Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Spiritual battle.
10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Eph 6:10-18
Life. It isn't always easy. In fact, its hard at times! It is filled with trials, tribulation, hurts, pains, physical/emotional/relational stresses. We live in a fallen world. The enemy runs wild trying to hurt, kill and destroy. There have been many casualties! Will you be one? or will you choose to stand up and fight? Fighting against the enemy isn't for the faint of heart! It takes courage and the right tools/weapons! They are not weapons made of iron, or metal, but weapons made for the spiritual realm. You do not fight against your brother, or your sister, or neighbor, but the prince of darkness. God is stronger than the enemy who seeks to destroy, and he wants us strong and courageous. He equips us with special weapons. This is the fight, a life or death fight! Choose to be on the winning team. The end has been written, HE WINS, we just have to choose the right team! What are these spiritual weapons: Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation! Prayer is key in warfare, Keep each other close, and protected! It is key to pray for each other and lift each other up. Leave no one behind! This is the setting, this is the scene, this is life! Are you in it for the long haul? will you be a casualty of war or will you be true and faithful till the end! Get ready to fight, like never before! God wants you!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Forgetting those things which are behind … I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus
Phil. 3:13, 14
There are verses that stand out to eah of us for different reasons. This one above, I am sure stands out as a verse that many Christians cling to, try and remember during hard times or make their life's verse. As Christians or non Christians we need to press on. I know that I have had times I wanted to give up in many different ways too. But looking back I am happy that I held tight to what I believed and kept pressing on!!! Yes at times to look forward we need to forget the past and leave it in the past which at times requires us to let it go and give it to God, at times it is forgiving for a hurt. But we have to be willing to let it go so we can look forward and press on to the calling that is on our life. The calling is greater than the hurt. The work God has for us is greater than the pain. At times it might not feel like that but maybe we need to refocus and look to God again. Look at the promises he made to us. Always looking forward and not behind. I think of my kids who at times wil walk looking behind them and that if they do this too long they will end up walking into a wall and potentially getting hurt! I think the same is true if we walk through life always focusing on the past. Eventually we will end up getting hurt all over again because we relive the past hurts. Pressing on and not looking back Is a good way to live. Always press on toward God and His call for your life. Doing this will bring joy,and fulfillment to your life. Although it wont always be easy, but it will bring an indescribable joy peace and fulfillment! We have been close to giving up but the only thing that has given us fulfillment has been what we are called to do in this life!! Follow after God. Chase after the things of God and he will bring great things. He will bring true satisfaction and fulfillment.
Phil. 3:13, 14
There are verses that stand out to eah of us for different reasons. This one above, I am sure stands out as a verse that many Christians cling to, try and remember during hard times or make their life's verse. As Christians or non Christians we need to press on. I know that I have had times I wanted to give up in many different ways too. But looking back I am happy that I held tight to what I believed and kept pressing on!!! Yes at times to look forward we need to forget the past and leave it in the past which at times requires us to let it go and give it to God, at times it is forgiving for a hurt. But we have to be willing to let it go so we can look forward and press on to the calling that is on our life. The calling is greater than the hurt. The work God has for us is greater than the pain. At times it might not feel like that but maybe we need to refocus and look to God again. Look at the promises he made to us. Always looking forward and not behind. I think of my kids who at times wil walk looking behind them and that if they do this too long they will end up walking into a wall and potentially getting hurt! I think the same is true if we walk through life always focusing on the past. Eventually we will end up getting hurt all over again because we relive the past hurts. Pressing on and not looking back Is a good way to live. Always press on toward God and His call for your life. Doing this will bring joy,and fulfillment to your life. Although it wont always be easy, but it will bring an indescribable joy peace and fulfillment! We have been close to giving up but the only thing that has given us fulfillment has been what we are called to do in this life!! Follow after God. Chase after the things of God and he will bring great things. He will bring true satisfaction and fulfillment.
Friday, February 24, 2012
YOU OVERCAME!!!
overcome
By Jeremy Camp
Seated above
Enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die
Poured out for all mankind
God's only Son
Perfect and spotless One
He never sinned
But suffered as if He did
All authority, every victory is Yours
All authority, every victory is Yours
(Chorus)
Savior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise
You overcame
Jesus awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name
You overcame
Power in hand
Speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out
Light in this broken land
All authority, every victory is Yours
All authority, every victory is Yours
Chorus
We will overcome
By the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony
Everyone overcome
(X3)
Chorus
By Jeremy Camp
Seated above
Enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die
Poured out for all mankind
God's only Son
Perfect and spotless One
He never sinned
But suffered as if He did
All authority, every victory is Yours
All authority, every victory is Yours
(Chorus)
Savior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise
You overcame
Jesus awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name
You overcame
Power in hand
Speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out
Light in this broken land
All authority, every victory is Yours
All authority, every victory is Yours
Chorus
We will overcome
By the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony
Everyone overcome
(X3)
Chorus
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
my healer!
I heard this song for the first time tonight, it was really good! God def took and breathed new life in me and I am so blessed that He collided with me! That HE has me! That He pulled me through everything. I now know that I always have to KEEP MY EYES FIXED ON HIM! No matter what happens, fix my eyes' on HIM. I daily fall into His arms and know that He will always hold me! That He has me! We all have hurts, we are human, but we have to collide into HIM! Because HE is the only one who can pull us through the toughest times! Life is good! ALL because of HIM!!! HE is my healer!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrPQ-isJnd8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrPQ-isJnd8
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
forgiving....
Something made me think of this, but today I was actually going to blog about something totally different, but because of something I read I felt I wanted to change it. So here goes....
Forgiveness is an amazing thing... OK let me rephrase that.... Forgiveness is an amazing thing when done the right way! We actually talked about this at one of our Wednesday night studies for church. (which I always love and have a great time with some great people!!) First off, I want to talk about God's forgiveness, which is the right way to forgive! His forgiveness is TRULY AMAZING! and I think that If we all could grasp on to that kind of forgiveness the world would be much happier, and calmer. But instead, most people let hate, or revenge grow inside of them and sometimes to the point of doing something they never would have done if they just forgave as God forgives. Now the thing is we need to KNOW HOW God forgives! We need to understand and truly grasp HIS concept of forgiveness and hold on to it. Sometimes the problem we face with this as humans is the fact that we ARE in fact human. We don't like to just let things go with out a fight! We like to hang on to it, make the person know just how upset we are or sometimes even take revenge for the hurt they put us through... .Is this Christ's love??? NO. So our humanity gets in the way a lot of times when it comes to this. God talks about forgiveness in the Bible. OK, so I posted a lot of verses at the bottom. You can read if you would like to, but I will try and sum up what I have found. Now the verses below are not EVERY verse on forgiveness, but I will sum up what is below and probably hit on what isn't as well, but if you feel compelled to do a study on forgiveness i am sure you will find ALOT!
First off, if you do read through you will see that God's character is to forgive. It says in the Bible that if we confess our sins, and simply ask forgiveness HE WILL! He is a loving and forgiving God! Someone asked Jesus how many times we should forgive, 7? Jesus said 7x's 70! which means, if they ask forgiveness, ALWAYS forgive, just like God does! Another thing we see, is how God will remember the sin NO MORE!!! He forgets it, like it didn't happen. It also says to forgive right away. When we ask forgiveness of God, He doesn't say "after I am done healing I will" or "after I really feel you are sorry i will".... He forgives and forgets it right away! Now, I will say this here, even Jesus had to "wash the dust off His feet", meaning, you don't want the same thing happening over and over to you, you want to always have an attitude of forgiveness, but there might come a point where you need to "wash the dust off your feet" and move yourself out of a position. That is a point where you would have to seek God and but I think that if it is a thing that happens time and time again, and maybe they are just rejecting you totally and not asking forgiveness, forgive in your heart but move on to what God has for you.... Now, I say all this because, I think that we as humans struggle against what we know we should do and how we would rather just hold on to the hurt to make sure we don't get hurt again. We want to hold on and "protect ourselves", when if we actually give it up, forgive and let God have it, we would do much better! The world would be better too I think because unforgiveness can turn to bitterness, then hate, then can bring us to do things that we know we shouldn't, and wouldn't have if we had just forgave them in the first place! Sometimes we say we forgave but keep bringing it up and keep dwelling on it, and that isn't forgiveness. Forgiveness to God is forgetting. I am so thankful that God doesn't remember our sins and if we just grasp God's concept of forgiving, we would be happier, better and not bitter people! Now I guess I say all this so I can hit on this one point. I think that we can sometimes be the worst at forgiving ourselves. We either feel that God cannot or wont forgive because we have done horrible things in life, which is fully wrong, all sin is the same in God's eyes. There is not a scale of not so bad sins, to never forgiving sins.... NO! God will forgive if we ask! and a lot of times, we feel so bad that we hurt someone or whatever, but sometimes we just don't let God keep it forgotten! We continually ask for forgiveness from God when WE are the ones that have to forgive ourselves and forget! (not forgetting lessons learned though!), We as humans need to learn how to forgive others, and very importantly, how to forgive ourselves! Because when we ask God to forgive HE DOES! and then He forgets! We need to learn to forgive like GOD forgives!!! I try to do this. I know for me sometimes satan wants to bring things to remembrance, sometimes I give in, but more often than not, I just try and tell myself God forgave it, I need to forgive it too! holding on to past hurts will only cause us harm and others harm. I feel, Forgiveness is key to an abundant life! A happy life! One with joy instead of sorrow, or hurt.So if you are struggling with trying to forgive, ask God to help, He is the expert at this and we need to learn from the Master!
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. Proverbs 17: 9
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.2 Chronicles 7: 14
For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.Matthew 6: 14
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
1 John 1: 9
Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven! Matthew 18: 21-22
So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.Matthew 18: 35
For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more.
Hebrews 8: 12
Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].Colossians 3: 13
For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.
Psalm 86: 5
In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor.Ephesians 1: 7
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. Mark 11:25
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32: 1
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]--then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32: 5
First off, if you do read through you will see that God's character is to forgive. It says in the Bible that if we confess our sins, and simply ask forgiveness HE WILL! He is a loving and forgiving God! Someone asked Jesus how many times we should forgive, 7? Jesus said 7x's 70! which means, if they ask forgiveness, ALWAYS forgive, just like God does! Another thing we see, is how God will remember the sin NO MORE!!! He forgets it, like it didn't happen. It also says to forgive right away. When we ask forgiveness of God, He doesn't say "after I am done healing I will" or "after I really feel you are sorry i will".... He forgives and forgets it right away! Now, I will say this here, even Jesus had to "wash the dust off His feet", meaning, you don't want the same thing happening over and over to you, you want to always have an attitude of forgiveness, but there might come a point where you need to "wash the dust off your feet" and move yourself out of a position. That is a point where you would have to seek God and but I think that if it is a thing that happens time and time again, and maybe they are just rejecting you totally and not asking forgiveness, forgive in your heart but move on to what God has for you.... Now, I say all this because, I think that we as humans struggle against what we know we should do and how we would rather just hold on to the hurt to make sure we don't get hurt again. We want to hold on and "protect ourselves", when if we actually give it up, forgive and let God have it, we would do much better! The world would be better too I think because unforgiveness can turn to bitterness, then hate, then can bring us to do things that we know we shouldn't, and wouldn't have if we had just forgave them in the first place! Sometimes we say we forgave but keep bringing it up and keep dwelling on it, and that isn't forgiveness. Forgiveness to God is forgetting. I am so thankful that God doesn't remember our sins and if we just grasp God's concept of forgiving, we would be happier, better and not bitter people! Now I guess I say all this so I can hit on this one point. I think that we can sometimes be the worst at forgiving ourselves. We either feel that God cannot or wont forgive because we have done horrible things in life, which is fully wrong, all sin is the same in God's eyes. There is not a scale of not so bad sins, to never forgiving sins.... NO! God will forgive if we ask! and a lot of times, we feel so bad that we hurt someone or whatever, but sometimes we just don't let God keep it forgotten! We continually ask for forgiveness from God when WE are the ones that have to forgive ourselves and forget! (not forgetting lessons learned though!), We as humans need to learn how to forgive others, and very importantly, how to forgive ourselves! Because when we ask God to forgive HE DOES! and then He forgets! We need to learn to forgive like GOD forgives!!! I try to do this. I know for me sometimes satan wants to bring things to remembrance, sometimes I give in, but more often than not, I just try and tell myself God forgave it, I need to forgive it too! holding on to past hurts will only cause us harm and others harm. I feel, Forgiveness is key to an abundant life! A happy life! One with joy instead of sorrow, or hurt.So if you are struggling with trying to forgive, ask God to help, He is the expert at this and we need to learn from the Master!
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. Proverbs 17: 9
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.2 Chronicles 7: 14
For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.Matthew 6: 14
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
1 John 1: 9
Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven! Matthew 18: 21-22
So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.Matthew 18: 35
For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more.
Hebrews 8: 12
Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].Colossians 3: 13
For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.
Psalm 86: 5
In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor.Ephesians 1: 7
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. Mark 11:25
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32: 1
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]--then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32: 5
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you (attitude: forgive because you love the Lord)
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (attitude: can love cover it?)
2 Corinthians 2:5-8 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. (attitude: stand ready to forgive)
Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (attitude: approach gently and stand ready to restore the relationship)
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.(attitude: loving and forgiving just like God forgave you)
Thursday, February 16, 2012
do we really love?
This is the month of Love! Everyone celebrates "LOVE" on the 14Th, but as I said last post; Why not carry it into your YEAR, not just one day. Everyone needs to know and feel loved! Love is the subject of this post, or maybe I should say lack of.. There are groups out there that say they are christian and do things that as a follower of Christ shouldn't do because it does not show Christs love! I feel that the world is seeing Christian's as an unloving group of people and this saddens me and I guess it also disappoints me. I understand that everyone wants to have a voice, they want their views to be heard, but I feel there is a place and a time. If someone asks me something, I will tell them my opinion and how I feel,but I do try to do it in a loving way. A way that SHOWS Christ's love and hopefully doesn't turn people away from Christ. If you stand up for something in such a way that it turns people OFF from Christ, I don't think that it is an effective method or delivery. In all I do I want to point to GOD, not to my own thoughts and desires... There are things that I desire for this country, there are things that I want for life, etc, but if I am going after things and NOT letting God lead me and teach me and show me how to effectively get my message out, then it is done in vain I think. I think that things done in love speak louder than just speaking (or sometimes arguing) to get your point out. The Bible speaks of love because GOD IS LOVE! The first command is to love GOD, then the next is to love others! If we are hurtful in trying to get our message out, it is NOT showing God's love. I am not saying that standing up for God is wrong, but i think that the method in which we do is very important. There are certain people that do a great job of this. I saw an interview with someone and it was on different "political" issues, and other issues, and yes, he is a christian. He did a wonderful job at saying what he believes but not trying to push it on someone, he said it all very well (he knew what he was talking about), he was non threatening, and I felt he spoke in a way that glorified God, showed God's love and got in his message of what he believes. I know that God would not lead us to be or speak unlovingly, since he is love. I think we as Christians need to seek God on how HE wants us to speak, how HE wants us to show his love in certain situations, and really rely on HIS spirit to guide us into all truth even as we speak to people on different issues we are passionate about. I know that different people have different issues in which they are passionate about, but God needs to be glorified in EVERYTHING we do, say, act etc. The passage below comes from Matthew 5. Please read:
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'[f] 39 But I tell you, don't stand up against an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also.40 If someone wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.41 If someone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles. 42 If a person asks you for something, give it to him. Don't refuse to give to someone who wants to borrow from you.
I think that this speaks to a lot of issues. I think that the first part speaks of "fighting back". I have to say this is SOOOO easy to do! I have done it and I NOW KNOW that it wasn't doing any good and just turning that other person off as we both got heated about the topic. I think that if one fights back too much then it will ultimately turn the other person off to your message and we need to sometimes agree to disagree. I think there is a verse that fits nicely here found in 1 Corinthians 3. "6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." We each have a job, but ultimately it is God who will make that seed grow in the heart of the one who hears, the thing is, it is easier to have that word grow in someone if you do it in love and not by offending, or fighting back. The next portion is "love your enemies". Yes the unspoken thing to do: hate your enemies, take revenge on your enemies, give 'em what they deserve. blah blah blah. This portion says, ' hey its SUPER easy to love those who love you in return, but I am telling you to also love those who don't love you in return, those who hate you, those who do NOT want to hear what you have to say!' So how do you show love to those who HATE you?? Well, sometimes you need to seek God in certain situations and hear from Him as to how to show love. but I think that a good thing we need to always ask our selves is "is this giving glory to God?" "are these words that I want to speak showing HIS love?" I think that is a good gauge on how to tame our tongue at times. At all times we want to bring glory to God, in all situations and circumstances. We always want to show HIM in a positive light not a negative one. We always want to shine HIS love!
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'[f] 39 But I tell you, don't stand up against an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also.40 If someone wants to sue you in court and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.41 If someone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles. 42 If a person asks you for something, give it to him. Don't refuse to give to someone who wants to borrow from you.
Love All People
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[g] and hate your enemies.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.[h] 45 If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong.46 If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that.47 And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don't know God are nice to their friends.I think that this speaks to a lot of issues. I think that the first part speaks of "fighting back". I have to say this is SOOOO easy to do! I have done it and I NOW KNOW that it wasn't doing any good and just turning that other person off as we both got heated about the topic. I think that if one fights back too much then it will ultimately turn the other person off to your message and we need to sometimes agree to disagree. I think there is a verse that fits nicely here found in 1 Corinthians 3. "6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." We each have a job, but ultimately it is God who will make that seed grow in the heart of the one who hears, the thing is, it is easier to have that word grow in someone if you do it in love and not by offending, or fighting back. The next portion is "love your enemies". Yes the unspoken thing to do: hate your enemies, take revenge on your enemies, give 'em what they deserve. blah blah blah. This portion says, ' hey its SUPER easy to love those who love you in return, but I am telling you to also love those who don't love you in return, those who hate you, those who do NOT want to hear what you have to say!' So how do you show love to those who HATE you?? Well, sometimes you need to seek God in certain situations and hear from Him as to how to show love. but I think that a good thing we need to always ask our selves is "is this giving glory to God?" "are these words that I want to speak showing HIS love?" I think that is a good gauge on how to tame our tongue at times. At all times we want to bring glory to God, in all situations and circumstances. We always want to show HIM in a positive light not a negative one. We always want to shine HIS love!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
love is an action word!
Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other;
let us really show it by our actions. 1 John 3:18
I am going to be starting a new study that I really feel God leading me to really dig into, but today is valentines day and I wanted to mention LOVE!
First off GOD IS LOVE! So I am pretty sure that God supports this "holiday" but I think that He would say, lets not show our love only ONCE a year! Show it EVERYDAY!!!
We need to know that Saying it is great! We all need to hear that we are loved, but when our actions and words don't match, the words "I love you" don't mean as much! I think that this is an important verse, not just in a relationship, but with people in general. Sometimes as human being we tend to judge people right away before we can get to know people, and when we do that it doesn't show love, but when we act in a way that is loving, and showing them that they are loved, and showing GOD'S love to them, the actions speak LOUDER than words!
This goes for any relationship in your life too. Your spouse, your kids, any relationship that you have. You need to show it in actions. I am not saying, you need to give a gift to your loved one everyday, but hugs, kisses, attention, time, etc. These things are doable on a daily basis. The little things in life speak the loudest sometimes! Think about how you can show your love daily STARTING on the day of LOVE! and keep it going all year long. Even the littlest acts of love can speak loudly to someone who needs to feel loved! Happy valentines day!!!
PS happy valentines day to my hunny! I love you so much, you are an amazing man of God and love watching God move in you, and love watching you grow, and love seeing your talents come alive. There have been life's ups and downs, but I know the best is ahead for us, for ministry, for our family!!!
let us really show it by our actions. 1 John 3:18
I am going to be starting a new study that I really feel God leading me to really dig into, but today is valentines day and I wanted to mention LOVE!
First off GOD IS LOVE! So I am pretty sure that God supports this "holiday" but I think that He would say, lets not show our love only ONCE a year! Show it EVERYDAY!!!
We need to know that Saying it is great! We all need to hear that we are loved, but when our actions and words don't match, the words "I love you" don't mean as much! I think that this is an important verse, not just in a relationship, but with people in general. Sometimes as human being we tend to judge people right away before we can get to know people, and when we do that it doesn't show love, but when we act in a way that is loving, and showing them that they are loved, and showing GOD'S love to them, the actions speak LOUDER than words!
This goes for any relationship in your life too. Your spouse, your kids, any relationship that you have. You need to show it in actions. I am not saying, you need to give a gift to your loved one everyday, but hugs, kisses, attention, time, etc. These things are doable on a daily basis. The little things in life speak the loudest sometimes! Think about how you can show your love daily STARTING on the day of LOVE! and keep it going all year long. Even the littlest acts of love can speak loudly to someone who needs to feel loved! Happy valentines day!!!
PS happy valentines day to my hunny! I love you so much, you are an amazing man of God and love watching God move in you, and love watching you grow, and love seeing your talents come alive. There have been life's ups and downs, but I know the best is ahead for us, for ministry, for our family!!!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
I have not been on to blog in a while. I guess at times I just have soo much (maybe too much) to say, and other times.... not so much. This weekend was nice, snowy, but not bad. I have been tired with head aches, but I try and keep my focus on HIM and know that HE is watching out for me! He has been reminding me of HIS great love, which I think is so great at this time of the year (with valentines day coming up.). I know that He loves me and will never leave me. I have been a bit frazzled with my two little ones, they are partners in crime.... literally.... But the moments of love, and just the little cute things they do make it all worth it. My motto with them right now: This too shall pass!!!! 2 who are 2 years old is interesting! It has been an ok weekend, a girl from church was in an accident, so she is on my heart and in my prayers. broke some bones, and very banged up! Ice is horrible at time! This is a busy school week for the kids and then a week off. well that is all for now. a bite to eat for some kids and then starting the bedtime routine! Night for now! God is good!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
peace in the midst of storms.....
What a day.... Yesterday, I have to say, was such a blessing from God. It was calm. My littlest ones all napped which has been a hard thing to do lately. I was able to get stuff done around house some, (wouldnt be able to tell because day to day brings a new mess lol) I was able to look up some stuff online that I needed to, and then church was really great and had a great discussion there, then was blessed with bagels and doughnuts. I just felt really blessed yesterday. I think that God gave me that day because he knew what was in store for my day today. It has been everything but calm. lol. But it is days like this where you feel drained, and you physically hurt, and the kids are running wild or whining non stop that you need to rely on HIM for your strength. He wants us to trust and rely on HIM first and formost! It is days like that that a little "help me Lord" goes a LONG way! Yesterday God really spoke to me "I got you!!!" And then today happens, and I jsut feel so blessed and KNOW that HE has me! HE will take care of me! It is a joy and a relief and a peace to know that the creator of EVERYTHING has ME and LOVES ME!! ahhhh.... that is comfort enough even in the midst of a hectic crazy day!
Friday, February 3, 2012
James 4:1-17
"Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet."
I cannot get enough of God's word. It is life to my body!
I was reading through James, and I read in a few versions. They are all great, but reading it in the message really hits home. Sometimes you need to hear things a bit different. I have read through the Bible many times. Depending on life, and what I was going through at different times, I had favorite verses. The book of James is really hitting home right now. This verse above really hits home. I have not been serious about my relationship with God! It is the relationship that will put everything else in order, it is the relationship that we need the most, and I have neglected it. I have not been serious about my relationship. I have let it slip because of what is happening in MY life... MY LIFE?? My life belongs to HIM! I would not have a life if it were not for HIM! How do we let this happen? Well, just like any good relationship, we need to do certain things to make sure that we stay close. We need to spend time with them, we need to communicate with them, we need to be open with them, we need to not be selfish and looking at what WE need. I am sorry to say that I have neglected my God! I have not trusted in HIM like I should have or needed to. I got selfish and just looked at ME instead of looking at God and trusting HIM. I think that many can say this. We get caught up in life. Our issues in the world look too big to us and we get lost in trying to fix it ourselves, when God is looking down on us yelling "I am here! I want to help you! Let me help you! Give your worries, your burdens to me!" He wants to help, but we are too busy looking at ourselves to even hear! It is time to get down on our knees before God, our master, because "it is the only way you'll get on your feet"! He can help us back up after falling, but we need to seek Him. The word says to ask and HE will answer. But we are too busy trying to handle it ourselves to even remember to ask! Forgive me Lord for neglecting the most important relationship! OURS! It is when we seek God first and HIS kingdom that all else will fall into place! Remember your first love! He is there, He wants to help, He wants to show you love and grace! Read this portion (James 4:1-17) in the message, it will challenge you. Your life is but a breath, what are you going to do with the air that has been given you??
I cannot get enough of God's word. It is life to my body!
I was reading through James, and I read in a few versions. They are all great, but reading it in the message really hits home. Sometimes you need to hear things a bit different. I have read through the Bible many times. Depending on life, and what I was going through at different times, I had favorite verses. The book of James is really hitting home right now. This verse above really hits home. I have not been serious about my relationship with God! It is the relationship that will put everything else in order, it is the relationship that we need the most, and I have neglected it. I have not been serious about my relationship. I have let it slip because of what is happening in MY life... MY LIFE?? My life belongs to HIM! I would not have a life if it were not for HIM! How do we let this happen? Well, just like any good relationship, we need to do certain things to make sure that we stay close. We need to spend time with them, we need to communicate with them, we need to be open with them, we need to not be selfish and looking at what WE need. I am sorry to say that I have neglected my God! I have not trusted in HIM like I should have or needed to. I got selfish and just looked at ME instead of looking at God and trusting HIM. I think that many can say this. We get caught up in life. Our issues in the world look too big to us and we get lost in trying to fix it ourselves, when God is looking down on us yelling "I am here! I want to help you! Let me help you! Give your worries, your burdens to me!" He wants to help, but we are too busy looking at ourselves to even hear! It is time to get down on our knees before God, our master, because "it is the only way you'll get on your feet"! He can help us back up after falling, but we need to seek Him. The word says to ask and HE will answer. But we are too busy trying to handle it ourselves to even remember to ask! Forgive me Lord for neglecting the most important relationship! OURS! It is when we seek God first and HIS kingdom that all else will fall into place! Remember your first love! He is there, He wants to help, He wants to show you love and grace! Read this portion (James 4:1-17) in the message, it will challenge you. Your life is but a breath, what are you going to do with the air that has been given you??
God's question.
We ask God to speak and He does. I love that He is speaking and asking me questions and really shaping me to be who HE wants me to be! I am excited about what HE is doing this year in us! But this morning while getting the kids ready to run out the door to get to the bus, a question came to me. I know it was God! The question was "do you treasure my creation?" and as I finished with the diaper I was changing, I just looked down at God's creation in front of me! I started thinking about other people that I have seen and judged for the way they looked, or talked,. or whatever else. I started thinking about God and how HE sees us ALL! Not just the pretty people, not just those who are better at things than others or more talented, but ALL. I knew what my answer was. I was ashamed of what I knew my answer was, but my simple prayer was "God make me see people, ALL people, how YOU see them! Give me YOUR EYES, Give me YOUR SIGHT!!" We all have a tendency to do this in our lives, we are human, but God wants us to see all people as a beautiful creation that HE made! He wants us to see how HE sees people and develop in us a heart after His own heart! He wants us to give out HIS love to ALL, not just the talented, the pretty, etc, but love ALL! Love with a heart that looks past the outward, that looks to the need, that looks to the person who is really there, not the exterior!!! How do you see people?? Do you treasure God's greatest creation? Humans were Gods greatest creation, and He wants us to show HIS love to them, and HIS love doesn't judge, doesn't ignore the hurts or pains, but helps, gives, shows love and grace! We are God's hands and feet here on earth, are we reaching how HE would???
God's glory is at stake in all we do, how we act, and how we love! Are we living in a way that glorifies HIM???
Matthew 5:16
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
cant get over you!
http://youtu.be/2P5WRNGPgA0
I love this song! It is awesome! I guess I love it because I just cant get over how amazing God truly is! He has been everything in my life even when I didn't put Him first. He never forgot me, or never let me go even when I felt I was in the deepest pit. I love the words to this song, it just speaks to how I have been feeling. God is just truly amazing and I just want Him to hold me closer than ever, to pull me closer into HIM and HIS presence! And it doesn't have anything to do with me, or the wrongs that I have done, He just loves like NO OTHER! HE is truly an amazing God! He love us no matter what our past looks like. He loves deep, and hard! I just want to stay closer to Him! His love looks past, His love pushes through the walls we build up, His love and grace amazes me! I am truly blessed by what God is doing and how He just pushes through to show us He is there, He wants us, He wants us to depend on HIM and not on ourselves! HE LOVES US!!!!! Get lost in HIS love!!!! HE wants to be your all, Seek first the kingdom of God then all these things will be added to you!!!!! He can make a way where there seems to be no way, just seek HIM first! listen and read this song! I cant stop listening to it! It is just how I have been feeling and I feel overwhelmed by HIS love!
By anthem lights
I love the way You love like no other
It's got nothing to do with anything that I do
Time and time again You forgive me
So this time I choose to stay here with You
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
Here in the arms of my Father
Only grace can be found
So I lay my fears down
Nothing is the same anymore
You've changed me from the inside out
Now my heart is beating and it's singing won't You...
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord
I can't get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord
Even through the good and the bad times
You stay the same
So my song will remain
Lord...
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
There's nothing I can't do
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
I love this song! It is awesome! I guess I love it because I just cant get over how amazing God truly is! He has been everything in my life even when I didn't put Him first. He never forgot me, or never let me go even when I felt I was in the deepest pit. I love the words to this song, it just speaks to how I have been feeling. God is just truly amazing and I just want Him to hold me closer than ever, to pull me closer into HIM and HIS presence! And it doesn't have anything to do with me, or the wrongs that I have done, He just loves like NO OTHER! HE is truly an amazing God! He love us no matter what our past looks like. He loves deep, and hard! I just want to stay closer to Him! His love looks past, His love pushes through the walls we build up, His love and grace amazes me! I am truly blessed by what God is doing and how He just pushes through to show us He is there, He wants us, He wants us to depend on HIM and not on ourselves! HE LOVES US!!!!! Get lost in HIS love!!!! HE wants to be your all, Seek first the kingdom of God then all these things will be added to you!!!!! He can make a way where there seems to be no way, just seek HIM first! listen and read this song! I cant stop listening to it! It is just how I have been feeling and I feel overwhelmed by HIS love!
By anthem lights
I love the way You love like no other
It's got nothing to do with anything that I do
Time and time again You forgive me
So this time I choose to stay here with You
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
Here in the arms of my Father
Only grace can be found
So I lay my fears down
Nothing is the same anymore
You've changed me from the inside out
Now my heart is beating and it's singing won't You...
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord
I can't get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord
Even through the good and the bad times
You stay the same
So my song will remain
Lord...
Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don't want to lose this moment
You're love has covered me
And now I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
I can't get over You
There's nothing I can't do
I just can't get over You
I can't get over You
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
who do YOU trust?
8 Show me your faithful love this morning.
I trust in you.
Show me what I should do.
I put my life in your hands!
Psalm 143:8
God is always showing us His love, but do we see it? Who do you trust? I have come to this question many times in the past week or so. I always wanted to say "Lord I trust YOU!" but sometimes I know that I have put my trust in other things, or other people. It is only when we put our trust FULLY in God that we find true peace. Other things and people can fail us. People are human and people mess up, but GOD NEVER MESSES UP! God wants to show us HIS great love on a daily basis. He wants us to trust Him so that when life's hard times come around, it wont shake us as much. It is when we are "seeking first the kingdom of God" that all else will fall into place. When we seek other things in this life we get disappointed because NOTHING can fulfill your life like God can! I have had to re-evaluate my walk with God. I have had to take another look at who truly was ruling my life. I cannot be in charge of me. I fail every time. I am only human, and I need to trust in God DAILY to get through! He is the only thing that satisfies. Lately, I have been seeking HIM for my fulfillment, and for love. He doesn't disappoint. He has spoken in many ways lately, and I am so grateful for that. I have needed His leading and His words lately. I have seen a change in my attitude, and I am more aware of when my attitude is sneaking up on me. I am not perfect but God is definetly making me more aware of what needs to be changed in me. I am trying, and yes, still being human, I do fail, but God is faithful and He will keep working in me and my life! Praise God for His love and HIS grace! My goal is to wake every morning telling God that "I put my life in YOUR hands! NOT MINE!"
I trust in you.
Show me what I should do.
I put my life in your hands!
Psalm 143:8
God is always showing us His love, but do we see it? Who do you trust? I have come to this question many times in the past week or so. I always wanted to say "Lord I trust YOU!" but sometimes I know that I have put my trust in other things, or other people. It is only when we put our trust FULLY in God that we find true peace. Other things and people can fail us. People are human and people mess up, but GOD NEVER MESSES UP! God wants to show us HIS great love on a daily basis. He wants us to trust Him so that when life's hard times come around, it wont shake us as much. It is when we are "seeking first the kingdom of God" that all else will fall into place. When we seek other things in this life we get disappointed because NOTHING can fulfill your life like God can! I have had to re-evaluate my walk with God. I have had to take another look at who truly was ruling my life. I cannot be in charge of me. I fail every time. I am only human, and I need to trust in God DAILY to get through! He is the only thing that satisfies. Lately, I have been seeking HIM for my fulfillment, and for love. He doesn't disappoint. He has spoken in many ways lately, and I am so grateful for that. I have needed His leading and His words lately. I have seen a change in my attitude, and I am more aware of when my attitude is sneaking up on me. I am not perfect but God is definetly making me more aware of what needs to be changed in me. I am trying, and yes, still being human, I do fail, but God is faithful and He will keep working in me and my life! Praise God for His love and HIS grace! My goal is to wake every morning telling God that "I put my life in YOUR hands! NOT MINE!"
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