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.
Monday, August 31, 2009
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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