Psalm 49:16-20 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. 18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed-- and men praise you when you prosper-- 19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life]. 20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Even though King David was rich, he knew that it wasn't his world. He went through many trials in his life but he stood strong on one thing, the promises of God. God annointed him as king of Israel, no matter how impossible that looked at the moment and he lived among the rich, he saw what money could do to a person. He knew that money didn't gaurantee you a spot in heaven next to Jesus. He also knew that it won't make people happy.
As humans, we desire certian things and money is the first thing we want more of. Money is something we all need to survive in this world, but it won't get us through problems, it won't bring faith, it won't solve our emotional issues. Money is a temporary high, once you have it, you spend it than its all gone. Sometimes we are jealous of the rich because they don't even praise God for their wealth or give anything back to Him, and they remain rich for the rest of their lives. I see them all happy and like they have no care in the world. But there is something i don't know...their home life. I don't know whats going on inside of them because all i see is the surface.
When people have lots of money they have to be wise about it, if they're not they can lose it just as easy as they got it. Being smarter or better doesn't start with money, it starts with God. God gives me the knowledge that I need to keep going, He gives me the power, the discernment, the wisdom, the strength, the annointing to take the next step in life. I don't do my work because of the money, I do it cause i love it and i know thats where God wants me. I do it because thats where I want to be. There are many jobs that I can do that are easier and with a better pay, but I choose to be where God has called me. And if i get less money for it? Thats okay because my riches are stored in heaven.
Lord,
I know that I can see this world and not heaven so all i see are the riches in front of me. But I desire the riches in heaven. I desire to be next to you, I desire to know you better, to see you clearer, to hear you louder. I desire more of you and less of me. Help me to be that person you want me to be. Help me to see things that I am blind to. Make me into your holy instrument today and everyday. I love you Always,
Amen.
I love God more than anything in this world. I am not perfect and mess up from time to time. Though my heart is true and He knows it.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
You're my Core
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is not something that we abuse to have more power and strength. It is not for us to take advantage of and use it for our glory. God is love, He is the ultimate love. He is the one I need to emulate and be like. He is the one that I should try to be like. There are many people that do me wrong and I feel like I don't want to love them or need to show them love, but as God says here "if i speak in tongues of man...but have not love, I am only a resounding gong..." My voice and words will mean nothing and have no sound if I don't speak in love.
Every time I speak and if it without love, than God doesn't here any of it. All He hears is a dong sound, something that has no meaning behind it. If I have not love for people every time i pray will be like a cling sound to God, all He will here is sound but no words to back it up. Love is what makes meaning in this world. I am here because of love, and if i don't show it than everything I have ever done anything that I ever do will mean nothing at all. My work, my heart, my sweat, my desires, my dreams will mean absolutely nothing if I have not love.
Without love I am nothing. I am just a mere being passing through this world if i don't have love. God gives me purpose, guidance, joy, and peace to go through this world. It is because of Him that I am here, and if i deny that, than I am denying my very existence. God is my everything, my existence, my being, my soul, my core. Without Him I am nothing.
Lord,
You are my core. You are my soul. You are my heart. You are my love. You are my everything. I live because you allowed me to, I breathe because you give it to me, I walk because you give me guidance. Father, show me real love, the love that you have so I can show it to everyone else. God, forgive me for those times when i didn't show your love because I want to everyday of my life. I want people to see you through me, use God today and everyday of my life.
I love you Always, Amen.
Love is not something that we abuse to have more power and strength. It is not for us to take advantage of and use it for our glory. God is love, He is the ultimate love. He is the one I need to emulate and be like. He is the one that I should try to be like. There are many people that do me wrong and I feel like I don't want to love them or need to show them love, but as God says here "if i speak in tongues of man...but have not love, I am only a resounding gong..." My voice and words will mean nothing and have no sound if I don't speak in love.
Every time I speak and if it without love, than God doesn't here any of it. All He hears is a dong sound, something that has no meaning behind it. If I have not love for people every time i pray will be like a cling sound to God, all He will here is sound but no words to back it up. Love is what makes meaning in this world. I am here because of love, and if i don't show it than everything I have ever done anything that I ever do will mean nothing at all. My work, my heart, my sweat, my desires, my dreams will mean absolutely nothing if I have not love.
Without love I am nothing. I am just a mere being passing through this world if i don't have love. God gives me purpose, guidance, joy, and peace to go through this world. It is because of Him that I am here, and if i deny that, than I am denying my very existence. God is my everything, my existence, my being, my soul, my core. Without Him I am nothing.
Lord,
You are my core. You are my soul. You are my heart. You are my love. You are my everything. I live because you allowed me to, I breathe because you give it to me, I walk because you give me guidance. Father, show me real love, the love that you have so I can show it to everyone else. God, forgive me for those times when i didn't show your love because I want to everyday of my life. I want people to see you through me, use God today and everyday of my life.
I love you Always, Amen.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
God's Wine
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Paul knew what it was like to be tempted. The Bible doesn't give too much detail of he was tempted, but if I just think about all the things he went through and how maybe some of the authorities wanted him to stop his ranting about Christ, so they probably bribed him in many ways.
When a parent wants their child to stop doing something, like crying, they bribe them with something, candy or something that they would be tempted to stop what they are doing to make peace in the home.
I can only imagine that the authorities most likely bribed him with money, women, a good life, opposite of what he was living. When someone is tempted it isn't by something that they wouldn't want. A single person can be tempted by a good looking person of the opposite sex. An alcoholic is tempted by a drink, a smoker with a cigarette.
When I am tempted its by the simple things that get me in trouble. A kiss, a hand, etc. Everyday I am tempted and everyday I fail to those temptations because in my mind they are simple things. Things that i think won't hurt me at the moment, but after when i think about it i know that the fattening foods won't make me any healthier. But even though i may fall, the word says that God has provided a way out so that i can stand up to that temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:21.You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.
As temptations follow me, the demons want me and are cheering me on to take the temptation and run with it. And the Lord is trying to guide to make the right choice and follow Him and no one else. There is no in-between, I cannot live Gods life and fall into temptation every time. I need that self-control. I need to put my foot down and control my urges, control my body, control myself. When I have no control, my life spirals down. But when I have that control from the Holy Spirit, than my life makes sense and i don't feel guilty and bad.
I need to drink from the Lords cup, because that wine is fresh tasting and heals my inside, the moment i drink from the devils cup is the moment i can lose all that i am.
Lord,
This day I choose to drink from your cup. I don't want to drink the enemies wine, cause his has nothing for me but death. God, forgive me for trying to drink from both, you are patient and loving with me please have mercy on me because I can't do things on my own and I cannot live a double life. I take my mask off today and put it on your altar. I am all yours.
I love you Always
Amen
Paul knew what it was like to be tempted. The Bible doesn't give too much detail of he was tempted, but if I just think about all the things he went through and how maybe some of the authorities wanted him to stop his ranting about Christ, so they probably bribed him in many ways.
When a parent wants their child to stop doing something, like crying, they bribe them with something, candy or something that they would be tempted to stop what they are doing to make peace in the home.
I can only imagine that the authorities most likely bribed him with money, women, a good life, opposite of what he was living. When someone is tempted it isn't by something that they wouldn't want. A single person can be tempted by a good looking person of the opposite sex. An alcoholic is tempted by a drink, a smoker with a cigarette.
When I am tempted its by the simple things that get me in trouble. A kiss, a hand, etc. Everyday I am tempted and everyday I fail to those temptations because in my mind they are simple things. Things that i think won't hurt me at the moment, but after when i think about it i know that the fattening foods won't make me any healthier. But even though i may fall, the word says that God has provided a way out so that i can stand up to that temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:21.You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.
As temptations follow me, the demons want me and are cheering me on to take the temptation and run with it. And the Lord is trying to guide to make the right choice and follow Him and no one else. There is no in-between, I cannot live Gods life and fall into temptation every time. I need that self-control. I need to put my foot down and control my urges, control my body, control myself. When I have no control, my life spirals down. But when I have that control from the Holy Spirit, than my life makes sense and i don't feel guilty and bad.
I need to drink from the Lords cup, because that wine is fresh tasting and heals my inside, the moment i drink from the devils cup is the moment i can lose all that i am.
Lord,
This day I choose to drink from your cup. I don't want to drink the enemies wine, cause his has nothing for me but death. God, forgive me for trying to drink from both, you are patient and loving with me please have mercy on me because I can't do things on my own and I cannot live a double life. I take my mask off today and put it on your altar. I am all yours.
I love you Always
Amen
Friday, March 21, 2008
Especially Sex
1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything.
Sometimes we think there are things that we cannot do. Things that God doesn't want us to do, but that mentality is wrong. God wants us to do everything, experience everything, but within a point. Especially sex. Being 26 and single sometimes its hard to withstand everyday without feeling someone next to me or sleeping with someone. And some may think that God doesn't want us to have sex, that He doesn't care about our human desires. Theres a society mentality that sex is human nature, and it is ,
BUT <---- there is a line we cannot cross. Getting to know someone that you may like doesn't open the door to sex. God meant sex for marriage and marriage only.
I am not one to say that I have saved my self wholly and completely for my husband, and not because I didn't want to but because my flesh took me over. I was in wrong places with wrong people and doing wrong things. When you're alone in the dark with the person you like, there is a high temptation that something wrong will happen. That's why I always have to be careful where I'm at and with whom. I am barely learning that now! At 26 God is teaching me more wisdom.
"I will not be mastered by anything" God doesn't want my flesh to take me over again. This is the worst that could happen because once your flesh is in charge, your spirit takes a back seat. My body is mine and I am free to do what I want to it, but if I don't ask God His opinion of what I am doing, than there is no point to the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor. 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
This weekend is the celebration of Christ dying and resurrecting on the third day. His body and flesh was torn into pieces so that I may live a good life. So my flesh and body can be pure and renewed. He paid that price for me, He died for me, He lived for me, He resurrected for me....So what am I going to do for Him?
Lord,
You are my everything, you did it all for me. There is nothing you don't have but I offer you my heart this morning. I offer up all that I do have even though its not much, but the little I do have is yours. My body hasn't done the holiest things but I come before you in forgiveness to purify it and clean me and wash me from all those past sins against my body. My body is your temple and I want it clean and fresh so you can live in it. Thank you for living, dying, and rising back up for me.
I love you Always
Amen
Sometimes we think there are things that we cannot do. Things that God doesn't want us to do, but that mentality is wrong. God wants us to do everything, experience everything, but within a point. Especially sex. Being 26 and single sometimes its hard to withstand everyday without feeling someone next to me or sleeping with someone. And some may think that God doesn't want us to have sex, that He doesn't care about our human desires. Theres a society mentality that sex is human nature, and it is ,
BUT <---- there is a line we cannot cross. Getting to know someone that you may like doesn't open the door to sex. God meant sex for marriage and marriage only.
I am not one to say that I have saved my self wholly and completely for my husband, and not because I didn't want to but because my flesh took me over. I was in wrong places with wrong people and doing wrong things. When you're alone in the dark with the person you like, there is a high temptation that something wrong will happen. That's why I always have to be careful where I'm at and with whom. I am barely learning that now! At 26 God is teaching me more wisdom.
"I will not be mastered by anything" God doesn't want my flesh to take me over again. This is the worst that could happen because once your flesh is in charge, your spirit takes a back seat. My body is mine and I am free to do what I want to it, but if I don't ask God His opinion of what I am doing, than there is no point to the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor. 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
This weekend is the celebration of Christ dying and resurrecting on the third day. His body and flesh was torn into pieces so that I may live a good life. So my flesh and body can be pure and renewed. He paid that price for me, He died for me, He lived for me, He resurrected for me....So what am I going to do for Him?
Lord,
You are my everything, you did it all for me. There is nothing you don't have but I offer you my heart this morning. I offer up all that I do have even though its not much, but the little I do have is yours. My body hasn't done the holiest things but I come before you in forgiveness to purify it and clean me and wash me from all those past sins against my body. My body is your temple and I want it clean and fresh so you can live in it. Thank you for living, dying, and rising back up for me.
I love you Always
Amen
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
5 Specific Things
Psalm 37:3-8 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
There are so many things in life that I worry about. There are little things and small things. I work myself up and than in the end it wasn't even worth all the worry. God wants me to have a joyful life doing 5 specific things.
1. Trust
When I trust in the Lord, He will give me a place of rest. He is my rock and refuge. When I allow Him to take over everything I worry about than He puts things in order and my life seem that much easier.
2. Delight
With all the pain and suffering in the world, there is enough things to worry about, but God wants me to delight within the sadness. When I have joy and just see all the good in the bad, than God can see the good in me and grant what is in my heart.
3. Commit
When I make a commitment to God He shows the world my heart. He shows them the goodness and the righteousness that shines when I follow Him. As I am committing to Him I am committing to this world and saying that I am not just another person that is living but I am a person that is committing to love and trust my God.
4. Be still
I sometimes have real patience and other days I worry about my self. In certain situations I can wait for hours and days for the answer without a worry, than other times I can't even wait 5 minutes. In each situation, God has implanted in my life I have to have real patience. Without it I can lose what God wants to speak to me about and if I am rushing (which I usually am) I will miss (and I know I have) the blessings that God wants to give me.
5. Refrain from evil
If I do evil things than I am an evil person. When I sin, I am a sinner. It's that simple, If I do good things I'm a good person. Whatever I do I am and will become. Those habits I involve myself in need to be good ones and ones that Christ can see and be proud of. He needs to see my heart and what I am all about. I have to show Him my heart and allow Him to take it over to show the world who I really am.
Father,
there are so many things that you want me to do and live. I want to live the way you have created me to. I know I fail and push you to the side with my excuses so i want you to know that I love you more than life itself, and I need you with all my heart and soul. I want you with me sitting next to me in every place that I am and just hold me during the rough times and give me the strength when I need it. I love you Always
Amen
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
There are so many things in life that I worry about. There are little things and small things. I work myself up and than in the end it wasn't even worth all the worry. God wants me to have a joyful life doing 5 specific things.
1. Trust
When I trust in the Lord, He will give me a place of rest. He is my rock and refuge. When I allow Him to take over everything I worry about than He puts things in order and my life seem that much easier.
2. Delight
With all the pain and suffering in the world, there is enough things to worry about, but God wants me to delight within the sadness. When I have joy and just see all the good in the bad, than God can see the good in me and grant what is in my heart.
3. Commit
When I make a commitment to God He shows the world my heart. He shows them the goodness and the righteousness that shines when I follow Him. As I am committing to Him I am committing to this world and saying that I am not just another person that is living but I am a person that is committing to love and trust my God.
4. Be still
I sometimes have real patience and other days I worry about my self. In certain situations I can wait for hours and days for the answer without a worry, than other times I can't even wait 5 minutes. In each situation, God has implanted in my life I have to have real patience. Without it I can lose what God wants to speak to me about and if I am rushing (which I usually am) I will miss (and I know I have) the blessings that God wants to give me.
5. Refrain from evil
If I do evil things than I am an evil person. When I sin, I am a sinner. It's that simple, If I do good things I'm a good person. Whatever I do I am and will become. Those habits I involve myself in need to be good ones and ones that Christ can see and be proud of. He needs to see my heart and what I am all about. I have to show Him my heart and allow Him to take it over to show the world who I really am.
Father,
there are so many things that you want me to do and live. I want to live the way you have created me to. I know I fail and push you to the side with my excuses so i want you to know that I love you more than life itself, and I need you with all my heart and soul. I want you with me sitting next to me in every place that I am and just hold me during the rough times and give me the strength when I need it. I love you Always
Amen
Thursday, March 13, 2008
He is not Finished
Galatians 4:6-9 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
When we accept the life of a Christian, we have to know what that entails. Paul was talking to the Galatians very openly and sternly because he knew they knew better. He knew that there was more in them than just merely going back to their old sins. This is like us today, when something doesn't happen for us by God in the time we want it, we give up and go back to what was making us worse. We go back because we think thats what really made us happy. We think about the old happy times and forget about the bad times and go back to being miserable and feeling guilty. Paul wanted to remind them of those bad times, and have them remember what God has done for them, and that He is not finished.
God is not finished in our lives no matter how old or young we are, He is not finished until we take that last breath. Since we are Gods heirs we are no longer slaves. We no longer live the life we once did, and with that comes some things we have to change in our lives. Paul talks about the "weak and miserable principles" - this is not a specific list - but it is specific in our lives. What are my weak and miserable principles?
1. laziness
2. procrastination
3. pride
4. excuses
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 says, If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. 22But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. 23Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.
So instead of saying God I promise I'll change, I'll never be the same again...I know I have to be realistic, if I know that I won't be so strong, I should say "God change me, and I want to change for you" I don't want to promise God anything I can't keep. I can't be the way I was, I have to move forward, claim my inheritance in God and never look back.
Lord,
Look into my heart and if there is something wrong, show it to me. Change me God into someone I can be proud of and someone You can be proud of. Be all for me, cause all I need is You. Father, help me through the storms, clouds, and rain. You are my Savior and Love. Keep me close to You always.
I love you Always, Amen
When we accept the life of a Christian, we have to know what that entails. Paul was talking to the Galatians very openly and sternly because he knew they knew better. He knew that there was more in them than just merely going back to their old sins. This is like us today, when something doesn't happen for us by God in the time we want it, we give up and go back to what was making us worse. We go back because we think thats what really made us happy. We think about the old happy times and forget about the bad times and go back to being miserable and feeling guilty. Paul wanted to remind them of those bad times, and have them remember what God has done for them, and that He is not finished.
God is not finished in our lives no matter how old or young we are, He is not finished until we take that last breath. Since we are Gods heirs we are no longer slaves. We no longer live the life we once did, and with that comes some things we have to change in our lives. Paul talks about the "weak and miserable principles" - this is not a specific list - but it is specific in our lives. What are my weak and miserable principles?
1. laziness
2. procrastination
3. pride
4. excuses
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 says, If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. 22But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. 23Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.
So instead of saying God I promise I'll change, I'll never be the same again...I know I have to be realistic, if I know that I won't be so strong, I should say "God change me, and I want to change for you" I don't want to promise God anything I can't keep. I can't be the way I was, I have to move forward, claim my inheritance in God and never look back.
Lord,
Look into my heart and if there is something wrong, show it to me. Change me God into someone I can be proud of and someone You can be proud of. Be all for me, cause all I need is You. Father, help me through the storms, clouds, and rain. You are my Savior and Love. Keep me close to You always.
I love you Always, Amen
Friday, March 7, 2008
Just like Jesus
Psalm 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
David was going through troubled times during this psalm. Before this he wrote to God "Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" He was troubled from the inside out. Just Like Jesus was when He was about to be taken form the betrayer, all his insides and outsides were shaking and disturbed. David didn't know where to go or what to do, but to sit there and let God know how he really feels.
As Christians sometimes we think its okay to hide our true feelings from God because He just wants to hear whats on the surface. But we forget that He doesn't even see the surface but listens to our hearts. He knows the deepest feelings we feel and wants to comfort them. Thats why He says that He is our Rock and Refuge nothing can come against Him. And David knew that, his body and spirit were battling, his mind would tell him to worry while his spirit told him to trust. Thats why his voice was talking to his soul, the deepest part of him saying don't you worry just trust in God.
When every part of our lives trusts in God we can live in peace even when the worst things around us are happening. David didn't know why Saul wanted to kill him, he was just being what God had planned for him, but he had to run away. Men try to bring us down without listening to Gods voice, but when we are being attacked the only place we need to run are into Gods arms.
Lord,
Open your arms to me this day and help me to seek you more and more. I know there are many areas in my life that I need to change and fix but I ask you right now don't give up on me. Love me forever, because I'll need you forever.
I love you Always
Amen.
David was going through troubled times during this psalm. Before this he wrote to God "Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" He was troubled from the inside out. Just Like Jesus was when He was about to be taken form the betrayer, all his insides and outsides were shaking and disturbed. David didn't know where to go or what to do, but to sit there and let God know how he really feels.
As Christians sometimes we think its okay to hide our true feelings from God because He just wants to hear whats on the surface. But we forget that He doesn't even see the surface but listens to our hearts. He knows the deepest feelings we feel and wants to comfort them. Thats why He says that He is our Rock and Refuge nothing can come against Him. And David knew that, his body and spirit were battling, his mind would tell him to worry while his spirit told him to trust. Thats why his voice was talking to his soul, the deepest part of him saying don't you worry just trust in God.
When every part of our lives trusts in God we can live in peace even when the worst things around us are happening. David didn't know why Saul wanted to kill him, he was just being what God had planned for him, but he had to run away. Men try to bring us down without listening to Gods voice, but when we are being attacked the only place we need to run are into Gods arms.
Lord,
Open your arms to me this day and help me to seek you more and more. I know there are many areas in my life that I need to change and fix but I ask you right now don't give up on me. Love me forever, because I'll need you forever.
I love you Always
Amen.
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