The LORD has made proclamation
to the ends of the earth:
“Say to the Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.’”
They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
Isaiah 62:11-12
When I read this verse I got so excited for two reasons:
1. I am a daughter of Zion!
2. My Savior is coming back one day!
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
The benefits of spending time in God's Word are amazing.
Taking time to see what He has done and the promises He has made help me to understand God's character. This in turn builds my faith and helps me trust Him more everyday.
We spend all the time:
- we spend money on the things we need and want.
- we spend time with people that are valuable to us.
- we spend energy on the things we are passionate about.
I want to spend my time, energy and money on things of eternal value.
To invest in the One who is my Savior and friend....then to bless those in my life with the overflow of that relationship.
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before
his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—
to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 1:24-25
Thank you Daddy that every good and perfect gift comes from Your hands. May you be glorified in all that I do, all that I say and all that I spend my time, energy and money on.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Stand
Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1Peter 5:8
I have been spending time reading through the times when God won battles for the Isrealites.
It is amazing really to see that so many times they were grossly outnumbered.
So many of their leaders would be considered weak, ill-equipped, inadequate for their calling.
God always brought victory to those who kept the faith and stood firm.
They were alert to what God was saying as they faced daunting circumstances.
Our enemy is very really and his goal is to steal, kill and destroy.
His tactic is to divide and conquer.
But I will choose to stand, knowing that God is bigger, stronger and higher!
Joshua, Gideon and David's stories all showed that it is not by power or by might but by God's Spirit that we battle and overcome our enemy.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything,
to stand.
Ephesians 6:12-13
Thank you Daddy that the Truth of Your Word has power.
Please help me to be self-controlled and alert.
I will put on the full armor of God, please help me to discern Your voice, to do Your will and when I have done all You have asked me to, to stand.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Godly Friendships
Spending time with friends today, we were discussing some heavy topics.
It is such a joy to be in relationship with other women, who like me,
want to deal with the circumstances of life through the filter of God's Word.
To be in a safe place where we can share our concerns and search our bibles
for God's answer's and solutions to these concerns.
Then comes the sweet times where we can encourage and pray for each other
....what a blessing.
This is what I believe is the goal in friendships with other women!
Prayer is a beautiful thing....the glue that holds our most precious relationships together.
I see it in my peers and within the small group of teens that I get the privilege
of "doing life" together with.
I love how Titus reveals much about relationships.
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled,
and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live,
not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind,
and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
In everything set them an example by doing what is good.
In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech
that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed
because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them,
not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them,
but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed
hope —the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
These, then, are the things you should teach.
Encourage and rebuke with all authority.
Do not let anyone despise you.
Titus 2
Thank you Daddy for the precious and beautiful relationships you have placed me in. I believe that there are some women You have hand-picked for me to spend time with right now....ones that spur me onto a life of love and godliness. Thank you that You have wired us for relationship, because life is sweeter for the girlfriends You have surrounded me with.
It is such a joy to be in relationship with other women, who like me,
want to deal with the circumstances of life through the filter of God's Word.
To be in a safe place where we can share our concerns and search our bibles
for God's answer's and solutions to these concerns.
Then comes the sweet times where we can encourage and pray for each other
....what a blessing.
This is what I believe is the goal in friendships with other women!
Prayer is a beautiful thing....the glue that holds our most precious relationships together.
I see it in my peers and within the small group of teens that I get the privilege
of "doing life" together with.
I love how Titus reveals much about relationships.
(I would read it changing the words men and slaves to friends to
make it more applicable to my circumstances.)
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled,
and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live,
not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind,
and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
In everything set them an example by doing what is good.
In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech
that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed
because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them,
not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them,
but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed
hope —the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
These, then, are the things you should teach.
Encourage and rebuke with all authority.
Do not let anyone despise you.
Titus 2
Thank you Daddy for the precious and beautiful relationships you have placed me in. I believe that there are some women You have hand-picked for me to spend time with right now....ones that spur me onto a life of love and godliness. Thank you that You have wired us for relationship, because life is sweeter for the girlfriends You have surrounded me with.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A New Thing
When I intentionally take time to be still before God, something amazing happens.
HE SPEAKS!
In many ways really and it is so individual for each of us, that is another reason I am amazed.
I have felt the nudge to not allow the pressures and expectations I've put on myself to rule me.
It only leads to distraction, heartache and feelings of failure.
So, I have not been trying to rush through my to-do list, I have not been on a reading marathon.
I have been reading my bible, taking much time to pray, and expecting to hear from God.
Then while enjoying worship at church, the Holy Spirit washed over me...
it was all-consuming and I could no longer speak,
I just stood in His presence with tears washing down my face.
Those closest to me know that this is the kind of experience that breaks my heart,
and at the same time is overflowing with joy!
Then my good friend shares what God spoke to here the night before....and it shattered me!
In a good way.....He blew my socks off....He is so good!
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Thank-you Daddy for meeting me where I am at.....for reminding me that You are good and You are God!
I am so excited to see this new thing You are going to do, and I wait expectantly for you to reveal to me what You have in store for me!
HE SPEAKS!
In many ways really and it is so individual for each of us, that is another reason I am amazed.
I have felt the nudge to not allow the pressures and expectations I've put on myself to rule me.
It only leads to distraction, heartache and feelings of failure.
So, I have not been trying to rush through my to-do list, I have not been on a reading marathon.
I have been reading my bible, taking much time to pray, and expecting to hear from God.
Then while enjoying worship at church, the Holy Spirit washed over me...
it was all-consuming and I could no longer speak,
I just stood in His presence with tears washing down my face.
Those closest to me know that this is the kind of experience that breaks my heart,
and at the same time is overflowing with joy!
Then my good friend shares what God spoke to here the night before....and it shattered me!
In a good way.....He blew my socks off....He is so good!
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Thank-you Daddy for meeting me where I am at.....for reminding me that You are good and You are God!
I am so excited to see this new thing You are going to do, and I wait expectantly for you to reveal to me what You have in store for me!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Content to Be
How many times do I strive to do the things I should, be the person I think I should be,
and meet unrealistic expectations that I alone have put on myself.
I was thinking about it yesterday when I changed things up from what
I had planned to do over Lent with this blog.
I am not called to be strict and legalistic, but to walk in freedom and lead by the Holy Spirit.
Since I was away on holidays, I have found something that I wish I would
have "got" a long time ago.
I know I have probably said this to my friends, but I just recently received it in my soul;
I don't think that we are always called to DO, but sometimes we are called to just BE.
Be with the lover of my soul.
Make time to pursue a deep and intimate relationship with Him.
Take time, expecting Him to work in my heart and do big and cool things.
Wait on Him to speak to me.
And so, I continue to ponder the names of Jesus, to get to know His character better.
So the I am better able to discern his voice from that of my own thoughts.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you
that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.
For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the
land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Thank you Daddy, that because of Jesus I can live in freedom! And thank you that You have given me the Holy Spirit as my guide. As I take time to ponder Your character, please help me to continue to choose life daily. Thank you for all the amazing promises in Your precious Word.
and meet unrealistic expectations that I alone have put on myself.
I was thinking about it yesterday when I changed things up from what
I had planned to do over Lent with this blog.
I am not called to be strict and legalistic, but to walk in freedom and lead by the Holy Spirit.
Since I was away on holidays, I have found something that I wish I would
have "got" a long time ago.
I know I have probably said this to my friends, but I just recently received it in my soul;
I don't think that we are always called to DO, but sometimes we are called to just BE.
Be with the lover of my soul.
Make time to pursue a deep and intimate relationship with Him.
Take time, expecting Him to work in my heart and do big and cool things.
Wait on Him to speak to me.
And so, I continue to ponder the names of Jesus, to get to know His character better.
So the I am better able to discern his voice from that of my own thoughts.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you
that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.
For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the
land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Thank you Daddy, that because of Jesus I can live in freedom! And thank you that You have given me the Holy Spirit as my guide. As I take time to ponder Your character, please help me to continue to choose life daily. Thank you for all the amazing promises in Your precious Word.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Somthing a little Different for Today!
Today on this beautiful snowy day, we get to celebrate our oldest son!
Seven years old.....wow.....time is flying!
Some of my favorite things about Caleb are:
Like, I can't imagine where he got the need to constantly talk. ;)
Couldn't have been from me....LOL!
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
Psalm 127:3-4 NKJV
Thank you Daddy for rewarding me with two beautiful boys! I thank you for the blessing each one is to our family. Please bless Caleb today, as we celebrate his seventh birthday.
Seven years old.....wow.....time is flying!
Some of my favorite things about Caleb are:
- his love for God at a young age.
- his sense of wonder with nature.
- his compassion for other people.
- his fun-loving spirit.
- how he loves to spend time with me.
- that he tells me the things of his heart.
- that he loves to encourage people.
- that he has a good sense of right and wrong.
- that obedience matters to him.
Like, I can't imagine where he got the need to constantly talk. ;)
Couldn't have been from me....LOL!
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
Psalm 127:3-4 NKJV
Thank you Daddy for rewarding me with two beautiful boys! I thank you for the blessing each one is to our family. Please bless Caleb today, as we celebrate his seventh birthday.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Light of the World
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
Jesus is the Light of the World!
Does it feel like you are stumbling in the dark? Look up!
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
We can hold our heads up and trust Him!
Ask, seek, knock....He is ready to give abundantly more than you can ever imagine!
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Hmmmm....let's be challenged to take what God has given us, and let our lights shine!
Daddy, may You be glorified in all that I think, all that I say and all that I do!
"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
Jesus is the Light of the World!
Does it feel like you are stumbling in the dark? Look up!
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
We can hold our heads up and trust Him!
Ask, seek, knock....He is ready to give abundantly more than you can ever imagine!
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Hmmmm....let's be challenged to take what God has given us, and let our lights shine!
Daddy, may You be glorified in all that I think, all that I say and all that I do!
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