Seasoned with grace. This is how I want to be known. The peace of God filling my heart and mind. That I would not show favoritism to students but would connect with all. God loves everyone of them.
Acts 10:34-35 NIV
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
http://bible.us/Ps149.6.NIV 6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,
How does God use our praise as a double edge sword? I'm not sure how this works, but I know I am supposed to think upon good noble things , how much more effective may my witness to if I speak of these things and season everything with praise? I have to praise God in my mind first in order to get out of the funk I feel I am in. Especially the marital funk. Maybe Craig and I are supposed to praise God together. Actually I am sure we should. Lord lead him. Lead me. I feel that I have to lead in many ways and I am tired. Thank you God that you know my heart. Please give me a heart of thanksgiving and praise.
http://bible.us/Mark6.47.NIV Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
These people were WITH Jesus yet they didn't get it. No wonder people today have such a hard time understanding Him! Vivid reminder to pray for the lost by asking God to send his spirit to open their eyes.
Miranda
Zach
Sarah
Alex
Sonia
Troy
Adam
Logan
Dad
Kathie
Sharon
John...
Staci
Deven
Sam
Tony
Alan
Wendy
Who do I work with that is in need of you still?
A Love Relationship with God - AnGeL Ministries - Anne Graham Lotz
1 John 4:4-19 NIV
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
As I read this God spoke to me . there are many people who love Jesus, and will be with us in eternity, yet they have not been cultivating that love while here on earth. I have been praying that God would give me a desire for my husband. I love him. But don't always want to cultivate that relationship. Just lime when I am not up to spending time in the word. I do but it is more rote, than from a desire to be with Him.
I remember when Craig and I started dating. How I so looked forward to seeing him and being with him. When we were apart, I longed for him. I want that back, for both my Father in heaven, and for my husband.
Maybe its not as strong for my husband because we keep our spiritual lives separate. At one time we prayed together. We no longer do.
We also don't serve together which was something we both said we wanted.
Prayer is the start. Months ago - even years ago I brought up a budget. He didn't want a budget because we wouldn't be able to do what we wanted because money is budgeted. However, we found we can't do it anyway, because its not there. This week, without prodding, see set up a budget. Thank you Lord, that even though my feelings were hurt, we did it. - you even sent me a word later, regarding perspective. Thank you Jesus for loving me. Please draw my heart back to you and serving you, and to love my husband in more than words.
January 5
Scripture from today's reading.....learning to see life through grace filled eyes. Kingdom eyes..
http://bible.us/1John4.7.NIV 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
This is not natural for me Lord. I struggle with love. My feelings get hurt and...do I want to punish? Forgive me. Lord help me to be strong and to live my husband with your grace.
Psalm 72:1-19 NIV
Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice. May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor. May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations. May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth. May the desert tribes bow before him
and his enemies lick the dust. May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba
present him gifts. May all kings bow down to him
and all nations serve him. For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long. May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
Lord, remind me to see YOU in everything. This passage reminds me of school and how You are working through those that love you.
Mark 6:34-44 NIV
34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late.36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat."37 But he answered, "You give them something to eat."
They said to him, "That would take more than half a year's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"38 "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see."
When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish."39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.42 They all ate and were satisfied,43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
Thank you for the compassion you so freely give us Father. Fill me with your spirit so that I would have compassion on others. Thank you Lord for where you have placed me at this time in my life.
http://bible.us/Ps3.1.NIV Lord , how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you, Lord , are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord , and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord ! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
I am dependent upon God for everything.
Perpetually Protected
In biblical times, sleeping was a much different experience than it is today, especially for David, who wrote Psalm Chapter 3. Back then, there weren't house alarms to alert them to intruders or people seeking to harm them. And in David's case, he frequently found himself as a fugitive on the run, which forced him to sleep without the benefit of locks, gates, or even walls. So when we see sleep mentioned in this Psalm, it carries a real sense of vulnerability. And that's what makes David's declaration here all the more meaningful. He says that the Lord sustained him as he slept. In other words, David is acknowledging the fact that God was the one who was presiding and watching over him as he entered into the most vulnerable phase of daily life. When he had no ability to protect himself from the advancing attack of an enemy (and there were many), God was there to protect him. For us, sleeping usually doesn't entail the same risks as it did for David, but the truth of this passage still profoundly applies to us. All of us are vulnerable at some time or another. There's bound to be moments when we are simply incapable of protecting ourselves. When we find ourselves in that situation, it's then that God Himself is our Great Protector. As a matter of fact, He's our Great Protector at all times. Even when we think we've got ourselves covered, God guards us and watches over us. But His protective presence in our lives is most evident as He guards us throughout those vulnerable "night watches" of life.
Lord, help us recognize your perpetual protection over us. May it sustain us so we are able to rest securely.
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
God is a protector and a provider.
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
I think I am in control, but I am not. It is the Lord in control.
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
Trust and obey
What is my prayer for today?
Show me how to live for you.
http://bible.us/r/v.1.5t Today I am reading day 1 of Active Word Daily Devotional:
Psalm 1:1 NIV
1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
What does this say about God?
Jesus was the only man who was really able to do this. God is perfect.
What does it say about myself?
In often find myself spending more time enjoying the world than I do other believers.
What changes do I need to make?
Get involved with a small group - men and women that Craig can also relate too
WHAT IS MY PRAYER?
Lord' please give me the desire for real fellowship with others. Not just friendships with believers, but friends who can share your word and your live. Father I want this sweet fellowship with my husband as well. I don't want to be unrelatable or holier than thou but I want to be the woman you've called me to be.
