Friday, December 28, 2007

Thinking of the New Year

I love to study my Bible. The hard part for is WHAT to study. Over the last several weeks I have been praying about that issue ~~ what to study. The Bible says:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

After discussing this with Jeff and getting his input I have finally got a plan of action. Beginning in January I am going to dive deep into the heart of Proverbs. I will spend one month in each chapter - meaning I should have about 2 1/2 years worth of indepth studying ahead of me.

I love the thought of going verse by verse and spending time on each verse to see what God has to show me there.

Do you have a method to your studies. If so, share it with me. I love to hear what others do, too!!!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Our Star

Have you seen any of those commercials for Onstar, or other similiar navigational aids? It's a little weird to know that someone can know exactly where you are every second you are in your car - and know exactly what is wrong with that car, what direction you're heading, ect.

But, if you are a saved child of God you have your own Star that is guiding you. Look at how the Bible describes our personal navigation system:

Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Isaiah 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Take time today to make sure He is the One directing your path. I promise you ~~~~ but even more importantly ~~~~ He promises you, He will never lead you in the wrong direction!!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The Bible in Every Day Life

Our children has grown up hearing the Bible and attending church since they were born. But every now and then they say something that catches me completely off guard and reminds me that the Bible and the things of Bible are definitely a part of their every day life and their thought process.

Last night, after dinner, we all settled in to watch the Monday Night Football game. We are all big sports fans, so this was a fun family activity. As the game started Jeff was asking who everyone who cheering for. I didn't need to say because my whole family knows I have been a Chicago Bears Fan for well over twenty years.

What made me laugh was Elisabeth's reply...."I'm going for the Vikings." she said. When her dad asked why she didn't even hesitate in her answer..."Because the BEARS ATE THE CHILDREN!!!!"

2 Kings 2:23-24 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Just another example of the Bible in Every Day life.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine....


Monday, December 17, 2007

22 Years


26 Years ago I met my best friend and the love of my life. 4 your later we got married.


That was 22 years ago today. I cannot believe how fast the years have gone by. We have definitely been through a lot over those years ~~ but two things have remained constant:


Through it all we have grown closer to each other and closer to the Lord. My husband is still my best friend in the whole world ~ and our joy is centered on the love we have for the Lord.
I can't imagine what my life would have been like without him ~ and I don't even try. God blessed me abundantly the day he brought this man into my life!!!
Happy Anniversary, Honey!! I love you more today than I did 22 years ago - and I'll love you more tomorrow than today. What could be better than serving the Lord with your best friend and the man I plan to grow old with!!



Friday, December 14, 2007

What a thought

"And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:19-20


The phrase "but God" is used 44 times throughout our Bible. I won't go through all of them here ~ but if you want an interesting study take the time to read them sometime.


We are totally depraved sinners who cannot earn or merit in any way, a right relationship with God. Before I became a Christian, I was "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1).


I "walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the children of disobedience" (v. 2).


I too lived "in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." (v. 3)

Isn't that an ugly picture? It is, but it is an honest picture of my life before Christ ~ just as it is an honest portrayal of everyon'es life without Chirst.


It is the sad state of every person outside of Christ. We have each failed in the eyes of a holy and righteous God. We are sinners. Our lives do not bring glory to God. Because we are sinners, we cannot please Him with our self-righteousness and religious works, no matter how good our motives or our works.

But wait.....then there are the two simple words ~~ "But God."


Yes, "but God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us" (v. 4).

That same holy and righteous God had "mercy" on us. The word means loving kindness, help in the time of need. It is God’s active intervention to help. He is the Helper of the helpless.

"But God . . . loved us" (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6, 8).

"But God . . . loved us, even when we were dead in sins" (Eph. 2:5).

"But God . . . made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus" (v. 6).


That is grace! We have a completely new relationship with God because of His rich love, mercy and grace.

Dead in transgressions? Dead in sin? YES, WE WERE!!! But God performs resurrections. He reaches down to where ruined, miserable trapped sinners are living, and brings them to spiritual life again. He calls them; and His voice, which quickens the dead brings them running to that which beforehand they both shunned and feared."

No one can take the credit but God alone. It is God’s Sovereign, free grace that makes us right with God.

"But God . . . . That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."(v. 7).


Through out all eternity the redeemed will sing, "Saved by Grace." We are trophies of God’s saving grace and will be to His honor and glory alone through out eternity (Rev. 4:8-11; 5:9-17).

"But God" rich in mercy, loved us, with His great love, saved us by His grace and made us alive with Him, raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in a vital union with Him and "Apart from the quickening voice of God there would be no hope for anyone.

" But God" out of the great love with which He loved us had mercy upon us. We were dead, and dead men do not rise, but God made us alive with Christ.


We were slaves, . . . and powerless, but God has raised us up with Christ and set us at His own right hand, in a position of honor and power."


I cannot take credit for this short devotional above. It was sent to me in an email and the author is unknown ~~ but the words and thought touched my heart. Just to think ~ But for God, where would we be??


My prayer for everone who reads this today is that you have a day filled with the presence of God. Take time today to thanks Him for all He has blessed you with. One thing I always thank Him for ~ my friends in Christ, those I have met - and those I have not....because I will be spending eternity with them all.


HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

It is FINISHED!!!!!

This semester of my college courses, that is!! I finished the last final at 9:06 last night. I was so thrilled. Now I done unitl January 14th!!

When I came out of my room and mad the announcement that I was FINISHED, I told Jeff that wasthe word I was going to study about this morning - FINISHED.

Did you know the word is used 43 imes in the King James Bible - and most of them are in connection to Solomon. The verses that really spoke to my heart the most were:

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

If we can say that at the end of each day...that we have finished the work that the Lord had for u that day....them we have accomplished a good work.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Keep fighting - finish the course before you - and most importantly, keep the faith!!

And beginning today the kids and I are going to begin a winter project.....a gingerbread village!! We are all so excited.

Anybody else have any projects they are undertaking this winter??

Monday, December 10, 2007

Good Morning!!!!

I laid in bed for 2 extra hours today (I was still up by 5:20am) even though I really wanted to get up and start my day. I don't know why I was so excited, but I was. Maybe it's because I have almost finished my classes for this semester and I'm thinking about all that EXTRA time I'll have on my hands.


Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.


Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.


I marvel at how fast time seems to fly by - and many times I feel I have wasted the precious time God has given me. I am working on redeeming the time I presently have, because unlike when we were kids playing a game....the are no DO OVERS.


Over this next week my children and I are going to be making a gingerbread village. That is one way I plan to redeem the time ~~ by making memories that will last a lifetime.


How about you? What are you doing to redeem the time?

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Introducing......

Braden Lee
Isn't he absolutely adorable?!?!?!? Okay, I admit that I am a little biased, but every time I look at that little face I can't help but smile.
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
What is there in your life that ~ no matter what the circumstances ~ can bring a smile to your face? Do you have the kind of relationship with the Lord that even during the hard times you can find joy in His Word? I pray you do.
Do you know the best way to find joy in on a day when it seems hard to find??? Go do something for someone else. The smile that they give you, the laughter you hear, is bound to lift our spirits. Years ago I learned an acronym for joy:
J ~~~~ Jesus
O ~~~~ Others
Y ~~~~ Yourself
Live your life in such a way that Jesus is always first and others come next and you will find joy. By putting your focus is on Jesus and others - not on self - you will find JOY UNSPEAKABLE.
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Friday, December 07, 2007

It Won't Last Forever

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

How many times has you gone through something in your life and you felt like it would never end? I know it ha happened to me several times. but I am thankful for God's Word (and wisdom that comes with age.)

God's Word tells me that my affliction is but for a moment. How comforting is that to know?!?!? Time doesn't stand still for anything. No matter what that clock will still keep going and with each minute, each hour, each day we are moving through that affliction - whatever it may be.

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

See, God may has us walking THROUGH a valley - but He never leaves us IN the valley. Just like the song says...."this world is not my home, I'm just PASSING THROUGH."

As I was helping Andrea when see was in labor on Wednesday, with each contraction I reminded her she was one step closer to be through. She had a goal during that time ~ a precious baby boy. We have a goal too ~~~ an eternity of peace and joy in Heaven with our Saviour.

If you're going through a trying time right know remember : THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

The affliction, the pain, the valley you may be walking through is BUT FOR A MOMENT and God is with you each step of the way.

Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

The Wait Is Over

Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Yesterday morning there were a lot of tears - but they were tears of joy. Bradan Lee made his entrance into the world at 6:21 am ~~~ pictures are coming!!


It is incomprehensible to truly understand the love of God. God created man, knowing that they would turn away from Him, but He loved us enough to do it anyway. He sent His Son to die for people who cursed him, beat him, and rejected him ~ but He did that out of LOVE.

Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord? Can you say ~ beyond a shadow of a doubt ~ that when you die you will spend an eternity with the Lord? If you can say Yes to those questions, you know about the love of God.

Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Take time today and thank Him for loving you...even when you were unlovable.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

IMPATIENTLY WAITING...


Usually I am a patient person....but not today (or yesterday for that matter.) I am waiting for a phone call ~ a call that will say "Mom, it's time to come to the hospital and meet your new grandson.


Now, technically, he's not my biological Grandson ~ but he is MINE in my heart! So ~ with all that said ~ my Bible study today was on "newness of life."

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Every day is a new day, with a new opportunity to serve the Lord and bring Him glory. Old things are past away....

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

How many times do we carry the old things with us - not allowing ourselves the fresh start God gives us with each new day? I know I've done it!!

Today - start fresh. Let today be a brand new day, with the cares of the past left in the past. Start the day by thanking the Lord for another day to serve Him ~~ then find ways to make this the best day you've had in a very lng time!!!

Me......I'll still being waiting for that phone to ring (but I'll be waiting with a smile on my face!!)

Monday, December 03, 2007

How's Your Attitude?


Are You A Christian With A Bad Attitude?

If you are, let me tell you....there is a Biblical solution to your problem...Go Make Someone Happy!!!!

We all know people in our lives who are just plain "moody" constantly. You just know when you see them that they will try to bring you down. You don't want to even ask them, "How are you?" because you know the answer will depress you.

Well, I did some studying and here are some BIBLICAL ways to help a person who has no joy. The answer to their problem is the Lord.

1John 1:3 "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

1John 1:4 "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

John 16:24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

The only way a person can have TRUE JOY in their life is if Christ is in their heart and life. If our relationship with Christ is not right, we will not find joy. In every circumstance we go through, we are to hope in God.

Throughout every day we are to walk in Him. We are to repent of our sins. We are to spend time in prayer-- knowing that God is able to meet our needs and trusting Him to do so. We are to spend time in His Word, knowing that He will speak to our hearts as we read the Bible.

If you lack peace, seek the Lord who will quiet your storms. If you are depressed, seek the Lord who is the One who will lift you up. Do not wake up with a bad attitude and dump your misery on someone else.

Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Christians should not walk around in gloom. We walk in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus and we have peace with God through Him. When life gets you down, LOOK UP-- ask the Lord to lift you up out of your circumstance. He most certainly will.

And most importantly....find a way to be a blessing to others. Ask the Lord to enable you. Repent of the bad attitude of your heart. A bad attitude is a "heart condition". When one is right with God, when their heart is right, they become a blessing to all around them.

Someone once said, "Happiness is a state of mind..." I would go a step further and say that joy is a state of the heart. It flows from the heart and touches every person that comes in contact with it-- for Jesus dwells within.

Psalm 42:6 "O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar."

A bad attitude reflects the condition of one's heart. A lousy attitude displeases God and hurts others exposed to it. Those who live in constant state of complaining and a lousy disposition must repent-- which means to turn from their sin. Yes, a bad attitude is a sin! It is Selfishness-- not to think about making someone else happy.
Many have chosen a bad attitude because it gets people's attention. This is wrong!! Many people carry their bad attitude as a way of life-- they know no other way. Yet it is a "Me" selfish attitude that grabs the attention by making others uncomfortable.

Those in Christ Jesus must cast off the works of darkness. The attitude of pride, rebellion, discontentment has no place in the Christian's life. Some have prayed, "Lord, I give you my bad attitude" only to pick it right back up again once the prayer is over.

James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Those who refuse to allow God to change their attitude do not love the Lord, nor the people around them.

Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

Proverb 16:24 "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
There are Christian families who cannot even get along with each other but the Bible says that those who love God are also to love one another.
Proverb 11:29 "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart."

Proverb 16:27 "An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire."

A Bad attitude or one of indifference hurts those around them. Most who have a bad attitude are usually unhappy with themselves. Rather than learning from their mistakes and having a teachable spirit, they have grown accustomed to sulking and giving off a lousy attitude.

Rather than saying, "I am going to be a blessing to someone else...with the Lord's help, I will walk in joy...", they would rather be miserable for that is what they are comfortable with.

There are many excuses of why people are just in bad moods:"I have a lot on my mind..." ~~

Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

2Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

"I have troubles at work ~~~

"Psalm 25:17 "The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

"Psalm 34:17 "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."

" I am just having a bad day" ~~~

1Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Eph 5:16 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

"You don't know what I have been through..." ~~~

Philippians 3:13 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,"
Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

If you have a bad attitude or are "moody", your bad attitude affects everyone else you talk to. If you are born again, if you know Jesus as personal Lord and Savior, then how could you ever be an affective witness with a disposition? The joy of the LORD should be your strength. (Neh 8:10)

Where is the joy of the Lord in your life? Holding on to a bad attitude is not only irritating to those who come in contact with you but it grieves the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

A lousy attitude is also a HUGE stumbling block for the unsaved. Here you are supposed to be the "salt of the earth" yet the people that know you don't even want to be near you. How will they see Jesus in you if you are depressing to be around?

Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

1Thessalonians 5:5 "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

Repent today.

Ask the Lord to give you joy. Jesus is the joy of our salvation. Ask the Lord to change you for He is the only one who can. Give all things over to Him; He will help you. Attitude problems must be given over to the Lord.

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."