I have been reading first John, and I want to write here some of the verses from it that I think are worth paying attention to. I also believe you would get a lot out of studying first John, too. Maybe you could write comments on what it spoke to you, too.
CONDITIONS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN:
1st - (First John, chapter 1:verse 8) Break with sin. Repent. Forgive. Repent means to realize you are on the wrong bus, going the wrong direction. Stop the bus! Get off! Jump on the one going in Jesus' direction. Follow HIM.
2nd - (1 John 2:9-11) Keep the commandments, especially the law of love. Anyone who claims to follow Jesus, but hates his brother (that's anyone) is not in the light - but is still in the dark, not knowing where he is going because it is too dark to see.
3rd - (1 John 2:15-17) Detachment from the world. This world and all that is in it will end! Love God. Love one another. Anyone who does the will of God remains forever!
4th condition - (1 John 2:18) Be on guard against the enemies of Christ. These are the last days; you were told that an anti-christ must come, and now several anti-christs have already appeared. (2:20) You have been anointed - a people set apart - by the Holy One - and have all received the Knowledge. (2:22) You know that no lie can come from the truth. The one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (Jesus is Lord) - he is the liar, he is the anti-christ. (2:27) . . you are anointed with truth, not with a lie.
(2:28) Live in Christ, then, so that if He appears, we may have full confidence, and not turn from Him in shame at his coming. Rather, we can look for His coming with great excitement and anticipation, because we KNOW HE IS COMING FOR US!
Revelations 22:20 - "I shall indeed be with you soon."
Amen - come quickly, Lord Jesus!
When I can, I'll write some more about First John. What a book! Go ahead, find it in your bible and write about it here, too!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Vacuum Cleaner Salesman
I was watching TV the other day and happened upon a preacher who was talking about accepting the "Gift", the Holy Spirit, who is the one who can teach, help, fix us better than anything. But, we do have to open the gift box and look inside and take it out and use it!
Then he said: It's like a vacuum cleaner salesman who comes knocking on your door. He won't come in unless you invite him in. Then when you open the door and say yes, I'll see what you have to offer, he comes in. The salesman proceeds to dump all this garbage on the rug and vacuums it up. Good job. Puts his vacuum back in the bag and walks out the door???? No, no. He will usually say - do you want to buy it? You can say yes or no. Your choice. If you accept his product you can continue to clean your house with it. If you turn him down and say no, then your means for clean-up walks out the door, too.
This demonstrates that we have a "choice" to accept the Holy Spirit,and all he offers, to clean up the mess we are, or we can reject Him and keep trying on our own, never accomplishing the task. In Rev 3:20, Jesus says:"I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me, open the door and let me in"! The picture of this shows Jesus at the door knocking, but there is no door knob to open the door on the outside of the door. It has to be opened from the inside. We must OPEN the door ourselves, and invite Him to come in, for the Lord to come into our hearts. Once there, He offers us the "gift" of the Holy Spirit. Will we allow Him in? Will we accept His gift?
{I had heard this BEFORE Brian sent out His "What I Learned as a vacuum cleaner salesman" e-mail yesterday. That is a confirmation of a lesson for us to hear and act on! A song we sang at prayer meeting a lot again is in my head. Here are the words: "How great is our God, How great is His name. How great is our God - forever the same! He rolls back the waters of the mighty Red Sea, and He says I'll never leave you, put your trust in Me."}
Then he said: It's like a vacuum cleaner salesman who comes knocking on your door. He won't come in unless you invite him in. Then when you open the door and say yes, I'll see what you have to offer, he comes in. The salesman proceeds to dump all this garbage on the rug and vacuums it up. Good job. Puts his vacuum back in the bag and walks out the door???? No, no. He will usually say - do you want to buy it? You can say yes or no. Your choice. If you accept his product you can continue to clean your house with it. If you turn him down and say no, then your means for clean-up walks out the door, too.
This demonstrates that we have a "choice" to accept the Holy Spirit,and all he offers, to clean up the mess we are, or we can reject Him and keep trying on our own, never accomplishing the task. In Rev 3:20, Jesus says:"I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me, open the door and let me in"! The picture of this shows Jesus at the door knocking, but there is no door knob to open the door on the outside of the door. It has to be opened from the inside. We must OPEN the door ourselves, and invite Him to come in, for the Lord to come into our hearts. Once there, He offers us the "gift" of the Holy Spirit. Will we allow Him in? Will we accept His gift?
{I had heard this BEFORE Brian sent out His "What I Learned as a vacuum cleaner salesman" e-mail yesterday. That is a confirmation of a lesson for us to hear and act on! A song we sang at prayer meeting a lot again is in my head. Here are the words: "How great is our God, How great is His name. How great is our God - forever the same! He rolls back the waters of the mighty Red Sea, and He says I'll never leave you, put your trust in Me."}
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Psalm 136
In my bible this psalm is titled "God's love continues forever". Be sure to read it in it's entirety in your bible. Thank God because he has more resources than we could ever use up!
We should never take any blessing for granted, but accept everything as a GIFT from the Lord. Now and then we could spend whole days in the practice of being thankful. I call this a HOLY practice. We should write on a piece of paper, or maybe in your journal, one by one the things for which we are grateful to God and to our fellow men as we think of them. And a constant return to this thought during the day as our minds get free will serve to fix the habit in our hearts . . .
In trying to count our many blessings, the difficulty is not to find things to count, but to find time to think of them all, and number them on paper. Personally, I have gotten great help from the practice of talking over with God the many kindnesses I have received from my family, my friends, my country - etc.
To my mom and Dad I owe my life and my upbringing. (His love continues forever).
To my teachers in school I owe that patient line-upon-line instruction that took me
when I was a young, ignorant pagan and taught me to read and write. (His love
continues
forever.)
To the patriots and statesmen of the past I owe the liberties I now enjoy. (His love
continues forever).
To numerous and unknown soldiers who shed their blood to keep our country free I owe a
debt I can never pay. (His love continues forever).
To my husband and my family I owe a debt of gratitude for my security and joy. (His
love endures forever).
And I please God and enlarge my own heart when I remind the Lord that I am grateful
for them. For every man and woman of every race and creed who may have contributed
anything to my peace and welfare I am grateful, and I shall not let God forget that I
am.
How has God blessed you? How have others contributed to your life? Take time to
thank God for ten blessings today.
Give thanks to the Lord because He is good. (His love endures forever). Ps 136:1
We should never take any blessing for granted, but accept everything as a GIFT from the Lord. Now and then we could spend whole days in the practice of being thankful. I call this a HOLY practice. We should write on a piece of paper, or maybe in your journal, one by one the things for which we are grateful to God and to our fellow men as we think of them. And a constant return to this thought during the day as our minds get free will serve to fix the habit in our hearts . . .
In trying to count our many blessings, the difficulty is not to find things to count, but to find time to think of them all, and number them on paper. Personally, I have gotten great help from the practice of talking over with God the many kindnesses I have received from my family, my friends, my country - etc.
To my mom and Dad I owe my life and my upbringing. (His love continues forever).
To my teachers in school I owe that patient line-upon-line instruction that took me
when I was a young, ignorant pagan and taught me to read and write. (His love
continues
forever.)
To the patriots and statesmen of the past I owe the liberties I now enjoy. (His love
continues forever).
To numerous and unknown soldiers who shed their blood to keep our country free I owe a
debt I can never pay. (His love continues forever).
To my husband and my family I owe a debt of gratitude for my security and joy. (His
love endures forever).
And I please God and enlarge my own heart when I remind the Lord that I am grateful
for them. For every man and woman of every race and creed who may have contributed
anything to my peace and welfare I am grateful, and I shall not let God forget that I
am.
How has God blessed you? How have others contributed to your life? Take time to
thank God for ten blessings today.
Give thanks to the Lord because He is good. (His love endures forever). Ps 136:1
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
My Mother's Day witness
On Mother's Day, my daughter, Linda and 2 of her boys, my son, Chuck and his wife, Deedle, came over for dinner. After dinner I asked them and their dad, Phil, to sit in the living room and we were going to have a "tribute" to mothers. I started it with a spoken word on a CD I have, followed by a song "My Mother's Love", which is posted above. After listening to this, I felt it needed a little explanation, and out of me came a story I hadn't even intended to say. It just came. I hope I can repeat it her, and if it isn't exactly as I spoke it Sunday, that's just because I hadn't rehearsed it. I just know it, since I lived it!
When I was quite young - around 6 years old - I went to church for the Stations of the Cross one Friday during lent. Something happened there that I can't explain and couldn't know what it was at the time. While listening and praying the stations, and hearing Jesus' story of His love for ME, I found myself all enveloped in a feeling of hope and love. I knew right then that I loved HIM.
When I was young all my family were good Catholics. We never missed mass, or confession, or communion, or all the lent celebrations. We prayed the memorized prayers and the rosary. We had a bible, but never read it. I didn't know of the Holy Spirit, and didn't know Jesus as my personal friend and my savior. But, I felt very close to Mary. She was my Mother! When things were tough for me, I would go off by myself, and I would sit with Mary, my Mother, and tell her my troubles, and cry on her lap. I felt her comforting me, and her arms hugging me, and her love. This got me through many tough times while I was growing up. I did not realize that she was taking me on a path to the Father, God, her Son, Jesus, and the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
When I was 38, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, just immersed in the Spirit of God, and I met my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Jesus walks every inch of my paths with me. The Holy Spirit teaches and comforts me. And I know God as my creator. This was so real and so personal and so emotional. I felt the presence of God so powerfully.
God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and Mary guided my life and protected me, and I didn't even realize it. I love my Mom, and am missing her lots. The last 3 months of her life were my best times with her. I regret not spending more time with her.
I LOVE being a mom, and Grandma. That's my occupation, that's what I do. I made huge mistakes in my career as Mom, but I thank God He gave me the children He blessed me with. And their spouses. And my grandkids.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Colossians 1:9-14
I feel like God spoke this scripture to me as I was praying for Joshua. I believe it is a powerful answer to my prayer. And I also believe it is meant for others who read my blog and whom I have been praying for.
Basically, these verses in Collosians are saying that we have been praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what HE wants. We pray also that you will have great wisdom and understanding (A gift from the Holy Spirit - discernment). of spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.
The chapter seems to also remind us that Christ's power comes not from what we know, but who we know - - Jesus Christ!
And then the following words came to me (the gift of prophecy) and I wrote them down:
Watch out for the blessings. You bless what you enjoy.
Be careful of the curses. You condemn what displeases you.
It is not for you to discern your OWN way. You must ask for MY gift of discernment.
I will be with you always. Trust MY way - not yours, or others ways.
I do not always deal joy! Don't be afraid for Joshua (or whomever) - - I am not only wise, but kind, and merciful.
Todays grief may become the channel for tomorrow's blessing!
Basically, these verses in Collosians are saying that we have been praying for you, asking God that you will know fully what HE wants. We pray also that you will have great wisdom and understanding (A gift from the Holy Spirit - discernment). of spiritual things so that you will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.
The chapter seems to also remind us that Christ's power comes not from what we know, but who we know - - Jesus Christ!
And then the following words came to me (the gift of prophecy) and I wrote them down:
Watch out for the blessings. You bless what you enjoy.
Be careful of the curses. You condemn what displeases you.
It is not for you to discern your OWN way. You must ask for MY gift of discernment.
I will be with you always. Trust MY way - not yours, or others ways.
I do not always deal joy! Don't be afraid for Joshua (or whomever) - - I am not only wise, but kind, and merciful.
Todays grief may become the channel for tomorrow's blessing!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Forgiveness
Can you find this link?: http://www.guidetopsychology.com/forgive.htm
I hope you can just go to it. I don't know what I'm doing or how to do it. So, if you can't get there you can go to "Plan B" and find it the way I did. Google in forgiveness, and when the page comes up, then click on "forgiveness, psychology, and mental health" - about half way down the page. A great article and I do believe it would be very helpful for all of us to read. I know it seemed helpful for ME. Let me know what you think.
I am also snail-mailing you another article on forgiveness that I thought was excellent. I hope you have enough time to read this and what i sent.
I hope you can just go to it. I don't know what I'm doing or how to do it. So, if you can't get there you can go to "Plan B" and find it the way I did. Google in forgiveness, and when the page comes up, then click on "forgiveness, psychology, and mental health" - about half way down the page. A great article and I do believe it would be very helpful for all of us to read. I know it seemed helpful for ME. Let me know what you think.
I am also snail-mailing you another article on forgiveness that I thought was excellent. I hope you have enough time to read this and what i sent.
Forgiveness
Go to http://www.guidetopsychology.com/forgive.htm and read this wonderful article about forgiveness.
(I hope you can get it, as I have no idea what I am doing!)
Mom
(I hope you can get it, as I have no idea what I am doing!)
Mom
Saturday, February 20, 2010
How our thoughts control our lives
During the course of a single day, thousands of thoughts flow through our minds. Some of them give us life as they build us up, while others tear us down and steal our hope.
You were not created to be ruled by negative thoughts. God's desire for you is to take control of your thoughts and live life to the fullest, experiencing His goodness, favor and blessings no matter what you're facing.
You can't always control which thoughts come…but you can decide which ones you allow to stay around.
The Bible says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). It's so important to understand that our actions are determined by the way we think.
So many times, we replay the same negative thoughts over and over. When negativity and doubt set in and stay in your mind, it is nearly impossible to set a course toward God's best plans for your life.
In Psalm 77, the psalmist cries out to God as he wrestles with his thoughts. He says he's in deep trouble, he's overwhelmed with longing for God's help, he can't sleep and he feels rejected.
We all struggle at one point or another with thoughts that take us down the wrong path. But God wants us to start thinking on positive things – things that give hope and life. When we do this, we'll begin to experience greater victory and see ourselves rising to new levels.
Remember, when you take control of your thoughts, you ultimately take control of your life. This is just the beginning of what God wants to do in you and through you. He's got a great plan for your life to make a mark in this world
You were not created to be ruled by negative thoughts. God's desire for you is to take control of your thoughts and live life to the fullest, experiencing His goodness, favor and blessings no matter what you're facing.
You can't always control which thoughts come…but you can decide which ones you allow to stay around.
The Bible says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). It's so important to understand that our actions are determined by the way we think.
So many times, we replay the same negative thoughts over and over. When negativity and doubt set in and stay in your mind, it is nearly impossible to set a course toward God's best plans for your life.
In Psalm 77, the psalmist cries out to God as he wrestles with his thoughts. He says he's in deep trouble, he's overwhelmed with longing for God's help, he can't sleep and he feels rejected.
We all struggle at one point or another with thoughts that take us down the wrong path. But God wants us to start thinking on positive things – things that give hope and life. When we do this, we'll begin to experience greater victory and see ourselves rising to new levels.
Remember, when you take control of your thoughts, you ultimately take control of your life. This is just the beginning of what God wants to do in you and through you. He's got a great plan for your life to make a mark in this world
Thursday, February 18, 2010
God's message to me
God said, "I AM"
NOT "I was" or " I will be"
HE is here RIGHT NOW wanting to do something great in your life, RIGHT NOW!
Your thoughts have to catch up with the way God thinks.
You know what God does with the past?
He forgets it.
You know what God does with our sins?
Forgets them, and forgives them.
God forgives us the First TIME we ask him to.
Now you need to forgive yourself.
If you don't forgive yourself, you are not RECEIVING the
FORGIVENESS that God has for you.
god wants you to move on.
It is time to move on.
It is time to move past the offenses, abandonments, hurt, abuse, betrayal. The unfair things that have happened to you. IT is time to move past that and start saying
AGGRESSIVELY
SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME!!
NOT "I was" or " I will be"
HE is here RIGHT NOW wanting to do something great in your life, RIGHT NOW!
Your thoughts have to catch up with the way God thinks.
You know what God does with the past?
He forgets it.
You know what God does with our sins?
Forgets them, and forgives them.
God forgives us the First TIME we ask him to.
Now you need to forgive yourself.
If you don't forgive yourself, you are not RECEIVING the
FORGIVENESS that God has for you.
god wants you to move on.
It is time to move on.
It is time to move past the offenses, abandonments, hurt, abuse, betrayal. The unfair things that have happened to you. IT is time to move past that and start saying
AGGRESSIVELY
SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME!!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday
I don't think Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday fall within the same week too often - at least I don't remember it. Valentine's Day is about hearts, flowers and love. But just 3 days later (Sunday to Wednesday) comes all those ashes. Such a difference a few days brings. On Valentine's day we show people how much we love them, give gifts, hugs, cards - go out to dinner and movies - celebrate our love for each other! Then here we are at Ash Wednesday in the morning. We will be starting into the 40 days of lent, a time of repentance and remembering the sacrifices of our Lord, Jesus on our behalf. We go into a few days of fasting (giving up something) and meditations and our own "way of the cross".
For many years of my life I lived in the world of tensions between belief and doubt, not understanding why or what I was doing this for. Is there really a God, and a Jesus who cares about me, and a Holy Spirit who guides my life? Is there a trinity, is the Bible really God's word and His love letter to me? Then my glorious, merciful God shoved me over the line to a place of no doubt. And now I live in the tensions between my passionate love of life and desire to cling to it as long as possible, and awareness that life may be taken from me before I'd wish.
Acceptance of that tension creates the most magnificent beauty and spiritual awareness. It makes me wonder why we all don't let go of anger and resentments and fall to the ground in wonder of God's great gifts. I don't believe God cares a bit about religious and political differences. According to Jesus' greatest commandments, life ultimately is about loving God and each other. Matthew 22:38-40.
Now-a-days I look at it this way - Pondering over my many decades of life (7+ of them), I think of how fast time goes by. How things that happened seem like just yesterday. Life is a heartbeat, a nano-second of earthly being. Why would I waste any of it with negative thoughts and actions? (I've certainly done too much of that in my lifetime!)
The heart of Lent and St. Valentine's Day is that Jesus went willingly to the cross to bring life everlasting to us believers. That includes making life beautiful and joyful here and now by learning not to fear death. By willingly and with love in our hearts, picking up the crosses life throws our way, we learn to live in God's presence and how to spread God's love to others.
Dad and I plan to attend our Ash Wednesday service. As the ashes are put on my forehead in the form of a cross, to remind me of what lent is all about - "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." As lent begins, the 40 days of repentance and spiritual growth before Easter, I want to live those words in the tension between my love of life and my slightly shaky physical being.
I want to celebrate my continuing conversion to the Lord's ways. He has sent us many valentines. He says "I love you, Lonnie" in so many ways every day. His word - the Bible - is His Love Letter to me. This is for you, too!
I keep hearing these verses in new ways, always full of grace and love:
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
For many years of my life I lived in the world of tensions between belief and doubt, not understanding why or what I was doing this for. Is there really a God, and a Jesus who cares about me, and a Holy Spirit who guides my life? Is there a trinity, is the Bible really God's word and His love letter to me? Then my glorious, merciful God shoved me over the line to a place of no doubt. And now I live in the tensions between my passionate love of life and desire to cling to it as long as possible, and awareness that life may be taken from me before I'd wish.
Acceptance of that tension creates the most magnificent beauty and spiritual awareness. It makes me wonder why we all don't let go of anger and resentments and fall to the ground in wonder of God's great gifts. I don't believe God cares a bit about religious and political differences. According to Jesus' greatest commandments, life ultimately is about loving God and each other. Matthew 22:38-40.
Now-a-days I look at it this way - Pondering over my many decades of life (7+ of them), I think of how fast time goes by. How things that happened seem like just yesterday. Life is a heartbeat, a nano-second of earthly being. Why would I waste any of it with negative thoughts and actions? (I've certainly done too much of that in my lifetime!)
The heart of Lent and St. Valentine's Day is that Jesus went willingly to the cross to bring life everlasting to us believers. That includes making life beautiful and joyful here and now by learning not to fear death. By willingly and with love in our hearts, picking up the crosses life throws our way, we learn to live in God's presence and how to spread God's love to others.
Dad and I plan to attend our Ash Wednesday service. As the ashes are put on my forehead in the form of a cross, to remind me of what lent is all about - "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." As lent begins, the 40 days of repentance and spiritual growth before Easter, I want to live those words in the tension between my love of life and my slightly shaky physical being.
I want to celebrate my continuing conversion to the Lord's ways. He has sent us many valentines. He says "I love you, Lonnie" in so many ways every day. His word - the Bible - is His Love Letter to me. This is for you, too!
I keep hearing these verses in new ways, always full of grace and love:
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Praying for Your Adult Children - Stormie Omartian
I am having a bit of a hard time figuring out how to get this on here. I am not sure if it's okay to post the pages from the book here. Am I allowed to do that, I wonder? If anyone knows, please tell me. In the meantime, I'd like to encourage everyone to purchase this book, if you are able to. If you would like a copy I have a couple of extras I would be willing to give you. Just let me know. Karen - I am sending you a copy already. The whole thing is so appropriate and timely. A good guide and a good, easy book to read. I've read it through once, and am now in the process of going through it and praying however the Holy Spirit is leading me to pray it. I was excited when I read what Karen had written about the Lord speaking to her. It was the same as what I had been praying out of this book - and the name I filled in in the blank was Karen's. I considered that a confirmation that God hears us and is answering the prayers! Praise God!
If you should happen to get this book, look at page 128, the prayer at the end of Chapter 7 - "Have a Sound Mind and a Right Attitude".
At the end of the prayer it reads: "Lord, draw my adult children to Your Word so that it will be a "discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" every time they read it (see Hebrews 4:12). Reveal to them any wrong thinking or beliefs. Make Your thoughts to be their thoughts. Help them to have the "mind of Christ" at all times (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Where my adult children are struggling in their minds or emotions, I pray that You would extend peace to them like a river (Isaiah 66:12). To my adult children I pray that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).
In Jesus' name I pray.
If you should happen to get this book, look at page 128, the prayer at the end of Chapter 7 - "Have a Sound Mind and a Right Attitude".
At the end of the prayer it reads: "Lord, draw my adult children to Your Word so that it will be a "discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" every time they read it (see Hebrews 4:12). Reveal to them any wrong thinking or beliefs. Make Your thoughts to be their thoughts. Help them to have the "mind of Christ" at all times (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Where my adult children are struggling in their minds or emotions, I pray that You would extend peace to them like a river (Isaiah 66:12). To my adult children I pray that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).
In Jesus' name I pray.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Happy Birthday, Kay
To my big seester, Kay...I hope your day is very special. You deserve it. You always do special things for everyone and it is your turn. Happy, Happy Birthday, Kay.
Love ya lots,
Your little seester
Karen
Love ya lots,
Your little seester
Karen
Sunday, January 24, 2010
From Sharon
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Don't worry about anything.
Worrying doesn't change anything. It's stewing without doing. There's no such thing as born worriers; worry is a learned response. You learned it from your parents. You learned it from your peers. You learned it from experience. That's good news. The fact that worry is learned means it can also be unlearned. Jesus says, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34, NLT)
Pray about everything.
Next use the time you've been worrying for praying. If you prayed as much as you worried, you'd have a whole lot less to worry about. Some people think God only cares about religious things, such as how many people I invite to church or my tithing. Is God interested in car payments? Yes. He's interested in every detail of your life. That means you can take any problem you face to God.
Thank God in all things.
Whenever you pray, you should always pray with thanksgiving. The healthiest human emotion is not love -- but gratitude. It actually increases your immunities; it makes you more resistant to stress and less susceptible to illness. People who are grateful are happy. But people who are ungrateful are miserable because nothing makes them happy. They're never satisfied; it's never good enough. So if you cultivate the attitude of gratitude, of being thankful in everything, it reduces stress in your life.
Think about the right things.
If you want to reduce the level of stress in your life, you must change the way you think; the way you think determines how you feel. And the way you feel determines how you act. So if you want to change your life, you need to change what you're thinking about.
This involves a deliberate conscious choice where you change the channels. You choose to think about the right things: focus on the positive and on God's word.
Why? Because the root cause of stress is the way I choose to think.
When we no longer worry, when we pray about everything, when we give thanks, when we focus on the right things, the Apostle Paul tells us the result is, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
What a guarantee! He is guaranteeing peace of mind.
Don't worry about anything.
Worrying doesn't change anything. It's stewing without doing. There's no such thing as born worriers; worry is a learned response. You learned it from your parents. You learned it from your peers. You learned it from experience. That's good news. The fact that worry is learned means it can also be unlearned. Jesus says, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34, NLT)
Pray about everything.
Next use the time you've been worrying for praying. If you prayed as much as you worried, you'd have a whole lot less to worry about. Some people think God only cares about religious things, such as how many people I invite to church or my tithing. Is God interested in car payments? Yes. He's interested in every detail of your life. That means you can take any problem you face to God.
Thank God in all things.
Whenever you pray, you should always pray with thanksgiving. The healthiest human emotion is not love -- but gratitude. It actually increases your immunities; it makes you more resistant to stress and less susceptible to illness. People who are grateful are happy. But people who are ungrateful are miserable because nothing makes them happy. They're never satisfied; it's never good enough. So if you cultivate the attitude of gratitude, of being thankful in everything, it reduces stress in your life.
Think about the right things.
If you want to reduce the level of stress in your life, you must change the way you think; the way you think determines how you feel. And the way you feel determines how you act. So if you want to change your life, you need to change what you're thinking about.
This involves a deliberate conscious choice where you change the channels. You choose to think about the right things: focus on the positive and on God's word.
Why? Because the root cause of stress is the way I choose to think.
When we no longer worry, when we pray about everything, when we give thanks, when we focus on the right things, the Apostle Paul tells us the result is, "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
What a guarantee! He is guaranteeing peace of mind.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
God has a sense of humor, for sure!
I have been praying for everyone for the trials we are all facing at this time. As I was praying especially hard for Linda and her court date set for Monday, I came across Psalm 78. Verses 65 and 67 stood out to me, and I'm sure they are meant for her (and anyone else who feels they are meant for them): (quoted from the Jeruselum Bible)
"Then, like a sleeper, like a hero, the Lord woke up to strike his enemies on the rump and put them to everlasting shame."
************************************************************************************
The book of Joshua is filled with good stuff. But chapter 1, verses 6-9, are good for all of us to take to heart. In my Jeruselum bible the heading to these verses is - Faithfulness to the Law (I interpret that to mean the Bible) is a condition of God's aid
"Be strong and stand firm, for you are the one to give this people possession of the land that I swore to their fathers I should give to them. (I feel these words in this prayer of mine are saying to us that we CAN win over our troubles). Only be strong and stand firm and be careful to keep all the Law (read your bibles, and know it is the word of God you read, and keep His words close). Never swerve from this to right or left, and then you will be happy in all you do. Have this book always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may carefully keep everything that is written in it (in your heart, and on your lips, and in your mind). Then you will prosper in your dealings, then you will have success. HAVE I NOT TOLD YOU: BE STRONG AND STAND FIRM? BE FEARLESS THEN, BE CONFIDENT, FOR GO WHERE YOU WILL, YAHWEH YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU."
"Then, like a sleeper, like a hero, the Lord woke up to strike his enemies on the rump and put them to everlasting shame."
************************************************************************************
The book of Joshua is filled with good stuff. But chapter 1, verses 6-9, are good for all of us to take to heart. In my Jeruselum bible the heading to these verses is - Faithfulness to the Law (I interpret that to mean the Bible) is a condition of God's aid
"Be strong and stand firm, for you are the one to give this people possession of the land that I swore to their fathers I should give to them. (I feel these words in this prayer of mine are saying to us that we CAN win over our troubles). Only be strong and stand firm and be careful to keep all the Law (read your bibles, and know it is the word of God you read, and keep His words close). Never swerve from this to right or left, and then you will be happy in all you do. Have this book always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may carefully keep everything that is written in it (in your heart, and on your lips, and in your mind). Then you will prosper in your dealings, then you will have success. HAVE I NOT TOLD YOU: BE STRONG AND STAND FIRM? BE FEARLESS THEN, BE CONFIDENT, FOR GO WHERE YOU WILL, YAHWEH YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU."
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Luke 2:1-52
In this chapter of Luke, Luke gives an account of the birth of Jesus and his early life. In his time and culture, boys were considered responsible adults around the age of 12. It was not, therefore, irresponsible of Joseph and Mary to accidentally leave Jesus behind. As you all know, I have done that with you kids a time or two, haven't I? It's too embarrassing to go into the story of that any more than that. It wasn't that I was irresponsible so much, either. And, for sure, I loved each of you with a mother's heart and would never have left you on purpose. I bet Mary and Joseph each thought he was with someone else.
God's only son became a person and lived with us for awhile. During his life he was sad, happy, excited, and disappointed. God knows what life on earth is like.
The name "Immanuel" means "God with us". The name "Immanuel" is both comforting and unsettling. Comforting, because He has come to share the danger as well as the drudgery of our everyday lives. He desires to weep with us and to wipe away our tears. And Jesus, the Son of God, longs to share in and to be the source of the laughter and the joy we all too rarely know.
Unsettling because it is one thing to know God as this judge with the long white beard and hair and the book of life - sitting up there in the skies looking down on us from above. But quite another to think and know "He is with us"! He is here with us . . .
And when we think of the times we KNOW He is with us in the midst of our daily, routine lives, in the middle of cleaning the house, or driving somewhere, and He stops us . . . in our tracks and makes his presence known, boy is that ever incredible. Often it is in the middle of the most mundane task that He lets us know He is there with us. I can think of one time in particular when I knew and felt "God with me" "Immanuel". I had brought home this ugly Christmas tree, and had just gotten it put up with a big nail in the wall and tied up there with fish line. I stepped back to look at it and commented to myself how beautiful it looked. At that moment I felt the presence of God. It seemed like a glowing light all around the room. Next I knew I was on my knees, praising Him! I couldn't have been doing a more mundane task than that! We realize when stuff like this happens, that there can be no "ordinary" moments for people who live their lives with Jesus.
Jesus paid a huge price to be with us. Certainly the cross was the most obvious cost. But there is more -
We focus so much on the fact that Jesus died for us, we sometimes forget that He also LIVED for us and lives for us still. If Jesus had simply come as Himself, and not as one of us, the Bible makes it quite clear that we could not have stood the sight of His presence, any more than Moses could have directly looked at the face of God.
Imagine what it would be like to be at the Father's side one moment and struggling to sleep in a cattle trough the next. Imagine what it would be like to hear the angel's praising God one day, and then to the awful taunts of stupid men. We can hardly begin to understand the incredible value of the gift God the Father gave through His only son!
Take a moment and reflect on what "Immanuel - - God with us" means to you in your daily life. Make it a point to seek God even in the mundane tasks of everyday life.
Please share here what and when you have felt this in your life!
God's only son became a person and lived with us for awhile. During his life he was sad, happy, excited, and disappointed. God knows what life on earth is like.
The name "Immanuel" means "God with us". The name "Immanuel" is both comforting and unsettling. Comforting, because He has come to share the danger as well as the drudgery of our everyday lives. He desires to weep with us and to wipe away our tears. And Jesus, the Son of God, longs to share in and to be the source of the laughter and the joy we all too rarely know.
Unsettling because it is one thing to know God as this judge with the long white beard and hair and the book of life - sitting up there in the skies looking down on us from above. But quite another to think and know "He is with us"! He is here with us . . .
And when we think of the times we KNOW He is with us in the midst of our daily, routine lives, in the middle of cleaning the house, or driving somewhere, and He stops us . . . in our tracks and makes his presence known, boy is that ever incredible. Often it is in the middle of the most mundane task that He lets us know He is there with us. I can think of one time in particular when I knew and felt "God with me" "Immanuel". I had brought home this ugly Christmas tree, and had just gotten it put up with a big nail in the wall and tied up there with fish line. I stepped back to look at it and commented to myself how beautiful it looked. At that moment I felt the presence of God. It seemed like a glowing light all around the room. Next I knew I was on my knees, praising Him! I couldn't have been doing a more mundane task than that! We realize when stuff like this happens, that there can be no "ordinary" moments for people who live their lives with Jesus.
Jesus paid a huge price to be with us. Certainly the cross was the most obvious cost. But there is more -
We focus so much on the fact that Jesus died for us, we sometimes forget that He also LIVED for us and lives for us still. If Jesus had simply come as Himself, and not as one of us, the Bible makes it quite clear that we could not have stood the sight of His presence, any more than Moses could have directly looked at the face of God.
Imagine what it would be like to be at the Father's side one moment and struggling to sleep in a cattle trough the next. Imagine what it would be like to hear the angel's praising God one day, and then to the awful taunts of stupid men. We can hardly begin to understand the incredible value of the gift God the Father gave through His only son!
Take a moment and reflect on what "Immanuel - - God with us" means to you in your daily life. Make it a point to seek God even in the mundane tasks of everyday life.
Please share here what and when you have felt this in your life!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas brings the gift of hope
Why would God decide to be born as a tiny infant?
I am pondering this, as I sit here looking out my window at the beautiful white world around us. Cold, and lots of ice, but it's beautiful. And how sparkly the snow is that has not been walked on yet with the sun shine on it. The sparrows - lots of them - skitter in and out of the bushes to scratch and peck for something to eat.
Here is a world, Lord, that is full of innocence, hope - and violence. Sometimes it's hard to hold on to hope or see value in innocence when I find so much war, greed and selfishness when I read the newspaper or watch the news of the world we live in.....
and in my own heart, too.
Why, I wonder, into this world would God send this Holy Child, an infant, a tiny, defenseless newborn baby - a picture of both innocence and hope?
I have some memories of World War II. I remember the planes flying over, way high in the sky, and thinking (or hearing) they had bombs in those planes - I sure do hope they don't drop them here. I remember giving up all our luxuries - candy, sugar, extra food, rubber, new cars, new shoes - lots and lots of sacrifices - so our soldiers and military could have what they needed to win a war. I was scared. I feared that Daddy would be drafted and would have to go to war, like Uncle Pat and Uncle Buddy did. That worried me so much. But Daddy always assured me he wouldn't have to go. "They don't need old guys like me (he wasn't old, either) over there, and I am more needed here at home to be available at the barber shop for people to gather and talk about all their fears and losses". His younger brother, Pat, was killed in the final days of the war. I'll never, ever forget that fear and sorrow and sacrifice and doing without.
War is so terrible. Everybody suffers. And, you know what? These awful wars and fights have been going on since before Cain slew Abel. Into this God sent a helpless newborn to lead and inspire. And yes, to save us, though sometimes I think the saving part is as much about saving us from ourselves as anything else.
At that time I'm amazed God didn't look at our world in disgust, revoke his rainbow and send another great flood. But of course He already knew the flood hadn't really improved human behavior.
So God, with grace and goodness far beyond anything I can understand, sent the Baby Jesus. Our Christ Child, Emanuel, God in human form.
God's great generosity and faithfulness boggles my mind. How can I understand?
This year, as always, the Holy Child's message is love. Pure, unbounded love. Only love. And trust. God trusted us to lay eyes on this Child, kneel in awe and receive Him.
Let us gather again at the manger. Rejoice, God loves us beyond my ability to comprehend. God has not given up on us, and we cannot give up on each other. I also remember well the day the war was ended. Such rejoicing and celebrating. We all ran downtown to be a part of it all. America had the victory! We do know that God loved us so much, that He sent His only son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life! This is the "Reason for the Season"! Pray for each other. Pray for our military. Pray for America.
Hope is born anew. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
I am pondering this, as I sit here looking out my window at the beautiful white world around us. Cold, and lots of ice, but it's beautiful. And how sparkly the snow is that has not been walked on yet with the sun shine on it. The sparrows - lots of them - skitter in and out of the bushes to scratch and peck for something to eat.
Here is a world, Lord, that is full of innocence, hope - and violence. Sometimes it's hard to hold on to hope or see value in innocence when I find so much war, greed and selfishness when I read the newspaper or watch the news of the world we live in.....
and in my own heart, too.
Why, I wonder, into this world would God send this Holy Child, an infant, a tiny, defenseless newborn baby - a picture of both innocence and hope?
I have some memories of World War II. I remember the planes flying over, way high in the sky, and thinking (or hearing) they had bombs in those planes - I sure do hope they don't drop them here. I remember giving up all our luxuries - candy, sugar, extra food, rubber, new cars, new shoes - lots and lots of sacrifices - so our soldiers and military could have what they needed to win a war. I was scared. I feared that Daddy would be drafted and would have to go to war, like Uncle Pat and Uncle Buddy did. That worried me so much. But Daddy always assured me he wouldn't have to go. "They don't need old guys like me (he wasn't old, either) over there, and I am more needed here at home to be available at the barber shop for people to gather and talk about all their fears and losses". His younger brother, Pat, was killed in the final days of the war. I'll never, ever forget that fear and sorrow and sacrifice and doing without.
War is so terrible. Everybody suffers. And, you know what? These awful wars and fights have been going on since before Cain slew Abel. Into this God sent a helpless newborn to lead and inspire. And yes, to save us, though sometimes I think the saving part is as much about saving us from ourselves as anything else.
At that time I'm amazed God didn't look at our world in disgust, revoke his rainbow and send another great flood. But of course He already knew the flood hadn't really improved human behavior.
So God, with grace and goodness far beyond anything I can understand, sent the Baby Jesus. Our Christ Child, Emanuel, God in human form.
God's great generosity and faithfulness boggles my mind. How can I understand?
This year, as always, the Holy Child's message is love. Pure, unbounded love. Only love. And trust. God trusted us to lay eyes on this Child, kneel in awe and receive Him.
Let us gather again at the manger. Rejoice, God loves us beyond my ability to comprehend. God has not given up on us, and we cannot give up on each other. I also remember well the day the war was ended. Such rejoicing and celebrating. We all ran downtown to be a part of it all. America had the victory! We do know that God loved us so much, that He sent His only son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life! This is the "Reason for the Season"! Pray for each other. Pray for our military. Pray for America.
Hope is born anew. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
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