Edie @ Rich Gifts Random Question...Romans 12:2
ROMANS 12: 1,2
(KJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
It didn't take long for me to go round and round on this one...first I aimed for being transformed by the renewing of your mind...felt convicted that I was avoiding the present your bodies a living sacrifice. Well I eventually came back to the renewing of your mind.
Replacing my thoughts with the thoughts of God. A quick examination of my thoughts expose that my thoughts are not lining up with God's thoughts.
Mark 12:30-31
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
And the second is like namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
2 Corinthians 13:2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1John 4:7-20
7) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that god sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10)Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11)Beloved if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12) No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13) Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14) And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world
15) whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16)And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and god in him.
17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth our fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19) We love him, because he first loved us.
20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hat not seen?
and this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.
So here I am at the beginning(if at first you don't succeed)
Renew my mind by examining my thoughts with God's word.
God's word says...If I love Him I will obey His commands. Jesus said that the whole of the commands rest on Loving God and Loving my neighbor. Paul said that it doesn't matter how gifted we are if we do it without love it is just a big noise.
John said if we don't love we don't know God. John had many other things to say about love such as if we don't love our neighbor whom we have seen then we do not love God whom we have not seen. That there is no fear in love.
Love is a hard and difficult step for me - probably why I need to keep coming back to the beginning. I have had the great fortune to come across people who truly love and they make it look so easy, so effortless....for me this is not so...
but nothing is impossible with God. Thank you Edie for this Random Question and for where it lead me...from considering being a living sacrifice to renewing the mind to God's Word on Obediance...to again praying that I learn to walk in Love.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
One Nation Under God
Edie at Rich Gifts posted the following prayer and ask that we post about whether we are a Christian Nation. As some of you know the Lord has placed 11 Chronicles 7:14 on my heart some time ago...I am thankful for Lou Engle and others who are fasting and praying for our nation. I will prayfully consider what to post concerning Edie's request...in the meantime please go to Edie's site and see what she and others have written concerning God and our Nation, read the prayer and pray...
Edie Rich Gifts
Dear Lord forgive me for my own complacency in praying for those that you have placed in positions of authority over this nation. It is by the Power of the Name of Jesus Christ that we have become a great nation. Lord we have become a terribly sinful nation. Please pierce our hearts Lord. Call on your people thoughout this nation to bow before you in prayer. Save us from ourselves Lord. Open wide our eyes to see all that is happening in this country from your perspective. Cleanse our hearts. Holy Spirit stir the hearts of your people. Create an intense love for our Savior and desire within us to follow hard after you and to obey all that you command. I lift up all those you have placed in authority over this nation, that they would have hearts to seek your counsel and to obey you. I pray that you would choose leaders thoughout this country who will call on the Name of Jesus Christ. I pray that you would infuse courage into all of your people that we would no longer be silent but speak up for the Name of Christ. Lord give us one mind as we vote this election, the mind of Christ. I ask these things for your Glory and your Name's Sake. In Christ ~ Amen
HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS...THIS WILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESS...
II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
I believe that this is the cry of God's heart in this present day...I know that several have heard this call and have responded. But I do not see at least in my own community nor have I heard of any throughout America the body of Christ turning toward God, seeking His face,praying and repenting from our wicked ways. Yes I am grateful for Lou Engle and others who have been responding to this call for many years. Do we as Christians not take the times we are in seriously? Do we not take God seriously? Has our own walk become so compromised that we look more toward the world and it's leaders to resolve our issues. Our we serving Mammon and not God? Do we believe that abortion is a personal choice? Why have we accepted that God has no place in our schools? That creation should not be taught in schools? That it's okay to pray as long as it is not in Jesus' name? In the name of tolerance have we forsaken our God? Look at the issues we are facing and how more than a few people are fearful of the direction our nation is taking...then look at the churches and tell me how serious are they taking God?
October 20, 2008
LUKE 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Heavenly Father , forgive us for all we have placed our affections on that are not of you, for all that we have loved more than you. Holy Spirit search our hearts and minds, lead us to love the Lord God with all our hearts and minds. I pray that the hearts and affections of the American people will be place on The Lord Our God. For He alone is worthy of all our love, praise and honor. I pray for all this in the Name of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior
Edie Rich Gifts
Dear Lord forgive me for my own complacency in praying for those that you have placed in positions of authority over this nation. It is by the Power of the Name of Jesus Christ that we have become a great nation. Lord we have become a terribly sinful nation. Please pierce our hearts Lord. Call on your people thoughout this nation to bow before you in prayer. Save us from ourselves Lord. Open wide our eyes to see all that is happening in this country from your perspective. Cleanse our hearts. Holy Spirit stir the hearts of your people. Create an intense love for our Savior and desire within us to follow hard after you and to obey all that you command. I lift up all those you have placed in authority over this nation, that they would have hearts to seek your counsel and to obey you. I pray that you would choose leaders thoughout this country who will call on the Name of Jesus Christ. I pray that you would infuse courage into all of your people that we would no longer be silent but speak up for the Name of Christ. Lord give us one mind as we vote this election, the mind of Christ. I ask these things for your Glory and your Name's Sake. In Christ ~ Amen
HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS...THIS WILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESS...
II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
I believe that this is the cry of God's heart in this present day...I know that several have heard this call and have responded. But I do not see at least in my own community nor have I heard of any throughout America the body of Christ turning toward God, seeking His face,praying and repenting from our wicked ways. Yes I am grateful for Lou Engle and others who have been responding to this call for many years. Do we as Christians not take the times we are in seriously? Do we not take God seriously? Has our own walk become so compromised that we look more toward the world and it's leaders to resolve our issues. Our we serving Mammon and not God? Do we believe that abortion is a personal choice? Why have we accepted that God has no place in our schools? That creation should not be taught in schools? That it's okay to pray as long as it is not in Jesus' name? In the name of tolerance have we forsaken our God? Look at the issues we are facing and how more than a few people are fearful of the direction our nation is taking...then look at the churches and tell me how serious are they taking God?
October 20, 2008
LUKE 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Heavenly Father , forgive us for all we have placed our affections on that are not of you, for all that we have loved more than you. Holy Spirit search our hearts and minds, lead us to love the Lord God with all our hearts and minds. I pray that the hearts and affections of the American people will be place on The Lord Our God. For He alone is worthy of all our love, praise and honor. I pray for all this in the Name of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Look Who's Talking 2
today as I read the following passages from Isaiah 36
Isaiah 36: 8
now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of asssyria, and i will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
Isaiah 36: 16
Hearken not to Hezekiah for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your on land, a land of corn and wine, a land o bread and vineyards.
Reminded me of the Look Who's Talking post and of this passage...
I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THIS IF YOU....
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:6
The Lord gave me the tools to identify who is speaking to me and now and He is showing me how to apply them.
..
Isaiah 36: 8
now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of asssyria, and i will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
Isaiah 36: 16
Hearken not to Hezekiah for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your on land, a land of corn and wine, a land o bread and vineyards.
Reminded me of the Look Who's Talking post and of this passage...
I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THIS IF YOU....
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:6
The Lord gave me the tools to identify who is speaking to me and now and He is showing me how to apply them.
..
Friday, September 26, 2008
What does in His Image look like?
Edie @ Rich Gifts posed this question as her random question of the week- What does in His Image look like? I have passed by strangers on the street that when their eyes looked upon me - I could see Jesus... those eyes were filled with such love-that touched the very depth of me-that with everything I am I recognized Jesus. I have been around people who were so filled with the Love of Christ that wherever they were there was a deep sense of peace. At times I have had friends love me with such a love that I knew that it was the Lord loving me through them. In His Image is a reflection of His Love...it is a time when you are so filled with His Love that others-yes even strangers on the street-recognize Jesus...God is love...Jesus is love...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Look Who's Talking
An Ancient Conversation Heard throughout eternity...
AND GOD SAID...
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Genesis 1:29
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die.
Genesis 2:17
DID GOD REALLY SAY?....
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman,
Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:1
IF YOU ARE REALLY....
And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:3
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple.
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4: 5
I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THIS IF YOU....
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:6
IT IS WRITTEN
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4: 4
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:7
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matthew 4:10
Does the devil ever stop talking? Don't you wish he would just shut up? Sometimes it just gets so confusing....but that's it ...isn't it....GOD is not the author of confusion. God's word is truth.
So whenever I am confused I need to turn to God's Word...Next time I am faced with the question -"Did God really say"- I am going to grab my bible and say let's go to the source and find out...Now this may take awhile since I am not as familiar with His word as I ought to be...So I may be reading aloud word by word, line by line, paragraph by paragraph, chapter by chapter...in fact let's read the whole book and really hear and know What God Does Say.
Then I will follow the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and respond It Is Written...
It is not always that clear who is speaking to me...but when I slow down and turn to the Word of God and seek Him in prayer...more often than not it becomes clearer what is really being asked and who is really doing the asking...no matter the question I want my answer to based on God's Word.
AND GOD SAID...
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Genesis 1:29
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die.
Genesis 2:17
DID GOD REALLY SAY?....
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman,
Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:1
IF YOU ARE REALLY....
And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:3
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple.
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4: 5
I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THIS IF YOU....
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:6
IT IS WRITTEN
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4: 4
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:7
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matthew 4:10
Does the devil ever stop talking? Don't you wish he would just shut up? Sometimes it just gets so confusing....but that's it ...isn't it....GOD is not the author of confusion. God's word is truth.
So whenever I am confused I need to turn to God's Word...Next time I am faced with the question -"Did God really say"- I am going to grab my bible and say let's go to the source and find out...Now this may take awhile since I am not as familiar with His word as I ought to be...So I may be reading aloud word by word, line by line, paragraph by paragraph, chapter by chapter...in fact let's read the whole book and really hear and know What God Does Say.
Then I will follow the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and respond It Is Written...
It is not always that clear who is speaking to me...but when I slow down and turn to the Word of God and seek Him in prayer...more often than not it becomes clearer what is really being asked and who is really doing the asking...no matter the question I want my answer to based on God's Word.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
A phone conversation with a friend and Jesus was listening
I guess this is a season where I am to look at my flaws...I was a bit stressed this morning when I grabbed the phone to speak with my best friend....I let loose with my pity party...I moaned, groaned and complained about everything...feeling ever so sorry for myself...one of the many stupid comments that came out of my mouth was "if it has my name on it I want control" ...my point was that if something had my name on it...whether I get credit or blame..I wanted control from beginning to end...I wanted my stamp on everything...I want my work to be a reflection of me...didn't want anyone else messing with it and placing their stamp on it...succeed or fail-it would be my success or failure...my friend then interrupted and said that as soon as I said those words she had the thought "If My Name is on her then I want control" we both stopped and then agreed it was the Lord speaking through her... to let me know enough...Yes the Lord gives us free will and with my free will I did ask Him to be Lord of my Life...all things were made by Him and created for Him...I was purchased with a price...He is the potter I am the clay...yet I am not fully submitted to my Lord and Savior...I have allowed the world to influence me...I have tried to make and create my self yet I struggle against the hands of my creator when it gets a bit uncomfortable...I am His creation and called by His name yet I am but a muddied reflection of my creator...but Jesus the master creator continues to work with me refining me, removing the impurities and molding me into His image.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Received an award from plant lady
I just received this award from plant lady - plant lady has a fabulous blog - she is very encouraging and a very creative way of sharing what the Lord places on her heart.
I am passing this award onto...
sharon
katrina
Both Sharon and Katrina have also been very encouraging to me if you are not familiar with any of these wonderful bloggers drop by their blog and say Hi...
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