1 Timothy 3: 16 - "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living."
I read a devotional Titled Checking the Fence. It reminded me of the time we lived at Smithville, Oklahoma, during the sixties. Smithville is in McCurtain County. Ed, my husband was a forester and was gone a lot fighting fires. A range war was going on between the ranchers and farmers over open range. Not sure which side, but the feud brought out the worst in people and they set fire after fire. Some times Ed, his crew and the State Foresters were gone hours, days, and weeks trying to get the fires under control. The only touch I had with the outside world was the short wave radios that let me know where they were and if they were safe.
Like cattle we have the tendency to roam seeking greener pastures. Cattle, like children, need boundaries.
God's word is like a fence. The Bible tells us how to set boundaries in our life to keep us from the dangers of sinful actions and bad decisions. Like ranchers we need to check our fence daily. God's word offers answers for daily living, but like ranchers we need to check our fences. Like cattle there are days we don't want to hear from God's word because we are leaning on the wire, trying to go our own way. Daily Bible reading keeps our spiritual fence repaired and we can remain in God's safe pasture. Daily bible reading helps keep us where God wants us.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Spirit
Acts 2: 1-12 - ". . . . .the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them...." MSG
What is Spirituality? It is the experience of God's presence. Attitudes or activities that open a person to experience God presence are spiritual practices.
The most common practice are: prayer, meditation, reading the Bible and attending church.
I feel God's presence when I am sitting by our swimming pool watching the leaves move gently as the wind blows around me; or watching a sunset as the sky turns from blue to red, orange and purple. Sometimes as I do handicrafts or paint landscapes I feel God's presence. anything that allows me to be still or focus my attention on the Holy One is a spiritual practice. Even everyday activities of housecleaning, work, etc., can be a spiritual practice.
My problem is letting business take my focus off of God and I don't think about Him being by my side. The gift of the Holy Spirit keeps us close to God even when we forget and loose our focus.
When the Holy Spirit made its entrance at Pentecost, it was loud, and extravagant. Today the Holy Spirit may crash into our lives or visit in a more muted way. Irregardless it shows us with wind and power just how close God keeps us. God does not neglect us even when we loose our focus. God's gift of the Spirit is giving and forgiving. This is great news as I often loose my focus, even though I am dedicated in seeking the spirit.
I am so grateful that God always keeps his promises and that nothing can separate me from God's love.
What is Spirituality? It is the experience of God's presence. Attitudes or activities that open a person to experience God presence are spiritual practices.
The most common practice are: prayer, meditation, reading the Bible and attending church.
I feel God's presence when I am sitting by our swimming pool watching the leaves move gently as the wind blows around me; or watching a sunset as the sky turns from blue to red, orange and purple. Sometimes as I do handicrafts or paint landscapes I feel God's presence. anything that allows me to be still or focus my attention on the Holy One is a spiritual practice. Even everyday activities of housecleaning, work, etc., can be a spiritual practice.
My problem is letting business take my focus off of God and I don't think about Him being by my side. The gift of the Holy Spirit keeps us close to God even when we forget and loose our focus.
When the Holy Spirit made its entrance at Pentecost, it was loud, and extravagant. Today the Holy Spirit may crash into our lives or visit in a more muted way. Irregardless it shows us with wind and power just how close God keeps us. God does not neglect us even when we loose our focus. God's gift of the Spirit is giving and forgiving. This is great news as I often loose my focus, even though I am dedicated in seeking the spirit.
I am so grateful that God always keeps his promises and that nothing can separate me from God's love.
Monday, September 13, 2010
RESTORED
1 Peter 2:5 - "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Have you walked or driven by houses that are empty and run down? Some of these houses were beautiful when they were occupied, but now they seem beyond repair and restoration. No one wants to restore them.
Some people appear that way. They came into the world created by God to be whole. Then circumstances: such as hurt, both emotional and physical cause them to shut down. They shut down their feelings to avoid more hurt. Their spirits are broken and destroyed. Can they be restored? Can their spirits ever be healed?
Jesus can heal wounded spirits and repair our damaged lives. To restore a house may be to costly, but the high price of restoration of our lives was paid in full by Jesus our LORD and Savior. Jesus the Master Carpenter whose work is always of highest quality can and will restore our spirits.
If you haven't watched the movie Joshua it speaks to this devotional. I recommend it for your viewing.
Have you walked or driven by houses that are empty and run down? Some of these houses were beautiful when they were occupied, but now they seem beyond repair and restoration. No one wants to restore them.
Some people appear that way. They came into the world created by God to be whole. Then circumstances: such as hurt, both emotional and physical cause them to shut down. They shut down their feelings to avoid more hurt. Their spirits are broken and destroyed. Can they be restored? Can their spirits ever be healed?
Jesus can heal wounded spirits and repair our damaged lives. To restore a house may be to costly, but the high price of restoration of our lives was paid in full by Jesus our LORD and Savior. Jesus the Master Carpenter whose work is always of highest quality can and will restore our spirits.
If you haven't watched the movie Joshua it speaks to this devotional. I recommend it for your viewing.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Seeds
2 Timothy 4:2 - "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction."
A devotional I read in the Upper Room talked about saving seeds. This brought back a memory of my parents who gardened each year. They harvested enough for all of us, and had plenty left over to share with friends and neighbors. We depended on the garden to provide our vegetables for our food supply as we were very poor and bought very little at the stores. They were careful to save the seeds for future gardens.
We are all called to save the seeds of our faith and plant the good news of God's love. It is our responsibility to plant seeds of faith in the world so others may be saved. As others throughout the generations have passed the gift of faith to us, it is now our turn to plant and nurture the seeds of faith through out the world.
A devotional I read in the Upper Room talked about saving seeds. This brought back a memory of my parents who gardened each year. They harvested enough for all of us, and had plenty left over to share with friends and neighbors. We depended on the garden to provide our vegetables for our food supply as we were very poor and bought very little at the stores. They were careful to save the seeds for future gardens.
We are all called to save the seeds of our faith and plant the good news of God's love. It is our responsibility to plant seeds of faith in the world so others may be saved. As others throughout the generations have passed the gift of faith to us, it is now our turn to plant and nurture the seeds of faith through out the world.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A New Day
Psalm 118:24 - "Today is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Each day is a gift from God; a new dawning. Greet it with a smile. Nothing on earth can smile but a human being.
Love, cheerfulness, joy - all three are like lights in the window by which the heart signifies it is at home and waiting. A face that cannot smile is like a bud that cannot bloom. It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
A new day is a new beginning of new life for you. The world is yours. You have the power within you to conquer every situation. Psalm 8:6 - "I have put all things under your feet." You are at the threshold of opportunity. Each morning you begin the day with new wisdom, strength and you are empowered to accomplish all the things you set out to do.
Rev. 3:8 - "Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut." This door represents your eternal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Now you are equipped to reach your potential to be what you desire to be. The door is open, let God direct your steps.
So, how will you spend this precious God - given Day?
Each day is a gift from God; a new dawning. Greet it with a smile. Nothing on earth can smile but a human being.
Love, cheerfulness, joy - all three are like lights in the window by which the heart signifies it is at home and waiting. A face that cannot smile is like a bud that cannot bloom. It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
A new day is a new beginning of new life for you. The world is yours. You have the power within you to conquer every situation. Psalm 8:6 - "I have put all things under your feet." You are at the threshold of opportunity. Each morning you begin the day with new wisdom, strength and you are empowered to accomplish all the things you set out to do.
Rev. 3:8 - "Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut." This door represents your eternal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Now you are equipped to reach your potential to be what you desire to be. The door is open, let God direct your steps.
So, how will you spend this precious God - given Day?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Fear of What's Next
John 14:27 - "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."
This blog is a summary of a chapter in Max Lucado's book: Fearless.
Life comes with surprises; Modification, Transitions, Alterations. Everything seems great, then one day the unexpected happens. We just don't know what tomorrow has in store for us. Fear of what tomorrow holds can rob us of our focus of today.
The disciples are resting, feasting the night of the passover celebration in the Upper Room and Jesus says, "I am going away" (John 14:28). Can you imagine the shock they must have felt hearing Jesus say those words. Think about it, Jesus popularity was soaring, the crowds put all their hope in him.
No one passes through life surprised free. Remember Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 - For everything there is a season. Max said he counted twenty-eight different seasons.
Earthly seasons we understand, but not life's seasons. When life gets crazy we need someone to stabilize us. Jesus promised the disciples an Advocate who would represent him - The Holy Spirit. Jesus told them I am going away and you will enter a new season. You will enjoy the presence of another Counselor.
Counselor means - helper, intercessor, advocate, strengthener, standby.
The Holy Spirit is designated to come alongside of us. He is the presence of Jesus.
Changes equip us for living life with purpose. So embrace change, accept it, don't resist it. As Paul wrote, "These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing" (2 Cor. 4:17).
Thanks Max! A very meaningful chapter. I encourage everyone to read Max's book - Fearless.
This blog is a summary of a chapter in Max Lucado's book: Fearless.
Life comes with surprises; Modification, Transitions, Alterations. Everything seems great, then one day the unexpected happens. We just don't know what tomorrow has in store for us. Fear of what tomorrow holds can rob us of our focus of today.
The disciples are resting, feasting the night of the passover celebration in the Upper Room and Jesus says, "I am going away" (John 14:28). Can you imagine the shock they must have felt hearing Jesus say those words. Think about it, Jesus popularity was soaring, the crowds put all their hope in him.
No one passes through life surprised free. Remember Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 - For everything there is a season. Max said he counted twenty-eight different seasons.
Earthly seasons we understand, but not life's seasons. When life gets crazy we need someone to stabilize us. Jesus promised the disciples an Advocate who would represent him - The Holy Spirit. Jesus told them I am going away and you will enter a new season. You will enjoy the presence of another Counselor.
Counselor means - helper, intercessor, advocate, strengthener, standby.
The Holy Spirit is designated to come alongside of us. He is the presence of Jesus.
Changes equip us for living life with purpose. So embrace change, accept it, don't resist it. As Paul wrote, "These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing" (2 Cor. 4:17).
Thanks Max! A very meaningful chapter. I encourage everyone to read Max's book - Fearless.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Seasons
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13 - This scripture is about seasons.
All of us are either in a season or between a season, going through a stage or nearing a stage in our lives. The time between these seasons or stages can be unsettling.
Whatever season we are in, our loving God continues to send goodness to enjoy. Every stage of life brings fruits to remind us of God's presence and to make us thankful.
God loves us unconditionally no matter what. We need to do the same.
Reference - Upper Room
All of us are either in a season or between a season, going through a stage or nearing a stage in our lives. The time between these seasons or stages can be unsettling.
Whatever season we are in, our loving God continues to send goodness to enjoy. Every stage of life brings fruits to remind us of God's presence and to make us thankful.
God loves us unconditionally no matter what. We need to do the same.
Reference - Upper Room
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
