"A time to keep silence, and a time to speak." Ecclesiastes 3:7
Has God ever told you something subtly? You were so busy doing His will that you did not take time to listen to what He was telling you.
That's what happened with me about a month ago. I started this blog because it was what God had asked me to do. I don't know why He asked me to do it, but after some avoidance, I submitted to His will. The Lord blessed me immensely through this blog.
However, in January God started telling me to take a break becuase my little wagon was so overloaded. I resisted for a while because I knew this was what God had asked me to do, so why was He now telling me otherwise? A quick inventory of my life would have revealed why. Our twins had surgery in January, numerous doctor appointments awaited us, and our personal commitments were piled high.
The verse in Ecclesiastes helps me to understand what God was telling me. Writing this blog was my time to speak out for the kingdom of God. Taking this break for rest and study is my time to keep the silence God speaks of. I have realized that this does not make me a quitter or a failure, like I once thought when I stopped writing. It doesn't mean that I am not passionate about His will and helping others. It simply means that God has once again told me to do something that I was not completely comfortable with, but I did it anyways because I know that He has my best interest in mind.
When the Lord tells me to start writing again, you will be the first to know. Thank you for your concern and support as I enjoy this rest God has given me.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I Am Weak, But He Is Strong
You know the verse in "Jesus Loves Me" that says, "they are weak, but He is strong..."
We associate "Jesus Loves Me" as being a song for children. But let me tell you, that song was for me yesterday. There are so many times in adults' lives when we think we are too old and educated for the fundamentals of God's love.
But, the simplicity of God's love is what makes it so profound.
In our lives stuff happens, we stay busy, we don't have enough time to get everything done, we are overwhelmed, but Christians don't need to worry because we have Jesus. When we start feeling this way we need to do two things. We need to pray and get in the Word.
Many of you know that our twins had minor surgery on Monday to put tubes in their ears. (Their surgery went very well, Thank You Lord!) The surgery, and other illnesses, got our week off to a crazy start. Our son has been sick, my husband has been sick, and our twins have been recovering. Needless to say, the stress has been mounting around here.
As I was throwing myself a personal pity party I thought about those words in "Jesus Loves Me." I had already sang the song to my kids earlier in the day, but this time I sang it for myself. Because, you know what, I am weak, but He is strong. I can't do all of this alone, my strength is not sufficient. But Jesus' strength is all I need.
You've probably heard this verse I am going to tell you a million times. And that is a good thing. We hear this verse over and over and over because its truth is so profound:
"I can do all thing through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13
We associate "Jesus Loves Me" as being a song for children. But let me tell you, that song was for me yesterday. There are so many times in adults' lives when we think we are too old and educated for the fundamentals of God's love.
But, the simplicity of God's love is what makes it so profound.
In our lives stuff happens, we stay busy, we don't have enough time to get everything done, we are overwhelmed, but Christians don't need to worry because we have Jesus. When we start feeling this way we need to do two things. We need to pray and get in the Word.
Many of you know that our twins had minor surgery on Monday to put tubes in their ears. (Their surgery went very well, Thank You Lord!) The surgery, and other illnesses, got our week off to a crazy start. Our son has been sick, my husband has been sick, and our twins have been recovering. Needless to say, the stress has been mounting around here.
As I was throwing myself a personal pity party I thought about those words in "Jesus Loves Me." I had already sang the song to my kids earlier in the day, but this time I sang it for myself. Because, you know what, I am weak, but He is strong. I can't do all of this alone, my strength is not sufficient. But Jesus' strength is all I need.
You've probably heard this verse I am going to tell you a million times. And that is a good thing. We hear this verse over and over and over because its truth is so profound:
"I can do all thing through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Know God's Will
"Do not give God ready-made plans for Him to bless." (H. Mears)
We often want God to bless our own will. We think we've got it all figured out, and if God would just go along with our plans, everything would be perfect. I know it sounds ridiculously foolish, but don't act like you've never done it!
I think we do this without truly realizing it. We pray and ask God for His guidance, and for His will to be done in our lives, all while our subconcious is planning away without waiting on God.
The hardest part for us to wrap our minds around is that God's plans will be better than anything we could have conjured up ourselves. However, the fear of the unknown is what prevents us from diving head-first into God's will and trusting Him completely.
Ephesians 5:17 says, "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
Let's seek the Lord and His will. Our plans stink compared to God's plans. The devil wants us to be nervous to trust God's plans ---- simply because we will miss out on all the blessings and joy that comes with being obedient to God's will.
We often want God to bless our own will. We think we've got it all figured out, and if God would just go along with our plans, everything would be perfect. I know it sounds ridiculously foolish, but don't act like you've never done it!
I think we do this without truly realizing it. We pray and ask God for His guidance, and for His will to be done in our lives, all while our subconcious is planning away without waiting on God.
The hardest part for us to wrap our minds around is that God's plans will be better than anything we could have conjured up ourselves. However, the fear of the unknown is what prevents us from diving head-first into God's will and trusting Him completely.
Ephesians 5:17 says, "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
Let's seek the Lord and His will. Our plans stink compared to God's plans. The devil wants us to be nervous to trust God's plans ---- simply because we will miss out on all the blessings and joy that comes with being obedient to God's will.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Refrigerator Worthy
We put our kids' best artwork on our refrigerators. So, if God had a refrigerator, which work of yours would be on His refrigerator?
"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name" Hebrews 6:10
Now remember, this would have to be your best work done for Him... So, which one would God be so pleased with, that He just had to put it on the fridge so He could look at it over and over and let everyone else see it?
I hope that something is coming to mind. But, let's take a moment to step back and remember that we do not earn God's love with our works. Just like our kids don't earn our love with their works. However, every once in a while our kids do something so awesome that just makes us so proud of them. God is the same way because He is our Heavenly Father.
I think this is a good way to take a self-inventory of what we are contributing to the kingdom of the Lord. Let's all take time to think and pray about this today.
P.S. Don't post your answers! Only you and God should know what you are putting on His refrigerator!
"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name" Hebrews 6:10
Now remember, this would have to be your best work done for Him... So, which one would God be so pleased with, that He just had to put it on the fridge so He could look at it over and over and let everyone else see it?
I hope that something is coming to mind. But, let's take a moment to step back and remember that we do not earn God's love with our works. Just like our kids don't earn our love with their works. However, every once in a while our kids do something so awesome that just makes us so proud of them. God is the same way because He is our Heavenly Father.
I think this is a good way to take a self-inventory of what we are contributing to the kingdom of the Lord. Let's all take time to think and pray about this today.
P.S. Don't post your answers! Only you and God should know what you are putting on His refrigerator!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Message For The Righteous
"Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat they fruit of their doings." Isaiah 3:10
God promises that we will eat the fruit of our doings whether we are righteous people or wicked people. It all follows the, "you reap what you sew" principle. Take a look at what happens to the wicked:
"Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Isaiah 3:11
Its tough to live in a nation and world filled with so much wickedness. Christians have to make a choice to operate under God's standards and not the world's standards.
The people operating in wickedness are under the judgement of God. And trust me, that is a scary place to be. However, the righteous are spared God's wrath and judgement. The righteous will not only be spared, but they will be rewarded as well.
And here's the real kicker --- Christians can operate in wickedness. Just because we are a Christian doesn't mean that we automatically live righteous lives. Wickedness can creep in and destroy anyone. So, what should we do? We need to ask the Lord to help us be diligent in protecting our hearts from wickedness, and cultivate righteousness in our hearts.
God promises that we will eat the fruit of our doings whether we are righteous people or wicked people. It all follows the, "you reap what you sew" principle. Take a look at what happens to the wicked:
"Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Isaiah 3:11
Its tough to live in a nation and world filled with so much wickedness. Christians have to make a choice to operate under God's standards and not the world's standards.
The people operating in wickedness are under the judgement of God. And trust me, that is a scary place to be. However, the righteous are spared God's wrath and judgement. The righteous will not only be spared, but they will be rewarded as well.
And here's the real kicker --- Christians can operate in wickedness. Just because we are a Christian doesn't mean that we automatically live righteous lives. Wickedness can creep in and destroy anyone. So, what should we do? We need to ask the Lord to help us be diligent in protecting our hearts from wickedness, and cultivate righteousness in our hearts.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Deliverance
"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalm 34:7
"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Psalm 34:19
Psalm 34 mentions deliverance for the Lord's righteous many times. As I was reading these verses, one thing stood out more than anything else. The Lord does not promise us perfect circumstances. However, the Lord always promises to deliver us from the trouble and hardship we endure.
If God gave us perfect circumstances, we would not have to trust Him. Our trust and faith is strengthened through stinky circumstances because all of our hope is centered on the promise that God will deliver us.
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalm 34:7
"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Psalm 34:19
Psalm 34 mentions deliverance for the Lord's righteous many times. As I was reading these verses, one thing stood out more than anything else. The Lord does not promise us perfect circumstances. However, the Lord always promises to deliver us from the trouble and hardship we endure.
If God gave us perfect circumstances, we would not have to trust Him. Our trust and faith is strengthened through stinky circumstances because all of our hope is centered on the promise that God will deliver us.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Marriage: A Promise
Marriage is a commitment to our husband or wife, and a commitment to God. Not only is it a commitment, but it is a promise as well. Look at what Jesus says about marriage:
"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." Mark 10: 6-9
If you've ever been to any weddings you've probably heard those words. I think this passage has been recited in so many wedding ceremonies that we have forgotten what it really means.
There is a song called "Dancing in the Minefields" that I have attached below. This song has a wonderful Christian perspective on marriage. My favorite line in the song says, "It was harder than we dreamed, but I believe that's what the promise is for."
How true is that? We don't make promises for things that are easy. We make promises for the things that take work, faith, and commitment. Even promises are hard, but not nearly as hard when we have Christ.
"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." Mark 10: 6-9
If you've ever been to any weddings you've probably heard those words. I think this passage has been recited in so many wedding ceremonies that we have forgotten what it really means.
There is a song called "Dancing in the Minefields" that I have attached below. This song has a wonderful Christian perspective on marriage. My favorite line in the song says, "It was harder than we dreamed, but I believe that's what the promise is for."
How true is that? We don't make promises for things that are easy. We make promises for the things that take work, faith, and commitment. Even promises are hard, but not nearly as hard when we have Christ.
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