Philippians 2:8 "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!"
(4/20/12)
I don't think I will ever fully comprehend this sacrifice for me (for everyone). That a God so big (big enough to create the "Big Dog" star--whose diameter is comparable to the height of Mt Everest if Earth was a golf ball) Loves us so much that a Great Exchange of sin was made by His Son on a cross that God made. Jesus died for our sin...so that we will be forever forgiven and live in a right relationship with the Lord--Wow!
My husband and I just finished watching Louie Giglio's passion series. One word--incredible! Not to mention that at the center of that "Big Dog" star is a black hole which the Hubble space telescope took a picture of--there in the center was a cross (so big!). Also our intricate one of a kind human bodies are "held together"/connected by a protein molecule called Laminin--also in the shape of a cross (so small!). Jesus is all around us. How can we not believe??? Thank heavens one day "every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord" Phil 2:10-11.
Thank you Father for creating and loving something so small yet so intricate. You know us each by name--the number of hairs on our heads. May we live out our days on this tiny Earth praising and loving You. It's the least we can do for ALL that You have done, are doing, and will do for us! Amen.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Day 120: Marital Love
Songs of Solomon 8:7 "Many waters cannot quench Love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for Love, it would be utterly scorned."
God is love and if you believe and have faith in God, the love for your spouse can never be quenched--you always need more love. Also if you believe and have faith in God, nothing can wash/take away the love for your spouse. The love you have for your spouse can never be bought--it has unsurpassed worth. God is Love and God gives Love. Protect, nurture, and cherish the love you have for your spouse, it is a Gift from God. Lord thank You for the love I have for my spouse. Help it only to grow everyday and to cherish it as a Gift from You. Amen.
God is love and if you believe and have faith in God, the love for your spouse can never be quenched--you always need more love. Also if you believe and have faith in God, nothing can wash/take away the love for your spouse. The love you have for your spouse can never be bought--it has unsurpassed worth. God is Love and God gives Love. Protect, nurture, and cherish the love you have for your spouse, it is a Gift from God. Lord thank You for the love I have for my spouse. Help it only to grow everyday and to cherish it as a Gift from You. Amen.
Day 119: Bring them up in the Lord
Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Fathers (parents) must surrender any right they may feel they have to act unreasonably toward their children. Remember they are and will always be a blessing from God. Cherish them and seek God's guidance and council to help raise them in His ways. Parents that "exasperate" their children, push them into rebellion; however, children that are loved and respected will listen to their parents even if it doesn't seem like they do. Lord help my husband and I be the best parents that we can be. To follow Your Fatherly example and to ask for Your help in raising the children You have blessed us with! Amen.
Fathers (parents) must surrender any right they may feel they have to act unreasonably toward their children. Remember they are and will always be a blessing from God. Cherish them and seek God's guidance and council to help raise them in His ways. Parents that "exasperate" their children, push them into rebellion; however, children that are loved and respected will listen to their parents even if it doesn't seem like they do. Lord help my husband and I be the best parents that we can be. To follow Your Fatherly example and to ask for Your help in raising the children You have blessed us with! Amen.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Day 118: No idleness
Ecclesiastes 11:6 "Sow your seeds in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."
Give you 100%. Don't put all your eggs in one basket and say okay the joy only requires 80% so I'm only going to give 80%. Instead use the extra 20% elsewhere! When time and opportunities are gone, they're gone. You don't get them back. So when you have extra time, use it!
Lord help me to use my "extra time" for your glory. Help me to stay motivated and not be idle. Thank You! Amen.
Give you 100%. Don't put all your eggs in one basket and say okay the joy only requires 80% so I'm only going to give 80%. Instead use the extra 20% elsewhere! When time and opportunities are gone, they're gone. You don't get them back. So when you have extra time, use it!
Lord help me to use my "extra time" for your glory. Help me to stay motivated and not be idle. Thank You! Amen.
Day 117: Enjoy Life
Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun...Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might for the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."
Your life on earth (under the sun) may seem meaningless, and compared to eternity with God, it is. But appreciate all the gifts God has given us now: our spouses, children (relationships), opportunities for working, planning, knowledge, and wisdom. Live live to its fullest for the Glory of God, because on judgement day, that is it, you will be judged by what you did on this earth. So enjoy you life now! Do it for God, after all He gave it to you! Thank You Father for all the gifts You've given us "under the sun". Amen.
Your life on earth (under the sun) may seem meaningless, and compared to eternity with God, it is. But appreciate all the gifts God has given us now: our spouses, children (relationships), opportunities for working, planning, knowledge, and wisdom. Live live to its fullest for the Glory of God, because on judgement day, that is it, you will be judged by what you did on this earth. So enjoy you life now! Do it for God, after all He gave it to you! Thank You Father for all the gifts You've given us "under the sun". Amen.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Day 116: Three Fold Cord
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 "For although two are better than one, a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
In every relationship, if you place God at the center, it will not be easily/quickly broken. God did not create man to live alone--so He made man a wife. And God also did not create man to live independently from Himself. Therefore man has God and his wife...the threefold cord.
Perhaps the third (most important) link--God--is why so many worldly relationships "expire", fall apart, and ultimately end. Those who pray together, stay together. God help me to build my relationships with my family and friends around You! Thank You for Your strength and durability. Amen.
In every relationship, if you place God at the center, it will not be easily/quickly broken. God did not create man to live alone--so He made man a wife. And God also did not create man to live independently from Himself. Therefore man has God and his wife...the threefold cord.
Perhaps the third (most important) link--God--is why so many worldly relationships "expire", fall apart, and ultimately end. Those who pray together, stay together. God help me to build my relationships with my family and friends around You! Thank You for Your strength and durability. Amen.
Day 115: Please God
Ecclesiastes 2:26 "To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God."
If you please God, by living a life that Glorifies Him--living as an example of Christ, not only are you rewarded with wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but wealth, gathered by sinners, is also given to you. Don't focus on the things that will be rewarded to you. Think about what already has been rewarded to you (your salvation, your faith in Jesus, the hope of eternity with God, peace, joy, the truth, etc. etc.). Think about pleasing God and He will worry about your heavenly rewards.
Father, help me to always keep my focus on You. To follow You, love You, please You. Help me to "walk in the light" so I may please You. Amen.
If you please God, by living a life that Glorifies Him--living as an example of Christ, not only are you rewarded with wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but wealth, gathered by sinners, is also given to you. Don't focus on the things that will be rewarded to you. Think about what already has been rewarded to you (your salvation, your faith in Jesus, the hope of eternity with God, peace, joy, the truth, etc. etc.). Think about pleasing God and He will worry about your heavenly rewards.
Father, help me to always keep my focus on You. To follow You, love You, please You. Help me to "walk in the light" so I may please You. Amen.
Day 114: Daily Bread
Proverbs 30:8 "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread."
To waste one's time is to be involved in falsehood and lies. Instead, spend your time doing good. Don't strive for riches, instead be good stewards of all that is given to you, and let the Father give you what you need--your daily bread. God may not always give you what you want, but He will always give you what you need!
Father thank you for always taking care of me and my family. May I always live a life in obedience to you so I can show you how grateful I am for you care, protection, and guidance. Help keep me from temptation--from falsehood and lies. Help me be strong and to do good always. In Jesus name, Amen.
To waste one's time is to be involved in falsehood and lies. Instead, spend your time doing good. Don't strive for riches, instead be good stewards of all that is given to you, and let the Father give you what you need--your daily bread. God may not always give you what you want, but He will always give you what you need!
Father thank you for always taking care of me and my family. May I always live a life in obedience to you so I can show you how grateful I am for you care, protection, and guidance. Help keep me from temptation--from falsehood and lies. Help me be strong and to do good always. In Jesus name, Amen.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Day 113: Eager for wealth
Proverbs 28:30 "A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished."
Be faithful in all things business. Don't cheat other people, the government, yourself, and most importantly God.
In being landlords, my family and I need to be honest and fair to our tenants, the government, ourselves, and especially God. Rent houses that are safe and livable, charge fair rent, "write off" only what is actually tax deductible, make a profit that meets our needs not exceeds them, do what is righteous for God.
Thank you Father for the opportunity for such a business. Help my family use it to greater Your kingdom and Bless us with a successful business. Thank You! Amen.
Be faithful in all things business. Don't cheat other people, the government, yourself, and most importantly God.
In being landlords, my family and I need to be honest and fair to our tenants, the government, ourselves, and especially God. Rent houses that are safe and livable, charge fair rent, "write off" only what is actually tax deductible, make a profit that meets our needs not exceeds them, do what is righteous for God.
Thank you Father for the opportunity for such a business. Help my family use it to greater Your kingdom and Bless us with a successful business. Thank You! Amen.
Day 112: Gossip
Proverbs 26:22 "The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts."
When you speak the truth, you are at peace. But when you tell lies and spread rumors--waste your time and energy gossiping, it eats you up. Bad things you say stay with you almost like you remember the flavor of something rich and sweet.
Not to mention judgement. If the way you are feeling about someone or something is in a healing/helping/loving way, than ask God if you are supposed to help the situation. If the way you are feeling about something or someone is in a bitter/envious/hateful way, than you probably would be best "venting" or gossiping to God instead of spreading rumors.
When you speak the truth, you are at peace. But when you tell lies and spread rumors--waste your time and energy gossiping, it eats you up. Bad things you say stay with you almost like you remember the flavor of something rich and sweet.
Not to mention judgement. If the way you are feeling about someone or something is in a healing/helping/loving way, than ask God if you are supposed to help the situation. If the way you are feeling about something or someone is in a bitter/envious/hateful way, than you probably would be best "venting" or gossiping to God instead of spreading rumors.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Day 111: The Living and the Dead
Romans 14: 8-9 "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might me the Lord of both the dead and the living."
Live only for the Lord, so when you die, you will also belong to the Lord. Don't be afraid to live for Jesus. There are worse things for a Christian than death. Be with God here on earth so you may live with Him for all eternity in Heaven and on the new earth He will create. Never let ANYTHING come between you and God--nothing is worth your eternal relationship with the Lord. Thank you Father for being the Lord of our Lives. I love belonging to You! Amen
Live only for the Lord, so when you die, you will also belong to the Lord. Don't be afraid to live for Jesus. There are worse things for a Christian than death. Be with God here on earth so you may live with Him for all eternity in Heaven and on the new earth He will create. Never let ANYTHING come between you and God--nothing is worth your eternal relationship with the Lord. Thank you Father for being the Lord of our Lives. I love belonging to You! Amen
Day 110: Boy who cried wolf
Proverbs 21:13 "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered."
Romans 13:12 "...let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."
Do not shut out the Holy Spirit. When you see a need, fulfill it. The Holy Spirit will tell you the best choices to make if you listen. If you listen and are obedient when you don't necessarily ask for advice--surely advice will be there when you don't necessarily ask for it. Don't let fear and pride take over--these are the deeds of darkness. Instead be more like Jesus and wear the armor of light.
Romans 13:12 "...let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."
Do not shut out the Holy Spirit. When you see a need, fulfill it. The Holy Spirit will tell you the best choices to make if you listen. If you listen and are obedient when you don't necessarily ask for advice--surely advice will be there when you don't necessarily ask for it. Don't let fear and pride take over--these are the deeds of darkness. Instead be more like Jesus and wear the armor of light.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Day 109: Our Course and Our Steps
Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
At first this scripture seemed odd to me: as if instead God plans our course and we determine our steps, but really when you think about it, God knows all the small details of our lives and sometimes we only can see the big picture. Thank you God for all Your perfect steps in our lives. Your plan is so wonderful! May we only live a life that Glorifies your Holy name. Amen.
At first this scripture seemed odd to me: as if instead God plans our course and we determine our steps, but really when you think about it, God knows all the small details of our lives and sometimes we only can see the big picture. Thank you God for all Your perfect steps in our lives. Your plan is so wonderful! May we only live a life that Glorifies your Holy name. Amen.
Day 108: Wise Woman
Proverbs 14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."
She is a source of strength and an example of diligence for her family. See Proverbs 31:10-31. A woman's role is to be a support network for her family and to honor her husband. Her husband and her children need her. If this support network goes away, a woman can tear her house down. Women don't always outwardly/obviously get recognition for the work that they do, but God knows, He sees and behind every good man is a good wife.
She is a source of strength and an example of diligence for her family. See Proverbs 31:10-31. A woman's role is to be a support network for her family and to honor her husband. Her husband and her children need her. If this support network goes away, a woman can tear her house down. Women don't always outwardly/obviously get recognition for the work that they do, but God knows, He sees and behind every good man is a good wife.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Day 107: Advice
Proverbs 12:15-16 "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult."
Ask God about everything you do. Then LISTEN to what He says. Do not do your will do God's will on God's timing. If you're not sure what to do--WAIT! God will make clear your purpose and your path if you ask Him to. Also, do not be annoyed by the ways of men. Look at them through God's eyes and remember, God is there on judgement day, not men. The Holy Spirit will tell you what is right if you let it. This is all easier said than done on your own--so ask for God's help! Thank you Father for Your perfect advice, Amen
Ask God about everything you do. Then LISTEN to what He says. Do not do your will do God's will on God's timing. If you're not sure what to do--WAIT! God will make clear your purpose and your path if you ask Him to. Also, do not be annoyed by the ways of men. Look at them through God's eyes and remember, God is there on judgement day, not men. The Holy Spirit will tell you what is right if you let it. This is all easier said than done on your own--so ask for God's help! Thank you Father for Your perfect advice, Amen
Day 106: Instruct and Teach
Proverbs 9:9 "Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still, teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning."
One can never have enough wisdom (godly wisdom that is) and be perfectly righteous. After all only God is all knowing and perfect. If we were all knowing and perfect we wouldn't need Him--this is why He created us with weakness. Learn from other believers, from the Word, from the Holy Spirit. Do not be prideful--you are not ALL knowing. Seek to be more and more righteous and holy. Follow the example of Jesus Christ. He loved everyone, followed God's will, humbled Himself, and didn't worry. Thank you for godly wisdom Father. Challenge us and teach us more everyday! Amen
One can never have enough wisdom (godly wisdom that is) and be perfectly righteous. After all only God is all knowing and perfect. If we were all knowing and perfect we wouldn't need Him--this is why He created us with weakness. Learn from other believers, from the Word, from the Holy Spirit. Do not be prideful--you are not ALL knowing. Seek to be more and more righteous and holy. Follow the example of Jesus Christ. He loved everyone, followed God's will, humbled Himself, and didn't worry. Thank you for godly wisdom Father. Challenge us and teach us more everyday! Amen
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Day 105: Love of God
Romans 8:38 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, no any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Nothing God created (and He created All things) will be able to separate us from Him. He may challenge and test our Hearts, but He will never tempt us (only the Devil does that), and His love and direction is always there for us. Why would God create anything that could separate us from His love when that's all He wants to do--Love us and for us to Love Him. If you ever feel far from God's love, cry out to Him and He will always be there--we are His children! Thank you Father for you everpresent LOVE! Amen
Nothing God created (and He created All things) will be able to separate us from Him. He may challenge and test our Hearts, but He will never tempt us (only the Devil does that), and His love and direction is always there for us. Why would God create anything that could separate us from His love when that's all He wants to do--Love us and for us to Love Him. If you ever feel far from God's love, cry out to Him and He will always be there--we are His children! Thank you Father for you everpresent LOVE! Amen
Day 104: Discipline
Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in."
Go breaks you so you come back to Him. He does this because He loves you. He wants you to realize you need Him. He wants you to share your heart with Him and to be in relationship with Him. Do not become selfrighteous, follow your own will and think you are independent of Him. If you seek first the Kingdom of God, He will not discipline and rebuke you. For you are doing His will for you.
God I thank You that You do not let me stray too far before you break me. I need You and I love You! Amen.
Go breaks you so you come back to Him. He does this because He loves you. He wants you to realize you need Him. He wants you to share your heart with Him and to be in relationship with Him. Do not become selfrighteous, follow your own will and think you are independent of Him. If you seek first the Kingdom of God, He will not discipline and rebuke you. For you are doing His will for you.
God I thank You that You do not let me stray too far before you break me. I need You and I love You! Amen.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Day 103: By Body Parts
Romans 6:13 "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, ad offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness."
Use your Body for God and God alone. If He blessed you with a body to travel and do missionary work, do so! If He blessed you with a body to bore children (and the patience to go with it), be a parent! If He blessed you with a heart of compassion, help others! If He blessed you with the tongue to speak, share the Gospel! Ears to listen, be a refuge for others! Arms to hold, hug others! Knees to pray, bow down and worship the Lord! Eyes to see, look as the world through God's eyes! Thank you for our wonderfully made bodies Father, Amen.
Use your Body for God and God alone. If He blessed you with a body to travel and do missionary work, do so! If He blessed you with a body to bore children (and the patience to go with it), be a parent! If He blessed you with a heart of compassion, help others! If He blessed you with the tongue to speak, share the Gospel! Ears to listen, be a refuge for others! Arms to hold, hug others! Knees to pray, bow down and worship the Lord! Eyes to see, look as the world through God's eyes! Thank you for our wonderfully made bodies Father, Amen.
Day 102: Hope for us
Romans 5:3-5 "...we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whop He has given us."
With suffering comes perseverence
With perseverance comes character
With character hope
God breaks us to test our hearts so we never give up on Him
When we never give up on Him and learn from our brokenness we are made into who God wants us to be
When we are the people God wants us to be we will live forever with Him for all eternity
With suffering comes perseverence
With perseverance comes character
With character hope
God breaks us to test our hearts so we never give up on Him
When we never give up on Him and learn from our brokenness we are made into who God wants us to be
When we are the people God wants us to be we will live forever with Him for all eternity
Monday, June 3, 2013
Day 101: Forgive Sin and Heal Land
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Although this scripture is from the OT, God still wants us to do this today! In fact not only does He want to forgive our sin and heal our land, but He has provided His one and only Son to die for our sins and live as a perfect example of how we are to live our lives. All we have to do is confess that God's Son, Jesus Christ, is our Lord and Savior. Ask Him into our heart and our lives and thank Him for the eternal sacrifice that He made because He loves us that much! Follow Him and worship Him and Him alone. Share this Good News with others so that they too may have the peace that He gives. Thank you heavenly Father, Amen.
Although this scripture is from the OT, God still wants us to do this today! In fact not only does He want to forgive our sin and heal our land, but He has provided His one and only Son to die for our sins and live as a perfect example of how we are to live our lives. All we have to do is confess that God's Son, Jesus Christ, is our Lord and Savior. Ask Him into our heart and our lives and thank Him for the eternal sacrifice that He made because He loves us that much! Follow Him and worship Him and Him alone. Share this Good News with others so that they too may have the peace that He gives. Thank you heavenly Father, Amen.
Day 100! Wholeheartedly
1 Kings 8:23 "O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--You who keep Your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."
The same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our hope is in You Lord, for You will always love us. Thank You for Your mighty hand: for all You have planned and for Your power and promise of fulfilling Your perfect plans. We love you so much and want to wholeheartedly follow You and only You! Thank you Father, Amen.
The same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our hope is in You Lord, for You will always love us. Thank You for Your mighty hand: for all You have planned and for Your power and promise of fulfilling Your perfect plans. We love you so much and want to wholeheartedly follow You and only You! Thank you Father, Amen.
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