"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land"
(Isaiah 1:19)
Oh I want the good of the land, but obedience? So there is a condition for the good part. Isn't that what we all want, the good without the sacrifice of obedience.
Roy Coy reminds that "worship is built upon three truths: it is sacrifice, it is subsistence, and it is selfless." But what does worship have to do with sacrifice? Everything! Without sacrifice there is no worship. Worshipping God means sacrificing our own wills. Obedience is a sacrifice, again, giving up my will.
But I want to do it my way, giving up my will is not easy. But I only see the verse, I must be willing and obedient if I want the blessings of the good land.
What is the good of the land? Peace, ah now that is one we need. Look at the condition of not only our country, but also the world...not much peace. God promises peace to those "whose mind is stayed on Him." Another blessing is joy and contentment. Our contentment doesn't come from things, it is an attitude.
Love. It is so difficult to love those who don't see things our way. Now that is a selfish thought. For a blessing in love, I need to give up my selfishness. The list could go on, but...
I need to work on these. To be honest, there are issues going on in my family right now that I want to control and fix, but it is not for me to do so. I must wait on the Lord. I want the good of the land. Lord, give me peace in spite of the "muddle" of my thoughts.
God bless you
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Planted By the River
Psalm 1:3 "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
The olive tree, which is mentioned many times in the Bible, grows slowly by a well watered, and fertile soil. Even when it is old and the trunk is gnarled, it still produces fruit. They remain strong in drought climates. One reason for this is their sturdy and extensive root system. Olive trees can live for several centuries, and can remain productive for as long if they are pruned correctly and regularly.
Is this the tree mentioned in Psalm 1? Very likely. I'm to be like this tree. Oh, I feel gnarled, but that shouldn't stop my growth in the Lord. The important thing is that I am grounded in the Word (fertile), and allow pruning (the Lord's corrections), and keep my eyes on the Lord.
Another aspect of the olive tree is its reproduction even when it is old and gnarled. This I wonder? Are we reproducing new children of the Lord as we retire? I see many retirees on the golf club, playing cards every night, parties, etc. There is no retirement with the Lord. In all these things, we need to share Jesus.
Working mothers, beware!! Your children are the tender shoots for a tree planted by the waters. It is up to us mothers to feed them, water them and teach them God's Word. It is not the job of the church nor the Christian school. Yes, they can come alongside of you to do this, but it is the parents' job first and foremost. I know, I know, "we have to work to pay our bills."
My heart breaks that now our nation is on the brink of a godless generation, and it is the result of a generation of "lock and key" kids who have grown up with no parental guidance.
Let's return to the rivers of water. Let's return to the Word of God and obediently walk in His steps. Allow our roots to go deep and strong.
God bless you
The olive tree, which is mentioned many times in the Bible, grows slowly by a well watered, and fertile soil. Even when it is old and the trunk is gnarled, it still produces fruit. They remain strong in drought climates. One reason for this is their sturdy and extensive root system. Olive trees can live for several centuries, and can remain productive for as long if they are pruned correctly and regularly.
Is this the tree mentioned in Psalm 1? Very likely. I'm to be like this tree. Oh, I feel gnarled, but that shouldn't stop my growth in the Lord. The important thing is that I am grounded in the Word (fertile), and allow pruning (the Lord's corrections), and keep my eyes on the Lord.
Another aspect of the olive tree is its reproduction even when it is old and gnarled. This I wonder? Are we reproducing new children of the Lord as we retire? I see many retirees on the golf club, playing cards every night, parties, etc. There is no retirement with the Lord. In all these things, we need to share Jesus.
Working mothers, beware!! Your children are the tender shoots for a tree planted by the waters. It is up to us mothers to feed them, water them and teach them God's Word. It is not the job of the church nor the Christian school. Yes, they can come alongside of you to do this, but it is the parents' job first and foremost. I know, I know, "we have to work to pay our bills."
My heart breaks that now our nation is on the brink of a godless generation, and it is the result of a generation of "lock and key" kids who have grown up with no parental guidance.
Let's return to the rivers of water. Let's return to the Word of God and obediently walk in His steps. Allow our roots to go deep and strong.
God bless you
Monday, January 9, 2012
Still No Response
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid." (John 14:27)
Patrick is in Haiti. I have been trying to call him since Friday. Oh I know he had a church conference all weekend, but no one is answering or responding my calls. This is the "joys?" of Haiti. Poor phone connections. Often he needs to stand by the cornfield to call. haha.
This call is not for my own pleasure but to get a message to him. What to do Lord? Then last night the Lord reminded me that He can urge Patrick to call home. This morning this verse was in my email. Wow! Quite the reminder Lord. God is in control.
For sure, I'm so thankful I do not need to stand in line for God to answer my cries. He hears my plea and yours all the same time. He can answer us at the same time. So thankful God doesn't use a phone system. Yes, even as wonderful as the cell phone is, God's system is still greater. Man just thinks they have the greatest technology! Not so!
Whatever frustration you are experiencing today, take the verse and hold it in your heart.
Still no call from Patrick, though.
God bless you
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid." (John 14:27)
Patrick is in Haiti. I have been trying to call him since Friday. Oh I know he had a church conference all weekend, but no one is answering or responding my calls. This is the "joys?" of Haiti. Poor phone connections. Often he needs to stand by the cornfield to call. haha.
This call is not for my own pleasure but to get a message to him. What to do Lord? Then last night the Lord reminded me that He can urge Patrick to call home. This morning this verse was in my email. Wow! Quite the reminder Lord. God is in control.
For sure, I'm so thankful I do not need to stand in line for God to answer my cries. He hears my plea and yours all the same time. He can answer us at the same time. So thankful God doesn't use a phone system. Yes, even as wonderful as the cell phone is, God's system is still greater. Man just thinks they have the greatest technology! Not so!
Whatever frustration you are experiencing today, take the verse and hold it in your heart.
Still no call from Patrick, though.
God bless you
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Blameless Before Him
"Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:8
As I was cleaning the bathroom this morning, (isn't it amazing how quickly corners get dirty?)and I was thinking how much energy it takes to keep things clean (no, my house is not spotless).
Do I work as hard at keeping the corners of my heart clean? You know those things that we stuff out of sight so that no one will know. But God sees every corner of our heart, even those rooms in our hearts that we try to lock God out. God wants me cleaner than I want bathroom corners clean.
His grace is ever abounding in my life. God confirms me, even though I'm not perfect? Grace! Will I be able to stand blameless before Him? No, not on my own, but with the righteousness of Jesus covering me. Grace!
Just as I constantly go back to clean bathroom corners, so I must constantly go back to the Word and let it wash me clean. My desire is to be blameless in Him. Lord, help me and change me, wash me clean!
God bless you
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:8
As I was cleaning the bathroom this morning, (isn't it amazing how quickly corners get dirty?)and I was thinking how much energy it takes to keep things clean (no, my house is not spotless).
Do I work as hard at keeping the corners of my heart clean? You know those things that we stuff out of sight so that no one will know. But God sees every corner of our heart, even those rooms in our hearts that we try to lock God out. God wants me cleaner than I want bathroom corners clean.
His grace is ever abounding in my life. God confirms me, even though I'm not perfect? Grace! Will I be able to stand blameless before Him? No, not on my own, but with the righteousness of Jesus covering me. Grace!
Just as I constantly go back to clean bathroom corners, so I must constantly go back to the Word and let it wash me clean. My desire is to be blameless in Him. Lord, help me and change me, wash me clean!
God bless you
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Bask in God's Love
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,
because it knew him not." (1 John 3:1)
To be loved by the Creator of the universe!! What an awesome truth. Agape and I were just talking of the vast expanse of the universe, the stars, planets. I cannot even fathom this!
My world is so small. Within walls, I'm confined to work, play, love, and relate my life to the Master and Maker of the Universe! And the irony of it all is, without Him, I am nothing more than a "filthy rag." That is the expression the Bible uses to describe me.
Oh it feels so good tonight to know that He loves me so much. I am physically so tired, as the kids say, for the tip of my head to the tip of my toes, I am tired. But I don't regret my tiredness, for you see some very dear friends spent the night with us enroute to Haiti. So we did more talking than sleeping. Oh it was fun!
I do pray you are basking in the love of God tonight! Nothing can separate us from that love! Rest in that thought tonight.
God bless you
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,
because it knew him not." (1 John 3:1)
To be loved by the Creator of the universe!! What an awesome truth. Agape and I were just talking of the vast expanse of the universe, the stars, planets. I cannot even fathom this!
My world is so small. Within walls, I'm confined to work, play, love, and relate my life to the Master and Maker of the Universe! And the irony of it all is, without Him, I am nothing more than a "filthy rag." That is the expression the Bible uses to describe me.
Oh it feels so good tonight to know that He loves me so much. I am physically so tired, as the kids say, for the tip of my head to the tip of my toes, I am tired. But I don't regret my tiredness, for you see some very dear friends spent the night with us enroute to Haiti. So we did more talking than sleeping. Oh it was fun!
I do pray you are basking in the love of God tonight! Nothing can separate us from that love! Rest in that thought tonight.
God bless you
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Living By the River
"Today, the Rivers of pardon and the rivers of grace, the rivers of the promise and the rivers of communion with Christ, are never failing sources of supply." Roy Coy
As I was reading this morning, I asked myself how often I stray from the banks of the eternal river where I will prosper. If I meditate in the Word, day and night, then I will be like a tree with abundance of fruit. A tree like this always has a supply of moisture. My water is the Holy Spirit, and this will always bring freshness and good fruit. My decisions should be made by His word.He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalms 1:3 NKJV)
My desk is a perfect example of clutter right now. How did it get this way? I set goals to get it the work done, but get distracted, then phone calls, then...whatever. A cluttered life is an example of not staying by the river of water, where there is an flowing supply of God's grace. Today I must make the decision to rid the clutter, both on the desk and my life. Even in the midst of cleaning the clutter, I can meditate on God's Word.
I need to live on the "banks" of the river for every decision, thought, and move that I make. I cannot expect to find joy and peace away from the Bank (the Word). Funny, I just now thought of this, the world thinks that joy and good comes from a good "bank" account, but we as God's children have an ever-flowing supply of goodness from God's bank and no one can take that wealth from us.
My desire: To have His Grace flowing from my life, so that others desire to come to Him!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
My Desire
Philippians 3:7-10 "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"
The teaching at church was challenging and convicting. Challenging us into changes for 2012, but it will only happen if we change our way of thinking, believing, and acting. I don't like New Year resolutions. Most are without conviction, and hardly last into the first week.
But I am challenged to the question, "What do I really want in this year?" It is hard to evaluate that one, for you see, today feels just like yesterday. Today feels no different just because the number on the calendar page has changed. Do I want change? And why do we feel we need to wait until a new year begins to start on the road to change?
I desire to keep my focus on Jesus, and not be so focused on what this world has to offer. The world hates and holds grudges. I desire to love, forgive, love, forgive, and love again.
God bless you.
The teaching at church was challenging and convicting. Challenging us into changes for 2012, but it will only happen if we change our way of thinking, believing, and acting. I don't like New Year resolutions. Most are without conviction, and hardly last into the first week.
But I am challenged to the question, "What do I really want in this year?" It is hard to evaluate that one, for you see, today feels just like yesterday. Today feels no different just because the number on the calendar page has changed. Do I want change? And why do we feel we need to wait until a new year begins to start on the road to change?
I desire to keep my focus on Jesus, and not be so focused on what this world has to offer. The world hates and holds grudges. I desire to love, forgive, love, forgive, and love again.
God bless you.
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