Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
This morning after I had finished my daily Bible reading, I was just sitting... pondering... half praying, half just being still. I felt Him speaking these words:
It's not by works that you are saved lest any man should boast. You are saved by faith... grace, mercy & faith... don't forget the power of these three in your life. I see you in times of exhaustion, times of rest, times of quiet. I am always there... the never changing God. Don't ever let your confidence be shaken by any other person or thing. Make sure your complete confidence comes from Me.
How reassuring! We are just getting back to normal after an incredible minister's conference at our church. For weeks we have been giving so much of ourselves that it's easy to lose yourself in the crazy schedule. He definitely honored it and we have been imparted with so many great things, but it's so amazing what we can find in Him just in the stillness of our every day lives. He is so mindful of us. He is for us! There's no condemnation with Him. We shut Him out sometimes because we don't feel worthy of hearing but He is always speaking... I want to get over myself and just listen. I pray I can remember the grace, mercy & faith...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Dead to Self & Connected to the Source!
Our senses become so dulled with this world. Most people these days have an iphone (or know someone who has one), so I will put it like this: Just as we have to turn off our iphones to reset (kill)--we too must die. Fasting kills our flesh... resets our senses toward Him.
It's the only way to NOT fulfil the lust of the flesh... we must die to flesh!
Spring brings new growth, new fruit, because everything was able to die. Death comes first then all things are made NEW!
There's no substitute for prayer and fasting... Fasting kills flesh... Prayer is the communication.
Back to the iphone- even your phone must have charge (communication). Dying alone won't do all the work if the power source isn't reconnected. Dying to our flesh isn't easy but it is vital. Prayer won't be easy if we don't make it a priority in our day. We MUST be connected to the power source... our Father longs to commune with us EVERY SINGLE DAY! ...throughout our day... let's not make it harder than it is. Just bring Him along in our day!
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
The Message interprets it this way: "I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that."
It's the only way to NOT fulfil the lust of the flesh... we must die to flesh!
Spring brings new growth, new fruit, because everything was able to die. Death comes first then all things are made NEW!
There's no substitute for prayer and fasting... Fasting kills flesh... Prayer is the communication.
Back to the iphone- even your phone must have charge (communication). Dying alone won't do all the work if the power source isn't reconnected. Dying to our flesh isn't easy but it is vital. Prayer won't be easy if we don't make it a priority in our day. We MUST be connected to the power source... our Father longs to commune with us EVERY SINGLE DAY! ...throughout our day... let's not make it harder than it is. Just bring Him along in our day!
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
The Message interprets it this way: "I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Do What You Know To Do
This has been a crazy week because we are gearing up for our annual minister's conference, "Because of The Times". You will notice that I have not been blogging due to the crazy schedule. I have so much to say, but I will save it for later when life slows down a little.
This past Sunday, our pastor spoke on the verse:
James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
This verse has been ringing in my ears and in my heart this past week. It's a scary thought that when we aren't doing what we KNOW TO DO, it is sin. Faith without works is dead. We know we aren't saved by works (Ephesians 2:8-9) but we must have both... faith and works.
We will be accountable for what He's asked us to do. The only way we'll know what He is requiring of us is to get into His Word and get into prayer. Are you listening to Him?
This past Sunday, our pastor spoke on the verse:
James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
This verse has been ringing in my ears and in my heart this past week. It's a scary thought that when we aren't doing what we KNOW TO DO, it is sin. Faith without works is dead. We know we aren't saved by works (Ephesians 2:8-9) but we must have both... faith and works.
We will be accountable for what He's asked us to do. The only way we'll know what He is requiring of us is to get into His Word and get into prayer. Are you listening to Him?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
No Shortcuts
The other day I passed one of those signs on the side of the road that said something like "Lose 2 Dress Sizes in 30 Days"... really? OK, sign me up! Deep down we know that even if that were possible, it probably wouldn't last as long as it took to get there.
Everyone looks for a quick fix... weight loss, wealth, some magic potion or formula that will afford them a shortcut without all the hard work and sacrifice. I'm amazed at the ways and times He chooses to speak and I really felt Him speaking in my car that day. This is what He gave me:
"There are no shortcuts. My principles will affect every area of your life. Disciplining your flesh is a process. When you discipline yourself to eat the things that are good for the body, weight loss comes. ...slowly, gradually and thus, permanently. When you discipline your spending (or lack thereof), you learn to be a good steward and pocketbooks are increased. That's how the gifts & fruits of the Spirit are in your life. You have to be willing to be set apart for Me... daily disciplining yourself to push away from the carnal and move toward the things of Me. Gradually you begin to be grieved by the carnal and begin to desire Me more... My Kingdom, My purpose!"
Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours! Let me have Kingdom prayers... not the things I desire but what you desire to do in me and through me at the pace you have determined for me!
Everyone looks for a quick fix... weight loss, wealth, some magic potion or formula that will afford them a shortcut without all the hard work and sacrifice. I'm amazed at the ways and times He chooses to speak and I really felt Him speaking in my car that day. This is what He gave me:
"There are no shortcuts. My principles will affect every area of your life. Disciplining your flesh is a process. When you discipline yourself to eat the things that are good for the body, weight loss comes. ...slowly, gradually and thus, permanently. When you discipline your spending (or lack thereof), you learn to be a good steward and pocketbooks are increased. That's how the gifts & fruits of the Spirit are in your life. You have to be willing to be set apart for Me... daily disciplining yourself to push away from the carnal and move toward the things of Me. Gradually you begin to be grieved by the carnal and begin to desire Me more... My Kingdom, My purpose!"
Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours! Let me have Kingdom prayers... not the things I desire but what you desire to do in me and through me at the pace you have determined for me!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Let My Life Song Sing For You!
First of all, Happy New Year! It's going to be a great one!
Yesterday I was off and had a great day with my boys. They slept in pretty late which gave me some really great prayer time. The presence of God was so strong and tangible in our living room that when Cam got up, I asked him to come over and let me pray for him. He knelt down sleepily in front of me and I prayed everything I was feeling.
Now let me add a little note here... this year I have been praying these words: "Let my life song sing for you!" It is a song but not one that I really here that often or even go around singing. I just caught myself praying the words earlier this year and have asked God to let my life be a song unto Him. No one knows about this. I haven't shared it with one single soul!
So, back to yesterday... Cam had gotten up and gone into the office. When he came back through he was singing "Let my life song sing for you..." That's the only part he sang. I don't know that I've ever heard him sing that song. I was completely overwhelmed at how mindful God is of every detail of our lives. It's as if He just came down and spoke through my 8 year old that He hears and accepts my prayers. I want to be an open book for Him this year... a song that resounds His praise, His reflection in my life!
Yesterday I was off and had a great day with my boys. They slept in pretty late which gave me some really great prayer time. The presence of God was so strong and tangible in our living room that when Cam got up, I asked him to come over and let me pray for him. He knelt down sleepily in front of me and I prayed everything I was feeling.
Now let me add a little note here... this year I have been praying these words: "Let my life song sing for you!" It is a song but not one that I really here that often or even go around singing. I just caught myself praying the words earlier this year and have asked God to let my life be a song unto Him. No one knows about this. I haven't shared it with one single soul!
So, back to yesterday... Cam had gotten up and gone into the office. When he came back through he was singing "Let my life song sing for you..." That's the only part he sang. I don't know that I've ever heard him sing that song. I was completely overwhelmed at how mindful God is of every detail of our lives. It's as if He just came down and spoke through my 8 year old that He hears and accepts my prayers. I want to be an open book for Him this year... a song that resounds His praise, His reflection in my life!
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