I was thinking over the Thanksgiving holiday about preparations. In preparing our meal, I took great care in making sure everything was right. I measured exact amounts rather than guessing, cleaned the house, shined the serving dishes, made sure all invited were coming....... the normal "getting prepared" things we do! The one thing that stood out the most this year was the time I took in making my stuffing! The recipe is nothing special, just a plain southern stuffing, but the way I prepared it made it special. I prepared it inside a pumpkin! I took care in selecting the pumpkin, cleaning the pumpkin, mixing my stuffing, filling the pumpkin so stuffing wouldn't run over, putting in the oven at just the right time so it would be warm with our meal, and making sure there was a special place on the table for it.
This got me thinking about Jesus. The same One who spoke, SPOKE, the heavens and earth into place, assigned light for night and day, named stars, stores snow and rain, commanded mountains to rise up, tells waves where to stop..........is PREPARING a place for me! Not speaking one into existance, but using His beautiful hands to PREPARE it!! He could just speak it, but He chooses to prepare it! This blows my mind!!! It amazes me that Messiah, Great Jehovah, Almighty God, would:
1- place His hands on me to create me (Genesis 1:27)
2- use His hands to prepare me a place (John 14:2-3)
How unworthy I am of such love, care, and devotion!
How thankful I am for such love, care, and devotion!
Does He not deserve my love and devotion? Does He not deserve ALL love, devotion, glory, and honor?
So I have to ask myself and any of you who wander upon the blog and take time to read, how are the preparations going for meeting Jesus?
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Why me??
A few weeks ago we observed the Lord's Supper at church. This is such a special time for any believer and for the church. It does bother me that sometimes its just treated as just another tradition. It is sooooooo much more than that. It is a time of reflection and asking God to reveal any sin, a time of repentance, a time of thankfulness, a time of remembering just how much it cost Jesus so I could belong. This particular Lord's Supper was radical for me. I have known for a long time the ministry that God has called me to. That day, though, I spoke it out loud.........and the enemey heard!! It wasn't long until he had thrown one of many arrows for the day at me. It was awful.....I was angry, hurt, frustrated, just all around a mess. When it came time to participate in the Lord's Supper, I felt very unworthy to do so. How could I do that with the terrible thoughts going through my mind and the feelings in my heart! I have learned through lots and lots of teaching from God and from one of the sweetest women I have ever known (also the most wonderful mentor) that when all this ugliness rears its head, just talk to God. Tell Him your heart, ask for His help, praise Him for listening and just being Him!
When I began talking to Him there were a few things He showed me:
1. One thing I was angry about was actually an answer to a prayer I had prayed for one of my children. I just didnt like the way God answered. This led to prayer to help me accept that it will be His way and His time.
2. Spiritual warfare is real. Not only did the enemy sting me, knowing that I'm stepping into womens ministry, he stung me with a woman. This led to prayer for protection; for the church, the people, me, the women I want to serve.
The most powerful lesson followed.................
All I have to give Him is a bunch of junk. I sit here with all my sin and dump it in His lap and thats all I have to give Him...........JUNK! Why in the world would He choose me as His daughter? Why would He want to talk to me or hear from me? Why would He allow me to teach about Him? Why would He want to use me to do anything for Him?
He is so good and sweet to me and all I have for Him is junk. This humbles me beyond words. There arent enough words to say thank you for all He has done, for the mercy, the grace, the forgiveness.
That day, the Lord's Supper was very sweet.
His body......for me.
His blood......for me.
Why? So I could dump all my junk and remember that because of Him I can!
He was wounded for my transgressions
Bruised for my iniquities.
Surely He bore my sorrows
And by His stripes I am healed.
When I began talking to Him there were a few things He showed me:
1. One thing I was angry about was actually an answer to a prayer I had prayed for one of my children. I just didnt like the way God answered. This led to prayer to help me accept that it will be His way and His time.
2. Spiritual warfare is real. Not only did the enemy sting me, knowing that I'm stepping into womens ministry, he stung me with a woman. This led to prayer for protection; for the church, the people, me, the women I want to serve.
The most powerful lesson followed.................
All I have to give Him is a bunch of junk. I sit here with all my sin and dump it in His lap and thats all I have to give Him...........JUNK! Why in the world would He choose me as His daughter? Why would He want to talk to me or hear from me? Why would He allow me to teach about Him? Why would He want to use me to do anything for Him?
He is so good and sweet to me and all I have for Him is junk. This humbles me beyond words. There arent enough words to say thank you for all He has done, for the mercy, the grace, the forgiveness.
That day, the Lord's Supper was very sweet.
His body......for me.
His blood......for me.
Why? So I could dump all my junk and remember that because of Him I can!
He was wounded for my transgressions
Bruised for my iniquities.
Surely He bore my sorrows
And by His stripes I am healed.
Why work?
As I sit here and type this blog, I am thinking about some people that I work with. I get incredibly frustrated with the complaining about working, gossip about each other, not taking responsibility for actions, not respecting those in authority over you.......this list could be endless!! I think the problem that amazes me the most, is doing something only for the praise of man! They are professing believers in Jesus (with the exception of 1), and this is really disturbing! Dont get me wrong I have my moments of incredible frustration........my hubby could vouch for it, but God's approval of my actions means more to me than any mans. I will follow the instructions and rules handed down by those in authority over me, this is commanded by God, but I will do what is expected of me not to please them, rather to please my Father who has given me everything!! If we obey God's instruction regarding work, then our earthly master and our Heavenly Master are both pleased. God is so cool to have set it up like that!
I have been reflecting on scripture about this. God has shown me my own sin in how I handle the situations.
1. Sometimes, I speak quick and "fly hot"; when I should be slow to speak and remember that I can be angry but do not sin.
2. I should do everything without complaining!
3. I am responsible for my actions and need to take the plank out of my eye before I take a splinter out of my brothers.
Oh, how wretched I am!! Still amazed that God would even want anything to do with me at all!
I am very thankful for His discipline, His teaching, His love, His answers, His speaking......He is so very good to me!!
I have a responsibility as a follower of Christ to obey His commands about work. My authorities also have a responsibility........but I cant make them do what is right. I can however tell them the truth, in love, as commanded by my Father.
Colossians 3:22-24 says
22 Slaves, [6] obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, [7] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.
God help us all to be the employee You have commanded us to.
I have been reflecting on scripture about this. God has shown me my own sin in how I handle the situations.
1. Sometimes, I speak quick and "fly hot"; when I should be slow to speak and remember that I can be angry but do not sin.
2. I should do everything without complaining!
3. I am responsible for my actions and need to take the plank out of my eye before I take a splinter out of my brothers.
Oh, how wretched I am!! Still amazed that God would even want anything to do with me at all!
I am very thankful for His discipline, His teaching, His love, His answers, His speaking......He is so very good to me!!
I have a responsibility as a follower of Christ to obey His commands about work. My authorities also have a responsibility........but I cant make them do what is right. I can however tell them the truth, in love, as commanded by my Father.
Colossians 3:22-24 says
22 Slaves, [6] obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, [7] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.
God help us all to be the employee You have commanded us to.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Heart of the Problem
I have been thinking about the times when I was disobedient as a child. Every time my mother would dole out the punishment! Dis-obeying her was not an option!! This is so true for us as Christians too. Dis-obeying God is not an option! You can choose to dis-obey, but I really wouldnt advise it!!
I was recently talking with a friend who just can not understand what is happening within their church. She then asked what some would consider a dangerous question......"What do you think"? Well, of course before I answered I asked....are you sure you want to know? you might not like it....remember you asked!!
1. What does God say?
2. Is the church as a whole in obedience to God?
3. If not, do the people realize they are being dis-obedient?
4. Are the people willing to admit they are wrong and ask forgiveness from the Father?
Sadly, my friend answered no to 2 of those questions and yes to 1.
This is so relevant in our personal relationships with God. We have to be obedient to what He says. Will everyone always understand it.....No. Will they like it.......No. Does it matter what they think......No. OBEY GOD!! Thats what we have to do, no matter the cost.
So, what should I do? That was my friends next question.
1. Ask God
2. Listen to God
3. Obey God
Sometimes we become so busy we dont ask God. Sometimes we become so loud within ourselves we dont hear God. Sometimes we choose to not obey because obeying means trusting and making tough decisons. As hard as it may be, following God is worth it!! Yeah, some will talk.....so what, their wrong for that (gossiping....ugh!!), some will not understand, some will make you feel guilty..........so what!! Jesus is all you need and being obedient to God is the only choice that needs to be made!!!
I pray I never become to busy, to loud, or uncaring.
I was recently talking with a friend who just can not understand what is happening within their church. She then asked what some would consider a dangerous question......"What do you think"? Well, of course before I answered I asked....are you sure you want to know? you might not like it....remember you asked!!
1. What does God say?
2. Is the church as a whole in obedience to God?
3. If not, do the people realize they are being dis-obedient?
4. Are the people willing to admit they are wrong and ask forgiveness from the Father?
Sadly, my friend answered no to 2 of those questions and yes to 1.
This is so relevant in our personal relationships with God. We have to be obedient to what He says. Will everyone always understand it.....No. Will they like it.......No. Does it matter what they think......No. OBEY GOD!! Thats what we have to do, no matter the cost.
So, what should I do? That was my friends next question.
1. Ask God
2. Listen to God
3. Obey God
Sometimes we become so busy we dont ask God. Sometimes we become so loud within ourselves we dont hear God. Sometimes we choose to not obey because obeying means trusting and making tough decisons. As hard as it may be, following God is worth it!! Yeah, some will talk.....so what, their wrong for that (gossiping....ugh!!), some will not understand, some will make you feel guilty..........so what!! Jesus is all you need and being obedient to God is the only choice that needs to be made!!!
I pray I never become to busy, to loud, or uncaring.
Wait on the Lord
Do you ever struggle with "waiting on the Lord"? Not very easy at times. This is something I struggle greatly with. It is my nature to want to "fix" everything. I have come to realize that I cant "fix" everything. This lesson has been painful at times.
In recent weeks, I have spent many hours in prayer for my children. I use to think when they were small they were a handful! I have found that those were the easiest of times and the teen years are the hard ones. In my quiet time, God has shown me so much when it comes to my children.
1. They are not mine, they are His! He has loaned them to me for a time, but make no mistake, they belong to Him!
2. He is always watching, listening, and there when I cant be.
3. He has control of all situations, even when they are not real good.
When one of my children struggle, I immediately want to fix it. I'm their mother, thats what we do.....right?? In recent weeks, I have cried and pleaded with God to tell me what to do so I can fix things. In my quiet time, God said....."Wait for the Lord, be courageous and let your heart be strong, wait for the Lord". I know what He wants and I also know I need Him to help me do it. It is so hard to wait sometimes, but I know with Him, I can. How assuring to know, that no matter what they choose, what happens, God is in control.
In recent weeks, I have spent many hours in prayer for my children. I use to think when they were small they were a handful! I have found that those were the easiest of times and the teen years are the hard ones. In my quiet time, God has shown me so much when it comes to my children.
1. They are not mine, they are His! He has loaned them to me for a time, but make no mistake, they belong to Him!
2. He is always watching, listening, and there when I cant be.
3. He has control of all situations, even when they are not real good.
When one of my children struggle, I immediately want to fix it. I'm their mother, thats what we do.....right?? In recent weeks, I have cried and pleaded with God to tell me what to do so I can fix things. In my quiet time, God said....."Wait for the Lord, be courageous and let your heart be strong, wait for the Lord". I know what He wants and I also know I need Him to help me do it. It is so hard to wait sometimes, but I know with Him, I can. How assuring to know, that no matter what they choose, what happens, God is in control.
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