I think I am doing ok and then I slip up again. It seems if I don't do my devotional first thing after I get up, that somehow my day gets away from me and I either am too late to get it to you, or it's late when you read it.
I am understanding why David said in Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning; O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
In Matthew 6:33 it says But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
I am learning that God, and His righteousness is more important than anything else in my life. Getting to know Him is like going on a long journey. Sometimes I have a clear map of where I am going and other times it's hazy until I seek His Word for clear directions.
I have to remember
day by day
step by step
choice by choice
yes by yes
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
God Does Not Change!
Greetings,
WOW! I got up to 7 new inches of snow on the ground this morning. Everything is dressed in bridal white. It is absolutely beautiful with the sun just peeking through the clouds. What an awesome show God put on for me.
I was thinking through my tears yesterday about my walk with the Lord down thru the years and when I have felt closest to Him. You know what I discovered? During the hardest times when I cried out to God has been some of my best times.
Which led me to analyze why this was and I came to this conclusion.
First I spent more time in fellowship with Him.
Second God says in Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not. Therefore any changing that was done in my faith, peace, joy ect. I did not God.
Third It was believing the enemy in thinking God had forgotten me or didn't answer my prayer. He DID and has answered every prayer I have ever prayed. The key here is sometimes I didn't like His answer, so I threw a little fit thinking He would change His mind. God does know the plan He has for my life. If I would quit trying to change that or take control I believe my walk thru this life would be so much easier.
I'm sure I am not the only one who tries to help God do what is best for us (to our way of thinking.)
God does not change and His Word does not change, so the only ones who change is us. We have to decide if we are going to get closer to God when the tough times come or if we are going to use that as an excuse to walk away from Him. I don't know about you but I choose to walk closer to Him.
Father today I would ask you to open the spiritual eyes and ears of each person, let them know you and your love in a new and fresh way I pray.
God bless you!
Joy
WOW! I got up to 7 new inches of snow on the ground this morning. Everything is dressed in bridal white. It is absolutely beautiful with the sun just peeking through the clouds. What an awesome show God put on for me.
I was thinking through my tears yesterday about my walk with the Lord down thru the years and when I have felt closest to Him. You know what I discovered? During the hardest times when I cried out to God has been some of my best times.
Which led me to analyze why this was and I came to this conclusion.
First I spent more time in fellowship with Him.
Second God says in Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not. Therefore any changing that was done in my faith, peace, joy ect. I did not God.
Third It was believing the enemy in thinking God had forgotten me or didn't answer my prayer. He DID and has answered every prayer I have ever prayed. The key here is sometimes I didn't like His answer, so I threw a little fit thinking He would change His mind. God does know the plan He has for my life. If I would quit trying to change that or take control I believe my walk thru this life would be so much easier.
I'm sure I am not the only one who tries to help God do what is best for us (to our way of thinking.)
God does not change and His Word does not change, so the only ones who change is us. We have to decide if we are going to get closer to God when the tough times come or if we are going to use that as an excuse to walk away from Him. I don't know about you but I choose to walk closer to Him.
Father today I would ask you to open the spiritual eyes and ears of each person, let them know you and your love in a new and fresh way I pray.
God bless you!
Joy
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Faith Looks Up!
Good morning,
"Sorrow looks back.
Worry looks around.
Faith looks up."
Hebrews 12:2
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I don't know about you, but I intend to go around looking up. I pray "Lord increase my faith."
It is easy to get our eyes off Jesus when things are going wrong; but that is when we need Him the most. I am so thankful He doesn't get upset, or decide to forget about us when our faith begins to waiver a little. He is still a whisper away. He will give us strength and joy as we look unto Him. Praise His Name!
Lord, my prayer for each of us is to increase our faith.
Have a great day!
Joy
p.s. I don't know what kind of a day weather wise it's going to be on the farm, however inside my heart the SON is shining.
"Sorrow looks back.
Worry looks around.
Faith looks up."
Hebrews 12:2
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I don't know about you, but I intend to go around looking up. I pray "Lord increase my faith."
It is easy to get our eyes off Jesus when things are going wrong; but that is when we need Him the most. I am so thankful He doesn't get upset, or decide to forget about us when our faith begins to waiver a little. He is still a whisper away. He will give us strength and joy as we look unto Him. Praise His Name!
Lord, my prayer for each of us is to increase our faith.
Have a great day!
Joy
p.s. I don't know what kind of a day weather wise it's going to be on the farm, however inside my heart the SON is shining.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Singing Praises to His Name!
Good morning,
It is a gray, overcast morning here on the farm. One of those mornings to snuggle either beside a warm fire or a snuggly quilt and read a good book.
I was looking at the Bible I use the most at home to read from it is a Kings James version and I got it in 1972 by winning a Sunday school contest. It wouldn't be so big if I cleaned it out. Every time I find a verse I want to remember I not only try to mark it, but I put something in place to find it again. I have string, paper, coupons, receipts, sticky notes, hat pins, bookmarks, and invites to some of Jason's birthday parties just to name a few. I really enjoy sitting down and just thumbing through some of the places I have marked to remember why I marked it in the first place.
Most of them are in Psalms but not all. Today I would like to share a couple with you.
Psalms 135:1-3
1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the Lord! For the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for He is gracious and lovely!
I thank the Lord I had a dad and mom who loved to praise the Lord. They were good examples for all our families. Daddy taught my boys to know what it meant to praise the Lord by being an example to them. What kind of an example are you being to your families?
Father, I ask you to help each of us be a good example to our families. To show love, compassion, and to reach out in your love to help each other, and our neighbors. Thank you Father.
It is a gray, overcast morning here on the farm. One of those mornings to snuggle either beside a warm fire or a snuggly quilt and read a good book.
I was looking at the Bible I use the most at home to read from it is a Kings James version and I got it in 1972 by winning a Sunday school contest. It wouldn't be so big if I cleaned it out. Every time I find a verse I want to remember I not only try to mark it, but I put something in place to find it again. I have string, paper, coupons, receipts, sticky notes, hat pins, bookmarks, and invites to some of Jason's birthday parties just to name a few. I really enjoy sitting down and just thumbing through some of the places I have marked to remember why I marked it in the first place.
Most of them are in Psalms but not all. Today I would like to share a couple with you.
Psalms 135:1-3
1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the Lord! For the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for He is gracious and lovely!
I thank the Lord I had a dad and mom who loved to praise the Lord. They were good examples for all our families. Daddy taught my boys to know what it meant to praise the Lord by being an example to them. What kind of an example are you being to your families?
Father, I ask you to help each of us be a good example to our families. To show love, compassion, and to reach out in your love to help each other, and our neighbors. Thank you Father.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Eating God's Word!
Good morning,
What a glorious day this is going to be! I am excited! Good things are happening in our families. What wonderful news that God is on the move; Or maybe I'm on the move for God which makes the difference.
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
I am finding the more I am into God's Word, the sweeter they become; not only are they sweeter but they are making sense. I am so glad God's Word makes me feel joyful and my heart rejoices. I am called by His name. Which means I need to walk worthy of the name of God. How about you, do you eat the words of the Lord. The SUPER GREAT THING about eating the Word of God is there are no calories, fat, sodium, sugar or anything else that we strive to watch in our daily lives to help our physical bodies. That right there makes me want to eat more of the Word.
Father I would ask today that you enlighten each heart that reads this devotional to your Word. May they develop a desire to read your Word, and to apply it to their heart so they will experience the peace, and joy that comes only from you.
Thank you Father.
Have a great praise filled day.
Joy
What a glorious day this is going to be! I am excited! Good things are happening in our families. What wonderful news that God is on the move; Or maybe I'm on the move for God which makes the difference.
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
I am finding the more I am into God's Word, the sweeter they become; not only are they sweeter but they are making sense. I am so glad God's Word makes me feel joyful and my heart rejoices. I am called by His name. Which means I need to walk worthy of the name of God. How about you, do you eat the words of the Lord. The SUPER GREAT THING about eating the Word of God is there are no calories, fat, sodium, sugar or anything else that we strive to watch in our daily lives to help our physical bodies. That right there makes me want to eat more of the Word.
Father I would ask today that you enlighten each heart that reads this devotional to your Word. May they develop a desire to read your Word, and to apply it to their heart so they will experience the peace, and joy that comes only from you.
Thank you Father.
Have a great praise filled day.
Joy
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
May The Lord Bless You!
Good morning,
It is a beautiful, sunny, and crispy day here on the farm. I love to go walking when it is a morning like this, not that I do it as often as I should.
Psalms 115:13-16
13 He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth!
16 The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men.
Have you ever thought about how many scriptures in the Bible could be used as a prayer? I've heard people say they really don't know how to pray. Guess what all you have to do is open your Bible and find a scripture; (especially the Book of Psalms) it seems like most of those are prayers David prayed to God.
I was reading the above scriptures this morning and thought I would put them in as my prayer to you today. May God give you increase more and more to you and your children, and to their children. Thank you Lord.
May you have a great day!
Joy
It is a beautiful, sunny, and crispy day here on the farm. I love to go walking when it is a morning like this, not that I do it as often as I should.
Psalms 115:13-16
13 He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great.
14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth!
16 The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men.
Have you ever thought about how many scriptures in the Bible could be used as a prayer? I've heard people say they really don't know how to pray. Guess what all you have to do is open your Bible and find a scripture; (especially the Book of Psalms) it seems like most of those are prayers David prayed to God.
I was reading the above scriptures this morning and thought I would put them in as my prayer to you today. May God give you increase more and more to you and your children, and to their children. Thank you Lord.
May you have a great day!
Joy
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Be Prepared!
Greetings,
It is a beautiful crisp morning here on the farm. I enjoy looking out my office window which faces east and wonder is this the morning Jesus will return on the clouds?
I went to church last night even though it was a chilly night and had the potential for slick roads on the way home. It seemed to be cool in the church, so I picked up a lap robe and put it over my legs. Yes I had an appropriate length skirt on. It was well below my knees ( I could hear some of you saying she should wear a longer skirt.) My pastor (Bro. Bristow) at different times has called on someone to preach at the last moment (he feels this gives them practice.)
Anyway I often wondered what I would do if he did that to me. Well last night I found out what I would do, because just when I got comfortable he called on me to come preach.
I thought I would be a nervous wreck, but you know I just walked up behind the pulpit and God dropped some scripture and words of encouragement into my heart that I felt he wanted me to share. It is so amazing to me how God is always there to help us and to use us (whether behind the pulpit) or just going about our daily walk he can use us to minister to others. I want you to know when I finished with what I felt the Lord wanted me to say I certainly was not cold.
II Timothy 2:15
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
I realized last night the benefit of taking time to study the Word of God. You never know when you are going to need it. I'm not talking about just being ready to preach in church; but what about being able to reach out to your neighbor? Someone in a crises that you are put in there midst to help them. What about your family? There are many ways and opportunities to witness, sometimes without even saying a word.
I also realized there is a difference between reading the Word ( a few scriptures here or there) and really studying the Word. I don't want to face a test and come up short on knowing what to do. I believe God's Word handles any test we will ever face, the thing is we have to get into it to know where the answers are located.
Have a great day!
Joy
It is a beautiful crisp morning here on the farm. I enjoy looking out my office window which faces east and wonder is this the morning Jesus will return on the clouds?
I went to church last night even though it was a chilly night and had the potential for slick roads on the way home. It seemed to be cool in the church, so I picked up a lap robe and put it over my legs. Yes I had an appropriate length skirt on. It was well below my knees ( I could hear some of you saying she should wear a longer skirt.) My pastor (Bro. Bristow) at different times has called on someone to preach at the last moment (he feels this gives them practice.)
Anyway I often wondered what I would do if he did that to me. Well last night I found out what I would do, because just when I got comfortable he called on me to come preach.
I thought I would be a nervous wreck, but you know I just walked up behind the pulpit and God dropped some scripture and words of encouragement into my heart that I felt he wanted me to share. It is so amazing to me how God is always there to help us and to use us (whether behind the pulpit) or just going about our daily walk he can use us to minister to others. I want you to know when I finished with what I felt the Lord wanted me to say I certainly was not cold.
II Timothy 2:15
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
I realized last night the benefit of taking time to study the Word of God. You never know when you are going to need it. I'm not talking about just being ready to preach in church; but what about being able to reach out to your neighbor? Someone in a crises that you are put in there midst to help them. What about your family? There are many ways and opportunities to witness, sometimes without even saying a word.
I also realized there is a difference between reading the Word ( a few scriptures here or there) and really studying the Word. I don't want to face a test and come up short on knowing what to do. I believe God's Word handles any test we will ever face, the thing is we have to get into it to know where the answers are located.
Have a great day!
Joy
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