Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 35

Fight Smart

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My soon-to-be husband decided to step forward and get into the ring. On a fateful day that forever changed my life, he bellied up to the kitchen counter at my parent’s home and went “mano a mano” with the Macho Cuban padre himself.

Okay, maybe he didn’t exactly duel my dad, but he did ask for my hand in marriage.

How did it go? I asked nervously afterward.

My man smiled wickedly and mimicked by father’s slight accent to give me the play-by-play.

At one point, Papi had offered sage marital advice. “Bruce,” he prophetically proclaimed, “in marriage you have to learn to roll with the punches.”

I remember laughing at the irony. Frankly, I grew up in a house where he who screams loudest wins. This fighter was determined to step out of the ring and wave off the verbal punches.

What I failed to realize is that the punches we’d face would come rapid fire from a completely different opponent. Bruce and I would frequently face fierce opposition and don gloves as a dynamic duo.

Bam! Miscarriage

Whack! Caregiving

Bang! Depression

Whomp! Grief

The wallops kept coming. Suddenly, my dad’s pithy comment morphed into our combat plan.

We roll with the punches. Take that, anxiety. You won’t knock us down for the count. We know our way around the ring.

Maybe like me you feel like you’ve been sucker punched in the gut a few times too many. How do we stay standing when the hits keep coming?

Let’s weigh in and remember we’ve got the Undisputed Champion in our corner.

5 Ways to Fight Smart

 Stay in stride: If you don’t want to be a punching bag, you must learn to adapt to your environment, adjust quickly to the onslaught, and stay agile in your movements (Philippians 4:12-14; Romans 12:1-2; I Corinthians 9:24-27).
 Keep your opponent at arm’s length: Don’t get distracted. Stay untangled so that you are not vulnerable to attack (II Corinthians 10:3-5; Hebrews 12:1-3; II Timothy 2:4).
 Anticipate an oncoming blow: Practice your defensive moves daily to build your muscles. Pivot into prayer. Swing into the Scriptures (Romans 12:21; I Peter 3:15, Hebrews 4:12).
 Punch fear in the face: You can walk confidently to the center of the arena because God has armed you with His strength (Deuteronomy 3:2; II Timothy 1:7; Ephesians 6:10, Psalms 18:32).
 Determine to never give up: If you fall, get back up and stay at it. Remember there are many rounds to come, and the victory is sure (Deuteronomy 20:4; Romans 8:31; Isaiah 41:10, I John 4:4).

Our Defender will teach us to fight smart, roll with the punches, and stay standing.    

 

 

 

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Fight Smart” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Take it Easy

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We are remodeling the house. My life is in boxes cluttering up the living room, and the upheaval makes me frazzled.

This weekend, I had 10 million trillion things to do. I wanted to run away and hide. To top it off, I looked at my calendar, and I’d set aside Sunday weeks ago to drive down to see my family.

I honestly felt guilty as I climbed into the car for the 40 minute drive south because I was leaving my man behind alone to do the heavy lifting and clear out the over-stuffed bedroom. But then I pictured my sweet soon to be 95-year-old Abuelo sitting in a chair looking smaller and smaller every time I visit.

I pressed the accelerator down and moved away from my personal agenda.

In Miami, I did a nothing that was an everything. I sat quietly and said little. I cradled a wrinkly hand in mine and remembered how it once was strong and big and brave and secure.

I listened as Mami lamented how she’d gotten up too quickly at the salon and ruined her manicure. I watched Papi hose the patio cement down until he was soaked through and sweaty.

I gave the gift of my presence, and I experienced God’s pleasure in the offering.

As I gathered up my belongings to head back home, my dad leaned in to give me the traditional Cuban kiss on the cheek and smiled.

“Cojelo suave,” he said. Take it easy, kid.

Suave is not my style. My style is harried and hurried. I want to stuff more into my day, and I stretch out the week by staying up way too late. I am the proverbial 5-year-old in pig tails refusing to rest when her eyes are obviously heavy with sleep.

I drove home with my dad’s words on my heart.  Cojelo suave

My spirit hears the tender voice of my Savior inviting me to lay down my load, sit down at His feet, and take it easy for a spell.

What would happen if I did?

I see how Mary did. She sat at Jesus’s feet as her sister ran circles around the Savior. Mary slowed down and savored the moment. She accepted His invitation to drink in and find life.

In the midst of frenzy and fury, I can press in to Him and find peace.

My awesome Puerto Rican co-worker lived this truth out during her darkest season. I’d check in on her every few days and ask, “How you doing, girl?” Her Spanglish faith-filled response always made me smile.

“Tranquilita at the cross,” she’d say. Is there a safer place to be than in salvation’s shadow? As I surrender to Him and slow down, He renews my spirit and restores my tranquility.

Come and live, my friends.  Sometimes choosing to do nothing is everything.  

 

Let’s Talk:  
How will you purpose to take it easy and sit at His feet this week?

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I am sharing “Take it Easy” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Let us Grow, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Fresh Market Friday, Blessing Counters, Grace Moments, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Intentional Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Testimony Tuesday, Moments of Hope, and Sharing His Beauty.

The post Take it Easy appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

5 Remedies for Broken Hearts

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For seven years, I dragged myself out of bed every morning and made myself go to work. The shards of my lacerated heart pierced my mind and darkness flooded every corner. I struggled to just breathe.

On the back wall of my classroom, the words of the psalmist spoke of healing in a position visible to me at all times. He heals the brokenhearted. Hour after hour, I stood at the front of the room and silently rehearsed that truth.

He heals.

I reached out for His healing like a desperate woman burdened with a bandage soaked in blood.

With empty hands, I picked up the Word of Life. He slowly mended me stitch by stitch as I scoured its pages. Truth was the only remedy.

Once resurrected, I danced in white with heart beating wild and never looked back.

I thought I’d run wild and free forever, but since then my heart has been pummeled and patched up over and over again.

My tattered heart longs for heaven.

I live in the midst of the fallen ruins, but this world is not my home anyway.

Daily, I must surrender my broken heart to the One who creates beauty out of the ashes.

5 Remedies for Broken Hearts

Focus on breathing: You need to slow down to avoid going into shock. Be still before Him. (Psalms 37:1-9)
Wash your wound in the Word: Nothing else will stop the bleeding. Keep pouring the truth on your pain until the poison is washed away. (Psalm 119:9-11)
Apply the salve of forgiveness: Spread His grace over your mess, rather than holding on to your hurt. It takes the sting out every time. (Colossians 3:1-13)
Elevate above the pain center: Lift your hands and heart in worship. As you look up, your pain will begin to dissipate. (Psalm 107:19-22)
Stay alert for signs of infection: Bitterness is a cancer. Uproot it before it takes hold of your heart. (Ephesians 4:25-32)

God can heal a broken heart, but you have to give Him all the pieces. 

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “5 Remedies for Broken Hearts” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Lessons Learned in 3-D: Music is My Muse

 

Is May really over? Where did my Spring go? Time is slipping through my fingers, and I want to grab it back. As an exercise of gratitude and grace, I am stopping today to share lessons learned in hopes of capturing those moments before the memory fades.

I discovered a sugar-free recipe dessert that my hubby loves, and I can serve when people come over for dinner. It’s like Ambrosia light!

 

Trolling on Instagram sometimes leads to gold. A friend of a friend posted a picture of a park that was close to home, on the water, and completely new to me. We did a little exploring using our GPS, and now we have a happy place to visit.

 

 

Ten years after I stopped teaching, I can still quote most of Mark Antony’s soliloquy from Julius Caesar. However, I cannot remember my current email password.  Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears and your memory.
God loves to repeat Himself to make sure I am listening. Earlier this month, I shared with you about how God is teaching me to appreciate the gift of just breathing. Then, last night I opened up chapter 5 to read a little Deidra Riggs and discovered the chapter was titled “Breathless.”

 

We are infinitely and exquisitely crafted by the God who gives us this one race to run. We should not underestimate the breath in our lungs and how it links us to the One who gives us life. Every breath we breathe is a gossamer testimony rising toward the heavens.

My mom bought me an electric pressure cooker and showed me how to use it. Let us pray that I do not blow the house up.

 

I moved around the furniture in the family room and made room for a $100 table I bought on Amazon.  Viola!  Now, I have a beautiful spot by the window to think, breathe, dream, and write.  Yay!

 

 

Music is my current blog muse.  I’ve written several posts lately inspired by lines from songs.

Just Breathe was written after listening to Johnny Diaz on the radio the same week my husband passed his breathing test.
Heaven Fall Down was inspired by the musical genius Phil Wickham on a rainy day after I’d read Hosea 6:3 during my quiet time.
Break Every Chain was written after I spent a weekend worshipping with Travis Cottrell at a Living Proof Live Event, and then coming across Paxton Ingram’s performance on The Voice on Facebook.  And, because God loves to repeat Himself, the morning after I hit publish, the version by The Digital Age came on the radio on the drive to work.

 

Let’s Talk:  What did you learn in May?

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I am sharing “Music is My Muse” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Let us Grow, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Fresh Market Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday,  Grace Moments, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Intentional Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Testimony Tuesday, Moments of Hope, Chatting at the Sky, and Sharing His Beauty.

The post Lessons Learned in 3-D: Music is My Muse appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Welled up with Compassion

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My best friend is currently fostering two kitties. The shelter won’t take them unless they are two pounds, so she gathered them in her arms and took them home.

I wish my heart was more like hers.

Instead of welling up in tears over the life of the poor kitten, I think about how I’d have to clean up after it and feed it. I excuse my indifference by telling myself I  am too busy to cradle a homeless cat.

I don’t have to save the kittens of this world because Barby does.

The problem is that my complete apathy carries over into almost every corner of my heart.

I don’t have to rescue the girl on the street. Christine Caine does that.

I can go get my nails done while Lori Harris feeds that kid who looks different from me.

I tell myself that God is okay because I toss a dime to Compassion International every month and scrawl a quick note to the girl whose picture hangs on my refrigerator.

My heart does not well up with compassion for the hurting. I’d rather just channel surf.

Yesterday, Kristan reminded me of a passage that God has slowly been imprinting on my dry and dusty heart:

Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived.

This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this:

Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight,

and guard against corruption from the godless world.

James 1:26-27, MSG

I can’t imagine Christ putting on His sunglasses at the red light when the homeless guy is on the corner.

Jesus wept with the hurting and walked into the pain of others.

His heart welled up with compassion.

Because my well runneth dry, I asked God to show me the way to a welled-up heart. Here’s a top 10 list that will help you “fight the ugly”  as you apply it to your heart.

10 Qualities of a Heart Welled Up with Compassion

Steps toward the broken and battered with grace (Luke 15:20)
Forgives readily recognizing our failures require forbearance (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:2)
Grieves with the hurting in harmonious humility (I Peter 3:8)
Responds to pain and moves in to alleviate suffering (Luke 10:33-34)
Protects the helpless and lost (Matthew 9:36)
Loves sacrificially with eyes that view another’s need as your responsibility (I John 3:17)
Honors others with the kind heart of a servant (Philippians 2:1-3)
Extends mercy to those who doubt (Jude 1:22)
Applies a healing balm to the weary and wounded (Matthew 20:34)
Rescues the perishing (Proverbs 24:11-12)

A heart welled up with compassion overflows to the world and showers the least of these with His kindness and mercy.  

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Welled Up with Compassion” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Heaven Fall Down

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Rain always surprises me. I often drive to work in the morning under bright blue skies with not a hint of what is to come.

Right now, I am looking out my window, and the trees are perceptibly moving in the wind in a peculiar way that foretells a coming downpour. I’ve learned to pack my umbrella just in case.

In just a few minutes, I will pick up my phone and text my husband to let him know that cats and dogs and kitchen sinks are falling down from the sky. Heaven will open up its doors and transform the landscape.

Heaven fall down.

When a farmer plants a seed into the ground, he believes that the rain will come. The fruit of his labor will take many days to spring up, but he continues to break up the fallow ground and prepare for the harvest ahead.

Prayer is a lot like that. Every cry lifted up to heaven is like a seed planted in the ground. I bury my burdens on my knees, and then I look up to God in expectation.

Heaven fall down.

The rain of God’s mercy will wash over me soon. In the meantime, I am patiently waiting. I am hopeful. I am preparing.

The wind of God’s Spirit will perceptibly begin to move and provide hints of the refreshing shower yet to come.

His rain will transform the landscape of my life.

Beautiful fruit is on its way.

Perhaps the ground before you looks barren and lifeless right now.

Keep looking up. Your downpour is coming.

He will come like rain and refresh your life.

 

 

Let’s Talk: How are you preparing for the downpour?

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My desire is to lift up holy hands and “Pray Big.” Want to join me? I’ve created a private “Pray Big” Facebook group for like-minded sisters to share their stories and surrender each one to our mountain-moving God in prayer. Let’s cry out to God together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I am sharing “Heaven Fall Down” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Let us Grow, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Live Free Thursday,  Grace Moments, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Intentional Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Testimony Tuesday, Moments of Hope, and Sharing His Beauty.

 

The post Heaven Fall Down appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Fight the Ugly

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Some days, I just need a swift kick in the pants. The spoiled brat in me is ugly.

I throw around phrases like  “Why me?” and “I deserve better.”

Yep.  It’s ugly.

My ugly entitled heart is displeasing to the Lord.

I hate the pride that rises up within me. I surrender it over and over again at the foot of the cross. Yet, I find that I am still a manipulative narcissist in the depths of my soul.

I think I am brilliant. I tend to put my needs first. I secretly envy the successes of others. I find great enjoyment in flattery and praise.

At my worst, I grow resentful and impatient when I don’t get my way. Rather than concern, I lean toward criticism.

Lord, help me to fight the ugly is my daily prayer.
How to Fight the Ugly:

Choose an attitude of gratitude: Be a blessing counter, not a complainer. Remember some days we have to offer up a hard hallelujah as a fragrant offering.
Look forward with hope: Rather than focus on our circumstances, let’s keep eternity in view. Our hope in Christ is rooted in the past, endures in the present, and is fixed forward on our eternal glory in the future.
Pray for perseverance: Ask God to help you stay planted in faith. Stand strong in grace and dig in with determination.
Breathe in the peace of God: Choose rest and allow God to renew your spirit.

I will be grateful for this day.  Ugly won’t get the best of me.  

 

 

 

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Fight the Ugly” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Just Breathe

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Last week, my man texted me a picture from the hospital which he titled “Gas Chamber.” We had known for eight weeks that this day was coming. The pulmonologist wanted him to undergo a breathing test.

I am happy to report that our breathing is just fine. Thank you.

The tech who oversaw the “gas chamber” exam had worked with Bruce during his hospitalization, and apparently, he was quite shocked at his recovery. I guess most of the patients he sees don’t actually pass the breathing test.

It’s hard to bounce back from the brink when your breathing has been compromised.

I still wonder at the healing hand of God in our lives. His mercy overwhelms me. May I never forget that He wrought a miracle in my man’s now fully-healthy lungs.

You don’t appreciate the gift of breathing until you’ve struggled to gulp in air without assistance.

Anyway, in the middle of my man’s breathing test, I was furiously working on a writing project that basically landed on my lap out of nowhere. I spent 10 days running full speed ahead at a breakneck pace to meet a crazy deadline. I barely had time to take a breath.

Driven and desperate, I determined to finish on time — even if it killed me. I wrote into the wee hours of the morning and relied on Advil and soda to help me through the day.

As soon as I’d e-mailed the final product off for review, I crumbled on the couch in exhaustion. “Laptop, be gone,” I exclaimed.  I needed to breathe.

But still I struggled to disconnect. I mean, I’d spent long hours attached to that screen. The keyboard started to define me.

Have you ever forgotten how to “just breathe” and be? We run ragged on an adrenaline-infused rhythm for so long that taking a break seems boring, barren, and baseless.

The enemy loves to get us busy.

When was the last time you “just breathed,” friend? I’ve learned that if I don’t stop to breathe God puts me to the test. He will slow me down in His mercy to teach me the importance of remembering that inhaling is a gift of His mercy.

Just be and breathe.

Fill your lungs with the peace of God. He is the air that you breathe.

Let’s Talk:
Do you struggle to “just breathe” like I do? 

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I am sharing “Just Breathe” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Let us Grow, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Grace Moments, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Intentional Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Testimony Tuesday, and Sharing His Beauty.

 

The post Just Breathe appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.

Keep Eternity in View

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In 1985, I graduated from high school, packed my bags, and flew the coop.

I’d dreamed of this moment for so long. My heart longed for freedom.

Yet, just a few short weeks later, I suddenly felt restless. I longed for home.

This dissatisfaction with my circumstances was the beginning of a new understanding for me.

Yes, this world promised fulfillment and fun, but somehow it was never quite enough.

…I longed for more.

I finished college, got a job, and decorated an apartment.

…and I still longed for more.

I spent two decades praying for God to place a husband under my Christmas tree, and then one magical day, I wore a veil and walked down an aisle.

…and I still longed for more.

I’ve learned that worldly fare always leaves you hungry.

Can you relate?

Solomon certainly can. He had it all — an offensively large bank account, the keys to the kingdom, and more women at his disposal than probably Hugh Heffner himself.

He had it all, but it was never enough.

For the last eight weeks, I’ve studied Solomon’s treatise on life. Ecclesiastes is a timeless classic that is relevant to our day. Donald Trump really needs to read it.  He is a very Solomon-esque man.  Don’t you think?

Honestly, studying Ecclesiastes is not for the faint of heart. The book can be downright depressing at times, but if we listen and learn from Solomon, we might just avoid living a life filled with regret.

So let’s imagine that you and I are meeting Solomon for a cup of joe at Starbucks today. What wisdom would he share?

If you are note taker like me, here are the highlights.

Top 10 Takeaways from Ecclesiastes

Keep Eternity in View: I need to keep my eyes firmly focused on God and remember that no matter what happens here on earth, God is going to make all things new one day and get rid of sorrow, sin, weeping, and pain. My life doesn’t “end” here on earth on the day I die. In fact, I will one day be absent from my body, but fully alive and present before my Creator. My job is to keep looking forward and to invest in the 2 things that will outlast this life — God’s Word and the souls of men.
Trust God: I might not fully understand God, but only pursuing Him leads to true satisfaction. Rather than focus on results, I need to focus on relationship. I need to remember that I don’t have a complete understanding of how God is orchestrating things. From my finite viewpoint, I may see events in my life as purpose-less, but one day when I get to heaven, I will have the complete picture of how God was working in ways that I did not see with my human eyes. In the meantime, my job is to stay faithful and to not lose heart. The wise choices that I make today, may help to point another person to Christ and save them from an eternity apart from God. As Galatians 6:9 encourages, I should not grow weary in well doing.
Work Hard: There are no shortcuts in life. When I “cut corners” in any area of my life, I end up either on a dead-end street or going around in circles and just wasting valuable time and energy. As I yield my life to God and surrender all that I do to Him, I find purpose and meaning in my work and in my play. I cannot forget that I am here to know God and to make Him known. Placing God at the center of all that I do is how I find true pleasure and joy.
Learn to “Roll with It”:  I waste a lot of precious time wondering “why” and asking God “what if,” when I should be making every moment count by asking God “what do you want me to do now in this situation, Lord?” Rather than trying to change my circumstances, I need to adjust my attitude and focus on how to bring Him glory through my response each moment of my day.
Be a Giver: This world’s values will drain me of all joy and make life a chore. I need to remember that God is a giver, not a hoarder. To be like Christ, I must serve, not be selfish. When I find myself feeling weary with life, I need to stop and re-examine where I am putting my focus. Am I starting to feel entitled? Am I focused on my flesh, rather than yielding to my spirit? A good heart check every so often is important.
Cultivate a Thankful Heart: My choices do have consequences, and more importantly, my heart attitude will determine how pleasing I am to God. Am I thankful for the gift of life today? Am I thankful that I get to partner with God in His redemptive purposes today? Am I willing to take up my cross and follow Jesus knowing that the suffering I experience now will be but a shadow when I experience the glory that is to come in heaven when I see Him face to face? If things don’t go my way, will I trust that God has a greater plan?
Choose Wisely: “Wisdom speaks quietly” but changes the atmosphere. When we live wisely, our heart is tender to the Lord, and this impacts our countenance so that we radiate God’s Light to those who are hardened by sin. Rather than fear man, I need to fear God. Man has no power to defeat God’s purposes in my life.
Stay in the Word:  In Proverbs 2, Solomon encourages us to be wise daughters who “receive” God’s Word and “treasure” His precepts. We are called to perk up and pay attention leaning forward with anticipation so that we do not miss a single syllable of what God has to say to us. We are to pray for wisdom and search for it like a pirate who is greedy for treasure. As we continue to study God’s Word, seek to know Him more, and grow in our love for what makes His heart happy, He will teach us to tremble for Him above everything else in this world.
 Make Each Day Count:  How will my life today reverence my God? How will I choose to say no to this world and yes to God? Consider the brevity of life and “live like you am dying.” Create a legacy with your life.  Invest in moments that matter in light of eternity.
Fear God Above All Else:

Surrender to His sovereignty
Respect His holiness
Honor Him with a humble heart attitude
Remember He is a Righteous Judge
Obey His voice



 
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God!
This is what life is all about.
Ecclesiastes 12:13, CEV

 

 

 

Something to think about…

 

I’m sharing “Keep Eternity in View” with like-minded friends at Faith-Filled Friday.

 

Have you written something thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.

Kill them with Kindness

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“Where are your shoes?”  I asked the young guy standing beside me.

“We didn’t have any size tens,” he responded.  I gave my shoe-less brother a big hug.  We’d volunteered to help with our church’s monthly clothing drive at the Homeless Shelter, and his generosity spoke volumes about loving sacrificially.

In Romans, Paul challenges us to wear a badge of love as Christ followers.  As His ambassadors in this broken world, we cannot stand aloof on the sidelines when we see our brother in need.  We must step in and “kill them with kindness.”

The ESV translation words Paul’s challenge to the church at Rome beautifully:  “Outdo one another in showing honor.”  In a world that lauds competition and ambition, Christ followers stand apart by setting aside their personal agenda to selflessly serve.

In the Old Testament story of Ruth, Boaz shows honor by unselfishly blessing two widows, Ruth and Naomi.  His generosity was not a casual response.  He purposed to meet their need by sharing of the harvest, rather than hoarding God’s provision.   He could have looked the other way, but his tenderheartedness helped transform a tragedy into a redemption story.

Who in your circle of influence needs to experience God’s love and redemption today?   Like Boaz, you can purpose to share out of your abundance to meet a need.  You can shower someone with kindness and point them to Jesus.

God might not ask you to give away your shoes like my friend at the homeless shelter did, but He may ask you to walk across the street with a casserole dish.  He may prompt you to mow someone’s lawn or pay for groceries to fill an empty pantry. Ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you. Serving sacrificially in your community may open the door for His love to transform your neighbor’s story.

Let’s purpose to outdo one another in living lives that actively display God’s abundant love and unending grace.

 

Let’s Talk: Think about the last time someone made an extra effort to extend kindness and generosity to you.  How did it make a difference in your life?

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“Kill Them with Kindness” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.

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I am sharing “Kill Them with Kindness” and joining like-minded sisters at Give Me Grace, Let us Grow, Spiritual Sundays, Faith-Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Grace Moments, Tell His Story, Coffee for Your Heart, Three-Word Wednesday, Intentional Tuesday, Purposeful Faith’s RaRaLinkup, Rich-Faith Rising, Testimony Tuesday, and Sharing His Beauty.

The post Kill them with Kindness appeared first on 3-D Lessons for Life.