Are you a joyless, hopelessly burdened and defeated Christian? (Our Daily Bread) Or are you a Christian with -
Abundant life (John 10:10)
Fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11; Nehemiah 8:10c)
Casting your burdens on Him (Psalm 55:22, 81:6; Isaiah 9:4, 10:27)
Victorious (1Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:4)
Hopeful (His hope doesn’t disappoint – Psalm 38:15, 39:7, 42:5; Romans 5:5)
More and more I hear Christians saying, “I can do nothing apart from Christ” and, yes, this is a true statement, however the emphasize seems to be more on the I CAN DO NOTHING than on the rest of the statement. They walk around defeated, hopeless, burdened, joyless. For some reason we fail to move forward onto the rest of what God’s Word has to say, it is a martyred mentality – “if I’m not suffering, then I must be doing something wrong”. There is enough suffering going around for us without grabbing onto and camping on that ONE negative statement. Let us move on and camp on those most wonderful promises that God has given us to help us rise up on wings of eagle and to have hinds feet on high places. We have a choice…
Once again I am reminded of that passage in Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (side note – lest you think that the writer of this letter was kicking back with absolutely no suffering, may I remind you that the writer of this book was Paul, who had been beaten, put in prison, shipwrecked, stoned, etc. [see 2 Corinthians 11:25-30]. I would think Paul knew what he was talking about).
What are some of the wonderful promises that we have in God’s Word for us who have put our hope and faith upon the One who will never disappoint us, JESUS CHRIST:
With our God we can leap over a wall (2 Samuel 22:30)
We are friends of God (John 15:15)
We are sons (and daughters) of the King of kings (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6)
If God be for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31)
Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:32-39)
We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13)
And if this wasn’t enough, when we leave this earth we will be with Our Beloved Jesus for all eternity where He will wipe away every tear, there will be no more sorrow, nor pain (Revelation 21:4) – Hallelujah!
If we think upon these things, instead of being a “joyless, hopelessly burdened and defeated Christian”, we will be JOYFUL, HOPEFUL, VICTORIOUS Christians – Amen!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
What's in a Name?
EBENEZER
What comes to your mind when you read this name? This was the title of my morning devotion. When I read this title the first thing that came to mind was Ebenezer Scrooge from a particular Christmas movie – he was a grouchy old man who did not like Christmas. When I finally got to the body, the context of the devotion I realized that the writer was writing about something similar to what I had experienced at the sight of the name EBENEZER (funny how the Holy Spirit works). In further reading I learned that Ebenezer actually means “Stone of Help” (1 Samuel 7:12) – to read the full devotion click here.
How interesting that in my mind this name immediately triggered these thoughts. Similar to a search in Google, you type a word and the computer retrieves what has been imputed to associate with this word. Throughout life our brain has been storing information associated with certain names.
Anyhow, names…what’s in a name? Names carry so much with them. For example, what do you think about when you read the following names: Jesus, Lincoln, Gandhi, Luther, OJ, Oprah, Starbucks, etc.? Try thinking of a name – what thoughts come up?
Throughout God’s Word we read how names carried so much meaning, so much purpose. For example, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:27-28); Sarai to Sarah (Genesis 17:15); Saul who was later called Paul (Acts 13:9); Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18). What about the twelve tribes of Israel? Their respective mother’s named them according to what was going on in their lives when each child was born.
We have a tendency to pick names that carry some kind of meaning or we name our kids after someone special to us. We normally don’t pick names of something or someone that triggers bad thoughts in our minds. In fact, it’s been said, “Who would name their child Judas?” Why? because when we hear that name our minds think of the one who betrayed Our LORD.
We also read that at the name of JESSU every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10) and that the names of those who believe in Jesus as their Savior are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 13:8, 21:27). The Bible also talks about a “new name” (Revelation 2:17, 3:12). There is a lot to be said about “NAMES”…
So what is in a name?
JESUS - the name that brings healing…
JESUS - the name that gives life…
JESUS - the name that is above all names…
What does my name trigger?
What does my name bring up?
What comes to your mind when you read this name? This was the title of my morning devotion. When I read this title the first thing that came to mind was Ebenezer Scrooge from a particular Christmas movie – he was a grouchy old man who did not like Christmas. When I finally got to the body, the context of the devotion I realized that the writer was writing about something similar to what I had experienced at the sight of the name EBENEZER (funny how the Holy Spirit works). In further reading I learned that Ebenezer actually means “Stone of Help” (1 Samuel 7:12) – to read the full devotion click here.
How interesting that in my mind this name immediately triggered these thoughts. Similar to a search in Google, you type a word and the computer retrieves what has been imputed to associate with this word. Throughout life our brain has been storing information associated with certain names.
Anyhow, names…what’s in a name? Names carry so much with them. For example, what do you think about when you read the following names: Jesus, Lincoln, Gandhi, Luther, OJ, Oprah, Starbucks, etc.? Try thinking of a name – what thoughts come up?
Throughout God’s Word we read how names carried so much meaning, so much purpose. For example, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:27-28); Sarai to Sarah (Genesis 17:15); Saul who was later called Paul (Acts 13:9); Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18). What about the twelve tribes of Israel? Their respective mother’s named them according to what was going on in their lives when each child was born.
We have a tendency to pick names that carry some kind of meaning or we name our kids after someone special to us. We normally don’t pick names of something or someone that triggers bad thoughts in our minds. In fact, it’s been said, “Who would name their child Judas?” Why? because when we hear that name our minds think of the one who betrayed Our LORD.
We also read that at the name of JESSU every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10) and that the names of those who believe in Jesus as their Savior are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 13:8, 21:27). The Bible also talks about a “new name” (Revelation 2:17, 3:12). There is a lot to be said about “NAMES”…
So what is in a name?
JESUS - the name that brings healing…
JESUS - the name that gives life…
JESUS - the name that is above all names…
What does my name trigger?
What does my name bring up?
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Attitude: Positive or Negative?
Where have I been for the last few days, you may ask (or not). Well, allow me to tell you…the LORD continues to work on my heart and mind about my “attitude/perspective” of things, of issues, of circumstances. He continues to bring the point home about focusing on the “positive”. No, I’m not talking about positive confession. I’m talking about what the Bible calls the renewing of our mind, the putting off and putting on, the meditating on whatever things are true, noble, praiseworthy, etc.
As my son’s birthday and our anniversary approached there was nothing “special” going on in my mind to do. Routing sets in and I just do one day at a time without really thinking. But…leave it to the LORD to speak to me and bring me back to the right perspective. I’ve been reading Elizabeth George’s book, A Woman After God’s Own Heart, in preparation for our upcoming Women’s Study. I have read this book before, but as always the LORD always has something to teach me or remind me through the reading of these books. And so through this book, in confirmation of God’s Word the LORD spoke to me once again about enjoying what “I have”. But, of course, being the flawed human being I am, I started to think “negative”. I began the dreaded “BUT HOW?” Praise God for His Spirit that pulled me through these thoughts and made me proceed to pray, look, and plan (of course). All of the sudden the “but how?” changed to excitement and anticipation of what God would have in store for us.
It began with the LORD giving me favor in the sight of my niece, Mony - she agreed to grandma sit (thank you Mony!)
Wednesday we chose to focus on our son. It was his special day. We made him the center of our attention. We set out to make his favorites and we enjoyed a relaxing, unrushed dinner together – it was wonderful. The next day we slept in – wow!!!(this was truly a give…believe me!) It had been a while since I could do this, and in fact I automatically woke up very early, but I squeezed my eyes and chose to stay in bed later. My husband and I laughed about not being able to sleep in. We decided that we must be “old” because we now wake up without an alarm – too funny! Thursday would be my hubby and my special day. We set out for the day. We had a wonderful relaxing breakfast and then we set out to just walk around and sit together at Victoria Gardens. We ended our day with a wonderful dinner – thank you Jesus! The LORD even provided a gift card for this…LORD you are good. We were content with this, but no, it wasn’t over.
Friday started out as a normal day. However, the LORD gave us a treat and we had the opportunity to spend time with our nephew, Jose (family is special to us). During lunch we spoke about the movie “Fireproof” and we all agreed it would be a good movie to watch. Later that day I remembered that we still had a gift card to the movies, given to us last year…my brain began to work, and by the end of the day my hubby and I were walking hand-in-hand into the theater (I cannot remember the last time we’ve been to the movies). My goodness, what a movie! It made my heart be more thankful for my husband and what the LORD has done for our marriage and our lives.
But we weren’t done yet…
On Saturday, the LORD once again left me in awe of what He can do. We had the privilege of attending a Couples Conference at Cosecha in Riverside. Everything the LORD had and has been teaching us about our marriage was made more clear and simple, and the teaching was incredible. About 20 couples from our church were there. There was a total of 150 couples…it was wonderful.
Yes, my attitude and my perspective changed, but it wasn’t automatic. It has to be purposeful; it has to be sought after. Reminds me of something I read once written by Charles Swindoll:
So what is your attitude like?
As my son’s birthday and our anniversary approached there was nothing “special” going on in my mind to do. Routing sets in and I just do one day at a time without really thinking. But…leave it to the LORD to speak to me and bring me back to the right perspective. I’ve been reading Elizabeth George’s book, A Woman After God’s Own Heart, in preparation for our upcoming Women’s Study. I have read this book before, but as always the LORD always has something to teach me or remind me through the reading of these books. And so through this book, in confirmation of God’s Word the LORD spoke to me once again about enjoying what “I have”. But, of course, being the flawed human being I am, I started to think “negative”. I began the dreaded “BUT HOW?” Praise God for His Spirit that pulled me through these thoughts and made me proceed to pray, look, and plan (of course). All of the sudden the “but how?” changed to excitement and anticipation of what God would have in store for us.
It began with the LORD giving me favor in the sight of my niece, Mony - she agreed to grandma sit (thank you Mony!)
Wednesday we chose to focus on our son. It was his special day. We made him the center of our attention. We set out to make his favorites and we enjoyed a relaxing, unrushed dinner together – it was wonderful. The next day we slept in – wow!!!(this was truly a give…believe me!) It had been a while since I could do this, and in fact I automatically woke up very early, but I squeezed my eyes and chose to stay in bed later. My husband and I laughed about not being able to sleep in. We decided that we must be “old” because we now wake up without an alarm – too funny! Thursday would be my hubby and my special day. We set out for the day. We had a wonderful relaxing breakfast and then we set out to just walk around and sit together at Victoria Gardens. We ended our day with a wonderful dinner – thank you Jesus! The LORD even provided a gift card for this…LORD you are good. We were content with this, but no, it wasn’t over.
Friday started out as a normal day. However, the LORD gave us a treat and we had the opportunity to spend time with our nephew, Jose (family is special to us). During lunch we spoke about the movie “Fireproof” and we all agreed it would be a good movie to watch. Later that day I remembered that we still had a gift card to the movies, given to us last year…my brain began to work, and by the end of the day my hubby and I were walking hand-in-hand into the theater (I cannot remember the last time we’ve been to the movies). My goodness, what a movie! It made my heart be more thankful for my husband and what the LORD has done for our marriage and our lives.
But we weren’t done yet…
On Saturday, the LORD once again left me in awe of what He can do. We had the privilege of attending a Couples Conference at Cosecha in Riverside. Everything the LORD had and has been teaching us about our marriage was made more clear and simple, and the teaching was incredible. About 20 couples from our church were there. There was a total of 150 couples…it was wonderful.
Yes, my attitude and my perspective changed, but it wasn’t automatic. It has to be purposeful; it has to be sought after. Reminds me of something I read once written by Charles Swindoll:
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than
the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than
successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important
than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a
church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day
regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our
past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We
cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one
string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what
happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in
charge of our Attitudes.
So what is your attitude like?
My Son's Favorites
CEVICHE
Here is Dad beginning the process
Here is the finished product, then of course you need tostadas.
CHOCOLATE CAKE
Here is the pouring of the batter...yumm!
Here it is - delicious!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Happy 24th Birthday Son!
Our Baby Boy turns 24 today!Happy Birthday Son -
We love you:)
(you can see what he looked like when he was a baby on my first post)
25th Anniversary
It is our 25th Anniversary!!!To God be the glory for all that HE has done.
And looking forward to what HE will do.
(you can see what we looked like when we first got married on my first anniversary post...look at your own risk - lol!)
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