Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Day 46: Division

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 "So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it."

As believers in Christ we have become one body.  It is out duty to love and support one another.  If one part is weak, the other parts must work harder (with God's help) to strengthen the weakest parts--further creating an even stronger body overall.

It seems to me the times in my life when God has challenged me to help strengthen others in their faith--He strengthens mine! Hallelujah Amen ;o) 


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Day 45: Man vs. Woman

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 "...woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  For as woman came from nan, so also man is born of woman.  But everything comes from God."

2013
Men and women, especially married couples, need to realize that they need each other.  God created both men and women to be dependent on each other: to love each other, support each other, challenge each other, etc. etc.  Just like I am dependent on God, I also need to be dependent on my husband for his love and respect.  Just remember, that although we need our husbands/wives, they are not perfect like our Heavenly Father is, and will often disappoint us (this is when forgiveness comes in ;o)

It makes me so sad to see what has become of our country.  It tells us right in the Bible (supposedly the Book of Principles our country was founded on) that God created men and women to be dependent on each other, and yet we want to allow civil unions where men don't have to depend on women and women don't have to depend on men.  In the long run, are these "unions" really going to work?  Not a chance...because it is not part of God's perfect plan.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Day 44: Bearing Temptation

1 Corinthians 10: 13 "No temptation will seize you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

2013
The Assurance of Victory scripture.  God will never give you more than you can handle.  He does not temp you, but He will allow you to be tempted.  He also will provide a way out, so that you can overcome that temptation.  Just think: Jesus walked this same planet and has fleshly desires just like us.  But He resisted temptation with the help of God, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross (as if He was a sinner) so that our sins may be forgiven.  Someone to Idolize?  I think so!

Day 43: Run for the Prize

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

God some days I feel as if I am not running the race OR even training for the race.  In fact, I don't even have my running shoes on some days.  Help me not get distracted by myself or the worries of this world.  I need to lace up my shoes and start training.  I want to win the race, win the crown that will last into eternity--eternity spent with You!

Day 42: Knowledge vs. Love

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 "...We know that we all possess knowledge.  Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.  But the man who loves God is known by God."

I repeat: The man who loves God is known by God.  Do you want to be known by God?  Because I sure do.  But how do you love God?  I think you love God by Praying to Him, Listening to Him, Doing His will, and Thanking/Praising/Worshiping Him for your life.  Loving God means loving His children.  Loving nothing else more than you love Him.  Give up everything to serve Him.  Submitting your life to God.  Oh God how I love you so.  Please give me the heart, soul, mind, and strength to do so!

Day 41: Burn with Passion

1 Corinthians 7:9 "But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion."

2013
What happens to this passion after one marries?  Is it simply because love is work and takes sacrifice that passion is gone to the wind? Or is it because after you marry, showing this passion to your spouse is finally allowed, so one's flesh (being sinful) wants something else instead?

Lord I pray that your children who fall in love and are passionate about each other are wise enough to marry and live a life of purity.  I also pray that those who do marry with this passion keep this passion and let their flesh not take control of their life.  Live by the spirit.  Let your spirit be willing and strong and your flesh weak!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Day 40: Sin of the Body

1 Corinthians 6:18-21 "Flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."

Lord help me to forgive myself of the sins in my past, and not to forget them but to use them for the Glory of God.  To show that I was lost and now am found.  I need to share my testimony with others so I can be an example for them.  If they haven't started sinning sexually, DON'T START.  And if they have and are--STOP NOW.  God love's us and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  That "price" He was talking about in this scripture was the death of Jesus on the cross, shamed and ridiculed, so that we may have a relationship with God above.  Truly, if you want to love God, honor him with the body that His Spirit lives in!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Day 39: New Yeast

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 "...a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.  Get rid of the old yeast that you me be a new batch without yeast--as you really are."

Yeast = Sin
If you have even a little sin in your life, it works through your WHOLE life.  Get rid of your old sin and turn t your new life in Christ Jesus--as He intended your life to be.

I have a hard time at forgiving myself of past mistakes.  I will be fine for a while, but as soon as I am feeling down they always seem to seep through the cracks.  I need to forgive myself and spend my energy instead on doing Good for God!


Day 38: No not Judge

1 Corinthians 4:5 "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait til the Lord comes.  He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of mens hearts."

Focus on your own heart.  Model it like Jesus' heart. Work on your own battles and challenges instead of focusing on other people's.

Being a Christian is hard.  It's definitely not the easiest path, but it is the most rewarding.  Ever since coming to Christ and giving my heart to Him, I've been forced to take my own inventory and magnify my own heart.  What I have found?  I am a lot like Paul: I want to do good and I know what is right, but I keep doing wrong.  Lately I have been very impatient, judgmental, fearful, and unloving.  Especially around my own family. 

Lord please help me to have more patience in times when I don't have control (...always ;o), help me to take my own inventory instead of judging the one's I love, help me to trust in You and not fear but rather paint others in the best light, and last but not least, help me to have a heart like Jesus: to be loving and self-sacrificing.  Thank you Lord, I have faith that You will help me change.  Amen.

Day 37: Firm Steps

Psalm 37: 23-24 "If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm.  Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand."

Where God guides, He provides.  Listen to the Holy Spirit.  Do God's will and walk in the light.  His hand will be right there, ready to hold.  If the road you're on is part of God's plan for your life, you will know it because your decisions will feel right and things will "come together".  This is not to say God won't still challenge you, but He will be right there to help you through it all.

God help me to walk in the light and to do Your will.  Help me to delight in the path You take me on and make my steps firm.

Day 36: Choose Life

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 "...Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him.  For the Lord is your Life..."

Lord help me to be a good parent as your are a good Father to your Son.  To tell my children the truth, love them and forgive them, but mostly to set a good example for them by loving you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  I will do this so they may do the same.  So we can all live for your Glory.  Father God we love you!

Lord Jesus, You are my Life!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Day 35: Spirit Taught

1 Corinthians 2:13 "This is what we speak, not in words taught to us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."

Human wisdom and spiritual wisdom are not the same thing.  Human wisdom or human nature is not perfect.  Instead it is lustful, greedy, prideful, deceitful, unforgiving, and independent.  Spiritual wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit of God and therefore it is perfect.  It is righteous, holy, humble, loving, faithful, loyal, patient, and kind.

Lord help me to not only seek spiritual wisdom, but to block out human wisdom.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Day 34: Own Actions

Galatians 6:4 "Each one should test his own actions.  Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load."

Be grateful to God for making you who you are.  He planned you perfectly, He loves you, and He has a perfect plan for your life.  Do not be self-righteous or envy other people--for God loves and has a plan for them too.  The only person you have control of is yourself.  Ask God to show you the way, listen for His direction and walk in the Light.

Lord help me to love myself like You love me.  To be ever grateful for the person You've made me and for Your plan for my life.  In whatever I do, help me to do it for Your Glory.  Amen

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Day 33: Life by Spirit

Galatians 5:16 "So I say, live in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."

Listen to the Holy Spirit.  And when it tells you to do/to not do something rely on the strength of God to help you through--take His hand, use His words, walk in His light.  By listening to the Spirit you will receive many blessings.  The more you listen, the easier it will be to hear.  The more you trust the Lord, the easier it will be to do His will.  The more obedient you are, the more tasks you will be given.  The more tasks you accomplish for the Glory of god, the more fruits of the Spirit you will see!

Day 32: My Guilt

Psalm 38:4 "My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear."

Guilt is certainly overwhelming.  Even to the point of being too heavy to bear sometimes.  The good part is, God will never give us more than we can handle.  The other good part is, we are not meant to do it all on our own:  God is always with you, call out to Him and hold His hand, and there are people in this world who can help, don't bottle emotions up.

Lord help me to not get to the point of having overwhelming guilt..."lead me not into temptation and deliver me from evil."


Day 31: Do not yield

Deuteronomy 13:6-8 "If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, say 'let us go and worship other gods,...' do not yield to him or listen to him.  Show him no pity.  Do not spare him or shield him. 

2013
Christians are like sheep among wolves.  We do not live in a majority world.  For the rest of our lives here on earth, people will question and test our faith.  Even our closest friends and family members.  Stay grounded in your faith and what you believe in and know is true.  Don't waste precious time trying to understand false gods.  If someone knows the truth about the one and only God, then show them no pity.  And most of all, do not spare someone or shield them of your beliefs and the truth because it's not what they believe.  

Day 30: God of gods

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.  He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving them food and clothing."

God truly is the God of gods, Lord of lords, King of kings.  He is awesome beyond words and we need to be grateful everyday for how lucky we are to be His.

Lord thank you for being the one constant, consistent, everlasting characteristic of our lives.  We owe you EVERYTHING!

Day 29: Jesus the Bread of Life

Deuteronomy 8:3 "..man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

We need God's word just like we need food.  God's word is food for the soul and bread is food for the body.  To function one needs to be fed spiritually and physically.

I'm really good about feeding myself physically (my stomach runs my life), but I need to be more in tune and obedient to my spiritual hunger.

Lord help my spiritual hunger run my life as much (if not more) than my physical hunger does!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Day 28: God's Commandments

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Having the Lord in your life should be as consistent as breathing.  He should be the foundation of all our thoughts, the things we say and do.

Lord help me to realize you are as important to me as breathing. You are my life!

2013
Again, like many others, this scripture holds more meaning to me now that I am a mother.  We are given our children as a GIFT from the Lord--but only for a short time.  So it is our duty to raise them up in the Lord and teach them God's commandments.  Most importantly, teach them about His love by loving them!  Whiting God's commandments on one's doorframes reminds me of the new Bible series on the History channel when the Israelites mark their doorframes with lamb's blood to show their faith.  As Americans, we are allowed to outwardly show our faith with crosses, bumper stickers, Bibles, etc...so do so!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Day 27: Your Love

Psalm 36: 5-6 "Your Love, O Lord reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep."

Nothing can compare to the Love of the Lord--not money, time, beauty, lust, or luck.  Love, Faithfulness, Righteousness are all gifts from God.  Never take them for granted and always remember these gifts were made possible through the death of God's one and only Son Jesus--BE GRATEFUL.

Lord Jesus help me to be grateful and optimistic everyday.  You have given me more than I ever deserve--Your unfailing Love, Mercy, and Grace.  Thank You! Amen

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Day 26: Love the Lord

Mark12: 30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

It's the least we can do for all He did, is doing, and will do for us.  Be grateful everyday.  By trying to be just like Jesus--enduring temptation, loving people, and teaching people the Gospel--is the way one can show their love for God the most.

My utmost for His Highest.  I want to be more like Jesus.  To live my life for God--for His purpose--and to be an example for God's children.

Lord always be on my mind and when I'm doing something ungodly, give me the strength to change my heart.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Day 25: Forgive Him

Mark 11:24-25 "...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours...if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Our Father can't forgive us unless we have forgiven ourselves and others first.  Life is too short to be angry at imperfect people like ourselves.

I need to swallow my pride more, admit I was wrong, and forgive others and myself more quickly--only God is perfect and won't disappoint us.

Lord help me to be strong--to be more like Jesus and less like me.  To not be so sensitive and defensive.  To let go of any resentments and live a peaceful forgiving life.

2013
My husband and I just saw Chris August in concert.  I love his song 7 x 70.  This is how many times (not literally) we are to forgive our brothers and sisters--EVERY TIME.  Ask God to help you have a heart like Jesus so you can be patient and forgiving and He will.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Day 24: Follow Me

Mark 10: 21 "Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me."

Mark 10: 29 "No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the Gospel will fail to receive a 100 x as much in his present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."

Don't get caught up in the priorities of society.  Instead get caught up in the priorities of the Lord--helping His children, doing His will.

Lord help me to be brave and take a leap of faith to do what you tell me to do--love people. 

Day 23: Everything possible

Mark 9:23 "Everything is possible for him who believes...I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

If you truly believe God can make things possible, if they are part of His will, they will happen.  Just pray and believe; have no doubt but also have no expectations.  God does things according to His will and His time--He will take care of us.  He knows what's best for us.

Lord God hear my prayers.  I trust in you and your will for my life.  Help me to be patient and to listen and do what you tell me, when you tell me to do it ;o)

Day 22: Lose it

Mark 8:35 "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the Gospel will save it."

Being born again = Giving God control of your life.  He has control no matter what but if you do His will rather than your own, life will be much easier and make more sense.  This entails praying and listening.  God speaks to me through the Holy Spirit, through people, His word, etc., etc.  If He has something to say to you, and you're listening, trust me, you will hear Him.