I Can Do ALL Things Through Christ!

(NLT) Phillipians 4:
10How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

Verse 13 is my verse & motto of the week. I can do all thing through Christ, who gives me strength! I can do Prednisone through Christ who gives me strength! My focus and prayer this week is to, (despite this horrible medicine), keep my spirit sweet, try to be anxious for nothing (instead of anxious over nothing),  hold my hunger at bay (no over-eating as this med usually causes one to do), & do by best to get as must rest & sleep as I can btw. my 2 kids & this crazy stuff. I can do this. I can b/c of Christ...and I will. I am an overcomer & I will conquer. What will you conquer, through Christ,  this week?

Avoid Immoral Women/Adultery

1My son, pay attention to my wisdom;

listen carefully to my wise counsel.

2Then you will show discernment,

and your lips will express what you’ve learned.

3For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,

and her mouth is smoother than oil.

4But in the end she is as bitter as poison,

as dangerous as a double-edged sword.

5Her feet go down to death;

her steps lead straight to the grave.

6For she cares nothing about the path to life.

She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.

7So now, my sons, listen to me.

Never stray from what I am about to say:

8Stay away from her!

Don’t go near the door of her house!

9If you do, you will lose your honor

and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.

10Strangers will consume your wealth,

and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.

11In the end you will groan in anguish

when disease consumes your body.

12You will say, “How I hated discipline!

If only I had not ignored all the warnings!

13Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?

Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?

14I have come to the brink of utter ruin,

and now I must face public disgrace.”

15Drink water from your own well—

share your love only with your wife.

16Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,

having sex with just anyone?

17You should reserve it for yourselves.

Never share it with strangers.

18Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.

Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.

Let her breasts satisfy you always.

May you always be captivated by her love.

20Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,

or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?

21For the lord sees clearly what a man does,

examining every path he takes.

22An evil man is held captive by his own sins;

they are ropes that catch and hold him.

23He will die for lack of self-control;

he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

Do it all for the Glory of God.

1 Corintians 10:31 (NLT)
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Enjoyed "Tea with the Master" with my Mom's ladies group, at her church, this morning.

They had music from a couple different ladies in their church and the key speaker was Laura Ollis. She brought a good lesson on the cup representing our vessel, and the saucer representing God. Would love to share more on that in a later post.

The above scripture was shared by the lady who prayed over our meal and time together. It was a good reminder, that no matter what we do, whether in the bad times or the good, to give God glory. He deserves it. So whether your enjoying a ladies tea or home sick in bed, be sure to give God some glory for all He has done for you. :)

"Come, Follow Me." -Jesus

If a man, you maybe only heard of or saw a few times, walked up to you at work and said, "Come, follow me!"...would you drop everything you were doing and follow him?

After reading in Matthew 4, I find myself trying to put myself in the story. Simon, Peter (Andrew), James, & John did just that. (Matthew 4:18-22). It says Simon & Peter were casting their nets, getting ready to make their catch of the day. This was what they did as a living to help support their families. And up walks Jesus, who had just began teaching, and said, "Follow me." I can't help but wonder what their families must have thought. They must have been so dedicated to God and so close to Him that they trusted Him enough to drop their work and follow His Son.  The same could be said of James & John. I wonder what emotions their father went through as he saw his sons rise from helping him with the nets, to follow this man. Who was he? Had they already heard Him teach in the streets? I can just imagine them all sitting there on their boat working together, talking & laughing, going about their normal day....and then boom...there's Jesus and says "Come, follow me!". And just like that they did. Did their father sit there dumbfounded that he was left to work the nets alone? Or maybe he sat there with a grin on his face, completely happy & satisfied that they were following the Master. Just some curious thoughts on my part.

But the question still remains; Would you do the same? Are we close enough to God, that we would recognize His voice when He calls to us? Would we recognize Jesus, in an instant, & drop what we were doing if He asked us to "Follow Him?" In one sense, He has done just that. Spiritually when we except Him as our Savior, we drop the old way of living & begin to follow Him. Living a pure & holy life. But do we listen to His call in the physical form of life? Maybe give up something, go visit someone, join a small group at church, preach, teach, sing, etc. Whatever it may be that Christ calls you to do, are you willing to do it? (No matter the cost?)

Just some thoughts. In Sunday school we have been encouraged to try and put ourselves in the shoes of those we read about when studying the Word. I've already done that in the past, but I find myself doing it more. Wondering just what it must have been like to experience those moments first hand.

I Will Seek You & Learn to Walk...

This song has been coming to mind a lot this month. This morning the only line I could remember was "And step by step You'll lead me. And I will follow You all of my days!"  Earlier this month the line "I will seek you in the morning, and I will learn to walk in Your ways" kept going throug my head. I hadn't heard the second song, (that they go into on this video), but this was the most calming video I could find for this song. ;)

I have been singing it in my head after reading Psalm 119:41-80 this morning. I will have to expand my thoughts on these scriptures later, but I leave you with this: 

Psalms 119:45-48 (NLT) "I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. How I delight in your commands! How I love them! I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees."

I am so thankful for the Freedom I have in Christ, as I seek Him & learn to walk in His ways! :)

Consumed. Overwhelmed. Pant.

"As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You. You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship you!"

In Sunday School we are on a study titled "The Door to Liberation". We have homework this week to read Psalm 1:1-3 & Psalm 119. As I began to read 119 this morning, I couldn't help but stop at verse 20 & reflect.

Psalm 42:1-2 was read on Sunday: "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (‭‬ESV)

(Taken from my notes on Sunday...)

"Do we pant after God as the deer pants for water? (Psalm 42:1-2) The term addiction is usually thought of in a negative light, but it can be good if we are addicted to God. "

Psalm 119:20 says:

(NLT) "I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations."
(ESV) "My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times."
(NIV) "My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times."

(KJV) "My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times."

Are our souls overwhelmed or consumed with/for Him? Something to stop & consider.

Focus on This One Thing.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT)

What is your focus on this year? I found this new study called: "One Word that will Change Your Life". And the idea is to search and pray for God to bring you one Word to put your focus on. As I was reading yesterday, I felt like the word "seek" spoke to me. Mostly bc I feel God has already been calling me in that direction to seek more of Him. And so that will be my "one focus" throught this year. It may sound like a new year's resolution, but it's not. It's a life change.

Trust In Him.

Proverbs 3: (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

This is one of my all time favorite scriptures. I memorized it from the KJV,  and while I love reading from the NLT (b/c it is more broken down into every day English), I still like this particular verse from KJV. Either way the truth is the same. The NLT reads :"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." 

It came to mind this morning, after reading a friend's post about needing prayer for some anxiety she is feeling as they go through the process of adoption.

I'm not going through that same process, but I did have a couple of stress/anxiety/fearful days last week. And after asking a friend to pray for me, talking to my Hubby, reading God's Word, & seeing different word pictures on FB; my fears, doubts, and anxiety was put to rest. I had a peace and calm fill my soul, and I am so thankful for that. I'm so thankful that God will reach down, in one form or another, and give us just what we stand in need of. So I encourage you this morning to trust in Him. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you. Aren't you glad that He is Sovereign over all? He is in control and He will guide you on your journey if you trust in Him. :) 

Blessings this Wed.!

Being Joyful In All Things.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Was working on this yesterday since my day got interrupted and rearranged. I decided I wasn't going to stress about the things that needed done and would have to wait. Instead I would be positive & focus on the good news I had heard on the phone & through FB. I admit, it isn't always easy being joyful in all things, but always worth the effort. :) 

Everything About Me.

Psalm 139:1 "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. (2) You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. (3) You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. (4) You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. (5) You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! (7) I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! (8) If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. (9) IF I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, (10) even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. (11) I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night--(12) but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you. (13) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. (14) Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it. (15) You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. (16) You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (17) How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" (NLT)

He knows every little thing about us. And why wouldn't He? He's our Creator!  Along with this passage, yesterday, I read in Gen. 3:1-13. It talks about the time when Adam and Even ate from the forbidden tree. God already knew what they had done, but asked them anyway.....

God: Where are you?
Adam: I heard you walking in the garden & so I hid. I was afraid b/c I was naked.
God: Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the forbidden tree who's fruit I commanded you not to eat?
Adam: Eve gave it to me.

God already knew this, but He wanted Adam to answer for himself.

God knows my thoughts even when I am far away. (Psalm 139:2) I have been feeling as if my relationship with Him is further away from Him than I want it to be. I haven't lost my faith or salvation in Him, but I haven't been in His Word as much as I should be. I am glad He still knows me and speaks to me, even when I am far away. I am thankful that He still whispers into my ear and reminds me that He misses His time with me. (Which reminds me of a song my Mom used to sing..."I miss My time with you. Those moments together. I need to be with you each day. And it hurts Me when you say, 'I'm too busy. Busy trying to serve You.' But how can you serve Me when your spirit's empty? There's a longing in my heart...." [I may not have gotten all the words right in there, but I think you get the idea.])

He knows your name. He knows your every being. You can never drift too far that He can't see you or hear you. After all, He created you. He knows everything about you and me.

Romans 12:12

Sharing from Proverbs 31 Ministries today:

"Jesus, help us to walk in the wisdom of Your words from Romans 12:12- Being joyful in hope, patient if affliction, & faithful in prayer."

From me:

According to Wikipedia, "Hope is the state which promotes the desire of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life or in the world at large." Let's be joyful in that!

Patient in affliction could be a little harder to work on. Being patient (alone) is something I know I need to work on, especially when it comes to other drivers around me. But when you're sick and maybe don't understand why, it's a little harder to be patient. We want cures NOW! But let's work on that patient part. Trust God to see us through and give us healing. Whether our affliction be physical, mental, or spiritual.

Faithful in prayer. Ever pray for something so long, that after a while, it seems to get old? I feel that way sometimes. I'm guilty of giving up on my own personal prayer requests. Days sometimes turn into weeks and weeks into months and months into years. It gets discouraging, sometimes. But we can't always see God at work. He works in ways we cannot see. So let's not give up on prayer! Stay faithful in whatever it is that God has laid on your heart to pray for. James 4:3 says we have not b/c we ask not. Stay faithful, even when you want to give up. Cause you never know how God is at work in your life.

Just some food for thought. As 2013 comes to an end, and as we embrace a new year, let us reflect on God's wisdom and & learn to walk in His ways. 

He Is Risen!

Matthew 27:5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said." (ESV)

I thank God for the gift of His son, Jesus! Death could not hold Him! He's alive and well in my soul.

An Approved Worker.

2 Timothy 2:15  ^"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." (NLT)

2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (KJV)

In Bible study, this week, it was said, "It is one thing to memorize scripture, and another to KNOW them." -Joyce Myers

Food for thought.

Honor & Glory Belong to God.

John 7:16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies." (NLT)

When we speak of our faith or of God or of His teachings, are we doing so to bring glory to him or do we seek glory for ourselves?

Help My Unbelief

Mark 9:22b- Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” 

23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 

24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (NLT)

Gaining the whole world=loosing your soul.

Mark8:34 (Jesus said,) “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?* 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 

I don't want to gain the whole world, just to loose my soul! How about you?

99 vs. 1

Luke 15:3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (NLT)

Aren't you glad God left the 99 to find you? I am glad that He did it for me too! :)

The Gospel.

I got my Child Training Bible kit all finished and put together. Today I decided to start reading it, starting with the Gospel. It is broken up into four categories:

1. God
2. Man
3. Jesus
4. What Now?

Today, I just focused on #1. Here are the scriptures I read:

• Gen.1:1
• 1 Sam. 2:2
• Psalm 24:1-2
• Matthew 4:48
• James 2:10

Reflections:

God created and owns everything. 

God is perfectly holy.

God requires perfect obedience to His Law.

(This is all from the CTB by Mindy Dunn.)

I think the scripture that stuck out the most to me was James 2:8-13. (I like to read a little more than what is suggested to get a better idea of what is being said.) I am reading from the NLT Bible. I like it because it is broken down into every day english and is easier to understand.

Verse 10-11 says, "And the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who as broken all of God's laws. (11) For the same God who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." So if you murder someone, you have broken the entire law, even if you do not commit adultery."

I understand what the scripture is saying, but it just hit me differently today. You can't commit one sin and think you are still more righteous than one who commits more than one sin. No matter what we say or do, we'll be judged by the law of love, the same law that made us free. (vs. 12)

I hope to share more of this as I go along. Today, I've been a little distracted with a sick baby. I'm so thankful for answered prayers since her fever has dropped down some. 

Blessings!

1 Peter 5:6-11 (KJV)

^"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 

⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 

¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 

The Person God Created Me to Be.

This morning, when I first woke up, this is the thought that came to me:

"Lord, please help me to be the person You created me to be."

That is my simple prayer for today. I feel like I need a renewal in Him as Romans 12 talks about.

Romans 12:2 to be exact.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Renew. Refresh.

I feel like since my sweet baby duck has come along, I've kind of dropped the whole Bible Study thing and mostly find myself praying through the day. Not long ago, I did start reading a Bible story to her every day from her baby Bible. So it still gives me food for thought, but I just feel like I need more. I owe Him so much more than I give Him. An area I really must work on. I can't live on prayer alone.

I want to be the person that God created me to be.