Category Archives: Spititual Development

How Much Is This Going To Cost Me?

The older we get, the more we begin to realize and recognize value. We start to understand that some things are worth it and some things are not. I’ve heard more than one old timer say: “You get what you pay for!” and “How much is this going to cost me?”, and I have lived just long enough to discover that this is absolutely true most of the time – we do get what we pay for and anything of value is going to cost us. What is extra important to remember is that we don’t just pay with dollars, we also pay with our time and life.

This human experience that we call life is too short to waste on things that do not really matter, but if we are not careful, that is exactly what we will end up doing. We allow ourselves to get caught up in stuff that does not really matter and end up loosing the precious gift of value.

25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. -Luke 12:25-27

We have already established that worry is a waste of time and resources. But how do we take on and take out worry, so that it stops robbing us of the precious gift of life. Jesus said: Look around you and see God’s faithfulness! In other words: Realize that you have the power to choose what you will focus on and the direction you will live your life…

If God takes care of this great big world, then He is going to take care of you! Just open your eyes and see all of the things God is taking care of. Look back on your own life and remind yourself of all the times God has taken care of you. Do you really think that the God Who has been taking care of you and seeing you through is going to stop? Of course not, we know better, but we often allow our minds to wander to the worst of places. Remember: God’s got me and I’ve got this!

Every now and then it is good to stop everything we are used to doing. Turn off all of the noise and take a few moments to sit in the still, quiet presence of the One Who brought us to the dance. Spending this time in God’s presence will help us to think about and remember what really matters. We need to Consider our investments! Your life and the way you spend it is an investment, so you need to ask yourself: Am I living a life of diminishing returns or am I living a life of blessing and growth? You were created for a life of blessing and growth. If worry does you no good, then why waste your time???

So remember: A good question to ask yourself is: How much is this going to cost me???

Deal With It Or It Will Deal With You!

Dealing With Worry Before It Deals With You!

Worrying, anxiousness and doubts are a part of life and living. Most all of us know what it is to worry about an unpaid bill, are to be anxious about meeting at work or to have doubts about a relationship. We’ve all been there, done that and have the t-shirt.

The problem is when our worry begins to take over our life. When worry consistently and persistently keeps knocking on our minds door, leading us to become obsessive, compulsive, distracted and defeated. If we are not careful, we begin to create things to worry about by generating a series of “what if” thoughts and “worst-case” scenarios that dig deeper the pit of despair that often becomes our prison of daily experience.

The best advice I have ever been given about worry is maybe also the most simple. Are you ready for it? When it comes to worry – DON’T DO IT!

22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? -Luke 12:22-24

Don’t Do It!

Jesus told his disciples: “Do not worry about your life.” That’s it – period. Just don’t do it! I feel like I need to say more about this, but what more is there to really say? We can come up with excuses, justifications and reasons why we can’t, won’t or don’t stop, but the truth is: They just don’t mean very much. If you are worrying – stop it, don’t do it!

As children of the most High God – we’ve got the power! We are created in the image of God. We have been endowed with supernatural power from on High. Life does not get to tell us what to do, unless we decide to give life our God-given power. It’s time to take your power back and use it to live the good life of blessing you were created for.

Jesus said: “Don’t Worry!” And if Jesus said: “Don’t Worry!”, then what’s the point of worrying? If Jesus tells you to do something, then you can bank on the fact that you have the power to pull it off. Don’t waste the precious gift of blessing that God gives you by not using it. Use it, grow it and mature it for everyone’s blessing and for God’s glory.

If Jesus tells you not to do something or not to do something, then you’ve got the power! The real question is: Are you going to use what God’s given you and deal with “it”, whatever “it” happens to be or are you going to let “it” deal with you???

Spoiled Milk!

When Something Stinks We Get Rid Of It!

When I was a little boy growing up, I loved and looked forward to eating a bowl of cereal every morning for breakfast. Sometimes it was Rice Krispies, Count Chocula, Honey Combs, Fruit Loops, Corn Flakes or Lucky Charms. The very first thing I would do, was find the biggest bowl in the cabinet and then pour it full of cereal. I would then get the milk and ask my Mom if it was okay, she would check the date and if it was out of date by a day or two, she would open it up and smell of it. If it smelled okay, then I was going to get to enjoy my bowl of deliciousness, but if it smelled sour, then down the drain it went.

25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? -Luke 12:25

Check The Date And Smell The Milk!

I learned way back then as a kid to check the date and smell the milk and if it stinks, get rid of it. And this is exactly what we need to do with some of the things that are taking up and wasting space in our lives, heads and hearts.

When Something Stinks, It’s Time To Get Rid Of It!

The problem with rot, decay and negativity is that it spreads to whatever it touches and whenever you discover it in you, then you best get rid of it as soon as possible. Some people like to hold onto the negative, not realizing all of the damage that it is doing to the life and relationships. Simply put: When something stinks, it’s time to get rid of it, before it starts getting rid of the good and positive stuff in your life that really matters and can make a difference.

Worry Stinks, So Why Do We Want To Hold Onto It???

Worry, anxiousness, distress and discontentment are all negatives that will do more harm than good. When your mind begins to worry, then you need to immediately ask yourself: What can I do about this thing that I am worried about and do it. Once you have done what you can do, then worry does not make things any better, only worse. Worry stinks, so get rid of it as soon as possible, before it stinks up the rest of your mind, heart and life.