Stops & Steps 1692 31May2011

How God sees us

Our comments can be cruel. When you are overweight you really see and feel that meanness. But if your remarks are phrased sympathetically, the result is different. When the remarks are made realistically, we tend to make some efforts to make amends.

No matter how other people view us, we must remind ourselves on how God sees us.

1 Samuel 16 : 7
People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions

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Cheerful look

It really does not take much to hurt those around us. A simple look can communicate so much. So often, we give looks that cut and wound - that scowl or eye roll.

We feel good what someone similes at you and you feel a little brighter, a little better about yourself.

Smile to those around you and give them a dose of heart medication !!

Proverbs 15 : 30
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart ….

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Stops & Steps 1690 29May2011

Trust and obey

King Saul made extravagant sacrifices rather than simply doing what God told him to do. Many times we pull the same stunt !!. God tells us to do something that we do not want to do. Instead, we sacrifice time, money or whatever, hoping we would not have to do what we do not want to do.

It is easier to trust God’s instructions and just obey Him from the start

1 Samuel 15 : 22
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord : your burnt offerings and sacrifice or your obedience to his voice ? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.”

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Communication problems

Have you thought of communication with those around you, your kids, your colleagues, your friends or even your subordinates ??

Your ideas of certain situations are different, your ideas of cleanliness are different, your ideas of cooperation are different. Your ideas on anything are so much different. Whatever you communicate verbally is not always what they hear. Sometimes you understand their ideas better than they understand yours !! It is like you speak totally different language.

We should be thankful that God understands us.

Genesis 11 : 7
Come, let’s go down and give them different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.

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Stops & Steps 1688 27May2011

Identify with others

When we offer our help to others, it most important that we are able to identify with their feelings. Instead of imposing your self into the situation, it is best to do what is needed most. In so doing, you are able to boost confidence and also refreshing one another.

Proverbs 11 : 25
Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed

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Stops & Steps 1687 26May2011

Love one another

When we are faced with special needs in the family, we often clearly see what God would have us do. For some, this means refocusing or leaving a career to provide care for children or parents. For others, it means taking more than one jobs to ensure adequate housing, food and medical attention for the family. In all these, it means love one another.

When we have Jesus, we not only have the love, but also the faith, heart and mind to go about doing what we need to do best.

1 Peter 3 : 8
All of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.


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Be close to Him

Sometimes it is difficult to feel God’s closeness when we have an exhausting day with our loved ones who give us frustration, disobedience and heartbreaks. That is when God pulls us from all the frustration, wraps His loving arms around us, and let us dwell in His closeness. Many times paying attention to our loved ones play an more important part in our mind.

Are we close to God in our thoughts ??

Job 22 : 12
God is so great – higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars

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Drowned in guilt

When we ask God to forgive us for the things we have done wrong, He forgives us and all these memories are thrown into the deepest ocean. They are all gone.

Some of us have a hard time believing that God will really forgive us. We let those memories haunt us. Often we cannot forgive ourselves and assume God would not forgive us either. As a result we hide from Him or slowly drift away.

God wants us to spend time with Him. Not believing that He has really forgive us of our sins can keep us far away from Him.

Micah 7 : 19
Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depts. Of the ocean.

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Stops & Steps 1684 23May2011

Each one of us is delightfully different

Have you ever wondered how your friend, colleague or classmate learn things – how they remembered or recounted volumes of information, knowing the material yet without having to study for it.

Have you ever wondered that your friend, colleague or classmate is not like you. You remembered your own study habits, the need to devote hours to review. They do not have to do things your way. They use their talents, interact with others, grow in faith and develop their own personality. God has His own best way for them.

We are all individually fashioned by a loving God. T

Psalm 139 : 14
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex ! Your workmanship is marvelous – and how well I know it

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A new start every day

It always amazes me that no matter how stormy the previous day was, each day always starts fresh and new, without anger or grudges. God never remembers our challenges of the previous day, even if they were intense. He always expresses love and trust.

Each day is a new day, a new beginning and a new chance to have a terrific time with our loved ones and friends around us. Each day is a new day with God, too. No matter what has happened the day before, we have a new day to enjoy with God and to have a deeper relationship with HIM

Lamentations 3 : 23
Great is His faithfulness ; His mercies begin afresh each day

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A time for everything

Timing is everything when we are making any kind of change. We need to ask God’s wisdom and direction for His timing is always perfect.
We can count on His timing.

Ecclesiastes 3 : 1
There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven

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We can count on HIM

What are some of God’s promises ?

God promises to love us. No matter what we do, He still loves us. It is sacrificial and unending love
God promises to take care of us. Nothing will happen to us that He is not in control. His promises to provide for us not just in this life, but for all eternity.
God promises His presence. He promises to guide us, to give us wisdom when we ask, and strength and emotional support.

God’s love is unchanging

1 Kings 8 : 2-3
O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven or earth. You keep your promises and show unfailing love to all who obey you and are eager to do your will

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Use it

God’s truth is like a lost-and-found situation. If we intentionally use God’s truth regularly to practice kindness and love, these qualities can easily be found in our character when we need it. If we neglect God’s truth, the qualities that come with it are quickly lost and forgotten, and only after much seeking can we reclaim them.

We must be intentional about doing what He tells us to do.

Ezekiel 33 : 31
So they come pretending to be sincere and sit before you listening. But they have no intention of doing what I tell them. They express love with their mouths, but their hearts seek only after money.

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A cheerful helper

How would you feel when you asked someone to do something and he makes it sound like he is delighted you have asked him.

It is refreshing and inspiring.

How do you respond when he or someone else asks you for help ?
How do you respond when God asks you to obey Him ? Are you going to be cheerful about it ?
It would be refreshing if you act willing and cheerful, instead of grudgingly.

God loves a cheerful, obeying person. Everyone loves a cheerful helper

Psalm 119 : 2
Happy are those who obey His decrees and search for Him with all their hearts

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Be obedient

God’ s voice thundered when His people needed to fear Him so they would not willfully disobey Him. Elijah sidetracked and God spoke to him in a gentle whisper and directed him back on course.

A gentle voice, not a loud yell, often effectively produces the desired result.

1 Kings 19 : 12
And after the earthquake there was afire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a sound of a gently whisper

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Time to relax

Very often we are so focused on the tasks at hand that we forget to relax. Even God relaxed after six busy days of creating our world.

Ask God to help you to learn to relax

Ecclesiastes 3 : 4
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.


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Be thankful

We may not know what each day will bring to us. We must find something to praise God for, no matter what happens. We must be thankful in all things.

1 Thessalonians 5 : 16 – 18
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus

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Stops & Steps 1675 14May2011

HE is trustworthy and faithful

Everyday we grapple with fear. The fear of failure, financial problems, career choices, and health issues. We experience these pounding anxieties everyday.

We can let these troubles go by remembering that God is there to help us and there is nothing for us to fear about. We can be comforted with His assurance in Isaiah 41 : 13

God is trustworthy, faithful and powerful enough to help us overcome any fears.

Isaiah 41 : 13
I am holding you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I am here to help you.’

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Wait for Him

Trials of mind affect us more deeply than pains of the body. If we give way to anxiety, such trials become troubles. This cannot happen to those who are patient. To those who feel that they are in the hand of God and are encircled with His fatherly providence, and that all things are in His disposal.

When we cannot find the solution to trial or difficulty, we have only to look to God and to wait in patience, and in due time He will come and guide us. When we are confused as to what course of action to take, we should call on Him and wait with patience and He will not fail us.

Psalms 130 : 6
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Psalms 18 : 28
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.


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Stops & Steps 1672 11May2011

Acceptable conduct

The purpose of having rules is to inform or remind you of how you are to conduct yourself in a particular environment.


1 Timothy 3:1–13, mark specific “rules.”
“Be blameless” followed by statements on marital fidelity, temper, self-discipline, hospitality and gossip.


It is always easier to apply rules to others. How does your life measure up to this standard ?

1 Timothy 3:14–15
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.


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Stops & Steps 1671 10May2011

Handling the Critics


What do you do when people criticize you?


Meditate on the Word of God.
Get your mind fixed upon what God says. If we ponder and think about the things other people say, we will be agitated and anxious and uptight. But if we meditate on what God says, those things that are true and right and holy and beautiful, His peace will fill us.

Delight in the Word of God.
"Your testimonies also are my delight" (Psalm 119 :.24). Some people delight in gossip. They enjoy listening to rumors about people. But the psalmist says, "While they were gossiping and telling lies, I was meditating on the Word of God, because I delight in it."

Obey the Word of God.
"Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors" (Psalm 119 : 24) You get your counsel from the Word of God, not from authorities, friends or enemies.

Psalm 119 : 23-24
Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors


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Wisdom and riches

The Book of Proverbs teaches us that all who would live godly must seek the wisdom of God and forsake the wisdom of the world.

To seek divine wisdom, therefore, is to seek to know God better and to possess less.
God is to be sought early in life and early in each day of life. When we show Him we
love Him in this way, He shows us He loves us by filling our day with His wisdom.

Seeking the wisdom of God and the God of wisdom does not necessarily mean we will be paupers on this earth. God says, "Riches and honor are with me; yea durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver" (Proverbs 8:18-19)., "Every man to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God" (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
God never intended that we should not have riches; He only intended that riches should not have us. It is vitally important for Christians who possess wealth not to be possessed by it. Seek the wisdom of the Lord early in the day, before earning the wealth of the world. Then use that wealth in a way which will bring eternal reward.

Proverbs 8:1-36



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Directions

Jeremiah gave a warning to Judah. The people had wandered off the road, the path of God’s righteousness. So the prophet said, “Ask for directions. Get back on the right road.” He also promised that they would find rest for their souls if they did this.
We need to keep the map in hand, the Word of God, because in it we will find “where the good way is” (6:16).

If you are off course, decide to get back on the right path and find the rest that God promises.


1 Timothy 5

Jeremiah 6 - 8


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Never give up

What causes us to tire?


* We get involved in more than we can handle and as a result sometimes tire of
things that are good for us to do.

* Satan opposes our efforts to do right. That can be wearing, causing a spiritual
battle fatigue.

* Other things catch our attention and may appear to be more appealing.
Then we tire of what we are doing; the luster is gone because something else is more attractive.

These are just a few reasons. Remember Paul’s words: “Never tire of doing what is right.” Don’t give in or give up. Determine that first priority will be given to doing right.

Examine the source or cause. If it is something that is pulling you away from doing right, don’t let it. Ask God to renew your strength.



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Stops & Steps 1667 06May2011

x-tra hard - A Bar of Steel

Isaiah 41 : 15
I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument

May this passage help us to be silent, still, and longsuffering. Those who suffer most are capable of yielding most; and it is through pain that God is getting the most out of us, for His glory and the blessing of others.




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Did I tell you about . . . ?

We are good about telling some things over and over to anyone who will listen. We like to share what we have experienced and enjoyed.

Are you as persistent in telling people about God ?

Decide that today you will share with someone else a blessing or a lesson you’ve learned from God.

Isaiah 62:1
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch


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You become what you see

What you are seeing helps to determine what you are becoming
So much of what the world offers is trivial, false and worthless. Do not build your life on the world's foundations. Build your life instead on the Word of God, for it endures forever.

When we fill our lives with the Word of God, we fight vanity. When we turn our eyes upon the pages of the Bible, we grow in truth and value and are in touch with eternity.
The Bible tells us that "he who does the will of God abides forever" (I John 2:17).


Psalm 119 : 37
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way



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Spiritual gift

When we accept Christ as our personal saviour, and when we invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, the Spirit gives each of us one or more gifts. Unfortunately some or all the gifts given remain unwrapped and unused. What has God's Word to say about that.

What Does God Say in Romans 12:6-8 ?
Although it is not meant to be thorough, it does point out what our attitude should be toward God's gifts.
How motivated are you about using your spiritual gift?
What is preventing you from exercising your gift more freely?


Most of us do not know what our spiritual gift is.
Speak with a pastor regarding spiritual gifts or speak with someone who knows you well what they feel your gift might be.

Romans 12 : 6 - 8
God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.



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Rejoicing in each day

When you are having one of those difficult days when the burdens are heavy, when your heart is broken and your tears are flowing, when it feels like everybody is turned against you, including your Heavenly Father--that's the time to heed this verse by faith.
"This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"

Perhaps your day is full of overwhelming burdens or sorrows. Accept the day God has given you and acknowledge that He is in charge. Anticipate what God is going to do for you today; rejoice and be glad in it. You may not understand His purposes now, but one day you will.

Psalm 118: 24
This is the day which the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it

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Our expectation

Our loved ones can sometimes feel like our enemies when they are not exactly what we want them to be. By changing our focus we can learn to give up the immature idea that others will always meet our arrogant expectations.

When others let us down, we should change our focus and remind ourselves that we who have put our faith in Jesus are God’s children – cherished and cared for by HIM
The Lord has brought us into HIS family and HE will never treat us as an enemy.

1 Peter 2 : 10
(We) are now the people of God

Stops & Steps 1662 01May2011