November 29, 2012 ~ "Do" the word

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.

James 1:22

Thoughts~ For over 5 years I met with a small group of women in my home twice a month; we studied the Bible and books that point us towards spiritual growth. We spent nearly a year on one book that was really tough because it is written in a style that isn’t easy to grasp. But we were determined to finish it up.  This particular book took us into scripture and into spiritual disciplines such as consistent time in the word of God. It is so important that we not only read it but we do what it says.

That night we discussed the importance of regular Bible reading. Some admitted they were not in the daily habit of it and I shared that when we love someone we want to spend all our time with them.  Exactly how it is when we love Jesus.  We should want to spend time getting to know Him as best as we can. And it is in God’s word that we become intimate with our Savior. And it is there we learn how and what God expects us to do.

When we don’t read scripture and apply it to our lives in obedience, we are basically saying we know better than God. And of course we don’t at all.  However, the tricky part comes in the basics of how to get started when you don’t feel like reading your Bible. Once you get into it, you are always amazed at how the words speak directly to you and you wonder why you didn’t want to read it in the first place. The problem then, is how to start a wonderful habit of reading each day. 

The bottom line is this: you must want to.  And if you don’t, there is a short 5 word prayer that has been the secret prayer of mine in everything that I lag behind in. 5 words that you bring to the Lord. 5 words that will change your walk with Him as you watch the Holy Spirit work in your life. 5 words of real honesty:

Lord, I want to want to.

Action~ It is easy to add whatever it is you are struggling with:

Lord, I want to want to read my Bible daily.

Lord, I want to want to be kinder to my spouse.

Lord, I want to want to stop ___________.

Lord, I want to want to obey You.

These words are powerful because they show the Lord you may not have the desire to obey but you want to have the desire. He always answers this prayer. He wants to see you grow in your walk with Him.

What do you want to want to do? Give it over to the Lord right now.

Pray~ Father, I so want to want to live in obedience to you all of the time. Give me your power to come to the place that I can’t wait to spend time in Your word.

Trusting in Him,

Becky

November 28, 2012 ~ God knows exactly where I am

"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am."

Psalm 139:3

Thoughts~ “Okay, we are officially lost” I told my friend as we traveled around and around in the city of Madrid, Spain. Everything looked the same to me and I had jet lag in a bad way. Being foreigners in a strange city is tough and neither of us spoke Spanish well so we felt hopelessly inadequate to find our way to our hotel. Once we did, there was construction going on and we could not figure out where to park. Frustration led to more frustration and we ended up leaving Madrid and went to the next town where we stayed for two days, recovering from our flight and frustration.

With God, I never have to worry about being lost. He always knows the best way for me and as I put my trust in Him, He will also lead the way, charting an amazing journey for me. Because we humans are not puppets, I have the free will option: to listen and follow God’s lead or to go at it on our own. After many attempts over the years of trying to plan out my own route, even as a believer, I now KNOW that the best way to travel through life is with God directing me. I choose His lead ad He never ever lets me down. In the verse the Psalmist says “Every moment you know where I am." I love this truth and rejoice that God always knows where I am, so I can’t ever really be lost.

Also, because He knows where I am, I am motivated to be in places He would want to be in. In today’s culture around the world, many people who claim to be Christians have given up their desire to please God fully. They have introduced other things into their lives like horoscopes, new age beliefs, getting drunk, immorality, drugs, stealing, and the list goes on. God knows exactly what each one of us is doing and exactly where we are. Do we please Him with our choices?

Action~ Where are you that you don’t want God to be?

Does your Facebook page show that you love God but also that you are living a lifestyle that a Christ follower shouldn’t be living? Do you glorify God in all you say and do? Do people see your profile and see a person who loves Jesus?

Christians should have fun; we should be joyful and happy. We love and serve a God who created laughter and smiles! But there are places for us that we need to abandon and move into the light, allowing God to show us the way, our path to a completely wonderful relationship with Him.

Pray~ Thank You, Father, for having the very best directions for my life.

Trusting in the Lord,

Becky

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