How Do You See Yourself?

How Do You See Yourself? TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..." (Proverbs 23:7, AMP). TODAY'S WORD: Your imagination is extremely powerful. God created you as a visual being. Choosing the right images in your mind’s eye is important because your life will move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts. The way you see yourself in your mind’s eye, over time, will drop down into your heart and become your reality. If you’ll create a picture in your imagination of the way God sees you, then your life will move in that direction. You have to get your mind into agreement with God’s Word by meditating on it. Every morning, you should wake up and picture yourself succeeding; picture yourself healthy and whole; picture yourself and your family not only being blessed, but being a bigger blessing to others. If you’ll keep the right images in front of you and always submit yourself to God with prayer and thanksgiving, you’ll see yourself the way God sees you and experience all that He has in store for you! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, I come to You today giving every area of my mind and heart to You. Search my heart and show me what images I need to change to be in agreement with You. Thank You for equipping me with everything I need to live a life pleasing to You in Jesus’ name. Amen. PS...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBWTYLuvK8I

Small, Thoughtful Gestures Make a Big Difference

BY RICK WARREN — JULY 18, 2014

“Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NLT)

When you’re ministering to a friend who is dying, you should give your physical presence to your friend but also give practical assistance. What does that mean? It means you do whatever needs done to help your friend, and you also help in small but practical ways.

Somebody who is dying usually doesn’t feel good. They are often in pain. You can give comfort by attending to the small things that could make a big difference. Do they want the lights on or off? Can you get some ice chips? Do they need a backrub? You show love by offering practical assistance to relieve pain and discomfort.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to suggest things. The Bible says,“Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NLT).

When people are in pain, they don’t feel happy. When people are dying, they often get cranky because they don’t feel well. You show compassion when you cut them some slack and extend kindness and patience to them.

Why is this important? Because another one of the fears that people have when they’re dying is the fear of losing control. First they couldn’t drive. Now they can’t walk or get out of bed or use the bathroom on their own.

You can minister to people who are dying simply by being aware of their needs but also giving them choices in how those needs are addressed. Every time you give them a choice, you give control back to them. “Would you like your slippers on or off?” “Would you like for me to change the channel? What would you like to watch?” “Would you like your breakfast now or later?”

Sometimes the smallest gesture or thoughtful assistance can make the biggest impact on someone who is facing death. Your presence is a ministry in itself, and so is your compassion through practical assistance.

Talk It Over

• What situation have you avoided because you didn’t know how to minister or be of help?
• How does your attitude change when you consider the impact your presence and small gestures can make?
• If you were facing death, how would you want people to minister to you?