Friday, May 31, 2013

Proverbs 10:11

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 

This is the second time part b is mentioned.  Part a supports love covers a multitude of sin (verse 12).  Encourage and edify one another.  My words can be a fountain of life or a source of death.  I've written before on this point.  I want my words to be a fountain of life for others (and me).  My self talk is often worse the what I speak to others.  Do my words align with God's words?  Am I speaking truth?  God's word is the fountain of Life, direct from Jesus!


Lord put a guard over my mouth so my words honor You and bring life to others.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Proverbs 10:8

Proverbs 10:8
A wise heart accepts commands but a chattering fool comes to ruin.  

Part B is repeated in verse 10.  It is all about what comes out of the mouth (which comes from the heart).  If I'm interested only in speaking, I run out of things to talk about, I move onto other people - as in gossip, not excluding a busybody.  Chattering indicates nothing useful, just sound.  What can turn me wise?  By shutting my mouth and accepting the commands given to me by my Father!


Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes a crooked path will be found out.

integrity:  the quality or state of being complete or undivided (www.m-w.com)

 One thing I've learned through my BSF studies is the importance of integrity and how God desires that from His people, how He is (faithful).  Integrity means no compromise, being faithful, tempered, dedicated to God's decrees wholly.  A person with integrity goes the extra mile out of love and finishes all things with excellence.  My goal in life is to finish with excellence bringing God glory each day, in that I am securely in Christ.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Proverbs 10: 4-5

Proverbs 10: 4-5
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.  He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

Again, I can see the truth in looking at my life.  During my 20s I was lazy.  My priorities were wrong.  When I had time to myself, I did nothing - which I sought more than anything.  It did make me poor- for I spent my money, time on gaining nothing but my own laziness (ex. eating out often).  I have made great strides in this area for the Lord has granted me motivation.  Motivation to spend my life loving Him and others.  I thank God for this motivation, that His wisdom is making me new!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Summer Fun

God has called me to lead a Bible Study in my home for my daughter and her friends.  My goal is to instill a thorough knowledge of love and what that will look like when acted out in daily life.

So 1 Corinthians 13 here we come.  It is a Treasure Island theme.  I'll have crafts to go along as well, which will include a palm tree with what love is written on the leaves and treasure boxes.  I'm also researching some nature skills that is appropriate for a 8 year old to know.  That means we'll skip the fire starters.  Initial skills is to identify some trees.  Perhaps some herbs.  And around my house we have a lot of examples of poison ivy and oak.  As a side not, I'm note allergic to poison ivy, but poison oak is the worst.

I'm really looking forward to breaking down scripture and interacting with the girls to see what it really means to leave that out.  I know I have a lot to learn right along with them.  I've felt this tug over the summer before to reach out, however I always allowed my selfish side to kick in and say summer is for me and my girl.  I know it will be a lot of work, but it will be so worth it! 

I'll post more when I get it all together. 

Friday, May 24, 2013

Proverbs 10:1

This begins my summer walk through of Proverbs.  I'm not following any plans and I'm beginning in chapter 10.  I may go back to 1-9 if I have time at the end.

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon.  A wise son brings joy to his father, but  a foolish son grief to his mother.

I can observe the truth of this passage in my own family.  When someone is acting foolish - the grief my parents feel.  With seven siblings, there are ample supply for each to act foolishly.  some are foolish and can never seem to get life right, since they do not know the wisdom of God.  They pursue their own pleasure over real pleasure of God.  Others have gained some wisdom and bring comfort.  In times of turmoil, I am the one my mother usually calls for comfort.  Not that I am perfect, as I have written about that many times, but it is my firm stance in Christ that comforts her.  God has granted me wisdom to help her in her walk with Him, in that I am blessed.

Friday, May 17, 2013

He is My Portion

...your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  Matthew 6:32b

To start with here's a small seed in my heart for a desire to work overseas in missions. We are having some work done on our house. It has led me to review my attachment to this house - how much money we've invested to make it our home.  How much the market value is.

How would it work out to be on a long term mission? Of course I shelved that question for when God calls us. I couldn't deny my attachment to my home and how difficult selling this place would be emotionally. This is the 2nd time God has worked this in my heart this year. 

I can see I am like the Pharisees, who valued things/position over people, if I allow my attachment to my home to get in the way of reaching the lost. For reaching the lost causes rejoicing in Heaven. 

That was the first revelation.  Then the next day He asked through a lecture: Do you allow God to direct where you live?  What?  To allow God to direct my home, be it in Indiana or New Guinea? 

He showed me the ugly greed in my heart.  I was concerned about the money, the investment, the upkeep.  Would we get the money back?  Oh, how ugly greed is.  It's been there for a while, I just didn't recognize it.

I have repented. I have submitted. Lord, You gave it to me. I will follow Your leading on all I have - either for me to keep or to give away.  For what we put into this home is for us to enjoy now and perhaps when it is Your timing - will bless others.  Amen.

As a final thought, how easy it is to gloss over greed when I considering a minor thing like a flag.  Oh, how my heart changes when we speak of thousands of dollars.  I am so thankful this was revealed to me, as an answered prayer for God to reveal any corruption in my heart.  It is truly a blessing to let go of all things and be content with the portion God is.  Content, not attached.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Proverbs 18:2

A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.  Proverbs 18:2

Oh how foolish I've been in the past.  My pride always wants to give my opinion.  I share how right I am.  Perhaps even stick my nose somewhere it doesn't belong because I consider my thoughts superior.  My ways better. 

From this verse I will only have delight in understanding.  That means to stop looking for ways to improve.  Stop the critical eye.  Examine to understand.  Close my mouth so I can hear and understand. 

One of the places I saw the need the most in within me.  I used to be very critical.  Not as much anymore as the Holy Spirit has worked mightily in this area.  I was trying to do the Holy Spirit's work when I decided what needed changed.  How foolish is that?!!

Now I wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal what I need to understand.  Either within me or with out.  I seek to understand more through study of the Word.  He opens my heart up to all He is doing within and with out me so I can have His understanding and delight in it. 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Search me, O God

Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.
Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.
O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, start the work in me;
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Journey to Jesus Part 2


I then had an opportunity to go to Anne Graham Lotz's Just Give Me Jesus conference the same day as the  study (mentioned Part 1) - God ordained!  I knew most of the material she would cover already because of my past leadership positions.  However, I had a friend who needed to hear and learn.  Of course I was looking  nuggets of gold for my walk.  I wasn't left out.  The first night she walked us through the last days of our Lord Jesus on the earth.  With Easter not long ago, it was all still fresh in my heart and her story made it come to life.

I loved how she talked about Mary clinging to Jesus after she realized it was He outside the tomb.  Perhaps digging her nails in, trying to keep Him close.

So I had these visions of one Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus and another Mary clinging to Him.  When the conference was over, I felt the most convicted during the prayer time.  I didn't do all the things the speaker suggested when I prayed.  I was certain that the missing piece was prayer.  I had been circling that for months.  I asked God to reveal to me how I could improve my prayer time.  I decided to set my phone alarm to go off at 1 p.m. each day I was available so I could stop and prayer.  It was my first step toward improving my prayer time.

That went well for the most part - forming a new habit isn't always easy.  I made strides.  Yet it seemed something was still off.  Then in a week or so I went to a Mandisa concert (birthday gift).   I can't remember specifically what was said.  What I did know was it wasn't prayer that was missing, for I prayed all the time.  I prayed waking up and through out the day.  I have more of a rolling dialog with God.  I didn't need a formal time to improve my prayer life.

So if not prayer, what?  Praise time.  Time, just as the Marys above, to be in the presence of the Holy One and thank Him for all the abundance in my life.  To turn off the TV, the radio (unless I want to sing), turn away from the computer and just praise my Great and Awesome God.  It a time for just me and Him.  Not really for prayer requests.  Not really for Bible study, although both can be part of it.  It is to unplug from the world and plug in to Him 

Life Principle: In the quietness of my heart - learn to love Him on a whole new level, to reset my focus from distractions to His majesty.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Journey to Christ Part 1

It's been something hanging over my head.  Something is off, I just can't figure it out.  I knew there was more.  I really enjoyed doing an additional Bible study to really dig into Luke.  I was prayerful and waited for God to reveal Himself.  What needed to change.

And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

In writing out this verse for my study time, the Holy Spirit revealed that is a four fold process to love God.  I looked up each word. 
  • heart - inner, essential part 
  • soul - essential part, spiritual part of man 
  • strength - power, vigor -- physical muscles
  • mind - the intellect 
How was I doing in each of these areas and how could I improve overall - for to love God, for it is the first command to uphold - always.  I meditated on this often and I thought of God, for in my mind that is how I love Him.

There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42


Then there was the story of Mary and Martha in Luke in the same chapter.  I thought of a woman I had the privileged of knowing just a few years of her life. My husband's grandmother. This woman never owned a dryer and would drag her clean clothes out of her basement, across the yard, to the clothes line - all year long - until her last year of her life (87 yo).

She is what would be consider fanatical about Jesus. As I grow closer to Him, I appreciate her love of Jesus all the more. It was important to her that her grandchildren and their mates know and love Jesus. After she had a stroke and was on her last year - she spoke her mind - she spoke of how good Jesus was - no matter what the conversation was going on around her.  Her example reminds me of Mary - choosing the better portion. To be so in love with Jesus that when my mind is not my own, it is on Him.  I wondered when do I allow my circumstances to distract me from sitting at the feet of Jesus?  Even with that question in my mind, I didn't fully grasp what it meant. 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Why Measure?

As you may remember in this post, I discussed when I put my focus on my shape, not my health.  I changed up my workout because of pain in my hip and it occurred to me about that post and the outcome had I measured my body.

I would not have listened to my body when the pain came, because results are more important.  I would have placed guilt on myself when I would have to rest because the pain was so great.  I wouldn't have seen this as a minor setback and a new opportunity to learn more about the recovery road I'm on.  My head would still be messed up.  My focus wrong.

I still want to be further along in results before posting what I'm doing.  I am making progress.  I'm learning what the new normal is.  I'm happy to report that I can now kneel for short periods without stabbing pain in my knee. 

I'm happy to be focused on what God can do.  How He will teach me.  What He has for me.  How great my healing story will be once it is complete.  I praise Him now and will praise Him always. 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Demise or Opportunity

My heart is wrenched near daily - or at least when I watch the news - at what is going on in this world.  From natural disasters of floods, fire, tornadoes and hurricanes to man made disasters of bombs, explosions and war.  It's wondering how much should I fear the monsters of this world.  It's wondering if my niece keeps walking the path she's on, she at risk to be kidnapped into the sex trade or her life will just be over on this world.

When will the demise of this world stop?  Where can we go to get away from it all?  It seems the human race is bend on destroying all that is good, corrupting the innocent, violating each other in the deepest ways possible.

As my heart broke at the last incident, I couldn't help but wonder...Is this an opportunity?  An opportunity for God to move.  An opportunity for a revival to grasp the hearts and melt them.  An opportunity for God's people to stand up and become the tools of salvation for the God they love.

Opportunity brings hope.  It says tomorrow will be better, for we do our best today.  I am prone to doubt, yet if I see everything, every situation as an opportunity for God to move BIG, to show His mighty power, I can look past all the mess and right at the work God is doing.  I can see Jesus in the hearts of others.  I can allow the Holy Spirit to do His work and get out of the way!

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