These Nuggets of Truth are brought to you by Brother Ron Jones NEW AND LIVING WAY OUTREACH MINISTRIES "CHANGING THE WORLD ONE CITY AT A TIME" ------------------------------------------------------------- One of my greatest weaknesses in the past was always trying to please others. What people thought about me, what they were saying about me, and how they regarded me as a person, was one of my greatest concerns. At one time I became so concerned about how others perceived, received, or believed me, that it was totally stressing me out. I would become so depressed about how they misunderstood or misinterpreted me, how they would say things about me that was absolutely not true, and how they would treat me with little respect. And then spiritual maturity taught me that I was focusing on the wrong things. I realized that God is not concerned about me pleasing others but wants me to love others, in spite of what they say, think, or feel about me, so that He can be pleased. . As be...

I am ashamed to say that I do not put God first. I know there are moments in my life when I have (maybe weeks at a time, if that), but those moments are fleeting. Right now, I am genuinely saddened and disappointed with myself. The bible says 31Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33But seek ([a]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([b]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [c]taken together will be given you besides. 34So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. -Matthew 6:31-34 (Amplified Bible) Is that not clear enough? So, what do I do (and most of you out ther...

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Mathew 18:3-4 NIV Watching my children evolve and grow, I can totally understand why God would want us to be more like them. There are so many qualities about their mind and spirit that allow for growth and strength. Children are miraculous creations that even in the womb can take on quite a bit of stress and still move on with happy hearts. What marvels me the most about them is their ability to ask for forgiveness and give it in return. My son and daughter fight and argue with each other as often as they smile and love each other. The funny thing about them is that when one comes to tell about what the other has done to him or her, all I have to do is stop and listen then make the “guilty” party apologize and have them hug each other for everything to be okay. Th...