June 9, 2011

Ecclesiastes 11:4-5
^4"He who observes the wind will not sow,
   and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

 ⁵As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything."

If we try to figure out the work of the Lord, we will not be successful. Wow, I feel small, compared to God. He created us. He breathed life into our bones while we were still in our mother's womb.  How miraculous and omnipotent is our God?! Our God's love is big. We are but dust in His trail.  How amazing is His love? I am astonished.

Lord,

Thank you for loving me, more than I love Sawyer. I cannot fathom such a love as this. You are mighty! 

June 8, 2011

Ecclesiastes 7:1
^1"A good name is better than precious ointment,
   and the day of death than the day of birth."
I love that! We usually think the day of birth is better than the day of death, but for my death to be celebrated rather than mourned, I would be greatly rejoicing with you! I pray my life is an offering to the Lord and to others and that the day of my death is better than my day of birth.  I pray this for my son as well. That his life would shine the light of Christ in the dark places. That the day of his death would be a celebration of the reflection Christ's love in his life.

June 7, 2011

Ephesians 3:20
^20"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,according to the power at work within us,"


I needed this. According to the power at work within us. He is able to do far more than what we ask or even think. I need to want to receive this, to be open to receiving this.  I can't carry all of these burdens without your strength.  My calling and purpose for going to Greece is done thorough  your power at work within me.

June 6, 2011

Ephesians 2:10
^10"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."


The Lord has prepared this trip for me beforehand, I should walk in it!
Lord, 
Be my strength. Help me to walk in your will JOYFULLY!

June 5, 2011

Psalm 33:21-22
^21"For our heart is glad in him,
   because we trust in his holy name.
²²Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
   even as we hope in you."


I'm really struggling with leaving Sawyer. At times I regret signing up for Greece. I have to constantly remind myself that God has called me specifically to go. I'm holding onto these verses.

June 4, 2011

Proverbs 29:15, 17
^15"The rod and reproof give wisdom,
   but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."


Disciplining Sawyer I have seen his little heart change, and begin to understand that certain things are unacceptable and there are consequences.  My sweet boy. He's learning.  I'm beginning to see progress.  i know he's not even 2 yet and there will be times where it will be harder, but I have to stay true to what the word of God says about discipline because there will be a change for the better, it just takes time.
Lord,
Please help me to be consistent in my parenting and not to get lazy when Sawyer is naughty. Give me strength and a sound mind. Help me shape him into a mighty man for you & to understand your ways, and for him to seek wisdom all his days. Amen!

June 3, 2011

Romans 15:5
^5"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus"


This is my hope and prayer for our team. We all have different personalities.  I pray that we will stand firm on our reason for going to Greece and that we recognize & rebuke the enemy when he tries to come in and divide our team.  May the purpose of our trip succeed according to the Holy Spirit!!!

June 2, 2011

Romans 14:5
 ^5"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."


This whole chapter is so convicting! I love how Paul describes that people live life differently so don't judge them if they live unlike you.  The kingdom of God is not about this, but about righteousness and peace and joy, (v.17)
Lord,
Change my heart. Break down my pride. Allow me to see everyone as you see them.  Only open my heart to correction of someone else if your Holy Spirit leads me.  Please give people boldness to speak into my life and give me righteous correction. Amen.

June 1, 2011

Romans 13:14
^14"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."


Don't give your flesh any room to get what it wants.
This is something I've learned over the years as I've matured in the Lord.  It sounds simple, don't go in a candy store if you're on diet. Well what about the small stuff?  Like what's done in private? hen no one is looking? I've had to really take a look at my motivations, self pleasing or man pleasing. Especially man pleasing right now.
Lord,
I want to please you. I want my motivations to display your heart and your love.

May 31, 2011

Proverbs 16:9
^9"The heart of man plans his way,
   but the LORD establishes his steps."


We have goals, plans for the future. Expectations of how our future may look, but God is the one who begins our path, allows our path to succeed or fail.
When things don't go the way as planned, I tend to get frustrated, especially if it's difficult or hard to understand, nut in the end I have to trust the Lord, because He is the only one who can make my path straight.
Lord,
Thank you for your guidance and for your certainty.  In You I place my trust. Amen.

May 30, 2011

Proverbs `4:17, 29, 33
^17"A man of quick temper acts foolishly,
   and a man of evil devices is hated.
29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
   but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
³³Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
   but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools."


My patience and temper has been tested so much lately.Having a toddler is challenging. I have failed the test many times. These verses speak to me so clearly.
Lord,
Please give me a tranquil heart so that you could use me to give life to Sawyer, a life of abundant obedience to you.

May 29, 2011

Proverbs 10:28, 30
^28" The hope of the righteous brings joy,
    but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
   but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse."


Hope is a beautiful thing! Although our circumstances may not come out the way we hoped for, God knows what's best. it may be painful, but trust Him! Hope brings joy!!! Amen!
Lord,
Thank you for your Holy Spirit guiding my heart in what's acceptable to you. I love your check in my heart because even the small things matter.

May 28, 2011

Proverbs 7:21-23
^21"With much seductive speech she persuades him;
   with her smooth talk she compels him.
²²All at once he follows her,
   as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast
 ²³till an arrow pierces its liver;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
   he does not know that it will cost him his life."


The seductive adulteress is that of the devil. She appears beautiful and bold, but in the end it costs him his life. Sin is the same. And Satan.  It appears to be delightful, just like the forbidden fruit, but it leads to death.
Lord,
I pray for discernment of the things that appear pleasing.  Show me Your way, although it may look drab, in the end it is perfect. Amen.

May 27, 2011

Romans 5:15-21

^"15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. ¹⁶And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. ¹⁷For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

 ¹⁸Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. ¹⁹For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. ²⁰Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

What fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? To live for myself led to death and destruction of my own life. And what did I get from it? I was in control of my own life. Slave sounds so bound and in different terms, bound by God's love and a slave to righteousness is an honor. It ends in eternal life! Amen. Thank you Lord for saving me from destruction. Sin is broken!

May 26, 2011

Proverbs 2:4
"if you seek it like silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasures,"
Whoa. If you seek wisdom like you do silver then you will understand the fear of the Lord. How often have I sought out money and not trusted in the Lord? And made money my priority over God? Imagine if we all seek God like we seek money. Intense scripture.Never thought of that before.
Lord,
Help me to always be mindful that money only provides food and my necessities. I don't need it for anything else!

May 25, 2011

2 Chronicles 9

The Queen of Sheba

 "¹ Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. ²And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her. ³And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, ⁴the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.

 ⁵And she said to the king, "The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, ⁶but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard.⁷Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! ⁸Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness." ⁹Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

 ¹⁰Moreover, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones. ¹¹And the king made from the algum wood supports for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, lyres also and harps for the singers. There never was seen the like of them before in the land of Judah.

 ¹²And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.

Solomon’s Wealth

 ¹³ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, ¹⁴besides that which the explorers and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon. ¹⁵King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of beaten gold went into each shield. ¹⁶And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. ¹⁷The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. ¹⁸The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, ¹⁹while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom.²⁰All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon. ²¹For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

 ²²Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. ²³And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. ²⁴Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and of gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year. ²⁵And Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. ²⁶ And he ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. ²⁷ And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. ²⁸ And horses were imported for Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.

Solomon’s Death

 ²⁹ Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of  Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? ³⁰Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. ³¹And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father, and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place."




It does sound too good to be true. Such a great Godly king. The Queen of Sheba doubted his wisdom and had to see for herself. She did see how great and God-fearing he was.
pleaser by praying empty words.  In a time when our president is telling the president of Israel to forfeit their land for peace.  I pray you still hear the cries of your pe0ple in America that believe in you, I pray for our leadership to do your will. Amen.

May 24, 2011

Romans 4:20-21
^"20No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, ²¹fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."


Paul is talking about Abraham. AN urgent email went out to the team going to Greece asking us to pray about the remaining balance of those who haven't received the funds.
God, 
You called each and every one of us to go. We know without a doubt. We hold onto your promise without wavering. Unite our hearts in faith and hope! Amen.

May 23, 2011

2 Chronicles 6:12-17
^"12Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. ¹³ Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven,¹⁴and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth,^(D) keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart,¹⁵ who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. ¹⁶Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.' ¹⁷Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David."


Solomon is knelt down in the presence of all the assembly of Israel just praising the Lord!
What an amazing king!!! If only our leaders were like that! How different would our nation be?

May 22, 2011

2 Chronicles 5:13-14

^"13and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD,

    "For he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures forever,"
   
   the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, ¹⁴so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God"


Lord, I pray that your spirit breaks forth in our hearts and in the hearts of the youth in Greece! While we praise you with instruments our voices and our hearts that your spirit be as evident as the cloud in the temple, for your glory to fill the church!!
Amen!

May 21, 2011

Psalm 98:8
^"8Let the rivers clap their hands;
   let the hills sing for joy together"


I love when a scriptures describe nature praising God. I have a CD that I used to listen to when I was a kid called "Bullfrogs and butterflies" an one of the lines is "the trees sing praise to the king of kings".  How beautiful of a picture!
Thank you Lord for the beauty of this earth and that every beautiful thing worships you!

May 20, 2011

Psalm 97:9
^"9For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
   you are exalted far above all gods"

I don’t see how people would want to serve other gods. Why wouldn’t you want to serve the one true almighty God?! Our God reigns!

May 18,2011

1Kings 4:29-34

^"29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, ³⁰so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt"

^"34And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom."

Before Christ, the Holy Spirit only resided in one person. Solomon was given wisdom and understanding beyond measure.  People of all nations came to hear his wisdom.  How incredible that we can have that because the Holy Spirit lives in us!!!!!!
Lord,
Give me faith to believe that you will give me your gifts to change lives!
Amen!

May 18,2011

2 Thessalonians 2:15
^"15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."

Hold on to the traditions! This speaks volumes to me. Do no be conformed to this world. Through every generation the world tries to get further and further away from God. Living in this day it's all over, trying to take Jesus and the gospel out of everything and replace Him with anything else. Paul is saying to stand firm and hold on to the traditions that they were taught by him.
Lord,
You are the same, yesterday, today and forever! Thank you for being constant, never-changing. May we stand firm and hold onto you! Amen!

May 17, 2011

1 Chronicles 29:14
 ¹⁴"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you."


2 Thessalonians 1:11
¹¹To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power."


All that we have is yours Lord. How could not give you what is already yours? You rule over the heavens AND the earth!


Lord,
Make me worthy of your calling!!

May 16, 2011

1 Chronicles 28:9 and 20
⁹"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. "


^20"Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished."


God searches all hearts. Solomon had a role. David is encouraging and warning Solomon to know God and serve Him with a whole heart.


Be strong and courageous and do it. As a part of the body of Christ we all have a big role. These scriptures are so encouraging to me to be bold and live out my calling. God is with me, He will never leave me.
Lord,
Thank you for never leaving me. Give me strength and courage by your Holy Spirit to do your will and to speak your heart. 

May 15, 2011

1 Thessalonians 4:8
1"Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 


Paul is asking and urging them to please God and not to live like the Gentiles. I love how Paul says'"..that you do so more and more."  It's not a life of standards and obeying the ten commandments. We are to grow and learn more and more,  to strive to please God and be a good example until we are no longer on this earth.
Lord,
My spirit is willing , but my flesh is weak. Give me your strength.

May 14, 2011

^{1 Thessalonians 3:8
8"}For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord."


This is my hope, for our relationship with the youth in Athens! Our hope for success is in you Lord!

May 13, 2011

Psalm 30:5
⁵ "For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning."


I remember when I wasn't close to the Lord, when despair was great in my heart. I would fall asleep not remembering how or when and woke up with the same, much despair. Now, when trouble is ringing in my ears, and the pain is in the night, truly there is joy in the morning with the Lord. Despite my mourning, I dance.
Lord,
Thank you for joy in the pain. There is none like you!


1 Thessalonians 2:2
^2"But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know,we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict."

May 12, 2011

1 Thessalonians 1:5-8
^5"because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. ⁶And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything."


How beautiful, the gospel came to the Thessalonians not only in word, but in power.  I pray that for the youth in Athens we are going to serve.  And as verse 7 says that we become an example to all believers in Athens that their faith will go forth everywhere.
Lord I pray these things, that Paul wrote to encourage new believers in their faith, I pray them for the youth in Athens!
* so neat that Thessalonica, present day Thessaloniki, is in Greece.

May 11, 2011

Matthew 28: 18-20

^18"And Jesus came and said to them,  "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. "

Make disciples of all nations!!

Psalm 55:22

²² "Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved."

He will sustain me on this trip. I feel like the enemy is really going to try to distract me and will try to give me a hard time with leaving Sawyer for 2 weeks. I've only left him for 2 days.  I'm praying against the attacks of the enemy and trying to stay focused. Cast all your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you.  He will never permit the righteous to be moved!

May 10, 2011

Matthew 27:54
"When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
The centurion and those who were with Jesus were filled with awe.  I can't imagine what it would've been like to walk with Jesus and see him perform miracles. I would've been in awe of that alone. But it says after the earthquake after Jesus yielded up His spirit they were in awe saying "Truly this was the Son of God." They believed Jesus, but were still in awe that He was the son of God after he died. Amazing. He placed his faith in him at this moment and began the fulfillment of Jesus' prediction"I if I be lifted up, will draw all people to myself." Here was a gentile coming to faith in Christ crucified! [taken from Xenox Christian Fellowship] 
Lord,
I am in awe of you. I never saw your crucifixion, but you live in me, your spirit dwells in me. Thank you for the cross and fulfilling your father's will for me. Amen.

Sometimes rational thinking is the most destructive thinking there is..

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7: 3 Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you."

Observation: Yeeeee-haaa!  David is king over all Israel, Saul is no longer a thorn in his heel, the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies, he just brought back the ark of God, blessed all the people..LIFE IS GOOD DAVID!  Sitting in his lovely house of cedar he thinks to himself "man, I'm livin' large in this big ol' house, and the ark of God is inside some tent curtains..I'm gonna go build God an awesome house!"
The priest Nathan says "Yo David, do all that's in your heart bro, the Lord is with you.  You can do no wrong brotha-man!" ...Ok, serious paraphrasing, just trying to help paint the picture of previous chapters leading up to the moment.
Up until this point, we've seen David grow in his faith and dependence on God.  He'd been inquiring Him for wisdom and direction much more frequently to lead and steward well what God had entrusted to him.  His heart is to bless the Lord with a nicer dwelling place and he even gets a good word from a friend.  It only makes sense right, I mean c'mon his heart is in the right place.

Application:  What seems like a good idea might not always be the right idea.  Even if we are living upright before God, seeing His favor and blessing in our lives, we've got to be careful not to go on "auto-pilot" and start making Kingdom decisions based off of what seems right or rational in our own eyes.  God has His plans and it's my responsibility to listen and act upon those plans.  God had BIG plans for how His house is to be built, and only He has the blueprints, not me.  When making big decisions, I want to make sure that they are right before God and not just rational before men and my own understanding.  I've been down that road more than once and it wasn't pretty, let's just leave it at that.

Prayer: Lord I am reminded that apart from you we can do nothing good and that we can run the risk of building a house in vain.   Good is released through us when we know what good things we are to walk in.  Help me to be a good listener to You and you alone; to be obedient rather than a rational thinker.  And may my council unto others come from you and not from my own wisdom.  Write your word on my heart Lord.

The word let's me read it, but do I let it read me?

Scripture: Matthew 13:23 "But he who receives seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Observation: Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower.  A parable given to the multitudes from a boat (cool mental picture) as they were listening on shore.  (Tell me a painter somewhere has painted this) He explains the meaning of the parable in private with His disciples.

Application: The word needs to be applied in my life.  I should have a transforming effect, renewing my mind in such a way that my life reflects the truth of what I'm reading.  It should always get in me and work itself through me that I might be changed and bear fruit in the good graces that God has already prepared for me.

Prayer: Lord help me to be a doer of Your word and not just a hearer.  And may I bear fruit according to Your will, to a hundredfold if You'll allow it!  Let Your word get in me and read me as I read it

May 9, 2011

Psalm 71: 14-18
^"14But I will hope continually
   and will praise you yet more and more.¹⁵My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
   of your deeds of salvation all the day,
   for their number is past my knowledge.
¹⁶With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come;
   I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
¹⁷O God, from my youth you have taught me,
   and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
¹⁸So even to old age and gray hairs,
   O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
   your power to all those to come."

v.22-24
²²I will also praise you with the harp
   for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
   O Holy One of Israel.
²³My lips will shout for joy,
   when I sing praises to you;
   my soul also, which you have redeemed.
²⁴And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long."

I have hope in You to fulfil Your will in Greece. My mouth will tell the youth of Your righteous acts of Your deeds of salvation all the day at camp!  Remind them of Your righteousness, Yours alone.  From my youth you have taught me and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds to them in Greece.  I will proclaim Your might to another generation! We will praise You with instruments for Your faithfulness, sing praises to You with guitars. My lips will shout for joy when I sing to You.  My soul also which You have redeemed. My tongue will talk of Your righteous help all the day long to the youth in Greece.

Pray these things in Jesus name!
Amen!!!
 

May 8, 2011

Psalm 32:4 and 6-8


^"3For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
   through my groaning all day long."
⁶Therefore let everyone who is godly
   offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
   they shall not reach him.
⁷You are a hiding place for me;
   you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with shouts of deliverance.    
 ⁸I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you."


Verse 3:When I Kept silent my bones wasted away. Here he is saying when he doesn't ask for the Lord's forgiveness his bones wasted away.
For me, this means when I know I'm supposed to to speak, or the Holy Spirit puts something on my heart and I keep quiet, my growth whithers.


Verses 6-8:
Saturday was a rough day for me. I was just off the whole day. All these things that I had been growing and and coming to fruition, that the Lord instilled in me to do, seemed dead. My old self came back. The one who was fearful, had little faith and little self confidence and just hung out on the sidelines. I was going to Greece. What do I have to offer? We had a team meeting that night and pastor Ryan told the story of Peter being called out onto the water. The moment he began to doubt was when he began to sink. I was trying to hold back tears because that was exactly how I was feeling!  When we left I broke down. That was not me. I felt like I had taken 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Adam prayed over me and the night got better. I feel like I was released from those feelings. The Lord is a hiding place for me.  He preserves me from trouble and surrounds me with shouts of deliverance!
Lord,
Help me to remember that I am in a battle zone. The enemy is at my door trying to tear me down because we are doing your work and your will. Protect us from the evil one. Amen.

May 7, 2011

S: Matthew 24:45-46

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

O:

Jesus is speaking privately with his disciples about the signs of the close of the age.  He prophecies and gives warnings about what is to come, but reminds the disciples (and all of us!) that no one knows the day or hour when He is returning, but to be about the Father’s business until He arrives.  In Matthew 24:42 He states quite well, “Therefore, Stay Awake..”

A:  It’s so easy to forget that daily we are to have watchful eyes and listening ears to see and hear what God has for us each an every day.  Sometimes I feel like I deserve a “break from the ministry”..a numb-out session to recharge myself.  And certainly there is need in all our lives for rest, but rest wasn’t supposed to be a break from God!  There’s a reason why he calls us soldiers and exhorts us in the book of Chronicles to keep ranks and in Joshua to be strong and courageous..we’re in a battle daily.  And I don’t want to be like David when he took a break from battle to stay home..only to find himself “out of the game” and led away to sin with Bathsheba.  I want to live like He’s coming tomorrow and I want to make the most out of all He has for me today!

P:  Lord, help me to turn to You for my rest and not look to any other source to calm my soul.  You are my refuge and my strength and You can and are willing to refresh me.  Lord continue to sanctify me daily, that on the day of your return, you find me about your business and aligned with the purposes of Your heart.  Keep me awake!!

May 7, 2011

Matthew 24:32
"³²"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.  ³³So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. ³⁴ Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."


The signs of the times. Nobody know the day or the hour,but we are to be aware of the signs. It's crazy to watch the news now a days. I remember when I was a kid and the news would be on, there weren't as many things about the middle east and natural disasters. Now, all it is, is just that. "So when you see all these things, know that He is near. "
Lord,
Give me a righteous boldness, not to turn people away, but to draw them in by your presence. Amen.
Ronalee

May 6, 2011

Psalm 51
^"1 Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
²Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
   and cleanse me from my sin!
 ³ For I know my transgressions,
   and my sin is ever before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
   and done what is evil in your sight,
 so that you may be justified in your words
   and blameless in your judgment.
⁵Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
   and in sin did my mother conceive me.
⁶Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
   and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
 ⁷Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
⁸Let me hear joy and gladness;
   let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins,
   and blot out all my iniquities.
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and renew a right spirit within me.
¹¹Cast me not away from your presence,
   and take not our Holy Spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
   and uphold me with a willing spirit.
 ¹³Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
   and sinners will return to you.
¹⁴Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
   O God of my salvation,
   and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
¹⁵O Lord, open my lips,
   and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
   you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
   a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
 ¹⁸ Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
    build up the walls of Jerusalem;
¹⁹then will you delight in right sacrifices,
   in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
   then bulls will be offered on your altar."


This passage is just too good to only write one verse out of.  Verse 5 says, "...and in sin did my mother conceive me."  Raising a child I get to see first hand how we humans have a sinful nature from birth.  Sawyer is naughty, everyday. I am constantly having to correct his behavior and actions.  That is how we are as adults too. I am constantly having to check my words, thoughts, behavior, because it is a daily battle with my flesh. But I absolutely love verse 10. "Create in me a pure heart, and renew a right spirit within me. And He does! Praise Him!
Lord,
Thank you for that heart check you give me and for healing my imperfections, for I am made perfect in you. Amen.
Ronalee

May 5, 2011

^{Psalm 20:4
"4}May he grant you your heart’s desire
   and fulfill all your plans!"
It's funny because when I read this scripture it sounds like "Ok Lord, whatever I want, you will give me." That's not the case. As long as I am aligned with the Lord, my desires will be for Him and the things He desires. I wouldn't want my desires anyhow, because they are not the best. The richness of God's love and mercy on my life is enough! Hi is what I desire.
Lord,
I long for you and what you want.  Show me your desire and help me to be aligned with your will. Amen.
Ronalee

May 4, 2011

Matthew 21:43
^"43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits."
This scripture is heavy. Jesus isn't messing around here when he says " The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. It's truth. It also makes me very sad to think of all the people that call themselves Christ followers and live only for themselves and do nothing for the kingdom. I was there once and my world I created, fell apart, thankfully. If it hadn't fallen apart, I wouldn't be where I am today. I've learned so much.
Lord,
Teach me Your ways. I want to learn all of my days. Never let me forget why I am here. Amen.

May 3, 2011

2 Samuel 7:8
"⁸Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel."

I love how the Lord uses people who "appear" to not be very strong, or authoratative. David was a shepard who played music and God raised him up to be king. God resists the proud and raises up the humble.
At times it seems what my giftings are seem so small. How can I impact the world with my small abilities? But, I am apart of His body, the church, and altogether we can make a big impact. All the small things turn out to be one big thing for the kingdom!
Lord, Give me a humble heart. Use my small gifts for big things for your kingdom. Amen.

May 2, 2011

Psalm 106:3
"³Blessed are they who observe justice,
   who do righteousness at all times!"

With everything going on about Osama bin Laden this verse stuck out to me. "Blessed are those who observe justice." I've had a hard time figuring out how I feel about it. I was shocked at first, then happy, now I just feel sad about all the unrest in the middle east. His justice was served, that's for sure.  God is a just God.

Matthew 19:29
"²⁹And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."

These scriptures stuck out tome because I am so scared to live far away from our parents. That means our kids won't have grandparents around...but everyone who left houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, father or children or land for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold.  I know if the Lord calls us into ministry somewhere far it will be His will and I would definetly abide, but I would be so sad.
Lord,
Please don't ever take me away from my family..haha jk. I trust you and I know you are with me wherever I go.  Help me serve others without allowing myself to get in the way. Amen.

May 1, 2011

Matthew 18:12-14
¹² “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³ And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴ In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. "

This parable is so sweet. Once again, it shows how much God cares about everyone. It reminds me that when I get so busy and caught up in the day I forget about what is most important, my mission for the day. The person that the Lord puts on my heart that needs to be encouraged. I can't forget! Not even one sheep!
Lord,
Take my busy schedule and fill it with people that need to hear your word and of your love.  Help me to never forget why I am here. Amen.
Ronalee