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Showing posts from August, 2017

How NOT To Be Involved In Gossip

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:11-15 Vs 11: “The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry." Vs 12: "Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge." Vs 13: "And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t." Vs 14: "So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them." Vs 15: "For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan."      Wow!! NOW I see why my church in the high desert didn't help me after my 1st husband died. Even tho I had committed to abstaining from a relationship until my daughter was 18 and accountable for herself. Yes, I see, I had made a ple...

How To Do Good Even When It's Hard

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1 Timothy 5:10 “She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?"      This part is actually talking about widows. Older women actually. What hit me: no matter what our age is, we NEED to be THIS woman! Young or old! Now, I know, when we 'do good' we are not to brag on ourselves... however, when we do good, there ARE others around watching. That's when we are respected. To me, we all, need to do what we can to put our kids on the path of providing for themselves and being independent and a productive part of society. Making sure they have manners, are respectful of people and property, and can follow directions. THAT is raising our children well. Serving with kindness to others - of course that could be a ministry, but it should be our everyday self too - we see a...

How We Are To Treat Our Family

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:1-2‬ “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters."      This chapter is a GREAT example of how we should be, but what struck me, was....what if we didn't have a father, or brothers? Or had a not so respectable mother, or didn't have a sister? OR what if we have siblings that we don't get along with, fight with, and are just not a good example??      To me, God wouldn't have Paul tell us these things, if they weren't possible. Just like Jesus is the example of the BEST brother/sister anyone could have...and God the BEST Father example - WE are to be the 'sister' God created us to be! It doesn't matter if 'they' are not good people, or if 'they' don't exist, we are to treat others with the...

What Kind Of An Example Are You

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:12, 16 Vs 12: “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Vs 16: "Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you."      Even tho Paul is talking to Timothy here, who is young - these verses fit to ALL of us, young or old. We are to live in such a way, that we are 'examples' of Jesus. Showing/living our faith, love and trust in Him. Interesting that 'purity' is used here. Of course this is for actual purity for those not married, but I think it is also 'pure in heart' - our utter love and devotion to Jesus. Pure.     Then 'our teaching' - do you know, that you 'teach' others every day?!? Yup! You teach your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers.... you DO teach them all, some...

How Are You Training Your Mind

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:7-8‬ “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly." “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”      Well, I needed this today. I have wasted a bit of time, trying to guide someone away from godless ideas. I didn't realize until reading this, that they are actually caught up in 'old wives' tales' oops - I got sucked in. Next step, rely on scripture. Study IT and have Gods words to come back with. Truth. Like in our 'full armor' - this is a physical training that we NEED to do each day! Like water to our soul - we must drink of His water, and eat His bread = the Bible. Reading, memorizing, sharing. We can "train" ourselves, by simply reading something every day. I like starting this new habit in Proverbs. It is easy. Whatever the "date" is, match it to the chapter number in Prove...

How Do You Measure Success

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1 Timothy‬ ‭4:3-5 “They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer."      Following rituals or religions or even strict diets, where certain 'foods' are considered wrong, need to be examined. Need to be prayed about. Yes, 'man' has made a lot of foods that are filled with harmful things, but God created good foods. Being 'thankful' for what we eat, praying over the food, asking for God to bless us with health and nourishment - is a GREAT way to start each meal.      However, deliberately eating unhealthy or harmful things - well, we most likely will not be blessed in those choices. However, you can NEVER go wrong with eating things you could actually pick from a tree or above the gro...

Where Are You Spending Your Time

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:1-2 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead."      Wow! I don't want a 'dead conscience', nor be labeled a liar or hypocrite. Yet, time and time again, the Bible warns us of following false doctrine, following deceptive spirits, following the devil and his army. Why is that? Well, because God gave us "free choice / free will" to have our own thoughts and ideas. When we separate ourselves from God, or even separate ourselves from other believers, we open ourselves up to the cunning, deceptive ways of the enemy. The devils army has a job: to make us busy, distracted, selfish, offended, hurt, jealous, tired, withdrawn, seclusive, on and on.... remember, Satan is roaming the earth, seeking us! He wants to kill, devour and destroy - not only us p...

How Attractive Are You

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:10 “For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do." Wow! Ouch! This hit me today. NOT that salvation comes from works/good deeds - so many verses warn of this! But, honoring God, thanking Jesus, and inviting the Holy Spirit to be a part of our day - well, that is devotion to God! Have you ever 'not looked your best' and yet been given compliments and or thank-you's for stuff? Or have you had someone come up to you, when you are at your best, and give you a compliment on your character? THAT's being attractive thru the good things you are doing. The 'good things we do' to and for others, show our devotion to God. However, they do NOT 'save' us, and the certainly do NOT get us to heaven! Yet, they show others our heart, love, faith, and devotion to Jesus. This pleases Jesus too! Be encouraged, even when people here don't acknowledge us or the things we do, God sees it! He...

Who Do You Pray For

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-6‬ “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time."      Pretty right on, as to what we are to do. Praying for our President and ALL who are in authority over us: police, judges, politicians, teachers, pastors, bosses, and if we are married - our husband. The part that jumped out to me, at the end "This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time." At just the right time. At first, I thought of 'time' as in history...

How To Close The Wide Gap Between You And God

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‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:12-14‬ “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted His people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus."      Some of us have had a pretty colorful past, some of us not. Some of us think we don't really have a testimony, because we became believers at a young age. Others of us, well, can't believe we are even worthy of Jesus. Today, right now, stop and realize just 'where' you were before Christ! Not just your sin, but the actual separation from God! The MEF (minds eye flash) I see: a child standing outside her Daddy's office. He can see her, he can hear her. She talks to him very excitedly telling him all about her day, her hopes and dream...

How To Escape Being In A Battle Field

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Deuteronomy 31:6 - “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Psalm 28:7 - “The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." 2 Tim 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."      Some days, it just seems like everything is going wrong. Like nothing 'we' do helps. Like everyone is against us! Like we are in the middle of a battle zone, and we keep getting shot at from every direction! First of all, Eph. 6:12 reminds us that the battle isn't flesh and blood, but spiritual! The realm of darkness that the enemy lives in, tries REALLY hard to discourage us, make us panic in fear, and the goal: to blame God and turn away from God!     How do we actually walk through t...

Testimony Time - Pants

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Just had an AMAZING thing happen!! I wore one of the last pairs of pants that sort of fit me now, that I've lost so much weight, last Friday to work. Had to use a belt to hold them on LOL  As the day went on, I actually prayed for God to help show me a place or a type of pant to get, that would fit my tiny waist and hips and bottom that I still have - without having to be altered. Then I let it go. Saturday, on my way home from a Birthday Celebration, I came in to our neighborhood a different way than normal. There was a house with a bunch of stuff in the front yard, with signs on them of FREE. We are looking for a dresser. There was one! However, it was a long, wide one and not a tall one like we would like to have. But I pulled over to look anyway. There were several baby items, Christmas things, a chair....normal stuff, that someone just wants to get rid of. I saw several bags on the ground, and assumed they were baby or children's clothing, due to the amount of baby stuff...

Are You Angry At God

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Malachi‬ ‭1:2-3, 5‬ Vs 2-3: ““I have always loved you,” says the LORD. But you retort, “Really? How have You loved us?” And the LORD replies, “This is how I showed My love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau’s inheritance into a desert for jackals.” Vs 5: "When you see the destruction for yourselves, you will say, ‘Truly, the LORD’s greatness reaches far beyond Israel’s borders!’"      Have you ever wanted to trace how far back your ancestry goes? These verses made me think a bit differently about some of the 'evil' people in our world today. It is very likely that they come from the line of Esau - wow!! How true, the Lords greatness reaches FAR beyond just Israel!      Have you been a stubborn daughter? Have you not gotten your way in something and stomped your foot, with the words, "How have You loved me?!" coming out of your mouth up to the sky at God? Sure, we ALL h...

Are You Living Like You Have A "Free Pass"

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‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:2 & 5 Vs 2: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." Vs 5: "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity."      Well, according to verse 2, (joke coming) I am NOT to pray first thing in the morning LOL I am NOT a morning person LOL However, I actually think this verse goes along with SO many others, that we are to be 'sober' and 'ready' to pray at all times. I agree with this verse, to always have thankfulness mixed in our prayer requests too. Verse 5 'live wisely' - what does your life look like to people around you? Are you just a Christian at home, behind closed doors? Or NOT at home, but only around others? Or just on Sunday? Or only with other believers? How do you act in front of others? Are you being a good 'steward' with what God has blessed you with? People are ALWAYS watching us!! Especially those searching for God. If we go out and sp...

What Kind Of Employee Are You

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Colossians 3:22, 23, 25 Vs 22: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord." Vs 23: "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Vs 25: "But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites."      Wow, direct. At your job, have you ever 'not liked your job'? Are you just there for the paycheck? Well, your boss is the owner/master and you are the slave. I know we don't have a real concept of this in our day and age, but the closest I could get, is our jobs. What IF, we were to work at our jobs like we ARE slaves?! Yes, some 'masters' are kind and generous, while others are mean, demanding, and have everyone on edge... BUT if we were to 'work' for them, because of our love and devo...

How Would Someone Represent You

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Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."      Perfect instructions for us. 'Fill our lives' with Christ - that's straight to the point! We 'fill' our lives by being IN His word, having praise and worship music on around us, talking with Him.... We then, will be able to teach and counsel each other - but only if and when we are 'filled' with Him.     Being a representative of Jesus - have you actually ever thought of that? Today, what if your partner, or child, or best friend were to be 'you' all day? They were to be a 'representative' of you to others? What about your neighbor or coworker, what if THEY were your 'representative' today?...

What Color Is Your Wedding Dress

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‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:27-28‬ “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ."      What a perfect way to start the day! We have a 'secret' BUT we ARE supposed to SHARE it!!! Here is another promise for us, something to write down in our 'Who I Am In Christ' log/notes! We have assurance in Christ! Not only our salvation, but the assurance that we can be bold, and have wisdom to share. Why? Why do we share Christ with others? "to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ" - that here on earth, we are subject to our sinful nature, but in Gods eyes, we are seen thru Christ as a perfect, spotless bride! Oh my goodness! I just realiz...

How To Stand Before God Without Fault

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‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:22 “Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault."      Do you see this?!?! Do you see just how intimate God knows us? All because Jesus left heaven, became human, lived here on earth, then died a VERY HARD physical death, FOR us!! Why? So that we can come in to the presence of God, ANY time 24/7 - AND when we do, WE ARE 'holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault'. Now, this does NOT give us the right to willfully on purpose sin, BUT do you see the part 'He has brought you into His own presence' - He/Jesus brought us in to His/God's presence!! The MEF (minds eye flash) I got is of a grand palace, the Father is in His special study, and we are wanting to see Him. (Because, Jesus is our 'armor' at all times, He's with us always...)...

How To Stop Worrying About Your Day Slipping Thru Your Hands

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Colossians‬ ‭1:15-17‬ “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together."     Wow!! Wow!! I don't even know where to start... SO much in just these verses! It dawned on me, that we, here today, have not physically 'seen' Jesus - but we HAVE!! We know His character, His ways, His attributes.... so, when we 'see' these things in people that are following Jesus - we SEE Him! Which means, we SEE God! We are "seeing the invisible God" visible in these people and actions. Wow! I've been a whiny baby for years, complaining that we don't get to 'see' J...

Do You Feel Trapped, Drowning, In Bondage

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Psalm‬ ‭142:6-7 “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise Your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me."     Have you ever felt that a circumstance or situation you are in is WAY bigger and harder than you could handle? Or like, at every turn, it seems like someone is after you or causing things to happen? It seems like a person, or group of people, are SO strong against you? Well, you are not alone!! Verse 7 is a GREAT prayer to pray when this happens! Why? So that we can praise our awesome Heavenly Father!! Then, when you share this with other believers, we ALL get a blessing! We ALL get to praise God!      If you are going thru something that has you crying out this prayer, KNOW you are not alone! I'm praying for you. There is an awesome Group on FB, called Desiring Gods Heart. Women praying for women...

What Are You Indulging In

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‭‭Psalm‬ ‭141:3-4 "Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies."      Pretty straight forward prayer. However, the last line kept jumping out at me! Then the flash in my minds eye. 'Delicacies' are normally food, however here, for us, it can be a number of things! Dictionary says: Delicacies: noun a : the quality or state of being luxurious b : indulgence c : something pleasing to eat that is considered rare or luxurious <considered caviar a delicacy>      The Lord showed me that for us here, in this time in history, a delicacy can be anything that slips in under the guise of 'just a little won't hurt' - which can be food, drink, actions, activities, music, TV, movies, shopping, smoking, debt, lying, gambling ..... oh, it's SO easy to get sucked in and then desen...

Who's Fighting Your Battles

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‭‭Psalm‬ ‭140:8, 11, 12-13‬ Vs 8: “Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed." Vs 11: "May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent." Vs 12-13: "I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise Your name, and the upright will live in Your presence."      You know, it is VERY hard for me to pray against or wish I'll towards someone....however, the Lord reminded me today, that He fights our battles for us! He is the One who can bring about change, and make a difference! With our country being split, and people causing division - this just fits.      Verses 8 & 11 are my prayer against anyone who is against Gods will and way. Verses 12 & 13 are our promise! Today, I pray you live in Gods presence! Spend time with Him in His word, with praises thru the ABC's, by listening to praise music, by praying for ...

Who Knows You Inside & Out

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Psalm‬ ‭139:4, 6-7, 11-12‬ Vs 4: “Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely." Vs 6-7: "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?" Vs 11-12: "If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You."      Wow! Verses 4, 6, & 7 are pretty straight forward, and I guess I needed this reminder (oops)! Verses 11-12 are just swirling around in my head like the wind outside. God not only has X-ray/Thermol vision, but Night-vision too! When He created the earth, it was first dark. God then added the light. The same with us, before we accept His gift of salvation. We are 'dark in sin' - then Jesus enters, and there is light! However, even in our darkness (to us), God sees everything! He is not blinded by our...

Who's Hand Is Reaching For You

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‭‭Psalm‬ ‭138:7-8‬ “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life. You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes; with Your right hand You save me. The Lord will vindicate me; Your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of Your hands."      Strange visual on this one! Maybe because of the chapter before... but it was of a jail or prison. Even if we were in the hardest spot in our life, and in jail - the Lord would be with us! SEVERAL times in scripture, the words "Your right hand" 'helps, holds, saves us' is said.      According to Isaiah 41:13, our Father holds our right hand. I see a picture of a child walking alongside a parent. Maybe on a wall or beam of sorts. As they are walking, if the child starts to slip or fall, the parent is holding them with their LEFT hand, which makes their RIGHT hand free to catch, shield, direct, and even save from harm or disaster. Well, EVERY day, we are children walking on balance...

Do You Feel His Enduring Love

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Psalm‬ ‭136:1-4, 25-26‬ Vs 1-4: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Vs 25-26: "He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever."      In my bible, then line 'His love endures forever' is italicized. It reminds me of a few churches I've been in, where the preacher says or reads something and then the people read/say a line back. So THIS is where they got it from! Funny how some religions take something and make it ceremonial. Sad part, there is no meaning behind it after a few weeks, for most. To just repeat words back, loses its meaning, feeling, relationship.      When I read this chapter, I went slow and said 'His love endures forever' with purpose. Each time a memory of...