John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Joyce Meyer in Hershey, PA. It was a great trip, filled with family, dear friends, wonderful teaching, perfect weather....a refreshing few days to connect with each other and the Lord in new ways. We were blessed to see the play Jonah at the Sight and Sound theater, do some sightseeing and maybe (just maybe) a bit too much eating of all the yummy baked goods a trip to Amish county serves up.
Friday night started out with Joyce teaching on forgiveness. And I learned so much, not just about forgiveness, but about being at peace. Peace with myself and others. The overall lesson was great, but it was a couple of "one-liners" that really resonated in my heart. One was "Make peace with yourself." And the other was "Don't be mad at yourself or against yourself."
Wow, those two little lines struck deep within my soul. These were my God visit, loud and clear. I can be so down on myself. Just when I think I am getting this message, I fall right back into the same trap of self criticism. Even as I was getting my coffee to settle down with this blog, I was spilling it all over the saucer...making a mess a usual (lol). And as I was doing this the same old words came up, "I can't do anything right." "I'm such a mess." And then I sat down to share this story, conviction rising up in my spirit.
If Christ died to bring peace between God and man, doesn't stand to reason that He would want us to be a peace with ourselves? Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." God expects us to love ourselves. He loves us. It's almost as if we can't truly love others until we love and accept ourselves.
Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? God is for me. God is for you. Why do we think it's okay, or even noble to be against ourselves? False humility? Past hurts? Fault focused? Other's opinions? Whatever the reason, God is greater. And He is always on our side!
Lord, I confess this stubborn, deep rooted resistance to loving myself, Your creation, the one You died to save. Forgive me for lessening the value of Your sacrifice by being down on myself. I am your beautiful creation, flaws and all. I am loved by You. Thank You. Let me enjoy the me You made while I cooperate with the Holy Spirit to grow in You. I will be at peace with myself. I pray for others who struggle with the same battle, the same tendencies. Deliver us from the snare of self pity, self doubt, self worthlessness, self, self, self. May we be at peace with ourselves so that we can be at peace with others. Let us walk in agreement with You, not in a proud, haughty way, but with the confidence that comes with being loved and saved by You. We are Your masterpieces.
Make peace with yourself today.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Hope, From Mom
Mom looked into 1 Thessalonians and saw God's promise of our future. She saw hope.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our hope is a confident expectation based on a solid certainty. Biblical hope rests on God's promises particularly pertaining to Christ's return. Hope is never inferior to faith, but is an extension to faith. Faith is the possession of grace and hope is confidence in grace's future.
From me:
We have an assurance of Christ's return. Whatever we have to endure in this life, we know that our hope of His future is secure. When darkness, disarray, unrest swirl all around us, news reports fill our hearts with fear and despair, we have hope. Hope is our light and Jesus is our foundation.
Lord, let us not worry or fret at the turmoil we see around us. Let us not despair over events great and small, let us not lose heart at our own struggles, but help us to stand on Your sure foundation. You love us, You are in control and Your plans and purposes will always be fulfilled. We have hope because You hold us in the palm our Your hand!!
Matthew 7:24-27 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Look up Scriptures on HOPE today. Commit to memorizing a couple, keep them by your bedside, or somewhere you can read them often.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our hope is a confident expectation based on a solid certainty. Biblical hope rests on God's promises particularly pertaining to Christ's return. Hope is never inferior to faith, but is an extension to faith. Faith is the possession of grace and hope is confidence in grace's future.
From me:
We have an assurance of Christ's return. Whatever we have to endure in this life, we know that our hope of His future is secure. When darkness, disarray, unrest swirl all around us, news reports fill our hearts with fear and despair, we have hope. Hope is our light and Jesus is our foundation.
Lord, let us not worry or fret at the turmoil we see around us. Let us not despair over events great and small, let us not lose heart at our own struggles, but help us to stand on Your sure foundation. You love us, You are in control and Your plans and purposes will always be fulfilled. We have hope because You hold us in the palm our Your hand!!
Matthew 7:24-27 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Look up Scriptures on HOPE today. Commit to memorizing a couple, keep them by your bedside, or somewhere you can read them often.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Examine Yourself
I love God's words of comfort. I love when it feels like circumstances, readings, songs, etc, make me feel like God is giving me a big hug. But then there are those other times, the times when the mirror shows something I would rather not see, rather not believe about myself.
Today I was planning on sharing from Mom's journal. But God had other ideas, once again. He's got me telling on myself! I'm not sure I'm all that happy about this! LOL
At the end of last week I was doing my reading from "Be Still And Know" by Julie Rayburn. And the reading was on jealousy. Now, I kind of read it, dismissed the idea, did my praying and went about my day. Jealousy, no not me, I don't get jealous, no way. I'm not looking for more clothes, more money, a bigger house, a better car, (well, okay maybe a newer car with less than 150,000 miles on it would be okay). But I'm pretty okay with what I have, so jealousy, nope, don't see it.
Then came church on Sunday. My Pastor mentioned we were to be examining ourselves. On occasion it is necessary to examine ourselves, see where we are at with God, maybe find out what is hiding in the deep, dark recesses of our hearts. Okay, I'm still on level ground here. I do that from time to time, sometimes even daily! Not always finding things I like, but still I know I'm a work in progress, God's still chipping away at the rough edges and angles. But no, still not thinking jealousy is a problem, in fact I kind of forgot about the reading.
Then my before bed "In Touch" reading brought the subject up again, and then again the next night and I started to feel a tad uncomfortable about all this jealousy talk....perhaps it was time to sit with God and examine myself again. And that's when I found it....ugh, JEALOUSY! Yes, I actually had this hidden away in my heart, and I could trace the symptoms of anger and resentment that sometimes plague my mind stemming from this nasty root. Oh my!
Often I feel so inadequate, so inept and I am jealous of those who seem to get it right all the time. Then the resentment and insecurities surface and I get snippy, critical or quiet. I get jealous of people who seem to be fulfilling their dreams, when so many of mine lay broken behind me. I get jealous of those who don't have to work, don't seem to struggle....and I'm guessing I have just scratched the surface of this ugly mountain. Wow, this was not a God visit I really enjoyed.
So what's the remedy to this jealousy? What's the cure? Well, I am thinking gratitude is high on the list of Jesus medicine. Lots of confession and prayer as well. How about a shot of trust. Believe God has me in the exact right place He wants me for the exact right reason at the exact right time. And He's working it out for my good because He loves me. Okay, going forward.....
God, thank You for this visit. Thank You for bring this ugly heart plant into Your loving light. Help me to dig it up and throw it out! I am thankful for all You do in my life, for the place You have me right now, for the abilities and disabilities You allow in my life. Your plan is so much better than anything I can ever dream of. Lord, help me to accept where I am, help me to celebrate others and lose myself in Your love. Jealousy has no place in a heart that is devoted to You. Forgive me, change me. In Jesus Name. Amen
I say to you, dear readers, the same thing my Pastor said to us. Spend some times with God examining your heart. Let Him lead and heal.
Today I was planning on sharing from Mom's journal. But God had other ideas, once again. He's got me telling on myself! I'm not sure I'm all that happy about this! LOL
At the end of last week I was doing my reading from "Be Still And Know" by Julie Rayburn. And the reading was on jealousy. Now, I kind of read it, dismissed the idea, did my praying and went about my day. Jealousy, no not me, I don't get jealous, no way. I'm not looking for more clothes, more money, a bigger house, a better car, (well, okay maybe a newer car with less than 150,000 miles on it would be okay). But I'm pretty okay with what I have, so jealousy, nope, don't see it.
Then came church on Sunday. My Pastor mentioned we were to be examining ourselves. On occasion it is necessary to examine ourselves, see where we are at with God, maybe find out what is hiding in the deep, dark recesses of our hearts. Okay, I'm still on level ground here. I do that from time to time, sometimes even daily! Not always finding things I like, but still I know I'm a work in progress, God's still chipping away at the rough edges and angles. But no, still not thinking jealousy is a problem, in fact I kind of forgot about the reading.
Then my before bed "In Touch" reading brought the subject up again, and then again the next night and I started to feel a tad uncomfortable about all this jealousy talk....perhaps it was time to sit with God and examine myself again. And that's when I found it....ugh, JEALOUSY! Yes, I actually had this hidden away in my heart, and I could trace the symptoms of anger and resentment that sometimes plague my mind stemming from this nasty root. Oh my!
Often I feel so inadequate, so inept and I am jealous of those who seem to get it right all the time. Then the resentment and insecurities surface and I get snippy, critical or quiet. I get jealous of people who seem to be fulfilling their dreams, when so many of mine lay broken behind me. I get jealous of those who don't have to work, don't seem to struggle....and I'm guessing I have just scratched the surface of this ugly mountain. Wow, this was not a God visit I really enjoyed.
So what's the remedy to this jealousy? What's the cure? Well, I am thinking gratitude is high on the list of Jesus medicine. Lots of confession and prayer as well. How about a shot of trust. Believe God has me in the exact right place He wants me for the exact right reason at the exact right time. And He's working it out for my good because He loves me. Okay, going forward.....
God, thank You for this visit. Thank You for bring this ugly heart plant into Your loving light. Help me to dig it up and throw it out! I am thankful for all You do in my life, for the place You have me right now, for the abilities and disabilities You allow in my life. Your plan is so much better than anything I can ever dream of. Lord, help me to accept where I am, help me to celebrate others and lose myself in Your love. Jealousy has no place in a heart that is devoted to You. Forgive me, change me. In Jesus Name. Amen
I say to you, dear readers, the same thing my Pastor said to us. Spend some times with God examining your heart. Let Him lead and heal.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Following
Follow Me. That is what I was told to study by the Lord. Just like the disciples, I am called to watch Jesus live, observe His actions and interactions, see His love at work as He walks through life in the Gospels. I blogged about it. I've started off on this work with the Holy Spirit as leader and guide....and a few days into it, excitement has seeped away. I am left lethargic and apathetic over a study I was so happy and excited to begin. Ugh!! Why? Why is this happening?
Okay, so my first thought is that I am on the right track. I know in my heart that I am to immerse myself in first century life with Jesus. I know I am to walk with Him down those dusty roads of ancient Israel, listening, observing, learning. All of a sudden I am facing resistance to this study in the form of dead-ness. And I know now is the time to walk by faith and keep plugging forward in what God has told me. Determination. Discipline. Fruit of the Spirit.
And God has sent His own encouragement for me as well. As I listened to Joyce Meyer's teaching on de-stressing our lives she gave Matthew 11:28-30 as a starting point for her teaching. Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." As she went on teaching from this verse, I must have heard her say the words (referencing Jesus speaking) "Follow Me" at least four times. Wow. Confirm, confirm, confirm.
Then for "Godincidence" number two. All this visiting graves and talking about ancestors got me to remember a few random pages in a random notebook on which my Mom started a family tree. So searching for it I went yesterday. That led me to the attic, where all my journals are stored. I opened one up and on the cover page....yup, you guessed it, "FOLLOW ME" written in large bold letters.
LOL. God is so funny.
My emotions may fade and falter. They ebb and flow, never maintaining enough consistency to carry me through, but discipline, faith and the leading of the Holy Spirit spur me on. Following emotions is not our calling. Following Jesus is. And I am so appreciative of God's encouragement in my life.
Lord, thank You. Not only for this encouragement and this leading, but for the fact that You are an encourager of Your children. Your cheer us on! Thank You for being so personal in my life, so intricately and intimately involved. You follow through! I love You.
Today, follow Jesus, not emotions.
Okay, so my first thought is that I am on the right track. I know in my heart that I am to immerse myself in first century life with Jesus. I know I am to walk with Him down those dusty roads of ancient Israel, listening, observing, learning. All of a sudden I am facing resistance to this study in the form of dead-ness. And I know now is the time to walk by faith and keep plugging forward in what God has told me. Determination. Discipline. Fruit of the Spirit.
And God has sent His own encouragement for me as well. As I listened to Joyce Meyer's teaching on de-stressing our lives she gave Matthew 11:28-30 as a starting point for her teaching. Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." As she went on teaching from this verse, I must have heard her say the words (referencing Jesus speaking) "Follow Me" at least four times. Wow. Confirm, confirm, confirm.
Then for "Godincidence" number two. All this visiting graves and talking about ancestors got me to remember a few random pages in a random notebook on which my Mom started a family tree. So searching for it I went yesterday. That led me to the attic, where all my journals are stored. I opened one up and on the cover page....yup, you guessed it, "FOLLOW ME" written in large bold letters.
LOL. God is so funny.
My emotions may fade and falter. They ebb and flow, never maintaining enough consistency to carry me through, but discipline, faith and the leading of the Holy Spirit spur me on. Following emotions is not our calling. Following Jesus is. And I am so appreciative of God's encouragement in my life.
Lord, thank You. Not only for this encouragement and this leading, but for the fact that You are an encourager of Your children. Your cheer us on! Thank You for being so personal in my life, so intricately and intimately involved. You follow through! I love You.
Today, follow Jesus, not emotions.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Signs of Life
Butterflies. My Mom loved butterflies. They represent renewal, change, and new birth. We see their change from larva/pupa stages into beautifully colored adults as a mirror to our own rebirth through Christ. We start as lost, fallen creatures who transform into Christ-likeness, awakened from spiritual death into eternal life when we accept our Savior, Jesus Christ. In them we see hope.
Recently my Aunt passed away, and as her daughter, my cousin, was going through her stuff she came across a small piece of paper which had the numbers telling where our grandparents graves were located. They all died many years ago, and were buried along with my Mom's two sisters, and grandparents (my great-grandparents) in two plots in a cemetery not far from my home. So my other cousin and I decided to travel to Calvary cemetery in Queens, NY to see them. I had never been, had never known our grandparents as the died before I was born, and she had not been since she was a child and only briefly knew our grandfather as he passed when she was four.
Sunday was a perfect summer day. Warm, but not hot, no humidity. Bright, sparkling sunshine, deep blue sky and we were on the road to head into New York traffic. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day for our adventure. As we left my driveway and started down my block, a bright orange monarch butterfly flew directly across the hood of my truck! Wow, we were thrilled! It was as if Mom was with us!
Well, the traffic wasn't too bad and after a few wrong turns we finally pulled into the cemetery. After some more wrong turns and a bit of wandering around, we found my grandfather's grave. We were elated. The headstone still looked brand new (most of the stones were quite well preserved), and amazingly it was peach colored! My cousins favorite color. How funny is that! We stayed awhile, peacefulness surrounding us, talking quietly about family relationships and then set off to find grandma. But first a bathroom!
Checking the map, looking at the numbers....where is this office. Then we see a man waving his arms, he need a jump. Okay, we help him out, and he tells us where the office is. We get there and of course it's closed. The situation was fast becoming dire, thankfully the florist owner was open and he told us where the restrooms were and oh yay, they were in the next section, which was where grandma's plot was, so again after a few wrong turns (it's a really big cemetery!) we found the restroom and them another short trek to our grandmother's grave.
We knew two aunts were buried there, but were surprised to see our great-grandparents as well. (Apparently in the 1950's when my grandparents died you had to wait twenty years between burials so that is why my grandfather was not there, instead being in his own grave a couple of sections over.) This stone was peach colored too, delighting my cousin. But it's what happened as soon as we got there that blew us both away. Yes, I know you can guess, a sweet monarch butterfly flew right between us and that peach hued headstone. Imagine our happiness and awe. God is so amazing.
What a wonderful little gift He gave us to let us know our loved ones were in His care and so were we. We left that quiet space so gratified and happy we came. What an unearthly connection. Heaven is real. And our family enjoys God's presence as they await our arrival in His eternal kingdom.
Thank You Lord for this blessed visit. You are so gracious and kind. I love the way You care for us and send us little signs of hope and life. What an amazing Father You are.
Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day you can have hope. You can pass from death unto life. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven and adopted into His family. All of us sin, all of us fall short of God's perfection. But any of us can be forgiven through Jesus' work on the Cross. It is our only way to live with hope. And our only way to live in His joyful, peaceful, beautiful eternal kingdom, rather than spend eternity in torment, separated from all that is good and light. Jesus died that we may have life. We can't earn it. We can't do enough good, less bad, pile up some list of good deeds to work our way into heaven. How much is enough anyway? We accept Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. Repent of our sin. Believe what Jesus did cleanses us. Be baptized into His death and resurrection. You can start your new life in God's family today. Speak to Him from Your heart.
John 17:3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
John 3:16-17 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 6:40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
Recently my Aunt passed away, and as her daughter, my cousin, was going through her stuff she came across a small piece of paper which had the numbers telling where our grandparents graves were located. They all died many years ago, and were buried along with my Mom's two sisters, and grandparents (my great-grandparents) in two plots in a cemetery not far from my home. So my other cousin and I decided to travel to Calvary cemetery in Queens, NY to see them. I had never been, had never known our grandparents as the died before I was born, and she had not been since she was a child and only briefly knew our grandfather as he passed when she was four.
Sunday was a perfect summer day. Warm, but not hot, no humidity. Bright, sparkling sunshine, deep blue sky and we were on the road to head into New York traffic. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day for our adventure. As we left my driveway and started down my block, a bright orange monarch butterfly flew directly across the hood of my truck! Wow, we were thrilled! It was as if Mom was with us!
Well, the traffic wasn't too bad and after a few wrong turns we finally pulled into the cemetery. After some more wrong turns and a bit of wandering around, we found my grandfather's grave. We were elated. The headstone still looked brand new (most of the stones were quite well preserved), and amazingly it was peach colored! My cousins favorite color. How funny is that! We stayed awhile, peacefulness surrounding us, talking quietly about family relationships and then set off to find grandma. But first a bathroom!
Checking the map, looking at the numbers....where is this office. Then we see a man waving his arms, he need a jump. Okay, we help him out, and he tells us where the office is. We get there and of course it's closed. The situation was fast becoming dire, thankfully the florist owner was open and he told us where the restrooms were and oh yay, they were in the next section, which was where grandma's plot was, so again after a few wrong turns (it's a really big cemetery!) we found the restroom and them another short trek to our grandmother's grave.
We knew two aunts were buried there, but were surprised to see our great-grandparents as well. (Apparently in the 1950's when my grandparents died you had to wait twenty years between burials so that is why my grandfather was not there, instead being in his own grave a couple of sections over.) This stone was peach colored too, delighting my cousin. But it's what happened as soon as we got there that blew us both away. Yes, I know you can guess, a sweet monarch butterfly flew right between us and that peach hued headstone. Imagine our happiness and awe. God is so amazing.
What a wonderful little gift He gave us to let us know our loved ones were in His care and so were we. We left that quiet space so gratified and happy we came. What an unearthly connection. Heaven is real. And our family enjoys God's presence as they await our arrival in His eternal kingdom.
Thank You Lord for this blessed visit. You are so gracious and kind. I love the way You care for us and send us little signs of hope and life. What an amazing Father You are.
Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day you can have hope. You can pass from death unto life. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven and adopted into His family. All of us sin, all of us fall short of God's perfection. But any of us can be forgiven through Jesus' work on the Cross. It is our only way to live with hope. And our only way to live in His joyful, peaceful, beautiful eternal kingdom, rather than spend eternity in torment, separated from all that is good and light. Jesus died that we may have life. We can't earn it. We can't do enough good, less bad, pile up some list of good deeds to work our way into heaven. How much is enough anyway? We accept Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. Repent of our sin. Believe what Jesus did cleanses us. Be baptized into His death and resurrection. You can start your new life in God's family today. Speak to Him from Your heart.
John 17:3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
John 3:16-17 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 6:40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Role Reversal
Tap, tap, tap. That's God tapping on my heart. One of those obvious Scriptural truths was delivered yesterday....It's funny, you can read the same story, year after year, hear it a thousand ways and still not see everything the Father puts in it.
I have started on my quest to "live like a disciple," delving into the life of Jesus and learning through His example and teaching. So I started in Matthew. I'm reading through the Gospels, including the commentary, along with a Bible guide to give more insight into the life and times of Jesus. It was in the commentary that I saw the contrast between how we approach God and how He should be approached. Not exactly a new concept, but definitely illuminating the difference between centuries, and the way we sometimes see God.
Matthew 2:9-11 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Okay, so now think about the last time you approached God. Was there worship? Was there joy? Did you offer him gifts? Or did you, like me, offer a quick, generic thank you and then run right into what you needed for that day? Was there awe and honor or was it rushed flippancy? I definitely felt some conviction after reading this!
Now, I don't think we need to make going to our Father a big project. We can come to Him with anything, at anytime, sometimes without words, crying out our need and heartache. We can run into His arms in joy, in pain, in disappointment, in need, and in love. Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence. But wouldn't it be nice if sometimes, we came to our Savior in awe and worship, bringing Him the gift of our heart and lives. Giving the gift of trust and submission? Sometimes I think we just take God for granted.
Lord, forgive me for treating You as common. You are God. Your are amazing. You are supreme. Righteousness, holiness, everlasting, unending, omnipotent....No one, nothing compares to You. I worship You, who You are. Merciful, loving, all knowing, kind, beautiful. Lord, take the gift of my life, my heart. I trust You. Help me to submit myself to You fully. I praise You this day. I thank You for your patient, forgiving, loving heart. I thank You teaching me new truths, helping me to see in new ways. You are my Creator, my Savior, my Sustainer, my Father, and my God.
Check your approach today. How are you treating God?
I have started on my quest to "live like a disciple," delving into the life of Jesus and learning through His example and teaching. So I started in Matthew. I'm reading through the Gospels, including the commentary, along with a Bible guide to give more insight into the life and times of Jesus. It was in the commentary that I saw the contrast between how we approach God and how He should be approached. Not exactly a new concept, but definitely illuminating the difference between centuries, and the way we sometimes see God.
Matthew 2:9-11 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Okay, so now think about the last time you approached God. Was there worship? Was there joy? Did you offer him gifts? Or did you, like me, offer a quick, generic thank you and then run right into what you needed for that day? Was there awe and honor or was it rushed flippancy? I definitely felt some conviction after reading this!
Now, I don't think we need to make going to our Father a big project. We can come to Him with anything, at anytime, sometimes without words, crying out our need and heartache. We can run into His arms in joy, in pain, in disappointment, in need, and in love. Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence. But wouldn't it be nice if sometimes, we came to our Savior in awe and worship, bringing Him the gift of our heart and lives. Giving the gift of trust and submission? Sometimes I think we just take God for granted.
Lord, forgive me for treating You as common. You are God. Your are amazing. You are supreme. Righteousness, holiness, everlasting, unending, omnipotent....No one, nothing compares to You. I worship You, who You are. Merciful, loving, all knowing, kind, beautiful. Lord, take the gift of my life, my heart. I trust You. Help me to submit myself to You fully. I praise You this day. I thank You for your patient, forgiving, loving heart. I thank You teaching me new truths, helping me to see in new ways. You are my Creator, my Savior, my Sustainer, my Father, and my God.
Check your approach today. How are you treating God?
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Follow Me.
Follow me. That is what Jesus told the disciples when He called them. That is what He told the rich young man. Matthew 4:19 Jesus called out to them,"Come, follow me and I will show you how to fish for people!" Matthew 9:9 As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collectors booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 19:21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor,and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."
Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you; to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 15:8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to My Father.
What are all these verses leading to? They all point to the place God is leading me right now. They point to our primary purpose in life and how we are to live.
Sometimes I've felt like I can't get anything right. No matter how hard I try, people are just not going to be happy with the way I do something, or what I am doing. They expect more, and I fail to live up to their expectations. And that leads to a downward spiral of self-doubt, negative thoughts and an anxious unease in my heart. It all comes from trying to live up to others expectations and forgetting that I live for only one.
But God has had His teaching for me highlighting what HE wants from my life, HIS primary purpose for me. John 15:16 You didn't choose Me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name.
Where is God pointing here? To teach me His chief desire for my life is glorifying Him and bearing fruit. It's not to impress others. It's not to be the best at everything. It's to live a life that honors the Lord, and bears fruit for the kingdom. All other purposes, callings, jobs, tasks, works are secondary, playing supporting roles in the main act of life.
Colossians 3:23 Work willing at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people. Everything I do is to be for Him. And everything I do is to be done with excellence, to the best of my ability. But pleasing people is not the objective. Getting their approval is not the goal. When I remember this, when I seek only to please God and live for His purposes I am set free from people's expectations and opinions. When I know I've done my best for Him, I am at peace.
I love the way God shines a spotlight on what He wants me to learn. I've gone back over some of His teaching lately and I can see this thread running through it. I have been given the Holy Spirit in order to live my life following Jesus. And Jesus glorified God by loving others, being a blessing, teaching salvation and pleasing His Father. He didn't live to please man. He didn't live to glorify Himself. And I want to live like He did.
Lord, help me. I cannot do this on my own. I am easily swayed by human opinion. Easily intimidated by rejection. Give me boldness to live for You. Give me wisdom to know how to do that. Narrow my focus. Thank You for all the areas You have put me in that I may do this. Thank You for the gifts and talents You give so that they may contribute to Your goal for my life. I know now that You have me in certain places for the express purpose of bringing others to You. That is what I am supposed to be doing. Let me do it eagerly, and urgently.
Understand today that your main purpose is to glorify God and bring fruit for the kingdom. Mull that over, along with the above Scriptures.
Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you; to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 15:8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to My Father.
What are all these verses leading to? They all point to the place God is leading me right now. They point to our primary purpose in life and how we are to live.
Sometimes I've felt like I can't get anything right. No matter how hard I try, people are just not going to be happy with the way I do something, or what I am doing. They expect more, and I fail to live up to their expectations. And that leads to a downward spiral of self-doubt, negative thoughts and an anxious unease in my heart. It all comes from trying to live up to others expectations and forgetting that I live for only one.
But God has had His teaching for me highlighting what HE wants from my life, HIS primary purpose for me. John 15:16 You didn't choose Me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name.
Where is God pointing here? To teach me His chief desire for my life is glorifying Him and bearing fruit. It's not to impress others. It's not to be the best at everything. It's to live a life that honors the Lord, and bears fruit for the kingdom. All other purposes, callings, jobs, tasks, works are secondary, playing supporting roles in the main act of life.
Colossians 3:23 Work willing at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people. Everything I do is to be for Him. And everything I do is to be done with excellence, to the best of my ability. But pleasing people is not the objective. Getting their approval is not the goal. When I remember this, when I seek only to please God and live for His purposes I am set free from people's expectations and opinions. When I know I've done my best for Him, I am at peace.
I love the way God shines a spotlight on what He wants me to learn. I've gone back over some of His teaching lately and I can see this thread running through it. I have been given the Holy Spirit in order to live my life following Jesus. And Jesus glorified God by loving others, being a blessing, teaching salvation and pleasing His Father. He didn't live to please man. He didn't live to glorify Himself. And I want to live like He did.
Lord, help me. I cannot do this on my own. I am easily swayed by human opinion. Easily intimidated by rejection. Give me boldness to live for You. Give me wisdom to know how to do that. Narrow my focus. Thank You for all the areas You have put me in that I may do this. Thank You for the gifts and talents You give so that they may contribute to Your goal for my life. I know now that You have me in certain places for the express purpose of bringing others to You. That is what I am supposed to be doing. Let me do it eagerly, and urgently.
Understand today that your main purpose is to glorify God and bring fruit for the kingdom. Mull that over, along with the above Scriptures.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Happy Sunday!
Great, uplifting song by Zack Williams. Enjoy friends. I hope it sticks with you all week long.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Mission: JESUS
From time to time over the years I've been of a mind to study the life and person of Jesus. The thought kind of comes into my head then floats off into the mists of "unremembering." But for some reason, and maybe it's all the teaching on the Holy Spirit, the idea of this in depth study of our Savior has taken hold of me....God's new adventure!
So it started yesterday with a short Bible study entitled, "Follow Me." Bible teacher Charles Stanley based his study on Matthew 4:18-22. In this section, Jesus meets up with four of His soon to be apostles and asks them to "...follow me." This small study springboarded the idea of "living" with Jesus daily, studying His words, watching His example....basically, becoming a disciple, back into the forefront of my mind. And I firmly believe now is the time for this.
So of course, since this was God's idea in the first place, He has provided the confirmation that I am on the right track. I love when this happens! It's funny, because lately I've been floundering as to which direction to take in my "God time." Nothing seemed to fit. I guess God was preparing my heart for this next step in my journey with Him.
So, back to the confirmation. I decided a good way to start this next chapter in my walk with God was to open with praise (always a good way to begin!). I opened up my little book "31 Days of Praise" and today's praise message was all about Jesus, how He lived and operated here on Earth. "Thank You that He demonstrated how I am to live and serve, completely depending on Him as my indwelling Lord, focusing on His life as He walked on Earth, and beholding His glory, 'the glory of the one and only' who came from You, full of grace and truth. What a delight to know that as I focus on Him, Your transform me into His image by Your Spirit within me." Thank you Ruth and Warren Myers for putting it so beautifully, this desire of mine to shine like Jesus by immersing myself in our Savior. Is our Father amazing or what?
Lord, I cry out for more! More of You, more our Your Holy Spirit, more of Your life in me. Open my eyes and heart and give me an obedient spirit to follow Jesus! Thank You in advance for all you will do in this adventure we are undertaking.
Focus on Jesus today. Start reading the Gospels and get to know Him!
Matthew 4:18-22 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
So it started yesterday with a short Bible study entitled, "Follow Me." Bible teacher Charles Stanley based his study on Matthew 4:18-22. In this section, Jesus meets up with four of His soon to be apostles and asks them to "...follow me." This small study springboarded the idea of "living" with Jesus daily, studying His words, watching His example....basically, becoming a disciple, back into the forefront of my mind. And I firmly believe now is the time for this.
So of course, since this was God's idea in the first place, He has provided the confirmation that I am on the right track. I love when this happens! It's funny, because lately I've been floundering as to which direction to take in my "God time." Nothing seemed to fit. I guess God was preparing my heart for this next step in my journey with Him.
So, back to the confirmation. I decided a good way to start this next chapter in my walk with God was to open with praise (always a good way to begin!). I opened up my little book "31 Days of Praise" and today's praise message was all about Jesus, how He lived and operated here on Earth. "Thank You that He demonstrated how I am to live and serve, completely depending on Him as my indwelling Lord, focusing on His life as He walked on Earth, and beholding His glory, 'the glory of the one and only' who came from You, full of grace and truth. What a delight to know that as I focus on Him, Your transform me into His image by Your Spirit within me." Thank you Ruth and Warren Myers for putting it so beautifully, this desire of mine to shine like Jesus by immersing myself in our Savior. Is our Father amazing or what?
Lord, I cry out for more! More of You, more our Your Holy Spirit, more of Your life in me. Open my eyes and heart and give me an obedient spirit to follow Jesus! Thank You in advance for all you will do in this adventure we are undertaking.
Focus on Jesus today. Start reading the Gospels and get to know Him!
Matthew 4:18-22 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Holy Spirit, Part 3, from Mom
Filled with the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price, so you must honor God with your body.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we are powerless, defeated and fearful, give control to the Holy Spirit and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit...
Don't grieve the Holy Spirit
Also know as disobedience. Ephesians 4:30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
Walk in the Spirit, depend on Him, submit to Him. Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
As we walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in us. Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Being Spirit filled is assurance that we are a child of God. Romans 8:16-17 For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory we must also share his suffering.
Pray in the Spirit always and with supplication. Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Romans 8:26 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. The Holy Spirit prays with deep feeling.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repentance, baptism, receiving.
From me:
Lately I have been reading Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God." I have to admit I've been a little frustrated, because I am so easily distracted and focused on the things of this world. Walking through everyday life sort of consumes my thinking and doing...which is not what I want. Even though I am in this world and must take care of life here, I want to do it with an awareness and a "resting" in God. I find some clues to doing that in this last part of Mom's journal entry on the Holy Spirit.
It's in God's own Word that I find the answers. Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19: Disobedience stifles the Spirits presence (or more accurately my awareness of) in my life. Confess and turn away from any attitudes, words, actions that grieve Him. Ephesians 6:18: Being in prayer. Making a conscious effort to stay alert and praying through the day. It seems to me these two actions will heighten our awareness of God's presence and work in our lives. And I know I want that desperately.
Lord, this journey through life goes through many twists and turns. Some days are up, some are down...but all are in Your hands. Lord, help me and all of us to remember that You are always with us in the Person of the Holy Spirit. He is everything we need to live, to fulfill Your purpose, to glorify You in our time here on earth. Lord, make us more aware, more in tune, more obedient each and every moment of each and every day. I want more of You!! Thank You Holy Spirit for all the wonderful work You do in my life. I am so grateful that You are with me and all who are children of God. Thank You for Your prayers. Help me to follow You more closely today, to be more mindful of Your presence in my life. I pray that for all of us, all my readers, my Christian family. Thank You. In Jesus Name, amen.
Pray without ceasing today as the Holy Spirit leads.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price, so you must honor God with your body.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we are powerless, defeated and fearful, give control to the Holy Spirit and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit...
Don't grieve the Holy Spirit
Also know as disobedience. Ephesians 4:30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
Walk in the Spirit, depend on Him, submit to Him. Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
As we walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in us. Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Being Spirit filled is assurance that we are a child of God. Romans 8:16-17 For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory we must also share his suffering.
Pray in the Spirit always and with supplication. Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Romans 8:26 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. The Holy Spirit prays with deep feeling.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repentance, baptism, receiving.
From me:
Lately I have been reading Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God." I have to admit I've been a little frustrated, because I am so easily distracted and focused on the things of this world. Walking through everyday life sort of consumes my thinking and doing...which is not what I want. Even though I am in this world and must take care of life here, I want to do it with an awareness and a "resting" in God. I find some clues to doing that in this last part of Mom's journal entry on the Holy Spirit.
It's in God's own Word that I find the answers. Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19: Disobedience stifles the Spirits presence (or more accurately my awareness of) in my life. Confess and turn away from any attitudes, words, actions that grieve Him. Ephesians 6:18: Being in prayer. Making a conscious effort to stay alert and praying through the day. It seems to me these two actions will heighten our awareness of God's presence and work in our lives. And I know I want that desperately.
Lord, this journey through life goes through many twists and turns. Some days are up, some are down...but all are in Your hands. Lord, help me and all of us to remember that You are always with us in the Person of the Holy Spirit. He is everything we need to live, to fulfill Your purpose, to glorify You in our time here on earth. Lord, make us more aware, more in tune, more obedient each and every moment of each and every day. I want more of You!! Thank You Holy Spirit for all the wonderful work You do in my life. I am so grateful that You are with me and all who are children of God. Thank You for Your prayers. Help me to follow You more closely today, to be more mindful of Your presence in my life. I pray that for all of us, all my readers, my Christian family. Thank You. In Jesus Name, amen.
Pray without ceasing today as the Holy Spirit leads.
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