April 2008
April 28, 2008
Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds her house...
My family lives in what is commonly called a "spec" house. A builder built this house speculating that it would be just right for someone who would purchase it after it was built. He was confident of the sale - he had already built a dozen other homes exactly like ours throughout the county. The plan was a proven success.
Do you have a building plan? Are you building according to a set of guidelines that have proven successful? When I was first marriage I had high hopes for the future - lots of dreams and great ideas; what I lacked was a practical plan of action. As I got older I realized that a plan was critical to my success. Now, although I juggle many balls; I'm a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, friend, business woman, ministry leader, volunteer, daughter, sister, and neighbor; I work very hard to keep life as simple and focused as possible.
I encourage you to consider your plan. Do you have one? Is it simple enough to allow you to live productively yet joyfully? Your plan will be the key to your ability to build. Ask God to lead you as you make the plan - then you know you will have success.
April 18, 2008
Isaiah 12:4-6
... declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted! Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; let this be made known to all the earth. Cry aloud and shout joyfully, you women and inhabitants of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
We are given two great mandates for life; number one is to love God with all that we are and number two is to make His greatness known everywhere. What a great God - what an amazing Father. I love how both are such noble and honorable purposes. He is so good and we are so blessed!
This passage in Isaiah is one of my favorites. It keeps us focused on the greatness of our God and how we are to make Him known among the nations. I want to encourage you today to start at home; making His greatness known among your family and friends and then to your neighbors. Allow God to shine bright through your life with excellence in the everyday places. Then be willing to allow Him to broaden your borders and take you beyond the everyday to every place He wants His goodness to be made known. He is great - totally enjoy Him and share Him with your world.
April 13, 2008
Hebrews 13:20&21
Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and Giver of peace]... Strengthen and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ...
I have a special breakfast that I love to have each morning; it's a tall glass of freshly juiced fruits with a scoop of green stuff that's supposed to be good for me. Not a morning person - or a dedicated coffee drinker - I need all I can get to get me going in the morning. It doesn't take long before I notice my energy level is strong and steady - that fruity mix supercharges me for hours. As much as I appreciate what it does for me physically - it can't compare to the deep source of strength I have found in the peace of God. That fruity breakfast wears off by late morning but the peace of knowing that Almighty God is with me and cares for me creates a peace that carries me through for every minute of every day.
God is at work in your life - simply surrender each day to Him and follow His lead. While you're at work doing what you do - He's at work in you making you all that you can be. Let His strength supercharge you as you begin your day. His peace is your source for great strength!
April 12, 2008
Ecclesiates 7:23&24
All this have I tried and proved by wisdom. I said, I will be wise [independently of God] - but it was far from me. That which is far off, and that which is deep is very deep - who can find it out [true wisdom independent of the fear of God]?
In an age when "wise" men and women claim to have answers and seek to lead us, we must 'try' and 'prove' all ideology. If you are seeking truth and wisdom there is something you must know; the only test for authenticity is called "the fear of the Lord". Hold up every human thought to the wisdom of God found in the Bible. You will find, as the wisest man who ever lived once said, that there is no wisdom apart from God; all else is foolishness and "chasing after the wind" (Eccl. 1:17&18 - Amplified).
If you truly seek wisdom you must go to the source - God. He loves wisdom and calls it the "principle thing" (Prov. 4:7 Amp). Ask Him and He will give you all the wisdom you seek. Begin in the Bible, read a Proverb a day and then quietly listen to God for the application for your life. He will lead you in the way that you should go.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
April 8, 2008
Philippians 2:10-12
... That at the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father... work out [cultivate, carry out to the goal and fully complete] your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
This note is unlike any I have ever written. I am deeply concerned at the deception and heresy that many Christians are permitting into their lives through the influence of Oprah Winfrey. With her latest self-idolizing project Oprah has blatantly discredited the name of Christ - making Him nothing more than a really good guy that showed us how to live and twisting the Word of Almighty God. I write to you today to encourage you to guard your heart and to be active in this dark time. As a true believer of Christ, you are the light of the world - the gospel of Jesus Christ has illuminated you to expose the lies and show people the path of life.
Jesus said "I am THE Way", not A way. Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. It is critical in this time in history that you know the Word of God. I have been on a recent study journey; I have been looking into what Jesus said and did while He was here. The only way you and I can recognize deception is by knowing truth. It's the truth you KNOW that will set and keep you free. Don't take anything for granted; know for yourself what the truth is and don't let anyone lead you astray.
"God is not a man that He should lie..." (Num. 23:19) If you want to know the truth don't turn to Oprah - turn to the Word of God - the One who cannot lie.
April 3, 2008
I Corinthians 13:5-6
(Love)... is not conceited; it is not rude and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
God is love. I am quieted and humbled to consider that the fundamental sign of godliness in my life is measured by the presence of love. The love described in II Corinthians 13 is nothing short of amazing. Love is not a natural human instinct; it is divine in nature. I'm so glad that my "love walk" is not dependant on my ability to muster up an emotion or attitude; it is solely the result of God's presence in my life. His presence controls my emotions and attitudes as He empowers me to love like He loves.
Day after day I am challenged to live a life of love. His presence in me makes it possible. (With God all things are possible). I am recommitting myself today to be transparent with God and obedient to His call - allowing Him to reveal where I am lacking in love. Join me in the journey - open your heart to God - let Him melt away the walls that keep you from loving and let His love set you free.
I Cor. 14:1 Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim your great quest]...
April 2, 2008
Job 22:21-26
Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you. Receive, I pray you, the law and instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty [and submit and humble yourself before Him], you will be built up; if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents... And make the Almighty your gold and the Lord your precious silver treasure, then you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God.
Is there an area of your life that is a mess; something that is out of line or out of your control? You may feel tempted to carry guilt or shame, fear or doubt as you walk through that difficult time. It's very important when you are in the middle of a trial to keep your heart protected. One way to protect your heart is to listen only to messages of hope - messages that turn your heart toward God and the promise of His goodness. Lot knew more about sorrow and trouble than most of us will ever know. In the middle of his trial one man reminded him to press into God.
No matter what you are facing - if you will turn your face away from the trouble and press into God you will be encouraged, "built up" and find strength and restoration. Don't turn away - turn toward God and find the hope you are longing for in His faithfulness.
