Phil 3:12
" Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on , that I may lay hold of that which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me"
Most people will choose to live in one of the following ways in 2009.
1. The Mad Dash Way of Living
This is the busy lifestyle that never has time for the first things to really be first
2. The ReHash Way of Living
This is the dwelling on the past lifestyle that never moves on because of hurt and bitterness
3. The Stuff and Stash Way of Living
This is the fear filled lifestyle that is afraid of what tomorrow holds so it stuffs and stashes and is held captive by worry
4. The Pray and Fast Way of Living
This is the lifestyle that talks to God and is willing to sacrifice other things for the most important things
Talk to the Lord, ask Him if you are putting the important things first.
Worship
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
the rash
Greetings all you wonderfull people,
Sometimes the Lord speaks to us in unexpected ways.
Have you ever gotten a rash from an allergy or poison ivy? How it itchs soooo, how it distracts you from everything you are doing. You try salves on it, or even make the mistake of taking a hot shower because it just feels so good emotionally and makes you forget about the rash for a little while, than when you get out of the shower to your great dismay you realize that your efforts to soothe have made the rash worse with the heat! As I have been going through this myself the last 5 days or so, as I am laying on my bed (after 2 doc visits), refraining from scratching the rash that now has consumed me from head to toe (never, I repeat, never take hot showers when you have a rash of any kind) and even asking the cat and dog to join in with me, since they are trained professionals at this scratching business, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Romans 8:28-30.
Time to refocus!
So I am determined to find the things I am so grateful for in this circumstance:
1) I was grateful for having short fingernails for no amount of botox was going to fill the possible craters that I could have inflicted upon myself.
2) After nearly starving myself for 3 days I found out it was not a food allergy! ( pass the bread !).
3) That the Lord was giving me His strength and grace to not fall into the temptation of scratching. That even though the rash was extremely distracting to me I must keep my focus on Him.
4) Just like the rash how often times I have tried to fix, soothe, cover with balm through my own strength the things about myself or circumstances. How often my ideas about the way things should be handled often can make more of a mess. How no amount of my good works can wash away my blemishs. Only He can.
5) How our loving Father will use the struggles of this life ( even a rash) to chip away and bring to the surface the flaws in our character so that the end product ( thats us!) will look like His Son! He takes what is inside our heart that is not like His Son and gets rid of it. How awesome is that?!
Sometimes the Lord speaks to us in unexpected ways.
Have you ever gotten a rash from an allergy or poison ivy? How it itchs soooo, how it distracts you from everything you are doing. You try salves on it, or even make the mistake of taking a hot shower because it just feels so good emotionally and makes you forget about the rash for a little while, than when you get out of the shower to your great dismay you realize that your efforts to soothe have made the rash worse with the heat! As I have been going through this myself the last 5 days or so, as I am laying on my bed (after 2 doc visits), refraining from scratching the rash that now has consumed me from head to toe (never, I repeat, never take hot showers when you have a rash of any kind) and even asking the cat and dog to join in with me, since they are trained professionals at this scratching business, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Romans 8:28-30.
Time to refocus!
So I am determined to find the things I am so grateful for in this circumstance:
1) I was grateful for having short fingernails for no amount of botox was going to fill the possible craters that I could have inflicted upon myself.
2) After nearly starving myself for 3 days I found out it was not a food allergy! ( pass the bread !).
3) That the Lord was giving me His strength and grace to not fall into the temptation of scratching. That even though the rash was extremely distracting to me I must keep my focus on Him.
4) Just like the rash how often times I have tried to fix, soothe, cover with balm through my own strength the things about myself or circumstances. How often my ideas about the way things should be handled often can make more of a mess. How no amount of my good works can wash away my blemishs. Only He can.
5) How our loving Father will use the struggles of this life ( even a rash) to chip away and bring to the surface the flaws in our character so that the end product ( thats us!) will look like His Son! He takes what is inside our heart that is not like His Son and gets rid of it. How awesome is that?!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Seek the Gift of Presence
Sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone is simply to be with them.
All of us have the capacity to show up and often times that can make a difference.
Hebrews 13:15, 16
"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with those in need. For these are the sacrifices that please God"
Everyone has the need to be loved and encouraged.
Because God never changes. When you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ your future is secure and eternal.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow"
All of us have the capacity to show up and often times that can make a difference.
Hebrews 13:15, 16
"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with those in need. For these are the sacrifices that please God"
Everyone has the need to be loved and encouraged.
Because God never changes. When you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ your future is secure and eternal.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow"
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Trust in Him at all times!
It Will All Work Out!
Ephesians 1:11
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will."
No matter what is going on I believe God is always working things according to His great sovereign plan. Sometimes we get caught up with the temporal things and the stuff that is happening, but God reminds me, "Hey, nothing is taking Me by surprise. I'm weaving all of these things into this great pattern. Your mistakes, the stuff that happens to you, it is all going to turn out alright!"
Even if your present circumstances have totally taken you by surprise, God saw it coming and made provision far ahead of time.
Ephesians 1:11
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will."
No matter what is going on I believe God is always working things according to His great sovereign plan. Sometimes we get caught up with the temporal things and the stuff that is happening, but God reminds me, "Hey, nothing is taking Me by surprise. I'm weaving all of these things into this great pattern. Your mistakes, the stuff that happens to you, it is all going to turn out alright!"
Even if your present circumstances have totally taken you by surprise, God saw it coming and made provision far ahead of time.
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