Lies and standing firm in Christ

As I began to read this morning, I felt so tired (sleep deprived).  I just looked at the window and debated on going back to bed! I asked God to give me a word and I stated, "No, I promised myself that I would be in God's word daily." So, I began reading.  2 Thessalonians is not a very big book, in fact it only has 3 chapters, but something really did come out at me.  I know in the past I have read about Christ's coming, I am sure even non Christians have ventured to read it, but it felt like a realization today.  Satan will bring up someone to lie to us earthly men.  He does this now, but he will actually have a human displaying miracles, signs, and wonders.  I imagined right then, that people would fall against God and believe this lie.  They will marvel over all his wonders, but we are to remember the TRUTH and stand firm in Christ.  Christ will come "from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels"(1:7).  Why would he go against what he said?  HE WOULDN'T.   Jesus will destroy the very one who lies and that do not believe in him. We, Christians, will know when the Lord comes back and must remember that until that moment comes Christ has not returned.  And when he does, then we will sit with God and worship him all the days of our life.

I pray Lord that My Family and I will know the truth.  I ask that you would write your Word on our hearts and prepare us for the day of your coming.  Do not let us be fooled by sin and stand firm with you.  You are so much more powerful and miraculous than Satan could ever be.  Point us to you ALWAYS, Lord.  You are the way, the truth, and the light.  I pray that we will live lives worthy for you.  Thank you for your spirit and your love.  Thank you for your kindness towards all people.  Thank you for a forgiving heart.  Thank you for all that you have given and taken away from me.  In you I will stand.  In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

WARNINGS

Well if anyone ever wanted a to do list from the Lord, I guess I Thessalonians would be a great place to start.  Throughout the book it Paul tells the church to live as the Lord will be here today.  (Not his words but mine) He will come quickly and rest assured the dead will rise first, which then we will meet them in the sky.  Even Paul back then prayed continually for the Lord's people to be blameless on that day.  That is encouraging to know, especially when I goof up and sin in my anger, etc.  I feel like a turd for yelling at everyone yesterday.  To be honest, I don't know what came over me.  I desire honesty and communication with my family and I guess I just didn't get it yesterday.  I hurt several people and pray that they truly forgave me. 

[Lord, I have to stop right here.  I am sorry for my actions, they were not of you.  I pray that you will surround me with your ways; I want your meek and mildness, your love, your kindness, your gentleness, and your self-control.  Help me to run away from the temptation of anger.  Please increase your Love in me and strengthen my heart so that I will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God.  Lord I want to be able to control my body in a way that is holy and honorable.  Please Lord allow me to encourage, comfort, and urge my children to live lives worth of You.  I know that I can't do that acting as I did yesterday, so please forgive me and allow forgiveness from them and myself.]

Paul tells us some key things to live a life that is holy and worthy of God, to please him when he comes for us:

Build one another up (5:11)

Respect our leaders (5:12)

Hold leaders in the highest regard (5:13)

Live in peace (5:13)

Warn the idle  (5:14)

Encourage the timid  (5:14)

Help the weak  (5:14)

Be patient   (5:14)

Resist revenge  (5:15)

Be Joyful  (5:16)

Pray continually (5:17)

Give thanks (5:18)

Do not put out the Spirit's fire  (5:19)

Do not treat prophecies with contempt (5:20) 

Avoid every kind of evil (5:22)

count on God's constant help  (5:23)

God, thank you for your guidelines.  I know that for me, it is comforting to know that the one true God is by my side helping me in this world.  I have truth and encouragement in your word.  Thank you for forgiveness.  Thank you for sending your son into this horrible, sinful world for me to die a death not worthy of a King.  I pray that all these things that you have brought to me, you would be of constant help to produce in my life.  I want to live a life that is worthy of you and will withstand the fire.  You are so mighty and true.  God you fill my life with peace and hope for a future.  Thank you.  I lift these things to you from my heart.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Colossians-What Christians should do?

I continue to strive towards the prize: I pray all the time for God's wisdom and will.  Today I read the verse that is perfect for me: "asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the the Lord and may please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all the power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

Praise the Lord! Lord I do ask that you would fill me with your knowledge so that I would live a life that is of worth to you.  I want everything that I do, "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (3:17) In order for me to live this life Lord, please remove the "things" that are holding me back: anger, rage malice, slander, and filthy language from my lips, and keep me from speaking lies.  Instead, as your word says, change these things to "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (3:12) I want to forgive as you forgave me and to love everyone.  I pray that I can be the wife that you have called me to be and submit to my husband because he is the head of our home.  Let me honor him, as I am honoring you.  In the same way, Lord, please help my husband to love me and not to be harsh and my children to be obedient.  I want my husband and children to yearn for you, giving you glory in everything that they do.  During this time, I especially pray for Wayne and I to be parents that lift our children up and do not tear them down.  Give us the encouragement and love to do all these things.  Doing all these things for your glory we will receive an inheritance from you as a reward (3:24).  I deserve nothing, but yet you have giving me everything.  You are my Prince of Peace, my Lord of Lords.  I praise you my King.  I lift my petitions to you in the name of your wonderful Son-Jesus. Amen.

Philippians-Joy VS Happiness

In my Bible that I am studying with, there is a page before the actually book begins that describes the book and author.  Philippians explains that Happiness depends on circumstances and Joy runs deeper.  This is definitely a truth that we should all hear.  If you have happiness with a special someone, what happens when they die! If you have happiness over an earthly possession, what happens when it is burned, lost, or stolen! If you have happiness in your health, what happens when it deteriorates! Joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God's love and work in our lives-that he will be there no matter what!  Joy depends on Christ not earthly things.To tell the truth, by starting the book this way, I was put into perspective before I even began reading.  Thank you Lord :-) 

Joy for me is in these truths:

1:6 "...that he who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  The Lord is not done with me.  I can praise him even in my darkest times, because he loves me and knows whats best for me.  I know that he loves me more than my earthly mother could ever imagine.  

1:13-14 "As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.  Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."  The "chains" that I am dealing with here on this earth are for the Lord.  He never allows anything that I can't handle and always gives me a way out.  I will praise him no matter what! 

1:18-19 "...Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance."

1:27 "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ"

2:3,5,14-16 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (humbled himself before others and came to serve, not to be served).  Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."  

I pray that I will be a servant among men.  I pray that you can reach the world with your generosity and love.  Lord, keep my attitude, even with those I love, true to your standards.  I continue to pray for healing, but ask that you only allow encouraging and uplifting words to be spoke about my condition.  I do not want to complain or argue with you Lord.  I give you my petitions.  Take them and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

3:10,14,20-21 "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him his death."  Isn't that the ultimate goal for Christians-to follow God even if it takes us to death.  This can seem a little daunting, but I will conquer the fear of death with Jesus by my side.  "I [will] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." The goal unto which I think of is heaven.  There everything is perfect and good.  So remembering that "our citizenship is in Heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

4:6-7,11,13,19 "Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." In this world, we are missing the punch line.  We are leaning on material things and money to make us happy.  I can clearly say that I am joyful not happy, because "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." I have been broke and almost homeless, which I still found the Lord in it all.  I know that "I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  And my God will meet all [my] needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  

Recapture of 2011

2011 has been a year of many things; learning, loving, living, surviving...

I started the year out going back to work.  God woke me up one morning and pushed me to the computer.  I prayed to him, "I don't know what to do, so put me where you will allow me to grow and where it won't hurt as much to leave the kids."  That is what he did.  I worked for Drayer Physical Therapy for 10 months.  During this time, Wayne had a couple of surgeries on his eye and some miraculous things happened: he could see 20/40.

Also, William was diagnosed with significant hearing loss.  He, too, had surgery to correct this issue and God redeemed his hearing and speech.  That day, as we sat outside watching the chickens, William asked me, "Mommy, do you hear that?"  I didn't know what he could hear, so I asked him what he heard.  He replied, "The wind."  Tears began to well up in my eyes and I was so grateful to God for allowing him to hear again.  We went for a walk that night and I pushed the stroller out of the gravel.  William looked up at me and said roll on the gravel.  I rolled the stroller back into the gravel and watch him look as if that was the coolest sound he had ever heard.  It is amazing what we take for granite on a daily basis.

William had some mishaps, too.  He fell out of the golf cart at my moms and was dragged down the driveway by his sister.  Blessedly, he was very hurt and beat up with no internal injuries.  A week before his ear surgery he slammed his thumb in my car door and almost chopped it off.  That took almost a month to heal, but it did and the emergency room doctor said it was a miracle that it didn't sever his thumb! Thanks be to God.

Natalie and Anna had a tough year as well.  They had to do a lot of growing up and being Mommy while daddy was recovering from his multiple surgeries.  Now that I am home that are relaxing down a bit and learning to be BIG, but letting Mommy be Mommy.

Wayne was released to go back to work in the last week of September and then more challenges came.  Here a man that has driven some type of Big truck since 1998, but no one would hire him.  He had been out of a truck too long, they said.  But God had a different plan.  I know that going into work again would be hard for Wayne, especially after such a long time at home.  I remember feeling that way when I stepped back into work early in the year.  God provided him with a job at JB Hunt.  Yes, after 3 weeks of driving other the road and not seeing us but one time, we begged God to redeem the time we had lost and that is what he did.  He allowed Wayne to transfer to the local runs, which he was home 3 times a week.  We thought we were set until all the work that he had put in wasn't enough to pay the little amount of bills that we had.  Again, we begged God to help us know where to go next.  I awoke from my sleep and asked Wayne if he couldn't contact the company where he was injured.  They may have a dispatching position that he could do.  Well two days later he was the new Operations Manager for over 100 trucks and in the work that he had done for two years prior.  It is very demanding and hard at times, but we pray daily that God would continue to bless him and show him favor in his work.

As for me, well adjustments must be my middle name.  When I went to work each day, I would cry and ask the Lord to comfort me while giving me success.  I am not a name knower and this job, I had to know the patients name by the 2nd time they were there.  So, as usual God did his thing and I usually knew them by first name before they left on the first visit.  I grew very fast and learned things that people didn't learn until 6months to a year into the position.  I give all that success to the Lord, because I gave it all to him each day.  Learning to be a working mom was very hard and was such an adjustment.  It took me at least 4 months and even then I would cry because I missed my homeschool friends and the life I had to leave.  Now, I am back home with my family and serving my husband the way the Lord has asked me too.  I have been here since October 8th, but again I am in a process of becoming normal again.  What is normal?  I wonder all the time.  I am reading more of the truth, because the truth is what will set me free and is my only weapon against the one who wants to kill and destroy me.  He wants me to feel anxiety when in crowds or when the thought of going to a meeting of some kind.  He is targeting me with the things I have always loved to do: co-ops, field trips, eating out, and my physical body.  I have always been a do-it-myself kind of girl.  I mean I was a truck driver's wife, right.  I struggle to sleep due to the pain in various parts of my body.  The last time I went to the doctor, he said that my RA levels were elevated.  RA is brought on by stress and major events in someone's life.  I know that the Lord has called me to this place of service and I will not allow Satan to win the battle.

This year has had many trials, but I wouldn't trade them for anything.  The pain levels are very high, but I know that God loves me.  I know that he has a plan for me, one not to harm me, but to prosper me.  I know that I will be success in Him.  I pray everyday for healing, fruits of the spirit, direction in life, and favor from the Lord.  He is my Almighty comforter, my Prince of Peace, my Healer, my Everything.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  As far as next year, I pray for the ability to write how much more he has done through us for others around us.  We want to reach whoever God places in our lives.

Ephesians

Who wouldn't serve the One true God?

I mean, look in your life and see it.  Really see it.  There has to be one God moment somewhere in there.  I have asked for him to be revealed to me in a Big way and boy, Nelly, He did.  As I ask him this morning (and all through  the night) to stop the pain in my shoulders, I read Eph 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for  ever and ever! Amen." I know that God will make me whole again.  I can't know if it is here on earth, but he has been miraculous before in my life with my loved ones around me, so why not for me?  Having that hope is what leads us to him in the first place.  As the truth says, he can do immeasurably more than I can imagine! I have also asked the Lord for me to never forget, never be comfortable enough that I am living on my own (hmmm wonder if that is whats going on with my body?).  I "no longer [want to] be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here an there by every wind of teaching and by the cumming and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, [I] will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."  Eph 4:14-16

"In [my] anger do not sin." "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." This alone is a powerful truth.  How many of us, I know I have, said something to hurt someone out of anger.  I pray daily that I would lift my children up and not provoke or harm them.  As my daughter gets older, I am praying this several times a day.  LOL

Wives by submissive to your husbands.  I used to have a real problem with this truth, but as I have spent years in the word, bible studies, and living a married life for 13 years I realized that being submissive to my husband is a blessing from the Lord.  He, the Lord, has always proved his word in every situation.

The whole armour of God:

Belt of Truth                               God's truth can defeat Satan's lies.
Breastplate of Righteousness       Satan often attacks our hearts-the seat of our emotions, welf-worth, and 
                                                  trust.  God's righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts and
                                                  ensures his approval.  he approves of us because he loves us and sent his
                                                  son to die for us.
Footgear of Good News            Gives us the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace that is
                                                  available in God-News everyone needs to hear.
Shield of Faith                            Protects us from Satan's flaming arrows.  With God's perspective, we can
                                                  see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours.
Helmet of Salvation                    The helmet protects our minds from doubting God's saving work for us.
Sword of the Spirit                     The sword is the only weapon of offensive in this list of armor.  There are
                                                  times when we need to take the offensive against Satan. When we are
                                                  tempted, we need to trust in the truth of God's Word.

Thank you Lord for asking Brent to encourage us to get into your Word more.  I want to read her word in its entirety, not just for doing it, but to write the words on my heart.  Your truth is what sets me free and is my only defense weapon against the one who comes to kill and destroy me.  I pray that today will not be a defeat.  I lift up our Angel Tree Christmas Party, My visit with Grandmother, and whatever else we may do.  I lift them so that you can bless them and allow your Glory to shine through them.  Thank you for Wayne's job, I pray that he will be home a lot earlier than expected today.  I pray that sleep will be easy for him and everyone who sleeps here tonight.  Let us celebrate you coming here on this earth to be sin for us.  You endured so much, I shouldn't complain about my failing body.  But you came, to give us hope, life, and a future.  So I do continue to pray that you will take all my pain away, heal my body, and restore it to what you created it to be.  Lastly, I pray for all those who venture here to this blog.  I pray that their lives would be filled with your Spirit and would pour out your Love.  In all these things I pray in your precious son's name-Jesus.  Amen. 

Doing Good/Unity in Christ

Whew! Since Monday someone has been sick in our house.  Wednesday was my turn.  Yikes, no fun.  It wasn't that bad and yesterday I just fought a low grade fever, which finally broke sometime early this morning.  I began to read this morning in the last part of Galatians, which said "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." I pray that I do not do things for myself, but for the glory of God.  With that said, I pray too that in doing the good of the Father, I do not want to grow tired.  Help me Lord, to remain focused on you always.

It is amazing that Paul prayed the very thing I pray for myself.  "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." Wow, I know that those were not my exact words, but those are the things I want for my life with Christ too.  God can give me the power that he gave his Son to heal, encourage, discern, etc.  I give my whole self to you Lord.  All of me.  I want nothing left to be ruined by sin.  Fill me Lord with your presence each and every day.  Allow me to be overfilled with joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and self control, so that I can fill someone else with the wonderful things.  I know that I will be healed, but in my affliction, I will be patient.  There is a season for everything.  I know that I am "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." In all these things, I pray in your precious son's name, Jesus! Amen.

Freedom-Galatians

Now my journey through the New Testament is taking me to Galatians with Paul.  I see people struggle with "law" all the time.  When I went to our last church for 10 years, I saw this very clearly.  The "managers" of the church get carried away with their roles and the rules, they forget about Jesus.  This can turn a new Christian away from God, and fast.  Being a Christian is hard work, because we do not live by the standards of this world.  We are to live by the spirit and that is not always the popular thing to do.    We have to remember that as adults, rules are important for chaos not to be present, but not to surrender our hearts/lives to them.  "For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Gal 2:19-21 "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law" Gal 3:25 We are to live by the spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. 

Lord, I thank you once again for your freedom that you have given me.  Thank you for dieing on the cross for me and my sins.  I ask that I not only open my heart to the gifts of the spirit, but to the spirit itself.  I desire to possess your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.  With you, there is no other way.  You are my Lord and Master, and through you I can do all things.  I pray that you will give me these things and I can pour them out to everyone around me.  I pray that Christmas Eve will be one of these moments that can change lives forever.  Please take my nerves away Lord and know that you are in control.  I ask that you bless those who venture to this blog and encourage them immensely.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Giving and Weakness 2 Corinthians

As I sit here to type this morning, 3 out of 5 of my family is vomiting and sick.  The suffering that we experience often is the weakness that points us to the Lord.  I know that through the last year, with Wayne's and William's hospital/Dr visits and my pains, it has done just that; on my face asking and praying to the Lord.  When I finished 2 Corinthians today, I just sat a little numb.  I ask the Lord each day to write his word on my heart.  Not only allowing me to read it in it's entirety, but etching for life.  So, that when it is needed it can spring forth from me.  Paul was such a strong man in Christ.  He believed with all his heart and endured so much; imprisonment, beatings, etc.  If he tells me that in those weakness, we are made strong in Christ, then I should take that knowledge.  In Chapter 12 he said, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,' There fore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  that is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, than I am strong."  I know that God doesn't strike us down and he surely doesn't give us pain, but I think he allows these things (like Job) to come in our lives to prune us and prepare us for the fire that will test who we've been.  I only pray that through this life here on earth, as I wait patiently for my Abba to come and get me, that I will fill my life with things that will strengthen my spirit to withstand the fire. 

Money has always been such a issue in this house.  I remember tithing each week and then Wayne coming to church (which at that time was far and few between), which he yelled the entire time about giving our money away.  I can boast in the Lord, as Paul says we should, for the miraculous change that has taken place.  It has taken 6 years, 2 lost jobs, and 3 hospital/surgeries, but Wayne has witnessed what the Bible talks about.  Where would we be without Him and what we reap, we will get in return.  "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" 2 Cor 9:6-8.  He has stood on this promise, we are witnesses.  We have had nothing monetarily, but God miraculously has given us food, clothes, shelter.  Not even the birds worry about these things, right?  What freedom to live in that truth.  I do pray that we "will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given."

Lord, thank you for your truth that inspires me to keep on going on.  My weaknesses have been so uplifting in my life.  To experience them may have been a little painful, but the outcome to be closer to you has been amazing. You are my strength Lord.  You Love me more than anyone on this earth could imagine.  Lord I pray that I will show you the same Love back and that all that I do is not wasted, but for your glory and can with stand the fire.  I pray that as a family that we are cheerful givers.  Come into our lives and encourage us to be what you need us to be, so that the lost can be reached, the poor can be helped, and the orphans can find love in you.  Thank you Lord for all that you have given and have held back.  I continue to pray that I can show your Love to my children and family, as if they were strangers.  The sickness that is sweeping over our home is not welcomed and I say in the name of Jesus that it is gone, leaving our house as I type this.  In the name of Jesus, I pray all these things, Amen!

Heaven Bound 2 Corinthians

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-17

Thank you Lord.  Reading your word each day is pointing me right back to your Truth.  I still pray for healing because I know that, that spirit lives within us.  But I know that, my inwardly body (my spirit) is what I need to focus on.  The pain is just for a little while, but eternity with you is forever! I'll take it.  I pray that as I live on this earth waiting for you to come get me, that I will live not for myself but for him who died for me and was raised again (2 Cor 5:15).   I am excited to be a new creation in Christ, which the old has gone, and the new one has come (vs 17).  This body is for you Lord.  I pray that I would serve you in every way.  Last Thursday, I woke up hurting, but you gave me relief as I served those that were spiritually hurting.  Lord, I ask that I can serve you everyday.  This way I can focus on others pain and encourage them, instead of my own.  As I ask often, "open wide [my] heart" to except your will for my life.  "God, [you] made him who had no sin to be sin for [me], so that in him [I] might become the righteousness of God" 2 Cor 6:21.  I pray that you will make my heart clean, "purifying [me] from everything that contaminates my body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (7:1)".  Out of "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (7:10)."  Thank you, Lord.  To live a life with no regret is a precious one indeed.  I continue to lift my families life to you.  Make us pure in heart Lord and bring people into our lives that will give us the opportunity to pour your love and kindness out to them.  I also ask that I can give this same Love, your Love, to my family as well.  In your son's Holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Spiritual Gifts-Love-Resurrection I Cor

Spiritual Gifts

As I was reading today in Chapter 12, Paul lists the gifts of the spirit.  Wisdom, Knowledge, Healing, Tongues, Interpretation of the Tongues, Miraculous powers, Prophecy, and Discernment.  Wow, who wouldn't want all of these?  In recent months, I have thought about these gifts for myself.  I believe that I do possess the gift of Discernment: distinguishing between spirits.  I have always had an act of knowing who people really are...I pray today that God will open my heart to all of the spiritual gifts available to me.  It says in verse 11, "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."  So, Lord, as some of these spirits are a little nervy to me due to not understanding them as well, I open myself to be given whatever you have for me.  I want to encourage and edify the body of Christ and those around me.  Planting seeds also to the unsaved. 


[As I prayed, when I read this, I asked God to give me these spiritual gifts.  When I got to the gift of healing, I told Satan to "get behind me and you are not welcome in this house or my body.  You will not take my hands, feet, shoulders, or collar bone.  You must leave in the Name of Jesus".  I looked up and my dog out of no where looked as if he was following someone to the front door (next to where I was sitting).  Christmas went to the side window of the door and stared out the door for a minute and then returned to the couch to lie down.  It was cool to think, Christmas was protecting me and seeing our unwanted guest out the door.  Making sure that he left our property. 

Love

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love Never Fails.  And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love." I Cor 13:4-8, 13

These are such familiar words.  I see them on bookmarks, plaques, etc.  I know that I do not show this kind of love towards the ones I am with the most.  It is so much easier to be "loving" to others that aren't with you as much, than those that are with you the most.  Lord, I ask that you would help me to share this Love with everyone, even my children, husband, and close family.  They deserve your Love.  I pray that these verses will ring into my heart each day, as I live them out. 

Resurrection

Praise Jesus.  My body here, right now, is not meant to be alive but dead.  My heavenly body will be alive and beautiful! No pain, no destruction, no death.  "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised in spiritual body." I Cor 15:42-44.  Thank you Lord that I have hope that all will be well with you.  You are my healer and you will resurrect my body to your beauty and glory.  We are not promised healing here, but when we see it praise the Lord.  It is a small picture of what Heaven will be like.  Thank you for allow my diet change to help my pain dissolve.  I pray that you would give me the knowledge to apply different things to my life so that my earthly body will be the way you created it to be. 

Instruction of Freedom-I Cor

Boy, do I feel like I am in a race.  I really do feel like, at times, I am lagging behind and there isn't any hope in even catching up.  The last six years have been so challenging for me.  When Wayne first lost his job at CM, we just never recovered.  But, God is so good.  Looking back I can see His hand in everything.  401K paid most of our bills off, after 16 months we finally closed on our house in Newnan, we've been humbled with work that we never thought we would do, and we changed church homes with the prompting of the Lord.  We have even seen miracles within our family; Natalie had a tumor-took 6 teeth, but was benign, Anna was born with a dislocated hip, but with much prayer from hundreds of people, in one week the DR was baffled at how she could be "fine".  Wayne almost loosing his life, but lost his eye instead.  But wait, with 4 surgeries and God's beautiful hands working on him with the 2 DRs he has 20/40 vision again.  William was partially deaf and couldn't talk.  The DRs wouldn't do surgery when he was smaller due to insurance, but then we had the right insurance and God brought us to the right DR.  Once the tubes were in place, he could hear the wind and his stroller rolling in the gravel (that still brings tears to my eyes). Now, I am battling with what the DRs think is Rheumatoid Arthritis.  With all that I have seen and experienced I know that God is with me.  He will be victorious.  I am to run in the race, and run like I want that prize.  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." I Cor. 9:24-25 

Lord, I know at times, I am a whining little child.  The pain is unbearable sometimes, but I know that you will heal me.  I know that you are a mighty God.  Just in my life only Lord, you have done many signs and wonders.  I can't deny you or say that you can't do something, because You can!! Praise God.  Open my eyes Lord to what you want for my life.  I want to Glorify you and make you proud.  This "thing" that Satan thinks will bring me down, isn't anything that You and I can't handle.  God you are faithful and your word says, "[you] will not let [me] be tempted beyond what [I] can bear."  Thank you, Jesus! This is nothing compared to what Jesus had to endure for me.  Lord, I ask that you let me be in constant remembrance.  I also pray, Lord, that you will help me to encourage others and when I am having a whining moment to bring people in my life that will lift me up to you Lord.  Thank you Lord. Thank you for my parents, bless them 10x for the love for my family.  I pray they will seek and find you.  I pray that you would wrap your arms around them and give them peace with success.  Thank you for my husband.  Lord, I know that you are working on him with zeal.  Lord, I pray that he will be the spiritual leader of this family.  That he will be held accountable for this house turning to you.  Thank you, Lord for our home.  I pray that even it brings Glory to your name.  Thank you Lord.  I love you.  In Jesus' name Amen!

1 Corinthians-How to live for Christ

I do believe that Paul shows a lot of his character in his writings.  I thought it was humorous that he begins telling the church that "beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else".  So, even someone as great as he forgets.  That gives me comfort.  :-()

It is a wonderful reminder that "we have the mind of Christ".  We do not know what man is thinking, but we can be still and "understand what God has freely given us" (with his spirit we can know what he is thinking). 

I pray that everything that I do is fire worthy.  "It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." I Cor. 3:13-15
Lord I pray that I will do your work on this earth and it is pleasing to you.  I want to shine on the other end of the fire.  I do not want to disappoint you.  I do not want to do things for my own gain, Lord, but for your glory.

Another wonderful word from the Lord, through Paul, is about judging and being hard on yourself.  Paul writes, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.  He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God".  I Cor 4:3-5

Thank you, Lord. I am so hard on myself, as you see with the first prayer.  I do love you and want to serve you all my days.  I do want you to be proud of me and I do want to be your good and faithful servant.  But what Love you show here.  I should not care what others think of me or even judge myself.  You are the ultimate judge and when that Day comes you will put it through fire and all will be reveled.  Thank you for loving me, Thank you for all you have and haven't given to me, Thank you for what I face each day, Thank you for my husband and children.  I lift them up to you Lord.  I pray they will also be mighty warriors for your kingdom.  I pray success and favor on them.  Thank you for our home.  I pray Lord that we can even use it to glorify you.  I lift my neighbor to you right now.  She is full of fear and anxiety.  I ask that you remove this from her and fill her with your peace.  I pray that the quality of life for her mom would be bettered 10x, by her faithfulness.  We thank you, as a family, for her Lord.  She is a wonderful woman that you have made.  Protect her heart Lord and allow other members of our Christ family to step up and give her relief and breaks.  I ask these things in your Holy Son's Name, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Journey through Romans II

Okay, so I finished reading Romans today.  Boy does everyone need to read it.  It reminds me how much we need the Lord and how we should treat each other. 


I am sure that Romans 12:2 is familiar, but today I prayed that I would not conform to this world and that God would renew my mind.  I want to know God's good and pleasing will for my life.  I have been that person that just goes from day to day, event to event.  I know how much I can't live without him each day.  I desire to be close and have his wisdom to live out what his word says. 

I need encouragement, just like my neighbor.  That came in the form of a verse today, "Be joyful in hope (which I remember from the other day..does not fail us!), patient in affliction (boy Nelly..Lord come to me right now with this, because the pain fogs my thinking at moments.  I know that you are going to heal me, because you are my healer), faithful in prayer (many times in the Bible God speaks of praying always...I pray that I not only pray for myself and my family, but of other hurting).  Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice Hospitality. Romans 12:12-13  I pray Lord that when I do things, even to fill my child's heart with missional practices that I do them with my whole heart and have great testimonies to share with others.

As I continued to read Romans 12:21, I started to ask for forgiveness already this morning, for being overcome by evil, instead of overcoming evil with good. I am sure that we all fall into the habit of snapping back at people, or in my case saying something out of rebuking something someone else said.  I have to remember that the Bible tells us to let our Yes be Yes and our No be No.  No flowery things in between.

God gives us everything we have, and in the past when Wayne has lost a job, or had a major incident, we were able to have peace when there wasn't much debt.  I read out loud Romans 13:8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law."  Lord I pray that we would be good stewards to everything you give us, remembering that you do give and take away.  I also pray, Lord, that we would live today and not hold on to the next pay check.  I want to experience your peace of financial freedom and to be able to give to the hurt and needy.

You are working a great deal in our lives.  Thank you Lord for the man you are making Wayne and the woman in me.  I continue to pray that we will have the unity that you want and give us in Romans 15:5-6.  Lord you give me endurance and encouragement and the spirit of unity so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify You.  I accept the the joy and peace as we trust you and pray, Lord, that we will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (vs15:13). 

Journey through Romans I

 So here I am in my journey through the new Testament that my pastor asked us to do.  I am in the book of Romans.  I am asking the Lord to let me read the words as a story, but to infuse them into my heart.  Three verses stuck out to me today:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

This verse is probably very familiar, but is great to remind us who is really on our side.  It is so comforting to remember that Satan may want something for bad and the Lord will turn it to good.  I love Him so as long as I call upon Him, His good will wash over me.

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-33

I just don't have to worry.  My God is for me and loves me so much that He gave his only son up for me.  Satan you have no grips on me! 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Halleluiah, Amen! Nothing can get in the way of our love with the Lord.  Wow.  Amazing words! Thank you Lord for your love.  I pray that I will pour my heart out with the love and peace you have given to me.  You, Lord, are my hero that guards my heart and gives me good things, even though it looks to be bad.  I praise you, Lord.  Bless those who read this, and bless those who are praying to have you right now.  Enrich their lives and enlarge their territory.  Bless those who are praying for our family.  Lord I pray that you will bless then 10 times more.  

Hope never fails

Okay so my pastor charged us yesterday with reading the whole new testament.  Well he suggested in a month, but I said I will promise to read it :-) So as I was going through Romans today, a couple of verses just stuck out. 

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

I have been having lots of pain in my hands, wrist, and shoulders.  Last time I went to the doctors, my RA levels were elevated.  The pain is more than I have ever had and stops me from sleeping very good.  I asked two ladies at church to specifically pray at night for me.  They must of, because as I went to sleep I agreed with them for no pain.  No pain is what I received.

These verses are what my spirit needed to hear.  All these "things" that I go through are to fine tune me to be at the right hand of Jesus one day.

Lord, thank you for taking away the pain that has stricken me for weeks.  I will be joyful in all that is to come; sickness or heath.  I thank you for Wayne's job, his growth in you, and the healing which you will provide me.  You are my creator, my Lord, my healer, my Prince of Peace...I love you and ask that you bless those two ladies and anyone else who prays for us.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Thankfulness

I am so thankful.  Which, by the way, I have been thankful for 6 years.  Why? You ask.  Well, on Decemeber 28, 2005 our lives changed and fast.  Wayne had been let go from his job that he had been working since 1998.  Wayne's plans were to retire with this company.  We build our house based on that income and for 6 years have never returned to it.  So, God has stretched us and began to mold us.  We have learned to trust him with everything.  When I say everything, I do mean everything.  For instance, trusting him to provide us the basics: Food, Shelter, Clothing...He has done that, and well! God has humbled our hearts in many areas.  One would be careers.  Being a maintenance man for a church is tough stuff, especially when you didn't realize how dirty people really are! God has also taken our worldly blinders off, so we can see him. This is a big area for me.  I didn't realize that I could create idols in my life.  I was working so hard to live a Godly life, and then bang Wayne was almost killed.  On December 1, 2010, as I sat at Grady Hospital, helpless, but alert of the Lord, I realized that I had placed Wayne on a pedestal higher than God.  I cried out right then, as I was by myself with a few innocent by standers, "Lord, have made him higher than you?  Forgive me, Lord.  You are my master and my leader."  That week was the hardest for us all.  I also realized that I had placed our Homeschooling Adventure in my own leadership.  Yes, humble.  We have experienced that word.  I believe that the Lord has allowed us to go through this 6 years to allow us to be true Christians.  We know have both began seeing the things He has for us.  For example, tithing used to be a "thing" with Wayne, but no longer.  He knows that we owe everything we have to the Lord.  I am finding small things to be thankful for everyday.  Even though my health is down and I ache most of the time, I am thankful for those moments that I am not hurting and the small things I can do.  I am thankful for the man that God has placed in my life.  I am so blessed to have a husband that truely loves me and I him.  I pray that we continue to have a wonderful relationship with each other and enjoy one another.  I am blessed to have such wonderful parents that care for all of us and want the best for us.  I am blessed with children who love one another and care for the well being of Wayne and I.

Lord, you are our healer and master.  I praise you.  Thank you for everything I don't have and everything I do.  You have never forsaken me.  You always keep us safe.  Please show favor my husband and allow him to succeed with his career.  Open our hearts to hear your words, see through your eyes, and love like you.  As a time of reflection, Lord, I just sit here and reflect the Love you have shown me.  I couldn't imagine my life without you.  Please fill my whole family's hearts with Joy, Peace, Love, Respect, and Honor.  Thank you, Father.  In Jesus' name.  Amen