Just a thought.....

Never allow yourself to dwell on the question "why me" at the first sign of opposition. Always remember that greatness can never be achieved without it. What would the awesomeness of Mount Everest be without the climb?

(Here you go Lexi Girl~Ms.K)

I'VE GOT THIS........

We've all heard the saying that pride goeth before the fall. What is it about pride that is so attractive? What is it about pride that trips us up?

Pride is a part of our mind that tells us we are better than, greater than, more important than, more deserving than or more qualified than anyone else. It is an arrogance that deceives us and tries to make us believe that we don’t need God or others, we only need ourselves.

Pride was the sin of Adam. When he took the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge from Eve, he knew what he was doing. He wanted to be the equal of God and already believed he knew better than God.There are many spiritual consequences to pride. It retards our spiritual progress. Pride says, “God, I can do this better than you.” Or, “God, I can take care of this, I don’t need your help.” This attitude keeps us from the intimacy that God wants to have with us. “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.” (Proverbs 26:12) Pride throws up a wall between God and us and rejects His help and guidance.

Arrogance and pride that run on for a lifetime unchecked lead to the hardening of the heart that condemns those who refuse to accept anything greater than themselves. When pride becomes so engrained as to be habit, it takes devastating circumstances to overcome it.

What is that thing that drives us to need to feel better than others? I suspect it is an obsessive need to be loved. The very nature of pride says, “I don’t need you.” This drives people and God away, leaving the proud alone and not just humanly lonely, but spiritually lonely, too.

What we really must understand is that no matter what anyone thinks of us, God made us just the way he intended and loves us just the way we are.We are not perfect by any means but we are all gifted one way or the other. We must learn it and get beyond the need to let everyone know about it and focus instead on thanking God for it!

"See I have engraved you in the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16.

For the past couple of weeks we have been taught some awesome word about devotion. Well this particular verse speaks volumes to me about Christ's devotion to us. In Isaiah 49:16 it states that we are "engraved in His hands." Think about that for a moment. Have you ever had a sticker on your hand or just jotted a number or quick note on your palm? If you have then you know that every time you use your hands something catches your eye, they are drawn to it without even thinking. Christ in his awesomeness took it a step further. He didn't just write us down on his hand, He ENGRAVED us in his hand, Permanent, so that EVERY time our Heavenly Father uses HIS hands WE catch his eye! I don't know about you all but THIS just amazes me, the fact that He leaves nothing out. I may just write God on mine so that every time I use my hands I will be reminded of Christ's devotion. Happy Memorial Day Weekend and Be Blessed!

Do as I do....

Jesus said He did nothing of His own will but only what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). What is the Father doing? Psalm 10:14 says God is the helper of the orphan. He provides out of His goodness to the poor (Psalm 68:10). He comes to the aid of the needy when they need help and He helps those who have no helper (Psalm 72:12). He has compassion on the poor and the needy (Psalm 72:13; 16:5). He executes justice for the oppressed. He gives food to the hungry and sets the prisoners free (Psalm 146:7).

Remember, prisoners are not only those who are in jail, but those who continue to be enslaved to their old natures because they remain religiously deceived. The deeds mentioned here are the works of the Lord. Jesus performed these works in the Father’s name and we are to do the same.

Don't think that it has to be something huge to be significant, it's the little things that leave a lasting impression... A smile, hug or even lending a ear to someone that simply needs a friend to listen... Have a Blessed Weekend!

Don't forget to "Honor They Mothers" today!!!!!

"If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito."

-Never let your age or size hold you back from doing what God wants you to do. Take the mosquito, he may be tiny but he definitely gets his point across!

What does YOUR world revolve around?

I know that it's been a while since our last post. It is very easy to let your job/school, lack of time and or issues stand in your way, hindering you from doing what God would have you to do.

I remember when I was a teen I thought that if I were only 18, I would be happy, I could do what I want, nobody would be able to tell me what to do. WRONG! You will always be accountable for what you do, you have to be submissive to your parents and other authority figures. If you can't get that part right, how can you ever be useful to God?

Just this past week we had the privilege to take part in a "Community Outreach." Let me tell you, as an adult I felt like I knew it all. I was blown away, we just assume that everyone has grown up with a mom, aunt, friend etc. that had drug them to church (be serious, we all feel this way as a kid) or shared with them about Christ. We just all assume that there is a circle of people there who care for them and are there to teach them right and wrong. Let me tell you, there were kids there that were wondering the streets that I bet would have loved to actually have someone there to tell them what to do. What I did notice is these kids were not hindered by pride or pressure to be cool or fit in, they wanted forgiveness and wanted Christ to come into in their hearts...

What a humbling experience. I learned to take my eyes off of myself, what I wanted or didn't want to do. To be honest I was on vacation this week, I wanted to do what "I" wanted to do, and trust me it wasn't hanging out in the heat with no water involved! I wanted to go to the beach and relax... Then I met a young girl about 16, my oldest daughters age that had never actually been, she only dreams about it... Talk about a "slap of reality!"

So many things happened in that one day that will forever change the way I view things, and had I went with my (feelings) I would have missed it all.

I challenge all who may read this post, be it Maximum Impact or anyone else to take a moment and slow down to notice your surroundings. How many people do you walk by EVERY day that you don't even notice, because you are to busy looking at you. It may be a hug, prayer or even a simple smile letting them know you see them. It may mean nothing to you, but it could mean the world to the one on the receiving end.

Trust me it can change your life.. Happy Weekend and God Bless!

MOVIE NIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS FRIDAY 3/26/10

Where : Abundant life

Time : 6:45 pm - 10:30 ish...

For those of you that haven't had a chance to see this movie yet it is a must! It gives you a new perspective on Christ's life as a real person, as well as what he went through for us....

So bring a friend and come join us for fellowship, fun and yes there will be a few snacks TYKEAH! :)

What a great word we had on Wednesday, I hope you all are keeping your thoughts pure and keeping those "Pesky Little Foxes" away from your vines! Song of Solomon 2:15

*** The first Maximum Impacter that replies to this post, gets a prize next Sunday.***

Thoughts worth thinking......

"For as a man thinketh in his heart so is he."
Proverbs 2 3:7

Thought and thinking are mental forms and processes.Thinking allows people to model the world around them to represent it according to their objectives, plans, and desires.

Wow, our thoughts have the power to altar the world around us... So if you are struggling, with school, parents, friends, yourself or even life in general, I encourage you to take a few moments to really analyze what your thoughts consist of.

" Change the way you see things, then watch the things you see begin to change!"

Cross Over .....

Did you know that it is impossible to move forward while steadily looking back?

There is a phrase that we have all heard a million times, "Don't burn your bridges!" Lets look at the meaning of bridge.....

BRIDGE: A structure that allows one to cross over an obstacle.

If we use the bridge to cross over our obstacles why would we want to leave it in place as a option? If it was so wonderful back there we wouldn't have left it in the first place. If we allow the bridges of our past to stay in place the first time that things may get blurry or uncomfortable in the future ahead, we may be tempted to look back to our old bridges. With a little distance, the "Mess" you left behind looks more appealing than what is the unknown ahead. This is a trap that keeps most people in one place, never moving ahead into their future.

I say that we cross over those bridges and burn them once and for all and move on into the destiny that Christ has planned out just for us! Remember there is nothing in your past that is worth jeopardizing your future.. Be Blessed!

What do you see in the mirror?

Everyday as we wake up we all have at least one thing in common, we all take a "pit stop" at the Good Ole Mirror....

While there what is it that you see? Do you see the people that you hang out with, your parents or maybe even your hopes and dreams for the future. Some people might even see the pain and hurt that they've experienced in the past.

In Genesis 1:27 it says "And God made man in His own image." So that being said (we all know the bible doesn't lie) then are we actually seeing Christ when we look in the mirror? Or are are we conformed to a mold of what we think would be acceptable to "fit in."

We were not made just to merely fit in, we were made to be set apart, to be a walking talking example of Christ here on earth. Others are to be able to look at you and wonder what that little something is that you have and that they want!

Always remember, the image that you portray in school will be the image that people will remember you as forever. They will remember who you WERE not who you ARE. So protect your image at all cost and let your identity be in Christ. Be Blessed!