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.
Friday, October 16, 2009
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.
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
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
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
My Portion
My Mom gave me a CD a few weeks ago and I have really come to love one particular song. She gave me the CD and we both had a favorite song at the time.
* In the Sanctuary
You have to check it out on You tube - If you are having a blaaa day this song will get you dancing and put a smile on your face.
I am still loving that song but I have another song that has captured my heart.
* Made me Glad
The whole song is awesome but the one word that keeps sticking out to me in My Portion.
When a word keeps catching my attention I try to take time and look to see if I can find scripture on it. I have also seen in other studies that they look up the word in the dictionary and so I decided to be a little copy cat.
This is what the Websters Dictionary says for the word portion:
*individuals part or share
*a share received by a gift or inheritance
Funny how words come up at the same time in different songs or studies. Well the word portion is that word for the last few months. I know he is my portion but really I am his too. WOW he looks at me as a gift. I know it's in His word but sometimes it doesn't sink in.
* In the Sanctuary
You have to check it out on You tube - If you are having a blaaa day this song will get you dancing and put a smile on your face.
I am still loving that song but I have another song that has captured my heart.
* Made me Glad
The whole song is awesome but the one word that keeps sticking out to me in My Portion.
When a word keeps catching my attention I try to take time and look to see if I can find scripture on it. I have also seen in other studies that they look up the word in the dictionary and so I decided to be a little copy cat.
This is what the Websters Dictionary says for the word portion:
*individuals part or share
*a share received by a gift or inheritance
Funny how words come up at the same time in different songs or studies. Well the word portion is that word for the last few months. I know he is my portion but really I am his too. WOW he looks at me as a gift. I know it's in His word but sometimes it doesn't sink in.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Renewed Strength
Isaiah 40:28-31NIV
28 Do you not know?Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Is there anything or anyone that wears you out.
Something that makes you weary.
I find that having to clean the house one more time
can make me weary and frustrated.
After cleaning for hours on Sat I woke up
this morning to more laundry, crumbs and
books all over the floor.
Little things I know and in the scheme of life
they are really little.
I am just wondering if you are like me and sometimes
wish the house could just stay clean for a few days or even hours.
As I read these verses I was reminded that with my own strength
I do tire easy and I focus on the little details. With the strength of the Lord
he changes my heart and helps me focus on what is important.
When you have little kids playing hair salon, eating
and helping make cookies, and wanting to have a tea party
it's inevitable to have more crumbs and more mess.
God giving us His strength and wisdom is a gift. There is
no way that I can soar with out his help.
There is no way that I can run and not grow weary without focusing on Him
and his Word. I hope on this cold and rainy fall day we can focus on His strength
and not our own.
28 Do you not know?Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Is there anything or anyone that wears you out.
Something that makes you weary.
I find that having to clean the house one more time
can make me weary and frustrated.
After cleaning for hours on Sat I woke up
this morning to more laundry, crumbs and
books all over the floor.
Little things I know and in the scheme of life
they are really little.
I am just wondering if you are like me and sometimes
wish the house could just stay clean for a few days or even hours.
As I read these verses I was reminded that with my own strength
I do tire easy and I focus on the little details. With the strength of the Lord
he changes my heart and helps me focus on what is important.
When you have little kids playing hair salon, eating
and helping make cookies, and wanting to have a tea party
it's inevitable to have more crumbs and more mess.
God giving us His strength and wisdom is a gift. There is
no way that I can soar with out his help.
There is no way that I can run and not grow weary without focusing on Him
and his Word. I hope on this cold and rainy fall day we can focus on His strength
and not our own.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Who am I following?
Sundays message at North Point:
I have been doing Sermon Notes for small group leaders off and on for about a year and I will be posting them Monday or Tues, and if you are interested in listening to the message the website is:
http://www.northpointchurch.net/
then go to media downloads - 9/20
Luke 9:23 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Exodus 13:20-22
They moved on from Succoth and then camped at Etham at the edge of the wilderness. God went ahead of them in a Pillar of Cloud during the day to guide them on the way, and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light; thus they could travel both day and night. The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.
In these verses God lead in a very visible sense. They saw the cloud by day and fire by night, and it was always in front of them. The way we are lead now is different and yet God is still our guide. He does not lead us by a cloud or fire but have you experienced a time were God was very visible to you?? Maybe a sunset that really captured you or maybe an awesome time of worship where you thought about only Him.
Isaish 45:2 - I will go before you and level the mountain's, I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.
Jason said that the people of God did not go before Him and when God moved they moved. As I read this again and again and thought about how many times I try to do my own thing, and the words in this verse become real. When I make my own path and go before God I am climbing a mountain, breaking through gates or cutting through iron. All challenging tasks. Yet when I follow God he levels the mountains breaks the gates and cuts the iron. What a great visual that God's word provides.
Not saying that when we follow him life is always easy but at least we are not going at life on our own agenda.
Is there anything in your life that you are doing that you have jumped ahead and not waited for God?
Jason asked us to pray and ask the Lord to help me(you) listen to the spirit. When I read this over I thought about when I tell the girls to use there listening ears. I usually pray this for Olivia now in first grade and yet is it not something I pray for myself. I know that in school you can get distracted and talking and forget to listen to instruction. So true in our own life too. We get so caught up in excitement or get distracted and forget to listen to the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I pray we all use our listen ears this week - Jaime
I have been doing Sermon Notes for small group leaders off and on for about a year and I will be posting them Monday or Tues, and if you are interested in listening to the message the website is:
http://www.northpointchurch.net/
then go to media downloads - 9/20
Luke 9:23 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Exodus 13:20-22
They moved on from Succoth and then camped at Etham at the edge of the wilderness. God went ahead of them in a Pillar of Cloud during the day to guide them on the way, and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light; thus they could travel both day and night. The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.
In these verses God lead in a very visible sense. They saw the cloud by day and fire by night, and it was always in front of them. The way we are lead now is different and yet God is still our guide. He does not lead us by a cloud or fire but have you experienced a time were God was very visible to you?? Maybe a sunset that really captured you or maybe an awesome time of worship where you thought about only Him.
Isaish 45:2 - I will go before you and level the mountain's, I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.
Jason said that the people of God did not go before Him and when God moved they moved. As I read this again and again and thought about how many times I try to do my own thing, and the words in this verse become real. When I make my own path and go before God I am climbing a mountain, breaking through gates or cutting through iron. All challenging tasks. Yet when I follow God he levels the mountains breaks the gates and cuts the iron. What a great visual that God's word provides.
Not saying that when we follow him life is always easy but at least we are not going at life on our own agenda.
Is there anything in your life that you are doing that you have jumped ahead and not waited for God?
Jason asked us to pray and ask the Lord to help me(you) listen to the spirit. When I read this over I thought about when I tell the girls to use there listening ears. I usually pray this for Olivia now in first grade and yet is it not something I pray for myself. I know that in school you can get distracted and talking and forget to listen to instruction. So true in our own life too. We get so caught up in excitement or get distracted and forget to listen to the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I pray we all use our listen ears this week - Jaime
Monday, September 14, 2009
What is our #1 Priority
Luke 9:23
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
God's timing is always perfect and Sunday's message about taking time daily with our Lord was again perfect timing. Coming off summer where people are trying to fit vacations and play time in to there already busy schedule this was a great reminder.
Picking up our cross is not supposed to be a part of our schedules but a part of our being.
Being so thirsty and hungry for God's word and time with Him that we wouldn't think of putting anything before Him. This is what I want! But to be honest when I was sitting listening to the message I thought how do I get there. I have been there before and feel I have been very lax in my time and devotion lately and yet I don't want to be.
I know that when I get lax about my time spent with my Lord it is not Him who has changed, but it is me. I have shifted my focus to me me me instead of Him Him Him.
I find it interesting that when time with Him is top priority that to do list gets done and then some. When he is first he will guide my path and give me instruction on what is important. Maybe vacuuming the house 3 times a week is not a real priority and the Holy Spirit will speak that truth into my life when I am spending time with Him. This is just my heart and I don't have any questions or answers, but I know that when my first priority is HIM then the rest has always worked out. He gives me the time, energy and knowledge to get it done.
As I was emptying the dishwasher a song came on the radio and it was a great reminder of His love and how he is Jealous for me.- How he Loves David Cowder Band
Hebrews 13:15 - Through Jesus therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess his name
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
God's timing is always perfect and Sunday's message about taking time daily with our Lord was again perfect timing. Coming off summer where people are trying to fit vacations and play time in to there already busy schedule this was a great reminder.
Picking up our cross is not supposed to be a part of our schedules but a part of our being.
Being so thirsty and hungry for God's word and time with Him that we wouldn't think of putting anything before Him. This is what I want! But to be honest when I was sitting listening to the message I thought how do I get there. I have been there before and feel I have been very lax in my time and devotion lately and yet I don't want to be.
I know that when I get lax about my time spent with my Lord it is not Him who has changed, but it is me. I have shifted my focus to me me me instead of Him Him Him.
I find it interesting that when time with Him is top priority that to do list gets done and then some. When he is first he will guide my path and give me instruction on what is important. Maybe vacuuming the house 3 times a week is not a real priority and the Holy Spirit will speak that truth into my life when I am spending time with Him. This is just my heart and I don't have any questions or answers, but I know that when my first priority is HIM then the rest has always worked out. He gives me the time, energy and knowledge to get it done.
As I was emptying the dishwasher a song came on the radio and it was a great reminder of His love and how he is Jealous for me.- How he Loves David Cowder Band
Hebrews 13:15 - Through Jesus therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess his name
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