MY STORY CONTINUES!
SUNDAY’S MONDAY
In light of everything that has gone on in my life over the last 13 months, I have found a new value for something that only I own. I have known for quite some time that it is valuable but last month it became priceless. My Pat went home to live with our Father (God) and I was left behind to finish my story before I join them. Her story here is complete and people are telling me things about her that I didn’t know. A lot of what Pat did I took for granted because that was Pat. Please! Don’t do that! “Everyday” is new and fresh and so is your spouse and family. In life we do things repeatedly because that is life but remember those things that we take for granted are always coated with a fresh covering of love. As with any couple Pat and I seldom saw things the same way and that was great because, between the two of us with God, we could find the right perspective. Two lives, two stories, one God painted beautiful pictures in our book of life. Pat and I found the key to marriage in 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT), Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Well, while her story here has ended, mine continues to be pinned. Oh, by the way; My story which I love to give away is my one-of-a-kind, priceless possession. No one owns my story and even though my life is not extremely different from any other, “I live it” in 3D ultra vision, up close and very personal. My feelings and emotions are applied to every second of my life. I have learned (the hard way) that for me it’s not as much about what happened or is happening, as it is how I am dealing with it mentally and spiritually. People have told me that their story is nothing compared to others, to which I almost always reply, how did it feel when you lived it? People are quick to forget the terrible doubt, fear, and pain, they play it down because it is uncomfortable to remember. This is where life after accepting Jesus can help us embrace those hurtful times to help others stay out of those traps. I promise you, the freedom one finds in facing these feelings with Jesus is amazingly different than without. Each of us has a gift to become a friend and trusted mentor to someone suffering. Simply tell them your story! Without taking the blame or the glory for anything. Just tell your story! When the gospels are preached, it is merely telling the story of the life of Jesus. Here is the bottom line to everyone’s story, 1 Corinthians 15:2 (NLT), It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. Read into this what you will, after all, you’re living your story “right now”!
Even though our stories sound familiar it is our individualism that ultimately changes the attitude and the temperature of the words that are heard. My pastor always said, “When you walk into a room be the thermostat and set the temperature instead of the thermometer that reads it. This is also called adding value to the situation at hand. Think of it this way, the majority of Christians claim to have a relationship but, is it with the church? Or Jesus? I love to talk, and I blame God and Mama for my talking too much. You see; God gave me a mouth and Mama taught me how to use it and it’s been running wide open ever since. My story is being written by Paul Loftin and directed by Jesus Christ, endorsed by The Holy Spirit, and the copywrite belongs to God Himself. I can’t go wrong in telling my story because I know it firsthand. God told me one morning; “it took what it took to bring me to where I am today,” embrace and share the education. My story is like that song The Gaither Vocal band sings, The Song Goes On And On, and so it is, as long as there is breath, there is another chapter in the process. My story examples love as is written in 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT), If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Father, may we each follow the instructions You gave the demon-possessed man in Gerasene’s when he wanted to go with You after You cast out the demons and freed him in Luke 8:39 (NLT), “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. I understand this to be the charge You’ve given believers today. Nothing difficult, just repeat what God has done and do the same to others. No spectacular add-ons or enticing wording to show our smarts, just plain and simple truth. Lord, always keep us mindful that we surrendered, it was Your grace, mercy, and love that did everything, and we willingly and boastfully tell what You have done to and through us. We thank You for Your intervention in restoring our spirit back to You along with the relationship we find with You. Thank You Jesus for loving us unconditionally! Amen
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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