Thursday, February 25, 2010
"Eat This Book" Class
I am so excited about the class I've been privileged to be a part of. So much information! We are learning to break The Word down and get the exact meaning of passages. Check it out. She's offering it as a blog study too. Just click on "questmiles" in the upper left corner of my blog.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Preserved By Him
He gave this to Me, but maybe, just maybe, it was for you too.
"I've had your life in My hands from the beginning. There's no detail that I have missed. All things serve a purpose to bring you closer to Me. That should be our only aim. The plans that I have for you will succeed. As long as you stay near to Me, near the cross, My plan will be realized. There are no limits to where I want to take you, what I want to do through you if you will yield yourself completely to Me.
Being set apart with Me is a bloody process. It was not easy for My disciples. Even Peter denied Me.
I don't see your failures. I see what you can be as you stay on the course I have set before you. Not everyone will choose the path of being "set apart". Don't let that affect what I've called you to be. Protect My anointing in your life. Let your aim be a daily cleansed heart. All else will follow. A heart set on Me will always find My will, My way, My words. I won't forsake you on this journey. I preserve those who come after Me."
Proverbs 2:6-8 from the Amplified: "For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints."
"I've had your life in My hands from the beginning. There's no detail that I have missed. All things serve a purpose to bring you closer to Me. That should be our only aim. The plans that I have for you will succeed. As long as you stay near to Me, near the cross, My plan will be realized. There are no limits to where I want to take you, what I want to do through you if you will yield yourself completely to Me.
Being set apart with Me is a bloody process. It was not easy for My disciples. Even Peter denied Me.
I don't see your failures. I see what you can be as you stay on the course I have set before you. Not everyone will choose the path of being "set apart". Don't let that affect what I've called you to be. Protect My anointing in your life. Let your aim be a daily cleansed heart. All else will follow. A heart set on Me will always find My will, My way, My words. I won't forsake you on this journey. I preserve those who come after Me."
Proverbs 2:6-8 from the Amplified: "For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints."
Friday, February 19, 2010
Rising Early for a Fresh Word
This morning I read this verse and it convicted me to my core. Jesus came not only to become the sacrificial lamb but to show us the way and this is what He did:
Mark 1:35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
There are no more words you can add to that! He got up early... way before daylight... got into a quiet place... and prayed. How much more should I be making that sacrifice? I've debated within myself on when is the best time to pray. When am I most alert? I know it's different for everyone, but this verse has made me rethink that.
The other thing I felt Him saying this morning is this: "My people are quick to look to man's words... books ABOUT Me... but I am the living Word! I long to bring fresh, personal words to My children... a personal visitation. I have a fresh word for every day. They won't allow themselves to hear Me."
Mark 1:35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
There are no more words you can add to that! He got up early... way before daylight... got into a quiet place... and prayed. How much more should I be making that sacrifice? I've debated within myself on when is the best time to pray. When am I most alert? I know it's different for everyone, but this verse has made me rethink that.
The other thing I felt Him saying this morning is this: "My people are quick to look to man's words... books ABOUT Me... but I am the living Word! I long to bring fresh, personal words to My children... a personal visitation. I have a fresh word for every day. They won't allow themselves to hear Me."
Thursday, February 18, 2010
What Is He Saying to You?
I haven't been doing a very good job of blogging lately. I have the notes... just haven't posted. My posts come straight from my prayer journal, so I will back-track today. This is from one day last week. What's so cool is... after journaling this, I was in a meeting where every single bit of this topic came up... same scripture reference and all. I just LOVE when He confirms His word to us! Here's what I felt Him saying:
"Many times My people will only seek Me if I send a trial. I long for time with you. Oh, that My people would long for Me like I long for them... sweet communion. ...to feel My heartbeat... what I am saying... what I see for each one."
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee..."
Noteworthy: destroyed translated as "cut off" in this passage. My people are "cut off" for lack of knowledge...
Isaiah 5:13 "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge..."
The Amplified said "...they go into captivity to their enemies without knowing it and because they have no knowledge of God..."
When we don't seek HIM over the details of our lives, we can easily be led into the enemy's camp... the enemy of our soul... allowing him a foothold in our life. We need to seek Him daily in prayer and in the Word so that we are not led into deceipt, lies of the enemy, bondage, and living just below what He has planned for us.
"Many times My people will only seek Me if I send a trial. I long for time with you. Oh, that My people would long for Me like I long for them... sweet communion. ...to feel My heartbeat... what I am saying... what I see for each one."
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee..."
Noteworthy: destroyed translated as "cut off" in this passage. My people are "cut off" for lack of knowledge...
Isaiah 5:13 "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge..."
The Amplified said "...they go into captivity to their enemies without knowing it and because they have no knowledge of God..."
When we don't seek HIM over the details of our lives, we can easily be led into the enemy's camp... the enemy of our soul... allowing him a foothold in our life. We need to seek Him daily in prayer and in the Word so that we are not led into deceipt, lies of the enemy, bondage, and living just below what He has planned for us.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Ebb & Flow
Today I'm borrowing from Melani Shock, one of the biggest voices of influence in my life. She is an amazing woman of God who has taught my generation so much about having godly homes and marriages. She is also a blogger (http://www.questmiles.blogspot.com/, and http://theparsonshouse.blogspot.com/)...and I quote:
"We are taught we can "have it all." We can "do it all." We can be the busy woman, the quiet sister, the fun woman, the 24/7 wife. The key is "balance." I don't think that reflects the order of life the way God created it. He created seasons...winter is winter, not summer. Fall is fall and doesn't have the properties of spring. Same with the seas...tide is coming in or going out. It's on its way to one or the other, never living in both states at the same time. We're the same way.
During the busy times, we can be busy. During the quiet times, we need to embrace the silence and solitude and learn to rest and store up strength. Life is squeeze and release, ebb and flow, busy and quiet, day and night...
If we can learn to flow with the rhythm of it all and not try to resist the busyness or escape the quiet or laugh our way out of sorrow, then we will be in a much better position for constant peace and contentment in whatever state we find ourselves in.
The key is to make sure there IS ebb and flow!"
"We are taught we can "have it all." We can "do it all." We can be the busy woman, the quiet sister, the fun woman, the 24/7 wife. The key is "balance." I don't think that reflects the order of life the way God created it. He created seasons...winter is winter, not summer. Fall is fall and doesn't have the properties of spring. Same with the seas...tide is coming in or going out. It's on its way to one or the other, never living in both states at the same time. We're the same way.
During the busy times, we can be busy. During the quiet times, we need to embrace the silence and solitude and learn to rest and store up strength. Life is squeeze and release, ebb and flow, busy and quiet, day and night...
If we can learn to flow with the rhythm of it all and not try to resist the busyness or escape the quiet or laugh our way out of sorrow, then we will be in a much better position for constant peace and contentment in whatever state we find ourselves in.
The key is to make sure there IS ebb and flow!"
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Pouring My Love On Him
In this month that is so focused on LOVE, I feel Him asking me a deeper question. This past Sunday our Pastor spoke about the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-44. She reached out to touch Him and received her healing. The crowd was waiting for Him to touch them. She, on the other hand, took the initiative and reached for Him. It seems we always want to receive from Him but what if we reached for Him and asked instead, "How can I bless you?" The sinner woman with the alabaster box "got it". She was a sinner and yet she saw the importance on pouring out all she had unto Him... it cost her MUCH.
Luke 7:38 "And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment."
Only you know the price of the oil in your alabaster box. What is it costing you? Are you counting the cost? Will you pour it all out unto Him? Finances, time, motives, our agenda? Are we in it for the loaves and fishes? ...bigger, better things? ...or are we sold out? Will we serve irregardless of our wants and desires being met? When we sell out completely to Him, our marriages and other relationships will be solidified as well... just a thought!
Luke 7:38 "And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment."
Only you know the price of the oil in your alabaster box. What is it costing you? Are you counting the cost? Will you pour it all out unto Him? Finances, time, motives, our agenda? Are we in it for the loaves and fishes? ...bigger, better things? ...or are we sold out? Will we serve irregardless of our wants and desires being met? When we sell out completely to Him, our marriages and other relationships will be solidified as well... just a thought!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Birthday of Thankfulness
Well, today is my birthday... it has really been a great day. Birthdays seem to bring a lot of reflection, so I thought I would list my thankful list today.
I am so thankful...
First and foremost for a God who loves me and has greater plans for me than I even have for myself... a God who has ordered my steps from the day I was born... and loves me in spite of all the times when I don't quite get it right!
For a godly husband who is so selfless. He is the kindest person I know. He prefers others continually, especially the 3 of us. He is truly a servant leader. I challenge you to find someone who knows him who doesn't love him right away.
For my 2 boys... they are my heartbeat! Tanner... a truly gifted artist and master of humor. He keeps me laughing continually. Cameron... our little musician who has also been blessed with the humor gift. They are both sensitive to the things of God and I am so grateful. That's what matters most!
For my amazing parents... they raised us to love God and live for Him at all costs. They made sure we were in church every time the doors were opened... we (the kids) weren't always so willing, but we were there! I'm glad to have been raised in the country in a very small town... without the distraction of television. I'm thankful that I know what it sounds like to hear my mother's groans of intercession for her children. I'm thankful for a dad whose character is impeccable. His word is his bond.
For my brothers and sister-in-laws:
Dave & Candace... Dave, so tender hearted... they've suffered struggles in their personal lives but haven't given up. God is not done!
Darrin & Twila... he's the one I shared my secrets with as a teen... married his highschool sweetheart, who is the queen of hospitality--she's a gifted, giving soul!
Damon & Tammy... my baby brother who has an incredible call of God on his life... married to an amazing, beautiful, godly woman.
For my nieces and nephews, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents who've gone on to Glory... for all the people God has placed in my life along the journey. Some have been only for a season but all were a part of His master plan for me.
For all the young people I've ever taught in a church setting... some have faced untimely deaths, some have drifted away from God (temporarily), and so many are now living for Him with their whole hearts... these are the gifts that keep on giving. It is rewarding to know that God allowed our paths to cross... and a reminder that we have to continually speak into other people's lives.
For all the people who have spoken into my life... there are way too many to name. I am thankful for the Pentecostals of Alexandria. I am thankful for godly Pastors and their wives.
OK... I'm realizing that I can never end my list, so I'll stop here for today. Thank you for letting me ramble on and on... speak into someone's life!
I am so thankful...
First and foremost for a God who loves me and has greater plans for me than I even have for myself... a God who has ordered my steps from the day I was born... and loves me in spite of all the times when I don't quite get it right!
For a godly husband who is so selfless. He is the kindest person I know. He prefers others continually, especially the 3 of us. He is truly a servant leader. I challenge you to find someone who knows him who doesn't love him right away.
For my 2 boys... they are my heartbeat! Tanner... a truly gifted artist and master of humor. He keeps me laughing continually. Cameron... our little musician who has also been blessed with the humor gift. They are both sensitive to the things of God and I am so grateful. That's what matters most!
For my amazing parents... they raised us to love God and live for Him at all costs. They made sure we were in church every time the doors were opened... we (the kids) weren't always so willing, but we were there! I'm glad to have been raised in the country in a very small town... without the distraction of television. I'm thankful that I know what it sounds like to hear my mother's groans of intercession for her children. I'm thankful for a dad whose character is impeccable. His word is his bond.
For my brothers and sister-in-laws:
Dave & Candace... Dave, so tender hearted... they've suffered struggles in their personal lives but haven't given up. God is not done!
Darrin & Twila... he's the one I shared my secrets with as a teen... married his highschool sweetheart, who is the queen of hospitality--she's a gifted, giving soul!
Damon & Tammy... my baby brother who has an incredible call of God on his life... married to an amazing, beautiful, godly woman.
For my nieces and nephews, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents who've gone on to Glory... for all the people God has placed in my life along the journey. Some have been only for a season but all were a part of His master plan for me.
For all the young people I've ever taught in a church setting... some have faced untimely deaths, some have drifted away from God (temporarily), and so many are now living for Him with their whole hearts... these are the gifts that keep on giving. It is rewarding to know that God allowed our paths to cross... and a reminder that we have to continually speak into other people's lives.
For all the people who have spoken into my life... there are way too many to name. I am thankful for the Pentecostals of Alexandria. I am thankful for godly Pastors and their wives.
OK... I'm realizing that I can never end my list, so I'll stop here for today. Thank you for letting me ramble on and on... speak into someone's life!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
His Divine Plan for Me
Sometimes I feel like I live in a fairytale world... seriously! I just got off the phone with my sweet husband and after hanging up I had to just stop and have a moment of gratitude. He truly is a godly man. My 2 sons are growing to be just like him in so many ways. I wouldn't trade lives with anyone on the face of this earth! I absolutely love my job, my life, my God! I remember a verse that stuck with me thoughout my teen years when I was struggling with identity and direction... wondering what I would do with my life. This verse carried me through:
Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
I have tried my best to make HIM my delight... to find my joy in Him. No, I have not walked a perfect walk with Him but He has surely given me every desire of my heart. He has a plan for us. He dreams bigger dreams for us than we dare dream for ourselves. I want Him to order my steps. He may take me places I never dreamed... that's why I want the dream HE has for me. If you haven't already, make that part of your prayer: Lord, I want the dreams and visions YOU have chosen for me! We will always be our happiest when we are in His perfect, divine plan for our lives.
Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
I have tried my best to make HIM my delight... to find my joy in Him. No, I have not walked a perfect walk with Him but He has surely given me every desire of my heart. He has a plan for us. He dreams bigger dreams for us than we dare dream for ourselves. I want Him to order my steps. He may take me places I never dreamed... that's why I want the dream HE has for me. If you haven't already, make that part of your prayer: Lord, I want the dreams and visions YOU have chosen for me! We will always be our happiest when we are in His perfect, divine plan for our lives.
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