We see throughout the whole Scripture even through the minor Prophets , the Lord speak of His wrath and restoration of His chosen people. (Israel). Throughout the course of Scripture we see how the Israelites turned away from the Lord several times. But we know that the Lord had a special place in His heart for His people. He continued to lavish them with mercy and grace, and it grieved Him to pour out His wrath upon them.
He does that with us as well. He loves us so incredibly much that He is willing to meet us and show compassion, love and grace. It is a gift from God. We find all that we need in Him. and should desire nothing more.
One of my favorite verses is "I will heal the wayward and love them freely" The Lord promises restoration. He promises green pastures. Then He promises to love us freely. How amazing is that?
We are all broken and need His restoration. and only He can give it. So let us pour out our hearts to Him. Selah. He makes all things new!
Application: While God restores, we need to be diligent in the healing process. We need to be 1) fully submitted to Him, knowing that He is Lord and that He will be faithful to complete His work. 2) We need to continue to seek Him diligently, and pray to be filled with the Spirit which searches all things. 3) we need to memorize His word. The Bible says to we need to hide His word in our hearts.
While this is a great practical way to allow for Him to heal, I struggle, with the submission and trust part. Knowing that He will complete the good work. Knowing that He is God and that He will not let go!
Father, please help your daughter to heal from all infirmities and please help me to submit to You and Your word. Please help me to trust and know that You are going to heal me in a way that is most pleasing to You and in Your perfect timing. I love you Lord! Help me to live that out!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Luke 17:8
"But will he rather not say to him, prepare something for my supper and gird yourself and serve me till i have eaten and drunk and afterward you will eat and drink." Luke 17:8
We have learned this past week that when Jesus washed his disciples feet, He took of His garments, girded Himself. He knelt down and washed their feet. He gave us an amazing example of what Calvary love is and how we should treat our neighbor.
When I got saved, I was so joyful and so thankful to be alive that I would have taken a knee everyday to my friends and family who didn't have the love of Christ. I experienced a love so great that I couldn't wait to share it with others. The basin was always ready.
However, throughout the years, I have grown very dull in my service and even complacent in my walk, that I have forgotten how to wash my neighbors feet. I forgot how to gird myself and how to prepare a meal for others, before serving myself.
I have even developed the American mentality "its all about me and my needs" and have not even felt bad at times for serving myself first. I feel like the woman (adulteress) in Proverbs who wipes her mouth and says" I have done nothing wrong". Horrible.
In recognizing this, I need to first repent and ask My Savior for mercy and forgiveness. Then I need to start girding, and humbling myself to help serve others. I am looking forward to serving the elderly during the Thanksgiving holiday, sharing the love of Christ by singing Hymns and songs of praise! ( no matter how grumpy they get) :)
And I will continue to hold onto the hope to the Ultimate Thanksgiving day when we eat and drink with Our Master.
Selah
We have learned this past week that when Jesus washed his disciples feet, He took of His garments, girded Himself. He knelt down and washed their feet. He gave us an amazing example of what Calvary love is and how we should treat our neighbor.
When I got saved, I was so joyful and so thankful to be alive that I would have taken a knee everyday to my friends and family who didn't have the love of Christ. I experienced a love so great that I couldn't wait to share it with others. The basin was always ready.
However, throughout the years, I have grown very dull in my service and even complacent in my walk, that I have forgotten how to wash my neighbors feet. I forgot how to gird myself and how to prepare a meal for others, before serving myself.
I have even developed the American mentality "its all about me and my needs" and have not even felt bad at times for serving myself first. I feel like the woman (adulteress) in Proverbs who wipes her mouth and says" I have done nothing wrong". Horrible.
In recognizing this, I need to first repent and ask My Savior for mercy and forgiveness. Then I need to start girding, and humbling myself to help serve others. I am looking forward to serving the elderly during the Thanksgiving holiday, sharing the love of Christ by singing Hymns and songs of praise! ( no matter how grumpy they get) :)
And I will continue to hold onto the hope to the Ultimate Thanksgiving day when we eat and drink with Our Master.
Selah
Luke 17:7
This passage is a very special one. The disciples are inquisitive about learning how to increase their faith in the Lord. "Increase our Faith", they said.
This passage spoke to my heart. Last night the girls were talking about mustard seeds. Paige asked Courtney how small they were and when we saw the picture- I thought wow! The Lord can do something amazing with something that small!
This verse, Jesus asks then, would you ask your servant to come, sit at once and eat after you just put in a hard days work? No!
We are to be obedient, serving the Lord fully with all of our hearts. We can increase our faith through serving others. Jesus doesn't say to increase your faith in Me you must....... . Instead He begins to tell a story and give an example that is is able to challenge His disciples hearts. A story that is able to challenge our hearts as well.
Ministry doesn't end. As long as there is breath in these lungs, I know that I am called to serve Him. This means when I'm feeble and weak. When my legs shake and my mind and heart cant think or feel anymore- that is when I can rely on His strength the most and continue to press on toward the goal. Not once should I ask Him- Lord , can I sit down and have a break from serving You. He promises us an eternity with Him and until that day- we need to be busy about doing our Heavenly Fathers work.
I will accept this task with grateful heart because when I look at the cross, I am reminded of what He has done.
As I continue to ask the Lord to increase my faith in Him, I need to take heed the words that He has graciously spoken in His word. I desire to serve the Lord, wake up every morning, asking my Master what I can do for Him. It is in His service is where faith can grow.
This passage spoke to my heart. Last night the girls were talking about mustard seeds. Paige asked Courtney how small they were and when we saw the picture- I thought wow! The Lord can do something amazing with something that small!
This verse, Jesus asks then, would you ask your servant to come, sit at once and eat after you just put in a hard days work? No!
We are to be obedient, serving the Lord fully with all of our hearts. We can increase our faith through serving others. Jesus doesn't say to increase your faith in Me you must....... . Instead He begins to tell a story and give an example that is is able to challenge His disciples hearts. A story that is able to challenge our hearts as well.
Ministry doesn't end. As long as there is breath in these lungs, I know that I am called to serve Him. This means when I'm feeble and weak. When my legs shake and my mind and heart cant think or feel anymore- that is when I can rely on His strength the most and continue to press on toward the goal. Not once should I ask Him- Lord , can I sit down and have a break from serving You. He promises us an eternity with Him and until that day- we need to be busy about doing our Heavenly Fathers work.
I will accept this task with grateful heart because when I look at the cross, I am reminded of what He has done.
As I continue to ask the Lord to increase my faith in Him, I need to take heed the words that He has graciously spoken in His word. I desire to serve the Lord, wake up every morning, asking my Master what I can do for Him. It is in His service is where faith can grow.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Galatians 6:8 Sowing and Reaping :) October 14,2011
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:8
What shall I gain if I give into the lusts of my flesh? Well, it would ignorant to say nothing. I shall gain my flesh. As believers we are called to live above reproach and live in and by the Spirit. It is here, where we can find true freedom and communion with Him. 2 Corinth 3:17 says Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty.
I have applied this passage to my thought life. Something I have struggled with for many years. If i sow seeds of doubt, I surely get doubt. If i sow seeds of anger and resentment, I grow bitterness in my soul. But if I sow seeds of love and righteousness, I truly believe, I can find a freedom in Christ.
After many months of struggling with my faith, I know see that I have been angry with the Lord for not meeting my expectations with certain things. I started to get so angry that I started to doubt Him and forget all His faithfulness. Now, after letting these lies take root in my mind, I now have to go back and reverse those lies. I have to retrain my mind that God is real, He is there and that He loves me more than I could ever know.
I choose not to believe these lies any more. I desire to more sow to Him and His Spirit. I know this will be hard. I know it will be painful,but if I continue to sow to His Spirit little by little , the Lord will be gracious.
What shall I gain if I give into the lusts of my flesh? Well, it would ignorant to say nothing. I shall gain my flesh. As believers we are called to live above reproach and live in and by the Spirit. It is here, where we can find true freedom and communion with Him. 2 Corinth 3:17 says Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty.
I have applied this passage to my thought life. Something I have struggled with for many years. If i sow seeds of doubt, I surely get doubt. If i sow seeds of anger and resentment, I grow bitterness in my soul. But if I sow seeds of love and righteousness, I truly believe, I can find a freedom in Christ.
After many months of struggling with my faith, I know see that I have been angry with the Lord for not meeting my expectations with certain things. I started to get so angry that I started to doubt Him and forget all His faithfulness. Now, after letting these lies take root in my mind, I now have to go back and reverse those lies. I have to retrain my mind that God is real, He is there and that He loves me more than I could ever know.
I choose not to believe these lies any more. I desire to more sow to Him and His Spirit. I know this will be hard. I know it will be painful,but if I continue to sow to His Spirit little by little , the Lord will be gracious.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Luke 17:6
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
This verse is so special right now, because the Lord is bringing me through a huge trial of faith. Last year, broke my foot and it almost a year to heal. Needless to say I grew very frustrated every time I would visit the hospital. I would keep telling them- that my God would heal my foot and when I returned, they always made comments like "ok, you just believe, what you want to believe.
It became very discouraging and over the year, my hope in God began to dwindle. My heart began to grow numb and bitter. The enemy began to attack my min and so many ways and I was too weak to fight him off. The Lord has brought many sisters in my life that finally taught me that faith is not based on our emotions. Our emotions are always changing. When the Lord tests our faith, He sometimes makes it so we cat feel Him or hear Him anymore. We ask "Lord aren't You there? "Why cant I feel You"? He does this so that we can strengthen our faith in Him have a better understanding of who He is.
application- Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
As the days pass by, sometimes its hard and i ask the Lord to graciously restore my faith. And many times He hath said, I have been faithful in the former rains and I will be be faithful in the latter. But as for now, I cling to the Rock that is higher than I. Each day gets a little easier and day by day, the little seed that is planted, will grow into something so much greater. Through continued prayer and seeking His truth through the Word, I pray the Lord will continue to do a miracle with the tiny little seed. I can only put my trust in Him.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is Sinking Sand
All other ground is Sinking Sand
This verse is so special right now, because the Lord is bringing me through a huge trial of faith. Last year, broke my foot and it almost a year to heal. Needless to say I grew very frustrated every time I would visit the hospital. I would keep telling them- that my God would heal my foot and when I returned, they always made comments like "ok, you just believe, what you want to believe.
It became very discouraging and over the year, my hope in God began to dwindle. My heart began to grow numb and bitter. The enemy began to attack my min and so many ways and I was too weak to fight him off. The Lord has brought many sisters in my life that finally taught me that faith is not based on our emotions. Our emotions are always changing. When the Lord tests our faith, He sometimes makes it so we cat feel Him or hear Him anymore. We ask "Lord aren't You there? "Why cant I feel You"? He does this so that we can strengthen our faith in Him have a better understanding of who He is.
application- Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
As the days pass by, sometimes its hard and i ask the Lord to graciously restore my faith. And many times He hath said, I have been faithful in the former rains and I will be be faithful in the latter. But as for now, I cling to the Rock that is higher than I. Each day gets a little easier and day by day, the little seed that is planted, will grow into something so much greater. Through continued prayer and seeking His truth through the Word, I pray the Lord will continue to do a miracle with the tiny little seed. I can only put my trust in Him.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is Sinking Sand
All other ground is Sinking Sand
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
The Holy Spirit is given to us who believe by faith, to reassure us and to know that He dwelleth inside of us. Its our earthly security blanket that covers us. Its that seal that sets us apart from the world. Its what changes us and transforms us. Without it we are lost, and just another piece of flesh, waiting for the enemy to devour.
As we walk this journey with the Lord, we must be careful what passes through our hands, eyes and ears. We do not wish to do anything that would hinder or interrupt His plans.
Aplication- Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I have grieved His Spirit so much in my life. There were times when I was tempted by the enemy to fall into similar thinking patterns. I struggle with my thoughts a lot. Sometimes to the point where I begin to let them overtake my mind. Then before you know it, Ive created a monster and so caught up in the enemy's snare that it causes a deep oppression. The Lord desires for us to think on things are pure and lovely. He desires us to praise Him at all times. He desires for our affections to be solely on Him.
When we are not focused upon Him and His work, we are grieving His Spirit that He hath given us for the day of Redemption. When I focus on my thoughts and selfish ambitions, I am not thinking about Him and His love. I need to be on my knees more and continue to take each thought, captivate it and leave it all at His Feet.
The Holy Spirit is given to us who believe by faith, to reassure us and to know that He dwelleth inside of us. Its our earthly security blanket that covers us. Its that seal that sets us apart from the world. Its what changes us and transforms us. Without it we are lost, and just another piece of flesh, waiting for the enemy to devour.
As we walk this journey with the Lord, we must be careful what passes through our hands, eyes and ears. We do not wish to do anything that would hinder or interrupt His plans.
Aplication- Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I have grieved His Spirit so much in my life. There were times when I was tempted by the enemy to fall into similar thinking patterns. I struggle with my thoughts a lot. Sometimes to the point where I begin to let them overtake my mind. Then before you know it, Ive created a monster and so caught up in the enemy's snare that it causes a deep oppression. The Lord desires for us to think on things are pure and lovely. He desires us to praise Him at all times. He desires for our affections to be solely on Him.
When we are not focused upon Him and His work, we are grieving His Spirit that He hath given us for the day of Redemption. When I focus on my thoughts and selfish ambitions, I am not thinking about Him and His love. I need to be on my knees more and continue to take each thought, captivate it and leave it all at His Feet.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Ephesians 4:25 Lying:)
Therefore put away lying. Let each of one of you speak truth with his neighbor. Ephesians 4:25
Why do we lie? why do we try to cover up things? Did Jesus lie to us? No. Absolutely not! When we are honest with each other, we keep the bonds that hold us together strong, making it difficult for Satan to tear us down. Doing ministry is great and it is what we are called to do, but more importantly we are called to be honest with each other and to esteem each other higher than ourselves.
Yesterday , I became very upset with a sister who was trying to simply instruct on something. Pride set in and I got up and walked out. Today, I realized had she not been truthful with me and told me how to do something the correct way, I would have never learned. She just could have let me fall on my face, but she chose not to and I am so thankful for her heart.
The truth hurts, but lying and not saying anything hurts even more. More importantly, it grieves the heart of our Father, who loves us so incredibly much.
Application verse- “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
This verse is is such a blessing! I have to hold it close everyday. In order for me to be truthful with others and to love others, I have to first love the Lord with everything inside of me. This is an everyday process. But He gave so much for us and I have to learn how to fall in love with Him again. When we love the Lord, we love others. God is love. and therefore, when His love is planted deeply inside of us, we are able to love others with His heart and His Spirit of Truth. Nothing can be done apart from Him Its all His work.
Why do we lie? why do we try to cover up things? Did Jesus lie to us? No. Absolutely not! When we are honest with each other, we keep the bonds that hold us together strong, making it difficult for Satan to tear us down. Doing ministry is great and it is what we are called to do, but more importantly we are called to be honest with each other and to esteem each other higher than ourselves.
Yesterday , I became very upset with a sister who was trying to simply instruct on something. Pride set in and I got up and walked out. Today, I realized had she not been truthful with me and told me how to do something the correct way, I would have never learned. She just could have let me fall on my face, but she chose not to and I am so thankful for her heart.
The truth hurts, but lying and not saying anything hurts even more. More importantly, it grieves the heart of our Father, who loves us so incredibly much.
Application verse- “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
This verse is is such a blessing! I have to hold it close everyday. In order for me to be truthful with others and to love others, I have to first love the Lord with everything inside of me. This is an everyday process. But He gave so much for us and I have to learn how to fall in love with Him again. When we love the Lord, we love others. God is love. and therefore, when His love is planted deeply inside of us, we are able to love others with His heart and His Spirit of Truth. Nothing can be done apart from Him Its all His work.
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