Good Monday Morning that should be Friday morning! It was a busy weekend with Staci and Sawyer's graduations! So much fun but now my house is in desperate need of attention! Hope your weekend was great! Are you interested in doing the ANYTHING book study this summer?
S - Luke 16:25, 31 But Abraham said to him, Son remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted and Lazarus had nothing. SO now he is here being comforted and you are in anguish.
But Abraham said, If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.
O - This reminds me that God's Word is living and powerful and the Holy Spirit is at work all around us. For someone who is rejecting Christ miracles and grand gestures aren't necessarily going to help them.
A - For those in my life who still are unsaved I need to continue to pray that they will receive the HOly Spirit's conviction and will pick up a Bible and read!
P - God thank you that your Word is SO powerful. Thank you for giving it to us. Help me to use it wisely and I pray that those in our lives who don't know you will begin listening to your Word!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 8, Day 5
Good Morning Girlz!!! It's FRIDAY!!!! Thank goodness! Any fun plans for anyone? All I have is running club tomorrow and church Sunday. I'm so glad. I'm gonna rest and recoup. After this weekend it's a whirlwind of traveling for the next month and a half. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
S - Luke 16: 25 "But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony."
O - Verse 25 reminds me of "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." The world looks at the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart. This rich man had a wonderful life in the eyes of the world. He had wealth and with wealth status, but when it came to eternity what mattered was his heart. Am I trying to look good in the eyes of the world or am I working on my heart?
A - Right now the biggest heart issue I am working on is what the Lord showed me last week through this study & the story of the prodigal son. I learned that self-righteousness is just as bad as rebellion. That really stuck with me and I have been working on my heart in regards to work ever since.
P - Lord thank You for Your Word and how it teaches us and changes us. Lord, please continue to help me as I work on my heart in regards to work.
P.S. Was this seriously our last day???? It went really fast!!!
S - Luke 16: 25 "But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony."
O - Verse 25 reminds me of "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." The world looks at the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart. This rich man had a wonderful life in the eyes of the world. He had wealth and with wealth status, but when it came to eternity what mattered was his heart. Am I trying to look good in the eyes of the world or am I working on my heart?
A - Right now the biggest heart issue I am working on is what the Lord showed me last week through this study & the story of the prodigal son. I learned that self-righteousness is just as bad as rebellion. That really stuck with me and I have been working on my heart in regards to work ever since.
P - Lord thank You for Your Word and how it teaches us and changes us. Lord, please continue to help me as I work on my heart in regards to work.
P.S. Was this seriously our last day???? It went really fast!!!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 8, Day 4
Good Morning Girlz!!!
Tomorrow is Friday! Thank goodness! This has been the longest week!!!
S - Luke 16:24 "And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame."
O - This rich man had only thought of himself his whole life and ways to make himself comfortable. He hadn't ever taken the time to reach out to others and share his wealth. No matter how much stuff he had or status he carried, because he did not have Jesus in his heart he did not get to spend eternity in Heaven.
A - I can get very clouded with accumulating "things." It's fun to have nice things and go nice places and be pampered. I just don't want my desire for nice things to ever blind me to the basic needs of those around me. I want the Lord to use me and my resources to meet the needs of others.
P - Lord please open my eyes to people I can help and please help me keep my earthly desires in check.
Tomorrow is Friday! Thank goodness! This has been the longest week!!!
S - Luke 16:24 "And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame."
O - This rich man had only thought of himself his whole life and ways to make himself comfortable. He hadn't ever taken the time to reach out to others and share his wealth. No matter how much stuff he had or status he carried, because he did not have Jesus in his heart he did not get to spend eternity in Heaven.
A - I can get very clouded with accumulating "things." It's fun to have nice things and go nice places and be pampered. I just don't want my desire for nice things to ever blind me to the basic needs of those around me. I want the Lord to use me and my resources to meet the needs of others.
P - Lord please open my eyes to people I can help and please help me keep my earthly desires in check.
Karlyn: LLJ week 8 day 4
Good Thursday Morning!!
Amber y'all have been on my mind praying for clarity and wisdom on your decisions.
S - Luke 16:24 The rich man shouted Father Abraham have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.
O - Interesting points that stand out to me today
*Rich man asks for pity when he never gave pity
*Asks for Lazarus to relieve him, he still thinks he can tell people to do things and get what he wants
A - Who am I not giving mercy and grace to that needs it from me? Am I putting others first and sharing Christ or am I putting my needs first and then finding time to meet theirs?
P - Lord help me not to be selfish with what you've blessed me. Help me to have the mindset that everything I have is yours and there are people every day that I need to share my blessings with. Nothing is mine Lord it is all yours.
Amber y'all have been on my mind praying for clarity and wisdom on your decisions.
S - Luke 16:24 The rich man shouted Father Abraham have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.
O - Interesting points that stand out to me today
*Rich man asks for pity when he never gave pity
*Asks for Lazarus to relieve him, he still thinks he can tell people to do things and get what he wants
A - Who am I not giving mercy and grace to that needs it from me? Am I putting others first and sharing Christ or am I putting my needs first and then finding time to meet theirs?
P - Lord help me not to be selfish with what you've blessed me. Help me to have the mindset that everything I have is yours and there are people every day that I need to share my blessings with. Nothing is mine Lord it is all yours.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Karlyn: LLJ week 8 day 2-3
S - Luke 16:13 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
16:17 But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God's law to be overturned.
O - I'm going to serve either wholly God or wholly something else I cannot hold onto both.
I had to look in a commentary for v17 and it said "Accountability before the divine is more important than the world's opinion. What human beings value is an abomination before God."
A - I desperately need nitty gritty accountability. The kind that someone looks at me and says, "Where is your heart focused today? Are you serving God or yourself. Who and what are you putting your faith and trust in today? Who/What are you running to today when you are stressed, lonely, depressed, frustrated".
P - Lord please help me to ask myself the tough questions to know where my sin is and what to confess so that I can be wholly dedicated to you.
It's been a super fast week. We go watch Staci Linn graduate from HS tomorrow night. Oh how the time flies! Ginny I'm so glad your weekend was fun!
16:17 But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God's law to be overturned.
O - I'm going to serve either wholly God or wholly something else I cannot hold onto both.
I had to look in a commentary for v17 and it said "Accountability before the divine is more important than the world's opinion. What human beings value is an abomination before God."
A - I desperately need nitty gritty accountability. The kind that someone looks at me and says, "Where is your heart focused today? Are you serving God or yourself. Who and what are you putting your faith and trust in today? Who/What are you running to today when you are stressed, lonely, depressed, frustrated".
P - Lord please help me to ask myself the tough questions to know where my sin is and what to confess so that I can be wholly dedicated to you.
It's been a super fast week. We go watch Staci Linn graduate from HS tomorrow night. Oh how the time flies! Ginny I'm so glad your weekend was fun!
Ginny - LLJ, Week 8 Day 3
Good Morning Girlz!!!
S - Luke 16:16-17 "“Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.
O - God's word never changes. It is constant and always right. It does not change with the times. It is solid truth.
A - This is why I need Christian friends and church family so much...to remind and support me that God's Word is truth...no matter what the world throws at us. Society likes to twist things and justify why things should be different because of the times we live in, but God's Word stands. He did not put time frames on His laws and commandments. Believers need to help each other stand firm and encourage one another to keep following His Word no matter what the world says.
P - Lord I pray that Your scripture would be first on my heart and mind, and that I would honor and obey it no matter what the world says.
S - Luke 16:16-17 "“Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.
O - God's word never changes. It is constant and always right. It does not change with the times. It is solid truth.
A - This is why I need Christian friends and church family so much...to remind and support me that God's Word is truth...no matter what the world throws at us. Society likes to twist things and justify why things should be different because of the times we live in, but God's Word stands. He did not put time frames on His laws and commandments. Believers need to help each other stand firm and encourage one another to keep following His Word no matter what the world says.
P - Lord I pray that Your scripture would be first on my heart and mind, and that I would honor and obey it no matter what the world says.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Ginny - LLJ, Week 8 Day 2
Good Morning Girlz!!!
S - Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
O - God wants my whole heart. He does not want my devotion split. He is my everything.
A - It is very easy and tempting to make temporal things become more important than my devotion to Christ. The world clouds my view and before I know it I am putting more time and energy into gaining earthly success than I am furthering His kingdom.
P - Lord please help me to keep my focus and heart on that which it needs to be on. Help me to take definite steps to put Your agenda first and not my selfish desires.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!!
S - Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
O - God wants my whole heart. He does not want my devotion split. He is my everything.
A - It is very easy and tempting to make temporal things become more important than my devotion to Christ. The world clouds my view and before I know it I am putting more time and energy into gaining earthly success than I am furthering His kingdom.
P - Lord please help me to keep my focus and heart on that which it needs to be on. Help me to take definite steps to put Your agenda first and not my selfish desires.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 8, Day 1
Good Morning Girlz! I drove in from Ft. Worth this morning and even before my EARLY morning today I was running on very little sleep, so I am very tired this morning. A nap is really needed! The weekend was great though! It couldn't have been any better. We had such fun and laughed till we cried. Such a fun time being all together.
S - Luke 16:10 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."
O - If I don't take care of what I have been given, I can't expect to get more.
A - What are some of those little things that are important to be a good steward in?
* money (like today's email talks about)
* time management
* benevolence, meeting others needs
* taking care of the temporal things the Lord has given me - the yard, clean house, etc.
P - Lord, please help me to give my best in all areas, especially the small ones. That I may be responsible and cherish what I have been given. Give me a thankful heart before a greedy heart.
S - Luke 16:10 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."
O - If I don't take care of what I have been given, I can't expect to get more.
A - What are some of those little things that are important to be a good steward in?
* money (like today's email talks about)
* time management
* benevolence, meeting others needs
* taking care of the temporal things the Lord has given me - the yard, clean house, etc.
P - Lord, please help me to give my best in all areas, especially the small ones. That I may be responsible and cherish what I have been given. Give me a thankful heart before a greedy heart.
Karlyn: LLJ week 16 day 1
Mud Run was HARD!!! At times I was in water up to my knees. My toes are even sore!
S - Luke 16:12 And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
O - What are other people's things in my life?
*the money that my employer pays me
*the kids I do therapy with
*things I borrow from others
*the kids I teach at church
A - That's just a short list but I know I don't always give my best at work, church, or return quickly what I have borrowed. This is an area to work on in my life. I want to receive God's full blessings but they will not come if I'm not faithful and honest with what I do everyday.
P - Father please help me to stop and think when I'm using/teaching with other people's time, money, things. Help me to want to be faithful and honest at all times and not want to put me first.
S - Luke 16:12 And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
O - What are other people's things in my life?
*the money that my employer pays me
*the kids I do therapy with
*things I borrow from others
*the kids I teach at church
A - That's just a short list but I know I don't always give my best at work, church, or return quickly what I have borrowed. This is an area to work on in my life. I want to receive God's full blessings but they will not come if I'm not faithful and honest with what I do everyday.
P - Father please help me to stop and think when I'm using/teaching with other people's time, money, things. Help me to want to be faithful and honest at all times and not want to put me first.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 7, Day 5
Good Morning Girlz!!!
Karlyn! I am so excited for you and your mud run!!! Yay!!! I will definitely be praying for your knee. Hope you have a blast! I'm looking forward to my weekend too. Jon flies in this evening and then we are driving to Ft. Worth tomorrow to see Rachel's piano recital and then celebrate my parents 40th anniversary that evening. This will be Jon's first time to meet Amy, Todd and the kids. Should be a great weekend!
S - Luke 15:28 "But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him."
O - I really needed to hear the insight of today's email. Self-righteousness is just as detrimental as rebellion.
A - I can relate to the older brother. Actually right now I've been working through circumstances at work where I feel like everyone else is always taking off days, afternoons or just goofin off and I am working non-stop. Regardless of whose right or wrong, the point is I can not let my attitude and heart become hardened and self-righteous and bitter towards those I work with. This is not about me and them, it is about my heart and honoring the Lord with my time, attitude and thoughts. Man did I need to hear that today!
P - Lord please help me keep my eyes on You and not other people. Instead of seeing the "unfairness" help to look for things to be thankful for. I want to have an attitude that is happy not on that is gloomy.
Karlyn! I am so excited for you and your mud run!!! Yay!!! I will definitely be praying for your knee. Hope you have a blast! I'm looking forward to my weekend too. Jon flies in this evening and then we are driving to Ft. Worth tomorrow to see Rachel's piano recital and then celebrate my parents 40th anniversary that evening. This will be Jon's first time to meet Amy, Todd and the kids. Should be a great weekend!
S - Luke 15:28 "But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him."
O - I really needed to hear the insight of today's email. Self-righteousness is just as detrimental as rebellion.
A - I can relate to the older brother. Actually right now I've been working through circumstances at work where I feel like everyone else is always taking off days, afternoons or just goofin off and I am working non-stop. Regardless of whose right or wrong, the point is I can not let my attitude and heart become hardened and self-righteous and bitter towards those I work with. This is not about me and them, it is about my heart and honoring the Lord with my time, attitude and thoughts. Man did I need to hear that today!
P - Lord please help me keep my eyes on You and not other people. Instead of seeing the "unfairness" help to look for things to be thankful for. I want to have an attitude that is happy not on that is gloomy.
Karlyn: LLJ week 7 days 4-5
Yay Friday!!!! I'm doing a Mud Run tomorrow morning, please pray that I don't blow my knee!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm ready for some rest it's been a fast paced week.
S - Luke 15: 20, 24, 28, 31-32
So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to the son, embraced him, and kissed him.
For this son of mine was dead and now has returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found. So the party began
The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him...His father said to him, Look dear son you have always stayed by me. And everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost but now he is found.
O - The father hadn't given up, he saw the son from a long way off
The father didn't care what he had done just that he was alive and home and ready to repent
The older brother - jealous, self righteous, selfish, and pouty
A - I'm a lot like the older brother. Full of self righteousness and my heart wants to be outwardly rebellious but I hide behind doing good and being the martyr because I'm the one doing the work and nobody else cares. Boo Hoo. I can be pitiful. Sin is sin and I've got a lot to confess to a compassionate loving patient Father!
P - Lord thank you for waiting on the prodigals and those who are self righteous (me). Reveal the sin in my heart that I need to confess.
S - Luke 15: 20, 24, 28, 31-32
So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to the son, embraced him, and kissed him.
For this son of mine was dead and now has returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found. So the party began
The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him...His father said to him, Look dear son you have always stayed by me. And everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost but now he is found.
O - The father hadn't given up, he saw the son from a long way off
The father didn't care what he had done just that he was alive and home and ready to repent
The older brother - jealous, self righteous, selfish, and pouty
A - I'm a lot like the older brother. Full of self righteousness and my heart wants to be outwardly rebellious but I hide behind doing good and being the martyr because I'm the one doing the work and nobody else cares. Boo Hoo. I can be pitiful. Sin is sin and I've got a lot to confess to a compassionate loving patient Father!
P - Lord thank you for waiting on the prodigals and those who are self righteous (me). Reveal the sin in my heart that I need to confess.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 7, Day 3
Good Morning Girlz!!!
S - Luke 15:13-15 "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."
O - Oh the prodigal son. There is so much to learn from him. First off, if not for grace, I would be him. I am not immune to squandering, foolishness and making selfish decisions. It's easy to read this story and go, "I can't believe he would do that!" but truth is we all make unwise decisions.
A - What I love about this story is that even though the son made a horrible decision and went down a dark path (that he knew better!), his father still welcomed him home with open arms. I love that our Heavenly Father never stop loving us. No. Matter. What. I can make bad decisions, but He still gives me a second chance.
P - Lord thank You for Your amazing grace. Thank You for accepting me back time and time again.
S - Luke 15:13-15 "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."
O - Oh the prodigal son. There is so much to learn from him. First off, if not for grace, I would be him. I am not immune to squandering, foolishness and making selfish decisions. It's easy to read this story and go, "I can't believe he would do that!" but truth is we all make unwise decisions.
A - What I love about this story is that even though the son made a horrible decision and went down a dark path (that he knew better!), his father still welcomed him home with open arms. I love that our Heavenly Father never stop loving us. No. Matter. What. I can make bad decisions, but He still gives me a second chance.
P - Lord thank You for Your amazing grace. Thank You for accepting me back time and time again.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Karlyn: LLJ week 7 day 2-3
Happy Hump Day!
S - Luke 15:9And when she finds it she will call in her friends and neighbors and say Rejoice with me for I have found my lost coin.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
O & A - In verse 9 it stood out to me that she called everyone in to rejoice with her. I know heaven rejoices when people come to Christ but what struck me is I'm not doing enough rejoicing with people. I'm playing down the power of Christ in the lives of other people instead of rejoicing in the every day miracles. Rejoicing brings attention to Christ instead of circumstances.
13-16 Waste- famine -starvation- desperation How many times am I wasteful and let it lead to desperation instead of being a steward of what I'm given and then being the opposite of desperate (I had to look it up) "confident, content, satisfied, secure, unworried"
P- Lord I will rejoice boldly in you today and become a better steward of your gifts and grace so I can be confident content satisfied and secure in you!
S - Luke 15:9And when she finds it she will call in her friends and neighbors and say Rejoice with me for I have found my lost coin.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
O & A - In verse 9 it stood out to me that she called everyone in to rejoice with her. I know heaven rejoices when people come to Christ but what struck me is I'm not doing enough rejoicing with people. I'm playing down the power of Christ in the lives of other people instead of rejoicing in the every day miracles. Rejoicing brings attention to Christ instead of circumstances.
13-16 Waste- famine -starvation- desperation How many times am I wasteful and let it lead to desperation instead of being a steward of what I'm given and then being the opposite of desperate (I had to look it up) "confident, content, satisfied, secure, unworried"
P- Lord I will rejoice boldly in you today and become a better steward of your gifts and grace so I can be confident content satisfied and secure in you!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 7, Day 2
Good Morning Girlz!!!
S - Luke 15:9 "When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’"
O - There's a lot in this verse that I like. First off, I can relate to losing things. I don't like that feeling. I just feel so foolish for misplacing it and get frustrated because the item wasn't where I really thought I left it. Make that item something precious and the sick stomach feeling just escalates. It's just no fun losing things! I can put myself in this ladies shoes. She searched every where and cleaned every cranny. She did not rest till it was found. It controled her thoughts. What this lady does next in verse 9 is so cool to me. She was so excited that she found it that she celebrated, and not just by herself. She called in other friends to party with her. She was overjoyed that the feeling of anxiety and worry was over and she could rest again because her treasure was found! I love that feeling too. When you finally lay eyes on the item you have been seeking for. You feel like you can breathe again. Such a good feeling! And oh how much more the Lord smiles with utter elation when one of His creations comes to find Him. Nothing beats that feeling!
A - This verse reminds me to be busy on reaching lost soles. To put effort into. To be focussed on it. To be in constant prayer for those that need to be found. It is easy in my prayer life to just talk about my needs and requests and those of my family & friends. I need to up my prayer time for lost soles. The three friends I have been praying for and those I don't even know personally that are in need of a Savior.
This morning the Lord showed me a sweet lesson that I want to share with y'all. Maybe someone else could use this too. Back in March I bought a big, beautiful red geranium to hang on my front porch. It was way too early to be thinking flowers. I knew we would have more cold weather, but I was anxious to put some color out. Jon was coming in town for the weekend and I wanted the house to look happy and welcoming. The plant looked great for about a week, but then the cold snaps came and I wasn't diligent to water it, so it just began to shrivel up. It was pretty embarrasing hanging on the front porch, so I moved it to the back porch to just let it be. Well Sunday for some reason when I walked out my back door I looked at that geranium and noticed that some of the thick stems still had some green in them. It wasn't dead. So I began to clear the brown leaves and dried up buds off and broke down the tips of the stems a little bit. When I did this it was amazing to me how the smell came right back. Geraniums don't have a flowery smell, it's more like a spicey smell. You know what I mean? I like the smell. Anyhow, I watered it and hung it back on it's hook. Today as I left for work I looked at that geranium and it is amazing! Those green stems are greener than they have ever been AND there are little geranium leaves already coming out all over the stems. It was so fun to think, "it's going to make it!" God reminded me that there are times that I run ahead of Him. I want something to happen or I say something without thinking or I want to get something done and so I prematurely rush into something. Often times I regret having done that because it didn't work or turn out like I thought or I came across rude to someone. God allows me to wipe myself off, start over and He still brings good from it. He gives me second chances. He brings back the fragrance. There are things that I would like to know answers for right now, but I must wait and watch for His hand. He will bring the green and the blooms all in His timing.
P - Lord I thank You for Your Word. The story of the lost coin and how much You love us. I want to keep lost souls in the forefront of my mind. Help me to be disciplined and diligent to pray for my 3 friends and others that need Your saving grace. Also thank You for letting me start over just like my geranium plant. Sometimes it's an attitude adjustment, sometimes it's a habit I need to break or recommitt too, but Lord You never give up on me. I trust You and Your timing.
Have a wonderful "geranium" day ladies :)
S - Luke 15:9 "When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’"
O - There's a lot in this verse that I like. First off, I can relate to losing things. I don't like that feeling. I just feel so foolish for misplacing it and get frustrated because the item wasn't where I really thought I left it. Make that item something precious and the sick stomach feeling just escalates. It's just no fun losing things! I can put myself in this ladies shoes. She searched every where and cleaned every cranny. She did not rest till it was found. It controled her thoughts. What this lady does next in verse 9 is so cool to me. She was so excited that she found it that she celebrated, and not just by herself. She called in other friends to party with her. She was overjoyed that the feeling of anxiety and worry was over and she could rest again because her treasure was found! I love that feeling too. When you finally lay eyes on the item you have been seeking for. You feel like you can breathe again. Such a good feeling! And oh how much more the Lord smiles with utter elation when one of His creations comes to find Him. Nothing beats that feeling!
A - This verse reminds me to be busy on reaching lost soles. To put effort into. To be focussed on it. To be in constant prayer for those that need to be found. It is easy in my prayer life to just talk about my needs and requests and those of my family & friends. I need to up my prayer time for lost soles. The three friends I have been praying for and those I don't even know personally that are in need of a Savior.
This morning the Lord showed me a sweet lesson that I want to share with y'all. Maybe someone else could use this too. Back in March I bought a big, beautiful red geranium to hang on my front porch. It was way too early to be thinking flowers. I knew we would have more cold weather, but I was anxious to put some color out. Jon was coming in town for the weekend and I wanted the house to look happy and welcoming. The plant looked great for about a week, but then the cold snaps came and I wasn't diligent to water it, so it just began to shrivel up. It was pretty embarrasing hanging on the front porch, so I moved it to the back porch to just let it be. Well Sunday for some reason when I walked out my back door I looked at that geranium and noticed that some of the thick stems still had some green in them. It wasn't dead. So I began to clear the brown leaves and dried up buds off and broke down the tips of the stems a little bit. When I did this it was amazing to me how the smell came right back. Geraniums don't have a flowery smell, it's more like a spicey smell. You know what I mean? I like the smell. Anyhow, I watered it and hung it back on it's hook. Today as I left for work I looked at that geranium and it is amazing! Those green stems are greener than they have ever been AND there are little geranium leaves already coming out all over the stems. It was so fun to think, "it's going to make it!" God reminded me that there are times that I run ahead of Him. I want something to happen or I say something without thinking or I want to get something done and so I prematurely rush into something. Often times I regret having done that because it didn't work or turn out like I thought or I came across rude to someone. God allows me to wipe myself off, start over and He still brings good from it. He gives me second chances. He brings back the fragrance. There are things that I would like to know answers for right now, but I must wait and watch for His hand. He will bring the green and the blooms all in His timing.
P - Lord I thank You for Your Word. The story of the lost coin and how much You love us. I want to keep lost souls in the forefront of my mind. Help me to be disciplined and diligent to pray for my 3 friends and others that need Your saving grace. Also thank You for letting me start over just like my geranium plant. Sometimes it's an attitude adjustment, sometimes it's a habit I need to break or recommitt too, but Lord You never give up on me. I trust You and Your timing.
Have a wonderful "geranium" day ladies :)
Monday, May 6, 2013
Ginny - LLJ Week 7, Day 1
Good Afternoon Girlz!!! Karlyn, hope you enjoyed your restful morning. Hope everyone has a great week!!!
S - Luke 15:7 "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
O - Every single heart is important to Jesus. He treasures each one. He wants to see each person come to know Him. Am I doing my part to help show them the right way?
A - I have three friends that I have been praying for their salvation. I see these friends at work, have lunch with them, talk to them on the phone, but have been shy in clearly stating the gospel to them.
P - Lord I pray that I would have boldness to verbalize Your saving grace to my friends. That our conversations would turn to You and I would ask them about their eternity.
S - Luke 15:7 "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
O - Every single heart is important to Jesus. He treasures each one. He wants to see each person come to know Him. Am I doing my part to help show them the right way?
A - I have three friends that I have been praying for their salvation. I see these friends at work, have lunch with them, talk to them on the phone, but have been shy in clearly stating the gospel to them.
P - Lord I pray that I would have boldness to verbalize Your saving grace to my friends. That our conversations would turn to You and I would ask them about their eternity.
Karlyn: LLJ week 7 day 1
Good Monday Morning! We had a fun weekend and I'm very thankful to have Monday morning at home to catch up and rest a bit!!! Congrats Cindy and Jared, so fun! The GMG summer book club is a book Jenifer just read and one I want to read, are y'all interested? You can see it on the website. It's called Anything.
S - Luke 15:7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away.
O - Being there for and reaching out to sinners who need to repent should be on my mind every day. I should be active in this part of my life instead of retreating into the comfort of my friends who have repented.
A - For a while I stayed real comfortable in the easiness of my relationships with my friends who are believers. In the last year I've had a lot of opportunities to build relationships with those who aren't believers or just not in a good relationship with Christ. It's hard and can be very frustrating and I have to pray A LOT. I haven't seen much change in anyone yet but there's still a lot of trust and friendship to be built. It's definitely an area I need to continue to build on in reaching out to others who aren't in the same place I am spiritually or not at all!
P - Lord thank you for seeking out sinners like me. Help me to know how to be a friend to those who don't know you yet and help me to live like you authentically.
S - Luke 15:7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away.
O - Being there for and reaching out to sinners who need to repent should be on my mind every day. I should be active in this part of my life instead of retreating into the comfort of my friends who have repented.
A - For a while I stayed real comfortable in the easiness of my relationships with my friends who are believers. In the last year I've had a lot of opportunities to build relationships with those who aren't believers or just not in a good relationship with Christ. It's hard and can be very frustrating and I have to pray A LOT. I haven't seen much change in anyone yet but there's still a lot of trust and friendship to be built. It's definitely an area I need to continue to build on in reaching out to others who aren't in the same place I am spiritually or not at all!
P - Lord thank you for seeking out sinners like me. Help me to know how to be a friend to those who don't know you yet and help me to live like you authentically.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Cindy - update :)
Hey Girlz!!! Just wanted to give you an update on what God has been doing. In the fall of last year God began prompting us to be open for a move. In the midst of craziness, God was in control and had great plans for us! In Dec. Jared was told that his job would be reduced to part time spring of 2013. God opened doors and moved us to a new church in Feb! His plan is perfect! We now live in beautiful Sarasota, FL (which is south of Tampa). Jared is the Student Pastor at Sarasota Baptist Church. We love it here. There is a lot of work to be done, a bit overwhelming but exciting. So along with being at a new church with a new ministry, we are excited to announce that I am pregnant!!! My due date is Nov. 28...so we're having a thanksgiving baby :) So I do have a few prayer requests:)....first that my pregnancy will be easy and the baby healthy. Currently the nausea has been terrible! I was sick all nine months with Owen...pray that that is not the case with this one. Also, Jared and I are leading a team to Guatemala the first week in Aug...so pray that I will be able to go as planned...pray for wisdom :) Lastly, pray for the ministry here, that we would not be overwhelmed but have wisdom from the Lord in knowing what to do :) love you girls!!!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Karlyn: LLJ week 6 day 3-4
Good morning! I'm so excited to be at home ALONE for a few hours!!! I get to regain control of this house! Hope everyone's week is going great. Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!
S - Luke 14: 23-24 So his master said go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.
14:26-28 "If you want to be my disciple you must hate everyone else by comparison - your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?"
O - I'm sitting here very overwhelmed by the seriousness of this passage. Jesus was making a very wide line in the sand. Counting the cost and accepting the invite is serious. Jesus wasn't and doesn't play games. He laid it out clearly what it took to be part of his kingdom. In my life now it doesn't cost me much to follow Christ, but I know there are people all over the world that the cost is very high. My situation would be more closely related to the Pharisees. I'm I listening and accepting and following through with the invitation he gives me to serve him daily?
A - Lord I don't want to be too busy. I want to be available to serve at all times no matter what is on my plate. God open my heart and take away selfishness and my rigidness to my calendar and schedule.
S - Luke 14: 23-24 So his master said go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.
14:26-28 "If you want to be my disciple you must hate everyone else by comparison - your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?"
O - I'm sitting here very overwhelmed by the seriousness of this passage. Jesus was making a very wide line in the sand. Counting the cost and accepting the invite is serious. Jesus wasn't and doesn't play games. He laid it out clearly what it took to be part of his kingdom. In my life now it doesn't cost me much to follow Christ, but I know there are people all over the world that the cost is very high. My situation would be more closely related to the Pharisees. I'm I listening and accepting and following through with the invitation he gives me to serve him daily?
A - Lord I don't want to be too busy. I want to be available to serve at all times no matter what is on my plate. God open my heart and take away selfishness and my rigidness to my calendar and schedule.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Ginny LLJ - Week 6, Day 3
Good afernoon girlz!!! I am getting so much done today! I love it! Such a great feeling!
S - Luke 14:23-24 "And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’”
O - All those who were extended a "real" invitation gave excuses. Because no one accepted the invite the man began inviting anyone he could find on the street to come and dine with him. What excuses am I holding on to? What is keeping me from ministery or saying yes to the Lord's calling?
A - I think there are plenty of excuses I give. Probably more than I am even aware of. Sometimes it's fear that causes me to decline, or just feelings of inadequacy, or that someone else would be so much better at the job than I would. Whatever the excuse, the important thing to remember is that God extended the invitation to me. He is asking me to come. He wants me to join Him. I don't want to miss out!
P - Lord, open my eyes to the excuses I give. I want to be a part of what You are doing.
S - Luke 14:23-24 "And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’”
O - All those who were extended a "real" invitation gave excuses. Because no one accepted the invite the man began inviting anyone he could find on the street to come and dine with him. What excuses am I holding on to? What is keeping me from ministery or saying yes to the Lord's calling?
A - I think there are plenty of excuses I give. Probably more than I am even aware of. Sometimes it's fear that causes me to decline, or just feelings of inadequacy, or that someone else would be so much better at the job than I would. Whatever the excuse, the important thing to remember is that God extended the invitation to me. He is asking me to come. He wants me to join Him. I don't want to miss out!
P - Lord, open my eyes to the excuses I give. I want to be a part of what You are doing.
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