tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66357612024-03-13T05:09:33.911-05:00A Magnolia's Heart BeatsVerse goes here...Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.comBlogger572125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-157048905004888322010-02-08T10:40:00.003-06:002010-02-08T10:55:01.618-06:00<div><span style="font-family:arial;">The Benefits of a Deep Root System</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435914227907886914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/S3A_MIfw_0I/AAAAAAAABp8/VPNQWwt5nNE/s400/roots.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><div></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Planted by the Water</span> </span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Hebrew word for planted is <em>shathal</em>. This verb means: </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />1) (Qal) to plant, transplant<br />When we were born again, we received a transplant of the heart from God. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Our Strength provided us with new roots that began to deepen in the living water of Christ. </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="center"><br /><em>"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." ~ John 7:38 (NIV)</em> </div><div><br />The Greek word for living is zaō. This verb means: </div><div><br />1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)</div><div>2) to enjoy real lifea) to have true life and worthy of the nameb) active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God</div><div>3) to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and actinga) of mortals or character</div><div>4) living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul</div><div>5) metaph. to be in full vigour</div><div>a) to be fresh, strong, efficient,</div><div>b) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious </div><div><br />I love this description of water. It describes the type water I want my heart to have it's roots in. Because this water is active, blessed, and endless in the kingdom of God, I know my roots will be well-nourished. It inspires me to be fresh, strong and efficient and gives me hope that I can continue to be so, even when times are tough. </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Roots That Run Deep</span> </div><div><br />Our roots were sent out toward the waters of grace and mercy given by God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. The Hebrew word for sent is the verb <em>shalach</em>, which means, in part: </div><div><br />1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out</div><div>a) (Qal)</div><div>1) to send</div><div>2) to stretch out, extend, direct </div><div><br />The Hebrew word for roots, mentioned in the verse above, is <em>sheresh</em>. It means: </div><div><br />1) roota) root (literal)</div><div>b) root (of people involving firmness or permanence) (fig)</div><div>c) root, bottom (as lowest stratum) (fig) </div><div><br />Just as the tree's roots do, our roots reach deep into the true Living Water. They are strong and firm and have permanence. </div><div align="center"><br /><em>"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." ~ John 10:28 (NIV)</em> </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Fearless</span> </div><div><br />Because the tree (our hearts) are planted by the living water, we have no need of fear when the heard times come. During times of drought, we should have enough of the living water stored up within us to see us through. Our leaves should always be green, bearing fruit for Christ. We should have confidence, not fear, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.<br /></div><div>The Hebrew word for The Hebrew word for not fear is actually the word for see. <em>Ra'ah</em> means: </div><div><br />1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider</div><div>a) (Qal)</div><div>1) to see</div><div>2) to see, perceive</div><div>3) to see, have vision</div><div>4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out</div><div>5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish</div><div>6) to look at, gaze at</div><div>b) (Niphal)</div><div>1) to appear, present oneself</div><div>2) to be seen</div><div>3) to be visible</div><div>c) (Pual) to be seen</div><div>d) (Hiphil)1) to cause to see, show</div><div>2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at</div><div>e) (Hophal)</div><div>1) to be caused to see, be shown</div><div>2) to be exhibited to</div><div>f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face </div><div><br />I went through an eight year period of infertility. During this time, I was able to pray because my roots were planted deep. The waters seemed to dry up around me and I felt at odds, but I was sustained. I read God's Word every morning and prayed diligently for myself and for others further into my journey. Then the pregnancy and miscarriage came. Had I not stored up during that 8 year period, I would have been in deep trouble, my friends. I cannot tell you the internal pain I went through at the loss of Sydney Michel. I could try to explain it but it was so intense and personal that I could not do it justice. When I was unable to even think clearly, God sustained me. I felt His peace and comfort and was able to make it through the hard times. I was able to survive on the water my roots had soaked up and subsist on the promises of God's Word. One year and eight months later, I had a hysterectomy. Finality. I would never bear fruit from my womb, but I clung to the promises of God. </div><div align="center"><br /><em>"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD." ~ Psalm 113:9 (NIV)</em> </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Don't Worry, Be Happy</span></div><div><br />The Hebrew word for no worry is <em>da'ag</em>. This verb means: </div><div><br />1) to fear, be anxious, be concerned, be afraid, be careful</div><div>a) (Qal)</div><div>1) to be anxious, be concerned</div><div>2) to fear, dread </div><div><br />No matter what our circumstances are, like the tree whose roots are planted by the water, we have no cause to be fearful, anxious or concerned. </div><div align="center"><br /><em>"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:9 (NIV)</em> </div><div><br />We can count on God to meet our needs during springtime and drought. Our hearts should never fail to bear His fruit when we trust in His Word and store it up inside us like the roots of the tree do the water. </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">His Word Never Fails</span> </div><div><br />The Hebrew word for never fails is <em>muwsh</em>. This verb means: </div><div><br />1) to depart, remove</div><div>a) (Qal)</div><div>1) to depart</div><div>2) to remove</div><div>3) to be removed (of inanimate objects)</div><div>b) (Hiphil) to remove, depart </div><div><br />We can trust God never to depart from us and we can trust Him not to remove the promises of His Word from us. </div><div><br />Later in my life I saw the promises of Psalm 113:9 fulfilled in my life. I praised God for the privelege of raising my bonus daughter in our home with her father from the time we married until Kristyn married. I received immense joy in seeing her grow from age 6 to 20. She matured and grew into a sweet young woman. Now she has gifted us with two precious grandsons, Nolan and Liam. Further still, I am an aunt to Blake, Reese, Kaci, Austin, Tyler, Ashley, and Ethan. I remembered the order of their birth! Blake, Reese, Tyler and Ashley are Steve's brother's children. Kaci and Austin are Steve's sister's children. More recently, I was blessed with my first biological nephew. My sister's son Ethan was born August 19, 2008. He is a doll. Further still, I am surrounded by children when I go to my grandmother's. Jimmy & Susan have James and John. Lee & Paige have Jackson and Gracie and Baby Noah is due to make his appearance any day now. While I am not a biological mother to these children, God has surely settled me in my home and I am happy! I pray that my influence, larger on those closer to me and smaller on those farther away, will move them closer to Christ. </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Bearing Fruit</span> </div><div><br />The tree mentioned in the verse above always bears fruit no matter what. We have seen that in all seasons of life we grow through, we can bear fruit if our roots are deeply planted by the water. I love the definitions for bear. We can only bear by God's strength, and it is up to us to drink deep from the Source. </div><div><br />The Hebrew word for bear is <em>`asah</em>. This verb means:</div><div><br />1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make</div><div>a) (Qal)</div><div>1) to do, work, make, producea) to do</div><div>b) to work</div><div>c) to deal (with)</div><div>d) to act, act with effect, effect</div><div>2) to make</div><div>a) to make</div><div>b) to produce</div><div>c) to prepare</div><div>d) to make (an offering)</div><div>e) to attend to, put in order</div><div>f) to observe, celebrate</div><div>g) to acquire (property)</div><div>h) to appoint, ordain, institute</div><div>i) to bring about</div><div>j) to use</div><div>k) to spend, pass</div><div>b) (Niphal)</div><div>1) to be done</div><div>2) to be made</div><div>3) to be produced</div><div>4) to be offered</div><div>5) to be observed</div><div>6) to be used</div><div>c) (Pual) to be made</div><div>2) (Piel) to press, squeeze </div><div><br />The Hebrew word for fruit is <em>pĕriy</em>. It means: </div><div><br />1) fruit</div><div>a) fruit, produce (of the ground)</div><div>b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb)</div><div>c) fruit (of actions) (fig.) </div><div><br />What an incredible promise from God! Despite our condition, we can truly honor God by yielding fruit. </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Wrap Up</span></div><div><br /><em>Questions for Reflection:</em> Are your roots deeply planted? Do you find it difficult to bear fruit even in the "off" seasons of life? If you aren't sure about the first question, why not email me at </span></div><a href="mailto:magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:arial;">magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and we'll talk more about it. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /><em>Verse for the Day:</em> "He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." ~ Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV) </div><div><br /><em>Prayer:</em> Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that You have given us. I rejoice in the promises held in it and learn so much life application from it. Keep me thristy for You and keep my roots growing deep. Help me to bear fruit even in the off seasons and to always draw from Your Living Water. Thank You so much for Jesus. In His Name I pray, Amen. </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">P -</span> Purpose in your heart to stay near God.<em> "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." ~ Psalm 145:18 (NIV) </em></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">L -</span> Lean on God's promises. <em>"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) </em></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Ask God for the things you need to help you bear fruit. <em>"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." ~ Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)</em> </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Nourish your roots with the Word of God.<em> "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees." ~ Psalm 119:10-12 (NIV)</em> </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">T -</span> Take heart in the coverage of the Vine.<em> "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5 (NIV)</em> </div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Encourage one another in the Word. <em>"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." ~ 1 Thessaloniains 5:11 (NIV) </em></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">D -</span> Deal with the weeds in life so they don't choke out the root system. <em>"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Note: This post originally ran 04.15.09<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-75116651961552853982010-02-03T08:32:00.004-06:002010-02-03T08:54:14.197-06:00<a href="http://pennyraine.com/blog/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434030210904842930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/S2mNr6O5YrI/AAAAAAAABp0/wJgviF95Bd8/s320/wfw-2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Daughter of the King</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434029022607257970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/S2mMmverMXI/AAAAAAAABps/hMvbuWUQSYo/s400/love.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">He Reigns </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"But you, O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth." ~ Psalm 74:12 (NIV)<br /><br />"On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." ~ Revelation 19:16 (NIV)</em><br /><br />The Lord reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no other God but Him. I rejoice at His power and sovreignty and might. I am humbled by His holiness and brought low by the grace He gives. </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><div align="left"><br />The Greek word for King is basileus. It means: </div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br />1) leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My Father, the King</span> </span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." ~ Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)</em><br /><br />The Greek word for Abba is, suprisingly to me, abba. The outline of Biblical usage is:<br /><br />Abba = "father"<br /><br />1) father, customary title used of God in prayer. Whenever it occurs in the New Testament it has the Greek interpretation joined to it, that is apparently to be explained by the fact that the Chaldee "ABBA" through frequent use in prayer, gradually acquired the nature of a most sacred proper name, to which the Greek speaking Jews added the name from their own tongue. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Abba is of Aramaic origin. 'Ab is a noun which means: father.<br /><br />Now Father, or patēr, in Greek, means: </span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) generator or male ancestor<br />a) either the nearest ancestor: father of the corporeal nature, natural fathers, both parents<br />b) a more remote ancestor, the founder of a family or tribe, progenitor of a people, forefather: so Abraham is called, Jacob and David<br />1) fathers i.e. ancestors, forefathers, founders of a nation<br />c) one advanced in years, a senior<br />2) metaph.<br />a) the originator and transmitter of anything<br />1) the authors of a family or society of persons animated by the same spirit as himself<br />2) one who has infused his own spirit into others, who actuates and governs their minds<br />b) one who stands in a father's place and looks after another in a paternal way<br />c) a title of honour<br />1) teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge and training they have received<br />2) the members of the Sanhedrin, whose prerogative it was by virtue of the wisdom and experience in which they excelled, to take charge of the interests of others<br />3) God is called the Father<br />a) of the stars, the heavenly luminaries, because he is their creator, upholder, ruler<br />b) of all rational and intelligent beings, whether angels or men, because he is their creator, preserver, guardian and protector<br />1) of spiritual beings and of all men<br />c) of Christians, as those who through Christ have been exalted to a specially close and intimate relationship with God, and who no longer dread him as a stern judge of sinners, but revere him as their reconciled and loving Father<br />d) the Father of Jesus Christ, as one whom God has united to himself in the closest bond of love and intimacy, made acquainted with his purposes, appointed to explain and carry out among men the plan of salvation, and made to share also in his own divine nature<br />1) by Jesus Christ himself<br />2) by the apostles<br /><br />How intimate, yet holy, our Father is. As Creator God, He holds the stars in the Heavens and the stars in my eyes. I am captivated by His holiness yet how personable He is. He is our Father God.<br /><br />What a privelege to be called children of God. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Many people have a hard time identifying with God as a loving Father, especially if their earthly father was less than loving in word or deed. I have mentioned before that my earthly Daddy was an alcoholic (recovered now)and was emotionally and verbally abusive. Despite my rebellion in my teen years, one thing I knew clearly when I was younger and know even more now is that I was and am loved. There was no lack of love in our home.<br /><br />One of my earliest memories is of me being sick one hot summer day and Daddy coming in from the garden after picking butterbeans. He sat down for a minute before he hit the shower and I hopped up on his lap and nestled my chin into the folds of his neck. He may have been sweaty and grimy and a little stinky after working so hard all day, but he was all I wanted. I needed comfort and love and just to be held. Tears are pooling in my eyes as I type this because I remember that just a few months ago, when I had that awful bronchitis and sinus infection and ear infections and respiratory virus and ached from head to toe, my Dad came up and I told him I was sick. Instead of backing away like I had the plague he let me get my hug. I was held then and I was held now. If I was smaller I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could have nestled up to him without him fearing catching what I was had. Why? Because that's what Daddy's do. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Our God is the same, yet even much better. We can run to Him and nestle up to Him and just be so comforted and loved. We can be held by the King of the Universe. How AWESOME is that?! He loves us *that* much!<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Who We Are in Christ </span></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." ~ Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)</em><br /><br />Oh, how thankful I am to be the Daughter of the King. Christ Jesus gave us the justification through our faith in Him. We have actually gained access to His grace by our faith and because He loves us! What an honor!<br /><br />The Greek word for access is prosagōgē. It means:</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />1) the act of bringing to, a moving to<br />2) access, approach<br />a) to God, i.e. that relationship with God whereby we are acceptable to him and have assurance that he is favourably disposed towards us<br /><br />Can you imagine that He died just for you?! Death on a Cross! Death could not hold Him and He rose again. Now we rejoice in the hope of eternal life with Him.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Questions for Reflection:</span> Do you make the most of your access to your Heavenly Father? Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? If not, email me at </span><a href="mailto:magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and let's chat. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Verse for the Day:</span> <em>"But you, O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth." ~ Psalm 74:12 (NIV)</em> </span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Prayer:</span> Father, what a privelege to call You Father. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to die for us. I praise You that we have access to You through Him. I cannot express enough my gratitude at the comfort, love and peace You give. I just don't have the words. My heart is full to bursting, Lord, and I praise You for giving me the privelege of being the daughter of a King. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Approach God with confidence. <em>"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." ~ Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) </em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">C </span>- Connect with God in prayer daily. <em>"Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" ~ Psalm 66:20 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">C</span> - Choose to learn more about God's love for you and His ways through reading His Word. <em>"I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." ~ Psalm 119:15-16 (NIV) </em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">E</span> - Expect to spend eternity with the Father who loves you so much. <em>"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." ~ Jude 1:21 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">S</span> - Seek to honor God as your only King and Father. <em>"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." ~ 1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">S</span> - Share His love with others, encouraging them to know the Lord. <em>"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)</em> </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For more WFW's, visit </span><a href="http://pennyraine.com/blog/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">http://pennyraine.com/blog/</span></a><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Note: this post originally ran on 4.16.09</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></p></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div align="left"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-66060133368811941542010-01-29T11:03:00.002-06:002010-01-29T11:25:08.794-06:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And Still We Praise Him</span><br /></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Each time I say it, it becomes more real. My husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer on January 22, 2010. He is in Stage 2 and will have surgery on February 17, 2010. Wow. It became even more real. Dr. Daily is hoping to remove only the tumor and part of his kidney but told us that having to remove the whole kidney is a possibility, a strong one. The good news is that you can live with just one kidney. The great news is there will be no chemotherapy or radiation as the tumor is contained. The awesome news is that the survival rate is in the high 90%'s. </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Of course we are concerned about the surgery, the possibility of removing the whole kidney, the recovery, etc.</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">And still we praise Him.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28 (NIV) </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">While we don't rejoice because of our sufferings, we can rejoice in the midst of them. How? Through faith. We know that faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Why? Our faith is in God! God is the ultimate Victor!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">We are reminding ourselves to never forget to praise Him in the storms of life. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." ~ Psalm 42:11 (NIV)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">We also are reminding ourselves to come before Him constantly in prayer.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." ~ Colossians 4:2 (NIV)</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Greek word for devote is <em>proskartereō</em>. This verb means:</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one<br />2) to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing<br />3) to continue all the time in a place<br />4) to persevere and not to faint<br />5) to show one's self courageous for<br />6) to be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">This is where we are right now. We are perservering and continuing steadfastly to pray about this situation. Quite frankly, it's the only thing keeping me going. I'm nervous about it but I feel a peace when I pray that is like a healing balm. I know the Lord has not forgotten Steve and holds Him in the palm of His hand. We know that we must remain courageous as an example to other believers and to show our faith to the One who can heal.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Greek word for watchful is <em>grēgoreō</em>. This verb means:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) to watch<br />2) metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active<br />a) to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh, be sure we are watching for what the Lord will do through this trial. We are not going to waiver and fall asleep on the job, as far as recognizing His blessings and mercy. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Greek word for thankful is <em>eucharistia</em>. This noun means:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) thankfulness<br />2) the giving of thanks</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">We are already thankful for the good news that has followed. Things could definitely be worse, and we thank God daily that they aren't.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">And still we praise Him.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Will you join me in prayer and praise for what we are dealing with? Cancer is a scary thing and we need our friends and family to join in prayer regarding the outcome of this, that it's as good as the news we've heard so far, that the surgery goes well, that the recovery is speedy and easy.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Thank you,</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="left"><br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-51899888564904498262010-01-07T08:38:00.004-06:002010-01-07T08:52:26.752-06:00<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Thankful Thursday</a> - Wisdom<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lynn</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> at </span><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Spiritually Unequal Marriage</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> is hosting </span><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thankful Thursday</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> for the month of January. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424007812949984194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/S0XyXkXTw8I/AAAAAAAABpc/6b1eoTD-7bs/s400/wisdom.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am so thankful for the wisdom God grants us. Truly the fear of the Lord is what leads to this wisdom.<br /><br />The Hebrew word for fear is <em>yir'ah</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) fear, terror, fearing<br />a) fear, terror<br />b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)<br />c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety<br />d) revered<br /><br />I do fear and revere the Lord, not in a scary kind of way, but in what I call "holy fear". It's a healthy respect of honoring God for Who He is. Once we have this fear of the Lord, the wisdom that comes from Him begins in our lives.<br /><br />The Hebrew word for wisdom is <em>chokmah</em>. This noun means:<br /><br />1) wisdom<br />a) skill (in war)<br />b) wisdom (in administration)<br />c) shrewdness, wisdom<br />d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)<br />e) wisdom (ethical and religious)<br /><br />The Hebrew root word for the word for wisdom above is the verb <em>chakam</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) to be wise<br />a) (Qal) to be or become wise, act wisely<br />b) (Piel) to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct<br />c) (Pual) to be made wise<br />d) (Hiphil) to make wise<br />e) (Hithpael) to show oneself wise, deceive, show one's wisdom.<br /><br />This week I am thankful for the wisdom that He has given me in choosing the right doctor to go to, the wisdom to know my physical limitations during illness, and the wisdom to learn more about prudence and discretion in conversations. I'm also grateful for the wisdom that has come through reading His Word. He has given me a spirit of wisdom in seeking Him and thirsting for His Word that I have never found before. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Each time I think I am full, my cup just overflows with the blessings found in His Word. If I hadn't ever feared the Lord, I know I wouldn't recognize the signs of wisdom He has placed before me in seeking Him through His Word. I have really enjoyed reading through Genesis and Exodus as of late, as well as Acts and Psalms. I'm beginning Exodus 26 tomorrow and in the New Testament will be reading beginning with Acts 24.<br /><br />There are many ways to exercise the God-given wisdom we have been given through fearing the Lord. I am so thankful for each opportunity to use wisdom and pray that I do use it often and in a way that brings God glory.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">W -</span> Wisely seek God's will for your life. <em>"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." ~ Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I -</span> Intentionally spend time in the Word of God. <em>"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." ~ Psalm 119:105 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">S -</span> Show your wisdom by being obedient to the commands of God. <em>"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." ~ John 14:21 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">D -</span> Determine to remain humble in your wisdom. <em>"The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor." ~ Proverbs 15:33 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">O -</span> Offer good characteristics with wisdom.<em> "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." ~ James 3:17 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">M -</span> Maintain a healthy fear of the Lord.<em> "The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous." ~ Psalm 19:19 (NIV)<br /></em><br />Thank you, <a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Lynn</a>, for hosting this month, and for choosing such a great topic! Be sure to visit other <a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Thankful Thursday</a> posts by clicking on the button below and link up, leaving a <a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Thankful Thursday</a> post of your own.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424008900091615922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/S0XzW2SEmrI/AAAAAAAABpk/R7ZtlQES4ck/s320/TTButton.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Note: this post originally ran 03.04.09<br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-20864457087178618532010-01-05T10:31:00.004-06:002010-01-05T10:41:02.929-06:00<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Possibilities</strong><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"> ‘Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not </span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#993399;"> with God. For all things are possible with God.”’ ~ Mark 10:27 (ESV)<br /></span><br />Have you ever looked at a situation or circumstance you've faced and thought, "This is impossible! I'll never be able to..." I've done that several times. What are your hopes and dreams for the future? Do you find some of them difficult, if not impossible? </span></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="left"><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">The Greek word for impossible is <em>adynatos</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) without strength, impotent, powerless, weakly, disabled<br />2) unable to be done, impossible<br /><br />I wonder how many of our dreams we render powerless and disable by this thinking. When we despair over the things we see as unable to be done we need to turn them over to God in prayer. We can be sure that if our dreams are His will, they will certainly be possible and will most definitely come to pass. As we saw in the verse above, Jesus Himself declared, <span style="color:#993399;">"For all things are possible with God."<br /></span><br />The Greek word for possible is <em>dynatos</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) able, powerful, mighty, strong<br />a) mighty in wealth and influence<br />b) strong in soul<br />1) to bear calamities and trials with fortitude and patience<br />2) strong in Christian virtue<br />2) to be able (to do something)<br />a) mighty, excelling in something<br />b) having power for something<br /><br />Possible is a word infused with faith and hope, assurance and trust. In times of crisis, we can trust that God will step in where we are weak and be our strength. He loves us so much and wants to do the possible for us.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="color:#6600cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423294742216656930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/S0Np1Y4RSCI/AAAAAAAABpU/RQ3QycCyEyk/s400/iris.jpg" border="0" /><br />I've seen time and again in my life how He has shown Himself able, powerful, mighty and strong, how He has born calimities and trials in my life with such astounding patience, and how His power and strength have worked in me to cause me to believe in His ability and strength when all else was bleak.</span></span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">This week I am thankful that God has shown that He is able to do the impossible. I rejoice that He is not a weak or powerless God but that He has shown Himself to be more than able and ready to do the possible things He desires in my life.<br /><br />I look back at how far I've come through so many seemingly impossible things (infertility, miscarriage, divorce, illnesses not only for myself but also for family and friends) and praise Him that I have grown stronger in my faith and in my walk with Him. Each time He has strengthened me in faith by revealing Himself to me as a God of the possible. When He reveals Himself to us in this way, we should always be quick to give thanks. I've been able to leave alot of the old behind, and what I haven't, I have certainly gained new perspective on. He truly is a God who makes all things possible!<br /><br />Are you struggling with something seemingly impossible right now? Many times we try to make things possible ourselves, but we must remember the promise from Jesus in the verse above. Take heart that with God all things are possible!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">P -</span> Pray about your desires. <em><span style="color:#993399;">"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." ~ Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">O -</span> Openly praise Him for His blessings. <span style="color:#993399;"><em>"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." ~ Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)</em><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">S -</span> Simply delight in God. <em><span style="color:#993399;">"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalm 37:4 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">S -</span> Strengthen yourself in your walk with God.<em><span style="color:#993399;"> "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." ~ Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I -</span> Imitate the faith of those who have gone before you. <em><span style="color:#993399;">"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." ~ Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">B -</span> Believe that you can do all things through Christ and not of yourself. <em><span style="color:#993399;">"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">L -</span> Leave worry behind.<span style="color:#993399;"><em> "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" ~ Matthew 6:26-28 (NIV)<br /></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Exalt God and remain humble. <span style="color:#993399;"><em>"Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." ~ Isaiah 29:19 (NIV)</em></span><br /><br />Note: This post originally ran 01/15/09.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#6600cc;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><br /></span>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-2116850962949437292009-12-21T08:00:00.000-06:002009-12-21T08:15:52.244-06:00<div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Anticipation</span><br /></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416341871430127666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Syq2PCyq0DI/AAAAAAAABpE/1Zq2__g51o8/s400/mangercross.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">We know the story. The order was given for a census, and Joseph took Mary, not yet his wife, though she was pledged to become so, to Bethlehem to register. The 60 mile trip from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, must have been tiresome for them. I'm sure there were many stops along the way, and that Joseph had a lot of explaining to do. "Yes, she's pregnant, but I'm still going to marry her. Why? Because I love her and I know she's carrying the Messiah." I've never carried a pregnancy to term, but I have seen those who have. Whether they are walking or riding, or just sitting still, they are so uncomfortable. "Oh, yes. I'm fine. Don't worry about me, please." I wonder how many times Mary, great with child, reassured her traveling companions.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." ~ Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)</span></em> </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">They arrived, finally, only to find there was no room in an inn for them to stay. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#660000;">The Greek word for room is <em>topos</em>, which means: </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;">1) place, any portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space<br />a) an inhabited place, as a city, village, district<br />b) a place (passage) in a book<br />2) metaph.<br />a) the condition or station held by one in any company or assembly<br />b) opportunity, power, occasion for acting<br /><br />There were no reservations at The Ritz. Did they stay with family? Did an innkeeper offer them lodging in a barn? Perhaps there was no opportunity or power, occasion to act for anyone, innkeeper or otherwise, to offer them space. Perhaps they simply lodged where they could. Wherever they stayed, we know it wasn't a fancy hotel or even a quaint Bed and Breakfast.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#006600;">Excitement</span><br /></span><br />After they arrived, the Savior was born, wrapped in cloths His mother had probably packed for the anticipated birth of the Son.<br /><br />The Greek word for wrapped in cloths is <em>sparganoō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to wrap in swaddling clothes<br />a) of an infant just born<br /><br />How carefully it's planned what outfit they will wear home from the hospital these days. I wonder during her visit with Elizabeth if they began lovingly sewing clothes for their babies, still in the womb, or how many late nights Mary stayed up, lovingly stitching sized 0-3 months tiny outfits and blankets, to swaddle her Son, her Savior, as any proud mother would do. There would be no spare rags for this Baby Boy.<br /><br />Was it before or after they registered together as a family that our precious Savior was born? How long was Mary's recovery period? Was her birth difficult or easy? What prompted her labor? The long ride or walk there or did the time just simply come?<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." ~ Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br />Can you imagine the rush to see Him? The long awaited Savior was born into the world. The baby was lying in a manger. I have seen people stampede toward the nursery to get that first glimpse of the precious little one just born. They want to see who he looks like, want to count fingers and toes. They want to see her hair, or lack thereof. This I know. I have led those stampedes when grandchildren and nephews were born!<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." ~ Luke 2:15 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br />The shepherds had waited more than a short nine months to see this baby. They lived merely minutes from the location of where they could see the Savior anticipated for centuries!<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ~ Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) </span></em><br /><br />What would the Son charged with the government on His shoulders look like? Who were His parents? Would He have a glow about Him? </span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><em><span style="color:#006600;">"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." ~ Luke 2:16-18 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br />The Greek word for hurry is <em>speudō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to haste, make haste<br />2) to desire earnestly<br /><br />When my grandsons were born, I snapped pictures through the nursery window the moment I had the opportunity and sent their pictures and weights, heights, birth time, every detail, out into cell phone land. I was excited. Imagine the excitement of the shepherds!<br /><br />The Savior at long last had arrived. (Oh, to be there! To be a shepherd the night the angels appeared!) And as quickly as they arrived, they knew. They saw the Word in the flesh! Their only method of announcing the birth of the Holy Child was to spread the word.<br /><br />The Greek word for the phrase spread the word is <em>diagnōrizō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to publish abroad, make known thoroughly<br />2) to discriminate<br /><br />They shared with everyone they could every detail they knew, what they had heard and seen for themselves!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Things Pondered</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." ~ Luke 2:19 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br />Mary had other things on her mind. She must have memorized every detail of her Son, the Savior, the Messiah. Many arrived to see the long-awaited Messiah, but Mary probably sat back in a chair or leaned against a bale of hay, pondering the wonder of it all. The Greek word for treasured is <em>syntēreō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to preserve (a thing from perishing or being lost)<br />2) to keep within one's self, keep in mind (a thing, lest it be forgotten)<br /><br />There were no digital cameras or video cameras back then. The mother who had been blessed to carry the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, had to have been given long pause to take it all in, perhaps remembering what seemed like a dream when the angel of the Lord told her she would carry the Son of the Most High God, reassuring her nothing was impossible with Him.<br /><br />I'm sure she treasured the sweet sweet smell of the Savior Child as she held Him to her breast, and then the arrival of all who came and went after seeing the Babe lying in a manger, as well as the gentle care she must have received from those attending her birth - all thoughts we won't know unless she chooses to share them with us in Heaven.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Sadness</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" ~ Philippians 2:8 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br />Have you ever had the privilege to be at the bedside of someone who is slipping away into death? My husband's best friend died in 2003 and Steve and I held his hand as he died. Stripped of the things which sustained his life, a tough choice to be made by his family and Steve (whom they considered family), Todd was about as humble when he died as I ever knew anyone to be. It was a privilege to be there with him when he left his body and went home to be with the Lord. Death is about the most humbling thing there is to me.<br /><br />And our precious Savior, placed in a lowly manger, whose birth was announced to shepherds guarding their flocks one night, humbled Himself to die for <em>all mankind</em>.<br /><br />The Greek word for humble is <em>tapeinoō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to make low, bring low<br />a) to level, reduce to a plain<br />b) metaph. to bring into a humble condition, reduce to meaner circumstances<br />1) to assign a lower rank or place to<br />2) to abase<br />3) to be ranked below others who are honoured or rewarded<br />4) to humble or abase myself by humble living<br />c) to lower, depress<br />1) of one's soul bring down one's pride<br />2) to have a modest opinion of one's self<br />3) to behave in an unassuming manner<br />4) devoid of all haughtiness<br /><br />As Mary watched the humble Word made flesh die, she couldn't hold His hand and have one of her other sons sit at the foot of the Cross, singing Amazing Grace as she told Him of the treasured memories of His humble birth, a short thirty-three years before.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Rejoicing</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" ~ John 11:25-26 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br />When Todd died, we left the room while the heart/lung transplant team removed the equipment we had seen for more than six months. We returned to the room and Todd was still there in body, but not spirit. We knew without a doubt he was with Jesus.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br />When Jesus talked to Martha about her own brother's death, He encouraged her with the hope of His own resurrection.<br /><br />The Greek word for resurrection is <em>anastasis</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) a raising up, rising (e.g. from a seat)<br />2) a rising from the dead<br />a) that of Christ<br />b) that of all men at the end of this present age<br />c) the resurrection of certain ones history who were restored to life (Heb. 11:35)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">The Gift</span><br /><br />As Mary treasured the birth, the death and the resurrection of the Savior, may we treasure it, too.<br /><br />The gift of Jesus was not simply given to Mary or to shepherds long ago. He was given to us for a purpose. Life with Him.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">L</span> - Love - <em>"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." ~ 1 John 4:9 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">I</span> - Intervention - <em>"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." ~ 1 John 4:10 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">F</span> - Forgiveness - <em>"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." ~ Acts 13:38 (NIV)<br /><br /></em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">E</span> - Eternal Life - <em>"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." ~ John 6:40 (NIV)</em></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="color:#006600;">Note: this post originally ran on 12/23/08.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-22463618872260233012009-12-18T09:03:00.000-06:002009-12-18T09:03:44.141-06:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Encouraging Others</strong></span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SyuYR7NkZUI/AAAAAAAABpM/d1DnCMzJBsc/s1600-h/clouds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416590410562954562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SyuYR7NkZUI/AAAAAAAABpM/d1DnCMzJBsc/s400/clouds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Paul was writing to the Thessalonians of the coming of the Lord in the verse mentioned above. During these last days here on earth, let's continue to encourage others and build each other up.<br /><br />The Greek word for encourage is <em>parakaleō</em>. Let's look at some of the meanings below:<br /><br />1) to call to one's side, call for, summon<br />2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.<br />a) to admonish, exhort<br />b) to beg, entreat, beseech<br />1) to strive to appease by entreaty<br />c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort<br />1) to receive consolation, be comforted<br />d) to encourage, strengthen<br />e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging<br />f) to instruct, teach<br /><br />In what ways do we summon others and teach them, comforting and exhorting them in these days (weeks, months, years) before Christ's return? We need to literally beg others to make Jesus the Lord of their lives if they are not in a saving relationship with Him. Wouldn't it be a shame not to encourage and strengthen others, teaching them about Christ and have them miss out on Heaven because we neglected to share Him with others?<br /><br />I am very shy when it comes to face-to-face witnessing. I don't have a hard time talking to Christian friends at all about Christ and the matters of my faith; however, set me in front of someone who is in need of salvation and I stumble over my words. I can write to them all the day long about it, but a face-to-face conversation scares me. I have missed opportunities to share Christ with others boldly. I tend more to lead by example and strive to make my walk one that I hope would engage a person to talk with me about what I have that they don't (and that has happened.) I can comfortably share when they open the door to the conversation, but I just can't seem to initiate a conversation about it.<br /><br />I finally figured out what the reason for this was. When I was a senior in high school we had a Crusade where I was a counselor. Sure enough when the altar call was given on my night, a girl in my class came down. She actually chose not to receive Christ that night! I was very discouraged over it and pursued the matter with her once at school. She told me bascially to shut up about it or I would push her farther away. My grandmother told me not to take it personally, that maybe I had planted a seed and all that. Still, rejecting my Savior hurt and I wonder if I could have done anything differently to change things.<br /><br />Satan loves to plant seeds of doubt like that. He tells me that I cannot witness effectively and I believe him. I get tongue tied. He tells me that I shouldn't even try and I go years without sharing my faith with others, selfishly keeping Jesus to myself.<br /><br />And then one day I read this verse. <em>"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)</em> Christ tells me through the apostle Paul to encourage others and bring them closer to Him. He tells me that I am able to encourage. It is a verb, implying action!<br /><br />We are also admonished to build each other up. The Greek word for this phrase is <em>oikodomeō</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) to build a house, erect a building<br />a) to build (up from the foundation)<br />b) to restore by building, to rebuild, repair<br />2) metaph.<br />a) to found, establish<br />b) to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness<br />c) to grow in wisdom and piety<br /><br />I am now on a mission to promote growth in Christ among those who are saved and those who aren't. I want people to grow in wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness and blessedness. I want to plant seeds in their hearts that cause them to come to a saving knowledge of my precious Savior and Lord. No more keeping Him to myself!<br /><br />Are you shy about witnessing to others? Find ways to encourage others and build them up before Christ returns. Pray about what may be hindering you from sharing His love, and take action to encourage and build others up in Christ! </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br />Time is drawing short. I believe that we are living in the last days, and I believe God has a harvest out there ready to reap. </div><div align="justify"><br />But how will they know if we don't encourage them and build them up?<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span></strong> Encourage others now; don't delay. <em>"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." ~ Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) </em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span></strong> Never believe the lies of the enemy; believe the promise of Christ.<em> "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~ John 10:10 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">C -</span></strong> Commit your plan to encourage others to God. <em>"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." ~ Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">O -</span></strong> Open your heart receive the words God would have you say. <em>"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, " ~ Ephesians 6:19 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>U -</strong></span> Understand that we merely plant the seeds; God causes them to grow. <em>"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." ~ 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">R -</span></strong> Read the Word of God daily so you stay prepared to encourage others. <em>"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." ~ 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span></strong> Act wisely when you encourage others to come to know God. <em>"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." ~ Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">G -</span></strong> Go to God in prayer in humility in order encourage others to come to know Him. <em>"We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection." ~ 2 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span></strong> Examine your heart and make sure you are walking your talk. <em>"May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame." ~ Psalm 119:80 (NIV)</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em> </div><div align="justify"><strong>Note: This post originally ran on 01/28/09.</strong><em><br /></em><br /></span></div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-52200900697243207022009-12-16T08:42:00.000-06:002009-12-16T08:44:13.957-06:00<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/">WFW - </a>A Prayer of Surrender</span><br /><br />One of the most precious prayers we can pray is a prayer of complete surrender. As we surrender ourselves to God, He reveals things about us to ourselves, causes us to repent of the sinful ways hidden within, and leads us down a path with Him far better than any we could ever imagine for ourselves. David prayed such a prayer. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415549777088928578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Syfl1FbU20I/AAAAAAAABo0/6803kfa7uWw/s400/surrendered.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><br />Total surrender in this type of praying will bring to light anything we need to know about ourselves. Sometimes we fall back into old behaviors or old hurts may be stirred up within us, reminding us that we haven't dealt with forgiveness, jealousy, or matters of pride. Often we don't know what issues God will bring to mind when we pray this prayer. We may not feel particularly sinful or we may be doing something so routine and habitual that it doesn't seem like a sin to us. We must invite God to search our hearts and free us. The Psalmist invited God to do just that in the verse above.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Search Me</span><br /><br />The Hebrew word for search is <em>chaqar</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) to search, search for, search out, examine, investigate<br />a) (Qal)<br />1) to search (for)<br />2) to search through, explore<br />3) to examine thoroughly<br />b) (Niphal)<br />1) to be searched out, be found out, be ascertained, be examined<br />c) (Piel) to search out, seek out<br /><br />Inviting Him to do this kind of intimate search and knowing requires alot of trust and faith in the One who loves you so dearly. He will never use what He reveals to you to lead you farther into the bondage of sin. What He might just do is reveal to you the way that is keeping you tangled.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Know Me</span><br /><br />The Hebrew word for know is <em>yada`</em>, and it means:<br /><br />1) to know<br />a) (Qal)<br />1) to know<br />a) to know, learn to know<br />b) to perceive<br />c) to perceive and see, find out and discern<br />d) to discriminate, distinguish<br />e) to know by experience<br />f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess<br />g) to consider<br />2) to know, be acquainted with<br />3) to know (a person carnally)<br />4) to know how, be skilful in<br />5) to have knowledge, be wise<br />b) (Niphal)<br />1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed<br />2) to make oneself known<br />3) to be perceived<br />4) to be instructed<br />c) (Piel) to cause to know<br />d) (Poal) to cause to know<br />e) (Pual)<br />1) to be known<br />2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)<br />f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare<br />g) (Hophal) to be made known<br />h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself<br /><br />This is not a request to be ask God if you aren't ready to totally surrender to Him. He will truly reveal and make known to you and to Himself your heart and mind.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Test Me</span><br /><br />The Hebrew word for test is <em>bachan</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) to examine, try, prove<br />a) (Qal)<br />1) to examine, scrutinise<br />2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God)<br />b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved<br />c) (Pual) to make a trial<br /><br />The Hebrew word for anxious thoughts is <em>sar`aph</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) disquieting thoughts, thoughts<br /><br />The Hebrew word for offensive, or <em>`otseb</em>, means:<br /><br />1) pain, sorrow<br />2) idol<br /><br />While we are never to put God to the test, we should certainly ask Him to test us. In surrendering to this examination, we are tried and often refined during the process.<br /><br />He longs to free you, just as you long to be freed from any anxious thoughts or offensive ways.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Lead Me</span><br /><br />I love this portion of this prayer. After our hearts and minds and anxious thoughts have been tested and the wicked ways are exposed, we can truly mourn over our sins, confess and repent them, and be led in "the way everlasting."<br /><br />Ways, or the Hebrew word <em>derek</em>, means:<br /><br />1) way, road, distance, journey, manner<br />a) road, way, path<br />b) journey<br />c) direction<br />d) manner, habit, way<br />e) of course of life (fig.)<br />f) of moral character (fig.)<br /><br />God leads us in His way. We follow His example and with freshly cleansed hearts we are prepared to journey down a road of holy conduct. We have a fresh new start! Our manners and habits are back on track and we, in our total surrender, are set back on the path once again.<br /><br />What is this path? <em>The everlasting path.</em> The path we lost sight of in our sin. While our eyes were on the world and situations around us, they were off God. They were off the goal.<br /><br />The Hebrew word for everlasting is <em>`owlam</em>. This means:<br /><br />1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world<br />a) ancient time, long time (of past)<br />b) (of future)<br />1) for ever, always<br />2) continuous existence, perpetual<br />3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity<br /><br />Our eyes are back on God and on the eternal life set before us. Make no mistake, we do not lose eternal life just because we've backslidden, but we can lose sight of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In Closing</span><br /><br />Total surrender in this prayer reveals the things we need to cast aside, give to Christ to carry, or move beyond. It removes the sin set before us and sets in place forgiveness and moving beyond our sin into hopefully a more constantly surrendered life with Him.<br /><br /><em>Father, search me and try me and know my anxious thoughts. Cast them far from me and remove the transgressions You reveal to me. While I mourn over the sins I have committed, I rejoice in Your forgiveness and am ready to be placed back on the path You have for me. Help me continue to keep my eyes on You and the eternal life You have promised me through Jesus Christ my Lord. In His Name I pray. Amen.</em><br /><br />Are you ready to surrender to God in prayer, letting Him examine your heart and mind? Join me in inviting Him to search my heart and lead me in the way everlasting.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">S -</span> Submit to God in your surrender. <em>"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ~ James 4:7 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">U -</span> Untangle yourself from anything that keeps you from total surrender. <em>"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." ~ Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">R -</span> Respond with surrender to God's call on your life.<em> "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" ~ Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">R -</span> Reject the world and surrender to God's ways. <em>"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Earnestly surrender to God daily in prayer. <em>"pray continually;" ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Never lose your joy as your surrender in trust to God. <em>"In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." ~ Psalm 33:21 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">D -</span> Determine to let God lead you as you surrender to His plan.<em> "Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;" ~ Psalm 25:4 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Examine yourself to make sure you are surrendered to Christ. <em>"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" ~ 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">R -</span> Reinforce God's Word in your life by reading it daily, surrendering to Him. <em>"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." ~ Psalm 119:11 (NIV)</em> </p><p align="justify"></p><a href="http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415842570485612418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SyjwH507v4I/AAAAAAAABo8/EdVbcrqp1ZM/s200/wfw-2008.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a>The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word (no famous quotes or other literature — only the beautiful word of our Father) through photo’s & a Bible verse! For more WFW, visit <a href="http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/">http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/</a>. Be sure to link up and share your own, and drop her a thank you for hosting this wonderful meme. It always blesses my heart to read all the posts and see the photos and verses. This is a wonderful way to minister to others and to be ministered to by reading others posts. Please visit by clicking on the button below.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Note: this post originally ran 02/25/09<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></p>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-21285292972469016362009-12-11T09:47:00.004-06:002009-12-11T09:56:41.015-06:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">A Life Well Lived</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SyJptvD14AI/AAAAAAAABos/yhhxQw9bN14/s1600-h/onguard.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414005936500367362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SyJptvD14AI/AAAAAAAABos/yhhxQw9bN14/s400/onguard.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">How many of us turn to self-help books to learn how to live a life worthy of our Savior? We read books that teach us about boosting our self-esteem, managing our stress, being happy, loving well...the list goes on. I'm not knocking those books. Many are written by strong men and women of God and are very applicable to our spiritual growth; however, sometimes I think we forget that some of the best rules or principles for living come from the Word of God - the Bible.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">On Guard</span><br /><br />We are to be on guard in our lives. The Greek word for guard is <em>grēgoreō</em>, a verb which means:<br /><br />1) to watch<br />2) metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active<br />a) to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one<br /><br />If we are alert and at watch, we tend to give more caution to what we allow into our minds through books, television, movies, internet, music, etc. The media bombards us with sensationalism and it can really get us to thinking on the wrong things if we let it.<br /><br />We also must guard those we are charged with protecting in our lives. From spouses to children, extended family and friends, we must take action and never be idle lest the devil gain a foothold in their lives.<br /><br />A good way to guard is to read the Bible. Warning signs clearly given of things to stay away from will help us know how to pray to guard ourselves and others we love.<br /><br />While God is our ultimate guard, we must, through the power of the Holy Spirit, guard our hearts in Christ so that we can guard not only ourselves but those we love.<br /><br /><em>"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." ~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Standing Firm</span><br /><br />The Greek word for the phrase stand firm is <em>stēkō</em>. Also a verb, this means:<br /><br />1) to stand firm<br />2) to persevere, to persist<br />3) to keep one's standing<br /><br />We must take a stand for the things we know are right. While tolerance is preached in cotton candy churches and in the world, we know that we are not of the world. Sin can so easily entangle us if we let it creep into our lives. We must remain steadfast and persevere for God, living a life of purity and holiness, setting an example for the world around us, rather than becoming of the world around us.<br /><br />The root word of <em>stēkō</em>, or standing firm, is <em>histēmi</em>. This verb means:<br /><br />1) to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set<br />a) to bid to stand by, [set up]<br />1) in the presence of others, in the midst, before judges, before members of the Sanhedrin;<br />2) to place<br />b) to make firm, fix establish<br />1) to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place<br />2) to stand, be kept intact (of family, a kingdom), to escape in safety<br />3) to establish a thing, cause it to stand<br />a) to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything<br />c) to set or place in a balance<br />1) to weigh: money to one (because in very early times before the introduction of coinage, the metals used to be weighed)<br />2) to stand<br />a) to stand by or near<br />1) to stop, stand still, to stand immovable, stand firm<br />a) of the foundation of a building<br />b) to stand<br />1) continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared<br />2) to be of a steadfast mind<br />3) of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver<br /><br />We have some great guidelines in the meanings above on how to stand fast and what it means to stand firm. I think I'll be following these a little more closely myself. I have found one show on television that I thought was a great show but alas, twas not to be. When a doctor on the show referred to God as a Christian's imaginary friend, I didn't even change the channel! How is that standing firm? I was ashamed. God is not to be mocked, yet I left it on a show that was mocking Him. What did that say about my standing firm? Oh, I fail. But through perseverance, I try again. No more "that show" for me.<br /><br /><em>"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Standing on Faith</span><br /><br />We are to stand firm on the faith. We've heard about faith all our lives, that it's the belief in the unseen, that it's a hope that we have in God. Let's look at the Greek word for faith. <em>Pistis</em> means:<br /><br />1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it<br />a) relating to God<br />1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ<br />b) relating to Christ<br />1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God<br />c) the religious beliefs of Christians<br />d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same<br />2) fidelity, faithfulness<br />a) the character of one who can be relied on<br /><br />Faith is a strong thing! It's built on a strong conviction, and is not something to be taken lightly. If we don't have this strong faith in our life, what is the point of being on guard? And if we do have this strong faith in our lives, how can we not be on guard? We must be on guard and stand firm because of faith. Faith in God demands it.<br /><br /><em>"Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus." ~ 1 Timothy 3:13 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Courage<br /></span><br />As men and women of Christ, we are given this command to be of courage. The Greek word for courage is <em>andrizomai</em>. This verb means:<br /><br />1) to make a man of or make brave<br />2) to show one's self a man, be brave<br /><br />Bravery is not for the fainthearted. We must be of courage to tie all these things together. With the way the world is going, indeed it is a necessity. By our courage, we can show others our faith and perseverance, our standing firm and being on guard. Timidity has no place in the Christian faith. (Reverential awe does, but this is not about that right now.) How many stories have you read in the Bible about courage and bravery? Countless, no doubt. One of the bravest men I know is Paul. In chains he still preached the Word. I doubt if he turned on the television today that he would shake in his boots over rumors of swine flu (he was bitten by a snake and lived) or be kept up at night because there is talk of going to a one world currency. No! He would remain content, no doubt, and while praying for the moral depravity in the world, keep preaching the Word. We should be as brave.<br /><br />Just as the Lord promised Joshua, we, too, can be men and women of courage, being on guard and standing firm on faith, because we know God is with us.<br /><br /><em>"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Strength in the Lord<br /></span><br />We are also commanded to be strong. The Greek word for strength is the verb <em>krataioō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to strengthen, make strong<br />2) to be made strong, to increase in strength, to grow strong<br /><br />This isn't something learned overnight. A child who is baptized at 7 is still afraid of the dark. As he grows he learns that darkness isn't always a bad thing and in fact, comes to need it to sleep. Just as that child grows in strength, so should we.<br /><br /><em>"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." ~ Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Doing Everything with Love</span><br /><br />Is that really possible? God seems to think so. We are commanded to do so in Scripture.<br /><br />The Greek word for everything is <em>pas</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) individually<br />a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything<br />2) collectively<br />a) some of all types<br /><br />The Greek word for love is <em>agapē</em>. It means:<br /><br />1) affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love<br />2) love feasts<br /><br />It comes from the root word <em>agapaō</em>. This verb means:<br /><br />1) of persons<br />a) to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly<br />2) of things<br />a) to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing<br /><br />Do you struggle with tying all these things - being on guard, standing firm in faith, being men (or women) of courage, being strong - up with love? I do! It's hard to love the process you go through of learning to embrace that Scripture. Who loves pain? Not me. But I love what it makes me when I finally go through it.<br /><br />Stretching those faith muscles and keeping this Scripture in your heart will be well worth it in the end.<br /><br /><em>"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." ~ 1 John 3:18 (NIV)</em><br /><br />Our love for others should be evident in the way we think, speak, write and serve.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Wrapping it Up</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Questions for Reflection:</span> <em>Which part of the Scripture given above do you find the hardest? How can you make it easier? Through prayer, Bible reading, stretching and growing?</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Verse of the Day:</span> <em>"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Prayer:</span> <em>Father, as we learn how to be on our guard, standing firm in the faith, becoming men and women of courage and doing everything in love, we ask for Your help. Strengthen our hearts and our love for others and place within us a burning desire for living a life that is worthy of You, a life well lived. Impress upon our hearts the seriousness of Your Word and help us not to fear but to be encouraged because You reign victorious. May we do everything for Your glory, Lord, and not our own. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.<br /></em><br />A life well lived is an abundant life in Christ.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Accepting Christ as our Savior frees us from living life in the pit. <em>"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." ~ Psalm 40:2 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">B -</span> Believe that God has provided us with goodness, mercy, and everything we need to have love toward others. <em>"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">U -</span> Understand that God has a plan for our lives and the lives of those we love - a good plan! <em>"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Never lose sight of the prize set before us - eternal life. <em>"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">D -</span> Deny wrong earthly desires we feel and fix our eyes upon Jesus. <em>"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." ~ Galatians 5:16 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Admit our sins to God and keep a short account them. <em>"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ~ 1 John 1:9 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Never forget that God delights in us and in those we love. <em>"the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." ~ Psalm 147:11 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">T -</span> Trust God to provide His goodness for us. <em>"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." ~ Psalm 27:13 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">L -</span> Let our attitude be one that exudes confidence in God, during hard times and good times. <em>"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." ~ Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I -</span> Identify with God, not the world. <em>"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">F -</span> Fill our lives with the fruit from the Vine - the fruit of the Spirit. <em>"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." ~ Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Eagerly share Christ's love with other believers, spurring them on toward an abundant life in Christ. "He said to them, <em>"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." ~ Mark 16:15 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Note: this post originally ran on 5/27/09.</em><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-50013719856167430412009-12-10T16:06:00.002-06:002009-12-10T16:12:37.042-06:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#663300;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Amazed</span> </span><br /></span><br />Do you remember the first time you really tried to wrap your heart around the fact that Christ loved you so much that He was born to die for you?<br /></span><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413732585551801714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SyFxGnbFrXI/AAAAAAAABok/ptGzMPGYRvg/s400/manger.jpg" border="0" /><br />Like the people who heard the shepherds report of the night the holy proclamation of our Savior's birth was announced, I, too, was amazed!<br /><br />The Greek word for amazed in the Scripture above is <em>thaumazō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to wonder, wonder at, marvel<br />2) to be wondered at, to be had in admiration<br /><br />I continue to wonder, marvel, and admire the love that God has for me. I never cease to be amazed at His precious gift of grace.<br /><br />Christ was born in a lowly manger because there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph. He went from the manger to the cross and from the cross to the grave. From the grave He triumphed over death in a resurrection scene that rivals any blockbuster hit at a movie theater, all because He loves us.<br /><br />Let's think back to that time when we first accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. If we've lost our amazement at the grace He gave us let's rekindle it. Picture yourself as waiting for a Savior, having heard about Him all your life, and suddenly, one starry night, the shepherds come, proclaiming the Shepherds birth!<br /><br /><em> "We love because he first loved us." ~ 1 John 4:19 (NIV)</em><br /><br />Let's remember the Love that was born in that lowly manger, the Love that was born to die so that we can spend eternity with Him, and prepare our hearts to be amazed again.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Adore God through praising His many names. <em>"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ~ Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">M -</span> Make daily Bible reading a habit to keep the Light burning in your heart. <em>"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." ~ Psalm 119:105 (NIV)</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Admonish others to know the One you know they need. <em>"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." ~ Colossians 1:28 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Z -</span> Zealously praise Him for His love for you. <em>"For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD." ~ Psalm 117:2 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Encourage yourself to be like the church at Thyatira, to persevere. <em>"I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first." ~ Revelation 2:19 (NIV)<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">D -</span> Delight yourself in the works of God.<em> "Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them." ~ Psalm 111:2 (NIV)</em> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Note: This post originally ran on December 17, 2008<br /></span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></p>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-61489124179029432009-11-17T10:54:00.003-06:002009-11-17T10:58:03.213-06:00<div align="center"><div>Pictures of the Grands<br /><br />Nolan is 26 mos., Liam is 13 months </div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405117264952666754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SwLVg9LVqoI/AAAAAAAABoM/9tNJB26G3jo/s400/both.bmp" border="0" />Nolan & Liam<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405117367620417938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SwLVm7pPOZI/AAAAAAAABoU/gO3vBrcbxXY/s400/nolan.jpg" border="0" />Nolan</div><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405117591361589698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SwLVz9JSkcI/AAAAAAAABoc/g_Z-mMtjBaU/s400/liam.bmp" border="0" />Liam<br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-53595286955137573662009-11-16T07:39:00.000-06:002009-11-16T08:52:41.580-06:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SwFkV8Q6c_I/AAAAAAAABoE/hPLRp3s0ah4/s1600/untitled.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404711355938403314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 361px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SwFkV8Q6c_I/AAAAAAAABoE/hPLRp3s0ah4/s400/untitled.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">Living a life of thanks to God is a reciprocation of the life He has blessed us with. It shows Him how grateful we are to the grace, mercy and love He has extended to us in so many ways, particularly beginning with the death of His Son on the Cross and His resurrection on the third day.<br /><br />Did you know that a form of the word thank is found the following number of times in each version of the Bible as listed below.<br /><br />134 times in the KJV<br />144 times in the NIV<br />165 times in the NLT<br />162 times in the ESV<br />138 times in the NKJV<br />193 times in the AMP<br />139 times in the MSG<br /><br />Obviously, being thankful is important stuff in the Word of God!<br /><br />Did you know that Jesus actually expects us to be thankful? It's not just a bonus to Him if we happen to remember to praise and thank Him for the blessings He gives us or prayers that He answers. It's an expectation.<br />Let's read... </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#006600;">"Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." ~ Luke 17:11-19 (NIV) (Emphasis, mine)</span></div><div align="center"> </div></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">Christ had taken the time to heal all 10 of these lepers, yet only one returned to thank Him.<br /><br />The word Greek word for thanked is <em>eucharisteō</em>, which means:<br /><br />1) to be grateful, feel thankful<br />2) give thanks<br /><br />Christ wanted thanks, not for Himself, but to give praise and glory to God. How sad it must have made Him that this opportunity of thanksgiving and glory to God had been passed up by 9 out of 10 men healed.<br /><br />Leprosy was, according to <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/">http://www.blueletterbible.org</a>, "2) a most offensive, annoying, dangerous, cutaneous disease, the virus of which generally pervades the whole body, common in Egypt and the East." The stigma of having this dreaded disease that resulted in scaly, rough skin, was awful. Lepers were social outcasts and considered very unclean.<br /><br />Put yourself in this Samaritan leper's place for a moment. You're traveling from colony to colony, and you hear that Jesus is nearby. You stand, waiting for a glimpse of the One you've heard about all your life. You gather the others around you and say, "Perhaps if we can get His attention, He will have mercy on us. What do you think, friends? Is it worth a shot?" The others around you shoot you down and say, "No, don't bother." To rally the troops, you share with them the story about a woman in your village, the home that you lived in during a life-time ago when you enjoyed life pre-leprosy. You know the one. Remember when Christ had mercy on a sweet Samaritan woman at a well? You remember His gift of Living Water and know His power to heal if He so chooses. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">The men around you are encouraged and begin to cry out, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000099;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">Christ does choose to have pity on you and as you and the others travel, your skin begins to heal. The scales seem to fall off at once and you're so excited! Now, instead of going to find another leper colony to live in, you can go and show yourself to the priest, as Christ directed, and begin living life again. But wait. Part of that life is thanks living! </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#000099;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#000099;">You tell your friends, "Wait! Before we go to the priest, let's go thank Christ for this miraculous healing!" The nine others with you sneer and say they're not wasting one precious moment going back. They're on their way to better lives and are moving forward without a backward glance. But you cannot. "Men! We have to go back and thank Him!" "You go back if you want," they say, "but we're heading on into town! Just wait till our families see us!" Breaking away from the group, you head back alone. You have a spring in your step, your skin is back to the olive complexion, clear and bright as it was years ago, but you have to go back and thank Him, the one who healed your body, and possibly your very soul...alone.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#000099;">Alone.<br /><br />Now, what if you were any one of the other nine men who did not return to thank Christ for His healing?<br /><br />That, my friend, is precisely how to *not* to live a life of Thanks Living.<br /><br />Let's purpose to always to give thanks to God. In all circumstances, let's find something to thank Him and praise Him for. Admittedly, it's a little easier to thank God in good times than it is in the hard times, but we are commanded to thank Him. He expects it of us. He gave us grace and salvation, after all. Let's not let Him down! During the hardest of the hard times, I have been able to thank Him for being Lord of my life, for the salvation He has given, and that His will is done no matter what.<br /><br />How can we live a life of thanks living to God, returning thanks in our everyday lives?<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">T -</span> <span style="color:#000099;">Tell God often how thankful we are for Him.</span> <span style="color:#006600;"><em>"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." ~ Psalm 118:1 (NIV)</em><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">H -</span> <span style="color:#000099;">Happily offer our praises to God.</span> <em><span style="color:#006600;">"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." ~ Psalm 100:4 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Acknowledge that all gifts come from Him. <span style="color:#006600;"><em>"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 (NIV)</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Never pass up an opportunity to thank God for loved ones in your life. <span style="color:#006600;"><em>"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV)<br /></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">K -</span> Know that God hears our thanks and praise. <em><span style="color:#006600;">"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." Psalm 22:3 (KJV)</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">S -</span> Seek to constantly praise God. <em><span style="color:#006600;">"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." ~ James 5:13 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">L -</span> Live a life of gratitude to Christ. <em><span style="color:#006600;">"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." ~ Colossians 4:2 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I -</span> Invite others to join us in praise. <em><span style="color:#006600;">"Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts." ~ Psalm 105:2 (NIV)</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">V -</span> Visualize how pleased He is with our thanks. <em><span style="color:#006600;">"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." ~ 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I -</span> Intentionally thank God for others and pray for them to know the Savior you know. <em><span style="color:#006600;">"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." ~ Ephesians 1:16-17 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Never forget to praise Him in the storms of life. <em><span style="color:#006600;">"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." ~ Psalm 42:11 (NIV)<br /></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">G -</span> Give thanks to God by guarding our words and motives in acts of service. </span><span style="color:#006600;"><em>"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." ~ 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)</em></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#660000;">Note: This post originally ran on November 25, 2008.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-52238948883714245592009-10-01T10:48:00.005-05:002009-10-01T11:25:23.227-05:00<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Thankful Thursday - Peace</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;"></span></div><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387666408573265858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SsTWDbNQZ8I/AAAAAAAABn8/c3VsDjyt148/s400/TTButton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jesus knew a thing or two about peace. After all, as we see in Isaiah 9, one of His names is <em>Prince of Peace</em>.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ~ Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sometimes I need to be reminded to slow down and be still. I have been sick since June and it seems I am always running toward recovery. I think if I take that extra step I will become well again. It doesn't work that way and I end up stressed because of it.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeth you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." ~ John 14:27 </em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jesus gave us peace. The Greek word for peace is <em>eirēnē</em>. It means:</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) a state of national tranquillity<br />a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war<br />2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord<br />3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)<br />4) of the Messiah's peace<br />a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)<br />5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is<br />6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love these definitions, because they offer such comfort to me and remind me what <em>true peace</em> is. It exasperation at being on eight different medications, it isn't fighting a massive case of writer's block, and it certainly isn't looking elsewhere for my peace. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The peace I have was <em><strong>given</strong></em> to me by Jesus.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Greek word for give is <em>didōmi</em>. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Scroll down through the definitions.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) to give<br />2) to give something to someone<br />a) of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage<br />1) to bestow a gift<br />b) to grant, give to one asking, let have<br />c) to supply, furnish, necessary things<br />d) to give over, deliver<br />1) to reach out, extend, present<br />2) of a writing<br />3) to give over to one's care, intrust, commit<br />a) something to be administered<br />b) to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed<br />e) to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward<br />f) to furnish, endue<br />3) to give<br />a) to cause, profuse, give forth from one's self<br />1) to give, hand out lots<br />b) to appoint to an office<br />c) to cause to come forth, i.e. as the sea, death and Hell are said to give up the dead who have been engulfed or received by them<br />c) to give one to someone as his own<br />1) as an object of his saving care<br />2) to give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master<br />3) to give one to someone to care for his interests<br />4) to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return<br />4) to grant or permit one<br />a) to commission</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The precious gift of peace was something Jesus <strong><em>gifted</em></strong> us with. It would be such a shame not to accept it and use it.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">This week I am so thankful for peace and for our host, <a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Lynn</a>. Her post and her hosting really ministered to me.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>P -</strong></span> Prepare your heart and soul for peace by staying focused on Christ and not the world. <em>"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." ~ Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)</em> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>E -</strong></span> Expect good results from the gift of peace. <em>"Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeth you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." ~ John 14:27</em> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span></strong> Aim for peace in your life. <em>"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." ~ Romans 14:19 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>C -</strong></span> Call on the Lord when you need peace. <em>"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>E -</strong></span> Enjoy the benefits of peace. <em>"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." ~ Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">What are you thankful for this week? Visit <a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage</a> and link up and share.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-11732900295102039532009-09-17T13:31:00.004-05:002009-09-17T13:44:36.657-05:00<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Standing in Awe of the Love of God</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What are some things that really "wow" you? I mean really make your jaw drop?</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I salivate over beautiful cookware, good chocolate, and great books. Okay, so I don't get all slobbery, but I can browse for hours in a bookstore, I can sit for hours at a time reading, and I could max out a credit card on Le Creuset cast iron cookware. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How long has it been since I have really just all out praised God for His holy name and the fact that He alone is God? The question I asked myself today is if God still wows me. I am pleased to be able to answer, "He does!"<br /></div></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power." ~ Jeremiah 10:6 </em></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" ~ Exodus 15:11</em></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God." ~ Psalm 86:10</em></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am in awe that the God of the universe knows me, loves me, and is involved in my daily life on an intimate level.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Out of 6,943,738,621people on earth right now (</span><a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/lunarbin/worldpop"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and counting</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">), God knows me. The God who is great, whose name is mighty in power, the God who is majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, the God who works wonders, is great and does marvelous deeds loves me.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." ~ Psalm 86:15 (Emphasis, mine)</em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How does God show His love?</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." ~ 1 John 4:9-10</em></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How could we not be in awe of a God like that? The only God. The one TRUE God. I asked myself another question today. "How do I show my love for God in putting Him first?" This morning I overslept and only had a few minutes before leaving for work to sit down. What I really wanted to do was read a book, but a glance over at the end table showed my Bible open to where I had left off in Matthew. I had a choice to make. Steve knows that on Wednesday nights at 7:30, I enjoy watching Grant Jeffrey on TBN. He knows I won't miss it and if I do have to miss it, he records it for me. (I'm DVR illiterate at the moment.) I stop whatever I'm doing on Wednesday nights at 7:30 and catch that show! I can spend time with him, read, do chores at home, go buy food from afar at Walmart, or visit relatives, but I forgo all that because I love Bible Prophecy Revealed. I have a choice to make. When it comes to loving God, do I put Him first? If I haven't had my quiet time for the day, do I choose God or something else? If I haven't prayed, do I choose God or something else? </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"You shall have no other gods before me" ~ Exodus 20:23</em></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Above all, whether it's reading, cookware, chocolate or even a television show, I will have no other god's before You, Lord. I will give You my whole heart and praise Your awesome name. I will love You with the everlasting love with which You have loved me, and I thank You for that love and grace manifested through Your Son Jesus. What beautiful names You have, Lord God.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382507164345869778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SrKBv4vUpdI/AAAAAAAABn0/O2BYxFg1_Vo/s400/untitled.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This post originally ran on 9/12/08.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-85409499534810717062009-08-26T09:02:00.001-05:002009-08-26T15:44:25.570-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://susan2956.blogspot.com/">WFW</a> - Psalm 27:14</span><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SpUzDCCHNjI/AAAAAAAABnc/vbR-_f3Gemg/s1600-h/trust.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374257857514911282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SpUzDCCHNjI/AAAAAAAABnc/vbR-_f3Gemg/s400/trust.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">While We Are Waiting</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Who enjoys a good, long wait? Not me. I have places to go and people to see. Hah. Seriously, although I am patient to a degree, when I am going through a trial I want it to be over. I have been battling a trial of illness that hardly lets me even write since June. That's the whole summer, ya'll! One thing I have found is that there are things I can do while I am waiting. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The Hebrew word for wait is <em><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6960&t=KJV">qavah</a></em>. I looked it up on the handy-dandy <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/">http://www.blueletterbible.org/</a> and found this verb to mean:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">1) to wait, look for, hope, expect<br />a) (Qal) waiting (participle)<br />b) (Piel)<br />1) to wait or look eagerly for<br />2) to lie in wait for<br />3) to wait for, linger for<br />2) to collect, bind together<br />a) (Niphal) to be collected</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This speaks volumes to me. It makes me have no self-pity, just a need for practicing more patience. It encourages me to hope and expect that I will be healed or God will act in someway. I look eagerly for that. No matter what our trials are, we should wait and linger for God to intervene. And He will. God is like that. He loves us! He is not going to leave us where we are. I can feel myself improving, little milestones, but they're there, blessings given by God.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Don't Worry...Be Strong</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">All of us have gone or are going through our own personal trials. While we are waiting on the Lord, we are encouraged by the Psalmist to be strong.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Hebrew word for the phrase be strong and take heart is <em><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H2388&t=KJV">chazaq</a></em>. Implying action, this verb means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore<br />a) (Qal)<br />1) to be strong, grow strong<br />a) to prevail, prevail upon<br />b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure<br />c) to press, be urgent<br />d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)<br />e) to be severe, be grievous<br />2) to strengthen<br />b) (Piel)<br />1) to make strong<br />2) to restore to strength, give strength<br />3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage<br />4) to make strong, make bold, encourage<br />5) to make firm<br />6) to make rigid, make hard<br />c) (Hiphil)<br />1) to make strong, strengthen<br />2) to make firm<br />3) to display strength<br />4) to make severe<br />5) to support<br />6) to repair<br />7) to prevail, prevail upon<br />8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support<br />9) to hold, contain<br />d) (Hithpael)<br />1) to strengthen oneself<br />2) to put forth strength, use one's strength<br />3) to withstand<br />4) to hold strongly with</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I submit that if we truly make the effort to be strong, we will not remain in the pit long. I like each and every one of these definitions. They are the epitome of strength and what we can do to use to strengthen ourselves.</span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Where does your strength come from? Mine comes from the Word and from knowing that God will pick me up in His time. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Wrapping It Up</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">We all need encouragement during times of trials, so if you're going through one, rest assured I am praying for you, bloggy friend.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Questions for Reflection:</strong> Where does your strength come from? What are some ways you have been strong through trials?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Verse of the Day:</strong> <em>"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." ~ Psalm 27:14 (NIV)</em></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></p></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Prayer:</strong> Father, we all face trials of different magnitudes. These trials can rock our worlds and seem to last for seasons upon seasons. Others are shorter but just as tough to go through. Help us, Lord, as we wait and find our strength in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.<br /></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">S -</span></strong> Sing praise to God no matter how dark the night. <em>"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." ~ Psalm 7:17 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">T -</span></strong> Trust God as your deliverer. <em>"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." ~ Psalm 18:2 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">R -</span></strong> Remember Who your strength is. <em>"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." ~ Exodus 15:2 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">O -</span></strong> Obey God's command to be strong as you wait. <em>"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." ~ Psalm 27:14 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span></strong> Nourish yourself by reading your Bible. <em>"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." ~ Psalm 119:105 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">G -</span></strong> Go on with life at a pace you can deal with. God will sustain you. <em>"Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." ~ Psalm 54:4 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The purpose of </span><a href="http://susan2956.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">WFW</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> is to share the Word of God through photo's and a verse. </span><a href="http://susan2956.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Susan, at Forever His</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, is our hostess. Be sure to link up and share your own, and drop her a thank you for hosting this wonderful meme each week. It always blesses my heart to read all the posts and see the photos and verses. This is a wonderful way to minister to others and to be ministered to by reading others posts. Please visit by clicking on the button below.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><a href="http://susan2956.blogspot.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374271848242367890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SpU_xZjeTZI/AAAAAAAABnk/yHUeEiwa__w/s200/wfw-2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-25232691999608741902009-08-19T08:33:00.004-05:002009-08-19T08:57:00.099-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/">WFW</a> - Discretion</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371667735886377666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sov_WHDvMsI/AAAAAAAABnM/F48GzNfi7oM/s400/pig1.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><div></div><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Weighing Our Words</span></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;">"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." ~ Proverbs 13:3 (NIV)</span></em></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The first time I read the Bible from cover to cover, the Holy Spirit had a running theme going with me. I saw a commonality throughout the Scriptures that the words I speak do matter and that I should pay careful attention to them. This was a Scripture I really thought about for quite a while. Our words have weight behind them and can lead to victory or ruin in our lives. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Guard My Words</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">What does setting a guard over my lips actually entail? The Hebrew word for guard is <em>natsar</em>. This is a verb that means:</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">a) (Qal)</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) to watch, guard, keep</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">2) to preserve, guard from dangers</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">4) to guard, keep secret</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">5) to be kept close, be blockaded</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">6) watchman (participle)</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Guarding my words involves carefully considering what I say. Wisdom, discretion and motive are things to be considered here.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I have to ask myself if what I have to say is something someone really needs to know. Some of the words that are so easy to speak are actually things that should be closely kept, guarded as a matter of wisdodm, discretion and motive, perhaps because someone has asked us not to say anything or through wisdom we know that discretion dictates not telling everything we know just to be saying it, especially when the motive is just chatter.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">How can we keep our words so closely to our hearts? I think the outline of biblical usage for guard as mentioned above is key. We do what it says.<br />Watch, keep, guard, preserve, keep close, blockade...</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Rash Talk</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Speaking rashly can cause a downfall in our lives more quickly than anything else. If we utter profanity, we lose our witness. If we gossip or slander someone, there's a great chance it will get back to them before we know it. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Rashly speaking hurts not only ourselves but those we love and those we have other types of relationships with.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Hebrew word for rash is <em>pasaq</em>. This verb means:</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) to part, open wide</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">a) (Qal)</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">1) to open wide</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">2) to be talkative (of the mouth)</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">b) (Piel) to open wide</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Is it easier to hold our tongues when our mouths are open or closed? Closed, of course. We should keep the lid on rash talk. But how?</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I think it is vital to pray before we begin our day or to go into meetings, even before answering the phone or chatting with friends, whether in person or online. One prayer I pray every time I go to meet with friends is this verse:</span></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-family:arial;">"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." ~ Psalm 19:14 (NIV)</span></em></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Do I always have victory in this area of my life? This bear looks ashamed. So am I sometimes. But I'm striving toward victory!</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371669630910127058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SowBEakm29I/AAAAAAAABnU/sfywAL1mZ8o/s400/hiding_bear.jpg" border="0" />Besides prayer, we need to check our self-control meter. We should temper our words and lack of self-control in this area if we are struggling. Most of all, we need to purpose in our hearts that each and every one of the words we speak will glorify God and bring Him honor, not discredit Him to others who are watching and listening to the example we set. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">S - self-control is so important in guarding the words we speak</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">P -</span> Pray about the words you say, do they honor God, do they honor others, do they need to be shared at all</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Expect fallbacks - we are not perfect, but we can be forgiven</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A -</span> Always count to 10 before you share something or respond to something "questionable"</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">K -</span> Kindness goes such a long way in setting an example for others to follow</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I -</span> Invite God to be your mouthpiece before you begin your day</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Notice the speech of those around you - it can rub off on you</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">G -</span> Grumbling mouths are a sign of grumbling hearts</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">The purpose of <a href="http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/">WFW</a> is to share the Word of God through photo's and a verse. <a href="http://crittyjoy.typepad.com/">Christy, over at Critty Joy</a>, is our hostess. Be sure to link up and share your own, and drop her a thank you for hosting this wonderful meme each week. It always blesses my heart to read all the posts and see the photos and verses. This is a wonderful way to minister to others and to be ministered to by reading others posts. Please visit by clicking on the button below.<br /></p></span><div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-10294871749808771442009-08-18T15:59:00.000-05:002009-08-18T15:59:59.934-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Serving God With a Whole Heart</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">One of the ways we can be obedient to God is to serve Him with our whole heart. I am thankful for the opportunity to put forth my best foot in trying to be obedient to Him this way.</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;"><div align="justify"><br /></div></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">Paul, in his desire to visit the Romans, penned these words… </span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#663333;"><em>“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my <strong>whole heart</strong> in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.”<br />~ Romans 1:8-10 (Emphasis, mine)</em></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">What does serving God with a whole heart, living our faith out loud, involve? To me, it involves dying to self daily, and making our faith walk and talk. </span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><span style="color:#663333;">“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” ~ Galatians 5:16</span></em> </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Living in the flesh, or sinful nature, is something I did for years before I began living life by the Spirit. My earthly/fleshly body is about 16 years older than the new creation I became when I became saved. Living in the flesh has far more experience on me than living in the Spirit does. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Life by the Spirit is something I am maturing into. It’s a growing process that I’m learning to live. A number of years after I came to a saving knowledge of Christ, I lived an on-again off-again relationship with Him. It is only in recent years that I have had the true desire, the true calling, to serve my Savior faithfully and wholeheartedly. I finally realized that I was called into this life of having my heart beat to serve my Savior daily. </span></div><div align="center"><br /><em><span style="color:#663333;">“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:16</span> </em></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">God chooses us and appoints us to live lives worthy of Him, and He calls us to bear fruit. He chooses people who have a will to serve Him, who have a vision to serve Him, and those who are filled with His Holy Spirit - those who will serve Him wholeheartedly. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">When we serve Him wholeheartedly, we live the faith He desires us to live out loud in our daily lives. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">So what about this business of serving Him wholeheartedly, of living our faith out loud? What does serving God with a whole heart involve? And how do I serve with my whole heart? </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">For me, it begins with a life of <span style="color:#660000;">PRAYER</span>. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">P</span> - Prayer - do I pray about what I am to do for Him, what He wants me to do rather than following my own will? <em><span style="color:#663333;">“But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.” - Psalm 88:13</span></em> </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">R</span> - Respect - do I have a proper respect for God, admitting His holiness and sovereignty in my life? <em><span style="color:#663333;">“O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. - Isaiah 37:16</span></em> </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">A</span> - Able - do I believe that He is able to teach me and direct me in the way that I should go? <em><span style="color:#663333;">“This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17</span></em> </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Y</span> - Yes - am I always willing to say, “Yes,” to God and “No,” to self? </span><span style="color:#663333;"><em>“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” - Luke 9:25 </em></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">E</span> - Equip - am I equipped to serve Him? Have I spent time in His Word, learning all I can about servitude? <em><span style="color:#663333;">“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” - Psalm 119:105</span></em> </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">R</span> - Reliance - do I rely on Him or on others as I serve Him? </span><span style="color:#663333;"><em>“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15 </em></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">What other verses come to mind for you as you think of each of the truths for this acrostic? </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Do you serve God wholeheartedly? Are you ready to make that commitment if you’re not? </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">It is my desire that I serve Him wholeheartedly, and that I begin to do it afresh today. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000099;">We can find a great example of obedience in Luke.</span></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371408498072153010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SosTke8a67I/AAAAAAAABnE/I848YdArBFo/s400/obedience.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">He had fished all night and didn't catch a thing. He was a fisherman by trade. He knew the water. But he also knew his Savior. "But because you say so..." Simon listened to the Savior and *together* they caught so many fish the nets began to break. Had to have help to haul them all in.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">He was willing. Willing to have obedience, faith, honor and love. May I be as obedient, faithful, honoring and loving as Simon Peter was, and simply respond to Christ with, "But because you say so, I will do it."</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">One of the markers of obedience to God is serving Him wholeheartedly.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">Simon didn't have to re-cast the net. He could have said, "Lord, what about just using a pole? I'm so tired after fishing all night and not getting so much as a nibble." </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">Because he respected Jesus and knew that there was a lesson to be learned, he moved in obedience to the command of the Lord. He had ever reason to pack up and call it a night, but he obeyed with his whole heart.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#000099;">We have the opportunity to do that, friends. I am so thankful for the privilege to serve God in obedience, even when I've "fished all night and haven't caught a thing." </span></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#000099;">Are we willing to listen for His voice and do what He tells us? </span></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">I pray that we will all be thankful for the privilege to serve the God who saved us when we could not save ourselves.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">This was a post that I originally did as a guest post for </span><a href="http://lacedwithgrace.com/"><em><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000099;">Laced With Grace</span></em></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#000099;"> and</span> <em><u><span style="color:#3333ff;">Thankful Thursday</span></u></em> <span style="color:#000099;">while back and another post I did on obedience last July. I apologize for the re-run (I did edit it to include some new thoughts).</span><br /></p></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-54694814267895254972009-08-11T20:15:00.001-05:002009-08-11T20:28:18.544-05:00<div align="justify"><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.allyouhavetogive.com/">WFW</a> - Devotion and Honor</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367400810365923794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SnzWmW0BMdI/AAAAAAAABm0/vyDq1r5350A/s400/devotions" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Do you find it easy to be devoted to <em>everyone in your life?</em> What about <em>honoring one another above yourself?</em></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">In all honesty, it's a high calling, and something I have found hard to do in the past. Simply put, there are people I'd just soon not be around. I'm just keeping it real. But this is not the way that I should be. If I am going to truly extend Christ's love, I must be devoted to others and put them and their needs above my own.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Devotion to Others</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The Greek word for devoted is <em>philostorgos</em>. It means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) the mutual love of parents and children and wives and husbands<br />2) loving affection, prone to love, loving tenderly<br />a) chiefly of the reciprocal tenderness of parents and children</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">This speaks to our families; however, let's take a look at the root word. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Philos </em>means:</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) friend, to be friendly to one, wish him well<br />a) a friend<br />b) an associate<br />c) he who associates familiarly with one, a companion<br />d) one of the bridegroom's friends who on his behalf asked the hand of the bride and rendered him various services in closing the marriage and celebrating the nuptials</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Thus it extends outward to those who are in our lives. A little farther out than immediate family - friends and associates, etc.</span><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">It's a little easier to be devoted to them, isn't it? We are to be devoted to them <em>in</em> brotherly love.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The Greek word for in is <em>eis</em>. This preposition means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) into, unto, to, towards, for, among</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">It's not from a distance, my friend. It's unto, among....I'm getting a message here! (I love how I learn things when I write my posts!) Note: there are some people who will not let you love them up close. This is one of those things where we have to pray for them and love for them or perhaps towards them. God knows our heart, even if the other person doesn't. In my case, it's an older sister who has broken all ties with the family for no apparent reason. I still love her but obviously, since I'm not close to her, it as to be <em>for</em> her and not <em>among</em> or <em>unto</em>, so to speak. There is no way for me to express love to her except to pray for her.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The Greek word for brotherly love is <em>philadelphia</em>. It means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love<br />2) in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">I have seen so much of this in the bloggy world. Everyone is so kind to express their sisterly love to others and it makes my heart sing to know that it's there. To truly love someone, you have to know them and like them and they grow in your heart to love. (I'm not saying there is no such thing as love at first sight, this is not about that.) The love expressed through kind comments and the words "I love you" matters to our Christian sisters. It matters to me.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The root word for brotherly love, or <em>philadelphia</em>, is <em>philadelphos</em>, which means:</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) loving brother or sister<br />2) in a broader sense, loving one like a brother, loving one's fellow countrymen<br />a) of an Israelite<br />b) of a Christian loving Christians</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">And the root word of that is adelphos, which means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother<br />2) having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman<br />3) any fellow or man<br />4) a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection<br />5) an associate in employment or office<br />6) brethren in Christ<br />a) his brothers by blood<br />b) all men<br />c) apostles<br />d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Simply put, we have alot of people to love, and God has increased the capacity of our hearts to do that. I'm finding it less hard when I delve into these meanings and see what God is calling me to do. "Love them, Laurie Ann. Show them Me." He wants us to love them so we can turn them to Christ with our devotion and honor.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Honoring Others Above Ourselves</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">I just love the Greek word for honor. It's <em>timē</em>. This noun means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) a valuing by which the price is fixed<br />a) of the price itself<br />b) of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold<br />2) honour which belongs or is shown to one<br />a) of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds<br />b) deference, reverence</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">When we defer to others (as long as it's just not unreasonable), we make strides in showing Christ's love. Although He did die for the unreasonable. It's basically honor. Honoring others above our own desires.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The Greek word for above is <em>proēgeomai</em>. This verb means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">1) to go before and show the way, to go before and lead, to go before as a leader</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">This is what we should be doing to those in our lives. We need to lead them to the Cross. Help them grow spiritually and mature in their faith. We need to take the time to mentor young women and be mentored by older women. And it's all about dying to ourselves and our desires. Truly, when the phone rings and it's your sister whom you know will talk an hour and you are about to walk out the door for a pedicure, how many of us roll our eyes and think, "Not now!" I learned something about my sister recently that made me realize I would cancel a pedicure in favor of lunch or talking for an hour on the phone, even if it was going to be another week before I could get to it. God is growing me in this area.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Wrapping it Up</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">My heart has been moving since I heard <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c">Brandon Heath's Give Me Your Eyes</a> one day. I think the Holy Spirit has been moving me to see the needs that are out there and follow this verse's wisdom.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Questions for Reflection:</span> <span style="font-size:100%;">Do you find it hard or easy to be devoted to others and to honor othem above yourself consistently? What can you do to increase your love for others? What do devotion and honor look like to an outsider looking in?</span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Verse of the Day:</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><em>"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." ~ Romans 12:10 (NIV)</em></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Prayer:</span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Father, help us to be truly devoted to one another in love and to honor others above ourselves. Soften our hearts, Lord, and open our eyes to see even more of the need that we may already see. Help us get out among those who need to shown to them and help us reverence others above our own needs. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.</em></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"></span></em></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">D -</span> Determine to show devotion and love to others, even those who are hard to love. - </span><em><span style="font-family:arial;">"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." ~ Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)</span></em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Encourage others with your love and devotion. <em>"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." ~ Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">V -</span> Verify that your devotion and love are works of God and not just outward appearances. ~ <em>"But the LORD said to Samuel,...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." ~ 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">O -</span> Obey the law of Christ in love and devotion. <em>"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." ~ Romans 13:8</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">T -</span> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Take time to do random acts of kindness to express devotion and love. <em>"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." ~ Romans 12:10 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Earnestly read God's Word to learn more about love and devotion. <em>"Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other." ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NIV)</em></span></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">D -</span> Devote time in prayer for those you are devoted to and love. <em>"</em></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." ~ Colossians 4:2 (NIV) </em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em></div></em></span><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Sources: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">http://www.biblegateway.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/">http://www.blueletterbible.org/</a>, and <a href="http://www.flauntr.com/">http://www.flauntr.com/</a> </div></span><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"></span></em></div><span style="font-family:arial;">The purpose of </span><a href="http://www.allyouhavetogive.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Word Filled Wednesday</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> is to share the Word of God through photo's and Scripture. </span><a href="http://www.allyouhavetogive.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Lori,</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> over at <a href="http://www.allyouhavetogive.com/">All You Have to Give</a></span><span style="font-family:arial;">, is our hostess today. Be sure to link up and share your own, and drop her a thank you for hosting this wonderful meme. It always blesses my heart to read all the posts and see the photos and verses. This is a wonderful way to minister to others and to be ministered to by reading others posts. Please visit by clicking on the button below.</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></div></span><a href="http://www.allyouhavetogive.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368880368149411746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SoIYP9EdN6I/AAAAAAAABm8/qayo94JJygs/s200/wfw-2008.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-11998833550536498952009-08-06T11:15:00.001-05:002009-08-06T11:18:34.860-05:00<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Life by Example</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SnsA0SlTtYI/AAAAAAAABms/z0bOycjp3Nw/s1600-h/hands.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366884279283594626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SnsA0SlTtYI/AAAAAAAABms/z0bOycjp3Nw/s400/hands.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The Greek word for gentleness is another word for gentle, patient or moderate, <em>epieikēs</em>. A hard word to pronounce, but not one so hard to live out loud as Christians. It means:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1) seeming, suitable</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">2) equitable, fair, mild, gentle</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">As Christians one of the ways we are called to live is in the manner prescribed above. What are some ways we can be gentle?</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">We can live holy lives, lives set apart as fair, mild and gentle in nature, despite temptations to live in accordance with a self-serving attitude the world has.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The Greek word for evident is the verb <em>ginōskō</em>, which means:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1) to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feela) to become known</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">2) to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">a) to understand</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">b) to know</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">4) to become acquainted with, to know</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Have you ever been around someone whose bad attitude has rubbed off on you? Perhaps someone who is impatient, unfair, loud, angry, even foul-mouthed? If you've ever been affected by someone this way and seen yourself transform into someone you no longer recognize, how much more should we live a life that is suitable for Christ? Our attitude is bound to rub off on those we are closest to on a daily basis. We should be careful not to become desensitized by the world so much that we are unable to live in gentleness. In living lives that are suitable, fair, mild, and gentle we encourage others to embrace this lifestyle by imitating Christ, who is near. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The Greek word for near is <em>eggys</em>, which means:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1) near, of place and position</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">a) near</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">b) those who are near access to God</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1) Jews, as opposed to those who are alien from God and his blessings</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">2) The Rabbis used the term "to make nigh" as equivalent to "to make a proselyte"</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">2) of time</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">a) of times imminent and soon to come pass</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">In what ways do you see the Lord near in your life? In my life I see Him daily, walking by my side, having access to Him in prayer and worship. I also see the signs of the end of the age being fulfilled. I believe we are living in the last days, my friend, and I believe that one of the ways we can be a good witness for Christ, drawing others close to Him, is by living a life of gentleness, as Paul asked the Philippians to do.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." ~ James 3:17 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." ~ Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Prayer: <em>Father, may my actions be gentle and suitable for You, drawing others to You by my attitude of reflecting Your Son. May I live in a way that is seeming and mild-mannered and fair. Remove any harshness from the words that I speak and may unfairness and quick-temperance never be a part of my lifestyle. May it all be for Your glory and not my own.</em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Sources: biblegateway.com - blueletterbible.com</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Rerun from January 19, 2009</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-78533824559632052612009-08-03T11:28:00.003-05:002009-08-03T16:26:03.648-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SncNRd0epRI/AAAAAAAABmk/z12GKlCWJO4/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365772074748912914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SncNRd0epRI/AAAAAAAABmk/z12GKlCWJO4/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Showing Love to our Husbands</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205&version=31"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Ephesians 5</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> has some great guidance for loving our husbands. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Before Paul starts his discussion on husbands and wives in verse 22, we are reminded in verse 1 to be imitators of God as Christ was. Our marriage mirrors (or should mirror) Christ and the Church.</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I've written about submission in marriage before; </span><span style="font-size:100%;">it makes me feel very humbled and priveleged. Just to know that I am called by God to reflect His love to Steve feels like a huge mantle to bear. It's not hard to love my husband. He's a great husband, father, friend and lover. But to know that I am the primary instrument of reflecting the Father's love to my husband? Kind of brings to mind doing all the excercises in the Love Dare book that accompanied the recent movie Fireproof.</span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">I want to honor my husband and submit to him in the best ways possible. We have great guidance in Christ's example of love of the purest form. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">As Steve's wife, some of the best ways I can think of to reflect God's love for Steve are by loving him as God loves him, being quick to mercy and grace in our marriage and slow to anger, submitting to him in all things, speak highly of him to others and build him up rather than tear him down, setting the example for other women to love their husbands the same way, pray for him continually, honoring him and loving him in my actions, words and deeds.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Truly it is an honor to be called by God to be that primary instrument to reflect God's love to Steve. Very humbling and a true privelege. I praise God that He has given me an easy man to love. Steve is a great guy. I really mean that. He's so kind and loving toward me that it really makes it easy to love him. Do we have our rocky moments? Um, yes, but this is not about that. I have my own rocky moments with God and He loves me, so the least I can do is reflect that same love with Steve.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>L -</strong><span style="font-size:100%;"> Loving our husbands is something we're called to do. </span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></div></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>O -</strong></span> <span style="font-size:100%;">Obeying them as we obey the Lord is easy when we are truly committed to each other. It is a sign of respect.</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>V -</strong> <span style="font-size:100%;">Verifying through God's Word that the things we do, say and think in our marriage makes it easier to act out that love.</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><strong></strong><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>E -</strong> <span style="font-size:100%;">Example-setting for other women is something we're called to do in Titus 2:3-5 (NIV).</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">If you liked this post, you may also like </span><a href="http://magnoliaheartbeats.blogspot.com/2008/12/submissive-heart-of-titus-2-wife-living.html"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">The Submissive Heart of the Titus 2 Wife - Living the Life, Teaching the Life. </span></a></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br /> </div></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Marriage Monday</em><em> is hosted by </em></span></span><a href="http://chrysaliscom.blogspot.com/"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Chrysalis</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">. Be sure to stop by and visit.</span></em> <div align="justify"></span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div></div></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-13846074275979390832009-07-29T21:09:00.000-05:002009-07-29T21:11:48.461-05:00<a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364069541620356754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SnEA0_rGFpI/AAAAAAAABmQ/i9zgWjC_slk/s320/TTButton.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">A Helping Hand</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. " ~ Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How precious is our Lord to come to us at just the right time and bring us out of the depths we are in. It's hard to wait patiently during times of crises, but God is faithful. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Hebrew word for patiently is <em><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6960&t=KJV">qavah</a></em>, a verb that means:</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6960&t=KJV"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) to wait, look for, hope, expect<br />a) (Qal) waiting (participle)<br />b) (Piel)<br />1) to wait or look eagerly for<br />2) to lie in wait for<br />3) to wait for, linger for<br />2) to collect, bind together<br />a) (Niphal) to be collected </span></a></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Basically, we wait. I love "look eagerly for". Let's don't give up. Let's keep waiting and eagerly looking for God's hand of deliverance. He will hear our cries for help and He will use these times for His glory. He will lift us out of the mud and mire, the sinking place, and place us back on terra firma where we can praise His holy name.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364069326089345938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SnEAocwf25I/AAAAAAAABmI/MMuETwFzq3M/s400/trust.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love the honesty I see when I read of struggles others face. It gives me hope as I face struggles of my own. I am moved more closely to God as I see how He works in others lives and pray that as I share my own struggles, others will move toward God, reverencing Him and putting their trust in Him.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>"I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly." ~ Psalm 40:10 (NIV)</em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One of the best ways people learn is by example. We should never conceal our love for the Lord and what He has done for us unless He prompts us to. I believe there are times that the Lord wants us to be discreet in matters so personal that it should remain between the Lord and ourselves; however, 99.7% of the time it is to God's glory to proclaim the love and truth of God, speaking of His faithfulness to others.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How do you choose to share His love? I often speak of it with others, I email about it, blog about it, and praise Him for it.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This week I'm thankful for you. Your prayers and blogs have helped me look up, reach hold of God's hand, and be lifted out of the slimy pit. I'm back on terra firma! It feels good. Thank you.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For more <a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Thankful Thursday</a> posts, please visit <a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage</a>.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-53702053199564015172009-07-26T20:29:00.000-05:002009-07-26T20:31:35.961-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sm0CuHkSbtI/AAAAAAAABmA/VDVlMUCFVGk/s1600-h/courage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362945722596617938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sm0CuHkSbtI/AAAAAAAABmA/VDVlMUCFVGk/s400/courage.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We were made for so much more than average. I did a word search for average in the KJV and the NIV, and the word simply isn't there. I did a word search for outstanding and found 5 uses where it described people. Even the word extraordinary was there once, describing the type of miracles God did through Paul. (</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=19&verse=10&end_verse=12&version=31&context=context"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Acts 19:11</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">)</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Do you long for outstanding and extraordinary in your life? If not, you should! We should always let our hearts soar as high as our dreams and hopes allow. God longs for you to experience Him to His fullest, and He, my friend, is not down in the pit of average.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." ~ Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV)</span></em></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What dream do you have for your life? If someone had asked me this a few years ago I would have said, "Oh, I don't know. Just to grow old with my husband and be the best I can for him, my grandchildren and God." </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div align="justify"><br />Over the course of about two years, God has shown me that my life matters. I'm not just an average every-day woman. I am His beloved! He has hopes and dreams for me that I cannot fathom.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) </span></em></div><em><div align="justify"><br /></em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since learning that He has plans for me, I have grown closer to Him in prayer, trying to discern where my plans end and His begin or how they meet in the middle. I've seen doors open and close, people come into my life and leave, and my prayers change from, "Lord, help me..." to "Lord, grow me...." </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One of the biggest dreams I have had is to read the Bible through. He gave me strength for that journey and I didn't bog down in Judges like I usually do. I actually developed such a hunger and thirst for His Word that I read it through nearly 3 times in a row. I still desire to read more every day and am tracking my progress here on my blog.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another of my dreams has been that God would grow me into the kind of prayer warrior He wants me to be. I have a verse for the year that even speaks of His impressing this upon my heart.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362945460890951938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sm0Ce4oy4QI/AAAAAAAABl4/dQrPgaNGPV8/s400/col42.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He has sustained me in long periods of prayer and even taught me that the shortest prayers are as effective as the long ones.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Most of all, after hearing </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brandon Heath's song, "Give Me Your Eyes"</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, I made that my prayer and asked God to help me see people as He sees them, to love them with His love, and to fill me with compassion and prayer for His children. I have loved more and prayed more than I ever thought possible! I have moved from being "Just Laurie Ann" to a woman with a purpose. Lest you think that I think the sun comes up just to hear me crow, I have a verse to back me up on this. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am<strong> fearfully and wonderfully</strong> made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~ Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV, Emphasis mine)</span></em></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Hebrew word for fearfully is <em>yare'</em>. It means:</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) to fear, revere, be afraid</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a) (Qal)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) to fear, be afraid</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2) to stand in awe of, be awed</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">b) (Niphal)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">God has truly inspired awe in me for His creation. I grew up to fear, honor and respect the Lord and the works of His hand. I am just now learning the self-respect thing - my self-esteem has gone from near nil to much better, but I still have a long way to go.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Hebrew word for wonderfully, another way God made us, is so exciting. <em>Palah</em> means:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) to be distinct, marked out, be separated, be distinguished</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a) (Niphal)</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) to be distinct, be separated, be distinguished</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2) to be wonderful</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">b) (Hiphil) to make separate, set apart</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">God created us with a purpose and calls us wonderful. We are distinguished and separate individuals. Our dreams and gifts are not all the same. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He has not called me out to the mission fields of a third-world country or led me to adopt a family of 10. He knows my body is not equipped for that, though it could be if He chose to do so. He has not called me to lofty heights, where people see my acts of service to Him. I admire people He has called to do that and am so glad they are, because people do need God's love expressed to them that way. It's just not what He has called me to do.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What He has placed within me is a desire to teach and minister through my blog here and minister to and encourage the people I come into contact with on a daily basis. I love where He has placed me in blogging. He has put me in touch with some of the most magnificent women of faith, connecting our kindred hearts and leading me to friendships that have encouraged me and caused me to grow in Him. I am able to share my blog with friends in real life as well, and pray they are encouraged by what they read. I am prompted to try to walk my talk more carefully because of my blog. I can tell you that!</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My dreams have soared high and continue to soar higher in Christ. To quote an old hymn, "Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before, every day with Jesus, I love Him even more..." The more I love Him, the more I want to serve Him. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To be able to dream and dream big is for me to place my heart in His hands and say, "Lord, unsettle me. Shake me loose from the average and send me soaring on eagle's wings. Where ever You lead, I'll go." (</span><a href="http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2009/01/unsettled.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lysa TerKeurst</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> inspired me to pray, "Lord, unsettle me.) I got my nerve up and prayed that prayer. Wow! He did.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'll let you in on a little secret. I have one fruit of the Spirit that I'm working on, and after I have given up what I need to give up, my dreams include publishing a book of devotions and pictures. Oh, I dare to dream, and dream big! </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What's your dream? Let it soar. Beloved, we were made for more than just average. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Do you believe that? Do you believe God has a plan for your life? A purpose? And that those plans are meant to prosper you and not harm you?</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dream big. Trust in Him. Let your heart soar higher than you ever thought it could.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Look familiar? This post originally ran 3/10/09.</span><br /></span><div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div></div></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-28190655087382619832009-07-22T05:30:00.000-05:002009-07-22T06:00:10.105-05:00<a href="http://the160acrewoods.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">WFW</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> - Strengthen Me</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SmbugDY_g7I/AAAAAAAABlo/nXa-ExgpvNs/s1600-h/strengthen+me"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361234640864510898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SmbugDY_g7I/AAAAAAAABlo/nXa-ExgpvNs/s400/strengthen+me" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>A Heavy Heart</strong></span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;">Do you have a heavy heart today? Lately I have. The light in my life seemed to grow pretty dim for a number of weeks recently. I was weary and filled with sorrow.</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;">The Hebrew word for soul is sort of what I call a catch-all. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5315&t=KJV">Nephesh</a> is a noun that means:</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;">1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion<br />a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man<br />b) living being<br />c) living being (with life in the blood)<br />d) the man himself, self, person or individual<br />e) seat of the appetites<br />f) seat of emotions and passions<br />g) activity of mind<br />1) dubious<br />h) activity of the will<br />1) dubious<br />i) activity of the character<br />1) dubious</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;">Our seat of emotions and passions, as well as our mind's activity and our whole living being can get downright weary and sorrowful sometimes. Mine did, and I am so glad God overcame it in me.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000066;">The Hebrew word for weary is</span></span></div><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1811&t=KJV"><span style="font-family:arial;">dalaph</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. <span style="color:#000066;">This verb means:</span></span><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></div></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) to drop, drip </span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">a) (Qal) </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) to leak </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">2) to weep (of tears)</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">I was in a deep depression brought on by a medication change. My physical body would just feel like it was dropping, and oh, how my eyes leaked. This is why I didn't blog for a while. I wept often but am happy to report that I'm better now.</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#000066;">The Hebrew word for sorrow is </span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H8424&t=KJV"><span style="font-family:arial;">tuwgah</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">. This is a noun which means:</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div><div align="justify"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) grief, heaviness, sorrow</span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Strength from the Word</strong></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;">The Hebrew word for strengthen is </span></span></div><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6965&t=KJV"><span style="font-family:arial;">quwm</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">, a verb that means:</span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">a) (Qal) </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) to arise </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">2) to arise (hostile sense) </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">3) to arise, become powerful </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">4) to arise, come on the scene </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">5) to stand </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">a) to maintain oneself </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">b) to be established, be confirmed </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">c) to stand, endure </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">d) to be fixed </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">e) to be valid </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">f) to be proven </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">g) to be fulfilled </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">h) to persist </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">i) to be set, be fixed </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">b) (Piel) </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) to fulfil </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">c) (Polel) to raise up </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">e) (Hiphil) </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) to cause to arise, raise </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">2) to raise, set up, erect, build </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">3) to raise up, bring on the scene </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">5) to raise up, constitute </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">6) to cause to stand, set, station, establish </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">7) to make binding </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">8) to carry out, give effect to </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-family:arial;">f</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) (Hophal) to be raised up</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">My strength came in many forms; kind words from family and friends, prayer, and some time in the hospital and new medication. Most of all, it came from God's Word. I had my Bible with me and each morning I met with one other lady who was also a Christian. We would read the same thing and compare. She had a different version than I did and we would talk about the difference in translations, what was more easily understood in whose Bible, how blessed we were to have met and to pray and read with each other, etc. We drew strength not only from each other, but what we read in the Bible. 1 and 2 Peter is what we studied. Very interesting!</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;">Like the Psalmist, I was able to arise, endure and be confirmed and raise myself up by God's hand by staying in the Word. It is the best place to go when your heart is heavy and grief stricken, or when you're simply having a rotten day. Of course we should have regular times of daily Bible reading, but sometimes we need extra doses to be strengthened.</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Word</span><br /></strong><br />The Psalmist knew what the answer was to his sorrow. He asked God to strengthen Him in the Word. The Hebrew word for the phrase "according to your word" is </span></span></div><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1697&t=KJV"><span style="font-family:arial;">dabar</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">. This noun means:</span><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">1) speech, word, speaking, thing </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">a) speech </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">b) saying, utterance </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">c) word, words</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000066;">One of the ways God speaks to us is through His Word. It's as relevant today as it was when it was written. There is great comfort, assurance, delight, and hope to be found in His Word.</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;">Remember another verse the Psalmist wrote.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><em></em></span></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663300;"><em>"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." ~ Psalm 119:105 (NIV)</em></span></div><span style="color:#000066;"><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Wrapping it Up</strong></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Questions for Reflection:</strong> Do you believe this? If so, join me in reading His Word the next time you're feeling weary and sorrowful.</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Verse of the Day:</strong> </span><span style="color:#663300;">"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." ~ Psalm 119:28 (NIV)</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Prayer:</strong> Father, thank You for Your Word. It truly does contain the words of strength we need that are straight from You, passed down to those You so divinely inspired. Help us to let You strengthen us according to Your Word when we are down as well as when we are up. Help us to make use of this most wonderful Resource and guide us to where in the Word we need to be when we are weary with sorrow. Thank You for being such a loving and personal Father to us. In Your Son's Name we pray...Amen.</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">S -</span> Seek Him always as your strength. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." ~ 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">T -</span> Trust in Him for your strength. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." ~ John 14:1 (NIV)</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">R -</span> Read His Word to strengthen you. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." ~ Psalm 119:28 (NIV)</span></div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">E -</span> Expect to be able to act on strength in Him. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13 (NIV)</span></div><div> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">N -</span> Never doubt Him as your source of strength through faith. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." ~ Matthew 21:21 (NIV) </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">G -</span> Give your whole heart to Him to receive strength from Him. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." ~ Mark 12:30 (NIV)</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">T -</span> Thank the Lord in advance for His strength. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." ~ Psalm 28:7 (NIV)</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;">H -</span> Have courage in Him as you stand by His strength. </span><span style="color:#663300;">"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:13 (NIV)</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000066;">If you enjoyed this post, you might like </span></span></div><a href="http://magnoliaheartbeats.blogspot.com/2009/05/wfw-strength-in-lord-armed-with.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Strength in the Lord</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and/or </span><a href="http://magnoliaheartbeats.blogspot.com/2009/01/lord-is-my-strength-this-morning-i.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Lord is My Strength</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#663333;">The purpose of</span> </span><a href="http://the160acrewoods.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Word Filled Wednesday</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> <span style="color:#663333;">is to share the Word of God through photo's and Scripture.</span> <a href="http://the160acrewoods.com/">Amydeanne,</a> over at <a href="http://the160acrewoods.com/">The 160 Acre Woods</a>, </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#663333;">is our hostess this week.. Be sure to link up and share your own, and drop her a thank you for hosting this wonderful meme. It always blesses my heart to read all the posts and see the photos and verses. This is a wonderful way to minister to others and to be ministered to by reading others posts. Please visit by clicking on the button below</span>.</span> <div><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><a href="http://the160acrewoods.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361234181350617890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/SmbuFTkV8yI/AAAAAAAABlg/4MedLEwCVcY/s200/wfw-2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Please accept my apology for any formatting issues. I think I used too many colors. I tried to fix it for 2 hours last night and couldn't get the spacing right.<br /></span><br /><center><span style="font-family:arial;"></center></span><br /><div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-411108720048407212009-07-15T23:03:00.004-05:002009-07-15T23:23:04.070-05:00<a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358903771223976418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sl6mllVOaeI/AAAAAAAABk4/MV8tKL96JoA/s200/TTButton.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Lynn</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, at </span><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Spiritually Unequal Marriage</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, is hosting </span><a href="http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Thankful Thursday</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> this week. She chose random as the theme for the week and is so grateful for all the Christian bloggers. I, too, am thankful for you. Your blogs are a tremendous source of inspiration and encouragement to me and I learn so much each time I visit. Thank you. To participate, simply click the button above and share your Thankfuls or read through others...</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">This week I am thankful that God has promised never to abandon or forsake us. I wanted to share something I wrote March 25 with you on this topic. As I read back through this, I found myself encouraged by God's promise and love for us. He is faithful, indeed.<br /></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358904565967189666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sl6nT1-xdqI/AAAAAAAABlA/hxSOl0_Yjco/s400/trailblazer.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">The Promise</span><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This promise, originally given to Joshua as he accepted the mantle from Moses to lead the children of Israel into the land promised by God to be theirs, is one that I have found comfort in many times.</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br />Life isn't always easy. No matter how many people surround you, it seems that feelings of isolation and lonlieness can creep in. Feelings of fear or discouragement crop up from time to time in our lives. Whatever the circumstance that allows these feelings to invade, perhaps times of illness or a crisis with family or friends, a crisis in a marriage, or even a crisis of faith, we can be encouraged by the Lord's promise to Joshua. It rings true for us, too, as with so many promises to the men and women whose stories are recorded for all time in the Bible. </div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Blazing the Trail</span></div><div align="justify"><br />It's true that the Lord goes before us, blazing the trail of the path He has placed us on in life. While it's true that there is one narrow road that leads to eternity, I've found myself either in the ditch or wandering off in a cul de sac from time to time.</div><div align="justify"><br />The Hebrew word for goes is <em>halak</em>, a verb that means:</div><div align="justify"><br />1) to go, walk, come</div><div align="justify">a) (Qal)</div><div align="justify">1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away</div><div align="justify">2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)</div><div align="justify">b) (Piel)</div><div align="justify">1) to walk</div><div align="justify">2) to walk (fig.)</div><div align="justify">c) (Hithpael)</div><div align="justify">1) to traverse</div><div align="justify">2) to walk about</div><div align="justify">d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk</div><div align="justify"><br />The Hebrew root word of before is the verb <em>panah</em>, which means:</div><div align="justify"><br />1) to turn</div><div align="justify">a) (Qal)</div><div align="justify">1) to turn toward or from or away</div><div align="justify">2) to turn and do</div><div align="justify">3) to turn, decline (of day)</div><div align="justify">4) to turn toward, approach (of evening)</div><div align="justify">5) to turn and look, look, look back or at or after or for</div><div align="justify">b) (Piel) to turn away, put out of the way, make clear, clear away</div><div align="justify">c) (Hiphil)</div><div align="justify">1) to turn</div><div align="justify">2) to make a turn, show signs of turning, turn back</div><div align="justify">d) (Hophal) to be turned back</div><div align="justify"><br />The rest of the word, <em>paniym</em>, means:</div><div align="justify"><br />1) face</div><div align="justify">a) face, faces</div><div align="justify">b) presence, person</div><div align="justify">c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)</div><div align="justify">d) face (of animals)</div><div align="justify">e) face, surface (of ground)</div><div align="justify">f) as adv of loc/temp</div><div align="justify">1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before</div><div align="justify">g) with prep</div><div align="justify">1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of</div><div align="justify"><br />I found these meanings to be very interesting. When I wander off the beaten path, it's often because my eyes are on my circumstances and not on God, who goes before me. My Savior died for me, so that I could follow Him into eternity. Truly that is the road that I am traveling here on earth, the road to eternity. I can be sure that I'm never alone. I must follow the One who knows the turns, the One who is actually before and behind, toward, in front of, and has ever present with me. As long as my eyes are on God, I can truly trust that He is leading me, actually surrounding me, guiding me. There is not a place on this road of life that He Himself has not been, is not now, nor will be in the future. How comforting is that? </div><div align="justify"><br />As a young child I would follow behind my earthly father as he walked in the garden. One fond memory I have is a superstition that he would tell me every time I was in the freshly plowed garden with me. "Don't step in my footsteps. It will give me a headache." I laugh every time I think about it. It's probably one his father passed down to him, but our God wants us to walk in the steps He has made for us. We can be sure that we will never trip if we place our feet where we can see His feet have been. How can we find these footsteps? Surely they are not visible; however, by praying, staying in the Word, and being aware, we can find them. He truly does go before us and the evidence of His footsteps are visible more than we realize.</div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Never Alone</span></div><div align="justify"><br />Another part of this verse that comforts me is that God will be with me. He will not leave or forsake me. When I feel forsaken by this world, I can always count on God. </div><div align="justify"><br />The Hebrew word for His always being with us and never leaving us is <em>raphah</em>. It means:</div><div align="justify"><br />1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened</div><div align="justify">a) (Qal)</div><div align="justify">1) to sink down</div><div align="justify">2) to sink, drop</div><div align="justify">3) to sink, relax, abate</div><div align="justify">4) to relax, withdraw</div><div align="justify">b) (Niphal) idle (participle)</div><div align="justify">c) (Piel) to let drop</div><div align="justify">d) (Hiphil)</div><div align="justify">1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake</div><div align="justify">2) to let go</div><div align="justify">3) to refrain, let alone</div><div align="justify">4) to be quiet</div><div align="justify">e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack</div><div align="justify"><br />Truly we are never alone! He never sinks, (think Jesus walking on the water), never relaxes His walk, never abandons us or drops us. He never disheartens us. What a comfort! </div><div align="justify"><br />I remember being at the state fair one year when I was a small child. Pre-elephant phobia, I had stopped to look at a white elephant piggy bank, and when I looked up a crowd had filled the gap between Momma and my grandparents. Ya'll, I was never so happy to see the back of my grandfather's head in my life! They would have realized I was gone in a second and would have been back for me but the loudness of the crowd drowned out my cry, "Paw Paw!" I ran to catch up and asked why they left me. They never realized I was gone but Paw Paw, laughing, pulled out his handkerchief, dried my tears and held my six or seven year old hand. I stuck close to them the rest of the afternoon. I didn't stop to look at anything unless they stopped, you can be sure of that. </div><div align="justify"><br />One thing we can be confident of is that God will never lose sight of us. Not for a minute! Just as I held my grandfather's hand, spiritually I hold the Father's hand as often as possible so I don't get sidetracked and look to the things of this world. When I do, He never loses sight of me and I find that so amazing and personal. In a sea of a billion faces on this earth, His eyes are watching me, His footsteps are there for me to follow in, and He never let's go of my hand, even though I might try to wriggle free in unintentional distraction. When I do, just as my Momma and grandparents did, He dries my tears and forgives me for halting, and does remind me to keep up.</div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">High But Not Dry</span></div><div align="justify"><br />Another promise of God in this verse is that He will never forsake us. Forsake is just a funny word to me. I know it basically means abandon or turn your back on, because I have been forsaken by people here on earth. Let's look at the Hebrew meaning, though. <em>`Azab</em> is a verb that means:</div><div align="justify"><br />1) to leave, loose, forsake</div><div align="justify">a) (Qal) to leave</div><div align="justify">1) to depart from, leave behind, leave, let alone</div><div align="justify">2) to leave, abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise</div><div align="justify">3) to let loose, set free, let go, free</div><div align="justify">b) (Niphal)</div><div align="justify">1) to be left to</div><div align="justify">2) to be forsaken</div><div align="justify">c) (Pual) to be deserted</div><div align="justify">2) to restore, repair</div><div align="justify">a) (Qal) to repair</div><div align="justify"><br />I love this. To be able to trust in the Almighty God's promise that He will never leave us, cut us loose, depart from us, leave behind, neglect, or desert us is a promise I cleave to. I have it in my heart and know that no matter what happens to me in life (smooth road vs. ditch or cul de sac) that I will never be cast from His presence or left high and dry. How great is that?!</div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Never Fear</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><div align="justify"><br />Because of these promises, we can rest assured and have confidence. Fear is just not an option. When feelings of isolation or abandonment kick in, try to identify what's at the root. Is it something disturbing you've seen on television? Change the channel. Is it because you've limited your options at being around people due to illness? Reach out across cyberspace. Perhaps it's depression or a chronic illness. Seek treatment. Is it a horrible circumstance because of the loss of a loved one or an illness in the family? Share your heartache with others and let others help you bear the burden. Whatever the problem, God's Word tells us that we should never fear or be dismayed. </div><div align="justify"><br />The Hebrew word for fear is <em>yare'</em>. It means:</div><div align="justify"><br />1) to fear, revere, be afraid</div><div align="justify">a) (Qal)</div><div align="justify">1) to fear, be afraid</div><div align="justify">2) to stand in awe of, be awed</div><div align="justify">3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect</div><div align="justify">b) (Niphal)</div><div align="justify">1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared</div><div align="justify">2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe</div><div align="justify">3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe</div><div align="justify">c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify</div><div align="justify">2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour</div><div align="justify"><br />While we should honor and reverence God, I think the fear that the writer of Deuteronomy was trying to get across was plain old fear and being terrified. </div><div align="justify"><br />We can always count on God. As He goes before us, promising never to leave or forsake us, we can count on this promise that we can rest easy and not be filled with a sense of dread of isolation or lonlineness. Isn't this wonderful?</div><div align="justify"><br />The Hebrew word for dismayed speaks even stronger to this. We are not to be discouraged as God goes before us. We can trust that He is always there. <em>Chathath</em>, also a verb, means:</div><div align="justify"><br />1) to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, be afraid</div><div align="justify">a) (Qal)</div><div align="justify">1) to be shattered, be broken</div><div align="justify">2) to be dismayed</div><div align="justify">b) (Niphal) to be broken, be dismayed</div><div align="justify">c) (Piel) to be shattered, be dismayed, be scaredd) (Hiphil)</div><div align="justify">1) to cause to be dismayed</div><div align="justify">2) to dismay, terrify</div><div align="justify">3) to shatter</div><div align="justify"><br />Have you ever felt this? I have. When we lost Sydney to miscarriage July 20, 1998, was the time I felt it most strongly. Not with God but just the absence of the baby I was carrying. Somehow I knew in my heart of hearts that I would never conceive again, though we didn't stop trying for another year. I was completely broken and scared, terrified at the lonliness I felt. In the radiology department I was left alone for a long period of time while the nurse who was doing my ultrasound went down to the ER to speak with the doctor about the case she had before me. She asked me if I would be okay alone and I said, "Sure." After quite some time had passed, I said, "I'm not okay being alone anymore." I said it out loud, as if anyone could hear. God heard me and began healing me right then. The Holy Spirit spoke so loudly to my heart that He may as well have spoken audibly. He said, in essence, "You're not alone. I'm with you." I remember turning my face to the side, my pillow wet, and looking around for a second, and then settling down into the most peaceful sleep I would have before the sleepless week I would endure ahead. In fact, I would not sleep that peacefully again until late March, 2000, when I had my hysterectomy. </div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In Closing</span></div><div align="justify"><br />No matter how alone we may feel, the fact is that we are never alone in this world. We are not lost among a sea of people. God is so personal and real to us. If you have accepted Him as your personal Savior, you need not ever fear. If you haven't made Him Lord of your life, please email me at <a href="mailto:magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com">magnoliaheartbeats@yahoo.com</a>, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and let me tell you about my Jesus. </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="justify"><br />You need never be lonely again.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Questions for Reflection:</strong> What verses remind you to fear not? Do you ever feel lonely and forsaken? If so, what can you do to get your sense of security back?</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Verse for the Day:</strong> <em>"But now, this is what the LORD says - he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." ~ Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)</em></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Prayer:</strong> Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for blazing the trails before me in life. I praise You for the paths You have set before me. Help me keep my eyes on You and to never feel forsaken or alone. I know that discouragement comes from taking my eyes off You and I never want to do that. Help me not to be distracted with the things of this world, which are here today and gone tomorrow, but to look to You and Your strength always. Thank You for the promise of never leaving me alone. Help me minister to other women and help them find the joy in knowing that we are safe when we are on the path You lay before us. Thank You for Your grace through Your Son Jesus Christ. I praise You eternally for His death, burial and resurrection and the power that is found in Him. Thank You for the promise that we need fear not. In His Name I pray, amen.</div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>F</strong> -</span> Focus on God rather than the things of this world. <em>"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek." ~ Psalm 27:8 (NIV)</em></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>E</strong> -</span> Embrace God's love for you. <em>"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." ~ 1 John 3:1 (NIV)</em></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>A</strong> -</span> Accept that God is always beside you. <em>"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." ~ Psalm 46:1 (NIV)</em></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>R</strong> -</span> Remember the promises of God given in the Bible. <em>"Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. " ~ Psalm 119:49-50 (NIV)</em></div><p> </p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>N</strong> -</span> Never fear being forsaken or forgotten by God. <em>"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." ~ John 10:27-29 (NIV)</em></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>O</strong> -</span> Open your heart to receive and store the truths of God's promises.<em> "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees." ~ Psalm 119:11-12 (NIV)</em></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>T</strong> -</span> Take captive every thought to Christ, and cast down the negative feelings of isolation the devil or your own self gives you. <em>"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)</em></span></p><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6635761.post-10766294743063271982009-07-15T07:23:00.000-05:002009-07-15T11:55:36.068-05:00<div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">But God...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358727840784059730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sl4GlFXuDVI/AAAAAAAABko/ty44xTpobXk/s400/growth.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">This was said during a kind of bicker or division in the church at Corinth. Some said they followed one, some said another. Paul wanted to set them straight and let them know that no matter who planted the seeds (gave the Word) or who watered the seeds (tended the church?) that it was all about God. I love this because it also reminds me that no matter how much I beckon or maintain, God is the one who makes things grow. It also takes the onus of my shoulders in witnessing, which I found intimidating in the past.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358731118452689698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1wLhQ91G6GI/Sl4Jj3o0SyI/AAAAAAAABkw/gZgz-5AEe-Y/s400/knocking.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Is there someone you long to redeem today? Is your burden great for them? Realize that you cannot pay the debt they owe, just as you couldn't pay the debt you owed. No man can. That is exactly why Christ was sent into the world. It wasn't about Silent Nights and shiny gifts under a tree and sharing stories about the sweet baby Jesus over huge family get-togethers. </span></div><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Jesus was born to die. Born to redeem us into an eternal life that will never see decay. </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." ~</em> <em><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203:16-17;&version=31;">John 3:16-17 (NIV)</a></em></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">It's up to you to plant the seed, true enough; however, it's up to the individual and God, who makes them grow, to make a choice. As for us, no payment is ever enough to buy someone's way into the kingdom of God, but you can invest time, prayer, teaching, friendship and sharing the Word of God to plant that seed. Just remember that God is the One who makes it grow.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">If you find witnessing intimidating, find freedom in knowing that although your burden may be great for someone, it's ultimately up to them to accept Christ. Share with them what's on your heart and show them the gift of grace. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">I was talking with </span><a href="http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Laurie</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><a href="http://ordinarychristianwomansheart.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Jennifer</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> about this the Friday we met in Grenada for lunch. The first time I witnessed to someone, she chose not accept Christ. I felt such a sting of rejection (I think it was more of a pride thing, looking back) that for a long time I had a hard time putting myself (there's that self-thing again) out there and sharing God's love for others. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">No more. These Scriptures from </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%203:7&version=31"><span style="font-family:arial;">1 Corinthians</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2049:7-9&version=31">Psalms</a> confirms that it's not about me. It's about Christ. Isn't it amazing how God will send you Scriptures in a Bible reading to confirm something you just talked about? His love for us is that great. I will never call it a coincidence. I think it's God's timing. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Let's go plant some seeds, or water some that have been planted. Then let's watch God....</span></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><p align="justify"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/?action=view&current=magnolia_name.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36/sisterchick1/Blog/magnolia_name.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p></div>Laurie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.com2