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Monthly Archives: August 2011

God is … My Provider Psalm 111:5

31 Aug

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. Psalm 111:5

The Lord is my provider

Throughout my life I have had so much evidence to support this verse. My family has never had much money, but we’ve always had what we need, and more. The Lord has miraculously provided for our family when we didn’t know how you will get the food, money or clothes would come from.

While my husband was in school, there was a resell it shop that sold clothes at such a low price it made Goodwill look expensive. They also had a food bank to help us with the cost of groceries. Throughout my life my parents have made it possible for me and my children to attend Christian schools. Even paying for school (which we’re not done with) came in ways we didn’t expect. Support from our congregations (past and present), contributions from strangers, and having items we could sell that brought exactly the amount we needed for the next payment. Over and over again the Lord has proved that He can handle all that we cannot.

Why don’t I trust the Lord?

Even with all this evidence, I am constantly trying to take control of the situation. Instead of trusting him with the outcome of the situation, I worry and fret over what is the best thing to do, how the money, clothes or item will appear.

He Promises to Provide for us

In Psalm 111, God’s provision for us is well documented. The way He has always been faithful in providing for His people (past, present and future) is clear. So how do I turn myself over to trusting Him more? Last Night at Bible Study, we were discussing this issue as we looked at simplifying our lives (the Bible Study is called “The Beauty of a Simple Life”). One of the things that stuck with me the most is being present in the moment.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

How often do you live in the moment? I know for me I’m often stuck in the past or worrying about how not to ruin my future. I am not often in the moment. I move quickly through the present, not enjoying the good things nor really experiencing the pain. I panic and stress over what is to come, though when it is actually here it is never as bad as I imagined. No problem though, I’m no longer thinking about that situation when it’s happening, because I’m to busy worrying about the next thing on the horizon.

What does it mean to be in the moment?

I think it means to breathe. I have been working on my speaking skills, and one of the most common constructive criticisms for me is that I need to breathe. What I need to do is take a breath and enjoy the moment. Not rushing through it, but fully experiencing the emotions (good and bad) of the moment. This seems like it would be a miraculous thing if I could do it! I found it interesting that the concept of being in the moment (or increasing flow) was mentioned in an article of 12 things happy people do differently. I’m going to give it a try. I’m going to try to be in the moment, focus on the Lord in that moment. Perhaps my happiness and trust in the Lord will increase, while my worry for things out of my control will decrease.

Do you live in the past? Do you worry about your future? What does God want for you?

 
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Posted by on August 31, 2011 in God is my Provider, Psalm

 

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My God is … a Communicator 1 Samuel 3:9-10

29 Aug

1 Samuel 3:9-10 – And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

My God is a communicator.

God talks to me. That’s right, I said it. God talks to me. Is it audible like in the story of Eli and Samuel? No, I guess not. But He does communicate with me in so many ways. He shows me the options I have, the path I should (or shouldn’t) take and communicates forgiveness to me too.

God communicates to me through His Word – The Bible

The first and foremost way God communicates with me is through the Bible. It’s our best resource for hearing the word of God. If you do feel like the Lord is communicating verbally with you, make sure to check it against scripture. If it goes against scripture, you should rethink who’s speaking to you.

The Bible is full of information on how to live, how to forgive, and most importantly professes God’s great love for us. In the Bible you’re able to find answers to most of your concerns. It’s amazing how scripture can seem new each time you read it. It’s amazing.

God Communicates to me through other Christians

Surrounding myself with other Christians who spend time in God’s word is another way the Lord communicates with me. From my counselor, my friends and pastors at my church, I’m surrounded by people who are able to talk to me about the way the Lord has worked in their lives, and I can see His work in my life more clearly.

Through their support, wisdom and knowledge, I am strengthened in my faith and encouraged to continue on faithfully following the Lord. Again, always checking their ideas against God’s word so as to not be lead astray.

God communicates to me through His Creation

I’m not an outdoorsy person. I don’t like bugs, dirt or sweating, but the beauty of the Lord’s creation still moves me. It’s amazing what He has created. The complexity and diversity of each creation is amazing. Now forgive me if this sounds a bit hokey or crazy (I’ve been called worse), but I feel that when nature or the world around me draws my attention to something beautiful or unique, I feel as if the Lord has pointed it out to me so that we can share in that moment. It’s kind of like going on a day trip with your best friend, and they know the area better than you. They point out the good bits and you’re able to enjoy them together and build a memory. When I am spiritually prompted to notice something, I feel like that’s God showing me something he knows better than me, enjoying it with me, so that our relationship might grow deeper and be strengthened by our time together. Ok, laugh if you want to, but I figure if those moments point me to God and help me to praise Him (even if they weren’t divinely inspired moments), then at least I’m still praising God and giving Him the Glory. End result – still ok (even if it’s a bit wacky).

 

How does God communicate with you?

 
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Posted by on August 29, 2011 in my god is a communicator

 

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God is … My Counselor Psalm 119:24

18 Aug

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. Psalm 199:24

God is My Counselor

I have a tendency to be lazy. I have a tendency to avoid doing the things that I need to do. When I don’t do certain things, my well-being is compromised.

There are three main things that I need to do to have a positive state of mind:

  • Be in the word
  • Exercise
  • Eat right

I feel the first one is reflected in this Bible verse.

Indeed, your written instructions make me happy. They are my best friends.
(God’s Word Version of Psalm 119:24)

I love this version of Psalm 119:24. Do you know the feeling of wishing you could see your best friend? That’s how I feel when I’ve been neglecting my relationship with the Lord and reading His word. I feel like I’m missing that part of me. The best part of me. I’m only my best me when I’m focused on the Lord, and getting to know Him better.

What more could I learn?

I’ve been a Christian all my life, and it amazes me how God’s word is new each time I read it. How he uses His word to communicate with me in a new way every time. The words aren’t different – God’s promises and his word is always true. I am different every time. I am changed when I read His word. I’m changed by the circumstances of my life. I’m changed by the people the Lord puts in my life, especially the fellow believers he puts in my life.

Being part of a Bible Study

I had gone nearly two years (maybe more) since I had been in a woman’s Bible study on a consistent basis. I know I hadn’t been to one since I had moved to Oregon. It was like I was starving to death. My heart was a mess. I was in a world of loneliness and self loathing. I didn’t know what I was going to do.
Reflecting on the problems and sadness in my life, I took stock of the three things I need in my life, and realized none of them were in balance. Because I was so out of balance spiritually, I was becoming out of balance with the people who matter most to me – my family. Yes I went to church every Sunday. I prayed a lot, but I wasn’t in the word as much as I should have been, and I wasn’t in a close relationship with others where the Word of God was in the middle.

I started attending a women’s Bible study, and it was as if the heavens opened and angels started singing. The Lord had drawn me back into relationship with Him and with my fellow believers.

I am changed by the Word of God

It’s true each time I read the Bible, I am different. I am also different after a Bible study. The Lord is working on my heart, helping me to learn and grow. I know I don’t always get it the first time, but He keeps working on me. I know I am far from perfect, but He delights in me and is pleased when we get time to connect. I love my Lord.

Have you ever felt pulled away from the Lord? How did He draw you back? Is He pulling you closer to Him now?
 
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Posted by on August 18, 2011 in God is my counselor, Psalm

 

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God is Omnipotent – II Chronicles 32: 7-8

16 Aug

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. II Chronicles 32: 7-8

What does Omnipotent mean? According to dictionary.com it’s a word that can be used as an adjective or a noun. As an adjective, it means almighty or infinite in power, as God or having very great or unlimited authority or power. As a noun, it means an omnipotent being or the Omnipotent – God.

Being Omnipotent separates the God from the men

Omnipotent isn’t a word often used with men (or women), because it just isn’t truthful to use with humans. I think you might use it to say a boss thinks they’re omnipotent, but you would know there is no way they truly possess the omnipotence we’re talking about here. God does. He is omnipotent. He has all the power and authority in the whole universe, not just here.

Be Strong and Courageous

This morning, a friend of mine posted on Facebook about not living in fear, because God is with us. That we can be bold because He is on our side. A lot of times we find our self living in fear because we are scared we won’t measure up or be successful. That was the fear facing the people in the verses mentioned from II Chronicles 32. They were afraid that the bigger, meaner army that backed the king of Assyria were going to kick their butts. King Hezekiah was putting his faith in the Lord who is Omnipotent. He knew with God all things are possible.

Fighting a Big Battle

Fortunately most of my fears do not involve getting killed by a bigger, meaner army. But if that’s true, why do I so often let the lies of the devil get the better of me. “Don’t start a blog, no one will read it.” “Don’t join praise team, they’ll sound awful if you do.” “Don’t lead a Bible study, you have nothing to contribute.” These are some of (a very small selection) of the lies the devil has tried to work on me. Most of the time, I would have to say he does it successfully, but because of the other Christians I have around me, being bold is becoming easier. Their encouragement to be bold is like nourishment from God. The post from my friend, the women at Bible study, they’re reminders from my Lord, Like the words of King Hezekiah to the people of Judah. God is omnipotent.

What would you do? 

What would you do if fear wasn’t an issue? What’s stopping you really?

 
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Posted by on August 16, 2011 in God is Omnipotent

 

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God is…Slow to Anger – Psalm 145:8

11 Aug

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8.

I love the praise and worship song that refers to this verse.

All sin and fall sort of the Glory of God – When I was choosing a YouTube video for this song, I noticed that people were compassionately trying to answer the questions that arise from a verse like this. If the Lord is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love, why do “good” people and children die or are killed in natural disasters.

This world is sinful. Many people will not agree with me that we are all born sinners, because this earth was tainted when Eve and Adam first sinned. But you need to know that is where I start my position for my beliefs. That we are all sinful and fall short of the Glory of God.  (Gen 8:21; Romans 3:23; Ecc 7:20; Romans 3:9)

I don’t deserve compassion – I deserve death

In the Bible we are told that the wages of sin are death.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

I am sinful from birth because my mother and father are sinful. It’s like a hereditary disease that started with Adam and Eve. I am always going to fall short without the power of Christ’s sacrifice to pay for my sins. But because of that promise, I know that the Lord wants one thing for me ultimately – to end up with Him in heaven.

So why do bad things happen to good people? 

I believe it is because everything on this earth is tainted by sin. That all this entire earth deserves is death and destruction. It is by the grace and mercy (being slow to anger) from God that we live with as much certainty and stability as we do.

So what about the little babies that die?

This is a good question, and one that is not clearly answered in the Bible (it doesn’t say “The babies who die in abortion, miscarriage or before the age of ten will be spared). Yet I trust in the concept that my God is slow to anger and rich in love. Therefore I believe that He will do what is right, and I believe he is going to linger in grace and mercy for those children. I don’t know that this is Biblical, but it is what I believe. This is what I cling to for my unborn child that I miscarried.

God wants us with Him in heaven.

As a I believe that I deserve death for being sinful, I also know that I live in grace. I have not gotten the death and destruction I deserve. In the year 2001 (ten years ago already) my husband went to the Middle East with the Air Force. Last time he was there, he was in the Middle East, I thought I had nearly lost him in a bombing orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden. So I wasn’t thrilled that he was returning, but it was his job and his duty.

So there I was with my twin boys who were two years old. Making a go of it. I worked part-time at a school as an aid in the computer lab, and the boys attended day care during that time. It was such a blessing for me, as I didn’t have a lot of time away from them when my husband was gone, and I was getting worn out.

Then September 11th happened

I’m not trying to compare my pain to the pain of those who lost someone on that day. It was awful. But like the many other Americans reliving it by the minute on the television, I became very sad. I was certain that my husband would not be returning from the Middle East any time soon, because they would be starting a war. My boys may have fed off the strange energy in the house and the tone of the television broadcasts I was watching, but they no longer wanted to sleep. They wouldn’t go to bed before 10 and I wanted to go to sleep at 8 or 9. I was emotionally and physically exhausted.

The Spa can fix anything

During this time, there was a Friday night when I was watching television. I had the sudden thought that I needed to call an ambulance, but I didn’t. I started to assess myself and this urge. I had numbness and tingling down my entire left side. Then I realized I didn’t know what a toilet was called. I knew what you did there, but the word toilet was completely erased from my mind. So what to do? I decided to write an email for work. Yep that’s right – your brain isn’t working – perfect time to write a work email. My friend Kara received that email and mentioned to me that it seemed a bit strange. I had used homophones for many of the words. This was all very concerning. So the next morning I did what any girl would do; I went to the Spa. I had a full spa day planned (as a retreat from the stresses of raising twin 2 year olds on your own – any excuse is viable), and I was sure whatever was going on, a spa day couldn’t hurt.

Turns out it was more serious 

After my spa day, my friend Kara and I had plans to go out. We did, but after we did, I called her again and we decided I needed to go to the ER and get checked out. They called the neurologist on call. Within a few months I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I had a hard time for a while, and one day while making lunch for my boys, I got confused between the milk lid and the peanut butter lid. I didn’t know which one went on which container. I was freaking out. I started to sob. I yelled out to God – “What the hell? What am I supposed to do now?” I didn’t get an audible response, but I did suddenly feel reminded that this body is only temporary. I felt as if He reminded me that my eternal body in heaven would not be plagued with this disease. This sinful body is only temporary – my blessings would be in heaven. Then we danced. God and I danced in my kitchen, as I was assured of His everlasting love. He’s the best dancer ever!

 
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Posted by on August 11, 2011 in God is slow to anger, Psalm

 

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God is Wise – Proverbs 3:19,20

08 Aug

Proverbs 3:19-20 – By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

My God is Wise! 

Why is it important that my God is Wise? It’s important, becasue if my Lord wasn’t wise, I wouldn’t be able to trust Him. But I can. In this verse from Proverbs, I’m assured of his wisdom in design on the earth, but throughout the Bible, we also see that people are given Wisdom from the Lord. To me that means He has an over abundance of wisdom, and has always been a valid source for gaining more wisdom.

Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV) There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel; that will stand.

The beauty of the Lord’s wisdom is that we are able to get a glimpse of it through everything in the Bible. I’ve often had the discussion with people about how to know what the right option is in any given situation. What should I do? I don’t claim to know the answer to all problems of the world, but because my Lord is wise, I don’t have to worry. This verse in proverbs says that the Lord’s counsel will stand. So I search the scripture, trust God and go forward full force, leaning on the promise that all things work for the good of those that love Him (Romans 8:28).

How have you seen God’s Wisdom displayed in your life?

 
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Posted by on August 8, 2011 in God is Wise, Proverbs

 

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