I am so overwhelmed by this mighty and awesome God that I serve. How blessed it is to be in His presence. How comforting it is to know that absolutely nothing in life is bigger than He is. Do you know that nothing is impossible for our God? Nothing. He is and has the reigning authority. Man's authority and power are limited. Not our God's! He always has the final say. Thank you Lord.
Last spring/summer (2009) Phillip and I went through the worst financial time of our lives. Every material possession other than our home we lost. Everything Phillip had worked for in his business was taken. The reputation we had built in the community was at stake by the words spoken against us by selfish, hard-hearted, bitter men. We came to understand that the loyalty we gave to the business world was not reciprocated. The world around us was more unstable than it had ever been. There were days of fit throwing, kicking, and screaming. Days were spent questioning God about our circumstances. Days (months rather) when our 6 figure income had decreased to zero figures. How did this happen? How could this happen? WHAT was happening? We were devastated. Life as we knew it was no longer. I spent hours crying and Phillip spent hours burdened and suffocated by life's issues.
As I look back now on those months of confusion and uncertainty, I can see the mighty hand of a very powerful God. At the time I saw and felt only my situation and the pain it was inflicting upon me. I saw one possession of mine go from my hands to someone else's. Either because we had to sell it to pay the mortgage or because the bank repossessed it. My children lost their possessions too and this was a hard sight for me to see. The most amazing thing to me now as I look back on it all is the grace my children gave to Phillip and me. I never saw an attitude from them when their toys were taken by someone else. They just seemed to accept the fact that mom and dad needed the money and that was that for them. How truly precious they are to me. My sweet little (or not so little) boys. How could I be more proud of them?
Now - a whole year later and I can tell you that God is a God of restoration. Have you ever heard the lyrics, "God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we can not see. He will make a way for me"? And that He did. He has restored. He has opened my eyes to so many things. I see now how foolish Phillip and I were in so many areas and how life goes on no matter the situation.
My very wise mother wrote in my 6th grade autograph book these words, "What the caterpillar calls the end of life, the Maker calls a butterfly." What a truth to hold onto. When it seems the darkest and there appears to be no way out - God performs a miracle! Even in death - God performs miracles. That's just the kind of God He is. He never leaves the lights turned out too long. My Dad used to tell me, "why complain about the darkness when there's a candle in the house?" Thanks Dad! Today, I choose to light the candle. And I thank my ever amazing Savior for being the Reigning Authority. I'm so glad He has the final say.
And hold on to this truth - He has the final say in your situation too ! Hold on for He WILL make a way when there seems to be no way.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What God Really Thinks About You.
From Great by Design Bible Study
You are precious to God.
This is a word that must go straight to your heart. This is the time to apply His word. It will change your life.
A. Your Formation
Psalm 139:13-16
Not too many years ago you were conceived. From the point of conception, your growth into a child was carefully hand crafted by your Creator. As your vital organs began to grow and your limbs began to form, you were being watched very closely by your loving Father. Every second of every day, He found himself watching with excitement as you formed into the perfect child. He had begun to dream of your time together before the foundations of the earth and as each day passed, His dream of your being together was one day closer. The Creator found himself in love. He had loved you from the day He first thought of you. That day so many years ago. Then His dream of your birth became a reality and on that chosen day, a precious baby was born. The Creator had already chosen the color of your eyes and hair and had given you a very special name. A name by which He would call to you. A name that would cause Him to smile. He gave to you the very special name of Daughter or Son.
Psalm 139 states,
For He created your inmost being
He knit you together in your mother’s womb
Praise Him for you are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made
His works are wonderful - know that full well
Your frame was not hidden from Him when you were made in that secret place
When you were woven together in the depths of the earth
His eyes saw your unformed body
All the days ordained for you were written in His book before one of them came to be
Friends - you are no accident. If your parents didn’t plan you - God did! He couldn’t wait until you were born.
He sits on the edge of your bed waiting for you to wake every morning.
He hangs out with you in the kitchen while you cook your favorite meal.
He sits across your desk from you at work and admires all you do.
He holds you every night when you lay down to sleep.
He made you just the way your are. And He loves you with His whole heart.
B. His Great Treasure
Exodus 19:5, “Now therefore, if you indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”
Friends, because you have chosen to follow God, you are His child and you are so very precious to Him. It doesn’t matter how you feel, what you think, or what your circumstances are in life.
Remember you must combat how you feel with God’s Word. Your reality can not be how you feel or what you think- your reality must be based on the word of God. When God says you are a special treasure - the you ARE a special treasure.
You can not focus on what man has said to you. Man is a liar. God is truth.
You are special and you are precious to your Heavenly Father. There is none on earth quite like you. He molded and made you from day 1 and because you choose Him He gives you favor.
Acts 10:15 and Acts 11:9 states, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."
Friends, you are not common. You are not average. You are not middle of the line.
You are not ordinary. You are extraordinary.
You are not less than. You are more than.
You are the head. Not the tail.
You are above and not beneath. (Deuteronomy 28)
You do no have to settle. You get to soar.
The day I accepted this love from God I changed. The day you accept this love from God you too will change. Well, what are you waiting for?
You are precious to God.
This is a word that must go straight to your heart. This is the time to apply His word. It will change your life.
A. Your Formation
Psalm 139:13-16
Not too many years ago you were conceived. From the point of conception, your growth into a child was carefully hand crafted by your Creator. As your vital organs began to grow and your limbs began to form, you were being watched very closely by your loving Father. Every second of every day, He found himself watching with excitement as you formed into the perfect child. He had begun to dream of your time together before the foundations of the earth and as each day passed, His dream of your being together was one day closer. The Creator found himself in love. He had loved you from the day He first thought of you. That day so many years ago. Then His dream of your birth became a reality and on that chosen day, a precious baby was born. The Creator had already chosen the color of your eyes and hair and had given you a very special name. A name by which He would call to you. A name that would cause Him to smile. He gave to you the very special name of Daughter or Son.
Psalm 139 states,
For He created your inmost being
He knit you together in your mother’s womb
Praise Him for you are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made
His works are wonderful - know that full well
Your frame was not hidden from Him when you were made in that secret place
When you were woven together in the depths of the earth
His eyes saw your unformed body
All the days ordained for you were written in His book before one of them came to be
Friends - you are no accident. If your parents didn’t plan you - God did! He couldn’t wait until you were born.
He sits on the edge of your bed waiting for you to wake every morning.
He hangs out with you in the kitchen while you cook your favorite meal.
He sits across your desk from you at work and admires all you do.
He holds you every night when you lay down to sleep.
He made you just the way your are. And He loves you with His whole heart.
B. His Great Treasure
Exodus 19:5, “Now therefore, if you indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”
Friends, because you have chosen to follow God, you are His child and you are so very precious to Him. It doesn’t matter how you feel, what you think, or what your circumstances are in life.
Remember you must combat how you feel with God’s Word. Your reality can not be how you feel or what you think- your reality must be based on the word of God. When God says you are a special treasure - the you ARE a special treasure.
You can not focus on what man has said to you. Man is a liar. God is truth.
You are special and you are precious to your Heavenly Father. There is none on earth quite like you. He molded and made you from day 1 and because you choose Him He gives you favor.
Acts 10:15 and Acts 11:9 states, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."
Friends, you are not common. You are not average. You are not middle of the line.
You are not ordinary. You are extraordinary.
You are not less than. You are more than.
You are the head. Not the tail.
You are above and not beneath. (Deuteronomy 28)
You do no have to settle. You get to soar.
The day I accepted this love from God I changed. The day you accept this love from God you too will change. Well, what are you waiting for?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Blessings for Obedience
Hello My Dear Friends,
I want to discuss a bit with you today that God's blessings come to us based on our obedience to Him. Many times in our lives we do not receive His blessing because of our disobedience/our sin.
My pastor was preaching a few weeks ago about faith. That we all have the measure of faith that we need to move the mountains in our lives. We don't have to pray for more faith because God wants us using the faith He has given us. Pastor asked me what I think hinders the ability to use that faith or keeps us from seeing our prayers answered. My response was our sin. Our sin keeps us from #1 believing we will receive and #2 receiving what we believe.
I was reading the book of Micah this afternoon. I went there because that's where my book mark was! In chapter 6, God is letting His children know that He had a complaint against them. As I continued to read, I became aware of some of those complaints. They were wickedness, deceit, violence, and lies. Because of these sins in their lives, God was withdrawing Himself from them. He withdrew health from their bodies, satisfaction, protection, the law of reaping and sowing, and they became a reproach. They were to bear the shame of their sins. If you've ever bore your shame you know that it isn't pleasant.
We must understand that if we are committing sin against our God that He will withdraw Himself from us. We cannot expect God to provide His blessings to us that are so abundant if we are in willful sin. There can be many things in our lives that we tend to overlook as sin such as jealousy, gossip, pride, covetousness, idolatry, little white lies, lack of submission, and I could go on and on.
If you're talking about someone and it isn't any of your business, you better stop. If it is your business then you better be talking to the right people, not your next door neighbor or your friend on the phone!!!
If you can't talk about someone without feeling bitter or ugly inside then you need to confess your jealousy and repent. Why make yourself miserable? Bitterness only hurts you - not the person with whom you're bitter.
The Bible states in Proverbs that every man is right in his own eyes. Does your pride and lack of submission categorize you into this type of person? Because if it does, destruction is sure to come (Proverbs 16:18).
I know these words may be tough for you, but God expects us to live pure lives. If you want His blessings, His abundant blessings, then check your heart. He'll reveal anything to you that may be hindering those blessings.
1Corinthians 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Love you all! Be blessed!
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Trade
Oftentimes as a Christian we are bombarded with questions from our family and friends about how to take care of certain issues in our family or friends' lives. It can be intimidating at times because we (or at least I) feel like we have to have some super spiritual answer to their problem or circumstance. Have you ever noticed how many issues our friends and family members can have? Those don't even include the issues we are dealing with in our own lives. Some situations seem to have an easy fix, others don't. Some issues we feel are much bigger than we are, some we feel like we can handle rather easily. Some circumstances we have dealt with previously, others we haven't. With all the issues in life (our own and everyone else's) it is easy to become overwhelmed if we are caring the burdens ourselves.
This is where the good news comes in:) I realize that I do have the answer to every situation, every circumstance and every issue. His name is Jesus. He has all the answers to every one of life's problems. Not just my problems, but your problems. Not just the easy to fix problems, but the hard to fix problems too. Those issues that are bigger than we are? They are nothing for Him. He knows the answer prior to the onset of the situation. That's COOL! Do you realize before He ever created you, created Adam and Ever or created the foundations of the earth, He had the answer to your issues? He already has everything worked out for you, for me, and for our friends and family. He is the Answer and when we seek Him to be so, He will give us the direction and guidance we need.
Levi recently gave his friend Luke a birthday gift of a Wii game. The game though it was originally Levi's is now Luke's. It is no longer in Levi's possession and Levi gives no thought to it. He doesn't walk around worried about how Luke is taking care of the game, if he's playing the game or if he's keeping it in its case. Levi makes no claim to the game whatsoever. It's Luke's game even though it was first in Levi's possession.
Matthew 11:28-30 tells us to take our burdens to the Lord for He will give us rest. We can learn from Him when we rest in Him. All our issues and life's circumstances can be traded in for His rest and for His wisdom. Are you heavy in heart? Are you burdened with life's issues and you can't seem to find the solution? Have you asked for a trade? His rest for your circumstance? His wisdom for your lack of? Ask Him today. And remember, when you trade with Jesus, the issue is no longer yours to be concerned with. He will take better care of you and your struggles more than you can within yourself. He's the BEST! I'm not sure how well Luke takes care of his gift, but I promise you that God will take great care of yours!
Be blessed my friends. Be burden traders!
This is where the good news comes in:) I realize that I do have the answer to every situation, every circumstance and every issue. His name is Jesus. He has all the answers to every one of life's problems. Not just my problems, but your problems. Not just the easy to fix problems, but the hard to fix problems too. Those issues that are bigger than we are? They are nothing for Him. He knows the answer prior to the onset of the situation. That's COOL! Do you realize before He ever created you, created Adam and Ever or created the foundations of the earth, He had the answer to your issues? He already has everything worked out for you, for me, and for our friends and family. He is the Answer and when we seek Him to be so, He will give us the direction and guidance we need.
Levi recently gave his friend Luke a birthday gift of a Wii game. The game though it was originally Levi's is now Luke's. It is no longer in Levi's possession and Levi gives no thought to it. He doesn't walk around worried about how Luke is taking care of the game, if he's playing the game or if he's keeping it in its case. Levi makes no claim to the game whatsoever. It's Luke's game even though it was first in Levi's possession.
Matthew 11:28-30 tells us to take our burdens to the Lord for He will give us rest. We can learn from Him when we rest in Him. All our issues and life's circumstances can be traded in for His rest and for His wisdom. Are you heavy in heart? Are you burdened with life's issues and you can't seem to find the solution? Have you asked for a trade? His rest for your circumstance? His wisdom for your lack of? Ask Him today. And remember, when you trade with Jesus, the issue is no longer yours to be concerned with. He will take better care of you and your struggles more than you can within yourself. He's the BEST! I'm not sure how well Luke takes care of his gift, but I promise you that God will take great care of yours!
Be blessed my friends. Be burden traders!
Monday, December 28, 2009
The New Year
2010 is right around the corner. I have my 2010 goals and I'm very excited about them. My only issue is time. I remember asking a friend once why there wasn't enough time in the day and she asked me if I thought God made the imperfect day. Well, of course, He didn't. We, as humans, just fill the days with too many activities. I wonder with the advance in technology how we seem to have less time as time goes on. How does that happen? I'm not really sure except that with technology, we "think" we have more time than we really do. Anyway, back to the goals.
I consider myself an ambitious person, though my ambition on a scale compared to some others may be minimal, I love that I am self-driven and desire more in life than the day to day tasks. Not that those tasks are not important, they are. It took me years to truly understand that whatever I am doing, if doing it in the name of the Lord, is giving Him glory. If I'm folding laundry, teaching math to Levi, baking a friend dinner, or sending a fax for Phillip, I am giving God glory. I don't have to be in the center of attention by having a prestigious title, and I don't have to have a PHD to bring God glory. God gets glory and we worship Him by doing all we do to the best of our abilities. But I also believe that God wants us growing and He has given us dreams and wants to give us dreams to fulfill in this lifetime.
Which brings me to goals. If we have dreams and visions, then we must have goals in order to meet those dreams. My 2009 dream to write and teach my own Bible study will be brought to fruition in January 2010. When this dream began within me, I had to take steps to make it possible. That goes for any dream. That's where goals come in. We must set realistic goals in order to see our dreams come to pass. But we must remember that we do our best and then we let God do the rest.
So, with the new year upon us, what is your dream? What goals will you set in order to make that dream become a reality? It's important to take steps forward. Remember, God does not want you to settle for less, He wants you to soar to new heights in Him. Dream big and let God make your steps of faith become a reality in your life.
I consider myself an ambitious person, though my ambition on a scale compared to some others may be minimal, I love that I am self-driven and desire more in life than the day to day tasks. Not that those tasks are not important, they are. It took me years to truly understand that whatever I am doing, if doing it in the name of the Lord, is giving Him glory. If I'm folding laundry, teaching math to Levi, baking a friend dinner, or sending a fax for Phillip, I am giving God glory. I don't have to be in the center of attention by having a prestigious title, and I don't have to have a PHD to bring God glory. God gets glory and we worship Him by doing all we do to the best of our abilities. But I also believe that God wants us growing and He has given us dreams and wants to give us dreams to fulfill in this lifetime.
Which brings me to goals. If we have dreams and visions, then we must have goals in order to meet those dreams. My 2009 dream to write and teach my own Bible study will be brought to fruition in January 2010. When this dream began within me, I had to take steps to make it possible. That goes for any dream. That's where goals come in. We must set realistic goals in order to see our dreams come to pass. But we must remember that we do our best and then we let God do the rest.
So, with the new year upon us, what is your dream? What goals will you set in order to make that dream become a reality? It's important to take steps forward. Remember, God does not want you to settle for less, He wants you to soar to new heights in Him. Dream big and let God make your steps of faith become a reality in your life.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Merry Christmas
I couldn't believe it's been since October that I've submitted anything in writing. WOW. How time truly flies by. Of course, the holidays seem to consume so much of the time.
I wanted truly to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. Christ gives hope to each of us individually and I am so thankful for that hope. He is the giver of life, the imparter of joy and peace. I want nothing more in life than to be right smack in the middle of where He is. His presence is my favorite place to be. Others may be addicted to worldy substance, but I'm addicted to my Savior.
Happy Birthday to my Life-Giver!
And Merry Christmas to all my wonderful friends :)
I wanted truly to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. Christ gives hope to each of us individually and I am so thankful for that hope. He is the giver of life, the imparter of joy and peace. I want nothing more in life than to be right smack in the middle of where He is. His presence is my favorite place to be. Others may be addicted to worldy substance, but I'm addicted to my Savior.
Happy Birthday to my Life-Giver!
And Merry Christmas to all my wonderful friends :)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Choose Life
Good morning my wonderful friends :) Let's talk about life. I love life. I love living it, I love enjoying it, I love that I can have it and live it regardless of my circumstances.
Let's go to Deuteronomy 30:19. It states, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendant's may live..." A year or so ago when I found myself in the darkest dungeon of my Christian walk, I had to blatantly choose life for myself. I knew that God had set both life and death before me, but all I sensed, saw and experienced at the time was death. I didn't realize that I was choosing death for myself. No, I wasn't choosing the circumstances in my life at that time, but I was choosing to allow the death of the circumstance to bring death to every part of me. I was dying emotionally, spiritually, and ultimately I was dying physically. When death comes to us emotionally and spiritually, it is only a matter of time before that death is seen upon us in physical form.
So, how did I begin to choose life for myself? Well, life comes only by the Word of God. Not by reading it, but by applying it. Even though my circumstances smelled of death, I had to begin to speak life to myself. Have you ever met someone who says they read their Bible, go to church, or pray for hours, but there is no abundant life in them? That's because they are either lying (!), or they are not applying what they are reading and being taught. I have met many people in my life that say they pray for hours, but there is no proof of victory in their lives. Unfortunately, many people read the Bible thinking its a good thing to do, but in essence it is their life source and applying it is more important than reading it.
Any word that you speak either to yourself or to another is either producing life or producing death. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." The Message Bible states it this way, "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose." Well, I'm guessing you're a little like I am, and you want to choose some good yummy fruit, not bitter poison for your life. The only way to eat the good fruit is by speaking the words of life according to God. Any word that opposes His truths is death and will bring death to you, to your spouse, to your children, and to your grand children!
Did you follow in Deut. 30:19 that your words, choosing either blessing or cursing, will affect your descendants? I know for my children I want life. I choose blessing for my children. I've experienced death and I choose life for me and for them. I don't want them to have to fight with the things I've had to fight with. For instance, my children will never hear me say they are stupid, fat, ugly, less capable than someone else, or not capable of success in an area they have interest. Justin has made comments to me that he would like to travel with a worship team as his "career." That is what is in his heart. I don't tell him that he can't make any money that way, or that he can't raise a family while he's traveling. He'll never hear me say, "well dream on Justin, that's about impossible." No way! I say, "Justin, you are a blessing to me and to God. If your desire is to serve him by traveling with a worship team and that is his will for your life, then we're going to believe it for you." Levi is eleven and still says he's going to play in the NBA. I have never one time told him that that dream won't happen. Levi can make that dream happen if he works hard enough to achieve it. My boys hear life words from me and that's what I intend to continue pouring into them. And you should do the same with your children. I know sometimes we wonder if their brains are attached, but I promise you they are, and they need life words from us!! Speak Life.
One more thing before I finish. When you speak words such as; I can't, that's impossible, it will never happen, my bills will never be paid, my body will never be healed, my spouse will never change, God doesn't care, I'll never get out of this pit, etc., know that these types of statements are death to you. You must always find God's Word for your situation, meditate upon that Word and make it alive to you. Believe that Word for you regardless of how you feel. Feeling are temporary, they come and go. God's Word is eternal. It shall NEVER pass.
Be blessed my friends. Be a Life speaker :)
Let's go to Deuteronomy 30:19. It states, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendant's may live..." A year or so ago when I found myself in the darkest dungeon of my Christian walk, I had to blatantly choose life for myself. I knew that God had set both life and death before me, but all I sensed, saw and experienced at the time was death. I didn't realize that I was choosing death for myself. No, I wasn't choosing the circumstances in my life at that time, but I was choosing to allow the death of the circumstance to bring death to every part of me. I was dying emotionally, spiritually, and ultimately I was dying physically. When death comes to us emotionally and spiritually, it is only a matter of time before that death is seen upon us in physical form.
So, how did I begin to choose life for myself? Well, life comes only by the Word of God. Not by reading it, but by applying it. Even though my circumstances smelled of death, I had to begin to speak life to myself. Have you ever met someone who says they read their Bible, go to church, or pray for hours, but there is no abundant life in them? That's because they are either lying (!), or they are not applying what they are reading and being taught. I have met many people in my life that say they pray for hours, but there is no proof of victory in their lives. Unfortunately, many people read the Bible thinking its a good thing to do, but in essence it is their life source and applying it is more important than reading it.
Any word that you speak either to yourself or to another is either producing life or producing death. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." The Message Bible states it this way, "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose." Well, I'm guessing you're a little like I am, and you want to choose some good yummy fruit, not bitter poison for your life. The only way to eat the good fruit is by speaking the words of life according to God. Any word that opposes His truths is death and will bring death to you, to your spouse, to your children, and to your grand children!
Did you follow in Deut. 30:19 that your words, choosing either blessing or cursing, will affect your descendants? I know for my children I want life. I choose blessing for my children. I've experienced death and I choose life for me and for them. I don't want them to have to fight with the things I've had to fight with. For instance, my children will never hear me say they are stupid, fat, ugly, less capable than someone else, or not capable of success in an area they have interest. Justin has made comments to me that he would like to travel with a worship team as his "career." That is what is in his heart. I don't tell him that he can't make any money that way, or that he can't raise a family while he's traveling. He'll never hear me say, "well dream on Justin, that's about impossible." No way! I say, "Justin, you are a blessing to me and to God. If your desire is to serve him by traveling with a worship team and that is his will for your life, then we're going to believe it for you." Levi is eleven and still says he's going to play in the NBA. I have never one time told him that that dream won't happen. Levi can make that dream happen if he works hard enough to achieve it. My boys hear life words from me and that's what I intend to continue pouring into them. And you should do the same with your children. I know sometimes we wonder if their brains are attached, but I promise you they are, and they need life words from us!! Speak Life.
One more thing before I finish. When you speak words such as; I can't, that's impossible, it will never happen, my bills will never be paid, my body will never be healed, my spouse will never change, God doesn't care, I'll never get out of this pit, etc., know that these types of statements are death to you. You must always find God's Word for your situation, meditate upon that Word and make it alive to you. Believe that Word for you regardless of how you feel. Feeling are temporary, they come and go. God's Word is eternal. It shall NEVER pass.
Be blessed my friends. Be a Life speaker :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
