compelled tribe – Page 2 – Enjoying Every Mile

Hard Days

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Meaning in Hard Days

Yesterday a friend of mine sent me a link to the country artist, Brantley Gilbert’s new song, “Hard Days”. The lyrics seemed so real, and easy to relate to. The chorus reads, “ If you never had hard days, never had a heartbreak, never had more than you can take, or carried the weight of life on your shoulders- Would you feel like you earned it, would you feel like you live with a purpose, or ever known your strength if you never had hard days?”

More Than We Can Handle

God tells us that he will never give us more than we can handle. Looking at the difficulty in our life some days, as well as some of the things other people face, that doesn’t always feel accurate. However, the key part of his promise is that if He helps us there is no limit to what we can handle.

So, when it feels like things are beyond our control and testing what we can manage, that is God saying, “Let me help you during the Hard Days”.

The Joy That’s Coming

The Hard Days make the Good Days so much better. The really tough moments that bring you to your knees and make you feel like you can’t do anymore, are the prequel to the thousand average and really good moments that make life seem amazing!

James 8:18 reminds us, “The pain you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming.”

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4:00 AM Faith is sent daily. It is sent daily in a condensed email or text format. If you would like a daily faith boost, send an email to lmcdonell2001@yahoo.com and specific if you would like to receive a text or email message.

Keep Moving Forward and CHASE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE

Live the Words You Say

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An Piece from 4:00 AM Faith

Actions Speak Louder than Words

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” (John F. Kennedy)

Devotion in the Things We Do Each Day

I have heard the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words”, more times than I can count. At a young age, I remember this message being conveyed from not only my parents but in school, on TV and in books I read.

Writer, Ashley Fern says, “Love is sustained by action, a pattern of devotion in the things we do for each other every day. People may not tell you how they feel about you, but they always show you. Pay attention. And, people may verbally stop talking, but always continue saying something by what they do.”

Our God Does What He Says

Fortunately, we have a God who expresses love by what He says and does. He never stops talking. Our Father tells us that he loves us, will take care of us, and help us through every single part of our lives. And then, by His example everything He said he was going to do happens. While we are far from ever being able to carry out the actions that align perfectly with our words, we take pride in knowing that we are working on it by noticing His perfect example.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity and dignity(Titus 2:7).

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Keep Moving Forward and CHASE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE

Believe in Tomorrow

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To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. (Audrey Hepburn)

Gardening Is Essential

Throughout the years gardens have been essential to life. Not only have they provided avenues for us to grow food, but they allow us to create beauty, a healthier environment, and produce oxygen. Additionally, gardens provide significant mental health benefits.

There is purpose in planting.

Genesis 1:11-12 reads, “And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.’ And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

Be Present and Believe in the Future

When something is planted and an environment is tended to, it is because there is a hope of its flourishing for future days. We can lean into the present as we prepare an environment and plant something but yet do so with the intention that we believe in the future.

Interested in a Daily Faith Boost?

This post comes from a devotional series called 4:00 AM Faith. It is written each morning and sent in a condensed format to several people. If you are interested in receiving a daily faith boost, email me at lmcdonell2001@yahoo.com

By the Seeds You Plant

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Don’t Judge Each Day by the Harvest You Reap but by the Seeds That You Plant. -Robert Louis Stevenson

We Might Not See the Return on the Seeds Planted

We may never end up able to see the full return on the seeds we have planted. But, if we don’t plant very many seeds, we can be guaranteed that our future harvest will be very small.

Consider measuring accomplishments not only by the end product but by the potential created.

Plant Seeds Each Day

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

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Weakness to Strength

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His Strengths Were Visible

Growing up I remember Michael Jordan as one of the most amazing athletes. His strengths were so visible. If the sport of basketball was brought up, his name was part of the conversation. When you watched him fly down the court and gracefully fly towards the net, you couldn’t help but be in awe of what was possible. It felt like Michael Jordan didn’t have any weaknesses on the court.

Turning Weakness into Strength

I love how Michael Jordan talks about having a growth mindset. He says, “My attitude is that if you push me toward a weakness, I will turn that weakness into a strength”.

What if there are no weaknesses, just areas of strength that are in the beginning stages?

Power In Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9 says it well. “My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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A Box of Chocolates

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You Never Know What You Are Going to Get

If you have watched the movie Forrest Gump, most likely, you can’t help but remember the famous line, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get”.

Life is unpredictable and confusing at times.

Like with a box of chocolates, you may even have a map or a diagram that is supposed to help you choose the perfect treat without fail. But, the inside of the chocolates are not visible so we have to rely on what we cannot see.

Sometimes you are looking at the map upside down, or bite into something you think you are going to like only to find out that it is not what you expected.

Better yet, the box may be filled with surprises and give you the chance to discover something you had no idea you would enjoy.

Faith Like Chocolates Involves what is not Seen

If we stay committed to our faith we can trust that we will select the right chocolate, or opportunity at the perfect time. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Proud to Serve

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For What’s Behind Him

A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.

The Solider’s Response

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to thank a soldier. He responded, “Of course. It’s an honor. It’s what we are proud to do”. The Soldier’s response sounded like what I imagine God would say to us thanking him for keeping us safe and protecting us.

He Promised to Fight For You

Your God who fights for you, just as he promised you (Joshua 23:10). Like the soldiers who are full of pride from the opportunity to serve, God continues to find ways to keep us safe.

You Can Always Dig Deeper

Width and Depth

You Can Do Something About Width and Depth

“You can’t do anything about the length of your life. But you can do something about its width and depth” (Evan Esar).

Go Deeper Than Usual

Dare to pursue interests and passions. Explore the unknown. Whether it be information, people, places or a part of yourself, dig a few layers deeper than you normally would. Think or look up a first thought. Then, ask why followed by another why.

Eventually after asking “Why” several times, a core belief will be revealed. When religion and faith are of good and pure intent, love is part of the deepest point.

Grasping How Wide and How Deep

Ephesians 3:18, suggests the hope that we may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

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Don’t Fear Failure

It is More Risky to Be Complacent

Possible to Be Too Satisfied

The literal meaning of Complacency’s Latin root is, “Very Pleased”. It is possible to become too satisfied to a point where no amount of change, growth, or improvement seems necessary.

Don’t fear failure. Fear being in the exact same place next year as you are today.

There is always something to be learned. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5)

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Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish

Words to Live Your Best Life By

Sound Advice

Steve Jobs told students at Stanford University’s 2005 graduation, ‘Stay hungry. Stay foolish”.

Strive for More- Be Uncommon

In addition to Jobs, coaches will often encourage their athletes to “Stay Hungry”. The mindset not being one that lacks gratitude, but one that focuses on not being satisfied and always striving for more.

Being foolish refers to following dreams, unconventional plans, and doing things that don’t always make logical sense.

Live Your Best Life

Staying hungry and foolish happens when you live a life of integrity. A life where you live to the best of your ability even when it requires taking big risks and more energy than you think you have demonstrates that you are hungry, foolish and doing your best.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability.