Today I choose to live in harmony. To love, appreciate and embrace the differences between myself and others around me.
As believers we are called to live in harmony with one another. Psalm 133:1 says, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." Living in harmony goes way beyond just appearances. We can't just act like we like someone, we have to genuinely change our attitude. We are all created different and that is what makes us all unique. It would be boring to live in a world where everyone was the same. Often it is our differences that can get in the way of us living in harmony. We aren't called to be best friends with everyone, but we are called to love and live in unity with everyone.
It's probably easy to think of someone who rubs you the wrong way, someone who pushes your buttons and can drive you crazy. If we allow those small annoyances to fester, we begin to break apart the unity that God has called us to. And sometimes it can even be the similarities in us that can cause tension.
Some would say that I can be stubborn, maybe even strong willed and I come from a family of strong willed people! I can also be competitive and that trait doesn't always come out in the most loving way! Being strong willed can be an benefit, but it can start to become detrimental when my stubbornness causes conflict. Quarreling is a barrier to harmony and we have to work towards harmony amidst conflict. We find unity and harmony when we start to look out for the interest of others, not just for our own interests.
It can be hard to admit that we are wrong, that we are the one with a bad attitude or that we are the one who hasn't been very kind. But we must humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness, because a lack of unity within a church body can be detrimental not only to those who are at odds, but to the rest of the body as well. Galatians 5:14-15 tell us, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." We have to love, not break apart and devour.
We are called to live out Paul's words in Ephesians 4:1-6. "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit - just as you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." We have to love! We have to be patient, we have to be humble and we have to realize that if there is someone who has bothered us, there's a good chance that we may have done something that has bothered someone else. When we all recognize that we need God's strength, we can start to see others with love.
1 Peter 3:8-12 is another great challenge to us for how we should live our lives. "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'" We have to love, not allowing our minds, thoughts and words to slander others or bring people down. Our actions, thoughts and words should reflect the humble, patient, loving, forgiving character of Christ.
So, today I choose to live in harmony, to be thankful that we are all created differently in God's image!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Today I Choose Sacrifice...
Today I choose sacrifice. To praise God for the sacrifice that his Son made on the cross and to make sacrifices in my own life that bring glory to Him.
A true sacrifice is giving up something that hurts, that costs and that brings about change in our lives. We have to make sure that we are making sacrifices for the right reasons and we must be willing to give up everything for Jesus.
In America we have it easy. We have so many conveniences available to us that we can forget what is really means to make a sacrifice. We aren't persecuted by our government for our faith and our lives aren't threatened by them for believing in God. Compared to much of the world we are wealthy, even if we don't feel so. The question that I keep asking myself then, is what does it look like for me to sacrifice? What do I need to change in my life so that I can live a life a sacrifice?
Jesus tells a rich man in Matthew 19:21-22 "'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." How do we view our material items and money? As something that we have earned because we work hard, or as a blessing from God? I want to see all of that "stuff" as blessings from God and I have to hold those things with an open hand, always being ready for God to use them as he sees fit. I want God to use me and the blessings that he has given me for his glory, not for my own comfort.
I found a great quote in my Life Application Study Bible today about Romans 12:1 and it really summed up what I have been thinking about. For some background, Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. The quote helps to explain how this verse can apply to our lives today. "When sacrificing an animal according to God's law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important. God wants us offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices - daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting in him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven."
We should desire to sacrifice because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, he gave up his life so that we might have eternal life. So I choose to change my priorities, to not hold on tightly to the things that I have on this earth and to look for ways that I can make an eternal impact.
So, today I choose sacrifice.
A true sacrifice is giving up something that hurts, that costs and that brings about change in our lives. We have to make sure that we are making sacrifices for the right reasons and we must be willing to give up everything for Jesus.
In America we have it easy. We have so many conveniences available to us that we can forget what is really means to make a sacrifice. We aren't persecuted by our government for our faith and our lives aren't threatened by them for believing in God. Compared to much of the world we are wealthy, even if we don't feel so. The question that I keep asking myself then, is what does it look like for me to sacrifice? What do I need to change in my life so that I can live a life a sacrifice?
Jesus tells a rich man in Matthew 19:21-22 "'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." How do we view our material items and money? As something that we have earned because we work hard, or as a blessing from God? I want to see all of that "stuff" as blessings from God and I have to hold those things with an open hand, always being ready for God to use them as he sees fit. I want God to use me and the blessings that he has given me for his glory, not for my own comfort.
I found a great quote in my Life Application Study Bible today about Romans 12:1 and it really summed up what I have been thinking about. For some background, Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. The quote helps to explain how this verse can apply to our lives today. "When sacrificing an animal according to God's law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important. God wants us offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices - daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting in him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven."
We should desire to sacrifice because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, he gave up his life so that we might have eternal life. So I choose to change my priorities, to not hold on tightly to the things that I have on this earth and to look for ways that I can make an eternal impact.
So, today I choose sacrifice.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Today I Choose Humility
Today I choose humility. To live me life with humility, following the example of Christ by becoming a servant.
"When pride comes, then come disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2). I want to be humble, I want my life to reflect humility and it's going to take some work!
Humility doesn't just happen overnight, but we are called to be humble, to serve and to put others needs before our own. It is way easier to be selfish, to think about our own needs and to put ourselves first. I think that parenthood is the ultimate lesson in humility! Your child's needs always come before your own, you would do anything and sacrifice anything to keep them safe and healthy. You often choose to buy something for them over something for yourself and you put your own wants and desires behind the welfare of your child. You give up sleep, money and time that was once your own and you quickly realize that you do not have all the answers (a big lesson in humility), but parenthood is the most rewarding, joyous experience in life. There is nothing like hearing your child tell you, "I love you". With those three simple words, all the hard work, sacrifice and lack of sleep fade away. Ephesians 4:2 says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." We are called to be humble, gentle, patient and loving to everyone!
I think that Titus 3:1-2 is such a great reminder of how we are supposed to live. "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." I love the end of those verses, "to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility to all men". Imagine if we lived in a world where everyone was like that. Since we don't live in a world like that, imagine what an example we could be if we lived our lives like that!
Philippians 2:1-8 gives us a beautiful picture of Christ's humility and the ultimate sacrifice, his death on the cross.
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
We have an amazing example in Jesus Christ and we are called to have the same attitude! We need to be humble, because it is not about us, it's about bring glory to God in everything that we do!
So, today I choose humility. To let someone go before me in line at the store, to be kind when I am driving on the freeway and to think about others before I think about myself.
"When pride comes, then come disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2). I want to be humble, I want my life to reflect humility and it's going to take some work!
Humility doesn't just happen overnight, but we are called to be humble, to serve and to put others needs before our own. It is way easier to be selfish, to think about our own needs and to put ourselves first. I think that parenthood is the ultimate lesson in humility! Your child's needs always come before your own, you would do anything and sacrifice anything to keep them safe and healthy. You often choose to buy something for them over something for yourself and you put your own wants and desires behind the welfare of your child. You give up sleep, money and time that was once your own and you quickly realize that you do not have all the answers (a big lesson in humility), but parenthood is the most rewarding, joyous experience in life. There is nothing like hearing your child tell you, "I love you". With those three simple words, all the hard work, sacrifice and lack of sleep fade away. Ephesians 4:2 says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." We are called to be humble, gentle, patient and loving to everyone!
I think that Titus 3:1-2 is such a great reminder of how we are supposed to live. "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." I love the end of those verses, "to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility to all men". Imagine if we lived in a world where everyone was like that. Since we don't live in a world like that, imagine what an example we could be if we lived our lives like that!
Philippians 2:1-8 gives us a beautiful picture of Christ's humility and the ultimate sacrifice, his death on the cross.
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
We have an amazing example in Jesus Christ and we are called to have the same attitude! We need to be humble, because it is not about us, it's about bring glory to God in everything that we do!
So, today I choose humility. To let someone go before me in line at the store, to be kind when I am driving on the freeway and to think about others before I think about myself.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Today I Choose to Seek...
Today I choose to seek. To seek God in every area of my life and to recognize when he is at work.
The idea of seeking God is one that I have heard a lot. I have grown up in the church and I have heard that I should seek God, I've taught that we should seek God and I've even sang about seeking God. But what does that really look like in my life, on a daily basis? What does it mean to seek God?
As I have been thinking about the idea of seeking God, I can think of a few ways that I should be doing on a daily basis. I can be looking for God in the small and big things of life. I think too often something great happens and we just think, "wow, how cool", but instead we should be saying, "God, thank you for that blessing". Everything is a blessing from God and we have to be seeking how we can see him working in every part of our lives, big or small. I also think that I have to have an eternal mindset instead of an earthly mindset. I will never find satisfaction or true comfort in things of this world, but it is tempting and easy to try and find our comfort in worldly things. I also have to make sure that my plans are God's plans. I need to prayerfully consider my goals in life and make sure that I am seeking God's plans for my life. In 1 Chronicles chapter 28 we read about David's plans for the temple and in verse 9 David gives Solomon some instructions. "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." I want to serve God with wholehearted devotion and motives that honor God. I must follow the words of Psalm 119:9-11, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I have to know God's word in order to apply it to my life. I have to been spending time in God's word, so that I can know how he wants me to live.
I think that the pressures of life can also get in the way of us truly seeking God and it can be hard not to worry. Matthew 6:31-34 tells us, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." We are told here to not worry, because God knows what we need! We are to seek his kingdom and God will take care of our needs. We have to run towards God, not the things of this world. We have to focus on what God is asking us to do and not worry about tomorrow, because God has a plan! And what a great example and witness that could be to the world around us!
So, today I choose to seek God, to look for how he can use me and to trust that his plan is perfect.
The idea of seeking God is one that I have heard a lot. I have grown up in the church and I have heard that I should seek God, I've taught that we should seek God and I've even sang about seeking God. But what does that really look like in my life, on a daily basis? What does it mean to seek God?
As I have been thinking about the idea of seeking God, I can think of a few ways that I should be doing on a daily basis. I can be looking for God in the small and big things of life. I think too often something great happens and we just think, "wow, how cool", but instead we should be saying, "God, thank you for that blessing". Everything is a blessing from God and we have to be seeking how we can see him working in every part of our lives, big or small. I also think that I have to have an eternal mindset instead of an earthly mindset. I will never find satisfaction or true comfort in things of this world, but it is tempting and easy to try and find our comfort in worldly things. I also have to make sure that my plans are God's plans. I need to prayerfully consider my goals in life and make sure that I am seeking God's plans for my life. In 1 Chronicles chapter 28 we read about David's plans for the temple and in verse 9 David gives Solomon some instructions. "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever." I want to serve God with wholehearted devotion and motives that honor God. I must follow the words of Psalm 119:9-11, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I have to know God's word in order to apply it to my life. I have to been spending time in God's word, so that I can know how he wants me to live.
I think that the pressures of life can also get in the way of us truly seeking God and it can be hard not to worry. Matthew 6:31-34 tells us, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." We are told here to not worry, because God knows what we need! We are to seek his kingdom and God will take care of our needs. We have to run towards God, not the things of this world. We have to focus on what God is asking us to do and not worry about tomorrow, because God has a plan! And what a great example and witness that could be to the world around us!
So, today I choose to seek God, to look for how he can use me and to trust that his plan is perfect.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Today I Choose to Listen...
Today I choose to listen. To be still and listen to what God is asking me to do and obediently follow through.
Listening is challenging! So often we are quicker to speak than to listen. So what does it look like to listen to God? God can speak to us in so many different ways. He can use others in our lives to speak his truth, he can speak to use through his word, he can speak to us through a worship song or through something as simple and beautiful as nature. God is speaking, but are we listening?
Psalm 46:10 tell us, '"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" And Proverbs 1:5 says, "let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." I want to be wise and add to my knowledge and if I am going to do that I have to listen! But too often we do not follow the words of James 1:19-20. "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." We can all probably think of a many times in our lives where we were quicker to speak than to listen with people, but I think we do that to God as well. I think about my prayer times, it is so easy for me to rattle off my list of desires and not listen to what God is asking me to do. And even when I am trying to be still before God, I can so easily interject my ideas. Who am I to think that my plans are better than God's? He is the almighty, powerful, everlasting God and I tend to speak before I listen to him.
James 1:22-25 is a wonderful picture of what it looks like to listen and to act. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." We have to not only be still and listen, we must do what God is asking! We have to listen, learn, apply and act. If we lived our lives like this, imagine what God could do and how he could work!
So, today I choose to listen. To be still, to listen and then to act.
Listening is challenging! So often we are quicker to speak than to listen. So what does it look like to listen to God? God can speak to us in so many different ways. He can use others in our lives to speak his truth, he can speak to use through his word, he can speak to us through a worship song or through something as simple and beautiful as nature. God is speaking, but are we listening?
Psalm 46:10 tell us, '"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" And Proverbs 1:5 says, "let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." I want to be wise and add to my knowledge and if I am going to do that I have to listen! But too often we do not follow the words of James 1:19-20. "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." We can all probably think of a many times in our lives where we were quicker to speak than to listen with people, but I think we do that to God as well. I think about my prayer times, it is so easy for me to rattle off my list of desires and not listen to what God is asking me to do. And even when I am trying to be still before God, I can so easily interject my ideas. Who am I to think that my plans are better than God's? He is the almighty, powerful, everlasting God and I tend to speak before I listen to him.
James 1:22-25 is a wonderful picture of what it looks like to listen and to act. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." We have to not only be still and listen, we must do what God is asking! We have to listen, learn, apply and act. If we lived our lives like this, imagine what God could do and how he could work!
So, today I choose to listen. To be still, to listen and then to act.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Today I Choose Obedience
Today I choose obedience. To follow where God leads!
Being obedient is hard, from a very young age we struggle with obeying. And if you are a parent, teaching your children to obey can be one of the hardest and most frustrating things to do. We have probably all heard or said words close to... "if you had only listened to me the first time". We are called not only to listen and obey authority figures in our lives, we are called to obey God!
Think about Jonah. God asked him to go to Nineveh and instead of listening, he went another direction. Now, God probably won't send a giant fish to swallow us up when we don't listen to him, but are we missing other ways that God is trying to get our attention when we're not obeying?
2 John verse 6 says, "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." And 1 John 5:3 says, "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome". Do we view our obedience as love towards God? Do we think about how our obedience shows our love for him? I know that I am so proud of Parker when he obeys me. It feels like I have done something right as a parent and it gives me pride to know that he desires to follow the rules. I can't help but think about how proud God must be of us when we obey him.
1 Peter 1:13-16 give us a great challenge for obedience. "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy; so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" We should always be ready to be obedient, to listen to what God is calling us to do and to act.
Tomorrow, my word to focus on is listen and I am going to be praying and asking God to reveal to me the areas in which I am not being obedient. I want to listen to the things he is asking me to do and to obey!
For me, starting this 35 day challenge was a big step of obedience. I felt like God kept telling me to move forward on the ideas that he had given me and I am so blessed for obeying! I have learned so much and have been encourage by so many that have been following this journey. It's truly amazing what can happen when we obey! To God be the glory, because without him I am nothing.
So, today I choose to be obedient to God's plan. Because it is so much greater than I could ever imagine.
Being obedient is hard, from a very young age we struggle with obeying. And if you are a parent, teaching your children to obey can be one of the hardest and most frustrating things to do. We have probably all heard or said words close to... "if you had only listened to me the first time". We are called not only to listen and obey authority figures in our lives, we are called to obey God!
Think about Jonah. God asked him to go to Nineveh and instead of listening, he went another direction. Now, God probably won't send a giant fish to swallow us up when we don't listen to him, but are we missing other ways that God is trying to get our attention when we're not obeying?
2 John verse 6 says, "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." And 1 John 5:3 says, "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome". Do we view our obedience as love towards God? Do we think about how our obedience shows our love for him? I know that I am so proud of Parker when he obeys me. It feels like I have done something right as a parent and it gives me pride to know that he desires to follow the rules. I can't help but think about how proud God must be of us when we obey him.
1 Peter 1:13-16 give us a great challenge for obedience. "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy; so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" We should always be ready to be obedient, to listen to what God is calling us to do and to act.
Tomorrow, my word to focus on is listen and I am going to be praying and asking God to reveal to me the areas in which I am not being obedient. I want to listen to the things he is asking me to do and to obey!
For me, starting this 35 day challenge was a big step of obedience. I felt like God kept telling me to move forward on the ideas that he had given me and I am so blessed for obeying! I have learned so much and have been encourage by so many that have been following this journey. It's truly amazing what can happen when we obey! To God be the glory, because without him I am nothing.
So, today I choose to be obedient to God's plan. Because it is so much greater than I could ever imagine.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Today I Choose Gentleness...
Today I choose gentleness. To be gentle, kind, loving and compassionate in my actions and words.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1) A gentle answer isn't always easy and our words can often get in the way of our gentleness. Words can be harsh, they can hurt, they can tear down and they leave a long lasting impression. We can probably all quickly think of words that have been spoken to us or that we have spoken that have hurt. But we are called to be gentle and humble, using our words to lift others up.
Philippians 4:4-5 tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Is our gentleness evident to all? When people think about us, do they think we are gentle? I want to be a women who is gentle, kind and humble in all that I do!
1 Peter 3:3-4 is a great reminder that our inner beauty is so important and how our actions can have a great affect on others. In verses 1-2 of chapter 3 women are told to be submissive to their husbands so that if they are not believers they may be won over by the behavior of their wives. If we were more focused on a gentle spirit, could we have more of an impact on those around us? "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." Think the amount of time that we take to get ready in the morning, especially us women. What if our focus shifted and we carved out a time each day to work on our inner beauty, to work on growing in our walk with the Lord. I think that it was would attract people to us, not what clothes we are wear or how our hair looks that day. I think it's OK to present ourselves well, I mean it would probably be a little bit of a turn off to the world if we showed up with bedhead and morning breath everywhere, but there must be a balance! We should have a mindset that desires for our inside and outside beauty to match.
We must also praise our God for his gentleness with us! Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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."
God is gentle and patient with us, so we must be gentle and patient with others!
So, today I choose gentleness, in my actions and words. May my gentleness be evident to all.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1) A gentle answer isn't always easy and our words can often get in the way of our gentleness. Words can be harsh, they can hurt, they can tear down and they leave a long lasting impression. We can probably all quickly think of words that have been spoken to us or that we have spoken that have hurt. But we are called to be gentle and humble, using our words to lift others up.
Philippians 4:4-5 tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Is our gentleness evident to all? When people think about us, do they think we are gentle? I want to be a women who is gentle, kind and humble in all that I do!
1 Peter 3:3-4 is a great reminder that our inner beauty is so important and how our actions can have a great affect on others. In verses 1-2 of chapter 3 women are told to be submissive to their husbands so that if they are not believers they may be won over by the behavior of their wives. If we were more focused on a gentle spirit, could we have more of an impact on those around us? "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." Think the amount of time that we take to get ready in the morning, especially us women. What if our focus shifted and we carved out a time each day to work on our inner beauty, to work on growing in our walk with the Lord. I think that it was would attract people to us, not what clothes we are wear or how our hair looks that day. I think it's OK to present ourselves well, I mean it would probably be a little bit of a turn off to the world if we showed up with bedhead and morning breath everywhere, but there must be a balance! We should have a mindset that desires for our inside and outside beauty to match.
We must also praise our God for his gentleness with us! Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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."
God is gentle and patient with us, so we must be gentle and patient with others!
So, today I choose gentleness, in my actions and words. May my gentleness be evident to all.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Today I Choose Self-control
Today I choose self-control. To live a self-controlled, upright and godly life.
I think it's pretty safe to say that we live in a country that majorly lacks self-control. I mean we have shows like "The Biggest Loser" that revolve around people overcoming their addiction to food. We live in a society that loves to overindulge and that often gives into temptation. So how do we live self-controlled lives? I believe by the strength that God gives us and by making sure we are standing firm in our faith.
We are called to live as examples and being self-controlled is a great example to the world. Titus 2:11-13 reminds us that, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." And how are we to do this, by standing firm in our faith so when temptations come our way, we are ready to resist them.
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
I think theses verses point out a few important things. First, we have to be standing firm in our faith, which means sending time in God's word and finding ways to learn more about Him. I love the quote "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything". We must stand firm in our faith, know what we believe and live out those beliefs on a daily basis. These verses also encourage us that we are not alone in our struggle to resist temptation. Verse 9 is a great testament to the importance of being involved in a body of believers. Fellowship with other believers is so important! We need to not only just attend church by sitting in a pew, we should get involved, we should serve and we should find ways that we can encourage others. How encouraging to know that we are not alone in our fight against the things of this world! We not only have our Savior who leads us and gives us strength, we also have brothers and sisters in the Christ who can encourage us.
I want to be self-controlled in the way react to stressful situations, when I am tempted to be angry, when I am tempted to gossip or when I am tempted to give into something of this world that wouldn't glorify my God.
So today I choose self-control. To be productive, motivated and to stand firm in my faith.
I think it's pretty safe to say that we live in a country that majorly lacks self-control. I mean we have shows like "The Biggest Loser" that revolve around people overcoming their addiction to food. We live in a society that loves to overindulge and that often gives into temptation. So how do we live self-controlled lives? I believe by the strength that God gives us and by making sure we are standing firm in our faith.
We are called to live as examples and being self-controlled is a great example to the world. Titus 2:11-13 reminds us that, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." And how are we to do this, by standing firm in our faith so when temptations come our way, we are ready to resist them.
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
I think theses verses point out a few important things. First, we have to be standing firm in our faith, which means sending time in God's word and finding ways to learn more about Him. I love the quote "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything". We must stand firm in our faith, know what we believe and live out those beliefs on a daily basis. These verses also encourage us that we are not alone in our struggle to resist temptation. Verse 9 is a great testament to the importance of being involved in a body of believers. Fellowship with other believers is so important! We need to not only just attend church by sitting in a pew, we should get involved, we should serve and we should find ways that we can encourage others. How encouraging to know that we are not alone in our fight against the things of this world! We not only have our Savior who leads us and gives us strength, we also have brothers and sisters in the Christ who can encourage us.
I want to be self-controlled in the way react to stressful situations, when I am tempted to be angry, when I am tempted to gossip or when I am tempted to give into something of this world that wouldn't glorify my God.
So today I choose self-control. To be productive, motivated and to stand firm in my faith.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Today I Choose to Speak the Truth...
Today I choose to speak the truth. To speak words that are only useful for building others up in love and to be open, honest and real.
We figure out how to lie at a young age and we quickly realize that lying can get us out of trouble! As we enter into adulthood, we may not be lying about hitting our sibling or breaking a lamp, but sometimes the truth is not always on our lips. I can think of many times in my life that I have lied and more often than not it's about something silly. I can think of times that I have lied about knowing what something is or that I have been somewhere that I haven't. And really it's so silly, why would I do that? The answer, so that I don't look lame, dumb or out of touch. I'm sure that we can all think of a time that we have claimed to "know" what something is because we are standing in a group of people who are "in the know" and we don't want to look lame. We are told in Proverbs 12:19 that "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." And "The Lord detests lying lips, but delights in men who are truthful." (Proverbs 12:22) We are called to always speak the truth, even if it means that we will feel lame!
I think that speaking the truth goes beyond just lying. We must also speak the truth in love to those around us. To use our words to lift others up, to not be afraid to call someone on something and to prayerfully offer advice when appropriate. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Do your words benefit those who listen? I can't help but think that if we are spending time in God's word and in prayer that our words will start to reflect the character of Christ and how up lifting that would be!
Proverbs chapter 12 gives us more advice about our words. Verse 18 says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Do our words hurt or heal, tear down or build up? We must always speak the truth in love.
And it has to go beyond speaking to listening! Proverbs 12:15 tells us, "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." We must not only prayerfully consider what we should tell others, but we also must listen to the advice of others and apply it to our own lives. I want to be one who not only prayerfully considers what I should say, but one who listens to the words of godly people in my life! You never know, you might be the only one bold enough to say something that could change a persons life forever.
So today, I choose to speak the truth. To carefully consider my words, because once they leave my lips I cannot take them back. May my words honor my God!
We figure out how to lie at a young age and we quickly realize that lying can get us out of trouble! As we enter into adulthood, we may not be lying about hitting our sibling or breaking a lamp, but sometimes the truth is not always on our lips. I can think of many times in my life that I have lied and more often than not it's about something silly. I can think of times that I have lied about knowing what something is or that I have been somewhere that I haven't. And really it's so silly, why would I do that? The answer, so that I don't look lame, dumb or out of touch. I'm sure that we can all think of a time that we have claimed to "know" what something is because we are standing in a group of people who are "in the know" and we don't want to look lame. We are told in Proverbs 12:19 that "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." And "The Lord detests lying lips, but delights in men who are truthful." (Proverbs 12:22) We are called to always speak the truth, even if it means that we will feel lame!
I think that speaking the truth goes beyond just lying. We must also speak the truth in love to those around us. To use our words to lift others up, to not be afraid to call someone on something and to prayerfully offer advice when appropriate. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Do your words benefit those who listen? I can't help but think that if we are spending time in God's word and in prayer that our words will start to reflect the character of Christ and how up lifting that would be!
Proverbs chapter 12 gives us more advice about our words. Verse 18 says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Do our words hurt or heal, tear down or build up? We must always speak the truth in love.
And it has to go beyond speaking to listening! Proverbs 12:15 tells us, "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." We must not only prayerfully consider what we should tell others, but we also must listen to the advice of others and apply it to our own lives. I want to be one who not only prayerfully considers what I should say, but one who listens to the words of godly people in my life! You never know, you might be the only one bold enough to say something that could change a persons life forever.
So today, I choose to speak the truth. To carefully consider my words, because once they leave my lips I cannot take them back. May my words honor my God!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Today I Choose Boldness...
Today I choose boldness. To boldly live my life to honor God in all that I say and do.
"The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." (Psalm 28:1) I want to be bold for Christ, to speak of His word boldly and to show others that I am a follower of Christ through my actions and words.
Boldness is not easy! It's much easier to sit back and just not say anything, to be silent. But we are called to live differently, to not blend in with the rest of the world and to speak the truth in love. Acts 4 gives us a great example of boldness through Peter and John. They were seized and put in prison overnight for teaching and healing a man in the name of Jesus. After a night in jail the elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. They questioned Peter and John, "By what power or what name did you do this?". Peter answered them, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed." Here is how the Sanhedrin reacted, "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Then they commanded Peter and John to not speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Chapter 4 ends with this prayer from Peter and John, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness."
I was really challenged, do I pray for boldness to speak God's word? Do I look for ways that I can let me faith be known on a daily basis with people I know or with strangers? We have it easy in America, we have religious freedom, our lives are not threatened for proclaiming we are a follower of Christ, but we still shy away from speaking of God's word. When we think about it, what's really at stake, people thinking we are strange? Even if we risk a relationship, isn't it more important to share the Gospel with someone then to worry about what they will think about us? If we are a believer, we have the best news, the best gift that we could ever tell someone about; the Gospel...that Jesus died for our sins! Instead of being bold, we sit back and stay silent because we don't want to offend anyone. I say, we need to start being bold! Maybe we could start with a stranger, after all, we'll never see them again!
I had an opportunity to be bold this past weekend with a stranger. I was at Kyle's work Christmas party and while I was in line for food I struck up a conversation with the women behind me. After some small talk, she asked me where I worked. At that moment, I realized that I had two choices, I could boldly say that I worked at our church or I could do so sheepishly. I chose to say it with boldness. And you know what, this women was a believer! I would have never found that out if I hadn't spoke boldly and honestly. I guess I could have avoided the conversation all together, but I am so glad that I didn't choose that option!
That might be a silly little way of boldness, but it was a step towards a life that is bold for my Savior! So, today I choose boldness!
"The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." (Psalm 28:1) I want to be bold for Christ, to speak of His word boldly and to show others that I am a follower of Christ through my actions and words.
Boldness is not easy! It's much easier to sit back and just not say anything, to be silent. But we are called to live differently, to not blend in with the rest of the world and to speak the truth in love. Acts 4 gives us a great example of boldness through Peter and John. They were seized and put in prison overnight for teaching and healing a man in the name of Jesus. After a night in jail the elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. They questioned Peter and John, "By what power or what name did you do this?". Peter answered them, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed." Here is how the Sanhedrin reacted, "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Then they commanded Peter and John to not speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Chapter 4 ends with this prayer from Peter and John, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness."
I was really challenged, do I pray for boldness to speak God's word? Do I look for ways that I can let me faith be known on a daily basis with people I know or with strangers? We have it easy in America, we have religious freedom, our lives are not threatened for proclaiming we are a follower of Christ, but we still shy away from speaking of God's word. When we think about it, what's really at stake, people thinking we are strange? Even if we risk a relationship, isn't it more important to share the Gospel with someone then to worry about what they will think about us? If we are a believer, we have the best news, the best gift that we could ever tell someone about; the Gospel...that Jesus died for our sins! Instead of being bold, we sit back and stay silent because we don't want to offend anyone. I say, we need to start being bold! Maybe we could start with a stranger, after all, we'll never see them again!
I had an opportunity to be bold this past weekend with a stranger. I was at Kyle's work Christmas party and while I was in line for food I struck up a conversation with the women behind me. After some small talk, she asked me where I worked. At that moment, I realized that I had two choices, I could boldly say that I worked at our church or I could do so sheepishly. I chose to say it with boldness. And you know what, this women was a believer! I would have never found that out if I hadn't spoke boldly and honestly. I guess I could have avoided the conversation all together, but I am so glad that I didn't choose that option!
That might be a silly little way of boldness, but it was a step towards a life that is bold for my Savior! So, today I choose boldness!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Today I Choose Active Faith...
Today I choose to be active, to have an active faith. To be sensitive to God's calling in my life and to not allow my faith to become stagnant. I want to be always learning, always growing and always seeking how God can use me.
1 Peter 2:2-3 tells us "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." I think this is such a great challenge and reminder! Am I craving time in God's word like a baby craves food? Think about a newborn baby, (I have a 5 month old, so I get this for sure!) for the most part all they do is eat, sleep and poop. It's a cycle; they eat, sleep, poop and repeat...all day long. And when a baby is hungry, they let you know! They cry until they get what they crave. As we grow, food and sleep become a little less important, we still need both, but not every 3 hours. We become less dependent and can start to do other things with our day. I know for me, if I am having a really busy day, I can sometimes forget to eat a meal. These verses are challenging us to crave God's word, like a baby craves milk. But we must not stay like a baby in our spiritual maturity, we have to keep growing, keep learning and keep moving towards what God is calling us to do.
In 1 Peter 3:15 we are instructed to be prepared. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." If we are going to be prepared to give the reason for the hope that we have, we have to be learning! We have to be spending time reading God's word and praying. We must be actively seeking God! We have to move!
I want the way I live my life to reflect the words of Psalm 16:8, "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." There are many things that we can run after in life, but we are called to run after our God, to seek His will and to act when he calls!
I felt like God was calling me to start this 35 day study. He kept bringing back to my mind the idea of "Today I Choose" and how each day I have to choose how I am going to live. Then He gave me the idea of the words and how I could study the characteristics that I want to emulate in my life. So I decided that I had to act, because I felt like God was calling. And I am so glad that I did! I have already learned so much and I am only on day nine. Sometimes we just have to act, so that God can move!
So today, I choose active faith, to be always moving forward, always learning and always seeking how God can use me today!
1 Peter 2:2-3 tells us "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." I think this is such a great challenge and reminder! Am I craving time in God's word like a baby craves food? Think about a newborn baby, (I have a 5 month old, so I get this for sure!) for the most part all they do is eat, sleep and poop. It's a cycle; they eat, sleep, poop and repeat...all day long. And when a baby is hungry, they let you know! They cry until they get what they crave. As we grow, food and sleep become a little less important, we still need both, but not every 3 hours. We become less dependent and can start to do other things with our day. I know for me, if I am having a really busy day, I can sometimes forget to eat a meal. These verses are challenging us to crave God's word, like a baby craves milk. But we must not stay like a baby in our spiritual maturity, we have to keep growing, keep learning and keep moving towards what God is calling us to do.
In 1 Peter 3:15 we are instructed to be prepared. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." If we are going to be prepared to give the reason for the hope that we have, we have to be learning! We have to be spending time reading God's word and praying. We must be actively seeking God! We have to move!
I want the way I live my life to reflect the words of Psalm 16:8, "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." There are many things that we can run after in life, but we are called to run after our God, to seek His will and to act when he calls!
I felt like God was calling me to start this 35 day study. He kept bringing back to my mind the idea of "Today I Choose" and how each day I have to choose how I am going to live. Then He gave me the idea of the words and how I could study the characteristics that I want to emulate in my life. So I decided that I had to act, because I felt like God was calling. And I am so glad that I did! I have already learned so much and I am only on day nine. Sometimes we just have to act, so that God can move!
So today, I choose active faith, to be always moving forward, always learning and always seeking how God can use me today!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Today I Choose Patience...
Today I choose patience, to respond in love instead of react out of impatience.
Oh patience...it's something that is tested on a very regular basis everyday! Think about the number of times that as a child you heard or as a parent you have said, "you are really testing my patience." We can so easily react out of anger and say things that we instantly regret. About nine years ago I was given some advice that I took to heart and have never forgotten. At this time in my life I was about to take over leading the Jr. High ministry at our church and my now wonderful mother-in-law, who was stepping down from the ministry, gave me some advice on how to handle the students. She told me to "respond not react" and I have taken those words of wisdom and applied them to so many areas of my life. I want to be a person that takes a deep breath, thinks about what I am going to say and responds out of love instead of reacts out of impatience. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love." (Psalm 103:8) Are we?
Proverbs 15:18 tells us that "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel." We are called in Colossians 3:12 to, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." And in Galatians chapter 5 we are instructed to live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of our sinful nature. It's hard to live by the Spirit when we are trying to do so on our own, but when we start to ask the Lord to change us and to give us strength to respond in patience; we begin to see a change. The thing we must remember is that if we are asking for help with being patient, we will probably come across many things that test our patience! Even as I am writing this, I am having to work on my patience with my kids. One just woke up the other and it is frustrating, but I must respond in patience.
I love the words from Paul in Ephesians 4:1-2, "As a prisoner for the Lord; then I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble, and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." That is how I want to treat others. I want to be a person that is humble, gentle, patient and loving. And our patience must extend beyond our family, friends, co-workers, etc.; we must show patience when we are waiting in a long line at the store or when someone cuts us off on the freeway. Our reactions can either glorify our Savior or our flesh and I want everything I do to bring glory to my God!
So today, I choose patience. Lord give me the strength that I will need to slow down, respond and be patient.
Oh patience...it's something that is tested on a very regular basis everyday! Think about the number of times that as a child you heard or as a parent you have said, "you are really testing my patience." We can so easily react out of anger and say things that we instantly regret. About nine years ago I was given some advice that I took to heart and have never forgotten. At this time in my life I was about to take over leading the Jr. High ministry at our church and my now wonderful mother-in-law, who was stepping down from the ministry, gave me some advice on how to handle the students. She told me to "respond not react" and I have taken those words of wisdom and applied them to so many areas of my life. I want to be a person that takes a deep breath, thinks about what I am going to say and responds out of love instead of reacts out of impatience. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love." (Psalm 103:8) Are we?
Proverbs 15:18 tells us that "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel." We are called in Colossians 3:12 to, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." And in Galatians chapter 5 we are instructed to live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of our sinful nature. It's hard to live by the Spirit when we are trying to do so on our own, but when we start to ask the Lord to change us and to give us strength to respond in patience; we begin to see a change. The thing we must remember is that if we are asking for help with being patient, we will probably come across many things that test our patience! Even as I am writing this, I am having to work on my patience with my kids. One just woke up the other and it is frustrating, but I must respond in patience.
I love the words from Paul in Ephesians 4:1-2, "As a prisoner for the Lord; then I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble, and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." That is how I want to treat others. I want to be a person that is humble, gentle, patient and loving. And our patience must extend beyond our family, friends, co-workers, etc.; we must show patience when we are waiting in a long line at the store or when someone cuts us off on the freeway. Our reactions can either glorify our Savior or our flesh and I want everything I do to bring glory to my God!
So today, I choose patience. Lord give me the strength that I will need to slow down, respond and be patient.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Today I Choose Peace...
Today I choose peace. Finding peace in knowing that my God will provide for all my needs and that his plan for my life is perfect.
Christmas is exactly one week away and when I think about Christmas one word that comes to my mind is peace. We hear "Peace on earth, goodwill to men", but what does it mean to really be at peace? We think about all of the times that our country has been at war versus at peace and wish that all of the men and women who so faithfully serve our country could be home for Christmas. But how often do we think about our own internal war, the war between being content with where God has us and our human nature that wants something more? Proverbs 14:30 says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." Are we people at peace with where God has us, with what he's given us and the plan he has for us?
I am a planner. I love to have a plan for my life and most mornings I wake up and think...."what's my plan for today?". I think there is something to be said for being organized and productive, but that all becomes a problem when my organization and planning gets in the way of what God has planned for me that day. There has to be a balance, I can get things done, but I must hold my plans loosely so that I can be sensitive to God's leading.
I think that we often equate feelings God's peace with a time of struggle. It's amazing to know that God can offer us peace beyond our understanding. I love the words of Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." But what about being at peace when life is good? Even when we aren't in a time of great struggle we still have to be at peace. We have to be content with where God has us at our certain stage of life, we have to trust him with our worries, big or small and we have to trust that if we are available He will use us.
I love reflecting back on my life and remembering the times that God has filled me with peace. Jesus tells us in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This means that I don't have to worry or be afraid about anything. There are so many unknowns in life and we need to find peace in the fact that God has it all under control!
Right now I am struggling to be at peace with our current housing situation. We are so blessed to own a home in an area that is very expensive to buy. We have the best neighbors (because we got to pick them since we live in a duplex) and I love the neighborhood where we live. Last spring Kyle and I really felt like God was telling us it was time to move on to another home. It felt scary to leave what we have known, but we felt like it was the best decision for our family. So, we started to pray. We started to pray that God would take what felt like an impossible situation in a horrible housing market and that he would make it all work. All this to say, we are still in the process of waiting to leave. Things have come a long way since spring, but God hasn't moved us on yet. I find it hard to not think about what our new house could look like or where it will be. And when I allow myself to get too far into looking ahead, I begin to be ungrateful for where God has us now. I loose sight of peace and contentment and I find myself wanting to just skip ahead to the next part of life. I feel like God is saying, find peace in where I have you and don't miss out on opportunities to serve me where you are right now.
I love verses 1-5 in John chapter 5. I think they sum up what it means to choose peace in our lives. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. and hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." It amazes me that I can find hope that does not disappoint in my God!
Today I am challenged to be at peace, to look for the lessons in life and to not miss the blessings that God has for me during each season of life; whether it be a good season or difficult season. I want to praise my God for knowing exactly what I need!
So today I choose peace.
Christmas is exactly one week away and when I think about Christmas one word that comes to my mind is peace. We hear "Peace on earth, goodwill to men", but what does it mean to really be at peace? We think about all of the times that our country has been at war versus at peace and wish that all of the men and women who so faithfully serve our country could be home for Christmas. But how often do we think about our own internal war, the war between being content with where God has us and our human nature that wants something more? Proverbs 14:30 says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." Are we people at peace with where God has us, with what he's given us and the plan he has for us?
I am a planner. I love to have a plan for my life and most mornings I wake up and think...."what's my plan for today?". I think there is something to be said for being organized and productive, but that all becomes a problem when my organization and planning gets in the way of what God has planned for me that day. There has to be a balance, I can get things done, but I must hold my plans loosely so that I can be sensitive to God's leading.
I think that we often equate feelings God's peace with a time of struggle. It's amazing to know that God can offer us peace beyond our understanding. I love the words of Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." But what about being at peace when life is good? Even when we aren't in a time of great struggle we still have to be at peace. We have to be content with where God has us at our certain stage of life, we have to trust him with our worries, big or small and we have to trust that if we are available He will use us.
I love reflecting back on my life and remembering the times that God has filled me with peace. Jesus tells us in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This means that I don't have to worry or be afraid about anything. There are so many unknowns in life and we need to find peace in the fact that God has it all under control!
Right now I am struggling to be at peace with our current housing situation. We are so blessed to own a home in an area that is very expensive to buy. We have the best neighbors (because we got to pick them since we live in a duplex) and I love the neighborhood where we live. Last spring Kyle and I really felt like God was telling us it was time to move on to another home. It felt scary to leave what we have known, but we felt like it was the best decision for our family. So, we started to pray. We started to pray that God would take what felt like an impossible situation in a horrible housing market and that he would make it all work. All this to say, we are still in the process of waiting to leave. Things have come a long way since spring, but God hasn't moved us on yet. I find it hard to not think about what our new house could look like or where it will be. And when I allow myself to get too far into looking ahead, I begin to be ungrateful for where God has us now. I loose sight of peace and contentment and I find myself wanting to just skip ahead to the next part of life. I feel like God is saying, find peace in where I have you and don't miss out on opportunities to serve me where you are right now.
I love verses 1-5 in John chapter 5. I think they sum up what it means to choose peace in our lives. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. and hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." It amazes me that I can find hope that does not disappoint in my God!
Today I am challenged to be at peace, to look for the lessons in life and to not miss the blessings that God has for me during each season of life; whether it be a good season or difficult season. I want to praise my God for knowing exactly what I need!
So today I choose peace.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Today I Choose Compassion...
Today I choose compassion. To Praise God for his compassion on me, to show compassion to others and to those around me with love, kindness and grace.
I love how God works! He has already had us focus on love, kindness and grace; all three words that are the essence of compassion. Not only is our God loving, kind, gracious and faithful (just to name a few), he is compassionate towards us!
In the Old Testament we see God's compassion poured out on the Israelites time and time again as God graciously answered their call for help after they had turned to evil. Nehemiah 9:19 says, "'Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.'"According to Psalm 103:13 "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." We have a God that shows us constant compassion even though we mess up and give into temptation and sin. "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."
If we sit down and really think about our sinful human nature, we should begin to realize all that we are guilty of. We sin on a regular basis, our first reaction is often in the flesh not in faith and we are born selfish. The amazing thing about God is that through all of that gunk that makes a human, God shows us compassion and mercy. I love the saying "Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve." That sums up God and we should be praising him constantly for his compassion on us.
Colossians 3:12-14 gives us our charge as believers. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." I know for myself my first reaction is often judgment instead of compassion. We should be treating others with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love. We should show compassion because God shows us compassion. We need to be a sounding board for others when they are struggling and offer them encouragement instead of secretly judging them, thinking that we would have handled that SO much better.
And when we are the one struggling we must remember that God is compassionate and loving and he is always there in our time of need. Remember the example of Job, he lost everything and he never turned his back on God. And what happened in the end, God blessed him and made him more prosperous than he was before. James 5:11 says, "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
I want to be a person of great compassion towards others and one how boldly speaks of the Lord's compassion in my life. So today I choose compassion!
I love how God works! He has already had us focus on love, kindness and grace; all three words that are the essence of compassion. Not only is our God loving, kind, gracious and faithful (just to name a few), he is compassionate towards us!
In the Old Testament we see God's compassion poured out on the Israelites time and time again as God graciously answered their call for help after they had turned to evil. Nehemiah 9:19 says, "'Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.'"According to Psalm 103:13 "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." We have a God that shows us constant compassion even though we mess up and give into temptation and sin. "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."
If we sit down and really think about our sinful human nature, we should begin to realize all that we are guilty of. We sin on a regular basis, our first reaction is often in the flesh not in faith and we are born selfish. The amazing thing about God is that through all of that gunk that makes a human, God shows us compassion and mercy. I love the saying "Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve." That sums up God and we should be praising him constantly for his compassion on us.
Colossians 3:12-14 gives us our charge as believers. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." I know for myself my first reaction is often judgment instead of compassion. We should be treating others with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love. We should show compassion because God shows us compassion. We need to be a sounding board for others when they are struggling and offer them encouragement instead of secretly judging them, thinking that we would have handled that SO much better.
And when we are the one struggling we must remember that God is compassionate and loving and he is always there in our time of need. Remember the example of Job, he lost everything and he never turned his back on God. And what happened in the end, God blessed him and made him more prosperous than he was before. James 5:11 says, "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
I want to be a person of great compassion towards others and one how boldly speaks of the Lord's compassion in my life. So today I choose compassion!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Today I Choose Kindness...
Today I choose kindness. To show kindness through love, patience and by putting others before myself.
We are taught to be kind and treat others as we would like to be treated from a very young age. We have to be taught this because our natural reaction is not always kindness, instead it is frustration, judgment, impatience and harsh words. It's so easy for us to get caught up in our own world, in what we have to get done and forget to be kind, compassionate and loving to others.
Proverbs 12:25 says, "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." It doesn't take much time or effort to say a kind word. Too many kind words go unsaid because we are in a rush. Think about the homeless person on the street, waiting at the stoplight. It's really easy to sit in your car, not make eye contact and ignore their plea for help. We can easily start to judge, wondering if they are really homeless or if they are just out to scam you for your money. The hard thing to get past is that we just have to show kindness, regardless of whether or not we are being scammed. God calls us to show kindness! Proverbs 14:21 says, "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy." Chapter 14 continues on about helping the needy and in verse 31 tells us that "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Do you ever think about a homeless person or even the person in front of you at the store who is taking FOREVER to check out as God's creation? I know that I don't. I instantly go to my human side that is frustrated, annoyed and just wants that person to hurry up. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:34-46 "'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you fave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" We can't forget that challenge at the end of these verses, "'whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’" That should change our perspective!
Are we looking at those around us and seeing Jesus or are we just seeing a human who must have messed up something big in their life to have to stand on the street corner and beg?
I think that so much of life is about perspective. Do you look at your material things as blessings from God and things that you must be a good steward of or do you see them as a security? We know that the things of this world will fade, but too often we hold on to them tighter than we hold onto our God who can provide for all of our needs.
I think that showing kindness goes beyond strangers or those in need. We have to show kindness to those we come in contact with on a regular basis. It's easy to feel justified in treating someone unkindly because they haven't been nice to us. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 is a great challenge, "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." We are supposed to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) I know that I can be really good at being kind on the outside, while thinking very unkind things about someone on the inside. It's easy to hold a grudge, to be angry when we don't get our way and to think about ourselves first. We are called to be kind, to be compassionate, to be loving and to forgive even when we have been wronged. I want to be a person that not only chooses kindness in my actions, but kindness in my heart and thoughts. I want my thoughts and heart to match my actions and I want my first reaction to be kindness.
Today I am going to take the McDonald's gift cards that have been sitting in my desk and put them in my wallet. And I will gladly hand them to the next person I see asking for money. I will also work on not putting so much value on my "things" and be open and willing to allow God to use them in whatever way he chooses.
So today, I choose kindness and I can't wait to see what opportunities I will have to show kindness to those I love and to those I don't know.
We are taught to be kind and treat others as we would like to be treated from a very young age. We have to be taught this because our natural reaction is not always kindness, instead it is frustration, judgment, impatience and harsh words. It's so easy for us to get caught up in our own world, in what we have to get done and forget to be kind, compassionate and loving to others.
Proverbs 12:25 says, "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." It doesn't take much time or effort to say a kind word. Too many kind words go unsaid because we are in a rush. Think about the homeless person on the street, waiting at the stoplight. It's really easy to sit in your car, not make eye contact and ignore their plea for help. We can easily start to judge, wondering if they are really homeless or if they are just out to scam you for your money. The hard thing to get past is that we just have to show kindness, regardless of whether or not we are being scammed. God calls us to show kindness! Proverbs 14:21 says, "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy." Chapter 14 continues on about helping the needy and in verse 31 tells us that "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Do you ever think about a homeless person or even the person in front of you at the store who is taking FOREVER to check out as God's creation? I know that I don't. I instantly go to my human side that is frustrated, annoyed and just wants that person to hurry up. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:34-46 "'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you fave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" We can't forget that challenge at the end of these verses, "'whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’" That should change our perspective!
Are we looking at those around us and seeing Jesus or are we just seeing a human who must have messed up something big in their life to have to stand on the street corner and beg?
I think that so much of life is about perspective. Do you look at your material things as blessings from God and things that you must be a good steward of or do you see them as a security? We know that the things of this world will fade, but too often we hold on to them tighter than we hold onto our God who can provide for all of our needs.
I think that showing kindness goes beyond strangers or those in need. We have to show kindness to those we come in contact with on a regular basis. It's easy to feel justified in treating someone unkindly because they haven't been nice to us. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 is a great challenge, "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." We are supposed to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) I know that I can be really good at being kind on the outside, while thinking very unkind things about someone on the inside. It's easy to hold a grudge, to be angry when we don't get our way and to think about ourselves first. We are called to be kind, to be compassionate, to be loving and to forgive even when we have been wronged. I want to be a person that not only chooses kindness in my actions, but kindness in my heart and thoughts. I want my thoughts and heart to match my actions and I want my first reaction to be kindness.
Today I am going to take the McDonald's gift cards that have been sitting in my desk and put them in my wallet. And I will gladly hand them to the next person I see asking for money. I will also work on not putting so much value on my "things" and be open and willing to allow God to use them in whatever way he chooses.
So today, I choose kindness and I can't wait to see what opportunities I will have to show kindness to those I love and to those I don't know.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Today I Choose Love...
Today I choose love. To recognize and embrace how much my God loves me and to extend that love to those around me.
Love...it's a word that gets used for so many things. We can say that we love a person and that we love a drink from Starbucks all in one breath. But what does it mean to really embrace the love of God and to follow his commandment to "love each other" (John 15:17)?
The word love appears so many times in the Bible, when I started to look up verses to study about love, I was quite overwhelmed by how many there were to pick from. That shouldn't surprise me though, since Jesus replies when asked what the greatest commandment was in Matthew 22:36-39 to "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Here's the kicker, Jesus doesn't stop there, he continues on to say, "And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus takes it beyond us loving God to loving others and he's not just asking us to love, he's commanding us to love. When Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, it should bring how much he values loving others into perspective. It's easy to love ourselves. I like a good treat and can easily convince myself that I deserve one. Even if it is a small treat like Starbucks, because after all I do "love" Starbucks. So when I am commanded to love others like I love myself, then this should be easy, right? On our own it is not easy, but I think when we truly start to grasp how much God loves us, then that love begins to pour out of our lives onto others.
1 John 3:18 tells us, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." It's easy to say something, but talk is cheap unless it is backed up by actions. God showed his love among us by sending His Son to die for our sins. Now that is love!
I have the blessing and honor to be a mom to Parker and Eliza. I think being a parent give us a little insight into how much God love us. I love both of my kids more than I ever thought I could and I would do anything for them. The amazing thing is that God loves me even more with an unfailing, unconditional, everlasting love. That love should change how I live, it should change how I interact with others, it should change how I love.
Some of my most favorite verses are in Ephesians 3:17b-19. "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." I don't know about you, but I want to know that love and knowing that love makes me want to love others. The thing is, we have to love without expecting anything in return. Luke 6:27-36 tells us that we must love our enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting anything back. "Even 'sinners' love those who love them." God's love should make me want to love others without expectations and love them not because I will be loved back, but because my God loved me first and He commands me to love. I want Psalm 18:1 to be my prayer: "I love you, O Lord, my strength". Give me the ability to remember how much you love me and to love others.
So today, I choose love.
Love...it's a word that gets used for so many things. We can say that we love a person and that we love a drink from Starbucks all in one breath. But what does it mean to really embrace the love of God and to follow his commandment to "love each other" (John 15:17)?
The word love appears so many times in the Bible, when I started to look up verses to study about love, I was quite overwhelmed by how many there were to pick from. That shouldn't surprise me though, since Jesus replies when asked what the greatest commandment was in Matthew 22:36-39 to "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Here's the kicker, Jesus doesn't stop there, he continues on to say, "And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus takes it beyond us loving God to loving others and he's not just asking us to love, he's commanding us to love. When Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, it should bring how much he values loving others into perspective. It's easy to love ourselves. I like a good treat and can easily convince myself that I deserve one. Even if it is a small treat like Starbucks, because after all I do "love" Starbucks. So when I am commanded to love others like I love myself, then this should be easy, right? On our own it is not easy, but I think when we truly start to grasp how much God loves us, then that love begins to pour out of our lives onto others.
1 John 3:18 tells us, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." It's easy to say something, but talk is cheap unless it is backed up by actions. God showed his love among us by sending His Son to die for our sins. Now that is love!
I have the blessing and honor to be a mom to Parker and Eliza. I think being a parent give us a little insight into how much God love us. I love both of my kids more than I ever thought I could and I would do anything for them. The amazing thing is that God loves me even more with an unfailing, unconditional, everlasting love. That love should change how I live, it should change how I interact with others, it should change how I love.
Some of my most favorite verses are in Ephesians 3:17b-19. "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." I don't know about you, but I want to know that love and knowing that love makes me want to love others. The thing is, we have to love without expecting anything in return. Luke 6:27-36 tells us that we must love our enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting anything back. "Even 'sinners' love those who love them." God's love should make me want to love others without expectations and love them not because I will be loved back, but because my God loved me first and He commands me to love. I want Psalm 18:1 to be my prayer: "I love you, O Lord, my strength". Give me the ability to remember how much you love me and to love others.
So today, I choose love.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Today I Choose to Trust...
To trust that my God has a perfect plan, that his timing is always best and that he will provide for my every need.
I am a planner and a list writer. I love to have a plan. Every week before I go to the grocery store, I have to sit down and make my plan. I have to plan out my menu for the week and write my shopping list before I can leave. If I walk into the store with no plan, I feel lost and I usually end up sending way to much money!
I think there is something to be said about having a plan and setting goals for ourselves. The problem enters when we stop trusting in God's plan and start trusting in our own. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" Psalm 20:7. In today's day we probably don't spend a lot of time trusting in chariots and horses, but there are plenty of other worldly things that we place our trust in. We place our trust in having enough money in our savings account, in having a secure paying job, in material items to fill a void and in people. The thing about all of those is that they will fade, they are not eternal and they will let us down. The only one that we can put complete trust in is God, for he will never leave us nor forsake us! Proverbs 28:26 tells us "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." I don't know about you, but I don't want to be a fool! I want to walk in wisdom and trust that my God has bigger and better things planned for my life then I could ever imagine.
A few years ago God really started to challenge me and the way that I was praying. I realized that I was praying God into a box, I was praying for only what I thought was possible. God gently reminded me that he can do far more than I could ever ask or imagine, so why was I only praying for what I thought was possible. It was like God was asking me to ask big and ultimately to TRUST him!
So, I started to pray and to pray big. At this point in time I really felt like God was asking me to step down from my job as Jr. High Director. I loved this job, it fit my gifts well and it was fun! I knew I needed to work, but I wanted to work at home so I could be with my kids. I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning and I felt like God was telling me, "You have to let go of where you are now, so that I can do something bigger in your life". So with no job in the works, I put in my notice and began to pray. It was a huge step of faith and trust that God would provide. And what did God do? He provided the perfect job, one that I love, that fits my gifts so well and allows me to work from home. I had to stop trusting in myself, in what I thought was possible and start trusting in God's big plan.
Jesus tells us in John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." Whether we are in a time of trouble or a time of peace, we can trust God. We can trust him when we are afraid and we can trust him when things are good. Today, I am challenged by Proverbs 3:5, a very familiar yet encouraging verse. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". I want to trust in the Lord with all my heart, even when I don't understand. To trust that my God not only has a perfect plan for my life, but for my husband and my kids. I have to trust God not only with the hard things in life, I have to trust him with EVERYTHING! I know my God is good and I put my trust in him alone!
I am a planner and a list writer. I love to have a plan. Every week before I go to the grocery store, I have to sit down and make my plan. I have to plan out my menu for the week and write my shopping list before I can leave. If I walk into the store with no plan, I feel lost and I usually end up sending way to much money!
I think there is something to be said about having a plan and setting goals for ourselves. The problem enters when we stop trusting in God's plan and start trusting in our own. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" Psalm 20:7. In today's day we probably don't spend a lot of time trusting in chariots and horses, but there are plenty of other worldly things that we place our trust in. We place our trust in having enough money in our savings account, in having a secure paying job, in material items to fill a void and in people. The thing about all of those is that they will fade, they are not eternal and they will let us down. The only one that we can put complete trust in is God, for he will never leave us nor forsake us! Proverbs 28:26 tells us "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." I don't know about you, but I don't want to be a fool! I want to walk in wisdom and trust that my God has bigger and better things planned for my life then I could ever imagine.
A few years ago God really started to challenge me and the way that I was praying. I realized that I was praying God into a box, I was praying for only what I thought was possible. God gently reminded me that he can do far more than I could ever ask or imagine, so why was I only praying for what I thought was possible. It was like God was asking me to ask big and ultimately to TRUST him!
So, I started to pray and to pray big. At this point in time I really felt like God was asking me to step down from my job as Jr. High Director. I loved this job, it fit my gifts well and it was fun! I knew I needed to work, but I wanted to work at home so I could be with my kids. I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning and I felt like God was telling me, "You have to let go of where you are now, so that I can do something bigger in your life". So with no job in the works, I put in my notice and began to pray. It was a huge step of faith and trust that God would provide. And what did God do? He provided the perfect job, one that I love, that fits my gifts so well and allows me to work from home. I had to stop trusting in myself, in what I thought was possible and start trusting in God's big plan.
Jesus tells us in John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." Whether we are in a time of trouble or a time of peace, we can trust God. We can trust him when we are afraid and we can trust him when things are good. Today, I am challenged by Proverbs 3:5, a very familiar yet encouraging verse. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". I want to trust in the Lord with all my heart, even when I don't understand. To trust that my God not only has a perfect plan for my life, but for my husband and my kids. I have to trust God not only with the hard things in life, I have to trust him with EVERYTHING! I know my God is good and I put my trust in him alone!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Today I Choose Faithfulness...
Today I choose faithfulness. To live my life with complete faith in God's plan, to be faithful in all that I say and do and to share of God's faithfulness in my life.
"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 57:10
God's faithfulness is so amazing! When I really sit down and think about my life, I can see God's faithfulness over and over again. The thing that I realize about myself is that more often than not, I choose to run to fear and the "what if's" of life instead of running to my faithful God. I guess this is the human nature battle, to worry instead of have faith. The thing that amazes me, is that God is still faithful even when I am not.
I love the prayer of David in Psalm 86:10-11, 15. "For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
I want an undivided heart, a heart that runs after God's faithfulness, not after the fears of this world.
I decided that I wanted to write down a few of the ways that I have seen God's faithfulness in my life. And when I really think about it, I am amazed at the things God has done and I'm only 27. I can't imagine how he will continue to show his faithfulness throughout the rest of my life!
God has been faithful in....
- The birth of Parker, he came two months early and I watched God do amazing things as we trusted him with Parker's life.
- God provided us with an opportunity to buy a house at a young age and he is now showing his faithfulness once again as we trust him to move us on to another house.
- I have watched God provide for our every need while Kyle was out of work. We have had the blessing of watching God provide through unemployment twice in our marriage and all though it was so hard, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
- I have saw God faithfully answer prayer as I watched my brother, my mom and my mother-in-law all battle cancer. Praise God that they are all healthy today!
- God asked me to step out in faith and leave my job without another job on the horizon. And what did God do, he provided a new job that I love and that fits my stage of life so well.
My God is so good!
Psalm 89:1 challenged me today. "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness know through all generations." Am I doing this? God's faithfulness should make me want to shout it from the mountain top. Too often I don't share, I just keep it to myself. Imagine if our conversations started with "God did this amazing thing today", instead of "You'll never guess what this person did to me when I was driving....". I want my life to speak of the faithfulness of God. Psalm 117 is my encouragement and challenge for today. "Praise the Lord, all you nations, extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord."
Praise the Lord, for He is faithful!!
"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 57:10
God's faithfulness is so amazing! When I really sit down and think about my life, I can see God's faithfulness over and over again. The thing that I realize about myself is that more often than not, I choose to run to fear and the "what if's" of life instead of running to my faithful God. I guess this is the human nature battle, to worry instead of have faith. The thing that amazes me, is that God is still faithful even when I am not.
I love the prayer of David in Psalm 86:10-11, 15. "For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
I want an undivided heart, a heart that runs after God's faithfulness, not after the fears of this world.
I decided that I wanted to write down a few of the ways that I have seen God's faithfulness in my life. And when I really think about it, I am amazed at the things God has done and I'm only 27. I can't imagine how he will continue to show his faithfulness throughout the rest of my life!
God has been faithful in....
- The birth of Parker, he came two months early and I watched God do amazing things as we trusted him with Parker's life.
- God provided us with an opportunity to buy a house at a young age and he is now showing his faithfulness once again as we trust him to move us on to another house.
- I have watched God provide for our every need while Kyle was out of work. We have had the blessing of watching God provide through unemployment twice in our marriage and all though it was so hard, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
- I have saw God faithfully answer prayer as I watched my brother, my mom and my mother-in-law all battle cancer. Praise God that they are all healthy today!
- God asked me to step out in faith and leave my job without another job on the horizon. And what did God do, he provided a new job that I love and that fits my stage of life so well.
My God is so good!
Psalm 89:1 challenged me today. "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness know through all generations." Am I doing this? God's faithfulness should make me want to shout it from the mountain top. Too often I don't share, I just keep it to myself. Imagine if our conversations started with "God did this amazing thing today", instead of "You'll never guess what this person did to me when I was driving....". I want my life to speak of the faithfulness of God. Psalm 117 is my encouragement and challenge for today. "Praise the Lord, all you nations, extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord."
Praise the Lord, for He is faithful!!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Today I Choose Grace...
Recently I have really been challenged to make some changes in my life and to really start to make my faith more active. I felt like God was asking me "What are you doing each day for me? How are you choosing to follow me and live out your faith daily?" And when I took any honest look at myself, I didn't really have a good answer to either of those questions. I try to read my Bible each day, although I do fail in my consistency, and I pray, but that just didn't seem like enough. I want to grow, to know my God more deeply and to fall in love more and more each day with my Savior. So, I have set a challenge before myself. For the next 35 days, I am going to focus on one word or phrase and do my best to grow that characteristic in my life. I thought of 35 words that reflect the character of Christ and who I want to become. I want to make my faith active and I believe to be active, we have to be intentional. I am going to be intentional by choosing one word each day to focus on. To try my hardest to reflect that word in my actions and to hopefully make it become a regular part of my life.
So today, I choose grace. To embrace God's grace and to extend that grace to others.
I looked up different scripture that talks about grace and was I challenged! Romans 3:22-24 tells us that we are all justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reminds us that His grace is sufficient for us and that His power is made perfect in our weakness. So what should this make us do? It should make us "boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me". Do I boast about my weakness so that Christ's power can rest on me? No, I try to hide my weakness and rely on myself for power. This scripture is telling me that when I am weak, that I am strong. Strong only in the power of my Savior!
I want to live out the words of James 4:6, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". I want my life to reflect God's grace and I must remember that it is by grace that I have been saved, it's nothing that I can do. I find the fact that we are saved by grace very reassuring. It means that I don't have to spend my life trying to earn God's love. He freely gives it to me, all I have to do is accept it! I have been saved by grace through faith and for that I am thankful!
How do we reflect this grace n our lives? I think that Colossians 4:5-6 give us great insight into how to treat others. "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
That is what I want to do, to make the most out of every opportunity and to allow my words to be full of grace and truth. So today, I choose grace!
So today, I choose grace. To embrace God's grace and to extend that grace to others.
I looked up different scripture that talks about grace and was I challenged! Romans 3:22-24 tells us that we are all justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reminds us that His grace is sufficient for us and that His power is made perfect in our weakness. So what should this make us do? It should make us "boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me". Do I boast about my weakness so that Christ's power can rest on me? No, I try to hide my weakness and rely on myself for power. This scripture is telling me that when I am weak, that I am strong. Strong only in the power of my Savior!
I want to live out the words of James 4:6, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". I want my life to reflect God's grace and I must remember that it is by grace that I have been saved, it's nothing that I can do. I find the fact that we are saved by grace very reassuring. It means that I don't have to spend my life trying to earn God's love. He freely gives it to me, all I have to do is accept it! I have been saved by grace through faith and for that I am thankful!
How do we reflect this grace n our lives? I think that Colossians 4:5-6 give us great insight into how to treat others. "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
That is what I want to do, to make the most out of every opportunity and to allow my words to be full of grace and truth. So today, I choose grace!
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