Listening

God is always listening to His sons and daughters when they are abiding in His will. Sometimes, maybe frequently, God's answers are no or wait, and we are so brazen as to wonder if God is listening at all, because we think the answer is so clear. When he doesn't respond the way we think He should, we open ourselves to questioning doubt and worry. What we perceive is not necessarily an accurate picture. We need to trust, have faith in the Lord to bring good through whatever we are dealt. He is always in control.

"Not ours to know the reason why

Unanswered is our prayer,
But ours to wait for God's own time
To lift the cross we bear." - Anonymous

Psalm 51

This morning I read Psalm 51 from The Living Bible paraphrased. One part of verse 12 especially caught my eye -- "..., and make me willing to obey you."

God does not care about the sacrifices we bring to His altar (feet) if our attitude is not right with Him. The ritual is only a mockery - it is not real, it is not because of who we are in Christ, but only because we think this is what we are supposed to do. Those who are not Christians think this way (and possibly some Christians do too, I don't know) - that God requires a sacrifice to become one with Him. Not so.

God wants our repentance, being truly sorry for our sins, not merely getting caught, but truly sorry for what we've done against our Father.

It is only when we have turned from our sin, repented, asked for the Lord's forgiveness and for Him to make us whole and one with Him again that our right relationship returns.

Thanks be to God when all is well between you and your Father in heaven.

Brilliant thinking ... or stupidity?

I should not have bought the chocolate mix earlier in the week. Hot chocolate is one thing, but this is NOT it. A bargain buy does not mean it is an appropriate buy, nor in reality, a real bargain. It's just something I bought that I didn't need, that was 60% off the original price. This is without a doubt a place where many of us find ourselves. Thinking we have a bargain when we really don't.

If you are seeking something that is real, look for Jesus. He is ALL you will ever need. Keep your mind set on Him and Him alone, He will bring you through all sorts of trials you undergo. Jesus is the real bargain. He paid a BIG price for our salvation. Don't go off and look elsewhere. There is no bargain to be found. Jesus paid it all. Our allegiance is to Him.

Memorial Keepsakes

It's been nearly a year since starting my business of laminating obituaries. The process itself is not a new thing, but there are many newspapers and/or funeral homes who do not provide this service. It is my hope that the word will get out, particularly in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area, and that people who are seeking this service, will find me.

God knows

It's amazing - God knows our limits and He never permits more than we can bear. He knows far more, far above anything we think we ourselves know, because we frequently think our strength is nothing, that we have far more to carry than we ought and our burdens seem so so heavy at times. They range from health to jobs to education to our children, our siblings, our parents to ... anything. When we ask God for help - He offers - and we accept it, our burdens are less heavy, our footsteps are not as downtrodden for we have Jesus in our midst, guiding us on the way, making pathways straight, and light.

Thank you for being my protector heavenly Father.

Control

I lack self-control, especially when it comes to eating the wrong stuff. I have no problem eating that which is good for me. I practice it day in and day out. Unfortunately, I also have no problem eating that which is not good for me. I don't do that daily - that's good! but it would be better if I didn't do it at all, or allowed myself a sweet only as a special treat and not whenever I felt like it.

Today's Scripture reading was Titus 1: 1-9, but I read the entire 3-chapter book. My devotional book said this: When we discipline ourselves to keep our ordinary desires under control, we make a habit of virtuous living and practice the reality of Romans 6:18 -- "And having been set free from sin, you become slaves of righteousness."

Giving Christ control over everything is a daily thing or minute thing. Whenever we realize we have taken over the reigns, we must give it back, because we can do nothing of ourselves, only through Christ who strengthens us. I know this, I'm more than aware that this is true. Yet I allow Satan to tell me its not gonna hurt you, chocolate is not a problem, you won't gain any weight. Who am I fooling? Life is more than eating.