Life can get pretty tough at times. Nothing seems to go right, and Murphy’s Law gets put into action. It seems like no matter what we do we can’t get our heads above water and nothing we do helps. There is the constant pressure of doing what the world wants rather than what God wants. I know there are times when I just feel like God could care less about my silly problems that I have let bother me and eat at my skin. He is an Almighty God, why should He have to deal with my drama?
Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.”
That’s right, God knows exactly what we are going through. No matter what it is. He sees you, He’s near you, He knows your face, He knows your pain, He knows everything you are going through! He knows YOUR name! (Song: Name - Fireflight)
We serve a powerful God that loves the individual as much as the group. He wants to be bothered with the “little” things. The situations that worry us, worry Him. If it matters to us, it matters to Him. He loves us, and we love Him!
Challenge: Do you know someone who is struggling with problems, and it seems that if it can go wrong it goes wrong for them? If you do, do something for them to let them know that you see their struggles, which means that God sees their struggles and that with Him the burden won’t be heavy any longer.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Fight the Tide
Have you ever asked God for something? Maybe a favor, or maybe to see changes take place? What do you say in your prayer? Does it sound something like this: Lord if you would please just do this for me I will be a faithful and humble servant of yours? Then after a couple weeks of nothing, you wonder why God didn't do it.
As a Christian, we start out as on fire for God as anyone you will ever see. You have this passion for Jesus that is unlike anything anyone will ever witness. Trials and tribulations will come up against a new Christian and it doesn't even seem to phase them. After a while though, the passion seems to dwindle and everything becomes routine. There is no longer any fight left in you. You stop fighting and you start drifting.
To live for God, you have to fight the tide, and when you stop fighting, you fall away from God. It's a slow fade from being on fire to a dwindling ember. When we are on fire for God, we are in complete submission to everything He wants us to do. As we fall away we stop the submission and go into this false pretense of fighting for the Lord. We even trick ourselves into thinking that we are working for the Almighty. When we stop fighting for God, we become part of the problem.
God wants to bless us and give us riches beyond measure, we just have to take the first step. We have to reach out for him and He will reach out to us faster than you can blink an eye. Remind yourself that you can't stop fighting the tide, because if you do, you will drown, and it will be no one's fault but your own. Check yourself, are you still fighting?
As a Christian, we start out as on fire for God as anyone you will ever see. You have this passion for Jesus that is unlike anything anyone will ever witness. Trials and tribulations will come up against a new Christian and it doesn't even seem to phase them. After a while though, the passion seems to dwindle and everything becomes routine. There is no longer any fight left in you. You stop fighting and you start drifting.
To live for God, you have to fight the tide, and when you stop fighting, you fall away from God. It's a slow fade from being on fire to a dwindling ember. When we are on fire for God, we are in complete submission to everything He wants us to do. As we fall away we stop the submission and go into this false pretense of fighting for the Lord. We even trick ourselves into thinking that we are working for the Almighty. When we stop fighting for God, we become part of the problem.
God wants to bless us and give us riches beyond measure, we just have to take the first step. We have to reach out for him and He will reach out to us faster than you can blink an eye. Remind yourself that you can't stop fighting the tide, because if you do, you will drown, and it will be no one's fault but your own. Check yourself, are you still fighting?
Love One Another
The night before Jesus was crucified, he issued a new commandment to his disciples. In John 13:34 He said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This is not a new statement from the Bible, it was also mentioned in Leviticus 19:18,34 so why is this a “new” commandment?
It meant that there should now be a new relationship, Christians are part of a family, not just neighbors. It meant that there was a new standard being put down, Jesus had raised the bar and Christians were to love as Jesus had loved. It meant that there would be a new result, when nonbelievers would witness the love Christians had for one another they would realize that they were followers of Jesus.
So, love one another and treat each other with respect. Show others that you are living a life worth living.
It meant that there should now be a new relationship, Christians are part of a family, not just neighbors. It meant that there was a new standard being put down, Jesus had raised the bar and Christians were to love as Jesus had loved. It meant that there would be a new result, when nonbelievers would witness the love Christians had for one another they would realize that they were followers of Jesus.
So, love one another and treat each other with respect. Show others that you are living a life worth living.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Angels Among Us
When Nanny was alive and I would stay the night with her I can remember just before we would go to bed, we would say our prayers. I loved to listen to her pray, she would always pray for God to put Angels at the north, south, east and west sides of the house to keep us safe. Then she would ask God to put Angels at everyone's house that she could name. Sometimes her prayers would go on for a good thirty minutes just because she didn't want to miss anyone.
Angels are God's protecting army. In 2 Kings 6:17-17, Elisha had a servant that was scared of the enemy that surrounded them. Elisha told him not to be scared because those that were with them were more than those who were with their enemies. God opened the servant's eyes to where he could see the horses and chariots of fire all around them, protecting them from the enemy army.
God's Angels are still here today protecting us. The Angels of God and the angels of Satan are at a constant state of battle in an "invisible" war that we cannot see. They are fighting to keep the demons and the Devil at bay while Christians strengthen themselves in the word of the Lord.
There is not a doubt in my mind that some of those Angels are past loved ones that have gone on to be with Jesus. I can feel it in the deepest depths of my heart that Nanny, Gran, and Aunt Margie are constantly watching over me to make sure I stay on the strait and narrow path, and my Granddad Larue is in the battle with Satan's fallen angels to make sure they don't harm me. I owe my good raising to those loved ones that are already home, and I owe it to them and to the Lord to make sure I do my job to win the good fight.
Angels are God's protecting army. In 2 Kings 6:17-17, Elisha had a servant that was scared of the enemy that surrounded them. Elisha told him not to be scared because those that were with them were more than those who were with their enemies. God opened the servant's eyes to where he could see the horses and chariots of fire all around them, protecting them from the enemy army.
God's Angels are still here today protecting us. The Angels of God and the angels of Satan are at a constant state of battle in an "invisible" war that we cannot see. They are fighting to keep the demons and the Devil at bay while Christians strengthen themselves in the word of the Lord.
There is not a doubt in my mind that some of those Angels are past loved ones that have gone on to be with Jesus. I can feel it in the deepest depths of my heart that Nanny, Gran, and Aunt Margie are constantly watching over me to make sure I stay on the strait and narrow path, and my Granddad Larue is in the battle with Satan's fallen angels to make sure they don't harm me. I owe my good raising to those loved ones that are already home, and I owe it to them and to the Lord to make sure I do my job to win the good fight.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
A Right Now Move of God
Luke 8:43-48
This is the story of the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years. She had done all that she knew to do. She spent all her money on doctor’s visits, and no one could make her better. She was at her wits end and felt that all was lost. Many of us have been there. We have been at that point where it looks like all hope is gone and the worst is to come.
However the woman new that there was one last thing she could do, she knew that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ robe she would be healed. She new with all of her heart that if she could just touch his clothing, all her suffering would be over.
Why can’t we all have faith like that? We are always trying to fix something in ourselves or with our lives. It would be so easy if we would just let go and let God. Why do we torture ourselves by obsessing over the things we cannot fix? What we need is a right now move of God to wash over us and our situations. It is a simple five word phrase, “God, I need your help.” Saying it is not the hard part though, it’s the complete submission to His glory. We know in our hearts that He can do it, but our “humanness” gets in the way. We want to be able to be in control and to fix our needs, but that’s not our job. Our job is to give it all to God.
So right now, I am giving it o God, because he will fix it. I am going to stop getting in the way, and just let Him in the driver’s seat to steer my path and watch His plan unfold before me.
This is the story of the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years. She had done all that she knew to do. She spent all her money on doctor’s visits, and no one could make her better. She was at her wits end and felt that all was lost. Many of us have been there. We have been at that point where it looks like all hope is gone and the worst is to come.
However the woman new that there was one last thing she could do, she knew that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ robe she would be healed. She new with all of her heart that if she could just touch his clothing, all her suffering would be over.
Why can’t we all have faith like that? We are always trying to fix something in ourselves or with our lives. It would be so easy if we would just let go and let God. Why do we torture ourselves by obsessing over the things we cannot fix? What we need is a right now move of God to wash over us and our situations. It is a simple five word phrase, “God, I need your help.” Saying it is not the hard part though, it’s the complete submission to His glory. We know in our hearts that He can do it, but our “humanness” gets in the way. We want to be able to be in control and to fix our needs, but that’s not our job. Our job is to give it all to God.
So right now, I am giving it o God, because he will fix it. I am going to stop getting in the way, and just let Him in the driver’s seat to steer my path and watch His plan unfold before me.
My Brother's Keeper
2 Kings 2:1-14
As a Christian, we are supposed to look out for one another. Keep each other in check, and to spread the good word. A great way to look out for one another is to take someone who looks up to you and put them under your wing. Show them the way to live for Christ and how they can live in this crazy and hectic world while still living for Jesus. Show them that you make mistakes and they will make mistakes and that as long as we don't keep making the same mistake it will all be okay.
Every Elijah needs an Elisha, and every Elisha needs an Elijah. As a young Christian woman, I am expected to set an example for people to look at. At the same time I am looking at people who have lived to show me what I am supposed to do. The church needs to be a place to go and look ahead at what we are to do in the future, not a place to go and be judged by those older than us.
Three years ago many of the youth were living by a life verse that we had on bracelets that we NEVER took off. Those of us that had them are now older and realizing that the verse we were living by is slowly but surely becoming less relevant to us. That verse was 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." Now, we pass that verse down to the even younger generation that looks up to us.
I hope that we all can take up our mantle's and be that guiding light, God meant for us to be. Leave the petty things behind, leave the opinions of others in the dust, and to be that Elijah for the Elisha generation.
As a Christian, we are supposed to look out for one another. Keep each other in check, and to spread the good word. A great way to look out for one another is to take someone who looks up to you and put them under your wing. Show them the way to live for Christ and how they can live in this crazy and hectic world while still living for Jesus. Show them that you make mistakes and they will make mistakes and that as long as we don't keep making the same mistake it will all be okay.
Every Elijah needs an Elisha, and every Elisha needs an Elijah. As a young Christian woman, I am expected to set an example for people to look at. At the same time I am looking at people who have lived to show me what I am supposed to do. The church needs to be a place to go and look ahead at what we are to do in the future, not a place to go and be judged by those older than us.
Three years ago many of the youth were living by a life verse that we had on bracelets that we NEVER took off. Those of us that had them are now older and realizing that the verse we were living by is slowly but surely becoming less relevant to us. That verse was 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." Now, we pass that verse down to the even younger generation that looks up to us.
I hope that we all can take up our mantle's and be that guiding light, God meant for us to be. Leave the petty things behind, leave the opinions of others in the dust, and to be that Elijah for the Elisha generation.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Think Think Think
Just some phrases, quotes, verses, and etc. that made me think.....
- Jesus was... betrayed....falsely accused....mocked and judged....condemned and whipped....punched....slapped....spit upon....pushed around....humiliated....stripped down....cursed at....abused....pierced....and finally Crucified. ~John 3:16
- If our greatest need would have been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need would have been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need would have been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a savior. ~David Ward (morning message)
- Crossroads call for choices, and the choices we make will change the pattern of our lives. God and the Devil are both waiting at the crossroads, each attempting to direct one's paths, to heaven or to hell. ~Herbert O'Driscoll
- Just think, You're here not by chance but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else - you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace cannot give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation. ~Roy Lessin
- To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven. ~Eccl. 3:1
- If someone prays for patience, does God give them patience, or does He give them opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage, or does He give them opportunity to be courageous? If someone prays for their family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does He give them opportunity to love each other? ~Evan Almighty
- Can't keep a bird from landing on your head, but you can keep it from building a nest. ~Bro. Neal
- Take just one step on the battlefield and the giant WILL fall. ~Bro. Ashley
- Faith is a bluebird you see from afar, you can't touch it, or buy it, or wrap it up tight, but it's there just the same making things turn out right. ~The Rescuers
- Notify your face! ~Bro. Neal
Beauty in the Storm
Everyday I get up and get ready for the day. I spend approximately an hour and fifteen minutes getting ready in the morning from shower to finish. I find something to wear, blow dry my hair, put on my full face makeup, straighten my hair, then accessorize. I do all this to just to start my day. This is what the world has come to expect of me, and I do it for the most part.
Don't get me wrong, I love to get ready, it makes me feel better if I do that routine, than if I were to go "naked and natural". However, every time I open a magazine for whatever reason, I am bombarded with "pretty" people. Their hair is never out of place, makeup is flawless, and there isn't an ounce of cellulite to be seen. In what world is this the norm? Where I come from, people eat, have bad hair days, struggle with their weight, everyday is NOT perfect.
On this Earth there has only been one perfect person. That was the man that came here to do one thing and that was to give his life for no other reason but because He loved us. Jesus always knew what was going to happen to him. He did everything with us in His mind. He saw me and all my imperfections and still gave up His life. He loved me for me, flaws and all.
Now we must love ourselves and each other because He did. Jesus loves us, so we should love us. When God made you, He made you with a purpose and saw you as you needed to be. It is okay to want to make yourself feel better as long as it is for the glory of God and not yourself. There can never be a more beautiful you than when you are giving God the glory.
Don't get me wrong, I love to get ready, it makes me feel better if I do that routine, than if I were to go "naked and natural". However, every time I open a magazine for whatever reason, I am bombarded with "pretty" people. Their hair is never out of place, makeup is flawless, and there isn't an ounce of cellulite to be seen. In what world is this the norm? Where I come from, people eat, have bad hair days, struggle with their weight, everyday is NOT perfect.
On this Earth there has only been one perfect person. That was the man that came here to do one thing and that was to give his life for no other reason but because He loved us. Jesus always knew what was going to happen to him. He did everything with us in His mind. He saw me and all my imperfections and still gave up His life. He loved me for me, flaws and all.
Now we must love ourselves and each other because He did. Jesus loves us, so we should love us. When God made you, He made you with a purpose and saw you as you needed to be. It is okay to want to make yourself feel better as long as it is for the glory of God and not yourself. There can never be a more beautiful you than when you are giving God the glory.
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