Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Day 31 - Matthew 6:9-13


“This, then, is how you should pray:
    “‘Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
    your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

I have really enjoyed these 31 days.  God has moved in my life, because I've spent a little extra time with Him daily, by writing these posts.  God is changing and growing and transforming my life in ways I can not explain or even comprehend right now.  I am so thankful.

I couldn't think of any better way to end than with the Lord's Prayer!  It covers everything we need to know of how to pray to God.  It is so easy.  He is ready and waiting for us to just come to Him.  I would be lost without the ability to call on my Dad's name and bring all my praise, needs and failures to Him.  

I wanted to leave you with the same prayer in the translation of my children's Bible.  It is so beautiful. 

“This is how you should pray.
“‘Our Father in heaven, 
may your name be honored. 
May your kingdom come.
May what you want to happen be done
on earth as it is done in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
 just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.
Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted.
Save us from the evil one.’

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Day 30 - 2 Timothy 1:7


“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 
      but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 

Fear is something I have fought forever.  I think it was passed down to me... fear of the unknown, of the what if's, of the what could happens.  It crippled me for a while.

It is still something I fight with, especially over my children.  But I had to find the strength to lay my children, as well as things in my life down before the throne of God.

Fear will hold you back, and keep you from doing what God has called you to do.  We have been called for a purpose, we all have a part to play in this world, especially if we are part of the body of Christ.  

What do you fear?  How do you keep going forward?

I daily have to place everything I have in the hands of my Daddy God.  I know that He loves me and wants nothing but good things for my life, so I know I can trust Him.

Holy Father, daily I surrender my fear to You and I will trust in You.  Because fear is not something you give to Your children....... you give us power and love and a sound mind.  I will believe in what You have given me, not those things that are not of You!

     
 

 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Day 29 - Isaiah 43:18-19


“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

I can't explain it.... I do not know where I am headed, but I know God is doing something new in my life.  Through the storms raging, I am still seeking Him.  

I can no longer look back at the relationship that was mine with the Father, because it is old, it is time for something new.  It is time for a REFORMATION in my life.  

He has promised He will make a way, where they is no way.  He is doing a NEW THING!!! 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Day 28 - Ephesians 4:2



Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

My pastor has been teaching/preaching through the book of Ephesians this month.  And our Life Groups have been based on these messages.  (Oh wow, it has been so good!!!)

This week Pastor Tim spoke on Unity, and tied it in with this verse.  

The corner stones to living in unity are so simple, yet we make it so difficult.  

Be humble.
Be gentle.
Be patient.
Bear with one another.
Be love.

We were challenged at the end of the message - to pray and ask God to reveal to us which of these were areas we needed God to help us.  I'll be totally honest, patience is probably my greatest weakness here.  I become so wrapped up in the doing, that I lose patience with my husband, my children, as well as just people I see day to day going through life.     

What do you struggle with?  How much more should we pray for God to help us in these areas?  Unity in the body of Christ is so important.  If the "world" around us sees that those who profess His name can not abide together, why would they want our Jesus?



Saturday, October 27, 2012

Day 27 - 2 Corinthians 12:9


But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Today has been one of those days.......... when I have struggled.  I see the things facing me and our family right now and I feel as though there is no way through.  I look at the bank account, the health problems, holidays, expenses for the kids, and all the things we are lacking................. and I feel overwhelmed.  I have felt fear and panic today. 

I know that God is able to do all things.  I know that He can handle everything.  I know it in my head... today, I've just haven't been convinced of it in my heart.

I was at work today at my part time job with our church, and it was just me in the building.  So I do what I do... :)  I started just praying and talking out loud to God.  I sang worship songs, I sang phrases from my heart.  I told God what He already knew.  I laid it all bare before him... 

Although I do not like this phase of my life and the things I am facing............ I can surely say, that it is teaching me and drawing me closer to my Daddy God.  I am learning more than ever before to crawl up in His lap and just lay it all down.  Big and deep heart to hearts!

In my weakness, He is strong and He is exalted.  In my weakness, I am seeing Christs power in me and on me.  I am learning to let Him take control of it all!  In my weakness, He is strong!  And I will celebrate my weakness, because it is then that His power is shown so effectively and amazingly! 




Friday, October 26, 2012

Day 26 - Psalm 73:26


My body and my heart may grow weak.
God, you give strength to my heart.
You are everything I will ever need.

A few weeks ago, I was blessed to attend a women's conference at The Rock Church, in Huntsville, AL.  It was such an amazing weekend of renewal!  

I hadn't realized how much I needed God's touch in my life, until about five minutes after the worship started.   I spend so much time taking care of my family and all the things that entails, plus the ministries and service I give to my church, I admit, sometimes I just get worn out.

So often when we (you and me) minister in one way or the other, we spend so much time "pouring into" everyone else, that sometimes we forget we need to take time for ourselves and just allow others to pour into us!

Anyway.... one of the first songs of worship that week totally met my need.  I'll link the song at the end of this post.  But, the song reminded me of this scripture.

I get tired, and my heart grows weak and weary often.  There are days when I don't know what "else" I can take on and walk through.  Sometimes its because I take on too much myself, often it is just because of life's changes and twists and turns.  But I grow weary.  

But when I make it a priority to put myself first for just a few moments a day, or for a weekend, God showers me with His presence and gives me strength that I may not have found without seeking Him!

He truly is everything I will ever need.  I just have to stop sometimes, and make sure I am still looking towards Him for those needs!

I pray God gives you strength... to keep on walking.  My body (flesh) and heart may grow weak, but my God, He never fails!



Thursday, October 25, 2012

Day 25 - Ephesians 3:18-19


May you have power with all God’s people to understand Christ’s love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is.  And may you know his love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.  Ephesians 3:18-19

God loves us so much.  God loves me more than I can ever comprehend.  It will forever go beyond my very imagination.  How can I ever grasp the love of the God of the Universe, who spoke all things into being with just one word.  His love is amazing.  

 In these verses Paul sees fit to include dimensions of God's love.  

I looked up some commentary on this verse and here is what Matthew Henry has to say:  

 " The dimensions of redeeming love are admirable:  The breadth, and length, and depth, and height.  By enumerating these dimensions, the apostle designs to signify the exceeding greatness of the love of Christ, the unsearchable riches of his love, which is higher than heaven, deeper than hell, longer than the earth, and broader than the sea, (Job11:8,9)  

Some describe it like this:  By the breadth of it we may understand the extent of it all to all the ages, nations, and ranks of men; by the length of it, its continuance from everlasting to everlasting; by the depth of it, it stoops to the lowest condition, with a design to relieve and save those who have sunk into the depths of sin and misery; by its height,  its entitling and raising us up to the heavenly happiness and glory!"

Isn't that just beautiful! 


I am daily learning to believe the love of God.  To truly know how much I am adored and cared for by the Father.  Even in the midst of all my lowest condition, His love reached me.  And now, as I walk daily to grow closer and closer to Him, His love is still seeking me out.

I pray that my friends and my family would understand how much God loves us, how much He wants us to seek after Him and do His will.  His love is overwhelming and transforming!  There is nothing like it in all the world.

Do you know how dearly you are loved?  There is no measure that we can ever see or feel with our being... it goes beyond all comprehension!   

He loves me, oh how He loves me.................... yes!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Day 24 - Psalms 148

Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens.
    Praise him in the heavens above.
Praise him, all his angels.
    Praise him, all his angels in heaven.
Praise him, sun and moon.
    Praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens.
    Praise him, you waters above the skies.
Let all of them praise the name of the Lord,
    because he gave a command and they were created.
He set them in place for ever and ever.
    He gave them laws they will always have to obey.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all of the deepest parts of the ocean.
Praise him, lightning and hail, snow and clouds.
    Praise him, you stormy winds that obey him.
Praise him, all you mountains and hills.
    Praise him, all you fruit trees and cedar trees.
10 Praise him, all you wild animals and cattle.
    Praise him, you small creatures and flying birds.
11 Praise him, you kings of the earth and all nations.
    Praise him, all you princes and rulers on earth.
12 Praise him, young men and young women.
    Praise him, old people and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord.
    His name alone is honored.
    His glory is higher than the earth and the heavens.
14 He has given his people a strong king.
    All of his faithful people praise him for that gift.
    All of the people of Israel are close to his heart.
Praise the Lord.

Nothing I could say, could compare to the message shared by Louie Giglio - 


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Day 23 - Deuteronomy 5:29


Oh that they had such a heart in them, 
that they would fear Me and 
keep all My commandments always, 
that it may be well with them
and with their sons forever!

God our Father truly desires that His people would have a heart for Him.  That we would fear Him with a reverent fear, and be faithful in repentance when we sin.  God does not want any of us to suffer loss in eternity.

God longs for us to have such a heart for Him and His ways that we would follow every command.  That we would love Him so much that we would always want to live our life according to His plans and purpose.  We can't just follow one command, we have to follow them all, not just some of the time, but all of the time.  If not, we must be repentant in heart.  

We need to love God enough to seek Him constantly and keep ourselves "right" with Him.  In doing so, we will be "right" within ourselves.  We will have a peace and a comfort in this life, and into eternity.  I believe that when we have peace, and live our life for God, that it spills over into our children. 

My hope is that by loving God so much, keeping to His commands and with repentance going before the throne when I fail, that my heart will always be "well" and that it will follow my children.  Nothing is more important to me, than for my children to follow the same "good" paths as I have.  And keeping a heart after God... will hopefully keep them from following the wrong ones I went down as well!

Oh Lord, may I have such a heart for You!!!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Day 22 - Psalm 150

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his holy temple.
    Praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his powerful acts.
    Praise him because he is greater than anything else.
Praise him by blowing trumpets.
    Praise him with harps and lyres.
Praise him with tambourines and dancing.
    Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.
Praise him with clashing cymbals.
    Praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
      Praise the Lord.



Praise - it is powerful.

Praise - creates thankfulness in the midst of every situation.

Praise - heals our hurts.

Praise - calms our fears.

Praise - reminds us of who HE is.

Praise - is required! 


Sunday, October 21, 2012

Day 21 - Ephesians 3:17b

And I pray that your love will have deep roots. 
I pray that it will have a strong foundation.





Paul was praying for the Ephesians.  He called to the Sovereign God on their behalf.  One portion of his prayer was that our love would have deep roots.  

Our love needs deep roots, we need deep roots in Jesus Christ.  We also need deep roots in loving and serving others.  When we have roots that run deep, it stabilizes the foundation so that we are strong! 

When our foundation is firm in Jesus and our roots dig in deep - into prayer, into His word, into fellowship of believers, into communion with the saints... it enables us to do far more and abundantly more than what we could ever imagine.  

When we are assured of our place and love in Christ, and that our foundation is secure, we are able to step out of our solitary place, in order to share His love and His strength with others.  

I am blessed by a church that "does life" together.  During a time of fellowship this past week, somehow the conversations came around to the struggles my family is facing right now.  Things have kind of been turned upside down, due to health issues with my husband, and job loss.  I have gone from a full time stay at home and homeschooling mom, to a work part time and homeschooling mom.  

Even though I see my kids more than many parents who work probably do, my kids are sensing a loss.  You see, I'm also not good at sharing when I need something.  But somehow, God just opened doors and had a precious young woman from our church just ASK.... What do you need?  So I shared, just a day of something fun for my kids!  She said, "Well we can handle that."

I know that this young woman has a strong foundation, and her roots run deep.  She knows the love Jesus has for her and her worth in Him.  So she is able to take that love and lavish it on my kids.  In turn, that love is lavished on me.  I can not even begin to tell you, how awesome that feels.

Sometimes, it is just a good thing to ASK someone what they need.  It may just be that simple!  And you can give that love away...... because your foundation is sure and your roots run deep!  

I pray.......... you will have deep roots and a strong foundation.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Day 20 - Revelation 12:10-11



10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven. It said,
“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God have come.
    The authority of his Christ has come.
Satan, who brings charges against our brothers and sisters,
    has been thrown down.
    He brings charges against them before our God day and night.
11 They overcame him
    because the Lamb gave his life’s blood for them.
They overcame him
    by giving witness about Jesus to others.
They were willing to risk their lives,
    even if it led to death.


There isn't much time left in the day!  So this will be quick.

One of the most powerful sections of the Word of God.

The enemy, Satan, is out to destroy us on every turn!  But what he does not realize, and many times neither do we..... is that he has already lost the war.  The enemy keeps us tied up in all the arrows he throws our way.  

But,  God's Word says - we overcome, by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony.

When we go through devastating times in our life, when we claim the blood of Jesus, and hold tight till the end.... it is our testimony that ultimately defeats the enemy!

We must give witness to what God has done in our life, because it is our testimony, that stops the enemy.  It is our testimony that gives others hope!  

So stop running and TESTIFY!

 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Day 19 - John 3:30

 

He must become greater,
    I must become less.

Such a simple concept.  But so incredibly hard to apply! 

We are a selfish people.  Even when we are "trying" to live righteous lives, we still try to hold onto things.  Why is it so hard to understand, that we can only become more like Jesus, when we leg go of more of ourselves?

Jesus is our hope!  If "we" are so large in our own life - how can anyone see Jesus.  How can we show those who are in such desperate need of hope........... the one true hope?

Jesus is the message!  When we become less, the message of Jesus is apparent.  When we find the real Jesus, we realize that He can live inside of us.  But for Jesus to possess who we are, and help us become what he wants us to be, we must allow ourselves to diminish.

Simple word, difficult to grasp! 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Day 18 - Luke 15:20

 
 
The Father's affection and personality is a sweet perfume.  
We rest in the God who sees, feels, runs and embraces and kisses our heart.  
                              (Luke 15:20 - Prodigal Son)

The father SAW the prodigal son - God's view of His people.

The father FELT COMPASSION for the prodigal son - God's tenderness for His people.

The father RAN TOWARDS the prodigal son - God's action and initiative for His people.

The father EMBRACED (fell on) the prodigal son - God's affection for His people.

The father KISSED the prodigal son - God's desire for nearness with His people!!!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Day 17 - Isaiah 40:27-31


Don’t you know who made everything?
    Haven’t you heard about him?
The Lord is the God who lives forever.
    He created everything on earth.
He won’t become worn out or get tired.
    No one will ever know how great his understanding is.

He gives strength to those who are tired.
    He gives power to those who are weak. 

 Even young people become worn out and get tired.
    Even the best of them trip and fall. 

 But those who trust in the Lord
    Will receive new strength.
They will fly as high as eagles.
    They will run and not get tired.
    They will walk and not grow weak.

                       Is 40: 27-31 


I seem to forget so often WHO God is.  I begin to look at my problems and they seem so huge.  I forget that the God I serve created everything.  There is nothing He didn't touch at some point in history.  He is timeless...  our struggles do not wear Him out.  I become tired and weary and grumpy and moody - because I try to carry everything myself.  If only, I would truly learn to give everything to the hands who created everything!

 


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Day 16 - Micah 6:8

 The Lord has shown you what is good.
    He has told you what he requires of you.
You must treat people fairly.
    You must love others faithfully.
And you must be very careful to live
    the way your God wants you to.  

                           Micah 6:8


Sometimes scripture is very clear and to the point!  In a world where there is so much gray around us, that is refreshing!

Sometimes, do you ever feel like throwing your hands up in the air and asking, "God what do you want from me?"  You feel like you are working yourself to death for the church, for your family, for anyone that needs a helping hand.... yet, it still feels empty and like there is more.

Micah asked this same question, yet a little more refined.  And he received an answer.

We are to ACT JUSTLY, LOVE MERCY, and WALK HUMBLY.  

May we daily strive to accomplish these tasks.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Day 14 and Day 15 - Psalm 34:18

Sorry to miss on the 14th, but it was a busy day celebrating my husband!  His birthday was on the 14th and we had a big lunch with all the kids and family.  I am so thankful for my husband.






" The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken.
    He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.  "  Ps 34:18


There are many experiences in life that can break our hearts such as disappointments, deaths , hurts , failures, missed opportunities, loss etc. When these times come we may be lonely and feel forsaken by others. But the wonderful promise is that the Lord is close to us at such time. 

There have been so many situations, where I was broken, for many different reasons.  And even now, there are broken things in my life, that God is working through.  Sometimes that brokenness is so hard to bare, we wonder if we will ever get through... and what on earth can ever come that is "good" from this pain.

Whenever we go through an experience of brokenness in our lives , we are in an unique position to be used by the Lord to minister healing and restoration to the broken hearted . The wounds of Jesus ministers healing to our lives . In the same way , we can allow the Lord to use the wounds in our lives to minister healing to others . We must allow the Lord to heal our wounds and then we can use that healing experience to reach out to others and enable them to experience the same healing in their lives. Instead of mourning over our heart breaking experiences , we must see the possibility of using them to become a channel of healing to others.

Scripture tells us "  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,and by his wounds we are healed."  In this picture of what Jesus has suffered, we can be assured that He knows our pain.  He has gone through every emotion of the hurt and broken.  He has already been there.  And it is by His wounds, by His blood we are healed of our hurt.

We must allow this healing though, and sometimes that is painful as well.  Sometimes we have held onto our "hurt and brokenness" for so long, it has actually become a comfort.  Praise God there is great news.... His grace is sufficient, and His power is made strong in our weakness.  Yes!

After the healing and the promises of His strength, we become witness to others that there is hope on the other side.  We can turn all those things we have survived and conquered with His help, to minister to those who are so desperate to know they are not alone.

I have been through a divorce.  I have been a single mom.  I have married and become a mom to many.  I have lost a precious child in pregnancy.  I have faced critical illness within my family.  Even now, there are some serious uncertainties in my life and in my family.......... and all of these, even now, as I am stumbling through this "unknown", I can use what I know about God, about His grace, about His faithfulness, about His healing, to help others.

The Lord is close........... and He saves those whose spirits are crushed!  I promise, there is Joy on the other side of it all!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Day 13 - Nehemiah 8:5-6

Ezra opened the book.  All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.  Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  
                                                             Nehemiah 8:5-6

Can you imagine being there!  Wow... this is one of the greatest recorded worship services history! 

The English word worship comes from an Old English word "worthship" - it means those actions and attitudes that show honor and worth to the great God of heaven and earth.  Worship is GOD centered.  It is not people centered. 

In Christian worship we draw near to God with joy and gratitude for what he has done for us in Christ and through the Holy Spirit.  Worship expresses faith, love and devotion from our hearts and our lives to the Father and to the worthy lamb that was slain.  The lamb whose blood covers us from our sin.  The son of God, that took our place and died on a cross in order to take on all of our sin and shame, and become our redemption.

One very important thing about our worship to Him, is that our worship must be pure.  We must worship God in spirit and truth!    When worship takes place, when we worship Him in spirit and truth, God has blessings in store for his people.  He promises to be with us (Mt 18:20) and to come in intimately with us. (Rev 3:20)  He overshadows us with His glory, gives us showers of blessings, especially peace.  He gives us abundant joy!  He answers the prayers who call out to him sincerely.  He promises to freshly fill us with His Holy Spirit and with boldness (Act 4:31).

Worship is something I am very passionate about.  I love worship music.  I love the expression of worship!  I love worship with my church family.  I love worship loud and wild with my children singing songs to God.  I love worship quiet and simple, when it is just He and I.  I love worship......... it is my refuge from every storm.  It is my peace in trouble.  It is my joy in heartache. 

Regardless of what is going on in my life, when I find time to worship God, through His word and through such amazing music available today..... I find me.  Have you spent time in worship?  You can do it anywhere!  It is so easy... I challenge you..... find a place, quiet or loud, become foolish and abandoned..... dance, sing, cry, whatever takes you into intimacy with the Father!  Come on, I promise, it will totally change your day!

Day 12 - James 5:16b


The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b

I have been reading " Praying Circles Around Your Children" recently and have been stuck on this one quote:   Prayer turns ordinary parents into prophets who shape the destinies of their children, grandchildren and generations to come.

I have an urgency to pray more for my children than ever before.  You see, each of my children, before they were even conceived, I prayed for.  When I knew that I was expecting, I prayed for them... for their health, for their future, for their hearts, for their faith in God, for their future spouse and families.  I still pray these same prayers.  

I have a praying mother.  And I had a praying grandmother (granny)!  I have heard them both pray deeply and heavenward for their family.  I have no doubt that their prayers reached heaven for many people.  Especially  my grandmother.  I miss her so very much.  I wish I could go back to when I was younger, and know then, what I would love to talk to her about now.  To share burdens with her.  To know how she handled such deep hurts from children and family.  How she prayed for her husband and stayed married for so many years.  Oh how I would love to know more.

We are just an ordinary family.  Nothing spectacular, hard working, blue collar, and a little bit country! (Ok, some are a lot country.)  But I know that the prayers my grandmother prayed for my mom, and for me, have shaped my children, and will shape those to come.  

My hope is that I can leave a heritage of prayer for my children.  I need to pray over them more, where they can hear me.  They  need to hear me more on my face before God.  To see me make my prayer time more important.  To know that I take the word seriously.  To know God has a plan for their lives, and I am praying daily that they walk in it.  I want them to know without a doubt, that they have a praying mother.  

Just a few weeks ago, I had the awesome privilege of "rocking my sons world"  ha!  My 2nd oldest daughter had just become engaged... and I asked my 11 year old son what he thought.  He sat very quiet for a while... and I asked what he was thinking.  He said, "Mom, I just want to know when that will happen for me?  That I'll find who I am going to spend my life with."  After picking my heart up from my feet (those are things I try NOT to think about too often), I told him I had no doubt that it would happen in God's timing.  

I told him that just like daughter No.2, I had been praying for all of my children, since before they were born (or when they joined my family by marriage).  That I had prayed faithfully for that man or woman that would one day walk into their world and change it forever.  

I told him that as I prayed for his purity, his relationship with God, his love of family, and his journey into becoming a man... that I was praying the same thing for his future wife.  He just sat there, looking at me!  It was shocking to him, that I was already praying for his wife.  




So in that very small moment, I built one more small piece of the foundation, that would hopefully one day be the monument in my children's eyes of a faithful praying mom.  Yes!  But my job is so far from done.  I have many still children, several at the door of marriages, some married, and now grandchildren.  

My prayers have just began for my future generations.  

Oh Lord, please, help me to be a faithful mother in the form of a prayer warrior!  May my prayers reach you as I daily work on my relation ship with you.  May you find me worthy and righteous... so that my prayers would accomplish much!  I have generations to change.  I  have Your Kingdom to advance.  Draw me to Your throne, on my face... daily!  Amen