God takes what satan means for evil and recycles it for something good.

In the past ten years, I’ve always tried to be diligent about recycling. I find it amazing that they can take used plastic, glass, and other materials and turn them into something useable.

Recycling didn’t just start ten years ago. Generations, long before this one, man has been recycling. They had to. They didn’t have the means or the ingenuity to recycle their own products. They just re-used what they had.

I think of myself as a recycled Christian. There have been many times in my life where things happen, that I didn’t understand. How could this happen to me, I’m a Christian, after all? But, hindsight is our best teacher.

Two years ago, when my life was just cruising along, satan threw a road block in my path. I was devastated, to the point of brokenness.

But, I stayed close to God, trusting Him to bring me to the other side of this adversity.

And, thank God, He did just that. He recycled the tragedy into something wonderful today.

God never gives up on His children.

Let God take care of the recycling. He’s been doing it since the beginning of time.

God will take what satan means for evil, and turn it for good.

Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Have you ever been so distracted that you couldn’t get your thoughts back on to what you were doing?

As I was intently reading one morning, I happen to look up and out of the corner of my eye, a small mouse scampered across the room. It was like someone, all of a sudden invaded my space.

The problem now was, that was all I could think about. I can relate this to my own Christian walk. There are times when one small distraction, like having a bad day, when my mind will drift from God, to my problem.

It’s not easy, to avoid or overlook distractions. This world is full of interruptions in life. Satan would love for you to watch that reality show, rather than spending time with your spouse or kids.

Be careful what you’re putting before God. You might think it’s just a distraction, but it could lead to idolatry.

I read this today, “God is not nearly as interested in our efficiency as He is in our faith.”

We’re becoming conditioned to distractions. It’s harming our ability to think clearly, to pray. Start focusing our attention on what’s right in front of us. Jesus is asking us to look to Him, when our world is suddenly upside down.

When someone or something takes our attention off of God, know that it’s just a distraction. You have the will, the confidence in Christ, to decide not to accept the distraction. Look away and look to God for guidance.

Distraction humbles us, and makes us realize that we need God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Love shouldn’t be conditional. Love needs to come from the heart, with no expectations.

I recently watched my grandkids receiving their yellow belts in Martial Arts. Most of the kids were already excited and jumping around when I got there.

But, I noticed something from the instructor that really impressed me. He was very intentional and direct with each student, along with a smile and words of encouragement, each kid walked away with a visible face of confidence.

It just shows you that if you encourage kids, even if they’re not your own, it will give them the assurance and courage they need to do that next thing.

In the world we live in, there’s so much hate and competition, that there’s little room left for inspiration.

If you have a child in your life, or an adult, give them a few words of encouragement; smile and tell them they’re doing a good job.

Encouragement makes it easier to live in a fallen world. Discouragement stunts lives.

Encourage someone today, and breath life into their day.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

When you truly love someone, you take the time needed to get to know them. You intentionally seek out time so that they get to know you too.

Someone wrote, “The gospel brings man to God; devotions keep him close to God.”

After you give your life to Christ, a believer will naturally want to walk with God; spend time with Him.

Devotion is defined as love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause. We are fortunate to have access to all types of daily devotions that we can read or listen to, specifically pointing to God.

I’ve found that in addition to reading the Bible daily, adding a daily devotional helps me enhance my walk with God.

I’m currently reading an online devotional, called “First 5.” The devotion contains a relatable story, backed up with Biblical scripture.

Devotions allow me to widen my knowledge of the Bible, and usually has something related to my everyday life.

Try a daily devotional, even if you don’t read the Bible. It can give you a daily boost to your mood and enhance your day.

Psalm 73:28 - “But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.”

Faith is defined as “a complete trust or confidence in someone or something.”

You’ve heard people say, “just have faith, it will all work out,” when they’re faced with a difficult or stressful situation. Some will respond by, “that’s easier said than done.”

You can have faith in many things. You can have faith that your car will start and get you to work on time. You can even have faith in the pilot (whom you seldom even meet) will get you from one city to another.

But, faith in God is seeing in advance. It’s trusting in God alone to get you to the next destination in life.

Faith is the absolute confidence in God, that He is who He says He is, and that He protects you and guides you.

Faith in God is knowing in your heart that no matter where you are in life, God is near. No matter what you’re going through, He already knows.

Take the pressure off yourself and give everything to God. Trust Him.

Have faith in God, the one Who created heaven and earth. Have faith in the unseen character of God.

Matthew 9:28-29- “They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.”"

People are always searching for the next thing that will make them happy; get them financially secure, or to change their physical appearance.

It appears that many are discontent with their current status. They’re dissatisfied with their body, their job, their life.

Some are still climbing the ladder of success. There’s nothing wrong with trying to better yourself in your career. We all want to achieve our goals and live the best life possible.

It’s when we do all the above, with the wrong motives, and when leaving God out of our plans is the norm.

Oh, it seems that some people can get away with the dangerous, risky and sometimes illegal lifestyles. Running with the devil looks good at first, but will eventually lead you down a destructive path.

If you’re following God, you’re on the right path. God will plant you, where you are needed, to grow and spread yourself for the good of others.

God sees beyond what we see. He knows that those outside of His will, can’t see the good in the day to day; they can’t see beyond their own pain or circumstances.

Quit searching for a quick route to success. Stop looking for happiness in things.

Be content where God has planted you. He has great plans for you, that go beyond planting season.

John 15:7 - “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

Trust that God has placed you right where you need to be.

If you’ve ever played chess, you know that each of the pieces have certain roles, when moving them on the board.

Your opponent, if he’s experienced, is always looking ahead, trying to visualize your next move, so he can make his.

Just as precise is a chess player in his moves, God purposely orchestrates our lives.

This doesn’t mean that He’s directing our every movement. We all have free will, our own choices in life. But, God’s will for our lives is brought to fruition through a variety of seasonal movements.

God places people in our lives at times to bring us closer to Him, or for us to share our love of Christ to them.

I have wondered, at times, why certain people have come into my life. Looking back, I can see the wonderful choreography that God arranged for me.

He sometimes lets me try it on my own, only to fail. This puts me in the position to look to Him, and not my own strength.

Allow yourself to be moveable by God.

You are exactly where God wants you to be.

Allow His will to be done in your life.

God ordains His purposes and orchestrates His people.

Psalm 37:23 - “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

I’ve read where there are people who are living two separate lives. Even going to the point where they have two spouses in two different states.

Sounds exhausting, let alone illegal.

But, still there are Christians among us who are living two lives. They may profess to be a Christian, and it looks like they go to Church on Sunday, and they don’t cause any trouble. Yet, if you ask them anything about the Bible or their walk with God, they will look at you like a deer in headlights.

And, even though you, as a Christian, may be reading the Bible, learning about the truth, are you honestly walking in truth?

Are you telling others about the God you serve, or would it be too embarrassing for you?

God gives us His word for a distinct purpose; to live by it.

Whatever standards you’re living by today, re-evaluate your life and see where changes can be made. Not so much that others will notice, but that God sees you living the life He destined for you, and living in His truth.

Live the only life worth living. Live for Jesus, walk in truth.

1 John 1:8 - ”If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”