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About Jill Richard

My name is Jill Richard. I'm a life long Christian. Trying to live my life for my Lord everyday. I've been working in internet marketing since 2003. I want people to look at me and think - What an amazing God she believes in! I want all of my actions to point back to my Lord. They don't always, and for that I am grateful for the Grace of my Lord Jesus Christ.

My God is…the God of Power and Might Psalm 89:5-8

04 Jul

Psalm 89:5-8 New International Version (NIV)

5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Oooooh! Aaaahhh!

Every Forth of July you can hear around the country the same thing. Children, families and adults alike looking up into the sky and oohing and aahing. Fireworks are amazing things. They’re beautiful, exhilarating, loud, and dangerous. We look up into the sky and see these amazing colors bursting in the air. We’re amazed.

Fireworks are dangerous

To tell you the truth, I’m kind of chicken. I got nervous when my boys would climb the jungle gyms at the park. I couldn’t watch. In my brain the first thing that comes to mind seems to be the danger than could occur. My focus is not on the fun of the moment, but the potential disaster. I’m sort of pessimistic (my husband says I’m the most cheerful pessimist he knows). So with that information, you won’t be too surprised when I tell you fireworks make me nervous. Why? Because they are powerful. Even the small ones (ok maybe not the black worms that you light and they foam out of the small pill the started out as) make me nervous. They bang and pop somewhat unexpectedly. While this seems to bring everyone else great joy, I’m always thinking of the emergency room visits that people will be making that night, and how to avoid one in our family.

Fireworks are beautiful and exciting

Ok, so please don’t email me telling me I need to go back to counseling, but I have to admit that while on the one hand fireworks freak me out, I also enjoy them. I like how beautiful they are and enjoy the brilliance of the unexpected delights I’ll see. You sort of know what you’re going to get when you light your fireworks, but not exactly. Each one is different. The city fireworks are amazing. Laying on your back seeing them burst overhead.

In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared

In our verse above, we hear that God is greatly feared among the holy ones. Not because He’s dangerous, but because He is more awesome than anything else. He is more powerful, more truthful, more consistent, more everything good than anything else in the whole world, universe or beyond.

For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?

So while you’re enjoying the fireworks this Fourth of July, looking up to the skies and seeing the bright array of colors and hearing the loud booms, remember our Lord. Our God is more awesome than all of this; more exciting, more powerful and more amazing. He is more amazing and awesome than even the stars in the sky. Nothing can compare with the awesomeness of our God. Maybe even throw some oohs and aahs His way as you are amazed at what those He created have made.

 

 
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Posted by on July 4, 2012 in My God is The God of Power and Might, Psalm

 

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My God is…Sovereign Romans 8:28

02 Jul

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been

called according to his purpose.

Sovereign – adjective

* belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereignty; royal.
* having supreme rank, power, or authority.
* supreme; preeminent; indisputable: a sovereign right.
* greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.
* being above all others in character, importance, excellence,etc.
* efficacious; potent: a sovereign remedy.

What does it mean to be Sovereign? 
To be honest, I don’t know if I could have given you a very good definition of the word sovereign before looking it up on dictionary.com. I looked at the adjective definitions, as we’re using describing words (you can see what great English class information I remember) in relation to our Lord. Once again I’m amazed at how rich a word can be when you look at all its definitions.

Belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereignty; royal.
So what are the characteristics of a Sovereign (a royal person)? I like to watch a lot of English period pieces, and though many of them are not about royals (though quite a few are) they are often about the relationship between the upper-crust of society and the servants. The upper crust people (we’ll say are royals) are compelled to do what is right. There are expectations on them that aren’t on the servants. There is an expectation of perfection. That fits our God. No matter what the circumstance – He is perfect.

Having supreme rank, power, or authority.
This definition of the adjective Sovereign also fits our Lord well. Whether you think of our God at creation, Jesus calming the seas, or the Holy Spirit working faith in our lives, God shows himself as Sovereign throughout the Bible and in our lives.

Supreme; preeminent; indisputable
There is no higher authority than God. Everything in all creation must submit to His authority. He has the final word and His decisions are indisputable.

Greatest in degree; utmost or extreme
When you describe God, he is never sort of this or sort of that. He’s not wishy-washy. He’s all or nothing. He is or He isn’t. There isn’t a lot of wiggle room when describing God. He is the utmost of anything He is or isn’t. He is Powerful, but He isn’t sinful.

Being above all others in character, importance, excellence,etc
This definition of Sovereign really resonates with me when thinking about My God. He is above all others in importance in my life. Some moms might be shocked to know that my boys are not the most important thing to me (I feel like I’m almost breaking a sacred code of motherhood). And while my Husband is the most important thing to me here on earth, he is not the most important thing in my life. God is the most important. I try daily to put His will above my own. I love Him more than anything else in my life. I would be sad without my husband or boys, but I would be hopeless without my God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
This verse is made so much more important for me, when I think about it in relationship to God’s Sovereignty. He knows what he’s doing. He is perfect, has the power and authority, and above all others in character. He is in charge, and as we can see from this verse, we should be glad He is. He’s working for the Good of those who love Him. What a comfort! What a hope!

What is most important to you?
 
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Posted by on July 2, 2012 in My God is Sovereign

 

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My God is…a leader Psalm 23:1-3

26 Jun

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Great Leaders

Have you ever known any great leaders? Have you read any books by great leaders? What makes you want to follow the leader? Where are they leading you? Sometimes we’re disappointed by earthly leaders. We follow them hoping they know a better way. We want our political leaders to help our State, Country and World run better. For things to go more smoothly. We want them to make our lives easier, more exciting and more profitable. Then we find out they want those things for themselves, and when push comes to shove, they often choose themselves over the common good.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing

God has given us everything we need. He’s given us life, and more importantly eternal life. We lack nothing that is of true value. He supplies what we need. Like the sparrows, he knows our every need and supplies it. He knows each hair on our head. He cares about and for us, so we can be confident that through Him we lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures

What kind of God makes us to lie down in green pastures. Have you ever lied down in green pastures? Imagine yourself, in a park near a lake. The grass is green and soft. You lie down, close your eyes and take in some deep breaths. That’s what the Lord does for you. He makes you lie down in green pastures. What an amazing God that He wants that for us. He’s not concerned about our position in the world or becoming successful. He’s concerned about your well-being, the well-being of your soul. If you have ever laid on the grass with your eyes closed, it’s likely you know the peace it can bring. If you haven’t, you may want to give it a try!

He leads me beside quiet waters

So while you’re lying there on your back in the grass, you begin to hear the water on the lake lapping up on shore. The calm sound of the waves brings you peace. It brings a rhythm to your breathing and to your heart. God is so good. He knows the power of relaxing and being refreshed. Not just from laying on the grass near quiet water, but truly from resting in Him. Knowing Him and trusting Him with all the things that are going on in your life so that in the midst of turmoil you can find that same peace you might have felt near the lake. A peace that surpasses all understanding.

He refreshes my soul

Does your soul need refreshing? God refreshes our souls. He provides the peace that is necessary for our body mind and soul to be refreshed so that we might go on doing His will in this world. He as our leader doesn’t just tell us where to go, He actually changes our soul. Like a cold glass of water on a hot summer day, the Lord, through His word, Promises and Salvation provide us with a refreshment that no water could ever provide.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake

God’s word will not mislead you. You will not be sold one bill of goods and be given another. His promises are true and can be counted on. He is not some up and coming politician who will soon disappoint. He is forever, trustworthy and true. He is a leader we can follow, and He will not lead me down any wrong paths. He will keep my way true.

Is your soul refreshed?

 
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Posted by on June 26, 2012 in My God is a Leader, Psalm

 

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My God is…a Gift Giver (Part 2) Romans 6:23

21 Jun

My last post was about God as a Gift giver. That evening I had my women’s Bible study, and found quite a few more verses about God giving us a gift. I felt lead to talk about it again, thanks for reading!

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you like getting gifts?

I have a friend who doesn’t like to receive gifts. I’m not sure why, but she doesn’t. I love receiving gifts. It’s one of my love languages. Coupled with quality time, receiving gifts makes me feel like the person giving it was thinking about me. They took their time to do something for me. It doesn’t matter the price or the size of the gift, one of my favorites is when my husband or my boys makes me a cup of tea without me asking for it.

Getting what I deserve

Have you ever watched those makeover shows? It doesn’t matter which one you watch, the people who are receiving the makeover are almost always described as deserving it. At least once in the episode you’re likely to hear “they deserve it” or “she deserves it” or “you deserve it”. This phrase has always rubbed me the wrong way. I always think to myself, “why do they deserve it?”. I’m pretty sure they don’t deserve it any more than anyone else. I’m sure if they got to know the person more, they would know that they don’t always treat everyone well, they aren’t always perfect. The wages of sin is death. Somehow, I let the generosity they were receiving get tainted by my need for justice.

I don’t get what I deserve

In the verse above, we’re told that the wages of sin are death. I deserve death. But like in those makeover shows, God doesn’t give me what I deserve, He gives me a gift of grace through His Son Jesus. I’m not destined for death, but life eternal because Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins. I’m just like those people on the makeover show. I’m not any more special or important than any one else. But God says “You deserve it”, not because of something I’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done for me. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9. It’s not by what I’ve done but by who I am through Christ Jesus. What an amazing gift.

Do you deserve it?

 
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Posted by on June 21, 2012 in My God is a Gift Giver

 

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My God is…A Gift Giver Luke 11:11-13

19 Jun

Luke 11:11-13 Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

My Cousin is a great gift giver!

My cousin Rob is one of the best gift givers I know. I’ve been given a lot of great gifts in my day, but some of my most memorable came from my cousin Rob. We didn’t even exchange presents with him very often, but he sure did make the most of each opportunity. Rob puts a lot of thought and creativity into his gifts. My favorite? When I was in high school, I received a birthday (or was it graduation) card in the mail from Rob. Inside? A blank check. What???? That’s right, a blank check. Unless you’ve received a blank check from someone, you may not know the conflict this brings with it. On the one hand it showed that he valued me, a lot. That was extremely meaningful. Then I had to decide what amount to put on the check. How much did I value me? I’ll leave you to guess how much I put on there.

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

Suppose your dad is dishing out ice cream, and he offers you chocolate or vanilla. You ask for vanilla, and he gives you vanilla. He doesn’t give you chocolate or strawberry. He gives you what you requested. Most parents really want to give kids what they want. God is no different.

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate gift. Like the blank check that my cousin gave me, God giving me His Holy Spirit shows me how much He values me. He’s given me His Holy Spirit, through whom I am given even more gifts, like faith. If God values me enough to give me His Holy Spirit, now I’m faced with a dilemma. How much do I value myself. Do I value myself enough to ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that I want?

In 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11, we’re shown a look at some of the gifts of the Spirit.  “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

If we ask for the Holy Spirit, God promises to give it to us.

Have you asked for the Holy Spirit? In our verse from Luke 11, God promises to give it to all who ask for it. Maybe you were given the Holy Spirit in your Baptism, maybe you were given the Holy Spirit through the Word of God in scriptures, or maybe the Lord came when you asked. Some might say if you can ask you already had the Holy Spirit. And that might be true too, but we can be sure from this scripture that if you do ask, he won’t refuse you.

 
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Posted by on June 19, 2012 in Luke, My God is a Gift Giver

 

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My God is…My Peace Ephesians 2:14-18

14 Jun

Ephesians 2:14-18 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

For He Himself is our Peace

In the verses above, we hear about how Jesus came and broke down the walls between Jews and Gentiles. The Law was set aside so that all could have the inheritance of eternal life. He created a new humanity that he reconciled through dying on the cross. That’s how He put to death their hostility. And now we have access to the Father by one Spirit.

The Trinity

This is a beautiful section of scripture that really points out the trinity (God is three in one – Not Three Gods – One God with three persons). All of the persons of God are present in this scripture, Jesus, God the Father and the Spirit.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Jesus came to bring the Jews (the religious people of the day) together with those who had been worshiping other gods or no gods at all. Jesus came and went far and wide to spread the grace of His Gospel. He didn’t hold it back from anyone. Some people didn’t believe, but that wasn’t because He didn’t tell them.

God is our Peace 

Normally I think of peace as a spiritual state of being. Something we feel or don’t feel. In these verses in Ephesians, it is an interesting look at the fact that Jesus brought peace through reconciliation. He reconciled all people Jews and Gentiles by dying on the cross. He made amends. He worked peace, bringing people back together. Not just the peace in your heart, but the getting along with your neighbor kind of peace.

Every Conflict is an opportunity to witness

I went to a Women’s Leadership Institute conference a few months ago and one of the things I think about almost daily since I went is the idea of reconciliation. The last speaker of the conference was from the Ambassadors of reconciliation. One of the things the gentleman said that will likely stick with me for a long time  (yes there is more than one) is that for Christians, every conflict is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to witness for Christ. To react as Christ would react, not as the world would react. In the verses above we get a sense of what that reaction might look like. It is a reaction of peace; bringing people together not pushing them apart.

How we respond says a lot about our God

Could you be like Gladys Staines? Gladys Staines had not heard from her husband, Graham, a respected missionary, or their two sons, Philip, 10, and Timothy, 6. They were at a religious retreat in a village four hours away. Had they been the ones killed by an anti-Christian mob, the ones burned beyond recognition in a jeep. She forgave the killers their deeds.

Could you be like the Amish in Pennsylvania? When their children were shot and killed by their milk delivery man, how did they respond? They responded with forgiveness. The media went crazy. Forgiveness in these difficult times points people to Christ. They wonder why and how Christians can forgive, and in these verses we see it is because that’s what Jesus does, he brings peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding.

What do you do when someone does something bad to you?

 
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Posted by on June 14, 2012 in God is the Prince of Peace, My God is Peace

 

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My God is…Reliable Hebrews 13:8

12 Jun

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

People Change

Some people claim that people never change. You’ve heard it…”Once a cheater, always a cheater.” I guess that many of our tendencies are genetic, and so some things might be hard to change, but I don’t believe impossible. In fact I think people are changing all the time. We’re growing, growing older and maturing (hopefully). I think that so many moments throughout our lives change us, maybe ever so slightly, but as the build on each other, our thoughts and feelings change.

I used to hate fish, Chinese food and soup.

I hated them. I would swear up and down that they were awful. These foods had no redeeming qualities what-so-ever. I would practically throw a fit if one of these items were placed in front of me for dinner (well beyond the fit throwing ages, too). I believe that I never actually hated these foods, but wanted something else instead. I didn’t want fish, I wanted chicken, and in order to sell that to my mom, I HATED fish. When we went out to eat, my father might ask, Chinese or Mexican, and because I loved Mexican, I had to HATE Chinese food. You get the picture. Imagine to my amazement how surprised I was, in my adulthood, I no longer hated these foods, but actually quite enjoyed them. I had changed.

Every Experience Changes Us

Whether it’s your moms encouraging words, the mean comments from the girls in 7th period or the huge mistake we made at work, things change us. As humans we are pliable. Our feelings and circumstances change how we feel, live, look and behave. Some might say we’re adaptable, others might say we’re unreliable.

Expect the unexpected

Because humans are unreliable, and our feelings change from day-to-day, our lives can feel unstable. Families can feel unstable. Things we think we should be able to count on disappoint us. We get discouraged. Unexpected things happen, and it’s hard for us to adjust. We liked it the way it was. But things change.

Things change, but God doesn’t

A midst our every changing world and circumstances is something we can rely on, God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That is why we can trust the promises He made in the Bible, because unlike our spouses and parents, He’s not going to change. He is consistent and reliable. You can put your faith in Him.

What do you put your faith in?

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2012 in Hebrews, My God is Reliable

 

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God is…my help Isaiah 41:10

07 Jun

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;  fear
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

So do not fear, for I am with you

Someone told me recently that there are 365 places in the Bible where we are told not to fear. When researching it, it becomes a little less clear that there are that many, but let’s be honest whether it’s 365, 100 or 45, that still means the Lord has a lot to say about the subject. Dictionary.com defines fear like this:

fear noun

1.  a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil,pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
2.  a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling: an abnormal fear of heights.
3.  concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone’s safety.
4.  reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God.
5.  something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension;something a person is afraid of: Cancer is a common fear.
I made the part bold that I think is so interesting, fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger – whether the threat is real or imagined. Real or imagined – fear is powerful. I don’t know about you, you’re probably a little more “normal” than I am, but I am often overwhelmed by fear. And I’m embarrassed to say that most of my fears turn out to be imagined fears. I’m afraid I’ll pass out when I speak in front of people. I’m afraid people won’t like me when I show up to a party. I’m afraid my work isn’t good enough. I’m afraid I’m failing my children (jury’s still out on that one).
Real Fears
Some of us are facing real fears. I was just contacted by a dear friend of mine asking for prayers for a 4-year-old  who was trampled by a horse and had to be flown to the hospital here in Portland. Her grandmother works with my friend, and they are facing the fear of losing this precious little girl. And yet God says to us – Fear not. I understand that when I’m dealing with imagined fears, but when there are real threats to the lives of those we love, it’s not easy for us humans to behave that way.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
So when I pray for this family and the healing of this little girl, I’m going to trust in the last portion of the verse from above. I am going to pray that the Lord strengthens the girl and her family. That the Lord would be faithful to His words and help them. That the Lord would uphold them with His right hand.
 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/matt_redman/you_never_let_go.html ]
(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

(Chorus 2x’s)

What are you afraid of?
 
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Posted by on June 7, 2012 in Isaiah, My God is My Help

 

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My God is…There 1 Corinthians 3:16

06 Jun

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in yourYoung Woman Portrait midst?

Don’t you know?

Thanks Paul. Don’t you know you are God’s temple. Isn’t it amazing that we as humans can hear something over and over again and not hear it clearly. We may be taught math everyday of school and still not understand it. This leads to teachers, parents and friends to say, “Don’t you know…”. It can be frustrating when people don’t understand things that are perfectly clear to us. I think in this verse Paul was having one of those moments with the Corinthians (and probably me – though he didn’t know that at the time). He feels like it is really clear, but the people of Corinthians remember it one minute and the next they are behaving like it isn’t true.

You yourselves are God’s temple

God’s temple. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty important. It’s hard for me to actually value myself enough to think of myself as God’s temple. But God knows me better than I know myself. He values me and considers me His temple. If God dwells in me, what does that mean for who I am. If God were dwelling in my house (physically), would I not work to make sure He had what he needed? Wouldn’t I want to keep out things that would make my house less appealing? I would put clean sheets on the bed, use air freshener and clean the bathrooms. I would want to get rid of every trace of dirt that I could. Not because God was going to judge my home or look down on it, but because I want it to be a place worthy of Him.

So too, I should do this in my heart. I should be paying attention to my Godly Guest. I should clean out the cobwebs, dust and remove anything that isn’t needed so it doesn’t get in the way of my spending time with the Guest.

God’s Spirit dwells in your midst

dwell [dwel]

verb (used without object)

1. to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.
2. to live or continue in a given condition or state: to dwell in happiness.
3. to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often followed by on  or upon ): to dwell on a particular point in an argument.
God’s spirit is in me; dwelling in me. Looking at the definitions of dwell (minus the one I didn’t list about machinery), it’s amazing how rich the word is when you apply that to the idea of God’s Spirit dwelling in us.
God’s Spirit is going to stay as a permanent resident in you. Permanent. Amazing. He is with us always. We never will be alone, and we can always call on God’s Spirit to help us when confused, troubled, excited or happy. We always have someone who is on our side, at the ready. God is there (you should be pointing to your heart right now – at least I am). He’s PERMANENT! He’s not going anywhere – Praise God!
 
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Posted by on June 6, 2012 in God is There

 

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