Bringing Your Thoughts Into the "Light"

"Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure." Titus 1:15

There is a huge difference between thinking something and verbally expressing it. When we literally speak our thoughts out loud, or even write them down, it takes them to a whole new level.

They become exposed. And we need them to be.

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we have to be able to communicate with Him. We need to verbally speak to Him.

Yes, Jesus already knows our thoughts, but brethren as we all know, good relationships come from good communication.

Therefore, we need speak out loud to the Lord. We do this through prayer. We can also write it. When we write we do what? We think and then put those thoughts on paper.

These steps are super important to cleaning out the excess. So with all that said, I have a few questions for you.

Now, just like I told my ladies in Sunday School, this will either be as good and beneficial as you make it.

It's your choice. You can begin the transformation and purging process or you can hoard those thoughts.

You will need to print this out so you can write out your answers. Answering them in your head defeats the purpose.

Bringing Your Thoughts Into The “Light”

1. Write down the top 5 thoughts that consume you the most.

            1.

            2.

            3.

            4.

            5.

2.  Do those thoughts align with the Word of God?

            If no, why?

3.  When you hear God tell you, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” What is your first thought?

4.  If I were to ask you to write down every thought you had in the last 20 minutes, how would those thoughts describe you?

5. How often do you think about yourself?

            1                                5                               10

        Rarely                   Quite Often                All The Time

6.  How often do you think about your past?

             1                                5                              10

        Rarely                   Quite Often                All The Time

  

7.  How often do you compare yourself to others?

         1                              5                                10

     Rarely                   Quite Often                All The Time

8.  Do you struggle believing the things God tells you?

                        Why?

9.  What thoughts consume you more, those of others and the world or God’s Word?

           

10. What do you fill your thoughts with?

            a. TV

            b. Internet

            c. Facebook

            d. Pinterest

            e. Lies

            d Work/money

            e. God’s Word

            f. Truth

            g. Love

            h. Joy

11. What things need to be removed in order for your thoughts to be transformed?

12.  What thoughts do you hoard the most?

13.  What thoughts do you need to relinquish?

           

14.  How much does your past affect your thoughts today?

            Why?

15.  How does your thought-life affect your relationship with Christ?

16.  How long have you tried to change your thought-life?

             

17. What is the number one thought you struggle with? Write it on the stem of the tree. 

        -Then using the roots below, write the words that sprout from that thought.  

        -Once you have finished, evaluate the words you wrote. Then draw a heart around the whole thing. What does your heart look like filled with those words?

How can you allow the Lord to transform those thoughts into something beautiful and pure?

What will you choose to think on today?

Altar Sunday

Do you have too much clutter in your life?

Are your thoughts overwhelming?

Is your heart at its capacity?

Do you hoard negative thoughts and world things?

If so, today is the best day to head to the altar, and dump it off.

Let the Lord remove what's not needed and fill you with the things of Him that are needed.

Cleaning Out the Excess-Part 2

Yesterday we looked at what bad thinking does to our hearts. If you missed that post you can read it here.

Today, we are going to look at how we can combat those negative, stinky thoughts with God's Word. 

This is the first step to cleaning out the excess in our hearts.

Do y'all know how many thoughts we think about on an average day? I don't either, but what I do know is it is a TON. 

From the time we wake up, to the time we finally fall asleep, our mind is full of thoughts and our hearts are absorbing a majority of them.

So how can we sort through all these thoughts and ensure only the good are going in.

1. We ask God to make us aware of every thought. Good and Displeasing thought.

     Here are a few passages that will help us. (These are great verses to memorize, write on a card and carry with you.)

•  "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." 

•  "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart, be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14        

2. We take every thought captive and place it under the obedience of God's Word

• "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
• What exactly does this passage mean and how do we take our thoughts captive?
• 1. We literally grab a hold of the thought we are having. For example let's say we are having a critical thought. We take that critical thought, and place it under God's microscope, view it, dissect it, and find out the root of it. We then take the root of that thought and place it under the obedience of Christ, by casting it down and going through these next two steps below.

3. We acknowledge and confess it.

• "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
• When we confess our sinful thoughts, we bring them out into the "Light" for Him to expose, examine, forgive and cover in His blood. We need to be doing this daily. This is a huge part of bringing our thoughts into captivity and placing them under the obedience of Christ. 
• Confession must always lead to repentance. 

4. Then we remove it and replace it with God's truth.

• Once confession and repentance takes place. The second most important and crucial part to getting rid of the excess and sinful thoughts, is removing it-by nailing it to the Cross. (This means you literally get rid of it. Once you do, it is no longer yours. It's not available, it's not accessible. It has to be destroyed.) Then you have to replace the empty with God's Word. (God's Word is clutter free, stress free, beautiful, enjoyable, and doesn't leave a mess.)
• To Remove it
• We have to be willing and we have to choose to LET IT GO! This can be a huge stronghold for many. Especially if it is something that has been apart of our life for a long time. Hoarding negative and sinful thoughts has become a bigger issue than we are truly aware of.
• "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit." Romans 8:5
• Are you dominated or are you controlled?
• If you are dominated removing the stronghold will be hard, but can be done.
• If you are controlled, letting go will be easy.
• We have to remove all the things that fill our thoughts with darkness.
• "Your eyes is a lamp for your body, A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be!" Matthew 6:22-23
• Where does a majority of your sinful thoughts stem?
• TV
• Music
• Friends
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Self
• Co-workers
• Internet
• Books
• Magazines
• It's important to be aware of how your thoughts get started, for then it will be easier to remove them. 
• "Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth." Colossians 3:2
• "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
• Do you know the best way to remove the sinful clutter of thoughts? Is by crowding them out. Don't allow there to be any room for them in your heart. We do this by doing this final step.
• Replacing the empty spaces the clutter left behind.
• This is so very important, let me tell you why.
• "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ' I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and clean. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before." Matthew 12:43-45
• Sweet one we can clean up all this clutter within our thoughts and hearts, but if we don't fill it up with God's Word, we too will be worse off than before. 
• Now, we have an entire Bible full of amazing things to fill our thoughts with. But to break it down, I have one that I believe is very powerful, helpful, enriching and fulfilling.
• Philippians 4:8-9-"Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you." 
• How exactly does this all work?
• Let's take that critical thought we were having and see how all this ties together and works for His glory and our good.
• We have the critical thought. It is placed under the microscope, we are aware of the root of it, we know begin the process of elimination.
• God gives us 8 steps in Philippians 4:8-9
• 1. Is this critical thought true?
• 2. Is this critical thought honorable?
• 3. Is this critical thought right?
• 4. Is this critical thought pure?
• 5. Is this critical thought lovely?
• 6. Is this critical thought admirable?
• 7. Is this critical thought excellent?
• 8. Is this critical thought worthy of praise?

Brethren when you focus on these 8 steps in your thought life, before you even get to number 3 God will have already revealed to you that thought is either good or no good. Then, it is up to you to acknowledge it, confess, repent from it, remove it and replace it. 

All of this takes action and obedience. Without either of those taking place, the work you are doing to clean out the excess will be done in vain. 

So as you can see, there is work to be done. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't give up. You will have a few set backs, you will probably have a few interruptions, but just keep your eyes on Jesus and the end result.

Happy cleaning day!

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." Hebrews 12:2

Cleaning Out the Excess-Part 1

When you think of excess, do you think of an overflow of stuff? Excess seems to be something we battle in all areas of our lives. In our hearts, in our thoughts, in our homes, in our jobs, in our to-do lists, and on and on and on.

So how do we cleanse ourselves of all the excess?

By starting in one of the most important areas. Our thought life.

If we fill our thoughts with the lies of Satan, and the world over and over again, it goes in, takes root within our hearts and begins to sprout and overflow into our daily lives, in our homes, in our relationships, in our jobs etc.

"It is the thought-life that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God." Mark 7:20-23

Our thoughts are powerful. They have an enormous effect on our lives. It only takes one thought to fill us with an excess of many other thoughts.

Let's look at some examples.

One of the most common thoughts we all have, is a negative thought.

Let's look at an example of what happens when we take that thought in and digest it.

Do you see how it begins to sprout? Now imagine your heart filled with this plus more.

Do you see why we need to clean out the excess of stinky thinking? It spreads like a wildfire.

So how do we cleanse, purge, renew, prune and purify our thought life.

1. We ask God to make us aware of every displeasing thought.
2. We take every thought captive and place it under the obedience of God's Word.
3. We then acknowledge and confess it.
4. Then once we remove it, we have to replace it with God's truth.

This will take time, and is not something that can be done in one day. Therefore, we will spend a little more time cleaning up this area before we move on.

I believe, before we can do anything, before we can even begin to clean up any other area in our life, we have to clean up our thought-life. And we have to be intentional about doing it.

We never want to begin a project only to quit or turn around and see that it has filled right back up more  junk, clutter, and chaos.

So, today, focus on your thoughts. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what kind of thought-life you have. As He does, I recommend you write them down, so at the end of the day, you can go back and see what you are filling your heart up with.

This will make it easier to know what needs to be purged, kept, and placed in a particular area.

I promise at the end of this, it will be one of the most rewarding things you have ever done.

Cleaning Out the Excess

"Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

I don't know about you, but I love to be organized. I love to have only the basic necessities, nothing more, nothing less.

For me, everything has a home, a place, and if it is in the house, it is of use. If it is not of use, well... 

It doesn't stay in our home long.  

Now, this can sometimes be a good or bad thing, depending on who you talk to-my husband or me. 

When G was a football coach we moved quite a bit. After the second move, I told him that my goal was to move our entire house in ONE U-Haul. I am proud to say when we left Jasper and moved to Midland, we did it! (Throw the confetti)

Since we have moved into our new house, for some reason, maybe all the busyness, things have been extremely unorganized.

So as I have begun to get our lives back in order and running the way we function best, I have realized just how much clutter we have, and how much purging needs to be done.  

When my husband hears purging, he gets really nervous or excited (If crawfish are involved), because he knows that means things are going to go.  

And if you know my sweet man, he likes stuff! He also loves our home to be organized and functioning in a positive manner. 

As long as I can remember I have loved being organized. I use to re-organize my closest growing up, over and over again.

But as far as getting rid of things, that didn't come until later on in life. I remember when God spoke to me about this issue; He has made a lasting impression on me.  

I was studying the life of the Israelites. They had just crossed the Red Sea and were beginning their journey through the wilderness. As I studied the journey and the lives of God's people, I noticed something about their journey and the Lord that really began to stir within me. 

They traveled with the bare minimum and God only provided the things they needed at the times they needed it. Wow! 

"For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. You had no bread or wine or other strong drink, but he gave you food so you would know that he is the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 29:5-6

When I read this passage, the stirring stopped, and I realized, all these things sitting in our attic, in closets, etc. that were just sitting there needed to go.  

I was convicted.

So I began to pray and ask God to forgive me for spending money on things that we didn't need, that didn't benefit Him, and that we bought only for that temporary pleasure.  

We don't need excess. We don't need to buy things only to put it somewhere to sit for the next however many years.  We don’t need to waste our money on things when we could be investing in Him and people. 

God would provide for us. He revealed that to me through His Word, and He revealed it to G when He opened the door for me to stay home and raise our boys.
 
So that day it began. The purging, the cleansing, and the purifying within me, within our home, and in our finances began. I will tell you not all of those things happened right away. They took time and they are re-occurring, and it's time for it to happen again.

 Over the next however many weeks, we will begin this process of cleansing, purging, and purifying our...
 
1. Hearts

2. Thoughts/Minds

3. Bodies

4. Homes

5. Time
     -To-do lists/priorities/busyness.

6. Finances

 There will be pictures, TONS of God’s Word, steps, tips, and items we use in our home that help us honor God, stay organized, and God focused. 

Do you have some areas in your life that need to be cleansed, purged, and purified?
 
How do you stay organized, clutter free, God-focused, and purified?




 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Your Reason?

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." 
2 Timothy 3:16-17

What are our reasons for studying God's Word?

Is it to be full of knowledge so we can sound like we know a lot?

Is it to find Scripture to use for ammo against others?

Is it so we can mark it off of our to-do lists?

Is it because we have a passion and hunger for more of Christ?

Is it because we know without it we will be of no use?

What are our reasons?

God's reasons for us...

1. To teach us what is true.
2. To make us realize what is wrong in our lives
3. To straighten us out
4. To teach us do what is right
5. To prepare us
6. To equip us for every good thing God wants us to do.

Do your reasons and His reasons align?

His Final Thoughts

S-Galatians 6:17-18

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-My Final Thoughts

"From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Galatians 6:17-18

I have suffered for the sake of Christ. See the scars? They are proof that I belong and live for Christ. 

As we close the Book of Galatians lets remember Paul's words and warnings.

  1. Live in the freedom of Christ
  2. Don't fall back into slavery
  3. Don't let others mislead you
  4. Don't conform or give into legalism
  5. Live for Christ-not man
  6. Live by the Spirit's Power
  7. Remember you reap what you sow
  8. Live by faith not by the law
  9. Cling to the promises of God
10. Use this gift of freedom and serve others, love others, be kind to others, encourage others, and share the Good News.

What Really Counts

S-Galatians 6:15-16

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's gift of freedom through Christ

L-What Really Counts

"It doesn't make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. May God's mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. They are the new people of God." Galatians 6:15-16

It's not what you do on the outside. The circumcision, yes it was big before Christ, but now, on this side of the Cross, it's whats takes place on the inside.

To Change is to transform. It's to take all that is twisted, sick, sinful, and ugly, and place it in the hands of Christ. Who then fills you with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit then comes in and cleans house. He takes all the twisted, sick, sinful, and ugly and transforms it into Christ-likeness.

The more you allow Him to lead, to guide, to clean, the more and more change happens. And the more change that is made on the inside, the more it will begin to show on the outside.

"What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

S-Tell others why it's important for change to take place on the inside.

Altar Sunday

Are your priorities out of whack?

Are you struggling to put the Lord first?

Have you placed so much on your plate that Christ has moved further down the list?

If so, the altar is the best place to get those priorities back in the right God-desired order.

Before you leave the altar, allow the Lord to take away the things that have taken His place. Then ask Him to help you keep your priorities straight.

your priorities and what they reveal about you.

What do our priorities reveal about us?

They reveal what's most important to us.
They reveal who is most important to us.
They reveal the things we like/value.
They can even reveal who and what we serve.
   Money
   Self
   World
   God

What do your priorities reveal about you?

Our lifestyle is a reflection of where our true priorities lie.

"Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did." 1 John 2:6

Jesus help us to have the same priorities You had. And when we get ours out of order, reveal that to us. Amen

What Are You Thinking?

How is your thought life?

Do you struggle with your thoughts?

If so, can I ask what fills your thoughts more, the things of this world or God's Word?

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

He is...

In the midst of frustration, God is our encourager

In a state of exhaustion, God is our energy source.

In the midst of pain, God is our comforter.

In a state of confusion, God is clarity.

In a state of unhappiness, God is joy.

In a state of anger, God is love.

In the midst of weakness, God is our strength.

God was every ounce of these things and more over the last three days. These are just a few of the things He brings into the relationship, and I am EVER so grateful.

Boast Not of Yourself but of Christ

S-To Boast

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace and Freedom Through Christ

L-Boast Only In...

"As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died." Galatians 6:14

To Boast

1. To glorify oneself in speech; talk in a self-admiring way. 
2. To speak with excessive pride. 
3. A source of pride

To boast of our self, does nothing for us, other than reveal our pride, insecurity, our need for attention, and our interest in the things of this world.

We need to take on the same attitude and mind set of Paul. 

How do we do that? 

1. By understanding we are nothing without Christ. 
2. By crucifying and nailing our interest in the world to the Cross.
3. By understanding the significance and power of the Cross, and what Christ did on that Cross for us.

When we focus on those three things, the things of this world that interest us, will fail in comparison.

Brethren, lets be careful not to boast so much that we fail to point others to Christ.

S-Every time that tendency to boast about yourself arises, stop and ask the Lord to help you crucify those thoughts. Then use that opportunity to boast about the cross and Christ.

Enforcing Some but Ignoring the Others

S-Picking and Choosing

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace and Freedom

L-Enforce One and Ignore the Other

"Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. 

       -Back in the day, handwritten letters were the way of mail. To receive a handwritten letter, meant that someone personally took the time to sit down and think about you. It was the only way, there was no such thing as emailing or texting.

       -It had meaning. It was genuine.

       -Paul closed the letter to the Churches in Galatia with pen in hand, written large to ensure his genuine concern and love for them. It was Paul's way of saying, pay attention! (I wonder if he wrote in all caps, as though he was really trying to get his point across)

Paul goes on to write

"Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are doing it for just one reason. They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. And even those who advocate circumcision don't really keep the whole law. They only want you to be circumcised so they can brag about it and claim you as their disciples." Galatians 6:11-13

      -Listen, these people who come up to you and force you to follow their rules, yet they themselves ignore rules and laws themselves. They don't have your best interest at heart. They are full of themselves.

      -They force circumcision upon you because they are afraid of being persecuted. They would rather receive the praise than giving it to Christ.

      -Can't you see what they are doing? They are picking and choosing specific parts of God's law to obey and force, all while ignoring the rest of it. Don't be like that! Don't conform to that type of thinking or living.

     -God's Word it to be obeyed in its entirety, and it can't be done with out the Holy Spirit. Only Christ was able to fulfill and obey the entire law.

    -What laws are you forcing upon others? Let's step back and evaluate our life to the life of Christ. Let's not be those who pick and choose. Let's seek to obey all of the Word.

    -Let's be aware of what we are being taught and what we are teaching. Don't force your own convictions onto others. You can share your personal convictions but make sure you don't enforce them onto others in order to boast or claim them as your disciples. God didn't call us to be the Holy Spirit.

    -He called us to be followers of Christ, who seek to live a pure and blameless life, that honors and pleases Him.

S-Ask Christ to show you areas of His Word you are picking and choosing to obey. Then let Him help you obey all of His Word by the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

What Brings You Jesus Joy?

"But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, God is great!" Psalm 70:4

It's an unexplainable joy. One that flows through out my entire body.

This joy comes from studying and teaching God's Word. These are the top 2 things that bring me Jesus Joy! (I have a lot more, but these two really get my blood flowing)

There is not an aspect of it I dislike.

I love it all.

Every Sunday God allows me to walk into a room full of the most precious women and do this very thing, teach His Word.

But this go around, it seems to be more than that. 

These women come from all walks of life. They are crowned with wisdom. Full of Jesus beauty, and have smiles and hearts that will overwhelm you with a need to be around them.

I am challenged to dig deeper in my study and teaching, and I love it! I am challenged to go beyond myself and seek the face of God everyday. I am challenged to be a better servant. I am challenged to love, listen and learn from these precious women who have walked thousands of more steps with the Lord than I have.

I have been so challenged, so overjoyed, that Satan can't stand it. Nope, he wants none of this to be happening.

Thus the fiery arrows.

But he won't win the battle. You think he would know that by now, being that he has tried to attack previous times, and has come up short. But he is Satan and he is relentless. He will never give up.

Christ has the victory and because I am in Christ I too have the victory. We all do. Isn't that a wonderful feeling?

Do you know what else is wonderful? When God opens doors like these. You know the ones you least expect. The ones that you never thought you would do, but do, and fall madly in love doing.

That's how I feel. I am over joyed more times than I am overwhelmed (like the other day) at being called to do things for the Lord that I feel completely unqualified for.

I wonder if Paul and Timothy felt that way. Especially Timothy. He was young, intelligent, and in love with Jesus. He also had an amazing mentor who walked with him, encouraged him, and spoke wisdom into him.

I am blessed to have a couple of those myself. They are two very important people in my life, who have set an amazing example of Christ-likeness. Well okay, I really have four!

Do you have a Godly mentor?

What calling has God placed on your life that fills you with an overwhelming amount of joy?

Has the Lord recently called you into a ministry you never expected or thought you would do?

Brethren, these are exciting opportunities. We should be joyful and thankful to be found useful by the Lord.

Maybe you have become discouraged and your Jesus Joy is low.  Don't grow weary. Keep pressing on. Keep looking at what lies ahead and up. Keep seeking the face of God. Keep growing in the Word daily. Just keep on keeping on. In His timing He will place you where He knows you will be the most useful for His name and His glory.

Evaluate your motives daily. Make sure they are motives for Him and not for self. That alone is a big Jesus Joy zapper.  Keep yourself pure and your eyes and thoughts on Him so He can use you.

And when God does reveal His purpose for you in a more clear and distinct way. Make sure you praise Him, thank Him, honor Him, devote your time to serving Him and others, and always point others to Him and not yourself.

Now, to my sweet mamas, remember, your greatest ministry is your home, your family. Tending to it, is your first and most important priority. Make the Lord proud with the blessings He has given you. Find joy in serving your family and taking care of your home. Even when it seems hard, overwhelming, frustrating, tedious, and unnoticed.

It is an honor and privilege we have been given to serve the Lord in our homes and we need to always view it from His perspective and not our flesh's perspective or the worlds.

Are you fulfilling your calling at home? Are you finding joy in taking care of your family and home?

Are you looking and searching for Jesus  each and every day? Look for opportunities to share God's truth, love, and mercy with others. Use each day to serve and bless the Lord by serving and blessing your family.

Everything we do for the Lord and in His name is useful!

"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:21

Here are my hubbies top 5 things that bring him joy. (These are not in any particular order)

1. Providing for His family
2. Serving others
3. Fishing on a good lake
4. Christmas time (seeing our faces on Christmas morning)
5. Watching the Redskins play (He is a very proud and supportive brother! I can attest to this joy!)

    
Here are my 5, plus some (These are not in any particular order)

1. Studying God's Word
2. Teaching God's Word
3. Discipling Women
4. Serving my family
5. Fishing with my 3 boys
6. Watching the Redskins, Broncos, and Texas Tech
7. My Dave Ramsey envelopes
8. Organizing my home

 What are the top 5 (or more) things that bring you Jesus Joy?

Altar Sunday

As you head to the Altar, lay out your life before the Lord. Let Him do what only He can do.

Heal it
Mend it
Piece it back together
Fill it
Comfort it
Rescue it
Restore it
Renew it
Shape it
Mold it

I promise as you get up, He will ensure you walk away different than before.

Praise Your Great Name

"Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. 

We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! Psalm 95:6-7"

We Can't Re-Invent God's Purpose For Our Lives

Have you ever had a day when all you did was focus on yourself?

It was one of those days when the focus became on me and all the things the world and Satan say I am not. 

What usually comes with that, is a whole lot of self-doubt, complaining, poor pitiful me parties, comparing, and the huge urge to just quit.

Have you ever been there?

It is a miserable day, and not just for you, but for your family, and for any other poor soul you drug into it. 

So as I went through the entire day complaining to the Lord, feeling sorry for myself, comparing myself to her and her and her, I laid on the bed next to my hubby, and unloaded {I will spare you the details, it was a hot mess!}

After one hour of my sweet man listening, quoting Scripture, encouraging me, and challenging me, The Lord rose up and made Himself within me very clear.

We all have a purpose and a reason for our existence. To please, glorify, and honor God. To be faithful no matter how hard, how lonely, or how different we are.

And when we focus on ourselves and try to create our own purpose, we are trying to re-invent God's purpose.

And that is just plain crazy. So while I get it now, I want to hold onto it. I want to find joy in being me, the God-loving, black and white, crazy about Jesus, craft- challenged, desperate for His daily grace, me. 

The me that He created, because we all know, when we try to create our own me, misery, doubt, discouragement, and unhappiness ALWAYS follow. 

It's okay to be you. So be you, focus on Jesus, and remember, your purpose is to please Him, not you.

Jesus thank You for making me so wonderfully complex and unique. May I fulfill Your purpose and stop trying to fulfill my own. Amen

We Wish You Were Here!

I wish you were here, filling that empty chair, sharing some coffee (tea, water, whatever you prefer) with us. {Jesus and Me}

It would be so much more personal. Having face to face time, hearing God's Word together. Sharing, laughing, crying, discussing all the amazing things God has done and is doing. Hearing Him speak of His love and mercy and grace.

But instead you are here, and that is okay too. 

Because even on opposite sides, in opposite states, different countries, we can still hear His Word together. We can still talk, laugh, cry and discuss Him. 

He is everywhere. He is next to you and next to me. 

He is filling that empty chair. He is ready and waiting. 

Let's not keep Him waiting.

You are loved sweet reader! 

The Place Where Joy is Found!

Joy comes from a heart full of thankfulness.

"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7

Makeover!!

In the next couple of months Godly Gossip will have a makeover, and I would LOVE to get your input on some things you would like to see added, taken away, etc!

When You Feel Like Quitting

S-Galatians 6:9-10

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Don't Grow Weary

"So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters." Galatians 6:9-10

Do you ever have moments when you throw your hands up and say, "I quit! This isn't worth it anymore."

I have, a lot!

Although I haven't really quit, I sure did voice my frustrations on how I felt.  It's such a God thing that this particular verse came when it did, because I was recently having one of these moments with the Lord and my husband.

The funny thing is, not only did I study this verse in my quite time, but our Pastor preached on something very similar, of which my husband was sure to nudge me in Church and say, "Are you listening? Your blog!"

Yes honey, I hear you and the Lord loud and clear.

Keep writing! Keep picking up after everyone! Keep helping in the family business! Keep teaching! Keep discipling! Keep working hard! Keep serving! Keep being kind, loving and encouraging.  Keep on keeping one!

God notices, God cares, its all about Him! Keep serving Jesus by serving others! Everything we do is for His honor and His glory, not ours!

SIGH

Now for the latter part of this passage. "Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters."

Brethren, no matter how ugly someone is, keep on doing what is good and right. Hold your tongue, love on them, serve them, and pray for them.

If you have the opportunity to do good to your negative co-worker. Do it! Even if they reply with something negative.

If you have the opportunity to do good to someone struggling with sin. Do it! Pray with them, share God's Word with them, encourage them, love them.

If we will do these things, at the appropriate time we will reap a harvest of blessing. Find comfort, perseverance, joy and hope in that promise!

S-Share an encouraging word with someone who is discouraged today.

Altar Sunday

Sweet One,

 Do you have some bitterness and anger that needs to be laid at the foot of the Cross? If so, why are you still holding on to them? What are they doing for you other than making you sad, more bitter, more of a target for Satan, and unhappy?

It's okay to let go. It's okay to move forward. Jesus did! And so can you.

Are We Willing?

S-Two Choices

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A- God's Freedom

L-You Choose

"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit." Galatians 6:8

Two choices.

1. You can choose to satisfy your sinful desires and harvest the consequences of decay and death.

2. You can choose to please the Spirit and harvest everlasting life.

It's your choice, which will you choose?

In Christ we are able to please the Spirit, but are we willing?

Are we willing to die to self and live for Christ?

Are we willing to say no to the lures of the world and obey Christ?

Is pleasing Him more important than pleasing our flesh?

Whatever we plant we will reap.

Completely Committed

"Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

When we commit to the Lord, do we...

Commit with exceptions?

Commit with selfish motives?

Commit yet find or make excuses?

Committ only when it's convenient or necessary at the moment?

What are our exceptions for not being fully committed?

What are our selfish motives; attention, pride, control?

How many excuses do we make in one day? 

Do our excuses outweigh our commitment?

Why do we wait until things happen to commit our lives to the Lord?

When we commit to fully serving the Lord, there should be NO exceptions, excuses, selfishness, or done only when it's convenient or necessary.

Let's be followers who are totally and completely committed to the Lord. Not because we have to, but because He is fully and completely committed to us!! 

Realistic Expectations

Is our relationship with Christ a realistic one?

Is the time we spend in the Word a realistic one?

Do we walk away with realistic expectations of His truth?

What are your expectations in your relationship with Christ?

His are high, but with the help of the Holy Spirit are able to be fulfilled. 

You Will Always...

"You will always reap what you sow!" Galatians 6:7

Do you see the word always?

We will always reap what we sow.

If we sow laziness, we will reap poverty, homelessness, and starvation.

If we sow selfishness, we will reap, pride, jealousy, greediness, envy, etc.

If we sow anger, we will reap hurtfulness, broken families, broken hearts, and broken futures (of those we hurt)

If we sow love, we will reap, joy, fulfilled relationships, love in return, and Christ likeness.

If we sow peace, will reap contentment, goodness, unity and godliness.

If we sow worldliness, we will reap sinfulness, discontent, unhappiness, separation from Christ, etc.

If we sow doubt, we will reap confusion, being misled, frustration, discouragement,

What are you sowing? Evaluate your crop, because come harvest time, Christ will separate
the good crop from the bad.

"All right, he said. I, the Son of Man, am the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. Just as the weeds are separated out and burned, so it will be at the end of the world. I, the Son of Man, will send my angels, and they will remove from my Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, and they will throw them into the furnace and burn them. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the godly will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!" Matthew 13:37-43

Jesus reveal to each of us today what we are sowing. Help us to be more mindful and aware each day of what we sow, and show us before hand, through the power of the Holy Spirit, what we will reap from it. Amen

 

 

Sow God's Word-Reap His Blessings

S-The Two Things Not to Do

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Gift of Freedom

L-Sow God's Word-Reap His Blessings

"Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!" Galatians 6:7

Misled-to lead astray; give a wrong impression. To lead in a wrong direction or into a mistaken action or belief often by deliberate deceit.

To Ignore-to fail to give proper attention to. To dismiss as of little importance.

How often do we fail to give God the proper attention He deserves?

Are we misled by our own fleshly desires, so much so we ignore the convictions within us?

This is a tough pill to swallow, but sweet one, we are all very guilty of ignoring God and believing we can actually get away with it.

In the end, we will all be held accountable for what we have planted.

Are we reaping the benefit of sowing love, fellowship, intimacy with God, kindness, joy...

      -OR-

Are we reaping death and unhappiness, because we sowed jealousy, gossip, bitterness, selfishness, angry, pride, greed, envy, etc?

Be mindful, always, of what you sow. Don't think you can ignore God and get away with it. And don't be misled by the World and Satan.

S-Share God's Word with others so they can begin to sow the fruits of the Spirit.

Though You Slay Me

An amazing song and insert from John Piper. Let this fall all over you today, bless you, and renew your love and passion for Christ. Let it be a reminder of His control, His power, His will, His plan, His love, and His purpose for you. No matter the circumstance, the heartache, the pain, the suffering. None of it is meaningless!

Be blessed today sweet one!

Altar Sunday

In His name alone there is power! 

In His name alone there is hope!

In His name alone there is peace!

In His name alone there is protection!

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Nothing has the power to change us or save us, but Your name.

May we come to the altar praising Your great name!

Are You Taking Care of Your Pastor?

S-Take Care

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Caring for Our Pastors and Teachers of the Word.

"Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them." Galatians 6:6

They spend countless of hours serving, studying, ministering, counseling, listening, caring, praying, and teaching God's people.

Their time is rarely spent focusing on themselves, more so on the spiritual well being of God's children.

Brethren, our Pastors should be well cared for. They spend so much time investing and caring for each of us, that we should be doing more for them.

It is Biblical!

Are we taking good care of them, some extremely well, others, they deserve more. Wouldn't you agree.

We should never take our Pastors and teachers for granted. Nor should we use them only for our benefit, yet fail to take care of their needs.

Paul says over in 1 Corinthians 9:10-14-"Christian workers should be paid by those they serve. We have planted good spiritual seed among you. Is it too much to ask, in return, for mere food and clothing? If you support others who preach to you, shouldn't we have an even greater right to be supported? Yet we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the Temple get their meals from the food brought to the Temple as offerings? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it." 

We read of this command again over in 1 Timothy 5:17-"Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard @ both preaching and teaching." 

G and I have always felt very strongly about this. One of our very best friends is a Pastor, and I tell you, his love for his Church and God's people is astonishing. The time he spends investing in the lives of others has always impacted G and I in a huge way. His heart, is a heart like God's, and though he feels as though he doesn't deserve anything, brethren he does, and so do many other wonderful Pastors.

We need to be doing a better job of taking care of them. Don't you agree. Pray God will show you and your family how you can bless your Pastor. Whether it be a nice meal, money, something for their home, etc, take care of them.

S-Return the blessing you receive from your Pastor back onto him. It will not only bless him but the Lord as well.

If You Are Going to Compare Yourself, Compare Yourself to Christ!

S-Do What You Should

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Gift of Freedom

L-Personal Satisfaction

"Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct." Galatians 6:4-5

It's something the Lord taught me along time ago. "Stay in your own lane! Keep your eyes on Me and work hard at what I have called you to do."

This is a lesson that many of us struggle with today. Why? Because we are always meddling in the business of others. What they are doing, trying to out do them. It's that saying, "Keeping up with the Jones'."

The desire for personal satisfaction, has been taken way out of context. The personal satisfaction Paul is speaking of here, is the personal satisfaction of serving Christ and others, working hard with the gifts God has given us, and doing what He has called us to do not what our flesh wants us to.

There is a big difference here. More times than not, we begin to compare ourselves to others. What they have, their success, their appearance, or even their shortcomings. So much so, we become consumed with trying to either be like them, be better than them, or make ourselves feel better because of their flaws. The problem is, when we act in this manner, we dishonor God. Because He sees discontentment, unhappiness, and worldliness, jealousy, and insecurity, rather than thanksgiving, praise, honor, love and joy.

At the end of our life, when we stand before the Lord, we will be evaluated for what we have done for Him and with the gifts He has given us. So if we spend more time comparing ourselves to others rather than to Him, well, it's probably not going to be a very good day for many.

Can't you just hear Christ on that day,"Well _________ I gave you so many wonderful things, filled you with some really awesome gifts, but you spent more time discontent, disappointed, and comparing yourself to others, that you missed out on My purpose for you. When you could have produced seed bearing fruit for My kingdom, you didn't. Instead you produced, insecurity, disappointment in yourself and others, you became consumed with the things of this world, you taught your children more about self than you did hard work, selflessness and Me."

Brethren, lets stay in our own lanes, lets remove anything that causes us to compare ourselves to others and what they have and are doing. Lets work hard because we love and desire to please the Lord rather than man. When we do this, we feel good at the end of the day, our hard work and love for Christ points others to Him and shows our obedience to Him. Let's stop trying to please and find praise from man. It is Christ we are to compare ourselves too, and it is Christ we are to desire praise from.

Finally, lets take responsibility for our own conduct, our own actions, our own behavior, and stop blaming others or feeling sorry for ourselves because we think someone else has it better. You have no idea what it has been like for them, where they have been, or the struggles and trials they endured to get where they are. Just stick to the lane God has placed you in. For then at the end of this life, there will be a great reward awaiting you in heaven.

S-Share your heart with God, confess to Him areas you have been lazy, compared, been jealous, envious, and have done things with the wrong motives to be praised by man rather than Him. Then let Him cleanse you, place you back in your lane, and use you to bring honor and glory to His name.

Has Your Relationship Grown Stagnant?

Has your relationship grown stagnant? Have you lost the giddiness you once had? Has your fire dimmed?

Maybe you have forgotten His goodness. Maybe you have drifted from His voice. Maybe the world has began to entice you towards itself, thus becoming more desirable than Him.

Can I share 10 things about Christ that will hopefully, through the power of the Holy Spirit, bring you back to Him?

1. He is still as passionately in love with you as He was the day He created you.
2. He still finds you beautiful.
3. He is still as kind, patient and merciful as He was the day you met Him.
4. He is still full of unfailing love, no matter how far you have drifted
5. He is completely committed and faithful to you.
6. He still surrounds you with His loving presence daily
7. He is forgiving
8. He is still protecting, helping, and meeting your daily needs
9. He is so quick to be near to you when you call out to Him
10. No matter how far you drift away, how little you put into the relationship, His arms are always open.

Turn your hearts to Jesus, let Him remind you of the love you once had. Let Him re-ignite the fire and passion within you.

"The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation." Psalm 145:9

It's an Oppurtunity!

S-To Build Up

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Share Each Other's Troubles

"Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody." Galatians 6:2-3

"They just have so many problems, how do you even begin to help someone with all those needs?"

Have these thoughts ever gone through your head?

Do you ever avoid asking specific people how they are, because you know they will unload on you, telling you all of their problems and needs? Yes, there are people like this, and brethren, even though there seems to always be a problem or a need, we still need to be listeners and helpers. Because Christ asks us too, and because He does it for us. Don't look at it as an inconvenience(that's being selfish), look at it as an opportunity to be a reflection of Christ. (His reflection is selfless)

 Think back on the last conversation you had with the Lord, did you unload on Him, asking Him for help, and telling Him all your problems, struggles, issues, etc.? What did He do? He listened and before you even realized it, Jesus was meeting your needs (Not your wants).

When a passage starts with a command, it is to be taken literally and applied literally.

This is why the Body of Christ exists. To help one another, to encourage one another, to help carry the burden's of one another.

Look what Paul says over in Romans regarding this matter. "We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of those who think these things are wrong. We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't please himself. As the Scriptures say, Those who insult you are also insulting me. Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:1-6

Sweet Ones, this all begins within our homes. If our relationship with Christ is where it should be, then our desire to please Him, will overflow onto our families and others.

Be a listener and helper to someone in need today.

S-Share the gifts God has given you to bless another of His today.

Shout It Out!

Hey!

Lets get excited about Jesus today, what do you say?

How do we do that?

Think about all the good things He does every second for you!!!

Come on, just shout a few praises, and when people come running in or look at you, just keep on shoutin'. He's worth it!!

Heck, they might even join you!! 

(I'll start). GOD IS AMAAAAAZING! 

GOD IS MY HERO, REDEEMER, AND SAVIOR!!

Oh, and just so you know I really did scream those outside my house today, I even had Avery, Dax and their best friend T do it with me! 

It rocked!!

What Kind of Friends Do You Have? What Kind of Friend Are You?

S-Accountable

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's gift of freedom

L-To Hold Accountable

"Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." Galatians 6:1

As the Body of Christ we are called to help one another, to hold one another accountable and to encourage one another.

This passage can be a very touchy passage for some, because not everyone wants to be held accountable. 

Let me ask you, the friends you are surround yourself with, are they followers of Christ? Do they hold you accountable or do they encourage you in your sin?

A true friend whose desire is to honor and serve the Lord will keep you accountable to His Word and His ways. If they see you struggling with a sin, whether it be gossip, pride, greed, jealousy, envy, addiction, anger, drunkenness, selfishness, etc. they will tell you! They will not agree with your behavior or decision.

Do your friends do this for you or do they partake in the sin with you? Maybe these are the friends you want, and if so, brethren understand they are doing more harm than they are good.

Do your friends push you to be better for Christ everyday? If your answer is no, pray and ask God to bring new godly friends into your life and to weed out the bad ones. He will do it!!

What about you? What kind of friend are you? Are you one that holds your brother and sister accountable in a gentle and humble manner, or do you agree with them because you don't want to upset them?

Sweet one, its not easy holding a brother or sister accountable, believe me I know, but in the end, it's what a true friend and a true follower of Christ does. Because its biblical and beneficial to the Body of Christ.

Before you approach them, spend time in prayer! Ask the Lord to give you discernment, understanding and wisdom to know how and what to say.

And always make sure you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and speak through you.

It's also a good thing to make sure that your motives are pure not selfish.

If you have a godly friend that you know lives to please The Lord, ask them to help keep you accountable. And when they do, listen to them, don't get mad, defensive, or upset, rather thank them and pray about it.

Lets strengthen the Body of Christ not tear it down, or watch it fall apart because we were to afraid to say something.

S-Share with The Lord areas you would like to be held accountable and them allow Him and a godly friend to hold you accountable.

Altar Sunday

"The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads" Psalm 145:14

Are you bent beneath your load, sweet one? 

If so, there is a place at the altar for you to lay them before the Lord. He promises to lift you up, remove your load and take it upon Himself.

Will you give your burdens to Jesus today?

Find rest in Him.

What's Your Percentage

What type of relationship do you have with Christ?

IF it were based on a percentage between 1 and 100, and a balanced relationship was 50/50, how would you rate your relationship with Christ?

What percentage do you bring to it?

He brings 100% at all times!

How Invested are You?

When Jesus said I want a relationship with you, He didn't say He wanted a casual or half hearted one.

He said, "I want ALL of you!"

"Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." Matthew 22:37

Does Jesus have all of you?