By MaQuettia “Denise” Ledet

 

Matthew 14:14- And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

 

Blessings! Matthew 28:6 declares, “He is Risen!”

As the songwriter stated, “God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon; An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds my future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”

He is the reason we hope. I pray this season finds you in peace as we celebrate Christ’s victory over death, hell, and the grave. Happy Resurrection weekend!

Last week, we looked at a culture that causes us to experience “Heaven on earth” and we will pick up there. Did we slow down while rehearsing the Lord’s prayer this week to allow ourselves to truly embrace “in earth, as it is in Heaven?” Changing our culture is as simple as changing one little thing that makes a big difference. The journey to a better Orange starts with a better you/me. How do we change the little things? There are so many little things to change, but I decided I would slow down long enough to be completely present when talking to others. In this passage of scriptures, Christ demonstrates a lost skill, He paid attention. How many times have we been so busy we missed an opportunity to really hear our neighbors? Hear their great news? Hear their fears? Hear their hurt? Hear their growth? Sometimes ‘making the world a better place’ is a simple as making sure you hear the heart of the next person to give your best response. As a result of truly observing their condition, Christ was moved with compassion, then His response brought healing.

Maybe slowing down is not an issue for you, but what is? This week let’s do three things:

1. Meditate-Think about what you want to do better.
2. List Them-Make a list for accountability.
3. Affirm-Declare your change.

Paul wrote in Philippians 2:4 “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Renewing our minds is simply retraining our minds, and that takes a conscious effort to do things differently.  Let’s use the mirror a little more than we use the window; examining our lives to make certain we’re walking in the best version of ourselves! Blessings!

Our prayers are with the families of Michael “Mikey” Gobert and Kerry Franks, Sr., their earth-prints will not be forgotten. We love you all, greatly. -Impact/BMC

 

MaQuettia “Denise” Ledet is Senior Leader, Impact Orange