It seemed like I picked up bobby pins, hair bands and head bands all day! I mean the things were multiplying.. Pick up 2 and 4 more would show up. It was really kind of comical. Anybody that has girls knows what I am talking about.

Some days are like that. Settle one problem and 2 more things pop up that you have to deal with.

It may be like those hair things at my house..multiplying..

It’s how you react to those things that can be a nuisance that matters. No matter how aggravating or unfair something or someone can be, we have a choice in our response. As an authentic Christian, one that truly wants to glorify God, your response should be one that is pleasing to God.

Proverbs 14:29 ~ A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

Proverbs 16:1 ~ To man belongs the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.

Proverbs 16:23 ~ A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

Do you think before you speak or act? (this includes texting and twitter and Facebook) If you are a follower of Christ, it sure is important to do so. Words can’t be taken back..the feelings caused by the words you use remain.

I am not saying that you can’t apologize. You can.. and you should. It definitely takes a strong person to admit when they are wrong. I am just saying that it can be harder to fix something that careless words or actions have damaged.

Here is another question: Do you pray and think before you react? Or do you just REACT?

Life here on this earth guarantees that we will have nuisances, annoying and difficult people to deal with, trials, and suffering. Period. There are even those who may project their misery onto you, instead of facing the true source of their unhappiness.

Think about this, If life here on earth were all candy and sunshine then we wouldn’t even care about Heaven. Would we??

So, even though we have to deal with junk..we can rejoice in the fact that Heaven is our home. This earth is temporary.. Heaven is forever and ever.

Romans 12:12 (NIV) ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

I read in a devotion that God’s grace is at work even in our afflictions. He is with us always..We don’t deserve the goodness of God. It’s because He is so merciful that He loves us anyways. He puts up with us.. Even though we can be annoying! He doesn’t see us as a nuisance.

The only way that you are guaranteed a seat in Heaven..is by surrendering your life to Jesus. By believing that God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. To believe that He was crucified, died, was buried and that He arose on the 3rd day! To believe that He is the way, the Truth and the Life. John 3:16,17 says it all.

Salvation is a gift.. It can’t be earned or returned. Praise God for that! If I had to earn it then I would never get it and it wouldn’t be a gift. If you have accepted Christ, then you know that you would NEVER want to return the gift of Salvation anyways!

Back to the beginning, some days will feel overwhelming. People, problems, finances, health, may all be a thorn in our side.( May be one or all of the above.)

Bottom line is the fact that we all have a choice. We can be the thorn or we can be the ointment that you put on the wound caused by the thorn. It all boils down to your choice. Everybody is responsible for his/her own actions and reactions. Sometimes it is best to not react outwardly..it is always best to “react” in prayer.

Remembering that only God can fix it.

What are you going to choose? Thorn or Ointment? Your choice…

Blessings my friends!

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

Ever told your kids that you wanted them to do a certain chore and you got the response, “I know….” ? Like.. I need you to put your stuff up, etc?

Has someone ever reminded you of something that you had to do and you thought or said, “I know.” ?

What about this: Has God asked you to do something and you replied with “Yes Lord, I know.” ?

Here is my reply to “I Know”: There is a big difference between KNOWING and DOING.

We can KNOW all of the right things to do. If we just KNOW and don’t DO, we are not accomplishing much are we?

I can KNOW that someone is in need of a helping hand. If I don’t DO anything about what I KNOW, such as offer my help or find someone who can help, then I am not allowing God to use me.

I can KNOW that God is asking me to do something for His glory. I can KNOW that someone or something is not good for me. I can KNOW lots of things. The question is, what am I DOING? What are you DOING?

It’s easy to fall into the KNOW category. I would rather fall under the DO category. Makes me think of the verse from James that calls us to be DOERS, not just HEARERS ( or knowers) of the Word. Also makes me think of the verse that says..and I am paraphrasing, “Whatever you do, do it for the GLORY of GOD.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) ~ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

James 1:22 ~ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 4:17 ~ Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

James 3:14 ~ What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?

The right path is not always the easiest path. It is the best and most rewarding path, however.

As authentic followers of Christ, we have a job to do. To Go and Tell everyone about Christ Jesus. To be DOERS!

When you KNOW about something that is amazing and awesome, you probably tell people about it.. Right? You can’t wait to share about an awesome restaurant or sale, etc..

Do you get that excited about sharing Jesus? Or do you hide what you KNOW about the most amazing gift ever..Jesus Christ, The gift of Salvation?

That last question leads me to this fact. You can only share something that you KNOW. Do you KNOW Jesus?
If you KNOW Jesus, Are you DOING?

Thanks for joining me today! Wishing you all a joy-filled day!

   UNTIL NEXT TIME!

I just finished reading the book of Exodus..now on to Leviticus. I am loving all of this knowledge that I am soaking up from God’s word! It is good stuff!

After completing Genesis and Exodus, I am struck with this question. What kind of home am I providing my Savior God to live in?

What sin is corrupting my body..His temple? See, back in the Old Testament times, before Jesus Christ came to this earth, Moses was given detailed instructions..and I mean nitty-gritty details on how to do everything. Specific details were given on how to build God’s tabernacle in the book of Exodus.

Exodus 25:8,9 ~ (The Lord speaking to Moses) Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

All of the laws and details given related to being clean, pure and righteous before God. The tabernacle that Moses was instructed to have the Israelites build was God’s home here on earth. It had to be holy, pure, and clean.

Then Jesus came to this earth years later, as an atoning sacrifice for your sins and mine. So that we could have an actual relationship with God. He was crucified..died and buried..and rose from the grave. He left the Holy Spirit to live inside of us (authentic believers).

1 Corinthians 3:16,17 (NIV) ~ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

What kind of temple are we providing God with? Is it first class like He deserves? Better yet, do we behave as though we truly believe God’s word?

Is God having to live among weeds and debris and clutter?

An authentic relationship with Christ means that He comes to live inside of us. We become God’s home.

Is there some cleaning up that needs to be done? I know I have some cleaning up to do..because I want to provide my Heavenly Father with a temple that He deserves.

Our bodies are His temple. Garbage in..garbage out as the saying goes. What we fill our bodies with( healthy or unhealthy food or drink choices) and what we feed our minds with (T.V. shows, books, music, etc..) really does matter.

I want to treat God to a first class, best of the best home. He deserves nothing less. He gave his one and only Son Jesus to us.

John 3:16 ,17 ~ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

   Blessings!

   UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) ~ Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

James 5:16 ~ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

In a recent post about alarms I shared with you how my smoke detector goes off quite regularly. I discovered one of the reasons why!!! Well, actually, my husband told me one of the reasons why.

See, there is some junk on the bottom of my oven..you know..the stuff that spills over when you are cooking and then it burns. When I open my oven to check apparently my detector can sense something not right.

I told him that the other day when I stuck a pot on my stove, there must have been some oil on the bottom, and a huge flame came up,but there wasn’t any steam or smoke…(I blew it out.. ) Guess what though? My smoke detector didn’t go off?? I found it interesting that it goes off when there isn’t a fire..but didn’t when there was an actual flame.

That stuff at the bottom of our ovens is like the crud or junk in our lives. The things that stay there and fester and get worse if we don’t clean it out.

Sin in our lives is that crud or junk. Until we confess and commit to change, it will just rear its ugly head again and again.

Just like my oven, cleaning out the sin is something we have to do more than one time.

The Holy Spirit helps us to do that..just like the smoke detector (alarm) does. We have to rid ourselves of the sin and stay clean in order to bring glory to God.

Got any ovens or (crud..sin) to clean up? DO it before there is a flame to fan out. Heed the warnings of the Holy Spirit.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

What am I holding on to that I need to release my grip on? As I mentioned in an earlier post (Holding Back), we are doing a Bible study on a book called Surrender by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. We are also studying Hebrews 11 at our church. I don’t believe that it is a coincidence that we are studying the Faith chapter of the Bible and this Surrender book at the same time. Something else that I find interesting is the fact that several of the devotions that I subscribe to have been on these same topics.

So, I ask myself and you too, what are we holding on to too closely…what do we need to surrender to God?

It can be multiple things. Some examples include: Time, Money, Our Wants, Our Comfort, Our Relationships, even Our food choices,  and the list goes on and on and on.

Why in the world do we resist God’s control over our choices? Why do we think our way of doing things could possibly be better than Gods way? We are not God…He is in control anyways. Sure, we can fight the truth..and we can even try to ignore it.

Surrender is a minute by minute, day by day choice.

I have been guilty of trying to hold on to every single one of the areas that I mentioned above. So what do we do about it and how do we begin to change for the better?

The only way to truly change is to be conscious of every single decision that is made. To seek God first when making decisions about everything. To make sure that He is receiving all of the glory !

This means that we have to be patient and learn to wait too. God’s ways are not our ways..His timing is definitely not ours. Most of us want things NOW! I sure am thankful that God is patient.

2 Peter 3:8,9 ~ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

As I am learning to surrender, guess what I found out? Just like the scripture says, the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. Also, the more I surrender to Him, the easier it becomes.

There is freedom in releasing your grip on the things of this world. There is freedom in truly trusting God.

I have changed my thought process..to where I now ask God in the mornings when I rise, “What do you want me to do for You today to bring You glory God?”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) ~ “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

This sometimes means that I have to surrender some of my time so that I can help someone who needs me. Sometimes it means doing things I don’t really want to do. Sometimes this surrender means that I sacrifice what I want for the sake of someone else.

Sound dreadful ?

Think back to a time that you did something nice for someone “just because”. They were not expecting it..and think of how it made you feel after. Felt pretty good didn’t it? You surrendered something of yours for the sake of someone else.

It is far from dreadful…it is so rewarding to give to God and give for God! He supplies everything we need in order to do so!

Christ Jesus surrendered and He suffered willingly for your sake and mine.

What do we need to surrender for Him? To Him? What are we holding on to?

Romans 8:17 ~ Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

In Nancy DeMoss’ book Surrender, she says it is an issue of Trust or Tyranny. She stated this fact, “If we do not trust God’s promises and, therefore, do not step out in faith and surrender, we will ultimately find ourselves in bondage to the very things we refuse to surrender.”

   Blessings My Friends!

What I am about to tell you is probably going to make you laugh. When I cook, the smoke detector goes off..just about every single time. Even if I don’t actually burn anything, it still goes off. I can just open my oven and the heat or steam will set it off.

What does this have to do with God you say.. It has everything to do with Him! The Holy Spirit is like a smoke detector in some ways.

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in you. Like a smoke detector, He alarms you when you are doing wrong..and even when you may be in danger. Pretty neat huh?!

The power of the Holy Spirit is the source of our convictions..our “detector” or “alarm”.

That loud beep that goes off when I am cooking can be very annoying sometimes. I sure am glad it works though!

When we are doing things that seem fun at the time, but yet we know is wrong, the Holy Spirit interrupts and gets us back on track..that is, if we pay attention to Him.

Being that my smoke detector goes off quite regularly, it really doesn’t alarm me. Same goes for wrong living..It is easy to tell yourself that it is okay to ignore what you know is right and keep doing what you want to do instead. Ignoring the tug, the conviction.

If you really know Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in you. You won’t be able to ignore His alarms forever. If you don’t have those convictions or alarms that come from a real relationship with Jesus, you may need to re-evaluate your relationship with Him.

Romans 8:9,10 ~ You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Unlike my smoke detector, the convictions that come from really knowing Jesus, are not annoying. They are actually comforting and humbling. How about you? Do you find them comforting? How’s your detector working? Do you really know Him? I hope you do..but if you don’t, you aren’t reading this by accident. There is nothing that compares to really knowing Jesus!

Job 5:17 (NIV) ~ “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”

I have some older posts that relate to this: Do you really know HIM ? and Turn Around… HE is Right There. You can also follow me on Twitter @hgd1973 or subscribe to this blog.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

One of the biggest excuses a Christian makes is: “But I prayed about it!” What we are really doing at times is telling God what He needs to do instead of seeking His will for our lives. When we don’t get the answer we want, we get mad or frustrated. When in reality, we have no right to demand of God our way.

I have been there and done that with those selfish kinds of prayers. Who hasn’t? My flesh wants things easy. Let’s face it, the authentic Christian life is not always easy. Living life in a way that we bring glory to God means radical living.

Radical living and unselfish praying means that we have to be willing and ready to accept the not so popular path and the hard way at times. We then realize and accept that God is polishing us (His gems) with the hard times and the good times.

God never promised us a life without suffering. In fact, He uses those hard times to mold us into His image. When we are going through a tough time we have the choice to trust God and bring glory to Him or we can whine and pout and say, “why me?”

Why not me? Why not you?

What makes us think we deserve better than Jesus. Jesus suffered, why shouldn’t we?

So, instead of being impatient with God when we have “prayed about something“, maybe we need to rethink our motives for praying. At the same time, maybe we need to stop and ask God what it is He is wanting us to learn from our present suffering.

Proverbs 16:2 ~ All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

God isn’t a genie in a bottle or a vending machine.

We are not above Him. We have no right to expect anything from Him. His grace should be sufficient. His gift of salvation should be enough.

2 Corinthians 12:9a~ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This life is not about us. As authentic believers, it is about bringing glory to God in everything and with everything.

Romans 11:36 (NIV) ~ For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!

Blessings my friends!

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

I have been preparing for this lesson that I am teaching/leading in our Bible study on Surrender . The chapter that we are on is called “Facing our Fears”.

I studied almost ALL day and was just overwhelmed by the many directions I could go with this weeks lesson. I prayed that God would reveal what direction I should take it.. and then, He did.

God’s word clearly tells us to put off anything that hinders our work for God. Not just sin…but anything that may take the place of God in our lives. Anything that keeps us in bondage..which in turn becomes something we cling to more closely than God.

See, the study that God led us to teach and study, is also going hand-in-hand with what our sermons at church are about. This study on Surrender has been tough at times.. but we know that it is the one God wanted us to lead.

God makes no mistakes.

When we hold back from surrendering to God, we are trying to hold on to control. Fact of the matter is this: we don’t LET God do anything.. He is in control anyways. When we fight surrender, we are choosing ourselves over Christ. We are saying that we don’t need God and that our way is better. Why are we so afraid of surrender? When are we going to realize that we can do nothing apart from God!?! Nothing that is of lasting value.. I don’t know about you, but I need God desperately every single minute of every day..I mess up..He doesn’t. His ways are always best.

Psalm 27:1 ~ The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 25:9 ~ He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

I have been hindered by my own selfish desires before. I have been afraid of stepping out in faith. I have also stepped out in faith in spite of my silly fears. I have fought God’s will..and I have surrendered to His will. Surrender brings peace. The peace that only comes from God. The kind of peace that you just can’t explain. The kind of peace where others are wondering how in the world you could have it.

Philippians 4:7 ~ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It feels like a weight lifted off of your shoulders when you finally let go of your tight grip of control. Realizing that God is in control and He doesn’t need a co-pilot or a back seat driver. No, He’s got it all covered. He does want to use us to spread the Gospel.

If you had told me a year ago that I would be co-leading a Ladies Bible study, I would have laughed. If you had told me a year ago that I would be hosting a blog that would make a difference for Christ, I would have said, ” not me, I can’t do something like that..I am not capable.” With God ALL things are possible. Note the WITH GOD part. That is the important part.

Matthew 19:26(NIV) ~ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Look for more posts relating to this topic. I know I haven’t published posts as frequently, I have written several that I plan to publish as soon as God reveals the time to me.

One more thing that I would like to challenge you to do: Read the entire Bible…I am doing so as well..and I have been so blessed and enlightened. God’s word is TRUTH..God’s word is alive. God’s word is revealing. God’s word has the best advice! God’s word has some really cool facts about history. It is not a fairy tale book..the stories are real..the people are real. Read the Bible in it’s entirety with me! I would love for you to! Most importantly, God would love for you to.

John 17:17 ~ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

John 8:32 ~ Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Blessings to you all and praying you trust God and surrender if you haven’t already!

HEATHER

  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) ~ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

   Hope….to look to God for all that we need…that is what hope means in this verse. If we put our hope in God, He in turn gives us the strength to endure and persevere. Not “man” strength..GOD strength!

   Thank goodness His strength and power is nothing like the kind of strength I have on my own.  

  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) ~ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

   When we suffer..it should remind us of how Christ suffered for us. Our troubles keep us humble, which is the opposite of being prideful. Here’s the most important thing though, the way we react to our “troubles” or suffering. God is given the opportunity to show his power to others through our suffering. Our faith or lack of faith is proved to others in our times of trouble.

   Our suffering can be a HUGE witness for Christ!

   Let’s be honest here, I don’t really ever recall jumping up and down for joy because of suffering. No…can’t say that I have. Feelings hurt..”Man that feels great!”…ummm, I don’t think so.

   This I do know, as I am growing more mature in my faith in Christ…stronger and steadier in my Spiritual walk, I am discovering the strength that only is gained through a real personal relationship with Christ Jesus. I am learning to rely on His strength..not mine. Truth be known, I have no strength apart from God. He is my strength!

   The closer I get to God, the more I want to bring Him glory. The only way to bring Him glory is to fully trust Him. I am learning to ask Him..”Lord, what do you want me to do for YOU today?” Knowing that when I ask Him this and choose to obey..that it could mean “suffering” in order to point to my faith in Christ Jesus. Sometimes, our suffering is the only way that others may ever choose to follow Christ..because of the evidence of our faith that is proven through our troubles.

   William Barclay said: “Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but turn it into glory.”

   What better way to close..but to say this, My suffering..your suffering..it is never in vain when we are able to use it to bring God glory. Let’s change our perspective on troubles and trials. Let’s ask God, “What do you want me to learn from this? How can I glorify You through this Lord?”

   Life here in this fallen world can be tough..Life here on this earth is unbearable if you don’t know Jesus. Do you know Him? Don’t wait…quit trying to do it all on your own.

   Blessings My Friends!

   UNTIL NEXT TIME!

  Think about the times you tend to feel closest to God. It is usually when things are uncertain or tough that we draw nearer to Him and seek His Word(Bible). If it were not for the trials and rough patches, would we feel like we never needed God? Think about this…let it sink in..

   James 4:8 (NIV) ~ Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

  Deuteronomy 7:9~ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

  Just the thought of only seeking Him when there are tough times makes me sad. He wants to walk with us in the good AND the tough times. When we only seek Him when it is tough, we are only short-changing ourselves. God doesn’t need us.. but He does love us and desires a relationship with us. God is GOD..He can do anything..He chooses to allow us to be a part of doing His work. 

   Think about it like this: You have someone you know that doesn’t call you very often. That person may call you when they need something..you help them, and then you don’t hear from them again until the next time they need something. You help them anyways..because you care for them..but it still hurts you a little or even annoys you because you feel used. (You may even refuse to help because of your hurt feelings.)

   That is just an example of how God gets treated sometimes. The difference is that He isn’t like us..He is GOD. He loves us and shows us mercy time after time. Forgiving us when we leave Him out and not holding back his love and His help in times of trouble. He is steadfast. We don’t deserve it. If that doesn’t get you excited and all warm and fuzzy inside..well..you might need to re-evaluate some things.

    Nahum 1:7~ The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him

    Psalm 9:9 ~ The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

    Micah 7:18~ Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

   To truly love Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, is to put Him first. In everything to put Him first. To not wait until we are desperate for help to talk to Him(pray). To thank Him in the good times and the tough times..remembering that we are made stronger through it all. To give God the glory..to seek Him in every single thing. Draw near to Him..and He will draw near to us…not just in the trials and hard times.

    Ecclesiastes 7:14~ When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other..

    Romans 5:3,4~ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,character;and character, hope.

   We should ask ourselves: Have I thanked God for anything lately? Do I just constantly ask Him for things..treating Him like a vending machine? What does God want me to learn from the situation(s) I face? Who can I help because of what I have learned?  Do I put God first? Am I truly grateful for the mercy and grace that my Jesus so freely gives me? Do I really know Him?

   Ask yourselves those questions. Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect..nobody is..only God is. The mercy and grace that I was talking about is real..God is so awesome and loving and forgiving. He is waiting with open arms.

   If you are an authentic Christian, God can’t be your back-up..He has to be first.

   UNTIL NEXT TIME!