"And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
~Luke 1:6~
This was Luke's account of Zacharias & Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. God looked on their lives & favored them, because of their obedience. He chose them to have a child in their old age, but not just any child. The baby that would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. The child that would one day prepare the way for the coming of the Savior of the world. The man that would one day baptize the Son of God. . . Wow.
The same holds true for you & I today. The heavenly Father loves to reward our obedience. He longs to bless our faithfulness. O, God, keep me in Your perfect will, that I might bring honor & glory to You, & that I may hand down blessings to my children....
(Continued from Beth Moore's book "Get Out of That Pit" . . .)
"One thing is certain: you can't accuse God of being short-sighted. God places a tremendous premium on lineage in His Word, and also on the influence one generation has on the next. God has the capacity to mark your entire family line-be it physical descendants or spiritual descendants you mentored in the faith-with blessing and with the highest privilege of bringing Him glory. God's agenda is not just to deliver you from the pit. His preeminent aim is to bring Himself fame, and you are the way He has chosen to do it. Anticipate it!"
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Waiting Room, part 2
"When You did awesome things for which we did not look,
You came down,
The mountains shook at Your presence."
~Is 64:3~
( . . .Continued from Beth Moore's book "Get Out of That Pit" . . .)
"The good news is we may have to wait for deliverance . . .but we never have to wait on God Himself. Never have to wait to enjoy His presence or be assured of His love. If we are willing to take God at His word, we can have any one of those relational delights instantly. The only wait is on seeing His work manifest in the physical realm, seeing our petition come to fruit. . .Despite appearances, huge things happen as you wait upon the Lord to deliver you from that pit. They begin the moment you cry out. When you are convinced that you're no longer stuck, when you assume a standing position against the enemy ( . . consenting to God), and you're regaining glimpses of vision, you're no longer in the dark of the deep.
As you read the psalmist's description of having "waited patiently for the Lord," don't get the idea that he sat around in the mire, sinking deeper all the time . . Here the phrase "waited patiently" is the Hebrew word "qwh" translated "expect". The psalmist didn't sit in the pit & twiddle his muddy thumbs until God delivered him. He postured himself in absolute expectation. He had a goal & his shoulders would not slump till he saw it fulfilled. His Deliverer was coming and, on His way, fighting battles and blazing paths somewhere beyond the psalmist's gaze.
Never fear that God is at work while you wait. He's doing what no one else can. If your eyes could only see how God is moving all those chess pieces around the board for maxium impact, it would blow your mind. He's up to something big that affects not only you, but those around you. . . . ."
You came down,
The mountains shook at Your presence."
~Is 64:3~
( . . .Continued from Beth Moore's book "Get Out of That Pit" . . .)
"The good news is we may have to wait for deliverance . . .but we never have to wait on God Himself. Never have to wait to enjoy His presence or be assured of His love. If we are willing to take God at His word, we can have any one of those relational delights instantly. The only wait is on seeing His work manifest in the physical realm, seeing our petition come to fruit. . .Despite appearances, huge things happen as you wait upon the Lord to deliver you from that pit. They begin the moment you cry out. When you are convinced that you're no longer stuck, when you assume a standing position against the enemy ( . . consenting to God), and you're regaining glimpses of vision, you're no longer in the dark of the deep.
As you read the psalmist's description of having "waited patiently for the Lord," don't get the idea that he sat around in the mire, sinking deeper all the time . . Here the phrase "waited patiently" is the Hebrew word "qwh" translated "expect". The psalmist didn't sit in the pit & twiddle his muddy thumbs until God delivered him. He postured himself in absolute expectation. He had a goal & his shoulders would not slump till he saw it fulfilled. His Deliverer was coming and, on His way, fighting battles and blazing paths somewhere beyond the psalmist's gaze.
Never fear that God is at work while you wait. He's doing what no one else can. If your eyes could only see how God is moving all those chess pieces around the board for maxium impact, it would blow your mind. He's up to something big that affects not only you, but those around you. . . . ."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Waiting Room
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith."
~1John 5:4~
I pray this verse & quote from my devotion today, and the excert from Beth Moore's book bless you as they have me . . . .
"Worries carry responsibilities that belong to God, not to you. Worry does not enable us to escape evil; it makes us unfit to cope with it when it comes. "~Corrie ten Boom~
"I've come to the elementary conclusion that, to God, 'together' is the whole point of any process. Before man was created, God just said something & it happened: 'Let there be light' and all. He could still do that. Sometimes still does. But you might notice that alot of instantaneous action ceased after man came along, and obviously on God-purpose. Suddenly God wasn't so sudden. Time became the vechicle for this wonderful thing called history. You can neither rush it nor slow it. All you can do is ride it. History is told through the encounters and experiences of men and women God would call to know Him. To trust Him, often under nearly impossible circumstances. Not on superhumans. Not even on particularly impressive humans. People prone to wander, prone to bruising, prone to doubting, prone to losing. God takes His own sweet time because time is His to take. God created time for man. The Trinity has no such bounds in the eternal state. I think God often ordains a wait because He purely enjoys the togetherness of it. Relationship. Thats one of the best things that can come out of a waiting room. Even the faith in God that an intense wait demands is about relationship. God calls upon us to walk in faith because faith requires a partner to place it in. Sometimes He just misses us. Maybe we could take it as a compliment."
~Beth Moore, "Get Out of That Pit"~
~1John 5:4~
I pray this verse & quote from my devotion today, and the excert from Beth Moore's book bless you as they have me . . . .
"Worries carry responsibilities that belong to God, not to you. Worry does not enable us to escape evil; it makes us unfit to cope with it when it comes. "~Corrie ten Boom~
"I've come to the elementary conclusion that, to God, 'together' is the whole point of any process. Before man was created, God just said something & it happened: 'Let there be light' and all. He could still do that. Sometimes still does. But you might notice that alot of instantaneous action ceased after man came along, and obviously on God-purpose. Suddenly God wasn't so sudden. Time became the vechicle for this wonderful thing called history. You can neither rush it nor slow it. All you can do is ride it. History is told through the encounters and experiences of men and women God would call to know Him. To trust Him, often under nearly impossible circumstances. Not on superhumans. Not even on particularly impressive humans. People prone to wander, prone to bruising, prone to doubting, prone to losing. God takes His own sweet time because time is His to take. God created time for man. The Trinity has no such bounds in the eternal state. I think God often ordains a wait because He purely enjoys the togetherness of it. Relationship. Thats one of the best things that can come out of a waiting room. Even the faith in God that an intense wait demands is about relationship. God calls upon us to walk in faith because faith requires a partner to place it in. Sometimes He just misses us. Maybe we could take it as a compliment."
~Beth Moore, "Get Out of That Pit"~
Monday, September 27, 2010
Anointed Power
"But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."
~1 John 2:27~
If you are a child of God, you are anointed with His power. He will teach ypu, He will guide through every area of life. Abide in Him
~1 John 2:27~
If you are a child of God, you are anointed with His power. He will teach ypu, He will guide through every area of life. Abide in Him
Friday, September 24, 2010
Sweet!
"How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way."
~Ps 119:103-104~
God,
I praise You for showing me truth, for showing me the deeper parts of You that I need to trust, that I deeply desire to understand. I love You, I love Your ways. I love the person I become when I trust You the fullest. Falling deeper into a relationship with You changes me. It changes the way I think, it changes the way I greet people & answer even simple questions lik, "How are you today?" It makes me love people deeper-family, friends & strangers alike. Having deeper faith in You changes the way I see life. It gives me a never ending spring of eternal hope- hope that is alive & flowing. A deeper relationship with You changes me. . . You change me. . .
. . . YOU make me.
Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way."
~Ps 119:103-104~
God,
I praise You for showing me truth, for showing me the deeper parts of You that I need to trust, that I deeply desire to understand. I love You, I love Your ways. I love the person I become when I trust You the fullest. Falling deeper into a relationship with You changes me. It changes the way I think, it changes the way I greet people & answer even simple questions lik, "How are you today?" It makes me love people deeper-family, friends & strangers alike. Having deeper faith in You changes the way I see life. It gives me a never ending spring of eternal hope- hope that is alive & flowing. A deeper relationship with You changes me. . . You change me. . .
. . . YOU make me.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Width and Length and Depth and Height
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"
~Rom 11:33~
God, the width of Your forgiveness is unsearchable.The length of Your strength to us is indescribable. The height of Your plans for us is unimaginable. The depth of Your love for us is unreachable.
Ephesians 3:14, 16-21 NKJV
"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
~Rom 11:33~
God, the width of Your forgiveness is unsearchable.The length of Your strength to us is indescribable. The height of Your plans for us is unimaginable. The depth of Your love for us is unreachable.
Ephesians 3:14, 16-21 NKJV
"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Penny for Your Thoughts
"Isaiah 55:9-10 NKJV
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 12 “For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
Thank You, Lord, for Your promises. Give us Your mind. Fill us with Your holy desires. Draw us to live in Your ways. Strengthen us to believe every word You speak into existance accomplishes what You purpose. When the enemy comes to steal our hope & implant fear within us, empower us in the name of Jesus to rebuke his destructive schemes. All this in the sweet name of Jesus I ask it all, Amen
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 12 “For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
Thank You, Lord, for Your promises. Give us Your mind. Fill us with Your holy desires. Draw us to live in Your ways. Strengthen us to believe every word You speak into existance accomplishes what You purpose. When the enemy comes to steal our hope & implant fear within us, empower us in the name of Jesus to rebuke his destructive schemes. All this in the sweet name of Jesus I ask it all, Amen
Monday, September 20, 2010
Joy Comes in the Morning
". . .Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning."
~Ps 30:5~
Dear Lord, we lift up all those who are suffering to You. Those who have lost family members in sudden unexpected ways- soldiers lost in battle defending & protecting the innocent; husbands & wives who woke up to find death had stolen their life companion in the night; parents whose children never made the drive home alive. God, wake us up to Your mercy. Show us Your hand of grace. Let us feel Your Holy Spirit, the great comforter. Wrap us in Your presence. God, let these moments remind us to never take each other for granted, to say today every "I love you" and every "I forgive you", don't let us leave needed words unspoken. Moreover, Lord, do not let us delay settling our spiritual life with You. Press our hearts with urgency to draw close to You, to surender to Your will for our lives. Press us with urgencgy to sshare Your salvation message with all we hold dear to us, and strangers alike. For our life is numbered from our first breath. Make us messangers of Your peace & comfort.
"Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." ~James 4:14~
But joy comes in the morning."
~Ps 30:5~
Dear Lord, we lift up all those who are suffering to You. Those who have lost family members in sudden unexpected ways- soldiers lost in battle defending & protecting the innocent; husbands & wives who woke up to find death had stolen their life companion in the night; parents whose children never made the drive home alive. God, wake us up to Your mercy. Show us Your hand of grace. Let us feel Your Holy Spirit, the great comforter. Wrap us in Your presence. God, let these moments remind us to never take each other for granted, to say today every "I love you" and every "I forgive you", don't let us leave needed words unspoken. Moreover, Lord, do not let us delay settling our spiritual life with You. Press our hearts with urgency to draw close to You, to surender to Your will for our lives. Press us with urgencgy to sshare Your salvation message with all we hold dear to us, and strangers alike. For our life is numbered from our first breath. Make us messangers of Your peace & comfort.
"Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." ~James 4:14~
Friday, September 17, 2010
Choose Life
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,"
~Deut 30:15~
We choose. We get up every morning and decide how our day will go. We choose by our attitude. We can decide to live life on purpose, making every moment count, creating memories to enjoy a life time. We can determine to be positive, to smile, to take some deep breaths &calm our spirit, think before we speak. We can steal away for 5 minutes to re-connect with the Father & keep our focus straight. We choose. We are not captives in the enemy's camp. We are children of the Most High God who has a dynamic plan for our life, full of adventure & promise of abundance.
Choose life, choose a good life.
"In that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess."
~Deut 30:16~
~Deut 30:15~
We choose. We get up every morning and decide how our day will go. We choose by our attitude. We can decide to live life on purpose, making every moment count, creating memories to enjoy a life time. We can determine to be positive, to smile, to take some deep breaths &calm our spirit, think before we speak. We can steal away for 5 minutes to re-connect with the Father & keep our focus straight. We choose. We are not captives in the enemy's camp. We are children of the Most High God who has a dynamic plan for our life, full of adventure & promise of abundance.
Choose life, choose a good life.
"In that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess."
~Deut 30:16~
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Foot Off the Accelerator
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths."
~Prov 3:5-6~
We have something new available to us through our health insurance--health coaching sessions. At first, I was completely uninterested in this, but I decided the reward points my employer offers for participating in them is worth it to shop in our on-line store! My interests were completely unrelated to health- they're related to a new purse!
But you know God always has a bigger agenda than my little brain. So goes the story. . .
After health coach Carl & I had discussed my diet, cooking for my family, my level of physical activity (or the lack there of), his next question was very nurse-appropriate type question (you know we nurses like measurable answers.)He asked, "On a scale of 1-10, what is your stress level?" I've never been asked this before, and I was pretty impressed that he did! After some quite thought, I responded,"4". . .
Health coach Carl went on to comment, "Well, that's not too bad, could be a little better, but not too bad." We went on to name the healthy things I already do every day to combat stress- stay active, exercise some, involved in church / community, watch movies with my family to relax, daily prayer & devotion time. . .
As Carl continued to talk, his words became distant. My mind realized a very important fact: my stress level has not been below "level 4" in 3 years. Sometimes its a 6 or 7, maybe more in extreme cases, but never below a 4. Its like sitting in your car, gear stick in park, with your foot still on the accelerator at all times, motor slightly reved up, RPM gage showing about 3-4, hands gripping tightly to the steering wheel, muscles tense, constant adrenolin flow.
So, now the deeper question- Why? This is not me! I used to exist on a level 1-2, and it took a major crises to shake me up, & certainly never the ordinary days routine. I hung up the phone from that coaching conference call with my heart stirred.
Later as I wrote in my prayer journal, I was talking to God about it. Then I wrote these words," I used to just know, I mean JUST KNOW " . . .At that moment He poured out His spirit over my head like a pitcher of water. I used to "just know" that everything was going to be ok in the end. I used to have a child-like faith, & believe that no matter what came, the end would be good, because God was in control, because He always has a plan for my life, because He wants to bless me with good. But some where 3years ago when I began to live through the unthinkable, when the unimaginable became reality, I some how lost confidence in happy endings, I lost assurance in safe landings.
At this moment, covered by God's sweet presence, He spoke in my heart this scripture from Proverbs. He whispered to my spirit, "Kristie, you used to trust me deeper than you do now."
I've often said the thing I miss most in my life over the last 3 years is "me". I miss the pre-divorce, pre-sons open heart surgery, pre- job change,"me". The me that rested, relaxed & enjoyed life, without fear. Most of this time I was convinced that when my circumstances change, then I'll relax & be myself again. But the deeper issue is not circumstancial, its trust. . . Total uninhibited, without reservation, stick your hair in a ponytail/ kick your shoes off & stay a while trust.
I'm so proud of all the layers of healing God has done within me up to this point. Now its time to give Him the final pieces. I can be me right now, by finding myself deeper within The Father. I don't have to wait longer.
No matter what comes, it will be ok, I will be ok. Whatever comes, He will strengthen me through it. And I do not have to lose my mind in the process. If He removes something from my life, He will replace it with something better. Even death is only a temporary separation for children of God
Time to get my foot off the accelerator & be me again. I do not have to constantly drive my life. Thats God's job. I'm just along for the ride. I can trust Him with the destination. And when God decides its time to change my circumstances, I wana be myself to receive it!
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths."
~Prov 3:5-6~
We have something new available to us through our health insurance--health coaching sessions. At first, I was completely uninterested in this, but I decided the reward points my employer offers for participating in them is worth it to shop in our on-line store! My interests were completely unrelated to health- they're related to a new purse!
But you know God always has a bigger agenda than my little brain. So goes the story. . .
After health coach Carl & I had discussed my diet, cooking for my family, my level of physical activity (or the lack there of), his next question was very nurse-appropriate type question (you know we nurses like measurable answers.)He asked, "On a scale of 1-10, what is your stress level?" I've never been asked this before, and I was pretty impressed that he did! After some quite thought, I responded,"4". . .
Health coach Carl went on to comment, "Well, that's not too bad, could be a little better, but not too bad." We went on to name the healthy things I already do every day to combat stress- stay active, exercise some, involved in church / community, watch movies with my family to relax, daily prayer & devotion time. . .
As Carl continued to talk, his words became distant. My mind realized a very important fact: my stress level has not been below "level 4" in 3 years. Sometimes its a 6 or 7, maybe more in extreme cases, but never below a 4. Its like sitting in your car, gear stick in park, with your foot still on the accelerator at all times, motor slightly reved up, RPM gage showing about 3-4, hands gripping tightly to the steering wheel, muscles tense, constant adrenolin flow.
So, now the deeper question- Why? This is not me! I used to exist on a level 1-2, and it took a major crises to shake me up, & certainly never the ordinary days routine. I hung up the phone from that coaching conference call with my heart stirred.
Later as I wrote in my prayer journal, I was talking to God about it. Then I wrote these words," I used to just know, I mean JUST KNOW " . . .At that moment He poured out His spirit over my head like a pitcher of water. I used to "just know" that everything was going to be ok in the end. I used to have a child-like faith, & believe that no matter what came, the end would be good, because God was in control, because He always has a plan for my life, because He wants to bless me with good. But some where 3years ago when I began to live through the unthinkable, when the unimaginable became reality, I some how lost confidence in happy endings, I lost assurance in safe landings.
At this moment, covered by God's sweet presence, He spoke in my heart this scripture from Proverbs. He whispered to my spirit, "Kristie, you used to trust me deeper than you do now."
I've often said the thing I miss most in my life over the last 3 years is "me". I miss the pre-divorce, pre-sons open heart surgery, pre- job change,"me". The me that rested, relaxed & enjoyed life, without fear. Most of this time I was convinced that when my circumstances change, then I'll relax & be myself again. But the deeper issue is not circumstancial, its trust. . . Total uninhibited, without reservation, stick your hair in a ponytail/ kick your shoes off & stay a while trust.
I'm so proud of all the layers of healing God has done within me up to this point. Now its time to give Him the final pieces. I can be me right now, by finding myself deeper within The Father. I don't have to wait longer.
No matter what comes, it will be ok, I will be ok. Whatever comes, He will strengthen me through it. And I do not have to lose my mind in the process. If He removes something from my life, He will replace it with something better. Even death is only a temporary separation for children of God
Time to get my foot off the accelerator & be me again. I do not have to constantly drive my life. Thats God's job. I'm just along for the ride. I can trust Him with the destination. And when God decides its time to change my circumstances, I wana be myself to receive it!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Answered
"And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
~James 5:15-16~
God, I thank You for being a steadfast God. Thank You for still answering prayers today. Thank You for our yesterday, and our today. You are so gracious, so merciful. You never change, You're a timeless Father. You never abandon us, You always hear us, You always respond with strength & support in the hour we need it most. Thank You for Your hand on our family & friends, and for the honor & priviledge to witness Your miracles first hand.
~James 5:15-16~
God, I thank You for being a steadfast God. Thank You for still answering prayers today. Thank You for our yesterday, and our today. You are so gracious, so merciful. You never change, You're a timeless Father. You never abandon us, You always hear us, You always respond with strength & support in the hour we need it most. Thank You for Your hand on our family & friends, and for the honor & priviledge to witness Your miracles first hand.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Be My Rock
Psalm 18:2 NKJV
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
This verse was used by the guest preacher last night at church. It was also the verse in my devotion book yesterday.. . .
Dear Lord, thank You for being my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my salvation. I love resting in Your sweet presence, in the protection of Your arms. Thank You for sharing every day with me, willingly, just because You want to. Thank You for sharing every detail of my life. You are always our greatest companion. Help us listen to Your voice when You're trying to prepare us for something ahead. I love You.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
This verse was used by the guest preacher last night at church. It was also the verse in my devotion book yesterday.. . .
Dear Lord, thank You for being my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my salvation. I love resting in Your sweet presence, in the protection of Your arms. Thank You for sharing every day with me, willingly, just because You want to. Thank You for sharing every detail of my life. You are always our greatest companion. Help us listen to Your voice when You're trying to prepare us for something ahead. I love You.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Too Little?
"And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’"
~Luke 19:17~
Is there anything too little for God? We often ask ourselves if there is anything too big for God, but often just assume some things are too small to bother The Almighty with. I mean after all, He is God! He's got souls to save, lives to rescue, wars & catastrophic events of worldly proportions to navigate. How would He possibly have time or patience for my small tissue issues?
The answer is the same: He is God, after all! He is completely able to forge world peace, stop a tsunami, put out a house fire, & at the same moment, listen to me. About whatever- the kids, my life, directions needed.
When is the last time you prayed about details on your job or in your school? Don' t be surprised to find out how He is interested in them! He wants to see you succeed. He wants to hear you praise His name when you do. He wants to help you handle your failures with dignity & learn some really important lessons along the way. He has no intention of you carrying all that stress alone. So go ahead & lay it on Him! He is more than happy to handle it. He's been waiting to get His foot in your job place or school! He's waiting on your invitation to get involved. You may be just the "little" mouth piece He needs to work there.
"“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”
~Micah 5:2~
~Luke 19:17~
Is there anything too little for God? We often ask ourselves if there is anything too big for God, but often just assume some things are too small to bother The Almighty with. I mean after all, He is God! He's got souls to save, lives to rescue, wars & catastrophic events of worldly proportions to navigate. How would He possibly have time or patience for my small tissue issues?
The answer is the same: He is God, after all! He is completely able to forge world peace, stop a tsunami, put out a house fire, & at the same moment, listen to me. About whatever- the kids, my life, directions needed.
When is the last time you prayed about details on your job or in your school? Don' t be surprised to find out how He is interested in them! He wants to see you succeed. He wants to hear you praise His name when you do. He wants to help you handle your failures with dignity & learn some really important lessons along the way. He has no intention of you carrying all that stress alone. So go ahead & lay it on Him! He is more than happy to handle it. He's been waiting to get His foot in your job place or school! He's waiting on your invitation to get involved. You may be just the "little" mouth piece He needs to work there.
"“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”
~Micah 5:2~
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
When all hell breaks lose. . Win
"It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him."
~Mark 1:9, 11-13~
The moment Jesus' great baptism occurred, all hell broke lose. The moment satan saw The Father so pleased with His child, he set out to defeat Jesus. And so it is with us. Following Jesus, pleasing The Father is the most complete satisfation ever known to man. Prepare for the battle just ahead while your heart is still full & overflowing. No time better, your fully armed, arsenal full, tank fueled. Lift a holy hand in praise for all the greatness this moment holds in the warmth of God's smile, & reach for your sword with the other hand, ready to battle the enemy to stay here in this holy place.
Our best weapons are the sword of the spirit (the Bible) & on our knees in prayer.
Enjoy this moment of victory! Just keep your eyes open & focused. Meet the challenge smiling & excited, you can have confidence our God is bigger than anything the devil tries. Enjoy the challenge with God's master plan to outsmar
"Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him . . ."
~Luke 4:13~
~Mark 1:9, 11-13~
The moment Jesus' great baptism occurred, all hell broke lose. The moment satan saw The Father so pleased with His child, he set out to defeat Jesus. And so it is with us. Following Jesus, pleasing The Father is the most complete satisfation ever known to man. Prepare for the battle just ahead while your heart is still full & overflowing. No time better, your fully armed, arsenal full, tank fueled. Lift a holy hand in praise for all the greatness this moment holds in the warmth of God's smile, & reach for your sword with the other hand, ready to battle the enemy to stay here in this holy place.
Our best weapons are the sword of the spirit (the Bible) & on our knees in prayer.
Enjoy this moment of victory! Just keep your eyes open & focused. Meet the challenge smiling & excited, you can have confidence our God is bigger than anything the devil tries. Enjoy the challenge with God's master plan to outsmar
"Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him . . ."
~Luke 4:13~
Friday, September 3, 2010
Like Minds
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"
~Phil 2:5~
I love to see an active, thriving church, full of life & motion. Where there is love & unity & life, there will be motion-action as the hands & feet of Jesus. Saints being fed the word of God & growing will long to share it with others. Wounded souls that have been healed will desire others to be healed, too. Once you've experienced the comfort of the Holy Spirit, you will want to comfort others. Nothing feels as good as being totally used up& exhausted for the ministry of Jesus.
Have you ever seen the movie The Santa Clause? Or Evan Almighty? In both movies, the men shave their thick long beards, then watch them grow 10 inches in seconds right before their eyes! It's kinds that way serving the Lord. You pour out everything you've got-time, money, energy-and just when you think you've run out of steam, He suddenly fills you right back up. You can feel it instantly.
Share what God's given you, even if your present situation isn't perfect. Get your mind off you, and be about the Father's business.
~Phil 2:5~
I love to see an active, thriving church, full of life & motion. Where there is love & unity & life, there will be motion-action as the hands & feet of Jesus. Saints being fed the word of God & growing will long to share it with others. Wounded souls that have been healed will desire others to be healed, too. Once you've experienced the comfort of the Holy Spirit, you will want to comfort others. Nothing feels as good as being totally used up& exhausted for the ministry of Jesus.
Have you ever seen the movie The Santa Clause? Or Evan Almighty? In both movies, the men shave their thick long beards, then watch them grow 10 inches in seconds right before their eyes! It's kinds that way serving the Lord. You pour out everything you've got-time, money, energy-and just when you think you've run out of steam, He suddenly fills you right back up. You can feel it instantly.
Share what God's given you, even if your present situation isn't perfect. Get your mind off you, and be about the Father's business.
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