Christmas is just around the corner. It's the season we celebrate receiving the greatest gift of all: the Gift of Love. It was a miracle come to earth to save us from our sins. God loves you so much that He wants you to seek His face, turn from your sins and He will give you this precious gift.
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!' " John 1:29
Jesus came to take away our sins. There are many times throughout the Word of God that He reminds us to repent or turn from our sins. Once we do that and then place our belief in Him then He saves us and we have the promise of eternal life.
Have you asked Jesus to be your saviour yet? What are you waiting for?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
No More!
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
My church breaks up into small groups to pray for one another every Sunday. Normally, the first Sunday of the month is communion so we don't pray together because of the added time it takes in the service. This week we did both. One of my dear friends was weeping on Sunday as she relayed her prayer request (see my other blog for todays post on that). She is struggling with how her mom is doing with going on eighteen months of treatment for brain tumors.
During the message our pastor referenced Revelation 7:17 which says: "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." He was referring to the first part of the verse as he was talking about the significance of water. When I handed my friend my Bible so she could read the verse she only read the first part (as did our pastor). I handed it back to her and said, "Read the whole thing." Monday I sent her a note to see how all the doctor appointments and tests went. In her response she asked me to send her the reference to this verse as it really touched her that day.
Both of these verses in Revelation have been a source of comfort to me over the years. I've gone through many trying things in my life. It is a blessed assurance to know that when I am lifted to Heaven that the pain will be all over. The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a struggle for me as I force myself out of my comfort zone. My goal is to meet a couple of new people every day. Right now mostly for the purpose of stretching me so I don't feel so awkward when getting to the message of what my business purpose is when I'm talking with people. (That was a truly spectacular sentence!) I am happy to report that the struggles I am having now don't even remotely compare to the struggles I've gone through in my life.
As child of the King, I am encouraged to know He has a plan for me. He has a plan for my friend and for her mom. He has a plan for you as well. Where do you find yourself in tears? Look expectantantly to what that plan is for you. Know that in your times of struggle you are going to come out if it a stronger person when you continue to look to Him. By staying in His Word, in fellowship with other believers and in worship both privately and corporately He will bring you what you need now.
Resting in the peace of knowing Who holds tomorrow.
My church breaks up into small groups to pray for one another every Sunday. Normally, the first Sunday of the month is communion so we don't pray together because of the added time it takes in the service. This week we did both. One of my dear friends was weeping on Sunday as she relayed her prayer request (see my other blog for todays post on that). She is struggling with how her mom is doing with going on eighteen months of treatment for brain tumors.
During the message our pastor referenced Revelation 7:17 which says: "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." He was referring to the first part of the verse as he was talking about the significance of water. When I handed my friend my Bible so she could read the verse she only read the first part (as did our pastor). I handed it back to her and said, "Read the whole thing." Monday I sent her a note to see how all the doctor appointments and tests went. In her response she asked me to send her the reference to this verse as it really touched her that day.
Both of these verses in Revelation have been a source of comfort to me over the years. I've gone through many trying things in my life. It is a blessed assurance to know that when I am lifted to Heaven that the pain will be all over. The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a struggle for me as I force myself out of my comfort zone. My goal is to meet a couple of new people every day. Right now mostly for the purpose of stretching me so I don't feel so awkward when getting to the message of what my business purpose is when I'm talking with people. (That was a truly spectacular sentence!) I am happy to report that the struggles I am having now don't even remotely compare to the struggles I've gone through in my life.
As child of the King, I am encouraged to know He has a plan for me. He has a plan for my friend and for her mom. He has a plan for you as well. Where do you find yourself in tears? Look expectantantly to what that plan is for you. Know that in your times of struggle you are going to come out if it a stronger person when you continue to look to Him. By staying in His Word, in fellowship with other believers and in worship both privately and corporately He will bring you what you need now.
Resting in the peace of knowing Who holds tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Where is my wickedness?
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
David said, "Search my heart, Oh God, and let me know if there be any wicked way in me." This scripture is quoted often. Do you know the verses before it? "For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies." (vs 20-22) Think about this a minute. David was talking with the Lord about those who openly despised Him. David realized that God didn't need him to defend His name. He may have seemed justified in his hatred, but he stopped and asked the Lord to search him for his wickedness.
Have you ever taken the time to search your heart? What did you find? If you found nothing then you didn't spend the time God has called you to in the search. We all have wickedness in us that must be overcome by the Holy Spirit. God wouldn't have given us this scripture if we didn't. When you prepare yourself for your day think on how God would have you react to people. Salt and Light. You may not think this, but you are being watched.
God doesn't call us to be doormats to others. He does expect us to conduct ourselves in manner befitting His Name. How can we do that if we don't continually search what is in our hearts?
Seeking His heart in all I do and say.
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
David said, "Search my heart, Oh God, and let me know if there be any wicked way in me." This scripture is quoted often. Do you know the verses before it? "For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies." (vs 20-22) Think about this a minute. David was talking with the Lord about those who openly despised Him. David realized that God didn't need him to defend His name. He may have seemed justified in his hatred, but he stopped and asked the Lord to search him for his wickedness.
Have you ever taken the time to search your heart? What did you find? If you found nothing then you didn't spend the time God has called you to in the search. We all have wickedness in us that must be overcome by the Holy Spirit. God wouldn't have given us this scripture if we didn't. When you prepare yourself for your day think on how God would have you react to people. Salt and Light. You may not think this, but you are being watched.
God doesn't call us to be doormats to others. He does expect us to conduct ourselves in manner befitting His Name. How can we do that if we don't continually search what is in our hearts?
Seeking His heart in all I do and say.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Who has the Son?
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:12
It's that simple. There is only one way to eternal life and that is in Christ Jesus. You can't just "be a good person" and get to heaven. You have to know Jesus as your Savior and allow Him to be Lord of your life. I know a lot of nice people who are not going to heaven if they were to die right now. I continue to do my job and tell them about Jesus, but I continue to hear things like "That may work for you, but it's not for me."
It grieves my heart when people reject Jesus. I can get over them rejecting my business plan. That's their freedom on earth they are throwing away. However, when they turn down the One who will save them for all eternity it breaks my heart. I pray for them ~ prayer is what I do best ~ but when they openly turn away I can do nothing but weep.
God is good. God is the only one who can change a person's heart. Look at the example of Pharoh with Moses: God opened his heart to let the Israelites leave Egypt. Then the Word says, "He hardened his heart..." Why does God harden a person's heart?
Where is your heart when God has called you to do things that you don't want to do? There are people right next to you every day that don't know the Son. Are you being salt and light in their eyes? Do you allow for conversation that will open the door to sharing the salvation story? Next time you are out in the world, look for the opportunity that God places before you to share the truth. Remember, He is not willing that ANY should perish.
Living in the shadow of His wing.
It's that simple. There is only one way to eternal life and that is in Christ Jesus. You can't just "be a good person" and get to heaven. You have to know Jesus as your Savior and allow Him to be Lord of your life. I know a lot of nice people who are not going to heaven if they were to die right now. I continue to do my job and tell them about Jesus, but I continue to hear things like "That may work for you, but it's not for me."
It grieves my heart when people reject Jesus. I can get over them rejecting my business plan. That's their freedom on earth they are throwing away. However, when they turn down the One who will save them for all eternity it breaks my heart. I pray for them ~ prayer is what I do best ~ but when they openly turn away I can do nothing but weep.
God is good. God is the only one who can change a person's heart. Look at the example of Pharoh with Moses: God opened his heart to let the Israelites leave Egypt. Then the Word says, "He hardened his heart..." Why does God harden a person's heart?
Where is your heart when God has called you to do things that you don't want to do? There are people right next to you every day that don't know the Son. Are you being salt and light in their eyes? Do you allow for conversation that will open the door to sharing the salvation story? Next time you are out in the world, look for the opportunity that God places before you to share the truth. Remember, He is not willing that ANY should perish.
Living in the shadow of His wing.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Staying Out There
My business plan I was supposed to show last night cancelled at the last minute. You'd love the excuse on this one: "I found out I had two friends at church that do this and I don't know where else I would sell." She's a neighbor of a friend of mine so I don't have her direct contact information. My friend sent me an email saying she stopped by during the day and told her she didn't want to move forward. She hasn't even taken the time to see what it entails.
My friend called me last night to tell me that her friend is not really reliable anyway. I told her that would have come out if she got involved. Typing this now, my genius realizes that it came out a lot sooner. I would have loved the practice of showing the plan over the phone with the internet. It's a whole different aspect since I don't have the visual clues on people.
Tomorrow I am following up with a friend of mine from church. I took him to a meeting that Bill Hawkins did on Tuesday. Before the meeting even started Anthony commented on the great atmosphere. He's right. Everyone is there to succeed and that's the pervasive attitude throughout the convention center. I've been talking with him for about a year now. He's cancelled several times. Just after the Governator signed off on laying off hundreds of thousands of people and lowering salaries of more I think was when Anthony realized his government job wasn't so secure anymore. Now he's looking at his options.
Let's see what the future holds!
My friend called me last night to tell me that her friend is not really reliable anyway. I told her that would have come out if she got involved. Typing this now, my genius realizes that it came out a lot sooner. I would have loved the practice of showing the plan over the phone with the internet. It's a whole different aspect since I don't have the visual clues on people.
Tomorrow I am following up with a friend of mine from church. I took him to a meeting that Bill Hawkins did on Tuesday. Before the meeting even started Anthony commented on the great atmosphere. He's right. Everyone is there to succeed and that's the pervasive attitude throughout the convention center. I've been talking with him for about a year now. He's cancelled several times. Just after the Governator signed off on laying off hundreds of thousands of people and lowering salaries of more I think was when Anthony realized his government job wasn't so secure anymore. Now he's looking at his options.
Let's see what the future holds!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
This Week In Biz
I'm seeing growth in my biz lately. It's the law of sowing and reaping in action. Debbie, my Platinum, had instructed me to focus on retail and introducing people to my product and my website. I have been picking up new customers and now people are starting to take interest in seeing the business plan. It's all very exciting! I'm looking forward to the continued growth.
This week I have a friend who will be attending a local WWDB meeting with me. It's gonna be a great meeting. Bill Hawkins is speaking. Later in the week I'm doing a meeting over the phone. My friend Sharon lives in Indiana. She has a friend that is interested in the business aspect. I'll be showing the plan to them since Dorothy doesn't have the internet. The great thing about the biz is that it's both on and off the internet.
This week I have a friend who will be attending a local WWDB meeting with me. It's gonna be a great meeting. Bill Hawkins is speaking. Later in the week I'm doing a meeting over the phone. My friend Sharon lives in Indiana. She has a friend that is interested in the business aspect. I'll be showing the plan to them since Dorothy doesn't have the internet. The great thing about the biz is that it's both on and off the internet.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Catchin' Up
It's been a while since my last post. If you read my other blog you'll understand why. However, since the purpose of this blog is much different than the day to day stuff in life I'll not go into that here.
The second of the two purposes of this blog is to share updates of my business building experiences. Last Thursday I attended a meeting for Attitude. The idea is that somebody who has achieved at least Diamond status in the business would share from their perspective. The man who shared Thursday was off the charts. It's one of the best meetings I've attended of this type. He was quite blunt, but at the same time is a people person. I like that about him ~ kinda reminds me of me.
I have seen many changes in myself over the period of time that I've been involved in my own business. It's certainly added to my walk as a Christian by further strengthening my faith in my Creator as well as expanding my character. I am truly looking forward to continued financial growth throughout the next year.
The second of the two purposes of this blog is to share updates of my business building experiences. Last Thursday I attended a meeting for Attitude. The idea is that somebody who has achieved at least Diamond status in the business would share from their perspective. The man who shared Thursday was off the charts. It's one of the best meetings I've attended of this type. He was quite blunt, but at the same time is a people person. I like that about him ~ kinda reminds me of me.
I have seen many changes in myself over the period of time that I've been involved in my own business. It's certainly added to my walk as a Christian by further strengthening my faith in my Creator as well as expanding my character. I am truly looking forward to continued financial growth throughout the next year.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
I Don't Have Time
How many times has somebody said this phrase to you or you have said this phrase to others? "I don't have time." If we don't know what the future holds how can we know what time we have? We don't even have a real concept of time. "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8
A thousand years is as one day! Look at all that time. In today's age, people are living longer than they have in centuries. Noah died at over 800 years old. My grandpa died in his 60's. My grandma turns 92 this month! Yet, we don't have time for others. Soccer, baseball, football, gymnastics, softball, water polo... I have friends whose kids are involved in all kinds of activities. Yet, when a need arises outside of the busyness there is no time for it. Where are your priorities?
Time is not free, but it's the one thing that everyone has the opportunity to share. We aren't all promised the same time on earth. However, we are all promised eternity. How will you use your time here?
I'm sharing my time to help others earn more time for what is important.
A thousand years is as one day! Look at all that time. In today's age, people are living longer than they have in centuries. Noah died at over 800 years old. My grandpa died in his 60's. My grandma turns 92 this month! Yet, we don't have time for others. Soccer, baseball, football, gymnastics, softball, water polo... I have friends whose kids are involved in all kinds of activities. Yet, when a need arises outside of the busyness there is no time for it. Where are your priorities?
Time is not free, but it's the one thing that everyone has the opportunity to share. We aren't all promised the same time on earth. However, we are all promised eternity. How will you use your time here?
I'm sharing my time to help others earn more time for what is important.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Who's Your Enemy
"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you."
Prverbs 25:21-22
It's not our purpose in life to work towards a reward. However, there are many circumstances in which the Lord promises rewards. Yesterday I talked about praying for our enemies. Today I'm talking about filling another need: provision. God is our provider in all things. When you see somebody who needs to be fed, even if he is your enemy, you need to feed him. Trust me in this, your reward may not come from him. In fact, he's likely to respond with more disdain and hate. Couple the prayers with the provision and you are honoring God.
Remember the lady and her son who had almost nothing left and fed the prophet? She and her son were provided with enough for a very long time after that step of obedience. Doesn't that sound like a great reward? Give all you have ~ it's not yours. Let God provide what is needed and He will reward you. After all, this delights Him.
Who do you need to feed? Whose hunger do you need to satisfy? Your Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He will provide the meat and bread. You provide the obedience.
Feeding those who steal from my plate.
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you."
Prverbs 25:21-22
It's not our purpose in life to work towards a reward. However, there are many circumstances in which the Lord promises rewards. Yesterday I talked about praying for our enemies. Today I'm talking about filling another need: provision. God is our provider in all things. When you see somebody who needs to be fed, even if he is your enemy, you need to feed him. Trust me in this, your reward may not come from him. In fact, he's likely to respond with more disdain and hate. Couple the prayers with the provision and you are honoring God.
Remember the lady and her son who had almost nothing left and fed the prophet? She and her son were provided with enough for a very long time after that step of obedience. Doesn't that sound like a great reward? Give all you have ~ it's not yours. Let God provide what is needed and He will reward you. After all, this delights Him.
Who do you need to feed? Whose hunger do you need to satisfy? Your Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He will provide the meat and bread. You provide the obedience.
Feeding those who steal from my plate.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Not Praying is a Sin
"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you." 1 Samuel 12:23a
This verse has been a defining scripture of my life for a very long time. God allows people to come and go in our lives for specific purposes. I have always believed that one of those reasons was to lift them up in prayer. I am still praying for people that have been gone from from my immediate life for years. Why would I spend so much time interceding for others ~ especially if they are no longer part of my life? Did you catch that? It's a SIN to NOT pray for people. Beyond that, people need prayer. Even ~ or especially ~ those who don't believe. Non-believers need us to pray for them in earnest. They need salvation from this fallen world. They need the Truth.
Who else needs our prayers? You had to know I was going to say this next part: our enemies need our prayers. Those who openly hate or defile us and what we believe. God doesn't need us to defend Him. What He wants from us is to love our enemies. What better way to do that then to pray for them. Prayer is our intimate communion time with the Lord. Our fellowship. To take that blessed time and use for those who hate us is going to do two things: it will bring us to love our enemies as God our Father does and it will bring them to their knees. "...but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b If God is longsuffering towards us, then we should follow the example and be longsuffering towards others.
Who have you lost your patience with and walked away from that now you should pray for them? Or, who has lost their patience for you and walked away from you? Only you know the truth of these situations. Allow the Lord to come into those circumstances through your prayer time with Him. I'm not saying to dwell on them. I'm saying to boldly leave them at the throne of grace and then continually pray for that person.
Praying for those who have touched my life ~ whether good or bad.
This verse has been a defining scripture of my life for a very long time. God allows people to come and go in our lives for specific purposes. I have always believed that one of those reasons was to lift them up in prayer. I am still praying for people that have been gone from from my immediate life for years. Why would I spend so much time interceding for others ~ especially if they are no longer part of my life? Did you catch that? It's a SIN to NOT pray for people. Beyond that, people need prayer. Even ~ or especially ~ those who don't believe. Non-believers need us to pray for them in earnest. They need salvation from this fallen world. They need the Truth.
Who else needs our prayers? You had to know I was going to say this next part: our enemies need our prayers. Those who openly hate or defile us and what we believe. God doesn't need us to defend Him. What He wants from us is to love our enemies. What better way to do that then to pray for them. Prayer is our intimate communion time with the Lord. Our fellowship. To take that blessed time and use for those who hate us is going to do two things: it will bring us to love our enemies as God our Father does and it will bring them to their knees. "...but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9b If God is longsuffering towards us, then we should follow the example and be longsuffering towards others.
Who have you lost your patience with and walked away from that now you should pray for them? Or, who has lost their patience for you and walked away from you? Only you know the truth of these situations. Allow the Lord to come into those circumstances through your prayer time with Him. I'm not saying to dwell on them. I'm saying to boldly leave them at the throne of grace and then continually pray for that person.
Praying for those who have touched my life ~ whether good or bad.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Truth
"For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:37
Jesus said those words to Pilate just before His crucifixion. Many people quote the phrase "the truth shall set you free." However, they leave out the first part of the statement and that is "know the truth." In America today there are people who have made it their mission for the spreading of truth to be stomped out. Tolerance is shouted from coast to coast. Yet, God's Word is intolerant. Intolerant of sin. All sin. God is Love. Jesus is Truth. The Holy Spirit guides us in Love and Truth. If you don't know Jesus, you don't know Truth and you can never bee free until you do. Make that choice today.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
I am resting in Truth today.
Jesus said those words to Pilate just before His crucifixion. Many people quote the phrase "the truth shall set you free." However, they leave out the first part of the statement and that is "know the truth." In America today there are people who have made it their mission for the spreading of truth to be stomped out. Tolerance is shouted from coast to coast. Yet, God's Word is intolerant. Intolerant of sin. All sin. God is Love. Jesus is Truth. The Holy Spirit guides us in Love and Truth. If you don't know Jesus, you don't know Truth and you can never bee free until you do. Make that choice today.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
I am resting in Truth today.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
What's Your Burden
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Mt 11:29-30)
Years ago God gave me a picture of this verse which gave me an understanding that I've never heard taught from the pulpit: Jesus' burden was that He was going to the cross. He knew long before it happened that it would happen. That was why He came. We go through our lives crying at our circumstances (real or contrived). We're mad at not being rescued everytime whether it was our choices that got us there in the first place or "just fate". Take a moment and realize the truth in this verse: Jesus' burden was that He was going to the cross. I know I just said that exact thing ~ copy & paste is great when emphasizing something. He said His burden is light. He knew He would die for the salvation of many, but would have done if it were just for the salvation of one ~ you.
How heavy is that burden you're carrying? Would you lay it down for the lightness of the cross?
There are two parts to this verse. I've talked about the second, but I can't let you miss the first part: His yoke is easy. He was yoked to His own cross on which He would die. Many people don't know or don't remember the significance of a yoke. If you look it up you will find it is simply a type of harness used on beasts of burden to pull whatever they are charged to pull. The yoke He's offering in this verse is a dual yoke. This means that two beasts of comparable size and strength are to pull the load. Jesus' offering of His yoke tells me that He knows we have the same strength He had to pull His burden of the cross AND that He doesn't want you to be alone in your burden.
How did Jesus gain the strength it required to die on the cross? By spending time with His Father. He sought God in all He did before doing it. I had a pastor years ago who used to chastise the flock for not spending the first 2.4 hours of our day in prayer with the Lord. Most of us worked full-time (or more) jobs and didn't have the energy to expend in a concentrated time with the Lord before going to the job. It was in realizing what and when Jesus did things that I was able to be freed of the condemnation that pastor had put on us. A tithe of my day is 2.4 hours, but nowhere in God's word do I see it to be the FIRST 2.4 hours. The tithe was always the BEST of the crop. Therefore, God wants the best 2.4 hours I can give Him in any day & they don't have to be consecutive.
Give God the best of your time. Lay all of your burdens down at His feet. He will show you His glory.
Walking in the glory of the God who created me for His pleasure.
Years ago God gave me a picture of this verse which gave me an understanding that I've never heard taught from the pulpit: Jesus' burden was that He was going to the cross. He knew long before it happened that it would happen. That was why He came. We go through our lives crying at our circumstances (real or contrived). We're mad at not being rescued everytime whether it was our choices that got us there in the first place or "just fate". Take a moment and realize the truth in this verse: Jesus' burden was that He was going to the cross. I know I just said that exact thing ~ copy & paste is great when emphasizing something. He said His burden is light. He knew He would die for the salvation of many, but would have done if it were just for the salvation of one ~ you.
How heavy is that burden you're carrying? Would you lay it down for the lightness of the cross?
There are two parts to this verse. I've talked about the second, but I can't let you miss the first part: His yoke is easy. He was yoked to His own cross on which He would die. Many people don't know or don't remember the significance of a yoke. If you look it up you will find it is simply a type of harness used on beasts of burden to pull whatever they are charged to pull. The yoke He's offering in this verse is a dual yoke. This means that two beasts of comparable size and strength are to pull the load. Jesus' offering of His yoke tells me that He knows we have the same strength He had to pull His burden of the cross AND that He doesn't want you to be alone in your burden.
How did Jesus gain the strength it required to die on the cross? By spending time with His Father. He sought God in all He did before doing it. I had a pastor years ago who used to chastise the flock for not spending the first 2.4 hours of our day in prayer with the Lord. Most of us worked full-time (or more) jobs and didn't have the energy to expend in a concentrated time with the Lord before going to the job. It was in realizing what and when Jesus did things that I was able to be freed of the condemnation that pastor had put on us. A tithe of my day is 2.4 hours, but nowhere in God's word do I see it to be the FIRST 2.4 hours. The tithe was always the BEST of the crop. Therefore, God wants the best 2.4 hours I can give Him in any day & they don't have to be consecutive.
Give God the best of your time. Lay all of your burdens down at His feet. He will show you His glory.
Walking in the glory of the God who created me for His pleasure.
Friday, June 27, 2008
And I will Give you Rest
Today the verse "come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls" seems to be the appropriate verse on which I should reflect. I consider myself a doer. I have difficulty allowing others to do things for me ~ even when what I'm doing is clearly beyond my own limitations. There are many reasons for this that I won't go into here. Those who know me well can surmise for yourselves. God gives me many opportunities to share my life with others. I feel strongly about it being necessary to put myself out there to help in any way I can.
During this season of having had major surgery and not being able to do much I am now realizing it is a forced rest. I believe fully in God's timing for my life. So much so that even tho' I'd been having pain and struggles for months before finally having surgery I knew that whatever happened would be in God's hands. I am now realizing this time of rest was a plan for God to prepare me for what's coming next. Granted I don't know what's coming next, but I just recognized that when God has something big for me to accomplish that He's always given me a rest beforehand. (Picture me being thwacked on the back of the head with the "duh" look on my face.)
What are you doing now that God has told you to take a rest in it? Take the time to reflect on your motives and your heart (sometimes the two are separate when they should be one).
Letting my soul rest in Him until He raises me back to my feet.
During this season of having had major surgery and not being able to do much I am now realizing it is a forced rest. I believe fully in God's timing for my life. So much so that even tho' I'd been having pain and struggles for months before finally having surgery I knew that whatever happened would be in God's hands. I am now realizing this time of rest was a plan for God to prepare me for what's coming next. Granted I don't know what's coming next, but I just recognized that when God has something big for me to accomplish that He's always given me a rest beforehand. (Picture me being thwacked on the back of the head with the "duh" look on my face.)
What are you doing now that God has told you to take a rest in it? Take the time to reflect on your motives and your heart (sometimes the two are separate when they should be one).
Letting my soul rest in Him until He raises me back to my feet.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Stayin Awake
I had a friend years ago who said if he awoke at times such as 2:02AM, 3:03AM, etc that God was telling him to specifically pray for people. I told him that when I awake at any time during the night I would go to God in prayer. My first response is to praise Him for giving me a place to sleep other than the street. After that praise time I would allow for the possibility that He had more for me so I would stop to listen to Him. He would always place something in my heart. Sometimes it was to pray for somebody else, sometimes it was to pray for my needs and sometimes it was for me to just rest in knowing who I am in Him.
What is your first thought when you awaken? Psalm 4:8 says "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." If the Lord awakens you during the night seek what He has for you in those precious moments.
Resting in the knowledge of the Holy.
What is your first thought when you awaken? Psalm 4:8 says "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." If the Lord awakens you during the night seek what He has for you in those precious moments.
Resting in the knowledge of the Holy.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Revealing
Matthew 10:26 & Luke 12:2 say that there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and nothing that is hidden that will not be known. In our day-to-day lives we come across people who seek out their own glory. It may be a boss, a co-worker, somebody in the church or just a person serving you at a retail establishment or fast-food restaurant. It may even be you. "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul." This comes from Matthew 16:26 & Mark 8:36. I see these two different scriptures as related to each other. As people seek to gain their own glory and fame and wealth they neglect the two truths: one day their motives will be revealed and they are going to be eternally lost.
What are you seeking when you go about your day? Are you putting God's will for your life first or are you simply "getting by" until the last day? We are responsible for the people God has placed in our lives. If you are in a place of authority over people, how are you affecting them in what you do every day? If we seek our own goals without putting God first then we are lost in self-glorification. My challenge to you is to seek Him first in ALL you do and let Him choose your reward. I guarantee that it will be above and beyond all you can ask or imagine.
I'm sitting here with a huge imagination and looking to the glory of Christ. In that I bless you with the joy of knowing that God has more for you than you could ever dream.
What are you seeking when you go about your day? Are you putting God's will for your life first or are you simply "getting by" until the last day? We are responsible for the people God has placed in our lives. If you are in a place of authority over people, how are you affecting them in what you do every day? If we seek our own goals without putting God first then we are lost in self-glorification. My challenge to you is to seek Him first in ALL you do and let Him choose your reward. I guarantee that it will be above and beyond all you can ask or imagine.
I'm sitting here with a huge imagination and looking to the glory of Christ. In that I bless you with the joy of knowing that God has more for you than you could ever dream.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Psalm 68:19
"Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!"
Amazing! We continue to make bad decisions, yet God daily loads us with benefits. He provides our needs and even gives us what we want sometimes. We grumble about not getting everything we want and forget the truth that God knows what's best for us. We ask for things in our humaness not in our godliness. In other words, allowing His heart to rule and reign in our hearts will cause us to ask for godly things not for selfish things.
What are you asking Him for that you haven't received yet? Search your heart and ask Him what He wants to give you. If you seek Him first in all you do, He will show you who He is.
I'm living a life being blessed in the benefits He has been pouring into me daily.
Amazing! We continue to make bad decisions, yet God daily loads us with benefits. He provides our needs and even gives us what we want sometimes. We grumble about not getting everything we want and forget the truth that God knows what's best for us. We ask for things in our humaness not in our godliness. In other words, allowing His heart to rule and reign in our hearts will cause us to ask for godly things not for selfish things.
What are you asking Him for that you haven't received yet? Search your heart and ask Him what He wants to give you. If you seek Him first in all you do, He will show you who He is.
I'm living a life being blessed in the benefits He has been pouring into me daily.
Monday, June 23, 2008
First Post
I thought I'd create a new blog to share truth's about life, the world and other things. This is just a start so I'm not certain what will come out of it. I'll be happy for suggestions on topics. One thing I do know is that I will often talk about my walk with the Lord. I will also share my journey in my business. Join me as we take a marathon look at life...
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