Those who've known me for years remember when I loved playing basketball in high school. I worked so hard on my fundamental skills so I could be the very best I could possibly be. I was a point guard (the player who dribbles the ball down the court and runs the offense) and could handle the ball very well.
I remember hoping the other team would run a press, which - for those of you who don't know basketball terms well - is a type of defense where the players spread the court from one end to the other trying to keep the offense from getting the ball anywhere near the goal. If the other team pressed, I knew I could dribble the ball right around them and my team would have a good chance of scoring an easy basket (most teams wouldn't press me once they saw how easily I could dribble around them). I was confident in my skills and welcomed the challenge; I wanted the chance to make the other team look bad (I was a pretty mean competitor).
I want to be like that in my Christian walk with God. I want to study my Bible and be confident enough in my faith that I challenge the devil to throw a press at me because I know I can break it.
I don't in any way wish for bad things to happen in my life, but my preacher had a very good point this morning: If Satan isn't throwing obstacles in your path, then he doesn't see you as a threat, which means you aren't following God's will. If you are following God's will, you will be a threat to Satan and he will come after you however he can.
I want to help God's team reach the goal - the goal of spreading the gospel to the lost world. If that means taking on Satan's press, then that's what I'll have to do. I'll accept the challenge... and dribble right around whatever Satan throws at me, making him look bad in the process. :-)
Are you willing to follow God's will and become a threat to Satan?
Are you ready to accept whatever challenges stand between you and God's goal for your life?
It's kind of scary knowing what all the devil may do to stop your witness. I think of all the things and people in my life he could take away or harm just to hurt me, and the thoughts make me shiver with fear. But I'm not going to let that stop me. For I will boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man [or Satan] shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:6
It May Not Be the Way I Would've Chosen
"The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear. I don't know the reason why you brought me here, but just because you love me the way that you do, I'm gonna walk through the valley if you want me to. Because I'm not who I was when I took my first steps, and I'm clinging to the promise you're not through with me yet. So if all of these trials bring me closer to you, then I will go through the fire if you want me to. It may not be the way I would've chosen when you lead me through a world that's not my home, but you never said it would be easy. You only said I'd never go alone. So when the whole world turns against me and I'm all by myself and I can't hear you answer my cries for help, I'll remember the suffering your love put you through, and I will walk through that valley if you want me to." (lyrics of "If You Want Me To" recorded by Ginny Owens)
This is one of my favorite songs, and I just wanted to share it today.
What troubles have you confused at the moment? Maybe you're like me, looking for a sign but all the signs are unclear. As hard as I try to listen for His guidance, I feel like I'm just walking around blind. But that's okay. I know He will show us the answers to our questions if we just continue to follow by faith.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
-Isaiah 42:16
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee."
Do you know what the word "cleft" actually means? It means a space or opening, a split, a division, a hollow area. The writer of this song is asking God to open His arms and wrap them around him, to keep him safe and secure.
What place is safer than inside the Rock?
Where is better to hide than within God's presence?
Just a quick thought for today. When you feel unsecure for whatever reason, just go to the Rock.
Do you know what the word "cleft" actually means? It means a space or opening, a split, a division, a hollow area. The writer of this song is asking God to open His arms and wrap them around him, to keep him safe and secure.
What place is safer than inside the Rock?
Where is better to hide than within God's presence?
Just a quick thought for today. When you feel unsecure for whatever reason, just go to the Rock.
Praying for Guidance
Proverbs 11:14 "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."
Proverbs 20:18 "Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance."
I need some guidance in my life right now. I have several opportunities banging away at my door, but the decisions of which one(s) to take and which to refuse have me stumped. Earlier in my life, if an opportunity knocked, I assumed it was God-sent. Opportunities don't come often and don't come easily, so my experience was to take advantage of every one that crossed my path. Now, however, I realize that all opportunities are not from God. The opportunities at my door right now all seem to be good things; however, they conflict with each other. I cannot accept them all; therefore, they cannot all be from God's hand. I feel I am being tested, that my willingness to allow God to guide every aspect of my life is being challenged. And I'm stumped.
I'm a very analytical person. I have listed the pros and cons of each situation, crunched the numbers to see what would benefit me most financially, and weighed the sacrifices I'd have to make for each opportunity to be realized. I'm still stumped. In every opportunity, I see a way God could use me, which makes this decision very difficult. Each opportunity also has something I want (the key word in that sentence being "I"). The next week is going to be difficult for me because each opportunity has a deadline, so I'm asking you to please pray for guidance for me in each decision I must make.
Every sign of guidance isn't as obvious as a pillar of cloud or a pillar of fire. Like Gideon when first approached by an angel of the Lord, I wish I had a sign to show me which opportunity is from God. In Judges 6:17, "Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me." So that's my prayer today: Lord, if any of these opportunities are really from you, please give me a sign.
I've asked the advice of the people closest to me, and their advice is to pray about it. Praying about it is the easy part. It's listening for God's answer that can be hard.
Do you have a decision you need to make?
If so, are you really following God's guidance as you make your decision?
Proverbs 20:18 "Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance."
I need some guidance in my life right now. I have several opportunities banging away at my door, but the decisions of which one(s) to take and which to refuse have me stumped. Earlier in my life, if an opportunity knocked, I assumed it was God-sent. Opportunities don't come often and don't come easily, so my experience was to take advantage of every one that crossed my path. Now, however, I realize that all opportunities are not from God. The opportunities at my door right now all seem to be good things; however, they conflict with each other. I cannot accept them all; therefore, they cannot all be from God's hand. I feel I am being tested, that my willingness to allow God to guide every aspect of my life is being challenged. And I'm stumped.
I'm a very analytical person. I have listed the pros and cons of each situation, crunched the numbers to see what would benefit me most financially, and weighed the sacrifices I'd have to make for each opportunity to be realized. I'm still stumped. In every opportunity, I see a way God could use me, which makes this decision very difficult. Each opportunity also has something I want (the key word in that sentence being "I"). The next week is going to be difficult for me because each opportunity has a deadline, so I'm asking you to please pray for guidance for me in each decision I must make.
Every sign of guidance isn't as obvious as a pillar of cloud or a pillar of fire. Like Gideon when first approached by an angel of the Lord, I wish I had a sign to show me which opportunity is from God. In Judges 6:17, "Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me." So that's my prayer today: Lord, if any of these opportunities are really from you, please give me a sign.
I've asked the advice of the people closest to me, and their advice is to pray about it. Praying about it is the easy part. It's listening for God's answer that can be hard.
Do you have a decision you need to make?
If so, are you really following God's guidance as you make your decision?
Glutton for God in a Fast Food World
My sunday school lesson for January 1st was titled "Thriving in a Fast-Food Culture," which really made me think about what it means to be healthy in an unhealthy world. We are pressured to look a certain way by magazines and different types of media, and the number of gyms popping up on every corner prove how obsessed America seems to be with looking good. Yet we still have fast food chains EVERYWHERE!! America seems to have the same concept I do about health: I eat salad or do crunches not to lose weight, but so I can have a cookie for dessert without feeling guilty. :-)
Proverbs 23:21 says that the "glutton shall come to poverty." Overeating leads to poverty not only because of the cost of food, but also because being overweight leads to health problems. However, I don't think this verse is simply talking about overeating. We use the phrases "a glutton for punishment" or "a glutton for work" to describe people who seem to have a great desire for these things. When one becomes a glutton for any aspect of life, that aspect starts to influence - even, in some cases, control - all the other aspects.
What are you a glutton for- work, school, food, alcohol, cigarettes, deer hunting, shopping, Facebook, television? Most of these things aren't bad for you in moderation; however, when your desire for them starts to take over and harm other aspects of your life, then you have a problem. When you can't wait to get home from work every day so you can sit on the couch and watch TV all night when you could be spending quality time with your family, you've become a glutton for TV. When you become so engrossed in one thing, you neglect others.
Wouldn't it be great if we all became gluttons for God, that our desire for Him outweighed all other desires and engrossed every aspect of our lives? Becoming a glutton for God is difficult in this fast food get-what-you-want-without-the-wait notions because as Christians we have to wait for God, wait for His answers, wait for His guidance, wait for things to happen in His time. God isn't a drive through where we yell our requests into a microphone then drive around to the window expecting our prayers to be answered by the time we get there. He doesn't work like that, but His Bread of Life and Living Water are much more satisfying that anything this fast food society can offer.
2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
8Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Proverbs 23:21 says that the "glutton shall come to poverty." Overeating leads to poverty not only because of the cost of food, but also because being overweight leads to health problems. However, I don't think this verse is simply talking about overeating. We use the phrases "a glutton for punishment" or "a glutton for work" to describe people who seem to have a great desire for these things. When one becomes a glutton for any aspect of life, that aspect starts to influence - even, in some cases, control - all the other aspects.
What are you a glutton for- work, school, food, alcohol, cigarettes, deer hunting, shopping, Facebook, television? Most of these things aren't bad for you in moderation; however, when your desire for them starts to take over and harm other aspects of your life, then you have a problem. When you can't wait to get home from work every day so you can sit on the couch and watch TV all night when you could be spending quality time with your family, you've become a glutton for TV. When you become so engrossed in one thing, you neglect others.
Wouldn't it be great if we all became gluttons for God, that our desire for Him outweighed all other desires and engrossed every aspect of our lives? Becoming a glutton for God is difficult in this fast food get-what-you-want-without-the-wait notions because as Christians we have to wait for God, wait for His answers, wait for His guidance, wait for things to happen in His time. God isn't a drive through where we yell our requests into a microphone then drive around to the window expecting our prayers to be answered by the time we get there. He doesn't work like that, but His Bread of Life and Living Water are much more satisfying that anything this fast food society can offer.
Psalm 25
1Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
8Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Red, yellow, black, white
I work with students from all over the world. It's a very enlightening and rewarding job. These students have come across the globe to better themselves, but they are still just students, just people. They look different than I do, they speak differently, and many of them dress differently. Those things just make us different; they don't make one of use better or worse than the other.
I've heard many natives in my area complain about running into so many foreigners at Walmart and complain that the foreign students don't speak English well. How can they improve their English when most Americans won't even speak to them?? It's very sad how my students go into academic classes and the American students won't say a word to them. My students tell me how nice I am for simply having a conversation with them outside of class.
Are there people you avoid in Walmart? When you see a certain type of person, do you turn down another aisle or push your buggy in the opposite direction? Do you judge them by the color of their skin or by how they're dressed?
James 2:1-10 states:
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
God created every one of us, and He loves every one of us. He says it is wrong to mistreat any person or favor a certain group of people. Yes, it is difficult to ignore stereotypes, but that is what we must strive to do. Saggy pants don't make someone a gangster, glasses don't make someone a bookworm, a thwab doesn't make someone a terrorist, cowboy boots don't make someone a redneck, a tie-dyed shirt doesn't make someone a hippie, and a nice suit and tie doesn't make someone a snob. Next time you're tempted to judge someone by his/her looks, remember that Jesus died for everyone.
Red and yellow, black and white, we're all precious in His sight!
I've heard many natives in my area complain about running into so many foreigners at Walmart and complain that the foreign students don't speak English well. How can they improve their English when most Americans won't even speak to them?? It's very sad how my students go into academic classes and the American students won't say a word to them. My students tell me how nice I am for simply having a conversation with them outside of class.
Are there people you avoid in Walmart? When you see a certain type of person, do you turn down another aisle or push your buggy in the opposite direction? Do you judge them by the color of their skin or by how they're dressed?
James 2:1-10 states:
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
God created every one of us, and He loves every one of us. He says it is wrong to mistreat any person or favor a certain group of people. Yes, it is difficult to ignore stereotypes, but that is what we must strive to do. Saggy pants don't make someone a gangster, glasses don't make someone a bookworm, a thwab doesn't make someone a terrorist, cowboy boots don't make someone a redneck, a tie-dyed shirt doesn't make someone a hippie, and a nice suit and tie doesn't make someone a snob. Next time you're tempted to judge someone by his/her looks, remember that Jesus died for everyone.
Red and yellow, black and white, we're all precious in His sight!
Disappointed and Discouraged
This morning isn't going well for me. Without going into much detail, I am disappointed in my new work schedule and discouraged about the pay drop I'm about to take because I'll be working less.
I know that God can use the extra time I'll have, but I also need a way to compensate for the lower income I'll be bringing home. Trusting God financially is so hard! I can trust him with problems and situations, but what makes trusting him with my money so different?
So I have to think about the purpose of money. We need money to buy clothes, food, housing... necessities, but God says He will provide those. So why do I need more money? To redecorate my house? To build on a deck? To add a new roof? To go out to eat more? To take a vacation? I don't need any of those things. Those are wants, not needs. I'm confident that if my roof gets worse to the point I really NEED a new one, God will provide a way for us to have a new roof.
Matthew 6:25-34 teaches us about the pointlessness of worrying:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Yes, it is. I have a wonderful family, and that's something money can't buy. Maybe I'll have more time to spend with them since I'll be working less.
Worrying about my financial situation will not help me at all. My bills are paid, my house is nice and clean, my vehicle is fairly new and in good condition, my pantry is full, my freezer and fridge are overflowing, my huge closet is jam-packed with clothes and shoes, and my bank account isn't empty. Sound like I have it pretty good! Thank you God for these blessings and for the free time I'm going to have this semester since I'm teaching fewer classes. Please help me use that free time to seek your kingdom and righteousness rather than worrying about money or feeling guilty about not contributing more financially. Also, please help my husband not feel a larger burden to provide for us since my income is dropping.
I know that God can use the extra time I'll have, but I also need a way to compensate for the lower income I'll be bringing home. Trusting God financially is so hard! I can trust him with problems and situations, but what makes trusting him with my money so different?
So I have to think about the purpose of money. We need money to buy clothes, food, housing... necessities, but God says He will provide those. So why do I need more money? To redecorate my house? To build on a deck? To add a new roof? To go out to eat more? To take a vacation? I don't need any of those things. Those are wants, not needs. I'm confident that if my roof gets worse to the point I really NEED a new one, God will provide a way for us to have a new roof.
Matthew 6:25-34 teaches us about the pointlessness of worrying:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Yes, it is. I have a wonderful family, and that's something money can't buy. Maybe I'll have more time to spend with them since I'll be working less.
Worrying about my financial situation will not help me at all. My bills are paid, my house is nice and clean, my vehicle is fairly new and in good condition, my pantry is full, my freezer and fridge are overflowing, my huge closet is jam-packed with clothes and shoes, and my bank account isn't empty. Sound like I have it pretty good! Thank you God for these blessings and for the free time I'm going to have this semester since I'm teaching fewer classes. Please help me use that free time to seek your kingdom and righteousness rather than worrying about money or feeling guilty about not contributing more financially. Also, please help my husband not feel a larger burden to provide for us since my income is dropping.
Success
Proverbs 3:3-6 says:
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
These verses are commonly read at graduations as students begin planning for their futures. The focus is placed on Proverbs 3:5-6, but today I want to look at what comes before that, what has to come first in the path to success.
Do you want to be successful? I've struggled so long with what it means to be successful because most of my life I believed that success was based on having a good job. I thought the first two steps to being successful were a high school diploma and a college degree. I was wrong. These verses tell us that the first two steps on the ladder to success are "steadfast love and faithfulness." How many people lose their grasp on love and faith as they climb the corporate ladder?
God says we need "steadfast love and faithfulness." We need to grasp hold of love and faith that cannot be moved. The definition of steadfast is "firmly fixed in place [IMMOVABLE], not subject to change" or "firm in belief, determination, or adherence [LOYAL]." Is your faith in God immovable? Is your love for Him loyal? Or are you going to forsake your faith and God's love as you strive for worldly gains?
Notice in verse 4 that God comes before man. If you strive to find favor and success in the eyes of God, I believe you will find it in the eyes of man as well. However, the same isn't true if God and man are reversed. You will not find favor and success in the eyes of God by trying to find them in the eyes of man.
Strive for success in God's eyes by binding love and faith around your life. If your decisions are based on your love for God and your faith stays firm, He will bless your life with success you never imagined. He may have to change your view of success (like He did mine), but He knows what is best for you and will lead you down the path of success if you love and trust Him as your guide.
In All Things
When we face a difficult situation, so often we want to ask God to deliver us from it, to make the hardship go away. I can't count the number of times I have begged God for certain troubles to be over. Faith is the key- not faith that God will make things go away, but faith that His plan is bigger than yours or mine and that He is working through your problems. Romans 8:24-28 tells us about this faith, this hope:
"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 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."
"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 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."
That last verse, Romans 8:28, is well known by most Christians. I've often reminded myself in tough situations that "all things work for the good," which makes it sound like God plans every occurence for our own good. The KJV of Romans 8:28 says, "All things work together for good to them that love God." All things work together- together being the key word. Your trials are working together to mold you into the person God wants you to be for the purpose He has planned.
However, the NIV verse doesn't say that everything works together for the good; it says "IN all things God works for the good." God works in everything. He works within the problem, He works in the midst of your struggle, He works in the situation, and He works in you. He can use any situation to grow your witness if you allow Him to work in and through you.
If He works within situations for the benefit "of those who love him," what does it mean to really love God? Merely saying you love God is not enough. To me, this verse means that "in all things," in every situation, God will work for your good if you love and trust Him enough to give the situation to Him. It doesn't mean that every situation or every outcome is going to be good just because you're a Christian; however, you will benefit from every hardship, you will learn from every mistake and every trial, if you allow God to work in your life.
Are you allowing God to work "in all things"?
Are you willing to give Him your mess and let Him turn it into a message today?
However, the NIV verse doesn't say that everything works together for the good; it says "IN all things God works for the good." God works in everything. He works within the problem, He works in the midst of your struggle, He works in the situation, and He works in you. He can use any situation to grow your witness if you allow Him to work in and through you.
If He works within situations for the benefit "of those who love him," what does it mean to really love God? Merely saying you love God is not enough. To me, this verse means that "in all things," in every situation, God will work for your good if you love and trust Him enough to give the situation to Him. It doesn't mean that every situation or every outcome is going to be good just because you're a Christian; however, you will benefit from every hardship, you will learn from every mistake and every trial, if you allow God to work in your life.
Are you allowing God to work "in all things"?
Are you willing to give Him your mess and let Him turn it into a message today?
Pruning Your Life: Part II
If you haven't read yesterday's devotional, scroll down and read it first because this one picks up where I left off yesterday.
With pruning in mind, we have to carefully decide what to cut and what to leave. What parts of your life are bearing no fruit and should be cut? This decision will be different for everyone. The key is that we each have 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Making the most of your time does NOT mean cramming as much as possible into each day; it means living each day as God wants you to live it. If your time is so stretched that you have to pencil in "Read the Bible" or "Time for God" on your planner just to make sure you can squeeze it in between all of your other activities, you need to do some pruning.
Joyce Meyer's program this morning shared the following verse, and she made an important point: You don't plan you life then pray it works. You should always PRAY then PLAN. Making the most of every day is only possible if you are allowing God to guide your time. Pray this morning for God to guide your time today. Then tomorrow, pray the same thing. The day after that, pray it again. Let God guide you one day at a time.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV):
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
With pruning in mind, we have to carefully decide what to cut and what to leave. What parts of your life are bearing no fruit and should be cut? This decision will be different for everyone. The key is that we each have 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Making the most of your time does NOT mean cramming as much as possible into each day; it means living each day as God wants you to live it. If your time is so stretched that you have to pencil in "Read the Bible" or "Time for God" on your planner just to make sure you can squeeze it in between all of your other activities, you need to do some pruning.
Joyce Meyer's program this morning shared the following verse, and she made an important point: You don't plan you life then pray it works. You should always PRAY then PLAN. Making the most of every day is only possible if you are allowing God to guide your time. Pray this morning for God to guide your time today. Then tomorrow, pray the same thing. The day after that, pray it again. Let God guide you one day at a time.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV):
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Pruning Your Life
I forgot to prune my crape myrtles this fall. Do you know what that means? That means this year I will have some blooms, but not as many as I could've had I pruned my trees. Sometimes our lives need a little pruning before we can really bloom or produce fruit like we are capable of producing for God.
Aaron has been cutting down weak, unhealthy trees around our property for months and turning them into firewood. He's been taking something essentially worthless and making it useful while making our home more beautiful. I believe that's what God wants to do with certain areas of life.
When we have too much going on (like our property has too many small trees), none of our projects can really thrive (just like none of our trees could really grow because too many little ones were sucking up all the nutrients). Sometimes we need to step back, look at our lives, and decide what needs to be cut back and what should be left to grow. John 15:2 (NIV) says, "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
What parts of your life are just sucking up valuable nutrients and are holding you back from blooming like God wants you to bloom this year? I'm taking a careful look at my life as I start this new year, and I challenge you to do the same. As you go through the rest of this week, think about each activity. Ask God what activities need to be pruned and which ones just need to be cut out of your life so you can thrive for Him.
Pruning Your Life: Part II will be posted tomorrow.
Aaron has been cutting down weak, unhealthy trees around our property for months and turning them into firewood. He's been taking something essentially worthless and making it useful while making our home more beautiful. I believe that's what God wants to do with certain areas of life.
When we have too much going on (like our property has too many small trees), none of our projects can really thrive (just like none of our trees could really grow because too many little ones were sucking up all the nutrients). Sometimes we need to step back, look at our lives, and decide what needs to be cut back and what should be left to grow. John 15:2 (NIV) says, "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
What parts of your life are just sucking up valuable nutrients and are holding you back from blooming like God wants you to bloom this year? I'm taking a careful look at my life as I start this new year, and I challenge you to do the same. As you go through the rest of this week, think about each activity. Ask God what activities need to be pruned and which ones just need to be cut out of your life so you can thrive for Him.
Pruning Your Life: Part II will be posted tomorrow.
Music
I will soon be posting links to clips of songs that will be on the CD accompanying my first book! My brother is arranging the music for our CD, and we will be singing together. I hope you enjoy it! Check my blog periodically for the new songs, but I hope you enjoy the videos I'm uploading in the meantime. These videos are of Joyful Noise, our family singing group.
Joyful Noise includes (left to right) Connie Westbrook (my aunt), Dusty Sanders (my brother), Ronnie Sanders (my daddy), and Rhonda Taylor (me)!
Joyful Noise includes (left to right) Connie Westbrook (my aunt), Dusty Sanders (my brother), Ronnie Sanders (my daddy), and Rhonda Taylor (me)!
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