"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up you are still with me!... Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:17, 18 & 23
My thoughts have been very anxious lately. I won't go into why because that is not what is important. I just know that I have felt very on edge and anxious for a few weeks now. I know that one of biggest struggles I face daily is worry and being anxious about things that could happen...the what if's of life. I sat down tonight to do a devotion, and came across this passage of Scripture. It brought me comfort and helped ease my worried mind. The God who created this universe thinks about me, little-old-worried- until-I-get-headaches-and-so-anxious-at-times-that-I-can't-sleep, me! WOW! And his word says that his thoughts about me are precious and can't be numbered! When I sit back and really think about that it blows me away. I have a God who loves me and never forgets about me, how could He when he's thinking so many precious thoughts about me:) All my days, all my comings and goings he knows about and he sees to the inner core of me and knows all my ins and outs, ups and downs. Again, WOW! Sometimes when I get "caught up in the moment" of stress and worries, I definitely forget that God is right there with me through it all, that he hasn't slacked on taking care of things or that this situation has slipped under his radar. He's working in it all, working out the best solution that fits the person I am, the woman He created me to be!
I invite you to take a moment and just revel in God's precious thoughts about you. They outnumber any worries and anxieties you might have. While doing so turn any and every anxious thought over to Him and let Him fill you with His amazing peace!
Thank you God for thinking about me so often and in such a loving amazing incomprehensible way!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
As the Deer...
"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?" Psalm 42:1 & 2
Does my heart really long for the Lord, really thirst for Him? Does my heart eagerly anticipate the moment when I am able to be in His presence? To be honest I think more often than not my heart is in a state of wanting temporal material things. Things that will wear down, grow old and lose my interest after a short period. There are most definitely times, usually after an amazing time of Bible study or praise and worship or after a particularly uplifting or convicting sermon, that I do long desperately to be closer to the Lord, to know Him on a deeper level. Then I come down off my spiritual high when I get in the car or come home to children fighting over a toy, another bill to pay, a sink full of dirty dishes to wash and hampers brimming over with laundry . Suddenly my heart starts longing for a vacation, more money for this or that, time to myself, and a maid to knock on my door to come to my dirty house's rescue. I think that it's really difficult to long for something you have never actually seen or witnessed, (your eternal home in Heaven). We are finite human beings with limited understanding and a sinful nature. We grow weary, we lose our patience, we long for something more. That's just called being human. I believe we are always in a state of wanting more, wanting better because we were created to long for perfection, Christ and our heavenly home. Since we haven't experienced perfection, we long for what we perceive to be "perfect" in our worldly view. In those moments when we are on a "spiritual high" so to speak, our hearts are turned toward the only fulfilling longing we will ever have, and that is to long to be closer to the Lord. Take time each day to "long for God as the deer longs for streams of water." It's the only longing that will bring complete fulfillment because God will never disappoint when someone truly longs to know Him better and grow closer to Him!
Does my heart really long for the Lord, really thirst for Him? Does my heart eagerly anticipate the moment when I am able to be in His presence? To be honest I think more often than not my heart is in a state of wanting temporal material things. Things that will wear down, grow old and lose my interest after a short period. There are most definitely times, usually after an amazing time of Bible study or praise and worship or after a particularly uplifting or convicting sermon, that I do long desperately to be closer to the Lord, to know Him on a deeper level. Then I come down off my spiritual high when I get in the car or come home to children fighting over a toy, another bill to pay, a sink full of dirty dishes to wash and hampers brimming over with laundry . Suddenly my heart starts longing for a vacation, more money for this or that, time to myself, and a maid to knock on my door to come to my dirty house's rescue. I think that it's really difficult to long for something you have never actually seen or witnessed, (your eternal home in Heaven). We are finite human beings with limited understanding and a sinful nature. We grow weary, we lose our patience, we long for something more. That's just called being human. I believe we are always in a state of wanting more, wanting better because we were created to long for perfection, Christ and our heavenly home. Since we haven't experienced perfection, we long for what we perceive to be "perfect" in our worldly view. In those moments when we are on a "spiritual high" so to speak, our hearts are turned toward the only fulfilling longing we will ever have, and that is to long to be closer to the Lord. Take time each day to "long for God as the deer longs for streams of water." It's the only longing that will bring complete fulfillment because God will never disappoint when someone truly longs to know Him better and grow closer to Him!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Planted Firmly or Breaking Under the Pressure?
"But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word." Matthew 13:21
"Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." Ephesians 3:17
We just had a major winter storm hit our area this past weekend. There were 12+ inches of snow and ice, on top of the foot of snow we had received the weekend before. The type of snow and ice we got was very heavy and clung to the trees, causing many to fall and break under the burden of the precipitation. This caused a major power outage (some are still waiting for power to be restored, going into day #5). We finally dug our way out yesterday and drove into town for some much needed interaction with other people and time out of the house! On our way there we passed so many trees that had fallen and others that were bowing so low they were touching the ground, sure to break soon. This, as many things do, took on a much deeper spiritual meaning for me. What kind of Christian are you? Are you a Christian who will break under the pressures and burdens that life will bring your way or are your "roots" (your faith and relationship with the Lord) firmly planted so that you can weather the storms of life. These trees that fell this weekend didn't just "hurt themselves" their falling caused some major problems for so many people as they were without heat and water and their food spoiled. This also made me realize that when Christians aren't firmly rooted in the Lord they can bring others down with them when they break under the burdens and pressures. When we throw up our hands and break under the pressure we don't just hurt ourselves. There are many ways in which we can bring others down with us. For instance people are watching you, whether you are aware of it or not. They could be anyone from your children, to your spouse and your family and friends. If someone who knows that you are a Christian and maybe they aren't a Christian or are weak in the faith, sees you give up, walk away from your relationship with God, or break under the stresses what kind of example does that set? If your little child is watching mommy or daddy (which they do all the time) and sees them blow up and yell at one another or at someone else, are they seeing an example of Christ? Just food for thought!
So how do we get our roots stronger and deeper in Christ? We must read God's Word regularly, really study it and be involved in a Bible teaching church, surround ourselves with other Christians who can help us grow and be aware of our reactions to things. It takes lots of daily practice to pattern our behaviors after what is pleasing to the Lord. We will fall, but that does not mean we will be broken. The Lord will strengthen us as we keep on keeping on and over time our spiritual roots will deepen and spiritual maturity will come. Your roots won't be mature and deep overnight, that's not what is vital, what is important is that you are truly desiring this maturity and spiritual strengthening in your life and actively pursuing it!
I long for my roots to get stronger so that the storm won't cause me to break!
"Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." Ephesians 3:17
We just had a major winter storm hit our area this past weekend. There were 12+ inches of snow and ice, on top of the foot of snow we had received the weekend before. The type of snow and ice we got was very heavy and clung to the trees, causing many to fall and break under the burden of the precipitation. This caused a major power outage (some are still waiting for power to be restored, going into day #5). We finally dug our way out yesterday and drove into town for some much needed interaction with other people and time out of the house! On our way there we passed so many trees that had fallen and others that were bowing so low they were touching the ground, sure to break soon. This, as many things do, took on a much deeper spiritual meaning for me. What kind of Christian are you? Are you a Christian who will break under the pressures and burdens that life will bring your way or are your "roots" (your faith and relationship with the Lord) firmly planted so that you can weather the storms of life. These trees that fell this weekend didn't just "hurt themselves" their falling caused some major problems for so many people as they were without heat and water and their food spoiled. This also made me realize that when Christians aren't firmly rooted in the Lord they can bring others down with them when they break under the burdens and pressures. When we throw up our hands and break under the pressure we don't just hurt ourselves. There are many ways in which we can bring others down with us. For instance people are watching you, whether you are aware of it or not. They could be anyone from your children, to your spouse and your family and friends. If someone who knows that you are a Christian and maybe they aren't a Christian or are weak in the faith, sees you give up, walk away from your relationship with God, or break under the stresses what kind of example does that set? If your little child is watching mommy or daddy (which they do all the time) and sees them blow up and yell at one another or at someone else, are they seeing an example of Christ? Just food for thought!
So how do we get our roots stronger and deeper in Christ? We must read God's Word regularly, really study it and be involved in a Bible teaching church, surround ourselves with other Christians who can help us grow and be aware of our reactions to things. It takes lots of daily practice to pattern our behaviors after what is pleasing to the Lord. We will fall, but that does not mean we will be broken. The Lord will strengthen us as we keep on keeping on and over time our spiritual roots will deepen and spiritual maturity will come. Your roots won't be mature and deep overnight, that's not what is vital, what is important is that you are truly desiring this maturity and spiritual strengthening in your life and actively pursuing it!
I long for my roots to get stronger so that the storm won't cause me to break!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Lessons from Ecclesiastes
"What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again." Ecclesiastes 3:15
I think we all go through things in the this life where we feel as if we are the only ones who have ever experienced this situation and that nobody could ever possibly understand what we are going through. We tend the believe that our circumstances are unique to us. The truth is that our circumstance is not new, and someone along the line (more than likely many people along the line) have gone through this same thing. I also think that this is a tool the devil uses to make us isolate ourselves and prevent us from reaching out to others. We think that nobody understands what we are going through so we keep it to ourselves and in turn we are missing out on the blessing and encouragement a friend can bring us. "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10 Having people in your life, people that you trust, that you can open up to and share things with is a real blessing in times of hardship. I remember there have been times when I have been dealing with something that I felt nobody would understand so I kept it to myself. Or in some cases, I was embarrassed about whatever it was I was going through and didn't want to admit my struggle so again I kept it to myself. There have been other times though that I have opened up and shared my burdens with some of my dearest trusted friends and let me tell you, the times when I have shared my burden with a friend have been so much easier to go through than when I try to do it alone. I have also found that most likely one of my friends has already gone through something similar and can be such a great source of encouragement and hope for me!
So remember, don't isolate yourself or try to bear burdens alone. God gave us each other so we could help one another when one of us is in need. And remember, you are NOT alone!
I think we all go through things in the this life where we feel as if we are the only ones who have ever experienced this situation and that nobody could ever possibly understand what we are going through. We tend the believe that our circumstances are unique to us. The truth is that our circumstance is not new, and someone along the line (more than likely many people along the line) have gone through this same thing. I also think that this is a tool the devil uses to make us isolate ourselves and prevent us from reaching out to others. We think that nobody understands what we are going through so we keep it to ourselves and in turn we are missing out on the blessing and encouragement a friend can bring us. "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10 Having people in your life, people that you trust, that you can open up to and share things with is a real blessing in times of hardship. I remember there have been times when I have been dealing with something that I felt nobody would understand so I kept it to myself. Or in some cases, I was embarrassed about whatever it was I was going through and didn't want to admit my struggle so again I kept it to myself. There have been other times though that I have opened up and shared my burdens with some of my dearest trusted friends and let me tell you, the times when I have shared my burden with a friend have been so much easier to go through than when I try to do it alone. I have also found that most likely one of my friends has already gone through something similar and can be such a great source of encouragement and hope for me!
So remember, don't isolate yourself or try to bear burdens alone. God gave us each other so we could help one another when one of us is in need. And remember, you are NOT alone!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
"For I Know The Plans..."
"'For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'." Jeremiah 29:11
Kids have such a great way at teaching adults valuable life lessons. One of these lessons my children have taught me is that God always has our best planned out and his ways are ultimately for our best, even when we can't see it at the time. One day when my son was two years old and I was pregnant with our second child, my husband, I and our son were in the car on the way to do something fun for Aden (my son). To be honest I can't remember exactly what it was but I do specifically remember we had planned something fun to do with him on a Saturday afternoon. We did not tell him ahead of time what our plans were because we didn't want him bugging us all day long to go do it. Well while we were in the car Aden starts asking if we can go get some chicken nuggets and french fries. I do remember food was a part of the fun equation, but it wasn't the first thing we were doing. I told my little two year old that we would go get some food but we had something fun planned for him first. This was not acceptable to him because we weren't doing exactly what he wanted when he wanted and because all he could hear was the fact I told him not right now he could not hear me telling him that we had something better for him planned. He threw a royal temper fit. Usually I would have been very upset with him and might have even turned the car around and went right back home but that time I felt the Holy Spirit teaching me a very important lesson. Here I was my son's mother and I had something good planned just for him. Something that he was going to really enjoy and something better than just getting food right at that moment. He being two couldn't see past his own wants and trust me that I had something better planned for him. It was like looking in a spiritual mirror at myself and my relationship with my Heavenly Father. How many countless times have I demanded my own way and wants with the Lord while he is gently and lovingly telling me "No" or "Not Right Now", not because he doesn't want me to have good things and blessings, but because He in his omniscience and omnipotence has something much better planned for me. I acting more like a two year old than a twenty five year old, respond to not getting my way with whining, grumbling, and complaining and can't hear God telling me through all that, that He has something better for me and all I need to do is trust him.
"God today I ask you to help me stop acting like a two year old and learn to trust you when you tell me "No" or "Not Right Now". Help me learn to trust what Jeremiah 29:11 says that your plans are good and you have a wonderful future planned out tailored to the way you made me! Thank you for all your provisions, your continual love and amazing goodness. Amen"
Kids have such a great way at teaching adults valuable life lessons. One of these lessons my children have taught me is that God always has our best planned out and his ways are ultimately for our best, even when we can't see it at the time. One day when my son was two years old and I was pregnant with our second child, my husband, I and our son were in the car on the way to do something fun for Aden (my son). To be honest I can't remember exactly what it was but I do specifically remember we had planned something fun to do with him on a Saturday afternoon. We did not tell him ahead of time what our plans were because we didn't want him bugging us all day long to go do it. Well while we were in the car Aden starts asking if we can go get some chicken nuggets and french fries. I do remember food was a part of the fun equation, but it wasn't the first thing we were doing. I told my little two year old that we would go get some food but we had something fun planned for him first. This was not acceptable to him because we weren't doing exactly what he wanted when he wanted and because all he could hear was the fact I told him not right now he could not hear me telling him that we had something better for him planned. He threw a royal temper fit. Usually I would have been very upset with him and might have even turned the car around and went right back home but that time I felt the Holy Spirit teaching me a very important lesson. Here I was my son's mother and I had something good planned just for him. Something that he was going to really enjoy and something better than just getting food right at that moment. He being two couldn't see past his own wants and trust me that I had something better planned for him. It was like looking in a spiritual mirror at myself and my relationship with my Heavenly Father. How many countless times have I demanded my own way and wants with the Lord while he is gently and lovingly telling me "No" or "Not Right Now", not because he doesn't want me to have good things and blessings, but because He in his omniscience and omnipotence has something much better planned for me. I acting more like a two year old than a twenty five year old, respond to not getting my way with whining, grumbling, and complaining and can't hear God telling me through all that, that He has something better for me and all I need to do is trust him.
"God today I ask you to help me stop acting like a two year old and learn to trust you when you tell me "No" or "Not Right Now". Help me learn to trust what Jeremiah 29:11 says that your plans are good and you have a wonderful future planned out tailored to the way you made me! Thank you for all your provisions, your continual love and amazing goodness. Amen"
Monday, February 1, 2010
The 23rd Psalm
"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me be anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."
Oh how I love this Psalm. I have it memorized in the King James version but thought my NLT translation was easier understood by all. I like to take this verse by verse and really apply it to my life and circumstances, just as all of you can do too!
(vs.1)A shepherd takes care of his flock of sheep and like the parable in the New Testament even if one wanders away he goes to look for it, not to punish it but to make sure it is returned home safely and unharmed. God is our shepherd and because of this we can rest assured that He will take care of us at all times. Even in those moments when we go astray, He lovingly leads us back home. (vs.2) When you picture a green meadow and a peaceful stream what comes to mind? I picture a perfect spring day with endless deep blue skies, a babbling clear stream of water, me relaxing on a blanket in a field that has dark green grass and lots of pretty flowers, a gentle breeze blowing against my face, not a care in the world, just pure peace! It tells us in this verse that God gives us time of true rest. A time to renew our spirits and minds and strength. I think we are just too busy to accept those times when He brings them to us! (vs.3) When we allow Him, he will show us which "paths" to take in life. These paths are ones that are best for us and will bring honor to the Lord. We will be fulfilled by following God's plans for our lives. (vs.4) The hard times inevitably come to all of us, more than a few times in life, but the Lord promises to be right there in the midst of them. He never ever leaves us, not even for one moment. We don't have to allow fear to overcome us when we are going through this dark times in life. God's Word can be our source of comfort and guidance through these times, if we only let it. God's Word and will for our lives isn't something to make us miserable. It's what will bring about the greatest blessings on our lives. (vs.5) It doesn't matter what people say about you or try to do to you. God is bigger than anybody and everybody combined and he will bless you regardless of what others try to do. People who think you are crazy for accepting Christ and following Him will see his hand in your life as you become a new person, growing in your relationship with the Lord. God is not limited in way to bless you! He can and will cause your cup to overflow with blessings. (vs.6) God pursues you with his unfailing love and goodness! Isn't that awesome! We serve a God who pursues us our whole lives long, just to show us his love and goodness. And finally we can know for sure that we have an eternal home in Heaven by accepting Christ as our Savior. Being assured of that makes the worries of this earthly life seem a little less overwhelming in the light of eternity!
Oh how I love this Psalm. I have it memorized in the King James version but thought my NLT translation was easier understood by all. I like to take this verse by verse and really apply it to my life and circumstances, just as all of you can do too!
(vs.1)A shepherd takes care of his flock of sheep and like the parable in the New Testament even if one wanders away he goes to look for it, not to punish it but to make sure it is returned home safely and unharmed. God is our shepherd and because of this we can rest assured that He will take care of us at all times. Even in those moments when we go astray, He lovingly leads us back home. (vs.2) When you picture a green meadow and a peaceful stream what comes to mind? I picture a perfect spring day with endless deep blue skies, a babbling clear stream of water, me relaxing on a blanket in a field that has dark green grass and lots of pretty flowers, a gentle breeze blowing against my face, not a care in the world, just pure peace! It tells us in this verse that God gives us time of true rest. A time to renew our spirits and minds and strength. I think we are just too busy to accept those times when He brings them to us! (vs.3) When we allow Him, he will show us which "paths" to take in life. These paths are ones that are best for us and will bring honor to the Lord. We will be fulfilled by following God's plans for our lives. (vs.4) The hard times inevitably come to all of us, more than a few times in life, but the Lord promises to be right there in the midst of them. He never ever leaves us, not even for one moment. We don't have to allow fear to overcome us when we are going through this dark times in life. God's Word can be our source of comfort and guidance through these times, if we only let it. God's Word and will for our lives isn't something to make us miserable. It's what will bring about the greatest blessings on our lives. (vs.5) It doesn't matter what people say about you or try to do to you. God is bigger than anybody and everybody combined and he will bless you regardless of what others try to do. People who think you are crazy for accepting Christ and following Him will see his hand in your life as you become a new person, growing in your relationship with the Lord. God is not limited in way to bless you! He can and will cause your cup to overflow with blessings. (vs.6) God pursues you with his unfailing love and goodness! Isn't that awesome! We serve a God who pursues us our whole lives long, just to show us his love and goodness. And finally we can know for sure that we have an eternal home in Heaven by accepting Christ as our Savior. Being assured of that makes the worries of this earthly life seem a little less overwhelming in the light of eternity!
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