"For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works in which God prepared in advance for us to do."-- Ephesians 2:10
A very hard week for me was the week that my husband left from the going away ceremony to train at Camp Atterbury, Indiana; before flying out of country to where he would spend the next year of our lives. I was literally falling apart, I was to the point of "I can't handle this", "why are we going through this?", "why can't things be different?". Not only was my faith seriously lacking, but I wasn't seeing the good, the positive, or the many blessings. I was focused on the negative and how the whole situation inconvenienced ME and MY plans for our life.
Ephesians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I came across this verse and something about it I liked, but it wasn't until today that I heard this verse speak to me in my life.
Ephesians 2:10 tells me that God created me for a purpose...he chose to create me the way I am. He chose to allow me to go through the things in life I have gone through, all in part of making me who I am to do the "good" works in which He prepared for me in ADVANCE to do. - Before I was born. This verse applies the same for my husband. God created him for a purpose, leading up to who he is today so that he can do the "good" works that God prepared in advance for him to do.
I will tell you, I hate that my husband has to be deployed, I hate that he has to be away from the kids and I, but there are so many blessings from this deployment. Our marriage has definitely strengthened, financially we are in a better place and he is getting the experience under his belt to move up in his career with the Military. But the most important things are that we are both closer to God than we were before and this is all part of God's plan to make us into the people He wants us to be so we can do the "good" works He prepared for us.
So think back on your life. If you are feeling like your life has no direction, you can't make it through whatever you are going through, read Ephesians 2:10 for a reminder that this is all a part of God making you who he wants you to be in order to do the "good works in which He prepared in advance" for you to do.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you help me to see the positive in all situations and you help me to see the many blessings I have in life, instead of all the negative things and things that inconvenience me. I ask that you guide me down the paths you have set for me to do the "good works'' that you have prepared for me in advance. Change my heart, work in my life, mold me into the person you want me to be. In your name I pray. Amen.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Rules for Living Holy
"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other...." -Colossians 3:8,9a
Colossians Chapter 3 literally tells us how to live holy. It's like a step by step instruction manual of following God and obeying His commands. It tells us things we shouldn't do. It even tells us what we should do.
Colossians 3:5 "Put to death therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Theses are the things in our life that God says are of the "sinful" and the "earthly" nature. These are the things that we are tempted with. We say we follow God, but reading Colossians 3:5, do we have any of these present in our life? What about Colossians 3:8- "anger, malice, slander, and filthy language"... are any of these present in our life? Yes. No matter who we are we have atlease one thing out of those two verses, present in our life.
In Colossians 3:12,13- "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bearing with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another." - This is how God expects us to be. This is how we live holy. We take out the things listed in Colossians 3:5 and 3:8, and we replace them with Colossians 3:12,13.
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.''- Colossians 3:14.
Love is the cherry on top of the sunday. When you add it to the list it makes it complete. If we choose to love over all else....then we're ridding ourselves of all the anger, malice, rage, slander and filthy language- these things don't show love, they show evil and hate.
In a recent devotional I read, the author of the book said "Treat everyone as though they were Christ". Try that. Even though the people we come into contact with may not treat us the way Christ would, and they may not be Christ, He can see us and he sees how we treat everyone we come in contact with.
My heavenly Father, I pray that I apply Colossians 3 to my life. That I remove the evil and the hate from me, and I replace them with love and kindness, compassion and gentleness, humility and patience. I long to be free from the ways of the world and to live in the ways that Glorify YOU. I pray that I treat everyone as if they were you. You are always watching and even though I may be wronged it is not my place to return the wrongs. I pray that I continue to seek you and to love you. You put you first above everyone and everything in my life. Change my heart, - I can't do it alone. Amen!
Colossians Chapter 3 literally tells us how to live holy. It's like a step by step instruction manual of following God and obeying His commands. It tells us things we shouldn't do. It even tells us what we should do.
Colossians 3:5 "Put to death therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Theses are the things in our life that God says are of the "sinful" and the "earthly" nature. These are the things that we are tempted with. We say we follow God, but reading Colossians 3:5, do we have any of these present in our life? What about Colossians 3:8- "anger, malice, slander, and filthy language"... are any of these present in our life? Yes. No matter who we are we have atlease one thing out of those two verses, present in our life.
In Colossians 3:12,13- "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bearing with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another." - This is how God expects us to be. This is how we live holy. We take out the things listed in Colossians 3:5 and 3:8, and we replace them with Colossians 3:12,13.
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.''- Colossians 3:14.
Love is the cherry on top of the sunday. When you add it to the list it makes it complete. If we choose to love over all else....then we're ridding ourselves of all the anger, malice, rage, slander and filthy language- these things don't show love, they show evil and hate.
In a recent devotional I read, the author of the book said "Treat everyone as though they were Christ". Try that. Even though the people we come into contact with may not treat us the way Christ would, and they may not be Christ, He can see us and he sees how we treat everyone we come in contact with.
My heavenly Father, I pray that I apply Colossians 3 to my life. That I remove the evil and the hate from me, and I replace them with love and kindness, compassion and gentleness, humility and patience. I long to be free from the ways of the world and to live in the ways that Glorify YOU. I pray that I treat everyone as if they were you. You are always watching and even though I may be wronged it is not my place to return the wrongs. I pray that I continue to seek you and to love you. You put you first above everyone and everything in my life. Change my heart, - I can't do it alone. Amen!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
How to be Godly
''...rather, train yourself to be Godly.''- 1 Timothy 4:7b
When we take the leap of faith, being baptised and accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts; that doesn't make us perfect. It means we have to work hard to please God, to rid ourselves of the sinful desires of the world, and we have to strive to obey his commands. We are now forgiven and saved by God's gracious mercy-we should desire God in every way, desire to please Him, desire to praise Him, desire to obey Him, and desire to share His love with others.
It isn't easy. We don't just wake up the morning after we're saved and avoid all evil and all temptations. Once we're saved we're more tempted. Before we were of the world- now we're in a war against the sinful desires and tempations that Satan uses to try to bring us down. It's harder, but now we're forgiven. God doesn't expect us to be perfect. He expects us to obey his commands and love one another.
Each day, with every task and every person we come in contact with, we work to please God and to obey his commands. When we're truly saved we feel the disappointment of knowing we failed to please Hm, we feel the desire of not getting enough of Him, of knowing that we can never thank Him enough for sending His own son to save us of OUR mistakes and wrong doings.
Pray that God give you the strength to follow him, admitting that you can't resist all temptations alone. Mostly, thank Him everyday for sending His son to save you so that you may have eternal life.
Lord, I know I can never thank you enough for sending your son to save me. I come in contact with temptations everyday and I can't turn them down alone. Although I continue to fail, you bless me in so many ways and you continue to forgive me. I pray that my desires for you grow stronger with each temptation and with each day. I pray that I glorify you in everything and that I never fail to give you the praise. Forgive me Lord where I fail you, continue to pour your mercies down on me. Amen.
When we take the leap of faith, being baptised and accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts; that doesn't make us perfect. It means we have to work hard to please God, to rid ourselves of the sinful desires of the world, and we have to strive to obey his commands. We are now forgiven and saved by God's gracious mercy-we should desire God in every way, desire to please Him, desire to praise Him, desire to obey Him, and desire to share His love with others.
It isn't easy. We don't just wake up the morning after we're saved and avoid all evil and all temptations. Once we're saved we're more tempted. Before we were of the world- now we're in a war against the sinful desires and tempations that Satan uses to try to bring us down. It's harder, but now we're forgiven. God doesn't expect us to be perfect. He expects us to obey his commands and love one another.
Each day, with every task and every person we come in contact with, we work to please God and to obey his commands. When we're truly saved we feel the disappointment of knowing we failed to please Hm, we feel the desire of not getting enough of Him, of knowing that we can never thank Him enough for sending His own son to save us of OUR mistakes and wrong doings.
Pray that God give you the strength to follow him, admitting that you can't resist all temptations alone. Mostly, thank Him everyday for sending His son to save you so that you may have eternal life.
Lord, I know I can never thank you enough for sending your son to save me. I come in contact with temptations everyday and I can't turn them down alone. Although I continue to fail, you bless me in so many ways and you continue to forgive me. I pray that my desires for you grow stronger with each temptation and with each day. I pray that I glorify you in everything and that I never fail to give you the praise. Forgive me Lord where I fail you, continue to pour your mercies down on me. Amen.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Faith instead of Uncertainty
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1
Have you ever been unsure of what was going to happen? Scared because you just knew that your world was crumbling on top of you? Worried because you couldn't see what was going to happen next? Or fearing that the worse case scenario would play out? Ofcourse everyone has. Recently, I think I felt all of that.
I always thought I had faith, until everything wasn't going as I had expected it. Then, I learned I had NEVER had faith. I was unsure of what to expect, because I've always been in control. I felt like everything was against me. I had all these ideas of what would happen- and they were all the worse possible thing that could happen. All I did was upset myself more, depress myself, and almost hide myself away in a hole, not wanting to talk to anyone or do anything.
So I turned to the only one that I knew I could turn to- the one that didn't think I was an idiot or upset for no reason, the one that understood my emotions, addressed my concerns and gave me answers. That night I truely committed myself completely to God. I began reading my Bible daily and praying to God for everything.
Within a few days I came across Hebrews 11:1- "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"- well, I wasn't sure at all of what I hoped for and was definately certain of what I could not see. So this spoke to me.
A few days later I read Galatians 3:11b- "The righteous will live by faith". I made the connection.
I didn't just not have faith, I didn't have faith in God. Having faith is about trusting in God completely. Letting him control your life and the situations in it. Sitting in the drivers seat, but God holding the steering wheel, closing your eyes and saying okay God take me where you want me to be. It's about having no control over whats going to happen but trusting in God's plan, knowing that His plan no matter what it is will get you through, the good times and the bad.
All we have to do is "seek" Him. When we do that, we realize that God has a plan for us.
Dear Lord, Today I pray that you help me to continue to commit to you fully, not at my convenience. Help me to trust in you fully, giving up all control that I may have and allowing your will for my life and my family to be done. I ask that I recognize all the many blessings you have given me and that I follow you. Strengthen my faith Lord. Make me the mom, wife and woman that you want me to be. Amen!
Have you ever been unsure of what was going to happen? Scared because you just knew that your world was crumbling on top of you? Worried because you couldn't see what was going to happen next? Or fearing that the worse case scenario would play out? Ofcourse everyone has. Recently, I think I felt all of that.
I always thought I had faith, until everything wasn't going as I had expected it. Then, I learned I had NEVER had faith. I was unsure of what to expect, because I've always been in control. I felt like everything was against me. I had all these ideas of what would happen- and they were all the worse possible thing that could happen. All I did was upset myself more, depress myself, and almost hide myself away in a hole, not wanting to talk to anyone or do anything.
So I turned to the only one that I knew I could turn to- the one that didn't think I was an idiot or upset for no reason, the one that understood my emotions, addressed my concerns and gave me answers. That night I truely committed myself completely to God. I began reading my Bible daily and praying to God for everything.
Within a few days I came across Hebrews 11:1- "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"- well, I wasn't sure at all of what I hoped for and was definately certain of what I could not see. So this spoke to me.
A few days later I read Galatians 3:11b- "The righteous will live by faith". I made the connection.
I didn't just not have faith, I didn't have faith in God. Having faith is about trusting in God completely. Letting him control your life and the situations in it. Sitting in the drivers seat, but God holding the steering wheel, closing your eyes and saying okay God take me where you want me to be. It's about having no control over whats going to happen but trusting in God's plan, knowing that His plan no matter what it is will get you through, the good times and the bad.
All we have to do is "seek" Him. When we do that, we realize that God has a plan for us.
Dear Lord, Today I pray that you help me to continue to commit to you fully, not at my convenience. Help me to trust in you fully, giving up all control that I may have and allowing your will for my life and my family to be done. I ask that I recognize all the many blessings you have given me and that I follow you. Strengthen my faith Lord. Make me the mom, wife and woman that you want me to be. Amen!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Give up the World
"Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean'."- Mark 7:15
I remember when I was about 8-13, my parents boycotting disney. It was many years ago, but supposedly disney supported something that went against our beliefs as christians. As a young child I didn't exactly understand this at the time. Now that I'm older, I understand you don't want to support something or someone that goes against your beliefs. However, this verse gives me a different outlook on that. Just because we may watch a movie that has foul language, or go to a bar; doesn't mean that we are sinning. It's the things that we do- the actions we take and the words that we speak that make us 'unclean'. As Mark 7:15 says "Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him...", it's the things that come out of us.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified that sinful nature with its passions and desires"- Galations 5:24
These 2 verses connect to each other. If we crucified the sinful nature inside of us- then we don't have to worry about 'unclean' things coming out of us. It's so hard to so no to a desire we have, to turn down the things we enjoy most. It takes work, but when we accept Christ into our hearts, we have a new joy, a new passion, and a desire with in us that longs for Him with everything we have.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this beautiful day. I thank you for giving me the desire to praise you and glorify you in my life. I thank you for having a wonderful family and friends that long for you and that strengthen my relationship with you and encourage me to follow you instead of the ways of the world. I ask that you continue to work in me, change my heart, strengthen my desires and passions to to follow you and to glorify you in everything I do.
I remember when I was about 8-13, my parents boycotting disney. It was many years ago, but supposedly disney supported something that went against our beliefs as christians. As a young child I didn't exactly understand this at the time. Now that I'm older, I understand you don't want to support something or someone that goes against your beliefs. However, this verse gives me a different outlook on that. Just because we may watch a movie that has foul language, or go to a bar; doesn't mean that we are sinning. It's the things that we do- the actions we take and the words that we speak that make us 'unclean'. As Mark 7:15 says "Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him...", it's the things that come out of us.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified that sinful nature with its passions and desires"- Galations 5:24
These 2 verses connect to each other. If we crucified the sinful nature inside of us- then we don't have to worry about 'unclean' things coming out of us. It's so hard to so no to a desire we have, to turn down the things we enjoy most. It takes work, but when we accept Christ into our hearts, we have a new joy, a new passion, and a desire with in us that longs for Him with everything we have.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this beautiful day. I thank you for giving me the desire to praise you and glorify you in my life. I thank you for having a wonderful family and friends that long for you and that strengthen my relationship with you and encourage me to follow you instead of the ways of the world. I ask that you continue to work in me, change my heart, strengthen my desires and passions to to follow you and to glorify you in everything I do.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
When We're Angry We Don't Think...
"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." - Ephesians 4:26
With our stress and worry that we let build up in our lives, our anger comes out easter, faster, and at times harsher. It's so easy to snap and lose control of our thoughts, our tongues and our actions. As Ephesians 4:26 says, we shouldn't "let the sun go down while you are still angry". That's how grudges are built and bitterness begans to consume us. By the grudges and bitterness, we give Satan a foothold, a weak spot to let him in our lives and began taking us over.
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,"- James 1:19b
Everyday in every situation whether waiting in line at the store, in an argument with my husband, or with my children tearing my house apart as I'm trying to clean it up; I try to remind myself of this verse. It not only reminds me to slow down and breathe, but it's always a way for me to tell Satan "Hey, you better just go on, God's with me, not you!" This verse has kept me keep my calm alot. At the same time, I'm continuing to "seek" God and please him with my words and actions.
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you be with me, help me to not lose my self control in a moment of anger. Help me to remember James 1:19 and that I become quick to listen, and slow to speak, therefore causing me to be slow to anger. It's so easy to lose our tempers quickly and by doing it that, we hurt those around us, we hurt you and we allow the devil to once again creep in. I thank you for your continued blessings. Continue to work in my life and change my heart. Help me to seek you fully, not just at my convenience. Amen.
With our stress and worry that we let build up in our lives, our anger comes out easter, faster, and at times harsher. It's so easy to snap and lose control of our thoughts, our tongues and our actions. As Ephesians 4:26 says, we shouldn't "let the sun go down while you are still angry". That's how grudges are built and bitterness begans to consume us. By the grudges and bitterness, we give Satan a foothold, a weak spot to let him in our lives and began taking us over.
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,"- James 1:19b
Everyday in every situation whether waiting in line at the store, in an argument with my husband, or with my children tearing my house apart as I'm trying to clean it up; I try to remind myself of this verse. It not only reminds me to slow down and breathe, but it's always a way for me to tell Satan "Hey, you better just go on, God's with me, not you!" This verse has kept me keep my calm alot. At the same time, I'm continuing to "seek" God and please him with my words and actions.
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you be with me, help me to not lose my self control in a moment of anger. Help me to remember James 1:19 and that I become quick to listen, and slow to speak, therefore causing me to be slow to anger. It's so easy to lose our tempers quickly and by doing it that, we hurt those around us, we hurt you and we allow the devil to once again creep in. I thank you for your continued blessings. Continue to work in my life and change my heart. Help me to seek you fully, not just at my convenience. Amen.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Worrying Does NOT Help!
Matthew 6:25-6:34
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own. "- Matthew 6:34
Each day I remind myself of this verse. It's very comforting just the words itself, but when you actually know the meaning and the verses surrounding it, it brings a peace that you can't explain.
Worrying is something that is in everyone of us. It seems as though it's embedded in our DNA. Worrying takes something so small and makes it seem so BIG. Just recently I was worried about so many things going on in my life. Not to name all of them but to name a few, Robert (my husband) being deployed and our finances. I was worrying myself crazy. I was bugging my best friend because I knew she could make me feel better, calling my dad and stepmom just to hear them tell me it was going to be ok, and praying almost constantly, all just to feel that temporary relief. Temporary? Yes, temporary. I wasn't giving it completely to God. I wasn't asking for him to release me from the burdens and worry and stress that I was under.
A few sentences up, I said that if you knew the verses surrounding Matthew 6:34, then it would bring a peace that you couldn't explain. The verse before Matthew 6:34 that I'm referring too is Matthew 6:33.-
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
If I was "seeking" God and his righteousness, then I wouldn't have time to worry. I would be spending my time pleasing God, obeying his commands, and trusting in Him.
If I worry, then I'm letting Satan creep in my head and in my life. Satan finds our weaknesses and that's how he gets in. I worry so very easily, and he knows thats when he can attack. Slowly but surely he'll find our weaknesses, creep in, and eventually pull us under, unless we stop him. If we continually "seek" God, desiring his kingdom and his righteousness, then Satan has no chance to creep in.
I pray Lord that you help me to seek you, I know that I can't do it on my own. I dont' want to just be lukewarm. I want to fully seek you, trusting in you through all the trials in my life. I pray that I don't allow myself to be tempted. I thank you for the many blessings in my life and I pray you continue to move me and in work in me. I love you Lord. Amen.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own. "- Matthew 6:34
Each day I remind myself of this verse. It's very comforting just the words itself, but when you actually know the meaning and the verses surrounding it, it brings a peace that you can't explain.
Worrying is something that is in everyone of us. It seems as though it's embedded in our DNA. Worrying takes something so small and makes it seem so BIG. Just recently I was worried about so many things going on in my life. Not to name all of them but to name a few, Robert (my husband) being deployed and our finances. I was worrying myself crazy. I was bugging my best friend because I knew she could make me feel better, calling my dad and stepmom just to hear them tell me it was going to be ok, and praying almost constantly, all just to feel that temporary relief. Temporary? Yes, temporary. I wasn't giving it completely to God. I wasn't asking for him to release me from the burdens and worry and stress that I was under.
A few sentences up, I said that if you knew the verses surrounding Matthew 6:34, then it would bring a peace that you couldn't explain. The verse before Matthew 6:34 that I'm referring too is Matthew 6:33.-
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
If I was "seeking" God and his righteousness, then I wouldn't have time to worry. I would be spending my time pleasing God, obeying his commands, and trusting in Him.
If I worry, then I'm letting Satan creep in my head and in my life. Satan finds our weaknesses and that's how he gets in. I worry so very easily, and he knows thats when he can attack. Slowly but surely he'll find our weaknesses, creep in, and eventually pull us under, unless we stop him. If we continually "seek" God, desiring his kingdom and his righteousness, then Satan has no chance to creep in.
I pray Lord that you help me to seek you, I know that I can't do it on my own. I dont' want to just be lukewarm. I want to fully seek you, trusting in you through all the trials in my life. I pray that I don't allow myself to be tempted. I thank you for the many blessings in my life and I pray you continue to move me and in work in me. I love you Lord. Amen.
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