Time
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:24-28
Do you sometimes wonder what in the world you are doing with the time God has given? Do spend your time worrying about what your neighbor said about you, what the people at church think of you, or what that supposed friend is thinking even though they are not saying it? Is your time spent thinking more about how people can make a difference in your life than what difference you can make in other lives by supporting them? Or, do you think of how you are going to pay for the latest model of the latest "it" thing that is out there? When I read this scripture about God, one thing really stands out to me, and that is He "gives everyone life and breath and everything else." So nothing is ours and it reminds me how He so freely gives. So instead of worrying about those things that are not ours and we have no control over, why not focus more on seeking our Father and his plan for us. As the scripture says, He marks out our time in history, so He really has us where we are supposed be as long as we listen. This week let us think more about Glorifying God than Glorifying ourselves.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Fantastic Friday #257-Diligent
Diligent
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:9-12
What do you do with persevering attention in your life? This is what diligence means. Do you help others without complaining, do share the Gospel with a diligent heart? Or do find it easier to be lazy and just get by without a patient heart. When you think that God is silent or maybe isn't giving you the direction you think you need to head, God has you rest for the things that are more important later. As friends of ours begin on a journey of trusting God for their future, I know that their faith is strong and their friends can diligently help them in many ways. Don't be lazy but call on the diligent strength God has for you to support Him and those around you in His cause for this world.
Have a great weekend.
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:9-12
What do you do with persevering attention in your life? This is what diligence means. Do you help others without complaining, do share the Gospel with a diligent heart? Or do find it easier to be lazy and just get by without a patient heart. When you think that God is silent or maybe isn't giving you the direction you think you need to head, God has you rest for the things that are more important later. As friends of ours begin on a journey of trusting God for their future, I know that their faith is strong and their friends can diligently help them in many ways. Don't be lazy but call on the diligent strength God has for you to support Him and those around you in His cause for this world.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Fantastic Friday #256- Compete
Compete
3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:3-5
This week I have observed and experienced the ultimate in competition. I umpired a baseball game between 9 and 10 year old boys, I watched my boys play baseball in a competitive setting for each of their age groups. I also observed the results of a science fair and art competition, and saw how each one of the kids was respectful to each other and humble in winning their awards. I saw a track meet between Christian schools, and the support my kid's school gave each other and other schools was fantastic. What did I learn from all this competition and what can you learn? In our lives we are in competition with the dark forces of this world that tries to get us to sidestep the rules and win at all costs. If we take a moment to be humble with what God has given us and remember that God is the one in control, we can have a fantastic influence on those don't know God. Endure your hardship and compete for God's Kingdom that was already won for you, but remember to follow the rules.
Have a great weekend.
3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:3-5
This week I have observed and experienced the ultimate in competition. I umpired a baseball game between 9 and 10 year old boys, I watched my boys play baseball in a competitive setting for each of their age groups. I also observed the results of a science fair and art competition, and saw how each one of the kids was respectful to each other and humble in winning their awards. I saw a track meet between Christian schools, and the support my kid's school gave each other and other schools was fantastic. What did I learn from all this competition and what can you learn? In our lives we are in competition with the dark forces of this world that tries to get us to sidestep the rules and win at all costs. If we take a moment to be humble with what God has given us and remember that God is the one in control, we can have a fantastic influence on those don't know God. Endure your hardship and compete for God's Kingdom that was already won for you, but remember to follow the rules.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Fantastic Friday #255- Sustain
Sustain
22 Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked
into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
will not live out half their days.
But as for me, I trust in you. Psalm 55:21-23
What do you use to get you through the day? Is it that first cup of Starbucks in the morning, a diet soda, a good lunch, that afternoon super energy drink, or a protein shake to keep your body moving. That might take care of the physical jump start or longer needs, but what about the need to mentally sustain you throughout the hectic days we live in? You might think that some of that Starbucks might jump start your mind, but the mind needs more than a jolt of caffeine. In this world of unending, crazy busyness that is full of worldly focuses and pressure and stress to succeed, there is nothing physical that can jump start our mind and sustain it. But, there is God and He is always there to sustain us as long as we focus on what He has for our lives and not what the world tells us to have for our lives. Jump start your day by visiting with God by praising Him and thanking Him for all He has provided you physically and mentally and then ask for His sustaining power to get you through your day.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Fantastic Friday #254- Bad Day
Bad Day
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:16-18
I think I have heard this phrase from each of my children in the past week, and maybe from myself. "Today was a bad day." Now, if I would follow the advice of one of my friends who once said to me, "how can today be a bad day if the Lord made it" I would be pretty well off. However, it is very easy to forget this. Very wise words from a wise woman, but even wiser words can be seen from David here in this verse. If we sit and tell ourselves today is a good day because we are still alive, we have hope, we have grace, and there are so many other things to be thankful for, then maybe our bad day we think we had wouldn't look so bad. We need to remember to praise God for the good things He has given us and then look at what we think is "bad" and how God can make that good by teaching us something from that bad/good thing. God is always good and all comes from God, so how can anything in this life be bad.
Have a great day.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:16-18
I think I have heard this phrase from each of my children in the past week, and maybe from myself. "Today was a bad day." Now, if I would follow the advice of one of my friends who once said to me, "how can today be a bad day if the Lord made it" I would be pretty well off. However, it is very easy to forget this. Very wise words from a wise woman, but even wiser words can be seen from David here in this verse. If we sit and tell ourselves today is a good day because we are still alive, we have hope, we have grace, and there are so many other things to be thankful for, then maybe our bad day we think we had wouldn't look so bad. We need to remember to praise God for the good things He has given us and then look at what we think is "bad" and how God can make that good by teaching us something from that bad/good thing. God is always good and all comes from God, so how can anything in this life be bad.
Have a great day.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Fantastic Friday #253-Children
Children
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17
I looked at my children this week and observed a number of things. Most were good, a few rough moments, but the thing I noticed most is how much I love each and every one of them, and how unconditional that love is that I have for them. There were times when they cried out to me from across the house for one thing or another, and sometimes it sounded more like a kid yelling. I know there are some out there that don't have children or who have children that are grown, but you all are Children as well. Do you find yourself crying out to God asking for help? During our sufferings and times of need we cry out to God for this help and we can feel quite like a small child. One thing we can be secure of is that you are a child of God and if you have received Christ in your life you have the Spirit to guide you these moments of need. Remember, even the oldest child needs help and God is always there to help His children.
Have a great weekend.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17
I looked at my children this week and observed a number of things. Most were good, a few rough moments, but the thing I noticed most is how much I love each and every one of them, and how unconditional that love is that I have for them. There were times when they cried out to me from across the house for one thing or another, and sometimes it sounded more like a kid yelling. I know there are some out there that don't have children or who have children that are grown, but you all are Children as well. Do you find yourself crying out to God asking for help? During our sufferings and times of need we cry out to God for this help and we can feel quite like a small child. One thing we can be secure of is that you are a child of God and if you have received Christ in your life you have the Spirit to guide you these moments of need. Remember, even the oldest child needs help and God is always there to help His children.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fantastic Friday #252- Reflect
Reflect
19 As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19
Looking in the mirror, how would you describe yourself? Would you utilize any of these words: Righteous, forgiven, chosen, justified, accepted, blessed or reconciled? Or are you hard on yourself and use other words that would completely be the opposite of the words listed above? Or are you living a life that doesn't quite come close to reflecting these words. There are times in our life when I am sure we can question whether we are forgiven or blessed due to our perceived circumstances, but if you look carefully at your reflection after you have accepted Christ all these words above and more are a part of you. You just need to look deep in your heart and let your heart reflect what Christ has given you through His sacrifice. If you haven't truly accepted Christ, then look at what is missing from your life. Now it is up to you to reflect Christ in your life, and show others how blessed and forgiven you truly are because of Him.
Have a great weekend.
19 As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19
Looking in the mirror, how would you describe yourself? Would you utilize any of these words: Righteous, forgiven, chosen, justified, accepted, blessed or reconciled? Or are you hard on yourself and use other words that would completely be the opposite of the words listed above? Or are you living a life that doesn't quite come close to reflecting these words. There are times in our life when I am sure we can question whether we are forgiven or blessed due to our perceived circumstances, but if you look carefully at your reflection after you have accepted Christ all these words above and more are a part of you. You just need to look deep in your heart and let your heart reflect what Christ has given you through His sacrifice. If you haven't truly accepted Christ, then look at what is missing from your life. Now it is up to you to reflect Christ in your life, and show others how blessed and forgiven you truly are because of Him.
Have a great weekend.
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