Fear and worry are the dynamic duo that once given an inch will take the preverbal mile in our lives! Much is written on fear and worry throughout God’s Word. Isaiah wrote, “So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed (worried) for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
I find it interesting that an antonym for fear and panic is self-control. I don’t know about you, but I must admit that sometimes I don’t like that word, self-control!! Could it be that it makes me accountable for my actions (as in one scoop of ice cream instead of three!)? That it requires I make a choice and ultimately the consequences of that choice cannot be blamed on someone else? “I can’t help but worry” has been an excuse I’ve heard a thousand times….yes you can! It is called, “choice”, as in SELF control.
Solomon reminds us of the danger of not having self-control: “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Prov 25:28
When we allow fear and panic to invade and take control of our thoughts we are opening the doorway of our hearts and minds for physical, spiritual and mental attacks. As in the city walls , WE cause a break in the seal placed around our hearts and minds through which the Holy Spirit was sent to bring safety and security.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (this includes fear and worry!).” Eph 4:29-31
“Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness (this includes fear and worry!).’ 2 Timothy 2:19
Picture your heart and mind as a fortress and above the door is the inscription, “The Lord knows and guards this entrance.”
Jesus said out of the overflow of the heart our mouths speak (Luke 6:45). Ultimately what we believe and live will be revealed through our speech and our actions.
In other words, whoever has control of our mind and heart also has control of our actions. If fear and panic are the foundation our walls are built upon, our actions throughout the day will be aligned with anxiety, paranoia, anger, jealousy, etc. because those are the byproducts of fear and panic. But if we allow God to be the foundation faith, hope and trust will be the walls built around our city (our heart and mind). This will then result in actions such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (or no limit).” Galatians 5:22-24.
It is our choice…..fear and worry or trust and faith. Both options are placed upon the unknown, but only One option gives life.
Be humble under God's powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you. Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. (1 Peter 5:6-8)
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding
Usually the first thing I say and ask when meeting someone is, “Hello, my name is Kay and you are?” A name is the doorway into discovering and connecting with another person. In biblical times names were descriptive of anything from the circumstances in which the child was conceived or born to the times they were living in. For example, when Jacob’s wife Leah gave birth to her children they were given names describing how God heard and knew Jacob’s relationship with her.
How would you like to go through life with names that meant: “he has seen my misery (Reuben)” or “my struggle (Naphtali)?”
Don’t know about you but that sounds like the makings of a country song, “Here comes Misery and Struggle” complete with banjo and harmonica background...sorry, I digress!!
So what is in a name? When God called Moses to lead his children out of Egypt, Moses asked God, “When the Israelites ask me ‘What is his name?’ what shall I tell them?” God answered, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Genesis 3:13-14) God’s name was and still is indicative of action…past, present and future. God was giving them the promise of faithfully loving and caring for them, of always being with them not far away and it was all in His Name. He continued by saying, “this is my name FOREVER, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Genesis 13:15)
It was not by chance Isaiah foretold Jesus birth and that he would be called ‘Immanuel’—which means ‘God with us.’ (Isaiah 7:14) This was also reaffirmed to Joseph in a dream prior to taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:19-15). God was once again reminding his people, ‘I AM is still with you…I haven’t left you.’
Upon given the promise of a son (Samson), Manoah asked the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” The angel replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.” (Judges 13:17-18)
This verse intrigued me and I started thinking if we cannot understand the meaning of a name, particularly the names of Jesus and God, how then can we understand the why’s and how’s of the actions of the One bearing that name? Yet we are forever analyzing God’s actions so we can somehow justify those actions when they don’t meet our expectations.
Isaiah reminds us, “Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14)
God goes beyond our comprehension to do the impossible in our lives and when He does this our only response should be like that of Job (Job 1:20), Manoah and his wife (Judges 13:20), Mary (Luke 1:38) and numerous others—falling before the Lord in worship and submission.
If we wait until we understand, we will miss out in the most amazing part of bearing His Name (Christians)--the anticipation of the power of God working in and through us. “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well…and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:17-20)
Where do you find yourself today? Are you still trying to understand before you submit to God or have you “fallen before the Lord in worship and submission” giving God the freedom to use you to display His Name...whether you understand or not?
How would you like to go through life with names that meant: “he has seen my misery (Reuben)” or “my struggle (Naphtali)?”
Don’t know about you but that sounds like the makings of a country song, “Here comes Misery and Struggle” complete with banjo and harmonica background...sorry, I digress!!
So what is in a name? When God called Moses to lead his children out of Egypt, Moses asked God, “When the Israelites ask me ‘What is his name?’ what shall I tell them?” God answered, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Genesis 3:13-14) God’s name was and still is indicative of action…past, present and future. God was giving them the promise of faithfully loving and caring for them, of always being with them not far away and it was all in His Name. He continued by saying, “this is my name FOREVER, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Genesis 13:15)
It was not by chance Isaiah foretold Jesus birth and that he would be called ‘Immanuel’—which means ‘God with us.’ (Isaiah 7:14) This was also reaffirmed to Joseph in a dream prior to taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:19-15). God was once again reminding his people, ‘I AM is still with you…I haven’t left you.’
Upon given the promise of a son (Samson), Manoah asked the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” The angel replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.” (Judges 13:17-18)
This verse intrigued me and I started thinking if we cannot understand the meaning of a name, particularly the names of Jesus and God, how then can we understand the why’s and how’s of the actions of the One bearing that name? Yet we are forever analyzing God’s actions so we can somehow justify those actions when they don’t meet our expectations.
Isaiah reminds us, “Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14)
God goes beyond our comprehension to do the impossible in our lives and when He does this our only response should be like that of Job (Job 1:20), Manoah and his wife (Judges 13:20), Mary (Luke 1:38) and numerous others—falling before the Lord in worship and submission.
If we wait until we understand, we will miss out in the most amazing part of bearing His Name (Christians)--the anticipation of the power of God working in and through us. “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well…and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:17-20)
Where do you find yourself today? Are you still trying to understand before you submit to God or have you “fallen before the Lord in worship and submission” giving God the freedom to use you to display His Name...whether you understand or not?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Into the obstacle
“And as soon as the priests who were carrying the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” Joshua 3:13
A new generation of Israelites is at the threshold of entering a land promised by God to their forefathers and their parents. The miracles and stories of how God delivered them from Egypt, provided for them, watched over them and directed them during that time has been passed on to this generation from their parents.
Now they stand at the bank of the Jordan River, the gateway to that Promised Land. A land inhabited by people who did not worship Jehovah God; a people whose only means of relinquishing their land would be through hostile encounters.
This was a land so bountiful it has been described as “flowing with milk and honey”, a land already planted with everything the Israelites will need the moment their feet step on it.
One obstacle remained: in order to enter they must first…step.
Step into a river that was running at flood stage (Joshua 4:18). Step into a river that would not stop flowing UNTIL the first priest carrying the ark would enter it.
The one thing we tend to overlook in this passage is that God not only gave the conditions of the water being stopped, He also reminded them I OWN ALL THE EARTH…INCLUDING THE WATER!
“And as soon as the priests who were carrying the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” Joshua 3:13
The Israelites are going to be faced with difficult situations and hostile people the moment their feet hit the other side of the bank. God’s power has already preceded the Israelites entrance to the Promised Land. When Joshua sent the two spies into Jericho, Rahab testified, “We have HEARD how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea…what you did to the …two kings of the Amorites. When we HEARD of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed…for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:10-11)
This verbal confirmation from outside the camp of Israel about the power of God along with the miracle God was about to perform in their crossing of the Jordan will once again strengthen the people’s faith in God’s promises and fulfillment of those promises. This will be the foundation upon which God will move in the conquering of the Promised Land.
Where do you stand today? What is God calling you to do that seems impossible? What obstacles are you facing that are standing between you and the abundant life God has promised you? Will you stand on the banks shaking your head and wringing your hands waiting for ‘it’ to slow down, go away or possibly someone else come in to rescue you? Or will you ‘step in’ to the unknown EXPECTING God to fulfill His promise to you BEFORE it happens? Rest assured, God owns ALL the earth and EVERYTHING in it…including the obstacle standing in your way.
A new generation of Israelites is at the threshold of entering a land promised by God to their forefathers and their parents. The miracles and stories of how God delivered them from Egypt, provided for them, watched over them and directed them during that time has been passed on to this generation from their parents.
Now they stand at the bank of the Jordan River, the gateway to that Promised Land. A land inhabited by people who did not worship Jehovah God; a people whose only means of relinquishing their land would be through hostile encounters.
This was a land so bountiful it has been described as “flowing with milk and honey”, a land already planted with everything the Israelites will need the moment their feet step on it.
One obstacle remained: in order to enter they must first…step.
Step into a river that was running at flood stage (Joshua 4:18). Step into a river that would not stop flowing UNTIL the first priest carrying the ark would enter it.
The one thing we tend to overlook in this passage is that God not only gave the conditions of the water being stopped, He also reminded them I OWN ALL THE EARTH…INCLUDING THE WATER!
“And as soon as the priests who were carrying the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” Joshua 3:13
The Israelites are going to be faced with difficult situations and hostile people the moment their feet hit the other side of the bank. God’s power has already preceded the Israelites entrance to the Promised Land. When Joshua sent the two spies into Jericho, Rahab testified, “We have HEARD how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea…what you did to the …two kings of the Amorites. When we HEARD of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed…for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:10-11)
This verbal confirmation from outside the camp of Israel about the power of God along with the miracle God was about to perform in their crossing of the Jordan will once again strengthen the people’s faith in God’s promises and fulfillment of those promises. This will be the foundation upon which God will move in the conquering of the Promised Land.
Where do you stand today? What is God calling you to do that seems impossible? What obstacles are you facing that are standing between you and the abundant life God has promised you? Will you stand on the banks shaking your head and wringing your hands waiting for ‘it’ to slow down, go away or possibly someone else come in to rescue you? Or will you ‘step in’ to the unknown EXPECTING God to fulfill His promise to you BEFORE it happens? Rest assured, God owns ALL the earth and EVERYTHING in it…including the obstacle standing in your way.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Memorial stones or grave markers?
Throughout the Old Testament are examples of memorial stones set up representing situations the Israelites found themselves in so future generations would be able to know the power and presence of Jehovah God. Had they not experienced these situations, there would have been no memorial stones for future generations--no lessons to pass on.
Don’t know about you but there are things in my past that I would just as soon remain in my past…buried! “Remember the good ole days” has become a much trumped slogan when our today starts to become overwhelming or perhaps doesn’t play out how we had hoped it would. The “good ole days” held challenges as well, although we tend to forget them when comparing to today. When reminiscing on the past we also tend to focus on the positive rather than the negative.
Perhaps by not reflecting on some of the past we then won’t have to deal with the consequences or even possible reconciliations. But in doing this we could also be shortchanging future generations from lessons learned.
“In the middle of the Jordan…take up a stone…to serve as a sign among you. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:4-7
A new generation of Israelites is at the threshold of entering a land that was promised by God to their forefathers and their parents. Joshua and Caleb are the only remaining people from the generation (20 years or older) that left Egypt to enter the Promised Land, a generation that wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until they died. The miracles and stories of how God delivered them from Egypt, provided for them, watched over them and directed them during that time has been passed on to this generation from their parents. This generation has never known anything but wandering, never been part of a permanent community to be able to show their children where they played or worked. They have never known or suffered at the hands of the Egyptian taskmasters as their parents had; nor tasted the first of a crop their own hands planted and harvested.
Now they stand at the bank of the Jordan River, the first obstacle before they step foot onto promised soil. A land that is so bountiful it has been described as “flowing with milk and honey”. Land that has already been planted with everything they will need the moment their feet step on it.
When reading the above verse, I started thinking, “Do I erect memorial stones or grave markers representing my past?”
Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
I am a firm believer of not living in the past, rather using our past as a tool of warning or encouragement to future generations. When we bury our past and any pain it brought it becomes of no value to anyone including us—it becomes a grave marker representing something that is dead and buried. But, if we allow our past to be as an encouragement to others it then becomes a memorial stone—something that is remembered and can be used to help others. We can use our past to tell of the faithfulness of God OR perhaps what happened when we didn’t allow God to work in our lives.
What about you? Are you erecting memorial stones or grave markers with your past?
Don’t know about you but there are things in my past that I would just as soon remain in my past…buried! “Remember the good ole days” has become a much trumped slogan when our today starts to become overwhelming or perhaps doesn’t play out how we had hoped it would. The “good ole days” held challenges as well, although we tend to forget them when comparing to today. When reminiscing on the past we also tend to focus on the positive rather than the negative.
Perhaps by not reflecting on some of the past we then won’t have to deal with the consequences or even possible reconciliations. But in doing this we could also be shortchanging future generations from lessons learned.
“In the middle of the Jordan…take up a stone…to serve as a sign among you. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:4-7
A new generation of Israelites is at the threshold of entering a land that was promised by God to their forefathers and their parents. Joshua and Caleb are the only remaining people from the generation (20 years or older) that left Egypt to enter the Promised Land, a generation that wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until they died. The miracles and stories of how God delivered them from Egypt, provided for them, watched over them and directed them during that time has been passed on to this generation from their parents. This generation has never known anything but wandering, never been part of a permanent community to be able to show their children where they played or worked. They have never known or suffered at the hands of the Egyptian taskmasters as their parents had; nor tasted the first of a crop their own hands planted and harvested.
Now they stand at the bank of the Jordan River, the first obstacle before they step foot onto promised soil. A land that is so bountiful it has been described as “flowing with milk and honey”. Land that has already been planted with everything they will need the moment their feet step on it.
When reading the above verse, I started thinking, “Do I erect memorial stones or grave markers representing my past?”
Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
I am a firm believer of not living in the past, rather using our past as a tool of warning or encouragement to future generations. When we bury our past and any pain it brought it becomes of no value to anyone including us—it becomes a grave marker representing something that is dead and buried. But, if we allow our past to be as an encouragement to others it then becomes a memorial stone—something that is remembered and can be used to help others. We can use our past to tell of the faithfulness of God OR perhaps what happened when we didn’t allow God to work in our lives.
What about you? Are you erecting memorial stones or grave markers with your past?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Power in Praise
Mention character and what comes into your mind? Possibly phrases such as, “she/he is quite a character!” or perhaps a particular definition such as “they have a generous, patient or weak character; they have a strong personality; they have a character flaw.” A child’s character is sometimes described as being strong-willed.
Our character is influenced by many things and/or people early in our life; parents, teachers, peers, television, movies, Sunday school teachers, etc. The strength of one’s character includes forgiveness, not getting even for wrongs that have been done to us; helping those who are less fortunate than us; standing in the face of adversity and determining never to give up; being honest when confronted with an opportunity to lie or cheat…even when no one is watching.
Galatians 5:22-26 reveals not only an inward but also an outward manifestation of a character that has been renewed by the Spirit of God--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control. At any given moment in our day, these characteristics will be tested by those around us, sometimes unintentional and others times very much intentional. It has been said if we want to learn patience we need to be around those who will push us to the limit. We almost come to expect the testing of these characteristics.
But the hidden test to the strength or quality of our character is one we don’t expect. One that can so easily sneak up behind us and knock us off balance when we least expect it. It is the test of praise we receive from others. Praise from others can bring moments of awkwardness or embarrassment, but I never thought of it as a test of my character until I read this verse: “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.” (Prov 27:21).
Praise…admiration…applause…honor from others can very quickly turn into self-importance, smugness and even pride. If not careful, we can even determine our self-worth based upon the praise we receive from others. What we do with praise is as critical as how and why we use the gifts and talents that resulted in the praise.
After Paul described the Spirit controlled life he gave this admonition: “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”(Gal 5:26 NIV) Other versions say; “not become boastful, challenging one another; compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better than the other; competitive, irritating to one another, being jealous of one another.”
Paul has just described release from a sinful nature into the glorious fruit of Christ’s nature within us and almost is the same breath ends with this warning. Why? Because even Paul understood the fragility of our human nature. Not always, but there are times when God moves in and through us to those around us that our old nature will raise its ugly head and enjoy, if not seek, the approval and admiration of others.
Dare I say even Paul struggled with this when he said, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh.” (2 Cor 12:7)
So how do we guard against self deception and come through the test of praise?
1. First and foremost praise is reserved for God. Of the over 350 mentions of praise in the Bible at least 99% are directed to God. Praise is a form of worship. When we seek out praise from others, we make an idol of ourselves and God said there is to be no other Gods before us but Him.
2. We are to encourage one another…not praise one another—“that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” Romans 1:11-13; Moses encouraged Joshua (Deut 1:32); the early believers encouraged one another in their faith, using the gifts and talents God gave (Acts 15:32; Acts 3:15; 16:40; 18:27; 20:2). Be cautious how we offer encouragement so the “praise” will always go to God working in and through the individual.
3. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Col 3:23)
4. It is the Lord we are serving, and the reward we receive from God will far outweigh any praise from men (Col 3:24)
5. Let us not become weary in doing good…even when no one notices, God does! (Gal 6:9)
6. Let the praise bestowed upon us be an opportunity to boast about the power of Christ. (2 Cor 12:7-10)
There is power in praise! Satan will use anything to deflect the praise away from God. Let us be careful whose power we welcome and want to be aligned with.
Our character is influenced by many things and/or people early in our life; parents, teachers, peers, television, movies, Sunday school teachers, etc. The strength of one’s character includes forgiveness, not getting even for wrongs that have been done to us; helping those who are less fortunate than us; standing in the face of adversity and determining never to give up; being honest when confronted with an opportunity to lie or cheat…even when no one is watching.
Galatians 5:22-26 reveals not only an inward but also an outward manifestation of a character that has been renewed by the Spirit of God--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control. At any given moment in our day, these characteristics will be tested by those around us, sometimes unintentional and others times very much intentional. It has been said if we want to learn patience we need to be around those who will push us to the limit. We almost come to expect the testing of these characteristics.
But the hidden test to the strength or quality of our character is one we don’t expect. One that can so easily sneak up behind us and knock us off balance when we least expect it. It is the test of praise we receive from others. Praise from others can bring moments of awkwardness or embarrassment, but I never thought of it as a test of my character until I read this verse: “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.” (Prov 27:21).
Praise…admiration…applause…honor from others can very quickly turn into self-importance, smugness and even pride. If not careful, we can even determine our self-worth based upon the praise we receive from others. What we do with praise is as critical as how and why we use the gifts and talents that resulted in the praise.
After Paul described the Spirit controlled life he gave this admonition: “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”(Gal 5:26 NIV) Other versions say; “not become boastful, challenging one another; compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better than the other; competitive, irritating to one another, being jealous of one another.”
Paul has just described release from a sinful nature into the glorious fruit of Christ’s nature within us and almost is the same breath ends with this warning. Why? Because even Paul understood the fragility of our human nature. Not always, but there are times when God moves in and through us to those around us that our old nature will raise its ugly head and enjoy, if not seek, the approval and admiration of others.
Dare I say even Paul struggled with this when he said, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh.” (2 Cor 12:7)
So how do we guard against self deception and come through the test of praise?
1. First and foremost praise is reserved for God. Of the over 350 mentions of praise in the Bible at least 99% are directed to God. Praise is a form of worship. When we seek out praise from others, we make an idol of ourselves and God said there is to be no other Gods before us but Him.
2. We are to encourage one another…not praise one another—“that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” Romans 1:11-13; Moses encouraged Joshua (Deut 1:32); the early believers encouraged one another in their faith, using the gifts and talents God gave (Acts 15:32; Acts 3:15; 16:40; 18:27; 20:2). Be cautious how we offer encouragement so the “praise” will always go to God working in and through the individual.
3. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Col 3:23)
4. It is the Lord we are serving, and the reward we receive from God will far outweigh any praise from men (Col 3:24)
5. Let us not become weary in doing good…even when no one notices, God does! (Gal 6:9)
6. Let the praise bestowed upon us be an opportunity to boast about the power of Christ. (2 Cor 12:7-10)
There is power in praise! Satan will use anything to deflect the praise away from God. Let us be careful whose power we welcome and want to be aligned with.
Hallelujah! You who serve GOD, praise GOD!
Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember GOD is a blessing—
now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to GOD!
Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember GOD is a blessing—
now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to GOD!
Psalms113:1-3 (The Message)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Alright…already
“Alright, already…that is only the ONE HUNDRETH time you have told me!”
Let’s face it, as a child, some instructions our parents gave us either didn’t make sense or we never thought we would need those pearls of wisdom. My all time favorite was “make sure you have clean underwear on before you leave the house.” Now, I always had clean underwear on everyday and if this instruction was given me in case, God forbid, I should be in an accident or aliens from the mother ship kidnap me¬—it wouldn’t matter because I probably would soil my undies anyway!! And would those who found me look at my undies first and shake their heads in dismay because they couldn’t determine if I had started with “clean or soiled”?!?!?!
On a more serious note, I could always detect the importance of an instruction by the number of times my parents would say it. They loved me and wanted to ingrain the thought to make sure I would be safe.
This year, I’ve been reading through The Daily Bible in Chronological Order as my devotional and am currently in the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (ok, I can hear the yawning as you read this ). Since many of the laws are repeated throughout these books, for the daily reading they are combined in that particular days reading. As much as I love the Word, I must admit when I get to these passages, I usually skim over them. However, I have been reading each word and even though I may not completely understand all the details I have discovered this: God is extremely interested in even the most minuscule details of not only the Israelites life, but mine as well. Throughout His Word and particularly in Psalms 139, there is a clear reminder that there is no place we can go but that God knows us, searches us and sees us…from our physical location down to the very thoughts we have even before words are formed to express those thoughts. He was watching over us as we were being formed inside our mother’s womb—before Mom even knew we were there, God knew. He has a plan He crafted just for you and just for me (Jeremiahs 29:11), He knows what our today will hold for us as well as our tomorrow and He will be there to guide and encourage us all the way.
God may not be reminding us to put clean undies on today, but He does ask us for a clean heart…one that is tuned in to His heart and our ears tuned into His voice.
“See I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” (Deut 30:15-17)
May our response to God’s instruction be one of gratitude, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10) rather than annoyance, “Alright, already…that is only the ONE HUNDRETH time you have told me!”
Let’s face it, as a child, some instructions our parents gave us either didn’t make sense or we never thought we would need those pearls of wisdom. My all time favorite was “make sure you have clean underwear on before you leave the house.” Now, I always had clean underwear on everyday and if this instruction was given me in case, God forbid, I should be in an accident or aliens from the mother ship kidnap me¬—it wouldn’t matter because I probably would soil my undies anyway!! And would those who found me look at my undies first and shake their heads in dismay because they couldn’t determine if I had started with “clean or soiled”?!?!?!
On a more serious note, I could always detect the importance of an instruction by the number of times my parents would say it. They loved me and wanted to ingrain the thought to make sure I would be safe.
This year, I’ve been reading through The Daily Bible in Chronological Order as my devotional and am currently in the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (ok, I can hear the yawning as you read this ). Since many of the laws are repeated throughout these books, for the daily reading they are combined in that particular days reading. As much as I love the Word, I must admit when I get to these passages, I usually skim over them. However, I have been reading each word and even though I may not completely understand all the details I have discovered this: God is extremely interested in even the most minuscule details of not only the Israelites life, but mine as well. Throughout His Word and particularly in Psalms 139, there is a clear reminder that there is no place we can go but that God knows us, searches us and sees us…from our physical location down to the very thoughts we have even before words are formed to express those thoughts. He was watching over us as we were being formed inside our mother’s womb—before Mom even knew we were there, God knew. He has a plan He crafted just for you and just for me (Jeremiahs 29:11), He knows what our today will hold for us as well as our tomorrow and He will be there to guide and encourage us all the way.
God may not be reminding us to put clean undies on today, but He does ask us for a clean heart…one that is tuned in to His heart and our ears tuned into His voice.
“See I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” (Deut 30:15-17)
May our response to God’s instruction be one of gratitude, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10) rather than annoyance, “Alright, already…that is only the ONE HUNDRETH time you have told me!”
Friday, February 26, 2010
HOW CAN WE CONTROL OUR TONGUES…WITHOUT DUCT TAPE? (Part 2 of 2)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
FIRST, HERE ARE THREE THINGS WE AS PARENTS CAN DO FOR OURSELVES:
1. Be willing to admit we are not perfect...and neither is anyone else!
No one person has all the answers…always speaks PERFECT wisdom! Yet we tend to put unrealistic expectation on others and sometimes on ourselves. We ALL blow it from time to time.
I don’t believe anyone in this room would intentionally start the day with, “Hmmm who can I be irritable with today? Yesterday I picked Aunt Matilda and it was so much fun”!!
The best gift we can give our children is to let them know, “Mom is not perfect…although if they are old enough, trust me they already know that---possibly have already TOLD you this!!
2. Don’t live in the past!
I have a friend that just can’t seem to get out of the past. She has CHOSEN to keep the emotional wounds open by reliving over and over the hurts that were said and done to her 25+ years ago.
The past is HISTORY and meant to teach us...BUT NEVER MEANT TO BE LIVED IN!
Today is a NEW day. It is our choice to make if we want to continue living/speaking in a manner that was done to us and continue in pain (and thereby inflicting that same pain on someone else) OR start speaking life and hope. You and I already know what it feels like to have devastating words spoken to us, we don’t have to continue for the next generation.
The circumstances that come into our lives are not nearly as important as how we CHOOSE to react to them. This is not a perfect world we live in. Our choices do affect those around us…either for good or for bad.
Let go of what is strangling you. People are human and will make mistakes (I’m not making excuses for their behavior), but we don’t have to be a willing prisoner of their choices!
Hurting people…hurt people.
Forgiveness is the key to that prison cell. I’ve often thought forgiveness is more for OUR release than those we forgive. Will this be easy...NO; will it be hard….YES; will it be worth it….YES! For your emotional/physical well being, and those around you, don’t let your past dictate your behavior toward your children.
3. You can’t do it alone!
No one is an island unto themselves and able to live—they will only exist.
An island that stands alone has no protection. Find someone in whom you admire the qualities they do life. Ask them to come along side of you...to encourage, teach and hold you accountable for your actions and words.
It just may be time to take inventory of those who have influence over you. May be time to clean out the “friend and influence” closet! If we don’t have someone who can challenge us to be and do better, then we will become stagnate.
Eccl 12:11 “The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful.”
As mothers, you and I set the tone of our homes. These three things will take time so realizing we live in a “microwave” age (we want it done NOW), here are some things we can do today in our homes: DOESN’T MATTER WHAT AGE OUR CHILDREN ARE…JUST START!
Some of these will be actions that teach the value of a certain word:
• When you feel the urge to speak an unkind word….STOP.
Would you want someone saying that to you? Count to 10 before you speak. THINK about the effect your words will have. Children need to be taught HOW to communicate and HOW to handle conflict and they will learn by observing how we do it. Bullies are not born, they are trained by those who have influence over them. Likewise, gossipers are not born, but learn from those around them.
• Don’t let Hollywood---the TV raise or set the standards for our children.
• When you blow it, admit it, don’t make excuses. Apologize—and mean it! Ask them to forgive you and tell them you will try to not do that again. In doing this, you will be teaching them the value of the word mercy.
• Speak success/acceptance into your children. Allow mistakes. When we don’t own up to our mistakes, or belittle our children for theirs, we teach our children that failure is not an option. Mistakes/failure are breeding grounds for learning and for success. I learn best through my mistakes. Don’t compare your children to each other. In allowing failure, we teach our children the value of the word grace.
• Label your children with love. Call a child something and he/she will believe it AND live it out beyond our expectations—good or bad.
• Set boundaries…and STICK to them. NO NOT EVERYONE IS DOING________!! Just as we fence in our yards to protect our children, boundaries are set in place to protect them. And just as they will try to climb the fence…they will try to climb the boundaries. In saying “No” we teach our children the value of love.
• Know that some battles are just not worth fighting.
• TELL your children how special they are; whether they were planned or an “oops” (and NEVER tell them this!!) you have been given an amazing gift. We ALL need to know how valuable we are. You may never have been told this, so let me remind you…Doesn’t matter how you were conceived—planned or otherwise, what matter is you are here.
In all the billions of people ever born you were uniquely and amazingly created—no one else has the same dna as you—the exact same looks, characteristics!! God lovingly thought long and hard about you. He watched each step of your development in your mothers womb. YOU ARE SPECIAL!! Don’t ever think you are not!! You were placed here, at this moment for a reason.
Likewise, your children are one-of-a-kind! (some of you just may be thinking, “Oh thank God for that!”) Celebrate their uniqueness!
• If you pack lunches for your children, add a love note. OR..if you don’t pack, put notes on their mirror the night before. Text them a note during the day to let them know you are thinking of them.
If you work outside the home, put notes they will see when they get home from school.
Your children are going to be in a world that doesn’t always value and appreciate them—give them encouragement-away-from-home—give them a reason to come home.
• Give your children your TIME. Go to the park, crayon with them, hold them, have a tea party with them, plan a “non-birthday-day” complete with hats and cake/cupcakes and candles. In doing this you put feet to your words that they are special. TODAY IS TOMORROWS PAST…CAN’T RELIVE IT.
• With all the electronic conveniences, don't forget to TALK WITH YOUR CHILDREN!
• Let them help you bake a cake or casserole for someone who is sick, or let your child pick that someone. In doing this you put feet to words like, “compassion and kindness”…
• BREATH. Our responses will make/break our homes. Hug someone before you speak. Tell them you love them before any discipline has to be done. AND SPEAK DON’T YELL!!
Words. They don’t cost us a penny, but could bring rewards that are immeasurable…they can change the course of future generations.
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong. Psalms 141:3-4
Let us be women that raise up a new generation with words of hope, encouragement and life to those we have influence over.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
FIRST, HERE ARE THREE THINGS WE AS PARENTS CAN DO FOR OURSELVES:
1. Be willing to admit we are not perfect...and neither is anyone else!
No one person has all the answers…always speaks PERFECT wisdom! Yet we tend to put unrealistic expectation on others and sometimes on ourselves. We ALL blow it from time to time.
I don’t believe anyone in this room would intentionally start the day with, “Hmmm who can I be irritable with today? Yesterday I picked Aunt Matilda and it was so much fun”!!
The best gift we can give our children is to let them know, “Mom is not perfect…although if they are old enough, trust me they already know that---possibly have already TOLD you this!!
2. Don’t live in the past!
I have a friend that just can’t seem to get out of the past. She has CHOSEN to keep the emotional wounds open by reliving over and over the hurts that were said and done to her 25+ years ago.
The past is HISTORY and meant to teach us...BUT NEVER MEANT TO BE LIVED IN!
Today is a NEW day. It is our choice to make if we want to continue living/speaking in a manner that was done to us and continue in pain (and thereby inflicting that same pain on someone else) OR start speaking life and hope. You and I already know what it feels like to have devastating words spoken to us, we don’t have to continue for the next generation.
The circumstances that come into our lives are not nearly as important as how we CHOOSE to react to them. This is not a perfect world we live in. Our choices do affect those around us…either for good or for bad.
Let go of what is strangling you. People are human and will make mistakes (I’m not making excuses for their behavior), but we don’t have to be a willing prisoner of their choices!
Hurting people…hurt people.
Forgiveness is the key to that prison cell. I’ve often thought forgiveness is more for OUR release than those we forgive. Will this be easy...NO; will it be hard….YES; will it be worth it….YES! For your emotional/physical well being, and those around you, don’t let your past dictate your behavior toward your children.
3. You can’t do it alone!
No one is an island unto themselves and able to live—they will only exist.
An island that stands alone has no protection. Find someone in whom you admire the qualities they do life. Ask them to come along side of you...to encourage, teach and hold you accountable for your actions and words.
It just may be time to take inventory of those who have influence over you. May be time to clean out the “friend and influence” closet! If we don’t have someone who can challenge us to be and do better, then we will become stagnate.
Eccl 12:11 “The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful.”
As mothers, you and I set the tone of our homes. These three things will take time so realizing we live in a “microwave” age (we want it done NOW), here are some things we can do today in our homes: DOESN’T MATTER WHAT AGE OUR CHILDREN ARE…JUST START!
Some of these will be actions that teach the value of a certain word:
• When you feel the urge to speak an unkind word….STOP.
Would you want someone saying that to you? Count to 10 before you speak. THINK about the effect your words will have. Children need to be taught HOW to communicate and HOW to handle conflict and they will learn by observing how we do it. Bullies are not born, they are trained by those who have influence over them. Likewise, gossipers are not born, but learn from those around them.
• Don’t let Hollywood---the TV raise or set the standards for our children.
• When you blow it, admit it, don’t make excuses. Apologize—and mean it! Ask them to forgive you and tell them you will try to not do that again. In doing this, you will be teaching them the value of the word mercy.
• Speak success/acceptance into your children. Allow mistakes. When we don’t own up to our mistakes, or belittle our children for theirs, we teach our children that failure is not an option. Mistakes/failure are breeding grounds for learning and for success. I learn best through my mistakes. Don’t compare your children to each other. In allowing failure, we teach our children the value of the word grace.
• Label your children with love. Call a child something and he/she will believe it AND live it out beyond our expectations—good or bad.
• Set boundaries…and STICK to them. NO NOT EVERYONE IS DOING________!! Just as we fence in our yards to protect our children, boundaries are set in place to protect them. And just as they will try to climb the fence…they will try to climb the boundaries. In saying “No” we teach our children the value of love.
• Know that some battles are just not worth fighting.
• TELL your children how special they are; whether they were planned or an “oops” (and NEVER tell them this!!) you have been given an amazing gift. We ALL need to know how valuable we are. You may never have been told this, so let me remind you…Doesn’t matter how you were conceived—planned or otherwise, what matter is you are here.
In all the billions of people ever born you were uniquely and amazingly created—no one else has the same dna as you—the exact same looks, characteristics!! God lovingly thought long and hard about you. He watched each step of your development in your mothers womb. YOU ARE SPECIAL!! Don’t ever think you are not!! You were placed here, at this moment for a reason.
Likewise, your children are one-of-a-kind! (some of you just may be thinking, “Oh thank God for that!”) Celebrate their uniqueness!
• If you pack lunches for your children, add a love note. OR..if you don’t pack, put notes on their mirror the night before. Text them a note during the day to let them know you are thinking of them.
If you work outside the home, put notes they will see when they get home from school.
Your children are going to be in a world that doesn’t always value and appreciate them—give them encouragement-away-from-home—give them a reason to come home.
• Give your children your TIME. Go to the park, crayon with them, hold them, have a tea party with them, plan a “non-birthday-day” complete with hats and cake/cupcakes and candles. In doing this you put feet to your words that they are special. TODAY IS TOMORROWS PAST…CAN’T RELIVE IT.
• With all the electronic conveniences, don't forget to TALK WITH YOUR CHILDREN!
• Let them help you bake a cake or casserole for someone who is sick, or let your child pick that someone. In doing this you put feet to words like, “compassion and kindness”…
• BREATH. Our responses will make/break our homes. Hug someone before you speak. Tell them you love them before any discipline has to be done. AND SPEAK DON’T YELL!!
Words. They don’t cost us a penny, but could bring rewards that are immeasurable…they can change the course of future generations.
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong. Psalms 141:3-4
Let us be women that raise up a new generation with words of hope, encouragement and life to those we have influence over.
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