Only one character separates the two words above, which are as different as night and day.

The definition of bitter has two meanings, 1) having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet and, 2) of people or their feelings or behavior) angry, hurt, or resentful because of one’s bad experiences.

People that are bitter tend to think of all the bad things that is happening in their life, comparing themselves to others. They can’t focus on the good in their life. Their minds are made up…. - they can’t get past the hurt. Not a good way to live, right?

I have decided and decide every day to forget the negative and focus on the positive. I plan to get better on seeing the needs of others. I plan to positively plan for better days.

As you focus on the blessings in your life and realize that it is God who gives them, you won’t have room for bitterness and anger.

The opposite of bitter is sweet or pleasant.

If you have been bitter or feel resentment toward another, ask God to forgive you. Instead of remembering with malice and hurt, remember with forgiveness. Show grace to others like God shows you every day.

Don’t leave room in your life for bitterness to creep in. Fill it with joy, laughter and love.

Psalm 112:7 - “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

You’ve heard it said, “just be in the moment.” But, what does this phrase mean to you?

I recently had a conversation with someone who kept fretting about how much time they needed to do this and that, and how they didn’t have time to do what needed to be done. There just wasn’t enough hours in the day, etc.

That’s when I said, “just enjoy today. Enjoy this moment in time, where you are and with whom you’re with.”

I realize that’s something that’s hard to do for some people, even myself at times.

Time dictates our lives. Whether it’s our calendars, clocks, or schedules. It’s time on the move that can’t be slowed down. We have to adjust and live with time each day.

The quality of time is different in the above scenario as compared to time measured in quantity. There’s a Greek term, “Kairos,” which describes a present moment in time. It is the now.

Although the future is promised by God, the present is what matters.

Being in the moment means being fully present. Acknowledge that we’re as a vapor. Here for a little while and then gone in an instant. Use your time wisely. Stop and smell the roses. Live in the moment and enjoy the presence of God in your life each day.

Proverbs 17:22 - “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

When comparing yourself to others, you’ll always find someone more wealthier than you, more successful…. the list goes on. It’s what you choose to do with that information that can be harmful.

Comparison will cause us to be discouraged or even prideful with ourselves.

The only true antidote to comparison is contentment. If you’re content with what you have and who you are, then you won’t be comparing yourself or your wealth to others. What does this mean? Be thankful for what God has given you. Yes, everything you have is because God decided to give it to you. When we are thankful, we don’t see what we lack. Because we see the generosity of God, we are compelled to give to others.

I know I always am blessed when I give rather than when I receive something. The things of eternal value cannot be found in this world.

The best thing you can do to cure yourself of the ‘comparison’ trap is to serve others. Don’t worry about what you don’t have. Start serving others and watch the blessings flow. I know, I do it and it works.

Be intentional on serving others and you’ll forget what you don’t have.

2 Corinthians 10:12 - “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”

Hurdles can be defined as, “an obstacle or difficulty.”

Life is full of ups and downs. We all hope for more ups than downs. As the saying goes, “What goes up, must come down.”

There is a popular Christian song that speaks of ‘hills and valleys.’ It’s an uplift in spirit to be on the top of the hill, so to speak, but we must also be thankful for the valleys. I will admit it’s hard to be thankful when you’re going through a tough time, but every time I’ve thanked God for the trial that I’m in, life gets a little easier. My character starts to change.

Within the scenarios set out above, we also face obstacles or hurdles along the way.

As a Christian, you learn to comply to whatever God has planned for you. We must bend to an unexpected diagnosis; a missed promotion at work, or a let down in a relationship. How do we do this? Prayer, trust and a commitment to God. Prayer says to God, “You know my situation God, so I trust that what I’m going through is your Will.”

God’s track record with me gives me hope - that, although I’ll face hurdles, adversity in life, God’s protection and goodness has always been there and will be there again. I can then face the hurdles of life with confidence.

When the hurdles come, learn to get up and run and jump through the hurdles of life with God carrying you through.

1 Peter 5:7 - “casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

A rule is defined as, “one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere.”

In society, we have many rules. Most of these rules are made up by man. However, the most important rules are made up by God. Rules are established for our own good. If we had no rules, there would be chaos. God established His rules with 100% certainty that His way is the best way.

But what happens when we break a rule created by man? If we’re caught, we get punished. What about when we break one of God’s rules? Unfortunately, we also get punished. Some may look at this as not fair. But in reality rules are made up to protect us from harmful things, or things that would cause us to falter.

If you read the bible you’ll find several things that God hates. He hates pride. He hates a liar. He hates murder and those who deceive others. He hates gossip and He hates someone sowing discord among his brothers.

I have broken rules. One specifically was when I got caught speeding. You know the feeling. Looking in the rear view mirror. The horror of being pulled over and answering to a police officer as to why you were speeding. The lesson here is…..go by the rules and everything will be fine.

Get right with God. Know His rules and His commands and you won’t have anything to worry about.

Romans 13:1 - “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

We need to know the love of God and we need to have the fear of God.

Kids go through phases where they want everything they see. And as they grow up, they all of a sudden are saying, “I need this; I need that.”

In reality you may want a lot of things, but do you really need it?

In 2018, I made a year long commitment to not purchase any clothing for myself. And, I did it! It goes to show you how I have all the clothing I need in my closet. I didn’t need to buy anything and I wasn’t neglected or short of clothing.

How about God? Do you need Him? Do you look for God throughout your day? God wants us to desire Him; to really need Him to get us through our day.

Get to know God. Desire to have Him in your life. But also, respect who God is. God is not a jeanie that we make wishes to, on demand. We need God. We must have the fear, the reverence of God, in our lives to prosper.

Psalm 115:13 - “He will bless those who fear the Lord.”

Joy is both a promise and a command from God. Joy comes as we understand that God is in control. God reigns! And, because God reigns, we can rejoice.

I’m reminded of joy often when I watch my grandkids play - it blesses my heart to watch them laughing and thriving.

As a Christian, I choose to experience joy each day. I make it a point to find something or someone to smile about. God gives us a beautiful world to view and He gives us beautiful people to share life with.

Commit to see God’s beauty every day. Joy can be found in God and in His amazing creations.

Imagine what the world would be like if everyone sought out and found joy every day.

Joy is essential to the Christian life. Our joy is based on the goodness of God. Joy is also not optional in the Christian life, because the final weight falls on the almighty shoulders of God Himself.

Psalm 18:28 - “For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.”

Have you ever been selected from a group of people to be on a team or project?  Do you remember the feeling of importance and recognition? It’s an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.  You feel very special to be selected.

That same emotion can be found with God.  God chose me and I accepted His love for me.  My identity is in Christ alone.

He’s still choosing me each day to do His will.  I can rest in that.

What are you waiting on today?  To be Chosen? By whom?

God tells us to go, spread the word.  Go, don’t worry about how to do it or when.  God’s already made the plans.  God’s waiting on you.  If not you – He will choose someone else.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be on God’s team!

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”