Uncategorized

God So Loves – Alleluia

SUNDAY SCHOOl LESSONS

May we so love the way God and Jesus the Christ so love.

On Easter, we honor the glorious life of Jesus. We celebrate his miracles, teachings, and victory over trials and temptations as well as death.

Jesus’ ministry is one of love.

God gave his only begotten Son in love and promised those who believe in him, the greatest, the most miraculous gift we can imagine, everlasting life and eternal love!

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16, KJV

Christ taught us a greater love.

His message was and continues to be to love our enemies, “sinners” and those our customs might turn away. Jesus’ disciples even questioned his approaching lepers, sitting with Pharisees and being kind to prostitutes.

“ For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them  . . . But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” –Luke 6: 32-35

Faithfulness, love enduring, strengthens and heals us.

Jesus was faithful to God’s laws and his ministry’s mission. He chose the law and love of God over greed, power, and pride among other temptations.

He said, to those seeking his healing, that their faith had made them whole. They believed in him and the perfection he holds.

Through His Love, we are never alone.

At times, there are things bigger than we can handle. He is with us and we can count on his love and this knowing sees us through.

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”— Isaiah 43:2 KJV

Forgiveness and love heal.

Holding grudges and hurts holds our love at bay. Then, at times, we turn from him and others like spoiled children who want to take our toys and go home. Forgiving is part of loving as Jesus showed us to love.

Jesus said of those that mocked him, spit, abused, accused him of being a false prophet, and called for his death, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” –Luke 23:34.

If we wish to follow Jesus, we will find benefit in living by the two great laws he shared.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”—
Matthew 22:36-40

We celebrate – He is risen!

May we trade our old attitudes, and ways, for love, forgiveness, fervent devotion, and the strength that is Christ Jesus and arise!  Let our baskets be filled with these this Easter and may we share this bounty with all those we meet– REJOICE! HE IS RISEN!

NanaSays.Com | 2022

LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH YOUR MIND

 

Do you think of yourself as a leader? Do you enjoy leading? As you were growing up, did people tell you that you had natural leadership qualities?

 

If you don’t see yourself as a leader, know that you are leading and probably not even knowing it. Why? Because we are all leaders simply because of our influence. Whatever you believe, think, value, feel, or say influences your behavior. These are all the result of your mindset and your mindset affects the impact you have on others.

 

This attitude determines much of our behavior, and our behavior produces specific results. If we are the leaders of our lives, in our work, and in our relationships, the results we get matter very much. Are we getting the results or having the impact we want, or are we experiencing unwanted results and outcomes? By looking at the relationship between our Mindset, our Behavior, and our Impact we can integrate all three components in an effective and satisfying way. We can incorporate leadership qualities and engage in leadership behaviors that generate the results we really  want.

 

Your impact may be subtle or it may be profound; it may be small or it may be big; it may be obvious or not so obvious; it may be positive, neutral, or negative. Observe your impact on others as it’s reflected back to you by their responses to you. Consciously and intentionally observe your actions as you carry them out, and observe your mindset as it fills your thoughts and shapes your attitudes. For instance, let look at this situation. A co-worker presents an issue to you. You are interested, but you have a lot your plate; yet, you can tell he needs to talk. This is what a M-B-I Audit might look like:

What is your mindset?  If the truth be known, you are feeling a bit resentful and harried because you had planned to complete this report.

What is your behavior?  You are looking at this co-worker, but you really are not seeing him because your mind is on what you need to get done and you’re antsy.

What is your impact?  He can tell you are not “with” him because you check your watch, your eyes drift and you ask them to repeat what they are saying. He could assume your behavior is because of something he did or think you just are not at all interested. How could this exchange affect the impact of your relationship and leadership?

 

By consciously reflecting on the relationship between your Mind-set, your Behavior and your Impact, you can make the changes necessary to improve the influence and effectiveness of your personal leadership. The MBI Audit is an ever-ready tool to use any time that you are not getting results you desire. That’s a tool worth keeping in your toolbox, wouldn’t you say?

 

© Copyright, Lauren Burnett, 2016. All rights reserved. This article may be shared in its entirety, including this notation.