Okay God, you gave me this word. Circumstances. Whose circumstances? Mine? Jim's? Rexanna's? Whose?
This was what I was questioning the other day. This specific word had been on my mind for about 2 weeks. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why God would give me this word. So I went to my handy-dandy www.blueletterbible.com to look up that particular word... Not in King James Version, Not in the NKJV. It appears 8 times in the NIV. Really??? It is found in I Thes. 5. It says in there, beginning with verse 11 through verse 22: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warm those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
Reading this, I felt compelled to assess my own behavior as of late. It certainly could have been better, and I quickly asked for forgiveness and am working on repenting as I type this. I also felt the need to look up the work self-controlled, which was in I Thes. 5:6. It also appears in Proverbs 25:28, Gal 5:23, 2 Tim 3:3, and 2 Peter 1:6. It sure caught my attention.
Proverbs refers to a lack of self-control as a city wall being broken down. Have you ever felt "broken down"? Give that a moment of thought. I want to be building myself up in Christ, ever learning, ever growing. Not going backwards. Not "breaking down". I don't even want to feel "cracked" so to speak. I want to be whole in my Jesus's loving arms! Amen!
We have probably all heard about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians. Keeping the fruit of the Spirit is fun, fulfilling and most assuredly a good thing. It says against such things, there is no law. Can you be self-controlled? I have found it is hard, especially when my old foe, stress, rears his ugly head. Then I lose most of my fruit. You know the ones I'm talking about: Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and especially self-control. Have you ever felt that way? There is a way back. Prayer. Get back in the will of God. It doesn't mean there won't be consequences for your actions, but God will be with you every step of the way.
2 Timothy 3 talks about the last days and how people will be acting. This is scary folks! People are out there acting this way now! It says to have nothing to do with them. Really????? Again, really???? I catch myself "without self-control" at times. That is the time when most people don't really want to be around me. Maybe this is why. Then God will send a wonderful soul to help guide me out. Are you the "wonderful soul" in this situation, or the one lacking self-control? Another bit of food for thought.
Last, but not least, 2 Peter 1 gives us the qualities needed to keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus, otherwise we are like the blind. It says we are to make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control perseverance, and to perseverance godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love.
So, I probably should have titled this blog "Self-Control", but it is our self-control that will dictate most of our circumstances. It is our self-control that will dictate how we handle any cirumstance that we fall into.
Dear God, please help me and those who read this with their self-control. Help us to grow in our awareness and knowledge of you. Help us to be conscious of the circumstances we are in, and how we will respond. Please forgive us where we fail you. Love us, lead us, guide us, direct us in everything we say and do.
Oh, and Lord, thank you for the blessing of the AWANA kids who worked so hard last night to say all of those verses, and for the health of my husband, and for my supportive and gracious parents, and for a daughter that is smart as a whip, but knows she still has more to learn. I know there is more, but I'm not sure how much room I have on here.
Thank you,
Amen!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Examples
Have you ever thought of yourself as an example? I, just like everyone else, have a past. Unfortunately, it is not the past you would think I would have as the wife of a preacher. That past reaches up from the depths and bites me in the butt every so often, just to remind me to be humble. I see myself in the youth of today wishing I had made better choices, wishing I could share my story with the kiddos but knowing they do not need to know the details.
I then have to remind myself that hind site is 20/20, and although I don't live in a mansion or drive a luxury vehicle possibly because of the wrong choices I made, I turned out just fine! Now, I am not saying the bad choices they sometimes make are okay. Oh No! What I am saying is that, with examples of good choices in their lives (that would be you and I), they will do just fine as well. This is the time in their lives when they need an example to go by. They need to know that their mistakes, although they have consequences, can be forgiven and dealt with, and they can go on to lead productive, Godly lives.
God, our Father in Heaven, gave his one and only son so that we could be forgiven for our sins and live an eternal life with him as a joint heir with Christ. Now that, folks, is an example. So please remember that every action, every word, every attitude you have is seen as an example. If you smoke, they will think it is okay to smoke. If you drink, they will think it is okay to drink. If you look at inappropriate things or read inappropriate things, they will think it is okay to do that. If you read the Bible daily, they will think that is okay. If you memorize verses, they will think it is okay. If you lead someone to a life with Christ as their Lord and Savior, they will think it is okay to do that, too.
Every action, every word, every attitude you have is an example. Set the example. Be the example.
Lord, today I pray for all who read this post. I pray you convict their hearts to be more Christ-like in everything they say and do. Guide them, Lord. Direct their paths. Lead them to a road of righteousness, a road where they can be an example of you. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.
May You make choices for which God can bless you.
I then have to remind myself that hind site is 20/20, and although I don't live in a mansion or drive a luxury vehicle possibly because of the wrong choices I made, I turned out just fine! Now, I am not saying the bad choices they sometimes make are okay. Oh No! What I am saying is that, with examples of good choices in their lives (that would be you and I), they will do just fine as well. This is the time in their lives when they need an example to go by. They need to know that their mistakes, although they have consequences, can be forgiven and dealt with, and they can go on to lead productive, Godly lives.
God, our Father in Heaven, gave his one and only son so that we could be forgiven for our sins and live an eternal life with him as a joint heir with Christ. Now that, folks, is an example. So please remember that every action, every word, every attitude you have is seen as an example. If you smoke, they will think it is okay to smoke. If you drink, they will think it is okay to drink. If you look at inappropriate things or read inappropriate things, they will think it is okay to do that. If you read the Bible daily, they will think that is okay. If you memorize verses, they will think it is okay. If you lead someone to a life with Christ as their Lord and Savior, they will think it is okay to do that, too.
Every action, every word, every attitude you have is an example. Set the example. Be the example.
Lord, today I pray for all who read this post. I pray you convict their hearts to be more Christ-like in everything they say and do. Guide them, Lord. Direct their paths. Lead them to a road of righteousness, a road where they can be an example of you. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.
May You make choices for which God can bless you.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Obedience
Wow! Obedience just ain't what she used to be! Remember when you thought it was a challenge to go brush your teeth when mom told you to, or how hard it was to be in by midnight curfue on those weekend late nights? Well, I have hit my 40's now and realize that it is not about obedience to my parents so much as it is obedience to God.
I try never to have regrets in my life, but I admit it, I do. I try to learn from my stupid mistakes, but my past still haunts me. As most of you know, there was a time in my life when I was not "sparkly clean" in my attitude and actions (and no, you don't have to leave comment about that - LOL). I regret that I have lost people I have cared about because they think I have kept those unsparkly times in my life. The truth is, I am trying very, very hard to live a life for Christ and be an example of Him, for Him. I have washed and scrubbed and worked hard to clean those dark spaces in my life and not turn to them any more. I no longer drink, I no longer smoke, I no longer .... You get the point.
I have disappointed several people lately who think that I can "break the rules" just a little bit as long as it benefits someone, but I really cannot. That is still "breaking the rules" and sets a very bad example for those young ones that look up to me, whether family or church kids.
I have spent a good amount of time this morning in prayer and thought. I have given this disappointment to God and asked for forgiveness for my past sins, and prayed for those who have gotten upset with me because I won't "break those little rules". I prayed that they can forgive me for being that "goodie 2-shoes" that that think I now am, and that they will stand up for what is right instead of trying to get away with those things that could bite them and others in the butt.
Job 36:11-12 says: If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
On another, softer note, I have had a wonderful few days off from work and plan on going back refreshed on Monday. I am going to go this afternoon and try to sell a computer desk to get a little money to play tomorrow morning at the Highway 80 Garage Sale! Fun times for 3 generations: Momma and Rexanna and I. I hope you have enjoyed my blog and will comment. I will be glad to pray over any prayer requests.
May God bless each and every one that reads this post. Amen.
I try never to have regrets in my life, but I admit it, I do. I try to learn from my stupid mistakes, but my past still haunts me. As most of you know, there was a time in my life when I was not "sparkly clean" in my attitude and actions (and no, you don't have to leave comment about that - LOL). I regret that I have lost people I have cared about because they think I have kept those unsparkly times in my life. The truth is, I am trying very, very hard to live a life for Christ and be an example of Him, for Him. I have washed and scrubbed and worked hard to clean those dark spaces in my life and not turn to them any more. I no longer drink, I no longer smoke, I no longer .... You get the point.
I have disappointed several people lately who think that I can "break the rules" just a little bit as long as it benefits someone, but I really cannot. That is still "breaking the rules" and sets a very bad example for those young ones that look up to me, whether family or church kids.
I have spent a good amount of time this morning in prayer and thought. I have given this disappointment to God and asked for forgiveness for my past sins, and prayed for those who have gotten upset with me because I won't "break those little rules". I prayed that they can forgive me for being that "goodie 2-shoes" that that think I now am, and that they will stand up for what is right instead of trying to get away with those things that could bite them and others in the butt.
Job 36:11-12 says: If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
On another, softer note, I have had a wonderful few days off from work and plan on going back refreshed on Monday. I am going to go this afternoon and try to sell a computer desk to get a little money to play tomorrow morning at the Highway 80 Garage Sale! Fun times for 3 generations: Momma and Rexanna and I. I hope you have enjoyed my blog and will comment. I will be glad to pray over any prayer requests.
May God bless each and every one that reads this post. Amen.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Peace
What is peace? I have found that peace is what I have when I am able to let go. With all that has happened in my 40 years, I could write a book. I have found, though, that peace is a fabulous thing. It may only last a minute while I am pouring that first cup of coffee in the morning and the rest of the house is quiet. It may even happen when I am laying down to go to sleep at night. There was a kiss once from my husband that put me at peace. It was right before his surgery in January of 2010. That was when I gave him to God. Ohhh! I hate doing that!
But over the last 2 years, I have learned to let go, let God, and let Him give me peace. I see him struggle regularly with the strife that Satan throws at him, and yet I see him listening to his gospel music and being at peace. God is so serene, so strong, so omnipotent! He can bring me back to "center" so to speak with a prayer and a deep breath or two. Here's the deal.... you have to let Him.
That can be harder than you think when you are a control freak like me. Ouch! Did I actually say that? Yep. I did. I am a control freak. I want to control everything. I want to control who my daughter's friends are - although most of them I seem to like pretty well. I want to control my husband's fight with Satan and his pain with his back, etc. I want to control the wave of emotions I feel in a stressful situation. Somehow, though, none of this will happen in a good way unless I let go and let God handle everything. Only then will I have the peace I desire. I can put all my worries, struggles, temptations, negative emotions, troubles in God's strong, merciful, gracious hands and go about my day praising Him for all the good he will allow me to do for him that day. Whew, what a relief. Thank you, God, for the peace you bring. I love you!
But over the last 2 years, I have learned to let go, let God, and let Him give me peace. I see him struggle regularly with the strife that Satan throws at him, and yet I see him listening to his gospel music and being at peace. God is so serene, so strong, so omnipotent! He can bring me back to "center" so to speak with a prayer and a deep breath or two. Here's the deal.... you have to let Him.
That can be harder than you think when you are a control freak like me. Ouch! Did I actually say that? Yep. I did. I am a control freak. I want to control everything. I want to control who my daughter's friends are - although most of them I seem to like pretty well. I want to control my husband's fight with Satan and his pain with his back, etc. I want to control the wave of emotions I feel in a stressful situation. Somehow, though, none of this will happen in a good way unless I let go and let God handle everything. Only then will I have the peace I desire. I can put all my worries, struggles, temptations, negative emotions, troubles in God's strong, merciful, gracious hands and go about my day praising Him for all the good he will allow me to do for him that day. Whew, what a relief. Thank you, God, for the peace you bring. I love you!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Joy
Well, Joy is my word for this week on a personal level. Yes, Beneficial is still the word for the week for my Made To Crave Bible study class. I have to say that I have not done well this week on my Made to Crave resolve. I have had chocolate not once, but twice! I know better. It was not beneficial. It was sinful. It wasa fabulous and I savored every bite! That is, until I got on the scale this morning. Did I mention that I missed my Zumba classes this week? Fiddlesticks! I'll pay for that.
Lots of stress and depression this past week, so I am having to try to fight it with some key verses. One of those is James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. I have also stood on the following verses: James 1:2-6 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks widsom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Wow! That says a lot, doesn't it? Does it touch your soul and mind in some way? Let me know with a comment.
On a joyful note, we had breakfast with my father who I call "Pa" yesterday to celebrate his 81st birthday. What a very cool thing! A few close friends joined us, others sent notes via facebook and email. He even got some coconut M&Ms which he loves! Rexanna was able to be there as well. She has spent the last week with her dad in town, and will be there next week as well. I have missed her terribly and still do. I can't wait until she is back home with us. I know, though, that she is enjoyed her time over there. She is also very excited because he is going to drive her back and forth to school this next week! She is very, very happy about that.
I am looking forward to my Made To Crave Bible study class tonight. I think I will make some pudding for our snack, or get some frozen yogurt from Wal-Mart since it is reasonably priced, and it is rather warm out there today. Don't forget, for my ladies who are reading this, our word this week is Beneficial.
Oh! Did I mention yet that I got some herbs to plant yesterday? I finally got my basal, which my close friends know I absolutely love to use in my cooking! YEAH!!!!!!!! I also got a tomato plant which I hope the tomato worms stay away from this year. I also got a Key Lime tree. Yes, Key Lime. Hope I don't kill this one. I think I killed my Meyer Lemon tree from last year, but man! I got some really sweet lemons off that little tree. May get another one this year if I can find one. Love the smell of the blossoms on these trees!
Well, guess I better get ready for morning church. Hope y'all are enjoying my blog notes! One more thing... Did I mention that Jim is feeling better? He mowed my sister, Lavonna's, yard yesterday morning and our yard yesterday afternoon! Go figure. He is still recovering, but is happy about his energy level creeping back up. Praise God! Talk to y'all later.
Lots of stress and depression this past week, so I am having to try to fight it with some key verses. One of those is James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. I have also stood on the following verses: James 1:2-6 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks widsom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Wow! That says a lot, doesn't it? Does it touch your soul and mind in some way? Let me know with a comment.
On a joyful note, we had breakfast with my father who I call "Pa" yesterday to celebrate his 81st birthday. What a very cool thing! A few close friends joined us, others sent notes via facebook and email. He even got some coconut M&Ms which he loves! Rexanna was able to be there as well. She has spent the last week with her dad in town, and will be there next week as well. I have missed her terribly and still do. I can't wait until she is back home with us. I know, though, that she is enjoyed her time over there. She is also very excited because he is going to drive her back and forth to school this next week! She is very, very happy about that.
I am looking forward to my Made To Crave Bible study class tonight. I think I will make some pudding for our snack, or get some frozen yogurt from Wal-Mart since it is reasonably priced, and it is rather warm out there today. Don't forget, for my ladies who are reading this, our word this week is Beneficial.
Oh! Did I mention yet that I got some herbs to plant yesterday? I finally got my basal, which my close friends know I absolutely love to use in my cooking! YEAH!!!!!!!! I also got a tomato plant which I hope the tomato worms stay away from this year. I also got a Key Lime tree. Yes, Key Lime. Hope I don't kill this one. I think I killed my Meyer Lemon tree from last year, but man! I got some really sweet lemons off that little tree. May get another one this year if I can find one. Love the smell of the blossoms on these trees!
Well, guess I better get ready for morning church. Hope y'all are enjoying my blog notes! One more thing... Did I mention that Jim is feeling better? He mowed my sister, Lavonna's, yard yesterday morning and our yard yesterday afternoon! Go figure. He is still recovering, but is happy about his energy level creeping back up. Praise God! Talk to y'all later.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
My first Blog
Not sure what I am doing here, but felt compelled to do this. I am sitting at my new desk (while praying for more work), studying for my Made To Crave Bible study tonight that I lead. We are on week 5, from Permissible to Beneficial.
It is amazing the things that are permissible that we do/eat/listen to/speak of, but are absolutely not beneficial for anyone. Do you ever look at the things in your life and say, "you know, that is just not a necessary part of my life and it is not benefitting anyone?" I would imagine we would all be more clutter-free.
Just thought I would throw out a thought for today. Hopefully I can write more later, but being prepared for this Bible study is what I would call "beneficial". May God bless all who read my blogs and get something beneficial from them.
It is amazing the things that are permissible that we do/eat/listen to/speak of, but are absolutely not beneficial for anyone. Do you ever look at the things in your life and say, "you know, that is just not a necessary part of my life and it is not benefitting anyone?" I would imagine we would all be more clutter-free.
Just thought I would throw out a thought for today. Hopefully I can write more later, but being prepared for this Bible study is what I would call "beneficial". May God bless all who read my blogs and get something beneficial from them.
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