Sunflower Faith

This week, Nina is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, Mama’s Little Treasures.Visit Nina to read her take on the quote and to leave your link along with the other participants.

There are no coincidence in God’s world, only answers.

We had seen Philippians 4:8 on the back of someone’s vehicle as we head down to give my mil a much needed hand and to see it today, it really made me feel like God had answered a tearful prayer with much needed comfort.

As I reflected on these words, I pulled a “google” search to get a better and deeper understanding of Philippians 4:8 and came across this interesting information via “Godly Thinking by John MacArthur“,”The Greek term translated “let your mind dwell on” (logizomai) speaks of mental reflection that affects one’s conduct.”

God carves out a unique life for each and everyone of us to follow and did not expect anyone else to have a cookie cutter mold.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5

When I was taking a folktales class in college, I remember the professor had told me of a story about a woman who cut both ends off, of her roast beef before cooking it. She did this for years and her daughter follow suit. One day, someone asked the daughter, why did you do that and she replied,”I don’ know, that’s what my mother always did.”

So the mother was asked and the mother replied,”I don’t now that is how my mother did it,” so good ol Granny was asked and Granny replied,”I did that because the pan I had, the roast beef didn’t fit so that’s why I cut it that way.”

The mother and the daughter never questioned why the roast beef had always been cut like that but both generations had been influenced by the action of one.

Our friends and family are like that. They can play an influence both good and bad over us, if we don’t strengthen our hearts in God and realize that we can easily be influenced even under the blinds of the truth which sometimes necessarily isn’t as good for us as others may think, we can get caught up in this myth of perfection that doesn’t really exist for any of us.

It helps to remember the words of our Heavenly Father as He gently tells us in Philippians 4:8 that if it is for the good and praise of God, focus on that, if it doesn’t glorify God, it isn’t for or about God.

Galatians 1:10 NLT-10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

There was a very telling moment that had happen and it made me humble and reflective that we have to be careful not to measure ourselves by what others do. I am who I am, a servant of Christ who is still human, still make mistakes, who still make bad decisions and still have bad days even bad hair days.

The plants I planted today, may have just died because I don’t have a green thumb. I still can’t cook a chicken without burning it, I’ve turned my husbands’ work shirts pink.What may work for others, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work for all and we are only best for what we do for our Heavenly Father and in the lives that He has given us. That we have control over, not in trying to live a life of another.

Christ is leading things, not us and we have to get over that we are in control of our lives, other people lives and allow Christ to lead and do what He needs to do in our life and others life but without our interference.” Sometimes we make the mistake of meaning well but not learning where our boundaries are and we end up stepping over and trying to influence more than we should.

Though it all though, God says, stop caring or worrying what the next person thinks or does; That isn’t a concern to Him;He is only concern about you. Yes, You.

We are to keep our thoughts on Him and look toward Him for guidance, strength and encouragement, because being men, we all are imperfect. There is only one person who is perfect and worthy to be looked up to and striving for, and that’s our Heavenly Father.

As I wrap this up, I think with a humbled heart that I am no better then the next. I’m just a simple woman, prone to mistakes,a nobody, human being who was saved. That’s it. Doesn’t make me any better than the next person though.

Lord, encourage me and keep me thinking of all things pure and pleasing to You,Lord so that it bears testament to Your word, Heavenly Father and not mine. Keep me humble, remind me how unworthy I really am without You, Lord and help my words reflect You and only You.

© 2008, Sunflower Faith. All rights reserved.

Sunflower Faith is a quiet, sometimes silly, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes serious, follower of Christ sharing words of devotion, encouragement and hope that is always about our Father in Heaven. So grab a cup of coffee and join Sunflower Faith in words of growth, hope and more all in the spirit of 2 Peter 1:5-8.

Sunflower Faith

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