Monday, March 19, 2012

A New Chapter

A couple of weeks ago, i talked about how we shouldn't shy away from commitment. Little did i know then, what God had planned for my husband & i. My husband is a licensed pastor. At the time of his licensing, we visited churches that were in need of pastors, where he would fill in at the pulpit. But after quite a few rejections, Hubby thought maybe he wasn't meant to be have a church. After all, you don't have to have a church to minister. Throughout the last couple of years, there was one church that repeatedly invited him as a guest pastor to fill in when needed. And recently, this church offered, & he accepted the position of pastor of that church.
This church is a very small church at this time. And the focus will be on growth. The first step is to start a Bible study. Hubby will lead the adult group study & i will lead the youth group study.

"Now what I am commanding you is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach!"
Deuteronomy 30:11 (NIV)
Recently, i read this verse in my morning devotion. And with this new assignment from God, i knew He meant for me to read this verse at this time. I do not have experience in leading a youth Bible study. But i realize that God will not call us to do something that is too difficult. God knows each one of us & knows what we can do. All we have to do is trust Him. And i know that not only is God commanding us to the tasks ahead to grow this church, but that Hubby & i are not shying from the commitment to obey.

We are beginning a new chapter of our lives next month. And i am so excited to see how this story unfolds.
I know i've kind of gone in a bit of a different direction today. But i am just so full of joy that i just had to share it. It's also another wonderful example of God's timing. He makes amazing things happen in His perfect time. One of my favorite sayings is, "When you least expect it, expect it." I've learned that's how God works.
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Monday, March 12, 2012

Love One Another

All of us were created with love by God & all of us - every single person on the face of this earth - is loved by Him. That's whey it's imperative to love everybody we meet everyday. By loving your fellow man unconditionally, it strengthens our love & relationship with our Heavenly Father. And it does open doors to future ministry in the lives of others. What an amazing thing it is to feel loved! God wants us to love & beloved. And isn't it great to feel God's love?! That's what he wants us to share with others.
"A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com
Loving others seems easy enough to a Christian. But sometimes showing that love can be difficult. When we are hurt by the actions or words of another, we don't really want to love that person. But God tells us that we must. The key is to ask God to help us forgive that person & give us His love to feel for that person. Because when we hang on to resentment &/or anger, we end up grieving the Holy Spirit.
When we love in the face of adversity, we show the world that our love for God is real. His love keeps us going whether we are faced with set backs & feel discouraged, or whether we've been hurt by words &/or actions. We need to value all of our trials, person & physical, & show God's love through it all. 

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Monday, March 5, 2012

Don't Shy Away From Commitment

As the saying goes, "When you fail to plan, you plan to fail." That is a great lesson for time management, but it's not really appropriate for God's timetable. But when you commit everything you do to God, you're saying to Him, that His plans are more important than anything you might plan.


Some days, it seems that i have so many interruptions &/or distractions. But if i give God these interruptions & distractions & ask Him to use & guide me, at the end of the day, everything i needed to do, gets done. I'll never understand this amazing miracle, but i thankfully accept it.


"Commit to the Lord whatever you do & your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

God has a plan for each & everyone of us! But walking this journey called life, wonderful things can be missed by insisting on doing things your way. God does give us freedom of choice. More often that not, we try things our own way & when all else fails, then we call on God. Another saying i like - or should i say question that i like - is "Why is there always time to do it over, but not enough time to do it right the first time?" Committing your day to God is doing it right the first time.

Commiting to the Lord is not just an attitude of positive thinking, but also an act of faith that He does keep His promises. Commitment involves follow through also. We have to do our own part & allow God to do His part. I especially think of my ifrogcrafts Etsy shop. I have dedicated it all to Him. But i have to do the work. I have to give it all to Him....the creating, the marketing, etc. But i have faith that He will give me His ideas & lead me to the correct marketing avenues. The result? Last year, i tripled, actually God tripled the number of sales that i had the year before by 300%! That's all thanks to God! But my favorite part was being able to send the increased tithes to Casa de Fe*. 

It's fruitless & sometimes painful to fight & rebel against the Creator. And why would we want to disobey Him? He has our best interest in mind - always! All we have to do is follow His recipe for our lives. Don't be afraid of commitment.

*Casa de Fe is an orphanage in Shel, Ecuador that provides spiritual as well as physical needs for special needs & abandoned children.
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Monday, February 27, 2012

Where Do You Find Comfort?

What's your comfort food? Personally, i have different comfort foods for different situations. But as we all, i'm sure, have found out, comfort food is only a temporary fix. Comfort is a spiritual need. God's word is our only true comfort when we face ordeals.


"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Matthew 4:4


It is very important that we read & memorize God's word, especially during the good times. Because, if we have His words in our minds & in our hearts. God will bring to mind His truths that we need when we go through any & every trial of this world. That is why, to know the words that come from the mouth of God, we must spend time in His word - reading, studying, praying & memorizing scripture.


Balanced food choices give us the energy & strength to face physical demands. But a balanced relationship with our Savior, is what we need for spiritual strength. And with that, we grow in our spiritual strength, which will help us to grow past our temptations of temporary comforts.


Plus - God wants us to continually be nourished by His word so that we will be able to tell others about His kingdom & righteousness. Share God's love.
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Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy President's Day!

Hope you all are enjoying a 3 day weekend! I've decided to take the day off due to the holiday. See you all next week!
{{{hugs}}} & prayers
<><
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Monday, February 13, 2012

The Three Stage of Temptation

Did you know that there are three stages of temptation?
temptation
hesitation
participation

The first stage happens to every single one of us. We all are tempted every day in one way or another. Overeating, over spending, procrastination & what about "borrowing" office supplies - pens, paper clips, etc. (After all, no one will miss them.) I think you get the picture. You know in what way you are tempted. It's when we hesitate & begin to think about temptation that we can find ourselves in the participation stage before we really realize what we're actually doing. 
Overspending puts a strain on the budget.
Overeating is bad for your health. And if you're on a diet, will mess up progress you have made.
With procrastination, you don't get done what needs to be done.
As for the office supplies, more expenses for the office makes for lower profit, which makes for lower or no raises, AND if it's really bad, you could lose your job.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
 I Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

I've heard this verse called "the excuse-buster". When temptations come our way, it's an opportunity to refer to this verse. It's a reminder that whenever we yield to temptation, it's because we wanted it - whatever it might be - more than we wanted the joy of obedience. 

How often have you said, or thought, "I just couldn't help it! It was just too tempting!" ? God is in control of our lives, but He also gives us free choice. We need to ask Him to be in control of our lives AND allow Him to be just that. He is constantly showering us with countless blessings. How many of those do we miss because we are too preoccupied with temptation of one sort or another.

Thankfully, God's faithfulness is very evident when we take a temptation to Him. His desire is to help us overcome. No matter what your temptation might be, take it to God. Ask Him to give you His wisdom & strength to turn the participation stage of temptation to the joy of obedience. 
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Monday, February 6, 2012

Are You Guilty?

One of the most amazing things in life is when God shows Himself to you. I have "seen" God with the eyes of my soul. I have felt His presence. The other day, i had a profound experience like this.


My daily devotion that day was about a lady, who had negative feelings for a co-worker, & on the way to work, was hoping the co-worker would get fired. This lady had a personal relationship with God & heard Him say, "Do you know that i love her as much as I love you?"
www.saltboxsigns.etsy.com


As i finished reading this devotion & was about to move on with my day, God captured my attention with that question. "Do you know that I love her as much as I love you?" I had been guilty - so guilty - of NOT thinking like this. But there was one specific situation a few years ago that made me ask how anyone who professes to be a christian, could be so cruel. My husband & i had endured some cruelness that was very disheartening. And even though the hurt & anger that i had felt at that time had long subsided, i knew that i still hadn't forgiven the people involved. I asked God to give me the strength to truly forgive them & i started tearing up. I wondered, was the hurt still in my heart the reason that i was starting to cry. 




"With the tongue we praise our Lord & Father, & with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise & cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
James 3:9-10 (NIV)


I realized that i had been just as cruel in this situation. I had vented & talked about those involved in the situation, behind their backs. When God shows you that side of yourself, it hurts too. But during my prayer & cleansing tears, God also told me that the forgiveness & healing can now begin. 


I certainly didn't expect any of that on that morning. But i am very thankful that my eyes were opened & that God convicted me. I'm also thankful that He is the most lenient & compassionate judge - EVER! Most importantly, i am thankful that i know Him & are learning my lessons from Him.


On a side note: As i put my things away that morning, the dog needed to go outside. So i turned to go into the kitchen to get the leash & smacked my knuckles on the door frame. OUCH!!! As i reached for the leash, i had to laugh out loud. God not only convicted me & opened my eyes to what i had done, but did He have to smack my knuckles too?!  =)
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