Practice Patience

Hi guys, I'm back. Hopefully I can start posting regularly again! Here's something that really helped me this morning - I hope it does for you as well. Thanks Jeff Lawton for always putting these devotionals together!

 For the believer, patience is built upon the absolute, unshakable belief that God is sovereign. We can be patient because we know we are not forgotten nor forsaken by our heavenly Father. Patience is the result of knowing that God has every detail of our lives under control. Nothing escapes His eternal care.

One day your loving Savior is coming back for you. Remember, your ultimate destination is heaven. Therefore, don’t get hooked by Satan’s bait and begin treating this world as your real home. If you do, you will find that you are becoming more impatient with the aggravations of life.

James gives us examples that spur us on to patience. First, we must understand some of the basic rules of farming (James 5:7). A farmer does not continually dig up the seed he has planted in order to check its growth—if he did so, he would never have a harvest. Likewise, we must trust God’s timing in our lives. Just as the farmer waits for His crop, we must wait on God to complete His work in our lives. This takes patience! James goes on to tell us that even Job had to endure a fierce trial. However, he knew that God had a wonderful plan for his life, and he refused to deny the Lord.

There will be times when we feel like we are in a holding pattern in our lives. We long to move away from our difficulties, but God wants us to wait and to learn how to be patient. If you find yourself feeling impatient with your circumstances, look up into the glorious face of the Savior who loves you and has a great reward for you.

James 5:7

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.

{God's Plan} Happy Weekend!

Hi readers,

I know it has been a couple of months since I have posted anything on here! But let’s just say God has taught me a lot in such a short amount of time.

Lately, I have been very determined to find out what God’s will for my life is. What my purpose here on earth is and what God’s will really means. I feel that we all come to a point in our lives, some earlier and some later than others, when we are desperate to know what we are here for.

I’m reading a short book right now simply (yet not so simply) titled “How to Know God’s Will” by Robert M. West. I haven’t finished it yet, but after reading just the first couple chapters I have been reminded of the fact that we aren’t here by accident. God has a very specific reason why He created each and every one of us, and although I may sound like your mom when I say this, I am going to say it regardless: we are all special to God.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14

“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Those are just a FEW verses that show how God knows all of us (down to the exact number of hairs on your head) and has prepared something special for us according to His will.

So how do you find out what God’s will is for your life? That is a big question, the big question I have been searching to understand.

Here’s something I came across that has helped me a great deal. West quotes this in his book – the first question and answer from the Westminster Shorter Catechism: 

Question: What is the chief end of man?

Answer: The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

After reading that, I just sat back and let it sink in. Then I asked myself, has my motive for discovering God’s will just been selfish? I think so. Now, I’m looking at this entire topic completely different. West quotes scripture from Revelation in his book:  

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”  Revelation 4:11

I’m going to continue my journey with God in trying to find out how I can glorify Him in my life’s endeavors. As I learn more on the topic of God’s will I will be sharing!! Please pray for my walk as a Christian, and as I search God’s word daily – trying to better my understanding for His will.

Biscuits :-)

My finances mom sent this out... It's so worth the read! Enjoy and happy Friday!

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said: “Honey, I love burned biscuits.”

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, “Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!”

Life is full of imperfect things, and imperfect people. I’m not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults – and choosing to celebrate each others differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that’s my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He’s the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn’t a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

“Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone elses' pocket – keep it in your own.” 

God Bless You. Now, and Always.

So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine! 

His Grace

Good morning!

By:JL

      As we examine the power of God’s grace, we must be careful how we handle it. God’s grace is not a free pass to commit sin and then to ask for forgiveness later. Instead, God’s grace gives us the incredible freedom to passionately pursue God without fear of condemnation.

 

Each day, we are faced with numerous decisions—many of which are honoring to God. If we choose wisely, then we experience the blessings of God. If we choose unwisely, then we will deal with sin’s consequences. However, if we do make the wrong choice, God’s love for us does not waver. He doesn’t cast us aside and break ties with us. This is when God’s grace and mercy shine.

 

In the same way a coach gives a player a vote of confidence even after he has made a mistake, God gives us a vote of confidence through His grace. All He asks in return is that we try, and that we never stop allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.

 

In explaining how grace and works are intertwined, James writes,

 

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does (James1:25).

 

God knows that we are not perfect. However, He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us make the right decisions in life if we will listen to Him. In giving us this ability to choose for ourselves, we gain tremendous freedom when we choose God’s path. His grace provides us with a sense of freedom like we have never known.

 

      Romans 6:14

 

             14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

I've Missed You All!

Compiled by Jeff Lawton:

As Adam and Eve first experienced God’s grace in the Garden of Eden, they came to understand some important aspects of God’s character. In learning about God, they discovered that He would not excuse sin. They also found out that He would not discard the sinner.

When we make a mistake and fall into sin, we begin to wonder what type of punishment God will issue us. Though there are always consequences for sin, there is not an excommunication from God. Instead of zapping us into the stratosphere never to be heard from again, He chases us, seeking us just like He sought Adam and Eve in the garden.

Upon the realization that they had sinned, Adam and Eve hid from God. They knew that He had given them the perfect place to live, yet they botched it by falling for the oldest lie of the enemy: God is withholding His best. So they hid, hoping that God would not find them.

However, God and His grace always find us—not because we are terrible at hiding, but because He is so good at seeking. He does not hunt us down to scold us; rather, He chases our hearts so that we can see how much He loves us.

God’s grace gives us an opportunity to allow Him to change us. It gives us a moment in which we encounter God and His awesome grace, and we surrender. We stop running from God and start running to Him.

It may be painful at times as He roots out some of the strongholds of sin in our lives. But the difference He makes in our lives in the end will be worth it.

      John 1:16

            16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

 

Colorado Springs Trip :)

Colorado Springs Trip :)