Use your head

“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-10

Wish I had studied this verse in high school! "Use your head and test your feelings"----would have been very helpful.  But still it applies today because we just let everyone in our hearts and that is no good...we have to be careful!

No loners here

^{Ecclesiastes 4:12}
By yourself you're unprotected.
   With a friend you can face the worst.
   Can you round up a third?
   A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

God didn't make us to be loners.  Some of us like me may be more sociable than others but no one is chosen to be alone. Many of you might be saying no way I am a loner, but not true....the body of Christ is made up of many parts!!  And we can't just have one part we need all parts to make the body of Christ work. So we must all work together as a team!!

"What's going to work? Team work!"-Wonder Pets

"I am the gate"

John 10:9

 6-10Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Absolutely nothing

Romans 8:38-39

 ^31-39So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

   They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
   We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. 


No matter where you are on the road of life, God is always there loving you! Nothing can come between you and him!!God's love is way bigger than that!

Talk!

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2

Prayer is the best thing you can do when you are trying to start a better relationship with God.  Just like any relationship there needs to be communication! So start sharing with your God!! Tell him everything and watch as your relationship grows!

Focused on the Goal!!

 Philippians 3:12-16
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
 15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Stop looking behind you and look in front of you!! Focus on the goal!!!!

 Proverbs 14:30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
      jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

It is so hard to be at peace sometimes but your body is much better off if we just relax and let things go. Jealousy is a scary thing, one that takes a lot of praying.

life

 Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The chapter is pretty interesting but I really enjoyed this verse because it says "he is life itself"... We don't have life unless we have him in it!

Don't forget!

Psalm 78:11
They forget what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.

Sometimes when I am praying I'm saying come on God help me out!  But this verse was a real eye opener to me today because I do forget.  And how can I?? I need to look back and see what all he has done for me and not be asking what can he do for me now. He has done great things for me and I am filled with joy!!!

Right decision!

Proverbs 23:19
 Oh listen, dear child—become wise;
   point your life in the right direction.

Not always an easy thing to do but it's sure is an easy decision!!

My struggle

The one thing I struggle with the most is... I want friendship with the world and friendship with God. But I know this can not happen. Sometimes I feel like their is a battle going on with me. I hear the bell ding ding, and the announcer says...the world vs. God. God does not want to be in a contest nor does he want to be one of my many treasures. He wants all or nothing. I remind myself of that because I get so caught up with all these things and I don't need them I want them. Got to focus on the one thing that does matter and that my friends is GOD!!! A verse that helps put me in place is: 1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him."

Watch the way you talk.

Ephesians 4:29-32

 29Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

 30Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

 31-32Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

In vs 29- say only what helps! So many times I want to say what's on my mind or speck the truth but that is not what is always needed. I need to watch the way I talk. In vs 30 what stuck out to me was "making you fit for himself." he live inside of us and we can't let him down, we can't take him or ourselves for granted.
Last part of this verse is my favorite!! "Be gentel with one another, sensitive." got to take care of one another and lift each other up!! Forgive even when it's hard!!!

Love this set of scriptures!! Thank you for sending it my way!!

Check it out!!

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. -African Proverb

This is so true! If our life was so perfect why would we rely on God or help others. Think about it! We are who we are because of our challenges!!!

Give give give

 I've never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I've done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You'll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, 'You're far happier giving than getting. Acts 20:33-35

Be a giver not a getter!!!

Better than others

“[Live Well, Live Wisely]Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.” James 3:13

The last part I underlined, because it says a lot to me.  Everything falls apart when you're trying so hard to be better than everyone else. Just chill out and be you! 

Awanas!

1 Peter 4:10-11 ^7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! 

Tonight is first night of Awanas!! I am so pumped about it too! Reading this verse I applied it to my serving in awanas! Working with children can be exhausting,  but like the verse says we need to be generous with the different things God gave me!  God's bright presence will be evident in everything that I do tonight! I will have an amazing attitude and serve his children!! 

NEW

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17

We all have a past and we all know that we will mess up in our future.  But what is so great about our loving God is that he forgives and knows that we are striving to do his work!   The "old" is constantly leaving me and the new is coming!  I am learning everyday and so therefore I am changing everyday! The new is here to stay!

All day long!!

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!” Philippians 4:4

First word in this verse is CELEBRATE! I love it!! We have to have a party evey day because it may be our last day!! He is coming!! He will be here soon so come on let's celebrate!!

I remember!!

I remember this day ten years ago very well. I was sitting in Mrs. Hills history class when over the intercom the teachers were told to turn the tv on. As I watched over and over again the plane flying into the building I began to pray. Being in high school I didn't understand it all so I just prayed for the families. A tear fell down my face and I remember one of my peers laughing and my teacher quickly told him to shut up.

When I left her class she looked at us all and said "our lives will be changed forever". I didn't get it then but I sure do ten years later. And ten years later the only thing I know to do is to pray! Prayer helps so many people,that's the one thing that will never change!

It's one of those days....

My fellow Christians are beating me down. And I hate that because I know that I have to just move along because that is just the devil, but it sure does hurt. Been doing a lot of praying today...

In love with this verse!!

“[A God-Filled Life]Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.” Titus 2:2

WOW! I really do love this.  Growing up I had so many older women showing me the way and I had no idea.  No it's my turn to show the younger crowd and people my age whats it like to walk in faith in all my relationships!!  I'm always re-checking my behavior, never want anyone to second guess me!! I needed this verse today!! 

Christ is in me!

“This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.” Colossians 1:28

It's out in the open folks...Christ is in me!! God gives and gives and gives so I better work hard every day!! First time ever reading this verse tonight. I really like it!

Open your eyes!!

The first two sets of scriptures below are about our treasures, then the last set is what our real treasure is!!

 ^{Matthew6: 19-21}"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.

 ^{Matthew 6:22-23}"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
 ²⁴"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.

I always forget this and need to remind myself of this daily.  Most of the time I want want want and am so unhappy for the things that I don't have.  I need to shut up and be grateful.  I need to learn that he has given me everything that I need.  I need to open my eyes!!!!!

Go out!!

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

It doesn't say when you have time or when you want to, it says "Go out and train everyone". We have a job to do and just like evey job we tend to get lazy. We have to step it up and tell/show others the life that is worth living for!!!

Help others in our crisis

Today at church we talked a economic crisis. Talked about how we need to help out one another instead of just taking care of ourselves. Made me do some thinking, I always have time so I need to volunteer somewhere! I love to bake so my neighbors ought to be getting sick of my cookies!! I need to do more because I have been so blessed!

Flow like a liver!

“[Your Progeny, Like Grains of Sand]And now, the Master, God, sends me and his Spirit with this Message from God, your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel: "I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go. If you had listened all along to what I told you, your life would have flowed full like a river, blessings rolling in like waves from the sea. Children and grandchildren are like sand, your progeny like grains of sand. There would be no end of them, no danger of losing touch with me.” Isaiah 48:17

The part that it says if you did what you were told your life would have flowed like a river... That's a slap in the face! In which I needed it. Sometimes we forget that we made our mistakes and we decided to stray from the path. So got to get back on there and let our life flow!!!

Love this!!

“Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise to do everything you say. I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile, be gracious to me just as you promised. When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders. The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out— but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me. I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true—I can't wait till morning! I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules. Your love, God, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel.” Psalm 119:64

Makes me just smile smile smile!!!!

Hope I do as good as my mom!

“Point your kids in the right direction— when they're old they won't be lost.” Proverbs 22:6

Thank you mom!!