Phil. 4:5 (b) The Lord is near!
Your heavenly Father is as "close as the mention of his name" as the old song says. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.
How great is it to share a meal and and fellowship with the people you love? Jesus loves that too, and He wants to eat and share and laugh with you!
He's knocking on the door, waiting for you to answer. Answer the door every morning. Spend time with Him. Don't eat and run. Include prayer time, praise time (sing to Him) and listening time. To listen to Him is to hear Him speak to you through His Word and to hear His soft whispers to your heart.
He loves you and He's waiting for you to take the time to share a meal with you. Anwer Him with a "Come In!"
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 6
Phil. 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice.
In other words, be a doer of the Word. (James 1:22) You know what to do, we are not lacking in knowledge, we are lacking in action.
Pray everyday, asking God to show you and help you to put into practice those things that you need to do. Remember, all of the fruit of the Spirit is "on the table" waiting to be used to bring nourishment and health to your inner man.
Reach out your hand, and take it!
In other words, be a doer of the Word. (James 1:22) You know what to do, we are not lacking in knowledge, we are lacking in action.
Pray everyday, asking God to show you and help you to put into practice those things that you need to do. Remember, all of the fruit of the Spirit is "on the table" waiting to be used to bring nourishment and health to your inner man.
Reach out your hand, and take it!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 5
Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Quit your worrying! It is a sin, and it steals your peace.
Imagine you have the fruit of peace in your hand, just ready to take a bite, and up behind you sneaks Mr. Worry. He reaches over your shoulder and steals your fruit of peace. It happens! When it does, turn yourself around and take the fruit back!
Read or quote Matt. 6:25 " Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Go read the rest of that passage, and then look out the window and study the birds, or the flowers- then RELAX and TRUST GOD.
Quit your worrying! It is a sin, and it steals your peace.
Imagine you have the fruit of peace in your hand, just ready to take a bite, and up behind you sneaks Mr. Worry. He reaches over your shoulder and steals your fruit of peace. It happens! When it does, turn yourself around and take the fruit back!
Read or quote Matt. 6:25 " Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Go read the rest of that passage, and then look out the window and study the birds, or the flowers- then RELAX and TRUST GOD.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Stress Management Tip# 4
Phil. 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Keep your attitude in check. Don't be rude, don't be snippy, don't be grumpy, don't be annoyed with your spouse or your children. It's easy to be "nice" to strangers, how are you doing with your family??
You DO have self-control... another fruit of the Spirit, so let's start using it more! When you notice yourself being irritated or short with your family, just stop it. Go outside, literally, and leave the attitude outside the door. Come back inside in a controlled and pleasant manner.
We have to keep ourselves in check. Would your family describe you as gentle? Hmmm....
Keep your attitude in check. Don't be rude, don't be snippy, don't be grumpy, don't be annoyed with your spouse or your children. It's easy to be "nice" to strangers, how are you doing with your family??
You DO have self-control... another fruit of the Spirit, so let's start using it more! When you notice yourself being irritated or short with your family, just stop it. Go outside, literally, and leave the attitude outside the door. Come back inside in a controlled and pleasant manner.
We have to keep ourselves in check. Would your family describe you as gentle? Hmmm....
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 3
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice!
To rejoice in the Lord is to allow your heart to be thrilled at the benefits that Christ has given us...a home in heaven-
John 14:1-4, NO condemnation- Rom. 8:1-2, Our name written in the Lamb's Book of Life-Rev. 20:15, A God who indwells us by His Spirit- Rom. 8:9, Confidence in being God's child-Rom 8: 16-17... I could go on for days on end!
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then all of these things are yours. Allow yourself to rejoice a little! Spend five full minutes just mulling over in your mind (that's called meditating) just one of the spiritual benefits you have received when you became a Christian. Try taking a five minute "rejoicing walk." It will do wonders for your stress levels, your family might even thank you for it :)
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice!
To rejoice in the Lord is to allow your heart to be thrilled at the benefits that Christ has given us...a home in heaven-
John 14:1-4, NO condemnation- Rom. 8:1-2, Our name written in the Lamb's Book of Life-Rev. 20:15, A God who indwells us by His Spirit- Rom. 8:9, Confidence in being God's child-Rom 8: 16-17... I could go on for days on end!
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then all of these things are yours. Allow yourself to rejoice a little! Spend five full minutes just mulling over in your mind (that's called meditating) just one of the spiritual benefits you have received when you became a Christian. Try taking a five minute "rejoicing walk." It will do wonders for your stress levels, your family might even thank you for it :)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 2
Phil. 4:7 And the peace of Christ which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 tells us that if we have the Spirit then we have the Fruit of the Spirit- including peace. But, we must eat or use it.
If you have a fuit basket full of fruit sitting on your table in a pretty basket, that fruit will not give you any health benefits until you take it and eat it. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit, we must utilize what we have been given.
The opposite of stress is peacefulness. Slow down, reconnect with God. Reach down into your soul and begin using the peace of Christ. It often takes a conscience effort, so..... do it.
Phil. 4:7 And the peace of Christ which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 tells us that if we have the Spirit then we have the Fruit of the Spirit- including peace. But, we must eat or use it.
If you have a fuit basket full of fruit sitting on your table in a pretty basket, that fruit will not give you any health benefits until you take it and eat it. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit, we must utilize what we have been given.
The opposite of stress is peacefulness. Slow down, reconnect with God. Reach down into your soul and begin using the peace of Christ. It often takes a conscience effort, so..... do it.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 1
Phil. 4:8 Finally brothers, 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.
So, if these are the things we should be thinking about, let's look at some opposites, those things we should not be thinking about.
1. Do not think about what is false (lies from Satan or other people.)
2. What is low, the opposite of noble ( comments that are low, filthy, or sleezy.)
3. Whatever is wrong ( sinful.)
4. Whatever is dirty.
5. Whatever is ugly.
6. Whatever is disgusting.
7. Whatever is terrible or worth condemning.
Tip # 1...DON'T THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS! We CAN choose our thoughts, so choose good ones. I wouldn't say I believe in the "power of positive thinking," but I certainly believe in the "power of Biblical thinking."
Phil. 4:8 Finally brothers, 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.
So, if these are the things we should be thinking about, let's look at some opposites, those things we should not be thinking about.
1. Do not think about what is false (lies from Satan or other people.)
2. What is low, the opposite of noble ( comments that are low, filthy, or sleezy.)
3. Whatever is wrong ( sinful.)
4. Whatever is dirty.
5. Whatever is ugly.
6. Whatever is disgusting.
7. Whatever is terrible or worth condemning.
Tip # 1...DON'T THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS! We CAN choose our thoughts, so choose good ones. I wouldn't say I believe in the "power of positive thinking," but I certainly believe in the "power of Biblical thinking."
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Song Lyrics-A Christian Home
O give us homes built firm upon the Savior, Where Christ is head and counsellor and guide; Where every child is taught His love and favor And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified: How sweet to know that tho his footsteps waver, His faithful Lord is walking by his side!
O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers, Who always place their hope and trust in Him; Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers, Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim; A home where each finds joy in serving others, And love still shines tho days are dark and grim.
O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master, The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung; Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster, And praise is natural speech to every tongue; Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster, And Christ sufficient is for old and young.
O Lord our homes are Thine forever! We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care; Their bonds of love no enemy can sever If Thou art always Lord and Master there: Be Thou the center of our least endeavor- Be Thou our guest, our hearts and homes to share.
We are starting a new series at church about what Jesus had to say about families, and this hymn will be our "theme hymn" throughout the series. It's a beautiful prayer that I pray and sing for my own family as we delve into this topic. I can't wait for next Sunday to hear more about what Jesus says to families!
O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers, Who always place their hope and trust in Him; Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers, Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim; A home where each finds joy in serving others, And love still shines tho days are dark and grim.
O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master, The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung; Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster, And praise is natural speech to every tongue; Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster, And Christ sufficient is for old and young.
O Lord our homes are Thine forever! We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care; Their bonds of love no enemy can sever If Thou art always Lord and Master there: Be Thou the center of our least endeavor- Be Thou our guest, our hearts and homes to share.
We are starting a new series at church about what Jesus had to say about families, and this hymn will be our "theme hymn" throughout the series. It's a beautiful prayer that I pray and sing for my own family as we delve into this topic. I can't wait for next Sunday to hear more about what Jesus says to families!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Time Alone With God
Do you have trouble finding time to be alone with God? I sure do! American life is so busy, with so many demands on a woman's time. How on earth can we juggle all we need to do in a day, and still find time alone with God? I struggle with this reality of American living. I already get up EARLY to make breakfast for my husband, get the kids up and ready for school, work all day at school, come home to a fire that needs fixing, supper needing to be cooked, then cleaning up supper dishes, feeding the critters, trying to straighten up the house, laundry, baths, paying bills, and on and on it goes.
We all have an endless to do list, don't we? So where does God fit into this busy schedule? Too many times, I'm afraid He doesn't. We send up a brief prayer for the safety of our loved ones, or for His help throughout the day, and then we collapse into a heap of exhaustion, falling asleep while finally trying to really pray.
Sometimes I wonder if our "busy-ness" isn't one of Satan's greatest tools that he uses against Christians. In Ephesians 6 we find the passage about our weapons of warfare. Our most offensive weapon against Satan is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. How can Satan best stand against that one? By seeing to it that Christians don't use it! If he convinces us or causes us to be too busy to spend time in the Word, we'll he's pretty much won any battle he chooses to wage against us. We may have some defensive weapons in our arsenal...our helmet of salvation, our breastplate of righteousness, our shoes of peace, but those things will only keep us from being destroyed in an attack. They are NOT a Sword that we can use to actually fight the enemy.
So this year, while I'm not making a "New Year's Resolution," I have asked God to work in my heart to cause me to desire to spend time in the Word so much, that I can't even imagine going through a day without it. In my own strength, I know that I will fail, but if God is working in me, I can trust Him to make the necessary changes in my heart. I'm asking for this God-improvement beginning in 2010. Care to join me?
We all have an endless to do list, don't we? So where does God fit into this busy schedule? Too many times, I'm afraid He doesn't. We send up a brief prayer for the safety of our loved ones, or for His help throughout the day, and then we collapse into a heap of exhaustion, falling asleep while finally trying to really pray.
Sometimes I wonder if our "busy-ness" isn't one of Satan's greatest tools that he uses against Christians. In Ephesians 6 we find the passage about our weapons of warfare. Our most offensive weapon against Satan is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. How can Satan best stand against that one? By seeing to it that Christians don't use it! If he convinces us or causes us to be too busy to spend time in the Word, we'll he's pretty much won any battle he chooses to wage against us. We may have some defensive weapons in our arsenal...our helmet of salvation, our breastplate of righteousness, our shoes of peace, but those things will only keep us from being destroyed in an attack. They are NOT a Sword that we can use to actually fight the enemy.
So this year, while I'm not making a "New Year's Resolution," I have asked God to work in my heart to cause me to desire to spend time in the Word so much, that I can't even imagine going through a day without it. In my own strength, I know that I will fail, but if God is working in me, I can trust Him to make the necessary changes in my heart. I'm asking for this God-improvement beginning in 2010. Care to join me?
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Resolution
We often make a New year's resolution and find ourselves about 10 days down the road having given up because we failed already at accomplishing what we started. Thus the problem with New Year's resolutions is that they are not attainable, and they set us up for failure from the start. Most resolutions start out with " From now on, I'm going to ....." You know the deal, "lose weight," "eat healthy," "exercise every day," "read my Bible everyday," "quit smoking." Why is it that we as imperfect people always think that starting the new year, we can change ourselves? We can't! Any attempt at changing ourselves in our own strength is doomed for failure. We end up frustrated, angry with ourselves, and depressed that we "failed" once again.
Does that mean we should just give up on "self-improvement." Well...yes, in a way. How about if we use the new year to embarq on a "God-improvement." That is to say that we allow God to work in us to improve those areas that need help. The works of the flesh will never accomplish a change from the inside out...that is God's territory, not ours. And if we're honest with ourselves, most of us need a change to happen inside in order to affect the outside, whether it's to lose the weight, eat better, exercise, or be more faithful in Bible reading.
I am challanging myself and others this new year, to be more willing to hand over our shortcomings to God. Tell Him what we need (He already know anyway), make ourselves willing to be changed by Him, and then watch Him work in our lives. THAT will be guaranteed success in the new year!
Does that mean we should just give up on "self-improvement." Well...yes, in a way. How about if we use the new year to embarq on a "God-improvement." That is to say that we allow God to work in us to improve those areas that need help. The works of the flesh will never accomplish a change from the inside out...that is God's territory, not ours. And if we're honest with ourselves, most of us need a change to happen inside in order to affect the outside, whether it's to lose the weight, eat better, exercise, or be more faithful in Bible reading.
I am challanging myself and others this new year, to be more willing to hand over our shortcomings to God. Tell Him what we need (He already know anyway), make ourselves willing to be changed by Him, and then watch Him work in our lives. THAT will be guaranteed success in the new year!
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