Pre-Apopolytic Times?  Do You Believe The End Is Near?

Ever wonder if the end is near?  It can be quite comical to watch the false predictions which tell us the month and year that our time on earth is ending.  The posters shout “The End Is Near – Repent.”  While OlyLife is all in favor of repentance and for redirecting our lives toward a better spiritual path,  there are better ways to motivate folks than to spread false predictions about when the end is near.  The truth is, none of us knows when the end of times will arrive.  In fact in Acts 1:7  Jesus says “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”   Can’t be any clearer than that… we are not to know, therefore, by definition anyone who claims to know, is a false prophet.  This is why it is sad, and sometimes humorous, to watch the calendar gurus who claim to know what God has planned because of the signs, stars, interpretations, science, or other folly that points to a certain date.  We are told we are not to know the times when the kingdom will be restored to Israel or in other words for the establishment of the earthly kingdom by God.  We do not know the dates when our Father in heaven will set things in motion for the end of days, so when someone asks if the end is near, all we can say is God knows.

Live As Though The End Is Near

Why do people run around shouting “the end is near.”  Often, it is because they want to motivate behavioral change.  If we believe the end is near, we are likely to act differently.  Perhaps we will reflect on our lives and ask forgiveness for our sins, show more kindness to co-workers, love our family more, or walk more boldly to bring others to faith.  So, while it is preposterous that anyone can tell us whether the end is near, OlyLife believes, if we operate as though we have just a limited amount of time left, we will then focus on the most important things as we seek to live out the mantra “Love God, Love People.”  When we our constantly aware that we could be kneeling before our awesome God any time now, we are closer to making the most of our one and only life for His higher purpose – That’s OlyLife!

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When you walk off the Spirit led path and deny your faith through actions that are not Christ-like it hurts Christendom.  We may not be denying our association with Jesus in the face of possible imprisonment like the Apostle Peter, but if we are unkind to our co-workers, friends, family, or even strangers then we are guilty of denial.  Do you deny your faith in deed?  Mark 14:72 tells us that Jesus predicted his followers would do this as he relays to Peter “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.”  After Peter had in-fact denied Christ three times, he wept.  Do you weep when you know that you deny your faith by your actions?  The positive side is that we can pick ourselves up, dust off, and ask God to forgive us as we promise to do better.

Do Better and Do Not Deny Your Faith

Time and time again we all get it wrong.  We say mean things, we take thoughtless steps, we ignore someone else’s feelings or hurt those around us with our bad attitude.  OlyLife encourages you to do better and do not deny your faith through the way you conduct your business.  Let God’s loving power wash over you and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your tongue so that every word can be kind and gentle.  Let us shine our faith bright through deed not words and take positive steps to help others through our actions.  Imagine what a world it would really be, if billions of Christ followers truly lived their faith by actions.   When you make sure that you do not deny your faith by your actions, you are closer to making the most of your one and only life for a higher purpose – That’s OlyLife!

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The Crowd Can Be Powerful – Stand Strong

There is peer pressure at work, school, or in your community; stand strong when it comes to your desire to do what is right.  OlyLife is here to encourage all of us to resist the urge to follow the crowd and thereby step off of the good spiritual path.  Our peers may be prompting us to skirt the rules, to join in prejudicial behavior, to drink in excess, to become involved with drugs, or worse; but if we stand strong and resist these urges our reward will be great.  Jesus tells us in Mark 13:13  ”… he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”   When we do the right thing in all that we do, we are can stand strong in the faith that our Father in heaven sees our behavior.

Stand Strong and Go Long

It can be difficult to think of our lives in terms of eternity, but if we will stand strong for the long haul and the rewards of heaven; He will bless us.  Carefully fit into your work or neighborhood circles, but remember to be the example and and resist the urge to follow the crowd.  When we stand strong for our Lord and avoid being persuaded to give up or integrity in order to fit in, we are closer to making the most of our one and only life for a higher purpose – That’s OlyLife!

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How Are You Getting Along With Others?  - Simple Rule But Easier Said Than Done

Whether we want to move up the corporate ladder or have a happier home life, getting along with others is simply a “must do” if we are to have any chance of success.  OlyLife is here to encourage you to keep a simple rule in mind; although it can be very difficult to follow.  This guidance comes from Mark 12:31 where we are advised to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Oh, is that all?  Getting along with others can be challenging at times, but this directive takes it a step further.  Would you like a promotion, a raise, to be included in an important meeting, to have some additional time off, to be asked to join a lunch group, to be included on the email distribution, to be consulted on decisions?  Well, so would your co-workers.  When we think of others in terms of what we would like, there is a huge paradigm shift.  Do you care for others like you do for yourself?  When you show it, they will know it and getting along with co-workers will become much easier.

Getting Along Goes Back To The Golden Rule

When it comes to getting along with others, if we treat them like we want to be treated; we are golden!  Days can be challenging enough in themselves, without compounding the problems we face by treating anyone other than how we wish to be treated.  This reflection may seem so simplistic; but if we really handled every conversation or business interaction with these ideas in mind, our lives would be drastically improved.  What goes around comes around.  When we spread love, kind and thoughtful treatment upon others, we are definitely on track to make the most of our one and only life for a higher purpose – That’s OlyLife!

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Work Hard With Joy – Workplace Reflection

All of us have experienced “down days”, in this workplace reflection, OlyLife would like to encourage you to keep in mind a higher purpose when you put your work shoes on today.  We don’t just work for our boss at the office or on the job site; we work for our Father in heaven.  In Mark 12:30 Jesus says about the most important commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  Now, at first glance, we might think this doesn’t have anything to do with our workplace and working hard; but if we look a bit deeper we can see that we are to honor God in everything.  So, does doing the minimum qualify?  Does making a co-worker look bad in order to get ahead make the grade?  If we put anything less than our very best forward are we meeting the standard of honoring God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength?  When we were young and playing sports, our parents would sit on the sidelines and cheer as long as we gave our best effort.  Our Father in heaven wants our best effort – it doesn’t mean that we all will get promoted to Vice President or to CEO; but we all can go to sleep at night knowing that we gave our best for Him in our workplace.

Workplace Reflection – Short Term Gains Are Not Worth The Cost

When we honor God with our best efforts in all that we do, we are not going down the path of short cuts.  There are many temptations out there to take the easier path; such as returning the calls later, faxing the forms tomorrow, signing off on the paperwork without reviewing it, skipping the safety procedures, rushing the patient, getting the measurement to be “good enough”, taking the longer lunches or breaks, fudging the numbers and so on.  There are costs to these short-cuts, perhaps resulting in faulty work, someone getting hurt on the job, losing the job due to poor performance, prosecution for mis-representation of financial numbers or theft; distance from God because you are not giving Him your personal best at work.  When you ponder this workplace reflection and commit to do your very best in your career, you are closer to making the most of your one and only life for His higher purpose – That’s OlyLife!

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Do You Cheat On Your Taxes Or Pay Your Dues?

In these tougher economic times, it can be tempting to cheat on your taxes.  OlyLife encourages all of us to stop and reflect on what the right thing to do is before succumbing to this temptation.  When we pay what is due to the government, we are honoring God.  Jesus makes it clear in Mark 12:17 when discussing taxes – “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”  In our attempt to walk on our best spiritual path, we want to follow the law’s of our land while following God’s law.  So, if you are short on cash and tempted to cheat on your taxes, stop; call your accountant or the IRS and work out a solution that may include a payment plan or a filing extension etc.

Resisting The Urge To Cheat On Your Taxes

When you resist the urge to cheat on your taxes, you are making the right choice.  The finances at home may be tight, but you will be better off and get much better sleep knowing that you are honoring your Father in heaven with your money.  Besides, no one wants the IRS knocking on our door to inquire why we are light on the tax payment.  When we give what belongs to others their due, we are closer to making the most of our one and only life for His higher purpose – That’s OlyLife!

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When we have been wronged it is human to have a desire to hold a grudge against that person whether they are a family member, friend, or co-worker.  Yes, it can be very difficult to accept the hurtful wrong, and to forgive the person who inflicted pain on us.  We are, however, commanded not to hold a grudge; but rather to forgive those who have wronged us.  OlyLife encourages all of us to forgive others and to do so rapidly as Jesus tells us to do it before our next prayer.  ”And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25  This is a tall order when we stop to consider that when we go into prayer communication with our Lord, we should go with a clear heart, and should not hold a grudge against any wrong-doer.  How many times do we go on and on about someone who mistreated us?  If we are walking on a good spiritual path, we should let it go and offer forgiveness; just as our Father in heaven forgives us.

Does It Feel Good To Hold A Grudge?

Maybe, it feels good to hold a grudge, to feel that we have been wronged and therefore are above the perpetrator as we sit in judgement.  It is a human emotion that sometimes creeps up when we say that we hope so and so gets taught a lesson, gets their comeuppance, or imagine how God will judge them when the time comes.  This line of thinking is wrong and contrary to biblical teaching.  Instead, we are to abandon our earthly desire to hold a grudge and to ask ourselves what would Jesus do or say to us.  As we see in the above bible reference, we are told to forgive others as we stand in prayer before our loving and forgiving God.  When we forgive others, we are closer to God and to making the most of our one and only life for His higher purpose – That’s OlyLife!

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Facing A Daunting Task – Remember Nothing Is Impossible

When we are facing seemingly insurmountable odds, it is encouraging to know that nothing is impossible with the help from God.  When life’s difficult challenges bring us down and we begin to give up, OlyLife wants to encourage all of us to remember that our heavenly Father is a God of possibilities.  Jesus tells us in Mark 10:27 “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.“  There isn’t anything that He cannot help you with, no task too big, no sin too great, no challenge too overwhelming.  So, if you feel like you are facing too difficult a situation and there is no way out, remember, nothing is impossible and that all things are possible with God.

If It Is His Will Nothing Is Impossible

It may be that we would like to be President of the United States, and with God; nothing is impossible, but it is for most of us highly unlikely that God would make this happen.  The point being, we must be realistic as we pray for God’s help.  Sometimes, just having the strength and intestinal fortitude to make it through a rough period of life, is a gift that God provides for us.  OlyLife encourages you to boldly tackle the issues that life puts before you, knowing that the God of possibilities is with you and His love is everlasting.  When we realize that nothing is impossible when God is with us, we are closer to making the most of our one and only life for His higher purposes – That’s OlyLife!

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