John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (Jesus)
Colossians 3:12-17 "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." NLT (Emphasis is mine)
Sweet Lord,
Over the past few days You have been impressing on me something I should have seen years ago, but evidently was still too much of a babe in the Word for you to show me. I have read the commands You give me in this passage of Colossians, and have even taught the "Put off- Put On" lesson to children. I have seen those commands and have tried to live up to them. However; I have missed the other commands that follow.
In John, You tell me that You are giving me the peace that passes all understanding. In this world of turmoil, that is precious gift that cannot be taken away. However; it is obvious in my life and in the passage in Colossians, that I am commanded the LET that peace that comes from You rule in my heart and to LET the message about You in all its richness, fill my life. This tells me that moment by moment I have a choice to make: get anxious about what is going on in my life and in the world around me, or let Your peace rule.
So, just how am I supposed to let peace rule? You tell me three times here...THANKFULNESS! Lord, it can be so very easy to get to the edge of the "Pit of Self-pity" that the enemy can just blow a tiny breath at me and I fall in. It is very hard to get out of that slippery pit once I fall in and it is very deep. The ladder of safety comes from a heart of gratitude!
I remember a time when there was a lot of illness and huge medical issues going on in our family. I really had not been anxious or anything about it because I had chosen not to get bogged down. I went to church one Sunday and a very well meaning person came up to me and asked how I was. I told them I was doing fine...and that was not a lie. They said, "You don't look fine. You look tired...tired of having to take care of everyone else."
WOW! That one sentence sent me into that pit with a slam dunk! Only when I realized that it was the enemy talking to me through that person was I able to see my way out...GRATITUDE! I started listing in my heart all the positive things You were doing in my life and in the lives of the very loved ones I to which I was mi ministering!
Lord, in ministering the way I do at my job, I see a lot of Christians that are oppressed by anxiety to the point of having to take medications to help them. If they would only see that if they are truly a Christ Follower, they have that perfect peace within their spirit already...a gift from You. They simply need to LET it rule their hearts and be grateful.
You say we are "called to peace". We talk a lot about God's "calling" on our lives as to our vocation. However; here You tell us we are already called to live in peace and to always be thankful.
Precious Lord,
Today I humbly ask forgiveness for my anxious thoughts that creep into my head. Help me to banish them with thankfulness so I might let the message about You, in all its richness, fill my life so I might be able to teach and counsel others with all the wisdom You give, sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with a thankful heart. And whatever I do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through You to God the Father!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Conformed or Transformed? That is the Question!
Rom 12:2 KJV “And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God.”
Rom 12:2 NLT “Don't copy
the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new
person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will
for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Oh, Lord,
Just when I think I have a handle on this Christian walk, I
find I am still too much like the world.
Lord, forgive me!
You have been bringing everything into my life from all
areas this week about how what I think if in direct correlation with the
condition of my heart. So, I am writing
down my weaknesses and replacing them with what You would have me think
instead. So I need to see my actions and
thoughts against how I should be thinking and acting to be able to change.
What I think What
You would have me think
|
That guy just cut me off!
I can’t believe they just said that to me!
They are so hard to get along with.
I wish they would just stop talking!
They are just so argumentative!
This person is so mean and rude!
What do you expect of me, perfection?
Why can’t they just GROW UP?
|
He must be in a hurry, pray for him!
Check your pride and pray!
Lord, what are they struggling with that I can help them?
Help me, Lord to be a better listener, patient and compassionate.
Am I not getting what they are trying to convey? Help me to be a better listener.
Lord, this person is a grace/ mercy test. Help me to give them the grace You have
given me. How have they been hurt to
make them so angry?
Lord, I am not perfect.
Help me to be OK with that and know I am a work in progress.
Lord, help me to be the mentor and teach them better
lifeskills.
|
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Running but Refreshed
Heb 12:1-2 NLT "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."
I am tired when:
1. I need to run unencumbered and forgiven
Jesus
Only
Y'all
I am tired when:
- I feel a constant sense of being rushed
- When I have difficulty making decisions
- When I have a surplus of information
- When I live in a stale relationship with God
- Hebrews 12:1 My Purpose
- Hebrews 12:2 My Strength
1. I need to run unencumbered and forgiven
- Not with a grudge Ephesians 4:31-32 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
- Not with regrets 2Corinthians 7:10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
- Not with guilt Romans 8:1 "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."
- Not with unconfessed sin 1 John 1:9-10 "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts."
- verse 1 No condemnation
- verse 6 Peace
- verse 8 All things work together for good
- verse 31 Confidence for living
- verse 39 Security of life in Christ
- Hebrews 12:1; Matthew 24:14
- Hebrews 12:1-2
- Psalm 23:1-3
Jesus
Only
Y'all
Thursday, January 8, 2015
A New Year to Not Waste Time
1Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 5:6, 8, 16-22 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. ... But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. ... Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Lord, it is already the end of the first week of January and new Years Resolutions are being broken. How very sad.
Today in Thessalonians, Paul urges me to pray without ceasing, be thankful always, and to praise you continually. All my "spare time" should be used for these purposes. Help me, Lord to do just that today and for the rest of my days, not as a New Years resolution, but in a way of life. This is quite a to do list that should keep me busy in a good way all year and for the rest of my life.
In our day we are prodded to go here see this or that, go there and do this or that, buy this, play that, work at this and that. If you can't do it in person, do it digitally. Some one told me once, "If Satan can't make you sin, he'll make you busy." That is so true, Lord.
Today after my time with you I made cookie dough, went to the store, came home and took care of the groceries, rolled out and baked and decorated the cookies, sat down in the living room with Dick and ate lunch, went back out to the kitchen and decorated the rest of the cookies, and worked on the scrap books. I finally took the CD player into the kitchen to listen to hymn music while I worked. It was a salve for my soul, but also a conviction that I do not spend enough time praising You even while I am doing other things.
Lord, I had not sung those hymns in years and could not remember all of the words. I praise you that I have a hymn book and can look them up and read the words again, and I will do so. I need Your help to remind me to STOP, Think, Thank You, Pray, Praise, and be JOYFUL!
Lord, it is already the end of the first week of January and new Years Resolutions are being broken. How very sad.
Today in Thessalonians, Paul urges me to pray without ceasing, be thankful always, and to praise you continually. All my "spare time" should be used for these purposes. Help me, Lord to do just that today and for the rest of my days, not as a New Years resolution, but in a way of life. This is quite a to do list that should keep me busy in a good way all year and for the rest of my life.
In our day we are prodded to go here see this or that, go there and do this or that, buy this, play that, work at this and that. If you can't do it in person, do it digitally. Some one told me once, "If Satan can't make you sin, he'll make you busy." That is so true, Lord.
Today after my time with you I made cookie dough, went to the store, came home and took care of the groceries, rolled out and baked and decorated the cookies, sat down in the living room with Dick and ate lunch, went back out to the kitchen and decorated the rest of the cookies, and worked on the scrap books. I finally took the CD player into the kitchen to listen to hymn music while I worked. It was a salve for my soul, but also a conviction that I do not spend enough time praising You even while I am doing other things.
Lord, I had not sung those hymns in years and could not remember all of the words. I praise you that I have a hymn book and can look them up and read the words again, and I will do so. I need Your help to remind me to STOP, Think, Thank You, Pray, Praise, and be JOYFUL!
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
True Christmas
Luke 2:5-7 "He (Joseph) went there (Bethlehem) to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." NIV
Lord, You are teaching me the most important reason for Christmas this year as You have done in the past. We have had so many unconventional, non-Hallmark Channel movie Christmases in our lives together, and when we have, the true meaning has been made clear to us. It is celebrating Your birth...nothing else.
Our plans are not Your plans. Our plans were to fly to family 2 days before Christmas to have Pre-Christmas "fun" with them. However; severe weather in the Southeast is preventing that. Two aborted flights later, Dick and I will be spending Christmas Eve, and possibly the whole Christmas holiday, alone here. Of course we are disappointed, but must yield to Your plan, not ours as we have no choice.
I do praise You, Lord for Your foresight keeping us out of that weather, and we pray for all those who suffered so much damage from tornadoes, flooding, and of course totally aborted Christmas plans for them and their families. We pray for all of those who are grieving because of loss of loved ones, the first responders and all those other Public works workers who will now work through their holiday doing the cleanup.
I pray, Lord, for all those who are serving our country in the military here and abroad who cannot spend this Christmas with loved ones, for the police, EMTs, Firemen, and all of the hospital workers who cannot have the time off with family and are dealing with tragedies over these days.
We are so blessed to have food, shelter, warmth, and utilities in our little home. You had none of that except a crude cave to be born in. We are safe and sound, and still have the hope we may be able to travel tomorrow. We have telephone service so we can call the family and share in their Christmas Eve times too. You and your earthly parents had none of that. I have my beloved here with me, and I thank You for that too. There are many widows and widowers out there who are alone.
Your gift to us is the most important reason to celebrate! I could allow disappointment to ruin the celebration and get depressed and miserable. But I personally choose to let go of my plans, celebrate as I can and rejoice in Your unsearchable gift of salvation and the hope we have because of it. After all, it is Your Birthday Celebration...not mine; even if You may have been born on a different day of the year...so Happy Birthday, Jesus, and thank You for being willing to be born as a human baby knowing full well that it meant Your human death years later as our perfect sacrifice for OUR sins, not Yours.
So, it is not about presents, special foods, or even being with the ones we love that makes Christmas wonderful. It's remembering and praising You!
Lord, You are teaching me the most important reason for Christmas this year as You have done in the past. We have had so many unconventional, non-Hallmark Channel movie Christmases in our lives together, and when we have, the true meaning has been made clear to us. It is celebrating Your birth...nothing else.
Our plans are not Your plans. Our plans were to fly to family 2 days before Christmas to have Pre-Christmas "fun" with them. However; severe weather in the Southeast is preventing that. Two aborted flights later, Dick and I will be spending Christmas Eve, and possibly the whole Christmas holiday, alone here. Of course we are disappointed, but must yield to Your plan, not ours as we have no choice.
I do praise You, Lord for Your foresight keeping us out of that weather, and we pray for all those who suffered so much damage from tornadoes, flooding, and of course totally aborted Christmas plans for them and their families. We pray for all of those who are grieving because of loss of loved ones, the first responders and all those other Public works workers who will now work through their holiday doing the cleanup.
I pray, Lord, for all those who are serving our country in the military here and abroad who cannot spend this Christmas with loved ones, for the police, EMTs, Firemen, and all of the hospital workers who cannot have the time off with family and are dealing with tragedies over these days.
We are so blessed to have food, shelter, warmth, and utilities in our little home. You had none of that except a crude cave to be born in. We are safe and sound, and still have the hope we may be able to travel tomorrow. We have telephone service so we can call the family and share in their Christmas Eve times too. You and your earthly parents had none of that. I have my beloved here with me, and I thank You for that too. There are many widows and widowers out there who are alone.
Your gift to us is the most important reason to celebrate! I could allow disappointment to ruin the celebration and get depressed and miserable. But I personally choose to let go of my plans, celebrate as I can and rejoice in Your unsearchable gift of salvation and the hope we have because of it. After all, it is Your Birthday Celebration...not mine; even if You may have been born on a different day of the year...so Happy Birthday, Jesus, and thank You for being willing to be born as a human baby knowing full well that it meant Your human death years later as our perfect sacrifice for OUR sins, not Yours.
So, it is not about presents, special foods, or even being with the ones we love that makes Christmas wonderful. It's remembering and praising You!
Monday, December 22, 2014
True Christmas LIGHT!
John 9:5; 8:12 "But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." NLT
Lord, As I sit at my kitchen table this morning with the three candles burning, the Christmas tree and the mantle lighted in the living room, I know that my favorite part of our Christmas celebration is not the gifts, busyness, baking, parties, etc.,it is the Christmas lights. It reminds me that You are the "light of the World" and that we are to be light to others.
It was very dark this morning when I awoke at 6 AM. It seemed cold and uncaring that I was up and would be getting ready for work. I plugged in the Christmas lights in the living room and immediately the mood changed. It was suddenly warm, friendly, and comforting. In the kitchen, instead of turning on the big light, I let the candles on the table. It transformed the "working" part of our home into a gentle resting place of peace with You.
The world outside is busy, hectic, and cold this time of year...but here in this "sanctuary" with You and the lights it is peaceful, warm, and wonderfully transformed. You came into the world to bring light to dis-spell the the darkness, peace in the storms of life, and comfort for the harried hurting souls.
Although there are other Christmas lights inside and outside most American homes at Christmas time, I fear they are not seeing the true Light. Towns, businesses are all "decked out", but the purpose is not to bring You and Your truth into their abodes, but something more human they call the "Spirit of Christmas". They hope it will bring in business and attempt to get people to act not so much like the sinners they are, but to be more loving and kind to each other. In all of that they miss YOU! the "Christmas" songs are all about snow, friends, and references to Santa Claus or sleigh rides.
All I have to do is to read the headlines in the morning paper to know that You are not yet the ruler of this dark world and it desperately needs Your LIGHT!
Lord, I am so unworthy that You came and shone Your Light into my dark and miserable soul, but am eternally grateful that You gave me grace, mercy, and forgiveness! That is the best year around Christmas gift of all. Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." NLT
Lord, As I sit at my kitchen table this morning with the three candles burning, the Christmas tree and the mantle lighted in the living room, I know that my favorite part of our Christmas celebration is not the gifts, busyness, baking, parties, etc.,it is the Christmas lights. It reminds me that You are the "light of the World" and that we are to be light to others.
It was very dark this morning when I awoke at 6 AM. It seemed cold and uncaring that I was up and would be getting ready for work. I plugged in the Christmas lights in the living room and immediately the mood changed. It was suddenly warm, friendly, and comforting. In the kitchen, instead of turning on the big light, I let the candles on the table. It transformed the "working" part of our home into a gentle resting place of peace with You.
The world outside is busy, hectic, and cold this time of year...but here in this "sanctuary" with You and the lights it is peaceful, warm, and wonderfully transformed. You came into the world to bring light to dis-spell the the darkness, peace in the storms of life, and comfort for the harried hurting souls.
Although there are other Christmas lights inside and outside most American homes at Christmas time, I fear they are not seeing the true Light. Towns, businesses are all "decked out", but the purpose is not to bring You and Your truth into their abodes, but something more human they call the "Spirit of Christmas". They hope it will bring in business and attempt to get people to act not so much like the sinners they are, but to be more loving and kind to each other. In all of that they miss YOU! the "Christmas" songs are all about snow, friends, and references to Santa Claus or sleigh rides.
All I have to do is to read the headlines in the morning paper to know that You are not yet the ruler of this dark world and it desperately needs Your LIGHT!
Lord, I am so unworthy that You came and shone Your Light into my dark and miserable soul, but am eternally grateful that You gave me grace, mercy, and forgiveness! That is the best year around Christmas gift of all. Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, December 20, 2014
First Announcement- Shepherds!
Luke 2:8-18, 20
"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, ... The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."
Sweet Lord,
It seems nothing the Trinity plans makes sense to us lowly humans in our fleshly sinful state.
In our thinking, if the long awaited Messiah was born:
You knew what the reaction would be if You had it told to the heads of state (Herod), and the religious elite- jealousy and intent to eliminate You from the face of the earth because of their arrogance. 1Corinthians 1:27 KJV "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;"
This makes me think, Lord...would You have chosen me too that night, or would You have avoided me knowing I would keep the good news to myself in fear that others might think I was nuts? After all- angles appearing in the sky? A Messiah in a food troth in a cave outside the city?
It took me 26 years after I was born to really believe the story I had heard every Christmas of my life.
Precious Lord, may I be obedient still to tell the good news to those who need to hear!
"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, ... The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."
Sweet Lord,
It seems nothing the Trinity plans makes sense to us lowly humans in our fleshly sinful state.
In our thinking, if the long awaited Messiah was born:
- He would not be born in a cave with animals around, but in a nice sterile environment to protect him and his mother.
- The first to be told of His birth would be heads of state and the religious elite, not the lowliest shepherds in a field. They stunk of sweat, sheep, and dirt and lived with the sheep outside the city for a reason!
You knew what the reaction would be if You had it told to the heads of state (Herod), and the religious elite- jealousy and intent to eliminate You from the face of the earth because of their arrogance. 1Corinthians 1:27 KJV "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;"
This makes me think, Lord...would You have chosen me too that night, or would You have avoided me knowing I would keep the good news to myself in fear that others might think I was nuts? After all- angles appearing in the sky? A Messiah in a food troth in a cave outside the city?
It took me 26 years after I was born to really believe the story I had heard every Christmas of my life.
Precious Lord, may I be obedient still to tell the good news to those who need to hear!
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