The past couple of weeks a friend has been reading through the book of Acts. She has been studying the early church. Encouraging me to take a look, and I have.
Yesterday I started a new Bible study on the books of James (God must have more for me because I just finished a James study a month ago). Always more to learn...that's my perspective anyway. Today as I began day two of my new study...I'm reading ACTS! God is neat like that!
I'm reminded today about how easy it is for us to stay in our comfortable little box. We want to hold onto Biblical law. We want justice at any price. A price higher than what Jesus has already paid. We impose that on ourselves and those around us. So did the people of long ago. Even the early church had "much debate." They wanted the law of circumcision obeyed. (Acts 15:1) But God in all his GLORY had another plan. Peter reminded them that God cleansed their hearts by FAITH. He also reminded them that they are ALL saved by grace, not by yokes that no one can bear.
Its so simple and yet so profound. God wanted to raise a "new" people. He wanted to save ALL people and not by Biblical law or acts of works, but by FAITH and GRACE!
Are you in a box? Can you step out of your box today and rest in the truth that God loves you right where you are at. A broken sinner in need of a Savior. No "circumcision" needed, just a complete surrender and acceptance of Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
A Visitor
Its been an incredibly rough week. On Wednesday our cat Onyx was hit and killed by a car. I'm one of those people who kind of made light about pet death, but oh goodness how the Lord has changed me! She was my son's cat, but my therapy cat. She woke me up every morning and greeted me in the driveway when I returned, she sat on my lap during my morning devotions and cried at the door to go chase a loud bird...she was very much a part of my everyday. She is greatly missed. We are grieving. Please continue to pray for all of us.
On a different note...two nights ago I had just climbed into bed when Zahavah and I heard someone talking to our dogs outside. I asked her to look outside and see, she said, "Momma, someone is in our yard!" I'm already in bed, mind you...so I holler for Brett to go check it out. I hear, "Hey little man." I instantly change clothes and join them.
He is my children's age, on a mission. He is chatty. He has a full set of keys on him, he is by himself. We sit on the front porch waiting for the police to arrive. He is so full of energy, I talk quickly to keep his mind busy.
How old are you? 5
Where do you live? Over there.
Where is your parents? My mom is asleep
Where do you go to school? blank stare. I start saying the public school names, and he picked one.
Who is your best friend? He answered...I forgot. (it was a little girl from school)
Who is your teacher? Ms. Fibbs (Bless your heart dear teacher).
What are you doing with those keys? I'm going to steal...I mean borrow a car.
What for? I'm going to Hoopston to see my Grandma.
Hoopston eh? Thats kinda far away. He says, "yes, do you know the way?" As he is trying to unlock my husband's car.
He doesn't seem to care, he knows what he wants. He also wants to go to Wal-Mart. He is five.
It was scary and funny all at the same time. Praise God his mother finally arrived. Praise God he was a little bit scared when the police talked with him. Praise God he entered my backyard.
I think my Father looks at me kinda like I looked at that precious little boy. I think I know what I want, what is best for me, how to get from A to B. And I go full throttle ahead with my game plan. The Lord comes along side of me gently asking me questions and I have answers. And yet...he is patient. He is NOT surprised by my stubborn streak or enthusiasm for life.
I know God's plan is ALWAYS better than mine. I can trust his plan for my life, better than my own. All I need to do is be still, wait and listen for the Lord to instruct me.
On a different note...two nights ago I had just climbed into bed when Zahavah and I heard someone talking to our dogs outside. I asked her to look outside and see, she said, "Momma, someone is in our yard!" I'm already in bed, mind you...so I holler for Brett to go check it out. I hear, "Hey little man." I instantly change clothes and join them.
He is my children's age, on a mission. He is chatty. He has a full set of keys on him, he is by himself. We sit on the front porch waiting for the police to arrive. He is so full of energy, I talk quickly to keep his mind busy.
How old are you? 5
Where do you live? Over there.
Where is your parents? My mom is asleep
Where do you go to school? blank stare. I start saying the public school names, and he picked one.
Who is your best friend? He answered...I forgot. (it was a little girl from school)
Who is your teacher? Ms. Fibbs (Bless your heart dear teacher).
What are you doing with those keys? I'm going to steal...I mean borrow a car.
What for? I'm going to Hoopston to see my Grandma.
Hoopston eh? Thats kinda far away. He says, "yes, do you know the way?" As he is trying to unlock my husband's car.
He doesn't seem to care, he knows what he wants. He also wants to go to Wal-Mart. He is five.
It was scary and funny all at the same time. Praise God his mother finally arrived. Praise God he was a little bit scared when the police talked with him. Praise God he entered my backyard.
I think my Father looks at me kinda like I looked at that precious little boy. I think I know what I want, what is best for me, how to get from A to B. And I go full throttle ahead with my game plan. The Lord comes along side of me gently asking me questions and I have answers. And yet...he is patient. He is NOT surprised by my stubborn streak or enthusiasm for life.
I know God's plan is ALWAYS better than mine. I can trust his plan for my life, better than my own. All I need to do is be still, wait and listen for the Lord to instruct me.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Unchanged
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17"
Jamaica has come and gone. I realize I didn't blog about it or post pictures (gasp). Shortly after we arrived home, our grown child Micayla informed us that she moved her wedding from a year away to 2 1/2 weeks away! I'm still trying to catch my breath as I type this and drink my coffee!
The verse above came in a mini booklet "Promises for Moms" that I received in the mail for my birthday yesterday. Its the first one I opened and read, exactly what I needed at this very moment. Don't you just LOVE it when God works like that!?!
It's a promise. Everything good and perfect thing is from him, Everything we have is a gift...our husbands, children, homes, every strawberry in the patch, the beautiful sunrise, the Spring rain, every breath...even the ones I'm still trying to catch. Gifts. Straight from our maker to us, to enjoy...everyday. Do you see your gifts?
HE does not change like shifting shadows. Like wedding dates, he DOES NOT change. He is solid, steady, reliable, dependable. What are the shadows lurking in your life? Cancer, loss of a job, sick child, broken foot, failing marriage. There is reassurance in the presence of the Almighty. He is stronger than the shadows of this life. The shadows come and go, they creep in and out, but God stays. He promises He stays, unchanged.
Jamaica has come and gone. I realize I didn't blog about it or post pictures (gasp). Shortly after we arrived home, our grown child Micayla informed us that she moved her wedding from a year away to 2 1/2 weeks away! I'm still trying to catch my breath as I type this and drink my coffee!
The verse above came in a mini booklet "Promises for Moms" that I received in the mail for my birthday yesterday. Its the first one I opened and read, exactly what I needed at this very moment. Don't you just LOVE it when God works like that!?!
It's a promise. Everything good and perfect thing is from him, Everything we have is a gift...our husbands, children, homes, every strawberry in the patch, the beautiful sunrise, the Spring rain, every breath...even the ones I'm still trying to catch. Gifts. Straight from our maker to us, to enjoy...everyday. Do you see your gifts?
HE does not change like shifting shadows. Like wedding dates, he DOES NOT change. He is solid, steady, reliable, dependable. What are the shadows lurking in your life? Cancer, loss of a job, sick child, broken foot, failing marriage. There is reassurance in the presence of the Almighty. He is stronger than the shadows of this life. The shadows come and go, they creep in and out, but God stays. He promises He stays, unchanged.
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