SUCCESS

Sorry it's been so long. I work a regular job, you know, forty hours a week. I am at lunch at the moment. But, my Lord gave me something this morning that I really want to share. He is using my circumstances to open my eyes to many things in His word on a daily basis. I wish I could share it all. Maybe some day!

For now, I'm just going to share from my journal, the way He spoke it all to me. I don't have time to edit everything and make it flow like I usually do. Anyhow, here goes!!

What is success? It is NOT how many charts I can file in a day, how much data I can enter into a computer, or how fast I can work. My life is not measured in boxes of charts, piles of papers, or even the work of my hands. That is up to God. He tells us in Psalm 1 that he blesses all a righteous man puts his hands to. He will bless the work of my hands as I serve Him. Col. 3:23-25 says it best-Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men. It goes on to say we receive our reward from our Lord for it is Christ we serve. BUT, if you do wrong you will receive for the wrong you have done: and there is no respect of persons with God.

So, how do I measure success as a child of God? How am I to measure my life? My life is to be measured out in love, grace and mercy. It is measured in the questions, "Who did I touch today? Who did I help? Forgive? Sacrifice for?

We are to sacrifice for one another. THAT is God's way. I see so many people trying to set trap, dig a pit, lay a snare for others who are brothers, sisters, co-workers, ones they don't like. It's sad!! All that buying into satan's lies. It's how he controls us. Like puppets on a string. He sends us into a feeding frenzy--one against the other. Dog eat dog. A knife in the back. People hurt. Tears fall. Revenge, deceit, heartbreak, distrust. It's a vicious cycle. VICIOUS! Galatians 5:15 tells us, "If you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed of one another. Verse 14 told us that the law is fulfilled in ONE word, only one word, even in this; THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. (PERIOD)

Who is my neighbor? A man asked this question of Jesus in Luke 10:29 which leads into the parable of the Good Samaritan. So I ask you, "Who is beside you? Around you? With you? Whose path have you crossed today?" These are your neighbors. Literally everybody you come into contact with.

So many people are walking around with bitterness choking them to death. The bitter root begins with a seed--a thought, an injustice, a cruel word spoken. How do you kill this seed before it becomes a tenacious, strangling vine? YOU FORGIVE! YOU let go. YOU let God have it. U-TURN the other cheek and allow God to turn it around for your good. Simply forgive.

The wonderful thing about forgiveness? It's never too late to forgive. Forgiveness will dig out the deepest bitter root. Then you plant Love in it's place. Love conquers. Love covers. God is Love. And He will fill you.

I also thought of people in the workplace not wanting to share important information with others. These are a clog in the system. This only brings death. Death to trust, friendship, relationship, and possibly even a company. What if the disciples of Jesus decided not to share the gospel? What if this awesome, most important, life-saving, soul redeeming piece of information was never shared? What if Truth never made it into the world? Where would we be? But sharing brings peace, wisdom, understanding, and unity.

You won't always get along with everybody, that's just not realistic. But, you can always seek out the good in others. When you do, you will find it. I told my Mom that when I started carrying around a camera to capture what I find interesting or beautiful, I always find beauty. Especially in places and things that I once didn't think were beautiful. The Bible promises that when you seek, you shall find.

My job is not my life. It is only a part of my life that sustains some of the things I want to do and have. It is also a means to give and help others. It has been given to me by the One who is my Sustainer. And all I do should glorify Him.

There was one other story in the Bible that God reminded me of. It is in the book of Esther. It's about a man named Haman who sought to hang an honest, righteous child of God named Mordecai. What happened? Haman ended up being hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. God is our Vindicator. We don't have to repay evil with evil.

I looked up the word success - it means- a desired outcome, attainment, achievement, gain. The moment I read the word gain, I thought of Mark 8:35-37. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Every time we set out to do harm to someone else, whether it be their person, their reputation, their possessions or their job, we lose a piece of our own soul.

I pray this helps someone on their job to deal with difficult situations or people. Just remember, God has placed you where you are for a purpose. You may be the only light that those around you see. So---Go forth and shine!!

Have a Blessed Weekend
Peggy

REAL EYES

GOD HELP ME REALIZE ALL YOU ARE
GIVE ME REAL EYES TO SEE AFAR
TO SEEK FOR MERCY, LOVE, AND GRACE
TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF YOUR FACE
TO THINK ON ALL THINGS HONEST AND TRUE
JUST AND PURE, ALL THINGS OF YOU
WRAP ME IN YOUR THREE-FOLD CORD
FATHER, SPIRIT, YOUR SON-THE WORD
BIND ME TO YOU WITH BANDS OF LOVE
THEN POUR ME OUT AND FILL ME UP
DECREASE ALL THINGS THAT ARE OF ME
INCREASE THE THINGS THAT ARE OF THEE
I WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH
TO SHOW THIS WORLD MY GOD OF LOVE
LORD, I KNOW APART FROM YOU
THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO
BUT WITH YOU ALL IS POSSIBLE
I NEED YOUR SPIRIT TO THE FULL
LIFT ME, DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU
IN YOUR PRESENCE I'M TRANSFORMED, RENEWED
YOU GIVE ME REAL EYES SO THAT I CAN SEE
AND I REALIZE ALL YOU ARE TO ME

DWELLING IN HIM,
PEGGY

This Storm Called Life

I would like to begin by saying, "Happy New Year!"

I know it's been a while since I have posted here. The beginning of 2012 reminds me of the old saying for March, "In like a lion... and I am praying it goes ...out like a lamb." 2012 has come in like a lion, that's for sure! That old lion, satan, is seeking whom he may devour. But I praise God for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! He reigns, Hallelujah! The phrase, "in like a lion" usually speaks of storms and wind. The enemy has tried to get me to run away from this violent storm I have found myself in. But, I have chosen to be like the eagle and instead of running from the storm I am facing, I am allowing it to lift me up closer to my God!

THIS STORM CALLED LIFE

As I face this storm called life
With all its worry and its strife
Sometimes I lose myself, it seems
All my hopes and all my dreams
The wave is big, the wave is high
I lift my eyes to God and cry
He hears my voice upon the wind
He turns His ear to me and then
He reaches down His nail scarred hand
He holds me up, He helps me stand
He chastises as He holds me near
Child of Mine, why did you fear
Remember, I am Love indeed
I will supply your every need
You are Mine, You are redeemed
Cast aside all unbelief
And every hindering weight that binds
Lay aside and leave behind
Lift your eyes and see My face
I am the prize for which you race
I am the wind beneath your wings
I am rejoicing in you as I sing
You are the apple of My eye
I hear even your faintest cry
I know your thoughts, I see your heart
I will never leave you nor depart
Don't be afraid of what you see
Deny yourself and trust in Me
Your faith will rise, your love will grow
I am Your God, be still and know
I reign throughout eternity  
Where I am, you are with Me

I am STILL
Dwelling in Him,
Peggy