Heartbeat

Happiness- not a destination but a journey

What does the word happy mean to you? The Merriam-Webster definition is that happiness is “characterized by well-being and contentment.”
I’m sure we can all agree that usually the state of being content comes and goes depending on our circumstances. The truth that I’ve discovered is that happiness isn’t a destination but a journey. It’s not something we find, but something we create.
Every day is truly a gift. Sometimes these gifts are obvious. Other times these blessings are hidden in the trials we face. But these gifts are always there waiting to be discovered.
If you’re looking for a key to unlock more happiness in your life- start with gratitude. It helps us appreciate what we have, and therefore helps us stay content. True happiness isn’t found in material things but in the love and peace of God.
 
 

Grace Empowers

As any parent of young kids can attest, getting your kids to clean up their room can be an absolute headache at times. You can imagine the bickering and whining. Yet, as soon as the parent begins to help them, the kids jump at the task and start to clean up.
This is what Grace does for us. It reminds us of how God jumped into the mess of our lives and started His work before we even lifted a finger. We’re then motivated by the power of His Grace to continue what He’s started.
The moment you accepted Christ into your heart He started a work- and in the Apostle Paul’s words, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
 
 
 

Be Anxious for Nothing

Are you in a difficult season right now? Unfortunately, even being a new creation in Christ doesn’t grant us a trouble free life. Do you look at your to-do list and feel overwhelmed? Problems at work? Relationship troubles? I promise, that even if it feels like God has distanced Himself from you during this time nothing could be further from the truth.
So, in the midst of these hard times reach out to God and know He has not forgotten about you. In the Bible, Isaiah chapter 41 in the Message says,
“I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.”
Calm you anxieties by taking refuge in your Heavenly Father. He is right there with you.
 
 
 

Look Where You Want to Go

A friend of mine who recently got their motorcycle license was telling me of a lesson they learned early on. When riding, it’s important to keep your eyes and your head pointed in the direction you want to go. If there’s an obstacle in the road you’re trying to avoid, the last thing you need to do is stare at it. If you do, that’s inevitably where you’ll go.
This is a lesson we can apply to life. The Bible encourages us to speak words of faith, believing that if God has placed a desire on our heart, with His guidance, we will arrive at our destination.
So, believe, speak and act in faith. Keep looking ahead.
 
 
 

Fake ID

Since the creation of the ID or driver’s license it’s been the goal of many underage troublemakers to get their hands on a fake ID. It may have their picture but someone else’s name and more importantly their age. Usually it’s to buy alcohol underage or to get into a club. However, depending on the circumstances, using a fake ID can land you in jail for up to a year!
When it comes to our faith, are we who we claim to be? Maybe we claim to be a new creation in Christ but we continue to act like our old selves. If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your savior but continue to act like you don’t know Him, the fake ID you’re carrying is that of a person who was crucified with Christ.
Toss that old ID and live out who you are in Christ.
 
 

Broken

The Bible is full of stories of broken people who had a special encounter with God. One of those "broken people" was King David.
David on more than one occasion was forced to bury his children.
His son Absalom had committed a coup against his father David as a result of David's inability to resolve problems with his family. Tragically this story results in the death of his son. The bible tells of David's dark mourning as he cries out, wishing he had died in his place.
Obviously, David was a great king but a lousy father. Maybe this is happening to you. We’re such good executives, professionals and even ministers that sometimes we forget to be good parents too.
But today I want to give you some advice. If you want to have a real impact on this world? Go and love your family!
 
 
 

Disciple as a Verb

The word “disciple” literally means learner. In the Bible it’s used 269 times, but only as a noun. The first followers of Jesus were called his disciples (a noun) and he commanded them to quote- “make disciples” of others.
Over the years, Christians started to use “disciple” as a verb. To help another believer grow in their faith means “to disciple” them. Therefore you can’t be an obedient disciple without also discipling–it would be like calling yourself a cook without ever actually cooking!
 
The first Christians took Jesus’ great commission literally by making discipling a top priority of the early Church. Today, if all of us who call ourselves disciples would take seriously the call to disciple, God only knows what he could accomplish in our world today.
 
 

Focal Point

In photography, a focal point is important to communicate the desire of the artist. It’s the main point of interest in a composition. It may be the one object that remains in focus while everything else may not.
The photographer, Scott Wyden Kivowitz describes it as, “Something that people will remember before forgetting the rest”.
Throughout the New Testament, the authors focus the reader on Christ. The one who brings hope and peace to a world in desperate need of it. Keeping Christ as the focus in our lives puts everything else in perspective. The Apostle Paul writes,
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed”
 
 
 

A Well-Balanced Diet

A well-balanced, healthy diet is one that consists of a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, and proteins. I’ve heard it said that your plate should look like a rainbow of colors. If you’re getting too much vitamin C you can develop kidney stones. Too much vitamin A can cause muscle aches and dizziness. And too much red meat can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. So, it’s crucial to a healthy body that we provide it with variety.
Much like the body of Christ we aren’t meant to look and act like every other member of the church.
In the Bible, 1st Peter chapter 4 says,
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
So, go be the unique, beautiful, wonderfully created human God intended you to be.
 
 
 

Praying for Your Enemy

Who was the last person you had a serious disagreement with? Was it a work colleague, teammate, family member or friend? How did you respond to the argument? Chances are, there are some things you may have said or done that you aren’t proud of. But in seasons of conflict like this, the best advice I have for you is to pray.
Pray for the person who upset you or even wronged you. It’s actually pretty hard to stay upset with someone you’re praying for. Pray for their family, their own peace, and financial security.
Jesus says in Matthew, chapter 5 to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Praying doesn’t erase the conflict, but it will certainly soften your heart.