Daniel 1:17 (NAS)
And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and widsom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.
My title should probably read I had a dream. We all dream, some are more real than others. Most of our dreams we forget as soon as we get up in the morning. But then there are the ones that we remember and can't shake, or get out of our minds.
I had one such dream recently. I'd been to a writer's conference and when I returned home I was all pumped up and ready to write. One conference leader spoke right to me. I know she did, I even think she'd been hiding in my house watching me.
Anyway, I tucked away all the information that seeped into my brain and walked around with tiny bits bouncing to the front of my mind. I went to bed thinking of all this stuff. During the night I dreamed I received a check for five thousand dollars for a book I wrote plus another check, I still don't know what that one was for.
You can imagine how I felt the next morning. I got money for a story I wrote! Now I need to work on that story and finish it. Yes, it's in the process but now I need to bring it to completion.
My story and the check I dreamed about, I believe, is God's way of telling me I have great things planned for you. Follow me, I will never leave you. I will guide you. Keep your eyes upon Me.
Gracious Heavenly Father for never leaving me. Guide me as I write Your words. Amen.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
TREASURES
Malachi 3:17 (NAS)
And they will be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I prepare My own possession and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.
My family has watched National Treasure about six times now. Each time we get just as excited as the first time when they find the buried treasure.
Then there are the pirate movies searching for ships to plunder and send to the bottom of the ocean. Everyone is searching for treasure to make them wealthy.
I have certain things my mother and grandmother gave me long ago I consider my treasures. They are precious to me because they were given by loved ones.
God says we are His treasures. He made us, knows us inside out, and loves us unconditionally. He longs for quiet fellowship with us. He wants to hear what is troubling us, our longings, and fears. Just like your earthly father God desires companionship with you.
Our earthly treasures are trivial but God's treasures are precious. We are valued and costly in God sight.
Dear Heavenly Father thank you for letting me be Your treasure. Amen.
And they will be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I prepare My own possession and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.
My family has watched National Treasure about six times now. Each time we get just as excited as the first time when they find the buried treasure.
Then there are the pirate movies searching for ships to plunder and send to the bottom of the ocean. Everyone is searching for treasure to make them wealthy.
I have certain things my mother and grandmother gave me long ago I consider my treasures. They are precious to me because they were given by loved ones.
God says we are His treasures. He made us, knows us inside out, and loves us unconditionally. He longs for quiet fellowship with us. He wants to hear what is troubling us, our longings, and fears. Just like your earthly father God desires companionship with you.
Our earthly treasures are trivial but God's treasures are precious. We are valued and costly in God sight.
Dear Heavenly Father thank you for letting me be Your treasure. Amen.
Friday, August 5, 2011
PLEASURES
James 4:3 (NAS)
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
"Please God just this once. I really need this need now. I won't ask again." How many times have we voiced this prayer? We meant it at the time. We forget and then when the situation arises again we find ourselves asking God again, and again. Somehow the cycle doesn't stop.
I am just as guilty as anyone else. I back myself into a corner and when I find no way out I'm asking God for help. He has helped me but somehow I don't learn and too quickly I'm in the same corner again, asking for help. Will I ever learn?
Our God is always there but at some time or other He wants us to learn from our mistakes. We want our children to learn from their mistakes by telling them over and over to learn from your mistakes. But are we learning from ours? Sometimes I don't think I am.
God wants us to have an abundant life. A life with Him. In communion with Him. He gives us so much and like greedy children we ask for more and more. Our children are spoiled and expect us to keep giving and giving. We too are like that with our Heavenly Father.
He wants us to learn from our mishandling of time, money, friendships, and the list goes on. He is always there waiting for us to confess our sins and ask Him for help in overcoming. All we have to do is ask.
Dear Heavenly Father please forgive me for thinking I can handle my everyday life by myself. I cannot. I can do nothing without You. Amen.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
"Please God just this once. I really need this need now. I won't ask again." How many times have we voiced this prayer? We meant it at the time. We forget and then when the situation arises again we find ourselves asking God again, and again. Somehow the cycle doesn't stop.
I am just as guilty as anyone else. I back myself into a corner and when I find no way out I'm asking God for help. He has helped me but somehow I don't learn and too quickly I'm in the same corner again, asking for help. Will I ever learn?
Our God is always there but at some time or other He wants us to learn from our mistakes. We want our children to learn from their mistakes by telling them over and over to learn from your mistakes. But are we learning from ours? Sometimes I don't think I am.
God wants us to have an abundant life. A life with Him. In communion with Him. He gives us so much and like greedy children we ask for more and more. Our children are spoiled and expect us to keep giving and giving. We too are like that with our Heavenly Father.
He wants us to learn from our mishandling of time, money, friendships, and the list goes on. He is always there waiting for us to confess our sins and ask Him for help in overcoming. All we have to do is ask.
Dear Heavenly Father please forgive me for thinking I can handle my everyday life by myself. I cannot. I can do nothing without You. Amen.
Monday, August 1, 2011
CAN WE TALK
I Corinthians 7:5 (NAS)
Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
There are days when I feel the need to coin the phrase by Joan Rivers. Can we talk? I have to make myself take the time to sit down and have a heart to heart with God. The busyness of the day grips me and it is evening before I realize I didn't take time to commune with my Lord.
Like most of us I go throughout the day and talk with God. You know what I'm talking about. "Lord don't let that driver pull out in front of me." Or "Lord give me one more minute to finish this and I'll sit down with You."
He wants His time with us. Our complete self, not just a passing moment to say our prayers, which I might add become automatic sometimes. Again you know what I'm talking about. Lead me through this day, watch over my children, guide my husband in his decisions, and oh yes Lord, we need rain. Amen.
No, God wants us to take TIME for Him. Open our Bible, let Him lead us to the scripture He has for us for that day. Sit and chat openly with Him. He wants to hear how we feel, what we are going through. He already knows but He wants to hear it from us. Talk to Him like you would your closest friend. Your hurts are important to Him. We are His children. Do you not love your own children and want the best for them? God is your Father and He wants what is best for you.
Yes, we discipline our children, and God is not different. When He disciplines us it is to bring us closer to Him. Our God is a loving Father who wants to have time with our complete self.
Matthew 21:22 says "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."
This doesn't mean you need to ask to win the lottery. What it does mean is that God wants us to live a full and abundant life, and above all take time for Him.
Dear Heavenly Father thank you for Your love and always being there for me. Forgive me for not taking time to be with You. I need You in my life as I cannot do anything without You. Amen.
Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
There are days when I feel the need to coin the phrase by Joan Rivers. Can we talk? I have to make myself take the time to sit down and have a heart to heart with God. The busyness of the day grips me and it is evening before I realize I didn't take time to commune with my Lord.
Like most of us I go throughout the day and talk with God. You know what I'm talking about. "Lord don't let that driver pull out in front of me." Or "Lord give me one more minute to finish this and I'll sit down with You."
He wants His time with us. Our complete self, not just a passing moment to say our prayers, which I might add become automatic sometimes. Again you know what I'm talking about. Lead me through this day, watch over my children, guide my husband in his decisions, and oh yes Lord, we need rain. Amen.
No, God wants us to take TIME for Him. Open our Bible, let Him lead us to the scripture He has for us for that day. Sit and chat openly with Him. He wants to hear how we feel, what we are going through. He already knows but He wants to hear it from us. Talk to Him like you would your closest friend. Your hurts are important to Him. We are His children. Do you not love your own children and want the best for them? God is your Father and He wants what is best for you.
Yes, we discipline our children, and God is not different. When He disciplines us it is to bring us closer to Him. Our God is a loving Father who wants to have time with our complete self.
Matthew 21:22 says "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."
This doesn't mean you need to ask to win the lottery. What it does mean is that God wants us to live a full and abundant life, and above all take time for Him.
Dear Heavenly Father thank you for Your love and always being there for me. Forgive me for not taking time to be with You. I need You in my life as I cannot do anything without You. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
