LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Let Us Love One Another

Dear Sister, Letters of Hope and Encouragement by Gisela Yohannan

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks, Joyful Books Book Club Ministry

Chapter 4:  Do You Have Room In Your Heart For Others?

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows god.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

1 John 4:7-8

Self-Centeredness…

The devotional for Chapter 4 is about love for others.  It is much easier to reflect on a topic in that manner than to say the topic is on “self-centeredness.”  This topic is often a difficult topic for me to look at.  I know intellectually, that we are very “self-centered” and we need to be “God-focused”, so we can be “others-focused.”

But, sometimes topics such as these are difficult, because they often “feel” condemning.  As if “I” don’t know how to accomplish more for others.  As a woman, wife, and mom there are so many jobs my day is filled with.  I go to bed exhausted.  So when I come across a topic that tells me I need to think about “others” more, I often feel “overwhelmed” and “sad” not understanding how “more” can be expected of me! 

I was thinking about the author’s approach to this topic in comparison with our last book, Dancing with My Father, by Sally Clarkson.  Sally’s book was on having biblical joy.  The same concept applied with getting our focus off of ourselves and putting it on the Lord Jesus Christ, but her approach was in a way I could relate to.  A woman raising a family, trying to multi-task, often spilling coffee down her blouse, loving Celtic-music, embracing the joy in conversations with her family, all while continuing to give to those around her out of a heart that demonstrated “love for one another and love for God.”

God does expect us as women to make changes in our hearts. But we can’t do this on our own.  We have to remember it is a matter of the heart.  How we accomplish our “tasks” during the day.  How we begin each day with the Lord, spending time in our bibles and in prayer.

Gisela Yohannan says, “The truth is, we have no real interest in each other, because we are so filled up with our own selves.  There is no room, time or energy left for anyone else.”  Do you believe this?  I think I do.  I think that is where that “stinkin-thinkin” comes in… 

Remember the last book where Sally spoke of “Joy-checks?”  Sometimes we might be cruising along in our day focused on doing a task for someone, when our mind begin to wander to “self” and then “stinkin-thinkin” thoughts.  Thoughts of bitterness, anger, or irritation might creep in, and no longer is the task being done for someone else out of a heart of love.  If this happens we need to check ourselves for joy.  Let 1 John 4:7-8 apply to our hearts.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God…”

Today as you go about your day, thinking about cleaning, or folding laundry, working at your job, driving, or whatever your tasks may encompass, stop and ask yourself, “Lord, let me love one another, for love is of God.” 

Just watch…you will be amazed how the Holy Spirit will grow your heart with love for others in your choices and actions.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We want to be women who are not self-centered.  We want to be God-centered.  We know we wake up in the morning thinking about us, going about our day thinking about us, and ending our day, thinking about us.  Lord help us change that part of us to thinking about other people.  Help us to know exactly what that looks like to each one of us individually.  We want to keep our eyes focused on your Son, Jesus Christ, so we can reflect His character.  Help us to study your word and spend time in prayer.  Thank you Heavenly Father for changing us.  We love you so much.  We ask this in Jesus Name, Amen.

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly 

SHARING YOUR TESTIMONY

"You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."  

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Most women love to talk and share their lives with one another.  That is why attending the women's conferences and Koinonia's can be such an encouragement for sharing personal testimonies of how God is changing hearts and lives!

In chapter 3 of the book, Dear Sister, Letters of Hope and Encouragement by Gisela Yohannan, she said our testimony, "should be the natural outcome of our normal, everyday walk with Him. He never meant for us to give an extra performance before the world!  All He wanted was to let them see how Jesus lives through us."

This means, that we should be the same at home as we are at church.  God doesn't expect us to be us to be perfect either.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says " And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

So go out today, sign up and attend the next get together with other Women in the church.  Fellowship.  Share your Testimony!

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

CALVARY CHAPEL RENO-SPARKS WOMEN'S NEWSLETTER NOV/DEC 2011

THE NOVEMBER~DECEMBER NEWSLETTER IS OUT ON THE WEB...

CALVARY CHAPEL RENO-SPARKS WOMEN'S NEWSLETTER

CLICK THE LINK TO VISIT!

HOW JESUS HAS CHANGED MY HEART

Let Them See How Jesus Has Changed Your Heart

Dear Sister, Letters of Hope and Encouragement by Gisela Yohannan

Chapter 2 Teaching by Example

Calvary Chapel Joyful Books Book Club Ministry

10/28/11

“Our lives are designated by God to become models for others to observe and learn how biblical truth is translated into everyday life.”

As I finished up reading through chapter 2, in the book Dear Sister, I was thinking about 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  And  Titus 2:7-8 “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

I always like when I know specifically what it is that I am supposed to do even when the task isn’t easy. 

v Watch my words

v Watch my behavior

v Love others

v Listen to others

v Serve with a pattern of good works

v Pray

v Read and Study my Bible

So I was thinking about the question, “How has Jesus changed your heart, specifically over this last year?”  If we are to be examples to others, such as our children, even if they are grown, or our friends, it is important to continue to grow and change in our: words, behavior, love for others, listening skills, patterns of good works, prayer life and Bible study time.

Philippians 4:8 has been essential to me over this past year.

It says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. 

v True

v Noble

v Just

v Pure

v Lovely

v Good repot

v Virtue

v Praiseworthy

Over this past year my thought life has changed from studying my bible.  When I have had “negative” thoughts come over me about myself, which most often would affect my attitude towards others, I began applying Philippians 4:8.  I began to ask if the thoughts were true.  Mostly, because “true” was all I could remember from the list.  Soon my behavior was changing because negative thoughts about me were changing.  I was beginning to love others more.

When it comes right down to it, God is the one who helps us to get our focus off ourselves and put our focus on Him.  To love Him with our whole entire heart!  Isn’t that such a wonderful blessing from spending time with Him each day!

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BELIEVE

That the World Might Believe

Dear Sister, Letters of Hope and Encouragement by Gisela Yohannan

Chapter 1-Unity Validates Your Message

Calvary Chapel Book Club Ministry

10/27/11

Today begins the first day of our new book, “Dear Sister, Letters of Hope and Encouragement” by Gisela Yohannan.  If you are reading along on the Web, you can visit Gospel For Asia, gfa.org and download the book for free!

Chapter 1: Unity Validates Your Message

As women, we must desire to become one in Jesus Christ so that we can be used by Him, to touch lives, and help bring others to salvation.

How we accomplish this:

1.  Remembering people watch our lives, so we need to ask ourselves if we are reflecting the nature of God that is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, Love never fails.”

2.  Remember our credibility depends on our unity in our relationships with other people at home, work, church and socially.  John 17:21 “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” We can pray for each other, build one another up, avoid gossip, work together, avoid arguing, and give of ourselves. 

3.  Remember we must walk together and avoid any resentment in our hearts even if it is unspoken towards our husbands, family, co-workers, friends, or church family.

4.  Remember our decisions that we make should be made with eternity in mind.  Choosing to follow Jesus by humbling ourselves as Jesus did; willing to lay down our rights and desires to submit to the will of God with all our heart. Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

DANCING WITH MY FATHER CHAPTER 10

Jesus, our Ultimate Portrait of Joy

Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson

Chapter 10 Listening For the Music of God’s Voice

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks Joyful Books Ministry

It is always a sad but a happy time to end a book together as a book club group.  The book, Dancing with My Father, by Sally Clarkson has been exceptionally good, especially the second read through.  I most enjoy listening to how the Lord is growing each and every woman through the Joyful Books Book Club Ministry, encouraging one another, and deepening their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our final chapter, “Listening for the Music of God’s Voice” leaves us with hope.  Hope for remembering how to have Biblical Joy in our lives on a continuing basis.  Our “hope” is in our daily relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our ultimate portrait and source of joy.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:29-30

Sally says, “I have realized that it is as I ponder Jesus-think about Him, study him, read about him, model him-that my life becomes more fully what it is supposed to be in all areas.  Jesus is the ultimate portrait of living with joy.  But even more, I have sought to understand what it means to love him with my whole heart, as he so desires.”

Psalm 30:11-12

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for teaching us about joy.  Help us to remember to look unto Jesus Christ as our portrait of how to live with joy.  Help us to have daily fellowship with you through prayer and to hear your voice in and through your Word.  We love you Lord Jesus. 

In Christ’s Name we pray, Amen.

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

Please feel free to leave comments on the blog, sharing your thoughts and your “WOW moments from the book, Dancing with My Father, by Sally Clarkson…

DANCING WITH MY FATHER CHAPTER 9

How to Let Go of Worry

Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson

Chapter 9  Exchanging the Drudgery of Duty for the Dance

Calvary Chapel Joyful Book Book Club

Have you ever noticed that sometimes we as women enjoy the competition of listing how many burdens we are carrying around as if we are in a race to see who has the most, or whose are the most extreme?  “Oh, I have to babysit the grandkids, attend four meetings, prepare for my multiple bible studies, sing in the choir, clean, shop, get my hair done, etc-etc…”  So many times the Lord places people in our lives to encourage us and offer us help to remove some of our burdens, and we simply refuse their generosity because then we wouldn’t be able to continue listing the burdens we are under by complaining.

As we near the end of the book, Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson, Chapter 9 looks at how to come to God with childlike faith and let go of the worry from all the burdens from life that I am trying to shoulder by myself.

KEY POINTS:

FAITH and PRAYER!

Prayer is the most important point in Chapter 9.  Prayer is the way we talk to God.  Prayer is how we let go of shouldering all our burdens ourselves, and allow God to love us, care for us and show us His tender kindness and mercies toward us.

Sally describes throughout chapter 9 many examples of her relationship with her youngest daughter, “Joy.”  She tells of how her daughter taught her a lot of life lesson, by living life trusting with child like faith.

Sally demonstrates why prayer is important, “When overwhelmed by my circumstances, I learned to pray, “God, here are our bills that seem too many. In your time, show us how you will provide.  Father, I am lonely and weary today, but you know that.  Please strengthen me.  Lord, you see the heart of my rebellious teen.  You have access to his mind and heart.  Please speak to him today.” Whatever the need, I would give it to him.  Then I would open my eyes in innocent expectation, which I learned from observing baby Joy.  It has served to put me and my life more into the perspective of a bigger God, who is above my limited circumstances.”

Sally is so honest and real throughout this chapter explaining that we must make a choice to give our burdens to God as it doesn’t come naturally.  We have to pray.  We have to acknowledge fear, anxiety and irritation when it comes along.  We have to commit to giving God our burdens instead of giving our burdens to God and then taking them back on ourselves, trying to be “good” or “earn” our way to God.  All of this thinking just makes us more “self-centered” instead of “God-centered.”

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6-9

After receiving the news of a loved ones death, the prayer over lunch that day was, "Thank you Lord for this beautiful day that you created."  A relative at the lunch table not praying during the lunch blessing commented after the prayer was over, "What is so beautiful about "this" day?  How can you thank God for today with our brother's death?"  "From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD's name is to be praised."  Psalm 113:3  No matter the circumstances, or what we are going through we are to praise God!  It is through Him that He gives us the strength to continue each day.

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

WE WILL REJOICE

"This is the day the LORD has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

Sometimes we are so overwhelmed or there are situations that can often make us feel like life is out of hand.  The Last thing we may feel like doing is rejoicing.  But no matter what happens in this life, God truly knows and understands how you feel.  God has given you this life to love Him, to live for Him and to serve Him.  So rejoice and be glad!

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

DANCING WITH MY FATHER CHAPTER 8

Telling Your Story

Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson

Calvary Chapel Reno~Sparks Joyful Books Book Club

Chapter 8 Hearing the Refrain of Heaven

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

I opened the chapter and asked my husband if I could read aloud to him and of course he didn’t mind.  As I began, a few paragraphs in, I paused and said, “I read this aloud to you before didn’t I.”  He agreed that I had, but insisted that I should continue.  As I neared the bottom of the second page of chapter 8, I could already feel the anxiety of what lay ahead begin to build.  I knew there would be no way I could continue reading without feeling more than I had the first time through this chapter.  With tears streaming down my cheeks and pauses for tissues throughout the chapter, I finished my read-aloud to my husband agreeing that Chapter 8 was indeed the climax of the book.

“I want you to tell your story about how you came to love Jesus.”  “What amazement we felt that our friend, though diminished in body, was soaring in spirit.”  “When we had eaten, the five of us shared our different stories of how we found Christ.”   “Now I get to tell my story!”  “She related how her mother died of ovarian cancer many years before and how it had thrust her into depression as a girl.  She went on to describe how a friend told her about heaven, the place of perfect beauty where Jesus will welcome all his children who love him, where there will be no more tears, where he’s building us each a mansion.”

“But I have realized that if I really believe in Jesus, then I will soon be relieved of all this pain and suffering.  But it also means that I have a short time left to celebrate the Lord on this side of eternity.  I want every day to be joyful, a celebration of the love I have for others, making memories, and not worrying about all the mundane things that I have wasted too much time on.”

THOUGHTS TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS CHAPTER…

Jesus loves you so much!  For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…  Do you know what the joy was?   YOU!

Hebrews 12:1-2 says that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith…

So, go out and tell your story, share how you came to love Jesus!

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

DANCING WITH MY FATHER CHAPTER 7

Sharing Your Joy
Dancing With My Father by Sally Clarkson
Chapter 7
Calvary Chapel Reno~Sparks Joyful Books Book Club


Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I drove towards the end of lake where we live in Washoe Valley, Nevada.  The deer had returned to graze at the "Deer Run Ranch".  Well not just some deer, but about 200 deer!  What an amazing site in was to watch!  Not just for us I imagine, but also for the coyote off in the distance!

This week in our Joyful Books Book Club we are reading Chapters 7 and 8 in the book, Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson.  


Today we are discussing Chapter 7, Joy Is Made Full When It's Shared...


1 John 4:12-16 says, "No one has seen God at any time.  If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.  By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  And we have know, and believed the love that God has for us.  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."


So what does this all mean when it comes to sharing your joy?


It means simply this...


When we become Christians and we have the Holy Spirit living inside our hearts, we have the ability to reach out and love other people through Jesus.


A key part of this scripture passage is this, "God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us."  God has made His love perfect in us!  So God will show us how to love people when we allow Him to work in our life. 


Some People Find it EASY to talk to other people, or find the TIME to share the love of Jesus, but what about ME?


Chapter 7 gives concrete examples on how to cultivate and commit to loving others.  Today I decided to use a WORD SPLASH to summarize my thinking of what I learned in Chapter 7....


Please feel free to create Your Own Word Splash in the Comment Section of the BLOG...

WORD SPLASH

Dancing with My Father

by Sally Clarkson

Chapter 7

LOVING OTHERS

DISCIPLINE

ENCOURAGEMENT

COMMITMENT

PRACTICE

ROUTINE

PRIORITY

HELPFUL

INITIATION

MAKING TIME

PLANNING

SERVING

GIVING

FORGIVING

TRUSTING

ACTS

Going to Coffee

Praying for one another

Writing a note of encouragement

Bringing flowers

Cleaning

Babysitting

Sharing a meal

Passing on scripture

Sharing a story

Remember to share your own WORD SPLASH on different ways the Lord tells us to love others and show them by our actions.

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

HE SATISFIES...

"There is something relaxing watching these two!"

Do you ever hear the words, "I just don't feel God hears me."  or "I just don't feel satisfied with my relationship with the Lord."  "I feel so empty."?  Your own heart might feel this way today.

Did you know God wants to satisfy you and fill you with His goodness?

It says in Psalm 107:9 "For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness." it also says in John 6:35 "And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life.  He who come to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." 

We can sustain our spiritual hunger and spiritual life when we have a daily relationship with Jesus Christ, but we must invite Him in, and choose to seek him each day. 

His word says in Isaiah 58:11 "The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones;  You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

What is really amazing about Isaiah 58:11, is that when our soul is satisfied, and our bones are strengthened, then we are refreshed!  Our garden is watered and then we have the ability to produce fruit!  We can then reach out to others with expressions of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!

Our God truly does satisfy!

God Bless You Today!

Kelly

DANCING WITH MY FATHER CHAPTER 6

Understanding Joy

Dancing With My Father by Sally Clarkson, Chapter 6

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks Joyful Books Book Club

I rolled over and the clock displayed 1:45 a.m.!  “Oh, great!” I thought, “It is going to be another one of those nights!”  The pain in my back and shoulder seemed to intensify as I laid under the covers of my bed, trying to find a comfortable position for my arm.  I stretched very carefully, knowing I should not move too much.  Experience proved that too much stretching might trigger a muscle spasm in my neck, calf or foot muscle and that was painfully excruciating!  I looked at the clock again, 1:50 a.m.!  I rolled over, only this time sliding out of bed careful not to disturb my husband, reached for my bathrobe and slippers and headed for the living room.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

These words are spoken by Jesus Christ.  He said we can expect to have “tribulation” in this life.  But we are to be of “good cheer,” that in Jesus we can have “peace.”

Chapter 6 is all about what to do when we are troubled in life.

We already know that we will have troubles because Jesus tells us we will in John 16:33. 

So what is the solution?

I know for my own life the physical pain effects EVERYTHING!  I seem to fall asleep at the wrong times during the day, since the pain wakes me up during the night.  I have a lower threshold for noise, lights, smells, etc… I COMPLAIN more!  But that isn’t an excuse is it?  It sounds like it should be I think!  Hah-Hah!  But the Bible says differently.

It says in Galatians 5:22 that “the fruit of the Spirit is…joy”  So, if I am a child of God, then the Holy Spirit can work in my heart and change me from complaining or having a low tolerance for different situations.  Instead I can learn to be joyful no matter my circumstances. 

What if I don’t feel like it? 

Jesus says in John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” 

To Change I have to make a choice.

1.  Believe God is good and He wants the best for my life.

2.  Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

3.  Make a decision to trust and obey God by taking each of my thoughts captive.  Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

4.  Sally Clarkson says in Chapter 6 to begin practicing “joy checks” throughout your day.  “Begin to recognize thoughts and feelings that lead you away from trusting God and instead choose to turn your eyes and heart upon His goodness and trust Him.”

5.  And Prayer!  Sally points out the power of prayer.  “The Lord had very specifically answered all of our prayers.”  “The Lord worked in such a personal way to let me know that he was going to take care of my son’s needs,”    Specific and personal…that is how God is!  He wants to hear from us and prayer is how we communicate.

If you have more points you might like to add that you enjoyed from chapter (6), please feel free to leave comments on the blog.

*Reminder this next week we will be reading Chapters 7 and 8 and the following week Chapter 9 and 10.

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

FILLING OUR HEARTS WITH GOD'S WORD

Filling Our Hearts with God’s Word

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Do you ever have those moments of doubt?  Doubt that you are doing what the Lord wants you to do with your life?  Questioning if you are serving in the area He wants you to serve in. Maybe you are feeling discouraged and alone.  You think that you just don’t know how you can face one more pile of laundry or argument with your teenager.  You feel so alone with no one to talk to. 

We always think we need to go find someone to meet our needs, who can “understand” us as we experience these feelings and insecurities.  2 Timothy tells us that we can be “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

How?  By reading and studying the Word of God.  It says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We can do this by remembering four ways:

1.     Read your Bible daily and ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and understanding as you read.

2.     Take notes while at church and while reading your Bible.

3.     Meditate on God’s Word by thinking about what you have read.

4.     Memorize the scripture you read and tuck it in your heart.

When doubt comes along in one form or another, we now have a tool to banish those seeds of doubt.  We can think of it as a gardener would for pulling weeds out of his garden.  We remember to Read, God’s Word.  Note, important information we have learned.  Meditate, by thinking about Scripture and Finally, Memorize God’s word.

I hope today you will feel encouraged to fill your heart with God’s Word.  Remember, you don't have to go to someone else to talk to about what is going on in your life, but you can go directly to the source!  Directly to our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ.  It is written,  “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly

PSALM 139 YOU UNDERSTAND MY THOUGHTS

A Longing for the Things of God

Psalm 139

“Oh LORD, You have searched me and known me,

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”

Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,

But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number

than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!

Depart from, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

For they speak against You wickedly;

Your enemies take Your name in vain.

Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

I hate them with perfect hatred;

I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.”

As I read the 139^th Psalm it would be difficult to stop in any one place without completely reading this Psalm in its entirety.  The message of Psalm 139 is God knows everything about us, and still He accepts and loves us completely.  God wants to works in our lives protecting us, guiding us and growing us more into His son Jesus Christ.

Do you long for the things of God, or the things of this world?  Are you desiring money, position, security or honor?  Or do you long to seek God’s face?  To find His will for your life? Pray and ask the Lord to understand what it means to live for Jesus, and to choose Him above all else.  Pray and ask to have a heart for encouraging others towards the cross of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes the enemy will come in and try to discourage you by trying make you believe that you are not “good enough” or some other ridiculous thinking thought…  Remember Psalm 139 says God’s thoughts about you are more in number than the sand.  That is pretty awesome!  God loves you!  Remember that! 

As the Psalmist ends 139 remember, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Pray for God’s leading, give Him your anxieties about the day.  


Dear Heavenly Father,  Thank you Lord that we can come to you with all our anxieties Lord Jesus.  Search our hearts Lord and show us Heavenly Father how to do your will today.  We long for the things of you Lord.  We want to know how to encourage others to love you too Lord.  Show us how to do that; take away our desire for the things of this world.  We love you.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God Bless Your Day Today!

Kelly