by Live Original | Dec 1, 2017 | Life Advice |
Let Your Smile Change the World
One of my favorite quotes is: “Don’t let the world change your smile, let your smile change the world.” It’s credited as “anonymous,” so I don’t know who wrote it, but I think that person was very smart. The words remind me to bring joy to the world. Even when I am not having a good day, if I will just smile, I’ll bring a little joy to myself and to the people around me. That’s a good thing to do. I can do it, and so can you. This quote also encourages me to be genuine everywhere I go. It talks about your smile, not someone else’s smile. I don’t ever have to pretend to be someone I’m not just to impress other people or to fit in with a certain group. I only need to be myself. Some people will like who I am, some will not. So, I will hang around with the ones who do.
My mom says: “You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you won’t ever please all of the people all of the time.” So, don’t let that get you down. Don’t let people you can never please change your smile. What’s true for me is true for you. You do not have to try to impress anyone either. God made you in a unique way so you would have something great to offer the world around you. If you let the world shape you and influence you—instead of influencing it—you will miss the chance to share with others what God has given you. Your smile represents everything about you. One reason I like the quote “Let your smile change the world” is that I think the world needs to be changed in a lot of ways. It needs to become a happier, more positive place. I know those changes can start with something as simple as a smile and then, as we begin to believe we can have an impact on the world, we will build the courage to do bigger and bigger things.
by Live Original | Nov 24, 2017 | Life Advice, Relationships |
“If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to him and ask him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” Elisabeth Elliot
Whoa. Raise your hand if that quote hit you straight in the heart. Both hands up over here! “If we have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God didn’t put there…” I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a lot of my life saying “yes” to pretty much any and every opportunity sent my way—mainly, because I hate disappointing people. Yep, I just admitted it. I am a recovering people pleaser. Whew, it feels GOOD to get that off of my chest.
For years, I thought saying yes meant I was doing God’s work. But as I started to dive into scripture, I realized that even Jesus had to say no to some good opportunities, in order to grab hold of right the opportunities—the ones he was meant to say yes to. We have to make space in our agendas for God to be God to lead us.
Have you ever felt God leading you to do something, but you didn’t feel like you had the time to do it? That’s how you know it’s time to reevaluate your schedule and eliminate a few things. “There’s always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” What things can you say no to today? Is there something on your plate that you know you’re not supposed to be doing? Say no, and let God lead you to your next yes.
In a culture that equates worth with busyness, we have to retrain our minds to know that there is power in rest. When we rest at the feet of Jesus, we won’t have to wonder what we should say yes to. He will lead us to the right opportunities, and He’ll give us the strength and energy to do them well. Let’s shift our focus from pleasing people, to obeying God’s leadership, and He will undoubtedly give us the opportunity to serve people. When we’re free to serve people, instead of striving to please them, we will find ourselves bringing joy to others. Joy transcends happiness. It doesn’t waiver based on circumstances. That’s something that’s worth saying yes to. So, let’s get to it. What can you say no to, today? Do it. You’ll be amazed by the good that will come from it.
–Team Live Original
by Live Original | Nov 24, 2017 | Life Advice
“If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to him and ask him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” Elisabeth Elliot
Whoa. Raise your hand if that quote hit you straight in the heart. Both hands up over here! “If we have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God didn’t put there…” I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a lot of my life saying “yes” to pretty much any and every opportunity sent my way—mainly, because I hate disappointing people. Yep, I just admitted it. I am a recovering people pleaser. Whew, it feels GOOD to get that off of my chest.
For years, I thought saying yes meant I was doing God’s work. But as I started to dive into scripture, I realized that even Jesus had to say no to some good opportunities, in order to grab hold of right the opportunities—the ones he was meant to say yes to. We have to make space in our agendas for God to be God to lead us.
Have you ever felt God leading you to do something, but you didn’t feel like you had the time to do it? That’s how you know it’s time to reevaluate your schedule and eliminate a few things. “There’s always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” What things can you say no to today? Is there something on your plate that you know you’re not supposed to be doing? Say no, and let God lead you to your next yes.
In a culture that equates worth with busyness, we have to retrain our minds to know that there is power in rest. When we rest at the feet of Jesus, we won’t have to wonder what we should say yes to. He will lead us to the right opportunities, and He’ll give us the strength and energy to do them well. Let’s shift our focus from pleasing people, to obeying God’s leadership, and He will undoubtedly give us the opportunity to serve people. When we’re free to serve people, instead of striving to please them, we will find ourselves bringing joy to others. Joy transcends happiness. It doesn’t waiver based on circumstances. That’s something that’s worth saying yes to. So, let’s get to it. What can you say no to, today? Do it. You’ll be amazed by the good that will come from it.
by Live Original | Nov 6, 2017 | Sisterhood |
Our hearts so are heavy today, friends. Yesterday morning, a group of believers – just like you and I, gathered together at their church in Texas to worship and study God’s word. As they were in the middle their worship service, a gunman entered the sanctuary and took the lives of at least 20 people, and went on to critically injure countless others – many of which were children. A brutal, senseless act of murder.
Our hearts are broken, but we won’t let evil win. Instead, we will hold on to the only hope we have in times like these, Jesus. We will celebrate the lives of these brave, heroic believers. They took their last breaths worshipping Jesus, standing up for what they believe in. What a beautiful legacy.
Persecution is happening all over the world, and it’s hitting closer and closer to home every single day. We have to get on our knees, friends. We have to lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have to put on the full armor of Christ, ready to stand up for what we believe in.
Please join us today in praying for the families, friends and community directly affected by this senseless act of hate. We are all in this together, and when one part of the body is hurt, we all hurt.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
God,
We come to you today with heavy, broken hearts. We ask you to please be with everyone affected by this tragic event. We know that you are good, Father, even when circumstances aren’t. God, we beg you to unite the body of Christ. May we rise up, bolder than ever, ready to proclaim your goodness. Bind up our wounds, God. Use our scars to make us more like you. May we never, ever forget who we belong to – we are yours, Father. You have us in the palm of your hand. Help us to not live in fear, but to step out freely and openly proclaiming your name. We love you, Lord. Amen.
— Team Live Original
by Live Original | Oct 26, 2017 | Life Advice |
“If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to him and ask him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” Elisabeth Elliot
Whoa. Raise your hand if that quote hit you straight in the heart. Both hands up over here! “If we have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God didn’t put there…” I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a lot of my life saying “yes” to pretty much any and every opportunity sent my way—mainly, because I hate disappointing people. Yep, I just admitted it. I am a recovering people pleaser. Whew, it feels GOOD to get that off of my chest.
For years, I thought saying yes meant I was doing God’s work. But as I started to dive into scripture, I realized that even Jesus had to say no to some good opportunities, in order to grab hold of right the opportunities—the ones he was meant to say yes to. We have to make space in our agendas for God to be God to lead us.
Have you ever felt God leading you to do something, but you didn’t feel like you had the time to do it? That’s how you know it’s time to reevaluate your schedule and eliminate a few things. “There’s always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” What things can you say no to today? Is there something on your plate that you know you’re not supposed to be doing? Say no, and let God lead you to your next yes.
In a culture that equates worth with busyness, we have to retrain our minds to know that there is power in rest. When we rest at the feet of Jesus, we won’t have to wonder what we should say yes to. He will lead us to the right opportunities, and He’ll give us the strength and energy to do them well. Let’s shift our focus from pleasing people, to obeying God’s leadership, and He will undoubtedly give us the opportunity to serve people. When we’re free to serve people, instead of striving to please them, we will find ourselves bringing joy to others. Joy transcends happiness. It doesn’t waiver based on circumstances. That’s something that’s worth saying yes to. So, let’s get to it. What can you say no to, today? Do it. You’ll be amazed by the good that will come from it.
