News Alert! New Facebook Illness!

I was getting ready to post my daily verse and tip when I read a post on a dear friends (Orvetta) wall, about a new illness the doctor's have diagnosed some with. It is called "Facebook Depression" and apparently is caused from reading your friends posts, discovering they are doing better than you, or have more than you; which in turn causes depression... my reaction to this is: WOW, Really?!? Some really will use anything as an excuse!!

Then I continued to read on Orvetta's posts something that made me feel so RICH and Blessed! She said, "obviously they don't have God or Candye's daily posts"....That was awesome! And, so very true (the part about God - not necessarily me). That got me to thinking that this morning warranted a blog and not just a tip.

You must initiate your blessings! You can not be envious of what others have. If you want more, you have to do more. You cannot just sit idle and "wish" for it. God gives us brains and muscles to use and not to sit around and just complain about what we don't have or be envious of others. The Bible gives us direct verses about jealousy and envy.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like: of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in the time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

You have to decide what you will have on earth and ensure it will not hinder your Riches in Heaven!

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me."

I believe that verse is not telling us that God expects you to sell everything you own and give it to the poor, but I do believe it is meant to convey that if you are more concerned about your worldly possessions then it will be hard for a rich man to enter into heaven... (Matt 19:23)

Don't look at what others have with envy. Instead, look at it as a motivator to get up and do something about it...go work hard like others do and make the most of what you have.

If you never ask for anything, you will never receive anything. Many people are so passive that they hang around life as limp as old rag dolls and never stand up to circumstances or enforce change. At the other extreme are the people who argue about everything. They are bitter and mean, priding themselves on being overbearing and outspoken.

Neither is effective. Being overbearing isolates themselves because they are obnoxious, yet being passive causes you to be taken for granted. You have to find the happy middle ground and learn to live with what you have or do something about it. Now I am not saying that gives you the right to go out and steal from others... However, I am telling you don't just sit around and wish for a better life...Go Create It! God will not release blessings to someone who will not ask him for it! (read Matt 7:7)

In my opinion, I have an abundance of Riches in my life. It's called a daily walk with Jesus, a wonderful family, a career (that is sometimes overbearing but apparently my boss read Matt 7:7 too; smile). See, I do not place my riches on the "things" of this world, but rather on the blessings God has bestowed upon me and the deliverance from not being an envious or jealous person. I am grateful for what I have and it's the small things in life that cannot be taken from me...my relationship with God...the memories I am creating along the way with family & friends!

You have to make your actions line up with your convictions, or you will live a fruitless life. What is even worse is the fact that in your old age, you will have to eat the fruit of what you did in your youth. Be careful what you cook! Initiate your blessings!

Blessings,

Candye~