I’m off today to a conference given by Randy Clark. I’m really excited about it as it covers deliverance, healing, impartation and prayer. This is the http://www.sporg.com/servlet/com.sporg.servlet.LinkToEventServlet?EventId=9912 to the event. You can also check out his website at http://www.globalawakening.com.
Please keep me in your prayers as I seem to be fighting a spiritual battle with my son James. Whatever I say there always seems to be an argument. No matter how I try to avoid it. Pray for healing in our relationship. That God would get to the core issues and help us both to resolve them. Pray that we can communicate with each other in love and with compassion. I won’t be blogging until Monday as I’ll be away. Please keep the entire conference uplifted as well. Thank you.
My Daily Devotions and maybe yours too……
1 Peter 2:11 -12
11Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls. 12Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world.[a]
So, the question for today says how do we live as aliens here on earth? What is our Christian witness to be in light of unbelieving neighbors?
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
My Daily Devotions and maybe yours too…..
1 Peter 2:4-11
Living Stones for Gods House
4Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by the people, but he is precious to God who chose him.
5And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are God's holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ. 6As the Scriptures express it, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem,[a] a chosen cornerstone, and anyone who believes in him will never be disappointed.[b]"
7Yes, he is very precious to you who believe. But for those who reject him,
"The stone that was rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone."[c]
8And the Scriptures also say, "He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that will make them fall."[d] They stumble because they do not listen to God's word or obey it, and so they meet the fate that has been planned for them.
9But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 "Once you were not a people; now you are the people of God. Once you received none of God's mercy; now you have received his mercy."[e] 11Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls.
Today I pondered on the fact that we are a chosen people, we are a royal priesthood, we have received God’s mercy, and we are called to tell others about Jesus who is the living cornerstone of our church.
After doing my daily devotions I read from a little book called “Promises From God’s Word For Every Moment of Life”.
There are two sections I read from one on contentment and the other on comfort. I will share some of the Scripture that really spoke to my spirit. For if I need comfort there will probably be a time that you need it as well. So, stand firm to the Word of God and receive from Him the comfort and contentment that He freely gives.
Let your mercy comfort me as You promised Ps 119:50
Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your GOD Ps 119:76
I will strengthen you
I will help you.
I will support you with my victorious right hand Is: 41:10
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God. 2 Corinth 1:3-4
And on contentment I’ll give you the verses and you can look them up.
Philippians 4: 6-7, 11-13, Proverbs 15:15, Ps 37:4, Ps 16:2
1 Peter 2:4-11
Living Stones for Gods House
4Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by the people, but he is precious to God who chose him.
5And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are God's holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ. 6As the Scriptures express it, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem,[a] a chosen cornerstone, and anyone who believes in him will never be disappointed.[b]"
7Yes, he is very precious to you who believe. But for those who reject him,
"The stone that was rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone."[c]
8And the Scriptures also say, "He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that will make them fall."[d] They stumble because they do not listen to God's word or obey it, and so they meet the fate that has been planned for them.
9But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 "Once you were not a people; now you are the people of God. Once you received none of God's mercy; now you have received his mercy."[e] 11Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls.
Today I pondered on the fact that we are a chosen people, we are a royal priesthood, we have received God’s mercy, and we are called to tell others about Jesus who is the living cornerstone of our church.
After doing my daily devotions I read from a little book called “Promises From God’s Word For Every Moment of Life”.
There are two sections I read from one on contentment and the other on comfort. I will share some of the Scripture that really spoke to my spirit. For if I need comfort there will probably be a time that you need it as well. So, stand firm to the Word of God and receive from Him the comfort and contentment that He freely gives.
Let your mercy comfort me as You promised Ps 119:50
Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your GOD Ps 119:76
I will strengthen you
I will help you.
I will support you with my victorious right hand Is: 41:10
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God. 2 Corinth 1:3-4
And on contentment I’ll give you the verses and you can look them up.
Philippians 4: 6-7, 11-13, Proverbs 15:15, Ps 37:4, Ps 16:2
Monday, April 25, 2005
My Daily Devotions and maybe yours too
1 Peter1:13-2:3
A Call to Holy Living
13So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. 14Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. 15But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God--who chose you to be his children--is holy. 16For he himself has said, "You must be holy because I am holy."[a]
17And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners here on earth. 18For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this for you.
21Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God. 22Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters[b] because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts.[c]
23For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24As the prophet says,
"People are like grass that dies away; their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fall away.
25 But the word of the Lord will last forever."[d]
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
1 Peter 2
1 So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing. 2You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, 3now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.
Footnotes:
1 Peter 1:16 Lev 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7.
1 Peter 1:22 Greek can have brotherly love.
1 Peter 1:22 Some manuscripts read with a pure heart.
1 Peter 1:25 Isa 40:6-8.
Think clearly and exercise self control, those words still echo in my spirit from my morning devotions. I was thinking how the serpent tricked Eve when he messed with her mind. How he still does that to us. When ever I don’t think clearly it usually sets me up to fall on my face. If I don’t think clearly then I can not exercise self control. When I don’t exercise self control I open up Pandora’s box of sin and evil. It all starts in the mind. How we have to re wall paper our minds with God’s Word. We can not get to point b if we have not mastered point a. We need God’s Word (point a), imbedded into our spirits so that we can think clearly and not give Satan a foothold to confuse, confound, distort, divide, depress, or discourage us in our spiritual thinking. Then we have a chance to exercise self control.
1 Peter1:13-2:3
A Call to Holy Living
13So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. 14Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. 15But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God--who chose you to be his children--is holy. 16For he himself has said, "You must be holy because I am holy."[a]
17And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners here on earth. 18For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this for you.
21Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God. 22Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters[b] because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts.[c]
23For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24As the prophet says,
"People are like grass that dies away; their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fall away.
25 But the word of the Lord will last forever."[d]
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
1 Peter 2
1 So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing. 2You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, 3now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.
Footnotes:
1 Peter 1:16 Lev 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7.
1 Peter 1:22 Greek can have brotherly love.
1 Peter 1:22 Some manuscripts read with a pure heart.
1 Peter 1:25 Isa 40:6-8.
Think clearly and exercise self control, those words still echo in my spirit from my morning devotions. I was thinking how the serpent tricked Eve when he messed with her mind. How he still does that to us. When ever I don’t think clearly it usually sets me up to fall on my face. If I don’t think clearly then I can not exercise self control. When I don’t exercise self control I open up Pandora’s box of sin and evil. It all starts in the mind. How we have to re wall paper our minds with God’s Word. We can not get to point b if we have not mastered point a. We need God’s Word (point a), imbedded into our spirits so that we can think clearly and not give Satan a foothold to confuse, confound, distort, divide, depress, or discourage us in our spiritual thinking. Then we have a chance to exercise self control.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
My daily devotions and maybe yours too…….
1 Peter 1:1-13
1PETER, AN apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ, [writing] to the elect exiles of the dispersion scattered (sowed) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be [a]realized in and through Christ, [b]freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].
3Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4[Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that [c]final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.
6[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations,
7So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.
8Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.
9[At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation.
11They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them].
12It was then disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look!
13So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.
Freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts wow! Did that speak to my spirit this morning. Freedom from fears, I was feeling very fearful and anxious in my spirit. God willing we are moving to Charlotte. I think any major move has with it a certain anxiety level. Is there always fear in change? Can one be excited and fearful at the same time? Can I cast all my fears upon the LORD? Abba Father said to me this monring "fear not, do not be afraid, trust Me! Why then is fearfulness still running around in my spirit. Can I cast all fear aside? My spirit was feeling a bit low yesterday. I woke up today with that same feeling. I can't wait till my prayer partners call this morning. My first call is at 7:00 am and my second at 7:30. Prayer makes takes my anxiety away. (At least momentarily). Just shows you, that we have to pray and keep on praying.
1 Peter 1:1-13
1PETER, AN apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ, [writing] to the elect exiles of the dispersion scattered (sowed) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be [a]realized in and through Christ, [b]freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].
3Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4[Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that [c]final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.
6[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations,
7So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.
8Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.
9[At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation.
11They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them].
12It was then disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look!
13So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.
Freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts wow! Did that speak to my spirit this morning. Freedom from fears, I was feeling very fearful and anxious in my spirit. God willing we are moving to Charlotte. I think any major move has with it a certain anxiety level. Is there always fear in change? Can one be excited and fearful at the same time? Can I cast all my fears upon the LORD? Abba Father said to me this monring "fear not, do not be afraid, trust Me! Why then is fearfulness still running around in my spirit. Can I cast all fear aside? My spirit was feeling a bit low yesterday. I woke up today with that same feeling. I can't wait till my prayer partners call this morning. My first call is at 7:00 am and my second at 7:30. Prayer makes takes my anxiety away. (At least momentarily). Just shows you, that we have to pray and keep on praying.
Friday, April 22, 2005
My Morning Devotion and maybe yours too.
James 5
1COME NOW, you rich [people], weep aloud and lament over the miseries (the woes) that are surely coming upon you.
2Your abundant wealth has rotted and is ruined, and your [many] garments have become moth-eaten.
3Your gold and silver are completely rusted through, and their rust will be testimony against you and it will devour your flesh as if it were fire. You have heaped together treasure for the last days.
4[But] look! [Here are] the wages that you have withheld by fraud from the laborers who have reaped your fields, crying out [for vengeance]; and the cries of the harvesters have come to the ears of the Lord of hosts.
5[Here] on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
6You have condemned and have murdered the righteous (innocent man), [while] he offers no resistance to you.
7So be patient, brethren, [as you wait] till the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. [See how] he keeps up his patient [vigil] over it until it receives the early and late rains.
8So you also must be patient. Establish your hearts [strengthen and confirm them in the final certainty], for the coming of the Lord is very near.
9Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you [yourselves] may not be judged. Look! The Judge is [already] standing at the very door.
10[As] an example of suffering and ill-treatment together with patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as His messengers].
11You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured]. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord's [purpose and how He richly blessed him in the] end, inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity and compassion and tenderness and mercy.(A)
12But above all [things], my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath; but let your yes be [a simple] yes, and your no be [a simple] no, so that you may not sin and fall under condemnation.
13Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God].
14Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord's name.
15And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
17Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. [I Kings 17:1.]
18And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. [I Kings 18:42-45.]
19[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God],
20Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one's] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [[a]procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert].
There are several points in Chapter 5 that stick to my spirit and calls me to ponder. The first being prayer. One of my study questions today asks us to “Underline the words pray, prayer and prayed in verses 13-18. What lesson or lessons about prayer do you learn from this passage”?
God has given me the gift of intercessory prayer. I remember not so long ago, maybe 15 years ago I had never prayed a prayer in my life. I was at a Bible Study and through the modeling of my guide, I learned what prayer was and how to pray. I learned how to have an intimate conversation with the LORD about everything in my life and the lives of others. It has been a wonderful journey. Many prayer partners God has chosen to pray with me and come beside me. I have been so blessed, testifying to the power and results of prayer.
James 5
1COME NOW, you rich [people], weep aloud and lament over the miseries (the woes) that are surely coming upon you.
2Your abundant wealth has rotted and is ruined, and your [many] garments have become moth-eaten.
3Your gold and silver are completely rusted through, and their rust will be testimony against you and it will devour your flesh as if it were fire. You have heaped together treasure for the last days.
4[But] look! [Here are] the wages that you have withheld by fraud from the laborers who have reaped your fields, crying out [for vengeance]; and the cries of the harvesters have come to the ears of the Lord of hosts.
5[Here] on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
6You have condemned and have murdered the righteous (innocent man), [while] he offers no resistance to you.
7So be patient, brethren, [as you wait] till the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. [See how] he keeps up his patient [vigil] over it until it receives the early and late rains.
8So you also must be patient. Establish your hearts [strengthen and confirm them in the final certainty], for the coming of the Lord is very near.
9Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you [yourselves] may not be judged. Look! The Judge is [already] standing at the very door.
10[As] an example of suffering and ill-treatment together with patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as His messengers].
11You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured]. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord's [purpose and how He richly blessed him in the] end, inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity and compassion and tenderness and mercy.(A)
12But above all [things], my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath; but let your yes be [a simple] yes, and your no be [a simple] no, so that you may not sin and fall under condemnation.
13Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God].
14Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord's name.
15And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
17Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. [I Kings 17:1.]
18And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. [I Kings 18:42-45.]
19[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God],
20Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one's] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [[a]procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert].
There are several points in Chapter 5 that stick to my spirit and calls me to ponder. The first being prayer. One of my study questions today asks us to “Underline the words pray, prayer and prayed in verses 13-18. What lesson or lessons about prayer do you learn from this passage”?
God has given me the gift of intercessory prayer. I remember not so long ago, maybe 15 years ago I had never prayed a prayer in my life. I was at a Bible Study and through the modeling of my guide, I learned what prayer was and how to pray. I learned how to have an intimate conversation with the LORD about everything in my life and the lives of others. It has been a wonderful journey. Many prayer partners God has chosen to pray with me and come beside me. I have been so blessed, testifying to the power and results of prayer.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
My Daily Devotions, and maybe yours too...........
James 4:11-17
11[My] brethren, do not speak evil about, (or criticize/condemn), or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it].
12One only is the Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy [the One Who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor?
13Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money.
14Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].
15You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing].
16But as it is, you boast [falsely] in your presumption and your self-conceit. All such boasting is wrong.
17So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.
I put into bold those thoughts that got my attention. I was very convicted that I need not criticize anyone or anything except myself. And then only to bring it to GOD and let Him sort me out, or the problem out. There has definitely been too much emphasis on me and not enough on the LORD.
Another area of my life I thought about was concerning verse 17. Sometimes I walk a thin line in that area. I know I should be doing something and I don’t. I’m going to try to do better with the help and grace of GOD.
One of my study questions today read: Open criticism of others seems to be accepted in present day culture. Why does that go against the Scripture presented in James 4. What can you do differently?
I’m not going to answer that here but I want both of us to ponder it, meditate on it, and see what the LORD says to do.
One of my commentaries elaborated on verses 13-16 “It is good to make plans, but them will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in His hands. What would you like to be doing 10 years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will you react if God steps in and rearranges your plans? Plan ahead, but ask for God’s guidance. Seek God’s will in your planning, He will never disappoint you”.
I know that I was convicted to apologise to my son today for having a critical spirit at times. I pray that his heart would be tender and forgiving.
James 4:11-17
11[My] brethren, do not speak evil about, (or criticize/condemn), or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it].
12One only is the Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy [the One Who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor?
13Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money.
14Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].
15You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing].
16But as it is, you boast [falsely] in your presumption and your self-conceit. All such boasting is wrong.
17So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.
I put into bold those thoughts that got my attention. I was very convicted that I need not criticize anyone or anything except myself. And then only to bring it to GOD and let Him sort me out, or the problem out. There has definitely been too much emphasis on me and not enough on the LORD.
Another area of my life I thought about was concerning verse 17. Sometimes I walk a thin line in that area. I know I should be doing something and I don’t. I’m going to try to do better with the help and grace of GOD.
One of my study questions today read: Open criticism of others seems to be accepted in present day culture. Why does that go against the Scripture presented in James 4. What can you do differently?
I’m not going to answer that here but I want both of us to ponder it, meditate on it, and see what the LORD says to do.
One of my commentaries elaborated on verses 13-16 “It is good to make plans, but them will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in His hands. What would you like to be doing 10 years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will you react if God steps in and rearranges your plans? Plan ahead, but ask for God’s guidance. Seek God’s will in your planning, He will never disappoint you”.
I know that I was convicted to apologise to my son today for having a critical spirit at times. I pray that his heart would be tender and forgiving.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Daily Devotions
Today’s reading came from James 4:1-10
James 4
1WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?
2You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [I John 3:15.]
3[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.
4You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.
5Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?(A)
6But He gives us more and more grace ([a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).(B)
7So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
8Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
9[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].
10Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].
Two questions touched my spirit.
According to verses 1-3 what is the source of worldly antagonisms? It is the whole army of (our) evil desires at war within us. We want what we don’t have. We are not content with what we do have. So, according to God’s Word we kill and scheme to get what we want. We’re jealous of others and we fight and quarrel in order to get what we want. That’s a red light for me. Whenever I’m feeling quarrelsome I will stop and check myself out. I am going to try to analyze the situation and pray what would God have me do next. Somehow I know the answer and that is step away and do nothing for the time being.
The next question speaks about humility verses pride.
Read verse 10 of James chapter 4 with Matt 23:12, Luke 14:11, 18:14, Phil 2:5-11 and 1 Peter 5:6. How could you apply this principle to your own life and teach it more effectively to those for whom you are responsible?
When I bow down before the LORD and admit my dependence of Him, He lifts me up and honors me. To humble myself or submit myself to God’s mighty power and timing, He will lift me up and honor me. Our attitude should be the same as Christ. Jesus showed humility in every aspect of his life. For the proud shall be humbled and the humble will be honored. Those who exalt themselves shall be humbled and those who humble themselves shall be exalted.
Tell me your thoughts on the scriptures.
Today’s reading came from James 4:1-10
James 4
1WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?
2You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [I John 3:15.]
3[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.
4You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.
5Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?(A)
6But He gives us more and more grace ([a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).(B)
7So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
8Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
9[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].
10Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].
Two questions touched my spirit.
According to verses 1-3 what is the source of worldly antagonisms? It is the whole army of (our) evil desires at war within us. We want what we don’t have. We are not content with what we do have. So, according to God’s Word we kill and scheme to get what we want. We’re jealous of others and we fight and quarrel in order to get what we want. That’s a red light for me. Whenever I’m feeling quarrelsome I will stop and check myself out. I am going to try to analyze the situation and pray what would God have me do next. Somehow I know the answer and that is step away and do nothing for the time being.
The next question speaks about humility verses pride.
Read verse 10 of James chapter 4 with Matt 23:12, Luke 14:11, 18:14, Phil 2:5-11 and 1 Peter 5:6. How could you apply this principle to your own life and teach it more effectively to those for whom you are responsible?
When I bow down before the LORD and admit my dependence of Him, He lifts me up and honors me. To humble myself or submit myself to God’s mighty power and timing, He will lift me up and honor me. Our attitude should be the same as Christ. Jesus showed humility in every aspect of his life. For the proud shall be humbled and the humble will be honored. Those who exalt themselves shall be humbled and those who humble themselves shall be exalted.
Tell me your thoughts on the scriptures.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Daily Devotions
James 3:13-18 (Amplified Bible)
13Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.
14But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
15This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
16For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
18And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God's will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
Today’s questions in my bible study, those which got my attention are as follows: Why does wisdom make a person humble? The next question was contrast earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom. How can you gain more heavenly wisdom?
True wisdom can be measured by a person’s character. You can evaluate your wisdom by the way you act, the fruit that is produced by your actions. Am I humble to GOD and His ways? Humility=meakness, servanthood, modesty, submissivesness, lowiness diffidence=constraint, to God’s will and His ways.
Earthly wisdom produces bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, bragging, disorder, and every kind of evil v/s heavenly wisdom which is pure, peaceful, considerate of others, submissive, full of mercy, sincerity, imparitiality, goodness and trusting of GOD.
When I note my response to someone or something prior to having that knee jerk reaction and getting upset or angry, I can take a moment and see where my response lies on this list. Is it on God’s side of heavenly wisdom or Satan’s side of earthly wisdom? What fruit is being produced? Where is the red light or the green light? I HAVE TO STOP, THINK, AND PRAY BEFORE I REACT.
Tell me which words, concepts or phases speak to your spirit and why. PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR HEART.
James 3:13-18 (Amplified Bible)
13Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.
14But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
15This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
16For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
18And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God's will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
Today’s questions in my bible study, those which got my attention are as follows: Why does wisdom make a person humble? The next question was contrast earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom. How can you gain more heavenly wisdom?
True wisdom can be measured by a person’s character. You can evaluate your wisdom by the way you act, the fruit that is produced by your actions. Am I humble to GOD and His ways? Humility=meakness, servanthood, modesty, submissivesness, lowiness diffidence=constraint, to God’s will and His ways.
Earthly wisdom produces bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, bragging, disorder, and every kind of evil v/s heavenly wisdom which is pure, peaceful, considerate of others, submissive, full of mercy, sincerity, imparitiality, goodness and trusting of GOD.
When I note my response to someone or something prior to having that knee jerk reaction and getting upset or angry, I can take a moment and see where my response lies on this list. Is it on God’s side of heavenly wisdom or Satan’s side of earthly wisdom? What fruit is being produced? Where is the red light or the green light? I HAVE TO STOP, THINK, AND PRAY BEFORE I REACT.
Tell me which words, concepts or phases speak to your spirit and why. PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR HEART.
Monday, April 18, 2005
April 18, 2005
My Morning Devotions
These last couple of days I have been feeling in my spirit the desire to share what ever my daily devotion was and some of my thoughts while in the presence of GOD.
Today’s reading was James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
One of my study questions asked: If a man is unable to tame his own tongue, what is the wise thing for him to do?
I answered prayer and ask God for help. One thing I have discerned is to wait and not respond immediately. Whenever I respond with a knee jerk reaction usually in anger I end up spiritually on my behind. Experience is showing the signs of when Satan is at work in a situation. When I become angry that’s a give away, when I say unkind words, that is another red light, when my feelings are hurt, I need to step away and PRAY first. Probably I also need to step out of the situation and get some perspective on why I am hurt, angry, frustrated or feel injured. I have to look at my emotional state not the other person’s or situation. The text also tells me that the Holy Spirit can help me learn self control. Remember we are not fighting the tongues fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit gives us increasing power to monitor and control what we say when we are offended. The Spirit will remind us of God’s love, and what to do in any situation. We will not react in a hateful way when we are criticized. The Spirit will heal the hurt and help us not to lash out.
In my life application bible on verses 3:6 and 3:8 it gives wonderful comments on the tongue. Anyone who knows how to get the commentary free online please share the link with me.
I noted that in Proverbs 18:7 (Just happen to glance at it) The mouths of fools are their own ruin, their lips get them into trouble.
I certainly have acted foolishly in the past with my tongue.
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
This text is from the Amplified Bible:
1NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers ([a]self-constituted censors and reproves of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].
2For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
3If we set bits in the horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about.
4Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!
6And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna).
7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature).
8But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness!
10Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.
11Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter?
12Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.
What you say and what you don’t say are both important. To use right speech and tone you must use the right words at the right time but also not say what you shouldn’t. (I need a miracle Abba) HELP!
The tongue’s wickedness has it’s source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage and Satan uses it to divide people and put them against each other. Let us not be careless in what we say. We often tend to regret our words said in haste.
Wisdom lead to peace and goodness, foolishness leads to disorder. Wise loving words are the seeds of peace. God loves peacemakers.
James 2: 17-18 says. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and wiling to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds, It is not partial and is always sincere.
Maybe this blog will speak to other people. I know that I'm in continual battle to control my tongue, my heart, and my emotions. To be the spirit filled woman that God wants me to be. But even though a woman may fall 7 times a righteous woman gets up dusts herself off and starts all over again.
My Morning Devotions
These last couple of days I have been feeling in my spirit the desire to share what ever my daily devotion was and some of my thoughts while in the presence of GOD.
Today’s reading was James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
One of my study questions asked: If a man is unable to tame his own tongue, what is the wise thing for him to do?
I answered prayer and ask God for help. One thing I have discerned is to wait and not respond immediately. Whenever I respond with a knee jerk reaction usually in anger I end up spiritually on my behind. Experience is showing the signs of when Satan is at work in a situation. When I become angry that’s a give away, when I say unkind words, that is another red light, when my feelings are hurt, I need to step away and PRAY first. Probably I also need to step out of the situation and get some perspective on why I am hurt, angry, frustrated or feel injured. I have to look at my emotional state not the other person’s or situation. The text also tells me that the Holy Spirit can help me learn self control. Remember we are not fighting the tongues fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit gives us increasing power to monitor and control what we say when we are offended. The Spirit will remind us of God’s love, and what to do in any situation. We will not react in a hateful way when we are criticized. The Spirit will heal the hurt and help us not to lash out.
In my life application bible on verses 3:6 and 3:8 it gives wonderful comments on the tongue. Anyone who knows how to get the commentary free online please share the link with me.
I noted that in Proverbs 18:7 (Just happen to glance at it) The mouths of fools are their own ruin, their lips get them into trouble.
I certainly have acted foolishly in the past with my tongue.
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
This text is from the Amplified Bible:
1NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers ([a]self-constituted censors and reproves of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].
2For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
3If we set bits in the horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about.
4Likewise, look at the ships: though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!
6And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna).
7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature).
8But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness!
10Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.
11Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter?
12Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.
What you say and what you don’t say are both important. To use right speech and tone you must use the right words at the right time but also not say what you shouldn’t. (I need a miracle Abba) HELP!
The tongue’s wickedness has it’s source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage and Satan uses it to divide people and put them against each other. Let us not be careless in what we say. We often tend to regret our words said in haste.
Wisdom lead to peace and goodness, foolishness leads to disorder. Wise loving words are the seeds of peace. God loves peacemakers.
James 2: 17-18 says. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and wiling to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds, It is not partial and is always sincere.
Maybe this blog will speak to other people. I know that I'm in continual battle to control my tongue, my heart, and my emotions. To be the spirit filled woman that God wants me to be. But even though a woman may fall 7 times a righteous woman gets up dusts herself off and starts all over again.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
I was doing my devotions this morning and was impressed in my spirit to start sharing with you what I'm reading. Also any spiritual nuggets I might have gleemed from my morning devotions.
Today I was reading James 1 -2. It talks about the tongue which is one of my weakest parts. Oh how I have trouble controlling my tongue. There has been some improvement over the past 15 years since I've been saved, yet ever so often stuff comes out that really makes me feel as if I'm back to base one. Actually I feel like I landed in jail when you're playing Monopoly. I have to get back to GOD in a hurry. This lack of self control has plagued me for a life time and I am hoping that GOD will teach me how to be an overcomer in all situations.
About 6:am on a Sunday morning I watch a black pastor from Charlotte who has such a gift for teaching. He is awesome. The name of the church is Victory Christian Center 7224 Old Pineville Road Charlotte, NC 28217 (704) 332-2606 Pastor's name is Robyn Gool. I tried to get their www address but this is all that came up. I'll get it soon for you. So, I have been watching this pastor on TV for probably 5 years. His ministry both to parents and children is right on!
TOday he was talking about parents planning ahead teaching your children to respect authority and be responsibile. I wish I could buy the tape for everyone. But if you go to their website I think you can actually hear it online for free. The devil is playing with me. I've tried to google the entry, MSN the entry and no results. Just wasted 5 min. trying to get the www address but I will in time.
Sometimes you have to be retaught I've discerned before you can teach your children. I wonder why my son walks with a spiritual limp, it's funny that it's the same limp I walk with because I never found the solution. Pastor Gool says the solution comes from God's Word, prayer, Jesus's deliverance, and counseling. SELF CONTROL PLEASE ABBA TEACH ME SELF CONTROL especially in the area of my tongue and emotions.
Has anyone else battled with these same problems?
Today I was reading James 1 -2. It talks about the tongue which is one of my weakest parts. Oh how I have trouble controlling my tongue. There has been some improvement over the past 15 years since I've been saved, yet ever so often stuff comes out that really makes me feel as if I'm back to base one. Actually I feel like I landed in jail when you're playing Monopoly. I have to get back to GOD in a hurry. This lack of self control has plagued me for a life time and I am hoping that GOD will teach me how to be an overcomer in all situations.
About 6:am on a Sunday morning I watch a black pastor from Charlotte who has such a gift for teaching. He is awesome. The name of the church is Victory Christian Center 7224 Old Pineville Road Charlotte, NC 28217 (704) 332-2606 Pastor's name is Robyn Gool. I tried to get their www address but this is all that came up. I'll get it soon for you. So, I have been watching this pastor on TV for probably 5 years. His ministry both to parents and children is right on!
TOday he was talking about parents planning ahead teaching your children to respect authority and be responsibile. I wish I could buy the tape for everyone. But if you go to their website I think you can actually hear it online for free. The devil is playing with me. I've tried to google the entry, MSN the entry and no results. Just wasted 5 min. trying to get the www address but I will in time.
Sometimes you have to be retaught I've discerned before you can teach your children. I wonder why my son walks with a spiritual limp, it's funny that it's the same limp I walk with because I never found the solution. Pastor Gool says the solution comes from God's Word, prayer, Jesus's deliverance, and counseling. SELF CONTROL PLEASE ABBA TEACH ME SELF CONTROL especially in the area of my tongue and emotions.
Has anyone else battled with these same problems?
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Eph. 4:17 – 5:21
Wow what a word I received today. Talk about a timely message from Abba, Father. Thank you, LORD.
My morning devotions started with a question that said, “List the things Christians should put off and things they should put on in their place. Give verses”.
So as I was reading the chapter I started to put down some thoughts.
Live no longer as the ungodly. They are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness. They shut their minds and harden their hearts against GOD. They don’t care anymore about right and wrong. They have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed. Throw off your evil ways, nature, and former way of life. Which is full of lust and deception. Certain words in the passage I underlined because they spoke to my spirit.
Instead be spiritually renewed in your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature. You are a new person created in God’s image righteous, hold and true. Put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth. For we belong to each other.
And don’t sin by letter anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. My commentary on v/s 26-27 about anger adds: “The Bible doesn’t say that we shouldn’t feel angry but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If it is bottled up inside, it can case us to become bitter and destroy us from within. Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us. Are you angry with someone right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don’t let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationships.
Verse 29 continues with stop stealing, do honest work. Then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words might build up and encourage those who hear them. And don’t bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you. I added a portion of the LORD’S PRAYER here. Father, forgive our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. It’s the concept of reaping and sowing.
Wow what a word I received today. Talk about a timely message from Abba, Father. Thank you, LORD.
My morning devotions started with a question that said, “List the things Christians should put off and things they should put on in their place. Give verses”.
So as I was reading the chapter I started to put down some thoughts.
Live no longer as the ungodly. They are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness. They shut their minds and harden their hearts against GOD. They don’t care anymore about right and wrong. They have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed. Throw off your evil ways, nature, and former way of life. Which is full of lust and deception. Certain words in the passage I underlined because they spoke to my spirit.
Instead be spiritually renewed in your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature. You are a new person created in God’s image righteous, hold and true. Put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth. For we belong to each other.
And don’t sin by letter anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. My commentary on v/s 26-27 about anger adds: “The Bible doesn’t say that we shouldn’t feel angry but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If it is bottled up inside, it can case us to become bitter and destroy us from within. Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us. Are you angry with someone right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don’t let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationships.
Verse 29 continues with stop stealing, do honest work. Then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words might build up and encourage those who hear them. And don’t bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you. I added a portion of the LORD’S PRAYER here. Father, forgive our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. It’s the concept of reaping and sowing.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
Remember I told you about losing it and getting angry. Well there was a program on Dr. Phil yesterday. He gave some good advice to a woman who had an anger management problem. Some of his advice really hit home so I'm going to share it with you.
Managing Your Anger
The slightest thing can set people off. What gets you hotheaded? Is it really worth getting angry over — especially when a state of rage can endanger your health?Dr. Phil offers advice on preventing road rage, airport rage, grocery store rage, sporting event rage ... whatever it is and wherever it is that enrages you.
· What upsets people the most is not what actually happens, but when their expectancies are violated. When you have a more realistic and mature expectancy set, you won't be setting yourself up for anger if everything doesn't go smoothly. We live in an over-crowded, over-stressed world with traffic jams, rude people and screaming kids. Expect some blips. If you don't expect everyone to be on your schedule, then you won't be upset when they're not.
· Stop thinking the world revolves around you. Is the urgency you feel as strong as you think? A false sense of urgency stems from self-importance. Why should things have to be the way you want them? When you think the whole world revolves around you, then everything takes on gargantuan importance.
· Reframe, relax and react rationally.
— Reframe. Ask yourself what really matters. Is it worth getting upset about? If you are in touch with your authentic self — who you really are and what matters most — then you won't get consumed by little things that happen around you. Don't wait for something terrible to give you a wakeup call to put things in perspective.
— Relax. Take a deep breath. Calm down. Do you have any idea what upset you last Tuesday? Was it worth putting your health or others in jeopardy?
— React rationally. Stop thinking the world revolves around you. When you have a false sense of urgency or an inflated sense of self-importance, you set yourself up for failure. When yo think the whole world revolves around you, everything takes on far more importance. No one in China cares if someone took the parking spot you were about to pull into.
· Look for warning signs. We don't blow up out of the blue. Our bodies first exhibit signs, such as a tight chest, butterflies in your stomach, a racing mind, a fuse that is about to blow, sweaty palms, or getting flush. Recognize the signs so you can intervene before you blow up.
· You may be slowly killing yourself every time you get angry. Any time you're aroused, the entire chemistry of your body changes, making you more susceptible to ulcers, multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis and other illnesses. Use that as motivation to calm down.
· To better manage your anger, recognize that you have a problem. Anger is an outward expression of fear, hurt or frustration. Take anger out of your vocabulary and start to understand what the real problem is.
· Why do angry people lash out? Because they don't have the words, concepts or abilities to express their frustration in an appropriate way. Consider alternative ways of venting your anger, such as taking a deep breath, aromatherapy or meditation.
Tell me how you dismantle your anger. Tell me your coping mechanisms. I really would like some people to share how they handle not getting angry in the light of provocation.
Managing Your Anger
The slightest thing can set people off. What gets you hotheaded? Is it really worth getting angry over — especially when a state of rage can endanger your health?Dr. Phil offers advice on preventing road rage, airport rage, grocery store rage, sporting event rage ... whatever it is and wherever it is that enrages you.
· What upsets people the most is not what actually happens, but when their expectancies are violated. When you have a more realistic and mature expectancy set, you won't be setting yourself up for anger if everything doesn't go smoothly. We live in an over-crowded, over-stressed world with traffic jams, rude people and screaming kids. Expect some blips. If you don't expect everyone to be on your schedule, then you won't be upset when they're not.
· Stop thinking the world revolves around you. Is the urgency you feel as strong as you think? A false sense of urgency stems from self-importance. Why should things have to be the way you want them? When you think the whole world revolves around you, then everything takes on gargantuan importance.
· Reframe, relax and react rationally.
— Reframe. Ask yourself what really matters. Is it worth getting upset about? If you are in touch with your authentic self — who you really are and what matters most — then you won't get consumed by little things that happen around you. Don't wait for something terrible to give you a wakeup call to put things in perspective.
— Relax. Take a deep breath. Calm down. Do you have any idea what upset you last Tuesday? Was it worth putting your health or others in jeopardy?
— React rationally. Stop thinking the world revolves around you. When you have a false sense of urgency or an inflated sense of self-importance, you set yourself up for failure. When yo think the whole world revolves around you, everything takes on far more importance. No one in China cares if someone took the parking spot you were about to pull into.
· Look for warning signs. We don't blow up out of the blue. Our bodies first exhibit signs, such as a tight chest, butterflies in your stomach, a racing mind, a fuse that is about to blow, sweaty palms, or getting flush. Recognize the signs so you can intervene before you blow up.
· You may be slowly killing yourself every time you get angry. Any time you're aroused, the entire chemistry of your body changes, making you more susceptible to ulcers, multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis and other illnesses. Use that as motivation to calm down.
· To better manage your anger, recognize that you have a problem. Anger is an outward expression of fear, hurt or frustration. Take anger out of your vocabulary and start to understand what the real problem is.
· Why do angry people lash out? Because they don't have the words, concepts or abilities to express their frustration in an appropriate way. Consider alternative ways of venting your anger, such as taking a deep breath, aromatherapy or meditation.
Tell me how you dismantle your anger. Tell me your coping mechanisms. I really would like some people to share how they handle not getting angry in the light of provocation.
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