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Thursday, May 31, 2012
A Little Bit of Everything .... and then some: Haven't Been Here In Awhile
A Little Bit of Everything .... and then some: Haven't Been Here In Awhile: Boy have I had alot going on. Still working on my weight loss and my relationship with God. :) Both are difficult at times when LIFE HAPPENS...
Haven't Been Here In Awhile
Boy have I had alot going on. Still working on my weight loss and my relationship with God. :) Both are difficult at times when LIFE HAPPENS. But I PRESS ON. :) And God is the ONLY reason I can press on. I function because of Him. And I give Him ALL the glory and praise for He alone is worthy.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Becoming Like Christ? Not difficult at all..LOL.
Chapter 3: Excellence...Becoming Like Christ
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus...Phillipians 3:14
Since I started this chapter, I have fallen off this wagon a few times. Life happens. Life takes my focus and there I am, finding myself laying on the ground...AGAIN. Am I alone? Does anyone else go through this? Just wondering... It's like, I start getting up momentum in my walk with God and then...BAM, I don't know what hits me. Everything piles on at once and I forget where I am with Him. I press on toward the goal and, then all of a sudden, fall into a gigantic pot-hole! That devil is a sly one ain't he. Gotta really watch out for him! And not only does my desire for God feel like it's severed but I also feel like His desire for me is gone. No, I know it's not really, but LIFE HAPPENING makes you feel that way sometimes. Shoot me...I'm human. But thank God for His desire for me...and you.
Psalm 149:4 God takes delight in us and crowns us with salvation.
Jeremiah 29:13 When we seek Him, we find Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 God gives us rest when we are weary and burdened. We can learn from Him. We find rest in Him because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Ephesians 2:4-7 He gives us grace and kindness. He saves us through faith. He is rich in mercy and makes us alive with Christ.
These verses remind me of all I have in my relationship with Him and how I forfeit it sometimes because I don't think or I'm not focused. My problems and issues sometime distract me.
"A biblical definition of becoming could be called sanctification. To "sanctify" means to make holy: sanctification is growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment."
Becoming like Christ:
Romans 8:28-29 God works for the good of us who love Him. We are to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 In Christ, we are enriched in every way, in our speaking and in knowledge. We do not lack any spiritual gift. He keeps us strong so that we will be blameless.
Philipians 1:6 He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until Jesus comes.
Philipians 2:13 God works in me to will and to act according to His good purpose.
"In order to pattern our lives after Jesus, we need to first enter into a relationship with Him so that we can live in His strength---not our own. In order to avoid discouragement and reliance on ourselves, it is important to know that God has begun His work in us, and He will complete it. God is patient with the process! Oswald Chambers has challenged us, "Think of the enormous leisure of God! He is never in a hurry.""
God's perspective of time:
2 Peter 3:8-9 With God, one day is like a thousand years. He is not slow like we understand slow. He is patient.
Habakkuk 2:1-3 There is an appointed time for all things with no delay. So stand watching and wait for it.
Be patient in waiting on God. His time is not my time. He has an appointed time for me in everything and I need to trust Him. In Pilipians 3:12-14, Paul presses on. Forgets what is behind and strains toward what is ahead. Paul admits he in not there yet but he presses on and this encourages me to do the same.
"God desires to have fellowship with us, He is committed to our growth, and He is realistic in understanding where we are in our relationship to Him. So often we are the ones who put high expectations on ourselves as we try to live the Christian life in our own strength. When we trust in ourselves, we are destined to fail and then tempted to give up the whole idea of living a life that would be pleasing to God. I'm not perfect, but I'm in the process of becoming."
John 15:1-11 He is the vine and we are the branches. We are to abide and remain in Him.
Abide: accept or act in accordance with; endure without yeilding.
Remain: continue to exist; stay in the place that one has been occupying; stay, rest, abide.
It is necessary to abide to bear fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Do it for God's glory. We are to remain in His love to have complete joy. The benefits of abiding in Him are complete joy and love and flourishing. The resulst of NOT abiding are we will NOT bear fruit and we will be like a branch that is thrown away and withers and thrown into the fire and burned. One way of knowing we are abiding is we will be fruitful and full of joy and love. "Abiding has been defined as 'the continual act of laying aside everything that I might derive from my own wisdom and merit, in order to draw all of this from Christ.'"
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus...Phillipians 3:14
Since I started this chapter, I have fallen off this wagon a few times. Life happens. Life takes my focus and there I am, finding myself laying on the ground...AGAIN. Am I alone? Does anyone else go through this? Just wondering... It's like, I start getting up momentum in my walk with God and then...BAM, I don't know what hits me. Everything piles on at once and I forget where I am with Him. I press on toward the goal and, then all of a sudden, fall into a gigantic pot-hole! That devil is a sly one ain't he. Gotta really watch out for him! And not only does my desire for God feel like it's severed but I also feel like His desire for me is gone. No, I know it's not really, but LIFE HAPPENING makes you feel that way sometimes. Shoot me...I'm human. But thank God for His desire for me...and you.
Psalm 149:4 God takes delight in us and crowns us with salvation.
Jeremiah 29:13 When we seek Him, we find Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 God gives us rest when we are weary and burdened. We can learn from Him. We find rest in Him because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Ephesians 2:4-7 He gives us grace and kindness. He saves us through faith. He is rich in mercy and makes us alive with Christ.
These verses remind me of all I have in my relationship with Him and how I forfeit it sometimes because I don't think or I'm not focused. My problems and issues sometime distract me.
"A biblical definition of becoming could be called sanctification. To "sanctify" means to make holy: sanctification is growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment."
Becoming like Christ:
Romans 8:28-29 God works for the good of us who love Him. We are to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 In Christ, we are enriched in every way, in our speaking and in knowledge. We do not lack any spiritual gift. He keeps us strong so that we will be blameless.
Philipians 1:6 He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until Jesus comes.
Philipians 2:13 God works in me to will and to act according to His good purpose.
"In order to pattern our lives after Jesus, we need to first enter into a relationship with Him so that we can live in His strength---not our own. In order to avoid discouragement and reliance on ourselves, it is important to know that God has begun His work in us, and He will complete it. God is patient with the process! Oswald Chambers has challenged us, "Think of the enormous leisure of God! He is never in a hurry.""
God's perspective of time:
2 Peter 3:8-9 With God, one day is like a thousand years. He is not slow like we understand slow. He is patient.
Habakkuk 2:1-3 There is an appointed time for all things with no delay. So stand watching and wait for it.
Be patient in waiting on God. His time is not my time. He has an appointed time for me in everything and I need to trust Him. In Pilipians 3:12-14, Paul presses on. Forgets what is behind and strains toward what is ahead. Paul admits he in not there yet but he presses on and this encourages me to do the same.
"God desires to have fellowship with us, He is committed to our growth, and He is realistic in understanding where we are in our relationship to Him. So often we are the ones who put high expectations on ourselves as we try to live the Christian life in our own strength. When we trust in ourselves, we are destined to fail and then tempted to give up the whole idea of living a life that would be pleasing to God. I'm not perfect, but I'm in the process of becoming."
John 15:1-11 He is the vine and we are the branches. We are to abide and remain in Him.
Abide: accept or act in accordance with; endure without yeilding.
Remain: continue to exist; stay in the place that one has been occupying; stay, rest, abide.
It is necessary to abide to bear fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Do it for God's glory. We are to remain in His love to have complete joy. The benefits of abiding in Him are complete joy and love and flourishing. The resulst of NOT abiding are we will NOT bear fruit and we will be like a branch that is thrown away and withers and thrown into the fire and burned. One way of knowing we are abiding is we will be fruitful and full of joy and love. "Abiding has been defined as 'the continual act of laying aside everything that I might derive from my own wisdom and merit, in order to draw all of this from Christ.'"
It needs time to grow into Jesus the Vine: do not expect to abide in Him unless you will give him that time...Come, my bretheren, and let us day by day set ourselves at his feet, and meditate on this word of His, with an eye fixed on him alone. Let us set ourselves in quiet trust before Him, waiting to hear His holy voice-the still small voice that is mightier than the storm that rends the rock-breathing its quickening spirit within us, as He speaks: "Abide in Me."...Andrew Murray
Hold to His teaching and obey His commands.
Our Desire for God:
Prayer-secret, fervent, believing prayer-lies at the root of all personal godliness...William Carey.
Psalm 42:1-2 Our soul should thirst for God like the deer thirsts for water.
Psalm 63:1 We long and thirst for God as if we are in a dry and weary land with no water.
Psalm 84:1-2 Yearn for God to the point to where we feel faint and want to cry out to Him.
We will feel this way if we truly put God first and delight ourself in Him....no pressure! Thirst for Him. Faint for Him. To me, that's saying just how I feel...sometime. I mean I don't go around like Scarlet O' Hara in Gone With the Wind like I'm going to faint at any moment BUT alot of times, I feel that close to God, that in-tune with Him...until I fall off the wagon into life. That' why it's very important to stay focused on Him, and when I do fall, dust myself off and get back up and cry out to Him.
Meditating and reflecting on His word is crucial! We are blessed and prosperous and yield much fruit when we do (Psalm 1:1-3). And I can meditate and reflect on His word in my thoughts and by reading His word.
The comfort and peace and joy and protection I get is what draws me to abide in Christ. Life and my flesh is what hinders me from spending time with Him.
But regardless, He always holds me in His hand.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you can. For all have sinned and fall short...for the wages of sin is death...He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life...confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe. :)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Legend Of St. Valentine
Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from?
The Legend of St. Valentine
The history of Valentine's Day--and the story of its patron saint--is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl--possibly his jailor's daughter--who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and--most importantly--romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France. (http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day)
The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl--possibly his jailor's daughter--who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and--most importantly--romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France. (http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day)
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. (wikipedia).
The modern cliché Valentine's Day poem can be found in the collection of English nursery rhymes Gammer Gurton's Garland (1784 (wikipedia)):
The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The honey's sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou'd be you
Valentine's Day - Gift Ideas and Valentine Love Quotes, Poems ... 
www.mydearvalentine.com/
Valentine's Day 2012 - Valentine's Day Ideas and Activities for Kids ... familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
...continued
God's Sovereignty: supreme power.
I'm so thankful for His supreme power. I sure do need it this week. Since I've started this new journey in this Bible study and losing weight, I've lost 12 lbs and have learned so much about God. And I feel closer to Him. This has been a very stressful week. I haven't lost a pound! Stress makes me want to eat! But, Thank God, I have not gained. :)
So much is traveling through my mind, I don't know where to begin. And I'm sitting here watching "Biggest Loser," and it encourages me but for some reason I want to eat! LOL. Talking about God helps me focus. So...
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 tells me EVERYTHING comes from Him! He IS all powerful. So, I need to look to Him for strength for losing weight and not overeating. He is the only place I can find the power for that.
Psalm 115:3 tells me He does what He pleases. So, I know He pleases for me to lose weight and be healthy so I know He will help me when I call on Him. That's the key: I have to call on Him. He will not force Himself on me.
Isaiah 46:9-10 tells me there is none like Him. So, no one can help me like He can. No one can feel a void like He can. No one can give me the will power Like God.
Colossians 1:15-17 tells me He is Creator of ALL. He created me. I am made in His image. He is not overweight or unhealthy so...I can be healthy and not overweight. Only with His help. :)
Jeremiah 29:11 tells me He has great plans for me. Prosper. No harm. Hope. Future. I have got to be in good health to be here for the plans God has for me. If I'm overweight and miserable and unhealthy, I can't enjoy anything or be here long enough for it.
John 16:33 tells me He has overcome the world. He gives me peace in trouble. So, with Him, I can overcome this food addiction! And He will give me peace in the process.
Romans 8:28 tells me He works for my good in ALL things. So, even though I've gotten myself to this place, He will help me get to a good place. Thank You, Lord!
He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me! He's always there and working and fixing and doing.
All the water in all the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside. Nor can all the trouble in the world harm us unless it gets within us...Eugene Peterson.
Notes to self: no other Gods before Him (food). Pay attention to His commands. Obey Him.
If I'm not obedient, God immediately reprimands me, and I know it real quick. If my motives aren't pure, He lets me know instantly.
He protects me, feeds me, waters me. He provides for me. I am His sheep. I don't have to worry about anything. He's got my back. He is my light and my salvation and my stronghold. No fear! Because I love God and call on His name, He will rescue me, protect, answer, and give me a long life. He gives me all things. Because of His divine power, I can escape the corruption of the world.
Be assured, if you walk with Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you....George Mueller.
"Because of my security and worth in Jesus Christ, I do not have to look to people or things to feel of value or loved. I am now free to love and serve because I can trust my needs to be met by my heavenly Father". :)
I'm so thankful for His supreme power. I sure do need it this week. Since I've started this new journey in this Bible study and losing weight, I've lost 12 lbs and have learned so much about God. And I feel closer to Him. This has been a very stressful week. I haven't lost a pound! Stress makes me want to eat! But, Thank God, I have not gained. :)
So much is traveling through my mind, I don't know where to begin. And I'm sitting here watching "Biggest Loser," and it encourages me but for some reason I want to eat! LOL. Talking about God helps me focus. So...
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 tells me EVERYTHING comes from Him! He IS all powerful. So, I need to look to Him for strength for losing weight and not overeating. He is the only place I can find the power for that.
Psalm 115:3 tells me He does what He pleases. So, I know He pleases for me to lose weight and be healthy so I know He will help me when I call on Him. That's the key: I have to call on Him. He will not force Himself on me.
Isaiah 46:9-10 tells me there is none like Him. So, no one can help me like He can. No one can feel a void like He can. No one can give me the will power Like God.
Colossians 1:15-17 tells me He is Creator of ALL. He created me. I am made in His image. He is not overweight or unhealthy so...I can be healthy and not overweight. Only with His help. :)
Jeremiah 29:11 tells me He has great plans for me. Prosper. No harm. Hope. Future. I have got to be in good health to be here for the plans God has for me. If I'm overweight and miserable and unhealthy, I can't enjoy anything or be here long enough for it.
John 16:33 tells me He has overcome the world. He gives me peace in trouble. So, with Him, I can overcome this food addiction! And He will give me peace in the process.
Romans 8:28 tells me He works for my good in ALL things. So, even though I've gotten myself to this place, He will help me get to a good place. Thank You, Lord!
He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me! He's always there and working and fixing and doing.
- In affliction, God gives me comfort.
- I am blinded so that the work of God might be displayed in my life and my eyes opened and I see.
- I am hard pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.
- All this power comes from God for my suffering.
- I have a thorn in my flesh to keep me humble.
- In my weaknesses, Christ makes me strong.
- This is to ensure I don't become conceited for what God does for me.
All the water in all the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside. Nor can all the trouble in the world harm us unless it gets within us...Eugene Peterson.
Notes to self: no other Gods before Him (food). Pay attention to His commands. Obey Him.
If I'm not obedient, God immediately reprimands me, and I know it real quick. If my motives aren't pure, He lets me know instantly.
He protects me, feeds me, waters me. He provides for me. I am His sheep. I don't have to worry about anything. He's got my back. He is my light and my salvation and my stronghold. No fear! Because I love God and call on His name, He will rescue me, protect, answer, and give me a long life. He gives me all things. Because of His divine power, I can escape the corruption of the world.
Be assured, if you walk with Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you....George Mueller.
"Because of my security and worth in Jesus Christ, I do not have to look to people or things to feel of value or loved. I am now free to love and serve because I can trust my needs to be met by my heavenly Father". :)
Friday, January 27, 2012
A Woman's Work Is Never Done! :)
Becoming A Woman Of Excellence by Cynthia Heald
Chapter 2 - Excellence: God's Character, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1
God's character, hmmm...Creator, God Alone, Enough, Always On Time, Bringer Of Laughter, Watching, God Almighty, The Interpreter, The Blesser, All Powerful...and I could go on and on.
Well, I can't create the universe and everything in it but I can create things. I can create an atmosphere around me that shines His light instead of being miserable and unhappy. God Alone...God inside me may be the only 'God' some people see. Enough...God's light that shines through me can be enough to touch someone's life. Always On Time...well, I'm not always on time for things but God may have an 'On Time' word for me to share with someone. Anywho, you get the point. :)
I can display the character of God if I just think about it. "He is my source and model of excellence. Having a proper view of God is necessary if I am going to live a life pleasing to Him. A life with the goal of excellence cannot be lived on my own merit or in my own strength." Ain't that the truth!
I'm not perfect. I have failed so many times and so determined to be who God wants me to be and that's why I keep getting up everytime something knocks me down. Sometimes it takes me longer to get up than others, but I always get up.
Thank You, Lord, for Your unconditional, unfailing LOVE! How excellent is Your lovingkindness...Psalm 36:7.
Psalm 103: 1-18: holy, forgives, healer, redeemer, loves, compassionate, satisfies us, renewer, righteous, justice, gracious, slow to anger. Hmmm...as I read this scripture, I see some characteristics I could show myself. But it won't always be easy. Lord, You DO know I'm human, right? I know, I know...You will give me strength and REMIND me to reflect You. Boy, do I need a lot of reminding. Sometimes my mouth opens before my brain processes what's going to come out!
"Truly believing that God is love is key to any response we have to Him." It can be difficult sometimes to accept that God Is my Provider and Protector. Things have just been so hard at times and that's why it's hard to accept this. Sometimes I don't see what He is doing in the midst of my storm and it feels like He has forsaken me. Even though I believe Him, He will never leave me nor forsake me, It FEELS like I'm abandoned at times...left for dead...no provision or protection from the roaring lion coming to stea,l kill, and destroy. At times I feel very vulnerable. That's when the Holy Spirit reminds me. :) He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me! I have that scripture on my wall to be a reminder.
Unconditional - without conditions or limitations; absolute.
What am I unconditional about? I can honestly say, without hesitation or thinking, I have unconditional love for my children. My husband? Most of the time. Well, probably all the time, but when he hurts me or makes me mad, it's hard to admit. And, of course, my parents and my best friends. But God has unconditional love for EVERYBODY! Everybody on this earth! I can't imagine! This world is hard and cruel and mean! But He loves anyway.
Anywho, I will leave that thought with you for now (to be continued!). Gotta go get ready and put clothes in the dryer. A woman's work is never done! :)
Chapter 2 - Excellence: God's Character, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1
God's character, hmmm...Creator, God Alone, Enough, Always On Time, Bringer Of Laughter, Watching, God Almighty, The Interpreter, The Blesser, All Powerful...and I could go on and on.
Well, I can't create the universe and everything in it but I can create things. I can create an atmosphere around me that shines His light instead of being miserable and unhappy. God Alone...God inside me may be the only 'God' some people see. Enough...God's light that shines through me can be enough to touch someone's life. Always On Time...well, I'm not always on time for things but God may have an 'On Time' word for me to share with someone. Anywho, you get the point. :)
I can display the character of God if I just think about it. "He is my source and model of excellence. Having a proper view of God is necessary if I am going to live a life pleasing to Him. A life with the goal of excellence cannot be lived on my own merit or in my own strength." Ain't that the truth!
I'm not perfect. I have failed so many times and so determined to be who God wants me to be and that's why I keep getting up everytime something knocks me down. Sometimes it takes me longer to get up than others, but I always get up.
Thank You, Lord, for Your unconditional, unfailing LOVE! How excellent is Your lovingkindness...Psalm 36:7.
Psalm 103: 1-18: holy, forgives, healer, redeemer, loves, compassionate, satisfies us, renewer, righteous, justice, gracious, slow to anger. Hmmm...as I read this scripture, I see some characteristics I could show myself. But it won't always be easy. Lord, You DO know I'm human, right? I know, I know...You will give me strength and REMIND me to reflect You. Boy, do I need a lot of reminding. Sometimes my mouth opens before my brain processes what's going to come out!
"Truly believing that God is love is key to any response we have to Him." It can be difficult sometimes to accept that God Is my Provider and Protector. Things have just been so hard at times and that's why it's hard to accept this. Sometimes I don't see what He is doing in the midst of my storm and it feels like He has forsaken me. Even though I believe Him, He will never leave me nor forsake me, It FEELS like I'm abandoned at times...left for dead...no provision or protection from the roaring lion coming to stea,l kill, and destroy. At times I feel very vulnerable. That's when the Holy Spirit reminds me. :) He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me! I have that scripture on my wall to be a reminder.
Unconditional - without conditions or limitations; absolute.
What am I unconditional about? I can honestly say, without hesitation or thinking, I have unconditional love for my children. My husband? Most of the time. Well, probably all the time, but when he hurts me or makes me mad, it's hard to admit. And, of course, my parents and my best friends. But God has unconditional love for EVERYBODY! Everybody on this earth! I can't imagine! This world is hard and cruel and mean! But He loves anyway.
Anywho, I will leave that thought with you for now (to be continued!). Gotta go get ready and put clothes in the dryer. A woman's work is never done! :)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Post The Devil Does Not Want Me To Post!!!
I have started 3 times to post something on here, and everytime, I have mysteriously lost it! The devil does not want me to do this one! Well, I'm doing it anyway no matter how many tries it takes!!!
Becoming A Woman Of Excellence" by Cynthia Heard. LOVE this Bible study!!! I started it awhile ago and never finished it, like so many other things, and this time, I'm determined to finish it! And lose weight!
I'm trying to lose weight and thought 'I need a Bible study to focus on' so I went to looking for one. I found this Bible study laying on a table and thought 'Perfect! Just what I need!'.
Chapter 1...Excellence...A Goal Worth Pursuing. So that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ...Philipians 1:10.
No pressure! Wow...sincere...blameless. That's a tall order for such a human as me. Ruth was called a woman of excellence by the people of her city. What does my city think of me? Certainly not that! I probably don't want to know what some think. Ruth was noble in character, was strong, and worthy. Boy do I NOT measure up! So, here I am, striving for all that and can only measure up because of God.
"Excellence - the possession of good qualities in an unusual degree; surpassing virtue, merit, worth, value."
My definition of excellence: excel, above and beyond, surpassing.
The world's definition of excellence: the perfect house, money, car, job, etc.
To make me feel even worse about myself, I think the church sometimes views excellence the way the world does. But that's the church, NOT God. God's view of excellence is, like Ruth, noble in character, strong, and worthy. And only in God can I measure up. I measure up because of Him. In Him, I am noble, strong, and worthy.
A woman of strength - worthy, bravery, capability. I find my worth in God. Not what the world or my city thinks of me. I am brave because if God is for me who can stand against me. I am capable because I can do ALL things in Christ Who gives me strength. And losing weight is where I need that strength right now.
A virtuous and worthy wife - earnest and strong in character. I am determined to be the wife God wants me to be no matter what the world says. Too many attitudes floating around this world today. Too many bad influences. I am determined for my marriage to work and last until Jesus comes. And I have learned to be quiet too...choke, choke...that was...is a dificult one because I AM so strong in character. :)
Capable, intelligent and virtuous woman. I am very well and able to do what I need to do, inspite of some health issues that God is taking care of. And I AM intelligent, more than I like people to know. Tony tells me I'm book smart but have no commom sense...lol. Well I have the schooling of the Holy Spirit what do I need common sense for...just kidding. Anywho... Virtuous woman...hmmm.
A virtue is a positive trait or quality subjectively deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.
Even in all my humaness I am still virtuous in the Lord. God brings out the virtuous qualities I have.
"If the goal of our pursuit is unclear, we risk losing sight of what it is we're striving for."
My definition of excellence to a friend - to be virtuous, true, noble, trustworthy, and love.
I'm NOT saying to be perfect. I'm saying to do to the best of our ability (as Cynthia Heald shares in her book). As I read this Bible study, I have some of the same feelings as Cynthia. I look back at all that has happened and all I've been through and all I've done, and I see where I have settled for second best...from myself and from others...where I have all but given up. But, like Ruth, I trust God with my life and will NOT allow my circumstances to dictate my behavior or responses. Lord, help me to strive to be and to have all You will have me to be and have...FOR YOUR GLORY.
Lord, give me a heart for Your Word. Psalm 40:8.
Becoming A Woman Of Excellence" by Cynthia Heard. LOVE this Bible study!!! I started it awhile ago and never finished it, like so many other things, and this time, I'm determined to finish it! And lose weight!
I'm trying to lose weight and thought 'I need a Bible study to focus on' so I went to looking for one. I found this Bible study laying on a table and thought 'Perfect! Just what I need!'.
Chapter 1...Excellence...A Goal Worth Pursuing. So that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ...Philipians 1:10.
No pressure! Wow...sincere...blameless. That's a tall order for such a human as me. Ruth was called a woman of excellence by the people of her city. What does my city think of me? Certainly not that! I probably don't want to know what some think. Ruth was noble in character, was strong, and worthy. Boy do I NOT measure up! So, here I am, striving for all that and can only measure up because of God.
"Excellence - the possession of good qualities in an unusual degree; surpassing virtue, merit, worth, value."
My definition of excellence: excel, above and beyond, surpassing.
The world's definition of excellence: the perfect house, money, car, job, etc.
To make me feel even worse about myself, I think the church sometimes views excellence the way the world does. But that's the church, NOT God. God's view of excellence is, like Ruth, noble in character, strong, and worthy. And only in God can I measure up. I measure up because of Him. In Him, I am noble, strong, and worthy.
A woman of strength - worthy, bravery, capability. I find my worth in God. Not what the world or my city thinks of me. I am brave because if God is for me who can stand against me. I am capable because I can do ALL things in Christ Who gives me strength. And losing weight is where I need that strength right now.
A virtuous and worthy wife - earnest and strong in character. I am determined to be the wife God wants me to be no matter what the world says. Too many attitudes floating around this world today. Too many bad influences. I am determined for my marriage to work and last until Jesus comes. And I have learned to be quiet too...choke, choke...that was...is a dificult one because I AM so strong in character. :)
Capable, intelligent and virtuous woman. I am very well and able to do what I need to do, inspite of some health issues that God is taking care of. And I AM intelligent, more than I like people to know. Tony tells me I'm book smart but have no commom sense...lol. Well I have the schooling of the Holy Spirit what do I need common sense for...just kidding. Anywho... Virtuous woman...hmmm.
A virtue is a positive trait or quality subjectively deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.
Even in all my humaness I am still virtuous in the Lord. God brings out the virtuous qualities I have.
- I want to glorify God in all I do...1 Corinthians 10:31.
- I want to abound in love, knowledge, and discernment...Philipians 1:9-10.
- I want to think on good things...Philipians 4:8.
"If the goal of our pursuit is unclear, we risk losing sight of what it is we're striving for."
- Love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and love my neighbor as myself...Matthew 22;36-39.
- Do not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind...Romans 12:2.
- Pray for knowledge and God's will. Walk worthy of the Lord and please Him. Be fruitful of good works...Colossians 1:9-10.
- Be refined. Be straight. Handle God's Truth accurately...2 Timothy 2:15.
My definition of excellence to a friend - to be virtuous, true, noble, trustworthy, and love.
I'm NOT saying to be perfect. I'm saying to do to the best of our ability (as Cynthia Heald shares in her book). As I read this Bible study, I have some of the same feelings as Cynthia. I look back at all that has happened and all I've been through and all I've done, and I see where I have settled for second best...from myself and from others...where I have all but given up. But, like Ruth, I trust God with my life and will NOT allow my circumstances to dictate my behavior or responses. Lord, help me to strive to be and to have all You will have me to be and have...FOR YOUR GLORY.
- Press toward the goal...Philipians 3:12-14.
- Go on to perfection. Maturity...Hebrews 6:1.
Lord, give me a heart for Your Word. Psalm 40:8.
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