Daily Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Every day I worry about my family. My boys go off to school and I worry they won't have a good day. I worry My daughter won't feed my granddaughter enough, or she will get diaper rash. I worry my daughter won't find GOD. I worry about my husband's depression and his hatred at GOD. I worry about my parents health and them over working on their little dream farm. I worry, worry, worry.
It's easy to tell someone to "Quit Worrying." It is far harder to listen to your own advice. Every time I worry, I sin against Christ's commandment not to worry. Looking back on my life I realize that every time I worried in the past it was for nothing. It is easy to worry. In worrying we are running scenarios in our minds as to what could happen, if it does happen "How will I next react", and if it doesn't happen "At least I was prepared for the worst case scenario."
All that worry wastes time and energy. Lately I've been trying to help my dad stock up on food in case the government colapses and anarchy arises. It has led me to learn how to make soap, can fruits & vegetables, and read about how to save seeds from vegetables to plant the next year. I haven't worried about the collapse but in helping my dad I have grown as a person. I gained knowledge about things I realy don't need in an age of going to the market to get anything and everything I could possibly ever want.
Something happened along this new journey to self preparedness. I stopped worrying so much. The busier we are the less time we have to fill our minds with worry. When you are in rush hour traffic instead of worrying about being late focus on God. Turn to the local Christian radio station and focus on the music or speaker, turn off the radio and just start talking to God. You don't have to close your eyes to pray to GOD. HE listens to you anywhere and everywhere. Instead of praying for your wants, needs, and worries simply start Thanking HIM for all he has done in your life. The time will fly by and you will be left feeling much better.
When you start to worry start doing a task that takes
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Better Friend
Daily Reading: Job 2:11-13 and Proverbs 18:24
Last year when I was in the hospital my friend Debbie came with me every day. When I was transferred to another hospital, she was there too. When I came home it was she who called the doctor and had them order the hospital bed, wheel chair, and commode. When I got out we saw each other nearly every day. She helped me with garage sales, cleaning, anything that I needed.
Then something happened and we began to drift away. I was jealous of another friend who seemed to be "better" than I was. We rarely spent time together. I found out that Debbie had needed money and didn't call me. I learned later. I found out that Debbie was going to have knee surgery. I went the day of surgery, as did the other friend. I waited in the waiting room until she was taken to her room and sat with her a short time before I had to leave. The next day I visited. I sent flowers when I couldn't go. While she recovered at home I stayed away. I loved her and thought of her everyday but I didn't go.
Like the friends in Job, Debbie was always there. Like Job's wife I was the one who wasn't much help. Look around at your friends. Which ones would be there for you when times get tough? Which ones will disappear at the smallest sign of trouble?
Poem: Reason, Season, or Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
— Unknown
There is one friend who will always be there for you. One who will accept who you are. Carry you when you can't go on. One who will love you unconditionally and never hurt you. His name is Jesus and if you haven't already asked Him to come into your life, you don't know what you are missing out on.
Last year when I was in the hospital my friend Debbie came with me every day. When I was transferred to another hospital, she was there too. When I came home it was she who called the doctor and had them order the hospital bed, wheel chair, and commode. When I got out we saw each other nearly every day. She helped me with garage sales, cleaning, anything that I needed.
Then something happened and we began to drift away. I was jealous of another friend who seemed to be "better" than I was. We rarely spent time together. I found out that Debbie had needed money and didn't call me. I learned later. I found out that Debbie was going to have knee surgery. I went the day of surgery, as did the other friend. I waited in the waiting room until she was taken to her room and sat with her a short time before I had to leave. The next day I visited. I sent flowers when I couldn't go. While she recovered at home I stayed away. I loved her and thought of her everyday but I didn't go.
Like the friends in Job, Debbie was always there. Like Job's wife I was the one who wasn't much help. Look around at your friends. Which ones would be there for you when times get tough? Which ones will disappear at the smallest sign of trouble?
Poem: Reason, Season, or Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
— Unknown
There is one friend who will always be there for you. One who will accept who you are. Carry you when you can't go on. One who will love you unconditionally and never hurt you. His name is Jesus and if you haven't already asked Him to come into your life, you don't know what you are missing out on.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Tested through Spouse
Daily Reading: Job 2:7-10
Am I Job or his nameless wife? Yesterday I passed the test and remained calm in midst of chaos. It was a close call. When my husband started ranting about problems in the past I so wanted to scream. Yet God opened a door for me. My husband made a statement towards the end of the evening that "If I had to put up with all you do from me, I'd leave. You just sit there taking it all and don't say a word."
My secret is my faith in GOD. A few weeks ago I had gotten tired of my husband's relentless repetition about a matter that he couldn't stand. I snapped at him and he blew up. He didn't speak to me for almost two days. I realized that as a Christian I have to set an example for my non Christian husband. So yesterday, I calmly sat there listening to everything he was saying.
I imagine Job did the same thing when his wife told him "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" I seriously doubt she said a mere two sentences. In my experience, when we get angry we don't simply state what is bothering us. Instead, we go on relentlessly until we feel another person understands us, we convince ourself that we are justified, or we simply can not think of any other way to state our frustration.
If I had told my husband "You are talking like a foolish man. Should we accept good from God and not trouble?" He most likely would have blown up even more. I imagine that Mrs. Job could have done that. Maybe she kept ranting about Job's misery, or maybe she listened to his wisdom and took heed of what he was saying.
Either way we can not control how people around us act and react. The only person we control is ourselves. When we feel we can no longer restrain ourselves we must quickly ask God to take over. Allow GOD to put HIS protective armor around us. Amazingly the more my husbanded ranted last night, the more I silently prayed, the more uplifted I felt. I went to bed last night happy to know that my faith in God and His protective armor had allowed me to weather the storm and find a safe haven in knowing He is always there.
Additional Readings: Ephesians 6:10-18 and 1 Peter 5:8-11
Am I Job or his nameless wife? Yesterday I passed the test and remained calm in midst of chaos. It was a close call. When my husband started ranting about problems in the past I so wanted to scream. Yet God opened a door for me. My husband made a statement towards the end of the evening that "If I had to put up with all you do from me, I'd leave. You just sit there taking it all and don't say a word."
My secret is my faith in GOD. A few weeks ago I had gotten tired of my husband's relentless repetition about a matter that he couldn't stand. I snapped at him and he blew up. He didn't speak to me for almost two days. I realized that as a Christian I have to set an example for my non Christian husband. So yesterday, I calmly sat there listening to everything he was saying.
I imagine Job did the same thing when his wife told him "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" I seriously doubt she said a mere two sentences. In my experience, when we get angry we don't simply state what is bothering us. Instead, we go on relentlessly until we feel another person understands us, we convince ourself that we are justified, or we simply can not think of any other way to state our frustration.
If I had told my husband "You are talking like a foolish man. Should we accept good from God and not trouble?" He most likely would have blown up even more. I imagine that Mrs. Job could have done that. Maybe she kept ranting about Job's misery, or maybe she listened to his wisdom and took heed of what he was saying.
Either way we can not control how people around us act and react. The only person we control is ourselves. When we feel we can no longer restrain ourselves we must quickly ask God to take over. Allow GOD to put HIS protective armor around us. Amazingly the more my husbanded ranted last night, the more I silently prayed, the more uplifted I felt. I went to bed last night happy to know that my faith in God and His protective armor had allowed me to weather the storm and find a safe haven in knowing He is always there.
Additional Readings: Ephesians 6:10-18 and 1 Peter 5:8-11
Monday, October 1, 2012
Perfect or Storm
Daily Reading: JOB 1:1-22 & MATTHEW 4:1-11
You know those days where everything seems absolutely perfect. The kids left for school on time and got their chores done. Every task I set out to do was accomplished quickly and smoothly. I feel like I am walking on air and it feels great! And then it hits.....
My husband walks in the door hollering mad because someone did something. My Fson calls to tell me its going to take him an hour to get home because he wrecked his bike. He admits that instead of being where he ought he went somewhere else and is hanging with an unsavory character. My son was annoyed by another student at school and may be expelled. My best friend's car broke down. It seems that the fire of God is raining down all around.
There are two choices that I see. First I can join in and start screaming and bellering. "Woe is me! Life is ruined. I'm so picked on! What a terrible day." The second choice is to sit quietly allowing everyone else to complain and belly ache.
Like Job we can choose to accept that we have been blessed by God. The things we have in life are not our own. Even when we work hard, GOD has provided us the ability and the opportunities to grow an abundant life. We must take our blessings and return them to GOD because they are not ours, only loaned to us.
When the storm is over we can thank GOD for giving us the good day and accept that life is never going to be perfect. Only Christ is perfect. Christ was tested in the wilderness by the Devil. He stood up against the Devil and never sinned. As Christians we must try to follow Christ's example. We are not perfect and we will slip up. We just need to be aware and try harder next time to behave as Christ would.
Prayer: God, thank you for this wonderful day with its ups and downs. Thank you for all the blessings you have given us. Thank you for the storms we are given, and the opportunity to choose to weather the storm as Jesus Christ would. May your name be praised and may I never curse against you. Amen.
You know those days where everything seems absolutely perfect. The kids left for school on time and got their chores done. Every task I set out to do was accomplished quickly and smoothly. I feel like I am walking on air and it feels great! And then it hits.....
My husband walks in the door hollering mad because someone did something. My Fson calls to tell me its going to take him an hour to get home because he wrecked his bike. He admits that instead of being where he ought he went somewhere else and is hanging with an unsavory character. My son was annoyed by another student at school and may be expelled. My best friend's car broke down. It seems that the fire of God is raining down all around.
There are two choices that I see. First I can join in and start screaming and bellering. "Woe is me! Life is ruined. I'm so picked on! What a terrible day." The second choice is to sit quietly allowing everyone else to complain and belly ache.
Like Job we can choose to accept that we have been blessed by God. The things we have in life are not our own. Even when we work hard, GOD has provided us the ability and the opportunities to grow an abundant life. We must take our blessings and return them to GOD because they are not ours, only loaned to us.
When the storm is over we can thank GOD for giving us the good day and accept that life is never going to be perfect. Only Christ is perfect. Christ was tested in the wilderness by the Devil. He stood up against the Devil and never sinned. As Christians we must try to follow Christ's example. We are not perfect and we will slip up. We just need to be aware and try harder next time to behave as Christ would.
Prayer: God, thank you for this wonderful day with its ups and downs. Thank you for all the blessings you have given us. Thank you for the storms we are given, and the opportunity to choose to weather the storm as Jesus Christ would. May your name be praised and may I never curse against you. Amen.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Rest
Daily Reading:Genesis 28:10-12
In my life I tend to add more tasks as I move through the day. One simple task turns into a string of them. Before long the day is done and I am still pushing to get everything done. I look at the clock and it's already 1 am. In 5 hours I need to be up and start a new day.
Jacob followed the traditions of the time. When the sun went down he would stop and sleep. In our fast paced world it is hard to stop what we are doing. Yet, if we don't stop and rest we cannot dream.
God and his angels visit us in those precious hours when we let go of the days troubles and allow our bodies to rest.
Instead of pushing through a late night, find a place to stop. Give your heart and mind to God and sleep.
Lord, thank you for giving us rest. We may not always realize how much we need that rest. Only you creator of us knows what we need.
In my life I tend to add more tasks as I move through the day. One simple task turns into a string of them. Before long the day is done and I am still pushing to get everything done. I look at the clock and it's already 1 am. In 5 hours I need to be up and start a new day.
Jacob followed the traditions of the time. When the sun went down he would stop and sleep. In our fast paced world it is hard to stop what we are doing. Yet, if we don't stop and rest we cannot dream.
God and his angels visit us in those precious hours when we let go of the days troubles and allow our bodies to rest.
Instead of pushing through a late night, find a place to stop. Give your heart and mind to God and sleep.
Lord, thank you for giving us rest. We may not always realize how much we need that rest. Only you creator of us knows what we need.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Beginning.
Since I began the 1300 mile trip back from South Padre Island, Texas in 2008, I have been seriously thinking as to how I could impact the world to make a difference. The answer has been overwhelmingly to write a blog and share my experiences with the world. They won't be in chronological order. In fact they won't be in any particular order. I have made many poor choices in my life and I am hoping that if even one person will read my blog and it impacts them to make better choices then I have succeeded in making the world a much better place than when I began.
First I will begin by introducing myself and sharing the basic facts of my life which brought me to this point. I am a 38-year-old mother of two teenage children, a fosterchild, and grandmother of one with another on the way. I am married to a wonderful man named Tony who is full of life and inspiration. I was going to college but had to stop last Fall due to a strange medical illness that still isn't resolved. I have had at least 20 different jobs in my life and none of them have been kept for more than two years consecutively. I have been married three times and been in more "serious" relationships than any one person should ever have to deal with. I have used drugs and alcohol. I have lied, cheated, and stole. I have "come to Jesus" and then ran from church as fast as I could. For a 38, I have done more in my lifetime than most 80 year olds ever dreamed of. Somethings I am quite proud of while others I hang my head in shame. I have recomitted to my relationship with God and am going to do the best I can to serve him with my devotional blog called God's Insight for Daily Living.
Although I am not perfect I believe that I have changed my life enough for the good that hopefully someone out there will take what I have to say and allow it to impact their life. Through others we can learn and prevent bad choices, through experience we face the consequeces of what others have already warned. As I reflect upon my choices and trust God that I am where I am supposed to be for a reason, I welcome your responses to my blog and you may email me at Countreefly@gmail.com . Please put Wyndolyn's Blog in the subject line so I don't mistake it for junk mail.
First I will begin by introducing myself and sharing the basic facts of my life which brought me to this point. I am a 38-year-old mother of two teenage children, a fosterchild, and grandmother of one with another on the way. I am married to a wonderful man named Tony who is full of life and inspiration. I was going to college but had to stop last Fall due to a strange medical illness that still isn't resolved. I have had at least 20 different jobs in my life and none of them have been kept for more than two years consecutively. I have been married three times and been in more "serious" relationships than any one person should ever have to deal with. I have used drugs and alcohol. I have lied, cheated, and stole. I have "come to Jesus" and then ran from church as fast as I could. For a 38, I have done more in my lifetime than most 80 year olds ever dreamed of. Somethings I am quite proud of while others I hang my head in shame. I have recomitted to my relationship with God and am going to do the best I can to serve him with my devotional blog called God's Insight for Daily Living.
Although I am not perfect I believe that I have changed my life enough for the good that hopefully someone out there will take what I have to say and allow it to impact their life. Through others we can learn and prevent bad choices, through experience we face the consequeces of what others have already warned. As I reflect upon my choices and trust God that I am where I am supposed to be for a reason, I welcome your responses to my blog and you may email me at Countreefly@gmail.com . Please put Wyndolyn's Blog in the subject line so I don't mistake it for junk mail.
Children and Chores
Daily Reading
Yesterday I wasn’t feeling well. I asked the boys to do their chores and then they could do what they wanted for the rest of the evening. Besides not feeling well I was absorbed in the computer doing things that could have waited. Later, as I got ready for bed I realized I had not ate that evening. As I walked into the kitchen, food fled from my mind. The dishes weren’t done. The laundry wasn’t done. Leftovers clung to the sides of the pan.
Even after I had asked if their chores had been done they
had lied. They had done what they
wanted. How could I ever get these two
teenage boys (almost men) to realize that chores are a part of life that has to
be done? The result was waiting until
morning then starting a new day off chastising them, filling the boys with anger,
frustration and resistance, planning what punishment would be given when they
came home. The punishments overwhelmed
me as I thought; No television and video games, remove the electronics from
their rooms, take away the cell phones, cancel their weekend plans, earlier
bedtimes.
I prayed for a biblical passage to show the boys. Using BibleGateway.com I searched for chore,
nothing came up. I searched task.
17 Results, the first six results didn’t fit their crime. The 7th one, (Really GOD 7th?) cried
aloud. Proverbs 31:17 She sets about her
work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
My favorite Proverb, Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character. A new thought floated in. What
was my punishment? I too hadn’t done
my chores. I hadn’t guided and
encouraged. I hadn’t gotten up from the
computer and checked their work. I had
been as bad as the boys.
As women (and men) it is our duty to work diligently that our families may prosper. 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. My idleness yesterday helped our household to go awry. My boys are not yet men and it is my responsibility and task to instruct them, over see them and their work. It is I who needed punishment and chastising for not doing my chores.
When the Master and Mistress slack off the rest of the household will too. Remember that we must do our chores and tasks first before we can enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Additional reading: Ecclesiastes
2:26, Romans
15:28
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Looking to Man instead of GOD
Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 5:8-10
Today I was reminded of how truly fallible I am. Most of my life I jumped from relationship to relationship. I had envisioned a perfect partner for me and thought that if I found a man who had most of the qualities I could change the rest of him to be my idea of perfect for me. Every time I tried to do this I failed.
Today I was reminded of how truly fallible I am. Most of my life I jumped from relationship to relationship. I had envisioned a perfect partner for me and thought that if I found a man who had most of the qualities I could change the rest of him to be my idea of perfect for me. Every time I tried to do this I failed.
I had finally realized after many years that I could be happy to live my life without a man. I was content raising my children, going to work, and planning a life for after my children were raised. I had GOD in my life but I wasn't serving him.
Then an amazing man walked into my life. He was exactly what I was looking for; handsome, hard working, affectionate, stable, and he loved me as much as I loved him. We married and I thought everything was perfect. The problem was he didn't have Christ in his heart. Whenever a storm would come he would falter. In fact it wasn't just that he didn't have Christ in his heart, he hated GOD "If there was a GOD, I'd punch him in his face for taking my parents away."
This hatred slowly began to poison our relationship. I began to feel hatred toward the things he hated. I let his hatred seep into me.
GOD gives us wake up calls. I became sick and my mother came to aid me. She saw the emotional sickness and began visiting a church nearby my home. Her love spread to me and I realized that I was looking to my husband for support when I should have been looking to GOD.
Being married to a partner who does not share the same faith as you is very hard. GOD wants your spouse to come to HIM in HIS time, not ours. We can not just stand by and wait for our loved one to change. We need to continue worshiping and praising GOD. GOD is jealous and wants to know we put HIM above all others. Our unsaved loved ones may be a test of GOD on us. Will we pass the test, or will we falter and show our human fallibility, rather than allowing GOD to take control over our actions and emotions? We must keep our eyes on GOD and allow GOD to take the reigns concerning others in our lives.
Being married to a partner who does not share the same faith as you is very hard. GOD wants your spouse to come to HIM in HIS time, not ours. We can not just stand by and wait for our loved one to change. We need to continue worshiping and praising GOD. GOD is jealous and wants to know we put HIM above all others. Our unsaved loved ones may be a test of GOD on us. Will we pass the test, or will we falter and show our human fallibility, rather than allowing GOD to take control over our actions and emotions? We must keep our eyes on GOD and allow GOD to take the reigns concerning others in our lives.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Holding onto the Garbage
Daily Readings: Mark 7:1-23
This morning my computer was getting low on memory and I noticed my Recycle bin had something in it. Even before it had opened I remembered that it was an audio file my fson (foster) and his friend had recorded. The file had been there for several weeks. Every time I noticed it I would think "I will listen to it later before I permanently delete it." So I stopped what I was doing today and listened to it. As my fson knew the file was indeed just plain garbage. A file that was taking up space in my computer.
How much other garbage do I hold onto that I don't need? The Pharisees were obsessed with rituals given to their Father's centuries before. 9“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!" Those traditions had become meaningless. Yes, it is good to wash your hands before eating. We know today that there are germs, parasites, and all sorts of other invisible to our eye creatures that can make us sick. The Pharisees didn't know about these things. They only knew it was a religious "ritual" that they performed because it was a law given in the days of Moses. They were holding on to many things, not because it was a way to worship GOD, but because they couldn't let go.
The television show "Hoarders" is the extreme example of how people can't or won't let go of the trash in their lives. Those people aren't bad. They aren't garbage. They are holding on to things simply because they can't let go.
Jesus said “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from INSIDE and defile a person.”
What is coming out of me that defiles me? The saying "garbage in, garbage out" comes to mind. If I see a violent act it isn't going to make me violent. It can allow ideas to form in my mind about violence. The only way to get rid of the garbage in our minds is to pray and ask GOD to remove the garbage. Ask HIM to permanently remove the things that should be in our recycle bins. If those things aren't in the recycle bin we need to focus on putting them there. Only GOD the super computer of all creation can recycle the garbage. It is up to us to ask HIM to clean us out before we fill up and there isn't space for the good things.
This morning my computer was getting low on memory and I noticed my Recycle bin had something in it. Even before it had opened I remembered that it was an audio file my fson (foster) and his friend had recorded. The file had been there for several weeks. Every time I noticed it I would think "I will listen to it later before I permanently delete it." So I stopped what I was doing today and listened to it. As my fson knew the file was indeed just plain garbage. A file that was taking up space in my computer.
How much other garbage do I hold onto that I don't need? The Pharisees were obsessed with rituals given to their Father's centuries before. 9“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!" Those traditions had become meaningless. Yes, it is good to wash your hands before eating. We know today that there are germs, parasites, and all sorts of other invisible to our eye creatures that can make us sick. The Pharisees didn't know about these things. They only knew it was a religious "ritual" that they performed because it was a law given in the days of Moses. They were holding on to many things, not because it was a way to worship GOD, but because they couldn't let go.
The television show "Hoarders" is the extreme example of how people can't or won't let go of the trash in their lives. Those people aren't bad. They aren't garbage. They are holding on to things simply because they can't let go.
Jesus said “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from INSIDE and defile a person.”
What is coming out of me that defiles me? The saying "garbage in, garbage out" comes to mind. If I see a violent act it isn't going to make me violent. It can allow ideas to form in my mind about violence. The only way to get rid of the garbage in our minds is to pray and ask GOD to remove the garbage. Ask HIM to permanently remove the things that should be in our recycle bins. If those things aren't in the recycle bin we need to focus on putting them there. Only GOD the super computer of all creation can recycle the garbage. It is up to us to ask HIM to clean us out before we fill up and there isn't space for the good things.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Don't shut up, give up!
Daily Reading Acts 18:1-17
It catches my attention how lucky Paul was to be going from place to place. Missionaries all over the world do the same thing. They go from their native home to witness to others. Here Paul had left Athens and came to Corinth. Silas and Timothy had just come from Macedonia. Their eyes were fixed on preaching and testifying to people everywhere.
How can this fit into my life? The Lord speaks "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack or harm you, because I have many people in this city." Acts 18:9 and 10.
How wonderful to hear GOD's voice so perfectly clear! How many times in the bible do those first four words appear? 70 TIMES! http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=Do+not+be+afraid&searchtype=phrase&version1=31&language1=en&spanbegin=1&spanend=73
GOD certainly doesn't want us to be afraid. Even though our mouths may slip and we say something wrong HE doesn't want us to keep silent. Instead we need to put our mouths in HIS hands. When negative words come out of our mouths, when negative thoughts enter our minds we need to stop and pray for HIM to take our words from us and give us HIS own words. GOD is with us everyday and in every situation. He promises us that we aren't going to be harmed but we need to be in HIS arms. We need to put HIM in charge of our lives.
When we are feeling lonely and isolated we don't have far to look because GOD has "many people in this city." Maybe you are in China or India where Christianity isn't welcome. GOD has many people there. Maybe you are in New York, LA, Chicago, or even Collinsville, Illinois. GOD has many people there as well.
Those people are there to fellowship with you. They are there to encourage you and for you to encourage also. Don't be afraid to witness where you are. Let GOD take over your mouth wherever you are. You don't have to go anywhere to be a witness for GOD. Just give up your mouth to HIM.
Father GOD, please take my words away from me. Put in their place the words YOU have to share with my little world.
"Trust and Obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." (song)
It catches my attention how lucky Paul was to be going from place to place. Missionaries all over the world do the same thing. They go from their native home to witness to others. Here Paul had left Athens and came to Corinth. Silas and Timothy had just come from Macedonia. Their eyes were fixed on preaching and testifying to people everywhere.
How can this fit into my life? The Lord speaks "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack or harm you, because I have many people in this city." Acts 18:9 and 10.
How wonderful to hear GOD's voice so perfectly clear! How many times in the bible do those first four words appear? 70 TIMES! http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=Do+not+be+afraid&searchtype=phrase&version1=31&language1=en&spanbegin=1&spanend=73
GOD certainly doesn't want us to be afraid. Even though our mouths may slip and we say something wrong HE doesn't want us to keep silent. Instead we need to put our mouths in HIS hands. When negative words come out of our mouths, when negative thoughts enter our minds we need to stop and pray for HIM to take our words from us and give us HIS own words. GOD is with us everyday and in every situation. He promises us that we aren't going to be harmed but we need to be in HIS arms. We need to put HIM in charge of our lives.
When we are feeling lonely and isolated we don't have far to look because GOD has "many people in this city." Maybe you are in China or India where Christianity isn't welcome. GOD has many people there. Maybe you are in New York, LA, Chicago, or even Collinsville, Illinois. GOD has many people there as well.
Those people are there to fellowship with you. They are there to encourage you and for you to encourage also. Don't be afraid to witness where you are. Let GOD take over your mouth wherever you are. You don't have to go anywhere to be a witness for GOD. Just give up your mouth to HIM.
Father GOD, please take my words away from me. Put in their place the words YOU have to share with my little world.
"Trust and Obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." (song)
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Bow Down
My husband, Tony had worked second shift last night. I had fallen asleep before he came home. When I went to the bathroom to get ready for church this morning I saw he had left me a surprise on the bathroom sink.
I noticed how the sunflower had his head bowed as if looking at the note. I started thinking about all the other wild sunflowers I had seen. So many had their heads bowing to the earth.
Psalms 95
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
God, The Lords Almighty, does care about us. He helps us in our distress but we must serve Him and be a part of His flock in order to reap the benefits He has to offer us.
We simply can not lose our way
Deuteronomy 4:19
And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
As Christians this is how we should be living our life. We don't need to look toward the sky waiting for God. He will come in His own time. Rather, we should be bowing in reverence thankful to serve Him, always asking "How may I serve You more?"
I noticed how the sunflower had his head bowed as if looking at the note. I started thinking about all the other wild sunflowers I had seen. So many had their heads bowing to the earth.
Psalms 95
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
God, The Lords Almighty, does care about us. He helps us in our distress but we must serve Him and be a part of His flock in order to reap the benefits He has to offer us.
We simply can not lose our way
Deuteronomy 4:19
And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
As Christians this is how we should be living our life. We don't need to look toward the sky waiting for God. He will come in His own time. Rather, we should be bowing in reverence thankful to serve Him, always asking "How may I serve You more?"
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