With another birthday just behind me, I am thinking about new responsibilities I have taken on. Questions come to mind - "Will I be able to lead as I need to? Will I have the energy and stamina? Am I trying to do too much?" (A problem I often have!)
I am reading through the Psalms and Psalm 92 was a recent reading. Psalm 92:12-15 holds some significant words for me. The psalmist talks about how "The righteous will flourish." Well, I am not righteous in and of myself, but because Christ lives in me and I serve Him, I am considered one of the righteous. In verse 14 the psalmist says, "They (the righteous) will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The LORD is upright; He is my Rock' . . . . . ."
God is never through with us if He leaves us here on earth. He has work for us to do. I pray I will do His work and while I do His work, will bear much fruit and stay fresh and green like the palm tree and cedar tree mentioned by the psalmist.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
So You Want to be Wise
So you want to be wise - look to the Magi - theWise Men's example. The earthly king Herod asked the Wise Men to find the Christ Child, return to him and let him know where He was so he could worship Him. Herod never planned to worship the Christ Child - he planned to kill Him (Matthew 2:16). The Wise Men listened to the Heavenly King rather than the earthly one. The Wise Men were just that - wise.
God's Word is the ultimate Source of wisdom. Wisdom is not something gained quickly. It takes time. Stay in God's Word. Read, study, meditate on the Word and memorize it and you will have begun the process of growing in wisdom.
Many have much knowledge, but don't mistake this for wisdom. Knowledge is having/knowing information and facts. Wisdom is knowledge plus ability to discern. It is insight, good sense and judgment and it has a spiritual element to it.
Ask God to give you wisdom and then spend time in His Word and in prayer. In time you will become wiser. James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Let us follow the example of the Wise Men and follow the Heavenly King and not an earthly one. Let us make wiser decisions in this New Year.
God's Word is the ultimate Source of wisdom. Wisdom is not something gained quickly. It takes time. Stay in God's Word. Read, study, meditate on the Word and memorize it and you will have begun the process of growing in wisdom.
Many have much knowledge, but don't mistake this for wisdom. Knowledge is having/knowing information and facts. Wisdom is knowledge plus ability to discern. It is insight, good sense and judgment and it has a spiritual element to it.
Ask God to give you wisdom and then spend time in His Word and in prayer. In time you will become wiser. James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Let us follow the example of the Wise Men and follow the Heavenly King and not an earthly one. Let us make wiser decisions in this New Year.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Don't Miss Jesus!
Jesus made His appearance here on earth in a very unassuming way. The very Son of God, the One who would bring salvation to all who would accept Him, was born in the lowliest of places. Jesus was born amidst the animals and placed in a manger (a feeding trough). "And she gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger . . . . ." (Luke 2:7)
Why did Jesus leave His throne in glory and make His appearance in such a lowly way? He did it for you. He did it for me. He came to bring salvation to ALL mankind. Yet, many did not notice Him. Today, many do not notice Him.
Don't miss Jesus! He isn't pushy. He isn't loud but He is here. If you have accepted His salvation, then He dwells within you and will never leave you. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b) Don't ignore Him. Don't get caught up in the trappings of the holiday season. Worship Him - the King of kings, the Lord of lords.
Don't miss Jesus this Christmas! Be still. Listen. Worship.
Why did Jesus leave His throne in glory and make His appearance in such a lowly way? He did it for you. He did it for me. He came to bring salvation to ALL mankind. Yet, many did not notice Him. Today, many do not notice Him.
Don't miss Jesus! He isn't pushy. He isn't loud but He is here. If you have accepted His salvation, then He dwells within you and will never leave you. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b) Don't ignore Him. Don't get caught up in the trappings of the holiday season. Worship Him - the King of kings, the Lord of lords.
Don't miss Jesus this Christmas! Be still. Listen. Worship.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Hearing God
Having trouble hearing God? Maybe we just need to be still. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) If we are never still and quiet before the Lord, how can we expect to hear from Him? Elijah did not hear God in the great and powerful wind, the earthquake or the fire. He heard Him in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19)
If we are always in a turmoil or busy, busy "doing," we may miss what God is saying to us. If we spend quiet time (being still before the Lord), in His Word and in prayer, we will hear Him.
He speaks to us through His Word at our point of need. "The word of God is alive and active." (Hebrews 4:12) Try spending some time in His Word, be still and listen - you will hear Him.
If we are always in a turmoil or busy, busy "doing," we may miss what God is saying to us. If we spend quiet time (being still before the Lord), in His Word and in prayer, we will hear Him.
He speaks to us through His Word at our point of need. "The word of God is alive and active." (Hebrews 4:12) Try spending some time in His Word, be still and listen - you will hear Him.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Throughout Eternity
God has a plan for our lives (I know you all know that!) - but have you thought about the fact that His plan for Christians reaches throughout eternity? Eternal life does not begin when we die. It begins when we accept Jesus as our Saviour. God has a plan for what He wants us to do now and throughout eternity.
Do you know what God's plan is for you today? For the near future? The distant future? If you don't know, ask Him. Seek His direction and then listen. Get quiet before Him so you can hear Him. Remember His plan for our lives will always include honoring Him and bringing glory to His Name.
Are you on the right path - the one God wants you to follow? Is your life bringing glory and honor to His Name?
Isaish 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'."
We must seek His plan for our lives. He will show us which way to go if we truly seek His direction. He may only show us His plan for right now so we just have to trust Him with His future plans for us. Follow Him now and throughout eternity.
Do you know what God's plan is for you today? For the near future? The distant future? If you don't know, ask Him. Seek His direction and then listen. Get quiet before Him so you can hear Him. Remember His plan for our lives will always include honoring Him and bringing glory to His Name.
Are you on the right path - the one God wants you to follow? Is your life bringing glory and honor to His Name?
Isaish 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'."
We must seek His plan for our lives. He will show us which way to go if we truly seek His direction. He may only show us His plan for right now so we just have to trust Him with His future plans for us. Follow Him now and throughout eternity.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Secret of Contentment
"Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)
Feeling a little discontented these days? Ask yourself, "Why?" Do a little soul-searching and while you are searching, remember that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). You are a unique creation of the Creator God.
Paul said in Philippians 4:11b, ". . . . .I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Paul had learned the secret of being content in every situation. That secret is found in Philippians 4:13 - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." God can and will give us a spirit of contentment. We have to ask.
I confess, this is an area I have prayed about consistently because I often find myself lacking in the area of contentment. God gave me the verse in 1 Timothy 6:6 years ago when I was confessing my lack of contentment.
I desire above all else to be the godly woman God wants me to be, therefore, I must learn to have a spirit of contentment. The key (secret) can be found in learning to lean on Him and trust Him in everything. Contentment may not come quickly, but it will come when we completely depend on Him for our strength.
Feeling a little discontented these days? Ask yourself, "Why?" Do a little soul-searching and while you are searching, remember that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). You are a unique creation of the Creator God.
Paul said in Philippians 4:11b, ". . . . .I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Paul had learned the secret of being content in every situation. That secret is found in Philippians 4:13 - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." God can and will give us a spirit of contentment. We have to ask.
I confess, this is an area I have prayed about consistently because I often find myself lacking in the area of contentment. God gave me the verse in 1 Timothy 6:6 years ago when I was confessing my lack of contentment.
I desire above all else to be the godly woman God wants me to be, therefore, I must learn to have a spirit of contentment. The key (secret) can be found in learning to lean on Him and trust Him in everything. Contentment may not come quickly, but it will come when we completely depend on Him for our strength.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Have We No Shame?
The LORD was referring to all the people, even the prophets and priests, when He stated, ". . . .they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush" (Jeremiah 6:15b). The people had gotten so far away from God they had no shame.
America comes to mind. Have we no shame at all? Do we ever blush? The depths to which our morals (as a country) have fallen, cause many to have no shame about anything they do. Our country's standards may have changed, but God's remain the same. He remains unchanged. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). His commandments are still as applicable today as the day they were engraved on two tablets by God.
Prayer: Convict us Holy Spirit if we feel no shame when we sin against God. Lord, cause us to blush once again at the wrongs around us. Help us protect our eyes, ears and minds from anything that does not please you.
America comes to mind. Have we no shame at all? Do we ever blush? The depths to which our morals (as a country) have fallen, cause many to have no shame about anything they do. Our country's standards may have changed, but God's remain the same. He remains unchanged. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). His commandments are still as applicable today as the day they were engraved on two tablets by God.
Prayer: Convict us Holy Spirit if we feel no shame when we sin against God. Lord, cause us to blush once again at the wrongs around us. Help us protect our eyes, ears and minds from anything that does not please you.
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