1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
I had something on my mind, and read an email from a blog that I follow, and the blog post just happened to be exactly what I was thinking about and said this, "...my value comes from God alone who made me and not from other’s opinions or expectations of me." So I went searching for some scripture while I was on lunch... This is one of many that I came across... As women, I think we easily fall into a place of trying to value ourselves based on those opinions and expectations from others. It's so important to remember that we only have to answer to GOD. And He made us. We are fearfully and WONDERFULLY made... We need to glorify God in everything. From the way we think and feel, the way we dress, and in EVERYTHING. I'm so thankful for HIS WORD that we can go to any time of day or night and be reminded of not just who we are, but WHO WE ARE IN HIM.... :) Moved to tears, and thanking Jesus.... :)
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Run to ... WIN!
Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Timothy 4:7-8
My thoughts:
What is a way that you run to receive the prize? As Christians we are running a race, a race that we know we win in the end because we have accepted Christ as our savior. But when you run, do you run with all you've got? Do you strive to serve Him in every area of your life? In what areas could you give a little more, try a little harder to please Him? We are given instruction in these verses to run as if we want to receive the crown at the end. Wouldn't it be a shame to finish the race, but not receive the prize for running the race? Something else to think about: when you are athletic, maybe excercising, (for me that's running), do you only give 10%? Or do you try to give it your all? Do you try your best in your Christian walk? I know if I go for a run, and walk 70% of the time, it doesn't make me feel very accomplished or very good about myself. However when I run, and give it my all- I may be tired at times- but I feel sooo refreshed and so energized for the rest of the day!! And then the next day, I have a little more confidence, and I'm able to go a little farther... I love that the bible compares a Christian life to that of a runner or athlete. There are seriously sooo many things to apply to it. My favorite is obviously 'running with patience' ~ but what about you? What's your favorite athletic/physical comparison the bible uses?
My thoughts:
What is a way that you run to receive the prize? As Christians we are running a race, a race that we know we win in the end because we have accepted Christ as our savior. But when you run, do you run with all you've got? Do you strive to serve Him in every area of your life? In what areas could you give a little more, try a little harder to please Him? We are given instruction in these verses to run as if we want to receive the crown at the end. Wouldn't it be a shame to finish the race, but not receive the prize for running the race? Something else to think about: when you are athletic, maybe excercising, (for me that's running), do you only give 10%? Or do you try to give it your all? Do you try your best in your Christian walk? I know if I go for a run, and walk 70% of the time, it doesn't make me feel very accomplished or very good about myself. However when I run, and give it my all- I may be tired at times- but I feel sooo refreshed and so energized for the rest of the day!! And then the next day, I have a little more confidence, and I'm able to go a little farther... I love that the bible compares a Christian life to that of a runner or athlete. There are seriously sooo many things to apply to it. My favorite is obviously 'running with patience' ~ but what about you? What's your favorite athletic/physical comparison the bible uses?
Thursday, May 2, 2013
With a Runner's Perspective...
Verses for today:
Hebrews 12:1-2 & Psalm 1:1
As I read these verses today, I imagine running a race. And I ask myself, is there anything in my life today that may be holding me back? Is there anything sin in my life that I need to lay aside. These are things that will hinder my performance in this race. I wouldn't run a race with a 10 lb. weight tied to my ankle. Why would I think that I could successfully run a spiritual race with sin and other burdens in my life that hold me back?
I also ask myself today, what can I do today to keep my eyes on JESUS while I run this race? I wouldn't run a race constantly looking over my shoulder, and constantly looking behind. If I was always looking behind me, I could end up off my course. I could end up running right into a tree! So, as I run this spiritual race, I need to remind myself daily that I need to keep my eyes on JESUS. It's really easy to begin to watch people around us, or to focus on our past mistakes. But neither of those things are going to get us to the finish line! Only JESUS will do that!
Keep Running With Patience!
Hebrews 12:1-2 & Psalm 1:1
As I read these verses today, I imagine running a race. And I ask myself, is there anything in my life today that may be holding me back? Is there anything sin in my life that I need to lay aside. These are things that will hinder my performance in this race. I wouldn't run a race with a 10 lb. weight tied to my ankle. Why would I think that I could successfully run a spiritual race with sin and other burdens in my life that hold me back?
I also ask myself today, what can I do today to keep my eyes on JESUS while I run this race? I wouldn't run a race constantly looking over my shoulder, and constantly looking behind. If I was always looking behind me, I could end up off my course. I could end up running right into a tree! So, as I run this spiritual race, I need to remind myself daily that I need to keep my eyes on JESUS. It's really easy to begin to watch people around us, or to focus on our past mistakes. But neither of those things are going to get us to the finish line! Only JESUS will do that!
Keep Running With Patience!
Monday, February 18, 2013
A Man Full of Faith and The Holy Ghost
Monday:
Acts 6:1-7
This week we will read a lot about Stephen. This morning I think it is important to notice that verse 5 describes Stephen as 'a man full of Faith and The Holy Ghost'. I also think its important to notice that these men that the disciples chose, were chosen to be servants. I believe as Christians, we are all called to serve. Everything we do should be an act of service to God, and we should have a servant's heart while doing it. I pray that I am full of faith and The Holy Ghost just as Stephen was. And I pray that The Lord keeps my heart in a place of humble service, and my eyes on HIM in EVERYTHING I say and do.
Acts 6:1-7
This week we will read a lot about Stephen. This morning I think it is important to notice that verse 5 describes Stephen as 'a man full of Faith and The Holy Ghost'. I also think its important to notice that these men that the disciples chose, were chosen to be servants. I believe as Christians, we are all called to serve. Everything we do should be an act of service to God, and we should have a servant's heart while doing it. I pray that I am full of faith and The Holy Ghost just as Stephen was. And I pray that The Lord keeps my heart in a place of humble service, and my eyes on HIM in EVERYTHING I say and do.
Monday, December 10, 2012
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, not unto men."
Monday:
Colossians 3:22-25, 4:1
Colossians 3:22-25, 4:1
Verse 23 has become one of my favorite verses. I have always been someone that worries
about what people think, and making others happy. Yet, I have learned that no matter what I do
to try to please people and seek after the approval of humans, I will fail and
I will never make everyone happy.
However, I have found that when my heart is focused on Him in everything
that I do, there is a certain joy and peace that comes with that. Knowing that I am serving my Master. In the best way that He has shown me. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “…For the Lord seeth not
as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh
on the heart.” I need to keep my heart
in Him, focused on HIM, striving to please HIM, in all that I say, in all that
I do, so that HE WILL BE GLORIFIED. I
believe that is our purpose in life, to glorify God. The thing to remember, is to do it in
EVERYTHING. That means to me, seriously
everything. From raising my children,
going to work every day, cooking dinner, and even brushing my hair in the
morning. God sees our heart… He knows
where our focus is. He knows our
intentions. So it’s not just about doing
what God wants you to, but it’s about the “WHY” are you doing what God wants
you to? Are you doing it to lift up
yourself? Are you doing it for the
approval of man? Or are you doing it to
bring glory to God. I pray this morning
that my heart will stay resting on HIM, and that my purpose in everything that
I do is to bring glory to my Master. I
long to please Him in everything. I know I will fail with people every single
time. However, I will strive to keep
pleasing God, knowing that according to Philippians 1:6 – “He which hath begun
a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. Service truly starts in my heart…
Friday, September 14, 2012
Peace That Passes All Understanding...
Friday:
Philippians 4:2-23
This section of scripture is my favorite in the Bible. ☺ I am going to share a little more personally this morning, so I hope you are not bored by my words. I have had anxiety attacks on and off for the past 6 or 7 years. These attacks are anywhere from mild to extreme. For those of you that don’t know, an anxiety attack can happen at anytime, and isn’t just because you are upset about something. Anxiety attacks can simulate an actual heart attack (I know this from research, AND my own personal experience). I started to see a Christian counselor after the first 6 months (seeking Christian counsel was BY FAR one of the best things I have ever done). The very first thing this counselor told me – actually was my ‘homework’ for my first session – to memorize the following scripture:
Philippians 4:6-7 “ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Over the next couple of years, I cannot begin to tell you how much that one little passage came to mind Daily, weekly, and now about once a month. I wrote it on my heart, and what I didn’t understand completely at the time, I did anyway, and God has used it over and over and over. While the anxiety/panic attacks were a medical issue, they were still an emotional one. Emotionally and physically I could not control those attacks. However, I could come to God and pray and ask Him to harness those emotions, and He would remind me in MANY ways how much I am loved, and how much HE will provide! After studying that scripture I began to stay in His Word every day, and grow more and more, and through the daily time with God, I began to be drawn closer to Him. I was able to stop taking all the medication I had been put on for the anxiety, and then able to drop a few pounds that I had put on from the medicine. Nick and I both were sent back to work (on the same day!! – just about at the same moment!).
So, when I read this morning, I can’t help but give praise to God for all He has done for me in my life. For all He has supplied for me. I was at the bottom – emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually. And I was able to come out because of the strength of Christ – Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – not on my own strength – but through HIS strength. Thinking about the money that wasn’t in the bank, the jobs we didn’t have, the weight that I couldn’t shed because of the medicine, or how my physical body was out of control, my heart racing out of my chest – I knew thinking about those things was not a help to me. Look at verse 8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” –
These are promises that we have from the ALMIGHTY GOD! These are promises that we have from the Creator of the Universe! We are promised that we WILL have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” – I can think about peace and understand it, but the peace of God passes all of my understanding – it is a peace far beyond what we can even think about. A peace that can control anxiety attacks. A peace that can give us comfort when we are hurting.
Dear Lord,
I thank you this morning for the peace you have given us. Please bless us today, and help us to be honoring to you.
Amen.
Philippians 4:2-23
This section of scripture is my favorite in the Bible. ☺ I am going to share a little more personally this morning, so I hope you are not bored by my words. I have had anxiety attacks on and off for the past 6 or 7 years. These attacks are anywhere from mild to extreme. For those of you that don’t know, an anxiety attack can happen at anytime, and isn’t just because you are upset about something. Anxiety attacks can simulate an actual heart attack (I know this from research, AND my own personal experience). I started to see a Christian counselor after the first 6 months (seeking Christian counsel was BY FAR one of the best things I have ever done). The very first thing this counselor told me – actually was my ‘homework’ for my first session – to memorize the following scripture:
Philippians 4:6-7 “ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Over the next couple of years, I cannot begin to tell you how much that one little passage came to mind Daily, weekly, and now about once a month. I wrote it on my heart, and what I didn’t understand completely at the time, I did anyway, and God has used it over and over and over. While the anxiety/panic attacks were a medical issue, they were still an emotional one. Emotionally and physically I could not control those attacks. However, I could come to God and pray and ask Him to harness those emotions, and He would remind me in MANY ways how much I am loved, and how much HE will provide! After studying that scripture I began to stay in His Word every day, and grow more and more, and through the daily time with God, I began to be drawn closer to Him. I was able to stop taking all the medication I had been put on for the anxiety, and then able to drop a few pounds that I had put on from the medicine. Nick and I both were sent back to work (on the same day!! – just about at the same moment!).
So, when I read this morning, I can’t help but give praise to God for all He has done for me in my life. For all He has supplied for me. I was at the bottom – emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually. And I was able to come out because of the strength of Christ – Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – not on my own strength – but through HIS strength. Thinking about the money that wasn’t in the bank, the jobs we didn’t have, the weight that I couldn’t shed because of the medicine, or how my physical body was out of control, my heart racing out of my chest – I knew thinking about those things was not a help to me. Look at verse 8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” –
These are promises that we have from the ALMIGHTY GOD! These are promises that we have from the Creator of the Universe! We are promised that we WILL have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” – I can think about peace and understand it, but the peace of God passes all of my understanding – it is a peace far beyond what we can even think about. A peace that can control anxiety attacks. A peace that can give us comfort when we are hurting.
Dear Lord,
I thank you this morning for the peace you have given us. Please bless us today, and help us to be honoring to you.
Amen.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
That I May Know Him...
Thursday:
Philippians 3:1-4:1
I believe one of the general truths this morning that spoke to
me the most was that I am still a work in progress. Working every day to be
more like Christ, and to know Him more. I need to depend not on my own works to
get me where I need to be, but on Christ to get me there. A couple of verses
that stood out to me:
V.10 – “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (KJV)
V. 13 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,” (KJV)
V.14 – “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (KJV)
I think verse 14, probably stood out to me the most. Not because
it is a verse we may all know well, but because of the study notes in one of my
study bibles. The notes say that the Greek word for ‘press on’ “was used of a
sprinter, and refers to aggressive, energetic action. Paul pursued
sanctification with all his might, straining every spiritual muscle to win the
prize. (1 Cor. 9:24-27; 1 Tim. 6:12; Heb. 12:1).” (The Macarthur Study Bible)
This morning I was feeling very ‘worn out’. And then I read the verses, and see
that I need to “aggressively” press on? I just didn’t feel like I had any more
“aggression” or “energetic action” to give. Then I went back and read the
verses again, and realize, that while we need to put forth our very best, and
everything we can, that we need to get that energy and aggression from God. I
need to ask Him for the strength, because as I have seen all week, that
strength is not found in myself. I find that strength in Him.
I am so thankful for the truths this morning, and the blessing
from His Word.
Dear Lord,
Thank You, again for blessing us with another day to serve you.
Thank you for reminding me that I need strength from you, not from myself. And
thank you for showing me how to press on towards you. Please draw me closer to
you. Help me to be an example to others, and help me see the example in others.
Amen.
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