Part 3

Guest writer-Ashleigh Duncan

Look at verses 9 and 10. How often do we do what these verses tell us? I've come to realize that I do this way less than I originally thought I did. And I know that as ladies who enjoy shoes, purses, clothes, and such, it's very easy to dedicate our paychecks to things before we actually have that paycheck in our hands. What we're actually supposed to do is take the first of it for God and then dedicate the rest of it as we see fit (under God's direction, of course). I know that I don't do that. I don't wait until I've given my 10% to God before I do a little shopping or go out to the movies. I think what this verse is saying is that if I would be patient and wait until I've got the money in my hand (or bank account, or whatever) after having given to God first, I'll have plenty leftover to enjoy the movies or my new shoes without worrying about debt or money. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with credit cards or loans or any of that because I know our economy puts a lot into having good credit scores and those things are necessary to achieve such. BUT I am saying that we need to be careful not to get sucked into things that we have to fight to get out of, God wants us to live worry-free lives and just enjoy serving Him. I hope you all have a great day and I love each and every one of you!!!
 
In Christ,

Bridget Ashleigh
 
Today I am thankful for God's little reminders. I was walking to work and stressing over little things like I always do and I happened to look down at the ground as something caught my eye. It was a button, the type that is supposed to be pinned to a shirt or a backpack, and it simply said "Trust God". Lol, let me just say that I don't believe in coincidence.

Part 2

Guest writer-Ashleigh Duncan

Today, we'll be focusing on verses 5 through 8. I struggle with these constantly! I'm told not to trust in my own understanding and I know it's because God lives by His own rules because He created everything but me, being a science major, I'm also told that things work certain ways and that it very rarely changes if at all. Talk about a contradiction! I don't have any problems seeing God in all of the science I study and work with, it's easy to see His involvement and His handiwork everywhere, I have no doubts whatsoever that He exists, this isn't the issue. What I have trouble with most is simply trusting that He knows how to bend the rules of nature and logic without sending the universe into a downward spiral. Do you understand what I'm saying here? We've all heard of prayer healing people, right? We've heard the miraculous stories of people being told they have cancer and when they go to have it removed or begin treatment, it's suddenly gone and the doctors are left scratching their heads in confusion. We've heard about people who shouldn't have woken up after a very tragic accident and then a year or so later, they're walking and talking completely under their own power. Even I, myself, am a miracle, I wasn't supposed to live more than just a day or two after being taken 3 months early from the womb and yet here I am with a perfectly healthy body and mind. Power of prayer is amazing but God does all these things beyond the logic and science that I've been taught these many years in school and yet the world hasn't tumbled out of orbit, the sun still shines and warms the earth, rain still falls from the sky to keep the plants green and lovely. How in the world does this work?! Well, God created it, He does as He pleases. Don't lean on your own understanding; it won't get you anywhere. That's hard to wrap my mind around but God tells me if I see Him as the one in control and Him as the one who will take care of everything, my body, through to my very bones, will be full of health and nourishment. I do believe that in itself is beyond human logic. God has a most wonderful sense of humor, doesn't He? I hope you all have a blessed day!! Love you!!

In Christ,

Bridget Ashleigh

Today, I am thankful for God's peace, today started out as a bit of a tough day for me but is getting better as I go along :)

Part 1

Guest writer-Ashleigh Duncan

Okay, so let me try this again...I'm thinking God was telling me to read the entire chapter 3 of Proverbs because it's been stuck in my head for over a week now. I sat down and read it last night and there's SO much packed into that one chapter!!! So, here's what I'm doing, I'm breaking it down as God did for me and I'm sharing it with y'all. I don't know when God will ask me to return to Psalms but now just isn't the time for it. Anyway, let's not keep the Lord waiting!!! Today I'm just looking at the first 4 verses. Here, God tells us the secret to a long life. Did you catch that? We hold, in our hands, the secret to a long life. Not only a long life but a happy, peaceful life. Now remember, it won't necessarily be a perfectly healthy, a full of riches and money, or a pain-free life but it will be peaceful...happy and peaceful. Life here is never easy, we can't expect everything to go perfectly because we live in a sinful world full of imperfect humans, including ourselves. Even Jesus had a life on earth that included pain and troubles. But to achieve that peace and happiness in our souls, God tells us all we have to do is remember His teachings and keep His commands. That's it! (After you give your life over to Jesus, of course, that's the most important first step to soul-consuming peace.) I love the first "teaching" that is listed here after we're told this wonderful secret. Never let love and faithfullness leave you, in fact, wear them around your neck and display them as you would a favorite necklace and let it soak into your very inner being! Just think, if the entire world followed no other command but that one alone, how much of a better place would this be to live?! If we do this we win favor with both God and man. How amazing is that?! You please both!! This isn't serving both God and man, this is simply loving everyone around you and never forgetting that both God and man exist. Both deserve our love and both deserve our faithfullness and loyalty. Who are we to deny either of them this simple gift? Love your brother (or sister, we all understand that God means everyone). Love your God. Don't put anyone down but try to lift them up. We all need a smile every now and again. We all need encouragement. I hope you all have a wonderful day!! Love you!!

 

In Christ,

Bridget Ashleigh

 

Today, I am thankful for God being a very persistant God, I'm not the easiest person to convince sometimes and He never gives up on me :)

The Dancer not the dance

He is my partner. He chose me for Himself! We are in the middle of this amazing dance and I realize I've focused more on the steps to the dance than to the one I am dancing with. 

 How do I make the transition from learning the steps to knowing the One leading the dance?

Will I ruin the dance, when taking my thoughts off the steps or will the real dance finally flow?

 Oh, yes it will flow just follow the One leading the dance. Keep your eyes glued to His and place your feet on top of His.

Jesus, I am taking my thoughts off the steps and asking You to lead the dance. I trust in Your every move. Help me to focus more on You, the leader of this amazing dance. Amen

 

The dance

In this attempt to live a life pleasing to the Lord, I have come to realize, it is as pleasing as I allow my relationship with Him to be. 

That word-relationship, dances around in my head, making its appearance so enticing, yet I am unable to pattern my own body to dance as it does. 

It exudes such beauty as it moves with grace around the dance floor of my heart. I beg my body to begin to move as it does, in hopes it will become one with the dancer Himself.

I feel the hand that reaches out and grabs mine, as though it is saying, “Come and dance with me, but let me lead.” As my body turns itself around I pray it will fit perfectly within the frame of His.

As He begins to move I begin to follow. My eyes turn to His and I…am frozen. Yet He is still leading me across the dance floor.

I don’t want to look away I don’t even want to blink. His eyes, how do I begin to explain the power and love in those eyes?

I can’t explain it. His hold is firm and His eyes are on mine, and I feel it begin-this relationship I watched from afar dancing around on the dance floor of my heart.

Jesus…

Second to None

This is Garrett- I hijacked my wife's blog. 

"You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him." Luke 4:8

How hard is this!  Satan can twist, turn, fog and distort the truth which in time will lead us away from Christ.  One of the most common tactics and schemes he uses is the attack of “busyness”, busyness within our work place, homes or everyday duties.  The struggles of life can become a burden if we try to live life ourselves.

Alarm sounds.  Hit snooze.  Alarm sounds.  Stumble out of bed and go through the regular morning preparations.  Then off to another day at a boring place of work.  A week goes by, then a month and then a year.  Before you know it you are a victim of "busyness".  I can speak from experience.  

We become servants to our schedules and distant from the Lord when we invest more in us.  How can we put Christ first in our busy day and not serve anything else?

  1) "Keep on praying” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Be completely honest with God and let Him know your struggles.  Put reminders in places you will notice them throughout your day.  Office, car, phone, computer screen, etc...   

  2)  “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

We have to remain in Him, stay in the Word.  He will not leave us.  It is us that drift from Him.  

  3)  “...bad company corrupts good character.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

Surround yourself with friends that encourage you in Christ.  Don't settle in your relationships with friends to fit in or gain political status.  Stay focused on Christ not the world or what it has to offer.

Thank You Lord for Your forgiveness!  Forgive me for not putting You first and for serving my needs and schedule before You.  Forgive me for getting caught up in things that are meaningless. We praise You for Your mercy and grace.  Amen.

The Body

Joy is found in the body that makes up the church. As all the parts gather together and join in as one, an eternal joy fills the air. Brothers and sisters rescued and redeemed laying their hearts at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus thank You for using us to be the Church! Bless each part that makes up the body. May we begin to function as a whole and not as individual parts. You did not design it that way. Amen

Which is it for you?

“He was absolutely convinced that God as able to do anything he promised.” Romans 4:21

Seeing and believing, do they go hand and hand? Do we have to see in order to believe? Or are we able to just believe without seeing? If Abraham was absolutely convinced, was it based off of what he saw, or off what he believed and knew about God?

What about those of us standing on this side of the cross, what do we base our faith off of? Are we absolutely convinced that God is able to do anything He promises, promised? Do we have to see to be absolutely convinced?

According to Hebrews 11:1-3 faith is not based on seeing, it is actually the very opposite. Faith is, believing God is who he says he is, and that He will do what He says He will do.  

“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith. 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.”

Abraham did not need to see God’s promises come true ahead of time, neither do we. Abraham had faith because of the relationship he had with God.

Trust, brethren, that is what it comes down to. 

Jesus help us make sense of all that You are teaching us through Your Word. Show us ways we can strengthen our faith and trust in You. Help us step into that confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. Jesus we await that promise with great expectation, but in the meantime may we walk closely with You until the final promise of Your return is fulfilled. Amen

This type of Faith

“He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised.” Romans 4:21

This type of faith can only come from an intimate and personal relationship with Christ. A relationship like this is built on time, commitment, trust, devotion, love, and faithfulness.

The more we spend time with the Lord in His Word, and get to know Him, the stronger our faith will become.

Yet the only way to even begin a relationship such as this is by confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead.

“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are  saved.” Romans 10:9-10

Jesus let us not forget how important a thriving relationship is with You. Thank You that is easy and available at all times.  Amen

Chew until my jaw hurts!

“He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised.” Romans 4:21

Still sitting here, right in the middle of Romans 4:21! Rather than trying to process this in my mind alone, I have actually begun to chew on this huge, tender, but tough piece of meat Jesus cooked up for me.

I say tough because I know Jesus is making sure that I taste every flavor that comes out of every bite until it is so fine it cannot be chewed anymore. Plus I know the flavor of His word will never go away.  

I am a meat (The Word) kind of girl, so this is phenomenal for me. I actually prefer the meat of God’s Word over any of the sides that might be offered. Though good at times, the meat alone is satisfying and contains more nutrients for me.

I want this piece of meat-Romans 4:21 to be chewed so long my jaw hurts, yet be so fulfilling as it settles within me, that I walk away from this meal ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED my God is able to do anything He promises.

Then, like Abraham my relationship, faith and trust in God will be full of new flavors and nutrients just as it was for Abraham and I will begin to daily walk in the light of God completely satisfied.

Jesus verse after verse You have shown me Your faithfulness and commitment. You have done everything You said You would, and You have fulfilled every promise. You are who You say You are, and You do what You say You will do. Your yes means yes and Your no means no. Forgive me for my lack of faith and trust and for not chewing on Your meat long enough. Amen

Absolutely Convinced?...

“He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised.” Romans 4:21

My mind took in every word my eyes met to form each sentence God wrote. Sentence after sentence was filled with power, guidance, instruction, and wisdom.  Each sentence was taken in, processed, prayerful absorbed, and pondered on.

When all of the sudden, Jesus took my vision, my mind, and my flow of reading to a completely different level. A big ole halt, right on Romans 4:21.

“He (Abraham) was absolutely convinced that God WAS ABLE to DO ANYTHING  He promised.”

This particular verse sums up the type of faith, trust, and relationship Abraham had with God.

It hit me so hard I hit my face (literally) on the ground weeping and crying out to the Lord.

I have always considered my faith, trust, and relationship with the Lord to be pretty strong, until I read this passage and Jesus gave me a glimpse of reality.

I am convinced brethren, but ABSOLUTELY convinced?

I am convinced God is able, but ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED, He is able?

I am convinced God can do ANYTHING He promises, but ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED, He does?

Those absolute’s, have, well…been less than absolute. That is what brought me to my face.

How can my relationship with Christ be rock-solid, thriving, and grow, if I am not putting all of my ABSOLUTE trust, faith, and commitment into Him?

How can I be of great use to Christ if I am not ABSOULUTEY convinced that He will do what He says?

I just need to sit here a while longer…

Jesus sent the rain!

"Mommy, mommy its raining!" Avery shouted

"It is Avery, isn't that so awesome?"  I replied

"Mommy, remember I have been praying for God to send water for the flowers?" Avery responded

"I do Avery." 

"Mommy, Jesus sent rain, isn't that so cool?"

"Yes baby that is so cool!"

Jesus thank You for showing Avery Your faithfulness, but most of all thank You for filling him with the wisdom to know that it came from You. Jesus thank You for the joy that fills his heart as he sees how wonderful You are. Thank You for sending the rain, not only physically but spiritually. May it begin to nourish and restore our dry and thirsty souls. Amen

The Beauty that Surrounds me

"The heavens tell of the glory of God.

The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

They speak without a sound or a word;

their voice is silent in the skies;

yet their message has gone out to all the earth,

and their words to all the world.

The sun lives in the heavens

where God placed it.

It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom

after his wedding.

It rejoices like a great athlete

eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens

and follows its course to the other end.

Nothing can hide from its heat.

-Psalm 19:1-6

Jesus thank You for the beauty that surrounds us every day. I have found great joy in the work of Your hands. Thank You for the marvelous display You allow me to see every day as I look outside. Amen

Daddy’s design

“For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money. He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” 1 Timothy 3:2-5

Daddy,

 I will never forget the first time I read this passage, I was in college and I called to tell you how you truly fulfilled all of these requirements and how excited and proud I was to see so much of Jesus in you.

I can remember you laughing all while expressing one of your greatest qualities-humbleness

You are so rare daddy and I hope you know how truly amazing you are! The qualities expressed in this passage are the very qualities Jesus used to design you, and what an amazing design you are.

You have never let the circumstances of life hinder your walk with the Lord. Your steadfast faithfulness and your unwavering commitment to do what is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord has become the very thing I admire most.

Along with your commitment to your family, your get up and drive 11 hours to be here in the middle of the night because you’re needed, your love that is expressed through every hug, every kiss, and every heart to heart conversation that last into the morning hours.

My words will never be able to express how blessed I am to have an earthly father as great as you.

You have patterned your life after your heavenly Father and because of that we get to see a picture of Jesus every day.

Thank You daddy for being the walking reflection of Christ and for always making sure I knew who my true Father was and is-Jesus. I am eternally grateful and forever saved.

Happy Father’s Day

I love you!

Taken for granted

 “Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again-rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

In the midst of trial, sadness and despair, there is joy to be found, even when it seems as though it could never appear. It does, and it is always right on time.

This unexplainable joy rises from the deepest part of our hearts and surfaces as strength.

So how is strength a joy? Because it allows us the ability to function! And to be able to function is a God-given joy. One that is all too often taken for granted.

Jesus thank You for giving us the strength we need every day to function. May we use our ability to function for Your glory and with all the joy it fills us with. Amen

Something New

"I am coming to you... that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them (that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts.”  John 17:13

Joy is found in that moment with Christ when He opens your eyes and reveals something new to you, something about Him that strengthens your relationship and deepens your love.

Jesus Your something news NEVER get old! The joy that comes from them is by far the greatest. Thank You.

Felt in His presence

"I am coming to you... that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them (that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts.”  John 17:13

Joy is found in the presence of Christ. The more you are around Him the more joyful you become.

Jesus there is nothing better than being in Your joyful presence. You always make our time remarkable and I praise You for that. Amen

Tucked Away

When joy seems to be far away stop and look within-within the Word.

There you will find it tucked away in every promise of God.

Jesus the joy You give could not be wrapped up in a greater gift than Your word. Thank You! 

Not in... but in

Joy is not found in self, it is found in grace.

Finding Joy

Finding joy, easy or hard? Depends on the situation I suppose. Isn’t there joy to be found in ALL situations?

Yes!

So how do you find that joy?

In Jesus

It is not something earned or anything we can work for.

Joy is a gift-given by the Lord.

All we have to do is take the gift, right?

Yes!

Then what?

Do we open it and automatically become filled with joy?

Oh, that it would be that easy, that everlasting.

Easy, maybe not-everlasting-YES!

How is that-because Jesus is everlasting and all things in Him are everlasting.

So what do we do then with this gift of joy?

We just keep opening it up every day in all situations, at all times.

What does this gift look like, does it re-wrap itself?

It looks like Jesus and it always re-wraps itself and even presents itself in different ways everytime.

Is there another name for this gift, you know other than joy?

Yes!

What is it?

The Bible!

Jesus when we feel like we are all joyed out, or when we are not even sure about this thing called joy redirect us to Your Word. Amen