Amazing time during the morning devotion. Look at the photo and see if you can find what only God could do.
Only God…
Nothing is going to change…until YOU do.
Such a gentle reminder from the Father.
In a time of wanting circumstances to change, it’s often up to us to change first. When we start to take 100% responsibility for our lives and quit blaming, complaining and making excuses, we have the free time to look at how we contribute to our situation.
As long as we are blaming someone else and complaining about how they did whatever we perceive to be the cause of all our problems, we can’t focus on what God may be trying to tell us.
Sit quietly for a few moments stop thinking about how everyone else is your problem and start looking at yourself. Listen for that small quiet nudge or inspiration and then do something about it. Remember, nothing is going to change until YOU do.
Grace is… Adoption.
How do you explain what Grace is? The word Grace is almost as definitive as the word Earth. How would you explain to someone what all is involved in the word Earth? A word in an exhaustive list that points out one facet of Grace is Adoption.
This song by Hillsong Worship points to one of the things Adoption allows us to believe.
I am who you say I am.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
(Romans 8:14-16 MKJV)
Do Everything in Love.
Still good advice after all these years.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Do everything in love. ( 1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Mini vacation
Some hidden Waterfalls in the Ozarks…. Great place to go sit, be silent, and see
10 Minutes of Silence?
What? 10 Minutes of Silence?
Anyone who knows me might think that this could quite possibly fall under the All things are (maybe) possible with God clause. I work from home and I do not get to socialize on a regular basis. Sorry Facebook really isn’t this lover of conversation and coffee…well it’s just not the same as sitting across from the table sipping on some mind blowing concoction of sweetness and possibly nibbling on something that I am certain to fit my macros for the day and talking with another real “in-person” human.
It’s just not the same.
This means when I do get the opportunity to talk, I do.
My cousin, mentioned something she was doing with a Bible Study group that they called “10 minutes of Silence”. I was intrigued. ( and my husband was hopeful… wink)
She described it as sitting for 10 minutes and just spending time with God. No pen, no paper, no electronic device. Just you and God and possibly something to drink.
After her video I grabbed my coffee, timer and went out on the porch. Set the timer for 10 minutes and sit back to sip on my coffee. When I looked up I saw Butterflies! Lots of butterflies in my Mimosa tree.
Who knew this was happening? It was beautiful. Each bloom seemed to have a butterfly on it. It was like a Golden Corral buffet during the $1 off lunch special.
I have NEVER seen this happen and I’ve lived in this location for over 20 years. Sad…I’ve been just less than 20 feet away from this spectacular display of God’s creation for over 20 years. Kind of makes you wonder about what else God is doing just outside of your view.
Just because you can’t see God’s handiwork going on, doesn’t mean it isn’t going on.
Needless to say I sat back in silence and just watched this live display of art. In fact I actually hit the snooze on the alarm when it went off for another round of silence.
What’s going on in your world that could be just outside on the proverbial porch?
Go sit, be silent, and see.
For those who like to journal, turn this into a week or even a 30 day activity. After your silence sessions write down the events, thoughts, and scriptures that came to you while you were spending time with God. Note changes along the way. When you first started was it uncomfortable to sit still for 10 minutes?
God bless you on your journey. This activity for me was a game changer.
an2g
#21DaysofPrayer
Thank you Church of the Highlands for providing an opportunity for corporate worship and prayer every year in January and August.
Whether you are starting out in a new year or a new semester, these prayer services are a great way to slow down and focus on your relationship with God.
Church of the Highlands 21DaysofPrayer page
21 Days of Fasting and Prayer.
When you think about the distractions in life, what seems to hinder or pull you away the most from your daily Bible study and Prayer? Is it a certain website that seems to draw you away from life because you might miss out on something someone has said or done?
Maybe it’s just runaway thoughts. A certain person crosses your mind and you rehearse what you wish you would have said and stir up those old emotions again. Some times I think Satan sits back and takes notes on how we allow one event to continue bringing distress. He doesn’t have to do anything but sit back and watch us defeat ourselves.
Or if the truth be told, you’ve heard so many basically say “I don’t know what happened, but I’m going to blame it all on God and tell everyone He’s using the devil and how he kills, steals, and destroys for his glory.” So you don’t trust God or even believe that He Loves you or wants to help. Rest assured God takes the wrap and unfortunately a lot of saints have left the earth too soon because of a lot of false doctrine. Which is why it is so important to read the word yourself. If you don’t know His word and have only heard rumors, you don’t know that you should fight or how to fight against a real attack.
If you’re looking for an answer for why your prayer didn’t get answered or why something didn’t happen, satan is there willing and ready to tell you that Jesus IS NOT the same yesterday, today, and forever. And he’ll use whoever he can to spread that rumor.
This type of thinking or whatever else it is that pulls you away from God, I challenge you to let it go and put it aside for 21 days.
If there is something in your life that you are using to seek comfort instead of going to God, It might be an idol. Anything that you just can’t say “no” to or it seems to defeat you no matter how hard you try. Fasting can help you gain control. For more information on Fasting and the types of fasts check out Fasting resources at Church of the Highlands and for more information on the upcoming #21DaysOfPrayer check out their website. Church of the Highlands 21 Days of Prayer
Various churches throughout the country will be kicking off 21DaysOfPrayer this Sunday.
Monday January 8th set the alarm a little earlier and be there or join in on the online services at 6:00 am CST Monday January 8th, 2018 Online Services
Thank You Church of the Highlands and all the other participating churches across the US for providing this opportunity for corporate fasting, prayer and worship.
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We must wear Faith, Love, and Hope of salvation.
There is no need to write you, friends, about the times and occasions when these things will happen. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. When people say, “Everything is quiet and safe,” then suddenly destruction will hit them! It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labor, and people will not escape.
But you, friends, are not in the darkness, and the Day should not take you by surprise like a thief. All of you are people who belong to the light, who belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, we should not be sleeping like the others; we should be awake and sober. It is at night when people sleep; it is at night when they get drunk. But we belong to the day, and we should be sober.
We must wear faith and love as a breastplate, and our hope of salvation as a helmet. God did not choose us to suffer his anger, but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us in order that we might live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes.
And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing. We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances.
This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages.
Put all things to the test: keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil.
May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.
Pray also for us, friends. Greet all the believers with the kiss of peace. I urge you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 GNB)
Sometimes no commentary or explanation is needed. The Bible really is a straight forward letter of instructions for today. #ForeverTrue #ForeverApplicable
Want to do Ministry? Do the Dishes.
Oh my, I think the first time I heard that was from Joyce Meyer many years ago. At the time I thought “That’s weird.” It’s taken me a few years, but she or whoever said it first was right. If you want to serve in the ministry getting your dishes under control is a first step. If you can right now look at your kitchen and cannot see your sink or your counter tops. Stop what you are doing and go tackle that kitchen.
You know you can fellowship with God by turning on your favorite praise music, finally listen to that audio tape or podcast. Or just start singing praise songs and pray while you are doing the dishes.
If you’re overwhelmed with your house and you just stare and really don’t know what to do. Here is a website that will thrust your ministry into being. www.flylady.net By gaining control of your home you can and will have time to do Bible Studies, have a Bible Study at your house, or volunteer at your Church. The list of possibilities is infinite. So if you have been praying for help because you are just overwhelmed with your current situation. Find time and remove chaos with FlyLady. Then enjoy all the extra time you have to spend in fellowship with God and being about His business.
Hey what are you still doing here? If you need me I’m going to be shining my sink.
An2g
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