Getting caught up (by going backwards) on my Blogging through the Gospels with Amy, from Mom's Toolbox.
Reading: Matthew 24
Scripture:
26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Observation:
When I first became a believer, I was terrified that Christ would come back, but I wouldn't know. Or that someone would come back claiming to be Him, and I would follow blindly. Until I read something in John Chapter 10 that changed everything, and calmed my anxious heart.
14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—"
and
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Those Scriptures comforted and reassured me that I WILL know when He returns. I know His voice!
So when the time comes for my Redeemer to return, I will KNOW without a doubt that it is HE!
But more than that--- Matthew 24:27 is reassuring believers everywhere that when He returns, it will not be so one little corner of the world. It will be to the WHOLE WORLD at the SAME TIME. Hallelujah!!
Application:
Await His return, and prepare myself to be ready.
(everything that I have been reading lately is about being ready... getting things prepared.)
Prayer:
My Gracious God,
Help me to prepare my self, my home, and my work space. Help me to get organized. Help me take one step at a time (and do them), rather than becoming overwhelmed by the whole task.
Thank you for everything that you have shown me this morning. May it carry over throughout the whole day.
Amen.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 25
I have been overwhelmed with life lately. And unfortunately, everytime I tried to get into the Word, and get into the presence of my Father, something was stopping me. When He woke me up BEFORE 4AM for the SECOND day in a row, I realized that.... the only thing getting in the way was myself.
Adding the new step of journaling the thanks/prayers was just.... too much for me. I had been doing them, but I had not been writing or typing them, and I knew that the blog was NOT the place for my deep, confessional, pleading, yearning conversations with God. And because I am a child of technology, I can type almost as fast as I can think, and writing sometimes feels like a big... um... drag.
So I figured it out! I started a Google Doc, so that I can have it with me, no matter what computer I am on. Yay!
So:
Back on track.
Blogging Through the Gospels with Amy, from Mom's Toolbox.
Reading:
Matthew 25
Scripture:
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
and
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Observation:
What we do matters. We are all connected. We are all the same. The choices we make in our interactions with people have lasting-- -EVERlasting-- impact.
Application:
I need to live my life extending the GRACE that I have been given.
I need to live my life showing the care that was shown.
I need to choose to love.
Yesterday, I was at the end of my rope. I was tired. I strained a muscle in my back earlier in the week, and I have been in physical pain. I was/am overwhelmed with the amount of things to do in just every day living (housekeeping). I was short-tempered. I snapped at my oldest son at least 3 times when I had resolved to just SPEAK. And every time, when I apologized to him, he said, "it's okay Mommy. I love you. I forgive you."
My four year old son extended grace to me.
Repeatedly.
Prayer:
Help me be like a little child.
Help me to let the hurts, disappointments, disillusionments, frustrations, distractions and anything else, just fall away. Help me to dwell in the moment of love, without carrying the leftover ick from the day into it.
Help me to LIVE the grace that I have been given, so that I can EXTEND it to everyone around me.
Thank you for not giving up on me. Help me not to give up when I am overwhelmed.
Amen.
Adding the new step of journaling the thanks/prayers was just.... too much for me. I had been doing them, but I had not been writing or typing them, and I knew that the blog was NOT the place for my deep, confessional, pleading, yearning conversations with God. And because I am a child of technology, I can type almost as fast as I can think, and writing sometimes feels like a big... um... drag.
So I figured it out! I started a Google Doc, so that I can have it with me, no matter what computer I am on. Yay!
So:
Back on track.
Blogging Through the Gospels with Amy, from Mom's Toolbox.
Reading:
Matthew 25
Scripture:
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
and
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Observation:
What we do matters. We are all connected. We are all the same. The choices we make in our interactions with people have lasting-- -EVERlasting-- impact.
Application:
I need to live my life extending the GRACE that I have been given.
I need to live my life showing the care that was shown.
I need to choose to love.
Yesterday, I was at the end of my rope. I was tired. I strained a muscle in my back earlier in the week, and I have been in physical pain. I was/am overwhelmed with the amount of things to do in just every day living (housekeeping). I was short-tempered. I snapped at my oldest son at least 3 times when I had resolved to just SPEAK. And every time, when I apologized to him, he said, "it's okay Mommy. I love you. I forgive you."
My four year old son extended grace to me.
Repeatedly.
Prayer:
Help me be like a little child.
Help me to let the hurts, disappointments, disillusionments, frustrations, distractions and anything else, just fall away. Help me to dwell in the moment of love, without carrying the leftover ick from the day into it.
Help me to LIVE the grace that I have been given, so that I can EXTEND it to everyone around me.
Thank you for not giving up on me. Help me not to give up when I am overwhelmed.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Amazing, awe inspiring, and chilling
I want to thank Sandra at The Kelley Chronicles for posting about the beautiful performance of Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill at the Country Music event that was on Easter evening.
They performance "How Great Thou Art," and the whole place was so moved, that a standing ovation happened in the middle of the song! I cried, and had chills when I watched.
So.... watch it for yourself!
__ Disabled because there was no way to pause or stop it! Sorry about that! I will come back with the link for it! _____
Some impressions as I was watching:
How thrilled God must be with His creation Carrie, and her gorgeous voice raised in song for Him. In complete adoration for Him.
Two BELIEVERS sharing their faith through song, when they could have chosen any song, choosing an amazing hymn like "How Great Thou Art."
It was a beautiful, awe inspiring performance, and I am so grateful that it started my morning!
They performance "How Great Thou Art," and the whole place was so moved, that a standing ovation happened in the middle of the song! I cried, and had chills when I watched.
So.... watch it for yourself!
__ Disabled because there was no way to pause or stop it! Sorry about that! I will come back with the link for it! _____
Some impressions as I was watching:
How thrilled God must be with His creation Carrie, and her gorgeous voice raised in song for Him. In complete adoration for Him.
Two BELIEVERS sharing their faith through song, when they could have chosen any song, choosing an amazing hymn like "How Great Thou Art."
It was a beautiful, awe inspiring performance, and I am so grateful that it started my morning!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 21:28-46
Blogging through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox.
Reading:
Matthew 21 : 28 - 46
Scripture:
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Observation:
First off: I know that it is not one scripture. I know that it is a passage. But this is what the Lord is speaking to me.
Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and the elders, who are once again scrutinizing everything Jesus says, trying to find a way to bring charges against him, and worse.
Application:
This passage always made me feel guilty as a new believer, because rather than having a heavenly perspective, I of course, had my OWN perspective. All I could think about was when my mother would ask either my sister or I to do something, I would reply immediately with "yes, Mom," and Stephanie would snarl or pout or do something else to convey that she would absolutely NOT help. My mother once commented that even though that was my sister's original reaction, she usually came around and did whatever was asked of her. Whereas I, for all of my wanting to be obedient to my mother, would agree, but often times would forget because I was lazy and would put it off too long.
Now I can see this passage in a different light, and I really feel like God is once again confirming and affirming that work that He is calling my husband and I to do in a small, spiritually dark community. He is quietly speaking to my heart that just because the people are and have been loudly against the Gospel does not mean that they will always be. This just confirms what He has revealed to my husband, that our church plant will be comprised of mostly brand new believers, drawn in by His grace.
Prayer:
Lord, you keep confirming what you want to do. (And, we KEEP questioning. We will probably question you for a long time. I mean... it's US. You saw how we treated each other on Saturday. Oy.)
I am grateful that you are not annoyed that we keep checking with you. Please keep us right on your path. Let us not get ahead of you, or to the left or to the right of you. We believe that your plan involves a place for us to live. We believe, so therefore we are asking for wisdom as we start looking at places, that you would give us wisdom while we are looking. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for the heart of our little boy that filled up a box with toys to send to the children who didn't have anything when we told him our WorldVision plan to give ducks needy families. You are so much more than I could ever comprehend, and I adore you. Thank you, thank you. I love you.
Reading:
Matthew 21 : 28 - 46
Scripture:
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Observation:
First off: I know that it is not one scripture. I know that it is a passage. But this is what the Lord is speaking to me.
Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and the elders, who are once again scrutinizing everything Jesus says, trying to find a way to bring charges against him, and worse.
Application:
This passage always made me feel guilty as a new believer, because rather than having a heavenly perspective, I of course, had my OWN perspective. All I could think about was when my mother would ask either my sister or I to do something, I would reply immediately with "yes, Mom," and Stephanie would snarl or pout or do something else to convey that she would absolutely NOT help. My mother once commented that even though that was my sister's original reaction, she usually came around and did whatever was asked of her. Whereas I, for all of my wanting to be obedient to my mother, would agree, but often times would forget because I was lazy and would put it off too long.
Now I can see this passage in a different light, and I really feel like God is once again confirming and affirming that work that He is calling my husband and I to do in a small, spiritually dark community. He is quietly speaking to my heart that just because the people are and have been loudly against the Gospel does not mean that they will always be. This just confirms what He has revealed to my husband, that our church plant will be comprised of mostly brand new believers, drawn in by His grace.
Prayer:
Lord, you keep confirming what you want to do. (And, we KEEP questioning. We will probably question you for a long time. I mean... it's US. You saw how we treated each other on Saturday. Oy.)
I am grateful that you are not annoyed that we keep checking with you. Please keep us right on your path. Let us not get ahead of you, or to the left or to the right of you. We believe that your plan involves a place for us to live. We believe, so therefore we are asking for wisdom as we start looking at places, that you would give us wisdom while we are looking. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for the heart of our little boy that filled up a box with toys to send to the children who didn't have anything when we told him our WorldVision plan to give ducks needy families. You are so much more than I could ever comprehend, and I adore you. Thank you, thank you. I love you.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 19
Blogging through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox is changing my life. Join us!
Reading:
Matthew 19
Scripture:
Matthew 19: 27
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Observation:
Jesus had just informed the rich man that his heart was tied up in his possessions, and that even though he was keeping all of the commandments, he still was far from the kingdom of God. Peter's question is typical of the disciples: "but what about us??"
Application:
What is God wanting me to hear from this?
It is a loving, but firm rebuke.
I am sitting here, typing on my school issue MacBook, over my wi-fi internet connection, with my boys next to me, watching a live-streaming LeapFrog show over Netflix Instant on our Wii. The weather is comfortable, our bellies are thinking about lunchtime.
We have everything we could possibly need.
What do I know of sacrifice?
What do I know of giving up everything to follow Jesus?
And I just finished reading an amazing book: Gray Matter by David Levy, MD and Joel Kirkpatrick.
Talk about challenging my faith. Living out loud. Being authentic about who we are, wherever we are.
Bottom line?
There is a lot of work to be done.
A lot.
Big.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
I am so overwhelmed today.
It's Good Friday.
Jesus, you gave everything for me, that I might know you, and be set free by your ultimate act of love.
There are no words that will express the enormity of what you have done, and what I am feeling.
There are no words to express my gratitude, and my humility.
I can't even begin.
Well... I could begin, but it is hard to parent as a uncontrollably sobbing mess, even if they are good tears.
So, I remain,
broken.
In awe,
and thankful.
Amen.
Reading:
Matthew 19
Scripture:
Matthew 19: 27
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Observation:
Jesus had just informed the rich man that his heart was tied up in his possessions, and that even though he was keeping all of the commandments, he still was far from the kingdom of God. Peter's question is typical of the disciples: "but what about us??"
Application:
What is God wanting me to hear from this?
It is a loving, but firm rebuke.
I am sitting here, typing on my school issue MacBook, over my wi-fi internet connection, with my boys next to me, watching a live-streaming LeapFrog show over Netflix Instant on our Wii. The weather is comfortable, our bellies are thinking about lunchtime.
We have everything we could possibly need.
What do I know of sacrifice?
What do I know of giving up everything to follow Jesus?
And I just finished reading an amazing book: Gray Matter by David Levy, MD and Joel Kirkpatrick.
Talk about challenging my faith. Living out loud. Being authentic about who we are, wherever we are.
Bottom line?
There is a lot of work to be done.
A lot.
Big.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
I am so overwhelmed today.
It's Good Friday.
Jesus, you gave everything for me, that I might know you, and be set free by your ultimate act of love.
There are no words that will express the enormity of what you have done, and what I am feeling.
There are no words to express my gratitude, and my humility.
I can't even begin.
Well... I could begin, but it is hard to parent as a uncontrollably sobbing mess, even if they are good tears.
So, I remain,
broken.
In awe,
and thankful.
Amen.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 17
Blogging through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox.
Reading
Matthew 17
Scripture
Matthew 17:20
20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Observation
We, as humans, will not ever have an accurate understanding of how big God is. This side of heaven, we will never comprehend just how much he loves us.
My issue is not believing that God can do something. I fully believe that He can do ANYTHING.
I have trouble presuming that it would be His will to do anything that I would ask.
I think that it just feels too close to the "name it and claim it" movement for me to be comfortable. However, I know that there are times when the Lord clearly gives me the burden to pray for someone or something, and then I feel incredibly comfortable calling on His power with confidence.
Application
I need to not be afraid to pray in His power all the time. My unbelief stems from caution, if that makes sense. I believe that God can do anything - - but I am afraid of wrong motives in the asking. The whole "if it be your Will" tag seems to me just an excuse to ask for anything. But... we are supposed to ask for what we want. We have not because we ask not.
Prayer
Lord, help me.
I think that I filter myself too much in my prayer life. I decide ahead of time that there are things that are too material to bring to you, too selfish to waste your time with. Help me to stop filtering and censoring myself. The only way for you to "cure" me of my selfishness is for me to come to you with every single want.
If I bring them to you, you can gently show me the truth of my motives.
Help me, Lord.
Amen.
Reading
Matthew 17
Scripture
Matthew 17:20
20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Observation
We, as humans, will not ever have an accurate understanding of how big God is. This side of heaven, we will never comprehend just how much he loves us.
My issue is not believing that God can do something. I fully believe that He can do ANYTHING.
I have trouble presuming that it would be His will to do anything that I would ask.
I think that it just feels too close to the "name it and claim it" movement for me to be comfortable. However, I know that there are times when the Lord clearly gives me the burden to pray for someone or something, and then I feel incredibly comfortable calling on His power with confidence.
Application
I need to not be afraid to pray in His power all the time. My unbelief stems from caution, if that makes sense. I believe that God can do anything - - but I am afraid of wrong motives in the asking. The whole "if it be your Will" tag seems to me just an excuse to ask for anything. But... we are supposed to ask for what we want. We have not because we ask not.
Prayer
Lord, help me.
I think that I filter myself too much in my prayer life. I decide ahead of time that there are things that are too material to bring to you, too selfish to waste your time with. Help me to stop filtering and censoring myself. The only way for you to "cure" me of my selfishness is for me to come to you with every single want.
If I bring them to you, you can gently show me the truth of my motives.
Help me, Lord.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 16
My daily walk with my Savior has intensified since I started using the SOAP method while reading and "Blogging Through the Gospels" with Amy from Mom's Toolbox.
Reading: Matthew 16
The one scripture that I really felt God leading me to today:
Scripture:
Matthew 16: 15 - 17
In this verse, today I felt the distinct reassurance that God will provide the words, the answers, and the wisdom in all situations that present themselves. This is particularly timely because my husband and I are about to deal with our first ministry "issue." I would love all praying people to be praying with us this evening as we intercede for the salvation of the fiance of a dear friend. A dear friend who is a long time Christian and KNOWS about being unequally yoked, and has HEARD the truth from people about this relationship.... AND we just found out last night that they are living together. We are at peace right now, because she is coming over. But before we had a time set, neither my husband or I could eat, we were so convicted by the Spirit about the situation. We will be fervently bringing him the the Lord this evening, and gently, but firmly rebuking her current situation.
Reading: Matthew 16
The one scripture that I really felt God leading me to today:
Scripture:
Matthew 16: 15 - 17
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
Observation:
There are times when the Lord reveals things that we could not have possibly known.
Application:
Please be praying.
Thank you.
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