"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11 Today I am praying for the gifts of the Spirit. "But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 I am lacking them today and I am struggling with my flesh. I am struggling with wanting to complain and crawl into a woe is me corner. Instead of focusing on all I have to be grateful for I am focusing on all that has gone wrong lately. Still God has been so faithful to me!
It is not that I don't believe God is powerful enough to heal, provide, and carry me during this time but instead a struggle with believing He would actually do that for me. Who am I that the Living God would even care. "You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name." John 15:16 And yet He chose me and appointed me to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. So I am praying believing that He will give me the fruits of the Spirit that I may bear fruit that will last. I am praying that I will bear fruit in my family. That my children will bear fruit that will last because they have first seen it in me.
"When life is crazy and children are screaming, remember that the Gardener is using these very circumstances to prune your self-sufficiency. Remember the hopeful truth that the Vine-dresser is never closer to the branches than when He is pruning them. He is nearest you when He prunes, and His pruning will make you a better worshiper, wife, and mother. Don't shrink back from His pruning. Don't think He's come to destroy you. His pruning, when viewed through the lenses of eternity and the kingdom of God, makes for fruit that lasts." Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God, by Mary E. Demuth, pgs. 21-22
Be my fuel!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I am going to be boldly honest and share one of my greatest struggles. I struggle with apathy to the point were I am positive that I have missed out on some of God's blessings because of this struggle. I am a mother of two boys three and under so laziness doesn't seem like it could even be a possibility. If you could see the huge pile of laundry behind me, or the intimidating stack of unorganized bills and letters scattered all over my computer desk, not to mention my growing to-do list you would see that I obviously need to work on using my time and energy wisely.
To be honest I feel exhausted most of the time. In fact I don't feel like I have truly caught up on sleep in the three plus years of being a mom. I love being a mom and wouldn't trade this honor for anything, but I am exhausted. I do not know how some of you ladies are able to keep the house clean and organized, keep up with a healthy meal plan for the family, maintain a healthy exercise routine, and stay sane along with all the other mother/wife/household duties. I can be an expert at making excuses. I am sorry to say it, but it is true.
Last night before I sat down to do my quiet time I felt extremely convicted of this struggle. I thought about my family and how this could be effecting them or end up effecting them down the road. I thought about my walk with the Lord and how heartbroken I am over the thought of missing out on something God has planned for me because of it. So I started to pray for God's forgiveness and guidance.
I just finished my last devotional so I have been reading through the Bible until I am able to find a new devotional. Last night I felt like reading out of an old devotional I have had for years. The devotional is a collection of daily devotionals written by godly women with the focus of gaining a gentle spirit for the Lord. I opened the devotional and the first page I started to read was titled, "Boredom or Abundant Living" by Ruth Youngdahl Nelson. It started with the verse, John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." My sweet Jesus I don't want to miss out on a full life in You. I LOVE when it is more than obvious that the Lord is speaking to me through His Word or the wisdom of others. Praise Him that He would even speak to me. I had just prayed for His guidance and was literally seeing it unfold before me. By the end of the devotional I felt free and more determined than ever. I am thankful for victory in Him.
Really I can not possibly accomplish anymore in my day and busy schedule unless I stop trying to rely on my own strength and instead rely on and focus on Him. I also have to get over the greatest thing standing in the way of my victory and that is selfish me. It is not about me, but about Him. He will take care of me. Ruth Nelson stated this clearly when she said, "The "poor me" attitude, the stench of self-pity , repels other people and shuts out God." The world would tell me the complete opposite and it is easy to find myself lost in that mindset.
I prayed a prayer last night and journaled it in my old devotional. I don't usually share my private prayers with others but if this prayer will guide or encourage anyone else in gaining victory over the same or similar struggle than it is worth it to me.
Prayed and committed to the Lord June 1st, 2009;
"Lord, Forgive me of my selfishness. Today I am very convicted of my struggle with laziness. The sin of apathy. Lord God, I pray that You would not only forgive me but completely free me. Give me victory over this great battle. Help me to fully glorify You in my role as wife, mother, homemaker, and member of Christ's body. Take away the excuses, groaning, complaining. Replace it with Your strength, endurance, and joy. Let my life resemble You at every turn. Help me not to battle fatigue or gluttony but instead rejoice in energy from You. Be my fuel. Let me live for You! Thank You Jesus!"
Today was commited to Him and I feel like it was a more productive day. I know He has Mighty plans for me, I just need to take hold of His Mighty energy so I can keep up.
I hope that this will be a blessing to someone.
To be honest I feel exhausted most of the time. In fact I don't feel like I have truly caught up on sleep in the three plus years of being a mom. I love being a mom and wouldn't trade this honor for anything, but I am exhausted. I do not know how some of you ladies are able to keep the house clean and organized, keep up with a healthy meal plan for the family, maintain a healthy exercise routine, and stay sane along with all the other mother/wife/household duties. I can be an expert at making excuses. I am sorry to say it, but it is true.
Last night before I sat down to do my quiet time I felt extremely convicted of this struggle. I thought about my family and how this could be effecting them or end up effecting them down the road. I thought about my walk with the Lord and how heartbroken I am over the thought of missing out on something God has planned for me because of it. So I started to pray for God's forgiveness and guidance.
I just finished my last devotional so I have been reading through the Bible until I am able to find a new devotional. Last night I felt like reading out of an old devotional I have had for years. The devotional is a collection of daily devotionals written by godly women with the focus of gaining a gentle spirit for the Lord. I opened the devotional and the first page I started to read was titled, "Boredom or Abundant Living" by Ruth Youngdahl Nelson. It started with the verse, John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." My sweet Jesus I don't want to miss out on a full life in You. I LOVE when it is more than obvious that the Lord is speaking to me through His Word or the wisdom of others. Praise Him that He would even speak to me. I had just prayed for His guidance and was literally seeing it unfold before me. By the end of the devotional I felt free and more determined than ever. I am thankful for victory in Him.
Really I can not possibly accomplish anymore in my day and busy schedule unless I stop trying to rely on my own strength and instead rely on and focus on Him. I also have to get over the greatest thing standing in the way of my victory and that is selfish me. It is not about me, but about Him. He will take care of me. Ruth Nelson stated this clearly when she said, "The "poor me" attitude, the stench of self-pity , repels other people and shuts out God." The world would tell me the complete opposite and it is easy to find myself lost in that mindset.
I prayed a prayer last night and journaled it in my old devotional. I don't usually share my private prayers with others but if this prayer will guide or encourage anyone else in gaining victory over the same or similar struggle than it is worth it to me.
Prayed and committed to the Lord June 1st, 2009;
"Lord, Forgive me of my selfishness. Today I am very convicted of my struggle with laziness. The sin of apathy. Lord God, I pray that You would not only forgive me but completely free me. Give me victory over this great battle. Help me to fully glorify You in my role as wife, mother, homemaker, and member of Christ's body. Take away the excuses, groaning, complaining. Replace it with Your strength, endurance, and joy. Let my life resemble You at every turn. Help me not to battle fatigue or gluttony but instead rejoice in energy from You. Be my fuel. Let me live for You! Thank You Jesus!"
Today was commited to Him and I feel like it was a more productive day. I know He has Mighty plans for me, I just need to take hold of His Mighty energy so I can keep up.
I hope that this will be a blessing to someone.
Dahyenu
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sometimes His faithfulness is seen more in how was are able to respond to life's challenges rather than the outcome. Sometimes it is the strength, even joy "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, s that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13, He gives us in the mist of a trial. We know that He does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves, "and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20b I am praising the Lord today in His faithfulness to carry me, to give me the self-control and renewed mind needed to face life in a difficult situation. I praise His Holy Name that I do not feel alone in those times, but that I can come before a Mighty God and be comforted under His wings, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4. Do you understand how powerful that is. We can come before the same God who created the heavens and the earth and we can cast our cares upon Him "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1Peter 5:7. We can trust that He cares for us because we are His and His Word is clearly proof. You will be blessed today if you take the time to focus on the comfort and strength you have experienced in the past just by knowing He was with you.
Remember His faithfulness the next time you come face to face with a moment of need. Instead of walking in fear walk by faith knowing He will be with you. Remember His character does not change. One of my favorite parts of the Jewish Passover Feast is when it is time to read and sing the Dahyenu song from the Haggadah (Haggadah is the text that sets out the order of the Passover Seder-diner). Dahyenu is the Hebrew word for, "it would have been enough for us." The song lists 15 things the Lord did for the Israelites from freeing them from being slaves in Egypt to the journey through the desert. Praise Him and do not forget that you do not stand alone even in the desert moments.
Remember His faithfulness the next time you come face to face with a moment of need. Instead of walking in fear walk by faith knowing He will be with you. Remember His character does not change. One of my favorite parts of the Jewish Passover Feast is when it is time to read and sing the Dahyenu song from the Haggadah (Haggadah is the text that sets out the order of the Passover Seder-diner). Dahyenu is the Hebrew word for, "it would have been enough for us." The song lists 15 things the Lord did for the Israelites from freeing them from being slaves in Egypt to the journey through the desert. Praise Him and do not forget that you do not stand alone even in the desert moments.
Psalm 103
Monday, May 4, 2009
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Pausing for a moment I ask myself am I truly praising Him with all of me? With my inmost being. Are my thoughts on other things at the moment or am I truly focused on praising my God. Who is so worthy of my praise. Deuteronomy 6:5 tells me to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." So I have to put myself-my worries, my struggles, my desires, even my family aside and focus on Him....to praise my worthy God. To meet with Him; to cherish Him.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits-
His benefits! Oh His great faithfulness. My life is very proof of the benefits found in His great love. Today alone has even been defined by them. "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and ell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5 Do yourself a great favor and take the time to remember His benefits in your own life.
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
I am so thankful for His forgiveness and healing power. Jehovah Rapha! I am so thankful to start each day new, forgiven. Only He can wipe the slate completely clean, I no longer stand under the weight of my sin but instead purified found righteous before the living God because of my faith in His Son. The price has been paid.
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
How is that for a label? I am crowned with love and compassion!
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
This verse made me think about all the people in this world trying to stop time, trying to turn back to clock. The only One who can truly satisfy my desires is the Lord and not only will I be satisfied but renewed.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
From an uncomfortable work situation all the way to terrorism God is there. Turn to Him. He works.
He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel:
He didn't hide it so why should we allow ourselves to forget it! I believe that we should not only remember it but dwell on it.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
I praise you Lord that You are slow to anger. I pray Lord that I would be slow to anger filled with compassion and gracious even to those it is hard to love.
He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever,
If He doesn't I shouldn't... so much easier to say than to do. I am one to hold a grudge. I wish I wasn't but I can be so stubborn. You would think with how much He has forgiven me for I would be more willing to forgive others. By focusing on His forgiveness-His faithfulness in my own life I can walk by faith in forgiving and letting go.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
Praise His holy name for His mercy! Seriously!
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him;
Even after my filthy sin, which He forgives me of and has mercy on me with, He still loves me...as far as the heavens are above the earth! Do you have any idea how huge that is?! The distance from the earth just to the sun is about 93,000,000 miles! I am a daughter of the King and He really loves me! "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3: 17
as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
He forgives and He forgets.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
In the old Testament when the Lord rested on Mt. Sinai if a person or animal got too close to the mountain the Israelites were instructed to kill them out of reverence to the Lord (Exodus 19:13). That same God, the same God who parted the Red Sea and set His people free from slavery is the same God we serve today. Do we truly fear-revere Him? I know personally I have to check myself all the time. I will come before Him with all my requests and desires forgetting that I am speaking to the great I AM!
for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust,
He formed us.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
Watching my babies grow up is a huge realization of just how fast life can be.
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
We have to make every fleeting moment count.
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children-
This is one of my greatest desires and I believe my mission field right now. I want my children, my grandchildren to be covered in His love. I want to pass down the blessing so that they can fulfill His purpose in their lives. Praise the Lord for His love. He loves them even more than I do.
with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
Sometimes I feel like I could burst I am so in love with Him and being that I am an affectionate person I really wish I could give Him the biggest hug! Jesus said we can show our love by obeying Him. I pray for an obedient heart so that my life would be clear proof of my love for Him.
The Lord has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all.
It doesn't matter who is president or what is happening to our economy. It doesn't matter who has the most money or what country is the strongest in the threat of war. His kingdom rules over all. He does not sit back and enjoy the show He is living and active and believe me He is involved. Even the devil has to come before Him before making a move (Job). With my God on the throne and Jesus on His right side I have victory. I have hope.
Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey His word.
Praise Him in the good!
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.
Praise Him in the bad!
Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul." Psalm 103
Praise Him for He is faithful and He is good and His character does not change! (Hebrews 13:8)
Pausing for a moment I ask myself am I truly praising Him with all of me? With my inmost being. Are my thoughts on other things at the moment or am I truly focused on praising my God. Who is so worthy of my praise. Deuteronomy 6:5 tells me to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." So I have to put myself-my worries, my struggles, my desires, even my family aside and focus on Him....to praise my worthy God. To meet with Him; to cherish Him.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits-
His benefits! Oh His great faithfulness. My life is very proof of the benefits found in His great love. Today alone has even been defined by them. "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and ell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5 Do yourself a great favor and take the time to remember His benefits in your own life.
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
I am so thankful for His forgiveness and healing power. Jehovah Rapha! I am so thankful to start each day new, forgiven. Only He can wipe the slate completely clean, I no longer stand under the weight of my sin but instead purified found righteous before the living God because of my faith in His Son. The price has been paid.
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
How is that for a label? I am crowned with love and compassion!
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
This verse made me think about all the people in this world trying to stop time, trying to turn back to clock. The only One who can truly satisfy my desires is the Lord and not only will I be satisfied but renewed.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
From an uncomfortable work situation all the way to terrorism God is there. Turn to Him. He works.
He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel:
He didn't hide it so why should we allow ourselves to forget it! I believe that we should not only remember it but dwell on it.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
I praise you Lord that You are slow to anger. I pray Lord that I would be slow to anger filled with compassion and gracious even to those it is hard to love.
He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever,
If He doesn't I shouldn't... so much easier to say than to do. I am one to hold a grudge. I wish I wasn't but I can be so stubborn. You would think with how much He has forgiven me for I would be more willing to forgive others. By focusing on His forgiveness-His faithfulness in my own life I can walk by faith in forgiving and letting go.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
Praise His holy name for His mercy! Seriously!
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him;
Even after my filthy sin, which He forgives me of and has mercy on me with, He still loves me...as far as the heavens are above the earth! Do you have any idea how huge that is?! The distance from the earth just to the sun is about 93,000,000 miles! I am a daughter of the King and He really loves me! "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3: 17
as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
He forgives and He forgets.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
In the old Testament when the Lord rested on Mt. Sinai if a person or animal got too close to the mountain the Israelites were instructed to kill them out of reverence to the Lord (Exodus 19:13). That same God, the same God who parted the Red Sea and set His people free from slavery is the same God we serve today. Do we truly fear-revere Him? I know personally I have to check myself all the time. I will come before Him with all my requests and desires forgetting that I am speaking to the great I AM!
for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust,
He formed us.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
Watching my babies grow up is a huge realization of just how fast life can be.
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
We have to make every fleeting moment count.
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children-
This is one of my greatest desires and I believe my mission field right now. I want my children, my grandchildren to be covered in His love. I want to pass down the blessing so that they can fulfill His purpose in their lives. Praise the Lord for His love. He loves them even more than I do.
with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
Sometimes I feel like I could burst I am so in love with Him and being that I am an affectionate person I really wish I could give Him the biggest hug! Jesus said we can show our love by obeying Him. I pray for an obedient heart so that my life would be clear proof of my love for Him.
The Lord has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all.
It doesn't matter who is president or what is happening to our economy. It doesn't matter who has the most money or what country is the strongest in the threat of war. His kingdom rules over all. He does not sit back and enjoy the show He is living and active and believe me He is involved. Even the devil has to come before Him before making a move (Job). With my God on the throne and Jesus on His right side I have victory. I have hope.
Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey His word.
Praise Him in the good!
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will.
Praise Him in the bad!
Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul." Psalm 103
Praise Him for He is faithful and He is good and His character does not change! (Hebrews 13:8)
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