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"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see"
Matthew 5: 16
USEÂ YOUR TALENTS
We have a responsibility to develop the talents we have been given. Our talents are made to multiply in service of God's kingdom. To play it safe, to hide our talents so that no risk is incurred, is to waste our gifts we have been given. "No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket... Let your good deeds shine out for all to see"
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"I feel that God has blessed me with the ability to empathize and communicate with others. I desire to utilize my knowledge to help people gain overall health and prevent the development of chronic disease states. I hope to empower my patients to adopt a postive mindset and partake in sustainable lifestyle interventions."
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-Dr. Zoe Marie Schilling
Foundations Built In Faith
Worry Less.
"Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34
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Jesus tells his followers not to worry about tomorrow. Anxiety over things we cannot control, or out of our reach, makes no sense.
He's not saying Christians cannot or should not make wise plans. Nor is Jesus saying believers ought to literally ignore anything but the most immediate questions. His context here is about the emotions of fear and anxiety.
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The battle to trust God is always happening in the current moment. Today has plenty of trouble with which we need to trust God. Jesus commands His followers to focus on trust for God in a moment-by-moment way.
We shouldn't try to solve all our problems, for all time, all at once. Let God provide what is needed day by day.
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Reflect: Do I get consumed in the busy tasks of everyday life? What are some ways I can reduce stress in my day-to-day activities? Meditate for 10 minutes tonight, let Jesus be the answer to your current problems.
Keep Moving.
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17
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You are born to be strong and you know you are a child of God.
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This verse is talking about a woman, but it can apply to men as well. A a modern society where everyone is busy and judged by others on social media, a woman needs to be STRONG and have the endurance to get through her busy days. By the hard work she puts in daily, the woman in this verse is strengthened. In biblical times, women were strengthened by the hard work of their daily tasks such as caring for a family, being a mother, doing household chores.
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All of the things we do in a day help us not only build our strength but also help us to “strengthen our arms”. I like to play Christain worship music while cleaning or on long car rides. Instead of thinking “oh, crud, I have to clean the floors today”, I think “Thank you, God, for the house I live in, and the floors I get to clean”. It has made a big difference in my attitude about household chores.
This same mindset can be used for building strength at the gym. Think "Thank you Lord for giving me the strength to get up today and go to the gym." "Thank you for my body that is capable of many powerful tasks!" "Thank you for providing me with the knowledge to better myself, so I am truly STRONG for other around me."
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You can be STRONG in many aspects of life: faith, emotions, fitness, family, financially, the list goes on!
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Reflect: What areas of life are your strenths? What areas need some improvement?
Let God help guide you on your journey of life.
Adopt a Positive Mindset.
“For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Whatever life throws at us, whatever our lot, learning to be content in ALL things is the medicine that helps us go through the process and be grateful for the blessings in our life.
Each day is a gift from God. By adopting an attitude of gratitude you can change your thought process and achieve your goals with God's grace.
Let God work in your life. He has blessed you with many unique talents and abilities. God gave you legs for running, arms for lighting weights, a brain to research and study, a heart to love others, tastebuds to enjoy food.
Be thankful. Be grateful. You are blessed.
You can accomplish all your dreams and goals in life if you open up your heart to the Lord.
Reflect: What talents has the Lord blessed me with? Am I using my talents to carry out God's will? Am I serving the Lord? Is my ultimate goal to spend eternity in heaven with God the father?
Get Your ZZ's
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
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We live in a society that is always on the move, busy busy busy. We are often rushed, impatient with others, and short-tempered. We often neglect sleep, then are not prepared to take on the next's days tasks.
Rest is our divine promise. Since the seventh day of creation, God has revealed his heart of resting in him and trusting in his work.
It was rest that he promised his children in the wilderness. They failed to enter that rest because of their disobedience. While it is today and the invitation is open, we must come to Jesus and say, “Yes” to him.
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Jesus asks us to take Sundays off. Devote your time and give God, the almightly Father, praise and glory. You make time for what is important. Make God a top-priority.
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Reflect:,Do I have enough energy to serve the Lord? Am I attending Mass weekly?
Do I make God a "priority" in my life?
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Be Grateful, Love More.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
“Do everything in love.” Corinthians 16:14
When it comes to loving others as Jesus has loved us, let your actions speak louder than the preconceived thoughts in your mind. Help others when you can, treat others with respect, be prepared to serve, and relationships may grow out of it. God is happy when you spead kindness and happiness to others.
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Love is a broad term that has many positive connotations. We love our neighbors differently than we love our parents, differently than we love our pets, differently than we love our significant others. Everyone loves FOOD. We love participating in different hobbies.
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God is love.
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Reflect: Do your actions show that you love others? Recall when the last time you said "I love you."
What activity or which people in your life make you the most happy?
Stay Hydrated.
“But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14
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Jesus' comments in this verse present some interesting facts about the nature of salvation. In order to get literal water from a well, a person has to lower a bucket, then haul up the full container. This has to be repeated as often as required in order to get more water. However, the water Jesus promises will become a permanent spring within the person.
Think about in the gym, we refill our water bottle several times to prevent dehydration. We refill our water bottles at work or in the classroom several times per day. Most people average drinking over eight bottles of water per day. Some days our thirst just can't seem to be quenched.
Jesus is pointing out that salvation is neither obtained, nor kept through works. In fact, Jesus is contrasting the nature of salvation with the nature of human efforts. One is temporary and requires work. The other is eternal and is obtained only as a gift from god.
Jesus refers to this "living water" as something He will give. This is not something a person could draw for themselves, even if they wanted to. Only God can satisfy our thirst for eternity in heaven.
Reflect: Am I thirsty for the Lord's presence in my life? Do I stay hydrated with Gospel messages, prayer and service, or through random acts of kindness?