Oh Eve...
I know you didn't realize the consequences of your decision to take that bite. It looked good to eat and held promise of making you wise, knowing good AND evil, making you like God...
If you hadn't done it, I would still have perfect relationship with God and those around me...
Oh God...
I'm so amazed and astounded at Your wisdom. That You planned for the consequence of Eve's decision long before You created her. You determined to provide a way to bring me back into that perfect, sinless relationship with You...
Oh Jesus...
Thank you for living an obedient life, dying an incredibly horrible and painful death and defeating the power of sin, so I could have relationship with the Father again...
With You, I have the power to live life as God designed it to be!
"The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she'd know everything!—she took and ate the fruit."
Genesis 3:2-6 The Message
"Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans He took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in Him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth."
-Ephesians 1:7-10 The Message
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Friday, 10 August 2012
Stepping Beyond the Fear of Rejection
Well Said!!!
http://www.paleoforwomen.com/food-love-hack-friday-stepping-beyond-the-fear-of-rejection/
"The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller."
Proverbs 11:24 The Message
http://www.paleoforwomen.com/food-love-hack-friday-stepping-beyond-the-fear-of-rejection/
"The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller."
Proverbs 11:24 The Message
Fast Food Letdown
I had a very exciting job opportunity come into my life. I was excited and very nervous. I love the job I have and will be sad to leave it. It doesn't pay a lot though and I would like to be able to move forward with my life a little faster than I am.
I was so excited and focused on what this job would bring that I let myself slide back into bad financial habits. I placed all my hope in the fact that I would be making more money, I could do more of the things I dream of, before I even had the job. Bad financial decisions lead to stress, stress leads to poor sleep and bad eating habits, those lead to a bunch of annoying health issues and a very unhappy, guilt-ridden, depressed me.
Thankfully, Saturday morning God smacked me in the face with this Scripture:
"Samuel said to them, 'Don't be fearful. It's true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don't turn your back on God. Worship and serve Him heart and soul! Don't chase after ghost-gods. There's nothing to them. They can't help you. They're nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who He is, is not going to walk off and leave His people. God took delight in making you into His very own people...But I beg of you, fear God and worship Him honestly and heartily. You've seen how greatly He has worked among you!'"
-1 Samuel 12:20-22, 24 The Message
I was placing my identity in ghost-gods. Ghost meaning a mere shadow or semblance. Something that looks like the real thing. Ever watched a fast food commercial, then went to the fast food restaurant and thought, "This isn't what I ordered? It looked bigger and better on TV!" That burger you saw on TV is just a ghost or semblance of what you will actually get. Gotta love advertisements!
Instead of trusting that God would take care of me, I was looking to my job to provide my sense of identity and worth. Again. Thankfully, He is always forgiving and when I miss it, He is waiting to welcome me back and help me learn more about myself and about WHO HE IS!
Having dreams and working hard to achieve them isn't a bad thing, but allowing them to take God's place in your life is.
"Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time."
-Psalm 34:19 The Message
"What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in His hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand."
-Romans 1:21-23 The Message
I was so excited and focused on what this job would bring that I let myself slide back into bad financial habits. I placed all my hope in the fact that I would be making more money, I could do more of the things I dream of, before I even had the job. Bad financial decisions lead to stress, stress leads to poor sleep and bad eating habits, those lead to a bunch of annoying health issues and a very unhappy, guilt-ridden, depressed me.
Thankfully, Saturday morning God smacked me in the face with this Scripture:
"Samuel said to them, 'Don't be fearful. It's true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don't turn your back on God. Worship and serve Him heart and soul! Don't chase after ghost-gods. There's nothing to them. They can't help you. They're nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who He is, is not going to walk off and leave His people. God took delight in making you into His very own people...But I beg of you, fear God and worship Him honestly and heartily. You've seen how greatly He has worked among you!'"
-1 Samuel 12:20-22, 24 The Message
I was placing my identity in ghost-gods. Ghost meaning a mere shadow or semblance. Something that looks like the real thing. Ever watched a fast food commercial, then went to the fast food restaurant and thought, "This isn't what I ordered? It looked bigger and better on TV!" That burger you saw on TV is just a ghost or semblance of what you will actually get. Gotta love advertisements!
Instead of trusting that God would take care of me, I was looking to my job to provide my sense of identity and worth. Again. Thankfully, He is always forgiving and when I miss it, He is waiting to welcome me back and help me learn more about myself and about WHO HE IS!
Having dreams and working hard to achieve them isn't a bad thing, but allowing them to take God's place in your life is.
"Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time."
-Psalm 34:19 The Message
"What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in His hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand."
-Romans 1:21-23 The Message
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Good Gifts
Originally published on June 8, 2012.
My God is so GOOD!
This week He has proven His love for me in the little things.
I received 3 answers to prayer. They weren't big looooooooooooooooooong prayers, more like, "God, it would be nice to have an aloe vera plant. I would like to experiment with it.", "Daddy, I would really like to have a new heart necklace. I really love the one I have, but it is getting a little beat up from all the use.", or "I really need a hug from You. I need to know that someone really cares about me."
Someone sent me a text message telling me how awesome I am and reminding me how much God loves me. I got my hug!!! It made me cry.
I stopped to visit someone. They randomly(it was random to me, but not to my God!) asked me if I would like an aloe vera plant. Seriously? YES! Not just one plant, but one with like 10 babies that I can split...oh yeah!
I received a beautiful heart necklace as a bridesmaid gift today. I'm so excited to wear it for Tom & Sarah's wedding tomorrow!
These things might seem simple, but they really show me how much God cares for me. He is so amazing. He never fails to capture my heart again and again with the intimate love He shows for me.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
-Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
-James 1:17 NIV
My God is so GOOD!
This week He has proven His love for me in the little things.
I received 3 answers to prayer. They weren't big looooooooooooooooooong prayers, more like, "God, it would be nice to have an aloe vera plant. I would like to experiment with it.", "Daddy, I would really like to have a new heart necklace. I really love the one I have, but it is getting a little beat up from all the use.", or "I really need a hug from You. I need to know that someone really cares about me."
Someone sent me a text message telling me how awesome I am and reminding me how much God loves me. I got my hug!!! It made me cry.
I stopped to visit someone. They randomly(it was random to me, but not to my God!) asked me if I would like an aloe vera plant. Seriously? YES! Not just one plant, but one with like 10 babies that I can split...oh yeah!
I received a beautiful heart necklace as a bridesmaid gift today. I'm so excited to wear it for Tom & Sarah's wedding tomorrow!
These things might seem simple, but they really show me how much God cares for me. He is so amazing. He never fails to capture my heart again and again with the intimate love He shows for me.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
-Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
-James 1:17 NIV
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Custom Made
"This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, The God who summons horses and chariots and armies— they lie down and then can't get up; they're snuffed out like so many candles: "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say 'Thank you!' —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for Myself, a people custom-made to praise Me."
-Isaiah 43:16-21 The Message
God gave this passage to me on Monday. When I first read it I didn't really think much of it, but as the week progressed I saw what He did.
Vs. 16-17: He reminded me of Who He Is! He is in control and He is mighty and is working things out for me. He is my protector and I don't have to be afraid.
Vs. 18-20: So many times I get focused on what has happened in my past, my failures, and who I think I should be, that I can't see God for all the clouds and rain in my mind and heart! He reminded me that I can't change my past, but I can learn from it and go on to change my each and every day. I need to be focused on what is going on in my life and in the lives of those around me at this present moment. How can I see where I am going if I'm too busy looking behind me? Watch out for that tree! or in my case, poles.
I've been worrying and stressing about my lab tech job interview in 11 days. I had an interview with this company 7-8 years ago. I didn't get the job. I also worked as a co-op student in the plant previous to that. The manager I worked under thought I was too quiet and shy. (Yes. I used to be quiet and shy.) All I kept thinking about is the past rejection.
I know God has a great plan for my life. I believe this job will be the right fit at the right time. I will walk into the interview with confidence knowing that I have the skills and experience they are looking for and will be prepared to answer whatever questions they may have.
But my expectations are not in the job, they are in God. He is my provider and I have all that I need and more! He has been faithful, so no matter what happens I will keep trusting and seeking Him.
Vs. 21. This just makes me feel incredibly special and loved! I'm custom made to praise God! I'm chosen, made ESPECIALLY for Him. Dude.
-Isaiah 43:16-21 The Message
God gave this passage to me on Monday. When I first read it I didn't really think much of it, but as the week progressed I saw what He did.
Vs. 16-17: He reminded me of Who He Is! He is in control and He is mighty and is working things out for me. He is my protector and I don't have to be afraid.
Vs. 18-20: So many times I get focused on what has happened in my past, my failures, and who I think I should be, that I can't see God for all the clouds and rain in my mind and heart! He reminded me that I can't change my past, but I can learn from it and go on to change my each and every day. I need to be focused on what is going on in my life and in the lives of those around me at this present moment. How can I see where I am going if I'm too busy looking behind me? Watch out for that tree! or in my case, poles.
I've been worrying and stressing about my lab tech job interview in 11 days. I had an interview with this company 7-8 years ago. I didn't get the job. I also worked as a co-op student in the plant previous to that. The manager I worked under thought I was too quiet and shy. (Yes. I used to be quiet and shy.) All I kept thinking about is the past rejection.
I know God has a great plan for my life. I believe this job will be the right fit at the right time. I will walk into the interview with confidence knowing that I have the skills and experience they are looking for and will be prepared to answer whatever questions they may have.
But my expectations are not in the job, they are in God. He is my provider and I have all that I need and more! He has been faithful, so no matter what happens I will keep trusting and seeking Him.
Vs. 21. This just makes me feel incredibly special and loved! I'm custom made to praise God! I'm chosen, made ESPECIALLY for Him. Dude.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Lost and Found
I went to Timmins a week ago to help a church reach out to their community and show the love of God. It was a great time of stretching and growing!
I heard something on the way home that really made me think:
"How do you know you are lost if you have never been found?"
I have been around church all my life. Jesus came into my heart at the age of 11. So in a way, I don't know what it is like to be lost.
But the more I thought about it, I realized I do know what it is like to be lost.
I know what it is like to be without hope, to have a life filled with broken relationships, emptiness, unfulfilled dreams and expections, depression, anger, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. Everyone on the planet is in the same boat as me. They have experienced the same hurts and disappointments in some way or another.
But how would I know a better way if I had never experienced it?
I know what it is like to be far away from God and His presence, but that's because I have experienced times where I have been close to Him and times where I have been far, far away from Him. I know what it is like to have a broken life and a life filled with peace, grace and love! So I do know what it is like to be lost! And found.
So as much as I think I may not be able to relate to people and their situations, I can. I will live my life with a greater awareness of those hurting and in need of "finding". God has been so good to me. How can I not share what He has done for me?!
"The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”
-Luke 19:10 CEV
"I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with His praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him."
-Psalm 34:1-6,8 The Message
I heard something on the way home that really made me think:
"How do you know you are lost if you have never been found?"
I have been around church all my life. Jesus came into my heart at the age of 11. So in a way, I don't know what it is like to be lost.
But the more I thought about it, I realized I do know what it is like to be lost.
I know what it is like to be without hope, to have a life filled with broken relationships, emptiness, unfulfilled dreams and expections, depression, anger, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. Everyone on the planet is in the same boat as me. They have experienced the same hurts and disappointments in some way or another.
But how would I know a better way if I had never experienced it?
I know what it is like to be far away from God and His presence, but that's because I have experienced times where I have been close to Him and times where I have been far, far away from Him. I know what it is like to have a broken life and a life filled with peace, grace and love! So I do know what it is like to be lost! And found.
So as much as I think I may not be able to relate to people and their situations, I can. I will live my life with a greater awareness of those hurting and in need of "finding". God has been so good to me. How can I not share what He has done for me?!
"The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”
-Luke 19:10 CEV
"I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with His praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him."
-Psalm 34:1-6,8 The Message
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Follow the Leader
I went biking with friends the other day, from Welland to Port Colbourne to go get some Dairy Queen. Yum! I've never been this way on my bike before. I knew the direction I needed to go, but I was missing the specifics.
I discovered I have a problem following the leader. I couldn't get in rhythm with their pace so I would go ahead & wait for them to catch up. It was frustrating because I just wanted to get up & go at my own pace. So I wasted a lot of energy & had a few mishaps because I'm impatient. Stupid pole. Silly goose.
On my way home I realized that I will do the same thing in my life. God gives me a direction to go, I go along with Him, get bored or frustrated, then run up ahead of Him.
I want to see everything NOW. I want to know what I'm supposed to do with my life all at once.
When I finally realize that I've run ahead, I stop & find His presence again. Then we have to fix me up & set me on the right path again.
If I knew every detail of my life what would I need God for?
I need Him to show me each day where I need to go. I need to be on the lookout for where the Holy Spirit is working in people's lives & join Him.
I'm not sure of the EXACT path I'm taking with my life, but I do know that God has a good plan for my life. I look back and see that He has never failed me, so I trust that He won't fail my future either!
"True to Your Word, You let me catch my breath, and set me in the right direction."
- Psalm 23:3. The Message
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
- Romans 12:1-2 The Message
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's Decree."
- Jeremiah 29:11-14a The Message
I discovered I have a problem following the leader. I couldn't get in rhythm with their pace so I would go ahead & wait for them to catch up. It was frustrating because I just wanted to get up & go at my own pace. So I wasted a lot of energy & had a few mishaps because I'm impatient. Stupid pole. Silly goose.
On my way home I realized that I will do the same thing in my life. God gives me a direction to go, I go along with Him, get bored or frustrated, then run up ahead of Him.
I want to see everything NOW. I want to know what I'm supposed to do with my life all at once.
When I finally realize that I've run ahead, I stop & find His presence again. Then we have to fix me up & set me on the right path again.
If I knew every detail of my life what would I need God for?
I need Him to show me each day where I need to go. I need to be on the lookout for where the Holy Spirit is working in people's lives & join Him.
I'm not sure of the EXACT path I'm taking with my life, but I do know that God has a good plan for my life. I look back and see that He has never failed me, so I trust that He won't fail my future either!
"True to Your Word, You let me catch my breath, and set me in the right direction."
- Psalm 23:3. The Message
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
- Romans 12:1-2 The Message
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's Decree."
- Jeremiah 29:11-14a The Message
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