Merry Christmas Everyone!
May your day be filled with God's presence as we celebrate the birth of Christ!
Blessings,
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
ABC Scripture Verses
Here are some ABC Scripture verses that would be good to memorize during 2011. Give it a try!~
A – Above all else… Proverbs 4:23
B – Be joyful always…1 Thes 5:16-18
C – Commit to the Lord…Proverbs 16:3
D – Do not let any unwholesome talk…Ephesians 4:29
E – Every good and perfect gift…James 1:17
F – Find rest O my soul…Psalm 62:5
G- Give thanks to the Lord…Psalm 105:1
H – How great is the love…1 John 3:1
I – I Am the Alpha and the Omega…Rev 1:8
J – Jesus answered, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life…John 14:6
K – Keep your lives free from the love of money…Hebrews 13:5
L – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…Hebrews 12:2
M – May the words of my mouth…Psalm 19:14
N – Not to us…Psalm 115:1
O – Open my eyes…Psalm 119:18
P – Peace I leave with you…John 14:27
Q – Be Quick to listen…James 1:19b
R – Rejoice in the Lord…Phil 4:4
S – Set your mind…Col 3:2
T – The Name of the Lord…Proverbs 18:10
U – Until now you have not…John 16:24
V – Victory rests with the Lord…Proverbs 21:31
W – What good is it…Mark 8:36
X – eXalt the Lord our God…Psalm 99:5
Y – You shall have no other gods…Exodus 20:3
Z – Zealous always for the fear…Proverbs 23:17
A – Above all else… Proverbs 4:23
B – Be joyful always…1 Thes 5:16-18
C – Commit to the Lord…Proverbs 16:3
D – Do not let any unwholesome talk…Ephesians 4:29
E – Every good and perfect gift…James 1:17
F – Find rest O my soul…Psalm 62:5
G- Give thanks to the Lord…Psalm 105:1
H – How great is the love…1 John 3:1
I – I Am the Alpha and the Omega…Rev 1:8
J – Jesus answered, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life…John 14:6
K – Keep your lives free from the love of money…Hebrews 13:5
L – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…Hebrews 12:2
M – May the words of my mouth…Psalm 19:14
N – Not to us…Psalm 115:1
O – Open my eyes…Psalm 119:18
P – Peace I leave with you…John 14:27
Q – Be Quick to listen…James 1:19b
R – Rejoice in the Lord…Phil 4:4
S – Set your mind…Col 3:2
T – The Name of the Lord…Proverbs 18:10
U – Until now you have not…John 16:24
V – Victory rests with the Lord…Proverbs 21:31
W – What good is it…Mark 8:36
X – eXalt the Lord our God…Psalm 99:5
Y – You shall have no other gods…Exodus 20:3
Z – Zealous always for the fear…Proverbs 23:17
Blessings,
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Fruit of the Spirit - Patience
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
We continue are reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter six – “Resting in Patience.”
The fruit of the Spirit is…patience. Galatians 5:22
“How can we continue to walk by the Spirit and not succumb to the flesh when we are assaulted by people? Handling people in a gracious, Christlike manner presents a real test for us. But thank God that He gives us three more graces, three more fruit – patience, kindness and goodness – for managing the strain of personal relationships. Reaching out to others requires that we take action – the actions of patience, kindness, and goodness as we walk by the Spirit.”
Scripture tells us we are to dress our spirit each morning with the godly quality of patience. We are to put on patience, adorn ourselves with patience, and walk with patience. This is definitely not easy to do. The author tells us that in times when we are frustrated, irritated, annoyed with people, when we are critical or want to lash out, we are to be patient instead. I don’t know about you, but I do get frustrated and irritated with people. I think, why can’t they just…
When I thought of patience, I thought of it as being able to wait a very long time for something. The author shares that “much more is involved in the kind of patience that is a fruit of the Spirit”. She shares four ingredients that would be written on the label:
1. The first and primary ingredient in patience is endurance – forbearing wrong and ill-treatment. “Patient endurance is long-spiritedness, tolerance, and slowness to wrath. It is practiced toward people and relates to our attitude toward others. It is the quality of putting up with other people, even when…sorely tired!”
2. Next ingredient details the very special conditions for patience: when injured. We need patience to endure injuries inflicted by others, a patience that is characterized by long-suffering, evenness of temper, or patient endurance when injured by another. It also includes the idea of forbearance of wrong under ill-treatment.”
3. Another ingredient describing patience is mercy. “Patience wishes well to others and is willing to endure with them…hoping for their good. Besides obedience to God’s instructions to be patient, our motivation to practice patience should be the good of others.”
4. The last ingredient would be written in red letters and say “Contains no anger or vengeance! The Spirit’s patience holds no wrath or thought of sinful revenge or retaliation. Patience is the grace of the man who could revenge himself but chooses not to.”
“Therefore, patience withholds: It withholds vengeance, revenge, and retaliation, and endures instead. It endures ill treatment, it refuses to be angry, and it desires the offender’s good.”
“In light of these ingredients, the definition of patience I (the author) uses for myself (author) is: Patience does nothing. Patience is the front end of these three fruit which relate to people – patience, goodness, and kindness – and it is the passive part of love. It is love doing nothing.”
The author is telling us that when we have been hurt, wronged, or ill treated we should do nothing. You say nothing! Yes, nothing. What a concept. She says that it gives us time to do something – “to pray, to reflect, and to plan to respond in a righteous manner.” Of course the battle would be with our flesh wanting to respond in like manner. They can’t talk to me that way! I can’t believe she did that to me! These would be a few of our responses. The author says that once we learn about the ingredients of true spiritual patience, it “can make a drastic difference in our conduct toward others.” Yes, our flesh would not be so quick to respond.
In order to do nothing, we would have to lean very heavily on God, because by only His strength will we be able to heed the directions.
This chapter really spoke to me. I have faced some tough stuff in the last couple of years and I know I haven’t always responded with God’s patience. It’s a hard thing to do in our flesh. The only way we can walk in God’s patience is by spending time in God’s Word, prayer and following Jesus’ example. We cannot do this on our own, that is for certain.
In discussing this chapter with my ladies, it was noted that we have more patience with people and circumstances we tolerate and less patience with those we do not tolerate. I thought that was quite profound. Do you see this in your own life?
Let’s pray. Father, I thank You that You provide Your patience to us. I know that I haven’t always walked in Your patience. I ask that You help me in this area. And help those reading this to walk in Your patience. That we will endure, show mercy and not try to avenge our own selves. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We continue are reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter six – “Resting in Patience.”
The fruit of the Spirit is…patience. Galatians 5:22
“How can we continue to walk by the Spirit and not succumb to the flesh when we are assaulted by people? Handling people in a gracious, Christlike manner presents a real test for us. But thank God that He gives us three more graces, three more fruit – patience, kindness and goodness – for managing the strain of personal relationships. Reaching out to others requires that we take action – the actions of patience, kindness, and goodness as we walk by the Spirit.”
Scripture tells us we are to dress our spirit each morning with the godly quality of patience. We are to put on patience, adorn ourselves with patience, and walk with patience. This is definitely not easy to do. The author tells us that in times when we are frustrated, irritated, annoyed with people, when we are critical or want to lash out, we are to be patient instead. I don’t know about you, but I do get frustrated and irritated with people. I think, why can’t they just…
When I thought of patience, I thought of it as being able to wait a very long time for something. The author shares that “much more is involved in the kind of patience that is a fruit of the Spirit”. She shares four ingredients that would be written on the label:
1. The first and primary ingredient in patience is endurance – forbearing wrong and ill-treatment. “Patient endurance is long-spiritedness, tolerance, and slowness to wrath. It is practiced toward people and relates to our attitude toward others. It is the quality of putting up with other people, even when…sorely tired!”
2. Next ingredient details the very special conditions for patience: when injured. We need patience to endure injuries inflicted by others, a patience that is characterized by long-suffering, evenness of temper, or patient endurance when injured by another. It also includes the idea of forbearance of wrong under ill-treatment.”
3. Another ingredient describing patience is mercy. “Patience wishes well to others and is willing to endure with them…hoping for their good. Besides obedience to God’s instructions to be patient, our motivation to practice patience should be the good of others.”
4. The last ingredient would be written in red letters and say “Contains no anger or vengeance! The Spirit’s patience holds no wrath or thought of sinful revenge or retaliation. Patience is the grace of the man who could revenge himself but chooses not to.”
“Therefore, patience withholds: It withholds vengeance, revenge, and retaliation, and endures instead. It endures ill treatment, it refuses to be angry, and it desires the offender’s good.”
“In light of these ingredients, the definition of patience I (the author) uses for myself (author) is: Patience does nothing. Patience is the front end of these three fruit which relate to people – patience, goodness, and kindness – and it is the passive part of love. It is love doing nothing.”
The author is telling us that when we have been hurt, wronged, or ill treated we should do nothing. You say nothing! Yes, nothing. What a concept. She says that it gives us time to do something – “to pray, to reflect, and to plan to respond in a righteous manner.” Of course the battle would be with our flesh wanting to respond in like manner. They can’t talk to me that way! I can’t believe she did that to me! These would be a few of our responses. The author says that once we learn about the ingredients of true spiritual patience, it “can make a drastic difference in our conduct toward others.” Yes, our flesh would not be so quick to respond.
In order to do nothing, we would have to lean very heavily on God, because by only His strength will we be able to heed the directions.
This chapter really spoke to me. I have faced some tough stuff in the last couple of years and I know I haven’t always responded with God’s patience. It’s a hard thing to do in our flesh. The only way we can walk in God’s patience is by spending time in God’s Word, prayer and following Jesus’ example. We cannot do this on our own, that is for certain.
In discussing this chapter with my ladies, it was noted that we have more patience with people and circumstances we tolerate and less patience with those we do not tolerate. I thought that was quite profound. Do you see this in your own life?
Let’s pray. Father, I thank You that You provide Your patience to us. I know that I haven’t always walked in Your patience. I ask that You help me in this area. And help those reading this to walk in Your patience. That we will endure, show mercy and not try to avenge our own selves. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessings,
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
A Child is Born
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV
For to us a child is born,
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Check out more Word Filled Wednesdays here.
Blessings,
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Journey of the Wise Men
I asked my husband to write today's devotion using his Sunday morning sermon this past week.
The wise men’s journey to visit the child Jesus gives us examples of some of the journeys we may take as we follow Christ. Let’s look at a few of them.
The first is the journey of faith. There was no guiding light or star as the journey takes off. The saw a star and set out on a journey. A Journey that would be filled with many unknowns. It seems that they thought Jerusalem was the destination but it really was just a stopping point the journey would continue.
Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East…" In our walk with God we don’t always get a detailed road map. God often gives us a few steps at a time.
Look at Abram in Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.”
God said Abram you go and when you get there I will let you know. Wow! Can we do that? We too are on a journey like these Magi and we must take steps of faith to find the destination.
The second type of Journey was a journey of worship. This was no sightseeing trip. This was no vacation. It was all about worship.
Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
Look at the length they traveled for the purpose of worship. Many times we struggle to worship the risen Savior because of a bad week, a bad hair day, a bad morning, or maybe we are just plain lazy. There was no plane ride, no commuter train, nor car; it was by animal or by foot for mile upon mile day after day just to be in the presence of Jesus. This convicts me. We have the conveniences and all the advantages and yet we at times struggle to worship the Lord. Why would they go through all the trouble? The answer is simple because they believed the new King of the Jews was worthy. And He still is!
Look at this, Revelation 5:4-10 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. (5) But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." (6) And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7) Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. (8) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (9) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (10) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
He is worthy!
Finally, their journey was one purpose. When they opened their treasure and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh not only where these gifts value and extravagant but they held meaning.
Gold represents royalty and divinity. Frankincense represents sacrifice Leviticus 2:2. Myrrh symbols burial John 19:39. While these gifts may have provided a means for the Jesus and His family to travel to Egypt, they meant so much more. They speak of what was to come, this God-man would be the sacrifice and would die for our sins so we could have life and life more abundantly. Thank God for His indescribable gift!
The wise men’s journey to visit the child Jesus gives us examples of some of the journeys we may take as we follow Christ. Let’s look at a few of them.
The first is the journey of faith. There was no guiding light or star as the journey takes off. The saw a star and set out on a journey. A Journey that would be filled with many unknowns. It seems that they thought Jerusalem was the destination but it really was just a stopping point the journey would continue.
Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East…" In our walk with God we don’t always get a detailed road map. God often gives us a few steps at a time.
Look at Abram in Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.”
God said Abram you go and when you get there I will let you know. Wow! Can we do that? We too are on a journey like these Magi and we must take steps of faith to find the destination.
The second type of Journey was a journey of worship. This was no sightseeing trip. This was no vacation. It was all about worship.
Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
Look at the length they traveled for the purpose of worship. Many times we struggle to worship the risen Savior because of a bad week, a bad hair day, a bad morning, or maybe we are just plain lazy. There was no plane ride, no commuter train, nor car; it was by animal or by foot for mile upon mile day after day just to be in the presence of Jesus. This convicts me. We have the conveniences and all the advantages and yet we at times struggle to worship the Lord. Why would they go through all the trouble? The answer is simple because they believed the new King of the Jews was worthy. And He still is!
Look at this, Revelation 5:4-10 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. (5) But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." (6) And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7) Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. (8) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (9) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (10) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
He is worthy!
Finally, their journey was one purpose. When they opened their treasure and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh not only where these gifts value and extravagant but they held meaning.
Gold represents royalty and divinity. Frankincense represents sacrifice Leviticus 2:2. Myrrh symbols burial John 19:39. While these gifts may have provided a means for the Jesus and His family to travel to Egypt, they meant so much more. They speak of what was to come, this God-man would be the sacrifice and would die for our sins so we could have life and life more abundantly. Thank God for His indescribable gift!
Blessings,
Monday, December 13, 2010
Week 2 in Sports
This past week the kids had a total of five games between them. (I had thought there were six, but it was only five.) The boy had three games (two home and one away). The girl had two games both away. On Tuesday night they were at the same school so it was exciting to see both play on the same night at the same place. Since they were playing at the same school, I took off early from work as I do not usually go to the away games. My husband does since all of the away games are a bit of a distance. I go to all the home games.
I am thankful to share that the kids won all of their games last week. Sarah’s JV team is 4-0 and Stephen’s middle school team is 3-1. Both kids played so good last week and I am so proud of them.
On Friday night Sarah was not feeling well and played her best yet! Stephen’s team played a team that was not equal in skill as they had elementary players on the team. Thus Stephen, who is a starter, only played five to seven minutes total or so. His coach played the nonstarters a lot which gave them plenty of playing time. He did this last year when Stephen was not a starter and it gave him more playing time. He was thankful for the opportunity to play.
Both kids’ teams won their games by a large margin. Tuesday night Sarah’s team had 54 points! She said she thought that was a record. The kids on both teams are playing so well. All the parents are very proud of them.
Here are Sarah and Stephen’s stats:
Stephen
1st game – five rebounds, two steals, two points, one foul; 2nd game – five rebounds, two steals, four points, three fouls; third game – four rebounds, one block, two points.
Sarah
1st game – three rebounds, three steals, four points, five jump ball, one block, three fouls; 2nd game – five rebounds, four steals, ten points, five jump ball, three blocks, four fouls.
I am very proud of my kids and I am thankful for the ability God has given them to play basketball. I am thankful that both of them pray for their teams for both practices and games that they will play good and remember the plays. I am truly blessed to have two wonderful gifts!
Blessings,
I am thankful to share that the kids won all of their games last week. Sarah’s JV team is 4-0 and Stephen’s middle school team is 3-1. Both kids played so good last week and I am so proud of them.
On Friday night Sarah was not feeling well and played her best yet! Stephen’s team played a team that was not equal in skill as they had elementary players on the team. Thus Stephen, who is a starter, only played five to seven minutes total or so. His coach played the nonstarters a lot which gave them plenty of playing time. He did this last year when Stephen was not a starter and it gave him more playing time. He was thankful for the opportunity to play.
Both kids’ teams won their games by a large margin. Tuesday night Sarah’s team had 54 points! She said she thought that was a record. The kids on both teams are playing so well. All the parents are very proud of them.
Here are Sarah and Stephen’s stats:
Stephen
1st game – five rebounds, two steals, two points, one foul; 2nd game – five rebounds, two steals, four points, three fouls; third game – four rebounds, one block, two points.
Sarah
1st game – three rebounds, three steals, four points, five jump ball, one block, three fouls; 2nd game – five rebounds, four steals, ten points, five jump ball, three blocks, four fouls.
I am very proud of my kids and I am thankful for the ability God has given them to play basketball. I am thankful that both of them pray for their teams for both practices and games that they will play good and remember the plays. I am truly blessed to have two wonderful gifts!
Blessings,
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