Matthew 6:33 But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So security seems in short supply lately. People are losing their homes, their jobs, their retirement funds, their insurance, their families, their health. In one school district, the security of tenure has been taken away from teachers - all are up on the chopping block. Companies are closing their doors and taking away jobs that people have had for thirty years. Many in American are struggling.
Faith becomes an important issue. In whom or what am I trusting? What is it I am seeking after? In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus tells us not to be anxious for our lives - "as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink..as to what you shall put on..." "for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." We can give our service to money trying to get all that we think we need, or we can give our service to God and allow our Father in heaven to take care of our needs.
If I choose to believe the truth that God is a good Father Who loves me then I do not allow thoughts that lead to worry and anxiety. I seek my King as to how He wants me to serve in His Kingdom on a daily basis. I remember Who He is - King - and it is about His kingdom, and not the illusion of my own kingdom here on earth. He will take care of me - supplying me with food and clothes - just as He did His people in the desert. I need to concentrate daily on being part of His kingdom, seeking His righteousness, and leave the rest to Him.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thank You, God!
Awright, so it is Thanksgiving and I blog on thankfulness. Yet for days this thankfulness has been building and building. The words, "from whence I came," have been going through my mind for days. God has brought me so far and delivered me from so much. I am so grateful to Him for all He has done.
This year there has been a release from temporal things that only He could grant me. I am so grateful for the new home He has provided us, and yet I see it so strongly as simply a tool - something He can use. God, as the Master Craftsman, Master Artist, Master Being takes everything and creates. He is not limited by time - He knows the beginning and the end. He loves me. The One Who knows me better than anyone else, knows everything about me, He loves me. My heart fills that One such as Him loves one such as me. And it is not only me that He loves. He loves all. It is beyond mind boggling. All that He has done for me, He will do for anyone. There are no favorites in God's kingdom - each is His favorite. And so, I am thankful. Thankful that He holds my tomorrows, that each day comes from Him, thankful that He doesn't give up on me, thankful for His continual presence in my life. Thankful for His love. There is so much to be thankful to Him for. I could spend eternity and never touch on it all as His mercies are new every morning. Today I am grateful that He has granted me thankfulness and filled my heart with Him.
This year there has been a release from temporal things that only He could grant me. I am so grateful for the new home He has provided us, and yet I see it so strongly as simply a tool - something He can use. God, as the Master Craftsman, Master Artist, Master Being takes everything and creates. He is not limited by time - He knows the beginning and the end. He loves me. The One Who knows me better than anyone else, knows everything about me, He loves me. My heart fills that One such as Him loves one such as me. And it is not only me that He loves. He loves all. It is beyond mind boggling. All that He has done for me, He will do for anyone. There are no favorites in God's kingdom - each is His favorite. And so, I am thankful. Thankful that He holds my tomorrows, that each day comes from Him, thankful that He doesn't give up on me, thankful for His continual presence in my life. Thankful for His love. There is so much to be thankful to Him for. I could spend eternity and never touch on it all as His mercies are new every morning. Today I am grateful that He has granted me thankfulness and filled my heart with Him.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Shepherds and sheep in modern America?
Zechariah 13:7 prophisized that the Shepherd will be struck that "the sheep may be scattered." Yet a third will call on "My (God's) name and I will answer them; I will say, "They are my people," and they will say, "The Lord is my God."
We see the fullfillment of this prophesy as the Chief Shepherd Jesus hung on a cross, yet He arose and is now seated at the right hand of His Father, where He has been given "as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." He ascended and "He gave gifts to men" that His church will mature "to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."
God has a plan. We, the church, grow up into the fullness of His Body. To this end, "He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the works of service, to the building up of the body of Christ."
Jesus came as the Chief Shepherd and it is because of Him that I have the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort me, to teach me, to bring me into the relationship with the Father that I can call Him, "Abba." Yet God also has given brothers and sisters to walk with me. He has given shepherds here on earth that can lead and watch over me as a shepherd does for his sheep. They are those who lay down their lives to serve the body "not lording it over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock."
God does place in our lives those that can be examples to us of what it looks like to walk out our salvation here on earth. Because they do not walk perfectly as Christ the Chief Shepherd did, does not mean that God has not provided shepherds to help lead us into maturity. I do not know anyone that has walked on water but I have known people over the years that have encouraged and challenged me and assisted in the equipting for "works of service." Because there have been those who have called themselves shepherds and have "lorded it over those entrusted to them" does not mean that God has not provided shepherds. It simple means that they have abused the trust others have put in them. There is one Chief Shepherd but Ephesians makes it clear that there are those who are shepherds here to help us mature. From one who wants to see none "tossed here and there by waves, carrried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming," I thank God for those shepherds willing to lay down their lives to serve those whom God has "entrusted" to them.
We see the fullfillment of this prophesy as the Chief Shepherd Jesus hung on a cross, yet He arose and is now seated at the right hand of His Father, where He has been given "as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." He ascended and "He gave gifts to men" that His church will mature "to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."
God has a plan. We, the church, grow up into the fullness of His Body. To this end, "He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the works of service, to the building up of the body of Christ."
Jesus came as the Chief Shepherd and it is because of Him that I have the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort me, to teach me, to bring me into the relationship with the Father that I can call Him, "Abba." Yet God also has given brothers and sisters to walk with me. He has given shepherds here on earth that can lead and watch over me as a shepherd does for his sheep. They are those who lay down their lives to serve the body "not lording it over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock."
God does place in our lives those that can be examples to us of what it looks like to walk out our salvation here on earth. Because they do not walk perfectly as Christ the Chief Shepherd did, does not mean that God has not provided shepherds to help lead us into maturity. I do not know anyone that has walked on water but I have known people over the years that have encouraged and challenged me and assisted in the equipting for "works of service." Because there have been those who have called themselves shepherds and have "lorded it over those entrusted to them" does not mean that God has not provided shepherds. It simple means that they have abused the trust others have put in them. There is one Chief Shepherd but Ephesians makes it clear that there are those who are shepherds here to help us mature. From one who wants to see none "tossed here and there by waves, carrried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming," I thank God for those shepherds willing to lay down their lives to serve those whom God has "entrusted" to them.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Many things happening
Many things I see lately are very encouraging: God moving "suddenly" in a family to restore a mother/daughter relationship. Praise and worship that lifts up Jesus and as a result, people are drawn to Him. Men seeing the gift that God has given them in their wives. A healing that is miraculous and described by a doctor as "amazing." Churches opening up their door overnight to the homeless. The list goes on and on. Thank You, Lord, for what You are doing and also for letting me see these things.
At the same time, distractions abound which scream for my attention. Snares which threaten my brothers and sisters and lies which seem to entrap them. People caught up in worries and anxious thoughts which cause them to try and provide for themselves. Choices which lead people away from God rather than closer to Him. Bondages that don't have to be there.
Looking at the latter items, I find myself discouraged and/or angry. I am reminded of the verse, "set your mind on things above," as well as "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." My discouragement comes from the misbelief that though I see the negative, I do not know what to do. The truth is, I can turn to God in prayer and cry out in need and dependency. I can praise Him for all the good I see as well as acknowledge Him as the One Who "uses all things for good..." I can allow Him to do whatever He wants through me. That may be intercession where I allow my heart to be broken, confrontation (gasp), or whatever He chooses. These very things can be used to cause me to realize even more deeply the truth of my dependency on Him. I can turn to my Loving Father Who knows all and loves all of His children more than I could ever fathom. These things that are so negative, I can watch God turn into positives and know even deeper what a good, loving, omnipotent God I serve.
At the same time, distractions abound which scream for my attention. Snares which threaten my brothers and sisters and lies which seem to entrap them. People caught up in worries and anxious thoughts which cause them to try and provide for themselves. Choices which lead people away from God rather than closer to Him. Bondages that don't have to be there.
Looking at the latter items, I find myself discouraged and/or angry. I am reminded of the verse, "set your mind on things above," as well as "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." My discouragement comes from the misbelief that though I see the negative, I do not know what to do. The truth is, I can turn to God in prayer and cry out in need and dependency. I can praise Him for all the good I see as well as acknowledge Him as the One Who "uses all things for good..." I can allow Him to do whatever He wants through me. That may be intercession where I allow my heart to be broken, confrontation (gasp), or whatever He chooses. These very things can be used to cause me to realize even more deeply the truth of my dependency on Him. I can turn to my Loving Father Who knows all and loves all of His children more than I could ever fathom. These things that are so negative, I can watch God turn into positives and know even deeper what a good, loving, omnipotent God I serve.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Free to bring glory to God
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I Cor 10:31
What a thought -everything I do, do it all for the glory of God. As I begin to think about this, I realize that God has made it possible. If I give money, time, love away freely, this brings glory to God. I can do this because my Father Who is in heaven supplies all my needs. I can thank God for all things because He "works all things together for good." A grateful heart brings glory to God as others recognize the "peace that passeth understanding" which can only come from God. I can rest, I don't have to strive, because it is "God who works in us (thats me too!) both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
So this leads to my next thought: how different would my life look if I considered frequently if I was, at that moment, bringing glory to God. Would I be as short with my husband? How would I respond to telemarketers' phone calls? Would I spend my time the same way? How would I treat the rude cashier? What about the homeless man that approaches my car in the parking lot? What would I allow in my home?
As I think of these areas, I realize I have no excuse for not bringing glory to God. He has made it entirely possible. When I surrender, accept the exchange of His life for mine, I also enjoy abundant life. Nothing brings greater joy than getting to be there when the Holy Spirit moves- and if I allow Him to work thru me, I get a front row seat! It makes me sad that I would waste any time doing otherwise. I thank God today that He brought to my mind the importance of taking time to consider if I am indeed glorifying Him in all things.
What a thought -everything I do, do it all for the glory of God. As I begin to think about this, I realize that God has made it possible. If I give money, time, love away freely, this brings glory to God. I can do this because my Father Who is in heaven supplies all my needs. I can thank God for all things because He "works all things together for good." A grateful heart brings glory to God as others recognize the "peace that passeth understanding" which can only come from God. I can rest, I don't have to strive, because it is "God who works in us (thats me too!) both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
So this leads to my next thought: how different would my life look if I considered frequently if I was, at that moment, bringing glory to God. Would I be as short with my husband? How would I respond to telemarketers' phone calls? Would I spend my time the same way? How would I treat the rude cashier? What about the homeless man that approaches my car in the parking lot? What would I allow in my home?
As I think of these areas, I realize I have no excuse for not bringing glory to God. He has made it entirely possible. When I surrender, accept the exchange of His life for mine, I also enjoy abundant life. Nothing brings greater joy than getting to be there when the Holy Spirit moves- and if I allow Him to work thru me, I get a front row seat! It makes me sad that I would waste any time doing otherwise. I thank God today that He brought to my mind the importance of taking time to consider if I am indeed glorifying Him in all things.
Friday, October 23, 2009
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17
So many things contend for our time, but have we considered the payoff? Can you imagine taking a job without considering what it pays? How can we compare, think intelligently about, if we do not look at what is being produced by the time we spend doing certain activities? How important is faith to you? How important to you is that you hear God? Is it important enough that you will pick up your Bible and listen for what the Holy Spirit longs to say to you? Do you believe what God says? How can you know what He says if you don't read His Word?
I have been greatly encouraged the last few months by a friend who has wholeheartedly come back to the Lord. Her zeal to know all that God has for her in order to grow to serve Him the best she can is clearly seen as she attends all the services she can to hear the Word of God. Her questions to me about His Word challenge me to discover with her what it is He is saying to us. I see her faith expressed as she puts every situation at the foot of Jesus - the One Who cares for her. She has come to know Him by what she is learning about Him in His Word.
"And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and they accept it, and bear fruit, thirty, sixty and a hundredfold." Mark4:20
"...they hear the word and they accept it..." First comes the hearing and then the acceptance. "I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I may not sin against You." Psalm 119:11 "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119;105 I want to be able to see all that God has for me and for His church. I need all the light that I can get in my life to see how and where to walk. Those things that take me away from time with Jesus produce nothing of eternal value - their cost to me is high with very lttle if any return. I want to bear much fruit - how else can I truly express love to my Savior who has done everything for me? Thank God that He will produce fruit thru everyone who will "hear the Word and accept it.."
So many things contend for our time, but have we considered the payoff? Can you imagine taking a job without considering what it pays? How can we compare, think intelligently about, if we do not look at what is being produced by the time we spend doing certain activities? How important is faith to you? How important to you is that you hear God? Is it important enough that you will pick up your Bible and listen for what the Holy Spirit longs to say to you? Do you believe what God says? How can you know what He says if you don't read His Word?
I have been greatly encouraged the last few months by a friend who has wholeheartedly come back to the Lord. Her zeal to know all that God has for her in order to grow to serve Him the best she can is clearly seen as she attends all the services she can to hear the Word of God. Her questions to me about His Word challenge me to discover with her what it is He is saying to us. I see her faith expressed as she puts every situation at the foot of Jesus - the One Who cares for her. She has come to know Him by what she is learning about Him in His Word.
"And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and they accept it, and bear fruit, thirty, sixty and a hundredfold." Mark4:20
"...they hear the word and they accept it..." First comes the hearing and then the acceptance. "I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I may not sin against You." Psalm 119:11 "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119;105 I want to be able to see all that God has for me and for His church. I need all the light that I can get in my life to see how and where to walk. Those things that take me away from time with Jesus produce nothing of eternal value - their cost to me is high with very lttle if any return. I want to bear much fruit - how else can I truly express love to my Savior who has done everything for me? Thank God that He will produce fruit thru everyone who will "hear the Word and accept it.."
Thursday, October 15, 2009
God is good all the time
I need to be reminded daily about the Truth of God. Satan wants me to believe a lie so he bombards me any way he can to try and get me to believe in "the seen" rather than the "unseen." I'm reminded of a little church I went to where a common greeting was, "God is good." When someone said that to you, the reply was, "all the time." God is good all the time! When the sun rises in the morning, giving light, God is good. When the storms come, shaking my world, God is good. I am thankful for and need the people in my life who speak the truth about God to me all the time. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
(By the way, if you're one of those people who speak truth to me, thank you! If you know me and want to speak truth to me, please know I welcome it!)
(By the way, if you're one of those people who speak truth to me, thank you! If you know me and want to speak truth to me, please know I welcome it!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)