Denzel Washington’s commencement speech at Dillard University:
“Put God first. I’ve been protected. I’ve been directed. I’ve been corrected. I kept God in my life and it’s kept me humble. I didn’t always stick with Him, but He always stuck with me. So stick with Him in everything you do. If you think you want to do what you think I’ve done, then do what I’ve done and stick with God.”
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” – Prov. 3:6
I heard this saying attributed to either Chip Ingram or Greg Laurie:
“Christians are like TEA BAGS; you don’t know what they’re made of until you put them in hot water.”
Isn’t that about the truth!
Is the heat being turned up in your life?
This is where “the rubber meets the road,” right? Anyone can act nice when everything is going their way, but what seeps out when things aren’t? What comes out of that teabag?
Fruit or works (Gal 5)?
Fresh water or salt water,
Bitter or sweet (James 3:11)?
Or… are you like a box of chocolates?
Something you may never have thought of is the fact that teabags are useless without hot water, aren’t they? It’s actually IN the hot water that teabag finds their purpose and usefulness.
Try to remember this the next time you find yourself in proverbial hot water. Pray for me as I pray for you.
Jesus commanded us to: Worship the Lord your God, & serve Him only. – Matt. 4:10
In 60 of the 91 occurrences of “worship” in the NT, it is the Greek word proskuneo. It means “to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand.” Literally & figuratively, to proskuneo is to fawn over, crouch to, & fall down to kiss the ground before.
Our worship of the Lord is the metaphorical kissing-ground between we (the Bride) and Christ (the Bridegroom).
When my dog, Annie sees me, it doesn’t matter if I’ve been gone for 1 minute or 1 hour – she cannot contain herself! She goes completely spastic: she runs all over the place, she jumps up on me, & yes – she licks my hand. She is so excited, she just about explodes! Just like Olivia Newton John in Grease, Annie is hopelessly devoted to me.
When was the last time we got thatexcited worshipping our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ? Are we hopelessly devoted?
Look, I know it’s heavy. Too heavy. Who can lift it? Troubles, trials, & temptations; I know they crush you. They weigh you down. I know you feel defeated. Conquered.
So please listen: Jesus can lift you up.
All that heaviness? Light as a feather to the LORD. Lighter still!
He’s eager to do the heavy lifting. Let Him!
He wants to take the burden. Let Him!
He longs to break your chains. Let Him!
He yearns to set you free! Let Him!
Sound too good to be true?
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? – Isa. 58:6
He desires for you to hand over the reigns of your life to Him. Is there anyone more able? Is there anyone more willing? He takes your burden and exchanges it with His rest. Where’s the verse for that you scream?
Come to Me, all you who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you & learn from Me, for I am gentle & lowly in heart, & you will find rest for your souls.For My yoke is easy & My burden is light.” – Matt. 11:28-30
Jesus will lift you up no matter how heavy you think your life has gotten. Jesus will lift you up no matter how badly you think you’ve messed everything up. Jesus will do all of these things & more, if you but submit to Him.
Then WATCH GRACE WORK!
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7 (also Psa. 55:22)
He will hear you (Psa. 34:17).
He will carry you (Isa. 46:4).
He will deliver you. (Isa. 40:11).
He will help & uphold you with His righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10).
Its all for His glory, not yours. Its all for Him, not you.
So, go out now with a lightened load. Go out with renewed strength. Go out & help your brother (Gal. 6:2). Go out & bring others so He can do the same for them!
– If you were blessed by this please like & share!
Look, I know it’s heavy. Too heavy. Who can lift it? Troubles, trials, & temptations; I know they crush you. They weigh you down. I know you feel defeated. Conquered.
A Verse A Day 