What a great focus for the upcoming new year. Digging deeper into who Jesus is and what He is like. How about making getting to know Him better a goal of this new year? I realize it should be something we consciously do all the time....but you know us humans, things seem to slip away if not brought to the forefront of our thinking every so often. I know that is me to a tee! So let's start looking at what Mom has to say about the characteristics of this wonderful, awesome Jesus we serve. And if you don't know Him already, well maybe this will help introduce You to this being that created you, loves you unconditionally, came to earth to save you, and desires your company, fellowship, and worship forever!
God is" patient, love, forgiveness, merciful, listens, answers, attitude, humility.
Philippians 2:5-11 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus ever knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ has always existed with God. Christ is equal to God because He is God. 1 John 1:1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.
Colossians 1:15-22 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So He is first in everything. For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were His enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. (These last few verses are a whole other God visit for me!)
Though Christ is God, He became a man in order to fulfill God's plan of salvation for all people. Christ did not just have the appearance of a man - He actually became human to identify with our sins. Christ voluntarily laid aside His divine rights and privileges out of love for His Father. Christ died on the cross for our sins so we wouldn't have to face eternal death. God glorified Christ because of His obedience. God raised Christ to His original position at the Father's right hand, where He will reign forever as our Lorn and judge.
How can I do anything less than praise Christ as my Lord and dedicate myself to His service?
From me:
Jesus. Humble. Loving. Obedient. Servant. Compassionate. Creator. Sustainer. Savior. Peacemaker. Lord. King. That is who we see here. That is the Man and the God that we love and serve. The One who is deserving of all our praise, all our devotion. He is the one who gave up heaven to save us, to deliver us from eternal death and darkness. I echo Mom when she says "How can I do anything less than praise Christ as my Lord and dedicate myself to His service." How can I do any less than join in with heavenly hosts who cry out and sing: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered--to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing....Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever." (Revelation 5:11, 13).
Lord, I praise You. I thank You. I worship and give You all glory! My life, my heart belong to You. Let each moment of my day reflect this fact! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Spend time each day learning more about this wonder God we serve. Set aside a specific time just for this practice...let it become a habit. One verse, one chapter, whatever and wherever God leads in this study. I have a feeling it will be amazing!
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
New Year !
It's that time again. A new year is about to begin. We start out with so many great resolutions....a clean white slate, not a mark on the page. I remember as a kid, and even now because I still use them, starting a new notebook....I always loved writing on the first page, always vowed to keep it neat and tidy. And isn't the new year like that? Don't we do the same thing? Vow to do better, achieve more, be kinder, thinner, healthier, save more, spend less....resolution after resolution. For me, I usually pick a few of those areas, but the best and greatest "resolutions" I get always come from the Lord. Every year He gives me my new assignment as it were....a place I need to improve upon or grow in. It's always very exciting for me to hear what the Lord has in mind.
This year it's my words. And not just any words, but negative words. My feelings, my emotions are often conflicted....both praise and questions, thankfulness and complaints roll around my head and heart at any given moment....sometimes I feel like the epitome of the double minded man mentioned in James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Not so much straddling the fence between the Lord and the world, but jumping back and forth between trusting God, and living by my emotions.
The Lord is not asking to me to work on my emotions though. I'm pretty sure I couldn't change them if I tried. What He wants is for me to stop speaking out of them. Just because I feel bad about something doesn't mean I have to complain about it or go on and on about how terrible it is. He wants me to learn to speak in faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by believing and not by seeing (or in my case feeling).
This is so exciting to me! Just like that brand new notebook, clean, free of marks, mistakes, wrinkles and creases. By the end of the year it will be filled with a new story. Successes and failures, stops and stumbles, milestones reached and hopefully surpassed! So what is God asking of you this new year? Take time to sit and listen. Will we get it perfect? I'm going to say "no." But we don't give up! We keep going forward, following Jesus down the pathway of our lives.
Lord, talk to Your children. We long to hear from You, need to hear from You. I pray that our hearts be open to Your voice, to hear Your plan for us. Help us to walk in Your ways, growing closer all the time to You. Ups and downs come, but as long as we keep with You, we will be fine.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord over the next few days and see where He leads!!
This year it's my words. And not just any words, but negative words. My feelings, my emotions are often conflicted....both praise and questions, thankfulness and complaints roll around my head and heart at any given moment....sometimes I feel like the epitome of the double minded man mentioned in James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Not so much straddling the fence between the Lord and the world, but jumping back and forth between trusting God, and living by my emotions.
The Lord is not asking to me to work on my emotions though. I'm pretty sure I couldn't change them if I tried. What He wants is for me to stop speaking out of them. Just because I feel bad about something doesn't mean I have to complain about it or go on and on about how terrible it is. He wants me to learn to speak in faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by believing and not by seeing (or in my case feeling).
This is so exciting to me! Just like that brand new notebook, clean, free of marks, mistakes, wrinkles and creases. By the end of the year it will be filled with a new story. Successes and failures, stops and stumbles, milestones reached and hopefully surpassed! So what is God asking of you this new year? Take time to sit and listen. Will we get it perfect? I'm going to say "no." But we don't give up! We keep going forward, following Jesus down the pathway of our lives.
Lord, talk to Your children. We long to hear from You, need to hear from You. I pray that our hearts be open to Your voice, to hear Your plan for us. Help us to walk in Your ways, growing closer all the time to You. Ups and downs come, but as long as we keep with You, we will be fine.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord over the next few days and see where He leads!!
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Immanuel
Christmas is coming quickly. As it always does. Many of us have family celebrations, loved ones near and dear gather for laughter and loved. Family connections are strong and deep. I am blessed to be one of those who have a close knit family, whether we see each other often or not, the ties and love are always present and heart felt. Generations, traditions and love have bound us together. It is quite a gift from God.
But there are some who don't have those connections. Who feel adrift and alone, sometimes even among people. Sometimes it's distance from loved ones. Estrangements, unforgiveness, even death separates us from a family connection. But there is one who never leaves, never forsakes, and never stops loving us. Immanuel--God with us.
It's easy to say to those who are hurting and alone, "Well, just go out and help someone else!" And while it's a great idea, sometimes loneliness so imprisons a person that they cannot break through the strongholds that bind them. The funny thing about the Lord though, He will get right in there with us, coming right beside us in the darkest dungeons of our hearts....But He came to lead us out.
Immanuel.....God is with us. Take His hand this Christmas....in the quiet, in the dark, in the sadness and the lonely....take His hand and let Him envelope you in His arms. To me, the best part of Christmas day is when I sit quietly with Him enjoying His presence. Perhaps you can make your day a time of worship, praise, healing and fellowship with the God who came to earth as a baby to save you, and me, and all of us. I don't say this lightly. It is my heartfelt prayer that those who are hurting experience the presence of Christ this Christmas and the hope, love, joy and peace that only He can give. You will never be alone as long as you find yourself in Him.
Maybe you haven't given your heart to this Savior. John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Yes, He came for you! That baby born on that long ago Christmas night was destined for the Cross. It overshadows the joy of His birth. He came not just to live among us for a time, but to deliver us to Himself for eternity. Accept the greatest gift of all...the gift of salvation. Invite Him into your heart and your life this Christmas day. (you don't actually have to wait til Christmas day itself--now is a good time too!).
Thank You God for such a great salvation. What an amazing plan! What amazing love! Lord, I pray for those who are hurting, who are lost and searching, or lost and hiding....find them Lord. Surround them with Your love. Addiction, death, distance...so many things separate us from life and lives around us...but never from Your love. Help people to realize that and feel Your embrace this Christmas and each and every day. Lord, my heart breaks for them....but I know You are the healer, the one who saves and delivers. Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoner will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come and with it, the day of the God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In the righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory.
The day of the Lord's favor is at hand...grab hold and walk with Him into His glorious light.
But there are some who don't have those connections. Who feel adrift and alone, sometimes even among people. Sometimes it's distance from loved ones. Estrangements, unforgiveness, even death separates us from a family connection. But there is one who never leaves, never forsakes, and never stops loving us. Immanuel--God with us.
It's easy to say to those who are hurting and alone, "Well, just go out and help someone else!" And while it's a great idea, sometimes loneliness so imprisons a person that they cannot break through the strongholds that bind them. The funny thing about the Lord though, He will get right in there with us, coming right beside us in the darkest dungeons of our hearts....But He came to lead us out.
Immanuel.....God is with us. Take His hand this Christmas....in the quiet, in the dark, in the sadness and the lonely....take His hand and let Him envelope you in His arms. To me, the best part of Christmas day is when I sit quietly with Him enjoying His presence. Perhaps you can make your day a time of worship, praise, healing and fellowship with the God who came to earth as a baby to save you, and me, and all of us. I don't say this lightly. It is my heartfelt prayer that those who are hurting experience the presence of Christ this Christmas and the hope, love, joy and peace that only He can give. You will never be alone as long as you find yourself in Him.
Maybe you haven't given your heart to this Savior. John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Yes, He came for you! That baby born on that long ago Christmas night was destined for the Cross. It overshadows the joy of His birth. He came not just to live among us for a time, but to deliver us to Himself for eternity. Accept the greatest gift of all...the gift of salvation. Invite Him into your heart and your life this Christmas day. (you don't actually have to wait til Christmas day itself--now is a good time too!).
Thank You God for such a great salvation. What an amazing plan! What amazing love! Lord, I pray for those who are hurting, who are lost and searching, or lost and hiding....find them Lord. Surround them with Your love. Addiction, death, distance...so many things separate us from life and lives around us...but never from Your love. Help people to realize that and feel Your embrace this Christmas and each and every day. Lord, my heart breaks for them....but I know You are the healer, the one who saves and delivers. Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoner will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come and with it, the day of the God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In the righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory.
The day of the Lord's favor is at hand...grab hold and walk with Him into His glorious light.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss
A friend asked me recently what happened after I was baptized. I told them that I felt such joy, indescribable, amazing, overflowing, tear filled, laughter inducing joy. I can still remember it so clearly, hugging my Mom and my Christian brothers and sisters in the back yard of one of our Pastor's. What an incredible day.
Sunday at Church we were blessed to witness the baptism of a dear sister. And you know, that joy that I felt at my own baptism, was present once again in my heart as I saw her go down into the the water and arise to new life in Christ. It's makes my heart jump up and down in utter glee to see someone walk in obedience and enter into the arms of Christ through baptism. Buried with Him in baptism, arising with Him in new life. Baptism is such a wonderfully perfect picture of our salvation.
Jesus Himself was baptized. As in all things, we are called to follow His example. Luke 3:21-22 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus Himself was baptized. As He was praying, the heavens opened up, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on Him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." We are commanded to do the same. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism unites us with Christ in death. Romans 6:3-4 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death. For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Unites us with Him in new life: Galatians 3:27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. How amazing!
What a beautiful Sunday it was. For me, witnessing the baptism of a person is just such a happy experience. I know God Himself descends and fills the whole place with joy and grace. What a visit!
Thank You Lord for the joy You bring us in baptism. I am awed that no matter how many times I see someone baptized, the joy fills and overflows each time.
Do it! Don't wait!
Sunday at Church we were blessed to witness the baptism of a dear sister. And you know, that joy that I felt at my own baptism, was present once again in my heart as I saw her go down into the the water and arise to new life in Christ. It's makes my heart jump up and down in utter glee to see someone walk in obedience and enter into the arms of Christ through baptism. Buried with Him in baptism, arising with Him in new life. Baptism is such a wonderfully perfect picture of our salvation.
Jesus Himself was baptized. As in all things, we are called to follow His example. Luke 3:21-22 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus Himself was baptized. As He was praying, the heavens opened up, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on Him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." We are commanded to do the same. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism unites us with Christ in death. Romans 6:3-4 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death. For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Unites us with Him in new life: Galatians 3:27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. How amazing!
What a beautiful Sunday it was. For me, witnessing the baptism of a person is just such a happy experience. I know God Himself descends and fills the whole place with joy and grace. What a visit!
Thank You Lord for the joy You bring us in baptism. I am awed that no matter how many times I see someone baptized, the joy fills and overflows each time.
Do it! Don't wait!
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Ugh
Soooo, I've mentioned that we are working on the book of Luke in our Sunday morning Bible study. And this weeks reading for me was in chapters 6 and 7. I started chapter 6 last night, in which Jesus so ardently gave teaching on loving our enemies and doing good to them. Not exactly what I wanted to hear while I was sitting in my quiet car on my lunch hour last night....but I guess God had other ideas on what I needed!
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
I consider myself a hard worker. It's nothing I really control, it's just how God made me, in my DNA as it were. I really gets my goat when others don't do their jobs. I know this is an issue for me....It's not my place to judge or worry about what others do or don't do, but that doesn't mean my emotions don't get all riled up when I see work not being done because people are goofing off. And what makes it worse is that supervisors refuse to address this issue that is an ongoing problem. So, that is where my head was last night...in a place of anger and frustration. Loving people and extending mercy (even if it was just in my mind and heart) was not first and foremost in my mind. Ugh.
And then God! God gave me this little pep talk/correction. Love people who hurt me?!?!? Do good to those who don't deserve it (in my mind anyway)?!?!? Extend mercy and go the extra mile?!?!? AHHHHHHH!! I was at a loss with myself. "Lord, I just can't seem to do this." was my cry. And I so want to be obedient in this area....I just can't seem to get past or get over myself. The funny thing is, the words of Pastor John's sermons came into my head as well....finding joy in obedience. I know that if I let go of my anger and my expectations, show kindness and love for Jesus' sake, I will be happier and more at peace...and yet my emotions just can't seem to get on board. It's as if by following what Jesus says would excuse the bad behavior of others. And it seems so unfair. And yet I know we are called to this. Wow. What a visit!
But it continued....This morning I flipped to today's date on my little calendar (God's Way, Day by Day by Charles Stanley). So, what was the wisdom for today, you ask? "It's easy for most of us to extend love to those we like or those who are close to us. However...our neighbor is not only the person who attends church with us, lives in our neighborhood, or is a person who is like us, but our neighbor is every person who crosses our path...And how are we to express love for our neighbors, those who are enemies as well as those who are friends or family members? We are to bless them, do good to them, and pray for them." Okay, did I really want to hear this again this morning?!?!? Ummm, probably not. Did I really need to?? Ummm, probably so. I guess the Lord really wants to hammer this into my stubborn brain. He is once again chipping away at the ugly hard covering of my heart.
Lord help. There is nothing in me that is capable of doing this. But down in my deepest me, I want so much to be obedient. I know it glorifies You. I know it will be a witness to others. I know it will ultimately be for my good and bring me joy. Help me to get past myself and past my expectations, past my emotions and past my ideas of fairness, to follow You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
Love someone who you feel doesn't deserve it. Purposely do something nice for them.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
I consider myself a hard worker. It's nothing I really control, it's just how God made me, in my DNA as it were. I really gets my goat when others don't do their jobs. I know this is an issue for me....It's not my place to judge or worry about what others do or don't do, but that doesn't mean my emotions don't get all riled up when I see work not being done because people are goofing off. And what makes it worse is that supervisors refuse to address this issue that is an ongoing problem. So, that is where my head was last night...in a place of anger and frustration. Loving people and extending mercy (even if it was just in my mind and heart) was not first and foremost in my mind. Ugh.
And then God! God gave me this little pep talk/correction. Love people who hurt me?!?!? Do good to those who don't deserve it (in my mind anyway)?!?!? Extend mercy and go the extra mile?!?!? AHHHHHHH!! I was at a loss with myself. "Lord, I just can't seem to do this." was my cry. And I so want to be obedient in this area....I just can't seem to get past or get over myself. The funny thing is, the words of Pastor John's sermons came into my head as well....finding joy in obedience. I know that if I let go of my anger and my expectations, show kindness and love for Jesus' sake, I will be happier and more at peace...and yet my emotions just can't seem to get on board. It's as if by following what Jesus says would excuse the bad behavior of others. And it seems so unfair. And yet I know we are called to this. Wow. What a visit!
But it continued....This morning I flipped to today's date on my little calendar (God's Way, Day by Day by Charles Stanley). So, what was the wisdom for today, you ask? "It's easy for most of us to extend love to those we like or those who are close to us. However...our neighbor is not only the person who attends church with us, lives in our neighborhood, or is a person who is like us, but our neighbor is every person who crosses our path...And how are we to express love for our neighbors, those who are enemies as well as those who are friends or family members? We are to bless them, do good to them, and pray for them." Okay, did I really want to hear this again this morning?!?!? Ummm, probably not. Did I really need to?? Ummm, probably so. I guess the Lord really wants to hammer this into my stubborn brain. He is once again chipping away at the ugly hard covering of my heart.
Lord help. There is nothing in me that is capable of doing this. But down in my deepest me, I want so much to be obedient. I know it glorifies You. I know it will be a witness to others. I know it will ultimately be for my good and bring me joy. Help me to get past myself and past my expectations, past my emotions and past my ideas of fairness, to follow You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
Love someone who you feel doesn't deserve it. Purposely do something nice for them.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Creating Joy
Ok, so I am totally stealing this concept from my Pastor's sermon on Sunday. Thank you John! But that is what "Godvisits" are all about...it's hearing something, seeing something, a song, an event, a statement, something we read, just a moment in time when we sense or feel or even just know God is present, and reaching out to us.
Christmas season is upon us and with it comes for some busyness and exhaustion, for some loneliness and sadness...trying to squeeze too much into to little space, or trying to ignore it altogether...wherever you may be on that spectrum, God has a word for You, and for me. You can "create" joy.
More accurately, we can choose to let it flow into our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. But it takes a little effort on our part. My Pastor gave us two things that would open our hearts to receive and create joy in them....Gratitude and obedience. He used the example of exercise and eating right giving us a healthy body In the same way that works, focusing on being thankful (we must DO THIS ON PURPOSE!) and being obedient in what we know, will produce in us the fruit of joy. Seems counter-intuitive to be thankful when we are struggling, when we hurt, when everything around us seems wrong and everything inside us feels heavy and dark.
James 1:2-3 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. A crazy concept and directive, don't you think? But if God says it, then it must be true and it must work. He has a reason for everything, a purpose behind every problem. Our job its to rejoice, obey and trust. Sometimes, (oh lets be honest, all the time) I want to know what good is going to come from disappointment, heartache, loneliness. What blessing is going to come from to my aching heart when life throws rock after rock after rock at me, and I feel beaten and bruised and tired.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. There is a purpose. We are becoming like Jesus through all that comes our way.
By this time of the Christmas season, I am usually feeling a little winded. I've tried keeping my focus on the Lord more than on the world, with varying degrees of success...but as usual I still get caught up in the busy. And then these few statements from another poignant sermon hit their mark (God's mark), and I am strengthened once again, focused anew and so very thankful for another God visit.
So today I will start with three things to be grateful for. 1) The love of God, that sent His son into a dreary, sin filled world to die for me. 2) The warm and comfortable home I slept in last night. 3) The job I have that puts food on my table...even though it drives me crazy more often than not!
4) My wonderful church family and the freedom we have to worship Jesus Christ. 5)The family and friends God has blessed me with. 6) The opportunity to pursue my passion (given by God Himself) of helping animals. Okay, so that is more than three. When I think about it I really could go on and on and on! This sermon series is called "Unwrapping the Gifts of Christmas" and I believe we just unwrapped another one!!
Thank You Lord. Just thinking about these blessings brings a smile to my heart and my face. You are so kind, so generous, so loving. Thanksgiving, obedience, as I do these, I abide in You. You are the place of joy, the center of peace. As I write this my heart fills with thankfulness and praise. I love You Lord. Help me to follow You today, in obedience and let the Holy Spirit produce His fruit in my life that all may see YOU glorified.
Take time to be thankful today....multiple times today...purposely sit down and write out something to be grateful for....think big, think small...God is good.
Christmas season is upon us and with it comes for some busyness and exhaustion, for some loneliness and sadness...trying to squeeze too much into to little space, or trying to ignore it altogether...wherever you may be on that spectrum, God has a word for You, and for me. You can "create" joy.
More accurately, we can choose to let it flow into our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. But it takes a little effort on our part. My Pastor gave us two things that would open our hearts to receive and create joy in them....Gratitude and obedience. He used the example of exercise and eating right giving us a healthy body In the same way that works, focusing on being thankful (we must DO THIS ON PURPOSE!) and being obedient in what we know, will produce in us the fruit of joy. Seems counter-intuitive to be thankful when we are struggling, when we hurt, when everything around us seems wrong and everything inside us feels heavy and dark.
James 1:2-3 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. A crazy concept and directive, don't you think? But if God says it, then it must be true and it must work. He has a reason for everything, a purpose behind every problem. Our job its to rejoice, obey and trust. Sometimes, (oh lets be honest, all the time) I want to know what good is going to come from disappointment, heartache, loneliness. What blessing is going to come from to my aching heart when life throws rock after rock after rock at me, and I feel beaten and bruised and tired.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. There is a purpose. We are becoming like Jesus through all that comes our way.
By this time of the Christmas season, I am usually feeling a little winded. I've tried keeping my focus on the Lord more than on the world, with varying degrees of success...but as usual I still get caught up in the busy. And then these few statements from another poignant sermon hit their mark (God's mark), and I am strengthened once again, focused anew and so very thankful for another God visit.
So today I will start with three things to be grateful for. 1) The love of God, that sent His son into a dreary, sin filled world to die for me. 2) The warm and comfortable home I slept in last night. 3) The job I have that puts food on my table...even though it drives me crazy more often than not!
4) My wonderful church family and the freedom we have to worship Jesus Christ. 5)The family and friends God has blessed me with. 6) The opportunity to pursue my passion (given by God Himself) of helping animals. Okay, so that is more than three. When I think about it I really could go on and on and on! This sermon series is called "Unwrapping the Gifts of Christmas" and I believe we just unwrapped another one!!
Thank You Lord. Just thinking about these blessings brings a smile to my heart and my face. You are so kind, so generous, so loving. Thanksgiving, obedience, as I do these, I abide in You. You are the place of joy, the center of peace. As I write this my heart fills with thankfulness and praise. I love You Lord. Help me to follow You today, in obedience and let the Holy Spirit produce His fruit in my life that all may see YOU glorified.
Take time to be thankful today....multiple times today...purposely sit down and write out something to be grateful for....think big, think small...God is good.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Be The Best
A lot of us feel insecure sometimes. Some people more than others. And most of us know that isn't what God wants for us. Humility and feeling bad about oneself are not the same thing. Humility is not self seeking, or self focuses, while insecurity and being down on ourselves is. It is our attention turned inward, when God wants it to be outward and upward.
I've struggled with insecurities and self esteem issues most of my life. And even now that I've grown to settle myself into the Lord's love and acceptance of me....knowing that I am okay just as I am in Him, I still feel that negative inward focus rear it's ugly head from time to time. It's the "I'm not good enough," or "I'm less than..." feelings that push there way into my mind, that on occasion I still have to battle. I forget, or lose sight of the fact that I am designed especially and specifically by God and that makes me exactly how He wanted, and that makes me perfect in Him (I'm talking gifts and talents and abilities here, not behavior and attitudes that don't always align with God's ways).
A second gift the Lord gave me for my birthday on Monday was the gift of growth and freedom. It's a gift for all of us, something we can all become proficient and "the best" at. I have a calendar with daily words of wisdom called "God's Way, Day by Day/" It's written by Charles Stanley. "Be an encourager of the the gifts of others. There is plenty of opportunity for every person to become excellent in his use of his gifts...Many people I know have a strong desire to be better than others, and they resent those who are equally talented or who seem to have superior talent....Jesus didn't suffer from that complex. he wanted His disciples to accomplish even greater things than He had accomplished in His three years of active ministry" This was the pearl of wisdom written on Dec. 5. God gives better gift than physical jewelry! His gems decorate of lives with the mantle of His presence and love. They are meant to sparkle for all to see!
It's losing the "comparing ourselves to others" routine. It's losing the "accomplishment to validate us as human beings" routine. It's not needing to be the best at whatever to feel as if we have value. This statement stirs us to take the focus off of ourselves and puts it on to helping others do their best. I think God wants me, all of us to become each others cheer leaders! Embolden others to step out into their gifts and applaud their accomplishments! Cheer them on! This will help us forget about ourselves, and free us from the "Am I good enough" burden that so many of us seem to carry.
Is that not freeing? No more worrying whether we are good enough. No more "I have to be the best" for anyone to like me, value me or give myself worth. Letting God take care of us, doing our best, but focusing on encouraging those around us will bring us into the place of rest God speaks of so often in the Bible. Cool.
I'm grateful for all the progress I've made in this area of my life over the years, thanks to the Lord. I still have bouts of feeling "less than" and have some more room to grow in this. I believe this is God's next step for me on this path toward wholeness in Him. I hope and pray that it helps you too. He is so good!
Thank You Lord for the next step. You are amazing, how You just have the perfect pace for our lives. Help me to walk in this new found attitude and wisdom You have imparted to me. I want to be the best encourager I possible can in Your Name and by Your power. Use me to bless others...to help them grow in You. Thank You for these few small sentences that turned out to be a really big God visit!
Encourage someone today....make it a practice!
I've struggled with insecurities and self esteem issues most of my life. And even now that I've grown to settle myself into the Lord's love and acceptance of me....knowing that I am okay just as I am in Him, I still feel that negative inward focus rear it's ugly head from time to time. It's the "I'm not good enough," or "I'm less than..." feelings that push there way into my mind, that on occasion I still have to battle. I forget, or lose sight of the fact that I am designed especially and specifically by God and that makes me exactly how He wanted, and that makes me perfect in Him (I'm talking gifts and talents and abilities here, not behavior and attitudes that don't always align with God's ways).
A second gift the Lord gave me for my birthday on Monday was the gift of growth and freedom. It's a gift for all of us, something we can all become proficient and "the best" at. I have a calendar with daily words of wisdom called "God's Way, Day by Day/" It's written by Charles Stanley. "Be an encourager of the the gifts of others. There is plenty of opportunity for every person to become excellent in his use of his gifts...Many people I know have a strong desire to be better than others, and they resent those who are equally talented or who seem to have superior talent....Jesus didn't suffer from that complex. he wanted His disciples to accomplish even greater things than He had accomplished in His three years of active ministry" This was the pearl of wisdom written on Dec. 5. God gives better gift than physical jewelry! His gems decorate of lives with the mantle of His presence and love. They are meant to sparkle for all to see!
It's losing the "comparing ourselves to others" routine. It's losing the "accomplishment to validate us as human beings" routine. It's not needing to be the best at whatever to feel as if we have value. This statement stirs us to take the focus off of ourselves and puts it on to helping others do their best. I think God wants me, all of us to become each others cheer leaders! Embolden others to step out into their gifts and applaud their accomplishments! Cheer them on! This will help us forget about ourselves, and free us from the "Am I good enough" burden that so many of us seem to carry.
Is that not freeing? No more worrying whether we are good enough. No more "I have to be the best" for anyone to like me, value me or give myself worth. Letting God take care of us, doing our best, but focusing on encouraging those around us will bring us into the place of rest God speaks of so often in the Bible. Cool.
I'm grateful for all the progress I've made in this area of my life over the years, thanks to the Lord. I still have bouts of feeling "less than" and have some more room to grow in this. I believe this is God's next step for me on this path toward wholeness in Him. I hope and pray that it helps you too. He is so good!
Thank You Lord for the next step. You are amazing, how You just have the perfect pace for our lives. Help me to walk in this new found attitude and wisdom You have imparted to me. I want to be the best encourager I possible can in Your Name and by Your power. Use me to bless others...to help them grow in You. Thank You for these few small sentences that turned out to be a really big God visit!
Encourage someone today....make it a practice!
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
God's Birthday Gift
Happy Birthday to me! Yesterday was my birthday. And anyone who knows me knows I'm still like a kid with that fact. I love having a birthday. I love holidays...I'm so blessed to have been able to keep the joy of these days. And I guess that in and of itself is one of God's gifts to me, but I digress.
I love the readings and verse of the day things, especially on people's birthday's. I always think of them as the special instructions or encouragements that the Lord has planned for us for the upcoming new year of our lives. This year I prayed for a special gift from the Lord though.
One of my struggles (of the many!) is frustration. I get frustrated with the annoying little incidences in life that plague our days....I think I may have mentioned this a time or two, or three....spills, losing things, red lights at inopportune moments....this list goes on, and I'm sure you have a thousand trifling irritations you could add. So I prayed to the Lord yesterday, asking Him for a gift...the gift of peacefulness and joy. I want to go through life not worrying about the little bits of the day that send me into a fit of frustration. Just let those little things go and roll off my back like water on a duck as they say.
Okay, so back to the verse of the day. Yup, you guessed it, God had the perfect one planned! His gift to me, His instruction for my upcoming year. Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!
Hmmmm. I love it! My goal is to memorize this verse and quote it to myself every time I feel the anger or frustration building up over the trivial moments of my day that are not going as I would like. Oh thank You Lord for this blessing. Thank You for this reminder and this beautiful verse. You are truly a good, good Father and I am loved by You. And by the way, that was the first song I heard when I got into the car yesterday!! Gotta love our wonderful God!.
Thank You Lord for my gift. I have to say it is the best gift I could receive...but You already knew that. Please help me to put it into practice and become a person of peace and joy that glorifies You. In Jesus Name, amen.
I love the readings and verse of the day things, especially on people's birthday's. I always think of them as the special instructions or encouragements that the Lord has planned for us for the upcoming new year of our lives. This year I prayed for a special gift from the Lord though.
One of my struggles (of the many!) is frustration. I get frustrated with the annoying little incidences in life that plague our days....I think I may have mentioned this a time or two, or three....spills, losing things, red lights at inopportune moments....this list goes on, and I'm sure you have a thousand trifling irritations you could add. So I prayed to the Lord yesterday, asking Him for a gift...the gift of peacefulness and joy. I want to go through life not worrying about the little bits of the day that send me into a fit of frustration. Just let those little things go and roll off my back like water on a duck as they say.
Okay, so back to the verse of the day. Yup, you guessed it, God had the perfect one planned! His gift to me, His instruction for my upcoming year. Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!
Hmmmm. I love it! My goal is to memorize this verse and quote it to myself every time I feel the anger or frustration building up over the trivial moments of my day that are not going as I would like. Oh thank You Lord for this blessing. Thank You for this reminder and this beautiful verse. You are truly a good, good Father and I am loved by You. And by the way, that was the first song I heard when I got into the car yesterday!! Gotta love our wonderful God!.
Thank You Lord for my gift. I have to say it is the best gift I could receive...but You already knew that. Please help me to put it into practice and become a person of peace and joy that glorifies You. In Jesus Name, amen.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Gap, From Mom
Gap - a break, gap or breach.
In this verse - standing in the "gap" is a metaphor for committed "intercession" (From the Word Worth notes in Mom's Bible).
God continually is searching for an intercessor to "stand before Me on behalf of..."
If I choose to do this, my responsibility continues when the person accepts Jesus as his or her Savior. So sincerely pray and let the Holy Spirit guide, lead and encourage me to follow through in Jesus' Name.
Today more that ever God is searching for intercessors who will "stand in the gap," linking God's mercy with man's need, and by prayer to help repair the breaks. In this day the protective hedge about families, churches, and nations is in a state of terrible disrepair.
Gap
Ezekiel 22:30 I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one.
Isaiah 59:16 He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with His strong arm, and His justice sustained. Him.
Isaiah 63:5 I was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So I myself stepped in to save them with My strong arm, and My wrath sustained Me.
Gaps
Ezekiel 13:5 They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the Lord.
Intercession
Romans 8:26-28 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
From me.
Intercession, standing in the gap for others is an important part of our ministry as Christians. As I read the surrounding verses in Isaiah 59*, I thought to myself, "my gosh we are living this!" And yet the Lord calls His people to intercede on behalf of their nations, their churches, families, and those around them. This is such a timely topic for our world today. Sometimes it seems to me our churches are asleep, and it's so sad. I've been guilty of this myself. Wake up! Start praying! Prayer moves the hand of the Lord. And boy do we need that.
2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
While this speaks of nations, I believe we can apply the principle to all areas of our lives. Humble repentance, seeking God....He hears, He heals.
Ezekiel 37:1-10 The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again? "O Sovereign Lord," I replied, "You alone know the answer to that." Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lords says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know I am the Lord.' " So I spoke this message, just as He told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had not breath in them. Then He said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breath into these dead bodies so they may live again. ' " So I spoke the message as He commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet--a great army.
Hopefully, this entry has sounded in our hearts the call to intercession today...desperation abounds around us. Our families, our churches, our nations, friends and coworkers around us: Lord, we need You!!
*Isaiah 59:14-15 Our courts oppose the righteous and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was not justice.
Lord, lead each of us in the ministry of intercession. As your church, Your people, we need to stand in the gap for families, our communities and our nations. The world, people we know, are lost. Jesus came to stand in the gap for us, to sacrifice Himself and intercede for us....help us to carry His ministry out in our prayer closets, and in our hearts. Lord remind us to pray!! For myself Lord, I know I make excuses....schedule conflicts, time restraints, not knowing what to pray....Lord, let the excuses stop! There are no time limits on prayer, no special words or places to pray....it's just our heart to Yours, wherever, whenever, however. Set us on fire for this ministry Lord. In Jesus Name, amen.
Start praying today! There is a cell phone app called 714 Prayer that you can download to your phone....it sets an alarm on your phone to remind you to pray!
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