Just some of my God thoughts for the week because some of you ask and actually really want to know. *
James 1, especially verse 2 "Consider it PURE JOY my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...." and verse 5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." PURE JOY in trials of many kinds. PURE JOY means no more whining, fussing, whimpering, pity parties. Suck it up buttercup. PURE JOY! And how many things do I take into my own hands, thinking I know how to handle them, rather than asking the God of the universe for His wisdom? He's already started implementing that in my self focused heart.
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James 4, particularly verse 5 "Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?" And just what is the Spirit envious of? He is envious of anything that is anti Christ. Anything that is not glorifying to God that we harbor and coddle in our hearts. He envies intensely. Hmmmm..... which side do I lean to mostly, and am I making his struggle to conform me to the Word easier or harder? How subtle these "little" things are that we allow to rule us, rather than the Spirit Himself.
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Isaiah 31:1&3a. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord. But the Egyptians are men and not God, their horses are flesh and not spirit." How easy it is to trust in our own created horses and chariots rather than God alone. Trying to define mine and destroy them, looking rather to God for His wisdom and strength and provision.
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Isaiah 32:17 "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Hmmmm.... righteousness, peace, quietness, confidence. Forever. Forever. Forever.
A little Michael and Debi Pearl for some conviction this happy morning. Conviction is good stuff my friends:
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"The first and the most important thing you will ever do as a mother in training your children is to reverence your husband, delight yourself in him, love to obey him, feel honored to be married to him, joy in his presence. In doing so, you are building up your house, you are creating a home, you are establishing a foundation. This is the first and most important ingredient in raising happy, obedient, creative, respectful children, children who delight to be part of the family. This kind of atmosphere in the home causes your children to love each other, to enjoy being with their own brothers and sisters...... Ladies, we have in our grasp the opportunity to reverence our husbands, thus teaching our children how to reverence God. I can change eternity by choosing to delight myself in my husband, obeying him, loving him, and causing him to stand before God free from the shackles of domestic condemnation. As Mike once said, "When a wife suggests that her husband take the lead, any leading he does after that is just following her suggestion."" Taken from page 89 of their fabulous book No Greater Joy, Volume One, in the article titled Carnal Husbands, Cranky Wives and Cantankerous Kids. Read the whole article here, along with many other good ones.
*
And one last thought, after watching my older children start their early limited venturing into the world without mom this summer is the realization that their foundation has, for the most part, already been built and established in our home. They are now starting to build their own lives on the foundation we have layed for them. I can see faults in it, but also so, so many strengths (Praise the Lord!). I see them maturing and glorifying their Lord, not only their mother's Lord. I also see the hard work I need to commit to the younger ones as their day will soon come too.
*
So.... what's God doing in your life??? And How's your Heart???
*
James 1, especially verse 2 "Consider it PURE JOY my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...." and verse 5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." PURE JOY in trials of many kinds. PURE JOY means no more whining, fussing, whimpering, pity parties. Suck it up buttercup. PURE JOY! And how many things do I take into my own hands, thinking I know how to handle them, rather than asking the God of the universe for His wisdom? He's already started implementing that in my self focused heart.
*
James 4, particularly verse 5 "Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?" And just what is the Spirit envious of? He is envious of anything that is anti Christ. Anything that is not glorifying to God that we harbor and coddle in our hearts. He envies intensely. Hmmmm..... which side do I lean to mostly, and am I making his struggle to conform me to the Word easier or harder? How subtle these "little" things are that we allow to rule us, rather than the Spirit Himself.
*
Isaiah 31:1&3a. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord. But the Egyptians are men and not God, their horses are flesh and not spirit." How easy it is to trust in our own created horses and chariots rather than God alone. Trying to define mine and destroy them, looking rather to God for His wisdom and strength and provision.
*
Isaiah 32:17 "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Hmmmm.... righteousness, peace, quietness, confidence. Forever. Forever. Forever.
A little Michael and Debi Pearl for some conviction this happy morning. Conviction is good stuff my friends:*
"The first and the most important thing you will ever do as a mother in training your children is to reverence your husband, delight yourself in him, love to obey him, feel honored to be married to him, joy in his presence. In doing so, you are building up your house, you are creating a home, you are establishing a foundation. This is the first and most important ingredient in raising happy, obedient, creative, respectful children, children who delight to be part of the family. This kind of atmosphere in the home causes your children to love each other, to enjoy being with their own brothers and sisters...... Ladies, we have in our grasp the opportunity to reverence our husbands, thus teaching our children how to reverence God. I can change eternity by choosing to delight myself in my husband, obeying him, loving him, and causing him to stand before God free from the shackles of domestic condemnation. As Mike once said, "When a wife suggests that her husband take the lead, any leading he does after that is just following her suggestion."" Taken from page 89 of their fabulous book No Greater Joy, Volume One, in the article titled Carnal Husbands, Cranky Wives and Cantankerous Kids. Read the whole article here, along with many other good ones.
*
And one last thought, after watching my older children start their early limited venturing into the world without mom this summer is the realization that their foundation has, for the most part, already been built and established in our home. They are now starting to build their own lives on the foundation we have layed for them. I can see faults in it, but also so, so many strengths (Praise the Lord!). I see them maturing and glorifying their Lord, not only their mother's Lord. I also see the hard work I need to commit to the younger ones as their day will soon come too.
*
So.... what's God doing in your life??? And How's your Heart???
*
