The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations (Psalm 33:10-11)
My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways (Isa. 55:8)
If you're anything like me at all, you've done this...............
Do you remember that time that you were being fruitful - and doing good deeds - that were born out of your love for Jesus?
Do you remember all the planning the task may have required? Did you get caught up in the planning - and all of a sudden, your prayer time - your devotional time - your time with Jesus - was finding itself in second place?
I'm not saying doing good things are bad - I'm just saying that when we do strike out to do something big, something that requires large effort, and lots of planning - we better make sure that God asked us to do it. Otherwise, you'll find the tables all upside down! Besides, when God tells us what to do - it's done is HIS power, and not our own wisdom. Things done in God's power - Pour out His glory to the world.
Believe me, I'm here to confess - I AM GUILTY!! I am a planner. This is something I struggle with constantly. I'm ashamed to admit, that on more than one occassion, I've put Jesus in the backseat of my life - because of getting caught up in all my planning.
I know, that in those times, life's struggles become more apparent - I'm out of kilter - the God shaped hole in my heart is running on empty. I've walked away from the ONE that has His arms stretched out to me always!
I love this quote from the Experiencing God Bible Study: "Planning is a tool God may lead you to use, but it must never become a substitute for trusting Him".
My prayer for you today (and myself) - is that you always seek Him first. That you are able to develop a heart that waits for Him to speak. That you devote your life to a relationship with Him, so you can hear Him. That all the things that you do, are driven by His perfect guidance, and that you join Him in His Kingdom purposes.
Love in Christ, Donna~
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Do you chose to be blessed?
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fullfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. Luke 1:45
Wow! Have you ever had that moment? You know........when you are reading your bible, walking in the woods, praying, listening to your minister - and it happens! You hear that soft whisper, full of love from the Lord of your life.
In some unique way, He speaks to you in a way only He can do. You know without doubt He has spoken a revelation into your life.
For days you walk about full of the love of Christ. You probably share your joy with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Your relationship with Him has crossed yet another milestone. You have to be near Him. You wait expectantly, for that moment in which what He spoke to you, becomes fruitful in your life.
Time begins to pass. What seems like forever to you - - comes around the corner. Have you let go of what He spoke into your life? Are you still holding on? Are you still filled with joy and drawing ever near to Him - or has life gotten in the way, and taken you away from your first love?
Chose to be a Mary today! Chose to blessed by Your Creator! Who wouldn't want that?
Hold fast and believe that there will be fullfillment, of what you know God has spoken to you! Draw near to Him! Let Him love you!
Don't let the world take away from you, your divine moment with the Lord! His timing is always best! His ways are not our ways! Rest in His peace.
Wow! Have you ever had that moment? You know........when you are reading your bible, walking in the woods, praying, listening to your minister - and it happens! You hear that soft whisper, full of love from the Lord of your life.
In some unique way, He speaks to you in a way only He can do. You know without doubt He has spoken a revelation into your life.
For days you walk about full of the love of Christ. You probably share your joy with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Your relationship with Him has crossed yet another milestone. You have to be near Him. You wait expectantly, for that moment in which what He spoke to you, becomes fruitful in your life.
Time begins to pass. What seems like forever to you - - comes around the corner. Have you let go of what He spoke into your life? Are you still holding on? Are you still filled with joy and drawing ever near to Him - or has life gotten in the way, and taken you away from your first love?
Chose to be a Mary today! Chose to blessed by Your Creator! Who wouldn't want that?
Hold fast and believe that there will be fullfillment, of what you know God has spoken to you! Draw near to Him! Let Him love you!
Don't let the world take away from you, your divine moment with the Lord! His timing is always best! His ways are not our ways! Rest in His peace.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Are you anything like me?
Does the Holy Spirit ever reveal something to you, and you struggle to believe it's possible?
Well if you do, you're not the only one! I've had my struggles with belief - and so have people in the bible.
Zechariah struggled with believing his wife Elizabeth, would have a child in her old age, even though he was being spoken to by the angel Gabriel.
Thomas struggled with believing he was looking at the resurrected Christ.
The list goes on.
But when the angel of the Lord came to Mary, to tell her that she would birth a child, who would be the Son of God, she believed.
What helps one believe and not another? I don't know all the answers. The one thing I do know, is that for me to believe in, to trust in another person, I have to spend time with them. I need to get to know their character.
I do believe that to come to a place, where you trust God. You need to get to know Him. How do you do that, you may ask. Well it starts with reading your Bible. To read for yourself, how God has been at work since the creation.
Luke 1:37 says: For nothing is impossible for God.
So won't you challenge yourself today, to get to know the things of God? Search and see that all things are possible for Him. Even that thing that has been revealed to you, that in your minds eye seems impossible.
Well if you do, you're not the only one! I've had my struggles with belief - and so have people in the bible.
Zechariah struggled with believing his wife Elizabeth, would have a child in her old age, even though he was being spoken to by the angel Gabriel.
Thomas struggled with believing he was looking at the resurrected Christ.
The list goes on.
But when the angel of the Lord came to Mary, to tell her that she would birth a child, who would be the Son of God, she believed.
What helps one believe and not another? I don't know all the answers. The one thing I do know, is that for me to believe in, to trust in another person, I have to spend time with them. I need to get to know their character.
I do believe that to come to a place, where you trust God. You need to get to know Him. How do you do that, you may ask. Well it starts with reading your Bible. To read for yourself, how God has been at work since the creation.
Luke 1:37 says: For nothing is impossible for God.
So won't you challenge yourself today, to get to know the things of God? Search and see that all things are possible for Him. Even that thing that has been revealed to you, that in your minds eye seems impossible.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
You are Imperishable!
When we were born, our parents determined who we are genetically. On this day, as we celebrate Mother's Day - we also recognize how much our Mother's speak into our lives. How they model for us, what the love of Christ is. She points us to the cross for hope and victory. She imparts on us wisdom, and the meaning of good choices. She shows us what love and forgiveness mean. She lays the ground work, for us to accept the love of Christ into our lives.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, you are a child of God. 1 Peter 1:22-23 says:
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
You see, the genetics we get from our parents are fleeting. We are from dust, we will return to dust, but the DNA we get from being alive in Christ is imperishable! The seed that Christ places in your heart, is a seed that has eternal growth.
The seeds of the earth are cared for with rain and sunshine, pruning and weeding.
The imperishable seed you have is watered with mercy - He shines His grace into your life - you are pruned and weeded with life's circumstances and challenges - which produce in you good character, and a life that is filled with His spirit, which produces good deeds and fruit.
Today, as I give thanks for the Mother I have - I lift my face to heaven, give thanks for the SONshine I have in my life, and I give thanks for the imperishable seed that is taking eternal root in my heart and soul.
Happy Mother's Day to all you special women!
If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, you are a child of God. 1 Peter 1:22-23 says:
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
You see, the genetics we get from our parents are fleeting. We are from dust, we will return to dust, but the DNA we get from being alive in Christ is imperishable! The seed that Christ places in your heart, is a seed that has eternal growth.
The seeds of the earth are cared for with rain and sunshine, pruning and weeding.
The imperishable seed you have is watered with mercy - He shines His grace into your life - you are pruned and weeded with life's circumstances and challenges - which produce in you good character, and a life that is filled with His spirit, which produces good deeds and fruit.
Today, as I give thanks for the Mother I have - I lift my face to heaven, give thanks for the SONshine I have in my life, and I give thanks for the imperishable seed that is taking eternal root in my heart and soul.
Happy Mother's Day to all you special women!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Pressing on......
The Holy Spirit is really showing me, that I need to PRESS ON!!!
Phillipians 3:12 says: Not that I have already attained all of this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ took hold of me.
Why did Jesus take hold of me? Well there are a host of reasons - not the least of which is to redeem me to God the Father.
But today, I want to talk about the fact that He took hold of me so that I could live in VICTORY!
I need to re-train my mind, in order to press on. I too often get caught up thinking about the past and my failures. Worrying about the future. Dwelling on my weaknesses. Fill in the blank _____________
That is NOT why Christ layed hold of me!
I purpose to set my mind on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - I will think on such things!
Christ lives in me! Not the evil one - he may mess with my mind - but I don't have to accept his impressions of who I am, or where my life is going!
God has a plan for my life! He will prosper me! He gives me HOPE - He has my future in the palm of His hand!
My friend - He wants to be your REDEEMER as well! Your VICTORY! He loves you and your name is written on the palm of His hand, if you have asked Him in to your heart. Walk in His glory today....knowing you are PRESSING ON~
Phillipians 3:12 says: Not that I have already attained all of this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ took hold of me.
Why did Jesus take hold of me? Well there are a host of reasons - not the least of which is to redeem me to God the Father.
But today, I want to talk about the fact that He took hold of me so that I could live in VICTORY!
I need to re-train my mind, in order to press on. I too often get caught up thinking about the past and my failures. Worrying about the future. Dwelling on my weaknesses. Fill in the blank _____________
That is NOT why Christ layed hold of me!
I purpose to set my mind on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - I will think on such things!
Christ lives in me! Not the evil one - he may mess with my mind - but I don't have to accept his impressions of who I am, or where my life is going!
God has a plan for my life! He will prosper me! He gives me HOPE - He has my future in the palm of His hand!
My friend - He wants to be your REDEEMER as well! Your VICTORY! He loves you and your name is written on the palm of His hand, if you have asked Him in to your heart. Walk in His glory today....knowing you are PRESSING ON~
Sunday, May 2, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS LIFT!
Well Ladies! You did it! You made it through 13 weeks with me and Beth! You all have challenged me, inspired me, and filled me with joy!
My prayer for you, is that you take all you have learned about the fruit of the Spirit, and apply it to your daily walk with the Lord.
Peace be with you my friends!
Your humble L.I.F.T (Ladies in Fellowship Together) Leader~
My prayer for you, is that you take all you have learned about the fruit of the Spirit, and apply it to your daily walk with the Lord.
Peace be with you my friends!
Your humble L.I.F.T (Ladies in Fellowship Together) Leader~
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I Found My Wall!
Beth Moore is teaching me a thing or two about my sanity this week!
Isaiah 58:12
And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
In ancient times the thick walls that surrounded Jerusalem, were for the protection of the city. They set a firm boundary. When the walls came tumbling down, in came the destruction of the city.
Christ lives in me, but self control is my wall, it's my boundary of safety. In Him, I have the victory to overcome all things. But, the enemy is always lurking about, seeking to devour me. He knows my weaknesses better than I do. When he sees an opportunity to pounce, and try to destroy my relationship with the Lord - you can be sure he is ready and waiting, to do all the damage he can.
This past week, I temporarily lost my grip on self-control. I let doubt and frustration crumble my wall!
Isn't God's timing always perfect? (even though I embarassingly admit, I'm not always good at waiting). Could there have been any other Scripture more powerful for me to read today? Praise God!! that He is the repairer of my breach in self-control! Praise God!! That He encourages me to know, that in my obedience to Him, and all that He teaches me, the foundations of many generations will be raised up.
Oh yes! I've made my mistakes, but what joy there is to know, that in Christ, all things about me are new!
This is a new moment in my life. Against all odds I chose to hold fast to what I know God has revealed to me. Even when the world tells me NO - He has told me YES!
Isaiah 58:12
And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
In ancient times the thick walls that surrounded Jerusalem, were for the protection of the city. They set a firm boundary. When the walls came tumbling down, in came the destruction of the city.
Christ lives in me, but self control is my wall, it's my boundary of safety. In Him, I have the victory to overcome all things. But, the enemy is always lurking about, seeking to devour me. He knows my weaknesses better than I do. When he sees an opportunity to pounce, and try to destroy my relationship with the Lord - you can be sure he is ready and waiting, to do all the damage he can.
This past week, I temporarily lost my grip on self-control. I let doubt and frustration crumble my wall!
Isn't God's timing always perfect? (even though I embarassingly admit, I'm not always good at waiting). Could there have been any other Scripture more powerful for me to read today? Praise God!! that He is the repairer of my breach in self-control! Praise God!! That He encourages me to know, that in my obedience to Him, and all that He teaches me, the foundations of many generations will be raised up.
Oh yes! I've made my mistakes, but what joy there is to know, that in Christ, all things about me are new!
This is a new moment in my life. Against all odds I chose to hold fast to what I know God has revealed to me. Even when the world tells me NO - He has told me YES!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)