Material or Spiritual

Life is a precious thing that can be taken in a blink of an eye. A lot of times though we take life for granted. We try to make the most of our lives doing what ever we want to do. We can strive to make all the money we want, so we can buy that brand new sports car or that $150,000 house. Those things are material things though we tends to focus on the material things instead of focusing on things that truly matter.

We are so material minded, in fact that we spend all, or most, of our time using material things (phones, computers, vehicles, money, and the list goes on). What happened to the time where families were dependent upon each other and so focused on God that material things were the farthest things from our mind. What happened to bring spiritually minded instead of material minded?

My life was drastically changed here recently and I been thinking about how fragile life actually is. I was pulling out of the work parking lot when the lug nuts for my tire snapped in half and my tire ended up on the other side of the road. I was nearly hit by a passing semi. I could have lost my life but instead, had a wake up call and realized life is fragile and precious and that it can easily be taken from you before you know what's happening. It was then I realized material things don't matter as much as my relationship with God and family. Cherish what you have. God is the most important "thing" you can have" and family is the second. Instead of being material minded, let's become more spiritually minded and see that the most important thing is right in front of us.

Discovering True Value

Before you can discover your true value, you have to know what value is. Once you know what value is, then, and only then, can you discover your true value. You will also discover that your hardships are just a part of making you into the priceless gem God made you to be.

What is the meaning of true value? The definition of true value is, the amount that a buyer is willing to pay for an item; or in this case, an individual. We had a buyer who paid the price we couldn't pay in a thousand lifetimes. He paid the price for sin. You may ask "What IS the price of sin?" Well, the Bible clearly states that "the price for sin is death" (Romans 6:23). But, the Bible also tells us in John 3:16 that there was a God who loved us so much that He manifest himself in flesh as Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins but it wasn't just for certain people. It was for the entire world. God, manifest in Christ, forever paid the price of death when He was willing to take the sins of man to the cross and die in our place.

The Bible talks about your true value in Matthew chapter 10 "are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Verses: 29-31). If God knows the very number of hairs that are on your head, do you think you have value in His eyes? And more important, if He values you far more than the sparrows enough to die in your place, are you not valued? The world's value on you is a grain if sand compared to God's value on you. Who's matters most? You are a priceless gem and not one has the kind of love to value you the way that God values you. He knew you before you were born. (Jeremiah 1:5) The truth is, is the devil wants you to believe you have no value but God values you above anyone in this world can. You have value, potential, purpose and meaning. Most of it you will never understand and most of it you have yet to even discover.

Now you are probably asking, "how can a God who supposedly loves and values me that much allow me to be in the situation I'm in (you fill in the blank)? Truth is, the situation you are in, is just part if the process to making you in to the priceless gem. Think about it this way.. When a diamond is made, it starts off as nothing but then goes through pressure after pressure to becoming something beautiful. Just like the diamond, you go through the same process. Without Christ, we are nothing. He sends us through the pressures of life to make us into something beautiful. A diamond of priceless value. In order to be able to get through those pressures, you have to depend on Christ. In Christ, you understand your true value and how much you are worth. The pressures of life aren't because you are not lo ed or valued but, on the contrary, it's because you're lo ed and valued so highly that you go through those pressures of life. You may see only the negative side but God sees your future and the positive outcome it will have. Just trust him and depend on Him. He will see you through. Remember a diamond starts off as dust but becomes beautiful after the pressure and fire. You are a valued, priceless diamond!!

Words

Anger is one emotion that is the most dangerous emotion known to man. Anger has many powers. But what does anger bring? Does anger have any success with anything?

Anger brings many feelings and therefore has many powers. Anger brings feelings of resentment, hatred, loneliness, sadness, and so mad negative feelings. Anger has the power to destroy and once destroyed, you can't put it back together any time soon. It takes a very long time to build trust and friendship back.

Anger succeeds in destroying relationships, friendships, and families. Anger succeeds in bringing one to hatred for other people and even towards God in certain circumstances. Anger succeeds in bring pleasure to the devil. Anger causes one to speak before thinking about the permanent damage it can bring to one's heart. The Bible is clear about anger. We are to be slow to anger and quick to listen. We are not to let the sun to go down on our anger.

Be careful about what you say. Words can be used to destroy or to build. Words can stab one in the heart. Think before you speak or you may lose someone you love or do something you will deeply regret later and for the rest of your life.

As A Child

What does an adult worry about? Being able to provide for his/her family, losing their job, having enough money, when they will die, how they will die ,who they will marry, and many more things. But that's the key word... things. Things r temporary. God talked about worry. What exactly does the bible say about worry, and how can we live our lives in peace?

The bible tells us that not one of us can lengthen or shorten our days. Not one of us can change the future. The bible says to b anxious for nothing and to trust that God has everything under control. There is no reason why we need to worry about what we can't control. We aren't God. But how do we live our lives in peace?

The bible also talks about how we can live our lives. He refers to children in this matter. He stated that unless we become like a little child we cannot see the kingdom. A child worries about nothing but instead, lives his/her life one day at a time with no fear for their future. Unless we become as a child nd have the faith as a child, we will not b able to live our lives in peace but only in worry.

Today, I challenge you to become as a child. Have the faith of a child. Do not worry about tomorrow but have faith and trust that God has your life in control. He knows the beginning from the end.