God's Grace

Your past is not who you are, but its something you've done. When we let our past pain become our present identity we let shame take over. The way to let go of shame is by the Grace of God. He can transform tragedy to triumph. We are forgivable, changeable, capable, moldable, and bound by the limitless love of God. We have to accept what can't be changed but know your future can. Until we accept that the past is passed, we can't make peace with the present or walk into the future with hope. We may always remember what happened, but we need to believe that we are not what happened. We are who God says we are-new creations 2 Corinthians 5:17 " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!" Just like a broken bone that heals is often strongest at the point of fracture, the same way God can take the shame of past failures and redirect their outcomes toward great future success.

Today.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatsoever thy hand fineth to do, do it with thy might."
We should not be comtent with just thinking of things we can do for the Lord in our heart, and talking about them. But we must carry out "whatsoever our hand fineth to do. Do not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we find to do day by day. We have no other time to live but now. The past is gone, the future has not arrived, we never will have any time but the present. Do not wait until you think you are mature enough before you attempt to serve God. No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow. If we honor Christ and our blessed it is by the things we do today. Whatever you do for him throw your whole soul into it, do not give Christ a little but serve him with your whole heart, soul, and strength. But where do we find the might, it is not in our self for we are perfect weakness. Our might lies in the Lord. So let us seek his help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our "hand findeth to do" let us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. Than what we do will be done well, and will not fail in its effect.


Morning and Evening Devotion- Charles Spurgeon

Give Thanks!

MMMM Thanksgiving food is on my mind! But I've been thinking about how much I have to be thankful for more than I have my Mom's yummy sweet potatoes...:) I pulled some of my favorite verses about being thankful, and thought I would share.
1 Corinthians 1:4-5 " I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus for in him you have been enriched in every way-- with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.
I am thankful for each and every one of you. My friends and family because you enrich my life every single day. I have learned something from each and every one of you, and I am completely blessed to be surrounded by such amazing Godly brothers and sisters.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 " Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Psalm 100:4-5 " Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Hebrews 12:28 " Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
2 Corinthians 9:15 " Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift."
Philippians 4:6 " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God"
Colossians 3:17 " And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy the food and family! But more important remember to thank our Father for all the things he has blessed us with.

God enjoys a good laugh!

A email I recieved from my sister and thought I would share. :)

GOD ENJOYS A GOOD LAUGH!  
   
  There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:  
1.   He called everyone brother .  
2.   He liked Gospel .  
3.   He didn't get a fair trial .  



But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:  
1.   He went into His Father's business .  
2.   He lived at home until he was 33 .  
3.   He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God .  


But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:  
1.   He talked with His hands .  
2.   He had wine with His meals .  
3.   He used olive oil .  


But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:  
1.   He never cut His hair .  
2.   He walked around barefoot all the time .
3.   He started a new religion .


But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian:  
1.   He was at peace with nature .  
2.   He ate a lot of fish .
3.   He talked about the Great Spirit .  
   
But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:  
1.   He never got married.  
2.   He was always telling stories.  
3.   He loved green pastures.  
   
But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:  
1.   He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was virtually no food .
2.   He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it .
3.   And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do .

Don't take anything for granted

Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 The Message
A good reputation is better than a fat bank account.
Your death date tells more than your birth date.
You learn more at a funeral than at a feast-
after all, that's where we'll end up. We might discover something from it.
Crying is better than laughing.
It blotches the face but it scours the heart.
Sages invest themselves in hurt and grieving.
Fools waste their lives in fun and games.
You'll get more from the rebuke of a sage
Than from the song and dance of fools.
The giggles of fools are like the crackling of twigs
Under the cooking pot. And like smoke.
Brutality stupefies even the wise
And destroys the strongest heart.
Endings are better than beginnings.
Sticking to it is better than standing out.
Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.
Don't always be asking, "where are the good old days?"
Wise folks don't ask questions like that.
Wisdom is better when it's paired with money,
Especially if you get both while you're still living.
Double protection: wisdom and wealth!
Plus this bonus: Wisdom energized its owner.
Take a good look at God's work.
Who could simplify and reduce Creation's curves and angles
To a plain straight line?
On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won't take anything for granted.

With the holidays coming up I have really been thinking about how much I have to be thankful for, even the not so good stuff. We should never take for granted this life that God has given us, he has a reason for everything, and in everything we should be thankful and joy full. Courtney's favorite saying "He turns our messes into ministry." I love God's word and the truth he speaks to us through it. This verse really spoke to me in what was best for me, even though sometimes what is best is harder we get a better reward at the end.

Our Counselor

^{John 16:5-15 5} “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ ⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; ¹¹ of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
We live in a world that is constantly trying to drag us down and away from what is right. The Holy Spirit leads us to what is right, he draws us away from danger and harm. He guides us to the truth! God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us opportunities to tell others about Jesus, what he has done for you and draw them toward the truth of Jesus. If we are following the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit it is evident in our life, and to those around us. What a wonderful gift God have us, a tour guide and counselor to the truth.

Comfort

For so long I have been living for comfort. I do not like to go outside of my comfort zone just like a lot of other people. But I think when we truly go outside our comfort zone is when we can experience life and God. Jesus said " If you love me, you will obey what I command" John 14:15 He often commands us to go outside our comfort zone, and give up things we so tightly hold on to.
So what does that mean he is commanding YOU to do? For so long I was looking at other Christians saying "Ok God has called them to do that so that is what I should do" But Oswald Chambers said " Never make a principle out of your experience, let God be as original with other people as He is with you." We need to be careful not to turn others lives into the mold of our own. Allow God to be creative, Pauls tells us,
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
God created unique people to accomplish a variety of purposes though out the world. We must learn to listen to and obey God, especially in a society where it's easy and expected to do what is most comfortable.

Give Away Your Life

Luke 6:24-42 (The Message)

Give Away Your Life

 ²⁴But it's trouble ahead if you think you have it made.
   What you have is all you'll ever get.  ²⁵And it's trouble ahead if you're satisfied with yourself.
   Your self will not satisfy you for long.
   And it's trouble ahead if you think life's all fun and games.
   There's suffering to be met, and you're going to meet it.
 ²⁶"There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
 ^27-30"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
 ^31-34"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
 ^35-36"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
 ^37-38"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
 ^39-40He quoted a proverb: "'Can a blind man guide a blind man?' Wouldn't they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn't lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.
 ^41-42"It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

This verse needs no explanation, its powerful in God's truth.

Obsessed

We are obsessed with a lot of things today such as shows, our body, relationships, the list could go on forever but are we obessed with our Savior? I often think we hold back, but the Bible teaches us to be consumed with Christ and to faithfully live out his words. He wants his to be obsessed.
People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.
People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.
People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and poor so often because it was really important to him.
Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth.
A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be "humble enough", and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known.
People obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving his people.
People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world.
A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.
A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.
People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; he is their safe place, where they can be at peace.
A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; is is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God.
A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying "Thank you!" to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God.
from Ch 8 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Lukewarm

Matthew 13:44 " The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
He sold everything to obtain the only think that mattered, he knew what he stumbled upon-the kingdom of heaven- was more valuable than anything, so he went after it with EVERYTHING. That is what God wants from us, to go after the Kingdom with everything, and to be honest he hates fakers, and lukewarmness.
Revelation 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
In today's world we are seen as "radical" if we are truly living by God's word. This subject is from the book "Crazy Love by Francis Chan" and I wish I would write the whole chapter out. But I'll try to do my best, I am going to say that our lives today are pretty lukewarm. We have let the worlds standards overtake our Church, and our lives. We think its ok to be "godly enough" attend church, give, love God (but not with all our heart.) But does this not go against everything to bible says? Are we totally in love with God that we give EVERYTHING to him, or do we let things of the world consume us? I would be so bold to say we often think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col. 3:2
God urges us to give everything to him and not be lukewarm, or he will "spit you out of my mouth." I want to be radical, I don't want to be lukewarm and be accepted by this world but I want to be on fire for his kingdom.

Strength

"For my strength is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success, and for doing God's work well and triumphantly, is a sense of our own weakness. When we march forth to battle thinking we are strong with our own strength, God will not go forth with us. When we go forth with our own strength we will come back defeated, and tired. Those who serve God must serve him in his own way, and in his strength, or he will never accept their service. God will have no strength used in his battles but the strength which he himself imparts. Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.

"When I am weak then am I strong,
Grace is my shield and Christ my song."

I stand in awe

Solomon warned us not to rush into God's presence with words. The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of him, the creature of heavens and earth. Sometimes I forget to step back and just admire our Creator and what he has done, and worship his creation. We are a culture that relies on technology over community, a society in which written words are cheap, easy to come by, and excessive. Our culture says anythings goes, and fear of God is almost unheard of. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. To be bold we have lost who we are supposed to be, and we are missing out on all that God wants for the people he loved enough to die for. We are called to worship him, there is no other like him. He is the King of Kings, the Beginning and the End, the One who was and is and is to come. Our world is bent on ignoring or merely tolerating Him. But God instructs us to worship and fear him. God deserves our worship, his creation echos the truth that he is glorious. I stand in awe of our Creator.