I have been MIA again!
We had a fabulous Thanksgiving and an equally wonderful Christmas! We did deal with some sickness...a stomach bug that hit Gracen and then two weeks later hit me and Gracen again...we have all had some pretty nasty colds....and Gene threw his back out at the beginning of December and is still having a lot of pain in his hip and in one leg. But overall, the last month or so was wonderful because it is such a perfect time for family and worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I loved all of our family and church events and enjoyed some lazy days with my kids.
My blog is not going to be all that active in the next couple of months. I just have to much on my plate. I will soon be teaching 3 times a week and it is going to take all my "free" time to prepare those lessons.
I teach Jr. High girls for Sunday School every Sunday morning and will be starting a Bible study for youth girls on Monday nights at my house for those who might want to dig a little deeper into God's Word. I'm not sure if I will have any takers at this point but I do know that there is a desperate need for the teenagers of my church to learn some foundational truths about the God that they claim to love and serve. I want to see a hunger and a desire for God that I have not seen up to this point. I am praying that God calls some teenagers out to be leaders among the others.
I will also be teaching some sort of Women's Bible study on Sunday nights...I guess....that too has been undecided at this point, but it is certainly my desire to teach something.
I want to pour in to people and disciple people more than I have been, but I still want to be the wife Gene needs me to be and the mommy that Reagan and Gracen need. This is the main reason that I don't work outside the home. God has given me a love to teach His Word and there is no way I could teach the way I would like if I worked all day long and then tried to fulfill all my other roles from approximately dinner time to bedtime....just won't work for me. I would be spread too thin.
Gene and I are also hoping to set up ongoing monthly service days with the Elmore County Food Pantry. I want to serve and be a part of a ministry like this that meets such a basic need such as food. What a great avenue to share the gospel and of course, we will be taking youth with us. I think this will be great for Reagan too!
Anyway, the blog takes time and it is just going to have to take a backseat for a while longer. I won't shut it down because there are times I just miss it!
Happy New Year to everyone! I pray it is a great year!!!
Until next time...whenever that might be.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Friday, November 18, 2011
Additional Step to the SOAP Method
In our last Bible study class together this past Sunday night, (the one I had to miss because Gracen was sick), I was told that many ladies shared how much they have enjoyed the SOAP method of Bible study. The liked how it has given them some direction in their quiet time and they really enjoyed writing out a prayer each day based on Scripture.
A friend of mine from the class, Stephanie Beers, said that there were a few comments on difficulty with the observation and application steps. She sent me a wonderful tool that her husband uses called SPECK that can be used during these steps. I loved it and have been using it this week in my "Application" step.
SPECK:
S – Is there SIN for me to confess or avoid?
P – Is there a PROMISE for me to claim?
E – Is there an EXAMPLE for me to follow?
C – Is there a COMMAND for me to obey?
K – Is there KNOWLEDGE of God for me to praise, or apply to my life?
As I am thinking through the verse for the day, it has been really helpful to think through each of these steps. In today's verse, Ephesians 1:17-19, which I made reference to yesterday, there is a promise to claim and knowledge of God to praise and apply to my life.
Next time I teach the SOAP method, I will be using SPECK to take it a little bit further. Thanks to Stephanie for sharing!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Until next time....
A friend of mine from the class, Stephanie Beers, said that there were a few comments on difficulty with the observation and application steps. She sent me a wonderful tool that her husband uses called SPECK that can be used during these steps. I loved it and have been using it this week in my "Application" step.
SPECK:
S – Is there SIN for me to confess or avoid?
P – Is there a PROMISE for me to claim?
E – Is there an EXAMPLE for me to follow?
C – Is there a COMMAND for me to obey?
K – Is there KNOWLEDGE of God for me to praise, or apply to my life?
As I am thinking through the verse for the day, it has been really helpful to think through each of these steps. In today's verse, Ephesians 1:17-19, which I made reference to yesterday, there is a promise to claim and knowledge of God to praise and apply to my life.
Next time I teach the SOAP method, I will be using SPECK to take it a little bit further. Thanks to Stephanie for sharing!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Until next time....
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Catching Up
Well, I had sick children for a week and a half. Both girls had fever and a stuffy, runny nose...and just generally felt really yucky. Gracen was the worst to deal with because she was so grumpy and so clingy. She didn't sleep for several nights in a row and just wanted me to hold her. This was bad because this Momma needs sleeps or I am one "grumpy Gus". I try not to be and I do try to pray through it, but it is so tough to function positively on a few hours of sleep.
Thankfully, both girls are well now. Gracen has been better since Tuesday. It has taken me two full days to get caught up around here and to run errands like buying groceries. I hope we are on the "up swing", but Gene is not feeling well today, so I may have another person to take care of soon! We will see what happens.
This past Sunday night was the last Confident Heart Bible study session. What a great 10 weeks we had together. I already miss the group! The last session was a wrap-up of the women that we want to be for the Lord. Of course we are still going to blow it in our Christian walks. We will never reach perfection, but when we mess up, hopefully we will turn back sooner to a Holy God who loves us so! As we yield ourselves to God through the good times and the bad times, through the regular moments and the extraordinary ones, we become "oaks of righteous...a planting of the Lord...so that He may be glorified.." Isaiah 61:3. As we strive to live in close communion with our heavenly Father, our lives continually bring glory to Him and that is what we are here for. I desperately want to live a life that is fully surrendered to God and this study has opened my eyes to ways that I haven't been doing that...ways that I haven't lived with the confident heart that He has given me.
This week is our last week of verses. I hope that those in the group are sticking with it until the end. The verses are great summary verses to all that we have covered in the last 10 weeks. Here are some snippets below...
Isaiah 61:3...we are to be oaks of righteousness...a planting for the Lord...so that He may be glorified.
Hebrews 10:35-36,39...we can NOT throw away our confidence because it has a great reward...I have need of endurance and when I have done the will of God I will receive what was promised...I can not shrink back in my faith.
Galatians 2:20...I have been crucified with Christ...it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me... the life that I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Colossians 1:27...God has made known to me this great mystery..the hope of glory...Christ within me.
Ephesians 1:17-19...I pray that God gives me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him...that the eyes of my heart will be enlightened so that I will know the hope of His calling and the riches of His inheritance...and that I will know the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
This is good stuff and I pray that I never get over all that God has done for me and all that is mine in Christ Jesus!
Until next time...
Thankfully, both girls are well now. Gracen has been better since Tuesday. It has taken me two full days to get caught up around here and to run errands like buying groceries. I hope we are on the "up swing", but Gene is not feeling well today, so I may have another person to take care of soon! We will see what happens.
This past Sunday night was the last Confident Heart Bible study session. What a great 10 weeks we had together. I already miss the group! The last session was a wrap-up of the women that we want to be for the Lord. Of course we are still going to blow it in our Christian walks. We will never reach perfection, but when we mess up, hopefully we will turn back sooner to a Holy God who loves us so! As we yield ourselves to God through the good times and the bad times, through the regular moments and the extraordinary ones, we become "oaks of righteous...a planting of the Lord...so that He may be glorified.." Isaiah 61:3. As we strive to live in close communion with our heavenly Father, our lives continually bring glory to Him and that is what we are here for. I desperately want to live a life that is fully surrendered to God and this study has opened my eyes to ways that I haven't been doing that...ways that I haven't lived with the confident heart that He has given me.
This week is our last week of verses. I hope that those in the group are sticking with it until the end. The verses are great summary verses to all that we have covered in the last 10 weeks. Here are some snippets below...
Isaiah 61:3...we are to be oaks of righteousness...a planting for the Lord...so that He may be glorified.
Hebrews 10:35-36,39...we can NOT throw away our confidence because it has a great reward...I have need of endurance and when I have done the will of God I will receive what was promised...I can not shrink back in my faith.
Galatians 2:20...I have been crucified with Christ...it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me... the life that I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Colossians 1:27...God has made known to me this great mystery..the hope of glory...Christ within me.
Ephesians 1:17-19...I pray that God gives me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him...that the eyes of my heart will be enlightened so that I will know the hope of His calling and the riches of His inheritance...and that I will know the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
This is good stuff and I pray that I never get over all that God has done for me and all that is mine in Christ Jesus!
Until next time...
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Catch Up
I am sorry that I never got around to blogging yesterday. I have not had a good week when it comes to getting things done. I have had sick children who want my undivided attention. It started with Reagan at the beginning of the week. She had a sinus infection with fever, a bad cough, stuffy nose, headache, etc. She didn't sleep all that well at the beginning of the week which means I didn't sleep. She stayed home from school Monday and Tuesday, and Monday we spent half the day in the pediatrician's office, followed by the pharmacy getting prescriptions filled.
Reagan went back to school Wednesday and I was looking forward to a "normal" day but Gracen woke up at 5:30am with fever and was just in a terrible mood. Nothing would do unless I was holding her. We were headed back to the pediatrician around 11:00 and the doctor thinks she has a UTI. He is growing the culture for 24 hours so I won't know until sometime today.
Wednesday became the longest day ever. The fever made Gracen just about unbearable. "ILL" doesn't even begin to describe her mood. She didn't nap and literally wanted me to hold her the ENTIRE day. I had to miss church too which always makes me sad. Both girls have been up in the night.....and I am just tired! Yesterday's verse was very appropriate in light of my circumstances, even though things could have been a lot worse, they have not been ideal.... 2 Corinthians 12:7 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
I found myself rehearsing this verse yesterday and I wish I could say that it kept me in a place complete joy...it certainly helped....but it was still an incredibly long day! I literally pried Gracen off of me at 8:30 for bedtime and she was back up at 11:00... "His grace is sufficient".
Today's verse is Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Sometimes I wonder to myself, "Why does life have to be so hard? Why do some days have to be so unpleasant?" It is because my struggle is against Satan himself. I live in a fallen world with the constant pull of sin. Satan is constantly coming against me trying to bring out my worst self. Sometimes I just get weary and he wins. I let down my defenses, the circumstances of the day keep me from being in God's Word, and by bedtime my uglies spill out. As a Christian, I am assured victory but that means that I do have to engage in the battle, following the steps that God has given me in His Word found in the rest of this passage in Ephesians 6:10-17.
I have a Women's Retreat this weekend with my church. We are supposed to leave in the morning and I am ready to leave two girls with their Daddy. Is that bad? I don't think so.
I may not get to blog in the morning...but we will see.
Until next time...
Reagan went back to school Wednesday and I was looking forward to a "normal" day but Gracen woke up at 5:30am with fever and was just in a terrible mood. Nothing would do unless I was holding her. We were headed back to the pediatrician around 11:00 and the doctor thinks she has a UTI. He is growing the culture for 24 hours so I won't know until sometime today.
Wednesday became the longest day ever. The fever made Gracen just about unbearable. "ILL" doesn't even begin to describe her mood. She didn't nap and literally wanted me to hold her the ENTIRE day. I had to miss church too which always makes me sad. Both girls have been up in the night.....and I am just tired! Yesterday's verse was very appropriate in light of my circumstances, even though things could have been a lot worse, they have not been ideal.... 2 Corinthians 12:7 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
I found myself rehearsing this verse yesterday and I wish I could say that it kept me in a place complete joy...it certainly helped....but it was still an incredibly long day! I literally pried Gracen off of me at 8:30 for bedtime and she was back up at 11:00... "His grace is sufficient".
Today's verse is Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Sometimes I wonder to myself, "Why does life have to be so hard? Why do some days have to be so unpleasant?" It is because my struggle is against Satan himself. I live in a fallen world with the constant pull of sin. Satan is constantly coming against me trying to bring out my worst self. Sometimes I just get weary and he wins. I let down my defenses, the circumstances of the day keep me from being in God's Word, and by bedtime my uglies spill out. As a Christian, I am assured victory but that means that I do have to engage in the battle, following the steps that God has given me in His Word found in the rest of this passage in Ephesians 6:10-17.
I have a Women's Retreat this weekend with my church. We are supposed to leave in the morning and I am ready to leave two girls with their Daddy. Is that bad? I don't think so.
I may not get to blog in the morning...but we will see.
Until next time...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
1 John 1:9
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
What a great reminder this morning that in our Christian walk, we are going to blow it! We are going to sin. We are going to make mistakes. Thankfully we have a God who is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, as we confess our sins to Him.
It would be so easy to view God from our human perspective, making Him like us, thinking that He is up in heaven keeping a tally of how we blow it. When I was younger I used to think that I had a limit of how many sins I could commit and I once I reached that total, God would "write me off". I mean, we do this with other people right. We give them so many chances, and then we are done with them.
God is not like us! He is not keeping a heavenly tally sheet. He loves us so much and nothing that we can do can separate us from His love. Nothing that we can do can cause us to lose our salvation. Sin breaks our fellowship with Him though and it creates a barrier in our relationship. God desires that our fellowship be unhindered so our responsibility is to confess our sins to Him as soon as we become aware of it and trust that He will wash us clean. As we do this, we will have sweet fellowship with our Savior, experiencing peace and joy in our relationship with Him.
Until next time...
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
What a great reminder this morning that in our Christian walk, we are going to blow it! We are going to sin. We are going to make mistakes. Thankfully we have a God who is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, as we confess our sins to Him.
It would be so easy to view God from our human perspective, making Him like us, thinking that He is up in heaven keeping a tally of how we blow it. When I was younger I used to think that I had a limit of how many sins I could commit and I once I reached that total, God would "write me off". I mean, we do this with other people right. We give them so many chances, and then we are done with them.
God is not like us! He is not keeping a heavenly tally sheet. He loves us so much and nothing that we can do can separate us from His love. Nothing that we can do can cause us to lose our salvation. Sin breaks our fellowship with Him though and it creates a barrier in our relationship. God desires that our fellowship be unhindered so our responsibility is to confess our sins to Him as soon as we become aware of it and trust that He will wash us clean. As we do this, we will have sweet fellowship with our Savior, experiencing peace and joy in our relationship with Him.
Until next time...
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hebrews 4:16
In our group Bible study this coming Sunday night we will be talking about the lie that whispers, "I can't follow God consistently". Satan can really get us with this thought. Sometimes I feel so FAR from God despite my best efforts to walk closely with Him. I have days where I just blow it and my flesh oozes out all over the place...and I am a pastor's wife for goodness sakes! Some days I yell at my kids, snap at my husband, overeat, overspend, don't spend enough time praying or reading my Bible, break promises to people, act prideful, act selfish, hold a grudge, or a number of other things that a Christian just shouldn't do. In those moments, Satan whispers to my heart that I will never get it right and I should just quit trying.
Thankfully, my God is not after my perfection. I will never perfectly follow him while on this earth simply because I can never be perfect. What I CAN consistently do is yield myself to Him. When that conviction comes I can go to the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE and pray to my God, confessing my sin, turning from it, and then start all over again. When I do that I always find grace and mercy...not shame or condemnation. His mercies are new every single morning (Lamentations 3:23) and they never run out. Great is His faithfulness!!!
Hebrews 4:16
"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Until next time...
Thankfully, my God is not after my perfection. I will never perfectly follow him while on this earth simply because I can never be perfect. What I CAN consistently do is yield myself to Him. When that conviction comes I can go to the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE and pray to my God, confessing my sin, turning from it, and then start all over again. When I do that I always find grace and mercy...not shame or condemnation. His mercies are new every single morning (Lamentations 3:23) and they never run out. Great is His faithfulness!!!
Hebrews 4:16
"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Until next time...
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Psalm 55:22
Psalm 55:22
"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
This verse is pretty self explanatory but for me it is just a matter of doing it and believing it. I have to learn once and for all how to cast all of my burdens upon God and LEAVE them there at His feet. God sustains my life. He gives me every single breath that I have. He sees the big picture from beginning to end and He wants me to rest in that truth. Resting means that I will stop working myself up into a "tizzy" about possibilities...or even actual events.
I am one of His righteous ones because I am saved and covered by His blood. This means that I will NOT be shaken. I can be strong regardless of what I face.
Yesterday's verse promised me that as I turned my concerns over to God in prayer, He would give me a peace that surpasses all understanding. Today, I am told that His promises are so much bigger than my problems and because of that truth, I can have peace.
The author of our study A Confident Heart suggested that we write down all of our concerns, big and small, and look at them. Take each one of them to God in prayer and pray promises from scripture over them...leaving them with God. Any of the verses from this week will apply or you might look up the following verses as well...Psalm 16:11, Psalm 23:1, Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 138:7-8.
God is with me during every second of every day and He is so much more powerful than any issue that I face. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is good and He can be trusted. I know in my heart that this is truth and I want to live this out in my thoughts and my actions every single day.
Until next time...
"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
This verse is pretty self explanatory but for me it is just a matter of doing it and believing it. I have to learn once and for all how to cast all of my burdens upon God and LEAVE them there at His feet. God sustains my life. He gives me every single breath that I have. He sees the big picture from beginning to end and He wants me to rest in that truth. Resting means that I will stop working myself up into a "tizzy" about possibilities...or even actual events.
I am one of His righteous ones because I am saved and covered by His blood. This means that I will NOT be shaken. I can be strong regardless of what I face.
Yesterday's verse promised me that as I turned my concerns over to God in prayer, He would give me a peace that surpasses all understanding. Today, I am told that His promises are so much bigger than my problems and because of that truth, I can have peace.
The author of our study A Confident Heart suggested that we write down all of our concerns, big and small, and look at them. Take each one of them to God in prayer and pray promises from scripture over them...leaving them with God. Any of the verses from this week will apply or you might look up the following verses as well...Psalm 16:11, Psalm 23:1, Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 138:7-8.
God is with me during every second of every day and He is so much more powerful than any issue that I face. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is good and He can be trusted. I know in my heart that this is truth and I want to live this out in my thoughts and my actions every single day.
Until next time...
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Philippians 4:6-7
Philippians 4:6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This is my go to verse on worry. I have it memorized. I don't have to look it up. But do I live it out? Not exactly...
This verse says that I am to be anxious for NOTHING...for No Thing...Nada...Zilch. I mean is this even possible? There are so many things to worry about on any given day, things like health issues, financial issues, job issues, marriage issues, balancing it all issues, and don't even get me started on my kids. God says that I am supposed to bring every single thing to Him in prayer. I am to bring the big things and the little things and lay them down at His feet in prayer. I have to continually pray about all the issues that run through my brain, reminding myself to hand them over to God with an attitude of thanksgiving...regardless of the outcome. I have to admit, I have the prayer part down. But that is only half the battle. I take lots of things to God in prayer, but the "leaving them there" part is what I struggle with.
I have to admit, thus far in my life, most of the things that I have worried about have never happened. All my worries have accomplished in my life is heartache for me....you know, lost sleep, lack of enjoyment in the moment, many upset stomachs, and a complete lack of peace. My worrying has never fixed anything, nor has it accomplished anything positive in my life.
God tells me in these verses that I can have complete peace when I bring every single thing to Him in prayer. For me, this is going to mean taking every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and making it obedient to the Word of God. I have to constantly acknowledge that God is good....that He sees me....that everything that touches my life has been filtered through a sovereign God who never leaves my side. When my brain starts to worry about something, I have to stop my thoughts and ask God to remove that line of thinking, replacing it with His truth instead. When I do that, He promises peace...peace that surpasses my understanding. The peace that He provides will continually guard my heart and my mind. I love that promise and I desperately want to live it out. I am so tired of worry robbing me of living life in the moment.
The notes in my Life Application Bible say that to worry less, one has to pray more. At the moment you start to worry, pray instead. This is what it means in 1 Thess. 5:17 when it calls us to pray without ceasing. All through the day, we have to pray sentence prayers up to God instead of worrying.
Phil. 4:6-7 can be summarized like this...Anxious in nothing, prayerful in everything, and thankful for anything.
Is this possible?
Yes, it is!
Until next time...
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This is my go to verse on worry. I have it memorized. I don't have to look it up. But do I live it out? Not exactly...
This verse says that I am to be anxious for NOTHING...for No Thing...Nada...Zilch. I mean is this even possible? There are so many things to worry about on any given day, things like health issues, financial issues, job issues, marriage issues, balancing it all issues, and don't even get me started on my kids. God says that I am supposed to bring every single thing to Him in prayer. I am to bring the big things and the little things and lay them down at His feet in prayer. I have to continually pray about all the issues that run through my brain, reminding myself to hand them over to God with an attitude of thanksgiving...regardless of the outcome. I have to admit, I have the prayer part down. But that is only half the battle. I take lots of things to God in prayer, but the "leaving them there" part is what I struggle with.
I have to admit, thus far in my life, most of the things that I have worried about have never happened. All my worries have accomplished in my life is heartache for me....you know, lost sleep, lack of enjoyment in the moment, many upset stomachs, and a complete lack of peace. My worrying has never fixed anything, nor has it accomplished anything positive in my life.
God tells me in these verses that I can have complete peace when I bring every single thing to Him in prayer. For me, this is going to mean taking every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and making it obedient to the Word of God. I have to constantly acknowledge that God is good....that He sees me....that everything that touches my life has been filtered through a sovereign God who never leaves my side. When my brain starts to worry about something, I have to stop my thoughts and ask God to remove that line of thinking, replacing it with His truth instead. When I do that, He promises peace...peace that surpasses my understanding. The peace that He provides will continually guard my heart and my mind. I love that promise and I desperately want to live it out. I am so tired of worry robbing me of living life in the moment.
The notes in my Life Application Bible say that to worry less, one has to pray more. At the moment you start to worry, pray instead. This is what it means in 1 Thess. 5:17 when it calls us to pray without ceasing. All through the day, we have to pray sentence prayers up to God instead of worrying.
Phil. 4:6-7 can be summarized like this...Anxious in nothing, prayerful in everything, and thankful for anything.
Is this possible?
Yes, it is!
Until next time...
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Two Verses and Halloween
I am sorry that I never got around to posting my verse for yesterday. It was a crazy day. Gracen woke me up 3 am and she never went back to sleep. She appeared to have a nightmare of some sort and was petrified to go back into her crib. I tried laying down with her and she was simply wide awake. Yesterday, was Halloween and I had volunteered to help at Reagan's school...starting with a hayride at 8:30. I was tired by the time I got there. Gracen and I got back home around lunch. We both ate and then took a nap. Gracen slept for 3 hours and I slept for about an hour. After that I had to shower and get ready for the night... "Light the Night for Jesus" at our church in honor of Halloween. We picked Reagan up from school and I spent the afternoon bathing both girls and getting them dressed and ready in their costumes. We had a great night and I added a few pictures below.
This week in our Bible study we are leading up to a lesson on worry...a big issue for me. I don't feel worthy to teach the lesson because this is one of my biggest weaknesses. Through the study, I am starting to realize just how much Satan uses my thoughts to distract me from God's truth. When I worry about ridiculous scenarios that usually NEVER happen, I am not resting in God's Word and the many promises that are available to me.
Yesterday's verse was Matt. 11:28..."Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest."
This is not your typical go-to verse on worry but the author of our study makes a great point that worry makes you physically tired. It causes a heaviness in your spirit and robs you of restful sleep. Worries about our relationships, our many roles, our responsibilities, our finances, etc. can be overwhelming, causing our thoughts to get "divided" all over the place. God desires that we focus on His truth which promises to give a sound mind. Jesus calls us to come to Him and to lay everything down at His feet, which means we have to stop rehearsing things in our minds. When we lay everything down, He will truly give us rest for our spirits.
Today's verse is Psalms 91:1-2..."He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and My fortress, My God, in whom I trust."
Again, not your typical verse on worry, but when we worry and we are fearful, we are not resting in the truths found in these verses. God is sovereign and He sees our entire lives from beginning to end. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Everything that touches our lives has been filtered through His hands for our good purposes. He wants us to continually remember that He will never leave us....He is a shelter... He calls us to abide in His shadow...He is a refuge...He is fortress...He can be trusted.
Abiding in God is spending that daily time with Him in His Word and in prayer. That time is what transforms us from the inside out. The more time we spend in His presence the more we will trust in the promises of scripture enabling us to conquer anxious thoughts.
For family, I wanted to share a few pictures. On Saturday night, we carved two pumpkins for the Halloween weekend.
Reagan loves to get the insides of the pumpkin out. She likes to get messy. Gracen on the other hand wouldn't touch it.
The finished pumpkin
Until next time...
This week in our Bible study we are leading up to a lesson on worry...a big issue for me. I don't feel worthy to teach the lesson because this is one of my biggest weaknesses. Through the study, I am starting to realize just how much Satan uses my thoughts to distract me from God's truth. When I worry about ridiculous scenarios that usually NEVER happen, I am not resting in God's Word and the many promises that are available to me.
Yesterday's verse was Matt. 11:28..."Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest."
This is not your typical go-to verse on worry but the author of our study makes a great point that worry makes you physically tired. It causes a heaviness in your spirit and robs you of restful sleep. Worries about our relationships, our many roles, our responsibilities, our finances, etc. can be overwhelming, causing our thoughts to get "divided" all over the place. God desires that we focus on His truth which promises to give a sound mind. Jesus calls us to come to Him and to lay everything down at His feet, which means we have to stop rehearsing things in our minds. When we lay everything down, He will truly give us rest for our spirits.
Today's verse is Psalms 91:1-2..."He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and My fortress, My God, in whom I trust."
Again, not your typical verse on worry, but when we worry and we are fearful, we are not resting in the truths found in these verses. God is sovereign and He sees our entire lives from beginning to end. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Everything that touches our lives has been filtered through His hands for our good purposes. He wants us to continually remember that He will never leave us....He is a shelter... He calls us to abide in His shadow...He is a refuge...He is fortress...He can be trusted.
Abiding in God is spending that daily time with Him in His Word and in prayer. That time is what transforms us from the inside out. The more time we spend in His presence the more we will trust in the promises of scripture enabling us to conquer anxious thoughts.
For family, I wanted to share a few pictures. On Saturday night, we carved two pumpkins for the Halloween weekend.
Reagan loves to get the insides of the pumpkin out. She likes to get messy. Gracen on the other hand wouldn't touch it.
The finished pumpkin
And here are my little "trick or treaters" from last night.
Snow White
Princess Belle
Until next time...
Friday, October 28, 2011
Romans 12:5-8
Romans 12:5-8
"So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching, the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (ESV)
This is one list in the New Testament that gives some of the spiritual gifts that one might receive at the moment of salvation. Unlike talents and abilities received at natural birth, spiritual gifts are received at spiritual birth. God's grace deals out differing gifts to different people. And God gives the necessary strength or ability to use what gifts we have. Every Christian has a spiritual gift and it is given to help build the church and to bring God glory.
Seven gifts are listed in this particular passage...
Prophecy- A prophet is a spokesman for the Lord. Someone with this gift often has spiritual insight into situations and can be a powerful prayer warrior or truth-teller, depending on how God leads. This person will share God's truth regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Service- Someone with the gift of service often ends up doing what no one else likes to do. If you have the gift of service, you demonstrate love by serving people and enjoy helping others while meeting their needs. You also prefer behind-the-scenes assignments instead of being out front.
Teaching- If you have the gift of teaching, you enjoy explaining why things are true. You see the need for Biblical knowledge and understanding. Someone with this gift loves to research and dig into details and then share what they discover.
Exhortation- A person with the gift of exhortation loves to encourage the faith of others and help them grow spiritually. These people feel compelled to share God's encouraging words and give practical advice on how to apply God's truth in everyday life.
Giving- A person with this gift has unique financial insights, often has resources to meet needs, and enjoys sharing material blessings. You sincerely like to give to others. You see material needs in the church and are sensitive to how money is spent and saved.
Leadership- If you have this gift, you like to oversee and organize projects and find things for people to do because you see the big picture. You are good at planning for the future while working to keep everyone on track.
Mercy- If you have this gift, you feel compelled to help people reduce pain. Are you more concerned with the person than the reason for their suffering? Many times those with this gift have experienced pain and can therefore empathize with the hurts of others.
(**Descriptions taken from A Confident Heart by Renee Swope)
Every Christian has a spiritual gift and every Christian should be using it to build up the body of Christ. If you are not sure what your spiritual gift is there are a few things that you can do...
"So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching, the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (ESV)
This is one list in the New Testament that gives some of the spiritual gifts that one might receive at the moment of salvation. Unlike talents and abilities received at natural birth, spiritual gifts are received at spiritual birth. God's grace deals out differing gifts to different people. And God gives the necessary strength or ability to use what gifts we have. Every Christian has a spiritual gift and it is given to help build the church and to bring God glory.
Seven gifts are listed in this particular passage...
Prophecy- A prophet is a spokesman for the Lord. Someone with this gift often has spiritual insight into situations and can be a powerful prayer warrior or truth-teller, depending on how God leads. This person will share God's truth regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Service- Someone with the gift of service often ends up doing what no one else likes to do. If you have the gift of service, you demonstrate love by serving people and enjoy helping others while meeting their needs. You also prefer behind-the-scenes assignments instead of being out front.
Teaching- If you have the gift of teaching, you enjoy explaining why things are true. You see the need for Biblical knowledge and understanding. Someone with this gift loves to research and dig into details and then share what they discover.
Exhortation- A person with the gift of exhortation loves to encourage the faith of others and help them grow spiritually. These people feel compelled to share God's encouraging words and give practical advice on how to apply God's truth in everyday life.
Giving- A person with this gift has unique financial insights, often has resources to meet needs, and enjoys sharing material blessings. You sincerely like to give to others. You see material needs in the church and are sensitive to how money is spent and saved.
Leadership- If you have this gift, you like to oversee and organize projects and find things for people to do because you see the big picture. You are good at planning for the future while working to keep everyone on track.
Mercy- If you have this gift, you feel compelled to help people reduce pain. Are you more concerned with the person than the reason for their suffering? Many times those with this gift have experienced pain and can therefore empathize with the hurts of others.
(**Descriptions taken from A Confident Heart by Renee Swope)
Every Christian has a spiritual gift and every Christian should be using it to build up the body of Christ. If you are not sure what your spiritual gift is there are a few things that you can do...
- Ask God in prayer to show you what your gift is.
- Just start serving in the church or in ministries outside the church and see what you truly enjoy doing. If it is your "gift" then that particular role will make your heart sing. If you try a role and hate it, then you can be sure that is not where you are suppose to serve.
- Ask someone who knows you well, like your spouse, best friend, etc what spiritual giftedness they see in you. Oftentimes, those closest to us see our strengths before we see them in ourselves.
- Take a spiritual gifts inventory. These can be found at Lifeway Christian Stores in Montgomery. Gene has some in his office and I bet Pastor Shane has some as well.
Until next time...
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Ephesians 4:15-16
Ephesians is another favorite of mine. I'm an "underliner" and I think the entire book of Ephesians is underlined in my Bible and a good bit of it is highlighted. I also have this book of the Bible downloaded on my ipod and I listen to it as I do odd jobs around the house. Listening to God's Word is a great way to lift your mood....anyway....on to our verse.
Ephesians 4:15-16
"But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
First of all, as believers, we have to operate out of the truth of the gospel message. That is the basis for all of our actions, and truth has to be grounded in love...in a right spirit. From that foundation, we can grow in Christ. As individuals we have to be actively pursuing Christ every single day. As we pursue Him, fall in love with Him, and become more intimately connected to Him, He will begin to show us our spiritual gifts, our passions, and our calling that will benefit the entire Body of Christ, which is the church.
Beth Moore said it this way..."If you want to know your purpose, pursue the heart of God and you'll have a head-on collision with your calling." We have to stop striving, or just spinning our wheels, and start seeking Him. The closer we get to Jesus, the more clearly we will understand His purpose for our lives. When we know that purpose then we will have a fullness of joy about what we are doing to grow the body.
At the moment that we received Christ as our Savior, we also received a spiritual gift (or gifts), that was thoughtfully chosen by our heavenly Father to help us fulfill His plans for us. Your spiritual gift indicates the way God designed you to serve and complete the body of Christ. We each play a vital role in supporting other parts of the body through love in action. Without each person knowing and using their spiritual gifts, the body is incomplete and is hindered from reaching its full potential.
We have to know and believe that God wants to make an impact for the kingdom through our lives. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we have to look for ways to allow God to do just that. Only then will the body of Christ be complete!
Until next time...
(*Some thoughts were taken from our study A Confident Heart)
Ephesians 4:15-16
"But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
First of all, as believers, we have to operate out of the truth of the gospel message. That is the basis for all of our actions, and truth has to be grounded in love...in a right spirit. From that foundation, we can grow in Christ. As individuals we have to be actively pursuing Christ every single day. As we pursue Him, fall in love with Him, and become more intimately connected to Him, He will begin to show us our spiritual gifts, our passions, and our calling that will benefit the entire Body of Christ, which is the church.
Beth Moore said it this way..."If you want to know your purpose, pursue the heart of God and you'll have a head-on collision with your calling." We have to stop striving, or just spinning our wheels, and start seeking Him. The closer we get to Jesus, the more clearly we will understand His purpose for our lives. When we know that purpose then we will have a fullness of joy about what we are doing to grow the body.
At the moment that we received Christ as our Savior, we also received a spiritual gift (or gifts), that was thoughtfully chosen by our heavenly Father to help us fulfill His plans for us. Your spiritual gift indicates the way God designed you to serve and complete the body of Christ. We each play a vital role in supporting other parts of the body through love in action. Without each person knowing and using their spiritual gifts, the body is incomplete and is hindered from reaching its full potential.
We have to know and believe that God wants to make an impact for the kingdom through our lives. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we have to look for ways to allow God to do just that. Only then will the body of Christ be complete!
Until next time...
(*Some thoughts were taken from our study A Confident Heart)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Psalm 139:13-14
Psalm 139 is probably one of my all time favorite sections of scripture. Whenever I don't know where to read in my Bible, I turn to this passage and read the entire chapter. It is so comforting to me that God knows me so personally and yet loves me so deeply.
These verses took on a new meaning when I gave birth to Gracen. As soon as she was born and I looked at her for the very first time, my doctor, Matthew Phillips, quoted these verses over her and then prayed for her. It was a beautiful moment and solidified how intimately God loves me, loves Gracen.... and loves ALL of us! Pregnancy is such an amazing thing! To feel your child grow in your womb from the size of a pea to a full grown baby is the neatest thing. Gene and I used to look at the magazine pictures that would show month by month the stages of development and it is mind boggling. Our God, creator God, absolutely knit each one of us together....piece by piece.
Psalm 139:13-14
"For you formed my inward parts; You wove me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well."
In the context of our Bible study this week, these verses help us to recognize that God is the one who created us. He knit us together exactly as we are with our personality strengths and weaknesses, our God-given desires, our natural talents and abilities, and our spiritual gifts. He has a purpose for each of us and wants to use each one of us for kingdom work. When we embrace who God created us to be, we will find confidence and joy.
Until next time...
These verses took on a new meaning when I gave birth to Gracen. As soon as she was born and I looked at her for the very first time, my doctor, Matthew Phillips, quoted these verses over her and then prayed for her. It was a beautiful moment and solidified how intimately God loves me, loves Gracen.... and loves ALL of us! Pregnancy is such an amazing thing! To feel your child grow in your womb from the size of a pea to a full grown baby is the neatest thing. Gene and I used to look at the magazine pictures that would show month by month the stages of development and it is mind boggling. Our God, creator God, absolutely knit each one of us together....piece by piece.
Psalm 139:13-14
"For you formed my inward parts; You wove me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well."
In the context of our Bible study this week, these verses help us to recognize that God is the one who created us. He knit us together exactly as we are with our personality strengths and weaknesses, our God-given desires, our natural talents and abilities, and our spiritual gifts. He has a purpose for each of us and wants to use each one of us for kingdom work. When we embrace who God created us to be, we will find confidence and joy.
Until next time...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
2 Corinthians 10:12-13
2 Corinthians 10:12-13
"For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you."
In context Paul is speaking of false teachers who came into the city of Corinth commending themselves. Being false teachers, their teaching would have been in complete opposition to Paul's ministry, or the gospel message. These teachers thought that they were right and above everyone else. Of course, they only compared themselves by themselves or those like themselves. This shows that they were without understanding or unwise.
Paul chose not to get caught up in the comparison game. He knew exactly what God had called him to do. He knew the ministry that he had came from God...He apportioned it to him. Paul said that he would not boast beyond that.
As woman it is incredibly easy to stay in a place where we constantly compare ourselves to others. We compare everything...our looks, our clothes, our husbands, our financial situations, our houses, the way our children behave or perform in school, our bodies, etc.
This week we are talking about our service for the Lord and this just happens to be another area that we compare ourselves to others. We look at other women to see what they are doing for God and we want to be used in the same way. We want their influence, their respect, their giftedness, etc. We compare ourselves to others and then feel completely lacking in our own giftedness to do anything grand for God.
As a person who enjoys teaching God's Word to other women, I can look at Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Vicky Courtney and desperately want their ministries, their influence, and their giftedness to speak. I think it would be so cool to have the platform that they have. Of course, I still get nervous in front of 25 people, much less stand up in front of thousands. God has called those particular ladies to that size ministry. I know that I cannot compare themselves to those ladies. I am not them and never will be. To compare what I "do" for God and what they "do" for God is silly. I have to focus on what God has called me to do, the ministry that He has apportioned to me, and stop comparing myself to others. I cannot even compare myself with myself. I have to constantly be measuring myself against God, continually growing to become more and more like Him.
This week I hope that you will be praying about what your ministry for God currently looks like. As Christians, we should all be serving in some way. God has given us a gift called a "lifetime" and we should be using it to glorify Him. If you are not serving in the body of Christ, you are robbing yourself and others of great joy. It is time to get serious about your calling!
Until next time...
Oh, my Bible study group knows what I am talking about...but with Gene out of town, no one threw up in the night....Praise the Lord!!!! LOL!
"For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you."
In context Paul is speaking of false teachers who came into the city of Corinth commending themselves. Being false teachers, their teaching would have been in complete opposition to Paul's ministry, or the gospel message. These teachers thought that they were right and above everyone else. Of course, they only compared themselves by themselves or those like themselves. This shows that they were without understanding or unwise.
Paul chose not to get caught up in the comparison game. He knew exactly what God had called him to do. He knew the ministry that he had came from God...He apportioned it to him. Paul said that he would not boast beyond that.
As woman it is incredibly easy to stay in a place where we constantly compare ourselves to others. We compare everything...our looks, our clothes, our husbands, our financial situations, our houses, the way our children behave or perform in school, our bodies, etc.
This week we are talking about our service for the Lord and this just happens to be another area that we compare ourselves to others. We look at other women to see what they are doing for God and we want to be used in the same way. We want their influence, their respect, their giftedness, etc. We compare ourselves to others and then feel completely lacking in our own giftedness to do anything grand for God.
As a person who enjoys teaching God's Word to other women, I can look at Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Vicky Courtney and desperately want their ministries, their influence, and their giftedness to speak. I think it would be so cool to have the platform that they have. Of course, I still get nervous in front of 25 people, much less stand up in front of thousands. God has called those particular ladies to that size ministry. I know that I cannot compare themselves to those ladies. I am not them and never will be. To compare what I "do" for God and what they "do" for God is silly. I have to focus on what God has called me to do, the ministry that He has apportioned to me, and stop comparing myself to others. I cannot even compare myself with myself. I have to constantly be measuring myself against God, continually growing to become more and more like Him.
This week I hope that you will be praying about what your ministry for God currently looks like. As Christians, we should all be serving in some way. God has given us a gift called a "lifetime" and we should be using it to glorify Him. If you are not serving in the body of Christ, you are robbing yourself and others of great joy. It is time to get serious about your calling!
Until next time...
Oh, my Bible study group knows what I am talking about...but with Gene out of town, no one threw up in the night....Praise the Lord!!!! LOL!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
I love the idea that I am God's workmanship...his handiwork, his masterpiece. I assure you, this is not how I see myself. To know that He chose to create me and that He is proud of His creation gives me a great sense of peace. I was created to KNOW God personally through salvation, but I was not saved merely for my own benefit. According to this verse, there are good works that I should be doing to serve others and to build up the church....because of my love for my Savior.
I can beat myself up, compare myself to others, wish I was someone else, etc. but it boils to the fact that I was created by a Holy God just the way that I am...with my problems, my personality, my temperament, my looks, my weaknesses, and my strengths. I am uniquely me for God's purposes and not my own.
This coming Sunday night we are going to talk about our God given purpose...what it is that you think you were created for. What is it that makes your heart come alive? What are you passionate about? We were created to enhance the church body. We should be serving in some way, walking in good works that were created for us before the foundation of the earth. Just as Pastor Shane said Sunday morning, you will not walk in the fullness of joy until you start fulfilling the purpose for which you were created.
I know that I am suppose to be teaching God's Word. It brings me great joy. On the flip side of that, it still makes me nervous to stand in front of a group and it is work to prepare the lessons. I get tired at times and will go through seasons where I do not teach. During those seasons though, I miss it and it seems like everything I read makes me think, "Every woman needs to hear this". This blog was started during a season when I was not teaching. It became an outlet for me to share what I was learning with God. It is also safe and doesn't require me to stand in front of a group. But, when I am just blogging, I sense God pushing me to do more.
This week, start to think about what you were created to do for God. What makes your heart sing? If you don't have some sort of area of service, you are not walking in the good works that God created for you before the foundations of the world. You are missing out on a blessing and so is the body of Christ.
Until next time...
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
I love the idea that I am God's workmanship...his handiwork, his masterpiece. I assure you, this is not how I see myself. To know that He chose to create me and that He is proud of His creation gives me a great sense of peace. I was created to KNOW God personally through salvation, but I was not saved merely for my own benefit. According to this verse, there are good works that I should be doing to serve others and to build up the church....because of my love for my Savior.
I can beat myself up, compare myself to others, wish I was someone else, etc. but it boils to the fact that I was created by a Holy God just the way that I am...with my problems, my personality, my temperament, my looks, my weaknesses, and my strengths. I am uniquely me for God's purposes and not my own.
This coming Sunday night we are going to talk about our God given purpose...what it is that you think you were created for. What is it that makes your heart come alive? What are you passionate about? We were created to enhance the church body. We should be serving in some way, walking in good works that were created for us before the foundation of the earth. Just as Pastor Shane said Sunday morning, you will not walk in the fullness of joy until you start fulfilling the purpose for which you were created.
I know that I am suppose to be teaching God's Word. It brings me great joy. On the flip side of that, it still makes me nervous to stand in front of a group and it is work to prepare the lessons. I get tired at times and will go through seasons where I do not teach. During those seasons though, I miss it and it seems like everything I read makes me think, "Every woman needs to hear this". This blog was started during a season when I was not teaching. It became an outlet for me to share what I was learning with God. It is also safe and doesn't require me to stand in front of a group. But, when I am just blogging, I sense God pushing me to do more.
This week, start to think about what you were created to do for God. What makes your heart sing? If you don't have some sort of area of service, you are not walking in the good works that God created for you before the foundations of the world. You are missing out on a blessing and so is the body of Christ.
Until next time...
Friday, October 21, 2011
Psalm 37:23-24
Psalm 37:23-24
"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong because the Lord is the one who holds his hand."
This is one of those verses that I love! God is with me all the time, in good times and in tough times. As I walk with God and delight in Him, staying in fellowship with Him, He will direct or order my steps. Of course, I am still going to blow it at times, which is just part of the journey. How encouraging to know that I will not be "hurled headlong", that I will not be completely overtaken by trials and failures because my God is right there with me holding my hand.
If I desire God's direction then I must stay in fellowship with Him, reading His word every single day and talking to Him throughout the day. As I make the effort to stay in communion with Him, then I am assured His direction and will sense His presence.
Prayer Requests:
1. I woke up with a pretty scratchy sore throat and a stuffy nose. Pray that this doesn't get worse. I have asked God throughout the study to allow me to be well every Sunday so I can teach the week's lesson.
2. Pray that Sunday night's lesson will come together. By Friday I am usually finished with the lesson with my copies run off, ready to go. I am not even half way through. I just keep reading the chapter not exactly sure what direction to go.
Thank you for the prayers.
Until next time...
"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong because the Lord is the one who holds his hand."
This is one of those verses that I love! God is with me all the time, in good times and in tough times. As I walk with God and delight in Him, staying in fellowship with Him, He will direct or order my steps. Of course, I am still going to blow it at times, which is just part of the journey. How encouraging to know that I will not be "hurled headlong", that I will not be completely overtaken by trials and failures because my God is right there with me holding my hand.
If I desire God's direction then I must stay in fellowship with Him, reading His word every single day and talking to Him throughout the day. As I make the effort to stay in communion with Him, then I am assured His direction and will sense His presence.
Prayer Requests:
1. I woke up with a pretty scratchy sore throat and a stuffy nose. Pray that this doesn't get worse. I have asked God throughout the study to allow me to be well every Sunday so I can teach the week's lesson.
2. Pray that Sunday night's lesson will come together. By Friday I am usually finished with the lesson with my copies run off, ready to go. I am not even half way through. I just keep reading the chapter not exactly sure what direction to go.
Thank you for the prayers.
Until next time...
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Colossians 1:21-22
Colossians 1:21-22
"Although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now RECONCILED you in His fleshly body through death in order to present you before Him HOLY and BLAMELESS and BEYOND REPROACH."
Such powerful verses that talk about what we once were compared to what we are now! Before I accepted Christ as my Savior I was alienated from Him, which means that I was a stranger to Him and to His way of thinking. I was hostile in my mind, which means that my thoughts were sinful and opposed to the things of God. I went my own way and my actions were based on my own perception of right and wrong and not on God's standards of holy living.
But my merciful God reconciled me to Himself through the death of His fleshly body on the cross. To be reconciled means to be restored to a right relationship or standard, or to make peace where there was enmity. The Bible NEVER speaks of God being reconciled to man, but ALWAYS man being reconciled to God.
When sin entered the world, man became estranged to God. The sin caused a huge chasm that made it impossible for man to reach God. In his great mercy He made a way for us to be able to reach Him...to be able to be in right relationship with Him. That position of right standing before a Holy God only comes through believing in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and accepting that work on our behalf.
Jesus has to become your Savior and your Lord.
When I accepted and believed in what Jesus did on the cross and I believed in His resurrection, then His blood covered me. And it covers me still! I became Holy ...BLAMELESS...and BEYOND REPROACH. Because of that I will give Him praise with my life...believing and living the truth of who I am in Christ.
Until next time...
"Although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now RECONCILED you in His fleshly body through death in order to present you before Him HOLY and BLAMELESS and BEYOND REPROACH."
Such powerful verses that talk about what we once were compared to what we are now! Before I accepted Christ as my Savior I was alienated from Him, which means that I was a stranger to Him and to His way of thinking. I was hostile in my mind, which means that my thoughts were sinful and opposed to the things of God. I went my own way and my actions were based on my own perception of right and wrong and not on God's standards of holy living.
But my merciful God reconciled me to Himself through the death of His fleshly body on the cross. To be reconciled means to be restored to a right relationship or standard, or to make peace where there was enmity. The Bible NEVER speaks of God being reconciled to man, but ALWAYS man being reconciled to God.
When sin entered the world, man became estranged to God. The sin caused a huge chasm that made it impossible for man to reach God. In his great mercy He made a way for us to be able to reach Him...to be able to be in right relationship with Him. That position of right standing before a Holy God only comes through believing in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and accepting that work on our behalf.
Jesus has to become your Savior and your Lord.
When I accepted and believed in what Jesus did on the cross and I believed in His resurrection, then His blood covered me. And it covers me still! I became Holy ...BLAMELESS...and BEYOND REPROACH. Because of that I will give Him praise with my life...believing and living the truth of who I am in Christ.
Until next time...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Romans 8:1-2
This week all of our verses are speaking about God's power toward us and the forgiveness of sin that He offers us. We are leading up to a lesson on fighting the lie that whispers that we are failures.
If you are in Christ, you are no longer condemned. You are not a failure. Nothing that you have done or will do can define you as a failure.
Romans 8:1-2
"Therefore there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you FREE from the law of sin and of death."
I love the explanation of these verses from my Life Application Bible... "Not guilty; let him go free...What would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God's holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and the power, through the Spirit of the life (the Holy Spirit) to do His will."
This explanation made me think of Mandisa' song called "Not Guilty", which I attached below. It is such a powerful song that talks about this very idea....I was condemned...I went and stood before the Judge....as He looked at me he said...I KNOW YOU...I LOVE YOU...I GAVE MY LIFE TO SAVE YOU...LOVE PAID THE PRICE FOR MERCY ...MY VERDICT...NOT GUILTY!
Powerful words that have changed my life! I no longer have to live a defeated life. I can live a life of freedom because I am no longer condemned!!!
If you have about 5 more minutes, listen to the message of this song and as you think about the words, worship Him for the amazing gift that He gave to us.
Until next time...
If you are in Christ, you are no longer condemned. You are not a failure. Nothing that you have done or will do can define you as a failure.
Romans 8:1-2
"Therefore there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you FREE from the law of sin and of death."
I love the explanation of these verses from my Life Application Bible... "Not guilty; let him go free...What would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God's holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and the power, through the Spirit of the life (the Holy Spirit) to do His will."
This explanation made me think of Mandisa' song called "Not Guilty", which I attached below. It is such a powerful song that talks about this very idea....I was condemned...I went and stood before the Judge....as He looked at me he said...I KNOW YOU...I LOVE YOU...I GAVE MY LIFE TO SAVE YOU...LOVE PAID THE PRICE FOR MERCY ...MY VERDICT...NOT GUILTY!
Powerful words that have changed my life! I no longer have to live a defeated life. I can live a life of freedom because I am no longer condemned!!!
If you have about 5 more minutes, listen to the message of this song and as you think about the words, worship Him for the amazing gift that He gave to us.
Until next time...
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Psalm 18:35
I am praying for my Bible study group this morning and praying specifically for Kelli Tyrone who has been hospitalized. Join me in praying for her healing!
Our verse this morning is Psalm 18:35
"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me; And your gentleness makes me great."
These powerful truths are mentioned many times in the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms, which is one of my favorite books in the Bible to read.
God is my shield!
My salvation is a protective covering!
He supports (upholds) me!
Christ living within me is what makes me great!
I have to stop beating myself up, giving Satan access to my thoughts and instead, allow God to be my shield. Yes, I will blow it. Yes, I will fail. But that doesn't make me worthless. My failures, my mess-ups, do not make me a failure. With God on my side I can always pick myself up and start all over again.
I need to realize what I have in Christ. He is everything that I need.
Father God, thank you...thank you...thank you for every single thing that You provide on my behalf. Help me to rest in You today. Be my shield. Be my protective covering. Uphold me with your righteous right hand no matter what comes my way today. Empower me to live victory and joy....the joy that comes from my salvation. Amen.
Our verse this morning is Psalm 18:35
"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me; And your gentleness makes me great."
These powerful truths are mentioned many times in the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms, which is one of my favorite books in the Bible to read.
God is my shield!
My salvation is a protective covering!
He supports (upholds) me!
Christ living within me is what makes me great!
I have to stop beating myself up, giving Satan access to my thoughts and instead, allow God to be my shield. Yes, I will blow it. Yes, I will fail. But that doesn't make me worthless. My failures, my mess-ups, do not make me a failure. With God on my side I can always pick myself up and start all over again.
I need to realize what I have in Christ. He is everything that I need.
Father God, thank you...thank you...thank you for every single thing that You provide on my behalf. Help me to rest in You today. Be my shield. Be my protective covering. Uphold me with your righteous right hand no matter what comes my way today. Empower me to live victory and joy....the joy that comes from my salvation. Amen.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Great Reminder
For our Bible study this morning, we have two great verses that are just reminders for us.
Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
It is so easy to beat ourselves up with thoughts like "I am not good enough." "I am not worthy." "I'm such a failure." But these are not God's thoughts toward us. Satan is the author of these thoughts and we have to learn to take them captive and focus on God's truth instead.
The very idea that He died for me while I was still a sinner because of His great love for me is almost too much to comprehend. The wages of my sin should have been death and eternal separation from my God. But He made a way for me, offering me eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is amazing really.
On my worst days, I can hold on to the truth that Jesus didn't die for me because I was "good enough". He died for me simply because He loved me. My Life Application study Bible says that whenever I feel uncertain of God's love for me, I can remember that He loved me before I ever turned to Him. When I was living life as a complete rebel, he loved me with an unconditional love. He pursued me. He wanted me. He saw the value in me. He offered me a free gift that cannot be paid back. As a believer, I need to learn to simply rest in this great truth.
Until next time...
*If you missed last night's lesson you can email me at gldevaughn@yahoo.com, send me your email address and I will send you the lesson.
Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
It is so easy to beat ourselves up with thoughts like "I am not good enough." "I am not worthy." "I'm such a failure." But these are not God's thoughts toward us. Satan is the author of these thoughts and we have to learn to take them captive and focus on God's truth instead.
The very idea that He died for me while I was still a sinner because of His great love for me is almost too much to comprehend. The wages of my sin should have been death and eternal separation from my God. But He made a way for me, offering me eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is amazing really.
On my worst days, I can hold on to the truth that Jesus didn't die for me because I was "good enough". He died for me simply because He loved me. My Life Application study Bible says that whenever I feel uncertain of God's love for me, I can remember that He loved me before I ever turned to Him. When I was living life as a complete rebel, he loved me with an unconditional love. He pursued me. He wanted me. He saw the value in me. He offered me a free gift that cannot be paid back. As a believer, I need to learn to simply rest in this great truth.
Until next time...
*If you missed last night's lesson you can email me at gldevaughn@yahoo.com, send me your email address and I will send you the lesson.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
A Picture Post
It has been a while since I have posted pictures of my girls and our activities so I thought I would do that today. Most of these were on Facebook at the beginning of the week. And these are not in the order that they happened...blogger is very difficult when it comes to uploading and organizing pictures.
Here are the girls doing s'mores for the first time of the fall season. It was only about 4:30 in the afternoon but Reagan begged us to get started early. As soon as we got the fire going, it started to rain so we had to move the firepit under the carport...and that worked just fine!
Gene enjoying his one and only s'more. He is not a sweet eater so one is enough for him. I, on the other hand, could eat about 5. That is why one of us is thin and one of is...ahem....not so thin.
Reagan eating her first s'more of the night.
As it got dark, it got cool so Reagan bundled up with a blanket. Too cute!
This was a day at Pump It Up. Both girls love this!
Reagan coming down the big inflatible slide.
Reagan coming down the big inflatible slide.
Me and my girls...taking a break.
Gene and the girls.
Our night at the fair...Reagan is fearless!
High in the air!
Blurry....but Reagan, Gracen, and their cousin, Hayden.
My younger sister and her family....with one on the way too!
Gracen and Hayden "talking" about something!
Gracen chilling out at home, eating lunch.
Reagan with one of her sidewalk chalk creations. She did this giraffe all by herself. I was pretty impressed. Oh, and it had been Pajama Day at her school.
My parents with the girls.
Reagan playing in the yard.
Gram opening her birthday gifts with lots of "help."
Well, those are my most recent photos.
Well, those are my most recent photos.
I hope you have a great Saturday.
Until next time...
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