Ephesians 4:24 NAS
And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Every year when new years rolls around we sit down to make our new year's resolutions. At least some of us do. We tell ourselves we are going to go on a diet, get fit, that we are tired of being sick and tired all the time.
Maybe you decide this is the year you are going to get organized. You've watched all the shows showing how easy it is to put things in baskets, drawers, and shelves. This is the year you are going to do just that.
The one thing most of us do not even think about is getting our eternal lives right with our Lord Jesus Christ. We go through the motions, going to church, maybe even Sunday school. Making sure our children are in church for all the activities. Then there is the money we give to charities to help those out that are less fortunate than ourselves. We've checked off those boxes.
But have you checked off the box that belongs to your heart? Have you asked Jesus to live in your heart, or have you gone to him and confessed your sins? These two come first, confess your sins, then ask Him to live within you. Then all of the things above will automatically fall into place. You will no longer feel like you have to be in church, that you have to give money to help others. You will do these things because you want to.
Dear Heavenly Father I pray with all my heart you forgive me for my sins and live within me always. Guide me to do Your will throughout my life. Amen.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
TRUST
Isaiah 26:4 NAS
Trust in the Lord forever, for in God, the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.
Today while I was watching the Today show they were showing how F18s land on the air craft carrier George H.W. Bush. They had Amy Robach, a journalist, in the back seat to show her how it was done. They circled the carried and proceeded to bring the plane in and as they touched down the hook grabbed the plane to stop it suddenly. They said it was like a controled car crash going from 180 miles per hour to 0. Then they showed her how it felt when they took off from the carrier, being catapulted into the air.
Each person aboard that carrier had 100% trust in each other to bring the plane in safely. Without that trust there would be mishaps maybe even deaths.
Proverbs 3:26 tells us for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. He is telling us to trust in Him and He will take care of us.
To let go of our problems, concerns, and fears. He has us in His hands always and will always be there when we cry out for help. We just need to give everything over to Him to take care of. Trust in God for all things big or small. He is our rock.
Dear Heavenly Father I pray you take all my worries in Your hands. Amen.
Trust in the Lord forever, for in God, the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.
Today while I was watching the Today show they were showing how F18s land on the air craft carrier George H.W. Bush. They had Amy Robach, a journalist, in the back seat to show her how it was done. They circled the carried and proceeded to bring the plane in and as they touched down the hook grabbed the plane to stop it suddenly. They said it was like a controled car crash going from 180 miles per hour to 0. Then they showed her how it felt when they took off from the carrier, being catapulted into the air.
Each person aboard that carrier had 100% trust in each other to bring the plane in safely. Without that trust there would be mishaps maybe even deaths.
Proverbs 3:26 tells us for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. He is telling us to trust in Him and He will take care of us.
To let go of our problems, concerns, and fears. He has us in His hands always and will always be there when we cry out for help. We just need to give everything over to Him to take care of. Trust in God for all things big or small. He is our rock.
Dear Heavenly Father I pray you take all my worries in Your hands. Amen.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
REPRIMAND
Judges 5:5 NAS
The mountains quaked at the presence of the Lord. This Sinai, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel.
Raising children can be exasperating sometimes. Because you are the adult, presumably you have wisdom, so you try to guide your child to choose the right path. This does not always work. You've told your child that you've been there, but they don't want to listen.
Perhaps you have a strong willed child that wants to do things their way. They will go out of their way, to do it their way, leaving you feeling helpless. You say black and they say white. They have to be the opposite.
You can only guess how God feels when He sees His children take the wrong path. The book of Judges tells us of disobedient and idolatrous people, how they are defeated time and time again because of their rebellion against God.
God raised up the military to throw off the bondage and restore the nation to worship. But like people now they reverted back to their old sin nature. God finally angered against Israel and said in Judges 2:20 "Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to My voice, I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died."
Our God is a loving God that wants the best for each one of His children but you cannot continue to turn your back on Him. He is a just God and you will be punished. Just like punishing your children for doing wrong in your eyes. You will take away the car, television, etc. until your child realizes you mean business. So too, is our God.
In the end God wants us to ask for forgiveness, just as you want your child to ask you to forgive them. All in all there are rules to live by. You make the rules in your house as God makes the rules for us to live by. All He wants is to live with His children in harmony and peace.
Dear Father forgive me when I let You down. Amen.
The mountains quaked at the presence of the Lord. This Sinai, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel.
Raising children can be exasperating sometimes. Because you are the adult, presumably you have wisdom, so you try to guide your child to choose the right path. This does not always work. You've told your child that you've been there, but they don't want to listen.
Perhaps you have a strong willed child that wants to do things their way. They will go out of their way, to do it their way, leaving you feeling helpless. You say black and they say white. They have to be the opposite.
You can only guess how God feels when He sees His children take the wrong path. The book of Judges tells us of disobedient and idolatrous people, how they are defeated time and time again because of their rebellion against God.
God raised up the military to throw off the bondage and restore the nation to worship. But like people now they reverted back to their old sin nature. God finally angered against Israel and said in Judges 2:20 "Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to My voice, I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died."
Our God is a loving God that wants the best for each one of His children but you cannot continue to turn your back on Him. He is a just God and you will be punished. Just like punishing your children for doing wrong in your eyes. You will take away the car, television, etc. until your child realizes you mean business. So too, is our God.
In the end God wants us to ask for forgiveness, just as you want your child to ask you to forgive them. All in all there are rules to live by. You make the rules in your house as God makes the rules for us to live by. All He wants is to live with His children in harmony and peace.
Dear Father forgive me when I let You down. Amen.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
SATAN TAKE A HIKE
Matthew 16:23 NAS
Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's.
These words are embedded in my mind, especially when I go out shopping. Mind you I love to shop just like any other woman. The bargains, oh my. I can save so much. But when I get home and realize how much money I did spend, I'm remorseful. How am I going to explain those good bargains to my husband?
I'm not alone in this. Every day each one of us is tempted by Satan in one way or another. Whether it's shopping, eating, or doing something that goes beyond our nature. Satan is always there to entice us. "Go ahead, you deserve it, or who's going to know."
Satan tempted Christ in Luke chapter four. Satan told Jesus that all the domain and been handed over to him to do with as he pleased. He painted a beautiful picture for Christ, telling Him if He would hand over all His glory to him, and follow him, all the domain would be His. Satan always has an answer for everything. He can be very convincing. Jesus answered Satan and said. "It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only."
It has been a hard bumpy ride, and I'm still learning, but I think I've finally getting the hang of it. When I am out shopping and hear satan rearing his ugly head I simply tell him. "Satan take a hike. I'll let God guide me. Not you."
With God's help I will continue to seek God's guidance especially when I feel satan trying to sway me.
Gracious Heavenly Father I ask for Your guidance everyday in all I do and say. May You keep satan far from me. Amen.
Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's.
These words are embedded in my mind, especially when I go out shopping. Mind you I love to shop just like any other woman. The bargains, oh my. I can save so much. But when I get home and realize how much money I did spend, I'm remorseful. How am I going to explain those good bargains to my husband?
I'm not alone in this. Every day each one of us is tempted by Satan in one way or another. Whether it's shopping, eating, or doing something that goes beyond our nature. Satan is always there to entice us. "Go ahead, you deserve it, or who's going to know."
Satan tempted Christ in Luke chapter four. Satan told Jesus that all the domain and been handed over to him to do with as he pleased. He painted a beautiful picture for Christ, telling Him if He would hand over all His glory to him, and follow him, all the domain would be His. Satan always has an answer for everything. He can be very convincing. Jesus answered Satan and said. "It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only."
It has been a hard bumpy ride, and I'm still learning, but I think I've finally getting the hang of it. When I am out shopping and hear satan rearing his ugly head I simply tell him. "Satan take a hike. I'll let God guide me. Not you."
With God's help I will continue to seek God's guidance especially when I feel satan trying to sway me.
Gracious Heavenly Father I ask for Your guidance everyday in all I do and say. May You keep satan far from me. Amen.
Friday, December 3, 2010
GIFTS
Luke 6:38 NAS
Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
The holiday season is upon us once again. It seems like it comes earlier and earlier each year. We run about buying gifts for everyone we know. No matter how small the gift, it is a gift from the heart. Or is it? Are we buying that gift because we know they will be giving us something and we need to reciprocate? Far too many times we do this begrudgingly, not from our heart.
Sometimes I will look at our check book and wonder where or how I'm going to make a payment, or even go to the grocery store. But God always provides.
My dilemma has occurred because I've gone and done it again and spent more money than I'd anticipated when I helped someone out. I help them out because I want to. When I reflect on my life I'm reminded of how my God has given me more than I could ever imagine having in my lifetime. If He's done this for me He can do it everyone. Then if I have, then I need to share. Remember you cannot out give God!
Dear Heavenly Father thank you for all you have given me. Guide me to give to others that are less fortunate. Amen.
Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
The holiday season is upon us once again. It seems like it comes earlier and earlier each year. We run about buying gifts for everyone we know. No matter how small the gift, it is a gift from the heart. Or is it? Are we buying that gift because we know they will be giving us something and we need to reciprocate? Far too many times we do this begrudgingly, not from our heart.
Sometimes I will look at our check book and wonder where or how I'm going to make a payment, or even go to the grocery store. But God always provides.
My dilemma has occurred because I've gone and done it again and spent more money than I'd anticipated when I helped someone out. I help them out because I want to. When I reflect on my life I'm reminded of how my God has given me more than I could ever imagine having in my lifetime. If He's done this for me He can do it everyone. Then if I have, then I need to share. Remember you cannot out give God!
Dear Heavenly Father thank you for all you have given me. Guide me to give to others that are less fortunate. Amen.
WHERE IS JESUS
Matthew 2:11 NAS
And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasurers they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
When my two little granddaughters come over for a visit they like to pull out the pop up picture book on Jesus's birth. I point to the manger and tell them that's baby Jesus. I really didn't know if they comprehended what I was trying to tell them until my three year old granddaughter surprised me one one day.
I had been out shopping and my daughter called to ask if I'd pick up something for her. I told her I would and when I dropped it off at her house my granddaughter greeted me at the door. Mommy came to the door and took the package from me and as we stood talking my granddaughter asked. "Where's Jesus?"
My daughter asked her what she said. I told her she was asking where was Jesus. My daughter looked puzzled until I explained to her about the book the girls liked to look at when they came to my house. I turned to my granddaughter and told her Jesus is in my heart just like he's in hers. Her reply was "No He's not."
It was easy to explain to my granddaughter, like it is for so many other people that don't know Jesus as their Savior. I told her again Jesus loves me and lives in my heart. Her mommy told her the same thing. When I left she was still looking a bit puzzled, but hopefully if I keep telling her that she will come to know Jesus for herself.
Her parents have so much going on in their lives, they very rarely go to church, much less take the children to Sunday school. Sunday school simply tells the story of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. Young and old alike can marvel how God's Son was conceived, lived, died, was buried, and rose again. Christ rose again to give us hope of life everlasting. And how easy it is to have that eternal life with Him. All He asks of us is to confess our sins and ask Him to dwell within us.
Heavenly Father that you for Your son Jesus. Amen.
And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasurers they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
When my two little granddaughters come over for a visit they like to pull out the pop up picture book on Jesus's birth. I point to the manger and tell them that's baby Jesus. I really didn't know if they comprehended what I was trying to tell them until my three year old granddaughter surprised me one one day.
I had been out shopping and my daughter called to ask if I'd pick up something for her. I told her I would and when I dropped it off at her house my granddaughter greeted me at the door. Mommy came to the door and took the package from me and as we stood talking my granddaughter asked. "Where's Jesus?"
My daughter asked her what she said. I told her she was asking where was Jesus. My daughter looked puzzled until I explained to her about the book the girls liked to look at when they came to my house. I turned to my granddaughter and told her Jesus is in my heart just like he's in hers. Her reply was "No He's not."
It was easy to explain to my granddaughter, like it is for so many other people that don't know Jesus as their Savior. I told her again Jesus loves me and lives in my heart. Her mommy told her the same thing. When I left she was still looking a bit puzzled, but hopefully if I keep telling her that she will come to know Jesus for herself.
Her parents have so much going on in their lives, they very rarely go to church, much less take the children to Sunday school. Sunday school simply tells the story of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. Young and old alike can marvel how God's Son was conceived, lived, died, was buried, and rose again. Christ rose again to give us hope of life everlasting. And how easy it is to have that eternal life with Him. All He asks of us is to confess our sins and ask Him to dwell within us.
Heavenly Father that you for Your son Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
THANKSGIVING
Psalm 26:7 NAS
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all thy wonders.
Our forefathers gathered together to give thanks to God for surving their first year in America. They suffered cold, harsh storms, sickness, Indian attacks, and little food to fill their stomachs. They quickly built houses to shield themselves from the elements and planted what little seeds they had brought with them. Seeds that had not mildewed or been eaten by rodents aboard ship. Yet after their first year they proclaimed their thanksgiving to the Lord for taking care of them.
I'm reminded every day that my Lord is a great God. Psalm 95:2 says it well. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalm.
I cannot thank my Savior enough for all He has done in my life. He brought me out of the depths of dispair when I thought I had no where to turn. He held me in His hands and kept me safe when all around me my life was crumbling. He has given me a wonderful husband, beautiful children, good health, a long life, money to meet my needs, and an abundance of friends. My God is a great King above all gods.
Reading the book of Psalm brings me great joy because it is a book of song and praise. I especially like Psalm 100:4 because it says what I feel about my God. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. I cannot praise Him enough.
Gracious Father thank you for all You've done for me and what You do every day. Thank you. Amen.
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all thy wonders.
Our forefathers gathered together to give thanks to God for surving their first year in America. They suffered cold, harsh storms, sickness, Indian attacks, and little food to fill their stomachs. They quickly built houses to shield themselves from the elements and planted what little seeds they had brought with them. Seeds that had not mildewed or been eaten by rodents aboard ship. Yet after their first year they proclaimed their thanksgiving to the Lord for taking care of them.
I'm reminded every day that my Lord is a great God. Psalm 95:2 says it well. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalm.
I cannot thank my Savior enough for all He has done in my life. He brought me out of the depths of dispair when I thought I had no where to turn. He held me in His hands and kept me safe when all around me my life was crumbling. He has given me a wonderful husband, beautiful children, good health, a long life, money to meet my needs, and an abundance of friends. My God is a great King above all gods.
Reading the book of Psalm brings me great joy because it is a book of song and praise. I especially like Psalm 100:4 because it says what I feel about my God. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. I cannot praise Him enough.
Gracious Father thank you for all You've done for me and what You do every day. Thank you. Amen.
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