"The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel." ~Steven Furtick~ (Pastor of Elevation Church)
Something that has really been on my heart lately...I know I haven't written on this blog in FOREVER...I mainly post on my seejanecleanblog.com blog. But that is for cleaning and tips, not deep stuff.
A friend of mine recently underwent plastic surgery, a mommy makeover actually. This is not the first friend that I have had do this, nor do I think there is anything wrong with at all. Actually...I have considered having a couple of things improved myself. Then I saw this quote and how true it is.
Women are especially bad at it, and this worst part, is we don't really understand what we are comparing ourselves to. For example, women and body image...an age old issue. These days, if you are comparing yourself to another woman, especially one that you don't know very well, I would tap the brakes! You really shouldn't do it all, but you could more than likely be comparing yourself to something manufactured, not even a "better" gene pool! Don't beat yourself up comparing yourself to other people. Dwell on this quote, something I totally agree with and have said before in a much less eloquent way. The funny thing is, those people you are comparing yourself with, have issues too. I have actually had friends make comments that indicated such as they prepared to go under the knife, comments like "I have to have surgery to be like..."
Be proud of who God made you and what He has done for you. Don't insult your creator by critiquing his creation. As my wise daughter said, "Mommy, you don't have to do those decorations just because other people have them" A different situation, but same principle. I am not saying don't have plastic surgery at all...it is your body and like I said, I have contemplated it myself. But don't do it to look like someone else or to compare yourself to someone else. It is all about your mindset!
Showing posts with label my walk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my walk. Show all posts
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Looking Back
We ask for deliverance from something, we are thankful for the deliverance, but then as we walk through the hard parts of actually being delivered, the flesh begins to cry out in opposition. We start drifting backwards in our spirits to that place that was familiar, instead of walking obediently towards where God wants to take us.
I know this has been true with our family’s finances. We prayed for deliverance from debt and God began to show us a way out. Yet as we have walked through what it has taken to be debt-free, I have often caught myself looking back at when I used to charge things freely, with no thought as to how we would pay for it. Oh, how nice that was to just be able to go buy something without having to scrounge and save, I find myself thinking. I don't want to look backwards or give into the comforts my flesh craves. I want to push forward, straining for the prize God has for me. I want to seek Him with all my heart – no matter where that takes me. I want to live in that sometimes uncomfortable place of walking in total obedience. When the rain comes pouring down, I want to choose to dance in the puddles instead of longing for the shelter of past sunny days.
I know this has been true with our family’s finances. We prayed for deliverance from debt and God began to show us a way out. Yet as we have walked through what it has taken to be debt-free, I have often caught myself looking back at when I used to charge things freely, with no thought as to how we would pay for it. Oh, how nice that was to just be able to go buy something without having to scrounge and save, I find myself thinking. I don't want to look backwards or give into the comforts my flesh craves. I want to push forward, straining for the prize God has for me. I want to seek Him with all my heart – no matter where that takes me. I want to live in that sometimes uncomfortable place of walking in total obedience. When the rain comes pouring down, I want to choose to dance in the puddles instead of longing for the shelter of past sunny days.
“But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.”
Acts 7:39 (NIV)
Acts 7:39 (NIV)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
His House
This is from a devotional that I get each day! Awesome and a new way to think about cleaning!
My Home Is His, Too!
My Home Is His, Too!
O Lord, You have searched me and known me, . . . You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Psalm 139:2-3, NKJV
Recently as I prepared my house for a visit by my father, I began to clean and straighten my house. I even bought fresh flowers and plants to place around the rooms to make them seem more lovely. I wanted my home to look as inviting, comfortable, and pleasing to his eyes as I could make it. Then it struck me - if I felt this way about my earthly father's brief visit, how much more care I should give my home every day since my heavenly Father lives here.
I am not a good housekeeper. But motivated by the thought that my house is His home also, I try hard to keep my house clean and neat. It is not professionally decorated with all the latest gadgets, but it is as pleasing to the eyes as my time, energy, and budget will allow. I want those who walk through my door to know that the Lord God lives here. And I hope the reality of His Presence is evident to all by the beauty of the outward appearance and the quality of the inner atmosphere of warmth and love they find here.
Blessings,
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Get Out of that Funk
I have been in a little bit of a funk lately, and I am not alone. I have now had 3 friends reveal to me their funk, actually I told one of them that they gave it to me :) I have not really wanted to do anything. I haven't been cleaning like I used to, not really scrapbooking, not enjoying my family as much as I should and not working out or eating right. I have just kind of been stumbling along, doing what has to be done and that is it. It is such a downward spiral, because the day I don't work out, then I don't feel like eating healthy and don't feel like picking up or making the house look nice, so then I just lay around and do nothing.
A friend of mine was talking about working out and her body and she said something that totally stuck with me. She said that she does it because we are called to keep our bodies as the temples that they are. Which means sometimes we have to obey even when we don't feel like it. I took her advice the other day and went running because I knew that I needed it, but I tried to find every excuse in the book so I wouldn't have to. Once out there, I took off my iPod and just listened to the amazing sound of a brisk fall morning. I could hear the the creek flowing from all the rain, the cool air invigorated my lungs and the sun rising pleased my eyes. All of my senses were awake and rejuvenated.
I realized that Satan had totally been trying to keep me from this. You see, my runs are a time of reflection and when I do a lot of my figuring out. God and I talk and He guides me during this time. This is the time of my day that I feel the most clear and ready to tackle it all. Satan wants to steal that from me, because that takes me out of the game, makes me ineffective. But he will not steal that time from me, God has helped me reclaim that time with Him and that makes everything better!
A friend of mine was talking about working out and her body and she said something that totally stuck with me. She said that she does it because we are called to keep our bodies as the temples that they are. Which means sometimes we have to obey even when we don't feel like it. I took her advice the other day and went running because I knew that I needed it, but I tried to find every excuse in the book so I wouldn't have to. Once out there, I took off my iPod and just listened to the amazing sound of a brisk fall morning. I could hear the the creek flowing from all the rain, the cool air invigorated my lungs and the sun rising pleased my eyes. All of my senses were awake and rejuvenated.
I realized that Satan had totally been trying to keep me from this. You see, my runs are a time of reflection and when I do a lot of my figuring out. God and I talk and He guides me during this time. This is the time of my day that I feel the most clear and ready to tackle it all. Satan wants to steal that from me, because that takes me out of the game, makes me ineffective. But he will not steal that time from me, God has helped me reclaim that time with Him and that makes everything better!
Pharisee's
I got this a couple of days ago and it hit me like a ton of bricks! Enjoy!
I Would Have Made a Great Pharisee
3 Nov 2009
Glynnis Whitwer
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." Matthew 23:25 (NIV)
Give me a list of rules to follow and I'm happy. I can follow rules like nobody's business. My left-brain dominated thinking likes order and routine, blanketed with no surprises. There's some comfort, I guess, in being able to assess my performance according to a set standard. If I'm obeying the rules, I must be doing ok. Right?
There's one big problem with that line of thinking. It tends to redirect my focus from what really matters: the condition of my heart. Jesus identified this problem with a group of religious people back in the day called the Pharisees, and it didn't make Him happy. In fact, He reserved His harshest comments for those people whose insides didn't look anything like their outsides.
I wonder if the Pharisees were well-intentioned. Did they really want to serve God and thought they were by following the rules? Or was it more of a power play to gain respect? Either way, Jesus split open their pretty packaging and revealed the ugliness of their hearts. Just like He does with me.
It seems God continually brings me to the end of my endurance, both emotionally and physically, to reveal the truth about my heart. What's revealed in those moments of pressure is usually something that needs addressing, like selfishness, insecurity, jealousy or bitterness.
Getting split apart isn't pleasant. In fact, it's often painful and embarrassing. Yet, it's required if I want to become a true follower of Christ.
The reality is I would have made a great Pharisee. But the truth is I'd rather be a great disciple. I'd rather be sitting at the feet of Jes us than teaching in the temple. I'd rather share a simple meal of bread with Jesus than a fancy feast elsewhere. And if that requires the ugliness in my heart gets spilled out, then so be it.
Cause at the end of the day, I'd much rather hang out with Jesus who loves me in spite of all that junk. The other option is pretending it isn't there, but that's not fooling anyone. So, I'll welcome God's holy intrusion in my life, submit my need to rank my performance, and spend more time attending to my heart. That's what really matters.
Dear Lord, You are holy and righteous, and yet You love me just as I am. Thank You for calling me to a higher level of obedience, one that requires I submit my heart and my life. I long to follow You more than anything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
I Would Have Made a Great Pharisee
3 Nov 2009
Glynnis Whitwer
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." Matthew 23:25 (NIV)
Give me a list of rules to follow and I'm happy. I can follow rules like nobody's business. My left-brain dominated thinking likes order and routine, blanketed with no surprises. There's some comfort, I guess, in being able to assess my performance according to a set standard. If I'm obeying the rules, I must be doing ok. Right?
There's one big problem with that line of thinking. It tends to redirect my focus from what really matters: the condition of my heart. Jesus identified this problem with a group of religious people back in the day called the Pharisees, and it didn't make Him happy. In fact, He reserved His harshest comments for those people whose insides didn't look anything like their outsides.
I wonder if the Pharisees were well-intentioned. Did they really want to serve God and thought they were by following the rules? Or was it more of a power play to gain respect? Either way, Jesus split open their pretty packaging and revealed the ugliness of their hearts. Just like He does with me.
It seems God continually brings me to the end of my endurance, both emotionally and physically, to reveal the truth about my heart. What's revealed in those moments of pressure is usually something that needs addressing, like selfishness, insecurity, jealousy or bitterness.
Getting split apart isn't pleasant. In fact, it's often painful and embarrassing. Yet, it's required if I want to become a true follower of Christ.
The reality is I would have made a great Pharisee. But the truth is I'd rather be a great disciple. I'd rather be sitting at the feet of Jes us than teaching in the temple. I'd rather share a simple meal of bread with Jesus than a fancy feast elsewhere. And if that requires the ugliness in my heart gets spilled out, then so be it.
Cause at the end of the day, I'd much rather hang out with Jesus who loves me in spite of all that junk. The other option is pretending it isn't there, but that's not fooling anyone. So, I'll welcome God's holy intrusion in my life, submit my need to rank my performance, and spend more time attending to my heart. That's what really matters.
Dear Lord, You are holy and righteous, and yet You love me just as I am. Thank You for calling me to a higher level of obedience, one that requires I submit my heart and my life. I long to follow You more than anything. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Finding God in the Laundry Room
Finding God in the Laundry Room
Go check out the awesome devotional linked above. Blogger does not want me to be able to paste it here!
It really hit me, to find God in the every day!
Go check out the awesome devotional linked above. Blogger does not want me to be able to paste it here!
It really hit me, to find God in the every day!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Anxiety
This wasn't convicting, not at all!!
From my daily devotional:
"Secondly, we need to refocus. Self-centeredness breeds anxiety. In truth, worry and stress are really symptoms of self-sufficiency and a lack of trust in God. When we take the focus off of ourselves and place it on God, it makes all the difference. Our troubles look small in comparison to our great God."
From my daily devotional:
"Secondly, we need to refocus. Self-centeredness breeds anxiety. In truth, worry and stress are really symptoms of self-sufficiency and a lack of trust in God. When we take the focus off of ourselves and place it on God, it makes all the difference. Our troubles look small in comparison to our great God."
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Valley
My company has a monthly meeting where we go over the state of our company, etc. Anyway, our CEO talked today about lots of things, but one thing he said that impacted me was that when there is conflict, if you ignore it and don't deal with it, it just festers in you. But if you deal with it (walk through the valley) you are stronger because of it! Of course, I get back to my desk and read today's devotional and it talks about the same thing! How cool is that!
Walking Through a Valley
3 Apr 2009
Glynnis Whitwer
"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." Psalm 43:3 (NIV)
I live in a valley. Every direction I look there are mountains. Living in the West, my family also vacations in mountains. Because of that, it seems I spend lots of time in valleys. One truth I've learned is if you keep walking, you will eventually get out.
One summer we took a trip to Southern Utah, with a stop at Bryce Canyon. It was warm outside, and it only got warmer as we headed down into the canyon. It was a great hike as we circled the interesting rock spires called hoodoos. We wound our way down the valley with steep mountains on all sides. After a while, I was hot, tired and ready to sit do wn and relax.
As I rested on a rock, I looked up at the canyon rim, wiping salty sweat out of my eyes. It looked very far away. I wished for a shortcut to get out, but knew there wasn't any. Short of calling in a helicopter, there was only one way out, and it was to walk across the valley and up the mountain. Sitting there on that rock might give me a moment's rest, but it didn't get me out of the valley.
I've also been in other valleys: those of fear, worry and hopelessness. I'll be honest. When I'm in those valleys, my inclination is to sit. Fear paralyzes me. Worry straps itself to my feet like weights. Hopelessness misconstrues reality so I'm blinded to the truth. And so I stay, planted firmly in the valley of misery. Over and over, I review how others have hurt me, and forecast possible fearful outcomes. None of those choices gets me out of the valley of misery. In fact, they get me nowhere.
What does get me out of those difficult valleys is when I keep wal king, and walking to me is when I keep praying even though it seems like my prayers hit the ceiling. It's when I keep reading my Bible, even though the words seem to have less meaning. It's when I keep going to church or a small group even when I'd rather stay home. It's singing songs of worship, even though my heart isn't soaring with joy. But when I keep doing those things, I take steps toward truth and eventually get out of the valley.
Walking through a valley to me means doing the things that are healthy and God-honoring, even when I don't feel like doing them. There is always a way out of a valley. But it means I have to keep walking, then climb a mountain, and that takes work. But when I do the work, God rewards me with a breathtaking view.
Dear Lord, please speak to my heart in my darkest valleys. I need to remember that You are the truth, and not my circumstances. Help me have the strength to do the right things, and not stay planted in misery during a t ime of difficulty. I long to be out of this valley. But I will praise You now at the bottom and I will praise You from the mountain top – for You are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Walking Through a Valley
3 Apr 2009
Glynnis Whitwer
"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." Psalm 43:3 (NIV)
I live in a valley. Every direction I look there are mountains. Living in the West, my family also vacations in mountains. Because of that, it seems I spend lots of time in valleys. One truth I've learned is if you keep walking, you will eventually get out.
One summer we took a trip to Southern Utah, with a stop at Bryce Canyon. It was warm outside, and it only got warmer as we headed down into the canyon. It was a great hike as we circled the interesting rock spires called hoodoos. We wound our way down the valley with steep mountains on all sides. After a while, I was hot, tired and ready to sit do wn and relax.
As I rested on a rock, I looked up at the canyon rim, wiping salty sweat out of my eyes. It looked very far away. I wished for a shortcut to get out, but knew there wasn't any. Short of calling in a helicopter, there was only one way out, and it was to walk across the valley and up the mountain. Sitting there on that rock might give me a moment's rest, but it didn't get me out of the valley.
I've also been in other valleys: those of fear, worry and hopelessness. I'll be honest. When I'm in those valleys, my inclination is to sit. Fear paralyzes me. Worry straps itself to my feet like weights. Hopelessness misconstrues reality so I'm blinded to the truth. And so I stay, planted firmly in the valley of misery. Over and over, I review how others have hurt me, and forecast possible fearful outcomes. None of those choices gets me out of the valley of misery. In fact, they get me nowhere.
What does get me out of those difficult valleys is when I keep wal king, and walking to me is when I keep praying even though it seems like my prayers hit the ceiling. It's when I keep reading my Bible, even though the words seem to have less meaning. It's when I keep going to church or a small group even when I'd rather stay home. It's singing songs of worship, even though my heart isn't soaring with joy. But when I keep doing those things, I take steps toward truth and eventually get out of the valley.
Walking through a valley to me means doing the things that are healthy and God-honoring, even when I don't feel like doing them. There is always a way out of a valley. But it means I have to keep walking, then climb a mountain, and that takes work. But when I do the work, God rewards me with a breathtaking view.
Dear Lord, please speak to my heart in my darkest valleys. I need to remember that You are the truth, and not my circumstances. Help me have the strength to do the right things, and not stay planted in misery during a t ime of difficulty. I long to be out of this valley. But I will praise You now at the bottom and I will praise You from the mountain top – for You are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
God is so Good
Sunday evening, I was getting dinner together and SD was waiting in her seat at the dinner table. As I am walking bath and forth fixing plates, etc, she busts out in song. All of a sudden, she is singing, "God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me!" It almost made me cry it was so cute. She even sang the right tune and tempo! I asked her where she learned it and she told me church. Sunday was her first day in her new Sunday School class. She has moved up and it is the first class where they do a real lesson and it isn't just playtime/nursery. She also came home with a paper bag with cotton balls stuck on it, a lamb, and a coloring sheet. I think that she really enjoyed it, because she was ready to go back!
God is good! He is doing some amazing things in my life and I am so thankful! It is amazing to me how my Lifegroup, Bible Study and church are all lining up to bring me the same message. This morning, I was doing my devotional which included reading from Exodus. Normally, I don't glean much from the OT, but God amazed me again. In the passage, it talked about standing firm (something we talked about on Sunday) and obedience (something we talked about last night). He is just amazing and I am so thankful for His presence in my life!
God is good! He is doing some amazing things in my life and I am so thankful! It is amazing to me how my Lifegroup, Bible Study and church are all lining up to bring me the same message. This morning, I was doing my devotional which included reading from Exodus. Normally, I don't glean much from the OT, but God amazed me again. In the passage, it talked about standing firm (something we talked about on Sunday) and obedience (something we talked about last night). He is just amazing and I am so thankful for His presence in my life!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Bible Reading
In our weekly church bulletin they have a section that gives suggested Bible reading for the week. The cool thing about this is that 1) the whole church is potentially reading the same stuff and 2) it makes you read things you might not normally read. I like the second one because a lot of times God uses it to really speak to me. We have been reading through the book of Proverbs lately and here are the verses that have jumped out at me!
Proverbs 11:3 (New International Version)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity
Proverbs 11:22 (New International Version)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
Proverbs 12:1 (New International Version)
Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:9 (New International Version)
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
Proverbs 12:16 (New International Version)
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:23 (New International Version)
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
Proverbs 12:25 (New International Version)
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 13:3 (New International Version)
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 14:30 (New International Version)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 16:3 (New International Version)
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 19:21 (New International Version)
21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 20:19 (New International Version)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Some of these spoke to me because they are dealing with gossip, something I am trying to avoid in 2009. Some of them spoke to me because they are speak to being content. And some, speak to being anxious, another thing I am trying to work on!
Enjoy!
Proverbs 11:3 (New International Version)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity
Proverbs 11:22 (New International Version)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
Proverbs 12:1 (New International Version)
Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:9 (New International Version)
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
Proverbs 12:16 (New International Version)
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 12:23 (New International Version)
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
Proverbs 12:25 (New International Version)
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 13:3 (New International Version)
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 14:30 (New International Version)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 16:3 (New International Version)
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 19:21 (New International Version)
21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 20:19 (New International Version)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Some of these spoke to me because they are dealing with gossip, something I am trying to avoid in 2009. Some of them spoke to me because they are speak to being content. And some, speak to being anxious, another thing I am trying to work on!
Enjoy!
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Power of Positive Thoughts
I have always thought that positive thoughts go a long way! Then I got this devotional today and love what it says! Enjoy!!
December 5, 2008
Hope for the Holidays
Micca Campbell
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Devotion:
God gave each of us what we needed most—a Savior to save us from ourselves. Therefore, the holiday season should be a time of cheer. For some, however, it can be lonely and depressing. While the days leading up to Christmas should be filled with peace, joy, and hope, sadness over past mistakes can hover like clouds on a rainy day. We all have a tendency to define ourselves by what we have or haven’t done.
We tend to label ourselves by our past mistakes, and then we wear these labels as if there were no alternative. Failure; Unfaithful; Unfit Parent; Liar; Gossip; Addicted; Bitter.
The Bible tells us that as a person thinks, so they become. Therefore, if you want to live an unhealthy life, you can. If you want to punish yourself, you will. However, being self-destructive is not God’s plan for your life. In fact, to think this way is to see yourself outside of God’s saving grace.
That’s why the Christmas season offers such hope … because God gave us what we needed most—a Savior to save us from ourselves. The key to putting your past behind you, and moving forward with a bright and hopeful future, is to accept Christ’s forgiveness for you.
You’ll find it comforting to know that you are not alone in your troubles. The Bible tells us, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV). That means there is not one perfect person in the entire world. We have all made mistakes. I know I’ve made my share. Still, no matter how hard we try to do everything right on our own, we can’t. So God gave His only Son as payment for our sins. In other words, Christ paid our debt. This payment is a gift of God which He freely offers to you and me.
The awesome thing is, we don’t have to earn this gift. Through Christ’s death on the cross, God simply says, “Your sins are paid in full.”
All you and I have to do to receive His forgiveness is to agree with God about our sins. You might say something like this in prayer. Yes, God, I did that thing … I receive your free gift of forgiveness for the wrong I have done, and I accept heaven as my eternal home. Cleanse me and change my life. Fill me with your love, hope, joy and peace.
If you sincerely mean what you’ve confessed, then you have been forgiven. Your slate is clean. God remembers your sins no more. It is as if they never were. That’s the good news of Christmas and the open doorway to peace!
The next thing you must do is forgive yourself. You will stay in bondage if you continue to label yourself as a bad or unworthy person for what you have done instead of focusing on the changes God can bring about in you. You must stop defining yourself by your past and read the Bible to learn how God defines His people.
Just think; this could be a Christmas where you experience real peace, joy, and forgiveness. It’s why Christ was born … to set you free.
December 5, 2008
Hope for the Holidays
Micca Campbell
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Devotion:
God gave each of us what we needed most—a Savior to save us from ourselves. Therefore, the holiday season should be a time of cheer. For some, however, it can be lonely and depressing. While the days leading up to Christmas should be filled with peace, joy, and hope, sadness over past mistakes can hover like clouds on a rainy day. We all have a tendency to define ourselves by what we have or haven’t done.
We tend to label ourselves by our past mistakes, and then we wear these labels as if there were no alternative. Failure; Unfaithful; Unfit Parent; Liar; Gossip; Addicted; Bitter.
The Bible tells us that as a person thinks, so they become. Therefore, if you want to live an unhealthy life, you can. If you want to punish yourself, you will. However, being self-destructive is not God’s plan for your life. In fact, to think this way is to see yourself outside of God’s saving grace.
That’s why the Christmas season offers such hope … because God gave us what we needed most—a Savior to save us from ourselves. The key to putting your past behind you, and moving forward with a bright and hopeful future, is to accept Christ’s forgiveness for you.
You’ll find it comforting to know that you are not alone in your troubles. The Bible tells us, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV). That means there is not one perfect person in the entire world. We have all made mistakes. I know I’ve made my share. Still, no matter how hard we try to do everything right on our own, we can’t. So God gave His only Son as payment for our sins. In other words, Christ paid our debt. This payment is a gift of God which He freely offers to you and me.
The awesome thing is, we don’t have to earn this gift. Through Christ’s death on the cross, God simply says, “Your sins are paid in full.”
All you and I have to do to receive His forgiveness is to agree with God about our sins. You might say something like this in prayer. Yes, God, I did that thing … I receive your free gift of forgiveness for the wrong I have done, and I accept heaven as my eternal home. Cleanse me and change my life. Fill me with your love, hope, joy and peace.
If you sincerely mean what you’ve confessed, then you have been forgiven. Your slate is clean. God remembers your sins no more. It is as if they never were. That’s the good news of Christmas and the open doorway to peace!
The next thing you must do is forgive yourself. You will stay in bondage if you continue to label yourself as a bad or unworthy person for what you have done instead of focusing on the changes God can bring about in you. You must stop defining yourself by your past and read the Bible to learn how God defines His people.
Just think; this could be a Christmas where you experience real peace, joy, and forgiveness. It’s why Christ was born … to set you free.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
My Mission Field
Sunday in church, our pastor did an amazing sermon which was bookended by people talking about their respective mission work. Going to a Baptist church, which is not how I grew up, you realize that they have a huge emphasis on mission work, which is really cool to me. Although I would love to some day take a mission trip or two, what I have realized in the past week is that at this stage in my life, my home is my mission field.
I was feeling totally overwhelmed and stressed last week and I couldn't really put my thumb on why. Then as I was doing my Bible Study, God revealed to me that my job is my home. Not only taking care of my husband and kids, but also the material home. It is such a huge relief to have the burden of the unknown lifted and now I at least know what my focus needs to be, now it is just how to do it.
I realized that often times, I give my best at work, and not at home. Although it is very important for me to do well at work, it shouldn't be my absolute best. Elizabeth George, the author, talks about good, better, best and how sometimes you have to sacrifice a good, for a best. I am not saying that I am going to totally neglect my job responsibilities for my home life, because right now, my job is supporting (at least steadily) my family financially and it would be irresponsible to be negligent right now. I just need to put my best foot forward at home and have all of my other responsibilities fall in line. One thing that God has really stressed to me lately is getting up before my family so that I have that quiet time. Although my alarm usually goes off before everyone else is supposed to get up, I haven't been good about actually following through and then before I know it, BG is up doing his Bible study and every noise he makes distracts me, or Linus starts crying and needs to be fed, or SD is shaking her door handle indicating that she is also ready to get up.
So in preparation for all this, I spent the better part of this weekend planning for how this is going to look in my life. The plan is to get all planned up and then execute starting in December, which gives me a month dry run before I can put it in to place as a New Year's Resolution!
I was feeling totally overwhelmed and stressed last week and I couldn't really put my thumb on why. Then as I was doing my Bible Study, God revealed to me that my job is my home. Not only taking care of my husband and kids, but also the material home. It is such a huge relief to have the burden of the unknown lifted and now I at least know what my focus needs to be, now it is just how to do it.
I realized that often times, I give my best at work, and not at home. Although it is very important for me to do well at work, it shouldn't be my absolute best. Elizabeth George, the author, talks about good, better, best and how sometimes you have to sacrifice a good, for a best. I am not saying that I am going to totally neglect my job responsibilities for my home life, because right now, my job is supporting (at least steadily) my family financially and it would be irresponsible to be negligent right now. I just need to put my best foot forward at home and have all of my other responsibilities fall in line. One thing that God has really stressed to me lately is getting up before my family so that I have that quiet time. Although my alarm usually goes off before everyone else is supposed to get up, I haven't been good about actually following through and then before I know it, BG is up doing his Bible study and every noise he makes distracts me, or Linus starts crying and needs to be fed, or SD is shaking her door handle indicating that she is also ready to get up.
So in preparation for all this, I spent the better part of this weekend planning for how this is going to look in my life. The plan is to get all planned up and then execute starting in December, which gives me a month dry run before I can put it in to place as a New Year's Resolution!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Does it get much better?
A devotional about cleaning! How great is that!!! Enjoy!
November 10, 2008
Clean House and Clean Heart
Tracie Miles
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
Devotion:
I was tired of tripping over shoes, left over belongings, stray hangers, and dirty clothes!
I finally admitted I had to clean out my closet. After hours of sorting clothes, I stepped back to admire my clean, neatly organized closet. I breathed a sigh of relief and reveled in my success. Although it took quite a long time, it was well worth the effort. I could hardly wait to get up the next morning and enter my tidy closet, looking for my clothes with a fresh, new perspective.
Cleaning is something we all prefer to avoid, but its something that is necessary. When it comes to cleaning house, the more we neglect doing what is needed, the worse things get, and the longer it will to take to get clean again. That was the case with my closet.
As I admired my coordinated closet, I considered how our hearts are like messy houses at times. On the outside we look in order, but on the inside our hearts are full of clutter – clutter such as unforgiveness, bitterness, self-condemnation, sadness, lack of joy, worry and much more. All this clutter makes for a huge mess behind the closed doors of our hearts. Just as putting off cleaning our homes creates chaos around us, the longer we allow our hearts to stay cluttered and messy, the more messes our bad habits make in our lives. Think about the havoc negative self-talk, selfishness, or grumpy attitudes have caused in the past.
I felt God nudging me to do a little house cleaning, or should I say, heart cleaning. For example, in a house with two young teen daughters with changing hormones, busy social lives, and lots of drama, sometimes I have to remind myself that they need a happy mommy, not a grumpy mommy. They need a patient mom, not an impatient mom. They need a forgiving mom, not a mom who constantly reminds them of their mistakes. My husband needs a happy wife. My friends need a faithful friend. My church needs a willing servant.
The mentality of cleaning up our heart can apply to every area of our life – marriage, family, work, relationships, and even self-image. Let’s face it, as nice as a clean house is, it is more important to have a clean heart!
Today’s verse reminds us how we should desire a clean heart. When David prays this prayer, he desires a new heart, a clean heart, and a spirit that desires to be like Christ. David knew that the only way he could achieve a clean heart, was through the power of Christ. So it is the same with us. Therefore, we must ask God to create a new heart, a clean heart, within us and believe that as a result, our spirits will be renewed.
Maybe you know you have some serious house cleaning to do, but could it be you have some heart cleaning to do as well?
November 10, 2008
Clean House and Clean Heart
Tracie Miles
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
Devotion:
I was tired of tripping over shoes, left over belongings, stray hangers, and dirty clothes!
I finally admitted I had to clean out my closet. After hours of sorting clothes, I stepped back to admire my clean, neatly organized closet. I breathed a sigh of relief and reveled in my success. Although it took quite a long time, it was well worth the effort. I could hardly wait to get up the next morning and enter my tidy closet, looking for my clothes with a fresh, new perspective.
Cleaning is something we all prefer to avoid, but its something that is necessary. When it comes to cleaning house, the more we neglect doing what is needed, the worse things get, and the longer it will to take to get clean again. That was the case with my closet.
As I admired my coordinated closet, I considered how our hearts are like messy houses at times. On the outside we look in order, but on the inside our hearts are full of clutter – clutter such as unforgiveness, bitterness, self-condemnation, sadness, lack of joy, worry and much more. All this clutter makes for a huge mess behind the closed doors of our hearts. Just as putting off cleaning our homes creates chaos around us, the longer we allow our hearts to stay cluttered and messy, the more messes our bad habits make in our lives. Think about the havoc negative self-talk, selfishness, or grumpy attitudes have caused in the past.
I felt God nudging me to do a little house cleaning, or should I say, heart cleaning. For example, in a house with two young teen daughters with changing hormones, busy social lives, and lots of drama, sometimes I have to remind myself that they need a happy mommy, not a grumpy mommy. They need a patient mom, not an impatient mom. They need a forgiving mom, not a mom who constantly reminds them of their mistakes. My husband needs a happy wife. My friends need a faithful friend. My church needs a willing servant.
The mentality of cleaning up our heart can apply to every area of our life – marriage, family, work, relationships, and even self-image. Let’s face it, as nice as a clean house is, it is more important to have a clean heart!
Today’s verse reminds us how we should desire a clean heart. When David prays this prayer, he desires a new heart, a clean heart, and a spirit that desires to be like Christ. David knew that the only way he could achieve a clean heart, was through the power of Christ. So it is the same with us. Therefore, we must ask God to create a new heart, a clean heart, within us and believe that as a result, our spirits will be renewed.
Maybe you know you have some serious house cleaning to do, but could it be you have some heart cleaning to do as well?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Worry!
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
This verse came to my inbox this morning and was so comforting to me! I am a huge worrier and I know that is not what God wants me to do. This verse helped me realize that not only is worrying the devil's prompting, but that his sole motive is to steal, kill and destroy!
There is a lot going on in the world and it is very tumultuous. Most of it is at a national level and not affecting Texas as much as other states. But there is also stuff going on in my life which is causing me to worry. Most of the time I am worrying about things that I have no control over and not only that, there is really nothing that is causing me to worry. Most people would look at the facts and not even understand how I am jumping to the conclusion that I am worrying about! I am really trying to capture my thoughts and not let it get any further!
This verse came to my inbox this morning and was so comforting to me! I am a huge worrier and I know that is not what God wants me to do. This verse helped me realize that not only is worrying the devil's prompting, but that his sole motive is to steal, kill and destroy!
There is a lot going on in the world and it is very tumultuous. Most of it is at a national level and not affecting Texas as much as other states. But there is also stuff going on in my life which is causing me to worry. Most of the time I am worrying about things that I have no control over and not only that, there is really nothing that is causing me to worry. Most people would look at the facts and not even understand how I am jumping to the conclusion that I am worrying about! I am really trying to capture my thoughts and not let it get any further!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Something to think about...
Unless God specifically tells us to stop, we should consider our past marching orders as standing orders and face that possible rejection again.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Online Bible Study
I just recently finished a Bible Study and I am feeling very led to lead a study of this book on my blog. The book is called Life Management for Busy Women.
What I am proposing doing is taking one of the 9 major topics and focusing on it each month. I will post the notes I took and then challenge us to work on that area for the month. I like this idea for myself because I tend to get overwhelmed when I look at the big picture and need to break it down into manageable chunks. They say it takes 10 days to make something a habit, so I think by mid-end next year, I will be a transformed woman. If you would like to do this study with me, buy, borrow or check-out the book and play along! Encourage each other and give your ideas of what you are doing for that month's challenge!
Here is how I see it working. Read the book at your own pace and then the first of the month (starting Nov. 1) I will post the topic and the outline I got from the book. Then as things come up during the month, I will post about it and your comments can help guide the discussion.
Anyone interested?
If not, I will be doing it anyway, for myself, but felt like it would be great to have the opportunity to learn from each other, after all, we all have different strengths!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Those Days
Do you ever have those days, when you feel like you can only handle doing one part of your life well? Example, you are doing a great job being a mom and a wife, but you are not doing so hot at work. Example, you are staying on your workout routine and healthy eating, but your house looks like a tornado just touched down? I definitely do and the devil loves to play up those insecurties. I finally read my devotional for today and it sums it all up! Enjoy!
October 2, 2008
Good Mom, Bad Mom, Good Mom
Lysa TerKeurst
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Devotion:
Good Mom? Bad Mom? Good Mom? Bad Mom? Do you ever feel as though you are the ping-pong ball in a heated match bouncing constantly between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom?
One minute I have a great discussion where my child finally gets it... GOOD MOM! The next I get an e-mail from a teacher that lists the three parents who have yet to turn in that permission slip and I am on the list for all the world to see... BAD MOM! I calmly handle the stresses of the morning routine... GOOD MOM! But then during the afternoon homework session, my child's irresponsibility over a last minute project just about sends me over the edge. I find my neck muscles tensing and my voice rising... BAD MOM! I make sure they pack something healthy for lunch... GOOD MOM! The schedule falls apart in the late afternoon and I wind up feeding them sugar cereal for dinner... BAD MOM! Sometimes I feel like that ping-pong ball mom bouncing from feeling good to bad. Yesterday morning I sat down at the kitchen table after getting everyone where they needed to be and cried. Sometimes having kids is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. Other days I feel like the task of parenting little people is driving me to the brink of craziness. Just the other day I was processing some recent family things with my friend, Renee, over the phone. Suddenly a strange theme seemed to arise. I just started laughing. I told Renee that so many of my days seemed to tell the same kind of story... I was on the verge of a breakdown and then I spent time with Jesus and He made things better. Renee quipped back to me, "Well, isn't that where most of us live every day?" Not that we are on the edge of a breakdown, but we live in a place of utter dependence on God. I know as a mom, I live in constant need of His love, encouragement, wisdom, perspective, strength, patience, and grace. Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogs with God. Anything I do wrong as a mom is because of trying to do things in my own strength and slap wearing myself out. That's where grace steps in. And I need lots of grace. God's grace steps in and says, “Lysa, you are doing better than you think. Stop bouncing from feeling good to bad to good to bad. In the good times, rejoice and thank me. In the not so good times, call out to me quickly." And suddenly it occurred to me; with God I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom. God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me, and change me. Forgiveness is there. Love is there. A second chance is there.
You are a good mom my friend even if, like me, you’ve had a few bad moments... you is the exact mom God knew your children needed. Let's live in that truth today.
October 2, 2008
Good Mom, Bad Mom, Good Mom
Lysa TerKeurst
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Devotion:
Good Mom? Bad Mom? Good Mom? Bad Mom? Do you ever feel as though you are the ping-pong ball in a heated match bouncing constantly between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom?
One minute I have a great discussion where my child finally gets it... GOOD MOM! The next I get an e-mail from a teacher that lists the three parents who have yet to turn in that permission slip and I am on the list for all the world to see... BAD MOM! I calmly handle the stresses of the morning routine... GOOD MOM! But then during the afternoon homework session, my child's irresponsibility over a last minute project just about sends me over the edge. I find my neck muscles tensing and my voice rising... BAD MOM! I make sure they pack something healthy for lunch... GOOD MOM! The schedule falls apart in the late afternoon and I wind up feeding them sugar cereal for dinner... BAD MOM! Sometimes I feel like that ping-pong ball mom bouncing from feeling good to bad. Yesterday morning I sat down at the kitchen table after getting everyone where they needed to be and cried. Sometimes having kids is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. Other days I feel like the task of parenting little people is driving me to the brink of craziness. Just the other day I was processing some recent family things with my friend, Renee, over the phone. Suddenly a strange theme seemed to arise. I just started laughing. I told Renee that so many of my days seemed to tell the same kind of story... I was on the verge of a breakdown and then I spent time with Jesus and He made things better. Renee quipped back to me, "Well, isn't that where most of us live every day?" Not that we are on the edge of a breakdown, but we live in a place of utter dependence on God. I know as a mom, I live in constant need of His love, encouragement, wisdom, perspective, strength, patience, and grace. Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogs with God. Anything I do wrong as a mom is because of trying to do things in my own strength and slap wearing myself out. That's where grace steps in. And I need lots of grace. God's grace steps in and says, “Lysa, you are doing better than you think. Stop bouncing from feeling good to bad to good to bad. In the good times, rejoice and thank me. In the not so good times, call out to me quickly." And suddenly it occurred to me; with God I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom. God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me, and change me. Forgiveness is there. Love is there. A second chance is there.
You are a good mom my friend even if, like me, you’ve had a few bad moments... you is the exact mom God knew your children needed. Let's live in that truth today.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
There is a Time
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven Eccl 3:1
I went to lunch today with my MIL, SIL and her two boys. My SIL are very different, yet very similar. We both like to run, like to shop at the same places, have similar taste in decorating, etc (I guess that is why we are married to brothers). Anyway, there are times when I am extremely jealous of her, and at the same time, I feel sorry for her. I feel sorry for her because it seems like she is empty, like the hole in her heart that can only be filled by Jesus is filled with other things. Sorry because her marriage does not seem as full as mine is. Sorry because she is constantly competing, constantly perfecting, and constantly trying to fit in. I am jealous because she has a great body, she has money to go shopping and stuff looks good on her (see first item), jealous because they go on nice vacations...
Today God brought a simple phrase to my head when these thoughts of jealousy came flooding in, there is a time for everything. I started thinking about how true this is. I remember there was a time before we had kids and when we were both in public accounting, making a lot of money, that we could and did all of those things. There was a time before we had kids, that my body was almost in the shape I wanted it to be in. There was a time when we could spend money frivolously without really worrying about it. But now is not that time. Her kids are 9 and 7, so obviously she has lost the baby weight. She used to be a stay at home mom and they were probably living off about what we are now. Now she is back to teaching, her husband just made partner in a public accounting firm, and they can afford to do those things. I know that there will come a time where money is not so tight and my health goals are maintaining, not losing. When she was talking about some of the things she has to do, like get up at 4:30 am to run before she has to be at school, etc., it made me very thankful. I get up around 6 and still am able to work out, do my Bible Study, do some laundry, spend time with my kids and then go to work. I know that my muffin top belly will not be here forever, unless I chose for it too. I know that some day we will be able to go on vacations. I know that someday I will be looking back on these times and remembering all of the good memories that were made because we spent time as a family because that is the only entertainment we could afford. I know that I will be more full because I will have those earthly things, but I will also have stored up numerous treasures in heaven!
I know that God has a plan for our lives and I know He knows me so well that He knows sometimes I need to be forced to not go all of the time!
Thank you God for helping me realize this! This is one of the first times that I have spent time with her and come away feeling better, rather than worse!
I went to lunch today with my MIL, SIL and her two boys. My SIL are very different, yet very similar. We both like to run, like to shop at the same places, have similar taste in decorating, etc (I guess that is why we are married to brothers). Anyway, there are times when I am extremely jealous of her, and at the same time, I feel sorry for her. I feel sorry for her because it seems like she is empty, like the hole in her heart that can only be filled by Jesus is filled with other things. Sorry because her marriage does not seem as full as mine is. Sorry because she is constantly competing, constantly perfecting, and constantly trying to fit in. I am jealous because she has a great body, she has money to go shopping and stuff looks good on her (see first item), jealous because they go on nice vacations...
Today God brought a simple phrase to my head when these thoughts of jealousy came flooding in, there is a time for everything. I started thinking about how true this is. I remember there was a time before we had kids and when we were both in public accounting, making a lot of money, that we could and did all of those things. There was a time before we had kids, that my body was almost in the shape I wanted it to be in. There was a time when we could spend money frivolously without really worrying about it. But now is not that time. Her kids are 9 and 7, so obviously she has lost the baby weight. She used to be a stay at home mom and they were probably living off about what we are now. Now she is back to teaching, her husband just made partner in a public accounting firm, and they can afford to do those things. I know that there will come a time where money is not so tight and my health goals are maintaining, not losing. When she was talking about some of the things she has to do, like get up at 4:30 am to run before she has to be at school, etc., it made me very thankful. I get up around 6 and still am able to work out, do my Bible Study, do some laundry, spend time with my kids and then go to work. I know that my muffin top belly will not be here forever, unless I chose for it too. I know that some day we will be able to go on vacations. I know that someday I will be looking back on these times and remembering all of the good memories that were made because we spent time as a family because that is the only entertainment we could afford. I know that I will be more full because I will have those earthly things, but I will also have stored up numerous treasures in heaven!
I know that God has a plan for our lives and I know He knows me so well that He knows sometimes I need to be forced to not go all of the time!
Thank you God for helping me realize this! This is one of the first times that I have spent time with her and come away feeling better, rather than worse!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
By Faith
This is my daily email devotional and for me, it was a perfect visual of living by Faith. I have a huge problem with worrying and am trying to conquer that daily, especially when it comes to my kids! I love running, so this really spoke to me! Enjoy!!
July 23, 2008
Running By Faith
Tracie Miles
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Devotion:
It was finally here. My favorite time of year, and my favorite place to be. I hopped out of bed with an unusually eager attitude to do my morning exercise. I stepped out the door into the crisp morning, and inhaled a deep breath of salty beach air. I headed for the soft white sand, and began jogging briskly at the edge of the surf, admiring the vastness of one of God’s most amazing creations. After a short while, the morning sun became exceptionally bright, causing me to squint. It was then that I realized that in my haste to experience the beautiful Carolina surf, I had left my sunglasses behind. I tried to keep my eyes open, but it was just too bright. I thought to myself about the open area around me, and decided it would be safe to go a short distance with my eyes closed completely. Knowing that miles of empty beach lay ahead of me, and that there were very few people, if any, at the beach this early in the morning, I confidently ran forward with both eyes closed tightly shut.
As I continued running blindly, and spending time with God in prayer, a startling thought leapt into my mind - “is this what God means when He tells us to walk by faith and not by sight?”. I allowed my mind to drift away from my surroundings and focus on this concept. In the case of my morning run, I already knew that there was nothing in my path to bump into. There were no people, dogs, umbrellas or flying frisbees yet, so I felt completely confident running with my eyes closed. However, life does not always have a bump-free pathway for us to run on, but rather is packed full of obstacles, big and small. During this prayer time, I felt God nudging me to recognize whether or not I would be willing to run with my eyes closed through the bumpy patches of life, and solely rely on Him for my confidence, even when I did not know what lay in front of me.
I found myself asking God, “Lord, what things do I need to walk by faith in, and not by sight?”. For the next several minutes, with each exhale of breath, God brought something to mind that I needed to have a stronger faith about. A family member’s chronic illness. A friend’s job search. A damaged relationship. Someone whom I needed to forgive. Raising my children. Marriage. Health concerns. The war. Who would lead our country. The future.
It became crystal clear to me in that moment, that I rarely walk by faith regarding issues of great concern. It seems that when the burdens get heavy, I try to carry them on my own. I fret and worry. I imagine the worst case scenario. I try to determine what I can do to remedy the problem. I waste time wishing things were different. When what I should be doing is giving God the opportunity to do His work. Worrying will not change a thing, but faith can change everything.
Walking by faith and not by sight, does not mean we need to walk around with our physical eyes closed, but that we need to live with the eyes of our heart open. God wants us to put our faith in Him, believing with full confidence that He will take care of the obstacles, guide us around the problems, and carry us through to the end. The NIV version of 2 Corinthians 5:7 puts it this way, “We live by faith, not by sight.” We are not commanded to merely walk by faith, but live by faith, each and every day.
If you are like me, I want to not only walk by faith, but run by faith. I want to have the type of faith in Christ that will allow me to close my physical eyes, and see through the eyes of my heart instead, while running full force ahead with no fear.
July 23, 2008
Running By Faith
Tracie Miles
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Devotion:
It was finally here. My favorite time of year, and my favorite place to be. I hopped out of bed with an unusually eager attitude to do my morning exercise. I stepped out the door into the crisp morning, and inhaled a deep breath of salty beach air. I headed for the soft white sand, and began jogging briskly at the edge of the surf, admiring the vastness of one of God’s most amazing creations. After a short while, the morning sun became exceptionally bright, causing me to squint. It was then that I realized that in my haste to experience the beautiful Carolina surf, I had left my sunglasses behind. I tried to keep my eyes open, but it was just too bright. I thought to myself about the open area around me, and decided it would be safe to go a short distance with my eyes closed completely. Knowing that miles of empty beach lay ahead of me, and that there were very few people, if any, at the beach this early in the morning, I confidently ran forward with both eyes closed tightly shut.
As I continued running blindly, and spending time with God in prayer, a startling thought leapt into my mind - “is this what God means when He tells us to walk by faith and not by sight?”. I allowed my mind to drift away from my surroundings and focus on this concept. In the case of my morning run, I already knew that there was nothing in my path to bump into. There were no people, dogs, umbrellas or flying frisbees yet, so I felt completely confident running with my eyes closed. However, life does not always have a bump-free pathway for us to run on, but rather is packed full of obstacles, big and small. During this prayer time, I felt God nudging me to recognize whether or not I would be willing to run with my eyes closed through the bumpy patches of life, and solely rely on Him for my confidence, even when I did not know what lay in front of me.
I found myself asking God, “Lord, what things do I need to walk by faith in, and not by sight?”. For the next several minutes, with each exhale of breath, God brought something to mind that I needed to have a stronger faith about. A family member’s chronic illness. A friend’s job search. A damaged relationship. Someone whom I needed to forgive. Raising my children. Marriage. Health concerns. The war. Who would lead our country. The future.
It became crystal clear to me in that moment, that I rarely walk by faith regarding issues of great concern. It seems that when the burdens get heavy, I try to carry them on my own. I fret and worry. I imagine the worst case scenario. I try to determine what I can do to remedy the problem. I waste time wishing things were different. When what I should be doing is giving God the opportunity to do His work. Worrying will not change a thing, but faith can change everything.
Walking by faith and not by sight, does not mean we need to walk around with our physical eyes closed, but that we need to live with the eyes of our heart open. God wants us to put our faith in Him, believing with full confidence that He will take care of the obstacles, guide us around the problems, and carry us through to the end. The NIV version of 2 Corinthians 5:7 puts it this way, “We live by faith, not by sight.” We are not commanded to merely walk by faith, but live by faith, each and every day.
If you are like me, I want to not only walk by faith, but run by faith. I want to have the type of faith in Christ that will allow me to close my physical eyes, and see through the eyes of my heart instead, while running full force ahead with no fear.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Filling the Hole
There are so many things that we try and fill our life with, it is amazing. I believe that God made us to have a relationship with Him, for that to be an overwhelming desire in our life. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't know what that emptiness feeling that we have is. Because we don't know what it is, we fill it with other things. It is similar to being a baby. Their stomach hurts, so they cry. They don't know if it is hunger, indigestion, something just didn't settle or what. As a mom, you think, they must be hungry, I will feed them. The problem is, if this isn't truly the problem, you most likely are magnifying the true problem.
As adults, we do the same thing. We have this feeling of not being complete and we think, if only I was married, if only I had more money, if only I had perfect children, if only I was prettier, if only (you fill something in here)... The thing is, only one thing is designed to fit and fix that hole, and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. By trying to fill that hole with all of those other things, we are never going to be truly complete. It may fix the problem for a little while, but the hole will still be there and will surface again, sometimes to be filled with another "if only"
I do believe that Jesus will fill that hole, but I also think that there is a misconception about what happens when He does come into your life. We think it is a quick fix, everything SHOULD be perfect now, and that is where I think sometimes the church steers us wrong. They are so focused on helping us become a Christian, or be "saved" that some of the other stuff falls by the way side. It is not a quick fix, but it is an eternal fix. It is not going to make everything perfect, but you are made perfect in Him. I think the hole is filled, but you are not finished. You have to strive to be like Jesus, to constantly seek Him, to take up your cross daily. You are still going to hurt, you are still going to want, you are still going to feel un-whole at times. I don't think that we will feel hole until we are in Heaven with Him, that is when we will be complete. Until then, let Christ fill the hole and then follow Him to be whole!
I know that there are verses that support all of this, but I don't know them. Writing this has revealed something to me, that I need to work on my scripture knowledge. I know the verses, but I need to know where you can find them and be able to quote them, especially in a time of need! So, that is my next step to becoming more like Him! To know God's Word and write it on my heart!
As adults, we do the same thing. We have this feeling of not being complete and we think, if only I was married, if only I had more money, if only I had perfect children, if only I was prettier, if only (you fill something in here)... The thing is, only one thing is designed to fit and fix that hole, and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. By trying to fill that hole with all of those other things, we are never going to be truly complete. It may fix the problem for a little while, but the hole will still be there and will surface again, sometimes to be filled with another "if only"
I do believe that Jesus will fill that hole, but I also think that there is a misconception about what happens when He does come into your life. We think it is a quick fix, everything SHOULD be perfect now, and that is where I think sometimes the church steers us wrong. They are so focused on helping us become a Christian, or be "saved" that some of the other stuff falls by the way side. It is not a quick fix, but it is an eternal fix. It is not going to make everything perfect, but you are made perfect in Him. I think the hole is filled, but you are not finished. You have to strive to be like Jesus, to constantly seek Him, to take up your cross daily. You are still going to hurt, you are still going to want, you are still going to feel un-whole at times. I don't think that we will feel hole until we are in Heaven with Him, that is when we will be complete. Until then, let Christ fill the hole and then follow Him to be whole!
I know that there are verses that support all of this, but I don't know them. Writing this has revealed something to me, that I need to work on my scripture knowledge. I know the verses, but I need to know where you can find them and be able to quote them, especially in a time of need! So, that is my next step to becoming more like Him! To know God's Word and write it on my heart!
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