Psalm 103:1-2 "Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me. bless HIs holy name: Bless the Lord oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
Today, an uneventful day, as I call it. Nothing special or specific. Yet as I contemplated what I should share, this verse came to my mind. There are yet many of God's benefits all around. We are healthy, have food to eat, a roof over our heads, forgiveness when we do not give God all that is His, Grace when we don't deserve it.
As I read through the book of Genesis and Exodus, God's faithfulness is so evident to His children. His covenants stand true. His covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob help me to realize He wants a relationship with me and you. He will keep His promises with us. Even those He promised in the beginning of generations. They still stand true.
We serve a mighty God. There is no god in all the world that can come close to the One true God. Satan is so busy deceiving thousands. Little do they know that satan is only out to destroy them and take them away from the One who died for them. In our weakness we are made strong. God will strengthen us to go out and share Jesus with those we come in contact with.
Let's not miss the opportunity. Let us tell others the Benefits of serving the Lord.
God bless you
Friday, June 29, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Playing Scrabble
I love word games. I really like Words with Friends with some Facebook friends. But I don't just play, while I'm playing I'm trying to solve the world's problems, as if that is going to work. Or I'm talking to the Lord.
So this morning, I started a new game with a 3 or 4 letter word. Again, I was thinking how many words can branch off those few letters by the end of the game. Then I thought of something...life is like a 3 letter word. It is the start. Every step brings on more challenges and more victories. Sometimes I try a word, and the message comes up that it is either not a word or misspelled. So I take the letters back and try another avenue.
Exactly! Life is like that. Sometimes I make a wrong decision, and head out a different way. Then I run into a roadblock from the Lord, and I go back and take the right road. Most of the time, I can't go back, but I suffer from my mistakes, but God shows me the next step. Just like scrabble, there are points for playing, so is life.
There are blessings along the way. There are hardships, but always Grace. I must say, if I would always follow the Lord exactly right then I could avoid so many detours and roadblocks. But with every detour there is a lesson to be learned. God is so patient. He lets us "play one word at a time." When we realize we are stuck, He still is there waiting with open arms.
I always find it interesting when a game is complete to see all the words that were made from that small word at the start. That will be us...in the end we will be so amazed at the beautiful "tapestry" God has made from our life. God is painting our life as we take one step at a time. In the end it will be glorious.
I think I need to go finish my game...
God bless you
So this morning, I started a new game with a 3 or 4 letter word. Again, I was thinking how many words can branch off those few letters by the end of the game. Then I thought of something...life is like a 3 letter word. It is the start. Every step brings on more challenges and more victories. Sometimes I try a word, and the message comes up that it is either not a word or misspelled. So I take the letters back and try another avenue.
Exactly! Life is like that. Sometimes I make a wrong decision, and head out a different way. Then I run into a roadblock from the Lord, and I go back and take the right road. Most of the time, I can't go back, but I suffer from my mistakes, but God shows me the next step. Just like scrabble, there are points for playing, so is life.
There are blessings along the way. There are hardships, but always Grace. I must say, if I would always follow the Lord exactly right then I could avoid so many detours and roadblocks. But with every detour there is a lesson to be learned. God is so patient. He lets us "play one word at a time." When we realize we are stuck, He still is there waiting with open arms.
I always find it interesting when a game is complete to see all the words that were made from that small word at the start. That will be us...in the end we will be so amazed at the beautiful "tapestry" God has made from our life. God is painting our life as we take one step at a time. In the end it will be glorious.
I think I need to go finish my game...
God bless you
Monday, June 25, 2012
The Basin of Grace
My thoughts continue on the thread of Grace, and what it really should be like in my life. To be a woman of grace is a goal to be achieved. I believe that God would have us all be servants of Grace. What is it? Grace is to give what we don't deserve. I don't deserve God, but in His Grace He has given me eternal life. What does grace look like in my relationship to others?
As all questions like this, we can find answers in the Bible. Of course, the ultimate grace is God giving us redemption when we do not deserve it. Forgiveness is grace. We don't deserve forgiveness, at least, I don't. For you see, I fail again and again. But every time I approach the throne of God, He forgives. He doesn't even remind me that I had committed that same sin before...such as worry, complaining, etc. You do know these are sins, right?
Yesterday communion was served at church. As I was thinking about the last supper Jesus had with His disciples, a light came on in my spirit. I remembered something that I had learned many years ago, but hadn't thought about for a long time. The basin of grace! When Jesus took the basin and washed Judas's feet, I'm not sure that He used the water in the basin...that basin was overflowing with Grace. Judas did NOT deserve this.
Jesus knew what Judas was about to do. Why did He stoop down and wash the feet of the very one who was going to betray him? Why? Why didn't Jesus just tell him then to go do what he was planning and to do it quickly. He also served him bread and the cup. Love! Love! He loved Judas in spite of what Judas was about to do. I wonder if Judas even realized the sacrifice Jesus made at that moment.
Can I wash the feet of the one, who spread gossip about me? Can I wash the feet of the one who insulted me? I see the problem clearly. Pride! I think I'm so much better that I can't give grace. Pride raises its ugly head to show me how much better I am, and surely God wouldn't expect me to serve the offender with grace. Oh but God does!
Today...let's take the basin of grace and forgive those who have hurt us, offended us, and don't deserve it. Let's love them back to the Lord.
God bless you
As all questions like this, we can find answers in the Bible. Of course, the ultimate grace is God giving us redemption when we do not deserve it. Forgiveness is grace. We don't deserve forgiveness, at least, I don't. For you see, I fail again and again. But every time I approach the throne of God, He forgives. He doesn't even remind me that I had committed that same sin before...such as worry, complaining, etc. You do know these are sins, right?
Yesterday communion was served at church. As I was thinking about the last supper Jesus had with His disciples, a light came on in my spirit. I remembered something that I had learned many years ago, but hadn't thought about for a long time. The basin of grace! When Jesus took the basin and washed Judas's feet, I'm not sure that He used the water in the basin...that basin was overflowing with Grace. Judas did NOT deserve this.
Jesus knew what Judas was about to do. Why did He stoop down and wash the feet of the very one who was going to betray him? Why? Why didn't Jesus just tell him then to go do what he was planning and to do it quickly. He also served him bread and the cup. Love! Love! He loved Judas in spite of what Judas was about to do. I wonder if Judas even realized the sacrifice Jesus made at that moment.
Can I wash the feet of the one, who spread gossip about me? Can I wash the feet of the one who insulted me? I see the problem clearly. Pride! I think I'm so much better that I can't give grace. Pride raises its ugly head to show me how much better I am, and surely God wouldn't expect me to serve the offender with grace. Oh but God does!
Today...let's take the basin of grace and forgive those who have hurt us, offended us, and don't deserve it. Let's love them back to the Lord.
God bless you
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Alley
"We plan our lives in long, unbroken stretches that intersect our dreams the way highways connect the city dots on a road map. But in the end we learn that life is lived in the side roads, alleys, and detours." Alan Christoffersen's diary Richard Paul Evans
I am reading Richard Paul Evans The Walk series. Very interesting, but so many life lessons in it. This quote fairly sums it up for me. There really isn't much life on Interstates and freeways. Lots of fast moving vehicles, missing the beauty around them. And no connection with people.
Not so in the detours...we are crying for help or find others asking for help. Away from problems or at least some answers. When we set goals and have dreams, we normally don't account for problems and detours along the way. But come, they do. Honestly our goals would be little if we had easy sailing the whole way. Gold is pure because it has been through the fire.
For me, I'd rather live in an alley and reach out to others in need, than live on the freeway, traveling alone in my own little world. Of course, we get there "faster," but miss opportunities that we might find in the slow lane.
Reach out to someone today that needs a smile and a friend. Hug them even if they don't smell good. Don't forget to ask if you may pray for them.
God bless you
I am reading Richard Paul Evans The Walk series. Very interesting, but so many life lessons in it. This quote fairly sums it up for me. There really isn't much life on Interstates and freeways. Lots of fast moving vehicles, missing the beauty around them. And no connection with people.
Not so in the detours...we are crying for help or find others asking for help. Away from problems or at least some answers. When we set goals and have dreams, we normally don't account for problems and detours along the way. But come, they do. Honestly our goals would be little if we had easy sailing the whole way. Gold is pure because it has been through the fire.
For me, I'd rather live in an alley and reach out to others in need, than live on the freeway, traveling alone in my own little world. Of course, we get there "faster," but miss opportunities that we might find in the slow lane.
Reach out to someone today that needs a smile and a friend. Hug them even if they don't smell good. Don't forget to ask if you may pray for them.
God bless you
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Relections
Reflecting! Memories. The "what if's" and "why not's." Then if I look back on some major decisions I made during my life, I wonder what my life were like today if I'd taken a different path? For instance, many years ago I had the opportunity to serve in a mission in Canada among the Inuits (natives). But instead, I moved to Florida and ended in Haiti. I truly believe I could have served God well in Canada. Of course, then I wouldn't have met Patrick. Smile. Perhaps none of you ever do this, reflect without regret. Just curiosity.
I do not for a minute, regret the decisions I've made. I know that my years in Haiti were good for me. God used all those experiences to hone the rough edges from my heart, and filled me with Grace. I learned so much in Haiti. One of the first lessons I learned (besides realizing how frustrating it is to talk to people if you don't know the language) is that I read the Bible in light of the culture I was in. When Patrick came to the States the first time, he also was very aware of this same thing.
The verse that says "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matt 10:42. Before Haiti, this really didn't mean much to me. But people walk everywhere, the sun is hot, and water isn't always available. When I offered someone water, I remembered this verse. There is a reward for giving someone a drink of water.
Now I'm stateside...there are memories here already. Memories are good, but I don't live in them. I am pressing toward the mark of the high calling Jesus. And pressing I must!
God bless you
I do not for a minute, regret the decisions I've made. I know that my years in Haiti were good for me. God used all those experiences to hone the rough edges from my heart, and filled me with Grace. I learned so much in Haiti. One of the first lessons I learned (besides realizing how frustrating it is to talk to people if you don't know the language) is that I read the Bible in light of the culture I was in. When Patrick came to the States the first time, he also was very aware of this same thing.
The verse that says "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matt 10:42. Before Haiti, this really didn't mean much to me. But people walk everywhere, the sun is hot, and water isn't always available. When I offered someone water, I remembered this verse. There is a reward for giving someone a drink of water.
Now I'm stateside...there are memories here already. Memories are good, but I don't live in them. I am pressing toward the mark of the high calling Jesus. And pressing I must!
God bless you
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Nick Across Niagara
I watched Nick walk across Niagara Falls. What an amazing feat that was. But there are so many lessons we can learn from that. First of all, courage to follow our dreams. Praying about that dream and believing God to bring it to pass.
Then comes to details. One step at a time took him from start to finish. Staying focused! Listening to his father's encouragement with each step. His father was praying for him as he walked. Fear did not paralyze him, but his goal kept him going. He had unfavorable conditions with the wind, the mist, and numbness in his arms/hands. I loved it when he was almost at the finish line, he started running. Then he finished with glorifying God for it all.
This is us. We have a goal. We need to take one step at a time. We see the dangers all around us. Here is where we lose. Many of us stop because of fear. We don't "see" the Father, and often are listening to the noise around us instead of the Father's voice in our hearts/ears encouraging us in our walk. We look at the dangers around us, the suffering. We don't keep our eye on the finish line. We don't stay focused. Let's get back on that rope, listen to the Father, and run for the finish line!!
Let's listen to God's voice in our ears each step of the way, and when we reach home, we'll hear the beautiful voice of the Lord "Well Done, my good and faithful servant." We'll be able to say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.
God bless you
Then comes to details. One step at a time took him from start to finish. Staying focused! Listening to his father's encouragement with each step. His father was praying for him as he walked. Fear did not paralyze him, but his goal kept him going. He had unfavorable conditions with the wind, the mist, and numbness in his arms/hands. I loved it when he was almost at the finish line, he started running. Then he finished with glorifying God for it all.
This is us. We have a goal. We need to take one step at a time. We see the dangers all around us. Here is where we lose. Many of us stop because of fear. We don't "see" the Father, and often are listening to the noise around us instead of the Father's voice in our hearts/ears encouraging us in our walk. We look at the dangers around us, the suffering. We don't keep our eye on the finish line. We don't stay focused. Let's get back on that rope, listen to the Father, and run for the finish line!!
Let's listen to God's voice in our ears each step of the way, and when we reach home, we'll hear the beautiful voice of the Lord "Well Done, my good and faithful servant." We'll be able to say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.
God bless you
Monday, June 18, 2012
Side Dish of Green Beans
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new."
God's Word is to transform us, not just make us feel good. Transformation means changing the way I "walk." It also means changing who I love and changing the way I see things. Yesterday the pastor gave an excellent example on this very subject. He said too many of us have a "green bean" relationship.
How often do we add just a side dish of green beans to our plate when the rest of the servings are not healthy at all? Like all dessert, but a serving of green beans. At least, I'm getting my vitamins! And that is how we read God's Word, as a serving of green beans. Just enough to appease us, but not to transform us into His image.
But God's Word is to transform us. God's Word isn't a novel, or a mere history book, or it is that too but that history is to transform us into His image. People identify who we really are by our actions and words. If we are in Christ, we are a new creation. If we are only reading about Him, then transformation is probably lacking.
Let's put away the green beans and really get into the Word and allow it to transform us into the very image of Jesus.
Pray for Patrick this week. He has a VBS team there this week. Pray for the children as they are ministered to.
God bless you
God's Word is to transform us, not just make us feel good. Transformation means changing the way I "walk." It also means changing who I love and changing the way I see things. Yesterday the pastor gave an excellent example on this very subject. He said too many of us have a "green bean" relationship.
How often do we add just a side dish of green beans to our plate when the rest of the servings are not healthy at all? Like all dessert, but a serving of green beans. At least, I'm getting my vitamins! And that is how we read God's Word, as a serving of green beans. Just enough to appease us, but not to transform us into His image.
But God's Word is to transform us. God's Word isn't a novel, or a mere history book, or it is that too but that history is to transform us into His image. People identify who we really are by our actions and words. If we are in Christ, we are a new creation. If we are only reading about Him, then transformation is probably lacking.
Let's put away the green beans and really get into the Word and allow it to transform us into the very image of Jesus.
Pray for Patrick this week. He has a VBS team there this week. Pray for the children as they are ministered to.
God bless you
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