Thursday, February 26, 2015

It's Time To Begin Training

It's Time To Begin Training!

Psalm 22:9-10

9Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb;
You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts.
10Upon You I was cast from birth;
You have been my God from my mother's womb.

Have you been trained to trust the Lord?  In this passage, we read that all of David’s life he had been trained to trust the Lord.  I never really thought about it like that, have you?  When we are growing up it is our parents responsibility to train us in the way we should go.  There is a book that I still need to finish reading called , To Train Up a Child.  I began this book when my kids were 2, so if you know me and them, then you know I have not finished this book in 6 years, HA!  Well, after reading this passage today, I am curious as to what this book has to say based on its’ title.  

What does it really take when you are training for something?  Well, I think we should first learn what the word train means.  I am not talking about the little engine that could train but the verb, train.  Here are a few meanings that will help us understand a little more where I am going with this today.  

1. (tr) to guide or teach (to do something), as by subjecting to various exercises or experiences: to train a man to fight.
2. (tr) to control or guide towards a specific goal: to train a plant up a wall.
3. (intr) to do exercises and prepare for a specific purpose: the athlete trained for the Olympics.
4. (tr) to improve or curb by subjecting to discipline: to train the mind.
5. (tr) to focus or bring to bear (on something): to train a telescope on the moon.

So when we are training for something, whether it be a race, a particular type of competition or just life, then we need to be taught what to do or how to do it properly.  If we are taught incorrectly then we not only have wasted our time but could get hurt in the process.  When we are training our children during the different phases of life, we must take the time to train them properly.  What this looks like for each family is different.  This is also where the chaos of life comes into play as well because we all do not see things the same way or see things or guidelines with the same importance as others.  

I remember a very pivotal moment in my life as a mom.  Josh was deployed when my twins were 2 years of age.  I know what a great time to be gone….for him!  This was the beginning of potty training, possibly the start of terrible two’s and lots of other things.  Luckily my children had the terrible three’s not the terrible two’s.  God was looking out for me, HA.  We would Skype with Josh a few times a week and my husband always could tell when I was at my lowest point.  I am very transparent, probably to a flaw but transparent nonetheless.  He would ask me what was wrong and I would tell him, “I can’t do this!  I can’t raise them, try to sell our house, try to keep the house clean and be a realtor.  I just can’t do this!”  He then asked me what the kids were doing and how many times I was letting them get away with things.  WHAT!  You think I am letting them get away with things, NOT ME.  HAHAHA.  My husband knew me all too well.  I was like a single parent trying to do it all and I was giving into my children just to get a break.  We all have been guilty of this at some point in our life but it does not do our children any favors when we do this.  

It is my role as their parent to guide them and teach them.  God chose me to be their mom and I must do the right thing.  As a christian mom, I must teach them right from wrong; about the Lord; how to read the bible; about the fruit of the Spirit and so many other things.  I must train them in the way they should go.  I must help them put on their armor of God everyday so that they are ready for what the world may throw at them.  I must take myself and my feelings out of the equation, at times, in order for them to see this.  I must also lead by example, which I am not the best at sometimes.  When you hear your children speak then you know if you are teaching them in the right way or the wrong way.  What a blow to the head!  I saw this more when they were toddlers.  Thank goodness I am growing and changing everyday.  So I challenge all you moms and dads today, to continue training your child down the godly path or if you have not begun (by the way it is NEVER too late, I don’t care what anyone says) then you can begin today to not only train your child but yourself as well.  Don’t put a limit on what God can do through you and your dedication to train up your child.

What if you are not a mom or a dad?  I challenge you to surround yourself with godly people who will not only hold you accountable but also take the time to mentor you in the way you should go.  We should desire to sit at the feet of our godly elders to learn from them.  This is scriptural!  Continue to train yourself in the Lord or begin your training today!    


Prayer: Father, Thank You for the words of David teaching me to train up my children and myself to trust You.  Show me today, where I need help.  Show me in Your word things I need to work on in my own life.  Help me to help others today.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen. 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Will You?

Psalm 20: 1-2
1May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!
2May He send you help from the sanctuary
And support you from Zion!


Will You?

God is good!  

Last night I received a phone call at 11:00 p.m. from my husband, Josh.  He is out on a medical mission team this week in Los Chiles, Nicaragua.  This village is located about 4 hours south of Managua, close to the Costa Rican border.  Josh began the conversation with, “I am at the hospital…”  WHAT!?    Okay, so this is probably not a good way to wake up your wife at 11:00 at night, with I am at the hospital but he was not there for himself.  He, along with several North American Doctors, Nicaraguan translators and the pastor of this village, rode in his truck for the hour drive to the hospital which by the way only took 40 minutes in the dark to transport a 2 year old little boy.  This precious boy had a 105°  temp and the doctors could not get the fever to subside.  In fact it was climbing to almost 106° as they were traveling to the hospital.  This morning as I began my time with the Lord, I asked Him to speak to me through His word because I really needed to hear Him this morning.  As I began to read Psalm 20, the very first two verses jumped off the page.  WOW!  

Last night as this young couple came to the clinic to try and figure out what was going on with their son, the Lord already said He would answer them in the day of their trouble.  He sent them help in the form of this medical team from Tennessee and Kentucky and just the right time.  God’s timing is always perfect.  The other awesome wonder that they encountered was while they were at the hospital waiting on the Nicaraguan doctors to assess the child, this young couple received the Lord as their Savior.  God can use anything to bring others to Him.  

What an awesome God we serve!  I could hear it in my husbands voice of the wonder that he was able to be a part of last night.  He was moved to such a deep compassion for the people in that village and was humbled to be able to be a small part of God’s bigger plan for them.  If we would begin to ask God to broaden our territory so that we can serve Him more, then guess what,  He will do it.  I am reminded of the prayer that Jabez prayed in 1 Chronicles 4.  First let’s begin with who is Jabez. “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”  And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”  So God granted him what He requested.”  Many years ago, I prayed this prayer and even wrote it down so that I could memorize it.  Now years later, God has enlarged my territory to share about His name and His hand of protection is over me and my family.  

Will you let God expand your circle so that you may do more for Him?  

Will you let God change you from the inside out, to bring Glory and Honor to Him?  

Will you let God use you no matter where it may take you?

Will you just surrender everything to Him?

Will you?


Prayer: Thank you for allowing Josh to be a small part of your plan last night.  Thank you for broadening our territory so that we can do more for you.  Thank you for changing me from the inside out.  Thank you for taking me so far out of my comfort zone!  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen. 

Monday, February 23, 2015

Is God Enough?


Psalm 18: 1-3

1"I love You, O Lord, my strength."
2The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.





Is God Enough?

There have been times in my life where I have wondered about this question.  To be quite honest with you I have pondered this question a lot since being on the mission field of a foreign country.  But let me first share with you the first time I truly thought about the words is this question as well as other times…is God enough?  The other questions that stemmed from this one are many!  

Is God enough when my life does not go as planned?
Is God enough when friends move far away?
Is God enough when friends die?
Is God enough when I have to change jobs?
Is God enough when my mom dies?  
Is God enough when I get a divorce?
Is God enough if my husband dies in combat?
Is God enough if something happens to my children?
Is God enough if something happens to my husband while serving on the mission field?

Will my God be enough to sustain me if any or all of these things happen?  

YES~

I know the answer is an unmistakeable YES!  How do I know?  This is the first time I really thought about this question.  When one of my friends lost his life in a car accident on my 18th birthday, I thought about this questions…  

Is God enough?  

Where was He when Ben lost his life in that accident?  He was right there holding His precious child and holding the hands of all those who loved Ben.  He comforted us in our time of grief and gave us what we needed to live life without Ben.  

When my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer during my junior year of college I thought about this question…

Is God enough? 

At that point in my life I was searching for meaning to everything in my life.  I wanted to know that everything was going to be alright.  But in desiring that I was not truly desiring God’s will for my life or the life of those around me.  So I struggled with the thought of God being enough to sustain me and my struggles.  But He did sustain me and His will at that time was remission for my mom.  

I think that this question really was tested in my life when I was working in my hometown while waiting for my wedding day and I became the victim of rape and kidnap.  My world was torn apart as well as was the fibers that knit my family together.  

Is God Enough?

In the midst of this unspeakable tragedy God was right there holding me, His child, and protecting me from death.  At that moment, I was clinging to all that I knew about God and desired to know where He was when that happened.  He has taught me that what the devil meant for evil God means for good.  (Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”)  I can be a light to those who have gone through similar experiences.  I can give hope for a new tomorrow.  Twenty years later I am giving that hope and being that light for girls in a foreign country.  Loving on them and teaching them about His love for them no matter what they have been through.  I can remember thinking there is no light at the end of this tunnel but God was that light, directing me and pulling me closer to Him.  He never left me.  

Still, is God enough when your loved one dies?  Yes, He is!  He is enough.  He was right there with me when my mom died from breast cancer.  He helped me be an anchor for her.  He used me to show others His love.  He was with my mom while she took her last breath.  He gave me comfort in knowing that she was in no more pain.  She would suffer no more in this world and that we would reunite again in heaven.  

So, if the other questions I ponder do happen soon or many years from now, I can answer the question, Is God Enough with an unmistakeable YES.  Because I can go back to all the times He sustained me before and was Enough for me.  I can cry out like David, saying the Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer!  He is the one in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  He is worthy of my praise.  

No matter what you have been through or what you may go through today, tomorrow or years from now, may you find comfort in knowing that GOD IS ENOUGH!  Whether you are single, married, widowed, divorced, lost loved ones, lost jobs or even everything…GOD IS ENOUGH.  He will use these things in our life to show us we NEED Him.  We cannot live this life without Him.   Do you believe this?  

Take time today to spend sharing your hurts with God.  Tell Him where you are at.  Let Him help your unbelief.  

Listen to this song:  

Healer

You hold my very moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You, I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe

And I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

You hold my very moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You, Lord I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
Oh, I believe

I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
Oh, yes You are, yes You are

And I believe You're my portion
Lord I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need
More than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

You're my healer end of lyrics


Friday, February 20, 2015

Your Tongue is a Powerful Tool

Your Tongue Is A Powerful Tool 

Psalm 12: 2-6

2They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaks great things;
4Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise," says the Lord; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."
6The words of the Lord are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

Did you know that your tongue has eight muscles?  I had no clue!  When we take the time to learn more about creation and the creator we will continue to be amazed.  While researching more about the tongue I realized the many things our tongues were designed to do.  The muscles in our tongues help us to lengthen and shorten it, curl and uncurl it as well as creating the shape of our tongues.  The flattening and rounding of our tongues help to provide shape and helps facilitate speech, swallowing, and eating. We use our tongues in society and culture to give gestures, as a figure of speech (i.e.. The word is on the tip of my tongue), to create body art, and in some cultures it is used as a source of food.  I have had to have this discussion with my children while at the grocery store recently.  That in some cultures the tongue is eaten as part of a meal.  The looks on their faces were priceless.  

I feel one of the most important things that we can use our tongues for is speech.  Our tongues, even though they are a smile muscle, they hold a lot of strength and power.  Our tongues are usually what gets us in trouble at home with our parents, at school with our teachers, at work and even with our closest friends.  When something comes off the tongue there is not way to take it back.  This is the disheartening part of living life.  We get so caught up in our emotions that words just fly off our tongue like leaves flying in the wind.  How many times has this happened to you?  You are upset with your child, your spouse or your boss and you say things.  Things, that if you really thought about it, you don’t really mean them.  You are just caught up in the moment.  In this psalm, it speaks about how the tongue communicates empty talk (falsehood), smooth talk (flattering), double talk and big talk.  It was a problem then and it is still a problem today.  We as humans continue to have difficulty controlling our tongues and how we treat others.  We must strive to be more like Christ every day and display those pure words to others.  Do you remember your mom or grandma saying, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.”  We are to lift each other up with words of affirmation.  Harsh words stir up trouble (Proverbs 15:1). Today, make it a priority to stop and think before you speak.  This is such a teachable moment with our children on how to do this.  I still need help in this area!  If you know me, words just come out of my mouth that should probably stay inside my head.  I get caught up in my conversations and get excited that I just don’t think before I speak.  I was just having this discussion with Josh about two weeks ago.  The good thing about learning another language is that you do a lot of stopping and thinking (or translating in your head) before you speak! 

Just remember, we are all a work in progress.  But we have to put effort into becoming more like Christ.  

Go out today and give words of encouragement, words of love, and words of truth to those you come in contact with.  Your words may be the only kind thing they hear.  


Prayer: Help me to stop and think before I speak today.  Give me the words to say to others that would be uplifting and loving.  Show me someone today who needs an encouraging word.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen. 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Fatih, Hope and Trust

Psalm 9:17-20

17The wicked will return to Sheol,
Even all the nations who forget God.
18For the needy will not always be forgotten,
Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.
19Arise, O Lord, do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged before You.
20Put them in fear, O Lord;
Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.

FATIH, HOPE and TRUST

As I was reading this morning so many things were running through my head about this psalm.  The emotions that David must have been going through during this point in his life.  The FAITH that he continued to show in God.  The HOPE that he has in Christ.  The TRUST that God will prevail.  How many times do I sit and think about and compare my life to his.  Well, there really is no comparison. I do not have enemies seeking to kill me like David did.  But I can relate in the sense of believing God’s word that the wicked will return to Sheol (the grave).  I know that God will judge the wicked of this world.  Sometimes as men, we tend to think we have all the right answers but in reality we don’t.  If we look to God’s word we can find the answers that we need for all things.  There has been so much discussion about the entertainment industry when it comes to what is appropriate or not to show on television or in the movies.  

As a Christian woman, a survivor of rape, and as a mother of two small children, I firmly believe we are to teach the world how to live with HOPE in Christ; FAITH in Christ and TRUST in Christ.  I will choose to stand firm on my foundation and convictions of what is appropriate and what is not appropriate for my eyes to see and what I also allow my children to see.  I must continue to deepen my relationship with the Lord so that my actions convey my beliefs.  I TRUST my Lord to take care of the details of convicting others in their beliefs as well as convicting those who are wicked.  I HOPE that others who profess to be Christians will stand firm in their biblical beliefs and not make exceptions just because others are doing it.  I HOPE that other survivors will stand up and show the world how to live with HOPE, FAITH and TRUST in Christ.  I HOPE that mothers will  begin to sow the seeds of scripture into their children so that they may be able to know right from wrong.  I have FAITH in knowing Christ will judge the nations in the end.  I have FAITH that He is the ONLY way to have life eternal.  

So many times we don’t know what to say when praying to God but David is such a good example of showing us what prayer can look like.  Praying through the Psalms is a perfect way to begin.  Sometimes we get so caught up in asking God for things we want for ourselves that we forget of all those around us and their needs.  We need to begin to pray for our children and their relationship with the Lord.  Pray for your husband or wife today, that they will be a light in their workplace.  Pray for your co-workers.  Pray for your church leaders or your neighbors.  Pray for our nation to turn back to God (1Chronicles 7:14).  Thank God for His creation and His calling on your life.  May you find HOPE today in what you have read and may it be a blessing to you.  


Prayer: Father, Thank You that You love me with an everlasting love.  Thank you that You have been right beside me in some of my darkest days just like you were with David.  Thank you that you have given me HOPE for my tomorrows.  I put my TRUST in You.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.  

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Be Still

Psalm 8: 1-9
1 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
4 What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

I wonder so many times like the song, “who am I, that the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name,  would care to feel my hurt.”  Do you ever wonder this?  When I look around me and take the time to marvel at the wonders of His creation, it amazes me.  To the smallest of details God has put thought into His creation.  Sometimes I get so busy with living life that I forget to LIVE life.  Does that make sense to you like it does in my mind?  If it doesn’t let me try to explain.  I wake up in the morning with my list of things to do and go about my day with the purpose of marking things off my list that I forget to ‘stop and smell the roses’.  God says in Psalm  46:10” Be still and know that I am God.”  He wants us to acknowledge that He is in control of everything.  He pays attention to the smallest of details from the number of hairs on our heads to the stamen and pistil of a flower.  How cool is that!  I forget to LIVE life with the purpose of living for Him. 

When was the last time you took the time to stop and marvel at His creation?  

This morning?
Yesterday?
Last week? 
Or even last month?

Yesterday I took the time to go around our neighborhood to take  pictures of flowers.  Why?  I want to make a book for a friend who loves flowers.  Of course, I can send her flowers in the states but I wanted to send her flowers from Nicaragua.  I can do that with 1800flowers or FTD but I want her to have flowers from Nicaragua.  I want her to see the beauty in these flowers but also to remind her of God’s creation and His love for her.  On this walk I found myself reflecting on His creation not just with flowers but all of nature.  So many times I get distracted by the things in this world that I loose sight of the world.  (Romans 12:2)  I forget to live my life with a kingdom perspective rather than a “me” perspective.  So many times we begin our day incorrectly.  So if today you woke up like I have before with that list of things to get accomplished for the day, take moment right now, and ask God to help you change your perspective so you can LIVE life today with purpose.  Take time during your break time or lunch time to spend quietly with the Lord,  Reflecting on His beauty around you.  


Prayer: You O, Lord are majestic!  You have created the stars in the sky and the creatures of the sea.  You know the hairs on my head!  Thank you for Your abounding love for me.  Thank you for giving me the sight to see your creation whether it is with my physical eyes or in my heart.  Thank you for Who You Are!  

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Psalm 7:17
17I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Have you ever thought about praying for your enemy?  Maybe you are thinking you don’t have any enemies.  Well, as a Christian, sadly enough, we have enemies.  But let’s first look at the definition of what an enemy really is.  An enemy is defined by Webster’s dictionary as someone who hates another;  someone who attacks or tries to harm another; something that harms or threatens someone or something or a group of people (such as a nation) against whom another group is fighting a war.  So when we look at it this way we all have enemies.  As North Americans, our country is an enemy to many countries.  We serve as a beacon to those who need hope but to those other countries we serve as a target to hit.  In order to take out that light shining in the night.  As Christians, we have an even bigger target on our backs.  Not necessarily while living in the US do we carry this target on our backs but more so while we are trying to serve in other countries that don’t believe in the Name of Jesus.  We are seeing this more and more in the news today and it breaks my heart.  But Christ tells us that we will have enemies if we are standing for the Truth!  

To bring this a little closer to home, let’s think about in your workplace or community where you live.  Do you think you have enemies?  I can remember back to several times when I felt like everything I did, my co-worker was against me.  This particular job was many years ago while I was still in my twenties.  I was at my first “real” job and at this point in my life my mother had breast cancer and was slowly dying.  This was such a difficult time in my life and I was trying to just survive.  You see I had recently gotten married (within the last 5 years) and had my own baggage I was carrying through life.  This baggage of low self-esteem, a victim of rape, my parents had recently divorced after 28 years of marriage, a not so ideal marriage, and then the death of my mom.  I was dealing with a lot then and my co-worker was criticizing something as small as the size diamond in my wedding ring (which was very small compared to hers) and the size of the home that we had just purchased.  That day was the day that the straw (her comments) broke the camels back so to speak.  I remember vividly going to my supervisor telling her in a not so gently tone that if ,she, my co-worker, wanted to go through my life to get to where I was at that point to have what I had then she could go right ahead.  

I was not happy.  
I was angry.  
I saw her as my enemy.  

And what is ironic is she needed to brag on the size of her ring because she needed that affirmation.  She needed to feel important and loved.  Unfortunately, the way she went about it was all wrong.  I decided after counsel with my supervisor to begin to pray for her.  This person I saw as my enemy.  I prayed for her heart and for her relationship with Jesus.  I prayed that God would use this as an opportunity to show the love of Christ.  He began to change both of our hearts.  It is amazing what prayer can do.  

Just like David praying for his enemy, God hears our prayers.  However, for David, his enemy sought to destroy him.  He was very violent like a lion.  David confidently sought God to bring him comfort and deliverance.  David knew he was innocent.  Maybe, you are like David and you have someone who is your enemy who is seeking to “destroy” your life.  I pray this is not the case but if it is, please pray fervently for your enemy.  God will do wonders.  Give thanks to the Lord!


Prayer: Father, I know you can use those times in our life that we feel we have enemies all around us.  You can bring glory to Your name by changing my heart and the heart of our enemy.  Help me to pray for my enemy.  You know how hard this can be and I need your help.  Help me to see them through Your eyes.  Help me to give thanks to You.  Help me to sing praise to You.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.  

Friday, February 13, 2015

Mornings With God

3But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The Lord hears when I call to Him.
4Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.

Mornings with God

My day usually begins at 5:30 am and ends around 9:30 or 10:00 pm.  I have learned that if I don’t start my day with God, then the rest of my day does not go very well.  This morning as I took the kids to school I realized on my drive back how slow I was driving.  I realized that I was taking in God’s creation on the “cow path”.  This path is named the “cow path” because it is narrow in some spots and it only wide enough for a few cows to pass.  This path is lined with stone pavers and lots of bumps and dips along the way.  It has typical NICA homes and helps put my life back into perspective.  I find beauty in taking this route in the mornings.  It is a great way to begin my day, with the right perspective. 

I began sending encouraging words to those that I worked with back in the States while we were still fundraising as a way to encourage those that I worked with but now it has become part of my daily routine.  (There have been days where chaotic life in a third world country has gotten in the way of that but for the most part I am able to send these encouraging words during the workweek.)    But it is not just another item to check off my list.  I enjoy this part of my day the most.  I long to spend time reading God’s word, reflecting on the words and seeing where God is leading me in my writing; in my thoughts; in my actions; and in my day.  What would our day look like if we truly spent time with the Lord every morning and throughout our day?  I know for me…

my heart is right, 
my eyes are focussed in the right place,
my actions display the love of Christ.

In my NIV Women of Faith Bible, verse 3 reads a little different than the NASB version found on bible.com.  Here is what it says:  “In the Morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”  I feel that the best time to spend in God’s word is in the morning because it is a new start.  In the morning you can’t say you don’t have time.  Okay if you just said, I don’t have time; you don’t know what my mornings look like…., then try and get up a few minutes earlier each day.  Once you start slowly you will long for that time and you will desire to get up early to spend time with God.  Take baby steps, if this is new to you (spending time with God).  God will honor your efforts and give you the rest your body longs for.  You know they say it takes 30 days to develop a habit and just 1 day to break it.  So this will take time.  


Don’t get me wrong and please realize that I am not perfect and there are days that even though I began the day with God my actions may not reflect it.  I REALLY dislike that about me.  That I can’t keep my eyes focused on God.  The world creeps in and then my day is shot.  But is it really?  Can I not go to God whenever I want?  Can I not change my attitude?  Can I not kneel down and pray for God to help me get back on track?  YES, not just a YES but a BIG OLE Hallelujah YES and AMEN.  

Today even if you did not start the morning off with God, you can stop what you are doing now and spend a few quiet moments with Him.  Ask Him to help you get on track for today and for the rest of the week.  Meditate on God’s word.  Meditate on His truths.  Meditate on His LOVE.   Know that whatever you are going through right now - GOD has got this!  May we be more like David, longing for the Lord to lead us in His righteousness (Psalm 5:8).  

Prayer: Father, Thank you for those little things that help me put life back into perspective.  Thank you for Your Word, leading me in the right direction. Thank you for people like David, that I can learn from.  Thank You for hearing my prayers.  In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen. 

If you have time listen to this song sung by Chonda Pierce


"Yes And Amen"

Chorus:]
God says Yes! And I know that I'm blessed
Yes! Got a heart that's at rest
Yes! And a future that's sealed
Yes! If I'm healed then I'm healed
I'm not afraid of circumstances
'Cause I, have already found the answers
In Christ all of God's promises are Yes!
Yes and Amen!!

[repeat]

[Stanza I:]
Now's the time to let faith win
God has placed His promises in the center of His Will
Seek His Kingdom and His Ways
All the power of heaven is yours to call today

[repeat chorus]

[repeat stanza I]

[Bridge:]
All God's promises
Yes and Amen!
Celebrate God's promises
Yes and Amen!

[repeat bridge 3x]


[repeat chorus 2x] end of lyrics