Verse of the Day

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Matthew 26:41

Sometimes temptation is so hard to resist. Be it that ice cream bar when you know you have to lose some weight, or sleeping late on Sunday instead of going to church. Temptation can also be in the form of drugs, sex or alcohol.

Regardless of what your "weakness" is, what tempts you can be overcome if you give it over to the Lord. If you lay it at the cross, through Jesus you can overcome weakness.

Verse of the Day

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2

Reading this, some may say what do you know about being a prisoner for the Lord? Have I been locked up in jail for my beliefs? No. However, I am a prisoner because of His love for me, because of my love for Him. He is my reason for breathing, my passion for life, my savior, my God. He is my Jehovah Jireh, my Abba Father, and I have to have Him in my life. My desire to live for Him, to really live for Him, overshadows everything else in my life, to the point that I am a more than willing prisoner of this love that I have for the Lord.

Galatians ch. 5 and 1 Cor. ch. 13 talk about patience, love, etc. Gal. ch. 5 defines the "Fruits of the Spirit". 1 Cor. ch. 13 "defines" love. I so need to remind myself daily, multiple times everyday, even, that I need to be humble, that I need to be gentle, and that I need to show love to others. My prayer for myself today is that I would be a witness for the Lord with just my attitude and actions. It's a work in process, that's for sure, but I know that all things are possible with the Lord on my side.

Verse of the Day

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Proverbs 11:14

I have a spiritual mentor that I visit with on a weekly basis. Well, I visit with her most weeks. The exceptions are when I travel, or health reasons. However, this has been a consistent routine in my life for over 2 years now. She is truly a Spirit filled woman, and has grace that overflows. Her life, her actions and her attitude truly exemplify the fruits of the Spirit.

I will say that I struggle daily to try to do God's will, and I fail daily. However, her guidance has helped me more than I can possibly express. I know that I will stumble, sometimes daily, but by making sure I have some sort of spiritual mentor in my life to help guide me, to pray for me, I am positive that I will ultimately have victory, because the word says so.

Verse of the Day

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this. Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the Lord. What exactly does that mean? Your way? It means commit yourself, your entire being to the Lord. When you do this, the Holy Spirit will guide you in your desires, and they will be one with the the Lord. When you are committed to the Lord, the desires of your heart will come from Him, and He will give you what you desire. It's hard to explain, but I do know that it is what it is.

Verse of the Day

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13

The Spirit of truth refers to the Holy Spirit. Some people do not intimately know the Holy Spirit. They have not experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Do they believe in the existence? Sure. Do they believe in the Trinity? Yes. However, being truly aware of the Holy Spirit in you is an awesome, indescribable situation.

The Holy Spirit truly is in touch with the Lord and communicates with the Lord. The Spirit knows the ways of the Father, and is there to guide and assist us with life if we just surrender our will. Because the Spirit is in commune with the Father, what He hears is the direction we get from the Lord...we just have to be open.

Verse of the Day

"In your anger do not sin". Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

Who can honestly say that they have never been angry at another person? I know I have been angry more than my fair share of times. The Bible does not say "do not be angry"...as a matter of fact, it's o.k. to be angry.

What does it mean to not sin in your anger? How can we accomplish that? Despite the fact that we get angry, we are supposed to still do unto others as Jesus would do unto them. Let's face it, dysfunction is such a normal part of many people's lives today, that doing unto others as we would have others do unto is may not be the right choice. However, keep in mind that we are supposed to have Christ-like actions as Christians. To accomplish that we need Christ to be in us.

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. The few long (very long term) successful marriages that I am aware of have a common theme of respect, and also to not go to be angry. It's a good idea to forgive before we go to bed, and to let things go. However, if you are having a hard time letting go of some anger regarding a certain issue, then stay up all night and meditate and pray on it. You will be better for it.

Just keep in mind that anger, if not treated properly, can lead to bitterness and heartache.

Verse of the Day

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

This verse has 2 parts. Obviously.lol

The first part-come near to God and He will come near to you. That is so true. I have found that the more time I spend in the word and in prayer, the more time I really try to understand what God's will is for my life, the more awareness I have of Christ in me.

The second part of this verse-people just don't like to be called sinners, but let's face it, we all are sinners. Not one of us is perfect, but some of us like to think we are. I have a hard time admitting I am wrong. I know it. However, when we truly try to be like Christ, truly try to live a life that exemplifies the fruits of the Spirit, we can purify our hearts. It's a daily choice, but it helps us in our walk with the Lord.

Verse of the Day

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Being a born again Christian truly means to try to live a life that is like Christ. That, of course, is very hard. However, I am constantly trying to learn how to live my life by reading the word (specifically I focus on the New Testament because that is where the teachings of Jesus are derived from). The guidelines truly make me a better person, but sometimes I have to really struggle with my attitude, etc.

The Holy Spirit can instill all the fruits of the Spirit in us if we yield our lives to Him (that means giving up control, which is very hard). I truly desire to have a gentle spirit, that portrays peace and joy and love to others. I want the question "Why are you say happy"? asked time and again. My answer can be that it is joy that comes from the Lord which gives me my happiness. This week I am personally going to reflect on these two verses and look at areas for self improvement.

Verse of the Day

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:30

Better late than never.lol Busy, busy week...I love working on excel spreadsheets. :)

Well, I know that sometimes I can feel a little stressed about money. It's typical of most people, although I must say since my divorce having faith about provisions is a little more difficult. Life can be much easier on two incomes than one, that's for sure. However, this verse reminds me that God is my Jehovah Jireh, my provider. He is my Father in Heaven, and He loves me. So, when I start to stress I just have to keep this verse in mind.

Verse of the Day

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10

Sometimes life can just be so distracting. Sometimes I find myself losing perspective (i.e. not keeping God where He needs to be-which is #1). The "busyness" (not business) of life can just take control of you if you let it. However, I am always praying that God will just take me to that place where I can be with Him. I really lean to the Spirit sometimes to just keep me there. I do know that one day with Him would be better than thousands of lifetimes anywhere else, and that a doorkeeper for His house would be better than all the riches in the world. I just have to sometimes give myself a kick in the butt to keep my God perspective.

Weekend

A deviation from my normal posts, but oh well, it's my blog.lol

I had a great weekend. The weather was perfect. I rode the bike Friday and Sunday, and it had been quite a while since my last ride. I had a blast on my 2 wheels. Honestly, it's addictive. I will not put my maximum speed, but let's say that I would not recommend you trying this at home.lolol

I have some really great friends out there, and I am truly thankful that God has brought them into my life.

Verse of the Day

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

I am a "righty". However, I will admit that I can be a swing hitter when it comes to softball, and when putting I sometimes do better with my left hand than my right....go figure. I have even dabbled in writing with my left hand; however, I am not ambidextrous by any means, and therefore I am dependent upon my right hand. (I also drive a stick shift, so I need both for that).

This is a Psalm written by David. David was very poetic, and very emotional. However, despite the human side to him, he had a very close relationship with God because he truly had a heart for the Lord. Despite some unwise choices he made, he truly desired to do the Lord's will, and when he deviated he repented.

The Lord should be my right hand; however, He should also be so much more. He is more important to me than the very air I breath. My life without Him would be a lost, floundering existence at best, where I would question everything, and really have faith in nothing. I would possibly have trust, but I would probably lack faith. So, not only is He my right hand, but I do know that without God in my life I have nothing, I am nothing. He completes my life in a way that I cannot describe, and He challenges me to be a better peron, a better me.

Verse of the Day

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Sometimes it is very hard to do the right thing. I mean, we can all make decisions that are self destructive because they seem like the best choice at the moment (i.e. a Carpe Diem attitude that I have at times). However, what appears to be the best choice at a certain time is not always the right choice in retrospect. If we truly strive to have a pure heart, that can really help choices. We have to be steadfast regarding making the right choices. If you are inconsistent, then it will be harder to make t hose choices. So, an understanding that even though something may feel right, it may not be right, and ultimately may lead to more pain than necessary. Stay steadfast when making everyday life choices.

Verse of the Day

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

What does it mean to be exalted? It means to be elevated-basically an elevated position. For instance, a king of a nation, or a President, can be considered an exalted position. However, God will be exalted among the nations, in the earth. It will happen. There will be a time when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. There is not doubt in my mind that this time will come.

Be still-how hard is that? Sometimes my life seems chaotic at best. I have such a crazy schedule sometimes.lol I am a person who would love to get 8 hours of sleep a night, but sometimes I do good to get 5 or 6 (like last night, for example, or Monday night, for another example). :) My own fault, though. I do realize that I have to make a conscious choice to just step back from life sometimes and just meditate on the word and in prayer. To really try to listen to God, and understand and know that He is God, and He is in control (if I just step back and let go, it makes my life go much smoother). So, despite the crazy busy schedule I am going to have the next couple of weeks, I do have to be still and focus on God. Then, all is good and I can enjoy the ride that is my life.

Verse of the Day

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Have you ever had a situation where you felt powerless? Typically, if you feel that way, you are. Sometimes those situations can "break" people. These situations can force you to look deep into yourself, and oftentimes if you are completely honest with yourself you will not like what you see.

However, sometimes circumstances are completely random, if you will. At moments when life breaks you, when there seems to be no end to the pain, God is there to give you strength. When you become so weary with sadness that waking up can be a chore, that taking the steps just to "be normal" seem daunting, remember that God can give you the strength you need. Don't lean on yourself, but give it over to Him. Things do get better, and ultimately life is good. It just sometimes takes a while to see that.

Verse of the Day

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Envy...such a small word, really. It's only a 4 letter word. However, those 4 letter words can often carry a lot of emotion. There is hate, but there is also love. There are a few that I will not print, too. :)

All in all, though, it's not the number of the letters, but the impact of the meaning that can affect us. To be envious basically means to be jealous. Whether it's jealousy of material posessions, jealously of education, looks, etc., it is all envy in the end. Envy does lead to bitterness, which does rot people from the inside out.

However, if we are happy with our circumstances, and if we truly strive to see the blessings that we have, rather than the things we do not have, we can experience true peace and joy. It can take a lot of effort to change a habitual negative attitude around, but it is possible.

I'm Back

Well, I am back from vacation, and I had a blast! I actually got home Saturday night, but Sunday I was just beat....very, very tired. Yesterday was a catch up day-actually, this whole week will be a catch up week. I had a lot of fun, but it was really good to get home. My boys really missed me, and have been so clingy.lol