plan. New Year’s resolution can always be an interesting time of reflection. We reflect on what we don’t like and vow to change it. Usually these revolve around self-image, losing weight, being happier, eating better etc.

How often do we focus on other people with our resolutions? Paul had to focus on other people to save himself. Paul was going through a rough time. He was being transported on a boat and hurricane like forces were tearing the boat apart. 14 days the craziness went on and the result was the crew going that entire time without eating and wondering if they had any chance of living.

The crew was lowered the lifeboat down and to save themselves. Paul told them if they didn’t stay with the boat, they would die. They stayed with boat. Paul was able to convince the people to eat for the first time in 14 days while this storm was going on. Even with a storm going on, Paul did this in Acts 27:34-36…

“Now I urge you to take some food.  You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head. After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all.  Then he broke it and began to eat.  They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.”

They survived. Even in front of a group of people that came from different faiths, he gave thanks to God. What if the captain of the boat was thickheaded and thought he could survive on his own? He could have said, you’re just a prisoner and your opinion doesn’t matter to me.

Where would they be if that happened? Sometimes our own thickheaded thinking keeps us from accomplishing resolutions. Often our resolutions revolve around what we want selfishly. What if we focused on others? What if this year we decided we were going to forgive someone else that we haven’t forgiven? Maybe you have been fighting with someone for a while and you’re waiting for them to apologize first. A good resolution can be to reconcile a broken relationship.

Often we focus so much on our selfish desires of getting in shape or eating healthier rather than repairing a relationship. God cares more about your ability to forgive than your ability to look better with your earthly body. I have been in an interesting spot lately. I have seen a lot of relationships struggle and it can all go back to selfish desires.

People want to be forgiven and be right rather than forgive other people. If the captain of the boat was focused on being right, 276 people would have died on Paul’s boat. Instead he was humble and listened to the advice of a prisoner. What can be a true resolution for you…

Forgiving someone else?

Asking someone for forgiveness?
Showing grace to someone who hurt you?
Maybe going to counseling and applying what you learn to your own life?

You can be a survivor, one who goes through a bad situation and comes out strong in the end. Are you ready to be the one to take that first step? You can have a great resolution. You can be a survivor of a bad situation.

Have a great day.

Can a product be new and improved?

Advertisements can crack me up.

I love seeing those commercials where they talk about a product changing.

Often they say it’s new and improved.

It cracks me up because how can it be both new and improved?

The product is either new or it’s improved but it can’t be both.

That is just one of the little things that make me laugh that I cherish everyday.

The company that does this, wants to make sure you know there is a change in the product.

Can people be the same way?

Saul was a ruthless man when it came to him and Christians.

He was known for throwing them in jail and killing them.

Now because of the grace of Jesus he was a changed man.

People were still hesitant about this major change.

Acts 9:19-22….

“Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

Saul was the guy who was 100 percent against Christians and now he was claiming to be one of them.

Christians didn’t buy it and thought otherwise.

They didn’t think this man would change and the Jews at the time thought the same thing, how could this man change?

Yet that is how God works.

He can take those that are completely far from him and make them close to him.

Nobody is too far from God and Jesus.

People thought there was no way Saul could improve or become new again, but that is the beautiful thing about faith, God’s grace is for everyone.

You can be new.

You can be improved.

There is nothing you can’t do to be forgiven by Jesus.

Saul was a murderer and killed Christians, now he was one of them.

Jesus’s grace extends to everyone who accepts him as Lord and Savior.

You can be new and improved.

Your sleight oops I mean slate can be wiped clean and blank and blameless when you believe.

Forgiveness is always there for you no matter how far you feel from Jesus.

Are you ready for a clean slate and a chance to be improved?

You don’t have to carry those burdens anymore.

Saul was a murderer, but that is not who he is known for anymore.

Who do you want to be known for and would you like to be known for something greater.

Today can be a great new start for you.

No matter what Jesus love you and wants to know you more.

Make a decision that can have an eternal difference.

Or maybe you can share this amazing story with another person, Jesus love isn’t just for you, it’s for everyone.

Share this amazing story of Jesus, it can make another new and improved.

Have a great day.