So, at least I warned that I might be a tad late! We've been super busy and are learning tons of stuff that I want to share as soon as I can make sense of it (and be sound enough to put together a reasonable sentence!).
My scripture today comes from the Message translation and I love it!
Matthew 11:28-30 Message
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Jesus' words are so comforting to me. I've been immersed in a people whose hope is not in Him and although I do see smiles on their faces, I don't sense a peace about their spirit. Oh, how I want to learn the UNFORCED rhythms of grace!!! I try so hard to follow a schedule--it really does help me, so it's not bad. But sometimes I find myself becoming a slave to my schedule. Just a couple of the many reasons why I love this verse.
What are you working on searing on your heart and mind? Do share!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1st Scripture Memory
Wow! It hardly seems as if 1/12 of 2010 is already past us, but here we are in February. I have the privilege of traveling very soon, so I am going to work on embedding this lovely scripture in my heart:
Psalm 4:8 TNIV
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
During turbulent flights & restless nights I will cling to this verse to encourage me of the One who protects us. No. Matter. What. He promises to protect us, to be a shield right by our side, to protect us from all harm, protecting our very life, as well as our coming and going, both now and forever (Psalm 121:5-8). He is good and His mighty love endures forever!!
Because of travel coming up, the February 15th Scripture Memory post may be a little early or late, depending on when I have internet access, but it will come. I pray you are being blessed immeasurably by the dwelling of God's Word in your mind and heart--I know it pleases Him!!
Psalm 4:8 TNIV
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
During turbulent flights & restless nights I will cling to this verse to encourage me of the One who protects us. No. Matter. What. He promises to protect us, to be a shield right by our side, to protect us from all harm, protecting our very life, as well as our coming and going, both now and forever (Psalm 121:5-8). He is good and His mighty love endures forever!!
Because of travel coming up, the February 15th Scripture Memory post may be a little early or late, depending on when I have internet access, but it will come. I pray you are being blessed immeasurably by the dwelling of God's Word in your mind and heart--I know it pleases Him!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Helping the enemy
"All Satan needs to have momentary victory over a DISCIPLE is for us to have in mind the things of men."
Oh, I wish it weren't so! I wish once we gave our lives over to Christ's saving power and His divine guidance that we wouldn't fall back into our fleshly ways from time to time (or day to day, or even more frequently depending on the day). My desire is never to help the enemy, but when I tear down my brothers or sisters (in word OR thought) or just don't encourage and reach out when I feel God is calling me to, I am allowing Satan to have momentary victory over me. I'm making my thoughts and feelings more important than God's words to me to do good. I think followers of Jesus rarely set out to help the enemy, but unless we set our "minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2) and purposely seek to keep our mind on the things of God, our minds will naturally rest on earthly things.
This is one reason I need to dwell on and memorize scripture--to get it in my mind. I want all my efforts to go for the kingdom of God!
Oh, I wish it weren't so! I wish once we gave our lives over to Christ's saving power and His divine guidance that we wouldn't fall back into our fleshly ways from time to time (or day to day, or even more frequently depending on the day). My desire is never to help the enemy, but when I tear down my brothers or sisters (in word OR thought) or just don't encourage and reach out when I feel God is calling me to, I am allowing Satan to have momentary victory over me. I'm making my thoughts and feelings more important than God's words to me to do good. I think followers of Jesus rarely set out to help the enemy, but unless we set our "minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2) and purposely seek to keep our mind on the things of God, our minds will naturally rest on earthly things.
This is one reason I need to dwell on and memorize scripture--to get it in my mind. I want all my efforts to go for the kingdom of God!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
January 15th Scripture Memory
I'm praying if you're along for this ride that God is already blessing you for thinking more purposefully on His words. I have several verses that I came across over the last 6 months that resonated with me, although I didn't choose to memorize them at the time I saw them. I feel like it is time for this one, however:
Revelation 12:11 TNIV
(She) triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of (her) testimony;
(she) did not love (her) life so much
as to shrink from death.
I will be taking a trip very soon. It will be the longest time I have ever been away from my family. I will be in a dangerous place. I have felt no fear of going on this trip, only God's clear call for me to go. Until the last few days. The enemy is trying to feed me fear, but you know what? I don't have to eat it. I will fight the enemy and feast on God's words. A lesson from Esther...IF ________, THEN GOD. No matter what, He triumphs. Even when we don't understand...when earthquakes come and leave us filled with questions...when we get a diagnosis that leaves us speechless...when the enemy seems to be winning. He is still in control. He is still reigning from His throne. And if we'll let Him, He will continue reigning within each of us so we can be His hands and feet to a hurting world.
Revelation 12:11 TNIV
(She) triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of (her) testimony;
(she) did not love (her) life so much
as to shrink from death.
I will be taking a trip very soon. It will be the longest time I have ever been away from my family. I will be in a dangerous place. I have felt no fear of going on this trip, only God's clear call for me to go. Until the last few days. The enemy is trying to feed me fear, but you know what? I don't have to eat it. I will fight the enemy and feast on God's words. A lesson from Esther...IF ________, THEN GOD. No matter what, He triumphs. Even when we don't understand...when earthquakes come and leave us filled with questions...when we get a diagnosis that leaves us speechless...when the enemy seems to be winning. He is still in control. He is still reigning from His throne. And if we'll let Him, He will continue reigning within each of us so we can be His hands and feet to a hurting world.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
...love the most
If we make time for what we love the most, what does that say of how much we love God?
Monday, January 4, 2010
Thought Responsibility
"When the Pharisee who had invited Him (Jesus), he SAID TO HIMSELF, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him--she's a sinner" Luke 7:39 (my emphasis added)
My quiet time today had this portion of scripture in it, but then went on to say, "Jesus holds us responsible for the things we say to ourselves." OUCH! It's so easy to think we're okay because we don't SAY mean things, or DO certain things, but what are we thinking? I don't know about you, but I've got plenty to work on. It feels like a good year to get started on it, too.
My quiet time today had this portion of scripture in it, but then went on to say, "Jesus holds us responsible for the things we say to ourselves." OUCH! It's so easy to think we're okay because we don't SAY mean things, or DO certain things, but what are we thinking? I don't know about you, but I've got plenty to work on. It feels like a good year to get started on it, too.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Robots, Gratefulness, and Cows
Ezekiel & Isaiah were invited to a friend's robot birthday party yesterday, which inspired their creativity today...
We didn't begin creating until this evening, so we will have to finish over the course of the next few days and I'll post the finished product. They're already talking about using them as Halloween costumes! Wow, I don't know that they'll be in very good shape by then, but we can sure try!
During bedtime we read out of either Ezekiel's "Adventure Bible for Early Readers" or Isaiah's "The Jesus Storybook Bible"--2 excellent children's Bibles we would highly recommend! They usually listen well, but tonight they both were asking for another story, then Ezekiel says, "I love reading the Bible! It is so exciting!!" Our job as parents is WAY far from over, but an excitement and love for God's Word is definitely something we want them to have and they are catching it! It's not every day we get reminders that we're on the right track, but thanks for the encouragement tonight, God!
One last thing...I guess there's two. Both boys' prayers are primarily thankful, but sometimes Ezekiel likes to get creative. He'll thank God for chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows, fish...any clue what those have in common?
All things we can eat! So tonight Ezekiel thanked God for the grass (not the first time he's done that, but...) because it feeds the cows and makes them fat so we can eat them. I had to chuckle!!!
We didn't begin creating until this evening, so we will have to finish over the course of the next few days and I'll post the finished product. They're already talking about using them as Halloween costumes! Wow, I don't know that they'll be in very good shape by then, but we can sure try!
During bedtime we read out of either Ezekiel's "Adventure Bible for Early Readers" or Isaiah's "The Jesus Storybook Bible"--2 excellent children's Bibles we would highly recommend! They usually listen well, but tonight they both were asking for another story, then Ezekiel says, "I love reading the Bible! It is so exciting!!" Our job as parents is WAY far from over, but an excitement and love for God's Word is definitely something we want them to have and they are catching it! It's not every day we get reminders that we're on the right track, but thanks for the encouragement tonight, God!
One last thing...I guess there's two. Both boys' prayers are primarily thankful, but sometimes Ezekiel likes to get creative. He'll thank God for chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows, fish...any clue what those have in common?
All things we can eat! So tonight Ezekiel thanked God for the grass (not the first time he's done that, but...) because it feeds the cows and makes them fat so we can eat them. I had to chuckle!!!
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