Cartoons often use a light bulb to indicate the character has an idea or a revelation of some sort. Have you ever had a light bulb moment? I had one of those concerning life in general about three weeks ago. I usually clean certain areas of my house such as the breakfast room, keeping room and kitchen or our bedroom, bath and closet. That day I changed my routine and decided to clean all of the bathrooms first. When I finished cleaning all of them, I felt like a cartoon character with a light bulb in a balloon over my head. I asked myself, "Why? Why am I cleaning this many bathrooms and there are only two of us who live here?"
That day I realized it was time to downsize our home. Mind you, I had not been ready when we built this house almost three years ago but now, hmmmm I have different thoughts. I love our home and yard, but it goes beyond our needs and it does have to be cleaned. (Certain family members have accused me of being obsessive compulsive about cleaning. They shall remain anonymous.)
I had been reading The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn and I am sure that helped bring on the light bulb moment. His Treasure Principle Key #6 is "God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving." One of the scripture passages on which this is based is 2 Corinthians 9:11. "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion."
God often blesses us so we can bless others, not just so we can have more and more material things. We really do enjoy giving to different ministries, missionaries, etc. God wants us to invest in eternal things more than earthly things.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
I do not know God's timetable on downsizing our home (providing a buyer and just the right home for us), but I will be ready when the time is right. Have you had any light bulb moments lately? I would love to hear about them!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Treasured Possession
Malachi 3:17 - "They will be mine, says the LORD Almighty, in the day when I make up my treasured possession."
What does it take to be included as God's "treasured possession?" According to Malachi 3:16, God will make up His treasured possession from "those who feared the LORD and honored His name."
To fear the LORD, we must know who He is - know Him personally. We must be in awe of Him. We also must honor His name. To honor means "to recognize the value of someone or thing and to act accordingly." (Holman Bible Dictionary)
In order to honor God's name, we must know His name/names. When one studies the names of God (and there are so many!), one gets a glimpse of who God really is. When we see God called the LORD in Scripture (all capitals), it is the name YAHWEH (YHWH) or Jehovah - self-existent One who reveals Himself, I AM. That is just one name! Others : Adonai - Lord, Master; Elohim - God, mighty, strong - you get the idea. God's names reveal to us His character, who He is. How can we help but honor His name?
Fear God, honor His name. Be a part of God's treasured possession.
What does it take to be included as God's "treasured possession?" According to Malachi 3:16, God will make up His treasured possession from "those who feared the LORD and honored His name."
To fear the LORD, we must know who He is - know Him personally. We must be in awe of Him. We also must honor His name. To honor means "to recognize the value of someone or thing and to act accordingly." (Holman Bible Dictionary)
In order to honor God's name, we must know His name/names. When one studies the names of God (and there are so many!), one gets a glimpse of who God really is. When we see God called the LORD in Scripture (all capitals), it is the name YAHWEH (YHWH) or Jehovah - self-existent One who reveals Himself, I AM. That is just one name! Others : Adonai - Lord, Master; Elohim - God, mighty, strong - you get the idea. God's names reveal to us His character, who He is. How can we help but honor His name?
Fear God, honor His name. Be a part of God's treasured possession.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Same Measuring Stick
Recently, I read something that gave me cause to ponder. It essentially was that God doesn't need or want my help in judging others. Of course, I knew that! But, I pondered how many times I try to help Him out just a little in this area.
Many of us are prone to judge others on what we see or even what we hear someone has said or an action they have taken. Don't we really know that God doesn't need our help? I think so, but the human spirit often tends to be critical and judgmental (the writer includes herself in this group - sorry to say).
God's Word says: "Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2) These verses should serve as a deterrent for our judmental tendencies. I pray God will remind me that He will use the same measuring stick on me that I use on others.
God's judgment is wrapped in His mercy and grace. Let us strive to show mercy and grace to our fellowman. I think we will like that measuring stick a lot better!
Many of us are prone to judge others on what we see or even what we hear someone has said or an action they have taken. Don't we really know that God doesn't need our help? I think so, but the human spirit often tends to be critical and judgmental (the writer includes herself in this group - sorry to say).
God's Word says: "Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2) These verses should serve as a deterrent for our judmental tendencies. I pray God will remind me that He will use the same measuring stick on me that I use on others.
God's judgment is wrapped in His mercy and grace. Let us strive to show mercy and grace to our fellowman. I think we will like that measuring stick a lot better!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Let Go and Let God
In Matthew 6:25 Jesus said, "Don't worry about your life. . . . ." In Philippians 4:6, Paul exhorts the Philippians, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Don't worry. Do not be anxious. Hm-m-m-m - sounds a lot like commands not suggestions, don't you think? Yet, many of us spend far too much time worrying about something over which we have no control. Many of us spend needless hours being anxious rather than presenting our concerns to God. Or, maybe you presented them to God, but then took them back. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Cast all you anxiety on Him and leave it there.
If we present our requests, our concerns to God instead of being anxious, we have a promise. That promise is, "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Today, let's give our concerns to God and leave them there - let go and let God - and experience the peace of God all over us.
Don't worry. Do not be anxious. Hm-m-m-m - sounds a lot like commands not suggestions, don't you think? Yet, many of us spend far too much time worrying about something over which we have no control. Many of us spend needless hours being anxious rather than presenting our concerns to God. Or, maybe you presented them to God, but then took them back. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Cast all you anxiety on Him and leave it there.
If we present our requests, our concerns to God instead of being anxious, we have a promise. That promise is, "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Today, let's give our concerns to God and leave them there - let go and let God - and experience the peace of God all over us.
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