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!