New Year's Resolutions are so daunting. Frustrating. IMPOSSIBLE! You make a list, whether its 5 or 50, of things you want to change about yourself. One month, if that, and they have all fallen flat. What started as a great new you has quickly turned into a mountain too high to climb; and rather than focusing on one or two of your goals you abandon them all.
The last two years I've been doing something little different. It's call My One Word. Its idea is basically this, instead of making a long list of changes you want to make, you focus on ONE WORD. The ones who started this "movement" encourage you to prayerfully choose a word and find a scripture to go along with it. Then throughout the year continue to pray that characteristic, attitude, attribute over yourself and strive, with God's help, to be that word.
The last two years I've chosen a word and then half way through the year I've fallen off. I chose words that I wanted to be more apparent in my life. I found scriptures to pray along with that word. It didn't really change me and my attitude (which is the intended purpose). THIS YEAR is different. My one word is something that I desperately want and need... DISCIPLINE. I lack it in so many, if not every area of my life on some level. In my health, finances, housekeeping, Bible reading and prayer, even my bed time. I have chosen a scripture to help remind me.... "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." I Corinthians 6:12. It has been my diet verse for many months now. God has been showing me this applies in EVERY area of my life. I need to get serious, get disciplined.
I pray this will be an encouragement to you. I'm very excited to see what 2012 will hold and how God will move and work in me, for me, and through me. Happy New Year everyone and have a safe and blessed one!!!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
"... and teachers"
This is a nugget of wisdom God gave to me this past Sunday night during church. I wanted to share with you what He shared with me.
Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"
I want to focus on the calling of "teacher". I've heard this verse when referring to a S.S. teacher, a professor in a christian college, a teacher in a christian school, etc... God showed me something new and very cool.
It is worded, before each office listed, "some". There are "some apostles", and there are "some prophets", and there are "some evangelists", and there are "some pastors". When Paul gets to teachers he says "and teachers". Every saved person in the church is a teacher. Whether you know it or not, whether you want it or not. YOU are teaching others something. Teaching others how to act in church. Teaching them how to be a christian. Teaching them how to act outside of church. Teaching them how to pray. Teaching them how to worship. Teaching them how to seek God. BUT, in your actions, not only are you teaching right, you MIGHT also be teaching wrong (even when you don't mean to).
There is always someone watching you. Someone new to the church. A young person being raised in the church. You, my friend, are teaching them what it means to be a christian. Seek God yourself. Ask God for guidance. Be sure you are serving well, living well. Remember, you are teaching someone something. Be someone worth learning from.
Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"
I want to focus on the calling of "teacher". I've heard this verse when referring to a S.S. teacher, a professor in a christian college, a teacher in a christian school, etc... God showed me something new and very cool.
It is worded, before each office listed, "some". There are "some apostles", and there are "some prophets", and there are "some evangelists", and there are "some pastors". When Paul gets to teachers he says "and teachers". Every saved person in the church is a teacher. Whether you know it or not, whether you want it or not. YOU are teaching others something. Teaching others how to act in church. Teaching them how to be a christian. Teaching them how to act outside of church. Teaching them how to pray. Teaching them how to worship. Teaching them how to seek God. BUT, in your actions, not only are you teaching right, you MIGHT also be teaching wrong (even when you don't mean to).
There is always someone watching you. Someone new to the church. A young person being raised in the church. You, my friend, are teaching them what it means to be a christian. Seek God yourself. Ask God for guidance. Be sure you are serving well, living well. Remember, you are teaching someone something. Be someone worth learning from.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Shhh....
James 1:26-27 "If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the father is this, to visit the fatherless, and widow in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world".
This is a verse that has worked on me the last 4 or so years. I used to be (and still sometimes am) very critical and judgmental. I was condemning instead of convicting. I was accused of acting "holier than thou". I utterly denied it then, I can now see I was though. God has done quite the working in my life (and mouth). I'm much more apt to just quote the Bible to a person in the wrong or just pray and let God take care of it. Before, all that came out of me was "you're wrong, you heathen sinner!". Now, I just love and speak when God wants me to speak. There are times (not as many as there used to be, but more than I'd like) that I let my own opinions and thoughts come out, but I repent and redirect my thoughts and "advice".
I say all of that to say this.... Don't let your mouth ruin your testimony. Just because you are a christian and "know better" doesn't mean you need to ram it down sinner's throats. Pray for guidance and the right words. Love the person with the love of Christ. Speak when God tells you to speak, and be quiet when He tells you to be quiet. People will notice. People will be more willing to come to you when they don't feel judged and condemned. They will be more open the word of God.
I pray this post (and this whole blog) is a blessing. Have a great day in the Lord!
This is a verse that has worked on me the last 4 or so years. I used to be (and still sometimes am) very critical and judgmental. I was condemning instead of convicting. I was accused of acting "holier than thou". I utterly denied it then, I can now see I was though. God has done quite the working in my life (and mouth). I'm much more apt to just quote the Bible to a person in the wrong or just pray and let God take care of it. Before, all that came out of me was "you're wrong, you heathen sinner!". Now, I just love and speak when God wants me to speak. There are times (not as many as there used to be, but more than I'd like) that I let my own opinions and thoughts come out, but I repent and redirect my thoughts and "advice".
I say all of that to say this.... Don't let your mouth ruin your testimony. Just because you are a christian and "know better" doesn't mean you need to ram it down sinner's throats. Pray for guidance and the right words. Love the person with the love of Christ. Speak when God tells you to speak, and be quiet when He tells you to be quiet. People will notice. People will be more willing to come to you when they don't feel judged and condemned. They will be more open the word of God.
I pray this post (and this whole blog) is a blessing. Have a great day in the Lord!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Hello!!!
This is my first post in my first blog. I pray this finds all who read this well. I ask that you please be patient as I learn the blogging world. I'm excited to share my heart with you. Share with you things that God speaks to me. I love the Lord and love sharing His Word. I love talking about Him, singing about Him. I pray God blesses this blog and everyone that reads it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)