Ok, so as I sat down to type my devotional this morning, I had my own idea what I was going to write about. There is just something about spring that fills me with hope and tons to say! BUT, like He always does, God had other ideas! So I will postpone all MY thoughts and go with what God obviously meant for me to say! : )
So, I sat down, like I said, already knowing what I wanted to say, but I decided to check today's reading first. And BAM! Sometimes I am so amazed at the living, breathing power of the Word of God. Today's Old Testament reading is from Joshua 15, 16, and 17, and it is all about BOUNDARIES. Do you know what book I started reading Sunday? A book called Boundaries! God is awesome right? Anyway, I know if you read this Old Testament reading, you are like "Um, it was just a bunch of names of places and people. How can I get anything from that?"
What I would like to focus on is the fact that Joshua takes time to detail all these boundaries---because they matter. So often in the Bible, God details boundaries too. So what does this tell us? Boundaries matter. As Christian women, we often let ourselves get run down and overused. But that is not God's will for us. He establishes in Joshua, and so many places, that boundaries are a good thing! They help "protect our heart above all else" (Proverbs 4:23) and allow us to flourish. And, like in Joshua 17, He also demonstrates that there are times for us to push and extend our boundaries and limits to let in more of what God has for us.
So this week I encourage you to pray about your boundaries--physical, spiritual, emotional. Do you have any? Which ones need to be made tighter? Which ones probably need to be broadened to let God in? I am joining you in prayer! I'm only on Chapter 2, but I can tell this is going to be good! : ) Much love!!!
**Reading Suggestion: "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
First Devotional of 2011!
Well I'm back at it with my devotionals! Thought I'd share our first one for 2011! : )
Happy New Year Beautiful Ladies of TFC! I pray this new year finds you expectant of great things in your life! I also pray that the spirit of Christmas and the overwhelming blessing of the birth of our Lord Jesus would stay with you all year long! How awesome is this gift of God??
I hope that keeping up with our daily readings is part of your New Year's "Resolution!" : ) I know it's part of mine! So let's get back to it! And what a day to start! Today's readings are powerful demonstrations of so many different aspects of God's character! : ) But, I guess I have to pick just one....
In the first reading (Genesis 18: 1-33) the Lord reveals his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. After revealing His plan---He the Almighty, the Powerful, the King of the Universe---Abraham says something that I just love. In verse 27 Abraham says to the Lord, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes..." and then he asks a question about the Almighty's decision. But I want to look at that one part of a sentence..."Now that I have been so bold..." In other words, "Well since I already asked you one thing I might as well keep going," or "No offense, but I have a question."
haha I love that! Abraham wasn't afraid to put his needs and questions before God. And the awesome thing is that our God is one who doesn't get frustrated by questions or a differing opinion. All that matters is that we trust Him in the end, but He forgives us (and I like to think even chuckles a little) when we look at Him and say "oh no I don't think so" or "I think I have a better idea." It worked out for Abraham. God remembered him and saved his relatives. Sometimes I think we can stand in the gap for people too. But regardless the outcome, the image I want to focus on is this: God is open and inviting. He wants all of you. The doubter, the know-it-all, the fearful, the inquisitive, and the reluctant. So let us come boldly before His throne and lay it all out there. He can take it! : )
Much love!!
Happy New Year Beautiful Ladies of TFC! I pray this new year finds you expectant of great things in your life! I also pray that the spirit of Christmas and the overwhelming blessing of the birth of our Lord Jesus would stay with you all year long! How awesome is this gift of God??
I hope that keeping up with our daily readings is part of your New Year's "Resolution!" : ) I know it's part of mine! So let's get back to it! And what a day to start! Today's readings are powerful demonstrations of so many different aspects of God's character! : ) But, I guess I have to pick just one....
In the first reading (Genesis 18: 1-33) the Lord reveals his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. After revealing His plan---He the Almighty, the Powerful, the King of the Universe---Abraham says something that I just love. In verse 27 Abraham says to the Lord, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes..." and then he asks a question about the Almighty's decision. But I want to look at that one part of a sentence..."Now that I have been so bold..." In other words, "Well since I already asked you one thing I might as well keep going," or "No offense, but I have a question."
haha I love that! Abraham wasn't afraid to put his needs and questions before God. And the awesome thing is that our God is one who doesn't get frustrated by questions or a differing opinion. All that matters is that we trust Him in the end, but He forgives us (and I like to think even chuckles a little) when we look at Him and say "oh no I don't think so" or "I think I have a better idea." It worked out for Abraham. God remembered him and saved his relatives. Sometimes I think we can stand in the gap for people too. But regardless the outcome, the image I want to focus on is this: God is open and inviting. He wants all of you. The doubter, the know-it-all, the fearful, the inquisitive, and the reluctant. So let us come boldly before His throne and lay it all out there. He can take it! : )
Much love!!
Thoughts for 2011
Can you believe it's 2011?? I still can not wrap my mind around it. I am way too young to say this, but I remember being in highschool and thinking 2010 sounded like those years in the sci-fi futuristic movies. And here we are in 2011....wow.
If you're like me, you probably came up with some form of a resolution for the new year. I know, I know...so cliche. But the premise of the idea is a good one. A fresh start. Getting off on the right foot. The part that people miss is that you don't have to wait until January 1! haha I find that I have "Monday" resolutions: things in my life that I vow to do differently or better every Monday! So my new year's resolutions are just on a bigger scale. : ) This year I have the usual "get in shape for summer" one, and "eat healthier." But I also have something else...
The first Sunday of this year our Pastor talked about having a "vision" for the year (and for your life.) He said that without vision, we often miss opportunities in our life. Without vision we are just drifting....So, my husband and I sat and thought about this. We decided we needed a word to focus on for 2011. I was hoping it would be some deep and meaningful word that spoke to the both of us, if no one else. But, the word that stuck with us is pretty plain and simple: Growth. We decided that would be our word for the year, and that we want growth in every area....financially, in our relationship, in our maturity levels, in our jobs, etc.
Along those lines, we wanted to pick a motto that goes with our word, and we can live by all year. I just kept hearing the words "Like rain." And it stuck! I want to be "like rain" in every area of my life. I want to love on people unconditionally, like rain. I want to be a refreshing blessing in the lives of people around me, like rain. And the other thing about "rain" is that when there is enough, it becomes a flood---able to move obstacles, able to clear out debris, and a source of power. So, we are going to live "like rain" in 2011!
What's your word for this year? Praying that you find one! : )
If you're like me, you probably came up with some form of a resolution for the new year. I know, I know...so cliche. But the premise of the idea is a good one. A fresh start. Getting off on the right foot. The part that people miss is that you don't have to wait until January 1! haha I find that I have "Monday" resolutions: things in my life that I vow to do differently or better every Monday! So my new year's resolutions are just on a bigger scale. : ) This year I have the usual "get in shape for summer" one, and "eat healthier." But I also have something else...
The first Sunday of this year our Pastor talked about having a "vision" for the year (and for your life.) He said that without vision, we often miss opportunities in our life. Without vision we are just drifting....So, my husband and I sat and thought about this. We decided we needed a word to focus on for 2011. I was hoping it would be some deep and meaningful word that spoke to the both of us, if no one else. But, the word that stuck with us is pretty plain and simple: Growth. We decided that would be our word for the year, and that we want growth in every area....financially, in our relationship, in our maturity levels, in our jobs, etc.
Along those lines, we wanted to pick a motto that goes with our word, and we can live by all year. I just kept hearing the words "Like rain." And it stuck! I want to be "like rain" in every area of my life. I want to love on people unconditionally, like rain. I want to be a refreshing blessing in the lives of people around me, like rain. And the other thing about "rain" is that when there is enough, it becomes a flood---able to move obstacles, able to clear out debris, and a source of power. So, we are going to live "like rain" in 2011!
What's your word for this year? Praying that you find one! : )
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Rather Late Merry Christmas....and A Very Happy New Year
I can not believe I didn't blog during Christmas!! I mean, it's only my favorite time of year!! And what a wonderful Christmas it was. As a very happy newlywed, I found myself twice as "emotional" as usual this year.
But isn't Christmas just overwhelming?? No, I don't mean being overwhelmed by the lines at the mall, or the amount of wrapping paper filling up your living room....I mean that Christmas is overwhelming when you think about what it means. When you think about the precious baby Jesus that was God's gift to the world! I can not put into words how awesome I find the Christmas season. But I hope that, even though it's over, you begin the new year remembering the Christmas season! Let us live 2011 overwhelmed and grateful for the birth of Jesus!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
But isn't Christmas just overwhelming?? No, I don't mean being overwhelmed by the lines at the mall, or the amount of wrapping paper filling up your living room....I mean that Christmas is overwhelming when you think about what it means. When you think about the precious baby Jesus that was God's gift to the world! I can not put into words how awesome I find the Christmas season. But I hope that, even though it's over, you begin the new year remembering the Christmas season! Let us live 2011 overwhelmed and grateful for the birth of Jesus!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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