Falling in love is such a wonderful feeling! And watching your child fall in love and start planning their future is even better! The sparkle in their eyes, the joy in their heart - it is all so wonderful to watch!
As much as I am enjoying this phase of my daughter's life, I look back on all of her young life and how I have cautioned her to be very careful who she dated because she never knew who she might actually fall in love with and she should make sure that if she did fall in love with someone, he would be the right one - in her eyes and in God's eyes. I do believe she has found the right one and while they may not do everything that this mother thinks they should, what child does? I think they are perfect together. She always worried that she would never find someone but I always told her that once she found the "right" one, she would just know.
Isn't that how is is with our relationship with Jesus? Once we look into his wonderful face, how can we not be captivated by his beauty? When we compare him to others, there is no comparison! Once we have seen Jesus for who he is, all the other things of this world pale in comparison. Money, fame, power - they may all be nice things to have but nothing compares to the love of Jesus and the relationship we may have with him!
Don't fall in love with the first thing that catches your attention. Get to know Jesus and develop a deep relationship with him. When you do, all other earthly things will pale in comparison!
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:2
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
Showing posts with label Phillippians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phillippians. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
TRUST IN GOD COMPLETELY
I am trying to make a major decision in my life and having trouble deciding what to do. I have been praying for answers as I try to make this decision. I have found a few steps that I think are helpful and I have tried to follow in this and every decision I make.
1. Get quiet. I find a place where it is quiet and I can relax and compose my thoughts.
2. I go to God for answers! Psalms 73:24 says: You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory. God is the greatest counselor there is! His advice is better than any other advice you can receive. If you take His advice, how can you go wrong???
3. Truly listen to God's advice. You may not see anything in writing or actually hear someone talking, but you will hear His voice. God will tell you what to do. He may not tell you the minute you pray, He may not tell you tomorrow, but He will tell you what you need to hear when you need to hear it!!
4. Consciously condition your mind to allow correct thinking - the thinking of Christ. Phillipians 2:5 says: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Think of what Jesus would do in the situation you are in.
5. Be patient. Don't hurry any decision. Wait until you truly hear what God is trying to tell you.
6. Thank God for giving you the right answer because He truly is giving you the right answer! You will have a peace about you when you have followed God's advice and done as He has told you to do.
7. When you have received the answer to your problem from God, trust it completely! Do not doubt the answer. Do not look back and think about what you might have done. Take the answer with faith! Know that you have sought God's advice and that you can trust Him completely! Know that God will see you through all your problems!
Although I sometimes have difficulty making decisions and not looking back and questioning myself, I do find that when I go to God for answers and follow His advice completely and without doubt, things truly work out for the best!
1. Get quiet. I find a place where it is quiet and I can relax and compose my thoughts.
2. I go to God for answers! Psalms 73:24 says: You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory. God is the greatest counselor there is! His advice is better than any other advice you can receive. If you take His advice, how can you go wrong???
3. Truly listen to God's advice. You may not see anything in writing or actually hear someone talking, but you will hear His voice. God will tell you what to do. He may not tell you the minute you pray, He may not tell you tomorrow, but He will tell you what you need to hear when you need to hear it!!
4. Consciously condition your mind to allow correct thinking - the thinking of Christ. Phillipians 2:5 says: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Think of what Jesus would do in the situation you are in.
5. Be patient. Don't hurry any decision. Wait until you truly hear what God is trying to tell you.
6. Thank God for giving you the right answer because He truly is giving you the right answer! You will have a peace about you when you have followed God's advice and done as He has told you to do.
7. When you have received the answer to your problem from God, trust it completely! Do not doubt the answer. Do not look back and think about what you might have done. Take the answer with faith! Know that you have sought God's advice and that you can trust Him completely! Know that God will see you through all your problems!
Although I sometimes have difficulty making decisions and not looking back and questioning myself, I do find that when I go to God for answers and follow His advice completely and without doubt, things truly work out for the best!
Monday, February 4, 2008
KEEP THE FORK - THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
A friend of mine sent this to me today. I haven't seen her in so very long but she is so close to my heart. This really touched me and I hope it does you, too!
A Woman and a Fork
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the Pastor's reply. "This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep their fork." Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Thank you, Lord, for my friends that I cherish so much! And thank you, Lord, for the blessed assurance that the best is yet to come!!
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring under his control, will tranform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phillipians 3:20-21
A Woman and a Fork
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the Pastor's reply. "This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork the best is yet to come."
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep their fork." Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Thank you, Lord, for my friends that I cherish so much! And thank you, Lord, for the blessed assurance that the best is yet to come!!
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring under his control, will tranform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phillipians 3:20-21
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
FACING MY HANDICAPS
There are days, like today, that I am so frustrated at my lack of ability to do more. I am having a great deal of trouble walking and my vision is poor. I am not feeling sorry for myself, just very frustrated that I can't do more. I want to work and am unable. I am having trouble driving and having to depend on my daughter more. I want to help out a friend who needs me and not able to do much but listen and pray for her. I feel so frustrated!
But then I think about the things that God does allow me to do. I am washing my daughter's clothes for her. I ironed her clothes for her. I am certainly here to listen to my friends who need me and above all, I do pray for them! I know that is the best thing I can do for anyone!
I know that if I was working, I probably would not have started this devotional site. And for me, at least, it has been a true blessing! Just writing it today has lifted my spirits. I know God has a reason for everything and I am trying to follow what He wants me to do. Even in my frustration with my illness and limitations, I thank God for them as I know they have made me a stronger person and made my faith in Him grow even stronger!
I thank you, Lord, for helping me through the hard times and showing me ways that even through limitations that I can help others and live my life the way you want me to. Thank you for making me a survivor!!
-----I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillippians 4:13
But then I think about the things that God does allow me to do. I am washing my daughter's clothes for her. I ironed her clothes for her. I am certainly here to listen to my friends who need me and above all, I do pray for them! I know that is the best thing I can do for anyone!
I know that if I was working, I probably would not have started this devotional site. And for me, at least, it has been a true blessing! Just writing it today has lifted my spirits. I know God has a reason for everything and I am trying to follow what He wants me to do. Even in my frustration with my illness and limitations, I thank God for them as I know they have made me a stronger person and made my faith in Him grow even stronger!
I thank you, Lord, for helping me through the hard times and showing me ways that even through limitations that I can help others and live my life the way you want me to. Thank you for making me a survivor!!
-----I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillippians 4:13
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
