This mornings Daily Bread really hit me. It was the story of Abraham going to sacrifice his only son Isaac. (The story is found in Genesis 22.) I have known this story for so long but I had one of those moments when it strikes me in a new way. To me it is a powerful story. Abraham waited so long for his son and must have loved him so much. I think he would have done anything to protect him and even would have died for him if that is what it would take to protect him. Then God asks him to sacrifice his son. Abraham obeyed. What a love and obedience he had for God! He had his priorities straight and put God first in his life. I can only imagine how Abraham must have been weeping when he bound his son and took the knife. When God told him to stop he must have fallen to the ground with relief and held his son to assure Isaac of his love.
A powerful story to me to put God first. What have I waited for and have that I hang onto too tightly? Do I put God first in my life? Or are my plans, tasks, even hobbies first? What does God call me to sacrifice? This last question is a soul reflecting question to me today. It requires honest prayer. Do I want to know the answer? To be closer to God I need to.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
New Year's
Every year I take time to reflect on the year and look ahead to the new one. I have been busy and wasn't sure what to think so I haven't officially done that yet. At least I haven't broken any resolutions yet!
I have heard three great "New Year's" sermons this year. The details are getting a little foggy but I do want to remember what they said. One good point was that we need to reflect on the hard things that happened. We can grieve them and let them go. Leave them in that year and start new. I like this. Some things like a loss of a loved one is not that "easy". But, some disappointments, bad habits, and so on need to be dealt with in this way. I think even some of the good things that happened need to be left in the past as good memories so we can move forward in the present.
Another point I liked was evaluating where we are serving. This seems really applicable to me because it seems every year I get involved in a new or different ministry. So, I do need to keep evaluating and searching God's heart where He wants to use me. I want to be effective in His service but I don't want to spread myself too thin that it costs my family or personal health. (I am going to need my accountability partners on this one!) In a different sermon but on the same topic the point was made that we are not serving the people first but God. Huge conviction! I need to keep God's love for the people I serve foremost in my ministry. It makes it so much easier when I go forth with that attitude in my heart! In serving God there is also no room for pride then. He is the one working through us and He deserves all the credit. Good reminder for the times that I struggle with pride.
The other point from another sermon is - what risk does God want us to take this year? The sermon was a super sermon but I don't remember all the details. However, I do remember what God wanted me to take home. Just over a year ago Bob and I uprooted our family. We sold the house, changed jobs, and moved in a matter of 2 months. All this when I loved my house and where we lived. We were content with Bob's job and were not looking to change anything. We had a total life style change and began work in full time ministry. That was a risk! We love what we do but it was a risk. So, I am done taking risks now for God right? I obeyed in that and am still living at camp so what more would He want me to do? We are supposed to keep taking those risks and steps for God. The funny thing is He still drops those risks onto my lap in such obvious ways that I have to obey. I need to be open and seeking what new ways God wants to lead me. Sometimes that does not mean ministry but maybe praying for an hour a day, or giving more financially. We need to always keep praying to see what the risks God wants to do so we can remain active in our faith and walk with Him.
For me that is enough food for thought. I wasn't sure how to work it all out in the New Year. But, already as I am living it God is showing me how He wants me to live out what I learned in those sermons. It has been a fulfilling first month in 2009 already!
I have heard three great "New Year's" sermons this year. The details are getting a little foggy but I do want to remember what they said. One good point was that we need to reflect on the hard things that happened. We can grieve them and let them go. Leave them in that year and start new. I like this. Some things like a loss of a loved one is not that "easy". But, some disappointments, bad habits, and so on need to be dealt with in this way. I think even some of the good things that happened need to be left in the past as good memories so we can move forward in the present.
Another point I liked was evaluating where we are serving. This seems really applicable to me because it seems every year I get involved in a new or different ministry. So, I do need to keep evaluating and searching God's heart where He wants to use me. I want to be effective in His service but I don't want to spread myself too thin that it costs my family or personal health. (I am going to need my accountability partners on this one!) In a different sermon but on the same topic the point was made that we are not serving the people first but God. Huge conviction! I need to keep God's love for the people I serve foremost in my ministry. It makes it so much easier when I go forth with that attitude in my heart! In serving God there is also no room for pride then. He is the one working through us and He deserves all the credit. Good reminder for the times that I struggle with pride.
The other point from another sermon is - what risk does God want us to take this year? The sermon was a super sermon but I don't remember all the details. However, I do remember what God wanted me to take home. Just over a year ago Bob and I uprooted our family. We sold the house, changed jobs, and moved in a matter of 2 months. All this when I loved my house and where we lived. We were content with Bob's job and were not looking to change anything. We had a total life style change and began work in full time ministry. That was a risk! We love what we do but it was a risk. So, I am done taking risks now for God right? I obeyed in that and am still living at camp so what more would He want me to do? We are supposed to keep taking those risks and steps for God. The funny thing is He still drops those risks onto my lap in such obvious ways that I have to obey. I need to be open and seeking what new ways God wants to lead me. Sometimes that does not mean ministry but maybe praying for an hour a day, or giving more financially. We need to always keep praying to see what the risks God wants to do so we can remain active in our faith and walk with Him.
For me that is enough food for thought. I wasn't sure how to work it all out in the New Year. But, already as I am living it God is showing me how He wants me to live out what I learned in those sermons. It has been a fulfilling first month in 2009 already!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Health from God
Wow, it has been a very long time since I wrote on here! I even forgot what my blog looked like! I do have a reason though. As most know, I am expecting again! For a long time I could not read or spend long amounts of time on the computer. It all made me too nauseous. So, I did not have a lot of insights to share.
Things are going better now. I have to share that God has really blessed me with that! For awhile there I was feeling pretty bad and all I could manage was sitting on the couch all day and forcing food down to my hungry stomach. Pregnancy can be so weird! I prayed a lot that it would not last and that God would be the peace in my mind and body. How good He is to answer that prayer! Soon after I started feeling better! So, I wanted share that with everyone so I can give the credit to God! He is so good and loving to us! Even when I am not able to do much for Him, He is so faithful to me. Thanks God for my health!
Things are going better now. I have to share that God has really blessed me with that! For awhile there I was feeling pretty bad and all I could manage was sitting on the couch all day and forcing food down to my hungry stomach. Pregnancy can be so weird! I prayed a lot that it would not last and that God would be the peace in my mind and body. How good He is to answer that prayer! Soon after I started feeling better! So, I wanted share that with everyone so I can give the credit to God! He is so good and loving to us! Even when I am not able to do much for Him, He is so faithful to me. Thanks God for my health!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Jesus as the Center
Before I get into today's topic I will share this weeks memory verse:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Right now I am reading a book called "A Beautiful Way" by Dan Baumann. I try to read a chapter and then apply what I learn for awhile before I read the next chapter. The last chapter I read was on Intimacy with Jesus. It was a great chapter and gave me a new perspective on Jesus' involvement in my life. I have often heard or been taught that our priorities should be listed as following:
1. God
2. Family
3. Ministry
4. Friends
5. Personal interests
Sounds like a good order to put God first and then family and so on. However, this author gave me a new insight. We should not put our priorities in a list. The problem with that is that we put God first in our day and leave Him there. In the morning we get up and read our Bible and pray and go about our other daily activities. We often leave God in our devotion time then and do not include Him in the rest of our day. I so often am guilty of that. In the morning I may have a great time with God but at the end of the day I realize that I hardly prayed throughout the day and I feel disconnected with God. Instead of a list the author suggests that we think of Jesus as the center of our lives. His word picture is to think of Jesus as the sun with all the planets revolving around it. Jesus needs to be the center with all our activities, thoughts, plans, other priorities, etc revolving around Him. We need to be in tune to doing His plans for our day and not just our own plans. If we feel a peace about going to a movie with a friend great! If He leads us to make a meal for someone who needs it instead of cleaning the house, that is more important. Living with this perspective would take an element of spontaneity. But, since our life is not our own this is a good thing! So, I am guessing that I won't be reading the next chapter for awhile because I think it will take me awhile to learn to really live this way! I make my daily plans and am stubborn to stick to them. I need to let God plan my day now.
On another note, if you want a good read, read Psalm 145. It has been my daily reading this week. A real worship chapter that has helped to renew my joy!
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Right now I am reading a book called "A Beautiful Way" by Dan Baumann. I try to read a chapter and then apply what I learn for awhile before I read the next chapter. The last chapter I read was on Intimacy with Jesus. It was a great chapter and gave me a new perspective on Jesus' involvement in my life. I have often heard or been taught that our priorities should be listed as following:
1. God
2. Family
3. Ministry
4. Friends
5. Personal interests
Sounds like a good order to put God first and then family and so on. However, this author gave me a new insight. We should not put our priorities in a list. The problem with that is that we put God first in our day and leave Him there. In the morning we get up and read our Bible and pray and go about our other daily activities. We often leave God in our devotion time then and do not include Him in the rest of our day. I so often am guilty of that. In the morning I may have a great time with God but at the end of the day I realize that I hardly prayed throughout the day and I feel disconnected with God. Instead of a list the author suggests that we think of Jesus as the center of our lives. His word picture is to think of Jesus as the sun with all the planets revolving around it. Jesus needs to be the center with all our activities, thoughts, plans, other priorities, etc revolving around Him. We need to be in tune to doing His plans for our day and not just our own plans. If we feel a peace about going to a movie with a friend great! If He leads us to make a meal for someone who needs it instead of cleaning the house, that is more important. Living with this perspective would take an element of spontaneity. But, since our life is not our own this is a good thing! So, I am guessing that I won't be reading the next chapter for awhile because I think it will take me awhile to learn to really live this way! I make my daily plans and am stubborn to stick to them. I need to let God plan my day now.
On another note, if you want a good read, read Psalm 145. It has been my daily reading this week. A real worship chapter that has helped to renew my joy!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Morning prayer
This morning I have quietness. The kids are playing with their friends at a different house and I have time to think. The sky is a beautiful blue and it is a refreshing morning outside. It leads me to prayer:
Dear God, thank you for a beautiful morning. Thank you that you use nature and your great love to draw me close to you. You know I need your filling and closeness and I am so thankful for moments of peace like this. You have given me so much in life with a great husband and kids and a great place to live and serve you. Most of all I am thankful that you love me and accept me as I am. I am also glad that you don't leave me as I am though. You keep me accountable to following you and being obedient. Thank you for your rich words in the Bible and showing me your truth. You really are a great God full of compassion, mercy, wisdom, and strength. Today I want to take time to just be with you. Worship you. Be in awe of you. You deserve my all and without you I am nothing. You are my hope and wholeness. Thank you, Jesus! And I love you! May I do my best with your help and power to honor you today.
Amen.
Dear God, thank you for a beautiful morning. Thank you that you use nature and your great love to draw me close to you. You know I need your filling and closeness and I am so thankful for moments of peace like this. You have given me so much in life with a great husband and kids and a great place to live and serve you. Most of all I am thankful that you love me and accept me as I am. I am also glad that you don't leave me as I am though. You keep me accountable to following you and being obedient. Thank you for your rich words in the Bible and showing me your truth. You really are a great God full of compassion, mercy, wisdom, and strength. Today I want to take time to just be with you. Worship you. Be in awe of you. You deserve my all and without you I am nothing. You are my hope and wholeness. Thank you, Jesus! And I love you! May I do my best with your help and power to honor you today.
Amen.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
This Weeks Memory Verses
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way: and the Lord has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
The last verse is our Young Married's (Bible Study Group) memory verse.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
The last verse is our Young Married's (Bible Study Group) memory verse.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Memory Verse
This week's memory verse is:
John 10:10 "The thief only comes to steal and destroy and to kill. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
I attended a Ladies Retreat here at the camp a few weeks ago. During one of the sessions I was challenged to learn the truth and to know it well. So, I am memorizing verses that will help me in that!
John 10:10 "The thief only comes to steal and destroy and to kill. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
I attended a Ladies Retreat here at the camp a few weeks ago. During one of the sessions I was challenged to learn the truth and to know it well. So, I am memorizing verses that will help me in that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
