I saw a young lady on TV with her mother. She wanted her mother to stay out of her business but her mother made mention of her still residing with her gave her permission to be active in her business.
I think most people feel at some point they want to move and be lifted of the rules from their parents. The interesting thing is there is no cut off time of being a parent.
There are instructions, “he who spares his rod hates his sons, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly,” (Prov 13:24). “Chasten your son while there is still hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction,” (Pro 19:18).
These instructions are not for a temporal time frame. The parent child relationship is a life sentence and guidance is required for the parent to fulfill. As a result the parent has access on giving guidance to the child for life.
“Listen to your father who begot you and do not despise your mother when she is old,” (Prov 23:22). “My son give me your heart and let your eyes observe my ways,” (Pro 23:26).
There are instructions for both sides-parents guide and instruct and children listen and observe.
Do you think because you reach a certain age your parents are of no value? Are you wishing to get away from your parents rules?
It is a parent’s obligation to train the child. If you think your parents are always trying to tell you what to do, perhaps you should consider their obligation.
Initially, a parents regard is their child’s safety and happiness. Ask God to help you be more open to your parent’s obligation as parents. Pray as you grow you will not despise your parents as they mature. For god gave each member to each other as a gift, cherish your gift.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Let The Filtering Begin
The other day I was thinking of the last trail I experienced. It was when my emotions were in rare form. I was sensitive to everything. I would feel like crying and the next minute feel like yelling. My emotions were so out of control that I couldn’t be happy for being mad.
As I thought a little more, I thought of what helped me take control of my emotions. I recited scripture.
After having a child, I have been in a fragile state; yet, still I have been tested. As I am being tested I am able to say with confidence, I am protected by God’s grace.
I can think of Job saying, “But He knows the way I take, When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold,” (Job 23:10).
Have you ever considered why we have test and trails? What do test prove? How do trails change us?
Job was being tested but He knew that His God was still protecting Him through the test. This was a time that Job’s emotions could have taken charge but His faith took charge.
When God refines us He is making us pure. God’s objective is to make us more like Christ. Each test is to demonstrate your ability to be more Christ like. Each trail is to answer, “What would Jesus do.”
How is your life today? Are you being raddled from left to right? Are you struggling to be happy from being mad?
Maybe you are not recognizing that God knows the way you take. As God test you He is refining you, making sure that all impurities come out.
Job knew that with God testing him he would come forth as gold. When gold is refined all impurities are processed, until it is pure gold.
God desires for you to be released of impurities. Do you want to be pure? Ask God to refine you. Pray that you are open to His test so you may be pure. For God predestined, “us to be conformed to the image of his Son,” (Rom 8:29).
As I thought a little more, I thought of what helped me take control of my emotions. I recited scripture.
After having a child, I have been in a fragile state; yet, still I have been tested. As I am being tested I am able to say with confidence, I am protected by God’s grace.
I can think of Job saying, “But He knows the way I take, When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold,” (Job 23:10).
Have you ever considered why we have test and trails? What do test prove? How do trails change us?
Job was being tested but He knew that His God was still protecting Him through the test. This was a time that Job’s emotions could have taken charge but His faith took charge.
When God refines us He is making us pure. God’s objective is to make us more like Christ. Each test is to demonstrate your ability to be more Christ like. Each trail is to answer, “What would Jesus do.”
How is your life today? Are you being raddled from left to right? Are you struggling to be happy from being mad?
Maybe you are not recognizing that God knows the way you take. As God test you He is refining you, making sure that all impurities come out.
Job knew that with God testing him he would come forth as gold. When gold is refined all impurities are processed, until it is pure gold.
God desires for you to be released of impurities. Do you want to be pure? Ask God to refine you. Pray that you are open to His test so you may be pure. For God predestined, “us to be conformed to the image of his Son,” (Rom 8:29).
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Be Consumed With His Spirit
As I fell asleep last night I was disturbed about a situation. I awoke tense about my problem and sensed the heaviness coming on. As the heaviness began to creep upon me more, I was partially consumed with my issue. I turned on my praise and worship music and just sat.
I began to repeat the words…
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you’re my God…
The negative energy attempting to override my soul began to diminish. I continued…
You’re all together lovely, all together worthy, all together wonderful to me…
I repeated this stanza over and over and the music began healing the heaviness in my heart. As I focused on how worthy my God is to be praised, how lovely and wonderful He is, it gave me pleasure.
I could cry now, I could pray for a friend in martial bliss, pray for a friend that is missing a child, pray for blessing me with a beautiful healthy child. I could pray and the heaviness just continued to go away.
I meditated over what Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” (Mat 5:11-12).
I prayed the psalm, “Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! For my days pass away like smoke," (Psm102:1-3).
Afterwards, I continued listening to praises and say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed,” (Psm 103:1-6).
I no longer was consumed with my problems but filled with His Spirit. You might have awakened with no problems. You might have fallen asleep overjoyed, I wasn’t.
Perhaps you know someone that had a difficult day yesterday. Maybe you are having a tough time today. I encourage you to take this time to praise and worship Our Lord. Pray for another and plant a seed for you are not the only one going through. If you are finding it hard to lift up the Lord in praise or even pray, ask the Lord to fill your heart with praises, so you may be able to praise Him. Let your consumption of problems be emptied and your heart be filled with praise.
I began to repeat the words…
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you’re my God…
The negative energy attempting to override my soul began to diminish. I continued…
You’re all together lovely, all together worthy, all together wonderful to me…
I repeated this stanza over and over and the music began healing the heaviness in my heart. As I focused on how worthy my God is to be praised, how lovely and wonderful He is, it gave me pleasure.
I could cry now, I could pray for a friend in martial bliss, pray for a friend that is missing a child, pray for blessing me with a beautiful healthy child. I could pray and the heaviness just continued to go away.
I meditated over what Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” (Mat 5:11-12).
I prayed the psalm, “Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! For my days pass away like smoke," (Psm102:1-3).
Afterwards, I continued listening to praises and say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed,” (Psm 103:1-6).
I no longer was consumed with my problems but filled with His Spirit. You might have awakened with no problems. You might have fallen asleep overjoyed, I wasn’t.
Perhaps you know someone that had a difficult day yesterday. Maybe you are having a tough time today. I encourage you to take this time to praise and worship Our Lord. Pray for another and plant a seed for you are not the only one going through. If you are finding it hard to lift up the Lord in praise or even pray, ask the Lord to fill your heart with praises, so you may be able to praise Him. Let your consumption of problems be emptied and your heart be filled with praise.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tend To The Least First
A family was buying a home and certain things occurred and made it impossible for them to continue living in this home. Eventually, they moved to another house but this time they had to rent the home.
While renting the home the family had to be more careful to not destroy the house. When you rent something you always have to be more careful because you know if you mess it up you have to pay for what you break.
“If you have been faithful in what is another man’s who will give you what is our own,” (Luke 16:12).
When you have something that belongs to another person are you faithful to take care of it? Do you tend to it with the highest respect?
As a child my grandmother had a silver plate brush set. She would tell me when I get older I can have it. Yet she would let me brush her hair with it and she taught me how to clean it as a child.
When I was young I could not take care of the brush set. I would not have valued it because of not knowing it’s a certain way to take care of a silver plate brush set.
My grandmother knew I wasn’t ready to have the brush set so she trained me to know how to take care of it first. Is God training you to take care of something? Are you treating the least of what you have as a gift from God? Are you asking for more and not taking care of the least?
Consider taking care of what you have. Ask God to help you appreciate and tend to the least of what you have so you may be blessed with much. Our faithfulness is what directs us to our blessings. When we lack being faithful to the least why must we ask for much.
While renting the home the family had to be more careful to not destroy the house. When you rent something you always have to be more careful because you know if you mess it up you have to pay for what you break.
“If you have been faithful in what is another man’s who will give you what is our own,” (Luke 16:12).
When you have something that belongs to another person are you faithful to take care of it? Do you tend to it with the highest respect?
As a child my grandmother had a silver plate brush set. She would tell me when I get older I can have it. Yet she would let me brush her hair with it and she taught me how to clean it as a child.
When I was young I could not take care of the brush set. I would not have valued it because of not knowing it’s a certain way to take care of a silver plate brush set.
My grandmother knew I wasn’t ready to have the brush set so she trained me to know how to take care of it first. Is God training you to take care of something? Are you treating the least of what you have as a gift from God? Are you asking for more and not taking care of the least?
Consider taking care of what you have. Ask God to help you appreciate and tend to the least of what you have so you may be blessed with much. Our faithfulness is what directs us to our blessings. When we lack being faithful to the least why must we ask for much.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Be At Peace with Family
A man that was in the marine as a young man in the war spoke to his family. He recalled being in the Persian Gulf and all he wanted was to see his family. By the grace of God he made it back home with mental scars but nothing on the outside. When he finally made it back home his family bickered over nonsense. He had a second brother and close friend to die. He wondered what was, I missing back in the gulf,” to return to such family.
This reminded me of Jacob. Jacob and his brother Esau got on bad terms. Esau hated his brother because of the blessing (Gen 28:41). Esau wanted to kill his brother for getting the blessing from their father. More than over 7 years passed and Jacob and Esau had not spoken.
In time they were to meet back with each other and Jacob was, “greatly afraid” (Gen 32:7). When they reunited Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and they wept (Gen 33:4).
When Jacob left his family he anxiously left just as the Youngman in the army began to miss his family. I imagine Jacob start missing Esau but was ashamed and scared families, not to continue bickering among each other but to embrace in each other.
Maybe you have a relative that you a wait to get away from. Perhaps you have been missing a sibling that you separated from. Family is gifts. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity,” (Prov 17:17).
If you are reluctant to see your family ask God to uproot the hate in your heart and give you are desire to be at peace with your family. Be patient as God restores.
This reminded me of Jacob. Jacob and his brother Esau got on bad terms. Esau hated his brother because of the blessing (Gen 28:41). Esau wanted to kill his brother for getting the blessing from their father. More than over 7 years passed and Jacob and Esau had not spoken.
In time they were to meet back with each other and Jacob was, “greatly afraid” (Gen 32:7). When they reunited Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and they wept (Gen 33:4).
When Jacob left his family he anxiously left just as the Youngman in the army began to miss his family. I imagine Jacob start missing Esau but was ashamed and scared families, not to continue bickering among each other but to embrace in each other.
Maybe you have a relative that you a wait to get away from. Perhaps you have been missing a sibling that you separated from. Family is gifts. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity,” (Prov 17:17).
If you are reluctant to see your family ask God to uproot the hate in your heart and give you are desire to be at peace with your family. Be patient as God restores.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Don't Complain
Recently, I went to open house at my children’s school. I was at 38 weeks pregnant in a crowd with one child that wanted to run to the left, another child wanted to hop to the right and other child that socialized with everyone. I could not move too fast because my body just wouldn’t go.
In my mind I kept telling myself, “I’m the helpmeet, as my flesh reminded me, I needed a helpmeet.” As my flesh reminded me of wanting my husband to do the task I was doing, I had to choose to tell myself, “I am the helpmeet.”
Believers complain about their adversity but there should be something to remind you that what you are going through not to the degree of persecution of Christ.
“Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself; lest you ye be wearied and faint in mind,” (Heb 12:3). Consider the one that endured such disputes, disobedience of sinners against him, but you are worried and tired in your mind. How dare we not remember our savior that did not give up even when the people he was set out to save were disobedient sinners.
When you are facing adversity, do you wish it was someone else? Do you remember the blood that Jesus shed?
Ask God to help you recall the suffering on the cross, which was sacrificed for you. Ask the Lord to cease you from complaining and thanking Christ for being the Christ? For complaining is not pleasant unto the Lord.
In my mind I kept telling myself, “I’m the helpmeet, as my flesh reminded me, I needed a helpmeet.” As my flesh reminded me of wanting my husband to do the task I was doing, I had to choose to tell myself, “I am the helpmeet.”
Believers complain about their adversity but there should be something to remind you that what you are going through not to the degree of persecution of Christ.
“Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself; lest you ye be wearied and faint in mind,” (Heb 12:3). Consider the one that endured such disputes, disobedience of sinners against him, but you are worried and tired in your mind. How dare we not remember our savior that did not give up even when the people he was set out to save were disobedient sinners.
When you are facing adversity, do you wish it was someone else? Do you remember the blood that Jesus shed?
Ask God to help you recall the suffering on the cross, which was sacrificed for you. Ask the Lord to cease you from complaining and thanking Christ for being the Christ? For complaining is not pleasant unto the Lord.
When Prayer Is Heard
After the tears and the prayer the other day I was reassured when I woke up that God had it all in His hands. As I drove to the doctors’ office I listened to uplifting songs which encouraged me to lift our Father up in the hard times. I start feeling more and more empowered and I recalled that I am protected by God’s power.
I knew everything was alright. After the doctor checked what was wrong a week ago was no longer a problem. I was so thrilled, I called my husband instantly. The prayers were heard and the request was met.
The bible tells of the story of Hannah, “She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly, (1 Sam 1:10). She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head," (1 Sam 1:11).
Hannah was in distress when she cried angrily to the Lord. I was like Hannah, when I prayed to the Lord prior to receiving the good news that all was okay with the baby. He heard my request and met the prayer.
When you are uncertain of how your life is, do you get mad and pray to God? Do you ball your fist at the Lord and ask why? What ever situation you are going through that might be causing you distress, consider if He honored Hannah’s request He can do the same for you.
Know that God will answer your prayers and for that we should rejoice in good times and in bad times because we are protected by His power. Ask Him to tell you the words to say to Him. Pray that He directs you to those to pray over you so your prayer is heard and met.
I knew everything was alright. After the doctor checked what was wrong a week ago was no longer a problem. I was so thrilled, I called my husband instantly. The prayers were heard and the request was met.
The bible tells of the story of Hannah, “She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly, (1 Sam 1:10). She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head," (1 Sam 1:11).
Hannah was in distress when she cried angrily to the Lord. I was like Hannah, when I prayed to the Lord prior to receiving the good news that all was okay with the baby. He heard my request and met the prayer.
When you are uncertain of how your life is, do you get mad and pray to God? Do you ball your fist at the Lord and ask why? What ever situation you are going through that might be causing you distress, consider if He honored Hannah’s request He can do the same for you.
Know that God will answer your prayers and for that we should rejoice in good times and in bad times because we are protected by His power. Ask Him to tell you the words to say to Him. Pray that He directs you to those to pray over you so your prayer is heard and met.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Let Not Troubles, Stop Your Prayer Request
Yesterday was not a good day for me. Every corner I turned there was a problem. I was consumed with the thought that I would be just fine, yet after speaking to one dear to me, I could not stop crying. It hurt to cry because I felt so weak. I was so weak that the words for me to pray would not come out.
I thought of my pastor and I wasn’t sure if I would call on him to pray on my behalf. I was considering his condition and his changes in his life and did not want to be a burden. But as I spoke to my loved one, he reminded me that sometimes we have to call on others to pray for our specific needs. I soon contacted my pastor and his words helped still my heart.
God desires for us to, “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness," (I Timothy 2:1-2).
When we find our self with destruction at each corner of our life we are not to sink in a hole and not call out to the Lord. At such time you should be encouraged to call on someone to lift you up in prayer. I was not at peace keeping my troubles to myself. I was too caught up thinking of my pastors’ changes in his life and not considering his role as my pastor, to have him pray for me.
I don’t know what you do when you come to a road of danger? Maybe you attempt to stick it out with great hopes that you can see your way through. You may know to call a friend when your heart is weak and you can’t get the words out. God instructs that "requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone," (I Tim. 2:1).
Don’t allow your troubles to stop you from asking others to pray for you. Don’t hinder your request to your pastor when you are in need of prayer. Find it in your heart to find someone who will be compassionate, as Christ and pray for you (Matt. 9:36). As you team up with others to pray be persistent, with your prayer (Acts 12:5; James 5:17). For God wants us to, “cast our anxiety on Him because He cares for you," (I Peter 5:7).
I thought of my pastor and I wasn’t sure if I would call on him to pray on my behalf. I was considering his condition and his changes in his life and did not want to be a burden. But as I spoke to my loved one, he reminded me that sometimes we have to call on others to pray for our specific needs. I soon contacted my pastor and his words helped still my heart.
God desires for us to, “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness," (I Timothy 2:1-2).
When we find our self with destruction at each corner of our life we are not to sink in a hole and not call out to the Lord. At such time you should be encouraged to call on someone to lift you up in prayer. I was not at peace keeping my troubles to myself. I was too caught up thinking of my pastors’ changes in his life and not considering his role as my pastor, to have him pray for me.
I don’t know what you do when you come to a road of danger? Maybe you attempt to stick it out with great hopes that you can see your way through. You may know to call a friend when your heart is weak and you can’t get the words out. God instructs that "requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone," (I Tim. 2:1).
Don’t allow your troubles to stop you from asking others to pray for you. Don’t hinder your request to your pastor when you are in need of prayer. Find it in your heart to find someone who will be compassionate, as Christ and pray for you (Matt. 9:36). As you team up with others to pray be persistent, with your prayer (Acts 12:5; James 5:17). For God wants us to, “cast our anxiety on Him because He cares for you," (I Peter 5:7).
Sunday, August 3, 2008
A Blessing in Disguise
A man recently lost his job, as time went by he start pondering why things were changing. He questioned what he must have done wrong. He was not questioning his actions’ at work but what he did wrong in the sight of the Lord? Why God would allow him to loose his job?
Being a believer is not easy. It is a journey of sunshine and rain. In spite of difficulties, we must be willing to continue the race. Reflecting on your mistakes can cause you to question yourself, as well as help allow you to learn not to make the same mistake. When we allow our thoughts to drive us to feeling miserable we must discern if it is not of God. Believers are to lay aside every weight (Heb 12:1), “We are to run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Our race is not a sprint; it is more like a marathon. It is not wise to sprint your way through a marathon. To follow through a marathon you have to be patient and pace yourself.
How do your respond to change? Do you start recalling your actions and sink into misery? Do you recall your mistakes with caution and encouragement that you will make it through? A mistake is a continued mistake, if we keep making the same mistake but a mistake that we learn from is a lesson.
Maybe you feel sorry for yourself. Perhaps the change is to get you to trust God. Because we are created in His image (Genesis 1:27), we must remember we have the ability to make it through. Times will be rough every now and then; yet we must remember to lay aside our weight because by God’s power we are protected. When we lay aside our troubles, our focal point, which should be of God, allows us to clearly see the power we have by the protection of God.
When you are going through a change don’t be so quick to sink in sand. Thank God for getting laid off. Be thankful of the change. Praise the Lord for the change in your life because you now have an opportunity, a blessing in disguise, before you. Ask God to help you praise Him. Ask Him to help you know "test and trails are to make you strong."
Being a believer is not easy. It is a journey of sunshine and rain. In spite of difficulties, we must be willing to continue the race. Reflecting on your mistakes can cause you to question yourself, as well as help allow you to learn not to make the same mistake. When we allow our thoughts to drive us to feeling miserable we must discern if it is not of God. Believers are to lay aside every weight (Heb 12:1), “We are to run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Our race is not a sprint; it is more like a marathon. It is not wise to sprint your way through a marathon. To follow through a marathon you have to be patient and pace yourself.
How do your respond to change? Do you start recalling your actions and sink into misery? Do you recall your mistakes with caution and encouragement that you will make it through? A mistake is a continued mistake, if we keep making the same mistake but a mistake that we learn from is a lesson.
Maybe you feel sorry for yourself. Perhaps the change is to get you to trust God. Because we are created in His image (Genesis 1:27), we must remember we have the ability to make it through. Times will be rough every now and then; yet we must remember to lay aside our weight because by God’s power we are protected. When we lay aside our troubles, our focal point, which should be of God, allows us to clearly see the power we have by the protection of God.
When you are going through a change don’t be so quick to sink in sand. Thank God for getting laid off. Be thankful of the change. Praise the Lord for the change in your life because you now have an opportunity, a blessing in disguise, before you. Ask God to help you praise Him. Ask Him to help you know "test and trails are to make you strong."
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