Grace cannot be bought. It is freely given gift by God to you and me. Grace is the love that gives, that loves the unlovely and the unlovable. We can love others because God first loved us, and we can also forgive others because God first forgave us. Giving grace to others is something our Father calls us to do.
Matthew 6:14 "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Grace can be a hard thing to give to enemies, or those we know hate us but God first gave us a gift of grace when we were still sinners. He also gives us strenghth to give grace to others.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. God loved us, and through his grace he gave us a good hope and encouragement that continues forever."
Even when its hard to love our enemy we are called to "do good to them! Lend to them! And dont be concerned about the fact that they won't repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as sons of God: for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are very wicked." Luke 6:35 Give grace freely to others, and love like God loves.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Chazown
If you have not watched LifeChurch's sermon called Chazown I strongly recommend it! Craig is talking about God's vision for our life, and I am going to steal a lot of his verses and words. Proverbs 29:18 says
" Where there is no vision, the people perish..." We all receive visions from God but we choose to hear it, and than we chose to act on it. We get a prompting from the spirit to go work with kids, mentor young married couples, go to Africa, etc. After we get the prompting we than say ok God now what? Most of us want the details before we'll take a step forward. Sometimes God will not give details because we can not handle them. If he told us how far he was going to take us or the pain we may endure we may say NO NOT ME! We have to choose to walk by faith, and take steps at a time. Satan will attack, and I can tell you he is raging full force at me as we speak. I have received some amazing visions from the Lord the last couple of months, have taken some steps and in the last week when thrown some pretty crazy curve balls. It will not fail that Satan will attack but we have to stand strong, and fight for God's vision for your life. Acts 20:24 " However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task to testifying to the gospel of God's grace." What is your Chazown?
" Where there is no vision, the people perish..." We all receive visions from God but we choose to hear it, and than we chose to act on it. We get a prompting from the spirit to go work with kids, mentor young married couples, go to Africa, etc. After we get the prompting we than say ok God now what? Most of us want the details before we'll take a step forward. Sometimes God will not give details because we can not handle them. If he told us how far he was going to take us or the pain we may endure we may say NO NOT ME! We have to choose to walk by faith, and take steps at a time. Satan will attack, and I can tell you he is raging full force at me as we speak. I have received some amazing visions from the Lord the last couple of months, have taken some steps and in the last week when thrown some pretty crazy curve balls. It will not fail that Satan will attack but we have to stand strong, and fight for God's vision for your life. Acts 20:24 " However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task to testifying to the gospel of God's grace." What is your Chazown?
Friday, October 22, 2010
For Freeeeeee
Hosea 14:4 The Lord says, "I will forgive them for leaving me, I will love them freely, I am not angry with them anymore.
"I will love them freely" That speaks of the love that streams from heaven to earth, a spontaneous love flowing forth to those who neither deserved it, purchased it, nor sought after it. It is, indeed, the only way in which God can love us as we are. If there were any conditions from God than he would not love us freely. Sometimes we say but I have done so many wrong things, he says "I will love you freely." We say but I do not fulfill everything God calls me to do. He again says "I will not love you because of your works, but I will love you freely. It is so wonderful to know that the grace of God is free to us at all times, without preparation, without fitness, without money, and without price!"
"I will love them freely" That speaks of the love that streams from heaven to earth, a spontaneous love flowing forth to those who neither deserved it, purchased it, nor sought after it. It is, indeed, the only way in which God can love us as we are. If there were any conditions from God than he would not love us freely. Sometimes we say but I have done so many wrong things, he says "I will love you freely." We say but I do not fulfill everything God calls me to do. He again says "I will not love you because of your works, but I will love you freely. It is so wonderful to know that the grace of God is free to us at all times, without preparation, without fitness, without money, and without price!"
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Replace the world with his word.
2 Timothy 4:2-5 So I give you this command: Preach the good news. be ready at all times. Tell people what they need to do, tell them when they are wrong, and encourage them. Do these things with great patience and careful teaching. The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching. They will find more and more teachers who say the things they want to hear. They will stop listening to the truth. They will begin to follow the teaching in false stories. But you should control yourself at all times. When troubles come accept them. Do the work of telling the Good news. Do all the duties of a servant of God.
I feel like the closer I get to God the more bad I see. We are so consumed with bad things in this world that most of the time we don't even recognize it. I can't even go through my Monday night class now without someone bringing up something that goes against God's word. I sat there wondering last night if I was the only one that knew God's word on the situation we were speaking about bc it seemed everyone was speaking against him. Everywhere you look we are consumed by the things of this world, and it has become so normal to us sometimes we don't see what we are doing is hurting God. When we think about it what benefit do we get from some of the television shows we watch, music we listen to, or activities we choose to do. God has really challenged me in this area the last couple of weeks, weeding out the world and replacing it with the word. Some things were more obvious than others, and its still a daily struggle to let go of this world and hold on to his word.
I feel like the closer I get to God the more bad I see. We are so consumed with bad things in this world that most of the time we don't even recognize it. I can't even go through my Monday night class now without someone bringing up something that goes against God's word. I sat there wondering last night if I was the only one that knew God's word on the situation we were speaking about bc it seemed everyone was speaking against him. Everywhere you look we are consumed by the things of this world, and it has become so normal to us sometimes we don't see what we are doing is hurting God. When we think about it what benefit do we get from some of the television shows we watch, music we listen to, or activities we choose to do. God has really challenged me in this area the last couple of weeks, weeding out the world and replacing it with the word. Some things were more obvious than others, and its still a daily struggle to let go of this world and hold on to his word.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
His Servant
I have been blogging for a month now, and that month has been one of the most exciting months of my life. God has shown me so many things,opened so many doors, and blessed me everyday. While this month has been exciting it has been hard also. It has brought sorrow but I have been able to rejoice during that sorrow. I am a his servant, his daughter and even though life has been hard I can rejoice because of him. Grace from our father is everything, although sometimes we feel we have unanswered prayers or he does not hear us in our cry for help he does. He will answer you at the right time so be patient, and never stop being his servant even when there may be hard times. 2 Corinthians 6 talks about being his servant always, showing his love through everything, and never losing faith.
1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.
1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.
Friday, October 15, 2010
He is holding me.
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
This song is beautiful, such a great reminder that when Im sad or broken I still will be held by my father. He never leaves even though sometimes I think he has. I love the verse Psalm 46:1-3 " God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid if the earth shakes, or if the mountains fall into the sea. We will not fear even if the oceans roar and foam, or if the mountains shake at the raging sea." I know i'll always be in his hands no matter what hard situation I may be going through my father is always holding me.
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
This song is beautiful, such a great reminder that when Im sad or broken I still will be held by my father. He never leaves even though sometimes I think he has. I love the verse Psalm 46:1-3 " God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid if the earth shakes, or if the mountains fall into the sea. We will not fear even if the oceans roar and foam, or if the mountains shake at the raging sea." I know i'll always be in his hands no matter what hard situation I may be going through my father is always holding me.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Don't fret over evil
1 [a] Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.
27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
29 the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;
33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future [b] for the man of peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future [c] of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
One of my amazing mentors read me this verse yesterday. I often find myself worrying about those who I feel are doing wrong, or teaching others wrong. I feel that I need to control the issue and figure out how I can change this. I find myself getting really angry if someone is teaching MY children wrong things and leading their young hearts away from God. This beautiful verse that speaks for itself made me see God is in control of this, and he will cut them off. It is not right to get angry or fret but I need to trust God is taking control of the situation and his way will prevail.
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.
27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
29 the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;
33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future [b] for the man of peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future [c] of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
One of my amazing mentors read me this verse yesterday. I often find myself worrying about those who I feel are doing wrong, or teaching others wrong. I feel that I need to control the issue and figure out how I can change this. I find myself getting really angry if someone is teaching MY children wrong things and leading their young hearts away from God. This beautiful verse that speaks for itself made me see God is in control of this, and he will cut them off. It is not right to get angry or fret but I need to trust God is taking control of the situation and his way will prevail.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
MAKE CHRIST THE CENTER OF OUR LIFE
Working extra hours this week I have been beyond bored so I looked up a website by Leslie Ludy. She has wrote many books for young women, and I recommend all of them! I was just looking around at the website and came across a blog she did a couple days ago. Ill admit I'm stealing some of her words, but it was so powerful and amazing I could not pass it up! She was talking about women that loved God so much that he was the center of their life. They put him above all else family, pleasure, riches, friends and the world. Here are some of their amazing, touching stories.
Amy Carmichael sacrificed her right to be married and chose instead to spend her life rescuing 1,000 children from being sold into temple prostitution in India. Her romance with Jesus Christ far exceeded the most beautiful fairy tale ever written.
Sabina Wurmbrandt sacrificed her right to live “happily ever after” with the love of her life, Richard, when it came down to a choice between saving her husband and standing up for her first Love, Jesus Christ. She inspired her husband to stand against those who were blaspheming Christ’s name, and as a result she and Richard were separated for ten long years.
Gladys Alyward spent all of her youth and beauty in a war-torn Chinese village – rather than pining after men – choosing service for the Kingdom of God over marriage, family and the comforts of this world. And as a result, a hundred violent prisoners were subdued into quiet obedience, two hundred orphan’s lives were saved and thousands were pulled out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.
Catherine Booth laid down her right to a comfortable marriage and family life – not only allowing her husband to pour out his life for the destitute and dying, but serving right by his side as he did so. She chose all-night prayer gatherings, long days trudging through slums, and attack from the modern church over a stable existence in a cute home with a white picket fence.
These women truly choose to commit everything to God. He was their number one love, and they showed that with how they lived. They sacrificed husbands and comfort for their king, nothing was more important than living for him. When we have a Christ-consumed heart, guys ( or girls) no longer dominate our thinking, our actions, and our decisions. Rather, the Lover of our soul captivates us so completely that every guy we meet clearly sees that Jesus is, and always will be, the number one Prince of our heart. You can check out her website at http://www.setapartgirl.com/
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Seasons
I love the different seasons of Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer because they bring change. Fall is my favorite by far though. I love nature and being outside and fall brings the perfect temperature to do that. I love the changing leaves, and just how beautiful God's creation is during this Season. Not to mention fall brings everything pumpkin which I LOVE! There are different seasons in our life as well. Last night talking to my wonderful Mother she quoted this verse, and i'll never forget this was one of my Uncle Dean's favorite verses as well.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal... a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance... a time to embrace and a to refrain from embracing; a time to lose and a time to seek, a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Life changes, seasons come and go. Some are hard and bring sorrow, and some bring joy. One thing never changes though and that is our Savior.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal... a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance... a time to embrace and a to refrain from embracing; a time to lose and a time to seek, a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Life changes, seasons come and go. Some are hard and bring sorrow, and some bring joy. One thing never changes though and that is our Savior.
Friday, October 8, 2010
WHAT IFS
Jeremiah 17:5-8
5 This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
Reading this I was thinking do I put my total trust in God? When I turn to control, strategies, intelligence, and manipulation, I am trusting in myself not him. Instead of giving my fears and "what ifs" to him I trust in myself. The result of me doing this is always disaster. My focus is on what I can do to get what I want rather than how I can trust. We can only trust God when our focus is on Him and not on our circumstances. I struggle with this a lot, because I like to feel in control. But I have seen that when Im not in control is when my life is undercontrol. The Serenity Prayer is a great way to think about dealing with the WHAT IFS in life.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
5 This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
Reading this I was thinking do I put my total trust in God? When I turn to control, strategies, intelligence, and manipulation, I am trusting in myself not him. Instead of giving my fears and "what ifs" to him I trust in myself. The result of me doing this is always disaster. My focus is on what I can do to get what I want rather than how I can trust. We can only trust God when our focus is on Him and not on our circumstances. I struggle with this a lot, because I like to feel in control. But I have seen that when Im not in control is when my life is undercontrol. The Serenity Prayer is a great way to think about dealing with the WHAT IFS in life.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Positive Tommorrows
Ok I am so excited right now I am about to jump out of this chair! Today at work we had a meeting at 8am, I was not so thrilled about it even through I would already be at work. I normally spend my first hour of work reading God's word so I was a little annoyed I wouldn't be able to do that this morning! It was a meeting for United Way and little did I know God was going to speak to me huge through this meeting. We had a lady come from Positive Tomorrows in Oklahoma City, it is a school for homeless and underprivileged children. This lady was the sweetest lady I have ever meet, and her stories and faith in God touched me so deeply. I wanted to tell her I would be there today to help out! I am still amazed when God answers our prayers in a BIG way. I have been praying for a service project my 7th grade girls could do because they are passionate about helping out and THIS is it. I have prayed for him to use me for underprivileged kids because that is where my true heart is and here was a huge door that God opened. Through something like a meeting at work that I was annoyed at going to God spoke to me in a huge way! GOD IS GOOD! Check out the website http://www.positivetomorrows.org/
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Drinking his water
"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." - John 4:14
God's living water satisfies our thirst beyond what we need, it is overflowing to those who chose to drink. A true believer in Christ is satisfied with Christ and Christ alone. Even through the darkest of times he is still filled with joy because of our father. We never need anything else but him, we never find fulfillment in anything else but him. We should take of the living water freely, God will never think you took to much but welcome you to take more.
God's living water satisfies our thirst beyond what we need, it is overflowing to those who chose to drink. A true believer in Christ is satisfied with Christ and Christ alone. Even through the darkest of times he is still filled with joy because of our father. We never need anything else but him, we never find fulfillment in anything else but him. We should take of the living water freely, God will never think you took to much but welcome you to take more.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Worry is like a rocking chair.
Worry. That is something I do everyday, all day. Most of the time I worry about things that will never happen, and I definitely worry about things I have no control over. I read a quote today that said "Worry is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do but it won't get you anywhere." When I choose to worry about things I am saying to god "you cant" and not walking in faith. We worry about a lot of things money, health, family, marriage, threats, the list could go on forever. But does worrying about any of these things change what the outcome is going to be? We could worry about if a tornado is going to hit our house, but worrying about it does not change if it does or it doesn't. I think if we looked at the things we worried about a large percent are things that will never happen, or past decisions that we can no unmake, and only a small percent of our worries are really legitimate. Here is what God's word says about worry. Matthew 6:25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus says five times in the passage to stop worrying, I think he wants us to get the message! We are hurting our faith by not trusting that he has control over everyday.He wants to take all our worries and fears 1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." To humble yourselves before God is to trust in him and him alone. He wants to take the burden away from you if you just let him. If tomorrow brings you worry just remember God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through him before they can get to us. Freedom from worry is a process, but once we increase in trust and decrease in anxiety we will have a peace that is unknown.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus says five times in the passage to stop worrying, I think he wants us to get the message! We are hurting our faith by not trusting that he has control over everyday.He wants to take all our worries and fears 1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." To humble yourselves before God is to trust in him and him alone. He wants to take the burden away from you if you just let him. If tomorrow brings you worry just remember God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through him before they can get to us. Freedom from worry is a process, but once we increase in trust and decrease in anxiety we will have a peace that is unknown.
Monday, October 4, 2010
His ways are better than my ways.
This blog may be similar to other's, but the stage of life I am in right now all I am doing is completely depending on his ways. Not that you shouldn't always do that but my life has changed ALOT over the last couple of months, and it took some time to really see that his plan is better for me than what I thought my plan was for the rest of my life. Yesterday sitting in my sister's church (which had an amazing speaker but thats a whole other subject) this beautiful verse was on the back of someone's shirt.
Ephesians 3:20
Ephesians 3:20
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
This verse brings so much truth to me and my life the last couple of months. I thought I was done, I thought I had reached what God's plan was for a husband but he knew differently. I never could have stepped back three months ago and said or trusted that God was going to take me away from that situation and it was going to be great! God had a plan all along for me that was better than what I could have asked or thought of and he still is not done. God's love and grace has saved me so much the last couple of months. The only way I stand today with no regret of the past, no wanting to go back, healed of what happened, and moving forward to the future is because I know God has promised me something more than I could ever think of. God is my first love, I am falling so in love with him and his ways. This is personal for me, but I do not want to hide what and who God is to me. He gives us so much if we trust and follow his ways. It was hard for me to finally obey that, but when I did his ways continue to surprise and bless me everyday.
This verse brings so much truth to me and my life the last couple of months. I thought I was done, I thought I had reached what God's plan was for a husband but he knew differently. I never could have stepped back three months ago and said or trusted that God was going to take me away from that situation and it was going to be great! God had a plan all along for me that was better than what I could have asked or thought of and he still is not done. God's love and grace has saved me so much the last couple of months. The only way I stand today with no regret of the past, no wanting to go back, healed of what happened, and moving forward to the future is because I know God has promised me something more than I could ever think of. God is my first love, I am falling so in love with him and his ways. This is personal for me, but I do not want to hide what and who God is to me. He gives us so much if we trust and follow his ways. It was hard for me to finally obey that, but when I did his ways continue to surprise and bless me everyday.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Im enough.
I have been looking at this screen for awhile now wondering where to start. God has blessed me with a passion to reach out to young girls, and I have been given so many opportunities to do that. I still stand back sometimes and say wow God look at all the things you have blessed me with! But a situation happened last night that breaks my heart, the not so fun part of this passion God has given me. I got a text message that changed my view on a lot of things going on in my life right now. I started to think about being a young girl in middle school or high school right now and all the world being against me because I am a Christian, or not having a family support me with my walk with God. I can't even imagine because I always had a loving, Godly family to support me but there are so many kids out there that don't. My heart has been breaking for those kids, for what they face every single day. To be honest I get really scared at times and the devil feeds my mind with I can't do it. I have trouble with thinking I have to be the savior for as many people as I can. I often feel spread out to thin, or I bring myself down trying to save someone else. The great thing about our Father is that our works don't make him love us. After talking to a few people today I saw that only God can do somethings that I often try to do for people. I can't be a savior nor do I want to try. I want to do things for his kingdom, but I don't want it to get to the point that Im thinking Im not enough, or I stop doing it out of love. I think because of the world's standards sometimes we think as Christians we aren't enough till we have done it all, at least I catch myself thinking that. Its an everyday struggle for me to know he'll use me how he wants if I give myself completely to him and I don't have to worry about anything else. Sorry if this is just me rambling its just what was heavy on my heart today.
Proverbs 2:1–10 says:
My (daughter), if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
Proverbs 2:1–10 says:
My (daughter), if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
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