Just some scriptures that the Lord has given me to remind me of just who provides for me. He is in control of my everything, and I am sure if I were to look back on my life and some of the testimonies I've given over the past month or so I would be reminded of how I know that. All things still work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose-that's me!
Ezekiel 36:9, 11, 29 & 30:
For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: . . .And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. . . I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
Matthew 7:7, 8 & 11
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. . . If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Now, why was I so worried about paying my bills, getting doctor's appointments and such taken care of, having our vehicles maintained, buying new clothes, providing a nice Christmas/first birthday for my daughter, etc? The word just said that I have no reason to worry or be afraid that I won't be taken care of-God is going to increase, not decrease me and my family and I believe that goes for the spiritual as well as the natural. He has promised me that no famine will be laid upon me and I won't have the shame of a famine among those who aren't believers. All I have to do is ask, seek and knock and I will receive, find and have doors opened for me. I know how to do good for my girl, so how much more good will the Lord do for me, His girl? It's not because I'm so great that all these things are done on my behalf-it's because God is so great. It's because He promised it to me. It's because I am one of His chosen ones. It's because He loves me. Rejoice with me-the promises of God are intended for you, too!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Together
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
It's funny how you can read a scripture over and over again and some words never seem to strike you as important. My husband and I have been going through some trials (who hasn't, isn't or won't?) and this is a scripture I've been reciting to myself lately. It wasn't until I read it today though that I caught that word together. It's like it jumped out of the page. How exciting is it that every moment in our lives, every trial and every success works together for our good. This means that everything in your life-every regret, every joy, every victory and every failure is working for your good. It's one thing for them to all work for your good, but when it's revealed that they all work together for your good it's a whole new ballgame. Seemingly insignificant things like a stranger smiling or being cut off in traffic work right along side with those hugely significant moments like the birth of a child or loss of a job for the good of the Christian. This is good news. This means that those things that you thought were nothing but mistakes have a purpose. Those things that you feel regret over will work to your benefit. The Lord showed it to me like this: medicine may taste bitter or sting, but it works together with your body to heal or recuperate when injured or ill. Testings and failures may be bitter and full of sorrow, but they work together with joys and successes for the health of your spirit. I pray that this encourages you the way it encouraged me. There is no moment too insignificant or small. Every day is an appointment, there are no accidents in the kingdom of God. Each moment is used to work together with other moments for your good, and for the glorifying of Christ.
Romans 8:28
It's funny how you can read a scripture over and over again and some words never seem to strike you as important. My husband and I have been going through some trials (who hasn't, isn't or won't?) and this is a scripture I've been reciting to myself lately. It wasn't until I read it today though that I caught that word together. It's like it jumped out of the page. How exciting is it that every moment in our lives, every trial and every success works together for our good. This means that everything in your life-every regret, every joy, every victory and every failure is working for your good. It's one thing for them to all work for your good, but when it's revealed that they all work together for your good it's a whole new ballgame. Seemingly insignificant things like a stranger smiling or being cut off in traffic work right along side with those hugely significant moments like the birth of a child or loss of a job for the good of the Christian. This is good news. This means that those things that you thought were nothing but mistakes have a purpose. Those things that you feel regret over will work to your benefit. The Lord showed it to me like this: medicine may taste bitter or sting, but it works together with your body to heal or recuperate when injured or ill. Testings and failures may be bitter and full of sorrow, but they work together with joys and successes for the health of your spirit. I pray that this encourages you the way it encouraged me. There is no moment too insignificant or small. Every day is an appointment, there are no accidents in the kingdom of God. Each moment is used to work together with other moments for your good, and for the glorifying of Christ.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Don't Put a Lid on Your Cup!
I feel like God has really been teaching me and showing me about cups and how we are like cups. We sing songs in church about our cups overflowing and asking the Lord to fill our cup-but are we prepared to overflow or even be filled? I have a really nice cup that's insulated and it has a great lid-perfect for coffee or tea. I don't really drink either so this cup just sits on my shelf.. One of the reasons it sits on my shelf and doesn't get used like it might is that the lid is difficult. It's difficult to put on, difficult to remove and most importantly, difficult to drink from. I believe that we are blessed to be a blessing and when we are filled it is to pour into the life of someone else. If we keep putting lids on our cups-refusing to listen to the Lord, refusing to allow Him to change us, refusing to be used by Him we make it difficult if not impossible to be filled with His presence.
One reason I think we put lids on our cups is fear-fear of having to change, fear of what we might lose, fear in general. But my Bible tells me that those who are in God's love don't have fear, it tells me that God hasn't given us the spirit of fear. Don't be afraid to take the lid off your cup-and let someone else take a "sip" of what God has given you!
One reason I think we put lids on our cups is fear-fear of having to change, fear of what we might lose, fear in general. But my Bible tells me that those who are in God's love don't have fear, it tells me that God hasn't given us the spirit of fear. Don't be afraid to take the lid off your cup-and let someone else take a "sip" of what God has given you!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Have you flipped your switch?
Have you flipped your switch? Ever noticed that people are either on or off? There are those that are in that in between place of being somewhat sane and completely lunatic.. but mostly people are either on or off. What I am really getting at is.. have you made a decision? (keep in mind that you is general.. not finger pointing, unless you want to be pointed at! just kidding)
When it comes to our spiritual lives you are either on or off. There is no in between. We may attempt to be in between serving God and serving ourselves; but ultimately there is a choice to be made. I started thinking about this while trying to help someone else. But they just didn't get what was actually messed up about their situation. That person's switch doesn't seem to be off or on, but stuck somewhere in between. They can't seem to get a breakthrough or help because they know all the answers, yet don't apply them to their lives. That's thing about getting stuck in the middle. When you see a light switch that's been locked in the middle, it isn't still partially on, it's completely off. If a person knows all the right things to say and do, but doesn't apply it to themselves, they are stuck in the middle with their light turned off. The Word of God says it's better to be hot or cold rather than lukewarm; it's also better to be on or off rather than stuck in between the two.
So, back to my first question. Have you flipped your switch; or are you on for the Lord or off? There's no in between-if you're stuck in the middle you've still made a decision.
Be encouraged today-flip your switch and allow God to turn the lights on in your life!
When it comes to our spiritual lives you are either on or off. There is no in between. We may attempt to be in between serving God and serving ourselves; but ultimately there is a choice to be made. I started thinking about this while trying to help someone else. But they just didn't get what was actually messed up about their situation. That person's switch doesn't seem to be off or on, but stuck somewhere in between. They can't seem to get a breakthrough or help because they know all the answers, yet don't apply them to their lives. That's thing about getting stuck in the middle. When you see a light switch that's been locked in the middle, it isn't still partially on, it's completely off. If a person knows all the right things to say and do, but doesn't apply it to themselves, they are stuck in the middle with their light turned off. The Word of God says it's better to be hot or cold rather than lukewarm; it's also better to be on or off rather than stuck in between the two.
So, back to my first question. Have you flipped your switch; or are you on for the Lord or off? There's no in between-if you're stuck in the middle you've still made a decision.
Be encouraged today-flip your switch and allow God to turn the lights on in your life!
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