A woman puts the children to sleep, has made her self ready for bed and gathered all her bible study material to study for the night. In walks her husband, whom had a bad day and begins to talk to her; never noticing what she was initially doing.
A man takes the day off to spend it with his family. As the day starts his phone is like a non stop alarm sounding off. His co-workers call him over and over to seek his council to orderly follow procedures for an accident that has occurred at his job.
Both people have responsibilities in both spheres. For the woman she must choose between studying the bible and being a help meet to her husband. The husband has to choose between spending the day with his family and spending the day making sure he keeps his job thus providing adequate food, clothing, and shelter for his family.
Serving God and family is not an easy task. It is interesting that people so often forget how one can feel as if they are playing tug-a-war by attempting to process who do I serve first.
A husband has concerns of the world. His concern is – how he can please his wife, leaving his interest divided… (1 Cor 7:33-34).
A husband has the responsibility of providing the needs for the family. He must have a job to properly ensure sufficient food, clothing, and shelter for the family. Additionally, he must please his wife, by spending time with her and encouraging her to keep her happy and fulfilled. Concurrently, he must be a role model and father to his children. Does this further drain his time and energy he must deliver serving our heavenly Father?
Likewise for the wife, her concern is – how can she please her husband, leaving her interest divided… (1Cor 7:34c).
The responsibility of a wife can pull her away from kingdom work. Today women are asked to work not only at the house but out side the house to help pay for bills. She still has to please her husband, by listening to him when he needs an ear, uplifting him when he feels low; making sure he is happy and fulfilled. Parallel to that she must be a supervisor of the condition of the house, caregiver, prepare meals, teacher, full time mother and role model to the children. Does this further drain her time and energy she must deliver serving our heavenly Father?
A married couple can still serve the Lord. Have you felt that you can’t serve God because you don’t have time to study the bible? Do you think you can’t serve God because you have to go to work on the Sabbath? God knows your condition. He is aware that both husband and wife will have divided loyalties.
Do not consume yourself by taking score of “how many things you can do to serve God over another person”. Allow God to show you His order of your family. Pray to God that you seek Him when you feel overwhelmed with what to do. Ask the Lord to order your steps and you follow His steps so you may serve Him diligently. It is when we serve our family we are serving God.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Keep Your Promise
While I was pregnant I met with a person to help make arrangements to help tend to some of the things I would not be able to tend to after my surgery. After I came home from the hospital, I contacted the person so we could agree on a day for the help to start. This person said, “Okay.”
A couple of days later, I got a disturbing phone call that were false allegations. As a result, all those that were supposed to help never were able to because a lie was told.
I was very hurt. I knew it was an attack, I prayed to God because I knew I was in no condition to tend to those obligations that my help would have tended to. I also prayed to God to help me stay focus on Him. I knew I could loose it all based on one person that lied.
This situation reminds me of the story of Ananias and Sapphira. The people of Jerusalem were facing a hard time. The people prayed and all those that had wealth committed to help those that were in need.
“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need,”(Acts 4:33-37).
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God," (Acts 5:1-5).
Like the people of Jerusalem, I was in need of help not only physically but spiritually. I was in pain trying to do what this person committed to do.
Today, many people lie with the intent to glorify themselves. Ananias and Sapphira’s problem was they promised to give some money to help meet the needs of those that needed help. It was a bad time for them. As a result, the people needs were not met and they suffered. Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead for such lie.
God does not deal lightly to those that lie and cause others to suffer. It is not for us to “bear false witness against our neighbor,” (Ex 20:16). When God blesses one He intends for that person to share their blessing with another.
Have you ever had someone lie to you? Have you ever suffered because someone lied to you? How do you respond when someone lies to you? Do you consider taking what they promised or do you pray to the Lord? Do you consider revenge or do you pray to God?No matter what situation you encounter you must keep our eyes on the Lord.
Allow God to be your center focus. Pray to God to provide for those things that you may lack. Call upon the Lord to help you keep your mind right, so you might not loose it all. Ask God to help you have a forgiving heart to those whose actions have caused you to suffer. For as what one meant as evil against you, God meant it for good, “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen 50:20).
A couple of days later, I got a disturbing phone call that were false allegations. As a result, all those that were supposed to help never were able to because a lie was told.
I was very hurt. I knew it was an attack, I prayed to God because I knew I was in no condition to tend to those obligations that my help would have tended to. I also prayed to God to help me stay focus on Him. I knew I could loose it all based on one person that lied.
This situation reminds me of the story of Ananias and Sapphira. The people of Jerusalem were facing a hard time. The people prayed and all those that had wealth committed to help those that were in need.
“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need,”(Acts 4:33-37).
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God," (Acts 5:1-5).
Like the people of Jerusalem, I was in need of help not only physically but spiritually. I was in pain trying to do what this person committed to do.
Today, many people lie with the intent to glorify themselves. Ananias and Sapphira’s problem was they promised to give some money to help meet the needs of those that needed help. It was a bad time for them. As a result, the people needs were not met and they suffered. Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead for such lie.
God does not deal lightly to those that lie and cause others to suffer. It is not for us to “bear false witness against our neighbor,” (Ex 20:16). When God blesses one He intends for that person to share their blessing with another.
Have you ever had someone lie to you? Have you ever suffered because someone lied to you? How do you respond when someone lies to you? Do you consider taking what they promised or do you pray to the Lord? Do you consider revenge or do you pray to God?No matter what situation you encounter you must keep our eyes on the Lord.
Allow God to be your center focus. Pray to God to provide for those things that you may lack. Call upon the Lord to help you keep your mind right, so you might not loose it all. Ask God to help you have a forgiving heart to those whose actions have caused you to suffer. For as what one meant as evil against you, God meant it for good, “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Gen 50:20).
Friday, October 3, 2008
He Is Glorious
The other day I was thinking of when I went to the Grand Canyon. My first thought was look at this huge rock. When I looked at it the other day it was more than a huge rock.It was a piece of art, each indention from the highest peak to the lowest was strategically patterned with some of the most flawless colors. As the sun hit the canyon each area was illuminated.
This is one of the most inspiring, powerful landscapes. The site of it overwhelms ones senses. Its river flows 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep. It is a magnificent piece of work that only could have been created by a brilliant creator. It only gives a glimpse of how splendor our heavenly Father is.
The New Testament tells us how glorious our heavenly Father is. “The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb,” (Rev 21:24).
God is light all by him self. When we get to heaven there will be no need to worry about paying your electricity bill, because just as God created a mother to naturally have milk for a baby, He provides light for us.
God deserves to be glorified for all about Him, through Him and to Him is superb.
Many are facing various troubles in the world today. Maybe you know someone who has lost their job, lost a loved one. Perhaps you are battling to keep your home each person has a story but it does not refute the glory of our Father. We have access to His glory. When you feel like you need to escape, escape in the Lord. When your troubles seem to be gaining weight upon you, praise God to the highest.
Folgers has nothing on starting your day with being in the presence of the Lord. Consider starting each day by asking the Lord, how can I represent you today? Pray to God that you are consumed with His presence. Ask the Lord to take each storm that comes your way. Call upon His name to fill you with His glory. For when the hour comes it is most vital that we are able to say, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do,” (John 17:4).
This is one of the most inspiring, powerful landscapes. The site of it overwhelms ones senses. Its river flows 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep. It is a magnificent piece of work that only could have been created by a brilliant creator. It only gives a glimpse of how splendor our heavenly Father is.
The New Testament tells us how glorious our heavenly Father is. “The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb,” (Rev 21:24).
God is light all by him self. When we get to heaven there will be no need to worry about paying your electricity bill, because just as God created a mother to naturally have milk for a baby, He provides light for us.
God deserves to be glorified for all about Him, through Him and to Him is superb.
Many are facing various troubles in the world today. Maybe you know someone who has lost their job, lost a loved one. Perhaps you are battling to keep your home each person has a story but it does not refute the glory of our Father. We have access to His glory. When you feel like you need to escape, escape in the Lord. When your troubles seem to be gaining weight upon you, praise God to the highest.
Folgers has nothing on starting your day with being in the presence of the Lord. Consider starting each day by asking the Lord, how can I represent you today? Pray to God that you are consumed with His presence. Ask the Lord to take each storm that comes your way. Call upon His name to fill you with His glory. For when the hour comes it is most vital that we are able to say, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do,” (John 17:4).
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Stop Disrespecting
After I had my second child, I felt God called me to write for the building of the kingdom. I had no training as of how to write from a biblical stand point; as a result, I felt it wasn’t for me. I believed I never had time to write and my life was controlled by everything my children needed of me. In addition, I didn’t think I knew enough to write anything about God. To answer the call of writing for Him was not the most simple task.
Young Isaiah had as difficult time answering the call of the Lord. It took an act of God to change Isaiah’s mind and direction (Isaiah 6:6-8), for he made many excuses. As Isaiah made excuses, all along he was disrespecting God.
When I found it difficult to write and made excuses as of why I couldn’t write, I was disrespecting the Lord.
Isaiah saw the Lord and all His glory. “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke,” (Isaiah 6:4). Gods’ glory made the door shake. The house filled with smoke by His splendor.
Isaiah said he was not worthy for he was unclean. He said his eyes had seen the king and now that he had seen all His glory he could not be compared to God. He believed because he was so flawed that he couldn’t commit to his calling. But after the holy angel touched him, Isaiah was cleaned, “your iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged,” (Isaiah 6:7).
It was then, Isaiah heard from voice of the Lord and Isaiah replied, “Here I am Lord, send me,” (Isaiah 6:8).
Many of us rebel against the Lord and wonder, “when will I get my chance.” However, those that rebel fail to see that they are disrespecting God.
Are you disrespecting the Lord today? Maybe you rebel because you don’t feel worthy. Perhaps you can’t register your extent of disrespect, so you keep saying ‘No’ to the Lord.
Don’t allow your sense of undeserving to disrespect the Lord. Allow the Lord to cleanse you of your iniquity. Call upon the Lord to purge you of your sin, so you may hear His voice. Pray to God that you stop making excuses. Pray that you become worthy in the sight of the Lord so you can say, Here I am Lord, send me. For, “once you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, but now Jesus has reconciled,” (Col 1:21-22).
Young Isaiah had as difficult time answering the call of the Lord. It took an act of God to change Isaiah’s mind and direction (Isaiah 6:6-8), for he made many excuses. As Isaiah made excuses, all along he was disrespecting God.
When I found it difficult to write and made excuses as of why I couldn’t write, I was disrespecting the Lord.
Isaiah saw the Lord and all His glory. “And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke,” (Isaiah 6:4). Gods’ glory made the door shake. The house filled with smoke by His splendor.
Isaiah said he was not worthy for he was unclean. He said his eyes had seen the king and now that he had seen all His glory he could not be compared to God. He believed because he was so flawed that he couldn’t commit to his calling. But after the holy angel touched him, Isaiah was cleaned, “your iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged,” (Isaiah 6:7).
It was then, Isaiah heard from voice of the Lord and Isaiah replied, “Here I am Lord, send me,” (Isaiah 6:8).
Many of us rebel against the Lord and wonder, “when will I get my chance.” However, those that rebel fail to see that they are disrespecting God.
Are you disrespecting the Lord today? Maybe you rebel because you don’t feel worthy. Perhaps you can’t register your extent of disrespect, so you keep saying ‘No’ to the Lord.
Don’t allow your sense of undeserving to disrespect the Lord. Allow the Lord to cleanse you of your iniquity. Call upon the Lord to purge you of your sin, so you may hear His voice. Pray to God that you stop making excuses. Pray that you become worthy in the sight of the Lord so you can say, Here I am Lord, send me. For, “once you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, but now Jesus has reconciled,” (Col 1:21-22).
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Glorify Thy Name
I recently had surgery and my body ached. While I was healing I was still determined to write.
Before Jesus died he said, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour,” John 12:27.
Like Jesus, I had become troubled. It seemed as if every aspect of my body was in pain. It hurt for me to sit up straight, to lay on my back hurt and standing up was even more painful. All I wanted was for my pain to go away. In the midst of my pain, I still felt lead to write.
Have you ever been so troubled that you plead for safety? Have ever said God take all my pain away, make all my burdens cease, take me out of this mess? Even though Jesus was troubled He said to God, I don’t want to be going through this, yet it is my purpose, so let your will be done and “glorify thy name”, John 12:28.
It is easy to say God glorify your name when you have food to eat. It is easy to praise God when no bill collectors are calling. God is looking at us in our time of trouble. He is looking to see, if when He asks you to do something will your focus be your condition or will you focus on glorifying His name.
What is your true purpose? If you come short on your house note, if the person you thought was going to be you mate walks out on you, will you still say God let your will be done and glorify thy name. If it hurts for you to walk or stand up straight will you say, God it is my purpose, let your will be done and “glorify thy name."
We all will be tested. God looks at a person’s heart and our actions display our purpose for His calling. Allow God to be your focal point. When it seems your troubles are too heavy give them over to the Lord. Pray to God that He uses you, even though your pain is increasing. Ask God to let His purpose be done, even when your day is not going the way you want. For, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small,” (Prov 24:10).
Before Jesus died he said, “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour,” John 12:27.
Like Jesus, I had become troubled. It seemed as if every aspect of my body was in pain. It hurt for me to sit up straight, to lay on my back hurt and standing up was even more painful. All I wanted was for my pain to go away. In the midst of my pain, I still felt lead to write.
Have you ever been so troubled that you plead for safety? Have ever said God take all my pain away, make all my burdens cease, take me out of this mess? Even though Jesus was troubled He said to God, I don’t want to be going through this, yet it is my purpose, so let your will be done and “glorify thy name”, John 12:28.
It is easy to say God glorify your name when you have food to eat. It is easy to praise God when no bill collectors are calling. God is looking at us in our time of trouble. He is looking to see, if when He asks you to do something will your focus be your condition or will you focus on glorifying His name.
What is your true purpose? If you come short on your house note, if the person you thought was going to be you mate walks out on you, will you still say God let your will be done and glorify thy name. If it hurts for you to walk or stand up straight will you say, God it is my purpose, let your will be done and “glorify thy name."
We all will be tested. God looks at a person’s heart and our actions display our purpose for His calling. Allow God to be your focal point. When it seems your troubles are too heavy give them over to the Lord. Pray to God that He uses you, even though your pain is increasing. Ask God to let His purpose be done, even when your day is not going the way you want. For, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small,” (Prov 24:10).
Monday, September 29, 2008
Glorify Him Daily
The other day I prepared lunch for the kids to eat and they were so excited about what they were going to eat. One of my youngest sons ran to the table before the food was set on the table and the moment his plate touched the table he eagerly begins to eat.
As I sat the other plates on the table I said to him, stop and say your grace. He looked at his food, looked at me, bowed his head and began to bless his food. God is great, God is good….
Afterwards, my oldest son sluggishly says, “Why do we have to say grace each time we eat?” His sister, in her knows it all tone responds, “Because we are thanking God.”
God is glorious. Each time something occurs in your life it is through the grace of God. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen,” (Romans 11:36).
God created man for Him. A man was created through Him and to Him. Everything that man has is because the creator; as a result, our prayers should trace back to God, the provider.
Once a person asked me, do I have to ask God about everything? Every thing recognizes God’s magnificence expect for Satan and human kind.
Satan wants the glory for himself. Many people in the world want the splendor for them self. A top corporation will hire a person because of what they can bring to the table. When the person works at a company, the corporation is getting credit for what the person is doing. When the person leaves the job, everything they brought to the table and how they helped increased the reputation of the company stays at that organization. The person was hired based on what they could do for the company to glorify the company.
Many of us are walking around proud and asking the question what can you do to glorify me? Some of us walk in church asking God, “What can God do to elevate me?”
When my kids see me cleaning I want them to ask me, “what can I do mother to help you.” I don’t want to hear, Mom I need you to take me here or buy me this to endorse my agenda.
I imagine God wants to hear the same thing. He wants us to come to Him and say, “Father what can I do to win someone over to you. What can I do this morning to make you look good, to show off your bling, bling, God what can I do to help?”
Gods’ glory is beyond everything He created. When you receive something, how do you respond? Are you quick to say thank you or ask for a little more? Do you have a heart of thanksgiving asking the Father, “What can I do to elevate the Almighty?
Allow God to open your heart. Pray to the Lord that you recognize His glory. Ask Him to help you consume your self with His brilliance. Pray that each day you glorify His name. For, every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him,” (Isaiah 43:7).
As I sat the other plates on the table I said to him, stop and say your grace. He looked at his food, looked at me, bowed his head and began to bless his food. God is great, God is good….
Afterwards, my oldest son sluggishly says, “Why do we have to say grace each time we eat?” His sister, in her knows it all tone responds, “Because we are thanking God.”
God is glorious. Each time something occurs in your life it is through the grace of God. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen,” (Romans 11:36).
God created man for Him. A man was created through Him and to Him. Everything that man has is because the creator; as a result, our prayers should trace back to God, the provider.
Once a person asked me, do I have to ask God about everything? Every thing recognizes God’s magnificence expect for Satan and human kind.
Satan wants the glory for himself. Many people in the world want the splendor for them self. A top corporation will hire a person because of what they can bring to the table. When the person works at a company, the corporation is getting credit for what the person is doing. When the person leaves the job, everything they brought to the table and how they helped increased the reputation of the company stays at that organization. The person was hired based on what they could do for the company to glorify the company.
Many of us are walking around proud and asking the question what can you do to glorify me? Some of us walk in church asking God, “What can God do to elevate me?”
When my kids see me cleaning I want them to ask me, “what can I do mother to help you.” I don’t want to hear, Mom I need you to take me here or buy me this to endorse my agenda.
I imagine God wants to hear the same thing. He wants us to come to Him and say, “Father what can I do to win someone over to you. What can I do this morning to make you look good, to show off your bling, bling, God what can I do to help?”
Gods’ glory is beyond everything He created. When you receive something, how do you respond? Are you quick to say thank you or ask for a little more? Do you have a heart of thanksgiving asking the Father, “What can I do to elevate the Almighty?
Allow God to open your heart. Pray to the Lord that you recognize His glory. Ask Him to help you consume your self with His brilliance. Pray that each day you glorify His name. For, every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him,” (Isaiah 43:7).
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Pure or Polluted Faith
A person told me, they remember being a child and when they got in trouble their mother would tell them in a firm tone, “When I get home I am going to whip you.” The person said the whole day would go by and the action of him getting disciplined would be on his mind all day long. He would walk around in fear thinking, “When is she going to whip me, how is she going to whip me.”
Perhaps, he even functioned a bit slower because of thinking of being disciplined. He expressed how he was in fear all day and the moment he thought, “Well I made it through the day, now I can go take a bath.” Within three minutes in crept his mother to whip his behind.
When we hear negative things we meditate on it. The negative thoughts consume us, we move slowly and eventually get paralyzed.
Fear is polluted faith. It is cluttered with negative words to get you to believe you are not able to accomplish something that you are capable of doing. Like faith, fear comes by hearing. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ,” (Rom 10:17).
In the story of Batman, Bruce Wayne was initially afraid of bats. As he grew he used the very thing he was afraid of to help encourage him to save the city of Gotham.
It is those things we fear we need not to be afraid of to fulfill our appointed task in life. What is your fear? Do you continue to tell yourself you can’t do something based on needing validation? How must man give validation towards your task in life, when man didn’t appoint the very task? Seek God for validation so you may not be fearful of your task. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” (Matt 6:33).
Don’t allow fear to run you, run your fears. Allow God to use your fear to conquer your task. Pray to God to give you wisdom to accomplish your tasks through out your life. Call upon the Lord to send others to encourage you along the way (1 Thess 5:11). Pray that you have pure faith not polluted faith. You are God’s child and He did not give you the spirit of fear.
Perhaps, he even functioned a bit slower because of thinking of being disciplined. He expressed how he was in fear all day and the moment he thought, “Well I made it through the day, now I can go take a bath.” Within three minutes in crept his mother to whip his behind.
When we hear negative things we meditate on it. The negative thoughts consume us, we move slowly and eventually get paralyzed.
Fear is polluted faith. It is cluttered with negative words to get you to believe you are not able to accomplish something that you are capable of doing. Like faith, fear comes by hearing. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ,” (Rom 10:17).
In the story of Batman, Bruce Wayne was initially afraid of bats. As he grew he used the very thing he was afraid of to help encourage him to save the city of Gotham.
It is those things we fear we need not to be afraid of to fulfill our appointed task in life. What is your fear? Do you continue to tell yourself you can’t do something based on needing validation? How must man give validation towards your task in life, when man didn’t appoint the very task? Seek God for validation so you may not be fearful of your task. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” (Matt 6:33).
Don’t allow fear to run you, run your fears. Allow God to use your fear to conquer your task. Pray to God to give you wisdom to accomplish your tasks through out your life. Call upon the Lord to send others to encourage you along the way (1 Thess 5:11). Pray that you have pure faith not polluted faith. You are God’s child and He did not give you the spirit of fear.
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