Over the past few days I have been challenged in my prayer life....actually, it may have started with a comment someone mentioned a few weeks back about how crucial prayer is....how it should be SUBSTANTIAL in our lives.
So, I've been praying differently the past couple days.
As I was praying this morning....for Austin....for all the things to connect in his brain that should be connecting (thank you Dikola and Stormie) a story in 2 Chronicles 16 came to my mind and I was floored. I am floored.
It's the story of the king of Judah (Asa) finding out about the king of Israel (Baasha) coming up against him. Previously, God had delivered him from the attacks of large armies. This time it seems that as soon as he hears what King Baasha is doing he goes straight to the king of Syria for help. When it's all said and done a seer comes to him with a message from God:
"Were not the Ethiopinas and Lybyans a huge host with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied then on the Lord, He gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shwo Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him."
"blameless" according to Strong's: complete, safe, peaceful, perfect, whole, full, at peace
Referring to this verse in BECAUSE HE LOVES ME, Elyse M. Fitzpatrick says, "What is this 'blamelessness' that God loves to bless? Is it a perfect record of disciplined righteousness? No. It's simple reliance on him and a turning away from all other sources of support. It's believing that the righteousness God rquires has to be pursued by faith and not by our own efforts (Rom. 9:32)"
The first time I thought of blamelessness that way my heart was so encouraged and challenged. I know the Lord is doing a work in my heart and making me more mindful of when I am relying on self instead of trusting in His righteousness....but I feel like he's digging deeper and showing me that I have been just like King Asa....
With what feels like a huge host of chariots and horseman coming at me (that being the responsibility to teach Austin), I have made Dr.'s appointments, I have talked to friends, I have tried subscribing to a website that promises to improve your attention span and your IQ....and all the while God is saying to me: "Get in your closet and ask me to make the connections in Austin's brain. I CAN DO IT. I CAN. Trust me to give you the words to speak. Trust me to do a work in his heart."
I've been seeking the Lord as I've prepared to homeschool Austin, but when it came down to sitting with him day after day and feeling the weight of it all as I watched him struggle it became overwhelming. I wanted to run. I wanted out. I wanted to put him in the car and drive him BACK to school. When I knew I couldn't do that, I wanted medicine, I wanted a website....
And those things may be what God provides to make the connections in His brain, but right NOW He wants me to trust Him. He wants me to believe that HE can do that by Himself. I am excited to see what God does.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Give Them Grace - Chapter Two
1. What is the history of mankind's goodness and our attempts to be good?
Mankinds goodness didn't last long. As soon as Adam and Eve sinned they looked for a way to cover themselves....Cain killed his brother because he wanted to be as good as him. Our attempts at goodness fail every time.
2.How can we encourage our kids when they are obedient? Do our words really make a difference?
We can acknowledge when they obey by saying it reminds us of Christ's obedience and that it tells us that God is working in them.
Yes, our words help shape the way they see themselves and the way they see themselves before God....How HE sees them.
3. What should motivate our obedience and that of our children?
God's goodness. Grattitude for His goodness to us.
4. In what ways are human obedience and passive righteousness different? In what ways do we try to make them the same?
Righteousness is GIVEN to us by God in His grace and mercy toward us. We can't earn it. It is a gift given to us at salvation..."even though we continue to sin terribly". Human obedience can be accomplished by anyone, believer or non-believer alike. It's rule-keeping by self effort, relying on my abilities instead of Christ's righteousness. It's trying to accomplish righteousness on my own.
We SAY they are the same....not sure I'm clear on how I do this. Lord, please show me...
5. How does teaching our children about justification and Christ's righteousness help them?
It keeps them from feeling like they have to be good on their own. Keeps them from reaching for the impossilbe and being frustrated or turning into man-pleasers or slaves to the opinions of others. It points them to their need for Jesus and hopefully draw them to a real relationship with Him.
6.Where can parents and children find ultimate rest and hope in?
In what Christ did. In trusting in that.
7. Summarize what you have learned in this chapter in 3 or 4 sentences.
The number one thing I've been thinking about is how I speak to my kids. When I see them obey I must STILL point them to the work of Christ. That it is HIM at work in them....and in ME!
We need to stop and thank God when we obey.
People can be good without Christ, but they can't satisfy God's wrath with their own goodness. He is only satsified with the perfect life of Christ....and that is what He sees in us when we trust in Christ's righteousness instead of our own.
"Raising good kids is impossible unless they are drawn by the Holy Spirit to put their faith in the goodness of ANOTHER." This statement points me to Christ and MY desparate need for Him to draw my kids. I can't do it!
Mankinds goodness didn't last long. As soon as Adam and Eve sinned they looked for a way to cover themselves....Cain killed his brother because he wanted to be as good as him. Our attempts at goodness fail every time.
2.How can we encourage our kids when they are obedient? Do our words really make a difference?
We can acknowledge when they obey by saying it reminds us of Christ's obedience and that it tells us that God is working in them.
Yes, our words help shape the way they see themselves and the way they see themselves before God....How HE sees them.
3. What should motivate our obedience and that of our children?
God's goodness. Grattitude for His goodness to us.
4. In what ways are human obedience and passive righteousness different? In what ways do we try to make them the same?
Righteousness is GIVEN to us by God in His grace and mercy toward us. We can't earn it. It is a gift given to us at salvation..."even though we continue to sin terribly". Human obedience can be accomplished by anyone, believer or non-believer alike. It's rule-keeping by self effort, relying on my abilities instead of Christ's righteousness. It's trying to accomplish righteousness on my own.
We SAY they are the same....not sure I'm clear on how I do this. Lord, please show me...
5. How does teaching our children about justification and Christ's righteousness help them?
It keeps them from feeling like they have to be good on their own. Keeps them from reaching for the impossilbe and being frustrated or turning into man-pleasers or slaves to the opinions of others. It points them to their need for Jesus and hopefully draw them to a real relationship with Him.
6.Where can parents and children find ultimate rest and hope in?
In what Christ did. In trusting in that.
7. Summarize what you have learned in this chapter in 3 or 4 sentences.
The number one thing I've been thinking about is how I speak to my kids. When I see them obey I must STILL point them to the work of Christ. That it is HIM at work in them....and in ME!
We need to stop and thank God when we obey.
People can be good without Christ, but they can't satisfy God's wrath with their own goodness. He is only satsified with the perfect life of Christ....and that is what He sees in us when we trust in Christ's righteousness instead of our own.
"Raising good kids is impossible unless they are drawn by the Holy Spirit to put their faith in the goodness of ANOTHER." This statement points me to Christ and MY desparate need for Him to draw my kids. I can't do it!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
My heavenly Father....You are good. You are peace. You are holy....like no other. You are in control. Even when life is confusing and scary...frustrating and it seems like things are unraveling. YOU are in control. Lord, I KNOW I have never really been "in charge" of anything that effects people's livlihood...I now if I had I would make mistakes and it wouldn't be pretty....so I understand that I must be gracious. But Lord, PLEASE!!!!!! Such foolish decisions and now people are in binds. How have Chris and I been so blessed? Lord, please help me to be gracious. Loving. understanding. I pray that I would be considerate. But Lord, this really isn't about me. ONLY YOU can make things right. ONLY YOU. Make us Your instraments. Make us completely in tune with how You want things to go. I thank You that goodness and mercy follow us. We need it so much.
Lord, I confess to You my wrong thoughts. My judgemental spirit. Turn it into a merciful one. But Lord, please keep me from venting to anyone but YOU. I pray that I would love YOU and others so much that my mouth would be guarded like a city with walls. Please let me be so careful with my words.
Thank You so much for all that You have blessed me with. Thank You for my husband. Thank You for my mom and dad. Thank You for my kids. Thank You for this town we live in. Thank You for all that You are doing in our lives. Thank You for never leaving us alone to figure things out for ourselves. Thank You for health. Thank You for WHO YOU ARE. Thank You for 3 years between kids. Thank You for a 9 year old and a soon to be 7 year old:) We are so blessed. I pray that I'll live like I know that I am!
Lord, all the needs....material, but mostly emotional, spiritual...Lord You know them. Please help me figure things out. Show me the way. Give Chris amazing wisdom. But Lord, even with all that ONLY You can work in hearts to change them. To open eyes to what needs to change. I pray You would take a stubborn heart that seems to be wrapped in cement and blast it off. Open blinded eyes. Lord, obliterate laziness with Your passion and zeal for us. Lord, please awaken him and never let him be the same.
I pray that my kids will love You with passion. I pray that we would have fun together today. I pray You would protect them. I pray that every word from my mouth would be motivated by love because I know how much I have needed a Savior...I have needed correction, I have needed instruction....So I must extend the grace You have given to me on my children. Lord, PLEASE do this in me!!!! It would be a miracle. I sumbit myself to YOU and to all that You want me to be. Your way is the best way!
Lord, I confess to You my wrong thoughts. My judgemental spirit. Turn it into a merciful one. But Lord, please keep me from venting to anyone but YOU. I pray that I would love YOU and others so much that my mouth would be guarded like a city with walls. Please let me be so careful with my words.
Thank You so much for all that You have blessed me with. Thank You for my husband. Thank You for my mom and dad. Thank You for my kids. Thank You for this town we live in. Thank You for all that You are doing in our lives. Thank You for never leaving us alone to figure things out for ourselves. Thank You for health. Thank You for WHO YOU ARE. Thank You for 3 years between kids. Thank You for a 9 year old and a soon to be 7 year old:) We are so blessed. I pray that I'll live like I know that I am!
Lord, all the needs....material, but mostly emotional, spiritual...Lord You know them. Please help me figure things out. Show me the way. Give Chris amazing wisdom. But Lord, even with all that ONLY You can work in hearts to change them. To open eyes to what needs to change. I pray You would take a stubborn heart that seems to be wrapped in cement and blast it off. Open blinded eyes. Lord, obliterate laziness with Your passion and zeal for us. Lord, please awaken him and never let him be the same.
I pray that my kids will love You with passion. I pray that we would have fun together today. I pray You would protect them. I pray that every word from my mouth would be motivated by love because I know how much I have needed a Savior...I have needed correction, I have needed instruction....So I must extend the grace You have given to me on my children. Lord, PLEASE do this in me!!!! It would be a miracle. I sumbit myself to YOU and to all that You want me to be. Your way is the best way!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Give Them Grace - Chapter One
1. In what ways do you use the Bible as a rule book instead of the "good news"?
It seems like I've been telling me kids that they can't be good on their own for a long time, but this first chapter has given me a fresh perspective. "We don't give our kids the law to make them good." We give it to them so they see their need for Jesus and go running into His arms. Sooo......I'm still a bit confused. I have always believed that the Bible is their to guide us and that it is filled with wisdom for how to live. Is this not true anymore? Of course it's true. But we are just moralists if all the Bible is to us is a rule book. We have to see our absolute inability to obey it and let Christ obey it through us before we can truly live by it.
I still haven't answered the question. I'm not good a this....Lord, please show me how I do this. I know I want them to be good and I'm disappointed when they aren't. So maybe I use the Bible to point them to how to be good instead of pointing them to the only one who can fulfill the law. AND HE DID FOR US!
2. Does your love of the gospel change the way you parent? If not, how could it?
It is CHANGING the way I parent. Recently the Lord has opened my eyes to how amazing His love for me is. I could never be good enough. I could never afford His robe of righteousness....but God put it on me because Jesus paid for it. Yet, I still get frustrated. It's almost like I'm the guy who was forgiven a huge mind-boggling debt and then I turn around and expect my kids to pay up!
I must remember that I was in great need of instruction and grace and God gave it to me...He continues to give it to me....and I must give it to them. Daily. Moment by frustrating moment.
I want to enjoy my kids! I want to be faithful to them. I want to instruct and correct them with the same grace that God has generously given to me.
3. What are the four catagories of obedience outlined in this chapter? Have you used these different catagories to make your kids think they can earn God's favor?
a. Initial obedience
b. Social obedience
c. Civic obedience
d. Religious obedience
I am sure I have...I'm sure I've said that it makes God happy when they obey. Doesn't it? But I know what you mean. We can obey in every way and still have a heart of rebellion towards God. We can't let outward conformity define a person's standing before God. Man looks at the outward appearance. God looks on the heart. Lord, help me to catch myself doing this. CHORES. They sure make me happy. I feel like I'm teaching my kids to be responsible. Oh, Lord, please don't let me teach them that this makes them spiritual...it just doesn't. IT DOESN'T. It's wise to live orderly. I believe that's what You desire. I know You want us to be polite instead of rude and disruptive. How can we be hospitable and loving and thoughtful if these these things aren't in place....but we can be rude and thoughtless in the effort to keep our world in place. Lord, show me how to balance and please don't let me attatch any of these things to having a right standing before You. BY GRACE ALONE THOUGH FAITH.
4. Why is it important for parents and children to learn the proper place of the law?
The law points us to Jesus and our need for Him.
Like when we have a torn ligament. When it's diagnosed it's good news and bad news. Bad news is that it hurts and we can't do anything about it. Good news? the Dr. can!
5. How does a full view of grace change the way we teach the law?
We are more like Christ. We are humble and patient because we recognize that our children are in the same boat we were before Christ saved us....and that we are still dependant on Him to obey. To live.
We aren't about the outside....what we can see. What others can see. We are more concerned with what's going on inside because we know that they can't obey.
6. Summarize what you have learned in this chapter in 3 or 4 sentences.
I've learned how important it is not to make outward obedience = being right with the Lord. I've learned that I should embrace my kids sinfulness. Only then can they see their need for a Savior. I don't want to ever pretend that things are good if they aren't. I don't want to settle for convenient outward conformity. Even though it makes me look good and feel good about myself....it is DANGEROUS. Lord, where there is false hope...SHATTER it and show us the real picture of Austin and Juleah's heart. Lord, save them. Give them hearts that are passionately in love with You. From an early age. But Lord, in my zealous desire for this don't let me be fooled.
It seems like I've been telling me kids that they can't be good on their own for a long time, but this first chapter has given me a fresh perspective. "We don't give our kids the law to make them good." We give it to them so they see their need for Jesus and go running into His arms. Sooo......I'm still a bit confused. I have always believed that the Bible is their to guide us and that it is filled with wisdom for how to live. Is this not true anymore? Of course it's true. But we are just moralists if all the Bible is to us is a rule book. We have to see our absolute inability to obey it and let Christ obey it through us before we can truly live by it.
I still haven't answered the question. I'm not good a this....Lord, please show me how I do this. I know I want them to be good and I'm disappointed when they aren't. So maybe I use the Bible to point them to how to be good instead of pointing them to the only one who can fulfill the law. AND HE DID FOR US!
2. Does your love of the gospel change the way you parent? If not, how could it?
It is CHANGING the way I parent. Recently the Lord has opened my eyes to how amazing His love for me is. I could never be good enough. I could never afford His robe of righteousness....but God put it on me because Jesus paid for it. Yet, I still get frustrated. It's almost like I'm the guy who was forgiven a huge mind-boggling debt and then I turn around and expect my kids to pay up!
I must remember that I was in great need of instruction and grace and God gave it to me...He continues to give it to me....and I must give it to them. Daily. Moment by frustrating moment.
I want to enjoy my kids! I want to be faithful to them. I want to instruct and correct them with the same grace that God has generously given to me.
3. What are the four catagories of obedience outlined in this chapter? Have you used these different catagories to make your kids think they can earn God's favor?
a. Initial obedience
b. Social obedience
c. Civic obedience
d. Religious obedience
I am sure I have...I'm sure I've said that it makes God happy when they obey. Doesn't it? But I know what you mean. We can obey in every way and still have a heart of rebellion towards God. We can't let outward conformity define a person's standing before God. Man looks at the outward appearance. God looks on the heart. Lord, help me to catch myself doing this. CHORES. They sure make me happy. I feel like I'm teaching my kids to be responsible. Oh, Lord, please don't let me teach them that this makes them spiritual...it just doesn't. IT DOESN'T. It's wise to live orderly. I believe that's what You desire. I know You want us to be polite instead of rude and disruptive. How can we be hospitable and loving and thoughtful if these these things aren't in place....but we can be rude and thoughtless in the effort to keep our world in place. Lord, show me how to balance and please don't let me attatch any of these things to having a right standing before You. BY GRACE ALONE THOUGH FAITH.
4. Why is it important for parents and children to learn the proper place of the law?
The law points us to Jesus and our need for Him.
Like when we have a torn ligament. When it's diagnosed it's good news and bad news. Bad news is that it hurts and we can't do anything about it. Good news? the Dr. can!
5. How does a full view of grace change the way we teach the law?
We are more like Christ. We are humble and patient because we recognize that our children are in the same boat we were before Christ saved us....and that we are still dependant on Him to obey. To live.
We aren't about the outside....what we can see. What others can see. We are more concerned with what's going on inside because we know that they can't obey.
6. Summarize what you have learned in this chapter in 3 or 4 sentences.
I've learned how important it is not to make outward obedience = being right with the Lord. I've learned that I should embrace my kids sinfulness. Only then can they see their need for a Savior. I don't want to ever pretend that things are good if they aren't. I don't want to settle for convenient outward conformity. Even though it makes me look good and feel good about myself....it is DANGEROUS. Lord, where there is false hope...SHATTER it and show us the real picture of Austin and Juleah's heart. Lord, save them. Give them hearts that are passionately in love with You. From an early age. But Lord, in my zealous desire for this don't let me be fooled.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
it starts at home
The Lord wanted Gideon to do great things for HIM...but first he had to start at home: He had to put Baal in his rightful place and it did a lot for his own dad's faith...a few things stand out to me:
He obeyed God, but feared man, so he did it in the dark...
Was this because he feared they would stop him and he wouldn't be able to finish what God had called him to do?
Was he fearful for his life? I think he was...Judges 6:30 says the men came to Joash (Gideon's dad) and demanded that he bring Gideon out so they could kill him for dishonoring Baal. I love Joash's response: Let Baal defend himself!
Gideon's obedience to the Lord rejuvinated his dad's faith and I think it did the same for Gideon...the next thing you know the Spirit of the Lord comes over Gideon and he is heading up an army...of course he tests God a couple times before he goes through with anything, but I am so blessed by God's response to Gideon's lack of faith.
Lord, You are so understanding of us...You understand that we are but dust. "You choose the weak to lead the strong." That would certainly be true of me, Lord, but as you found Gideon hiding in a winepress...as you confirmed for him over and over again that You were with Him, so do for me. I want to be used by You. I want to grow. Right now I doubt. But just like I told Emily last night...We CAN know Your will. We can walk confidently.
So I'm telling You right now that I believe You will guide me to the areas You want me to develop...to sharpen...let me get past being ashamed that I'm 33 and have only come so far...You know just how weak I am, but You aren't going to leave me in the winepress. Thank You Jesus. Develop me into the leader you want me to be, the mother, wife, daughter, sister WOL Missionary and PTA memeber You want me to be...and let me never lose hold of the WHY: Your glory!!!
He obeyed God, but feared man, so he did it in the dark...
Was this because he feared they would stop him and he wouldn't be able to finish what God had called him to do?
Was he fearful for his life? I think he was...Judges 6:30 says the men came to Joash (Gideon's dad) and demanded that he bring Gideon out so they could kill him for dishonoring Baal. I love Joash's response: Let Baal defend himself!
Gideon's obedience to the Lord rejuvinated his dad's faith and I think it did the same for Gideon...the next thing you know the Spirit of the Lord comes over Gideon and he is heading up an army...of course he tests God a couple times before he goes through with anything, but I am so blessed by God's response to Gideon's lack of faith.
Lord, You are so understanding of us...You understand that we are but dust. "You choose the weak to lead the strong." That would certainly be true of me, Lord, but as you found Gideon hiding in a winepress...as you confirmed for him over and over again that You were with Him, so do for me. I want to be used by You. I want to grow. Right now I doubt. But just like I told Emily last night...We CAN know Your will. We can walk confidently.
So I'm telling You right now that I believe You will guide me to the areas You want me to develop...to sharpen...let me get past being ashamed that I'm 33 and have only come so far...You know just how weak I am, but You aren't going to leave me in the winepress. Thank You Jesus. Develop me into the leader you want me to be, the mother, wife, daughter, sister WOL Missionary and PTA memeber You want me to be...and let me never lose hold of the WHY: Your glory!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Personal Development
Today in my quiet time I am reading about Gideon in Judges chapter 6...I have a lot of questions about this...Back in chapter 2 it says a "generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel. The Israelites did evil in the Lord's sight and served the images of Baal." But when the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and calls him a hero and tells him that the Lord is with him, Gideon's response makes it sound like his father HAD told him of all the miracles their God had done, how He had delivered them in the past...Maybe Gideon's family, although one of the "least in Manasseh" was one of the only ones who remembered what God had done...regardless, Gideon's faith is very weak and he doesn't seem to acknowledge why God would seem far away (they were doing evil in His sight).
I don't want to be too hard on Gideon. God saw potential...and that is what I pray He will help me do in the lives of my children, students and anyone He places in my life to influence. That I would see all that God can do in and through them AND speak into their lives with great confidence.
As I think on this a little further, I see myself as Gideon saw himself...I so often find myself in great need of wisdom, discernment, knowledge...and sometimes even practical common sense! and yet here is a reminder for me that God sees what HE can do through me...and HE is ready to make me who He wants me to be.
Which leads me to my second VALUE: Personal Development. This year I want to think through how I can develop in the areas God has gifted me in and called me to. In the future I would love to take a counseling course, but for now, I want to find some good books on parenting and counseling...but all the while my time alone with Him in His Word and in prayer can be great times of personal development as my ability to discern His voice and promptings becomes keener, stronger.
I want to study some of the verses that are coming to mind...I want you to lead me Lord...I want to develop the areas You want me to. I want YOU to develop me and make me effective in ministry to my kids, my husband, Danney, Julie...my sister, Aunt Sue, Angie...Oh Lord, hold me to this and develop me. Thank you that I am becoming a new creation. I love you!
I don't want to be too hard on Gideon. God saw potential...and that is what I pray He will help me do in the lives of my children, students and anyone He places in my life to influence. That I would see all that God can do in and through them AND speak into their lives with great confidence.
As I think on this a little further, I see myself as Gideon saw himself...I so often find myself in great need of wisdom, discernment, knowledge...and sometimes even practical common sense! and yet here is a reminder for me that God sees what HE can do through me...and HE is ready to make me who He wants me to be.
Which leads me to my second VALUE: Personal Development. This year I want to think through how I can develop in the areas God has gifted me in and called me to. In the future I would love to take a counseling course, but for now, I want to find some good books on parenting and counseling...but all the while my time alone with Him in His Word and in prayer can be great times of personal development as my ability to discern His voice and promptings becomes keener, stronger.
I want to study some of the verses that are coming to mind...I want you to lead me Lord...I want to develop the areas You want me to. I want YOU to develop me and make me effective in ministry to my kids, my husband, Danney, Julie...my sister, Aunt Sue, Angie...Oh Lord, hold me to this and develop me. Thank you that I am becoming a new creation. I love you!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
what do i value?
Lord, I feel completely spent. Confused. I know life is suppose to make me tired. Life done right is hard work. But that's just it. I don't think I'm doing it right. I really want You to zero me in on what You want for me to concentrate on. There are so many needs out there and like Jesus could find direction from You each morning when it might not have made sense to anyone else...I want to have that kind of relationship with you. I want to be completely in tune with You. Yesterday when those cars facing Orlando were just sitting on I-4 as we past them heading to Lakeland I thought of You. Those people had no idea what was holding them up. Some were still going at a decent pace with no clue that they would not be getting anywhere on time today...but we knew...we saw the huge truck turned over in the middle of the interstate...and that's YOU everyday, every second...so what I value the very MOST is my relationship with you. I get scattered so quickly and I'm trying to do this and that and I end up not doing any one thing WELL.
Lord, I value my relationship with you...not only for the direction that comes from walking with You, but for the peace You bring...for the transformation You bring about in me. I want to be like You and here is the best advice I've found..."If I am going to be like Him, then God in His grace must do it, and the sooner I come to recognize it the sooner I will be delivered from another form of bondage.Throw down every endeavor and say, I cannot do it, the more I try the farther I get from His likeness. What shall I do? Ah, the Holy Spirit says, you cannot do it; just withdraw; come out of it. You have been in the arena, you have been endeavoring, you are a failure, come out and sit down, and as you sit there, behold Him, look at Him. Don't try to be like Him. just look at Him. JUST BE OCCUPIED WITH HIM. Forget about trying to be like Him. Instead of letting that fill your mind and heart, let Him fill it. Just behold Him, look upon Him through the Word. Come to the Word for one purpose and that is to meet the Lord. Not to get your mind crammed full of things about the sacred Word, but come to it to meet the Lord, make it to be a medium, not a Biblical Scholarship, but of fellowship with Christ. Behold the Lord." ~Norman Douty
So, Lord, as much as I want your leading, peace and wisdom as I live my life...and as much as I know that You are the ONLY source for those things...let me just behold You. Let my motive in coming to You each morning and all through the day, be first to just behold You in your glory and might. It is amazing that YOU are waiting for me each day!
So how will it look Lord? How should I spend my time with You?
Lord, I value my relationship with you...not only for the direction that comes from walking with You, but for the peace You bring...for the transformation You bring about in me. I want to be like You and here is the best advice I've found..."If I am going to be like Him, then God in His grace must do it, and the sooner I come to recognize it the sooner I will be delivered from another form of bondage.Throw down every endeavor and say, I cannot do it, the more I try the farther I get from His likeness. What shall I do? Ah, the Holy Spirit says, you cannot do it; just withdraw; come out of it. You have been in the arena, you have been endeavoring, you are a failure, come out and sit down, and as you sit there, behold Him, look at Him. Don't try to be like Him. just look at Him. JUST BE OCCUPIED WITH HIM. Forget about trying to be like Him. Instead of letting that fill your mind and heart, let Him fill it. Just behold Him, look upon Him through the Word. Come to the Word for one purpose and that is to meet the Lord. Not to get your mind crammed full of things about the sacred Word, but come to it to meet the Lord, make it to be a medium, not a Biblical Scholarship, but of fellowship with Christ. Behold the Lord." ~Norman Douty
So, Lord, as much as I want your leading, peace and wisdom as I live my life...and as much as I know that You are the ONLY source for those things...let me just behold You. Let my motive in coming to You each morning and all through the day, be first to just behold You in your glory and might. It is amazing that YOU are waiting for me each day!
So how will it look Lord? How should I spend my time with You?
- getting up at 5:15 most mornings
- prayer as I read through a Proverb
- the Green Letters
- WOL QT
- Scripture Memory
- Have notes ready
- Have my planner with me to go through each day
- Feminine Appeal in the evenings before bed
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