Matthew 16:24-25 "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
What does that really mean? To take up my cross? The cross for Jesus was to do what His Father had appointed for him. It was to walk in obedience. That is exactly what it means to me...to do what my Father has chosen for me. If Jesus had chosen to save his own life, it would have meant that you and me would have no chance for eternal life.
If I don't walk in obedience, it will effect others. We may not think that our disobedience will leave a lasting impression on others, just as we may not know the eternal difference our obedience makes. I was speaking with a pastor friend of ours, who has labored long and hard to build a church. He mentors and disciples people, then they move away. So I mentioned how disheartening that must be. His reply, "Oh no, I am so thankful to be a part of God's work all over the world. For you see, the people that move away often go to uttermost parts of the earth for ministry." Wow! what an attitude. He sees his ministry as teaching so others can go.
Today ministry has a taken a new and different look that what it was before the quake. I can choose to walk joyfully in this new direction—stateside office, Patrick gone more than at home, babysitting grandchildren, very little traveling (I loved traveled before). This may look very mundane, but I will never know the eternal value in this until I reach Glory.
Taking up a cross is not comfortable, but it is a command if we want to follow Jesus. I for one want to follow Jesus! I would rather lose my life and be eternally with my Lord, rather than save my life and lose everything.
What cross has God called you to carry? Are you willing? It will be painful. You may be scorned. Is it worth it to you? Make your choice today. By the way, house cleaning, laundry, cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes can all be holy ground. Great opportunities for praying for others!
Just remember, God will not give you a greater cross than you are able to bear!
God bless you
Follow by Email
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
God's Will
"And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will
proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom
I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy."
(Exodus 33:19) (Blue Letter Bible)
God's will is His own and no man may triumph over it. Nor can any man
judge whom God ought show mercy or grace. The motives of God are His
own. And they are good. How thankful we ought be when we recognize that
we, the redeemed, are the objects of that very mercy! Rejoice,
believer, that though undeserving, you have become the eternal
recipient of such unmerited favor! (Sowing Circle)
As I was reading this, I was so encouraged to remember that no one can thwart the plans of God. We can shake our fist at God, and scream "That's not fair!" But God is God and His plans, promises and will cannot be changed.
Our little Zion, has now learned the phrase "It's not fair." When he knows he is not getting his own way, he marches off saying this oft heard phrase by adults. Oh we may not even be aware that we are saying it.
Not too long ago, someone told me a certain man will need to be killed because he is making decisions against God's will. This person is not a Christian, at least has no testimony of one. I had to think the stupidity of that remark. Who are we to decided who needs to die because of what we do? Isn't God the One who calls the "shots?" God have mercy on us!
Praising God for His Grace and mercy.
God bless you
proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom
I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy."
(Exodus 33:19) (Blue Letter Bible)
God's will is His own and no man may triumph over it. Nor can any man
judge whom God ought show mercy or grace. The motives of God are His
own. And they are good. How thankful we ought be when we recognize that
we, the redeemed, are the objects of that very mercy! Rejoice,
believer, that though undeserving, you have become the eternal
recipient of such unmerited favor! (Sowing Circle)
As I was reading this, I was so encouraged to remember that no one can thwart the plans of God. We can shake our fist at God, and scream "That's not fair!" But God is God and His plans, promises and will cannot be changed.
Our little Zion, has now learned the phrase "It's not fair." When he knows he is not getting his own way, he marches off saying this oft heard phrase by adults. Oh we may not even be aware that we are saying it.
Not too long ago, someone told me a certain man will need to be killed because he is making decisions against God's will. This person is not a Christian, at least has no testimony of one. I had to think the stupidity of that remark. Who are we to decided who needs to die because of what we do? Isn't God the One who calls the "shots?" God have mercy on us!
Praising God for His Grace and mercy.
God bless you
Friday, February 24, 2012
Refresh My Soul
"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered
garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." (Isaiah
58:11)
I take this verse as a personal promise today. I am feeling a drought of soul. Meditation and concentration is a difficult. I hear the noises all around me, even invented noises. And it comes after after a wonderful blessing yesterday, a visit with my cousin and his wife, on their way to Haiti. It was so wonderful. Time flew. The day ended all too soon.
They were living in Haiti at one time. So our connection is not only family but also Haiti. So much to talk about, so much water under the bridge.
Refresh my soul and body. Help me to be that spring of water, a refreshment to others.
God bless you
drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered
garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." (Isaiah
58:11)
I take this verse as a personal promise today. I am feeling a drought of soul. Meditation and concentration is a difficult. I hear the noises all around me, even invented noises. And it comes after after a wonderful blessing yesterday, a visit with my cousin and his wife, on their way to Haiti. It was so wonderful. Time flew. The day ended all too soon.
They were living in Haiti at one time. So our connection is not only family but also Haiti. So much to talk about, so much water under the bridge.
Refresh my soul and body. Help me to be that spring of water, a refreshment to others.
God bless you
Thursday, February 23, 2012
No Greater Joy
3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
John was speaking of his "spiritual children." Those who came to the Lord through the preaching of the gospel. Is this true of us, with our birth children? What brings us the greatest joy? Are we more excited about their scholastic progression or when they are serving the Lord? What is it that we really want for them? What do we teach them more?
I enjoy watching the grandchildren do different things...Zion eating an apple, or praying. It's fun to watch Promise read more words. I love to watch Nate sweep the floor. But none of these things compare to the excitement of having them ask questions about God and Jesus. One of Promise's favorite stories is a book "Jesus Lives," a story of His crucifixion and resurrection. It is always her choice of a book at night.
But when I read the given verse, I feel the excitement that John had when his children were living in truth! Oh what a joy that is when our children ask Jesus into their hearts. But when they walk away from Jesus it crushes the spirit. We have a great responsibility as parents and grandparents to teach our children God's Word.
I believe it brings our Father in Heaven great joy when He sees His children teach others how to walk in Truth. We are on a mission.
Patrick will return on March 1, after being gone for 6 weeks. It has been a long time, but he has accomplished much. He has hosted 2 mission teams, as well as taught classes, counseled people, There is always supplies to buy for the village and vehicle repairs. These things take so much more effort and time than in the states. On the flip side, he has endured much opposition in the work, but God has held him strong. We ask your prayers for God's work to go forth in spite of these oppositions.
God bless you
John was speaking of his "spiritual children." Those who came to the Lord through the preaching of the gospel. Is this true of us, with our birth children? What brings us the greatest joy? Are we more excited about their scholastic progression or when they are serving the Lord? What is it that we really want for them? What do we teach them more?
I enjoy watching the grandchildren do different things...Zion eating an apple, or praying. It's fun to watch Promise read more words. I love to watch Nate sweep the floor. But none of these things compare to the excitement of having them ask questions about God and Jesus. One of Promise's favorite stories is a book "Jesus Lives," a story of His crucifixion and resurrection. It is always her choice of a book at night.
But when I read the given verse, I feel the excitement that John had when his children were living in truth! Oh what a joy that is when our children ask Jesus into their hearts. But when they walk away from Jesus it crushes the spirit. We have a great responsibility as parents and grandparents to teach our children God's Word.
I believe it brings our Father in Heaven great joy when He sees His children teach others how to walk in Truth. We are on a mission.
Patrick will return on March 1, after being gone for 6 weeks. It has been a long time, but he has accomplished much. He has hosted 2 mission teams, as well as taught classes, counseled people, There is always supplies to buy for the village and vehicle repairs. These things take so much more effort and time than in the states. On the flip side, he has endured much opposition in the work, but God has held him strong. We ask your prayers for God's work to go forth in spite of these oppositions.
God bless you
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Mouth of Fools
Proverbs 15:2 "The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
Having 3 little ones around for the past several days, it is a constant reminder of our words. Kids say things that make no sense, but also say things that causes one to wonder where it came from. Since this morning Nate has been saying, "Why does my stomach stay full?" By the food he ate at lunch, I think he was asking why his stomach is so empty.
We say things that are opposite of what we would like to say. We need to use knowledge rightly. We need to be wise in our responses. Gossip and accusations really do expose who we are. Let's be wise in our involvement of gossip. Let's not be a fool.
Also if someone accuses us falsely or says things to destroy us, we don't need to lash back or even justify ourselves. God is the one who justifies us. Usually people who are given to gossip or accusations are not ready to hear what we have to say anyway. So it is better to love them and pray for them.
This is again, a picture of children, "He said I'm ugly." "I'm not ugly. I'm not going to be your friend."
Have we really "put away childish things?"
Why am I writing these things? Recently someone in Haiti is accusing Patrick, and saying evil things against him and others in the church. They are accusations, not truth. They are pouring forth foolishness.
God bless you
Having 3 little ones around for the past several days, it is a constant reminder of our words. Kids say things that make no sense, but also say things that causes one to wonder where it came from. Since this morning Nate has been saying, "Why does my stomach stay full?" By the food he ate at lunch, I think he was asking why his stomach is so empty.
We say things that are opposite of what we would like to say. We need to use knowledge rightly. We need to be wise in our responses. Gossip and accusations really do expose who we are. Let's be wise in our involvement of gossip. Let's not be a fool.
Also if someone accuses us falsely or says things to destroy us, we don't need to lash back or even justify ourselves. God is the one who justifies us. Usually people who are given to gossip or accusations are not ready to hear what we have to say anyway. So it is better to love them and pray for them.
This is again, a picture of children, "He said I'm ugly." "I'm not ugly. I'm not going to be your friend."
Have we really "put away childish things?"
Why am I writing these things? Recently someone in Haiti is accusing Patrick, and saying evil things against him and others in the church. They are accusations, not truth. They are pouring forth foolishness.
God bless you
Sunday, February 19, 2012
My Thoughts
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
I am so thankful for this verse. Earlier this afternoon I received some disconcerting news. It was easy to go into the negative thought mode, but then God showed me that there was evil behind the news. There is hope in God in the most distressing situations. God promised to be our fortress. A peace overwhelmed my heart.
Has the situation changed? Probably not, but it is in God's hands. Then I was reminded of the verse. My thoughts can go to the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Not the ugly and negative.
Pray for Patrick. Pray for wisdom in decisions. Pray for the other pastors and Patrick, as the attacks of the enemy are increasing.
God bless you
I am so thankful for this verse. Earlier this afternoon I received some disconcerting news. It was easy to go into the negative thought mode, but then God showed me that there was evil behind the news. There is hope in God in the most distressing situations. God promised to be our fortress. A peace overwhelmed my heart.
Has the situation changed? Probably not, but it is in God's hands. Then I was reminded of the verse. My thoughts can go to the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Not the ugly and negative.
Pray for Patrick. Pray for wisdom in decisions. Pray for the other pastors and Patrick, as the attacks of the enemy are increasing.
God bless you
Friday, February 17, 2012
Balancing Act
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near."
This was my verse when I was a new mother, sleepless nights and a crying baby. I was almost too tired to care about anything but caring for the "new" bundle in my arms.
The past couple days has brought this verse to mind again. I was juggling time between 3 grandchildren, spending precious last moments with my mother before returning to her home, getting things together to send to Haiti, answering phone, coffee time with Rachel, a guest arrived on her way to Haiti with Rachel. Oh and did I mention little ones energetic at 6:30 am?! But there is not one thing on this list that wasn't very important.
What do I do in times like this? What do you do? I grab moments with the Lord as possible. I talk to Him while I'm dressing little ones. In the midst of all this busyness, I remember the verse. The Lord can always be found. He is near. Thank you Jesus!
Pray for Patrick and the surgery team that will be in Haiti for a week.
This was my verse when I was a new mother, sleepless nights and a crying baby. I was almost too tired to care about anything but caring for the "new" bundle in my arms.
The past couple days has brought this verse to mind again. I was juggling time between 3 grandchildren, spending precious last moments with my mother before returning to her home, getting things together to send to Haiti, answering phone, coffee time with Rachel, a guest arrived on her way to Haiti with Rachel. Oh and did I mention little ones energetic at 6:30 am?! But there is not one thing on this list that wasn't very important.
What do I do in times like this? What do you do? I grab moments with the Lord as possible. I talk to Him while I'm dressing little ones. In the midst of all this busyness, I remember the verse. The Lord can always be found. He is near. Thank you Jesus!
Pray for Patrick and the surgery team that will be in Haiti for a week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)