Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
The lukewarm Christian. To be or not to be as I am sitting here in Huston Texas, the weather I unusually cold. Hot chocolate and hot tea warm my chilled bones and hot soup comfort me. en I read this scripture, it make me think of my hot chocolate and how I would be disgusted to drink it warm. I like my food either extremely hot or extremely cold. As a culinary student, we learned serving warm food create and speed up pathogen and germ. to be lukewarm in Christ will produce spiritual pathogens in your life. Pathogens of sexually immorality, lying, swearing, drinking, smoking and the list goes on. when you are spend less and less time with god, praying, reading the bible your get relationship gets strained. It is easier to make decisions that don’t include him or decisions that are not in sync with what he says. God want you to be on fire for him or not. Have you ever met an indecisive person…maybe or maybe not. Don’t you feel like saying ”make up your mind already, it’ either yes or no.” Being lukewarm displays the wrong message to other how are maybe searching for something more. For an example, going on to party on Saturday night getting drunk and turning around on Sunday to go to church. what type of message are sending out? would God be pleased? How does that honor him? we are to honor him in ALL that we do, not some thing that we do. God wants us to honor him when no one is looking. God knows our heart and our every thought. I chose this scripture mainly for me. I have been sitting on the sidelines…to be or not to be…the question was for me. I know what I want to be. I don’t want to send mixed messages or be lukewarm for god. He has blessed my family so much and I want to give him my all. What is your choice/
If you are not saved and want to know Jesus on a personal level, say this prayer;
"God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen."
After you have said this prayer;
Get baptized as commanded by Christ.
Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
Find a local church where you can worship God
Sunday, December 6, 2009
lukewarm christianity
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
The lukewarm Christian. To be or not to be as I am sitting here in Houston Texas, the weather I unusually cold. Hot chocolate and hot tea warm my chilled bones and hot soup comfort me. en I read this scripture, it make me think of my hot chocolate and how I would be disgusted to drink it warm. I like my food either extremely hot or extremely cold. As a culinary student, we learned serving warm food create and speed up pathogen and germ. to be lukewarm in Christ will produce spiritual pathogens in your life. Pathogens of sexually immorality, lying, swearing, drinking, smoking and the list goes on. when you are spend less and less time with god, praying, reading the bible your get relationship gets strained. It is easier to make decisions that don’t include him or decisions that are not in sync with what he says. God want you to be on fire for him or not. Have you ever met an indecisive person…maybe or maybe not. Don’t you feel like saying ”make up your mind already, it’ either yes or no.” Being lukewarm displays the wrong message to other how are maybe searching for something more. For an example, going on to party on Saturday night getting drunk and turning around on Sunday to go to church. what type of message are sending out? would God be pleased? How does that honor him? we are to honor him in ALL that we do, not some thing that we do. God wants us to honor him when no one is looking. God knows our heart and our every thought. I chose this scripture mainly for me. I have been sitting on the sidelines…to be or not to be…the question was for me. I know what I want to be. I don’t want to send mixed messages or be lukewarm for god. He has blessed my family so much and I want to give him my all. What is your choice/
If you are not saved and want to know Jesus on a personal level, say this prayer;
"God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen."
After you have said this prayer;
Get baptized as commanded by Christ.
Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
Find a local church where you can worship God
The lukewarm Christian. To be or not to be as I am sitting here in Houston Texas, the weather I unusually cold. Hot chocolate and hot tea warm my chilled bones and hot soup comfort me. en I read this scripture, it make me think of my hot chocolate and how I would be disgusted to drink it warm. I like my food either extremely hot or extremely cold. As a culinary student, we learned serving warm food create and speed up pathogen and germ. to be lukewarm in Christ will produce spiritual pathogens in your life. Pathogens of sexually immorality, lying, swearing, drinking, smoking and the list goes on. when you are spend less and less time with god, praying, reading the bible your get relationship gets strained. It is easier to make decisions that don’t include him or decisions that are not in sync with what he says. God want you to be on fire for him or not. Have you ever met an indecisive person…maybe or maybe not. Don’t you feel like saying ”make up your mind already, it’ either yes or no.” Being lukewarm displays the wrong message to other how are maybe searching for something more. For an example, going on to party on Saturday night getting drunk and turning around on Sunday to go to church. what type of message are sending out? would God be pleased? How does that honor him? we are to honor him in ALL that we do, not some thing that we do. God wants us to honor him when no one is looking. God knows our heart and our every thought. I chose this scripture mainly for me. I have been sitting on the sidelines…to be or not to be…the question was for me. I know what I want to be. I don’t want to send mixed messages or be lukewarm for god. He has blessed my family so much and I want to give him my all. What is your choice/
If you are not saved and want to know Jesus on a personal level, say this prayer;
"God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen."
After you have said this prayer;
Get baptized as commanded by Christ.
Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
Find a local church where you can worship God
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Ripe for the Harvest
Do you ever just seems stuck? Sometimes it seems that people who live unrighteous lives thrive. It seems like doing the right thing only puts you further behind. Don't be discouraged. Gal 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
What can you do from fainting or growing weary? Isaiah 40:31, says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." How do you wait upon the Lord...by praying, having faith and reading the Bible. How can you trust in someone you know nothing about? How can you know someone without spending time with them? In order to know who or what you are trusting in requires time with Him. You wait unpon the Lord by being with Him.
"You reap what you sow," "what goes around comes around," or Karma. I think you know what I am getting at. Everything we do in life sows a seed whether good or bad. If you ever planted a garden or observed a farm you would know that things go in a natural order...plant...cultivate and THEN the harvest. Oftentimes, we or should I say I, would like plant, harvest and THEN cultivate. Although we may not see anything now, harvest time will come. Sometimes during the cultivation process there might be too much rain or too many storms, but in due season harvest comes forth. There is a saying, "He may not come when you want Him, but He will be there right on time." God does not operate in T.T. aka Tonya Time. He will allow harvest time when He thinks I am ready.
God is a God that never grows weary. He is never caught off guard by your situation. I am not going to pretend to understand or even like everything that happens in my life, but God knows. Isaiah 40:28 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainted not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."
What can you do from fainting or growing weary? Isaiah 40:31, says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." How do you wait upon the Lord...by praying, having faith and reading the Bible. How can you trust in someone you know nothing about? How can you know someone without spending time with them? In order to know who or what you are trusting in requires time with Him. You wait unpon the Lord by being with Him.
"You reap what you sow," "what goes around comes around," or Karma. I think you know what I am getting at. Everything we do in life sows a seed whether good or bad. If you ever planted a garden or observed a farm you would know that things go in a natural order...plant...cultivate and THEN the harvest. Oftentimes, we or should I say I, would like plant, harvest and THEN cultivate. Although we may not see anything now, harvest time will come. Sometimes during the cultivation process there might be too much rain or too many storms, but in due season harvest comes forth. There is a saying, "He may not come when you want Him, but He will be there right on time." God does not operate in T.T. aka Tonya Time. He will allow harvest time when He thinks I am ready.
God is a God that never grows weary. He is never caught off guard by your situation. I am not going to pretend to understand or even like everything that happens in my life, but God knows. Isaiah 40:28 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainted not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."
Friday, October 9, 2009
For God so loved the world.....
John3:16 AMP For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
17For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
For God so loved the World...A very simple message, but so few understand. Jesus was sent here by God to save us. As a mother I could not imagine sending my ONLY son to save a world that would mock and reject Him. This shows the magnitude of the love of God. To some, God is a God that hoovers over us and waits for us to fail so that He can chastise us, but that is not true. He put His son a cross to bring us closer to Him. God knows that we are not perfect, but If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
To me my father and mother are an example of God's love, but his love is far greater! When I was growing up, my parents wanted the best for me and they still do. They are wiser and smarter than me because they have lived longer. When I did wrong as a child, I got a spanking or some other form of discipline. Why did they discipline me? Just to hurt me? No! They wanted to make sure that I was headed in the right direction. Sometimes my parents would give me chance after chance, warning after warning, but sometimes it took a spanking, discipline or me learning the "hard way," to realize what I was doing was wrong. God, is the same way. He doesn't tell us not to sin because he doesn't want you to have fun. He is doing it for your own good. The best thing about when I younger was I knew even though I messed up my parents loved me regardless. How much more does God love you?
17For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
For God so loved the World...A very simple message, but so few understand. Jesus was sent here by God to save us. As a mother I could not imagine sending my ONLY son to save a world that would mock and reject Him. This shows the magnitude of the love of God. To some, God is a God that hoovers over us and waits for us to fail so that He can chastise us, but that is not true. He put His son a cross to bring us closer to Him. God knows that we are not perfect, but If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
To me my father and mother are an example of God's love, but his love is far greater! When I was growing up, my parents wanted the best for me and they still do. They are wiser and smarter than me because they have lived longer. When I did wrong as a child, I got a spanking or some other form of discipline. Why did they discipline me? Just to hurt me? No! They wanted to make sure that I was headed in the right direction. Sometimes my parents would give me chance after chance, warning after warning, but sometimes it took a spanking, discipline or me learning the "hard way," to realize what I was doing was wrong. God, is the same way. He doesn't tell us not to sin because he doesn't want you to have fun. He is doing it for your own good. The best thing about when I younger was I knew even though I messed up my parents loved me regardless. How much more does God love you?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Psalm 51
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bathsheba.
1HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!
3For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.
4Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment. 5Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].
6Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.
7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness and death, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness (Your rightness and Your justice).
15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16For You delight not in sacrifice, or else would I give it; You find no pleasure in burnt offering.
17My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.
18Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then will You delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, justice, and right, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then bullocks will be offered upon Your altar.
I love to read Psalms. I love to read how David pours his heart before God. If you read the story of David, he has made many mistakes, but he repents of his sins.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bathsheba.
1HAVE MERCY upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!
3For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.
4Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment. 5Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].
6Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.
7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness and death, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness (Your rightness and Your justice).
15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16For You delight not in sacrifice, or else would I give it; You find no pleasure in burnt offering.
17My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.
18Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then will You delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, justice, and right, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then bullocks will be offered upon Your altar.
I love to read Psalms. I love to read how David pours his heart before God. If you read the story of David, he has made many mistakes, but he repents of his sins.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
YouTube - MORE THAN ENOUGH ( the brooklyn tabernacle choir )
YouTube - MORE THAN ENOUGH ( the brooklyn tabernacle choir )
I love this song. My mom played this CD when we were younger.
I love this song. My mom played this CD when we were younger.
Where the mind goes the man will follow...Where are you headed?
I love to garden and plant flowers. Every summer my mother would take a week off of work to landscape our yard, much to the dismay of my brothers and sister. Bright and early at 7:00 or sometimes earlier, we would be awaken to the voice of my mother singing, "Wake up, sleepyhead, wake up!" She would come in our room and sing until we got up. *Parents take note!* For a whole week we would shovel dirt and mulch. The end result was a beautiful garden. After some time, we would notice weeds growing in the garden. Mom showed us the "proper way" to pull weeds...from the root. If you don't pull the weeds from the root, the weeds will come back. I remember how hard we worked to landscape our yard and how effortless it was for the weeds to overtake the garden beds if they were not cared for.
Our mind is like a garden. It takes effort and toiling to be positive, but it does not take much for weeds of worry, jealousy, adultery to creep in . Prov 23:13 Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge. 23:19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord].
Our mind is like a garden. It takes effort and toiling to be positive, but it does not take much for weeds of worry, jealousy, adultery to creep in . Prov 23:13 Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge. 23:19 Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord].
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Through the eyes of a child
I have two small boys, Abram, 3 and Ethan, who turns 2 on New Years Eve. If you are a parent, you probably know the difficulties of trying to get your kids to share. Abram and Ethan have a lot of animal toys. Abram brought ALL of them downstairs and he played with them for the greater portion of the morning. When he got done, Ethan grabbed one toy and Abram was so upset! Abram was surrounded by at least 10 animals, but he wanted the one that Ethan had. I tried to explain to him that he had so many toys and Ethan only had one.
This "parable" has so many lessons that apply to me and may apply to you as well. The first lesson was to be thankful for what I have. I was trying to show Abram that he has so many toys and to be thankful for the ones that he does have. I think it is natural to want to strive to become better or the desire to have more. As a mother, I want the best for my children, for my self and my husband. The challenge for me is to strive to become better, but to remain thankful and content. Life is a journey....we don't "arrive" until we die! I can point out so many things I do not have, but I can look around and see what I do have. I have two healthy boys, a nice home, a husband who is faithful and loves me and God, Christian parents who would do ANYTHING for me and the list goes on. On this journey I will continue to strive to become better, but this time, I will check my attitude before it checks me. I will give God the praise and thank him along the way. "Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at ALL times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth"
The other lesson I got out of this morning's episode was to share. What a simple lesson we teach our kids. As I looked at Abe who was surrounded by animals and Ethan who had the tiniest animal in his hand, I had to think of myself. Abe was so upset about the one little animal that he forgot other ones. I tried to get Abram to focus on the the 10 toys that he had. I tried to explain to Abram, that if he shares, Ethan can play with him. ALL ABOUT ME!! The nature of a child! Abram being three years old, couldn't fully understand and if he did he didn't care! As adults, we do the same. We or maybe I should say I, sometimes don't want to share...regardless what it is....spotlight, resources, money, information. As a child it is natural to not understand sharing. Through my children I was convicted of childish behavior. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
This "parable" has so many lessons that apply to me and may apply to you as well. The first lesson was to be thankful for what I have. I was trying to show Abram that he has so many toys and to be thankful for the ones that he does have. I think it is natural to want to strive to become better or the desire to have more. As a mother, I want the best for my children, for my self and my husband. The challenge for me is to strive to become better, but to remain thankful and content. Life is a journey....we don't "arrive" until we die! I can point out so many things I do not have, but I can look around and see what I do have. I have two healthy boys, a nice home, a husband who is faithful and loves me and God, Christian parents who would do ANYTHING for me and the list goes on. On this journey I will continue to strive to become better, but this time, I will check my attitude before it checks me. I will give God the praise and thank him along the way. "Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at ALL times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth"
The other lesson I got out of this morning's episode was to share. What a simple lesson we teach our kids. As I looked at Abe who was surrounded by animals and Ethan who had the tiniest animal in his hand, I had to think of myself. Abe was so upset about the one little animal that he forgot other ones. I tried to get Abram to focus on the the 10 toys that he had. I tried to explain to Abram, that if he shares, Ethan can play with him. ALL ABOUT ME!! The nature of a child! Abram being three years old, couldn't fully understand and if he did he didn't care! As adults, we do the same. We or maybe I should say I, sometimes don't want to share...regardless what it is....spotlight, resources, money, information. As a child it is natural to not understand sharing. Through my children I was convicted of childish behavior. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
This little light of mine....
Matt 5:1 4-16You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
When I read this passage of scripture, it reminds me of a song that I would sing in church. "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine...Everywhere I go, I am going to let it shine." I also think of a lighthouse when I read this passage. I think about ships and boats traveling on a dark and stormy night. The crew is filled with fear and uncertainty. Suddenly, from a distance they see a light. Alas, a lighthouse! As the boats and ships get closer to the lighthouse, they can see the rocky shore and dangers that lie ahead. Life can be stormy, rocky and uncertain for the people who are in darkness, but as they are drawn to the light, things become clearer. It seems to me that in this time, the moral lines are blurred. Things that are clearly morally wrong now seem right and morals that are right now seem wrong. As Christians we are supposed to be different because of the Light that is within us. What or who is the source of Light? Jesus!! John 8:12"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." You and I will never be perfect, but we are to strive for perfection like Jesus. Some people's light shine more brightly than others, but nevertheless, it should still shine. I ask this of myself, can anyone tell a difference in me. Sometimes the desire to fit in is so strong, but God intended for you and I to stand out. My dad always told me, "the greatest testimony is not the one that you talk about, but it is the one you live."
When I read this passage of scripture, it reminds me of a song that I would sing in church. "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine...Everywhere I go, I am going to let it shine." I also think of a lighthouse when I read this passage. I think about ships and boats traveling on a dark and stormy night. The crew is filled with fear and uncertainty. Suddenly, from a distance they see a light. Alas, a lighthouse! As the boats and ships get closer to the lighthouse, they can see the rocky shore and dangers that lie ahead. Life can be stormy, rocky and uncertain for the people who are in darkness, but as they are drawn to the light, things become clearer. It seems to me that in this time, the moral lines are blurred. Things that are clearly morally wrong now seem right and morals that are right now seem wrong. As Christians we are supposed to be different because of the Light that is within us. What or who is the source of Light? Jesus!! John 8:12"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." You and I will never be perfect, but we are to strive for perfection like Jesus. Some people's light shine more brightly than others, but nevertheless, it should still shine. I ask this of myself, can anyone tell a difference in me. Sometimes the desire to fit in is so strong, but God intended for you and I to stand out. My dad always told me, "the greatest testimony is not the one that you talk about, but it is the one you live."
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Purpose Driven Life?
Jeremiah 1: 4-10 Then the word of the Lord came to me [Jeremiah], saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth. But the Lord said to me, Say not, I am only a youth; for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them [their faces], for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
As a child I was often asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Until recently, I was asking myself that very same question. Now my question is, "God, what is your will for my life. What is my purpose? What can I do your Kingdom?" God has a purpose for every one's life. Jeremiah 1:4, is says that God knew Jeremiah before he was even formed in his mother's womb. God knew you before you were conceived. He put us on this earth for a purpose. A good friend of mine is starting a tutoring company. She is a very intelligent women who is of an entrepreneurial spirit. She has been involved with other companies in the past, but she was constantly called to the tutoring field. She recently decided to go full force in launching her business. This will be her purpose and her witness. She will witness to others through her Christian based tutoring business. God places people in many different fields...science, health, education, it does not matter. What does matter is that when He does call you, that you be ready. What does God have for you? Diligently seek Him and be ready.
As a child I was often asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Until recently, I was asking myself that very same question. Now my question is, "God, what is your will for my life. What is my purpose? What can I do your Kingdom?" God has a purpose for every one's life. Jeremiah 1:4, is says that God knew Jeremiah before he was even formed in his mother's womb. God knew you before you were conceived. He put us on this earth for a purpose. A good friend of mine is starting a tutoring company. She is a very intelligent women who is of an entrepreneurial spirit. She has been involved with other companies in the past, but she was constantly called to the tutoring field. She recently decided to go full force in launching her business. This will be her purpose and her witness. She will witness to others through her Christian based tutoring business. God places people in many different fields...science, health, education, it does not matter. What does matter is that when He does call you, that you be ready. What does God have for you? Diligently seek Him and be ready.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Meditation Monday
Meditation Update!!! Last week, my scripture was Psalms 34:1 " I will bless the Lord at ALL times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth." I was led to that scripture because lately I have been very ungrateful. Earlier this year God has helped Jason and I through a rough patch. During that time, or the storm as I like to call it, I grew closer to God. I got up early and prayed and God was my complete focus. Now that my family is doing better, I have not being praying or seeking God like I was earlier and I have been complaining a lot. This scripture has changed my attitude. For an example, when I want to complain about cleaning the house, I now say, " Thank you God for blessing me with a house to clean," or if I want to complain about Jason working all the time, I will say," Thank-you God for providing Jason with a job." I am not completely where I want to be, but I know this will help me.
The scripture I am going to meditate on this week is, "Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
BTW: I love how God works! He is so AWESOME!! Earlier in this week, I received literature from Insight for Living about a new program that helps with scripture memorization. The program is called, Scripture for Practical Christian Living: 40 Verses for Spiritual Growth—Insight’s Scripture Memory Program. It includes a CD and memory cards. Here is the link to their website: http://www.insight.org/
The scripture I am going to meditate on this week is, "Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
BTW: I love how God works! He is so AWESOME!! Earlier in this week, I received literature from Insight for Living about a new program that helps with scripture memorization. The program is called, Scripture for Practical Christian Living: 40 Verses for Spiritual Growth—Insight’s Scripture Memory Program. It includes a CD and memory cards. Here is the link to their website: http://www.insight.org/
Monday, August 31, 2009
Hiding His Word in my Heart
As I was driving with the boys, I was listening to 105.7 here in Houston. I always seem to catch the end of his show...I do not even know the name of the show, but the host's topic was remembering scripture. He went on to say that if you just remember or meditate on a verse of scripture a week, you will have learned 52 verses of scripture. It is important not only remember the scripture, but to meditate; to consider as something to be done or effected; intend; purpose. What does the Bible say about meditating?
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
The Bible says that if you meditate God's word that you will be prosperous and have good success. Not only successful financially, but to be successful in other areas of life. I decided to commit to meditating on one scripture a week. In order for me to do that, I had to evaluate myself and see what I needed the most work on. I was led to Psalms 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." If I am always praising God, I won't be complaining. Whenever I want to complain, I will think of this scripture and give God praise. Every Monday will be Meditation Monday where I will recap the previous week and I will post a new scripture for the following week.
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
The Bible says that if you meditate God's word that you will be prosperous and have good success. Not only successful financially, but to be successful in other areas of life. I decided to commit to meditating on one scripture a week. In order for me to do that, I had to evaluate myself and see what I needed the most work on. I was led to Psalms 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." If I am always praising God, I won't be complaining. Whenever I want to complain, I will think of this scripture and give God praise. Every Monday will be Meditation Monday where I will recap the previous week and I will post a new scripture for the following week.
Monday, August 24, 2009
God in a Box?
*Please excuse the title if it offensive*
Isaiah 66:1-2 1THUS SAYS the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house would you build for Me? And what kind can be My resting-place?
2For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands.
I am or WAS a person who would worry A LOT! I would worry about the bills, the kids, the car and I would even if my flowers were getting enough water! My husband is the complete opposite! I have been a Christian longer than my husband, but I didn't really have a relationship with God until we got married and I was own my own. When I was younger, what I knew of God was what my parents talked about. As a child, I didn't have much to worry about because my parents took care of everything. In a way, I didn't really need to depend on God. Their faith was my faith. As I got older and on my own, I couldn't depend on my parents. I had to depend on God. To be honest, I didn't trust God. I felt like I needed to do everything on my own. I didn't want to "bother" God. As I started to read my Bible more, I realized that God does care for me and He does want me to "bother" Him. God cares for us so much that he numbers the hairs on our head ( Matt 10:30) I started to know God for myself and I really trust him. I realize that I could not put Him in a box because He is too big. God is bigger than my problems and my circumstances.
Isaiah 66:1-2 1THUS SAYS the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house would you build for Me? And what kind can be My resting-place?
2For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands.
I am or WAS a person who would worry A LOT! I would worry about the bills, the kids, the car and I would even if my flowers were getting enough water! My husband is the complete opposite! I have been a Christian longer than my husband, but I didn't really have a relationship with God until we got married and I was own my own. When I was younger, what I knew of God was what my parents talked about. As a child, I didn't have much to worry about because my parents took care of everything. In a way, I didn't really need to depend on God. Their faith was my faith. As I got older and on my own, I couldn't depend on my parents. I had to depend on God. To be honest, I didn't trust God. I felt like I needed to do everything on my own. I didn't want to "bother" God. As I started to read my Bible more, I realized that God does care for me and He does want me to "bother" Him. God cares for us so much that he numbers the hairs on our head ( Matt 10:30) I started to know God for myself and I really trust him. I realize that I could not put Him in a box because He is too big. God is bigger than my problems and my circumstances.
This is a song that goes along with this post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GqV-_ySIrU
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Defeating Temptation | It Is Written
Defeating Temptation It Is Written
http://www.iiw.org/tvprogram/episode/2009/08/1074#scriptures
This is a link to a program I watched today.
http://www.iiw.org/tvprogram/episode/2009/08/1074#scriptures
This is a link to a program I watched today.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Where are the other nine?
11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”[b] And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.[c]”
I was reading a bible that Jason's grandmother had before she passed. She was a Christian for many years and the bible was full of personal notes. Off to the side, she wrote, "where are the other nine?" This caught my attention. I read the passage, but didn't give it too much thought. As I was riding in my car yesterday, I was frustrated and started complaining out loud. Guess what came on the radio? This passage of scripture. Do you think God is trying to tell me something? I believe many lessons could be learned from this passage, but the message I am focusing on is giving God the glory he deserves. God didn't not heal me physically, but he healed me in so many other ways. Like I stated in an earlier blog, last year has been a rough one for Jason and I. Between job transitions, a new baby and so many other things, God has truly "healed" us, but yet I find myself so unappreciative and ungrateful. I find myself wanting what others have and not being appreciative of what I have. I am not saying that it is wrong to want more or want better things, but my attitude was wrong. God healed me and I didn't go back to give him the praise. I thank God for giving me this passage to convict me,but not condemn me. I look forward to my future with an attitude of gratitude.
14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”[b] And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.[c]”
I was reading a bible that Jason's grandmother had before she passed. She was a Christian for many years and the bible was full of personal notes. Off to the side, she wrote, "where are the other nine?" This caught my attention. I read the passage, but didn't give it too much thought. As I was riding in my car yesterday, I was frustrated and started complaining out loud. Guess what came on the radio? This passage of scripture. Do you think God is trying to tell me something? I believe many lessons could be learned from this passage, but the message I am focusing on is giving God the glory he deserves. God didn't not heal me physically, but he healed me in so many other ways. Like I stated in an earlier blog, last year has been a rough one for Jason and I. Between job transitions, a new baby and so many other things, God has truly "healed" us, but yet I find myself so unappreciative and ungrateful. I find myself wanting what others have and not being appreciative of what I have. I am not saying that it is wrong to want more or want better things, but my attitude was wrong. God healed me and I didn't go back to give him the praise. I thank God for giving me this passage to convict me,but not condemn me. I look forward to my future with an attitude of gratitude.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
God...Heavenly Father, better than an earthly father 1
Matt 7:7Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? 11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
Growing up as a child, I was very intimidated by God. I thought that God was a God that would strike me dead as soon as I made a mistake...well maybe not to that extreme, but I did think that God was a God who was unforgiving. I think a lot of people have this misrepresentation of God. I thought that God was this way because, I was that way. As human being we tend to hold grudges, be unforgiving and keep record of every hurt. We fail to realize that God is not like us. HIS ways are NOT our ways, nor or his thoughts our thoughts. God is above juvenile behavior. If my kids ask me for bread would I give them a stone? NO, of course not! I would try to give them the best bread I could find, preferably whole grain with no high fructose corn syrup ;) This may come as a shock to some, but I am not perfect!! God is! As a mom, I desire to give my children the best and so does God. Keep believing that if you ask, you shall receive.
Growing up as a child, I was very intimidated by God. I thought that God was a God that would strike me dead as soon as I made a mistake...well maybe not to that extreme, but I did think that God was a God who was unforgiving. I think a lot of people have this misrepresentation of God. I thought that God was this way because, I was that way. As human being we tend to hold grudges, be unforgiving and keep record of every hurt. We fail to realize that God is not like us. HIS ways are NOT our ways, nor or his thoughts our thoughts. God is above juvenile behavior. If my kids ask me for bread would I give them a stone? NO, of course not! I would try to give them the best bread I could find, preferably whole grain with no high fructose corn syrup ;) This may come as a shock to some, but I am not perfect!! God is! As a mom, I desire to give my children the best and so does God. Keep believing that if you ask, you shall receive.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Prayer and Persistence
Luke 18:1 ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable...2He said, In a certain city there was a judge who neither reverenced and feared God nor respected or considered man. 3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, Protect and defend and give me justice against my adversary. 4And for a time he would not; but later he said to himself, Though I have neither reverence or fear for God nor respect or consideration for man, 5Yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will defend and protect and avenge her, lest she give me intolerable annoyance and wear me out by her continual coming...6Then the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says! 7 And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? 8I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?"
As a parent I see persistence firsthand.."Mom, can I have a lollipop?" or "Mom, I want chocolate." My children are very persistent, but as their mother, I can't give them chocolate all the time, I have to give them what is best for them. When my children need something or if they are in trouble, I help them immediately. How much greater is God than me? He is our Father God and He is holy. He knows everything and He will always be there to protect you.
As a parent I see persistence firsthand.."Mom, can I have a lollipop?" or "Mom, I want chocolate." My children are very persistent, but as their mother, I can't give them chocolate all the time, I have to give them what is best for them. When my children need something or if they are in trouble, I help them immediately. How much greater is God than me? He is our Father God and He is holy. He knows everything and He will always be there to protect you.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Be still
My husband Jason and I have had a very "interesting" year to say the least. For the past year it seems like our world was going upside down. I am a person who tries to "fix" things. I like to make things happen. I feel like if I am going to do something, I need to be committed to it (although I wasn't always like that) I remember having an "intense" prayer and just asking God, " what do I need to do, how can I fix this!?" His reply, "Be still." That was NOT the answer I was looking for! Be still?!? How could I be still when my world was in chaos? The verses that came to me was Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. I am not implying that you be still and not pay your bills, or quit your job. No No No! For me it meant stop trying to fix things on my own and trust God. It means, Trust in the LORD with ALL thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Prov 3:5). God reveals his purpose and plan in due time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
My time was to be still and build up for the thing ahead in life. Is God telling you to be still? What is your time?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
My time was to be still and build up for the thing ahead in life. Is God telling you to be still? What is your time?
Monday, August 10, 2009
Patience and Peace
Is your situation always going to be easy? No, Psalms 34:19 says ,"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT the LORD delivers him out of them all." Sometimes I feel as a Christian, things are more difficult at times. I am at fault because I try to do things my way and not the way that God intends. Also, when I have difficulties it could be God trying to work through me. James 1:2-3(AMP) says ,"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience."
I meditated on this scripture for a while and I was praying that God would give me more patience. Well, I was expecting God to zap patience in me, but that is not how He works. For an entire week, my two year old son, Abram, would do the same thing over and over again. He was driving me crazy!! I had to realize that patience was going to take time. This is just a small example. My family has gone through other situations that have been extremely difficult, but if I didn't go through them I would not be wiser, stronger and more patient. God wants you to trust Him. " My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
I meditated on this scripture for a while and I was praying that God would give me more patience. Well, I was expecting God to zap patience in me, but that is not how He works. For an entire week, my two year old son, Abram, would do the same thing over and over again. He was driving me crazy!! I had to realize that patience was going to take time. This is just a small example. My family has gone through other situations that have been extremely difficult, but if I didn't go through them I would not be wiser, stronger and more patient. God wants you to trust Him. " My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Strength in the Struggle
As I have come to learn, when one goes through a trial, one’s character is revealed to himself. When going through a trial, one learns where his heart is. Through this process, one also learns the heart and character of God. I have recently started meditating on Isaiah 40: 28-31:
28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.
29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall:
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I like how the scripture begins, “Hast thou not know, hast thou not heard…” as if this is common knowledge and the writer is surprised that the reader does not know. For me, I sometimes put God in a box. I sometimes tell God how big my problem is instead of telling my problem how big God is. God gives power to the faint and he that has no might he increases strength. Be encouraged an know that if you keep focused on Him, He will help you.
28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.
29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall:
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I like how the scripture begins, “Hast thou not know, hast thou not heard…” as if this is common knowledge and the writer is surprised that the reader does not know. For me, I sometimes put God in a box. I sometimes tell God how big my problem is instead of telling my problem how big God is. God gives power to the faint and he that has no might he increases strength. Be encouraged an know that if you keep focused on Him, He will help you.
My Blog
Hello World!
Welcome to my blog! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Tonya. I have the BEST husband in the world, Jason, who is loving, supportive and intelligent. We will celebrate our fifth year wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve. I am also a mother to the sweetest boys in the world! Abram is 3 and Ethan will turn 2 on New Years Eve. I currently stay at home with my boys and will be attending culinary school in the Fall with the goal of becoming a Pastry Chef.
I decided to start a blog to inspire and encourage others. I often watch the news and I have become perturbed about the things that I have seen recently. Lay offs, divorce and murder are some of the things that plague the airwaves. I want to send out a positive message; a message of hope and encouragement to all that are feeling discouraged. I look forward to inspiring you with words of hope and wisdom.
Welcome to my blog! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Tonya. I have the BEST husband in the world, Jason, who is loving, supportive and intelligent. We will celebrate our fifth year wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve. I am also a mother to the sweetest boys in the world! Abram is 3 and Ethan will turn 2 on New Years Eve. I currently stay at home with my boys and will be attending culinary school in the Fall with the goal of becoming a Pastry Chef.
I decided to start a blog to inspire and encourage others. I often watch the news and I have become perturbed about the things that I have seen recently. Lay offs, divorce and murder are some of the things that plague the airwaves. I want to send out a positive message; a message of hope and encouragement to all that are feeling discouraged. I look forward to inspiring you with words of hope and wisdom.
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