Here we are again, another New Year's Eve. This is definitely not my favorite holiday. It was 9 years ago on New Year's Eve that my husband told me he was leaving. Not that there is ever a good time to hear that news, New Year's Eve is a particularly bad time. You just can't escape all the revelry of the night, even when you don't feel like celebrating!
I will never truly understand the reason God chose for this to happen on this date. But all of these years later, I am starting to see the good that God has done in my life on this date. Tonight I am going to a party that a singles group through my church is sponsoring. I have never been to this group before and, as anyone who knows me can tell you, I don't do well in new situations. I really am scared to go, but I truly feel like God is leading me to this group and to a new start for the new year.
The Scriptures teach that God will use suffering to build character and to purify our faith. I can certainly attest to the fact that I have become a much stronger person and my faith has definitely grown by leaps and bounds because of what I have gone through, and for that I am forever grateful to God!
Let us never question God's actions or His timing. He is always in control!
Lord, I thank You not only for the wonderful gifts You have given me but also for the trials You have put in my life that are making me the person You would want me to be! Help me to always praise You, through good times and bad, because You are always in control!
---Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
GOD'S FENCES
When I was a young child, I always wanted a dog. But we moved a lot and my parents wouldn't let us get one. Then, finally we got a house when I was about 11 years old that had a fence plus a dog house already in the back yard!! We were finally able to get a puppy! Missy became part of our family and was with us for over 15 years! She was always there for me - bringing me her toys when I didn't feel well, sleeping with me at night, running and playing with me! I loved her so much! She was supposed to be an outside dog - there was a fence and her own dog house (which we carpeted!) after all! But other than going outside to do her "business" and play, Missy was an inside dog - sleeping on the couch when she thought no one was looking and laying on my parents bed - my dad's pillow in particular! She thought no one knew but we saw the indentations on the pillow after she snuck down from the bed! My dad pretended not to notice, and he loved her as much as I did!
My parents had wanted to wait to get a puppy until we had a fence around our yard that would protect her. God has put up fences to protect us, too. There are things out in this world that will lead us to pain and ruin. God has put up "fences" to protect us from those things, not to be kill-joy. The confines of the Christian lifestyle are all that we need to make us happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. But, what do we do? We break out of our "fences" and get hurt from the dangers that He knew were outside the fence.
God does not give us rules to make us miserable. His commandments are given to us because He loves us and wants the best for us. Be content with the good life God has "fenced" you in with!
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." Hebrews 12:10
My parents had wanted to wait to get a puppy until we had a fence around our yard that would protect her. God has put up fences to protect us, too. There are things out in this world that will lead us to pain and ruin. God has put up "fences" to protect us from those things, not to be kill-joy. The confines of the Christian lifestyle are all that we need to make us happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. But, what do we do? We break out of our "fences" and get hurt from the dangers that He knew were outside the fence.
God does not give us rules to make us miserable. His commandments are given to us because He loves us and wants the best for us. Be content with the good life God has "fenced" you in with!
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." Hebrews 12:10
Saturday, December 29, 2007
GIVE THE LORD WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY HIS!
I went to the mall today with my daughter to return a sweater I had given her for Christmas that didn't fit. Now I don't like to shop on a normal day but the crowds were really bad with after Christmas sales! Not my favorite place to be.
But, I have to admit that while we were returning her sweater I was looking around at some clothes. I have not bought myself any clothes in a long, long time. First of all, I really want to lose weight before I buy any clothes and most importantly I haven't had the money.
But I had a few extra dollars in my pocket and I was very, very tempted! But then I realized I had some bills due and even more importantly, I had not given the Lord his share of that money. So I did not buy anything.
But instead of being depressed, I felt good about my decision. I know that the Lord will truly bless that decision! I know that I cannot outgive the Lord!!
God, please forgive me for the times that I wanted to keep what is rightfully yours!!
Help me to be a better steward of your money.
---A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." Leviticus 27:30
But, I have to admit that while we were returning her sweater I was looking around at some clothes. I have not bought myself any clothes in a long, long time. First of all, I really want to lose weight before I buy any clothes and most importantly I haven't had the money.
But I had a few extra dollars in my pocket and I was very, very tempted! But then I realized I had some bills due and even more importantly, I had not given the Lord his share of that money. So I did not buy anything.
But instead of being depressed, I felt good about my decision. I know that the Lord will truly bless that decision! I know that I cannot outgive the Lord!!
God, please forgive me for the times that I wanted to keep what is rightfully yours!!
Help me to be a better steward of your money.
---A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." Leviticus 27:30
Thursday, December 27, 2007
ARE YOU A "HONKER" OR "HELPER"
My daughter went to visit her roommate's family for a few days over the holidays and on the way home Christmas Eve, she had a flat tire. Luckily we have AAA and she called them but while she was waiting for them to come, people were driving by her so fast she felt like they were going to hit her. She was truly frightened. Then a man stopped, not AAA, just a good samaritan who saw someone in need. He told her he had a 21-year-old daughter (coincidentally the same age as my daughter), and he would want someone to help her if she needed it. AAA finally arrived and helped this man but he had done most of it himself.
I was so grateful to this man for helping my daughter. It also made me think - would I be one of those who went driving by and honking or would I be the person who would help or would I be a "honker"? I would hope that I would be a "helper", not a "honker".
God puts us in situations where we can be helpers, sometimes in situations where someone just needs help with their car, sometimes a shoulder to cry on, encouragement, financial aid, sometimes our time. There a lots of different ways we can be "helpers".
Next time you have the chance to be a "helper", don't pass it up! More often than not, you will get more out of helping someone than they get. And you truly never know what kind of impact you may have on that person. God has put you in that position for a reason - don't turn your back on the opportunity to show God's love!
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
I was so grateful to this man for helping my daughter. It also made me think - would I be one of those who went driving by and honking or would I be the person who would help or would I be a "honker"? I would hope that I would be a "helper", not a "honker".
God puts us in situations where we can be helpers, sometimes in situations where someone just needs help with their car, sometimes a shoulder to cry on, encouragement, financial aid, sometimes our time. There a lots of different ways we can be "helpers".
Next time you have the chance to be a "helper", don't pass it up! More often than not, you will get more out of helping someone than they get. And you truly never know what kind of impact you may have on that person. God has put you in that position for a reason - don't turn your back on the opportunity to show God's love!
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
20 ONE-LINERS OF GOD'S TRUTH
1. Give God what's right...not what's left!
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end. God's way leads to endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
6. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
7. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church!
8. We don't change God's message. His message changes us!
9. WARNING: Exposure to the SON may prevent burning.
10. Plan ahead...it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
11. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
12. Suffering from Tooth Decay? Brush up on your Bible.
13. Exercise daily...walk with the Lord.
14. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
15. He who angers you controls you.
16. Worry is the darkroom where negatives can develop.
17. Be ye fishers of men...you catch them and He'll clean them.
18. God doesn't call the qualified...He qualifies the called.
19. The church is prayer conditioned.
20. Read the Bible...it will scare the hell out of you!!
----Shared by Elliott Powell
These are all thought provoking sayings - some are funny, some are serious, all are true statements about God, our relationship with Him, and how He wants us to live.
Lord, let us remember to exercise daily and walk with you, let us remember that You are always there for us and we don't need that darkroom where negatives develop, help us to share Your Word with others and be good fisherman, let us go to you in prayer daily but remember You are in control!
"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." Philemon 6
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end. God's way leads to endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
6. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
7. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church!
8. We don't change God's message. His message changes us!
9. WARNING: Exposure to the SON may prevent burning.
10. Plan ahead...it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
11. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
12. Suffering from Tooth Decay? Brush up on your Bible.
13. Exercise daily...walk with the Lord.
14. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
15. He who angers you controls you.
16. Worry is the darkroom where negatives can develop.
17. Be ye fishers of men...you catch them and He'll clean them.
18. God doesn't call the qualified...He qualifies the called.
19. The church is prayer conditioned.
20. Read the Bible...it will scare the hell out of you!!
----Shared by Elliott Powell
These are all thought provoking sayings - some are funny, some are serious, all are true statements about God, our relationship with Him, and how He wants us to live.
Lord, let us remember to exercise daily and walk with you, let us remember that You are always there for us and we don't need that darkroom where negatives develop, help us to share Your Word with others and be good fisherman, let us go to you in prayer daily but remember You are in control!
"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." Philemon 6
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