This song brings me into His presence in awe and wonder. I've chosen a video with words so you can sing along and worship He Who Is worthy! May you be blessed as you adore Him. HisFireFly
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
He Knows My Name
What an awesome reminder of the truth that God knows and loves each of us as His unique creations! Be blessed as you listen.
HisFireFly
HisFireFly
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
This Christmas
As my Christmas gift to you all, I'd like to share a poem by Joni Ames that I will be reading at our Christmas Eve service tonight. Tonight, tonight, it's Jesus birthday. I'm awestruck yet again!
Be blessed and inspired as you read Joni's poem. All my love, HisFireFly
This Christmas - by Joni Ames
On that first Christmas Day, He came,
A babe inside the hay,
A star above, the only sign
To show the world the way
On that first Christmas, just a few
Knew Jesus Christ was born
And only some beheld His face
That first bright Christmas morn
On that first Christmas night He lay
At the mercy of the world
Rejected from the very start
As His life was unfurled
His parents had to flee with Him
And find a place to hide
Where He would not be found and killed
Though many people tried
But now He's not a little babe
Wrapped, hidden, in the hay
He's risen up as King of Kings
To show the world the way
He isn't in a stable, dark,
Where no one else can see
He's risen to the throne of God
Where He was meant to be
He doesn't seek the world's grace
They kneel at His Name
And everywhere, because He lives,
The world is not the same
This Christmas He is not a child
Who seeks your mercies, fair,
But He is Lord of all the Earth
His grace, with you, to share
He doesn't run from anyone
Nor play their silly games
For even Satan has to bow
At the mention of His Name
This Christmas, take Him from the hay
And place Him on YOUR throne
For He's King of Kings, and Lord of Lords
So crown Him as YOUR OWN
Soon He'll break the Eastern Sky
Returning for His Bride
And all who still turn Him away
Will have no place to hide
Care enough to give the best
To family and friends
Give to them the Good News now
Of life that never ends
Show them there's a better way
Not mapped by any man
Let them know they have a choice
To live Salvation's Plan
Jesus Christ WAS once that child -
But let the good news ring! -
THIS Christmas, let the whole world know -
HE REIGNS AS LORD AND KING!!!
Be blessed and inspired as you read Joni's poem. All my love, HisFireFly
This Christmas - by Joni Ames
On that first Christmas Day, He came,
A babe inside the hay,
A star above, the only sign
To show the world the way
On that first Christmas, just a few
Knew Jesus Christ was born
And only some beheld His face
That first bright Christmas morn
On that first Christmas night He lay
At the mercy of the world
Rejected from the very start
As His life was unfurled
His parents had to flee with Him
And find a place to hide
Where He would not be found and killed
Though many people tried
But now He's not a little babe
Wrapped, hidden, in the hay
He's risen up as King of Kings
To show the world the way
He isn't in a stable, dark,
Where no one else can see
He's risen to the throne of God
Where He was meant to be
He doesn't seek the world's grace
They kneel at His Name
And everywhere, because He lives,
The world is not the same
This Christmas He is not a child
Who seeks your mercies, fair,
But He is Lord of all the Earth
His grace, with you, to share
He doesn't run from anyone
Nor play their silly games
For even Satan has to bow
At the mention of His Name
This Christmas, take Him from the hay
And place Him on YOUR throne
For He's King of Kings, and Lord of Lords
So crown Him as YOUR OWN
Soon He'll break the Eastern Sky
Returning for His Bride
And all who still turn Him away
Will have no place to hide
Care enough to give the best
To family and friends
Give to them the Good News now
Of life that never ends
Show them there's a better way
Not mapped by any man
Let them know they have a choice
To live Salvation's Plan
Jesus Christ WAS once that child -
But let the good news ring! -
THIS Christmas, let the whole world know -
HE REIGNS AS LORD AND KING!!!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Understanding the reason
I am reading a story tomorrow night at our church Christmas Banquet that pops up every year when I search for Christmas stories. It does a great job of the answering the question about why Jesus would give up His life in heaven and come live here on earth with mortal men.
I pray that you are blessed as you read....
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.
One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused.
"That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home.
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet.
When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside.
The geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumbs trail leading to the barn, but they still didn't catch on.
Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe.
"Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human.
"If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud.
Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn - and one by one the other geese followed it to safety!
He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind:
"If only I were a goose, then I could save them!"
Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!"
Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost, and perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized!
As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come.
Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer:
"Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"
I pray that you are blessed as you read....
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.
One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused.
"That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home.
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet.
When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside.
The geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumbs trail leading to the barn, but they still didn't catch on.
Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe.
"Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human.
"If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud.
Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn - and one by one the other geese followed it to safety!
He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind:
"If only I were a goose, then I could save them!"
Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!"
Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost, and perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized!
As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come.
Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer:
"Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"
Friday, November 21, 2008
Then Sings My Soul Saturday
I have surrendered all to my God and Savior. He is my focus in my life for everything--even down to the smallest decision I have to make.I am so glad God waited so patiently for me to come to Him--waiting and waiting--until just the right time, when He knew I had nowhere else to turn except to HIM!!
I love my Father and He has shown me the way--through His love for me I am now able to overflow with love for others.
What I once thought was so complicated is really so simple. God loved me before I ever loved Him, never stopped loving me even though I rejected Him. He has led the way for me--showing me how to unconditionally love others--through the love He showed me through His only Son--my Savior--Jesus Christ.
For more inspiring "Then Sings My Soul Saturday's", stop by and visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.
Beth
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Love Dare 20--Love Is Jesus Christ
While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly....
Romans 5:6
and today's dare:
Dare to take God at His Word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, "Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. But You have shown Your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and You have proven Your power to save me from death by Your resurrection. Lord, change my heart, and save me by Your grace."
If you don't know me or haven't read this before, now would probably be a good time to skip back to here and read where I have been, where I have come from before God rescued me from what was surely a downward spiral into nothingness.
My previous day's post says exactly how I feel about Jesus--He came to seek and save me, forgive me by His crucifixion on the cross and His grace in my life.
When I read the following verses, this is impacted into my mind even more:
My previous day's post says exactly how I feel about Jesus--He came to seek and save me, forgive me by His crucifixion on the cross and His grace in my life.
When I read the following verses, this is impacted into my mind even more:
"God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him"......1 John 4:9
"Although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant.......He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross"......Philippians 2:6-8
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed".......1 Peter 2:24
"One will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" .....Romans 5:7-8
"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"......Romans 6:23
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast".....Ephesians 2:8-9
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation".....Romans 10:9-10
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers....This is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us"......1 John 3:16, 23
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love"......1 John 4:8
"Although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant.......He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross"......Philippians 2:6-8
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed".......1 Peter 2:24
"One will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" .....Romans 5:7-8
"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"......Romans 6:23
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast".....Ephesians 2:8-9
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation".....Romans 10:9-10
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers....This is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us"......1 John 3:16, 23
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love"......1 John 4:8
These verses are promises from God, truths from God. As I read over them again and again, I can see that God's love cannot be fully understood. I will never be able to do enough to earn this love. It is a gift--given freely to me by God.
But, in order to receive God's gift, I must open my heart, my soul and receive God's love into my heart, my mind, my body, my entire life.
I have received God's gift of salvation, His gift of unconditional love for me--even though I confess I do not understand this.
But, I know this much--I can never do anything that will make God love me more, and I can never do anything that will make God love me less.
God is willing to love me with all my faults and flaws, all my imperfections. He still chose to love me! He loved me and provided for me even when I didn't love Him back! This just astounds me!
How does this relate to my children and today's Love Dare? My children have not accepted Christ as their Savior. But, I know that they will--in God's time--not my time. God is waiting patiently for them to come to Him, just as He did with me.
And God still loves them, regardless of whether they are in love with Him or not. God has chosen them, just as He chose me.
I, today, make the choice to love my children--just as they are--not trying to change them to suit me--just as they are--just as God loves me. God is the only one who can change their hearts, and I am just an instrument, a trowel, planting seeds into their lives so that they can see God through me.
Tomorrow:
But, in order to receive God's gift, I must open my heart, my soul and receive God's love into my heart, my mind, my body, my entire life.
I have received God's gift of salvation, His gift of unconditional love for me--even though I confess I do not understand this.
But, I know this much--I can never do anything that will make God love me more, and I can never do anything that will make God love me less.
God is willing to love me with all my faults and flaws, all my imperfections. He still chose to love me! He loved me and provided for me even when I didn't love Him back! This just astounds me!
How does this relate to my children and today's Love Dare? My children have not accepted Christ as their Savior. But, I know that they will--in God's time--not my time. God is waiting patiently for them to come to Him, just as He did with me.
And God still loves them, regardless of whether they are in love with Him or not. God has chosen them, just as He chose me.
I, today, make the choice to love my children--just as they are--not trying to change them to suit me--just as they are--just as God loves me. God is the only one who can change their hearts, and I am just an instrument, a trowel, planting seeds into their lives so that they can see God through me.
Tomorrow:
Day 21--Love Is Satisfied in God
and the dare for this day:
Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs or reading a chapter in the Gospels. As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.
Stop by Chelle's and read about all the participants of this Love Dare. I think we all are making great progress!!
Beth
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Quiet Time With God--The Beginning
Before we begin, I just want to make this perfectly clear. I am far from an expert on prayer. I have been wanting to enhance my prayer life, my time with God. So, I did some reading on this subject and just wanted to share with you what I have learned.
Also, if you haven't read the previous post, you might want to go back and look it over before beginning today.
Now, are we all ready to begin? Do you have your Bible, a small notebook, a pen or pencil and yourself? Okay--here we go!!
We are all on a spiritual journey, and we are all on different places in our walk with our Lord. Some of us are baby Christians, some are toddlers taking their first wobbly steps, some are in their teens, and some are mature adults.
But, whatever level we are one in our own personal life, I think that each of use realize and understand that the most intimate communion with God comes through prayer.
The apostle Paul knew this when he wrote:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with Thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus."
Phillippians 4:6-7
with Thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus."
Phillippians 4:6-7
So, how do we accomplish this? How do we achieve this peace? How do we learn to talk with God, a quiet time with God every day--a time that we look forward to and don't try to squeeze into our busy schedules. This is what we are going to discover together over the next several days.
In my readings, I have discovered the fact that if we want the best information about any subject, we need to go to an expert in that particular field. If we want to become good at something--a sport, playing the piano. and yes, praying, we need to practice.
In order to learn to pray effectively, consistently, have that quiet time with God every day in our lives, we need to practice and discipline ourselves. Most importantly, we need to study the expert in this field.
We need to look at the person of Jesus Christ. No one has ever prayed more fervently, had more intimate conversations with His Father, or understood the power of prayer more than Jesus. He is the expert of prayer. We are going to examine how Jesus prayed and learn how to apply this to our own lives.
God is willing, ready and able. He is waiting for us to come to into His presence expectantly every day--with an attitude of worship, faith in Him, trust in Him, hope in Him, love for Him--just waiting for us to speak intimately with Him.
No concern of ours is too small or too big for God to handle. We are HIS children, and He wants to hear from us. Think of your own children--are you happy when you pick up the phone and hear their voice? Does it make you feel joyful when you are able to give your children a gift--something they have been longing to have?
Now, apply your own feelings about your children to God's feelings about His children. How much greater joy will God receive when we speak to God, come to Him with our praise, our thanks, our needs and concerns--no matter how great or small.
Paul writes in Romans 8:16-17:
In my readings, I have discovered the fact that if we want the best information about any subject, we need to go to an expert in that particular field. If we want to become good at something--a sport, playing the piano. and yes, praying, we need to practice.
In order to learn to pray effectively, consistently, have that quiet time with God every day in our lives, we need to practice and discipline ourselves. Most importantly, we need to study the expert in this field.
We need to look at the person of Jesus Christ. No one has ever prayed more fervently, had more intimate conversations with His Father, or understood the power of prayer more than Jesus. He is the expert of prayer. We are going to examine how Jesus prayed and learn how to apply this to our own lives.
God is willing, ready and able. He is waiting for us to come to into His presence expectantly every day--with an attitude of worship, faith in Him, trust in Him, hope in Him, love for Him--just waiting for us to speak intimately with Him.
No concern of ours is too small or too big for God to handle. We are HIS children, and He wants to hear from us. Think of your own children--are you happy when you pick up the phone and hear their voice? Does it make you feel joyful when you are able to give your children a gift--something they have been longing to have?
Now, apply your own feelings about your children to God's feelings about His children. How much greater joy will God receive when we speak to God, come to Him with our praise, our thanks, our needs and concerns--no matter how great or small.
Paul writes in Romans 8:16-17:
"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit
that we are God's children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--
heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that
that we are God's children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--
heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that
we may share in His glory."
This is an absolute promise from God. He will cover us with His blessings because we are His children, sons and daughters of the King, and heirs to His Kingdom!
Now, it's time to journal for today:
I'll be back tomorrow to share my journalings with you. If you are participating in this with me, please let me know. Your journals are your own private communion with God, but if you have anything you would like to share, please do so by either linking to your own blog or leaving a comment.
Then, on Friday, we'll move on to your own personal quiet place with God and how He will be waiting for you to come and meet Him there.
Have a blessed day!
Beth
Now, it's time to journal for today:
- Reread the above Scriptures and describe how these verses speak to you personally about each and every need in your life.
Just reading these verses from Phillippians gives me peace. Knowing that I can take my
anxieties, my cares and concerns, my needs (no matter how great or small) to God,
present them to Him, knowing He is in control (no, not me!) relieves me and brings me
tranquility and peace. Sometimes, I will go over and over things in my own mind,
discussing whatever the problem or need is with others, and in my head I already am
telling myself, "I know, I know what the answer is." I have presented this to God already
and He has answered me. It's a matter of moving my head knowledge to my heart.
anxieties, my cares and concerns, my needs (no matter how great or small) to God,
present them to Him, knowing He is in control (no, not me!) relieves me and brings me
tranquility and peace. Sometimes, I will go over and over things in my own mind,
discussing whatever the problem or need is with others, and in my head I already am
telling myself, "I know, I know what the answer is." I have presented this to God already
and He has answered me. It's a matter of moving my head knowledge to my heart.
- Read Psalm 86:5-7. If you don't have a Bible, I have these verses here for you. Meditate on these verses and express in your journal about this makes you feel, knowing that God will answer you.
I feel a great sense of relief!! Knowing that God hears me, will answer me (maybe not in
the way I expected), and knowing beyond a doubt that His will is what is perfect and best
for me. I know that whatever is on my mind, I can bring to Him (He knows
already, anway!) in prayer, and He will embrace me, cry with me, laugh with me, and see
me through. He has never let me go--even when I was far from Him. I am His child and
He loves me always.
the way I expected), and knowing beyond a doubt that His will is what is perfect and best
for me. I know that whatever is on my mind, I can bring to Him (He knows
already, anway!) in prayer, and He will embrace me, cry with me, laugh with me, and see
me through. He has never let me go--even when I was far from Him. I am His child and
He loves me always.
- Write a prayer of thanks to God for what you are learning from His Word.
My Father---I thank you for your Word, where I can go in any circumstance in my life,
and learn what You have spoken. There is much in your Word that I do not truly
understand. Please open my heart and mind to your teachings, so that I may follow
You more closely.
and learn what You have spoken. There is much in your Word that I do not truly
understand. Please open my heart and mind to your teachings, so that I may follow
You more closely.
- Write your prayers to God, asking Him questions, telling Him your needs, your fears, any concerns you may have.
Abba--I love you. You are mighty and powerful and hold the entire world in Your hands.
I confess to you my sins, some of which I have committed knowingly, and some unknow-
ingly. Please forgive me and help me to learn to have faith and trust in You completely.
Help me to surrender my total life to You, not holding back any part, not even the
smallest part. I want to be totally Yours in all ways.
Help me to find the quiet time to spend with You, not squeezing You in at the end of my
busy day when I am too tired to listen to what You have to say to me.
I pray for my children who do not know You. I fear for them, Lord. Please let them see
You shining in my life, see the changes You have made in me, and bring them to You.
Please help me to bring my anxieties, concerns and fears to You before they overwhelm
me, not after!! Help me to seek You more and more each moment of my life.
I confess to you my sins, some of which I have committed knowingly, and some unknow-
ingly. Please forgive me and help me to learn to have faith and trust in You completely.
Help me to surrender my total life to You, not holding back any part, not even the
smallest part. I want to be totally Yours in all ways.
Help me to find the quiet time to spend with You, not squeezing You in at the end of my
busy day when I am too tired to listen to what You have to say to me.
I pray for my children who do not know You. I fear for them, Lord. Please let them see
You shining in my life, see the changes You have made in me, and bring them to You.
Please help me to bring my anxieties, concerns and fears to You before they overwhelm
me, not after!! Help me to seek You more and more each moment of my life.
- Write a list of what you have talked with God about today.
Trust
Confidence
Surrender
My children
God's Word
Fear, anxieties
Feeling overwhelmed
Confidence
Surrender
My children
God's Word
Fear, anxieties
Feeling overwhelmed
I'll be back tomorrow to share my journalings with you. If you are participating in this with me, please let me know. Your journals are your own private communion with God, but if you have anything you would like to share, please do so by either linking to your own blog or leaving a comment.
Then, on Friday, we'll move on to your own personal quiet place with God and how He will be waiting for you to come and meet Him there.
Have a blessed day!
Beth
Monday, October 6, 2008
My Morning Prayer
My Father,
As I begin my day, I want to express my love for you. I see your creation all around me. I see your hand in the sunrise every morning as the day awakens. I love you, Lord, and I am so thankful that you love me--just as I am. You know that sometimes I don't feel worthy of this love you have for me. Please help me to realize that you will always love me. All I need to do is to come to you, and I will feel that love flow through me.
I pray that you guide me through my day, making me aware of your presence in every instance. Help me to seek your guidance, moment by moment.
Lord, please help me to see others as you see them, not as I see them. We are all works in progress. Grant me patience as I go through this day. Guard my thoughts and my tongue--let there only be good and pure thoughts and words.
And most of all, Lord, let me be an example of you so that others may see and come to know you. Put the words that I am to say into my mouth because you know that I sometimes just don't have them on my own.
I love you, Jesus. Fill my heart today and everyday with your love.
In your precious name.......
Friday, October 3, 2008
PRAISE!!
I have a praise to offer in response to my last post!!
My imposed alienation from my family (by them) has been weighing heavily upon my mind. As the holidays grow closer and closer, I am thinking about what Christmas presents to make for each person. I'm making rugs for both my daughters, and as I was looking at these I thought to myself how nice this would look in my brother and sister-in-law's foyer.
And then IT HIT ME!! I'm not going to see them for Christmas!! They do not want to see me or speak to me because of my belief in God!!
As I talked this over with other Christian friends, received comments from my blogging friends, I was uplifted and encouraged in this.
One friend told me that it sounded like I was "mourning them, grieving them, as if they had died". And that is true. That is exactly how I was feeling. Except they are not dead, they are very much alive.
I have received affirmations of my faith--"You are doing the right thing, going the right way--they are the ones in the wrong. The only thing you can do is pray for God to soften their hearts and show them the way. They need to be the ones to respond to Him."
And the one that sticks with me the most and has helped lift me from this sort of semi-depression the most: "And who was persecuted for the sake of you?"
Because this is really what this is--my own family persecuting me for my faith and trust in our LORD!
So, I again, thank God for my spiritual family--the people in my life who have replaced my own biological family--for providing me with people to uplift me and show me the way, for putting words into their mouths to comfort and sustain me, for prayer so that I can talk this whole situation over with God, and most of all for Jesus!!
Thank you, Jesus, for being persecuted and losing your life for me!! My own persecution is nothing compared to what you suffered. I have felt so alone, so discouraged in all of this. How must you have felt? So saddened, so much pain, so much anguish!!
Thank you for placing people in my life to encourage and uplift me so that my faith in you is increased, not decreased as my family has hoped this would do.
Help me to continue to remember them in my prayers--to soften their hearts towards you, God, for them to be open to YOUR WORD, and to come to You.
I know you will continue to show me the way, Lord. Help me to be aware of every instance you place in my life that points me in the right direction.
In Jesus' precious name.......
My imposed alienation from my family (by them) has been weighing heavily upon my mind. As the holidays grow closer and closer, I am thinking about what Christmas presents to make for each person. I'm making rugs for both my daughters, and as I was looking at these I thought to myself how nice this would look in my brother and sister-in-law's foyer.
And then IT HIT ME!! I'm not going to see them for Christmas!! They do not want to see me or speak to me because of my belief in God!!
As I talked this over with other Christian friends, received comments from my blogging friends, I was uplifted and encouraged in this.
One friend told me that it sounded like I was "mourning them, grieving them, as if they had died". And that is true. That is exactly how I was feeling. Except they are not dead, they are very much alive.
I have received affirmations of my faith--"You are doing the right thing, going the right way--they are the ones in the wrong. The only thing you can do is pray for God to soften their hearts and show them the way. They need to be the ones to respond to Him."
And the one that sticks with me the most and has helped lift me from this sort of semi-depression the most: "And who was persecuted for the sake of you?"
Because this is really what this is--my own family persecuting me for my faith and trust in our LORD!
So, I again, thank God for my spiritual family--the people in my life who have replaced my own biological family--for providing me with people to uplift me and show me the way, for putting words into their mouths to comfort and sustain me, for prayer so that I can talk this whole situation over with God, and most of all for Jesus!!
Thank you, Jesus, for being persecuted and losing your life for me!! My own persecution is nothing compared to what you suffered. I have felt so alone, so discouraged in all of this. How must you have felt? So saddened, so much pain, so much anguish!!
Thank you for placing people in my life to encourage and uplift me so that my faith in you is increased, not decreased as my family has hoped this would do.
Help me to continue to remember them in my prayers--to soften their hearts towards you, God, for them to be open to YOUR WORD, and to come to You.
I know you will continue to show me the way, Lord. Help me to be aware of every instance you place in my life that points me in the right direction.
In Jesus' precious name.......
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A Moment of Vulnerability
16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.....2 Timothy 4:16-18
Okay, so I have to admit that I've been feeling a little lonely lately. I am single--divorced now for almost 2 years after 2 separations that total 5 years.
I see couples together--couples that are living their marriages and relationship through God, and this makes me lonely. I come home from work to an empty home, and this makes me lonely. I eat dinner alone, no partner to have conversation with, and this makes me lonely. I go to bed at night, alone, and again I feel the sometimes emptiness of my life.
My family no longer speaks to me because of my beliefs, and the best, the most--ALL--I can do is to pray for them.
I go to work for 8 hours every day, keep myself busy in the evenings--yet still my mind wanders.
At times, I do feel deserted and as though there is no one by my side to give me the support that I need to carry me through the days, the weeks, the years.
And then, as I read these verses, I realize that I do have everything I need in this life. God will never desert me. He will always stand at my side and give me the strength that I need. He hears my cries regarding my family and my vulnerabilities, and He understands--more than I can ever imagine.
So, I will wait expectantly upon God to continue working in my life. I know that He will fulfill whatever needs I may have.
I need to focus my eyes, my heart, my mind upon Jesus. He is the only One that can fill this great emptiness I am feeling.
My Father,
Help me to keep my focus on You and You alone. Help me to always be aware of your presence in my life, moment to moment.
I know that anxiety, worry, frustration and loneliness are not feelings that You want me to have. Please come and fill me with Your love. Let me feel your embrace and know that You are all I need in this life.
My reward awaits me. To Him be glory for ever and ever.
In Jesus' precious Name.....
Okay, so I have to admit that I've been feeling a little lonely lately. I am single--divorced now for almost 2 years after 2 separations that total 5 years.
I see couples together--couples that are living their marriages and relationship through God, and this makes me lonely. I come home from work to an empty home, and this makes me lonely. I eat dinner alone, no partner to have conversation with, and this makes me lonely. I go to bed at night, alone, and again I feel the sometimes emptiness of my life.
My family no longer speaks to me because of my beliefs, and the best, the most--ALL--I can do is to pray for them.
I go to work for 8 hours every day, keep myself busy in the evenings--yet still my mind wanders.
At times, I do feel deserted and as though there is no one by my side to give me the support that I need to carry me through the days, the weeks, the years.
And then, as I read these verses, I realize that I do have everything I need in this life. God will never desert me. He will always stand at my side and give me the strength that I need. He hears my cries regarding my family and my vulnerabilities, and He understands--more than I can ever imagine.
So, I will wait expectantly upon God to continue working in my life. I know that He will fulfill whatever needs I may have.
I need to focus my eyes, my heart, my mind upon Jesus. He is the only One that can fill this great emptiness I am feeling.
My Father,
Help me to keep my focus on You and You alone. Help me to always be aware of your presence in my life, moment to moment.
I know that anxiety, worry, frustration and loneliness are not feelings that You want me to have. Please come and fill me with Your love. Let me feel your embrace and know that You are all I need in this life.
My reward awaits me. To Him be glory for ever and ever.
In Jesus' precious Name.....
Friday, September 26, 2008
Love Letter
In the busyness of life these last few days I have not had time to write, so here is something I have on file but have not yet shared. This was one of the first assignments from the Communion With God course I completed at Christian Leadership University. I was to write a love letter to Jesus and let Him respond back to me.
My dear Lord Jesus,
It feels odd to be writing this letter to you. As an assignment for class I am to write to you a love letter, but I don’t know if I have the words to express all that is in my heart. You Who gave everything for me, a lost and bitter woman, how do I thank You? How do I describe You? Glory beyond glory. Someone beyond imagination, in fact so far beyond imagination I struggled to believe in You. What a day it was when I surrendered that first time, giving You entry into my life, knowing that things had to change. And change they did indeed! Because of You. Because of Your love. Because of Your patience.
I have lost so many desires for the things of this world. They have grown tasteless. And those that still retain a taste, it is bitter and unpalatable. It is You I seek. It is You I desire. I want to soak in Your fragrance, the sweetness and spice. You spoke to me once about waiting in a garden for me and that I was to make myself ready. Are you still waiting? I couldn’t bear to think You had already gone.
I love You, Lord Jesus, even as I am not sure I know You, I love what I know. And I love what I have imagined. I love knowing that you searched for me as a lost lamb and hold me gently in Your arms. Oh, to feel those arms around me. Perhaps I am afraid to come close because once in Your presence I would never want to leave. Help me to surrender again, all that I am and all that I have, so I would have no fear of leaving something behind and can fully get lost in Your presence. Perhaps then I can take that presence to others who do not know You.
Here I am, my Lord, my Savior, the only One who could redeem my life. Here I am waiting. Help me to come into Your arms. Help me to love as You love. So when I say “I love You, I love You, I love You” it is with the love that You Yourself taught me.
Don’t you know you are already in my arms? I have not for one moment ever let you go. There are times that you feel I am distant, but it is you, not I who’s thoughts wander away. My thoughts are for you, not against you, always and forever. The forces of the enemy and the forces of the world you live in would have you imagine there is distance between us, but that is not the truth. There is not even a breath between us. If you could really feel how close we are, you would feel cradled and warm. Not a thought of yours escapes Me. I know your thoughts before you do, my dearest one. I know when you will be misled and I ache until your thoughts return to me. Yes, I still wait for you, will forever wait for you. For even as I have you, I want more and more and more of you. The same hunger that you desire to have for me, already burns within me for you. You are the one I bled for. You are the one I died for. You are the one I claimed as my own when I rose again in victory.
Is it hard for you to understand my ways? I spoke to my disciples in parables. But let me clear now. My love is here and my love is true. Nothing will change my love for you. It was and is and ever will be, just as I was and am, and evermore will be. Learn to rest in that truth and shut out any voice that tries to tell you otherwise.
And yes, you are questioning if your love is good enough for me. That makes me giggle, it tickles me. Who do you suppose instilled that love in you? It is already my love living within you, my dear. But if you want to give me more, then give me more, I will receive it!
Oh Lord Jesus, how I thrill to hear of Your unfailing love. Yes, let me love You more! Let me cast away thoughts of unworthiness, for indeed I am not worthy, but it is not about me. I am Yours, now and always, and righteous in my Father’s eyes because of You. Oh if I could I would kiss You!
My dear Lord Jesus,
It feels odd to be writing this letter to you. As an assignment for class I am to write to you a love letter, but I don’t know if I have the words to express all that is in my heart. You Who gave everything for me, a lost and bitter woman, how do I thank You? How do I describe You? Glory beyond glory. Someone beyond imagination, in fact so far beyond imagination I struggled to believe in You. What a day it was when I surrendered that first time, giving You entry into my life, knowing that things had to change. And change they did indeed! Because of You. Because of Your love. Because of Your patience.
I have lost so many desires for the things of this world. They have grown tasteless. And those that still retain a taste, it is bitter and unpalatable. It is You I seek. It is You I desire. I want to soak in Your fragrance, the sweetness and spice. You spoke to me once about waiting in a garden for me and that I was to make myself ready. Are you still waiting? I couldn’t bear to think You had already gone.
I love You, Lord Jesus, even as I am not sure I know You, I love what I know. And I love what I have imagined. I love knowing that you searched for me as a lost lamb and hold me gently in Your arms. Oh, to feel those arms around me. Perhaps I am afraid to come close because once in Your presence I would never want to leave. Help me to surrender again, all that I am and all that I have, so I would have no fear of leaving something behind and can fully get lost in Your presence. Perhaps then I can take that presence to others who do not know You.
Here I am, my Lord, my Savior, the only One who could redeem my life. Here I am waiting. Help me to come into Your arms. Help me to love as You love. So when I say “I love You, I love You, I love You” it is with the love that You Yourself taught me.
Don’t you know you are already in my arms? I have not for one moment ever let you go. There are times that you feel I am distant, but it is you, not I who’s thoughts wander away. My thoughts are for you, not against you, always and forever. The forces of the enemy and the forces of the world you live in would have you imagine there is distance between us, but that is not the truth. There is not even a breath between us. If you could really feel how close we are, you would feel cradled and warm. Not a thought of yours escapes Me. I know your thoughts before you do, my dearest one. I know when you will be misled and I ache until your thoughts return to me. Yes, I still wait for you, will forever wait for you. For even as I have you, I want more and more and more of you. The same hunger that you desire to have for me, already burns within me for you. You are the one I bled for. You are the one I died for. You are the one I claimed as my own when I rose again in victory.
Is it hard for you to understand my ways? I spoke to my disciples in parables. But let me clear now. My love is here and my love is true. Nothing will change my love for you. It was and is and ever will be, just as I was and am, and evermore will be. Learn to rest in that truth and shut out any voice that tries to tell you otherwise.
And yes, you are questioning if your love is good enough for me. That makes me giggle, it tickles me. Who do you suppose instilled that love in you? It is already my love living within you, my dear. But if you want to give me more, then give me more, I will receive it!
Oh Lord Jesus, how I thrill to hear of Your unfailing love. Yes, let me love You more! Let me cast away thoughts of unworthiness, for indeed I am not worthy, but it is not about me. I am Yours, now and always, and righteous in my Father’s eyes because of You. Oh if I could I would kiss You!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Abide in the Vine Word Picture
Beth requested that I create a Wordle out of my post Learning To Abide - Part 3 on my blog Flickers of a Faithful FireFly
Enjoy the word art and feel free to come to Flickers to read the original post.
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