I came across this verse today and it practically smacked me in the face.
Proverbs 10:18 "He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool."
How many times have I been like that??????? Oooooooo, this verse cut right to the heart!!!!
I have, down through all my years of life, been guilty of hatred towards others.
The Hebrew definition for hideth (or hide) is this:
kâsâh (kaw-saw')
A primitive root; properly to plump, that is, fill up hollows; by implication to cover (for clothing or secrecy): - clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines hide as:
HIDE, v.t. pret. hid; pp. hid, hidden.
1. To conceal; to withhold or withdraw from sight; to place in any state or position in which the view is intercepted from the object. The intervention of the moon between the earth and the sun hides the latter from our sight. The people in Turkey hide their grain in the earth. No human being can hide his crimes or his neglect of duty from his Maker.
2. To conceal from knowledge; to keep secret.
Depart to the mountains; hide yourselves there three days. Josh 2.
Tell me now what thou hast done--hide it not from me. Josh 7.
3. In Scripture, not to confess or disclose; or to excuse and extenuate.
I acknowledged my sin to thee, and my iniquity have I not hid. Psa 32.
4. To protect; to keep in safety.
To hide the face, to withdraw spiritual presence, support and consolation.
Thou didst hide thy face,and I was troubled. Psa 30.
How many times do I/we put on a smiling face in front of the person(s) I/we hate? It doesn't matter what they said or did, I/we will be a fool if I/we hate them for it.
That's not to say it's easy to forgive and forget. But that's what I/we are supposed to do and let God work out the situation.
I've learned and continue to learn that if I just go to God and cast my cares and burdens on Him and let Him work everything out in His time, everything turns out right.
I do not want to have hatred in my heart nor have lying lips. Lord, help me!
Showing posts with label Food for thought. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food for thought. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Moses
I finished reading the book of Deuteronomy in the Bible today.
I was struck with a thought and it's stayed with me all day.
In the beginning of Deuteronomy and even all through the book, Moses preaches to the children of Israel and gives them their duty to God and reiterates the law of God.
Included in all of this were the laws and judgments, a call to obedience to God, recounting of Israel's rebellion, observing of the feasts, the priestly inheritance, the rules of war, the blessings for their obedience, and even the curse if they did not obey, etc.
Moses exhorts so much to the children of Israel. I picture him pleading with them to be obedient; I picture the compassion he must have had for every one of them.
The Lord says the following phrase to Israel: Be strong and of a good courage (Deuteronomy 31:6, ). Why?
Verse 6 goes on to explain. Verse 6 "...fear not, nor be afraid of them (Israel's enemies): for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Moses then says the same thing to Joshua when Joshua is about to become the leader of the Israelites.
Verse 7 "...Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
Verse 8 "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
Verse 23 "And he (Moses) gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them (Israel): and I (the LORD) will be with thee."
I guess there are a couple of things that have sat with me today.
The first is this. This was Moses' last sermon. His life on earth was over and God would lead him up into a mountain and Moses would die. After Moses finishes his sermon, God then revealed something to him and it is found in Deuteronomy 31:16, "And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them."
Wow! After everything God had done for them, this is the thanks He gets. That boggles my mind. And then my husband reminded me as we were talking about this...that's much, if not exactly, like we are today. Pastors all over the world are exhorting to us to walk with God, to follow after Him, to be obedient, etc. and what do we do? Are we not like the children of Israel? Do we not go a whoring after the gods of this world? I realize that some of us will change and not be like that, but just how many...I don't know.
The second thought is this. God says, "...be strong and of a good courage..." Why? Yes the task before Israel was huge. How were they going to receive their inheritance God had promised them when other nations were occupying that land? God would provide a way. How? His answer was, "I will be with thee." See, God doesn't want us just to obey like little robots. He wants to walk along side of us. God is the one who gives the victory. We cannot accomplish His will in our own strength. We must have God's strength to accomplish the task that is set before each one of us.
Do you know the will of God for your life? Do you really know or even care what the will of God is for your life? I cringe as I write that last sentence because I ask that question of myself.
We had a missionary at church this morning. I don't think I've ever heard a sermon as necessary (outside of salvation) as the one preached today. It was on knowing the will of God for our lives.And then tonight our pastor preached just about on the same thing.
I want to be used of God. I don't want God to use someone in my place because I refuse to surrender my life to Him and what He wants for me. Just thinking of the possibilities of what can be done when I am in the exact center of God's will puts a giant smile on my face. Oh, the task may not be easy at times, but walking hand in hand with God to accomplish it will see the victory! Oh, the victories that await us!
I was struck with a thought and it's stayed with me all day.
In the beginning of Deuteronomy and even all through the book, Moses preaches to the children of Israel and gives them their duty to God and reiterates the law of God.
Included in all of this were the laws and judgments, a call to obedience to God, recounting of Israel's rebellion, observing of the feasts, the priestly inheritance, the rules of war, the blessings for their obedience, and even the curse if they did not obey, etc.
Moses exhorts so much to the children of Israel. I picture him pleading with them to be obedient; I picture the compassion he must have had for every one of them.
The Lord says the following phrase to Israel: Be strong and of a good courage (Deuteronomy 31:6, ). Why?
Verse 6 goes on to explain. Verse 6 "...fear not, nor be afraid of them (Israel's enemies): for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Moses then says the same thing to Joshua when Joshua is about to become the leader of the Israelites.
Verse 7 "...Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
Verse 8 "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
Verse 23 "And he (Moses) gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them (Israel): and I (the LORD) will be with thee."
I guess there are a couple of things that have sat with me today.
The first is this. This was Moses' last sermon. His life on earth was over and God would lead him up into a mountain and Moses would die. After Moses finishes his sermon, God then revealed something to him and it is found in Deuteronomy 31:16, "And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them."
Wow! After everything God had done for them, this is the thanks He gets. That boggles my mind. And then my husband reminded me as we were talking about this...that's much, if not exactly, like we are today. Pastors all over the world are exhorting to us to walk with God, to follow after Him, to be obedient, etc. and what do we do? Are we not like the children of Israel? Do we not go a whoring after the gods of this world? I realize that some of us will change and not be like that, but just how many...I don't know.
The second thought is this. God says, "...be strong and of a good courage..." Why? Yes the task before Israel was huge. How were they going to receive their inheritance God had promised them when other nations were occupying that land? God would provide a way. How? His answer was, "I will be with thee." See, God doesn't want us just to obey like little robots. He wants to walk along side of us. God is the one who gives the victory. We cannot accomplish His will in our own strength. We must have God's strength to accomplish the task that is set before each one of us.
Do you know the will of God for your life? Do you really know or even care what the will of God is for your life? I cringe as I write that last sentence because I ask that question of myself.
We had a missionary at church this morning. I don't think I've ever heard a sermon as necessary (outside of salvation) as the one preached today. It was on knowing the will of God for our lives.And then tonight our pastor preached just about on the same thing.
I want to be used of God. I don't want God to use someone in my place because I refuse to surrender my life to Him and what He wants for me. Just thinking of the possibilities of what can be done when I am in the exact center of God's will puts a giant smile on my face. Oh, the task may not be easy at times, but walking hand in hand with God to accomplish it will see the victory! Oh, the victories that await us!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
This Hit Me Like A Brick
I was reading my Bible today and the following passage "hit me like a brick."
Psalm 8
1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained,
4 What is man, that thou are mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the sea.
9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
So the part that really hit me today is verse 5. "For thou hast made him (man) a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." We HAVE crowns of glory and honour! God could have chosen the angels to do His work but He chose man and with that He has crowned us with glory and honour. That is amazing to me. God Almighty has crowned ME! Wow!
Psalm 8
1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained,
4 What is man, that thou are mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the sea.
9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
So the part that really hit me today is verse 5. "For thou hast made him (man) a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." We HAVE crowns of glory and honour! God could have chosen the angels to do His work but He chose man and with that He has crowned us with glory and honour. That is amazing to me. God Almighty has crowned ME! Wow!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
How Do You...
view your day?
Is it through the lens of "blessings" or through the lens of "how many things can I find wrong with this day?"
I don't know how many people are like me, but I'd venture out on a limb and say that because we are all sinners, we have pretty much the same outlook on daily life.
My outlook on life is usually on the negative side. I try to find the blessings, but my mind seems to always go back to something that happened that wasn't so "blessed."
I have told my children for quite a while now that the hardest job they will ever do is work with people. We all have different personalities, likes, dislikes, sensitivities, etc. Learning how to work with individuals is a challenge. But we do it every single day. We have to. There's no getting around it. The question is, am I learning to work with and encourage them or am I causing grief in their lives?
I am finding lately that relationships can be difficult. How is it that I have become so sensitive to other people and the things they do or say to me (whether intentional or not)? How is it that when someone has wronged me, I dwell on that one thing instead of all the blessings God has given me not only that day but for the last 40+ years? That sure is a blessing buster, let me tell you...and it changes my whole attitude until I confess my sin of bitterness and give the situation over to the Lord and ask Him to work it all out.
I've been thinking for a while about God's daily blessings in my life. A preacher recently said that for many years now he has kept a "blessing journal." He records his blessings daily and as of that night, he had recorded over 27,000 blessings! Wow! I bet that puts a skip in his step and it ought to put a skip in my step! This has been ringing in my head for several weeks now and I have now decided that I am going to start a "daily blessing journal." I bet I'm going to be incredibly surprised at just how many blessings I record on a daily basis!
Will you join me in starting a "blessing journal?" It will change your attitude for sure!
Is it through the lens of "blessings" or through the lens of "how many things can I find wrong with this day?"
I don't know how many people are like me, but I'd venture out on a limb and say that because we are all sinners, we have pretty much the same outlook on daily life.
My outlook on life is usually on the negative side. I try to find the blessings, but my mind seems to always go back to something that happened that wasn't so "blessed."
I have told my children for quite a while now that the hardest job they will ever do is work with people. We all have different personalities, likes, dislikes, sensitivities, etc. Learning how to work with individuals is a challenge. But we do it every single day. We have to. There's no getting around it. The question is, am I learning to work with and encourage them or am I causing grief in their lives?
I am finding lately that relationships can be difficult. How is it that I have become so sensitive to other people and the things they do or say to me (whether intentional or not)? How is it that when someone has wronged me, I dwell on that one thing instead of all the blessings God has given me not only that day but for the last 40+ years? That sure is a blessing buster, let me tell you...and it changes my whole attitude until I confess my sin of bitterness and give the situation over to the Lord and ask Him to work it all out.
I've been thinking for a while about God's daily blessings in my life. A preacher recently said that for many years now he has kept a "blessing journal." He records his blessings daily and as of that night, he had recorded over 27,000 blessings! Wow! I bet that puts a skip in his step and it ought to put a skip in my step! This has been ringing in my head for several weeks now and I have now decided that I am going to start a "daily blessing journal." I bet I'm going to be incredibly surprised at just how many blessings I record on a daily basis!
Will you join me in starting a "blessing journal?" It will change your attitude for sure!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Great Message
I just heard a great message on how to help those in need.
1. Pray for them
2. Praise them
3. Perform (put yourself to action to help them - i.e. buy groceries, clean house, doctor appointments, etc.)
4. Give financially
Giving financially should be the last thing we do because it's more of a bandaid, or a quick fix, to soothe our conscience. Genuine help really is the first 3 things.
Really made me think about my priorities in helping people. How much do I pray for others; how much do I praise them; how much am I willing to do for them; and lastly, do I give of my extra cash to help someone buy some food or pay a bill, etc? Food for thought!
1. Pray for them
2. Praise them
3. Perform (put yourself to action to help them - i.e. buy groceries, clean house, doctor appointments, etc.)
4. Give financially
Giving financially should be the last thing we do because it's more of a bandaid, or a quick fix, to soothe our conscience. Genuine help really is the first 3 things.
Really made me think about my priorities in helping people. How much do I pray for others; how much do I praise them; how much am I willing to do for them; and lastly, do I give of my extra cash to help someone buy some food or pay a bill, etc? Food for thought!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Building Character
Sigh...my heart breaks because of things my children do that end up teaching them a very hard lesson.
Phyllip got a stereo last Christmas. We've told him that he can use it at night several times a week. He sleeps well with music playing. Tyler, on the other hand, HAS to have silence to sleep. And since they share a bedroom, this has been an ongoing struggle with them since Christmas night.
So, they were, once again, arguing over the volume of the stereo last night.
Tyler got out of bed to turn it down. Phyllip blocked him.
Then, Tyler said, "If I touch your stereo, I will give you all of my legos (and believe me, he has A LOT!)."
Phyllip said, "Ok."
Not 10 seconds later, Tyler gets out of bed again and TOUCHES the stereo! Yep, you read right! He now owed his brother ALL of his legos.
Walter and I knew nothing of this deal until this morning.
Tyler desperately tried to get out of the deal. Walter and I talked to him and pulled out all of the details and.......told him he had to be a man of his word and give Phyllip his legos. (Can I just tell you how heartwrenching it was to break Tyler's heart like that????? He sobbed for over an hour. His eyes were swollen half shut.) He did give them to Phyllip.
Walter and I told him he should have thought about what he was saying before he made an agreement like that. In the end, he KNEW that he was the one to be upset with and no one else. I think that's the thing he had the hardest time with; knowing that he couldn't blame anybody else but himself.
Building character in our children - it's hard sometimes. But when they're adults and they have good character, it'll all be worth it!
BTW, Phyllip has been kind enough to give some of the legos back to Tyler - now that's good character!
Phyllip got a stereo last Christmas. We've told him that he can use it at night several times a week. He sleeps well with music playing. Tyler, on the other hand, HAS to have silence to sleep. And since they share a bedroom, this has been an ongoing struggle with them since Christmas night.
So, they were, once again, arguing over the volume of the stereo last night.
Tyler got out of bed to turn it down. Phyllip blocked him.
Then, Tyler said, "If I touch your stereo, I will give you all of my legos (and believe me, he has A LOT!)."
Phyllip said, "Ok."
Not 10 seconds later, Tyler gets out of bed again and TOUCHES the stereo! Yep, you read right! He now owed his brother ALL of his legos.
Walter and I knew nothing of this deal until this morning.
Tyler desperately tried to get out of the deal. Walter and I talked to him and pulled out all of the details and.......told him he had to be a man of his word and give Phyllip his legos. (Can I just tell you how heartwrenching it was to break Tyler's heart like that????? He sobbed for over an hour. His eyes were swollen half shut.) He did give them to Phyllip.
Walter and I told him he should have thought about what he was saying before he made an agreement like that. In the end, he KNEW that he was the one to be upset with and no one else. I think that's the thing he had the hardest time with; knowing that he couldn't blame anybody else but himself.
Building character in our children - it's hard sometimes. But when they're adults and they have good character, it'll all be worth it!
BTW, Phyllip has been kind enough to give some of the legos back to Tyler - now that's good character!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Something I Learned
As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across some verses that perplexed me. I decided to look up a few definitions in the Webster's 1828 dictionary and also look up them up in the Greek dictionary as well.
I didn't know that these words were tied together until I looked them up.
2 Timothy 2:16 says, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
2 Timothy 3:6 says, "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts," (To understand the whole passage you need to read starting at 2 Timothy 3:1 and reading down thru verse 7.)
I randomly looked up 'babbling' after I read chapter 2 and then after I read the word 'silly' in chapter 3 I looked that one up.
They both mean the same thing. Silly = babbling. I will even copy the definitions here so you can see it for yourself.
phluaros (this is the Greek word for babbling and silly)
Thayer Definition:
1) of persons uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
SIL'LY, a. [Heb. This may be radically the same word, with a prefix. Class Sl. No. 26]
1. Weak in intellect; foolish; witless; destitute of ordinary strength of mind; simple; as a silly man; a silly child.
BAB'BLE, v.i.
1. To utter words imperfectly or indistinctly, as children.
2. To talk idly or irrationally; to talk thoughtlessly.
3. To talk much; to prate; hence to tell secrets.
How many times I have been guilty of babbling and being silly! I don't want to be like that anymore. The Lord, in His mercy, will help me to overcome this. I am so thankful that the Word of God is alive, powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword. Lord, help me to apply your wisdom to my life!
I didn't know that these words were tied together until I looked them up.
2 Timothy 2:16 says, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
2 Timothy 3:6 says, "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts," (To understand the whole passage you need to read starting at 2 Timothy 3:1 and reading down thru verse 7.)
I randomly looked up 'babbling' after I read chapter 2 and then after I read the word 'silly' in chapter 3 I looked that one up.
They both mean the same thing. Silly = babbling. I will even copy the definitions here so you can see it for yourself.
phluaros (this is the Greek word for babbling and silly)
Thayer Definition:
1) of persons uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
SIL'LY, a. [Heb. This may be radically the same word, with a prefix. Class Sl. No. 26]
1. Weak in intellect; foolish; witless; destitute of ordinary strength of mind; simple; as a silly man; a silly child.
BAB'BLE, v.i.
1. To utter words imperfectly or indistinctly, as children.
2. To talk idly or irrationally; to talk thoughtlessly.
3. To talk much; to prate; hence to tell secrets.
How many times I have been guilty of babbling and being silly! I don't want to be like that anymore. The Lord, in His mercy, will help me to overcome this. I am so thankful that the Word of God is alive, powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword. Lord, help me to apply your wisdom to my life!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
In Awe
I write this with so much excitement!
God is just so awesome!
There almost aren't right words to describe what God means to me.
I can go through all the BIG things that He has done for me. I'm not minimizing those at all. It's just that these are kind of like the 'givens' so to speak. For example:
*He has given me salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ
*I have a marriage made in Heaven - yes our marriage is THAT great!
*I have 3 fabulous kids
*etc.
*etc.
*etc.
But lately I've been focused on the little things that God continues to do for me - and they truly are just for me (but I want to share them to encourage you).
*I wrote a couple of weeks ago about candles being given to me and how much I love them.
*I've had my eye on a music cd for several weeks now. We haven't had the extra money to buy it. Today, my pastor's wife told me she had something for me. It was a music cd that someone had given to her. She knew about our car being broke into and all the music stolen. She decided to give it to me. Guess what? It was the exact cd that I had been wanting! And, even better, ONLY God knew how much I wanted it!
*I've been looking for makeup remover (I know this one seems a bit silly). I've been using a particular brand of skincare for several years now. I try to buy most of it on ebay at discounted prices. I haven't been able to find it there lately and I don't have the money to buy it at full price. I happened to get an Ulta magazine earlier this week and hadn't looked at it until yesterday. In it was a coupon for a free item. Guess what one of my choices was? Yep, one FREE makeup remover! Now, it's not the brand I usually use, but I'll take FREE anyday!
I am truly in awe of God's love for me. It completely humbles me and makes me want to bow at His feet and just stay there a while in praise and worship to Him.
I would describe my relationship with God like that of a husband and wife (the Bible does speak of Christ being the bridegroom and we the bride). Just like my husband showers me with love and things that I take pleasure in, God does the same. More and more I see that God proves His love for me over and over and over each day. I just haven't been focused enough on Him to see all of it until recently.
During this thanksgiving season, look for ways that God shows you how much He loves you. I bet you will be absolutely astounded at everything He has done and continues to do for you! I know I am!
God is just so awesome!
There almost aren't right words to describe what God means to me.
I can go through all the BIG things that He has done for me. I'm not minimizing those at all. It's just that these are kind of like the 'givens' so to speak. For example:
*He has given me salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ
*I have a marriage made in Heaven - yes our marriage is THAT great!
*I have 3 fabulous kids
*etc.
*etc.
*etc.
But lately I've been focused on the little things that God continues to do for me - and they truly are just for me (but I want to share them to encourage you).
*I wrote a couple of weeks ago about candles being given to me and how much I love them.
*I've had my eye on a music cd for several weeks now. We haven't had the extra money to buy it. Today, my pastor's wife told me she had something for me. It was a music cd that someone had given to her. She knew about our car being broke into and all the music stolen. She decided to give it to me. Guess what? It was the exact cd that I had been wanting! And, even better, ONLY God knew how much I wanted it!
*I've been looking for makeup remover (I know this one seems a bit silly). I've been using a particular brand of skincare for several years now. I try to buy most of it on ebay at discounted prices. I haven't been able to find it there lately and I don't have the money to buy it at full price. I happened to get an Ulta magazine earlier this week and hadn't looked at it until yesterday. In it was a coupon for a free item. Guess what one of my choices was? Yep, one FREE makeup remover! Now, it's not the brand I usually use, but I'll take FREE anyday!
I am truly in awe of God's love for me. It completely humbles me and makes me want to bow at His feet and just stay there a while in praise and worship to Him.
I would describe my relationship with God like that of a husband and wife (the Bible does speak of Christ being the bridegroom and we the bride). Just like my husband showers me with love and things that I take pleasure in, God does the same. More and more I see that God proves His love for me over and over and over each day. I just haven't been focused enough on Him to see all of it until recently.
During this thanksgiving season, look for ways that God shows you how much He loves you. I bet you will be absolutely astounded at everything He has done and continues to do for you! I know I am!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
My Example
I find that I/we have made many mistakes in raising my/our children. Does anybody else besides me wish to be a better example to their children?
The more I read my Bible, the more I realize that I have such an awesome opportunity to raise my children to be godly adults/parents.
I want them to be used of God so much. I want to see them live victorious Christian lives and never turn their backs on God.
But...what does my life show them? What are my priorities? Are my words harsh, negative, critical, belittling, etc. or are my words loving, encouraging, uplifting, etc.?
I am learning that words are so important. The old saying when I was a kid I still hear kids say today: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!" That is one of the biggest lies!
I was called names growing up. Some of it was done in jest and some of it was done to be mean. I grew up believing that I wasn't loved. My feelings were hurt more times than I care to remember. And because of it I ended up harboring bitterness for many years in my life. I really believed that I was unworthy of any one's love and for many years I found myself amazed that someone had actually fallen in love with me and wanted to marry me and live the rest of his life with me. It took me a long time to admit I was bitter and to go to the person I was so offended at and make things right with them. I don't want my children to have to experience that EVER!
I still struggle today with acceptance. I find that I even struggle with God's love for me today because of things in my childhood (yes, I need to 'get over it'). It's hard to change thought patterns that were shaped in my mind as a child. I am very much a non-confrontational person today. I hate confrontation with a passion. I will do almost anything to avoid it. I tend to talk about 'safe' things with others and don't get too deep into opinions or personal matters. Have my children's thought patterns been shaped correctly? Do they struggle with God's love for them or do they embrace Him with every ounce of their being?
What about my actions? Do I portray the love of Christ to my kids and spend quality time with them or do I just brush them off and make them feel unimportant? Do I answer their questions rudely and with harshness or do I take the time to help them understand the answer in a way that shows they are important to me (even if I am tired or busy)?
What about discipline? How do I discipline my kids? Do I do it in love or do I scream at them and say things that are unnecessary and even hurtful? Do I show them from the Bible how they are wrong and how to correct their actions or do I throw my hands up in the air and give up trying to correct them?
How I have failed my children! I can't even count the number of times I've had to apologize to my kids because of my actions, words, wrong discipline, etc. But the Bible tells me that God's mercies endure forever and are renewed daily. With God's help, I know I can be a right example. God, help me to be the right example to my children!
The more I read my Bible, the more I realize that I have such an awesome opportunity to raise my children to be godly adults/parents.
I want them to be used of God so much. I want to see them live victorious Christian lives and never turn their backs on God.
But...what does my life show them? What are my priorities? Are my words harsh, negative, critical, belittling, etc. or are my words loving, encouraging, uplifting, etc.?
I am learning that words are so important. The old saying when I was a kid I still hear kids say today: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!" That is one of the biggest lies!
I was called names growing up. Some of it was done in jest and some of it was done to be mean. I grew up believing that I wasn't loved. My feelings were hurt more times than I care to remember. And because of it I ended up harboring bitterness for many years in my life. I really believed that I was unworthy of any one's love and for many years I found myself amazed that someone had actually fallen in love with me and wanted to marry me and live the rest of his life with me. It took me a long time to admit I was bitter and to go to the person I was so offended at and make things right with them. I don't want my children to have to experience that EVER!
I still struggle today with acceptance. I find that I even struggle with God's love for me today because of things in my childhood (yes, I need to 'get over it'). It's hard to change thought patterns that were shaped in my mind as a child. I am very much a non-confrontational person today. I hate confrontation with a passion. I will do almost anything to avoid it. I tend to talk about 'safe' things with others and don't get too deep into opinions or personal matters. Have my children's thought patterns been shaped correctly? Do they struggle with God's love for them or do they embrace Him with every ounce of their being?
What about my actions? Do I portray the love of Christ to my kids and spend quality time with them or do I just brush them off and make them feel unimportant? Do I answer their questions rudely and with harshness or do I take the time to help them understand the answer in a way that shows they are important to me (even if I am tired or busy)?
What about discipline? How do I discipline my kids? Do I do it in love or do I scream at them and say things that are unnecessary and even hurtful? Do I show them from the Bible how they are wrong and how to correct their actions or do I throw my hands up in the air and give up trying to correct them?
How I have failed my children! I can't even count the number of times I've had to apologize to my kids because of my actions, words, wrong discipline, etc. But the Bible tells me that God's mercies endure forever and are renewed daily. With God's help, I know I can be a right example. God, help me to be the right example to my children!
Monday, November 2, 2009
It's The Little Things
There are a few things that I get enjoyment out of in life. One in particular is candles. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE candles. I try to light a candle every day (vanilla are my absolute favorite).
So, for the last several weeks I've been trying to buy some candles. With the economy in the tank, money is very tight and I just haven't been able to justify buying candles. Candles are one of the 'little things' that happen to be way down on the list of priorities for purchase. Other things like FOOD, clothing, etc. seem to take precedence (wink).
We have been in the midst of remodeling our church building these last 10 days or so. Everything has been gone through and if it wasn't necessary or wanted it was either thrown away or Walter and I took it to sell or keep for ourselves.
We brought home about 3 carloads of stuff. As we unloaded the car, one box happened to make its way into the house instead of the garage. It's been sitting in the dining room for the last 3 days staring me in the face.
And then it was like God hit me upside the head today (metaphorically speaking of course). Inside that box is a load of candles! And not just any candles. Can you say my favorite candle? That's right...vanilla and pear scented candles!!!! Not only that, but I had been looking at some new candle holders in the store as well. In the box is also several candle holders. I finally put 2 and 2 together today and realized that God gave me one of the little things I take pleasure in!
I say it over and over again. I continue to be amazed by God and all His wondrous works. My husband asks me why I am amazed that God would provide things for me because, after all, I am one of His children and He loves me and, of course, He would do things like this for me. My answer to that is...I know I shouldn't be amazed but that is the only way I can describe the feeling of KNOWING that God Almighty loves little ol' me!
So, for the last several weeks I've been trying to buy some candles. With the economy in the tank, money is very tight and I just haven't been able to justify buying candles. Candles are one of the 'little things' that happen to be way down on the list of priorities for purchase. Other things like FOOD, clothing, etc. seem to take precedence (wink).
We have been in the midst of remodeling our church building these last 10 days or so. Everything has been gone through and if it wasn't necessary or wanted it was either thrown away or Walter and I took it to sell or keep for ourselves.
We brought home about 3 carloads of stuff. As we unloaded the car, one box happened to make its way into the house instead of the garage. It's been sitting in the dining room for the last 3 days staring me in the face.
And then it was like God hit me upside the head today (metaphorically speaking of course). Inside that box is a load of candles! And not just any candles. Can you say my favorite candle? That's right...vanilla and pear scented candles!!!! Not only that, but I had been looking at some new candle holders in the store as well. In the box is also several candle holders. I finally put 2 and 2 together today and realized that God gave me one of the little things I take pleasure in!
I say it over and over again. I continue to be amazed by God and all His wondrous works. My husband asks me why I am amazed that God would provide things for me because, after all, I am one of His children and He loves me and, of course, He would do things like this for me. My answer to that is...I know I shouldn't be amazed but that is the only way I can describe the feeling of KNOWING that God Almighty loves little ol' me!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
If Thou Canst...
Mark 9:23 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
I read this verse yesterday in my devotions.
I have read particular passages in the Bible many times. I can read the same thing 2 or 3 days in a row and one day it will just smack me in the face with amazing understanding! That's what happened when I read Mark 9:23 yesterday.
I believe it all has to do with where I/you are in life.
Walter and I are about to embark on a voyage in our marriage that we've never been to before (our marriage is incredibly strong so please don't think we are having marital problems). We both completely agree with the direction. I am having a little bit of leeriness because I can only see this voyage through 'foggy windows' so to speak. I know that the end result will be better but going on the voyage is foggy at best right now. That's where Mark 9:23 comes into the picture for me. I must claim that verse to take away my skepticism and just believe. Believe that Jesus is leading the way for us because the verse says that ALL things are possible to him that believeth!
We have seen the Lord do some incredible things in our lives and Lyndsey's life since she went to college so I KNOW this verse is true!
I hope you will claim the verse, too!
I read this verse yesterday in my devotions.
I have read particular passages in the Bible many times. I can read the same thing 2 or 3 days in a row and one day it will just smack me in the face with amazing understanding! That's what happened when I read Mark 9:23 yesterday.
I believe it all has to do with where I/you are in life.
Walter and I are about to embark on a voyage in our marriage that we've never been to before (our marriage is incredibly strong so please don't think we are having marital problems). We both completely agree with the direction. I am having a little bit of leeriness because I can only see this voyage through 'foggy windows' so to speak. I know that the end result will be better but going on the voyage is foggy at best right now. That's where Mark 9:23 comes into the picture for me. I must claim that verse to take away my skepticism and just believe. Believe that Jesus is leading the way for us because the verse says that ALL things are possible to him that believeth!
We have seen the Lord do some incredible things in our lives and Lyndsey's life since she went to college so I KNOW this verse is true!
I hope you will claim the verse, too!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Word of Encouragement
I received a little devotional booklet for Mother's Day from our church.
It's truly been a blessing to me.
I thought I'd share one of the devotions.
Numbers 6:23 "On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel."
Our God is "God of the details." When it comes to things that really matter, He exercises infinite care to ensure His purposes for our lives will be fulfilled. Jesus once told His disciples, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matthew 10:30).
Perhaps you know the children's prayer that makes this same point, but in a different way:
A little sparrow cannot fall
Unnoticed, Lord, by Thee,
And, though I am so weak and small,
You care, O Lord, for me.
As the Lord gave to Aaron the blessing that would endure for all time, He chose the words carefully: "On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel" (emphasis added). In this way and with these words, God said. Why? Because the details matter. This blessing would open the channels whrough which the Lord would pour out gifts of His love. The words had to communicate precisely the intentions of our Father's heart.
With that in mind, consider: If God took so much care to get the details of His benediction just right, how can we possibly doubt that He will get the details of our lives precisely right, too? If even the hairs on our head are numbered and on file in heaven's high throne room, why would we ever fall into worry? Why would we lie awake at night, trying in desperation to figure out our own solutions to our dilemmas?
But we do, don't we? The "little sparrows" may not fret, but God's human creatures do! All the more reason to pause and ponder our Saviour's "good word" to us.
This blessing belongs to "Israel," to God's faithful people of all time and in every place. He calls us together to receive His "good word":
"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Psalm 50:5
The sacrifice of Christ and our connection with Him by faith have sealed that covenant of unconditional acceptance forever. So, what details will you entrust into His hands right now?
It's truly been a blessing to me.
I thought I'd share one of the devotions.
Numbers 6:23 "On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel."
Our God is "God of the details." When it comes to things that really matter, He exercises infinite care to ensure His purposes for our lives will be fulfilled. Jesus once told His disciples, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matthew 10:30).
Perhaps you know the children's prayer that makes this same point, but in a different way:
A little sparrow cannot fall
Unnoticed, Lord, by Thee,
And, though I am so weak and small,
You care, O Lord, for me.
As the Lord gave to Aaron the blessing that would endure for all time, He chose the words carefully: "On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel" (emphasis added). In this way and with these words, God said. Why? Because the details matter. This blessing would open the channels whrough which the Lord would pour out gifts of His love. The words had to communicate precisely the intentions of our Father's heart.
With that in mind, consider: If God took so much care to get the details of His benediction just right, how can we possibly doubt that He will get the details of our lives precisely right, too? If even the hairs on our head are numbered and on file in heaven's high throne room, why would we ever fall into worry? Why would we lie awake at night, trying in desperation to figure out our own solutions to our dilemmas?
But we do, don't we? The "little sparrows" may not fret, but God's human creatures do! All the more reason to pause and ponder our Saviour's "good word" to us.
This blessing belongs to "Israel," to God's faithful people of all time and in every place. He calls us together to receive His "good word":
"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Psalm 50:5
The sacrifice of Christ and our connection with Him by faith have sealed that covenant of unconditional acceptance forever. So, what details will you entrust into His hands right now?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Prayer
I've been reading different blogs and a lot of people ask for prayer.
I get the impression that most people think God only answers prayers the way we want them to be answered. In many cases, God does just that.
But not always. If God chooses a different answer than the one we're looking for, we consider it an unanswered prayer. Nothing can be further from the truth! God ALWAYS answers our prayers. God is not on our time schedule. Just because our answer doesn't come in our time, we think He's not answering. See, everything is done in God's due season. That's what the Bible says.
I think of the story of Joseph starting in Genesis 37. God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was hated by all of his brothers. They hated him so much so that they wanted to kill him. They decided instead of killing him, they would sell him to a company of Ishmeelites and make a profit from the sale. Joseph was carried away captive into Egypt. I can only imagine the prayers Joseph was praying during all of this. Once he was in Egypt, he was sold to a man named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.
"And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured." Genesis 39:2-6
God was still with Joseph even though his brothers meant him harm.
Later on, Potiphar's wife tries to seduce Joseph. Joseph refuses and she concocts a story against Joseph. He ends up in prison because of it.
But the Lord was still with him. "But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper." Genesis 39:21-23
Soon after that, Pharaoh's butler and baker are thrown into the prison in the same area Joseph was. Both the butler and baker dream dreams that they don't understand. God uses Joseph to interpret both man's dreams. The baker would die and the butler would be restored to his position in Pharaoh's house. Joseph says to the butler in Genesis 40:14-15, "But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon." The butler forgets about Joseph for 2 years.
Pharaoh dreams a dream that cannot be interpreted by anyone. The butler then remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh. Joseph is brought before Pharaoh and he interprets the dream. Pharaoh ends up making Joseph his #1 man.
I know this is long. But my point is this. God is not on our time schedule. Think of how many prayers Joseph lifted up to the Lord for those 2 years while he was in prison. I wonder if Joseph thought God had forsaken him. God didn't and still doesn't forsake us today. Joseph's brothers meant to do him harm by selling him to the Ishmeelites. But God allowed it to bring about His will. God heard Joseph and I believe He heard every single one of his prayers. God answered Joseph in His 'due season.'
I got a phone call the other day from a very good friend. She's been gloriously saved for 27 years. For all of those 27 years she has prayed for the salvation of her mother. This past Saturday, her mother was wonderfully saved by the blood of Jesus Christ! Now, don't get me wrong. I don't believe God wants ANYBODY to wait 27 years to get saved, but that IS an answered prayer! God wants everybody to be saved right now! We must not give up.
God used Joseph to save his family from the drought. They left Canaan and journeyed into Egypt in search of food. Joseph was reunited with his family and they were saved from starving but the reunion happened many years after Joseph was sold to the company of Ishmeelites.
My husband and I have been wondering why God had given us a 'no' answer to one of our prayers. We had concluded we might never know the answer. However, just the other day, God showed us the reason He said 'no.' He was protecting us from something that would have been very damaging.
My husband and I prayed for 4 years for our second child (there are 6 1/2 years between our first and second child). We couldn't understand why God was not allowing our family to grow at that time. However, God has shown us the answer and everything was meant for our good and His will for our lives.
Every answer we get, whether it's the one we want or not, is "God answered." Every trial we find ourselves in, whether we've caused it or not, is "Father filtered." God means everything for our good. Every trial is designed so that we might grow in our spiritual walk with God and at the end of the trial, God uses us to help someone else that's going through the same or very similiar trial. Don't give up on God. Keep praying! He's listening to each and every prayer and He will answer at just the right time in just the right way!
I get the impression that most people think God only answers prayers the way we want them to be answered. In many cases, God does just that.
But not always. If God chooses a different answer than the one we're looking for, we consider it an unanswered prayer. Nothing can be further from the truth! God ALWAYS answers our prayers. God is not on our time schedule. Just because our answer doesn't come in our time, we think He's not answering. See, everything is done in God's due season. That's what the Bible says.
I think of the story of Joseph starting in Genesis 37. God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was hated by all of his brothers. They hated him so much so that they wanted to kill him. They decided instead of killing him, they would sell him to a company of Ishmeelites and make a profit from the sale. Joseph was carried away captive into Egypt. I can only imagine the prayers Joseph was praying during all of this. Once he was in Egypt, he was sold to a man named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.
"And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured." Genesis 39:2-6
God was still with Joseph even though his brothers meant him harm.
Later on, Potiphar's wife tries to seduce Joseph. Joseph refuses and she concocts a story against Joseph. He ends up in prison because of it.
But the Lord was still with him. "But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper." Genesis 39:21-23
Soon after that, Pharaoh's butler and baker are thrown into the prison in the same area Joseph was. Both the butler and baker dream dreams that they don't understand. God uses Joseph to interpret both man's dreams. The baker would die and the butler would be restored to his position in Pharaoh's house. Joseph says to the butler in Genesis 40:14-15, "But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon." The butler forgets about Joseph for 2 years.
Pharaoh dreams a dream that cannot be interpreted by anyone. The butler then remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh. Joseph is brought before Pharaoh and he interprets the dream. Pharaoh ends up making Joseph his #1 man.
I know this is long. But my point is this. God is not on our time schedule. Think of how many prayers Joseph lifted up to the Lord for those 2 years while he was in prison. I wonder if Joseph thought God had forsaken him. God didn't and still doesn't forsake us today. Joseph's brothers meant to do him harm by selling him to the Ishmeelites. But God allowed it to bring about His will. God heard Joseph and I believe He heard every single one of his prayers. God answered Joseph in His 'due season.'
I got a phone call the other day from a very good friend. She's been gloriously saved for 27 years. For all of those 27 years she has prayed for the salvation of her mother. This past Saturday, her mother was wonderfully saved by the blood of Jesus Christ! Now, don't get me wrong. I don't believe God wants ANYBODY to wait 27 years to get saved, but that IS an answered prayer! God wants everybody to be saved right now! We must not give up.
God used Joseph to save his family from the drought. They left Canaan and journeyed into Egypt in search of food. Joseph was reunited with his family and they were saved from starving but the reunion happened many years after Joseph was sold to the company of Ishmeelites.
My husband and I have been wondering why God had given us a 'no' answer to one of our prayers. We had concluded we might never know the answer. However, just the other day, God showed us the reason He said 'no.' He was protecting us from something that would have been very damaging.
My husband and I prayed for 4 years for our second child (there are 6 1/2 years between our first and second child). We couldn't understand why God was not allowing our family to grow at that time. However, God has shown us the answer and everything was meant for our good and His will for our lives.
Every answer we get, whether it's the one we want or not, is "God answered." Every trial we find ourselves in, whether we've caused it or not, is "Father filtered." God means everything for our good. Every trial is designed so that we might grow in our spiritual walk with God and at the end of the trial, God uses us to help someone else that's going through the same or very similiar trial. Don't give up on God. Keep praying! He's listening to each and every prayer and He will answer at just the right time in just the right way!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving...
Where do I begin giving my thanks?
Throughout this last year, I have learned so much. Seen so much. Lived through things that I didn't think I'd ever live through. But through it all....I'm so very thankful...to my Heavenly Father.
First and foremost, I am thankful that God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, provided a way for each and every one of us to live with Him for eternity in Heaven. I am so thankful for His free gift of salvation and that I accepted that free gift.
At the beginning of this year, my husband and I thought God might be calling us to the mission field of Madagascar. I am so thankful for the opportunity to take a missions survey trip and to have gone to a foreign field that I never even contemplated. I didn't think I'd ever leave America. I'm thankful that God would even want to choose me for something like that.
While we were in Madagascar, we saw with our very own eyes the incredible poverty that people in this world actually live in. You know, you see it on tv, you hear about it on the radio, and it doesn't really sink in. I mean, come on, we live in America. We have no idea really about poverty. We have so much. But we've gotten used to having it and we cannot fathom not having it. I am thankful to have been born here in America and live in America.
As I reflect on God' goodness to me, it completely blows my mind that my Creator would choose to use me for anything. He could have chosen angels to do His work for Him. But He chose man to do that. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve the one true God.
Many days this year, I've awakened in the morning and one of the first thoughts in my mind is how God so richly provides for me every day my daily provision. Food, air, water, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, etc. For too many years, I've just taken those things for granted forgetting that my Heavenly Father has so richly blessed me. I am thankful for these blessings.
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. This verse was pointed out to our church during our family conference back in May. I am thankful that God has given my husband the power to get wealth to provide for our family so that I can be a full-time mom at home. As I look back in our checkbook, God has worked miracles for us this year. I have a thankful heart for that. On paper, our finances don't make sense...but to God it does and all I can say is, "Wow!"
Our pastor resigned from our church in August. Our church was devastated. It has been one of the most difficult times in our lives. But...God has been faithful to us. He has provided so much for us. Walter and I have made so many new friends through this. I am so thankful. God has miraculously provided for our church financially. I am so thankful. Nobody left the church because our pastor resigned. I am so thankful. The unity in our church is awesome. I am so thankful. We are still seeing souls saved. I am so thankful. Our church has not closed it's doors. I am sooooo thankful. We don't have a new pastor yet, but I know God will provide the right man in His perfect time.
My family is healthy. I used to take it for granted that we were healthy. I try not to do that anymore because I have come to the realization that our physical lives can change drastically in a short amount of time. Thank you Heavenly Father for our health.
As I reflect on all of these blessings and more, I realize that God is sooooooooo good. I am thankful that we have a day set aside here in America called Thanksgiving Day to reflect on all the goodness and blessings in our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Throughout this last year, I have learned so much. Seen so much. Lived through things that I didn't think I'd ever live through. But through it all....I'm so very thankful...to my Heavenly Father.
First and foremost, I am thankful that God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, provided a way for each and every one of us to live with Him for eternity in Heaven. I am so thankful for His free gift of salvation and that I accepted that free gift.
At the beginning of this year, my husband and I thought God might be calling us to the mission field of Madagascar. I am so thankful for the opportunity to take a missions survey trip and to have gone to a foreign field that I never even contemplated. I didn't think I'd ever leave America. I'm thankful that God would even want to choose me for something like that.
While we were in Madagascar, we saw with our very own eyes the incredible poverty that people in this world actually live in. You know, you see it on tv, you hear about it on the radio, and it doesn't really sink in. I mean, come on, we live in America. We have no idea really about poverty. We have so much. But we've gotten used to having it and we cannot fathom not having it. I am thankful to have been born here in America and live in America.
As I reflect on God' goodness to me, it completely blows my mind that my Creator would choose to use me for anything. He could have chosen angels to do His work for Him. But He chose man to do that. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve the one true God.
Many days this year, I've awakened in the morning and one of the first thoughts in my mind is how God so richly provides for me every day my daily provision. Food, air, water, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, etc. For too many years, I've just taken those things for granted forgetting that my Heavenly Father has so richly blessed me. I am thankful for these blessings.
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. This verse was pointed out to our church during our family conference back in May. I am thankful that God has given my husband the power to get wealth to provide for our family so that I can be a full-time mom at home. As I look back in our checkbook, God has worked miracles for us this year. I have a thankful heart for that. On paper, our finances don't make sense...but to God it does and all I can say is, "Wow!"
Our pastor resigned from our church in August. Our church was devastated. It has been one of the most difficult times in our lives. But...God has been faithful to us. He has provided so much for us. Walter and I have made so many new friends through this. I am so thankful. God has miraculously provided for our church financially. I am so thankful. Nobody left the church because our pastor resigned. I am so thankful. The unity in our church is awesome. I am so thankful. We are still seeing souls saved. I am so thankful. Our church has not closed it's doors. I am sooooo thankful. We don't have a new pastor yet, but I know God will provide the right man in His perfect time.
My family is healthy. I used to take it for granted that we were healthy. I try not to do that anymore because I have come to the realization that our physical lives can change drastically in a short amount of time. Thank you Heavenly Father for our health.
As I reflect on all of these blessings and more, I realize that God is sooooooooo good. I am thankful that we have a day set aside here in America called Thanksgiving Day to reflect on all the goodness and blessings in our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Something Profound I've Learned!
Ok so I should have learned this many years ago but.....I guess I'm never too old to learn something! This one's long so grab a cup of coffee and park yourself for a while.
This study/devotion is based upon a subject(s) that affects me and everyone in this world greatly. This particular subject can either encourage or destroy. It all depends on how each of us use it. This study came about because it is something that I am struggling with greatly over the past couple months and I want to get it under God’s control. What is so amazing to me about this subject is that when I decided to speak on it, I noticed that seemingly, every sermon I’ve listened to, whether by Pastor, my husband, or anyone else, has had something about this subject in it.
What am I talking about?
The tongue; heart; mind; our thoughts.
All definitions taken from Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Heart
7. The seat of the will; hence, secret purposes, intentions or designs. There are many devices in a man's heart. The heart of kings is unsearchable. The Lord tries and searches the heart. David had it in his heart to build a house of rest for the ark.
8. Person; character; used with respect to courage or kindness.
10. Secret thoughts; recesses of the mind.
11. Disposition of mind.
12. Secret meaning; real intention.
13. Conscience, or sense of good or ill.
Mind
1. Intention; purpose; design.
2. Inclination; will; desire; a sense much used, but expressing less than settled purpose; as in the common phrases, "I wish to know your mind;" "let me know your mind;" "he had a mind to go;" "he has a partner to his mind."
3. Opinion; as, to express one's mind. We are of one mind.
5. The intellectual or intelligent power in man; the understanding; the power that conceives, judges or reasons.
Thought
1. Properly, that which the mind thinks. Thought is either the act or operation of the mind, when attending to a particular subject or thing or it is the idea consequent on that operation.
2. Idea; conception. I wish to convey my thoughts to another person. I employ words that express my thoughts, so that he may have the same ideas; in this case, our thoughts will be alike.
3. Fancy; conceit; something framed by the imagination.
4. Reflection; particular consideration.
5. Opinion; judgment.
6. Meditation; serious consideration.
7. Design; purpose.
8. Silent contemplation.
9. Solicitude; care; concern.
10. Inward reasoning; the workings of conscience.
I looked up each word in the Bible and here’s what I found. (I may have missed some of the relevant verses) I encourage you to do your own study!
* Tongue is found in 126 verses and used 129 times. - 74 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
40 times it is in reference to how we use our tongue in our flesh
34 times it is in reference to how God would have us to use our tongue
* Mind is found in 92 verses and is used 95 times. - 56 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
21 times it is in reference to what is in our mind in the flesh
35 times it is in reference to what God would have us to have in our mind
* Heart is found in 765 verses and is used 833 times. - 387 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
182 times it is in reference to our fleshly heart
205 times it is in reference to the heart God wants us to have
* Thought is found in 80 verses and is used 81 times. - 35 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
24 times it is in reference to our thoughts in the flesh
10 times it is in reference to what thoughts God would have us to have
Wow! I was blown away! When God says something once, it’s important. But to use it over and over again makes it incredibly important!
As I was looking for the relevant verses for this study I discovered that God uses the words “mind, heart, and thought” together sometimes. I found 12 verses where at least 2 of these words are used together in the same verse.
Deu 15:9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
1Sa 1:13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
1Ch 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Est 6:6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
Psa 64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
Eze 38:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
Dan 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Luk 9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Our heart, mind and thoughts seem to be the same thing.
Some example verses are:
1Ch 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Eze 11:5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.
2Ki 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Deu 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Like it or not, our tongue is tied to our heart, mind and thoughts.
Verses include:
Psalm 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Proverbs 17:20 He that hath a forward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
“Judgment” here is the same as the word “thought.” - Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Jeremiah 18:18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
“Devise” here means: (taken from Webster’s 1828 dictionary)
1. To invent; to contrive; to form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts; to excogitate; to strike out by thought; to plan; to scheme; to project; as, to devise an engine or machine; to devise a new mode of writing; to devise a plan of defense; to devise arguments.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
It’s our choice how we use our tongue; what we allow to permiate our mind, our thoughts, and our heart. We can either allow good or evil to control these areas.
I find that I am, by nature, a pessimist. If I see a glass that is half full - I would say it’s half empty. I can ask my kids to get me a drink and most of the time it’s filled only half way. And this makes me unhappy - I know, ridiculous!
My husband always tells me that I go from something that is the size of an ant hill to Mt. Everest in less than 1 minute in lots of discussions/arguments we have. He says, “Why do you always go to the extreme? Why can’t you see the good?” My answer - “You’re right. I know. I know. I need to think differently.”
Because of my tendencies, I know it’s me that has caused so many of the arguments we’ve had over the years. I have “let the party out of my head” so to speak. But even if it’s in my head (heart, mind, thoughts), it’s wrong.
I tend to be a critical person. Though I may not speak the words to anyone, it’s sin. The Bible says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Even if I have critical thoughts, I’m wrong.
Being critical or judgmental causes a wedge between us and God, not to mention between us and the person we are talking about/being critical or judgmental of.
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Think of Job’s “so called” friends. Job had done nothing wrong yet his “friends” accused him wrongly of living in sin. Instead of encouraging Job, they crushed him with their words to the point that he cursed the day he was born! God forbid I should ever do this to someone! Actually, I have in the past and, let me tell you, I felt awful afterward. The Lord smote my heart. I apologized but the damage had already been done. Please don’t follow in my footsteps.
Judges 12:1-4 (read)
Jephthah needed help from Ephraim. They wouldn’t help him so he and the Gileadites fought and won their battle by themselves against Ammon. Then Ephraim murmured and complained about it. “Why didn’t you tell us?” This is another example of not allowing the right thoughts in our minds and hearts. And eventually, those thoughts come out of our mouths and we reveal our true inner self.
I also find that I am envious and even covetous of other people and because of that it brings about those critical or judgmental thoughts. “She got another dress? What does she need that for?” “How come she got a gift and I didn’t?” “I just know she doesn’t like me. She didn’t talk to me at church last week.” “Did you see the way she looked at me? What’s her problem?” It becomes even worse when we air our thoughts to someone else. We end up spreading poison that we don’t see as poison until after the damage has been done to someone. I’m telling you we can destroy someone with our VERY WORDS! And it’s not hard to do!
Very recently, I thought I had offended somebody because this person seemed different with me. My flesh concocted a whole story in my mind and I ended up being offended at this person and they hadn’t even done anything to me! That’s how evil our thoughts can be! I went to the person and found out that I had done nothing wrong. But until I went to this person my mind went crazy - because I allowed it to fester in my mind. And when we hide these thoughts in our heart and mind and thoughts they build until we have alienated ourselves from our friends or family and especially God. You can be sure that Satan is laughing “all the way to the bank” when we allow these kinds of things into our lives. And, truth be told, we are so miserable. We no longer have the joy of the Lord in our lives. We no longer want to serve the Lord. We end up finding ourselves somewhere we never intended to go in the first place. We are in a far place away from God.
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
The Bible is full of verses talking about how we are in our flesh. It exposes our fleshly side and to be completely honest, it’s not pretty. Our flesh is ugly - spiritually speaking. What we speak reveals our true self. We must remember that!
To the other end, though, the Bible is also full of verses about how God would have us to be (in our heart, mind, thoughts and using our tongue).
A few verses are:
II Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
Job 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Psalm 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Proverbs 21:23 whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Luke 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
If we will fill our hearts, mind and thoughts with righteousness, then when we “let the party out” of our head, it will be pleasing and edifying and uplifting.
I heard a preacher say recently, “The only devil we need to worry about is our tongues.” I believe he is 100% correct!
Another thought is “EVERY SIN IS AN ATTEMPT TO REPLACE GOD IN OUR LIVES.”
Psa 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
This verse tells me that my heart is divided because of my flesh. I don’t want my heart to be divided. I want my heart unified to serve the Lord wholly.
When we mess up (and we will because we're all sinners), go to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you and go to the person(s) and ask them to forgive you. Then go to your Bible and get encouragement.
I Samuel 30:6 "...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."
Psalm 91:15 "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."
Psalm 92:10b "...I shall be anointed with fresh oil."
Psalm 94:14 "For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance."
Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
I choose to think Godly thoughts. I don’t want to go down the path that leads to misery and destruction, not only of myself, but of others if I’m not careful to keep my walk with the Lord close.
I have compiled the verses I believe to be relevant to this study. I compiled them according to how we are in the flesh and how God wants us to be.
Verses on the Tongue
These following verses give us a glimpse of how we use our tongue in our flesh.
Job 15:5, 20:12; Psalm 5:9, 10:7, 12:3-4, 50:19, 52:2, 52:4, 57:4, 64:3, 64:8, 73:9, 109:2; Proverbs 6:17, 12:18-19, 15:2, 15:4, 17:4, 17:20, 18:21, 21:6, 25:23, 26:28; Isaiah 3:8, 54:17, 57:4, 59:3; Jeremiah 9:5, 9:8, 18:18; Ezekiel 3:26; Hosea 7:16; Micah 6:12; Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:26, 3:5-6, 3:8
These following verses show us how God wants us to use our tongue.
Exodus 11:7; Joshua 10:21; II Samuel 23:2; Job 5:21, 6:24, 6:30, 27:4; Psalm 15:3, 34:13, 35:28, 37:30, 39:1, 45:1, 51:14, 71:24, 119:172, 120:2-3, 126:2; Proverbs 10:20, 10:31, 12:18-19, 15:2, 15:4, 16:1, 21:23, 31:26, Song of Solomon 4:11; Isaiah 50:4; Zephaniah 3:13; Luke 1:64; Philippians 2:11; I Peter 3:10
Verses on the Mind
These following verses give us a glimpse of what we allow into our mind in our flesh.
Job 23:13; Proverbs 21:27, 29:11; Jeremiah 19:5, 32:35; Ezekiel 11:5, 20:32, 23:17-18, 38:10; Daniel 2:29, 5:20; Mark 14:72; Romans 1:28, 7:23, 8:7; Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 3:19; Colossians 1:21, 2:18; Titus 1:15
These following verses show us what God would have us to put into our mind.
Numbers 16:28, 24:13; I Samuel 2:35; I Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; Acts 17:11, 20:19; Romans 7:25, 8:27, 11:34, 12:2, 12:16, 15:6; I Corinthians 1:10, 2:16; II Corinthians 8:12, 13:11; Ephesians 4:17, 4:23; Philippians 1:27, 2:2-3, 5, 4:2; Colossians 3:12; II Thessalonians 2:2, II Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 8:10; I Peter 1:13, 3:8, 4:1, 5:2
Verses on Thoughts
These following verses give us a glimpse of our thoughts in the flesh.
Genesis 20:11, 50:20; Judges 15:2; I Samuel 18:25; II Samuel 4:10; II Kings 5:11; II Chronicles 32:1; Nehemiah 6:2; Esther 3:6, 6:6; Job 12:5; Psalm 49:11, 64:6, 73:16, 139:2; Proverbs 24:9, 30:32; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Ezekiel 38:10; Luke 9:47, 12:17, 19:11; Acts 26:9; I Corinthians 13:11
These following verses show us what thoughts God would have us to have.
Deuteronomy 15:9; I Samuel 1:13; Job 42:2; Psalm 48:9, 119:59; Daniel 4:2; Malachi 3:16; Matthew 1:20; Acts 8:22; II Corinthians 10:5
Verses on the Heart
These following verses give us a glimpse of our heart in the flesh.
Genesis 6:5, 8:21, 17:17, 27:41; Deuteronomy 8:17, 9:4-5, 29:18-19, 30:17-18; Judges 5:15; I Samuel 17:28; II Samuel 6:16; I Kings 2:44, 8:38-39, 15:3; II Kings 10:30-31, 14:10; I Chronicles 15:29; II Chronicles 12:14, 25:2, 25:19, 26:16, 32:25; Nehemiah 6:8; Esther 6:6; Job 15:12-13, 34:14-15, 41:24; Psalms 10:3-7, 10:11, 10:13, 12:2, 13:2, 14:1, 36:1, 38:8, 39:3, 41:6, 53:1, 55:21, 58:2, 78:8, 101:5, 140:2; Proverbs 6:14, 6:19, 10:20, 11:20, 12:20, 14:10, 16:5, 16:9, 17:20, 19:21, 21:4, 23:7, 23:17, 24:2, 24:12, 26:23, 26:25, 27:19, 28:25-26; Ecclesiastes 2:15, 3:17-18, 7:22; Isaiah 14:12-15, 29:13, 47:8-10, 57:17, 59:13; Jeremiah 4:18, 5:24, 7:24, 9:8, 9:14, 11:8, 13:10, 13:22, 14:14, 16:12, 17:9, 18:12, 22:17, 23:16-17, 23:26, 48:29, 49:16, 51:46; Lamentations 1:20; Ezekiel 6:9, 11:21, 13:17, 13:22, 14:3-5, 14:7, 16:30, 20:16, 25:6, 25:15, 28:2, 28:17, 31:10-11, 33:31, 36:5; Daniel 2:30, 5:20, 8:25; Hosea 4:8, 4:11, 7:6, 7:11, 7:14, 10:2, 13:6 Obadiah 1:3; Zephaniah 1:12, 2:15; Zechariah 7:10-12; Malachi 2:2; Matthew 5:28, 12:34-37, 13:15, 13:19, 15:8, 15:18-20, 24:48; Mark 6:52, 7:6, 7:18-23, 8:17, 16:14; Luke 6:45, 12:45; John 12:40, 13:2; Acts 5:3-4, 5:33, 8:21-22, 28:27; Romans 1:21, 2:5-6; Hebrews 3:10, 3:12; James 1:26; II Peter 2:14; Revelation 18:7
These following verses show us what kind of heart God would have us to have.
Leviticus 19:17; Numbers 15:39; Deuteronomy 4:29, 4:39, 5:29, 6:5-6, 8:2, 8:5, 10:12, 11:13, 11:16, 11:18, 13:3, 15:9-10, 17:17, 17:20, 26:16, 30:2, 30:6, 30:10, 30:14; Joshua 22:5, 24:23; I Samuel 10:9, 12:20, 12:24, 13:14, 16:7; II Samuel 7:3, 7:21, 7:27; I Kings 8:23, 8:48, 8:61, 9:4, 10:24, 15:14, 18:37; II Kings 20:3, 23:3; I Chronicles 12:38, 16:10, 17:2, 22:19, 28:9, 29:9, 29:17-19; II Chronicles 1:11, 9:23, 15:12, 15:15, 15:17, 16:9, 19:3, 19:9, 22:9, 29:10, 30:12, 30:18-19, 31:21, 32:26, 34:27, 34:31; Ezra 6:22, 7:10; Nehemiah 9:7-8; Job 7:17, 9:4, 22:22, 23:16, 27:6, 38:36; Psalms 4:4, 4:7, 9:1, 15:2, 17:3, 19:8, 19:14, 24:3-4, 26:2, 32:11, 34:18, 37:31, 40:8, 44:18, 45:1, 49:3, 51:10, 51:17, 57:7, 62:8, 66:18, 73:1, 73:26, 77:6, 84:2, 86:11-12, 101:2, 101:4, 108:1, 112:7-8, 119:2, 119:10-11, 119:34, 119:36, 119:58, 119:69, 119:80, 119:111-112, 139:23, 141:4; Proverbs 2:2, 2:10, 3:1, 3:3, 4:4, 4:20-21, 4:23, 6:20-21, 7:2-3, 14:30, 15:14, 15:28, 16:21, 16:23, 23:12, 23:15, 23:19, 23:26; Ecclesiastes 1:16, 3:17, 5:2, 7:25-26; Isaiah 38:2-3, 51:7, 57:15; Jeremiah 3:15, 4:14, 15:16, 17:10, 24:7, 29:13, 31:21, 32:38-40; Lamentations 2:18-19, 3:41; Ezekiel 3:10, 11:19-20, 18:31, 36:26, 40:4; Daniel 1:8, 10:12; Joel 2:12-13; Zechariah 10:7, 12:5; Matthew 5:8, 22:37; Mark 12:30, 12:32-33; Luke 6;45, 8:15, 10:27, 24:32; Acts 2:46, 4:32, 8:22, 11:23; Romans 10:6, 10:8; I Corinthians 14:25; Ephesians 5:19, 6:5-6; Colossians 3:22; II Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 4:12, 10:22; I Peter 1:22, 3:4; I John 3:20-21
This study/devotion is based upon a subject(s) that affects me and everyone in this world greatly. This particular subject can either encourage or destroy. It all depends on how each of us use it. This study came about because it is something that I am struggling with greatly over the past couple months and I want to get it under God’s control. What is so amazing to me about this subject is that when I decided to speak on it, I noticed that seemingly, every sermon I’ve listened to, whether by Pastor, my husband, or anyone else, has had something about this subject in it.
What am I talking about?
The tongue; heart; mind; our thoughts.
All definitions taken from Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Heart
7. The seat of the will; hence, secret purposes, intentions or designs. There are many devices in a man's heart. The heart of kings is unsearchable. The Lord tries and searches the heart. David had it in his heart to build a house of rest for the ark.
8. Person; character; used with respect to courage or kindness.
10. Secret thoughts; recesses of the mind.
11. Disposition of mind.
12. Secret meaning; real intention.
13. Conscience, or sense of good or ill.
Mind
1. Intention; purpose; design.
2. Inclination; will; desire; a sense much used, but expressing less than settled purpose; as in the common phrases, "I wish to know your mind;" "let me know your mind;" "he had a mind to go;" "he has a partner to his mind."
3. Opinion; as, to express one's mind. We are of one mind.
5. The intellectual or intelligent power in man; the understanding; the power that conceives, judges or reasons.
Thought
1. Properly, that which the mind thinks. Thought is either the act or operation of the mind, when attending to a particular subject or thing or it is the idea consequent on that operation.
2. Idea; conception. I wish to convey my thoughts to another person. I employ words that express my thoughts, so that he may have the same ideas; in this case, our thoughts will be alike.
3. Fancy; conceit; something framed by the imagination.
4. Reflection; particular consideration.
5. Opinion; judgment.
6. Meditation; serious consideration.
7. Design; purpose.
8. Silent contemplation.
9. Solicitude; care; concern.
10. Inward reasoning; the workings of conscience.
I looked up each word in the Bible and here’s what I found. (I may have missed some of the relevant verses) I encourage you to do your own study!
* Tongue is found in 126 verses and used 129 times. - 74 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
40 times it is in reference to how we use our tongue in our flesh
34 times it is in reference to how God would have us to use our tongue
* Mind is found in 92 verses and is used 95 times. - 56 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
21 times it is in reference to what is in our mind in the flesh
35 times it is in reference to what God would have us to have in our mind
* Heart is found in 765 verses and is used 833 times. - 387 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
182 times it is in reference to our fleshly heart
205 times it is in reference to the heart God wants us to have
* Thought is found in 80 verses and is used 81 times. - 35 verses are relevant
Of the relevant verses to this study-
24 times it is in reference to our thoughts in the flesh
10 times it is in reference to what thoughts God would have us to have
Wow! I was blown away! When God says something once, it’s important. But to use it over and over again makes it incredibly important!
As I was looking for the relevant verses for this study I discovered that God uses the words “mind, heart, and thought” together sometimes. I found 12 verses where at least 2 of these words are used together in the same verse.
Deu 15:9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
1Sa 1:13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
1Ch 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Est 6:6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
Psa 64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
Eze 38:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
Dan 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Luk 9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Our heart, mind and thoughts seem to be the same thing.
Some example verses are:
1Ch 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Eze 11:5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.
2Ki 5:11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Deu 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Like it or not, our tongue is tied to our heart, mind and thoughts.
Verses include:
Psalm 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Proverbs 17:20 He that hath a forward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
“Judgment” here is the same as the word “thought.” - Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Jeremiah 18:18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
“Devise” here means: (taken from Webster’s 1828 dictionary)
1. To invent; to contrive; to form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts; to excogitate; to strike out by thought; to plan; to scheme; to project; as, to devise an engine or machine; to devise a new mode of writing; to devise a plan of defense; to devise arguments.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
It’s our choice how we use our tongue; what we allow to permiate our mind, our thoughts, and our heart. We can either allow good or evil to control these areas.
I find that I am, by nature, a pessimist. If I see a glass that is half full - I would say it’s half empty. I can ask my kids to get me a drink and most of the time it’s filled only half way. And this makes me unhappy - I know, ridiculous!
My husband always tells me that I go from something that is the size of an ant hill to Mt. Everest in less than 1 minute in lots of discussions/arguments we have. He says, “Why do you always go to the extreme? Why can’t you see the good?” My answer - “You’re right. I know. I know. I need to think differently.”
Because of my tendencies, I know it’s me that has caused so many of the arguments we’ve had over the years. I have “let the party out of my head” so to speak. But even if it’s in my head (heart, mind, thoughts), it’s wrong.
I tend to be a critical person. Though I may not speak the words to anyone, it’s sin. The Bible says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Even if I have critical thoughts, I’m wrong.
Being critical or judgmental causes a wedge between us and God, not to mention between us and the person we are talking about/being critical or judgmental of.
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Think of Job’s “so called” friends. Job had done nothing wrong yet his “friends” accused him wrongly of living in sin. Instead of encouraging Job, they crushed him with their words to the point that he cursed the day he was born! God forbid I should ever do this to someone! Actually, I have in the past and, let me tell you, I felt awful afterward. The Lord smote my heart. I apologized but the damage had already been done. Please don’t follow in my footsteps.
Judges 12:1-4 (read)
Jephthah needed help from Ephraim. They wouldn’t help him so he and the Gileadites fought and won their battle by themselves against Ammon. Then Ephraim murmured and complained about it. “Why didn’t you tell us?” This is another example of not allowing the right thoughts in our minds and hearts. And eventually, those thoughts come out of our mouths and we reveal our true inner self.
I also find that I am envious and even covetous of other people and because of that it brings about those critical or judgmental thoughts. “She got another dress? What does she need that for?” “How come she got a gift and I didn’t?” “I just know she doesn’t like me. She didn’t talk to me at church last week.” “Did you see the way she looked at me? What’s her problem?” It becomes even worse when we air our thoughts to someone else. We end up spreading poison that we don’t see as poison until after the damage has been done to someone. I’m telling you we can destroy someone with our VERY WORDS! And it’s not hard to do!
Very recently, I thought I had offended somebody because this person seemed different with me. My flesh concocted a whole story in my mind and I ended up being offended at this person and they hadn’t even done anything to me! That’s how evil our thoughts can be! I went to the person and found out that I had done nothing wrong. But until I went to this person my mind went crazy - because I allowed it to fester in my mind. And when we hide these thoughts in our heart and mind and thoughts they build until we have alienated ourselves from our friends or family and especially God. You can be sure that Satan is laughing “all the way to the bank” when we allow these kinds of things into our lives. And, truth be told, we are so miserable. We no longer have the joy of the Lord in our lives. We no longer want to serve the Lord. We end up finding ourselves somewhere we never intended to go in the first place. We are in a far place away from God.
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
The Bible is full of verses talking about how we are in our flesh. It exposes our fleshly side and to be completely honest, it’s not pretty. Our flesh is ugly - spiritually speaking. What we speak reveals our true self. We must remember that!
To the other end, though, the Bible is also full of verses about how God would have us to be (in our heart, mind, thoughts and using our tongue).
A few verses are:
II Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
Job 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Psalm 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Proverbs 21:23 whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Luke 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
If we will fill our hearts, mind and thoughts with righteousness, then when we “let the party out” of our head, it will be pleasing and edifying and uplifting.
I heard a preacher say recently, “The only devil we need to worry about is our tongues.” I believe he is 100% correct!
Another thought is “EVERY SIN IS AN ATTEMPT TO REPLACE GOD IN OUR LIVES.”
Psa 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
This verse tells me that my heart is divided because of my flesh. I don’t want my heart to be divided. I want my heart unified to serve the Lord wholly.
When we mess up (and we will because we're all sinners), go to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you and go to the person(s) and ask them to forgive you. Then go to your Bible and get encouragement.
I Samuel 30:6 "...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."
Psalm 91:15 "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."
Psalm 92:10b "...I shall be anointed with fresh oil."
Psalm 94:14 "For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance."
Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
I choose to think Godly thoughts. I don’t want to go down the path that leads to misery and destruction, not only of myself, but of others if I’m not careful to keep my walk with the Lord close.
I have compiled the verses I believe to be relevant to this study. I compiled them according to how we are in the flesh and how God wants us to be.
Verses on the Tongue
These following verses give us a glimpse of how we use our tongue in our flesh.
Job 15:5, 20:12; Psalm 5:9, 10:7, 12:3-4, 50:19, 52:2, 52:4, 57:4, 64:3, 64:8, 73:9, 109:2; Proverbs 6:17, 12:18-19, 15:2, 15:4, 17:4, 17:20, 18:21, 21:6, 25:23, 26:28; Isaiah 3:8, 54:17, 57:4, 59:3; Jeremiah 9:5, 9:8, 18:18; Ezekiel 3:26; Hosea 7:16; Micah 6:12; Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:26, 3:5-6, 3:8
These following verses show us how God wants us to use our tongue.
Exodus 11:7; Joshua 10:21; II Samuel 23:2; Job 5:21, 6:24, 6:30, 27:4; Psalm 15:3, 34:13, 35:28, 37:30, 39:1, 45:1, 51:14, 71:24, 119:172, 120:2-3, 126:2; Proverbs 10:20, 10:31, 12:18-19, 15:2, 15:4, 16:1, 21:23, 31:26, Song of Solomon 4:11; Isaiah 50:4; Zephaniah 3:13; Luke 1:64; Philippians 2:11; I Peter 3:10
Verses on the Mind
These following verses give us a glimpse of what we allow into our mind in our flesh.
Job 23:13; Proverbs 21:27, 29:11; Jeremiah 19:5, 32:35; Ezekiel 11:5, 20:32, 23:17-18, 38:10; Daniel 2:29, 5:20; Mark 14:72; Romans 1:28, 7:23, 8:7; Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 3:19; Colossians 1:21, 2:18; Titus 1:15
These following verses show us what God would have us to put into our mind.
Numbers 16:28, 24:13; I Samuel 2:35; I Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; Acts 17:11, 20:19; Romans 7:25, 8:27, 11:34, 12:2, 12:16, 15:6; I Corinthians 1:10, 2:16; II Corinthians 8:12, 13:11; Ephesians 4:17, 4:23; Philippians 1:27, 2:2-3, 5, 4:2; Colossians 3:12; II Thessalonians 2:2, II Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 8:10; I Peter 1:13, 3:8, 4:1, 5:2
Verses on Thoughts
These following verses give us a glimpse of our thoughts in the flesh.
Genesis 20:11, 50:20; Judges 15:2; I Samuel 18:25; II Samuel 4:10; II Kings 5:11; II Chronicles 32:1; Nehemiah 6:2; Esther 3:6, 6:6; Job 12:5; Psalm 49:11, 64:6, 73:16, 139:2; Proverbs 24:9, 30:32; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Ezekiel 38:10; Luke 9:47, 12:17, 19:11; Acts 26:9; I Corinthians 13:11
These following verses show us what thoughts God would have us to have.
Deuteronomy 15:9; I Samuel 1:13; Job 42:2; Psalm 48:9, 119:59; Daniel 4:2; Malachi 3:16; Matthew 1:20; Acts 8:22; II Corinthians 10:5
Verses on the Heart
These following verses give us a glimpse of our heart in the flesh.
Genesis 6:5, 8:21, 17:17, 27:41; Deuteronomy 8:17, 9:4-5, 29:18-19, 30:17-18; Judges 5:15; I Samuel 17:28; II Samuel 6:16; I Kings 2:44, 8:38-39, 15:3; II Kings 10:30-31, 14:10; I Chronicles 15:29; II Chronicles 12:14, 25:2, 25:19, 26:16, 32:25; Nehemiah 6:8; Esther 6:6; Job 15:12-13, 34:14-15, 41:24; Psalms 10:3-7, 10:11, 10:13, 12:2, 13:2, 14:1, 36:1, 38:8, 39:3, 41:6, 53:1, 55:21, 58:2, 78:8, 101:5, 140:2; Proverbs 6:14, 6:19, 10:20, 11:20, 12:20, 14:10, 16:5, 16:9, 17:20, 19:21, 21:4, 23:7, 23:17, 24:2, 24:12, 26:23, 26:25, 27:19, 28:25-26; Ecclesiastes 2:15, 3:17-18, 7:22; Isaiah 14:12-15, 29:13, 47:8-10, 57:17, 59:13; Jeremiah 4:18, 5:24, 7:24, 9:8, 9:14, 11:8, 13:10, 13:22, 14:14, 16:12, 17:9, 18:12, 22:17, 23:16-17, 23:26, 48:29, 49:16, 51:46; Lamentations 1:20; Ezekiel 6:9, 11:21, 13:17, 13:22, 14:3-5, 14:7, 16:30, 20:16, 25:6, 25:15, 28:2, 28:17, 31:10-11, 33:31, 36:5; Daniel 2:30, 5:20, 8:25; Hosea 4:8, 4:11, 7:6, 7:11, 7:14, 10:2, 13:6 Obadiah 1:3; Zephaniah 1:12, 2:15; Zechariah 7:10-12; Malachi 2:2; Matthew 5:28, 12:34-37, 13:15, 13:19, 15:8, 15:18-20, 24:48; Mark 6:52, 7:6, 7:18-23, 8:17, 16:14; Luke 6:45, 12:45; John 12:40, 13:2; Acts 5:3-4, 5:33, 8:21-22, 28:27; Romans 1:21, 2:5-6; Hebrews 3:10, 3:12; James 1:26; II Peter 2:14; Revelation 18:7
These following verses show us what kind of heart God would have us to have.
Leviticus 19:17; Numbers 15:39; Deuteronomy 4:29, 4:39, 5:29, 6:5-6, 8:2, 8:5, 10:12, 11:13, 11:16, 11:18, 13:3, 15:9-10, 17:17, 17:20, 26:16, 30:2, 30:6, 30:10, 30:14; Joshua 22:5, 24:23; I Samuel 10:9, 12:20, 12:24, 13:14, 16:7; II Samuel 7:3, 7:21, 7:27; I Kings 8:23, 8:48, 8:61, 9:4, 10:24, 15:14, 18:37; II Kings 20:3, 23:3; I Chronicles 12:38, 16:10, 17:2, 22:19, 28:9, 29:9, 29:17-19; II Chronicles 1:11, 9:23, 15:12, 15:15, 15:17, 16:9, 19:3, 19:9, 22:9, 29:10, 30:12, 30:18-19, 31:21, 32:26, 34:27, 34:31; Ezra 6:22, 7:10; Nehemiah 9:7-8; Job 7:17, 9:4, 22:22, 23:16, 27:6, 38:36; Psalms 4:4, 4:7, 9:1, 15:2, 17:3, 19:8, 19:14, 24:3-4, 26:2, 32:11, 34:18, 37:31, 40:8, 44:18, 45:1, 49:3, 51:10, 51:17, 57:7, 62:8, 66:18, 73:1, 73:26, 77:6, 84:2, 86:11-12, 101:2, 101:4, 108:1, 112:7-8, 119:2, 119:10-11, 119:34, 119:36, 119:58, 119:69, 119:80, 119:111-112, 139:23, 141:4; Proverbs 2:2, 2:10, 3:1, 3:3, 4:4, 4:20-21, 4:23, 6:20-21, 7:2-3, 14:30, 15:14, 15:28, 16:21, 16:23, 23:12, 23:15, 23:19, 23:26; Ecclesiastes 1:16, 3:17, 5:2, 7:25-26; Isaiah 38:2-3, 51:7, 57:15; Jeremiah 3:15, 4:14, 15:16, 17:10, 24:7, 29:13, 31:21, 32:38-40; Lamentations 2:18-19, 3:41; Ezekiel 3:10, 11:19-20, 18:31, 36:26, 40:4; Daniel 1:8, 10:12; Joel 2:12-13; Zechariah 10:7, 12:5; Matthew 5:8, 22:37; Mark 12:30, 12:32-33; Luke 6;45, 8:15, 10:27, 24:32; Acts 2:46, 4:32, 8:22, 11:23; Romans 10:6, 10:8; I Corinthians 14:25; Ephesians 5:19, 6:5-6; Colossians 3:22; II Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 4:12, 10:22; I Peter 1:22, 3:4; I John 3:20-21
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Hmmmm...
Those of you who know me know that I don't like to be in the spotlight. Blending in with the wallpaper suits me just fine.
Equally, I don't like confrontation (though I don't know too many people who do, either). I will do just about anything to get out of a confrontational situation.
I have a question that is at the forefront of my mind lately. Why is it so difficult for me to humble myself? I have pondered that a lot. The only thing I can figure out is it is my pride. I don't like it when someone has aught against me. I really don't like feeling division between myself and someone else. But my pride gets in the way and I choose not to do anything about it (you know, there's an elephant in the living room and everyone chooses to ignore it instead of get rid of it).
I found myself in a position recently where it was necessary for me to humble myself (I was so nervous about it that I was shaking and almost to the point of crying; that's how much I dislike confrontation). The Lord wouldn't let me alone about this situation. So I prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom and understanding and much humbleness in order to repair the crack in a relationship with a fellow sister in Christ.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!! He worked everything out! You see, initially I wanted to handle this situation my way. But I was reminded gently by the Lord that my way was the wrong way. I needed to do it His way. And when I did, He worked everything out for me.
Life's lessons aren't always comfortable or easy to handle. But when you seek the Lord in all things (especially when you determine that you must be humble) He works things out for you.
Equally, I don't like confrontation (though I don't know too many people who do, either). I will do just about anything to get out of a confrontational situation.
I have a question that is at the forefront of my mind lately. Why is it so difficult for me to humble myself? I have pondered that a lot. The only thing I can figure out is it is my pride. I don't like it when someone has aught against me. I really don't like feeling division between myself and someone else. But my pride gets in the way and I choose not to do anything about it (you know, there's an elephant in the living room and everyone chooses to ignore it instead of get rid of it).
I found myself in a position recently where it was necessary for me to humble myself (I was so nervous about it that I was shaking and almost to the point of crying; that's how much I dislike confrontation). The Lord wouldn't let me alone about this situation. So I prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom and understanding and much humbleness in order to repair the crack in a relationship with a fellow sister in Christ.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!! He worked everything out! You see, initially I wanted to handle this situation my way. But I was reminded gently by the Lord that my way was the wrong way. I needed to do it His way. And when I did, He worked everything out for me.
Life's lessons aren't always comfortable or easy to handle. But when you seek the Lord in all things (especially when you determine that you must be humble) He works things out for you.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Sonlight
I was laying in bed this morning and the sunlight was shining down the hallway into my bedroom.
Then it hit me. The song in our church hymnal called "Sunlight" started ringing in my head. The Lord told me, "Just like the sunlight is shining into the windows of your house, the light of my Son is shining in your soul." Wow!
The sunlight always puts a smile on my face. How much more the Sonlight should put a smile on my face!
So I got out my hymnal and read the verses to the song. It goes like this:
Then it hit me. The song in our church hymnal called "Sunlight" started ringing in my head. The Lord told me, "Just like the sunlight is shining into the windows of your house, the light of my Son is shining in your soul." Wow!
The sunlight always puts a smile on my face. How much more the Sonlight should put a smile on my face!
So I got out my hymnal and read the verses to the song. It goes like this:
I wandered in the shades of night,
Till Jesus came to me,
And with the sunlight of His love
Bid all my darkness flee.
Tho' clouds may gather in the sky,
And billows round me roll,
However dark the world may be,
I've sunlight in my soul.
While walking in the light of God,
I sweet communion find;
I press with holy vigor on,
And leave the world behind.
I cross the wide extended fields,
I journey o'er the plain,
And in the sunlight of His love
I reap the golden grain.
Soon I shall see Him as He is,
The light that came to me,
Behold the brightness of His face,
Thro'out eternity.
Chorus
Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today,
Sunlight, sunlight all along the way;
Since the Saviour found me,
Took away my sin,
I have had the sunlight of His love within.
Till Jesus came to me,
And with the sunlight of His love
Bid all my darkness flee.
Tho' clouds may gather in the sky,
And billows round me roll,
However dark the world may be,
I've sunlight in my soul.
While walking in the light of God,
I sweet communion find;
I press with holy vigor on,
And leave the world behind.
I cross the wide extended fields,
I journey o'er the plain,
And in the sunlight of His love
I reap the golden grain.
Soon I shall see Him as He is,
The light that came to me,
Behold the brightness of His face,
Thro'out eternity.
Chorus
Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today,
Sunlight, sunlight all along the way;
Since the Saviour found me,
Took away my sin,
I have had the sunlight of His love within.
I hope the Sonlight is shining bright in you today! :)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Beaming with Joy!
Our pastor's wife started a Ladies Prayer Breakfast once a month.
The first one was 2 days ago. It was wonderful. Five ladies showed up. We shared some of our most pressing prayer requests with each other. We laughed, cried, and prayed together. It was a wonderful time of fellowship around Christ.
So tonight I was talking with one of the ladies at church who was at the breakfast the other day. I asked her about her specific prayer request. I am ecstatic to report that God is already answering our prayers!!!! It was so wonderful to talk to her!
Dear one that I talked to tonight, if you read this, let me tell you that words cannot describe how happy and pleased and honored I am that I am able share in not only your heartaches but also in your answered prayers. You are such a blessing to me and my family!
Praise the Lord!!!! He is so AWESOME!
The first one was 2 days ago. It was wonderful. Five ladies showed up. We shared some of our most pressing prayer requests with each other. We laughed, cried, and prayed together. It was a wonderful time of fellowship around Christ.
So tonight I was talking with one of the ladies at church who was at the breakfast the other day. I asked her about her specific prayer request. I am ecstatic to report that God is already answering our prayers!!!! It was so wonderful to talk to her!
Dear one that I talked to tonight, if you read this, let me tell you that words cannot describe how happy and pleased and honored I am that I am able share in not only your heartaches but also in your answered prayers. You are such a blessing to me and my family!
Praise the Lord!!!! He is so AWESOME!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Here Am I, Lord
As some of you know, we are praying about becoming missionaries to Madagascar.
We have been praying about this since July, 2007. Walter and I will be taking a survey trip to the country leaving March 30 and returning April 18. We are awaiting confirmation from the Lord. Our decision will be made when we get home. We are incredibly excited about this!
However, it is very humbling to think that God Almighty would want to use someone like me and my family on a foreign field. I describe myself as a wallflower; someone perfectly happy blending in with the crowd not making myself stick out.
But who are we and why are we so special? Why does God want to use us? We are 40 somethings; we don't have a Bible college education; etc. I don't know and maybe I will never know the answers until I get to Heaven. The only thing I can think of is that we've told the Lord, "Here am I, Lord. Send me." And now He wants to see if we mean business; if we are truly available. Because, you see, so many of us say that we're available but are we, really?
I think of a song that West Coast Baptist College sang some years ago. It's called "Here Am I."
We have been praying about this since July, 2007. Walter and I will be taking a survey trip to the country leaving March 30 and returning April 18. We are awaiting confirmation from the Lord. Our decision will be made when we get home. We are incredibly excited about this!
However, it is very humbling to think that God Almighty would want to use someone like me and my family on a foreign field. I describe myself as a wallflower; someone perfectly happy blending in with the crowd not making myself stick out.
But who are we and why are we so special? Why does God want to use us? We are 40 somethings; we don't have a Bible college education; etc. I don't know and maybe I will never know the answers until I get to Heaven. The only thing I can think of is that we've told the Lord, "Here am I, Lord. Send me." And now He wants to see if we mean business; if we are truly available. Because, you see, so many of us say that we're available but are we, really?
I think of a song that West Coast Baptist College sang some years ago. It's called "Here Am I."
CHORUS
Here am I, I will go.
I will reach the lost untold;
I will give the Lord control.
I will tell them of the crimson flow.
So many lost and dying
In this world today.
Have you heard their crying
Or do you turn away?
The harvest now is plenteous,
But the laborers are few.
God needs some willing vessels to be used.
CHORUS
Is it too late for caring? Does Jesus really save?
Are we truly praying for the blind to find their way?
Little children are falling into a burning Hell.
Will anyone heed the calling to go and tell?
For the Saviour died on a rugged cross;
He thought of me when He counted the cost.
How can I say that I love Him, if I don't reply?
CHORUS (REPEAT)
Here am I, I will go.
I will reach the lost untold;
I will give the Lord control.
I will tell them of the crimson flow.
So many lost and dying
In this world today.
Have you heard their crying
Or do you turn away?
The harvest now is plenteous,
But the laborers are few.
God needs some willing vessels to be used.
CHORUS
Is it too late for caring? Does Jesus really save?
Are we truly praying for the blind to find their way?
Little children are falling into a burning Hell.
Will anyone heed the calling to go and tell?
For the Saviour died on a rugged cross;
He thought of me when He counted the cost.
How can I say that I love Him, if I don't reply?
CHORUS (REPEAT)
Whenever I hear or even think of this song, it brings tears to my eyes for I know that I have many wasted and missed opportunities down through the years in telling people that "JESUS SAVES." I think of the people not only in my own little mission field here where I live but now also on the other side of the world in a 4th world (Yes, you read it correctly. There are only 2 countries that have that classification and Madagascar is one of them) country. We must be about our Father's business no matter where He puts us.
I have known for many years that soulwinning is extremely important. But that was mainly head knowledge and not heart knowledge. You see, I would go out soulwinning (when I did go) out of obligation. Ya know, my Christian duty. But I see the world differently these days. When I look at people I see souls now (for the most part) and I wonder if they are saved or not.
We, here in America, have been blessed with great churches all across this land that preach the Gospel and the whole Bible. We have so much in this great country that we live in. So much that "things" get in the way and cloud our minds. Too many people don't need God. They are doing just fine. In fact, yesterday, Walter and I were soulwinning and we met a woman that was a Buddhist. When asked if she knew for sure if she was going to heaven her reply was, "I'm not worried about it." That is so sad! She wasn't really interested in talking to us but she did take our Gospel tracht with the plan of salvation on it.
But what about the people in other countries that really don't have the opportunity to hear the Gospel? The Bible says (paraphrasing) "and how shall they hear, except they be sent." It might just be that God wants my family to be one that is "sent" instead of being a sender.
I hope that whoever reads this will ponder the words to this song and will allow the Lord to work in their hearts and lives in a greater way than ever before.
I have known for many years that soulwinning is extremely important. But that was mainly head knowledge and not heart knowledge. You see, I would go out soulwinning (when I did go) out of obligation. Ya know, my Christian duty. But I see the world differently these days. When I look at people I see souls now (for the most part) and I wonder if they are saved or not.
We, here in America, have been blessed with great churches all across this land that preach the Gospel and the whole Bible. We have so much in this great country that we live in. So much that "things" get in the way and cloud our minds. Too many people don't need God. They are doing just fine. In fact, yesterday, Walter and I were soulwinning and we met a woman that was a Buddhist. When asked if she knew for sure if she was going to heaven her reply was, "I'm not worried about it." That is so sad! She wasn't really interested in talking to us but she did take our Gospel tracht with the plan of salvation on it.
But what about the people in other countries that really don't have the opportunity to hear the Gospel? The Bible says (paraphrasing) "and how shall they hear, except they be sent." It might just be that God wants my family to be one that is "sent" instead of being a sender.
I hope that whoever reads this will ponder the words to this song and will allow the Lord to work in their hearts and lives in a greater way than ever before.
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