God’s Time

Posted in General

Why does God seem to take an eternity to answer some of our prayers? I don’t have a simple answer for that, but I have observed several reasons in my own prayer life:

1. It is not just about me. Sometimes my prayers are delayed because God is working in the lives of other people who will be affected by the prayer. We have to trust His timing, His judgment, and His perfect will for us.

2. I admit it. Sometimes my prayers are selfish. Those prayers probably don’t go through the ceiling, and that is a good thing.

3. Sometimes we have good intentions, but it doesn’t line up with God’s plan. We have to trust God when He says, “No,” or when He says, “Wait.” We have to learn to pray according to His will for us.

4. Scripture says that our prayers will be hindered if we are disobedient to Him, if we don’t show proper honor and respect to our spouse, and if we harbor unforgiveness towards anyone. Any of these three things can be a barrier to having the full blessings of our Heavenly Father and hearing Him.

God is always on time…in His time…every time. His timing is perfect and we can trust His purpose and will for our lives. We just have to lean on Him and learn to listen to that “still small voice.” Prayer is a two way conversation, not a wish list. He will answer us, but it will be on His terms and in His time.

P.S. You can never go wrong praying the promises of God. All of His promises are “Yes and Amen.”

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

Tags:

Overflowing

Posted in General

An age old question is, “Are you an optimist or a pessimist?” You might say a little of both or just one or the other depending on the day or the circumstances that you are facing. The thing is, we all have more choices than just having our glass half full or half empty. We can choose to have an abundant life…one that is overflowing with God’s blessings. The question is, “How do we get and maintain an attitude like that?”

You may be thinking that there is no hope, or that life has handed you a terrible hand to play, and you know what? You may be right on the hand you were dealt. Life isn’t fair, but I would definitely argue that life is well worth living despite the hand you have been dealt. Some of you are already getting ready to argue the point with me, but let me at least plant a few things in your heart and mind to consider.

1. Philippians 4:19 says that God will supply ALL our needs according to HIS riches in glory. Do you believe that? It does take faith.

2. Luke 17:6 says that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed (one of the smallest seeds on earth), you can move mountains! It is a matter of trusting God.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says that we are to give thanks in all things. That does not mean we have to be thankful FOR all things, but IN all things we are to maintain an attitude of trust and thankfulness to God that He will see us through it. A thankful heart is a key to unlocking God’s blessings.

4. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Are you living a life of worry, or are you living a life of abundance? You HAVE to have faith, otherwise your prayers will go unanswered and you will never see the life of peace, joy, and abundance that you desire.

5. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans for YOU, to prosper you, not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future. Receive it and believe it.

6. Romans 8:31 asks if God is for us, who can be against us? God loves you and wants the best for you. He is there with you in every storm you face. Allow Him to lead, guide, and protect you.

7. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says that three things abide with us: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.

8. 1 John 4:8 says that God IS love!

Next time you find yourself contemplating the glass half full or half empty illustration as it applies to your life, remember that you have another choice…a life of overflowing blessings. It is right there in front of you. Let your tests become your testimony, and remember there is purpose even in the pain.

Where He leads, He feeds. Where He guides He provides. What He sows, He grows.”

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

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Don’t Despair

Posted in General, Motivational

Your Move

Posted in Funny, General

The New Dilemma in 2020

Posted in Funny, General

Respect

Posted in Business, General, Motivational, Relationships

Yesterday was the last day of school. One of the last tasks I was assigned was to help a couple of our employees put up new flags outside of our school. The old ones were pretty beat up and needed to be replaced. One of my teammates was telling me that he got detained for three hours one time when he was on a military base and failed to stop when the flag was being raised. I did not know there was such a rule, but I love the fact that our military sets an example for showing proper respect for our flag.

Right after he told us this story, we were in the process of changing out the flags (without letting them touch the ground). We noticed a person standing out by the highway at attention…with his hand over his heart as we raised the flags. It was a beautiful confirmation of what my friend had just shared with us. I would be willing to bet he was a veteran.

We live in a time where respect has been forgotten by some. Many don’t honor our flag and some have outright contempt for it. For those that don’t love our country, I wonder why they choose to live here. It can’t be for any honorable reason. I know there are many enemies we have who would like nothing less than to see us lose our freedom and succumb to their ideologies.

One thing I know about respect: it has to be earned. Recently I watched The Last Dance documentary on Michael Jordan. I was touched by his raw behind the scenes story and how he continually had to gain the respect of those who opposed him. Obviously it is somewhat different in sports with all the trash talking that goes on between competitors, but is it really all that different?

Think about the trash talking that goes on in politics. I hate election year because of all the mud that is slung between the candidates on both sides. It seems to be a battle of words and it does not matter if there is any truth to the accusation or not. I realize that politics and religion are two topics which draw the most heated debates, so I try not to grandstand on those subjects because of the potential dog-piling that often ensues online. It does not mean I don’t have strong opinions about both, because I do. I just choose my battles wisely.

Why do people take the liberty to bash other people’s opinions just because they are different from theirs? I don’t mind healthy debates, but I detest bashing and bullying. If you think about it, it is reverting to a very childish behavior.

One thing I picked up from Michael Jordan that I really appreciated about his mindset was that he used the negativity of others to fuel his desire to win. And win he did. He had numerous failures and setbacks along the way, but look at what he accomplished! Wow. He was not perfect by any means. None of us are.

My advice is pretty simple: allow people to have their own opinions. If you choose to debate a point, do so with respect. If not, you may be fueling a fire that could consume you. I have the image of Michael Jordan walking off the court after one of those memorable comeback moments with the song in the background echoing: “How you like me now?” Be willing to earn the respect you desire and understand that it comes at a cost. Respect and freedom have this in common: neither one is free.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

God Opens and Closes Doors

Posted in General, Motivational, Spiritual
Tags:

Mistakes

Posted in Funny, General, Motivational, Relationships

Open Heart

Posted in General, Motivational, Relationships

Why is it that some people have a closed heart? Or worse…a cold heart? I just went through open heart surgery. It always makes you come to terms with who you are when you are facing eternity. You think about what you have done (or not done) with your life.

WouldI change anything in the past if I could? Of course I would! Whowouldn’t?

ThingsI have learned in this process:

  • Don’t take your health for granted. Bad habits will always catch up with you.
  • Tell people you love them while you can. Tomorrow may never come.
  • Make things right with God and people. Don’t go to bed mad.
  • Don’t let the hardships and tragedies of life jade your heart. Keep an open heart to love God, yourself, and others.
  • Don’t waste time. Every minute counts. This life is but a blink in eternity. Learn to relax, but don’t waste time.
  • Expect the unexpected. Adapt, improvise, and move on.

Ipray you keep an open and healthy heart.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

Breakthrough

Posted in Business, General, Motivational, Relationships, Spiritual