Wednesday night in kid's service it was Tammy's turn to teach. I was a helper. She taught on the Fruits of the Spirit. We team teach so whenever she talked about one of the fruits she would ask for examples from the kids. They gave great examples. When we started talking about self-control and patience I kind of cringed inside because I thought, "Man I bet I have to practice this in the next few days because we are teaching on it!"
Well sure enough, the "opportunity to practice" came by the next morning. When the inccident occured I handled it very calmly...then the situation esculated and I felt a stirring rising up inside of me. I prayed under my breath and walked away! YAY! In the long run I had the victory! By the next morning the situation was resolved and I didn't display rotten fruit but the great Fruit that God had equipped me with! God equipped me with Self-control!
Well, I didn't have to wait long after that opportunity until another "opportunity to practice" came about! It was an opportunity that usually causes me grief and strife...accompanied by fear. Fear is not of the Lord. We talked about this in our kid's class! Peace is of the Lord. He equipped me once again! I then rebuked the fear and asked God to give me His Peace. He did! I did have to choose to have that peace but God is so good that He helped me. YAY! Victory once again. Now that situation is not resolved YET but God is in control and I have peace reguardless of the circumstances that surround me. I will praise Him!
Later that same afternoon I saw my grandaughters. They told me that they had practiced self-control on the playground! I told them about me getting to practice too and they smiled from ear to ear.
I am so grateful that I serve a God who equips us so very well. He knew that those very opportunites would be arising before they ever happened and He was gracious to remind me, (and all of us), of what He has already equipped us with! His gifts are amazing. Are they magic? NO...but they are there. We just have to choose to exercise them. One more thing...I love it because God equips us all, old or young. Yes, sweet victory.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
True Are His Promises...He Said So!
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:13-14 NKJ
When I was leading worship this week I was singing the song "Unchanging" one of the verses goes like this,"True are Your promises, true are Your promises, You never change, You never change O God."
I thought how very true that is! His promises never change. And then I thought about how grateful I was that God made me the way I am. I am so thankful that God made my husband the way he is too! I had to laugh...we have both said at different times that the reason we stayed married when we were young was because we were both so stubborn that we were determined to make the other one leave first! Then I got to thinking about how God really did create my husband and I, both, with a determined streak! And that very quality has kept us from giving up on the promises of God to be seen here in Burley, Idaho and in our lives. There have times when one of us has been down and wanted to throw in the towel but the other one was there to encourage and pray for one another. I am so thankful that I serve a God so great that He knew what character traits that I would need to pastor and to be determined to not give up on the promises He has given us! I am thankful that He gave me a determined mate not to give up on me or us!
Later in verse 16 it says that "in Your book they were written, the days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them." God knows what we face and He has equipped us! He has given us His Word and even blessed us with character traits or giftings to handle or finesse each and every situation. He never changes and that means I have to be the one to change. He is with us! He will walk with us. Not always do I understand everything but this I know...that He has a plan and He IS my hope! I love You Lord Jesus.
When I was leading worship this week I was singing the song "Unchanging" one of the verses goes like this,"True are Your promises, true are Your promises, You never change, You never change O God."
I thought how very true that is! His promises never change. And then I thought about how grateful I was that God made me the way I am. I am so thankful that God made my husband the way he is too! I had to laugh...we have both said at different times that the reason we stayed married when we were young was because we were both so stubborn that we were determined to make the other one leave first! Then I got to thinking about how God really did create my husband and I, both, with a determined streak! And that very quality has kept us from giving up on the promises of God to be seen here in Burley, Idaho and in our lives. There have times when one of us has been down and wanted to throw in the towel but the other one was there to encourage and pray for one another. I am so thankful that I serve a God so great that He knew what character traits that I would need to pastor and to be determined to not give up on the promises He has given us! I am thankful that He gave me a determined mate not to give up on me or us!
Later in verse 16 it says that "in Your book they were written, the days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them." God knows what we face and He has equipped us! He has given us His Word and even blessed us with character traits or giftings to handle or finesse each and every situation. He never changes and that means I have to be the one to change. He is with us! He will walk with us. Not always do I understand everything but this I know...that He has a plan and He IS my hope! I love You Lord Jesus.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Edify and Exhort!
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23 NKJ
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
I Cor. 14:3 NKJ
Tonight I was reminded of how important exhortation and edification is! They say that for every negative thing spoken that it takes ten positive things to counter balance it. The enemy loves to whisper lies to us...he loves to tell us anything to tear us down or distract us. How can we counter that? By the Word of God! That is exactly what Jesus did when the devil was twisting the Word of God in the desert! Jesus spoke the truth! He quoted the Word of God right back at him! We need to fill ourselves up with His Word so that when the devil starts tearing us down or discouraging us we can counter attack with the Truth! We can build ourselves up with His Word of God.
Read His Word. Store it up in your heart. Then when you see someone that is hurting you can speak encouragement and health to them! You can administer comfort and hope to them! God's Word never fails. It is salve to the wounded. He is the healer! He is our hope! He is our defender!
So arm yourself and be ready to administer first aid to those who are in need of love, exhortation and encouragement! Remember...a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
Shanin
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
I Cor. 14:3 NKJ
Tonight I was reminded of how important exhortation and edification is! They say that for every negative thing spoken that it takes ten positive things to counter balance it. The enemy loves to whisper lies to us...he loves to tell us anything to tear us down or distract us. How can we counter that? By the Word of God! That is exactly what Jesus did when the devil was twisting the Word of God in the desert! Jesus spoke the truth! He quoted the Word of God right back at him! We need to fill ourselves up with His Word so that when the devil starts tearing us down or discouraging us we can counter attack with the Truth! We can build ourselves up with His Word of God.
Read His Word. Store it up in your heart. Then when you see someone that is hurting you can speak encouragement and health to them! You can administer comfort and hope to them! God's Word never fails. It is salve to the wounded. He is the healer! He is our hope! He is our defender!
So arm yourself and be ready to administer first aid to those who are in need of love, exhortation and encouragement! Remember...a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
Shanin
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Tell the Truth in Love
23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue. Prov. 28:23 NKJV
Rebuking or correcting someone is never fun. I would much rather work, or be friends or spend time with someone who will tell me the truth or how they really feel than to hang out with someone who will flatter or lie to me. It might not "feel good" at the point of correction but I would not have to worry about how they "really" think or feel! Correction, when done right, brings about health!
I used to work with a lady that everyone in the office was afraid of! I wasn't because I knew that Shellie would shoot straight from the hip! She would tell me the truth! I never had to worry about her stabbing me in the back. I knew right where I stood with Shellie all of the time. I also worked with another lady. She was always nice to me and complimenting me but she would then turn around and cry to others about how I treated her. She was one I could not trust!
I am thankful for the people in my life who loves me enough to tell me the truth in love. Without those people I wouldn't have grown to where I am today. My husband was very faithful in telling me things that I didn't want to hear but being patient and loving by helping me in those areas of my life that needed "sanding." I wasn't always receptive or loving back but he loved me enough to help me!
Don't run from telling someone the truth. Stop and pray and ask God to help you to tell them the truth in love. I made a decision at one point in my life to not be a man pleaser and to commit to pleasing God. For me that meant sometimes keeping my mouth shut and just praying and other times it meant that I had to speak the truth. Is it fun? No but I would say that my friends know that I love them and I will tell them the truth...if you struggle with man pleasing or being in fear of someone not liking you if you tell them the truth that is not of the Lord. His desire is for us to be conformed in His Image. Lots of times that means there has to be some "sanding" to get to that smooth surface! Sometimes we get sanded and other times we have to do the sanding....ask Him for help and He will help you. Just remember to tell the truth in love not "love" to tell the truth!
Than he who flatters with the tongue. Prov. 28:23 NKJV
Rebuking or correcting someone is never fun. I would much rather work, or be friends or spend time with someone who will tell me the truth or how they really feel than to hang out with someone who will flatter or lie to me. It might not "feel good" at the point of correction but I would not have to worry about how they "really" think or feel! Correction, when done right, brings about health!
I used to work with a lady that everyone in the office was afraid of! I wasn't because I knew that Shellie would shoot straight from the hip! She would tell me the truth! I never had to worry about her stabbing me in the back. I knew right where I stood with Shellie all of the time. I also worked with another lady. She was always nice to me and complimenting me but she would then turn around and cry to others about how I treated her. She was one I could not trust!
I am thankful for the people in my life who loves me enough to tell me the truth in love. Without those people I wouldn't have grown to where I am today. My husband was very faithful in telling me things that I didn't want to hear but being patient and loving by helping me in those areas of my life that needed "sanding." I wasn't always receptive or loving back but he loved me enough to help me!
Don't run from telling someone the truth. Stop and pray and ask God to help you to tell them the truth in love. I made a decision at one point in my life to not be a man pleaser and to commit to pleasing God. For me that meant sometimes keeping my mouth shut and just praying and other times it meant that I had to speak the truth. Is it fun? No but I would say that my friends know that I love them and I will tell them the truth...if you struggle with man pleasing or being in fear of someone not liking you if you tell them the truth that is not of the Lord. His desire is for us to be conformed in His Image. Lots of times that means there has to be some "sanding" to get to that smooth surface! Sometimes we get sanded and other times we have to do the sanding....ask Him for help and He will help you. Just remember to tell the truth in love not "love" to tell the truth!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Woo Hoo!
I am so excited! This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
I am on my way to our Sunday Celebration Service. I get to go worship the Lord this morning with my church family! I love it!
Just thought I tell you all to have a blessed and wonderful Sunday! Take advantage of our freedom to be able to worship Jesus freely and openly without fear of persecution!
I am on my way to our Sunday Celebration Service. I get to go worship the Lord this morning with my church family! I love it!
Just thought I tell you all to have a blessed and wonderful Sunday! Take advantage of our freedom to be able to worship Jesus freely and openly without fear of persecution!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Constructive or Destructive?
1 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1
This is so true! When I was younger I worked hard to "build" my house but then I would "pull it down" with my mouth in a matter of moments. Everything that I would work for would be undone!
Words and actions are so important. How do you treat your husband? Do you respect him? I have friends that really do respect their husbands and you can tell by their actions and words. Then I have friends who say they do but then they go do things that say the very opposite. They will say mean things or degrading things about their husbands or talk down to their husbands. It is so sad to witness. I can't even imagine being the person at the opposite end.
I am so blessed to be married to a wonderful husband! Is he perfect? No, he is human but he treats me like a queen and I love treating him like a king! Has it always been that way? No, but over time we worked together to improve our marriage and to grow together in Jesus. The biggest change happened when I stopped concentrating on the wrong things that he did or looking at the things that he needed to fix and just looked at fixing me. I know...you might be thinking, well, you don't know my husband! You're right, I don't, but I do know that there is no way that you are perfect either and when you work at fixing you and step out of the way then God can work on his heart. Please understand that this no way is meant for cases of infedelity or abuse. If that is happening go get help! Jesus would never want you to take abuse!
May I suggest if you are in a hard place in your marriage...pray! Pray for your husband and pray for God to change what is needed in you. When you start having a hard time with your mouth...pray! And then pray again! It will make a difference. Look for a way to treat him the way you would like to be treated. After time it will pay off! If you love him and treat him with respect he will desire to treat you the same way. Think about how you sound...how you act...it will take some time to change things but with prayer and action things will change.
Before you speak, stop and think...is this going to help me build my house up or will it tear it down? Be wise and build your home up! Don't be foolish and undo everything you have worked on in a matter of moments with a few words out of frustration.
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1
This is so true! When I was younger I worked hard to "build" my house but then I would "pull it down" with my mouth in a matter of moments. Everything that I would work for would be undone!
Words and actions are so important. How do you treat your husband? Do you respect him? I have friends that really do respect their husbands and you can tell by their actions and words. Then I have friends who say they do but then they go do things that say the very opposite. They will say mean things or degrading things about their husbands or talk down to their husbands. It is so sad to witness. I can't even imagine being the person at the opposite end.
I am so blessed to be married to a wonderful husband! Is he perfect? No, he is human but he treats me like a queen and I love treating him like a king! Has it always been that way? No, but over time we worked together to improve our marriage and to grow together in Jesus. The biggest change happened when I stopped concentrating on the wrong things that he did or looking at the things that he needed to fix and just looked at fixing me. I know...you might be thinking, well, you don't know my husband! You're right, I don't, but I do know that there is no way that you are perfect either and when you work at fixing you and step out of the way then God can work on his heart. Please understand that this no way is meant for cases of infedelity or abuse. If that is happening go get help! Jesus would never want you to take abuse!
May I suggest if you are in a hard place in your marriage...pray! Pray for your husband and pray for God to change what is needed in you. When you start having a hard time with your mouth...pray! And then pray again! It will make a difference. Look for a way to treat him the way you would like to be treated. After time it will pay off! If you love him and treat him with respect he will desire to treat you the same way. Think about how you sound...how you act...it will take some time to change things but with prayer and action things will change.
Before you speak, stop and think...is this going to help me build my house up or will it tear it down? Be wise and build your home up! Don't be foolish and undo everything you have worked on in a matter of moments with a few words out of frustration.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Offended? Don't Go There!
God's desire for us is for us to be healthy and flourishing and fruitful. In Matt. 12:20 it says, A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering which He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory. NIV The enemy loves for you to be offended so he can get you to isolate!
So what stunts our growth or separates from the vine?
I. The Offense
Like mold the offense starts to grow and spreads all over you. It's a trap! It's the trigger on the mouse trap. It robs you of your blessing while you are in the trap. However, the offense is an opportunity for growth and release. How to escape from the trap is forgiveness.
II. Admit The Offense To Yourself.
We have all been trapped and we have all trapped. In Luke 17 Jesus tells us that it is impossible not to be offended and it's impossible not to often people and He teaches that it is hard on both ends. You are not the only on that this has happened to.
III. Admit The Offense To The Other Person.
Let's state this very clearly...Admission is not accusation!!! You can never know what their motive was! Generally they were oblivious or careless or hurt. How often have you "plotted" to hurt someone? Most usually it is a misunderstanding and the enemy uses it for his advantage (to set that trap). Please make sure that your heart is right with the Lord before going to do this. LOVE needs to be your motivation. Don't go to "confront" the person...go in love.
IV. Forgive The Offense.
God forgave us for so much how can we not forgive for so little? Be mature, make the first move, right or wrong. We have to make the choice to will forgiveness. When we forgive, it releases the issue to God so He can take care of it. When we forgive that is letting the vine dresser to lift us up out of the mud. He then washes the mold off and stakes us to the vine so that we can produce fruit.
Unforgiveness cuts us off from the nutrients of the Word, Prayer, Worship and Fellowship.
V. Get Back Into The Game.
Once we get out of the mus we need to get back into the exercise of reading the Word, praying, worshipping and fellowshipping which equals ABIDING!
Pray for God to reveal any unforgiveness in your life. Unforgiveness is like poison and as it courses through your veins it kills you! Do not let the enemy plant a seed of bitterness in your life.
So what stunts our growth or separates from the vine?
I. The Offense
Like mold the offense starts to grow and spreads all over you. It's a trap! It's the trigger on the mouse trap. It robs you of your blessing while you are in the trap. However, the offense is an opportunity for growth and release. How to escape from the trap is forgiveness.
II. Admit The Offense To Yourself.
We have all been trapped and we have all trapped. In Luke 17 Jesus tells us that it is impossible not to be offended and it's impossible not to often people and He teaches that it is hard on both ends. You are not the only on that this has happened to.
III. Admit The Offense To The Other Person.
Let's state this very clearly...Admission is not accusation!!! You can never know what their motive was! Generally they were oblivious or careless or hurt. How often have you "plotted" to hurt someone? Most usually it is a misunderstanding and the enemy uses it for his advantage (to set that trap). Please make sure that your heart is right with the Lord before going to do this. LOVE needs to be your motivation. Don't go to "confront" the person...go in love.
IV. Forgive The Offense.
God forgave us for so much how can we not forgive for so little? Be mature, make the first move, right or wrong. We have to make the choice to will forgiveness. When we forgive, it releases the issue to God so He can take care of it. When we forgive that is letting the vine dresser to lift us up out of the mud. He then washes the mold off and stakes us to the vine so that we can produce fruit.
Unforgiveness cuts us off from the nutrients of the Word, Prayer, Worship and Fellowship.
V. Get Back Into The Game.
Once we get out of the mus we need to get back into the exercise of reading the Word, praying, worshipping and fellowshipping which equals ABIDING!
Pray for God to reveal any unforgiveness in your life. Unforgiveness is like poison and as it courses through your veins it kills you! Do not let the enemy plant a seed of bitterness in your life.
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