Friday, October 16, 2009

Living and Active

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
His word is living and I know this when I open my Bible and what I am reading applies to my life right now. Going about my day today I have been singing the song Mighty to Save. The words that keep coming to mind are He can move the mountain's my God is might to save he is mighty to save. Now be thankful that you can't hear me singing them, but I think you get the point. As I opened my Bible hoping to have a few minutes of quiet time I thought what do I look up today?? Sometimes I make things harder than what they really are and waste so much time trying to figure out what I am going to read that there is no time left. So I went to the back of the concordance and looked under the first letter A and the first word Abandon. The verse stuck out for me was 1 Timothy 4:1 This verse did seem a little interesting and then I kept reading.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
This caught my attention because earlier this week I attended a Weight Loss Gods way meeting at a friends. She has recently given her life to Christ and is very excited about what he is doing in her life. She has really needed His guidance and wisdom and he has provided.
Day after day I am reminded that our God is living and he cares about His children. He puts people together for a reason. He provides this verse at the perfect time. With this weight loss program I am excited to learn how to give that part of my life to Him. To trust that he will help me stop when I want to eat all the cookie dough. Yet I am also reminded that the spiritual has value for all things when the physical only has some value. Focusing only on the physical is where we get into trouble. If we are focusing up and not at what the world wants than he will direct our path.
Thanks you Lord that your word is living and that I can come to you about anything and you have the answer.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My Grumpy Attitude

Wow what a busy day today. Wednesdays are one of my favorite days because I have a ladies Bible study at my house. The ladies come over some with kids and some with out and we talk, share prayer requests, and go through the study for that week. I am always so encouraged and I look forward to my time with these ladies. Toady's topic was on our attitude and that lead to great discussion.
The busyness started after the ladies left and my positive attitude left with them.
Today was different in the fact that my hubby was working from home and that happens almost never. I was excited that he would be home and yet not excited that he was in my space. My youngest is normally very easy going and she was very clingy and whiny today to the point of nails on a chalk board. The day just seemed to be spinning out of control.
With the discussion on attitude that morning I found myself being short with the kids and ready for bed time before it was dinner time. I was in the middle of a bad mood and not knowing how to change it. Funny how God puts the lessons we need on the exact day its needed.
I am so glad that my Father in heaven is exactly that, a Father. He is always wanting what is best for us and giving us what we need to grow. As I put the girls to bed and apologized for my grumpy attitude I was thinking I am thankful:

* His mercy's are new every morning - He gives us a new start every day

* He is my rock - when I am being moody he is the same yesterday today and always

* He loves me enough to continue to shape and mold me

* I can come to him in the middle of a crazy day and give concerns to Him

So much to be thankful for in the midst of the busyness of life. The busyness today was a good busy and yet it is tiring. When we are busy serving others and our family we have to remember we need to be fed too. As Mom's we need more than just animal crackers and coffee we need the living word!!

Matthew4:4
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A Ready Heart

Addison Road - What do I know of Holy?

Jer29:12-13 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
While listening to last Sundays message this song was on my heart most of the time. It is not about having it all figured out or knowing the right things to say or pray it's all about the heart.
I love the promises given in this verse
1. We will call upon our Lord - Not if but when
2. When we seek Him we will find Him and
all we need is a ready heart. All we need is to
want more of Him than this world. Sounds easy
and yet it is a daily dieing of our own desires.
The main verses that were covered in the message were Matthew 13: 10-15
Matthew 13:10-17 (NIV)
10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven

has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more,
and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has
will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables:
"Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
" 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
Message
10The disciples came up and asked, "Why do you tell stories?"
11-15He replied, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn't been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That's why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they're blue in the face and not get it.
* In the Message it talks about understanding the stories is a gift and the gift is given to a ready heart. I find that the more I press into God and His word the more I love it. Our creator giving us insight why would we not take this one on one time with Him.
Jason(Pastor) mentioned that many people say they don't know where to start in reading the Bible or it's confusing. I can say from experience that most people don't know where to start but we have to start somewhere.
What gets you excited, What do you already do on a daily basis? This might sound a little silly but it's true. For me it's music. I listen to music most of the time so that's what helps me get me into His word.
My husband is in the car all day so he could listen to a sermon on Cd and then do more study at home.
A friend S.G. is a big reader so he might read a book and then use that to do more research about that scripture or topic.
We all have different passions and interests and I think that we make it to complicated sometimes. What our Father wants is our hearts and he takes care of the rest. When I come to Him with an open heart and ready to learn and grow he opens my eyes.

Matthew13:12 - Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.
When Jason covered this part of the scripture he mentioned that the more is more of God. That God is looking for those who are will to chase and follow him. People that are less interested in what he will do for them and more interested in him as a savior.
When I looked up the definition for chase it said:
an earnest or frenzied seeking after something desired
When we seek after God it will take effort and yet he gives us more of him when we have a willing heart.
* More love
* More wisdom
* More patience
* More understanding
What has he given you more of?

* If you are interested in listening to the message you can visit
http://www.northpointchurch.net/
* Media Downloads - 9/27