Welcome back! So far we have looked at planting seeds of peace, etc; planting seeds to work it in our ministry, relationships and spiritual growth and planting seeds/working it for those around us. Today we are going to look at another area that we need to work. This area is worship.
In the area of ministry, we have talked about the fact that we need to put time and energy into it in order to work it. The same goes for the area of worship. The Bible tells us in Psalms 100:4 to enter into the gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise. The word “enter” is an action word, we have to do something. Then verse 4 continues with be thankful to Him and bless His Name. Again, “be thankful” and “bless” are action words. Just like with the area of ministry, we cannot sit idly by in worship and expect something great to happen.
It is so easy to sit idly by during worship. After all, we have a lot on our minds. Sister Sally did not speak to me this morning so that is weighing on my mind. Of course I am thinking about where to go to lunch after church. Then there is that project that I must complete today. And I just did not get enough sleep last night. I am so tired. Yes, it is easy to sit idly by during worship. I have done it. We all have done it.
However, that is not what we are directed to do. Psalms 100:4 directs us to enter, to be thankful and to bless.
In Psalms 47:1 we are directed to clap your hands... shout to God with cries of joy. Clap, shout and cries are all action words.
In order to enter the presence of God during worship, we must follow these and other directives that are given to us. We cannot sit by and go through the motions half-heartedly and expect to enter the full presence of God. Just because someone jumps does not mean everyone has to jump. Just because someone waves a flag does not mean everyone has to wave a flag. But we are all directed to ”do”, to “work it”. We must put our energy into our worship. After all, we are worshipping the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords, the Almighty One. There is no one like our God!
Father, forgive us of the times we have sat idly by during worship. Help us to better “work it” in worship, to give of ourselves, our energy. Help us to be pleasing to You in all that we do. Amen.
Blessings,
Donna
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Planting Seeds Part III
Suppose you are sitting in church one Sunday and you notice that a lady across from you seems down. You don’t know this, but the previous week she received some bad news. She has a health condition and will need surgery. This particular morning in church her heart is crying out to God. As you are worshipping God, He speaks to you to go and pray for this lady. As you have been working spiritual growth in your life, you are first, able to recognize His voice speaking to you, and secondly, ready to go and do what He bids you. As you begin praying for this lady, the Spirit directs you in how to pray for her. As you pray, God is ministering to her in exactly how she needs.
A friend of mind, Pat, would share with me how God would use her – in public, in store lines and outside stores. One particular occasion she walked out of TJ Maxx and a lady was sitting on a bench. The Lord spoke to Pat to pray for her. Pat heard the voice of God and obeyed. First she asked if she could pray for her and then proceeded to do so. In her prayer, she asked God to touch her from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. When she was done, the lady was weeping. She told Pat that she had just said that she hurt from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. Wow! And that was exactly how Pat had prayed. Needless to say, that woman received something that day.
What about your co-worker who is facing health issues with her daughter? Do you have anything inside of you to help her? We have the words of Life to share, but are they inside of us ready to flow out? We never know when we will be called upon to share and give.
The only way we will be prepared to give of ourselves is if we have planted seeds and worked it in our life. We must be in prayer and reading scriptures. As we grow in these two areas, we will become sensitive to the moving of the Spirit. Then we will be ready to give out to those around us in need.
Do you have what I need?
Father, help us to work or cultivate the ground in our life whether it is in ministry – giving out to those around us in need, or being ready when we are faced with an obstacle. Help us to work the principles in our life. We thank You and give You praise. Amen.
Tomorrow we will talk about another area in our life that needs to be worked.
Blessings,
Donna
A friend of mind, Pat, would share with me how God would use her – in public, in store lines and outside stores. One particular occasion she walked out of TJ Maxx and a lady was sitting on a bench. The Lord spoke to Pat to pray for her. Pat heard the voice of God and obeyed. First she asked if she could pray for her and then proceeded to do so. In her prayer, she asked God to touch her from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. When she was done, the lady was weeping. She told Pat that she had just said that she hurt from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. Wow! And that was exactly how Pat had prayed. Needless to say, that woman received something that day.
What about your co-worker who is facing health issues with her daughter? Do you have anything inside of you to help her? We have the words of Life to share, but are they inside of us ready to flow out? We never know when we will be called upon to share and give.
The only way we will be prepared to give of ourselves is if we have planted seeds and worked it in our life. We must be in prayer and reading scriptures. As we grow in these two areas, we will become sensitive to the moving of the Spirit. Then we will be ready to give out to those around us in need.
Do you have what I need?
Father, help us to work or cultivate the ground in our life whether it is in ministry – giving out to those around us in need, or being ready when we are faced with an obstacle. Help us to work the principles in our life. We thank You and give You praise. Amen.
Tomorrow we will talk about another area in our life that needs to be worked.
Blessings,
Donna
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Planting Seeds Part II
Yesterday we talked about planting seeds in our life, like peace, joy and strength. We work those seeds by following the principles that were listed. Today, I want to talk about “working it” more along the lines of ministry.
While meditating on the sermon, I was reminded of a ladies retreat that I attended a couple of years ago. My minister friend preached on if you work it, it will grow. What is “it”? “It” can be a ministry, relationships or your spiritual walk. A non-spiritual example would be a sport or instrument that you play. (To get better, you must work it by regular practice.)
With this in mind, we cannot sit idly by and expect these things to grow. We must plant seeds/work it! For me, ministering to women is my passion! I believe my life statement is to see women become the woman God has created them to be. In my local church, I oversee the Heart 2 Heart Women’s Ministry. I am constantly on the lookout for ideas, topics, etc. that I can use. I read blogs and devotions for me as well as to pass on to others that I think will help them. I continually need to work this ministry. If I sit idly by, things will not happen by themselves! I cannot sit still and expect it to grow both in numbers and in spiritual growth. The key is to follow the principles.
I know I need to follow those principles and in part have been doing so. But that particular Sunday things clicked. The dots were connected. I saw the importance of working it – not for my own gain by any means. Rather for the gain in spiritual growth in the women around me. It became clearer that the amount of time and energy that I put into the ministry would be the same as the outcome.
You may teach a Bible class. How much are you working your lessons? Are you waiting until the last moment to even read it? Or are you spending time through the week studying the lesson and praying about it and your students? Putting time and energy into your lesson will bring greater results. The lives of your students will be touched in a greater way.
I want to encourage you today to no longer sit idly by waiting for things to happen in your life. Instead take that step to work it, to cultivate your relationships, your spiritual walk or a ministry that you are involved in.
Tomorrow we will talk about working it with people around us.
Blessings,
Donna
While meditating on the sermon, I was reminded of a ladies retreat that I attended a couple of years ago. My minister friend preached on if you work it, it will grow. What is “it”? “It” can be a ministry, relationships or your spiritual walk. A non-spiritual example would be a sport or instrument that you play. (To get better, you must work it by regular practice.)
With this in mind, we cannot sit idly by and expect these things to grow. We must plant seeds/work it! For me, ministering to women is my passion! I believe my life statement is to see women become the woman God has created them to be. In my local church, I oversee the Heart 2 Heart Women’s Ministry. I am constantly on the lookout for ideas, topics, etc. that I can use. I read blogs and devotions for me as well as to pass on to others that I think will help them. I continually need to work this ministry. If I sit idly by, things will not happen by themselves! I cannot sit still and expect it to grow both in numbers and in spiritual growth. The key is to follow the principles.
I know I need to follow those principles and in part have been doing so. But that particular Sunday things clicked. The dots were connected. I saw the importance of working it – not for my own gain by any means. Rather for the gain in spiritual growth in the women around me. It became clearer that the amount of time and energy that I put into the ministry would be the same as the outcome.
You may teach a Bible class. How much are you working your lessons? Are you waiting until the last moment to even read it? Or are you spending time through the week studying the lesson and praying about it and your students? Putting time and energy into your lesson will bring greater results. The lives of your students will be touched in a greater way.
I want to encourage you today to no longer sit idly by waiting for things to happen in your life. Instead take that step to work it, to cultivate your relationships, your spiritual walk or a ministry that you are involved in.
Tomorrow we will talk about working it with people around us.
Blessings,
Donna
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Planting Seeds
The other Sunday my husband preached on the ending of Matthew 13. He had spent about six weeks or so on the various parables of the "Kingdom of Heaven is like" in Matthew 13. This particular Sunday he was talking about planting seeds, or working it. If we want peace, then we have to plant seeds before we really need peace. That way, when we really need peace, we will have what we already need.
You may be asking how do I plant seeds? Below are principles that my husband shared with the church that particular Sunday.
You may be asking how do I plant seeds? Below are principles that my husband shared with the church that particular Sunday.
- Read the Bible
- Study the Bible
- Pray the scriptures
- Meditate on the scriptures
- Use the Word to pray the Word
- Do what the Word says
If we want more joy in our life, first we need to read the Bible. Secondly, we need to study the scriptures on joy. Thirdly we need to pray about more joy in our life. Following prayer, we need to meditate on the scriptures we found. Then we can use the scriptures to pray the Word. And finally, we then do what the Word tells us to do.
What about you? Where are you today? What do you need to work at? Are you struggling in a particular area? Is there something in particular that you have need of? Then you need to plant seeds/work it by following the principles. For things like peace, strength, healing, joy, we need to build up a reservoir so that when the time comes where we have a need, it will already be within us, ready to flow out.
I want to encourage you today to plant some seeds in your life.
Tomorrow we will continue looking at this subject of planting seeds/working it.
Blessings,
Donna
Friday, June 19, 2009
Father's Day
This Sunday we will celebrate Father’s Day.
My husband is a good dad. Sometimes he is a crazy and silly dad but one who is a lot of fun! He is a good provider for me and the children. He and I both strive to always be there for the kids including all sports events and school events. He helps them with their homework. He prays for the kids every night and still tucks them in. He is their chauffeur taking them here and there and everywhere. He plays basketball with them, no matter how often they ask him to come outside. Sometimes he even lets them win – sometimes. LOL! He prays for them when they are sick or hurt. He prays for them every day.
Thank you honey for being the very best dad in the whole wide world! Thank you for loving our kids endlessly. Thank you for providing for us. Thank you for making us laugh at your outrageousness. Thank you for the laughs when you try to talk Irish. Thank you for all that you do!
I came across this poem for Father’s Day that says it all.
My husband is a good dad. Sometimes he is a crazy and silly dad but one who is a lot of fun! He is a good provider for me and the children. He and I both strive to always be there for the kids including all sports events and school events. He helps them with their homework. He prays for the kids every night and still tucks them in. He is their chauffeur taking them here and there and everywhere. He plays basketball with them, no matter how often they ask him to come outside. Sometimes he even lets them win – sometimes. LOL! He prays for them when they are sick or hurt. He prays for them every day.
Thank you honey for being the very best dad in the whole wide world! Thank you for loving our kids endlessly. Thank you for providing for us. Thank you for making us laugh at your outrageousness. Thank you for the laughs when you try to talk Irish. Thank you for all that you do!
I came across this poem for Father’s Day that says it all.
“A father is respected because
he gives his children leadership...
appreciated because
he gives his children care...
valued because
he gives his children time...
loved because
he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most—himself.”
The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
PROVERBS 20:7 NKJV
I love you!!
Donna
Friday, June 5, 2009
Precious Gifts
Today is the last day of school for my children Sarah and Stephen. Sarah has completed the 8th grade and will be moving into high school. Stephen has completed the 5th grade and will be moving into middle school. This has been a good year for both of them all around. They both played two different sports which kept us all hopping. Stephen received perfect attendance and the principal’s award for all A’s and B’s. Sarah missed one day to go to Winterfest. She received the Coach’s Award for Basketball. All their teachers had positive things to say about them – except that Stephen talks too much sometimes. Imagine that!
Sarah has become very involved in the church helping me and her dad in many ways and stepping in to cover when needed. She is already an asset to the church, as well as to her parents. She never complains about doing things and she does it joyfully. Stephen is not as involved, but he is his dad’s designated briefcase carrier and the like. And he too does not complain.
I am very thankful for Sarah and Stephen. They are truly a precious gift from God and they hear me and their dad say that every night when we pray. I want them to know that they are very precious to us and to God. Both of them love God and live their lives for Him. Now, they don’t always get along. Sometimes they do fuss with each other, but when all the fussing is over, they still love each other.
In Psalm 127:3 the bible says that children are a heritage from the LORD. Indeed Sarah and Stephen are a heritage from the LORD. I am very thankful for them. I love you Sarah. I love you Stephen. You both are my very precious gifts!
Sarah has become very involved in the church helping me and her dad in many ways and stepping in to cover when needed. She is already an asset to the church, as well as to her parents. She never complains about doing things and she does it joyfully. Stephen is not as involved, but he is his dad’s designated briefcase carrier and the like. And he too does not complain.
I am very thankful for Sarah and Stephen. They are truly a precious gift from God and they hear me and their dad say that every night when we pray. I want them to know that they are very precious to us and to God. Both of them love God and live their lives for Him. Now, they don’t always get along. Sometimes they do fuss with each other, but when all the fussing is over, they still love each other.
In Psalm 127:3 the bible says that children are a heritage from the LORD. Indeed Sarah and Stephen are a heritage from the LORD. I am very thankful for them. I love you Sarah. I love you Stephen. You both are my very precious gifts!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Call to Come
Recently we got our first dog from a lady in our church. His name is Barney and he is a tiny dog, weighing only six pounds at eight months old. Sarah has been after us for a long time to get a dog. She has prayed and prayed for one. Now her prayers have been answered.
Barney is a good little dog. He came completely house trained, which is a huge blessing! So far he has not gotten into anything that he is not supposed to. Before we got him, we went out and bought several items that he would need. The first night he was home he sniffed every square inch of our house checking it out. We had placed his water and food bowls out for easy access. The first night he was home, I showed him where they were. I tried and tried to get him to eat something or drink water. But he would not. Over the first couple of days I would bring him to the bowls, trying to get him to eat or drink. He would eat a little bit – after I put a few pieces in my hand. I was a bit concerned but then I was told that it is normal and that he would start eating soon. After a few days, I noticed that he is eating and drinking more, without coaxing, which I am thankful for.
We are all like Barney at different stages in our lives. God has provided the bowls of food and water that we need. He calls us to come to the bowls but we will not. Everything that we need to sustain life is in those bowls – if we will only come.
Are you facing strong holds in your life? God has provided a way to tear down those strong holds. Are you facing a battle in your life? God has provided the victory. Are you facing an illness? God has provided your healing. No matter what you are facing, God has provided a way. He has called us to come, but it is our choice to come to the bowls that provide what we need. Today, is God calling you to come? Make the choice to come and receive what you have need of. He has provided everything. He wants you to come. He longs for you to come. But it is your decision. Don’t wait. Come today!
Let’s pray. Father, we thank you for providing everything that we need. We thank you for calling us to come and receive. There are some who are reading this that are facing tough obstacles. They need what You can provide. I pray for those who hear Your calling that they will make the choice to come. Once they come, they will be so glad they did. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Blessings,
Donna
Barney is a good little dog. He came completely house trained, which is a huge blessing! So far he has not gotten into anything that he is not supposed to. Before we got him, we went out and bought several items that he would need. The first night he was home he sniffed every square inch of our house checking it out. We had placed his water and food bowls out for easy access. The first night he was home, I showed him where they were. I tried and tried to get him to eat something or drink water. But he would not. Over the first couple of days I would bring him to the bowls, trying to get him to eat or drink. He would eat a little bit – after I put a few pieces in my hand. I was a bit concerned but then I was told that it is normal and that he would start eating soon. After a few days, I noticed that he is eating and drinking more, without coaxing, which I am thankful for.
We are all like Barney at different stages in our lives. God has provided the bowls of food and water that we need. He calls us to come to the bowls but we will not. Everything that we need to sustain life is in those bowls – if we will only come.
Are you facing strong holds in your life? God has provided a way to tear down those strong holds. Are you facing a battle in your life? God has provided the victory. Are you facing an illness? God has provided your healing. No matter what you are facing, God has provided a way. He has called us to come, but it is our choice to come to the bowls that provide what we need. Today, is God calling you to come? Make the choice to come and receive what you have need of. He has provided everything. He wants you to come. He longs for you to come. But it is your decision. Don’t wait. Come today!
Let’s pray. Father, we thank you for providing everything that we need. We thank you for calling us to come and receive. There are some who are reading this that are facing tough obstacles. They need what You can provide. I pray for those who hear Your calling that they will make the choice to come. Once they come, they will be so glad they did. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Blessings,
Donna
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