After a silly previous week of being down for one reason or another, I was glad to have such an encouraging lesson from Bible Study today. We have been studying the book of John, which has been very appropriate during the season of Lent. Today we studied John 15, a very common analogy of the Vine and the Branches. I have read this verse many times before, heard sermons, conversations....yet when you truly study it and break it apart, it can take on much more meaning (I know I should know this by now, but it always amazes me). Anyway, two verses in this chapter gave me particular joy and peace.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. - John 15:9
Can you believe that God loves us as much as He loved His own son? His perfect son that would do anything for Him? So many times I get a woa is me sort of feeling where I feel like no one loves me with all my shortcomings (I know that isn't true, but I'll admit I get stuck in a pity party sometimes). I know deep down that Jesus loves me too, but the fact that He isn't physically here telling me this, is sometimes hard to grasp. But to reread this verse today, and know that God loves me for who I am, despite my many shortcomings is truly an awesome feeling. We are precious to Him and He loves us unconditionally.
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. - John 15:18
This is the second verse that really struck me. We feel so alone when the world rejects us. We feel hurt, angry, insecure. It is hard to get back on your feet after you have been thrown down. So, to know that Jesus was rejected first, somehow gave me comfort. He has been there before. He knows how we feel. He loves us deeply, and wants us to remain in His love.
May all of you remain in His love.
Showing posts with label Devotions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotions. Show all posts
Prayer Journal Recap
Okay, I know it has only been a few days, but the prayer journal I started is going really well. And wouldn't you know that some of the things I prayed about really coincided with my day. Here are a couple examples:
Friday morning I prayed that I would find my children a blessing at the current stage they are in. After feeling very rejuvenated, I got up, showered, and began my day. Wouldn't you know, the kids had something else in mind. They were grumpy from the get go. I tried my best to distract Katie from the grumpys (who clearly didn't want to be picked up, set down, or any of the above) by letting her know it was breakfast time. Unfortunately, no milk left for cereal (which is Katie's favorite), so I put some cereal in a bowl of yogurt. She shoved it to the floor, and cried "NO, NO, NO!" At this point, I was getting a little frustrated. But remembering my prayer, and blogging friend Earen's thought on power of positive words, I told the kids we were going to have a great day. Unfortunately, they didn't reiterate my thoughts. Oh well. Most of the day continued to go on like this (tantrum by Kyra at the grocery store for having to sit next to her sister in the grocery cart -and I mean loud screaming, fighting each other over a toy baby stroller, I mean the list goes on). Needless to say, maybe it wasn't a great day, but I didn't yell. I really think the morning's prayer helped. And I NEEDED to say that prayer that morning.
Second example comes to yesterday. Then I prayed that God would use my husband to work to the best of his abilities and keep him safe through the day. Fortunately he was kept safe, for he was a bit tired after staying up for the Super Bowl (he works in the line of construction, which if tired could lead to trouble). But then, he called around noon to say that they needed him to work some overtime (bonus for the fam, but I knew he was tired). He came home at 9pm tired from a long day, but he had worked hard and he was safe. That was almost a 14 hour day!
Now, I know neither of these examples are life changing, but they were small examples of the power of prayer. I can't wait to see the continuing impact that occurs through keeping up with this prayer journal.
Friday morning I prayed that I would find my children a blessing at the current stage they are in. After feeling very rejuvenated, I got up, showered, and began my day. Wouldn't you know, the kids had something else in mind. They were grumpy from the get go. I tried my best to distract Katie from the grumpys (who clearly didn't want to be picked up, set down, or any of the above) by letting her know it was breakfast time. Unfortunately, no milk left for cereal (which is Katie's favorite), so I put some cereal in a bowl of yogurt. She shoved it to the floor, and cried "NO, NO, NO!" At this point, I was getting a little frustrated. But remembering my prayer, and blogging friend Earen's thought on power of positive words, I told the kids we were going to have a great day. Unfortunately, they didn't reiterate my thoughts. Oh well. Most of the day continued to go on like this (tantrum by Kyra at the grocery store for having to sit next to her sister in the grocery cart -and I mean loud screaming, fighting each other over a toy baby stroller, I mean the list goes on). Needless to say, maybe it wasn't a great day, but I didn't yell. I really think the morning's prayer helped. And I NEEDED to say that prayer that morning.
Second example comes to yesterday. Then I prayed that God would use my husband to work to the best of his abilities and keep him safe through the day. Fortunately he was kept safe, for he was a bit tired after staying up for the Super Bowl (he works in the line of construction, which if tired could lead to trouble). But then, he called around noon to say that they needed him to work some overtime (bonus for the fam, but I knew he was tired). He came home at 9pm tired from a long day, but he had worked hard and he was safe. That was almost a 14 hour day!
Now, I know neither of these examples are life changing, but they were small examples of the power of prayer. I can't wait to see the continuing impact that occurs through keeping up with this prayer journal.
February, the New January
Okay, remember all those New Year's resolutions that we were ready to try come the beginning of the year. Riiightt....well, I didn't exactly stick to mine. In fact, I didn't even make it a week!And kudos to many of you who have stuck to yours. I have read many a blog that testifies of the organization, bible reading, and weight loss that you have kept up with in the New Year. I admire your ambition and persistance. Anyway, I have not been so ambitious. So much for losing weight in time for the hub's "Christmas" party (they always do their holiday party after the New Year - I think it's cheaper to rent a hall that way :). So much for getting organized during the long cold month. And so much for beginning to read the Bible in chronological order.
Now, I know what you are thinking, it's not too late! And you are right, it's not. In fact I have had so many inspirational sermon's/bible studies as of late that I want to continue to try my hardest to reach some of those goals. But I think I made too many to make them all obtainable. I have to remember baby steps help you achieve a goal. I also had a suggestion from a friend of mine in Bible Study. She suggested making a prayer journal. Now that really wasn't one of my goals, but I think keeping up with a prayer journal will help me keep some of my goals.
So, come Feb. 1 I am getting up in the morning, going for my morning jog (okay, more of a walk), and then start the day by being still in prayer. It's really a neat journal. She had me write 7 headlines (ex: forgiveness, praise, personal needs, national needs, ect.) and then each day, under those headlines, I pray for something different (ex: Monday-forgive/my anger, Praise/a song, Personal Needs/hubs health & safety, National Needs/president). That way, when I open my prayer journal, I know exactly what to pray for (and add urgent prayer needs beyond that). I'm excited and hopeful to begin my days in such a positive way. And if I stray, that's okay, because I can just pick up the next day and start anew.
Now, I know what you are thinking, it's not too late! And you are right, it's not. In fact I have had so many inspirational sermon's/bible studies as of late that I want to continue to try my hardest to reach some of those goals. But I think I made too many to make them all obtainable. I have to remember baby steps help you achieve a goal. I also had a suggestion from a friend of mine in Bible Study. She suggested making a prayer journal. Now that really wasn't one of my goals, but I think keeping up with a prayer journal will help me keep some of my goals.
So, come Feb. 1 I am getting up in the morning, going for my morning jog (okay, more of a walk), and then start the day by being still in prayer. It's really a neat journal. She had me write 7 headlines (ex: forgiveness, praise, personal needs, national needs, ect.) and then each day, under those headlines, I pray for something different (ex: Monday-forgive/my anger, Praise/a song, Personal Needs/hubs health & safety, National Needs/president). That way, when I open my prayer journal, I know exactly what to pray for (and add urgent prayer needs beyond that). I'm excited and hopeful to begin my days in such a positive way. And if I stray, that's okay, because I can just pick up the next day and start anew.
Singing Praises
Yesterday, we had a sermon about giving praise to God. Now normally that wouldn't hit me that hard. God calls us to give Him praise, as well as we deem Him worthy of our praise. Yet, the pastor was saying that giving praise to God is something that WE need. Come again? Huh? Why would we need it? This is where I became deeper involved...
The scripture was based on Acts 16:16-25. It's a story of Paul and Silas, and how they were greeted by a slave girl and scorned for their efforts in saving people to become believers of God. They were seized, brought to the Romans, attacked, stripped, beaten, and thrown in prison. Then after they were put in their cell, they began to sing hymns to God. Wow, now I can imagine praying for mercy, but singing praises to God? How hard would that be after all that torture. I don't think I would have it in me. Yet the pastor asked us, "how often do we go to music for comfort in times of trial?" We probably do it more then we think. Singing "Amazing Grace," "Jesus Loves Me," "Then Sings My Soul," "Thy Lamp," can all be very therapeutic. They are reminders to us of how great God's love is for us. They help us in dark times see that God is not forsaking us. So the next time you are feeling down, in marital stress, or experience a death, try singing a song of praise. We need it.
The scripture was based on Acts 16:16-25. It's a story of Paul and Silas, and how they were greeted by a slave girl and scorned for their efforts in saving people to become believers of God. They were seized, brought to the Romans, attacked, stripped, beaten, and thrown in prison. Then after they were put in their cell, they began to sing hymns to God. Wow, now I can imagine praying for mercy, but singing praises to God? How hard would that be after all that torture. I don't think I would have it in me. Yet the pastor asked us, "how often do we go to music for comfort in times of trial?" We probably do it more then we think. Singing "Amazing Grace," "Jesus Loves Me," "Then Sings My Soul," "Thy Lamp," can all be very therapeutic. They are reminders to us of how great God's love is for us. They help us in dark times see that God is not forsaking us. So the next time you are feeling down, in marital stress, or experience a death, try singing a song of praise. We need it.
We Aren't Losers!
Today we visited a new church that met at an elementary school. We have been church "shopping" for a few months now, and it is starting to wear on us. While, I feel it is a good time to search for a church (before the kids are too established in education classes and have developed friendships), it is hard to leave the familiar people we know and not have a place to call home (especially during the upcoming holiday season). Anyway, after visiting around 6 churches, and not feeling like any of them were a good fit, I asked my hubby to humor me for one more Sunday, and then we would attend our regular church for the advent season.
We had a wonderful experience. I was invited by one of the people in my bible study, so she of course found me and introduced us to several people, but so many others welcomed us too. It was a very friendly church. But on top of that, the Pastor was amazing! He had such an incredible sermon, that really hit home (and such a great sense of humor too).
The pastor asked how many of us defines our Christian walk as being inadequate? Sad to say, but he said most of the Christians I know would define themselves as insufficient. Either, we have a terrible prayer life, don't read the Bible often enough, or aren't confident enough in our ability to spread the gospel. We need to stop focusing on our deficiencies and focus on God's sufficiency! Afterall, when spreading the gospel, we aren't being put to a test if we fail to bring a person to Christ, it is a GOD thing. He is the one that plants the seed, we are just there to feed it. God picked insufficient people in a sense to do His work. There is no failing for us, (we aren't losers -the pastor said!) we can only feed the fire.
Now this may be an obvious lesson for some, but it was a great reminder to my husband and I. We both felt so rejuvinated by it. We aren't sure if this will be the church for us or not (still a lot of praying to do), but we definitely felt God's spirit there and enjoyed the fellowship.
We had a wonderful experience. I was invited by one of the people in my bible study, so she of course found me and introduced us to several people, but so many others welcomed us too. It was a very friendly church. But on top of that, the Pastor was amazing! He had such an incredible sermon, that really hit home (and such a great sense of humor too).
The pastor asked how many of us defines our Christian walk as being inadequate? Sad to say, but he said most of the Christians I know would define themselves as insufficient. Either, we have a terrible prayer life, don't read the Bible often enough, or aren't confident enough in our ability to spread the gospel. We need to stop focusing on our deficiencies and focus on God's sufficiency! Afterall, when spreading the gospel, we aren't being put to a test if we fail to bring a person to Christ, it is a GOD thing. He is the one that plants the seed, we are just there to feed it. God picked insufficient people in a sense to do His work. There is no failing for us, (we aren't losers -the pastor said!) we can only feed the fire.
Now this may be an obvious lesson for some, but it was a great reminder to my husband and I. We both felt so rejuvinated by it. We aren't sure if this will be the church for us or not (still a lot of praying to do), but we definitely felt God's spirit there and enjoyed the fellowship.
Insecurities
I have been avoiding blogging lately because I have so many deep thoughts scrambling through my head, with the reluctancy to share because of how dark my thoughts are and a writers block as to how to construct on the computer what meanders through my head. I have been dealing with some mild depression issues this past year, and came to the conclusion that if I just became busier and surrounded myself with activities and to do lists, then I wouldn't have time to think of all the reasons why God put me here on earth. So, I started babysitting, blogging, taking my daughter to dance class, going to the library more frequently, and exercising. All of those are good things, but I was avoiding the critical problem at hand. For awhile keeping busy kept my mind off of the main problem, but how quickly Satan slips in a hurtful comment through someone or a moment of insecurity to bring us back down again.
I realized that one of the reasons I have been down this past year is because my relationship with God suffers. I was rarely praying, never read the Bible, and almost always focused on something else while half listening to the sermon at church. One of my biggest fears is that my children will grow up with as many insecurities as I have, and not lean on God when they go through their deepest valleys. And how can I raise my kids to know their Savior if I lack a good relationship myself? I know in order to have a healthy life for myself I need to be grounded in the Bible. So I added one more thing to my to do list, and that was to join a women's Bible Study.
It has been years since I have been in an actual bible study that focused on a book of the Bible rather than a book focused on how to become a better wife, mother, or steward of the earth (not that there's anything wrong with those, I just needed to come back to the book that actually has all the answers to all of those questions). The group I joined is studying the book of John. And although the first meeting was a little intimidating (not knowing anyone, and already having thoughts of - well this person is so much better versed in the Bible, or I just won't belong here because I am not wearing the same type of clothing). I just can't let Satan win with the doubts he throws my way. I know God will win in bringing me closer to Him and hopefully maybe some of these women too.
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
I realized that one of the reasons I have been down this past year is because my relationship with God suffers. I was rarely praying, never read the Bible, and almost always focused on something else while half listening to the sermon at church. One of my biggest fears is that my children will grow up with as many insecurities as I have, and not lean on God when they go through their deepest valleys. And how can I raise my kids to know their Savior if I lack a good relationship myself? I know in order to have a healthy life for myself I need to be grounded in the Bible. So I added one more thing to my to do list, and that was to join a women's Bible Study.
It has been years since I have been in an actual bible study that focused on a book of the Bible rather than a book focused on how to become a better wife, mother, or steward of the earth (not that there's anything wrong with those, I just needed to come back to the book that actually has all the answers to all of those questions). The group I joined is studying the book of John. And although the first meeting was a little intimidating (not knowing anyone, and already having thoughts of - well this person is so much better versed in the Bible, or I just won't belong here because I am not wearing the same type of clothing). I just can't let Satan win with the doubts he throws my way. I know God will win in bringing me closer to Him and hopefully maybe some of these women too.
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Put on Your New Clothes
This morning we had a sermon on how we should dress. Now before you start thinking, "my goodness she goes to a mighty strict church if they're going to tell her what to wear," hold your thoughts (because that's what I thought the preacher was going to preach about). The sermon was based on Colossians 3: 1-17. Many of you might be familiar with these verses, as I have been atuned to hearing. However, I had one of those moments where I had heard the verse a hundred times, but today God really spoke to me.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." - Col. 3: 12-14
The pastor spoke of taking off all those winter clothes (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed), and putting on your summer clothes (love, forgiveness, kindness, etc). I realized, that in this 80 degree weather I still had my winter clothes on. I hate to say it, but I am one to hold grudges (just ask my husband - he knew it from the minute he looked at me yesterday morning). So, I pray that God helps me to truly love and forgive as I start a new day. And hopefully, just maybe, I will remember what clothes to wear day to day.
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