I got this from this site- www.proverbs31.org-I just copied and pasted.It is good though. Exactly what I needed.
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
Psalm 27:14 (NLT)
Devotion:
Waiting: a virtue I aspire to obtain but often fail to achieve. How about you?
In our hurry up, need it, gotta-have-it-now culture, we have been brain-washed into thinking there is something wrong with waiting and we shouldn't have to do it. Within seconds we can know the weather in southern Mongolia, order a cute blouse from a trendy store, or Skype a conversation with a friend on the opposite side of the country. We can instant message a friend or send a tweet to thousands in the blink of an eye; no wonder we believe waiting is hard to do.
The author of today's key verse was no stranger to waiting and knew full well of its difficulties. Out of nowhere, the prophet Samuel showed up at his home to anoint the next king of Israel who was to be chosen from his family. Only one of Jesse's sons would be anointed as God's chosen king for His beloved Israel. The son chosen was David. Scripture tell us the Spirit of God rushed over David and was with him the remainder of his days (1 Samuel 16:13, ESV). With such an anointing one would expect David to run to take his seat on the throne, but the only running David did was back to the pasture to do his job. Thus his wait began.
In the wait, God prepared David for his seat on the throne. The only vocation David knew was shepherding. He did not know the ends and outs of kingly protocol or the rules of royal deity. David did not have the support of the people or armies to defend him as king. He was only a lowly shepherd boy. Instead of taking the position he was promised David waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace. In the wait, God made David ready for the move.
David learned many lessons about waiting. By examining and applying these truths we can find hope in the difficulty of waiting and determine that waiting in the present is beneficial to our future.
1. Even though we are anointed and appointed we may still have to wait. David waited fifteen years to be king of Judah and even longer to be king of all Israel.
2. God's ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. After being anointed and appointed David was called to serve Saul, the king who was sitting on "his" throne.
3. God doesn't waste time; He holds it in His hands. He redeems it by using our experiences to prosper us in each season of life.
4. If we allow it, our waiting will bring us to an intimate knowledge of the Savior that we would not other wise have. Most of David's beautiful and poetic psalms were written while in caves, caverns, and the wilderness, waiting on God.
5. God does not ignore the cries of His children. David cried out, and at times begged God for help, invention, and defense. God never let David down. He did eventually take the throne, didn't he?
6. Our waiting has a purpose for someone other that ourselves. It is not all about us. Just think of how rich our lives are today because of the wait David endured. We have the comfort, compassion, hope, and healing of his amazing poetry.
What awesome instructions David gives for waiting! Waiting is less difficult and the future is brighter when we let God to do His work in our waiting season. When we let our guard and defenses down He proves Himself faithful to bring His plans for our lives to fullness.
Dear Lord, help me wait. Help me wait well. I want to be still and allow You to bring Your plan in my life to its fullness. I can't do this without You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Daily Bread
Luke 11: One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Father
hallowed be your name
your kingdom come
Give us each day our daily bread
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us
And lead us not into temptation
Jesus gave us a model prayer. In that prayer, He asks God to give us each day our daily bread. Jesus did NOT ask for tomorrow's bread. He did not ask for the leftover's from yesterday's bread. He asked for today's bread.
How often do we dwell on tomorrow's bread? How many times have we said to ourselves,
I cannot get through this marriage.
I don't know what is going to happen with our kids.
My heart will never get through this heartbreak.
How will this work?
What does the future hold?
1.Focus on today. Can you get through your marriage until midnight? Can you make it through your heartbreak until tomorrow? Can you trust God with your day today? Can you place that stronghold in God's hands today?
2.Don't dwell on the unknown. Don't dwell on the future. You are only guarnteed today. Ask God to give you today your daily bread, whatever that may be. If you need strength today, ask. If you need wisdom today, ask. Jesus said HOW MUCH MORE will your Father in heaven give the holy spirit to those who ask him!
Right after the Lord's Prayer, He says in verse 9-Ask and it will be given to you!
Rememeber, God will give you what you need today. Trust God with today. Don't start chewing on tomorrows bread and don't dwell on yesterday's. He knows Your future and He has a plan for you.
Father, I thank you for being a trustworthy God. Whether or not we do trust You, You are still trustworthy. Give us what we need today to be more effective for You. Help us not to get weary is doing right. Thank you for not letting me know the future so I can learn to trust You more. Amen
He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Father
hallowed be your name
your kingdom come
Give us each day our daily bread
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us
And lead us not into temptation
Jesus gave us a model prayer. In that prayer, He asks God to give us each day our daily bread. Jesus did NOT ask for tomorrow's bread. He did not ask for the leftover's from yesterday's bread. He asked for today's bread.
How often do we dwell on tomorrow's bread? How many times have we said to ourselves,
I cannot get through this marriage.
I don't know what is going to happen with our kids.
My heart will never get through this heartbreak.
How will this work?
What does the future hold?
1.Focus on today. Can you get through your marriage until midnight? Can you make it through your heartbreak until tomorrow? Can you trust God with your day today? Can you place that stronghold in God's hands today?
2.Don't dwell on the unknown. Don't dwell on the future. You are only guarnteed today. Ask God to give you today your daily bread, whatever that may be. If you need strength today, ask. If you need wisdom today, ask. Jesus said HOW MUCH MORE will your Father in heaven give the holy spirit to those who ask him!
Right after the Lord's Prayer, He says in verse 9-Ask and it will be given to you!
Rememeber, God will give you what you need today. Trust God with today. Don't start chewing on tomorrows bread and don't dwell on yesterday's. He knows Your future and He has a plan for you.
Father, I thank you for being a trustworthy God. Whether or not we do trust You, You are still trustworthy. Give us what we need today to be more effective for You. Help us not to get weary is doing right. Thank you for not letting me know the future so I can learn to trust You more. Amen
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
God is greater than our hearts
To be completely honest, this blog is for me today. I need this.
Have you ever wondered why you feel a certain way, and wish you didn't? Ever had a "bla" day where you are not motivated? Don't care? Feel lost or misguided? Or perhaps just tired? Or maybe you feel emotional for no reason? Or you are irritable at everything and everyone?
I think we all can relate to one of those things. And even though you may only feel like that for a moment or a season in your life, how do you make the most of it and get over it?
1. Realize that God is greater than our hearts.
I John 3:20 even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Sometimes, I feel something and I think it must be true. But, in light of past experiences, you know that is definitely NOT true! God knows our hearts better than we do! God's word also says that our heart is deceitful( Jeremiah 17:9) and that we are supposed to guard our hearts above all else ( Proverbs 4:23). So, just know that if you don't understand why you are feeling or what you are feeling, you don't have to! Just trust God and know that HE IS GREATER THAN OUR HEARTS!
2. Realize that God cares more about your character than your comfort.For me, I thought I was going to marry 2 guys that I dated...and I didn't. I FELT as if it was going to work out and it didn't! Well, then I go through the break-up stage, which is horrible! lol but I know that God cares more about my character than comfort. Sure, I could have married those guys, but then I would not have been in God's will and WE ALL KNOW THAT IS A BAD IDEA! Again, trust God! He cares for us! He would not allow us to go though a trial if is wasn't for our benefit and for our character building.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope.
3. Realize that God is everything you need. When you have unfulfilled longings, realize that God is the ONLY one that can fulfill those needs! Psalm 31:14-15 I trust in, rely, on, and am confident in You, O Lord: I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands.
HE LOVES YOU! RELY ON HIM!
4. Realize that without Him, your life will crumble.
Lean into God when life is hard. Don't run. You cannot run from God. You might as well run to Him. Whatever you do, realize that your life is nothing with God. Look around you and you will see broken, lost, helpless people without HOPE in ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. Then, you will go to a foreign country and see people with no clean water, no food, but they have the HOPE of JESUS CHRIST and an eternal life to look forward to! Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11
I am not into the pictures, but on this site, there are some AWESOME verses to help you realize who you are in Christ and WHO HE IS! Check it out.
http://www.squidoo.com/scripture-verses
Also, check out the church website!!!!http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Love you guys! Thanks for reading!
Have you ever wondered why you feel a certain way, and wish you didn't? Ever had a "bla" day where you are not motivated? Don't care? Feel lost or misguided? Or perhaps just tired? Or maybe you feel emotional for no reason? Or you are irritable at everything and everyone?
I think we all can relate to one of those things. And even though you may only feel like that for a moment or a season in your life, how do you make the most of it and get over it?
1. Realize that God is greater than our hearts.
I John 3:20 even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Sometimes, I feel something and I think it must be true. But, in light of past experiences, you know that is definitely NOT true! God knows our hearts better than we do! God's word also says that our heart is deceitful( Jeremiah 17:9) and that we are supposed to guard our hearts above all else ( Proverbs 4:23). So, just know that if you don't understand why you are feeling or what you are feeling, you don't have to! Just trust God and know that HE IS GREATER THAN OUR HEARTS!
2. Realize that God cares more about your character than your comfort.For me, I thought I was going to marry 2 guys that I dated...and I didn't. I FELT as if it was going to work out and it didn't! Well, then I go through the break-up stage, which is horrible! lol but I know that God cares more about my character than comfort. Sure, I could have married those guys, but then I would not have been in God's will and WE ALL KNOW THAT IS A BAD IDEA! Again, trust God! He cares for us! He would not allow us to go though a trial if is wasn't for our benefit and for our character building.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope.
3. Realize that God is everything you need. When you have unfulfilled longings, realize that God is the ONLY one that can fulfill those needs! Psalm 31:14-15 I trust in, rely, on, and am confident in You, O Lord: I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands.
HE LOVES YOU! RELY ON HIM!
4. Realize that without Him, your life will crumble.
Lean into God when life is hard. Don't run. You cannot run from God. You might as well run to Him. Whatever you do, realize that your life is nothing with God. Look around you and you will see broken, lost, helpless people without HOPE in ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. Then, you will go to a foreign country and see people with no clean water, no food, but they have the HOPE of JESUS CHRIST and an eternal life to look forward to! Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11
I am not into the pictures, but on this site, there are some AWESOME verses to help you realize who you are in Christ and WHO HE IS! Check it out.
http://www.squidoo.com/scripture-verses
Also, check out the church website!!!!http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Love you guys! Thanks for reading!
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