"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building." (1 Corinthians 3:9)
We are God's fellow workers
We are His field
We are His temple
We are One with Him.
All the glory and honor is not ours
But belongs to the Lord God almighty.
We ought never to seek glory and honor ... not for ourselves ... but for the Lord Jesus. It is to Him that others come. It is to Him that we fall to our knees, we bow before His throne, we give our heart and soul.
We may sow a seed
see a need, feed that need
Another may water
teach and grow
But it is God alone
who brings us all _
each individual weary soul to Himself.
He reaches beyond the hurt and the sorrows of each passing moment.
He encircles us with His eternal love.
Woe to us
who think fame and glory and power belong to us.
We are nothing ...
except in Christ ...
and in Him we are everything.
But alone ...
what do we achieve ... what does it matter
The Lord Jesus was born of God and the Virgin Mary.
We celebrate His birth on Christmas Day.
We commemorate His death and resurrection
on Easter morning.
He came to save.
He died to bring us life.
He lives.
Thank God He lives!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Four little words - "and do not sin"
"Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath or give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
God says we can be angry. Oftentimes there is good reason. But certainly not always. I would guess more often than not there is seldom a good reason.
In Our Daily Bread reading for today Joe Stowell says anger is like a burglar alarm, with disruptive and annoying blasting filling the air. Stowell says in the midst of our peaceful lives, something turns a key in our spirit and triggers the alarm, producing exploding emotions.
I am overly familiar with this. I would guess many of you are too. A loved one says something and perhaps there is a hint of sarcasm in their voice. We hear that sarcasm and we react. Boy do we react!
Yet God says, "Be angry, and do not sin."
How many of us skip over those four little words -- "and do not sin"?
We may succeed in forgiving the other by the time bedtime comes around, but how well do we achieve not sinning in the first place? We pout, we withdraw ourselves from the others' presence - either physically or emotionally. We drive erratically. We yell and scream. We're irritated and we're sure everyone else should know it too.
We are human. But we are also God's children. And as His children, we are to be like Him, not like the world. We are to be different.
We are not to sin.
Help me Lord. Help us all ... not to let anger control our lives. Help me to meditate on You and be still.
"Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart ... and be still." (Psalm 4:4)
God says we can be angry. Oftentimes there is good reason. But certainly not always. I would guess more often than not there is seldom a good reason.
In Our Daily Bread reading for today Joe Stowell says anger is like a burglar alarm, with disruptive and annoying blasting filling the air. Stowell says in the midst of our peaceful lives, something turns a key in our spirit and triggers the alarm, producing exploding emotions.
I am overly familiar with this. I would guess many of you are too. A loved one says something and perhaps there is a hint of sarcasm in their voice. We hear that sarcasm and we react. Boy do we react!
Yet God says, "Be angry, and do not sin."
How many of us skip over those four little words -- "and do not sin"?
We may succeed in forgiving the other by the time bedtime comes around, but how well do we achieve not sinning in the first place? We pout, we withdraw ourselves from the others' presence - either physically or emotionally. We drive erratically. We yell and scream. We're irritated and we're sure everyone else should know it too.
We are human. But we are also God's children. And as His children, we are to be like Him, not like the world. We are to be different.
We are not to sin.
Help me Lord. Help us all ... not to let anger control our lives. Help me to meditate on You and be still.
"Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart ... and be still." (Psalm 4:4)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Warnings
"Now, therefore, says the Lord, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." (Joel 2:12a)
Prosperity can result in complacency and negligence to our commitment to the Lord.
Having less can result in self-pity, anxiety, remorse, depression.
Where is the best place to be?
Richness, poorness, it has nothing really to do with material things. Only when our entire being - mind, soul and body is centered on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, can we experience wholeness, peace. But it is so hard to come by is it not? It shouldn't be. Sometimes it isn't. But sometimes it is.
Talk to the Lord. Share with Him your feelings, your desires, your wants and wishes, your fears. He's the best one to talk with and walk with. If you earnestly seek His input, His guidance, you will find it.
Why do you wander?
Because Satan puts devious thoughts, negative thoughts in our heads and we pay more attention to that than what the Lord has to say to us. Satan is never out looking for our well-being. He wants to bring us down, to get us to forget we are one of God's precious children. He wants to make us believe we are more important than anyone or anything and what we want, we deserve.
Beware.
Jesus tells us to "watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."
(Matthew 24:42)
The Lord sends us warnings. What we do with them is our response to whose lordship we are under.
Prosperity can result in complacency and negligence to our commitment to the Lord.
Having less can result in self-pity, anxiety, remorse, depression.
Where is the best place to be?
Richness, poorness, it has nothing really to do with material things. Only when our entire being - mind, soul and body is centered on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, can we experience wholeness, peace. But it is so hard to come by is it not? It shouldn't be. Sometimes it isn't. But sometimes it is.
Talk to the Lord. Share with Him your feelings, your desires, your wants and wishes, your fears. He's the best one to talk with and walk with. If you earnestly seek His input, His guidance, you will find it.
Why do you wander?
Because Satan puts devious thoughts, negative thoughts in our heads and we pay more attention to that than what the Lord has to say to us. Satan is never out looking for our well-being. He wants to bring us down, to get us to forget we are one of God's precious children. He wants to make us believe we are more important than anyone or anything and what we want, we deserve.
Beware.
Jesus tells us to "watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."
(Matthew 24:42)
The Lord sends us warnings. What we do with them is our response to whose lordship we are under.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Take time to pray, to rest
My husband had his shoulder surgery Thursday morning. A torn rotator cuff held together by mere fibers. He came through it fine. The surgeon did an excellent job. Now for the hard part ... the recovery. Not just him and not just me, but us together, with the Lord surrounding us, abiding with us, and we with Him.
This morning I read Leviticus 25:1-7. Verse 4 says "but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord..."
David Sper of Our Daily Bread said:
This morning I read Leviticus 25:1-7. Verse 4 says "but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord..."
David Sper of Our Daily Bread said:
"To face life's many challenges
and overcome each test,
The Lord tells us
to take the time
to stop, to pray, to rest."
and overcome each test,
The Lord tells us
to take the time
to stop, to pray, to rest."
Dear Lord,
I pray you will guide me on the path you desire for me, for Jimmy, for us together. Help me not to give in to dismay and self-pity. Show me the light of your love and guidance always. Keep my eyes, my mind, my heart solely focused on you and not how. You know the how. I don't need to know how it will happen, just that you are in control of the situation and when. Rid me of all anxiety. Help me to stay focused in and on your word, your promises, to rest in your arms, to be surrounded by your peace. In your name, I pray. Amen.
I pray you will guide me on the path you desire for me, for Jimmy, for us together. Help me not to give in to dismay and self-pity. Show me the light of your love and guidance always. Keep my eyes, my mind, my heart solely focused on you and not how. You know the how. I don't need to know how it will happen, just that you are in control of the situation and when. Rid me of all anxiety. Help me to stay focused in and on your word, your promises, to rest in your arms, to be surrounded by your peace. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
"Count it all joy"
What we read in a given day we may read again a few days later. It may all connect.
Sunday, I thought about grumbling.
When things upset us we grumble. Everyone of us. When along the path we go and there are no irritations there are no complaints. But watch what happens when we get irritated over what another has done or said or some event. We react. We have nothing good to say about the other. We put them down, push them out of our way, stick pins and needles in them like one of those demon dolls.
Is that how Jesus acted? No.
So why do we? Because we're human? Jesus too was human. He too was irritated at others, but he wasn't disrespectful to another at anytime.
Of what point is it to read and study God's holy word if we don't live it, obey His teachings? Conflict situations are never one-sided. It takes two to fix it or destroy it. Each person is responsible for their own behavior, then own action.
There are always trials to undergo. Some we come through and are that much better for it. Other times we have learned nothing and have become embittered and stay that way.
In the book of James we are told in 1:1 to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials." Yeah right. We see nothing joyful in any trial. Our patience is always being tested. Our bursts of anger or irritation always undo us. We do not look to God for wisdom. We look to ourselves and think we know best for any and every situation.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting..." (James 1:5-6 NKJ)
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." (James 1:19-24, 26)
Jesus said the second greatest commandment was "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)
"but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:9)
We must not judge another. We cannot see into the heart of another. We only know ourselves and all too often we are unsure of that as well. God alone sees into our hearts. God alone is our judge.
Don't allow feelings of animosity toward another to become a dangerous foothold and bring you down to a level you really don't want to be. Look up. Seek the Lord your God. Do as He instructs.
"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
Monday, I thought about dreams, our heart's desire.
Get involved. Do what you love. It isn't always about money. Money should not determine our desires or whether we will go after them. God gives you the desires. He doesn't say you have to get a degree to pursue it. Man has said that. To earn a living you have to accomplish this and this and that.
But God doesn't tell you that. He says Go. Are you willing to go? Are you willing to follow His will for you? If you are, then be obedient. Simply go. Simply do. Don't let the ways and rules of man prevent you from following through on His will for your life.
"If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you ... But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer..." (James 1:5-6 New Living Translation)
God's presence with us is one of His greatest presents to us.
A "mere happening" may be God's design.
"For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places." (Psalm 18:31-33)
"For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me." (Psalm 31:3)
Wednesday, I thought about wisdom.
In 1 King 3:7a, David's son Solomon says, "...but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in."
Solomon isn't talking about his age, but of how little he knows. He asks God for wisdom, for discernment, for answers to challenges he is or will be facing.
When we ask, we must believe God will supply us with the answers. If we lack faith, if we doubt God can or will take care of, what does that say about our allegiance?
Where are we? Where have we gone? Where will we be if we do not look to God for wisdom but to our own wayward ways of thinking?
Again, I hear "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
For it is in the testing of our faith that we gain patience ... endurance ... perseverance ... and God is with us.
Sunday, I thought about grumbling.
When things upset us we grumble. Everyone of us. When along the path we go and there are no irritations there are no complaints. But watch what happens when we get irritated over what another has done or said or some event. We react. We have nothing good to say about the other. We put them down, push them out of our way, stick pins and needles in them like one of those demon dolls.
Is that how Jesus acted? No.
So why do we? Because we're human? Jesus too was human. He too was irritated at others, but he wasn't disrespectful to another at anytime.
Of what point is it to read and study God's holy word if we don't live it, obey His teachings? Conflict situations are never one-sided. It takes two to fix it or destroy it. Each person is responsible for their own behavior, then own action.
There are always trials to undergo. Some we come through and are that much better for it. Other times we have learned nothing and have become embittered and stay that way.
In the book of James we are told in 1:1 to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials." Yeah right. We see nothing joyful in any trial. Our patience is always being tested. Our bursts of anger or irritation always undo us. We do not look to God for wisdom. We look to ourselves and think we know best for any and every situation.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting..." (James 1:5-6 NKJ)
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." (James 1:19-24, 26)
Jesus said the second greatest commandment was "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)
"but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:9)
We must not judge another. We cannot see into the heart of another. We only know ourselves and all too often we are unsure of that as well. God alone sees into our hearts. God alone is our judge.
Don't allow feelings of animosity toward another to become a dangerous foothold and bring you down to a level you really don't want to be. Look up. Seek the Lord your God. Do as He instructs.
"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
Monday, I thought about dreams, our heart's desire.
Get involved. Do what you love. It isn't always about money. Money should not determine our desires or whether we will go after them. God gives you the desires. He doesn't say you have to get a degree to pursue it. Man has said that. To earn a living you have to accomplish this and this and that.
But God doesn't tell you that. He says Go. Are you willing to go? Are you willing to follow His will for you? If you are, then be obedient. Simply go. Simply do. Don't let the ways and rules of man prevent you from following through on His will for your life.
"If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you ... But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer..." (James 1:5-6 New Living Translation)
God's presence with us is one of His greatest presents to us.
A "mere happening" may be God's design.
"For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places." (Psalm 18:31-33)
"For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me." (Psalm 31:3)
Wednesday, I thought about wisdom.
In 1 King 3:7a, David's son Solomon says, "...but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in."
Solomon isn't talking about his age, but of how little he knows. He asks God for wisdom, for discernment, for answers to challenges he is or will be facing.
When we ask, we must believe God will supply us with the answers. If we lack faith, if we doubt God can or will take care of, what does that say about our allegiance?
Where are we? Where have we gone? Where will we be if we do not look to God for wisdom but to our own wayward ways of thinking?
Again, I hear "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
For it is in the testing of our faith that we gain patience ... endurance ... perseverance ... and God is with us.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Is it His presence you seek or His presents ... What of your desire?
What is your desire?
more than anything
anywhere
anytime
What do you desire?
above all
beyond all
Where will your desire bring you?
What will you do to bring your desire to fruition?
Does your desire come from your heart
or is it more of a "I want, I must have, I will get it all costs" kind of desire?
Is your desire God's will for you?
Do you talk to God about your desire?
Do you listen to God, to what He says to you about your desire?
Do you ask for guidance in carrying out, in bring your desire to reality?
Do you follow only His instructions for your desire, your heart's desire, the desire the
Lord perhaps planted within you many years ago or more recently?
Do you seek ways to have the desire of your heart while waiting for calamities to pass?
Do you consider that all our desires do not necessarily bring money to line our pockets and pay bills?
When you cannot sleep, do you pray, do you have sincere talks with your Father about the desires of your heart and what you should do and where you should go and how you should get there?
Do you stay focused on the here and now and let God take care of the later?
more than anything
anywhere
anytime
What do you desire?
above all
beyond all
Where will your desire bring you?
What will you do to bring your desire to fruition?
Does your desire come from your heart
or is it more of a "I want, I must have, I will get it all costs" kind of desire?
Is your desire God's will for you?
Do you talk to God about your desire?
Do you listen to God, to what He says to you about your desire?
Do you ask for guidance in carrying out, in bring your desire to reality?
Do you follow only His instructions for your desire, your heart's desire, the desire the
Lord perhaps planted within you many years ago or more recently?
Do you seek ways to have the desire of your heart while waiting for calamities to pass?
Do you consider that all our desires do not necessarily bring money to line our pockets and pay bills?
When you cannot sleep, do you pray, do you have sincere talks with your Father about the desires of your heart and what you should do and where you should go and how you should get there?
Do you stay focused on the here and now and let God take care of the later?
Psalm 16
(1) "Preserve me, O God,
for in you I put my trust.
(5) You, O Lord, are the portion
of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
(7-9) I will bless the Lord
who has given me counsel;
my heart also instructs me
in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand
I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my glory rejoices;
my flesh also will rest in hope.
(11) You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand
are pleasures forevermore."
(1) "Preserve me, O God,
for in you I put my trust.
(5) You, O Lord, are the portion
of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
(7-9) I will bless the Lord
who has given me counsel;
my heart also instructs me
in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand
I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my glory rejoices;
my flesh also will rest in hope.
(11) You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand
are pleasures forevermore."
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Only God
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31a)
"Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?" (Romans 8:33)
"Who is he who condemns?" (Romans 8:34a)
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Romans 8:35)
The answer ..... No One
God is in control of all, of all the earth, over all the earth. He knows our comings and goings, our desires and dreams, our sinfulness, our evilness. What! we say we have none. We deceive ourselves. We are not perfect. There is only one who is perfect. The great I am. The Lord Jesus. Unblemished and pure.
God knows our struggles, the misfortunes we are dealth. You think He doesn't care?! He cares. When we are one with Him, He is one with us. We have to rely on Him alone. Saying that is one thing. Doing that is entirely something else. He does not rejoice in our pain. It does not make him happy, only sad.
True Love for Him, the Lord Jesus, True obedience. Studying His word, not those of false teachers, not oral traditions handed down from one generation to the next. Being mindful of what the Lord God says in His word and through the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of His children.
Negativity downtroddens the best of us. We allow negative thoughts from others and from ourselves to overpower all of God's goodness and even though God has promised to be with us we fund it hard to believe that. We give in to depressing thoughts and wallow in self doubts and pity, grieving for what we don't have.
But Jesus says to us, "With God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26a)
With God. Walk with Him, Talk with Him, Praise Him, Seek Him, Remember Him, Rejoice in Him, Pray to Him.
All things are possible ... with God.
But without Him, we are doomed.
"Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?" (Romans 8:33)
"Who is he who condemns?" (Romans 8:34a)
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Romans 8:35)
The answer ..... No One
God is in control of all, of all the earth, over all the earth. He knows our comings and goings, our desires and dreams, our sinfulness, our evilness. What! we say we have none. We deceive ourselves. We are not perfect. There is only one who is perfect. The great I am. The Lord Jesus. Unblemished and pure.
God knows our struggles, the misfortunes we are dealth. You think He doesn't care?! He cares. When we are one with Him, He is one with us. We have to rely on Him alone. Saying that is one thing. Doing that is entirely something else. He does not rejoice in our pain. It does not make him happy, only sad.
True Love for Him, the Lord Jesus, True obedience. Studying His word, not those of false teachers, not oral traditions handed down from one generation to the next. Being mindful of what the Lord God says in His word and through the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of His children.
Negativity downtroddens the best of us. We allow negative thoughts from others and from ourselves to overpower all of God's goodness and even though God has promised to be with us we fund it hard to believe that. We give in to depressing thoughts and wallow in self doubts and pity, grieving for what we don't have.
But Jesus says to us, "With God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26a)
With God. Walk with Him, Talk with Him, Praise Him, Seek Him, Remember Him, Rejoice in Him, Pray to Him.
All things are possible ... with God.
But without Him, we are doomed.
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