Where's the discretion & respect?!?

Discretion: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment

Respect: an act of giving particular attention; a high or special regard

As much as I want World Peace, I wonder if there would be more peace if we had more discretion and respect. In this "It's-all-about-me" "have-it-your-way...NOW!!" culture we live in, I think we are quickly loosing peace because we are loosing discretion and respect.
For most of us, these aren't intentional disregards. But I am afraid for some, they just don't care, or know. To some extent, we all miss the mark on occasion. There are days I am completely in a hurry and I am not paying attention to the wake I leave behind me. Sometimes I am just so stressed out, I can't get past my own agenda or attitude.
I grew up under the authority of a "Military Dad" and the "Everyone's Best Friend Mom." My parents were both very respectful of others and this was at the core of our training up. (No, that doesn't mean my sister or I were perfect, but we were taught and held accountable when we didn't display these. Remember the ol' Soap in the Mouth?!? Blech!! ) And now that I am a parent, I am focused on not only my behaviors (ultimately my heart for the Lord's witness) and my example but the training up of my own 4 children to be respectful to others and using discretion in what they share with others and how they share it. Ultimately, having a heart desiring to honor God.

"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18

You always hold the door for others, especially young mothers and the elderly. You always say Please and Thank You. You pay special regard to elders. If someone drops something, you pick it up and give it to them. You never take the last thing in the house without making sure someone else would want it or need it. You drop your trash, you pick it up. You spill it, you clean it. You borrow something, you give it back. You break something, you fix it. You use the last of something, you replace it. You don't say bad words or words that sound the same. You don't talk back in sass. You take off your shoes at the door, not wherever. When you are in public, you don't make out, PDA is private. You don't let others see more of your skin than clothes and you definitely don't let people see your bra or underware! Bras were for support, not accessories. Underware was for under-ware, not over-ware. (Wedgies were a cosequence if they were spotted on boys!) And bathing suits were made for covering not revealing. You speak quietly in public so others don't hear your business. No one wants to hear all about the local gossip or about your issues when they are paying for  peace and pampering!! Movies are a place to be quiet, as are libraries, spas, nail salons, steam rooms, and certain restaurants. And by the way, you do not answer the phone/text/email (cell or land) or read the paper while sharing a meal with someone unless it's urgent and/or an emergency-not an update. Belching and Tooting were things of great embarrassments if heard or seen, not badges of honor. Guests are always served first and you wait for the "chef" to sit down before saying grace and eating. Taking care of the house was a family job, not Mom's job. Computers were for education and keeping intouch, not for selfish sin. Friends are precious, not disposable. Dating is for purpose and not experimentation. The Bible is for life and not decoration. God is a Holy Name not an angry blurt. The news was balanced, helpful and fair. Having your own car as a teen was a great privilege, not expectation. Car radios were for your own personal enjoyment, not a public service announcement. The Great Outdoors was to be kept, not trashed. We used to cut the plastic soda rings. When someone asks you to hand them something, you handed it, not threw it at them. Kisses were for your significant other, not roll call. Chips should be eaten not carried. Gentlemen were gentle men.

It all begins in the heart. God, gives us Yours so that Your glory may be revealed!! Amen.

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45

 

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul," Deuteronomy 10:12

 

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9   

I need a RESET button!

Do you ever wish you had a RESET button like one of your gadgets? I sure do. Thankfully, we do have a RESET!! Where is it you ask? It is found at the beginning of the search for change and the moment we make the choice to make that change happen...just to the right side of of "love, coffee and prayer!" Then, you find your Righteous Reset!! 

God faithfully gives us "morning mercies." Does this sound like you...."my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, "My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD." Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me." Lamentations 3:17-20 

Do you feel depleted? Alone? Attacked? Grieved? Frustrated? Always rushed? Too busy, never enough hours in a day? Like many of my gadgets, you need a RESET button desperately but can't find it? Your wheels are stuck spinning and you need to hit that button! In desperation, you throw your hands up and scream "enough!" You feel unable to...take...one...more...step.....or make...one...more...decision....let me encourage you that there is hope and you are not alone!!! It is at this moment, we have a choice....give up hope and accept defeat or give up defeat for hope! The ability to reset our heart, soul and mind begins at the moment of desperation for change. We don't have to wait till "our system shuts down." 

Eventhough on the outside it may appear that everyone else is perfectly happy, we all go through times in our lives where we face these thoughts of depletion and despair. Joy and all things "good" seems to slip away. It can last for moments in our day and sometimes for seasons. God allows seasons of wilderness to test us and refine us, but we have to be honest and admit at times, we sometimes even host our own pity party. Satan is a deceiver and destroyer and he would like nothing more than to steal your joy for when he steals your joy, he then steals your strength, your hope, your faith, your confidence and soon, your heart.

Time after time, one bad habit, fear, prideful or lazy moment after another, we make choices that hurt us. We would like to blame it on someone else however, the proof is in the pudding'. We must own our own "stuff" and confess our sins, repent and "refresh" before we "shut down" our system! Only then, can we receive full blessings and healing and experience a joy "restored." No one else but you has the ability to push your RESET button. It is a choice we must make for ourself, simply choosing whether we place our hope and trust in the One who is greater, our Great I Am...or not. "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

Lamentations goes on to say, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him."

What wonderful news!!! You do not have to wait until the morning to RESET and receive the mercies of God!! Right this moment, you can "call to mind" His promises, push your RESET button and "refresh" your hope in the perfect portions of all the mercies the Lord our God has for you!!! Being careful not to be encouraging a "prosperity Gospel," you cannot will God to do your will. Our prayers and heart's hope ought to be Mathew 6:10 Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven! Your circumstances may not change right away or ever. But God is in control, He has a plan and purpose to prosper you (Jeremiah 29:11) causing all things to work for good (Romans 8:28), even in the really tough times. There is a difference of self-induced stress (us choosing to make things complicated or hard) and God's leading us through something for the purpose of testing, refining and purifying. He is faithful and steadfast. His mercies for the storm, the wilderness, and every bit of our life are new every morning. 
(Side note: DO NOT assume those of us walking around with a smile on our face or writing blogs of encouragement, hope and faith, have it all together and have perfect, happy lives. We don't! What we do have is a perfect God who resets us every day, and often must refresh our every breath!) 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith,with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:2-6

Whatever it is that you need a RESET button for, may you humble yourself before the Lord and choose today to hope, trust, believe, have faith in the One Greater than anything or anyone, the One who has already gained the Victory for your soul. I challenge you to make the decision right now, moving forward, away from defeat to walk in the blessed assurance that you are seen by God, heard by God and are never, ever alone, trusting He has a plan! Our RESET is found in Him! 

It is crucial for Believers to remain plugged into our source of power. God Himself is our strength, joy, purpose, help, and ability to live a life RESET! Old is gone, new has come, day after day, after day! Remember, Satan is clever and will keep you running but God is Greater and He stands ready for you to run straight towards Him! Dig into His Word, know the promises of God, and you will see His heart for you! Knowing how much I am deeply loved, sincerely cared for, sets my heart on fire!! How GREAT is our God!!

If this is something you feel you are too weak to handle on your own, then I beg you to set aside your pride, your loneliness, your fear of judgement, your worry of the unknown and find someone who will intercede on your behalf with prayer and hold you accountable for pushing that RESET button you so desperately seek. No one can do it for you. This is something you must choose to do. What do you choose?

Choose today whom you will serve!!!!! Yes you can. Stop the condemnation, excuses and defeat and choose LIFE in Christ!!!! 

Father God, You hold us in the palm of Your merciful hands and have from the beginning of time. You created us and everything on heaven and earth and we so desperately want and need You to rescue us from the condemnation and defeat we face. While we believe that You have won the ultimate victory on the Cross and by the blood of Your Son, we are saved, we admit that moments here on this earth leave us forgetting the power of Your blood. God, we cry out to You today, without hesitation that we desire more of You. Help us push through our feelings and see on only Truth in You and Your Word that has power to save, rescue and redeem us. We cannot do today in our strength Lord, give us Yours. Help us rest in Your perfect portions and trust in mercies and grace which are offered in Your precious Name. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

We want to RESET and return to the path of righteousness where we will find Your strength, peace, comfort and joy once again. Thank You Lord for the chance to RESET and make new my heart, mind and soul! I trust You. I seek You. I need You. Thank You Abba Daddy, Friend and Saviour for loving me and meeting me right where I am, holding me in Your love. I am Yours. Amen.

How are YOU doing? It's easy to judge other's, but what about us.

REMINDER: My blogging is meant to be a tool of remembrance, for me personally and for the reader...the public venue of blogging allows me to share these testimonies with you in hopes somone else will also be encouraged. I refer back at times in my online journaling in a call to remember what God has and is doing in my life.
If you were led here, then there must be something for you. There are no coincidences. Here is part 2 of my study today...going to print this and use as a further study at another time.
Blessings, Michele


From The Ministry of Encouragement:

How does God want us to relate to one another in the Body of Christ?

Romans 12:10—Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:16—Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to asso­ciate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 13:8—Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one an­other, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Romans 14:13—Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
Romans 15:7—Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:14—I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of good­ness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
Romans 16:16—Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greet­ings.
1 Corinthians 1:10—I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Galatians 5:13—You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2—Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:32—Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 5:19—Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:21—Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Colossians 3:13—Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:16—Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11—Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

In short we are exhorted to: honor, live in harmony with, stop passing judgment on, love, accept, greet, instruct, speak to, submit, forebear, forgive, teach, admonish and encourage one another.