With Thanksgiving approaching we have spent a lot of time around our house talking about all that we are thankful for. Psalm 69:30 says I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. When I looked up the transliteration of thanksgiving in this verse it was: towdah- give praise to God. What a wonderful way of defining Thanksgiving....a day to give praise to God!
Earlier this week I started reading the book of Job. It ended up being perfect timing with the subject of thankfulness. I have been meditating on the first 2 chapters over the last few days. In these Chapters God allows Job to loose basically all that he has including his health. Job does nothing but continue to give God praise. In Job 1:21 he says The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” It has made me think.... Do I love God because of all that He has done for me, or do I just love Him because He is God? Would I still love Him if he took away every single thing I have?
God found this out from Job by allowing Satan to test him, I am thankful this week that God has simply asked me this question and allowed me to ponder on it. I have realized that I have a lot to change in my way of thinking. I do love God for all that He has blessed me with, but I also need to be in the right mindset and ready to praise Him even if he were to take it all away.
In Job 2:10 Job says.. "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. My favorite part of this verse is where it says...Job did not sin in what he said. Job could have gotten angry and cursed God for what had happened to him, but he did not. Makes me think about the times in my life when things don't go my way and I grumble and complain to others.
Lord please help me to work on not sinning in the words that I say. May I always praise you no matter what situation I am in.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thankfulness
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4
With Thanksgiving only days away I can say that I am so very thankful for the God that provides me with every good thing I have. Sometimes I can be so quick to complain about what I don't have. The best way to combat this is to catch myself doing it and immediately change my complaint into a praise. My house might not be as clean as I would like it to be, but Lord am I ever so thankful for the sweet little children that mess it up so quickly. I may be sad when my husband has to work 12 hour shifts and I feel like I hardly ever get to see him, but Lord how thankful I am that I have him and that he is with us this Thanksgiving rather than on the other side of the world as he was just last year this time.
I pray today Lord that every time I start to complain, you will quickly remind me that I so much to be thankful for. If you never gave me another thing for the rest of my life, you have already given me more than I could ever even deserve!
With Thanksgiving only days away I can say that I am so very thankful for the God that provides me with every good thing I have. Sometimes I can be so quick to complain about what I don't have. The best way to combat this is to catch myself doing it and immediately change my complaint into a praise. My house might not be as clean as I would like it to be, but Lord am I ever so thankful for the sweet little children that mess it up so quickly. I may be sad when my husband has to work 12 hour shifts and I feel like I hardly ever get to see him, but Lord how thankful I am that I have him and that he is with us this Thanksgiving rather than on the other side of the world as he was just last year this time.
I pray today Lord that every time I start to complain, you will quickly remind me that I so much to be thankful for. If you never gave me another thing for the rest of my life, you have already given me more than I could ever even deserve!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Great Almighty
I have always had a dream of having 4 children. When my husband and I first got married, we talked all the time about the 4 children we would have. We tried for that 4th one on a couple of occasions, but with two 6 month deployments in 3 years, it never seemed to happen. Just when I thought we would start trying again my husband expressed to me that he was really content with 3 and no longer had the desire for a fourth. It was heart breaking for me, but I reluctantly submitted to my husband, and started praying for God to take that burning desire away from me. It was a long road, but eventually I came to terms with it and accepted that I could be happy for the 3 beautiful children I had and give up that longing for a fourth.
It wasn't too long after I arrived at this place, that miraculously one day about a year and a half ago I became pregnant while on birth control. I was convinced that this was a miracle from God and couldn't give him enough praises. My vision of 4 children was going to come true, and surprisingly Bob was actually became very excited about it too. I couldn't contain my overwhelming joy of this miracle God had done. For weeks I just sang Him praises and told everyone my amazing story. I was just convinced with out a doubt that God had given us this baby as a gift. I also knew deep within me that a fourth child was a promise He made me a long time go, and I knew for certain He had fulfilled it.
All my joy and certainty came to screeching halt on April 11th 2006 when I went to my first OB appointment. I was 9 weeks along and they could not find a heart beat. They sent me over to the ultra sound room and as I waited I could have sworn that for the first time in my whole life I heard God's real audible voice say "everything will be fine" Well, minutes later I was shocked and devastated when the ultra sound technician told me that there in fact was no heart beat. I miscarried 5 days later.
Although it was a terribly difficult time for me where I questioned my faith and my trust in God, in the end I learned so much. Instead of loosing my faith (which I am certain was Satan's plan) my faith was strengthened a million fold. I would never give back that sad experience in exchange for all that it taught me.
I tell this story now because just a few weeks ago my husband and I found out again that we are expecting our 4th child. This time a different situation, but still another unbelievable miracle.
Although I can't say that I have not spent weeks now fighting of fear and anxiety over this turning out the same as last time, I can say that God has continued to teach me and grow me just as much as last time.
Yesterday was my first doctors appointment. As I laid there again waiting for my ultra sound I remembered that day God said aloud to me "everything will be fine" Looking back now I can see that everything was fine. This time I said aloud..."Lord, if it is good I will praise you, if it is bad I will praise you!" Moments later we saw the sweetest sight you ever did see.....a 7 week fetus with a little flashing heart beat! As I called several people to tell them our good news, I quickly realized that although others were excited for us, no one could even coming close to understanding the magnitude of this day for me, but it was ok. This is between myself and my God, whom today (and everyday) in my eyes is the Great All Mighty!!
It wasn't too long after I arrived at this place, that miraculously one day about a year and a half ago I became pregnant while on birth control. I was convinced that this was a miracle from God and couldn't give him enough praises. My vision of 4 children was going to come true, and surprisingly Bob was actually became very excited about it too. I couldn't contain my overwhelming joy of this miracle God had done. For weeks I just sang Him praises and told everyone my amazing story. I was just convinced with out a doubt that God had given us this baby as a gift. I also knew deep within me that a fourth child was a promise He made me a long time go, and I knew for certain He had fulfilled it.
All my joy and certainty came to screeching halt on April 11th 2006 when I went to my first OB appointment. I was 9 weeks along and they could not find a heart beat. They sent me over to the ultra sound room and as I waited I could have sworn that for the first time in my whole life I heard God's real audible voice say "everything will be fine" Well, minutes later I was shocked and devastated when the ultra sound technician told me that there in fact was no heart beat. I miscarried 5 days later.
Although it was a terribly difficult time for me where I questioned my faith and my trust in God, in the end I learned so much. Instead of loosing my faith (which I am certain was Satan's plan) my faith was strengthened a million fold. I would never give back that sad experience in exchange for all that it taught me.
I tell this story now because just a few weeks ago my husband and I found out again that we are expecting our 4th child. This time a different situation, but still another unbelievable miracle.
Although I can't say that I have not spent weeks now fighting of fear and anxiety over this turning out the same as last time, I can say that God has continued to teach me and grow me just as much as last time.
Yesterday was my first doctors appointment. As I laid there again waiting for my ultra sound I remembered that day God said aloud to me "everything will be fine" Looking back now I can see that everything was fine. This time I said aloud..."Lord, if it is good I will praise you, if it is bad I will praise you!" Moments later we saw the sweetest sight you ever did see.....a 7 week fetus with a little flashing heart beat! As I called several people to tell them our good news, I quickly realized that although others were excited for us, no one could even coming close to understanding the magnitude of this day for me, but it was ok. This is between myself and my God, whom today (and everyday) in my eyes is the Great All Mighty!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
more on my fear
I have been praying and pondering more on my entry yesterday about fear. I started thinking even deeper now into what is the root of my lack of faith in God's promise to do towards me good and not harm. The Lord gave me this verse:
this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, O Deidra, he who formed you, O Deidra:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Isaiah 43:1-3
I think I discovered today that the reason I do not believe the truth that God's plans for me are good, is that I do not believe that I deserve the good. Deep downs inside I know that my sin and my past deserve harm not the good. But this verse says Fear not, for I have redeemed you
I am redeemed! He is my Savior. Why would he save me only to bring me harm?? If he wanted me to experience harm he would have left me in that pit of sin and destruction I was in when He saved me. I guess I need to pray about this and ask God to help me to believe His truths.
this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, O Deidra, he who formed you, O Deidra:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Isaiah 43:1-3
I think I discovered today that the reason I do not believe the truth that God's plans for me are good, is that I do not believe that I deserve the good. Deep downs inside I know that my sin and my past deserve harm not the good. But this verse says Fear not, for I have redeemed you
I am redeemed! He is my Savior. Why would he save me only to bring me harm?? If he wanted me to experience harm he would have left me in that pit of sin and destruction I was in when He saved me. I guess I need to pray about this and ask God to help me to believe His truths.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Fearing
I am struggling terribly this week with fear. I wish I could just defeat this thing once and for all. I believe that I probably never will though, because it is one thing that keeps me constantly crying out to God. I could probably come close to finding for you every major verse in the Bible pertaining to fear. I know many of them by heart, but somewhere there is a missing link that keeps me from defeating it all together. I wish I could figure it out. I know that God is in control. Maybe that in it self is what I fear. Maybe deep down inside I believe that if in total control He will hurt me.
What a lie that is. A lie that I just realized as I was writing this that I have been believing. What does God's word say??
I think today I might have discovered the root of my fear. I think it might be the lack of faith in this truth:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
What a lie that is. A lie that I just realized as I was writing this that I have been believing. What does God's word say??
I think today I might have discovered the root of my fear. I think it might be the lack of faith in this truth:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Fruit
I have on occasion heard people say...."You can know if a mother is Godly and worth looking toward for advice by the fruit she produces (her children)."
I thought about that the other day and decided that I do not necessarily agree with that. God says that fruit will be produced in His time. The behavior and sinful nature of my children at this point in their lives should be no representation of God's glory or the fruit that he will bring forth in them when the time is right. I feel like I have been discouraged by this statement and for a time have felt like I must not be doing a good job because my children do not seem to be producing the fruit they should be.
Galatians 6:9 says let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. I read over and over those words in due season. Our culture today tells us NOW we do not want to wait for anything. That is why we have instant dinners and 5 minute guarantees. But we are not of the world and we should not expect to have it all now. We have to hang in there and not grow faint. We can look at the seasons in light of a grower.....Spring- we water and feed Summer- we wait Fall- we Harvest and watch it all bloom.
I am not yet to the Harvest. In parenting, I am still in the water/feed stage and in some instances waiting. I know that I will eventually see the Harvest, and God promises it to be bountiful. I have to believe that and anticipate it. Think about when we plant a seed in the ground. Do we sit there and watch it until we see it sprout and get frustrated all the days that we see nothing??? NO, we keep watering it and trust that one day we will wake up and surprise, something is going to peep out of that soil!! We have to just keep watering and feeding! We never know when that thing is going to come out of the ground. What a peace that gives me today.
I thought about that the other day and decided that I do not necessarily agree with that. God says that fruit will be produced in His time. The behavior and sinful nature of my children at this point in their lives should be no representation of God's glory or the fruit that he will bring forth in them when the time is right. I feel like I have been discouraged by this statement and for a time have felt like I must not be doing a good job because my children do not seem to be producing the fruit they should be.
Galatians 6:9 says let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. I read over and over those words in due season. Our culture today tells us NOW we do not want to wait for anything. That is why we have instant dinners and 5 minute guarantees. But we are not of the world and we should not expect to have it all now. We have to hang in there and not grow faint. We can look at the seasons in light of a grower.....Spring- we water and feed Summer- we wait Fall- we Harvest and watch it all bloom.
I am not yet to the Harvest. In parenting, I am still in the water/feed stage and in some instances waiting. I know that I will eventually see the Harvest, and God promises it to be bountiful. I have to believe that and anticipate it. Think about when we plant a seed in the ground. Do we sit there and watch it until we see it sprout and get frustrated all the days that we see nothing??? NO, we keep watering it and trust that one day we will wake up and surprise, something is going to peep out of that soil!! We have to just keep watering and feeding! We never know when that thing is going to come out of the ground. What a peace that gives me today.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Peace
I have had such a peace in my Parenting efforts over the past few weeks. It has been so nice compared to the overwhelmed and frustrated spirit I seemed to be filled with for a while. I attribute part of that to the fact that I am feeling better, but I also think the Lord led me to start making some changes to the way I was operating.
For a while I was getting so overwhelmed with all the things I wasn't doing or felt like I needed to do in order to make sure my kids came out to know and love the Lord. I as feeling like there was so much to teach them and so much I needed to learn in order to do it right. I was looking at other parents and other children. Getting terribly discouraged when my children made bad choices or didn't seem to be "getting" any of the things I wanted to instill in them. The bottom line is I was "doing" too much. Today another friends blog made me think of this verse: Psalm 46:10 Be still (stop trying to do it our selves!!), and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth
If He says He will be exalted among the nations and the whole earth, then why would He not be exalted in my children! Of course He will!! I can cease my striving and let Him work! What a peace that brings!
What I am focusing on more now is working on my own righteousness before the Lord, and I know from that, teaching my children and bringing them up in the ways of the Lord will come naturally...it already has!
For a while I was getting so overwhelmed with all the things I wasn't doing or felt like I needed to do in order to make sure my kids came out to know and love the Lord. I as feeling like there was so much to teach them and so much I needed to learn in order to do it right. I was looking at other parents and other children. Getting terribly discouraged when my children made bad choices or didn't seem to be "getting" any of the things I wanted to instill in them. The bottom line is I was "doing" too much. Today another friends blog made me think of this verse: Psalm 46:10 Be still (stop trying to do it our selves!!), and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth
If He says He will be exalted among the nations and the whole earth, then why would He not be exalted in my children! Of course He will!! I can cease my striving and let Him work! What a peace that brings!
What I am focusing on more now is working on my own righteousness before the Lord, and I know from that, teaching my children and bringing them up in the ways of the Lord will come naturally...it already has!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)