THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

 

 

What do you do when you walk in a dark room? Instinct tells us to flip on the light switch. We want to be able to see and for some, the darkness may scare them. When you are in a room and light a candle the light from the candle illuminates the darkness.One tiny candle flame can light up a whole room.  No one really wants to stay too long in a dark place. We want to quickly have some light so we can see around us.

 

As Christians we are to be the lights in a dark world around us. The world needs Jesus now more than ever. Look around you and you can see turmoil and chaos. The word of God is not being followed and evil is being called good. In this world we have to shine Jesus' light wherever we go. Are you lighting up the world around you? Do you try to show Jesus love and kindness by what you say and do? It is something to think about. Make a determined effort today to let the light of Jesus shine through you to those you come into contact with today.  Light is stronger than darkness so be that light for those around you today. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Go out and light up your world today!

 

PRAYER: Dear Father let us not hide our light under a basket but let us put it up on the lamp stand so we shine for you wherever you send us today. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiSix6Stilo

CHOP CHOP SNIP SNIP

 

 

Yesterday it was a beautiful day and I spent a good hour or so out in the front yard pruning my bushes. They looked pretty messed up when I was done. If someone were to see them they would have thought I had killed them. I mean they looked awful!! When I was pruning I chopped them back so bad they did not look very pretty or appear to have any hope of ever blooming again. Little broken stubs just sticking out with no leaves on them at all. Last year I did this same thing where the condition of the bushes looked so bad you would think I should just dig them up and replant something else. But they did bloom again! As spring approached beautiful flowers burst forth and green leaves once again sprang forth. I had brand new flourishing bushes!

 

In the Bible it speaks of how the Lord prunes us to make us more like him and to conform us to his image. God is the 'master gardener' and does what he needs to help us bear fruit for him. John 15:1-8 says "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

 

It does not feel good to be 'pruned' but if we know God is working in this pruning and through it then we know it is for our own good. He is shaping us to be conformed to his likeness. He wants us to be his beautiful flower and to bear fruit for him.

 

 

PRAYER: Lord we know you love us and care for us. Sometimes we wonder why we have to go through things. When we are at a low point is when we look to you to help us. Forgive us for not staying attached to 'the vine' all the time. Help us from here on out Lord to stay connected to you and to know that the pruning season will be over and soon a beautiful life will break forth.We know you allow certain things in our life to get us to the point where we are more like you. Forgive us for not trusting in your plan for our life.  In Jesus Name. Amen!

LOST KEYS AND GOD THINGS

 

Stuff  happens sometimes that frustrate us and we wonder why. The thing is when something bad happens it is sort of a test to learn to stay calm, cool and collected. Seems like in the past 3 months I have had a few things that threw me into a tizzy if I let them. Sometimes I have not stayed cool. The latest was yesterday when I misplaced my car keys at a local movie theater. I was so proud of myself. Instead of losing control I sort of took a few steps back, so to speak, and remained calm and started looking. Some kind people who were at theater waiting for their class of school children to get out of theater helped me.Another gentleman let me use his cell phone since mine was locked in the car and a third person helped me retrace steps.  I laughed and said, this probably happened for a reason to allow me another test to stay calm and beyond that maybe to meet those people. Who knows? Yes there are skeptics out there that say, "Sure Becky, God caused you to lose your keys, right!"

 

God can use all things to teach us a spiritual life lesson. Sometimes if we do not learn anything the lessons keep coming til we learn to praise God no matter what. Like in story of Job, where he said, "Even though he slay me yet will I trust him."(Job 13:15).  Now granted Job was dealing with a little bit more drastic stuff but the verse can still apply. Why do people get mad at God? Instead we should try to get in habit of saying " Lord thank you for allowing this situation so I could learn to trust you more. " Maybe I was supposed to help the people I talked to some way. Who knows? God does.

 

Life will bring all sorts of trials our way. It is how we deal with them that counts. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 says'".. None of you should turn back because of these persecutions. You yourselves know that such persecutions are part of God's will for us."  In Acts 14:22 it goes on  ... "We all have to experience many hardships," they said, "before we enter the kingdom of God." James 1:12 says "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test he will receive the victors' crown, the life that is promised by God to those who love him." Deuteronomy 8:2-3 says " Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you... to teach you that man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

 

Well the story had a happy ending as even though I had called a my insurance company who was sending someone to unlock car in hopes they were laying on car seat, a young girl coming out of bathroom says "Hey I found these keys hanging on the hook in the stall of the bathroom." How funny is that? Of all places I did not look. In the meantime though I had spoken of things of the Lord in conversation with the people I was visiting with in the lobby, had stayed cool while looking, and had shared about the Moms in Touch prayer ministry with these two school employees. So I see it as God providing an 'open door' for me to spread the news about praying for children and schools again. Did he lose my keys? No he did not but through my patience and other things the Lord was able to help this situation be turned into an opportunity for sharing for which I am thankful for.

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord  we say thank you to you for allowing situations in our lives whereby we might grow and learn to be a stronger Christian. We know we can not grow unless sometimes we deal with things. Give us the ability when we face problems in life to turn to you and trust you to get us through them. In Jesus Name. Amen.  

GENTILES EAT PORK CHOPS

Say what?? What is up sister? Whatever do you mean by this?

This morning I was sitting thinking about the importance of following God's ways and getting into his word, the Bible, daily. Many people do not want to read the Bible. "It is boring, it is old fashioned", they say. "I do not understand it. Where do I start?" "Leave that to the preacher. He has been to seminary."  "The priest reads what we need to hear." There are sure lots of excuses.

There are many fun ways to learn the books of the Bible and four of my favorite books are in the New Testament not too far behind the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. A simple method to remember them is this acronym in today's title or another one is "General Electric Power Company". These are the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. In the Bible I am using today, which is the Living Bible version, these four little books are only 16 pages long. My goodness. Do you have about 10 minutes? That is about all it would take to read these four books of God's word. And there is so much guidance, hope and promises in those 16 pages. Now who does not have the time to sit for 10 minutes and read through these books? "Hey you do not understand. I have to hurry and get to work, I am running late." I hear you  loud and clear. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt. Be creative. Find a way to give God your time today. I am guilty of rushing around and not allowing time to pray and read His word too so I am not judging here just trying to help you find a fun creative way to sit down with a cup of coffee and feast on the word of God. Take your Bible with you and go to Starbucks. It is okay to read it in public.

In these four books you will find many verses to inspire you and perhaps give you a different outlook at the world around you. I will leave you with a few verses  and also a song to listen to to help you enjoy your Friday and inspire you. Be blessed today.

Galatians 6:7 "Don't be misled,remember you can not ignore God and get away with it. A man will always reap just what he sows." Ephesians 6:11 "Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all the strategies and tricks of Satan." Philippians 4:19 "And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us."   And finally, Colossians 3:13 "Be gentle and ready to forgive, never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."  Now for the 'rest of the story'.

PRAYER: Lord help those today who have lost their way and can not find joy in you or your word. Open their hearts to understand your word and what you want them to hear. Help the Bible come alive to them. Father we know the enemy, the devil, tries to come and spread lies and snatch your word out of our hearts. Help us resist him by praising you and reading your word. There is hope in Jesus and no other. It is my prayer that today reading the Bible will help change hearts and lives. In Jesus Name. Amen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2loeds35UI

ME FIRST!!

 

The Bible talks about dying to self(1 Corinthians 15:31) and putting others before yourself but how many people really do that and what does that mean? Not just giving up the last roll in the basket when there is only one left but much more. Romans 12:10 says to "be devoted to one another in love and honor one another above yourself."  Let people go first, open doors, don't be greedy. It is not pleasant to be around a person that talks about themselves all the time. Make a deliberate effort to talk about others and get involved in their lives and show interest in them. Being selfless is also thinking of ways to help others or get involved in helping with a need in the lives of those around you.

 

We hear the accounts of  soldiers who save all their buddies around them by throwing their body on a hand grenade. Now that is selfless love."Greater love has no man than a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Now that act of the soldier on the battlefield is truly one of the most unselfish acts I can think of and the ultimate gift. 

 

 The story of Jonathan and David in the Bible is one of selfless love as well. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 says," After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.  From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt."

 

Maybe giving up your right to what you want is another example. I know I am a city girl at heart and have never lived on a farm. Oh I love the outdoors and adventure and frequently go out in woods and places to hike. My husbands dream was to own a small farm some day and I was aware of that when I married him. Upon moving from my subdivision in a nearby 'bedroom community' of Huntsville, Alabama I gave up my convenience of being able to just step out my front door and go for a run which I regularly did or to be at Starbucks in 5 minutes and other things. This was so he could have a life long dream of farming. I asked God to help change my attitude and to help me show my unselfishness by agreeing to do this.  You can not always get your own way. In marriage there is much compromise and adjustment and it is truly a place to attempt to practice unselfishness.

 

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."(Romans 12:3).Depending on what you do or who you know it might be a little easy to get puffed up at times. But beware. Do not always demand your own way or think you are right. Be willing to help others. Giving of yourself is the best thing you could do. Do not seek to always be number one. James 4:10 says to "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." 

 

Philippians 2:3-4 says" Don't be selfish,don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble,thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too and in what they are doing."

 

PRAYER: Today Lord help me think of others before I think of myself. Help me find ways to put others first. In Jesus Name. Amen. 

STAYING POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE WORLD

 On an old Saturday Night Live sketch actor Kevin Nealon, played a psychologist, who would say "Harness the good, release the bad." Kind of humorous but true. Then he would say over and over "harness, release, harness, release."  There is much truth to that. We are to forget stuff that is bad and in past and focus on positive uplifting things. Somehow it seems easier to be mad than to be cheerful. I have heard you get more wrinkles if you frown. Not sure on that one but why chance it huh? Many complain and sometimes it is justified, but let us not get in a habit of being negative. Staying positive means staying focused on good things. In Philippians 4:18 it says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Say to yourself, what do I have to complain about? I am so greatly blessed. Even if suffering in a wheelchair or laid up temporarily we still have to be thankful to the Lord for each day he has given us to impact our world for Him. Are you doing that today or are you going out and about with a negative spirit?
Oh there were grumblers and complainers in the Bible. We are to learn from them and their stories. Here is one example of complaining. In Exodus 17:3 it says "But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"
If you have trouble staying positive, talk out loud to yourself when you are somewhere private and say positive confessions like " I am a child of the living God'. "God has a perfect plan for my life" "The Lord wants me to forgive those who have hurt me". "I will not let any bad thing come out of my mouth today that is negative and I need your help God." A good friend of mine up in the windy city area used to say, "Blow it off!" Good advice. Or the younger generation uses the phrase "It is not that deep'. You get the idea. Try to make yourself aware of how you are being negative and nip it in the bud.

Put on some good Christian praise and worship music to help you stay focused on Jesus and not negative things going on around us. God is in control and even in seemingly bad situations he is still there working behind the scenes to work things out. Trust him but keep praying. It is more pleasant to be around happy people that are positive than to be around a complainer. I remember on an episode of the Christian children's show 'Gospel Bill' and now called 'Adventures in Dry Gulch' there was a  skit where one of the characters had a dream and a voice kept saying, "You complain too much, you complain too much." Try to get rid of any critical spirit you have and pray instead and see what happens!!

PRAYER: Father God we thank you for the beautiful earth and we thank you for this day. We thank you for placing us in life just where you have us. Help us Lord to try to be cheerful as much as possible. We know there are times to voice a complaint but help us do all things in love. Father keep our hearts, minds and thoughts pure and focused on you. In Jesus Name, Amen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qVkzdK6N20

WRONG THINKING

I often tell people that I hold the gold medal for the sport of 'jumping to conclusions'. Reigning champ, wow I am so proud. I would love to give up this medal to someone else yet it is really not an honor to possess. It is easy if you are not patient to assume things before you really know the facts. Doing this is not a good thing on relationships or in business. Patience is the key. Assumptions are a bad thing. Learn to be patient and try to think the best of things and not assume the worst case scenario. This is back to that mean old devil. He is not some Halloween character in a red jumpsuit with a pitchfork or a cartoon character. This enemy is real, and he destroys relationships by messing with peoples minds when they do not stay focused on Christ. Philippians 4:8 says " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Basically it says to 'fix' your mind on things that build up not tear down. Worrying and assuming do not lead to any good thing. It is a discipline to focus your mind on God and things 'above' so you do not get into a rut mulling over things in your mind and creating problems that are non existent.

Proverbs 18:17 says "Any story sounds true until someone tells the other side and sets the record straight."  There is no way we can know it all and assume something and be sure of it. Here is a scenario from my own experience. Back in the mid 90's I had a friend who is now in heaven with Jesus who I was waiting to hear from so I could make some summer plans. I was keeping my calendar open for her because she was going to be passing through my area and I wanted to see her. When days went on and I never heard from her, humanly it made me upset. Now this was before email and instant communications. As time went on I would say to myself,"I wish Suzy Q would hurry and contact me so I could make my summer plans." Finally she did contact me to tell me she had found out she had cancer and had 3 months to live. Oh my gosh did I feel selfish and stupid. This one thing taught me a valuable lesson in a powerful, yet sad, way. We never know really what is going on so be careful getting mad at people or sending a letter or stuff like that that could backfire later. In most cases there are good explanations so just be still and wait. Another time  I wondered why a good friend was not answering my calls or texts and it turns out she had left her phone in car and another time the battery was dead. So you see what I mean? Do not assume the worse.

Proverbs 18:13 says" how stupid to decide something before knowing the facts." Most times you need to just move on and try all you can to be patient because things will be OK. Trying to fix them or say something to the person might not be the best idea. If you have had this happen just try to have a calm and peaceful spirit and an understanding heart. This whole situation is really a matter of getting our mind off self and onto Jesus. Get involved in the word and concentrate on good things and you will have little time to ponder and wonder about other earthly things. Give those things to God and let them go. Bury those problems and throw away the shovel. It takes practice, believe me.

I will end by saying wrong thinking can lead you into a lot of emotional pain. Fix your eyes on the saviour who can save you and rescue you. Romans 12:1-2 sums it all up and it says " Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. " God bless you on your journey to staying focused on Him.


PRAYER: Help those reading this learn to Be still and know you are God (Psalm 46:1) and to lean on you Lord for any situation in life. Help them stay focused on things above and know that you are the one true friend who is always there and always understands. Help us all stay focused on Jesus and give our cares to him. In Jesus Name. Amen.