“The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
God has given me the choice today to choose whether or not this will be a good or bad day. He already knows the outcome of this day and He knows every thought I will have and every decision I will make. So before I even step down from my bed I know I need to begin getting my mind right, and I can only do that by speaking to the One who can guide me.
Prayer: Lord I know that today I determine how well things will go by my attitude, my thoughts, and my actions. So that is why I am giving this day to You and asking You to take complete control of my heart. Lord will You take my thoughts captive and filter out any trash that might enter in. Help me be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading that with every idle word or action that takes place will only be a reflection of You and Your word. Lord take Your word that I have meditated on and place it within every single part of me. I commit this day to You and I praise You because I know that whatever the outcome of today is You will be there to guide me through. Amen
If I allow myself to start my day off without truly turning it over to the Lord than I am just giving Satan the opportunity to slip in and feed me garbage. But if I fill every square inch of my heart and my mind with the Word of God and prayer he has no room. And though he tries he can’t succeed because he has been defeated.
When we commit our days to the Lord first thing and allow Him to have the control then we are choosing to have a great day. We are allowing Christ the light within us to lead us, and we know when we are led by Christ all things will work out for His glory and for us.
It is really just that simple we are the ones that make it hard!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Why are You Here?
“…For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want.” John 6:38
“I know there is a reason for me being here, Lord please show me! I have let Satan convince me that I am not good at anything; I am too sinful to even be used by you. What reason did you have for creating me? Lord please just show me what you want me to do, where you want me.”
“My sweet child, as I began knitting you together with my own two hands I knew how special you were to Me, and I knew exactly what I wanted to use you for! You are created in the image of Me, there is no two people created the same. You are unique and beautiful and I have placed you on earth not to fulfill your purpose but to fulfill My purpose. I knew before the world began that I would be able to do the work I want done through you. You will never be good at anything on your own. It is Me that is within you that will be great at the very thing I have created you for.”
How could I be so selfish to think that I was sent here to earth to fulfill my purpose? I have no purpose without Christ.
Jesus could not have said it any better than when He said, “… For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want.”
You and I too have been sent down from heaven to do the will of God who sent us, not to do what we want. It is so easy and goodness do I know how easy it is to get caught up in wanting and trying to fulfill our own purpose.
How can we fulfill His purpose? We start by putting our complete trust and faith in Jesus Christ. We seek out His will by meditating on the His word and spending time in prayer. We wait patiently for Him to act and then we obediently react. We take each thought and decision to Him first and ask that He reveal to us if we are making it about us or Him.
We serve Him by serving others, we love like He loves us, we keep our eyes focused on Him and Heaven and we remember that every decision we make, every word we speak, every place we are in is for Him and His glory.
Sound like a lot to fulfill? When we try to do it on our own it is SO much and that is where I went wrong and why I prayed that prayer so many times, but when I let Christ in me do it I found it to be so much easier and enjoyable.
We have no greater job than the one we are called to and that is fulfilling His purpose!
Prayer: Jesus forgive us when we get caught up in trying to make it about us and our purpose. May we take our eyes off of the world and place it on You. In Jesus name, Amen.
“I know there is a reason for me being here, Lord please show me! I have let Satan convince me that I am not good at anything; I am too sinful to even be used by you. What reason did you have for creating me? Lord please just show me what you want me to do, where you want me.”
“My sweet child, as I began knitting you together with my own two hands I knew how special you were to Me, and I knew exactly what I wanted to use you for! You are created in the image of Me, there is no two people created the same. You are unique and beautiful and I have placed you on earth not to fulfill your purpose but to fulfill My purpose. I knew before the world began that I would be able to do the work I want done through you. You will never be good at anything on your own. It is Me that is within you that will be great at the very thing I have created you for.”
How could I be so selfish to think that I was sent here to earth to fulfill my purpose? I have no purpose without Christ.
Jesus could not have said it any better than when He said, “… For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want.”
You and I too have been sent down from heaven to do the will of God who sent us, not to do what we want. It is so easy and goodness do I know how easy it is to get caught up in wanting and trying to fulfill our own purpose.
How can we fulfill His purpose? We start by putting our complete trust and faith in Jesus Christ. We seek out His will by meditating on the His word and spending time in prayer. We wait patiently for Him to act and then we obediently react. We take each thought and decision to Him first and ask that He reveal to us if we are making it about us or Him.
We serve Him by serving others, we love like He loves us, we keep our eyes focused on Him and Heaven and we remember that every decision we make, every word we speak, every place we are in is for Him and His glory.
Sound like a lot to fulfill? When we try to do it on our own it is SO much and that is where I went wrong and why I prayed that prayer so many times, but when I let Christ in me do it I found it to be so much easier and enjoyable.
We have no greater job than the one we are called to and that is fulfilling His purpose!
Prayer: Jesus forgive us when we get caught up in trying to make it about us and our purpose. May we take our eyes off of the world and place it on You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Your Diagnosis
“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
You have been sick for sometime now and no one has figured out what is wrong with you. After years of searching for some answers you finally turn to a physician who understands you, who listens, and who stops and takes the time to find an answer.
He begins having you fill out a form of your symptoms and history. You sit down and begin looking over the form. The very first section asks for some history which you find to be very personal, but precede to answer anyway, in hopes it will help your physician find some answers.
Why are you here seeing me today?
How did you hear about me?
Do you believe that I can help you?
Are you going to follow all my instructions?
Are you prepared to go through some testing?
Will you stick by me and trust me no matter the results?
Are you willing to do your part and let me do mine?
If you believe in me and will commit yourself to me than I know we can find out your illness and I can guarantee you that I will have an answer and a cure.
Before you proceed it is important that I know what your blood type is, this will give me a better understanding of why you suffer from what you do. Please circle your blood type. Christ’s blood or your sinful blood.
If you have answered your sinful blood I can tell you that until you accept me and receive my blood we will never be able to move on with this process. But if your blood type is that of mine than I can assure you we will be good to go.
Being that you have my blood let’s move on, I will now need you to openly answer the following questions that pertain to the condition of your heart.
Please place a check by the things you have been filling your heart with?
__ Self ___Anger ___Joy
__ Hate ___ Pride ___Patience
__ Lust ___ Slander ___My word
__ Greed ___ Love ___the World
__ Jealousy ___ Kindness
Do your symptoms worsen the more you choose to please you?
Has there been anything you have done that has helped your symptoms get better?
If not here is something I want you to try. I want you to begin getting in My word everyday for at least 20 to 30 minutes and begin meditating on it. Once you do this you will start to feel the medicine that comes out of it. This medicine once absorbed will begin to reveal what is wrong with you and when it reaches those areas of pain, hurt, etc it will begin to heal them and guide you in the direction you will need to go to stay healthy.
After you have completed this form I want you to go home and begin the medicine the minute it enters I will be right in to see you and go over all that I have found and what actions we will need to take from there.
If you are serious about being better, like I believe you are than you must be sure to take this medicine everyday.
You have been sick for sometime now and no one has figured out what is wrong with you. After years of searching for some answers you finally turn to a physician who understands you, who listens, and who stops and takes the time to find an answer.
He begins having you fill out a form of your symptoms and history. You sit down and begin looking over the form. The very first section asks for some history which you find to be very personal, but precede to answer anyway, in hopes it will help your physician find some answers.
Why are you here seeing me today?
How did you hear about me?
Do you believe that I can help you?
Are you going to follow all my instructions?
Are you prepared to go through some testing?
Will you stick by me and trust me no matter the results?
Are you willing to do your part and let me do mine?
If you believe in me and will commit yourself to me than I know we can find out your illness and I can guarantee you that I will have an answer and a cure.
Before you proceed it is important that I know what your blood type is, this will give me a better understanding of why you suffer from what you do. Please circle your blood type. Christ’s blood or your sinful blood.
If you have answered your sinful blood I can tell you that until you accept me and receive my blood we will never be able to move on with this process. But if your blood type is that of mine than I can assure you we will be good to go.
Being that you have my blood let’s move on, I will now need you to openly answer the following questions that pertain to the condition of your heart.
Please place a check by the things you have been filling your heart with?
__ Self ___Anger ___Joy
__ Hate ___ Pride ___Patience
__ Lust ___ Slander ___My word
__ Greed ___ Love ___the World
__ Jealousy ___ Kindness
Do your symptoms worsen the more you choose to please you?
Has there been anything you have done that has helped your symptoms get better?
If not here is something I want you to try. I want you to begin getting in My word everyday for at least 20 to 30 minutes and begin meditating on it. Once you do this you will start to feel the medicine that comes out of it. This medicine once absorbed will begin to reveal what is wrong with you and when it reaches those areas of pain, hurt, etc it will begin to heal them and guide you in the direction you will need to go to stay healthy.
After you have completed this form I want you to go home and begin the medicine the minute it enters I will be right in to see you and go over all that I have found and what actions we will need to take from there.
If you are serious about being better, like I believe you are than you must be sure to take this medicine everyday.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Starving
"People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God." Matthew 4:4
These words spoken by Jesus stir within me as I lay next to my one year old who is crying out for a drink and something to eat. As I begin praying for the Lord to remove these thoughts from his mind, my amazing Father leans down and whispers, "Fill him with my word." So I began singing scripture to him and before I knew it he had fallen back asleep.
It took a good full hour of off and on singing, because as we all know just one dose of Gods word is just not enough. But to my amazement after an hour of pulling from my resources within my sweet baby boy finally became full. For the first time this scripture came alive within my baby Dax and within me.
Our God's fulfillment is so much more satisfying. Open up wide my friends and let the words of our Mighty God fill you up.
These words spoken by Jesus stir within me as I lay next to my one year old who is crying out for a drink and something to eat. As I begin praying for the Lord to remove these thoughts from his mind, my amazing Father leans down and whispers, "Fill him with my word." So I began singing scripture to him and before I knew it he had fallen back asleep.
It took a good full hour of off and on singing, because as we all know just one dose of Gods word is just not enough. But to my amazement after an hour of pulling from my resources within my sweet baby boy finally became full. For the first time this scripture came alive within my baby Dax and within me.
Our God's fulfillment is so much more satisfying. Open up wide my friends and let the words of our Mighty God fill you up.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Are you Surrounded?
"Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you
alone." Psalm 33:22
It is the only thing that gets us through each day. It is the security, comfort, and peace that fills our hearts and gives our weak and weary souls rest.
It is the unfailing love of the Lord. My sweet friends there is nothing greater than the mighty arms of Jesus wrapped around you. And the instant you feel that embrace, it is as though all of His love begins to go out of Him and into the very depths of your hurt, worry, and fears bringing you a new hope that can only be found in Him.
How great it is to know that our Father's love surrounds us every second and that no one, no news, nothing can every take it away.
Are you searching for love today? Choose God and let His unfailing, never ending love surround you.
alone." Psalm 33:22
It is the only thing that gets us through each day. It is the security, comfort, and peace that fills our hearts and gives our weak and weary souls rest.
It is the unfailing love of the Lord. My sweet friends there is nothing greater than the mighty arms of Jesus wrapped around you. And the instant you feel that embrace, it is as though all of His love begins to go out of Him and into the very depths of your hurt, worry, and fears bringing you a new hope that can only be found in Him.
How great it is to know that our Father's love surrounds us every second and that no one, no news, nothing can every take it away.
Are you searching for love today? Choose God and let His unfailing, never ending love surround you.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Does Your Mirror Need Some Cleaning?
"I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations.” Exodus 34:7
How easily we forget about those little eyes that watch our every move, how easily we forget about those little ears that hear everything we say and how easily we forget how our sins can affect the very hearts and lives of our children.
God has given us these precious gifts not for our pleasure but for His. We are not to hinder, enable, mistreat, or cause them to stumble. And we should never assume that it is just the obvious sins like addictions, abuse, and adultery that will and can affect them. It even includes selfishness, greed, jealousy, lust, hate, pride, self-pity, etc.
What do you think would happen if we as parents actually stopped and asked ourselves how these choices, words, and actions would affect them? And I don’t mean just run it through your head and make excuses or justifications for why it would be okay. I mean actually think about it from God’s perspective, black and white, right or wrong and then not do it if you know it will steer them away from God. Could you imagine how different things would be?
We are the mirror our children look into for knowledge, wisdom, example, everything. So as that mirror what are we reflecting back, Christ and His word or the world and self?
Don’t be afraid to let your children see you confess your sins, show them what repentance looks like and let them see how merciful, loving and forgiving their Creator is.
Remember that just because your sin might have only caused you little pain, it could cause even greater pain later in the life of your child.
Prayer: Lord help us as parents become the type of mirror that only and always reflects You.
How easily we forget about those little eyes that watch our every move, how easily we forget about those little ears that hear everything we say and how easily we forget how our sins can affect the very hearts and lives of our children.
God has given us these precious gifts not for our pleasure but for His. We are not to hinder, enable, mistreat, or cause them to stumble. And we should never assume that it is just the obvious sins like addictions, abuse, and adultery that will and can affect them. It even includes selfishness, greed, jealousy, lust, hate, pride, self-pity, etc.
What do you think would happen if we as parents actually stopped and asked ourselves how these choices, words, and actions would affect them? And I don’t mean just run it through your head and make excuses or justifications for why it would be okay. I mean actually think about it from God’s perspective, black and white, right or wrong and then not do it if you know it will steer them away from God. Could you imagine how different things would be?
We are the mirror our children look into for knowledge, wisdom, example, everything. So as that mirror what are we reflecting back, Christ and His word or the world and self?
Don’t be afraid to let your children see you confess your sins, show them what repentance looks like and let them see how merciful, loving and forgiving their Creator is.
Remember that just because your sin might have only caused you little pain, it could cause even greater pain later in the life of your child.
Prayer: Lord help us as parents become the type of mirror that only and always reflects You.
Monday, May 3, 2010
It’s Raining Trials!
No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.” Romans 7:18-19
When I looked up the weather report for last week and this week the forecast showed clear skies with 0% chance of rain. So why in the world is it raining and why am I the only one getting wet? What started out as a light rain has now ended up being a down pour with dime size hail.
I am not talking about the rain that falls, I am talking about the rain of trials. The first day of my rain began when my one year got put in the hospital for two days and all four of us stayed in that tiny room with one bed. With that came my first opportunity to put patience into practice. Of course instead of being patient and reminding myself Garrett was just as tired as I was, he wanted to be there just as much as I did, and he was just as worried, I did the complete opposite. I allowed my feelings to take over because it just seemed easier at the time and I became annoyed with any and everything He did. Avery my poor baby had no clue what was going on and because of that he was scared and only wanted to be with Garrett and I. And as we all know to contain a three year old in a hospital room for two days is just not fun for him or for us. I again ignored that and got frustrated at him for being frustrated. Then between keeping Dax from ripping out his IV, holding him down for his blood to be taken, and his persistence to get into any and everything he could tested my patience even more. Patience test-failed.
My heavier rain came when we got home and our baby was still not better and all the tests results came back leaving us empty handed. On top of that I have a writing assignment due by May 15 and I realized I only had one week left to get 4 lessons done. That brought on my lack to show and express love. Instead I have expressed frustration, stress, and oh so much anger. Leaving my husband grumpy my babies upset and me even more upset with myself for acting the very way I do not and did not want to act. Love test-failed
Now for the hail-Garrett left early for his track meet in Houston because he couldn’t stand being around my grumpy self when little does he know I can’t stand being around my grumpy self either. I have let the house become a complete junk hole because I have been trying to write, tend to the boys and all the other jobs I have. Last night I went to put my boys in the tub and there was no hot water, so in and out as quickly. I do have to say at this point God was and is trying to get my attention and give me the opportunity to reflect Him.
So I wake up this morning turn on the hot water-none. Hot water heater broke. Then I go to clean out the sink turn on the garbage disposal and it’s broke, so I lean down to look under the sink and when I opened the door an awful metal smell shot up my nose-garbage disposal burnt up and now the sink won’t drain. At this point I laugh all while losing my self-control. I pick up the phone and out come the Niagara Falls of complaining. Self Control with my words-failed
I open the word of God seeking the great Counselor for help when He takes me to Romans 6:14-25. As I read over the words of Paul my head begins to nod up and down and my heart begins to cry out a loud Amen. Paul could not have expressed how I felt any better. And the great thing from reading about his struggle reminded me that it is Jesus within me that will set me free and help me posses the qualities of His that I so desire to posses. But the greatest thing out of all of this is that I became attentive to the opportunities I was given and that even though I failed I did and am walking through this rain storm being more conscious and prepared how to handle the next rain storm that approaches whether the forecast calls for it or not.
Are you facing some rain trials today?
When I looked up the weather report for last week and this week the forecast showed clear skies with 0% chance of rain. So why in the world is it raining and why am I the only one getting wet? What started out as a light rain has now ended up being a down pour with dime size hail.
I am not talking about the rain that falls, I am talking about the rain of trials. The first day of my rain began when my one year got put in the hospital for two days and all four of us stayed in that tiny room with one bed. With that came my first opportunity to put patience into practice. Of course instead of being patient and reminding myself Garrett was just as tired as I was, he wanted to be there just as much as I did, and he was just as worried, I did the complete opposite. I allowed my feelings to take over because it just seemed easier at the time and I became annoyed with any and everything He did. Avery my poor baby had no clue what was going on and because of that he was scared and only wanted to be with Garrett and I. And as we all know to contain a three year old in a hospital room for two days is just not fun for him or for us. I again ignored that and got frustrated at him for being frustrated. Then between keeping Dax from ripping out his IV, holding him down for his blood to be taken, and his persistence to get into any and everything he could tested my patience even more. Patience test-failed.
My heavier rain came when we got home and our baby was still not better and all the tests results came back leaving us empty handed. On top of that I have a writing assignment due by May 15 and I realized I only had one week left to get 4 lessons done. That brought on my lack to show and express love. Instead I have expressed frustration, stress, and oh so much anger. Leaving my husband grumpy my babies upset and me even more upset with myself for acting the very way I do not and did not want to act. Love test-failed
Now for the hail-Garrett left early for his track meet in Houston because he couldn’t stand being around my grumpy self when little does he know I can’t stand being around my grumpy self either. I have let the house become a complete junk hole because I have been trying to write, tend to the boys and all the other jobs I have. Last night I went to put my boys in the tub and there was no hot water, so in and out as quickly. I do have to say at this point God was and is trying to get my attention and give me the opportunity to reflect Him.
So I wake up this morning turn on the hot water-none. Hot water heater broke. Then I go to clean out the sink turn on the garbage disposal and it’s broke, so I lean down to look under the sink and when I opened the door an awful metal smell shot up my nose-garbage disposal burnt up and now the sink won’t drain. At this point I laugh all while losing my self-control. I pick up the phone and out come the Niagara Falls of complaining. Self Control with my words-failed
I open the word of God seeking the great Counselor for help when He takes me to Romans 6:14-25. As I read over the words of Paul my head begins to nod up and down and my heart begins to cry out a loud Amen. Paul could not have expressed how I felt any better. And the great thing from reading about his struggle reminded me that it is Jesus within me that will set me free and help me posses the qualities of His that I so desire to posses. But the greatest thing out of all of this is that I became attentive to the opportunities I was given and that even though I failed I did and am walking through this rain storm being more conscious and prepared how to handle the next rain storm that approaches whether the forecast calls for it or not.
Are you facing some rain trials today?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On Three
“So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Would you walk out to the edge of the cliff with me today? And on the count of three we are going to step off…. and out on faith. As you read that first sentence you were thinking she is crazy, who would do that? Well that is exactly my point, not to many of us do and that is why our faith has become stagnant. We are not letting God use us to our full potential!
I would venture to say that some of us are close to the edge of the cliff, but are stuck and have become very comfortable right where we are at. We even have friends that have joined us and we now have made a comfortable little home right there close to the edge but far enough back to not fall off.
But we are forgetting that there is no falling when we are wrapped up in Christ. Imagine it this way, remember when Peter said Lord if it is really you tell me to come to you. So the Lord did and the first few minutes Peter’s eyes were fixed on Jesus alone, but the minute he looked down what happened? Fear set in. That is us, we get to the edge of our cliff and are ready to take the next step with Christ, but instead of just going we stop and look down and immediately fear, and doubt set in.
It never fails just when I start feeling comfortable God pushes me closer to the edge of my cliff, and for four years I have dug my feet in the ground as He pushed me. It was a slow push because He taught me each nudge at a time, but of course I was not strong enough, I could not resist Him any longer, and on February 7, 2010 I surrendered to the Lord and stepped off. Since then the Lord has been opening up doors, challenging me, guiding me, and carrying me. He not only is my strength but He has surrounded me with others who are counseling and encouraging me as I set out to do His work.
Where does your faith have you? Have you even stepped out on to the cliff yet? What I mean by that is do you have the confident assurance that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and you believe without a shadow of doubt that He will do all that He says He will?
Maybe you are not sure what faith is, maybe you are sure but you waiver in it. It is “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”Hebrews 11:3 It is also the “confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” Hebrews 11:1 Like stepping off the cliff! When we get to the edge we can’t look down we have to look up and out at Jesus and then step, keeping our eyes focused on Him alone.
What are some areas that are keeping you from having complete faith, and I mean true, real, genuine faith that pushes you off the cliff?
Would you walk out to the edge of the cliff with me today? And on the count of three we are going to step off…. and out on faith. As you read that first sentence you were thinking she is crazy, who would do that? Well that is exactly my point, not to many of us do and that is why our faith has become stagnant. We are not letting God use us to our full potential!
I would venture to say that some of us are close to the edge of the cliff, but are stuck and have become very comfortable right where we are at. We even have friends that have joined us and we now have made a comfortable little home right there close to the edge but far enough back to not fall off.
But we are forgetting that there is no falling when we are wrapped up in Christ. Imagine it this way, remember when Peter said Lord if it is really you tell me to come to you. So the Lord did and the first few minutes Peter’s eyes were fixed on Jesus alone, but the minute he looked down what happened? Fear set in. That is us, we get to the edge of our cliff and are ready to take the next step with Christ, but instead of just going we stop and look down and immediately fear, and doubt set in.
It never fails just when I start feeling comfortable God pushes me closer to the edge of my cliff, and for four years I have dug my feet in the ground as He pushed me. It was a slow push because He taught me each nudge at a time, but of course I was not strong enough, I could not resist Him any longer, and on February 7, 2010 I surrendered to the Lord and stepped off. Since then the Lord has been opening up doors, challenging me, guiding me, and carrying me. He not only is my strength but He has surrounded me with others who are counseling and encouraging me as I set out to do His work.
Where does your faith have you? Have you even stepped out on to the cliff yet? What I mean by that is do you have the confident assurance that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and you believe without a shadow of doubt that He will do all that He says He will?
Maybe you are not sure what faith is, maybe you are sure but you waiver in it. It is “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”Hebrews 11:3 It is also the “confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” Hebrews 11:1 Like stepping off the cliff! When we get to the edge we can’t look down we have to look up and out at Jesus and then step, keeping our eyes focused on Him alone.
What are some areas that are keeping you from having complete faith, and I mean true, real, genuine faith that pushes you off the cliff?
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Power is in the WORD
For the word of God is full of living power." Hebrews 4:12
As I sit and stare at my one year old laying in the bed my heart
overflows with so many emotions; sadness, wishing I could take his
pain and sickness away, peace because I know he is wrapped up in the
arms of Jesus, and joy. Joy because I know just as our passage says
Gods word is full of living power. The power that when used brings
healing, comfort, and the reassurance that it is all going to be okay.
I don't know what you are going through but I know if you will cling
to the word of God if you let it penetrate within you the power that
it holds will conqueror any and everything you re going through.
Prayer: Jesus I could not imagine going through life without You or
Your word, especially in times such as these. How I praise You for the
amazing peace and joy Your love fills me with. Amen
As I sit and stare at my one year old laying in the bed my heart
overflows with so many emotions; sadness, wishing I could take his
pain and sickness away, peace because I know he is wrapped up in the
arms of Jesus, and joy. Joy because I know just as our passage says
Gods word is full of living power. The power that when used brings
healing, comfort, and the reassurance that it is all going to be okay.
I don't know what you are going through but I know if you will cling
to the word of God if you let it penetrate within you the power that
it holds will conqueror any and everything you re going through.
Prayer: Jesus I could not imagine going through life without You or
Your word, especially in times such as these. How I praise You for the
amazing peace and joy Your love fills me with. Amen
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A Father’s Broken Heart!
“Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. He consistently followed God’s will and enjoyed a close relationship with him.” Genesis 6:9
He was more than just the man who built the ark. He was the only man who found favor with the Lord. He was not perfect or sinless by any means, but he was a man who chose to follow God in spite of all the sin and wickedness that surrounded him. Every other human broke the heart of God because they chose sin and death over a relationship with Him.
Listen to what God says in Genesis 6:5-6 “Now the Lord observed the extent of the people’s wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart.”
“So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart.” To read those words saddens me. It saddens me to think that our amazing Father’s heart was broken then and broken when He saw His Son take on all of our sin, and now, as He looks down and sees those who still choose sin and death over having a relationship with Jesus.
In the midst of my sadness I know one thing is for sure. That today in spite of the sin and wickedness that surround each of us, God finds favor in more than just one man. He finds favor in you and me and all others who have chosen to live a blameless life through obedience and love and who choose to walk side by side with Christ just as Noah did with God.
Just as the flood was sure to come so is the Day of Judgment. And just as God solemnly swore to keep Noah and his family safe, He has also solemnly swore to keep all of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Personal Lord and Savior safe from judgment.
It is your choice!
--
Kristi Morgan
He was more than just the man who built the ark. He was the only man who found favor with the Lord. He was not perfect or sinless by any means, but he was a man who chose to follow God in spite of all the sin and wickedness that surrounded him. Every other human broke the heart of God because they chose sin and death over a relationship with Him.
Listen to what God says in Genesis 6:5-6 “Now the Lord observed the extent of the people’s wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart.”
“So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart.” To read those words saddens me. It saddens me to think that our amazing Father’s heart was broken then and broken when He saw His Son take on all of our sin, and now, as He looks down and sees those who still choose sin and death over having a relationship with Jesus.
In the midst of my sadness I know one thing is for sure. That today in spite of the sin and wickedness that surround each of us, God finds favor in more than just one man. He finds favor in you and me and all others who have chosen to live a blameless life through obedience and love and who choose to walk side by side with Christ just as Noah did with God.
Just as the flood was sure to come so is the Day of Judgment. And just as God solemnly swore to keep Noah and his family safe, He has also solemnly swore to keep all of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Personal Lord and Savior safe from judgment.
It is your choice!
--
Kristi Morgan
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
How Can I Please Him?
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21
My heart is full of so much love for the Lord that today all my thoughts have been on is how I can please Him. I of course always start each day out with this goal but if I told you that I was successful everyday I would be lying. There are many days I hate to admit that my thoughts are consumed with just junk and concerns that are not even concerns but that I have made be concerns and by the end of the day I have made it all about me and not about Him. Do you know what I am saying?
Anyway, in my search to find the verse that I could just cling to and offer up to the Lord as a sweet aroma of pleasure became not so findable. Only because I was looking for it to say certain things and have certain words that I thought it should. It was because in my heart I wanted it to be so perfect that it would leave a continual smile on His face.
So there I am sitting in the word of God searching and searching and for some reason a couple of comments that were made by some people kept popping in my head. One was “You know Kristi there are other things besides church and the Bible.” And the other comment was “Kristi, not everyone wants to talk or hear about God all the time.” And of course to both responses I was completely shocked and flabbergasted that I think my response to both was, “Really, what other things are more important than God and why would you not want to talk and think about God all the time?”
And that is when God led me to 1 John 5:21 “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” Then God whispered, “Kristi if you want to please me, keep me and make Me the center of your life. Keep your thoughts on Me at all times, store my word deep within you and don’t ever let anyone keep you from mentioning My name. Let love be your main goal and continue to obey my word.”
When I stopped to ponder on the Lord’s comment it hit me, the days I allow there to be other things besides His word or when I allow the things of this world to crowd my thoughts are the days that are horrible. I am grumpy, stressed-out, annoyed with anyone and anything, and am more concerned about me. Even my speech and my conversations with my family and friends are not in anyway pleasing to Him.
So for me pleasing the Lord and putting that smile upon His face is done not by my words but by what He sees in my heart and I want and desire nothing more than for Him to look at my heart every day and see that it is all about Him.
-
Kristi Morgan
My heart is full of so much love for the Lord that today all my thoughts have been on is how I can please Him. I of course always start each day out with this goal but if I told you that I was successful everyday I would be lying. There are many days I hate to admit that my thoughts are consumed with just junk and concerns that are not even concerns but that I have made be concerns and by the end of the day I have made it all about me and not about Him. Do you know what I am saying?
Anyway, in my search to find the verse that I could just cling to and offer up to the Lord as a sweet aroma of pleasure became not so findable. Only because I was looking for it to say certain things and have certain words that I thought it should. It was because in my heart I wanted it to be so perfect that it would leave a continual smile on His face.
So there I am sitting in the word of God searching and searching and for some reason a couple of comments that were made by some people kept popping in my head. One was “You know Kristi there are other things besides church and the Bible.” And the other comment was “Kristi, not everyone wants to talk or hear about God all the time.” And of course to both responses I was completely shocked and flabbergasted that I think my response to both was, “Really, what other things are more important than God and why would you not want to talk and think about God all the time?”
And that is when God led me to 1 John 5:21 “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” Then God whispered, “Kristi if you want to please me, keep me and make Me the center of your life. Keep your thoughts on Me at all times, store my word deep within you and don’t ever let anyone keep you from mentioning My name. Let love be your main goal and continue to obey my word.”
When I stopped to ponder on the Lord’s comment it hit me, the days I allow there to be other things besides His word or when I allow the things of this world to crowd my thoughts are the days that are horrible. I am grumpy, stressed-out, annoyed with anyone and anything, and am more concerned about me. Even my speech and my conversations with my family and friends are not in anyway pleasing to Him.
So for me pleasing the Lord and putting that smile upon His face is done not by my words but by what He sees in my heart and I want and desire nothing more than for Him to look at my heart every day and see that it is all about Him.
-
Kristi Morgan
Commit
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5
It is so amazing to know that we have a live in helper. He is no ordinary helper either, He can do things we find to be impossible. He gives us understanding and clarity when things seem so out of whack, He helps us manage our time wisely, He helps us to know what we should do in difficult situations, and He even gives us the strength we never knew we had. But when we try to do things on our own with out the help of this magnificence helper we soon realize just how incompetent we are.
I have realized my incompetence over this last month and today as I cried out to the Lord for help He led me to our verse. He reminded me that if I truly want His help then I have to commit everything to him; my family, my time, my jobs, myself, my deadlines, and everything I possess. I have to give over the control, trust and believe that He will help me accomplish all He wants me to and that He will take care of me better than I ever could myself.
Prayer: Lord You always know exactly what I need each day and I praise You for that. Thank You for being my live in helper and doing all the things I cannot. Lord today I commit all things to You and give You complete control. Amen
--
Kristi Morgan
It is so amazing to know that we have a live in helper. He is no ordinary helper either, He can do things we find to be impossible. He gives us understanding and clarity when things seem so out of whack, He helps us manage our time wisely, He helps us to know what we should do in difficult situations, and He even gives us the strength we never knew we had. But when we try to do things on our own with out the help of this magnificence helper we soon realize just how incompetent we are.
I have realized my incompetence over this last month and today as I cried out to the Lord for help He led me to our verse. He reminded me that if I truly want His help then I have to commit everything to him; my family, my time, my jobs, myself, my deadlines, and everything I possess. I have to give over the control, trust and believe that He will help me accomplish all He wants me to and that He will take care of me better than I ever could myself.
Prayer: Lord You always know exactly what I need each day and I praise You for that. Thank You for being my live in helper and doing all the things I cannot. Lord today I commit all things to You and give You complete control. Amen
--
Kristi Morgan
Looking for a Workout Program, Try this One!
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
I love to watch The Biggest Loser; it is so amazing to see the transformation of men and women who are dedicated to becoming healthier, not only on the outside but on the inside. I love to see these contestants overcome their insecurities, take control of their fears, break down barriers they have built up, and most of all I love how encouraging they are to one another and to others. It even motivates me to stay healthy.
On this show they have two world renowned trainers Bob and Jillian. These two trainers put these contestants through grueling workouts all while encouraging them every step of the way and helping them see and become the person they have always wanted to be. If you watch you will notice they never put a contestant down, they never demean them, belittle them, or embarrass them. They do use tough love but in a way that helps the contestants become better, more motivated, and again encouraged to keep fighting. They show patience and they listen.
What if as Christians we set out to become the Biggest Encourager or the best trainer for Christ. What if everyday we made it our goal to get up and do our own workout program that would encourage those around us and our family members at home? Because I want to become a better encourager I found this amazing workout program in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-23.
I love to watch The Biggest Loser; it is so amazing to see the transformation of men and women who are dedicated to becoming healthier, not only on the outside but on the inside. I love to see these contestants overcome their insecurities, take control of their fears, break down barriers they have built up, and most of all I love how encouraging they are to one another and to others. It even motivates me to stay healthy.
On this show they have two world renowned trainers Bob and Jillian. These two trainers put these contestants through grueling workouts all while encouraging them every step of the way and helping them see and become the person they have always wanted to be. If you watch you will notice they never put a contestant down, they never demean them, belittle them, or embarrass them. They do use tough love but in a way that helps the contestants become better, more motivated, and again encouraged to keep fighting. They show patience and they listen.
What if as Christians we set out to become the Biggest Encourager or the best trainer for Christ. What if everyday we made it our goal to get up and do our own workout program that would encourage those around us and our family members at home? Because I want to become a better encourager I found this amazing workout program in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-23.
Our warm-up: 5 to 10 minutes of prayer for all those we will come into contact with.
After our warm-up we will begin our cardio training. This will focus on getting our heartbeat up. We will spend at least 20 minutes working out our hearts and fueling our minds.
After our cardio we will do some strength training. This strength training will not consist of free weights but will be a circuit type of training it will focus on our overall body, our mind, mouth (words) and our actions.
Circuit One:
Our Mind: Here we will begin by focusing on the good qualities each person has, and aligning our thoughts with the Lord’s thoughts about each person. Because we know the Lord’s thoughts about each of us are so precious. (Psalm 139:17)
Circuit Two:
Our Mouths (Words): We will begin by only allowing positive, kind, and loving words to come out.
-This one will be a little harder so I have added a modification just in case you need additional help, it is found in Psalm 141:3 “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed.”
Circuit Three:
Our Actions: This workout will focus on our body language and putting the other two circuits to actual use. We will focus on our listening and self-control. We will use patience, gentleness, and understanding. We will be joyful even if we are in pain, we will show respect, we will keep peace, and we will go and help those who are weaker. This last circuit will require lots of movement, endurance and perseverance.
If you have questions our trainer will always be available-His name is Jesus.
If you are looking for a more advanced workout seek Jesus He will lead you in that direction.
Also Jesus is looking for anyone who is interested in becoming His assistant trainer, there are lots of openings, to find out more seek Him and His word.
I hope you all enjoy this new workout regimen and I can’t wait to see the transformation that takes place in your life and the life of others.
--
Kristi Morgan
After our warm-up we will begin our cardio training. This will focus on getting our heartbeat up. We will spend at least 20 minutes working out our hearts and fueling our minds.
After our cardio we will do some strength training. This strength training will not consist of free weights but will be a circuit type of training it will focus on our overall body, our mind, mouth (words) and our actions.
Circuit One:
Our Mind: Here we will begin by focusing on the good qualities each person has, and aligning our thoughts with the Lord’s thoughts about each person. Because we know the Lord’s thoughts about each of us are so precious. (Psalm 139:17)
Circuit Two:
Our Mouths (Words): We will begin by only allowing positive, kind, and loving words to come out.
-This one will be a little harder so I have added a modification just in case you need additional help, it is found in Psalm 141:3 “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed.”
Circuit Three:
Our Actions: This workout will focus on our body language and putting the other two circuits to actual use. We will focus on our listening and self-control. We will use patience, gentleness, and understanding. We will be joyful even if we are in pain, we will show respect, we will keep peace, and we will go and help those who are weaker. This last circuit will require lots of movement, endurance and perseverance.
If you have questions our trainer will always be available-His name is Jesus.
If you are looking for a more advanced workout seek Jesus He will lead you in that direction.
Also Jesus is looking for anyone who is interested in becoming His assistant trainer, there are lots of openings, to find out more seek Him and His word.
I hope you all enjoy this new workout regimen and I can’t wait to see the transformation that takes place in your life and the life of others.
--
Kristi Morgan
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