I love to see the look on my little girl's face when she sees her daddy. John can just walk into the room and her face lights up and the biggest smile appears across her precious little face.
It doesn't matter what she is doing. Sometimes she is playing, sometimes she is fussing, and sometimes she is eating. But when Daddy comes in, she stops what she is doing and waits for his attention and his love.
Our daughter's reaction to John is the exact reaction we should have to our Father in Heaven. We should long for His attention and love. We should be joyful in His presence.
Do you think of God as your daddy? Do you think of Him as someone you can go to with your most private thoughts and fears? Or do you see Him as a distant father who doesn't care about the little things in your life?
I want to remind you today how much you are loved by the Father. He longs to lavish you with His love and wants to be a part of your life each and every day.
Romans 8:39 says "Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
It doesn't matter what is going on in your life. Things can be going very well or things might be really bad. It doesn't matter because NOTHING can separate us from the love of our Father. He will love us through any situation and every season of our lives.
I know that John would do anything for all of our children. He would do anything in his power to make sure they are safe, happy, and loved.
How much more must the Father in Heaven love us? We can't even imagine the love that He has for us and yet, we often ignore Him or let others steal that joy that He can bring.
God wants to love on you today. He wants you to know how very much He loves you. Smile today when you feel His presence. Stop and acknowledge that the God of the universe loves you and wants to spend time with you. Stop and let your Daddy in Heaven show you His love.
Some Things to Think About:
1. Do you think of God as a daddy or a distant father?
2. Do you long for the love of God and allow it to bring joy to your life?
3. What are some ways that God shows His love for you each and every day?
Words of Worth:
"God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." Romans 5:5
"Nothing can ever separate us from His love." Romans 8:38
"God showed how much He loved us by sending His only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love." 1 John 4:9-10
"Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 9:39
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Getting Lost
Have you ever gotten lost? It's a terrible feeling. The feeling of not knowing where you are or where you are going can be very frightening.
I remember being lost one particular time. John and I were in Dallas and we had gotten completely turned around. I was so scared and afraid. We felt completely helpless and didn't know which way to go. It seemed that every turn we made just caused us to become more lost than we were before.
We ultimately ended up having to call my Dad who was still at the wedding that we had left. Dad left the wedding immediately and came to where we were. He told us to follow him and he led us out of that frightening area and back to the highway.
What was funny about this situation was that we could see the highway from where we were, we just couldn't get to it. We knew where we should be, we just weren't sure how to get there.
Isn't that a lot like how we feel in life sometimes? We know the path we should be on, we just don't know how to get there. We get lost, lose our way. We stray from the pathway that we have been on and then can't find our way back. We become frightened, scared, and begin to feel alone.
Psalm 32:8 says, "The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life, I will advise you and watch over you."
Just like my dad came and rescued us that night, God is waiting to rescue you when you get off of the path that He has made for you. All you have to do is call on Him and follow, and He will guide you back to Him.
God says He will guide us along the best pathway for our lives. Not the easiest and not the fastest, but the BEST. Sometimes we try to take shortcuts and end up lost and frustrated. But God says that He will advise and watch over us. Trust Him to do that and do your best to stay on the path that He has prepared for you.
Trust the Lord to guide you along the best pathway for your life. When you become lost, cry out to Him and ask Him to get you back on His path. Take heart in knowing that the Lord of all creation is advising you and watching over you!
Some Things to Think About:
1. Do you really trust God to guide you along the best pathway for your life?
2. Have you ever spiritually lost your way?
3. When you did, did you cry out to God or try to find you way back on your own?
Words of Worth:
"The Lord will work out His plans for my life." Psalm 138:8
"The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8
"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me whre to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am." Psalm 139:3
I remember being lost one particular time. John and I were in Dallas and we had gotten completely turned around. I was so scared and afraid. We felt completely helpless and didn't know which way to go. It seemed that every turn we made just caused us to become more lost than we were before.
We ultimately ended up having to call my Dad who was still at the wedding that we had left. Dad left the wedding immediately and came to where we were. He told us to follow him and he led us out of that frightening area and back to the highway.
What was funny about this situation was that we could see the highway from where we were, we just couldn't get to it. We knew where we should be, we just weren't sure how to get there.
Isn't that a lot like how we feel in life sometimes? We know the path we should be on, we just don't know how to get there. We get lost, lose our way. We stray from the pathway that we have been on and then can't find our way back. We become frightened, scared, and begin to feel alone.
Psalm 32:8 says, "The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life, I will advise you and watch over you."
Just like my dad came and rescued us that night, God is waiting to rescue you when you get off of the path that He has made for you. All you have to do is call on Him and follow, and He will guide you back to Him.
God says He will guide us along the best pathway for our lives. Not the easiest and not the fastest, but the BEST. Sometimes we try to take shortcuts and end up lost and frustrated. But God says that He will advise and watch over us. Trust Him to do that and do your best to stay on the path that He has prepared for you.
Trust the Lord to guide you along the best pathway for your life. When you become lost, cry out to Him and ask Him to get you back on His path. Take heart in knowing that the Lord of all creation is advising you and watching over you!
Some Things to Think About:
1. Do you really trust God to guide you along the best pathway for your life?
2. Have you ever spiritually lost your way?
3. When you did, did you cry out to God or try to find you way back on your own?
Words of Worth:
"The Lord will work out His plans for my life." Psalm 138:8
"The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8
"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me whre to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am." Psalm 139:3
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Remember When...
This weekend I was going back through some pictures of the kids that I had not looked at in a while. I found many pictures that I had completely forgotten about. I was reminded of so many happy times, funny moments, and great memories. I was amazed at how quickly I had let those memories slip away.
As I thought about this, I realized that this what often happens in our relationship with God. We forget about so many of the wonderful things that He has done for us.
Think about it. Think about a time that God did something amazing in your life. Maybe it was a time when you needed financial help and God provided in a supernatural or miraculous way. Maybe you were healed or restored. Maybe He met with you during a time you felt completely alone and broken.
Now think about when you went through a situation similar to the one from which God delivered you. Did you panic and become fearful or did you remember God's faithfulness and trust Him in that moment of need?
I once heard it referred to as "spiritual amnesia". We so easily forget God's goodness and the grace that He gives us in the most difficult of situations.
Psalm 77:11-12 says, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."
Do you remember the deeds of the Lord? How often do you meditate on His works? Take some time today to reflect on the the things that God has done for you. Begin a spiritual journal and look back on it often so that you remember all that He has done and will do for you.
Some Things to Think About:
1) How often do think about the things that God has done in your life?
2) Do you remember what He has done when you are going through difficult times?
3) Do you share the amazing things He has done in your life with others?
Words of Worth:
"I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night." Psalm 63:6
"We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord. We will tell of His power and the mighty miracles He did." Psalm 78:4
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." Psalm 77:11-12
As I thought about this, I realized that this what often happens in our relationship with God. We forget about so many of the wonderful things that He has done for us.
Think about it. Think about a time that God did something amazing in your life. Maybe it was a time when you needed financial help and God provided in a supernatural or miraculous way. Maybe you were healed or restored. Maybe He met with you during a time you felt completely alone and broken.
Now think about when you went through a situation similar to the one from which God delivered you. Did you panic and become fearful or did you remember God's faithfulness and trust Him in that moment of need?
I once heard it referred to as "spiritual amnesia". We so easily forget God's goodness and the grace that He gives us in the most difficult of situations.
Psalm 77:11-12 says, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."
Do you remember the deeds of the Lord? How often do you meditate on His works? Take some time today to reflect on the the things that God has done for you. Begin a spiritual journal and look back on it often so that you remember all that He has done and will do for you.
Some Things to Think About:
1) How often do think about the things that God has done in your life?
2) Do you remember what He has done when you are going through difficult times?
3) Do you share the amazing things He has done in your life with others?
Words of Worth:
"I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night." Psalm 63:6
"We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord. We will tell of His power and the mighty miracles He did." Psalm 78:4
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." Psalm 77:11-12
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Surprise Your Attacker
Sometimes God amazes me in the way that He uses such simple things in life to illustrate such powerful messages. Tonight was one of those times when God used something very practical and very simple to teach me an awesome truth.
This evening was our women's meeting at church. The husband of one of our ladies is involved in the narcotics division of the DPS and he came in to teach us, as women, how to escape or survive if we were suddenly attacked by a stranger.
As the speaker shared with us the many techniques and strategies to use when being attacked, I couldn't help but realize the many parallels between a physical attack and a spiritual attack:
1) Both types of attacks can come out of no where if we are not alert and ready to be on the defense.
2) Both attacks involve someone using fear to cause harm.
3) Both attacks can be avoided if we are ready, prepared, and bold in our response.
I have really been seeking God lately on how to deal with anxiety, fear, and worry. Satan has been throwing those fiery darts my way and I have allowed myself to be used as target practice.
But as the officer shared tonight, we have a much better chance of surviving an attack if we surprise our attacker. If we catch them off guard and react with boldness, they will retreat and probably leave us alone.
I began thinking, how can I surprise Satan? What could I do that would catch him off guard the next time he attacks with his lies and deceit?
I couldn't help but think of the Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
The devil is constantly scheming against us. He wants us to be afraid, worrisome, and ultimately lose the faith that we have in our Savior. However, if I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, I will be ready for anything.
I want to encourage you to read Ephesians 6:10-18 and put on the armor of God each and every day this week. Let's surprise our attacker when he throws those fiery darts and show him that we are not afraid but ready for battle!
Some Things to Think About:
1. How do you react when Satan attacks?
2. How often do you put on the armor of God before starting your day?
3. Do you believe that God's word can help you avoid and destroy those fiery darts when they come your way?
Words of Worth:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy!" 1 Peter 5:8
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
This evening was our women's meeting at church. The husband of one of our ladies is involved in the narcotics division of the DPS and he came in to teach us, as women, how to escape or survive if we were suddenly attacked by a stranger.
As the speaker shared with us the many techniques and strategies to use when being attacked, I couldn't help but realize the many parallels between a physical attack and a spiritual attack:
1) Both types of attacks can come out of no where if we are not alert and ready to be on the defense.
2) Both attacks involve someone using fear to cause harm.
3) Both attacks can be avoided if we are ready, prepared, and bold in our response.
I have really been seeking God lately on how to deal with anxiety, fear, and worry. Satan has been throwing those fiery darts my way and I have allowed myself to be used as target practice.
But as the officer shared tonight, we have a much better chance of surviving an attack if we surprise our attacker. If we catch them off guard and react with boldness, they will retreat and probably leave us alone.
I began thinking, how can I surprise Satan? What could I do that would catch him off guard the next time he attacks with his lies and deceit?
I couldn't help but think of the Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
The devil is constantly scheming against us. He wants us to be afraid, worrisome, and ultimately lose the faith that we have in our Savior. However, if I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, I will be ready for anything.
I want to encourage you to read Ephesians 6:10-18 and put on the armor of God each and every day this week. Let's surprise our attacker when he throws those fiery darts and show him that we are not afraid but ready for battle!
Some Things to Think About:
1. How do you react when Satan attacks?
2. How often do you put on the armor of God before starting your day?
3. Do you believe that God's word can help you avoid and destroy those fiery darts when they come your way?
Words of Worth:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy!" 1 Peter 5:8
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
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