I decided to start this blog (2010) because my son, John-Robert gave me a One Year Bible for Christmas, the New Living Translation... reading it has changed my life... I post a daily Bible verse on my Facebook page every day and it has been well received... I thought that this would be a wonderful way to share part of what I read each day!... I hope that you enjoy it.



This Year 2012 I am going to do things a little different... not much...just a little. I am again reading through my One Year Bible (for the 3rd time). But I am also using "The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word" by Joyce Meyer. This book is divided by putting scriptures under different categories so they can be used to speak over our life situations. Each day I will read a category of scripture and pick a scripture in that category to write about.



Hugs

Jeannie







Monday, February 28, 2011

2.28.11

Proverbs 10:19 Too much talk leads to sin.  Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

My Thoughts
The first thing we might think about when we read this verse is gossip... but today my mind went crazy with other thoughts about this verse.  I love to talk (quit laughing).  We all love to talk, to be heard. Anyway, this verse got me to thinking about how often we drown out the Holy Spirit leading our steps and our words with our chatter.  If my mouth is always open how can I hear the Holy Spirit inside me leading the way for me. If the Holy Spirit isn't guiding my steps and my words and my actions then I am bound to sin.  So often if we are not talking, we are listen to somebody or something else talk, like the TV or the Radio.  How often do we drown out what is good by noise.  I have been convicted lately to leave the TV off during the day and be in the quiet.  I knit a lot during the day, so I don't really know what is going on on the TV... it was mostly to fill up the silent...and if it got interesting I would stop and listen.  But when I knit I think about the stitches I am doing.  What I have noticed since I turned off the TV (sometimes I slip and think I have to have the noise).. but what I noticed is how many new ideas come to me in the quiet.  How many people cross my mind that I might send a short prayer up for.  How peaceful I feel. I am beginning to love the quiet. I am beginning to hear the Holy Spirit more and more and more. Now that could only be a good thing. Keeping our mouth shut is as much about the hearing and it is about the things we shouldn't say.  Let's try this, next time we are stressed by life, instead of drowning out the world with noise, lets drown out the world with quiet.  Let's tell God we are listening.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

2.27.22

Mark 9:21-24  “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy.  The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”  “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”  The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

My Thoughts
A few verses later we learn that Jesus does heal this little boy.  This is such a good story to describe that our faith can be small to start out with.  This man had been through so much with his little boy... then the disciples had not been able to cast out the evil spirits... that father had just reached the point of thinking that help was possible... he wanted to believe... The wonderful thing is that Jesus can even help us with our faith, Jesus can help our faith become stronger... if we just have faith, that faith works we can do like this father did and cry out "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"  Next time we find ourselves feeling hopeless for any reason we can remember this story... we can remember that we know, that we know that Jesus will help us and we can ask for him to help us believe, to have faith.  We can ask Jesus to help us pray, to pray for us... we just need enough faith to reach out and ask...Jesus will take care of the rest!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

2.2.11

Mark 8:12-13 When Jesus heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.”  So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake.

My Thoughts
I think we have all done this, said to God "Show me a sign." Jesus left these people because they didn't believe. They needed a sign.  In Luke chapter 8 a woman touches Jesus' robe and knows that she will be healed... Jesus turns to the woman and says "Because of your faith you have been healed."  She believed that all she had to do was touch the robe of Jesus and she would be healed...she believed! The people that needed a sign didn't have faith that Jesus was who he said he was.  God does not want us to ask for signs... God wants us to have complete faith that he will take care of all of our needs... that He will do for us what he promises. God promises if we walk in faith, if we serve him, if we get to know him, if we do our best to be the person He ask us to be, He will take care of us.  We don't need to worry, if fact worry is a lack of faith.  It is easy to worry I know!... Worry forever was my best friend in the world. But when I begin to see that worry was not putting faith in God, it was actually giving satin credit and power over us, I was able to start letting go of worry...and the more I let go the more I saw that God was taking care of me the less and less I worry... every time I am able to have just the faith of a mustard seed God gives me the power to have more faith in his promises.  We can start this very day, when we are tempted to ask God to show us a sign, we can say instead "God I have faith that you are going to take care of me in all that I do." When we do this we will begin to see the wonderful power of faith in God.







Friday, February 25, 2011

2.25.11

Psalms 41:1 Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.

My Thoughts
Other versions of the Bible replace poor with words like, helpless, down on their luck.  The Bible talks about people who are poor in spirit.  People can be poor in many ways.  Poor as in money, poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in ability.  One definition of poor:  Lacking in a specified resource or quality. I believe that we all have areas in our lives where we are poor.  We can be poor in confidence, poor in happiness, poor in security, poor in friendships.  Our job as children of God is to take time to know people around us enough to know how a person is poor and to the best of our ability help them in the area in which they are poor.  Nurture the lives of the people around us.  A person having a bad day at work is poor is some way. Maybe that day they are poor in happiness.  We can be kind to them, be a bright spot ...  we can be the person that adds goodness and kindness to their day. We think of helping people poor in health by taking them food. Somebody poor in money by giving money to them.  These are wonderful thing!.. But there are so many kinds of "poor," we need to become aware of all the "poors" in the world and reach out in every way. Our gifts may be in helping the poor in spirit, or the poor in ability.  We each have different gifts for different reasons. If we all learned to use our gifts to serve God and the people around us imagine what the world would be like.  If there were somebody in our "village" who was poor in many areas it would take many people to help that person, one person could not do it alone. We need to ask ourselves "Who are the poor that I can reach...and how can I reach them?  What is my gift and how do I use it?" Helping the poor isn't just about money, it isn't just a money thing. The richest man can be poor. The poorest man can share one of his riches.  What riches do you have to share?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

2.24.11

Psalms 40:16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"

My Thoughts
I love this... the Psalmist had been talking about his troubles and all his sins which we all have... but he knew God's great love could overcome all of his sins and his troubles... even in his troubles he cried out "The LORD is great!"  This tells me that God can overcome anything and fill us with joy and gladness... we don't have to have the power to overcome our sins and troubles before God will love us... God loves us already and we just have to give it all up to God and God will overcome our sins and troubles.  It is all about loving God and using God's grace to become a better person.  When we shout out praises to God in our hearts, out loud... how ever we choose to shout out praises to God we draw God close to us... we are able to be more aware of the Holy Spirit inside of us guiding our steps. When we need God the most and are able to say the least all we have to remember to do is shout praises to Him and He will be there to help us overcome any obstacles standing in our way!  When we are at our lowest and call out to God we can be filled to our fullest with joy and gladness.  Because God can overcome anything. So next time we think "I am not strong enough!" know without a shadow of doubt that God is strong enough we don't have to be... all we need for the most mighty strength working within us is love and praise for our Almighty God!

Thank you God for teaching me about  your strength through your word!  Please God be my strength today and everyday. God, You are Great and Mighty and Strong and Loving and Kind. Thank you for filling me with joy and gladness! In Jesus Name

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2.23.11

Psalms 40:3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.

My Thoughts
Often we wonder how we can be a witness to others.  How do we tell them about God.  I think the first, most important step is to spend time with God, take time to get to know what God wants for us in our own lives.  Get to know God enough to know the new song he gives us to sing.  Take time to praise God and bring him close to us. Then people will see the change in us! They will actually see us glow!  We need to know God so much that we feel the joy He gives us... that we understand the peace that passes all understanding... that we have enough faith that we radiate God's love.  When we have that new song in our heart people will see us walking on air as if we were dancing.  The people around us will know the difference in our lives and want what we have.  Strangers will feel our love and our kindness and know there is something special about us.  If we take time to know God enough that we can't help but radiate the change in our lives just being, that will be our first act of witnessing to others showing what God can do.  When we get to this point we will know enough to be able to tell others about God's great love and power.  When we get to this point in our lives we can be effective witnesses for God.  When we know God enough to have a new song to sing we can talk to people about God .. not talk at people about God.  We can be the kind of witness that we would want if somebody were witnessing to us. We can be the person that tells what God has done for us...not the person that "preaches" what God can do for them. We must be the change we want to see in others.  How will you choose to share God's love today?


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

2.22.11

Mark 6:11 (Jesus said to his disciples) But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.

My Thoughts
I think Jesus was saying here that you can only do your best. People have to be ready in their hearts and that part is up to them.  We have all heard that you can't help an addict until they want help.  You can only do your part by spreading the word that "Jesus loves you!" The rest is up to the other person.  There are so many people that need to hear about how much they are loved and we don't need to loose the opportunity to share that love because we keep on keeping on when somebody isn't open to the wonderful love that God has for all of us.  Just before this verse in verse 4 Jesus said "A prophet is honored everywhere except in hos own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." Sometimes we just have to accept that it is not us they are going to hear.  That is a good time to pray that God send somebody else in our place. Somebody that that person is open to.  Because we walk away doesn't mean we give up.  Often we forget how powerful prayer is. So when we get up and shake the dust off our feet we can walk away knowing we did our best then let prayer do the rest.

Monday, February 21, 2011

2.21.11

Mark 5:36 But Jesus overheard them and said to Jarius, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith."

My Thoughts
Jarius had gone to Jesus to get Jesus to heal his dieing daughter.  They had come and told Jarius it was too late she had died.  and this was Jesus' reply "Don't be afraid.  Just have faith."  Jesus walked in and brought that little girl back to life. But Jarius had to do his part, Jarius had to have faith.  That is the only thing Jarius had to do... just have faith.  Jesus tells us that all we have to have is the faith the size of a mustard seed. (Matthew 17:20) That is a tiny bit of faith isn't it.  I find myself having faith that God can do anything... for anybody but me.  I think I feel this way sometimes because I know I have not always had faith in God.  So often our faith in people  has been so misplace that we forget that God does not act like people can act. Sometimes we feel that we have been so bad that God won't do for us what we know he will do for others.  The devil loves it when we believe that!  But Jesus tells us different. Jesus says that our faith can be as tiny as a mustard seed.  Jesus knows that if we have just a tiny bit of faith that when we see God in action in our lives that our faith will grow and get stronger and stronger.  Each day I find new ways that God has answered my prayers...the closer I get to God the more God  lets me know that He hears me.  And that tiny bit of faith that I have developed in God grows bigger and gets stronger.  Just yesterday at church I was praying, crying out to God.  Then this wonderful, bright ray of sunshine out our church came up and put her hands on me and began to pray for me... the words out of her mouth were exactly, exactly what I had been praying.  I knew, that I knew that I knew that God was hearing me.  God was hearing my words and God answers prayers.  Yesterday that tiny little seed I had sprouted a bit. One day because I have learned to reach out on faith, one day that seed that sprouted is going to be the biggest strongest tree in the land. For now I am really excited for its first leaves.  I don't have to be afraid, I just have to have faith!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

2.20.11

Mark 4:2-28 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.

My Thoughts
I read yesterday about planting your seed on good soil.  You know the story how if you plant your seed on the hard ground it doesn't grow... if you plant you seed on the ground where it doesn't take root it grows but the wind will blow it away... but if you plant your seed on good ground it takes root and grows strong.  What I have learned in the last year is that when I read my Bible each day it is like spreading fertilizer on soil and making it rich and strong for the seed that has been planted.  Like in this story when I read my Bible each day and talk with God each day my life started changing and growing in all kinds of ways that I didn't expect.  Each day I have become stronger and stronger... I find myself just being a better person... I find making decisions much easier because I know right from wrong, I don't have to figure it out.  The more I talk to God the more I hear him when he talks to me.  The more I read my Bible and talk to God the easier life gets.  Like an oak tree the storms come and the more I grow the better I weather the storm.  Before I wanted to do what God ask but I didn't take the time to learn what God wanted. I didn't fertilize my soil... and before long I was lost again and wandering about without direction.  Now that I fertilize my soil I am able to stay grounded and know exactly where my roots are.  It took a little while for my roots to take hold but once they did. The feeling was amazing.  The change in me is amazing. The hope in me is amazing.  It is so worth the time it takes... because the stronger I get the less time I spend undoing bad decisions.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

2.19.11

Psalms 37:23-24 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

My Thoughts
I remember one time Robby and I were at an event... in the middle of a huge crowd as we were leaving I tripped on a speed breaker... Robby reached down and picked me up and never missed a step.  I didn't even have time to feel the pain in my hands and knees until we reached the car and by then I am sure I was hurting less than I was when I first fell.  Robby directed my steps that day because he didn't want me to get trampled on... because he loved me! Every time I read this verse I think of that day Robby saved me from being underneath the feet of other people and I think that is how God is. We may fall and even hit the ground but God pick us up so quickly that our pain is minimal compared to what it would be if we hadn't had God there holding our hand.  When God is in our lives and we allow him to  hold our hand there are no telling how many times he picks us up before we hit the ground when we didn't even know we were headed for a fall.  When we hear to that still small voice inside us we should listen and not reason our way out of what we hear.  God always knows even when it doesn't make sense to us at the moment. 










Friday, February 18, 2011

2.18.11

Psalms 37:5-6 Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him, and he will help you.  He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

My Thoughts
I love this... I worked with this girl once that was raised up in church, her dad is a preacher.  She loves God with all her heart and soul.  I never heard her judge anybody, never saw her angry. I never heard her talk about anybody in a bad way.  She always gave people the benefit of the doubt.  She was soft spoken.  You knew the first time you met her that she loved God.  She was radiant and strong.  She just always had this spirit about her that was amazing.  She still does when I happen to run into her.  She committed everything to the Lord.  God did help her... and you would have never thought her guilty of anything.  Hr innocence did radiate like the sun!  Not only did she not talk about anybody, nobody ever said anything, not one word about this sweet lady that was not good or sweet or kind.  She was an example of this verse.  I hope to be able to go forward in my life and be an example of this verse like my friend Karen.  We need to ask ourselves if people can see God in us...if the answer is no, or maybe or sometimes then we need to make some changes in our lives. Those changes could only bring about good.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

2.17.11

Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

My Thoughts
First this says to me that Jesus didn't judge and neither should we.  My favorite quote is "Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes." The Indian version is not to judge a man until you have "walked two moons in his mohicans."  Jesus doesn't judge us and He walk on earth to understand what we go through ... Jesus left this world still a saint and  doesn't judge us... he just came to heal our broken hearts.... to save us from our sins... and he left this earth to prepare a place for us even after walking on this earth and dieing in our place. Second it tells me that I can never get so  far away that God doesn't want to find me.  I am not in trouble when I have done wrong and come to repent of that wrong... I am in trouble when I do wrong and think nothing of it.  I feel very blessed that Jesus came for the sinners.






Wednesday, February 16, 2011

2.16.11

Mark 2:5 Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven."

My Thoughts
I love this definition of faith : belief that is not based on proof. Jesus knows our heart... Jesus knows when we ask in faith.  Jesus knows when we are asking as a test and when we are asking because we have faith.  God wants us to have faith that he will take care of us. So many times we want a sign from God before we go into a situation that feels too big for us to handle.  We say "God I will do this if you will give me a sign that I can"...that is not faith.  God wants us to believe in him so much that we say "God I know that I can do this with your help."  Faith is not giving something to God and then taking it back. Faith is giving something to God and believing, without proof, that what you gave to God will be taken care of.  So often we give things to God and when we don't see instant results we take it right back to worry over.  God wants us to have enough faith the we give our troubles to Him because we know that God will take care of our troubles.  When we are able to have that kind of faith we get to enjoy the peace that God promises us.  God wants us to give our abilities to Him to... when we give our abilities to God, when we have faith that God will make the most of our abilities there is no limit to the possibilities. 

The man in this story couldn't walk and his faith made him able in what Jesus could do made him able to walk. Just think what we could do with what we have if we put our abilities in God's hands and had faith that He would take those abilities and use them. Oh imagine the possibilities of giving everything to God in faith.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

2.15.11

Proverbs 9:11-12 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

My Thoughts
The Bible tells us that true wisdom comes from God.  If we seek after God and listen to his teachings... God will make us wiser and wiser and wiser.... but we have to do the seeking.  My Bible has 1396 pages... of amazing wisdom... in it I have found so many ways to improve who I am and what I do, who I want to be.. I find peace that I longed for for years...that peace in my body alone will add years to my life... each time I pick up God's word I read something, that when applied will change me forever... only in good ways.  Since I have been reading God's word I have had people tell me that I glow... learning from God through His Word, and through talking with Him...and taking time to listen to Him can have an amazing effect on our daily lives.  I urge you that if you have not spent time in God's word on a regular basis to try it... try it for a month, apply it for a month... see how it changes you.  I have only been blessed by doing this...and I so wish that I had done it years ago!!... I would love to know how it changes you!!




Monday, February 14, 2011

2.14.11

Psalms 24:14 Turn away from evil and do good work.  Search for peace and work to maintain it.

My Thoughts
Search for peace and work to maintain it... on wow... powerful words!!... we are to seek after peace.. we are to find peaceful relationships... think about it we do our best when we are at peace... we work better, we are more creative, we are more productive.  Work to maintain it... peace isn't always easy!!  .. the devils is always trying to cause strife in our lives... to break us apart from each other, partly because we are stronger together!  Peace takes work... it takes keeping your mouth shut sometimes, it takes taking time to look at something through somebody else's eyes.... maintaining peace means that we have to take the time to take other people into consideration...and instead of getting angry at somebody when they have hurt us we need to take time to explain ourselves in a kind and thoughtful way... not criticizing the other person... not yelling at the other person... but using our people skills to the best of our ability so that we don't put others on the defensive.  Peace takes work ...we are to seek peace...that means find ways to have peace in our lives... and work to maintain it...that means we are to do our part... do all it takes to keep peace in our relationships.  We are more effective when we are at peace, in every way... we are a more effective witness for God and all he has done when we are a peace with others.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

2.12.11

Psalms 34:10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

My Thoughts
I think one of the key parts of this passage in today's world is "will lack no good thing."  So often we go about thinking we are doing without... we may be going without something we think we need...but when we love and trust in God we don't go without the things that are good for us!... Sometimes we may not be able to "have" only because what we want because God knows it won't be good for us.  It may distract us from doing that God would have us do.  We get so caught up in the world... and the things of the world that we forget that God only does what is good for us. Next time we think we are "going without" we need to remember that God gives us what we need. Instead of being sad, angry or upset because we can't have "it" maybe we should stop and say "Thank you God for knowing what is best for me. Thank you God for taking care of me. Thank you God for all you have given me. I trust that you know what is best and good in my life."  I am doing to do my best, my very best to remember this the next time I don't get something I think 'I have to have."'

Saturday, February 12, 2011

2.12.11

Proverbs 9:4-6 “Come in with me,” Wisdom urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,  “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.  Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

My Thoughts
In this passage we are taught that we can't live our lives to the fullest unless we learn.  We need to learn all that God has to teach us!... Not only do we need to learn from the Bible, we need to learn from people wiser than us.  We need to listen to those who have gone before us, no matter who they are if they are older than us they have something to teach us.  We need to learn to be better and better at the gifts that God has given us. We don't have to be good at everything...be we do need to strive to be the best that we can be at the things that we can do.  When God gives us a gift of understand about something the only limit to our ability is what we don't take time to learn.   We need to do things each day to better ourselves... we are to learn and use good judgment...this is the best way to get the most of our lives... to live every moment to be the best we can be! Don't we love it when we give somebody something and we see them using it!... Don't you know that God loves to see us use the gifts he has given us!


Friday, February 11, 2011

2.11.11

Exodus 33:17 The Lord replied to Moses, "I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.

My Thoughts
Have you ever met somebody, somebody you like a lot... then you didn't see them again for a very long time. The time had been such that you forgot that person's name.  You forgot because you didn't really have a relationship with that person, just a meeting with that person.  We need to make sure God knows us by name... we do this by having a relationship with God.  By talking to him daily. By getting to know Him.  Think about it.. if you know somebody and they ask you to do something... you are more likely to say yes... but if you have only met them...and can't even remember their name... you are more likely to say no.  Moses spent time with God... took time for God. God heard Moses when he asked. We need to have such a relationship with God that when all the prayers are going up to heaven, God recognizes our voice.

I picture it like this... 1000's of voices going up to God and the angles standing there waiting on their instructions... God hears all the noise of all the voices.. then he hears one he knows.. so he can focus in on it... He looks at his angel and says that is John, hear him, I would know that voice anywhere... go and do what he is asking.  Do I know any of these other voices... yes I hear Susie, I know that voice... go and do what she is asking.  The better God knows our voice the faster he answers our prayers. That is the way I picture it.

 Do I know that this is how it happens? No...I do know that the Jesus said that he would say "I never knew you." I do know we can't just meet God and move on... we have to take time to know God. To make friends with God. To do for God.  We need to talk to God and listen to God talk back to us.  I do know that I want God to know my voice. God knew Moses and Moses took time for God... I want God to know me.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

2.10.11

Psalms 32:3-4 When I refuse to confess my  sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.  Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

My Thoughts
In verse one it says Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is out of sight.  Have you ever noticed how guilt can just zap you of all your drive and energy?  We fill guilty when we sin, sometimes we feel guilty and don't know why. I think that is when we have sinned and are not exactly sure what we have done.  In those cases we can ask God, what unconfused sin do I have in my life...and if we sit quietly and listed God tells us.  Then we can confess our sins and the weight of the world can be lifted off our shoulders. The guilt will melt away and life will be better.  We get to feel joy when we are forgiven. God wants us to feel that wonderful joy. The reason God wants us to confess our sins is so that we will know what we are doing wrong and we can fix it... the confession is for us so that we can live better lives.  When we realize our sin we know better so we can do better. When we do better our life is good. When we do better God smiles down on us because he loves it when we make choices that make life better. God doesn't give us a bunch of rules because he likes to see us jump through hoops. God give us rules because he likes to see us safe and happy.  In his great wisdom he knows what makes us safe and happy. God gives us rules to help us be safe and happy because he loves us so much.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

2.9.11

Proverbs 8:22-23 “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.

My Thoughts
Before the earth was even formed God had a plan for Jesus!  That is very comforting... God knew that we would make mistakes... that we would sin.  Jesus was waiting up in heaven before all the great people of the Old Testament were even born to die for their sins...and He was waiting to  to die for our sins.  God knew our weaknesses and he planned for them.  So even though we are not worthy for all the gifts God has in store for us, he planned a way for us and sent Jesus to make us whole.  If God planned for our greatest weaknesses  you know he had to make plans for out greatest strengths. So if we can pray for our sins to be forgive, we can also pray for out strengths to grow into something useful and wonderful. Let's learn to as God to nurture the gifts he put in our lives to the fullest.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

2.8.11

Matthew 25:35, 36 &40 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[a] you were doing it to me!’

My Thoughts
We need to remember these very verses, burn them in our hearts.  Keep them in the front of our mind...so that when we see someone in need we won't ask ourselves if we should do something...we will just do it.




Monday, February 7, 2011

1.7.11

Matthew 25:29-30 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

My Thoughts
We need to be really careful to remember that ALL we have is a gift from God...that everything we are able to do ...that all the money and possessions we have are gifts... special gifts.  We can use these gifts to serve God and the people around us... we can use these gifts wisely... treat them like the treasures they are and God will bless us with more.  I have a friend that opened a coffee shop... and she is very blessed with the knowledge that that coffee shop is a gift from God... she uses her gift as an opportunity to let people know how much God loves them...and God just blesses that coffee shop over and over... is that coffee shop always easy? No... is that coffee shop a lot of work? Yes... does it sometime bring on stress? of course!  Is that coffee shop a blessing to my friend, to her life? Yes... and it continues to do well because my friend uses her gift wisely, she uses it to serve God.  Now, how can I use my gifts to serve God?? How can you use your gifts to serve God?? 

Sunday, February 6, 2011

2.6.11

Matthew 24:37-39 37 "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. 38 In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

My Thoughts
We often think, when we hear the story of Noah, "Why didn't those silly people listen?" We can be silly people being so caught up in our day, our life that we forget to notice how we are acting... If we would learn to ask ourselves through out the day "If Jesus came back right now and was standing right beside me, am I acting in a way that would make Him happy with me?"  if the answer is no... we need to change what we are doing...not tomorrow...not next week... not next year.  If the answer is no we need to change our action right at that moment, right then and there.  We need to act in all ways like Jesus is standing right beside us. Or like the people in Noah's day we will miss the boat.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

2.5.11

Psalms 29:11 The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace.

My Thoughts
I got saved when I was just 9...and along the way I dedicate my life to God several times... trying to live right along the way... but somehow I was still missing out on God's gifts of strength and peace.  I suffered anxiety and panic attacks.  I did handle stress good at all.  Then my son, John-Robert gave me a One Year Bible for Christmas in 2009... I started reading it every morning and praying... and I got stronger and stronger and less anxious... now I pretty much just don't worry.  I feel pretty strong too.  What I learned that I never knew before is that as a Christian I had to do my part go get to know God.  I had to read His word so I could learn His wisdom and what He wanted for my life... I had to be in prayer talking with and listening to God.... not pray at God.  To truly have salvation I had to have a relationship with God. Reading my Bible each morning... praying and talking to God each day... and throughout the day... asking God for guidance...taking the road less traveled ...now that has made all the difference.

Friday, February 4, 2011

2.4.11

Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s."


My Thoughts
Oh I read this and thought this is such our way of life... so much so that we don't even know that we are coveting anymore... Commercials are based on "Look what everybody else has don't you want it too!!"...  "You are not going to be as good as your neighbor if you don't get this." The media bombards us with how important it is to have what our neighbors have and even more.  This last recession happened because everybody from the top to the bottom wanted more...the loan companies wanted more money, people wanted more house than they could truly afford.  People wanted more toys and put those toys on with their house loans.  We drive around neighborhoods with big beautiful houses and feel like we don't have enough.... we never drive around sad neighborhoods so we can go home and be thankful for the homes we do have.  Next time we take one of those drives and we are having the "I don't haves"...we need to go and get a shot of the "I have so much" before we go back home to our warm, safe, nice houses so we will feel all thankful.  Wanting to do better than we are doing and working hard at doing better  is one thing...wanting to have more than the next guy is a whole different story.  When we want to do better we work hard and when we are doing better we reward ourselves... When we want what others have we use credit cards and equity in our homes to have and we put our welfare and the welfare of our families in danger. We in essence tell God he hasn't done enough for us.  Next time we are having the "I wants"... when we don't have the money in our pockets or the money we do have  is earmarked for something else we need to get out a piece of paper and make a list of the "I haves" and then look up to heaven and thank God for all he has given us.  It wouldn't be a bad idea to rebel against the advertisements that tell us we don't have enough, we aren't enough... we will never be enough. Because God tells us we are wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). We need to tell God, "God you have given me so much! More than I need! I am sorry if I have every acted like anything you have given me wasn't enough!"

Thursday, February 3, 2011

2.3.11

Matthew 22:39  39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

My Thoughts
This verse is as important as loving God with all our heart, soul and mind.  If we could just put this in practice. So often our selfishness gets so in the way of doing this.... It gets in the way in our families so you know it gets in the way with everybody else.  Yet if we treated people completely, totally like we want  to be treated...then if the people around us treated us like they want to be treated, every body's needs would be met.  We are bad not to even treat our spouses like we want to be treated.  I don't want Robby taking his bad day out on me... but I sometimes find myself taking my bad day out on him... just be being in a mood. I don't want Robby being so self absorbed that he doesn't hear me when I talk... but I get that self absorbed. We do things like give the poor our old coats... but we want a new coat... in fact we will give the poor a oldest coat when we have three or four newish coats in our closet.  Would you want to ware some body's old coat? You might be thankful to be warm in that situation. But let's be honest with ourselves wouldn't it be more loving to buy a person in need a new coat when we go and buy ourselves a new coat... We love ourselves so much that we go and buy ourselves a coat we don't even "need" one. Then we pat ourselves on the back when we give our old coat away.  How many times do we wish a store clerk had just smiled at us?...Did we smile at them?... How many times do we want our spouse to give us their undivided attention for just five minutes... do we give the five minutes of our undivided attention?   When we have those thoughts of wishing somebody would help us with something, we need to stop right then and say "How can I help somebody today?" Then we need to act on that thought.  If we would like it if somebody at work would fix a new pot of coffee when they take the last cup,  we need to make sure we are fixing a new pot of coffee when we  take the last cup.  So often we make this verse about doing something big.  But isn't love about doing all those little thing.  Isn't it the little things that get you through most days.  We need to start today watching out for little things we can do for other people, a smile, a kind word, a cup of coffee, taking them a plate of food.  Buying something new for somebody else instead of ourselves sometimes. Visiting sick people in the hospital. We need to ask ourselves what would I want somebody to do for me if I were in that situation?  Then we need to act on the answer we hear in our heart.






Wednesday, February 2, 2011

2.2.11

Exodus 15:26 He (the Lord) said, "If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you."

My Thoughts
This verse tells us that even the Israelites had to do their part, and that we are expected to do our part.  We can't fool ourselves that we are God children if we are not at least trying to do what God ask us to do!!... Our part is to do what is right in God's sight, not the sights of those around us, but God sight. Our part is to obey God's commands and keep his decrees... God also said here that he is our healer ... God heals our broken bodies and our broken spirits. God wants to take care of us we just have to do what he ask..and trust that God knows best.  Remember the question isn't "Will my friends think I am making the right decisions will it make them happy or mad?" the questions is "Will God think I am making the right decisions will it make Him happy or glad?"  When we start asking that question God will know that we are trying to please Him.


Tuesday, February 1, 2011

2.1.11

Matthew 21:43 I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from  you and give to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.

My Thoughts
The proper fruit is the fruit of the Spirit which is stated in Galatians 5:22-23 " But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" We are told what the proper fruit is... and if we want our nation to be strong we have to be the kind of people that have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We can look around and say so many of these things are missing from our great nation... and we may even tell ourselves that we can't make a difference.  But we can... we can do our part to save our nation!... We can be the person in our family, in our Church, at work, at the mall that produces the fruit of the spirit.  When we are these things more times than not we will get these very things in return.  An if somebody ask why you are always loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and where you get that self-control from, this is your perfect opportunity to say "from Jesus, He ask me to live like this and He tells me we will loose our great nation if I don't."  We need to live in a way that people want what we have.  When we are not loving, kind, patient... when we don't produce the fruits of the Spirit we don't present ourselves as Christians... and people won't want what we have.  We won't have what we have as a country if we don't work hard to have the kind of life that is "fruitful." Yes, you can make a difference, I can make a difference.  I can be the change I want to see in others. And I want others to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and oh do I want them to have self-control.  I can only ask this of other people if I act this way myself.  I challenge you to do your part to save our great nation I challenge you to live with the fruits of the Spirit.