Do you Make A Difference?
By: Dr. Mike Jones
Well known Pastor and Christian author Max Lucado wrote a book, entitled, Outlive Your Life: Made to Make a Difference. Throughout the book, he talks about how each one of us can make a difference in someone else life, by simply doing a small act of kindness. Below, I’ve expressed in My own thoughts and words, how today, I will make a difference.
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful.
Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
Philippians 4:4-9 ESV
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. …
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I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters.
Psalm 46:1 ESV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
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I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Psalm 101:5 ESV
Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
Proverbs 17:22 ESV
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Ask YOURSELF, “What is the thing in your life that you find the hardest to manage – the thing YOU most often find yourself short of? Many people would probably be inclined to answer, MONEY! [A. noted Bible Scholar stated, “But in most all of our experiences, if we’d really think about it, the answer, undoubtedly would be TIME! It’s the hardest thing in life to manage properly. For this reason, the stewardship of time is the supreme test of our personal discipline and of the genuineness of our Christian commitment.”]
The Office for National Statistics finds that on average we spend two to two and half hours a day together, including weekends. And what do we do when we’re alone with our loved ones? Watch TV (one third of all the time spent together), eat (30 minutes) and do housework together (24 minutes). Whoopee. Married people spend half an hour more together than people who cohabit. Retired couples spend only four hours a day together. [Question:] Are they avoiding each other?
(Adapted from Today, I Will Make A Difference – Chapter One; all Scripture references are taken from the KJV unless otherwise noted.)