Tuesday, February 15, 2011

some verses to meditate on

Proverbs 21:5 (New Living Translation) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:29 (New Living Translation) The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.
Joshua 1:8  Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

1 Corinthians 10:14 So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.

2 Timothy 2:22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

James 1:27  Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Philippians 3:17  Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

Monday, February 14, 2011

I AM MEAN

I am mean.......

I mean what I say -Devil get behind me
I mean it when I say that the enemy can not have my children.  They belong to God.  They will be the men God has called them to be!  His purpose will be fulfilled in their lives!
I mean what I do - I live intentionally - intentionally following God's will and purpose for my life - if you are being used by the enemy to cause strife for me and my family - I mean it, you better leave us alone!  Joshua 24:15.......But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord

I know I am meant to raise my children according to God's word.  I know that I am meant to have the marriage God intended for me to have.  

Are you meant to do something?  Did you mean to do something and still have not?  Did you mean to do something and now regret it because you did not take it to the Lord in prayer?  
ARE YOU MEAN?  :-)  DO NOT LET YOUR DAYS BE MEANINGLESS!


Genesis 41:16 (New Living Translation)

 16 “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”

Psalm 119:27 (New Living Translation)

 27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
      and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.

 

Be My Valentine :-)

Valentines Day I am sure is hard or at least not very fun for people who do not have a significant other or even for people who can not afford to buy their sweety gifts (all the stuff the world has led us to believe is a must - jewelry, candy, flowers, etc.)  Knowing my husband loves me with all his heart, having his hand to hold, being blessed with his presence and support - that is my gift!  Anything that he could buy me will one day fade or be be gone.  I'm not saying presents are not nice but Valentines Day should not turn into a day of pressure, worry or cause a financial burden :)  

The greatest Valentine?  It is this - Thank you Lord that I am yours and you are mine!  God has my heart and he holds me in the palm of his hand!  Today I contemplate how much I love my Lord, my husband, family & friends :-)

What a great day to meditate on these verses - HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

John 13:34-35 (NLT)

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

1 John 4:9-10 (New Living Translation) 

9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

 

Zephaniah 3:17 (New Living Translation)

 17 For the Lord your God is living among you.
      He is a mighty savior.
   He will take delight in you with gladness.
      With his love, he will calm all your fears.
      He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Exodus 15:13 (New Living Translation)

 13 “With your unfailing love you lead
      the people you have redeemed.
   In your might, you guide them
      to your sacred home.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (New Living Translation)

5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 

Deuteronomy 7:9 (New Living Translation)

9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. 

Deuteronomy 11:22 (New Living Translation)

 22 “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. 

to be continued.............. :-)



 

Friday, February 11, 2011

Psalm 31:21 (NLT)


         Praise the Lord,
      for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
      He kept me safe when my city was under attack.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

PEACE

Webster's definition of peace -


1
: a state of tranquillity or quiet: as a : freedom from civil disturbance b : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom <a breach of the peace>
2
: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3
: harmony in personal relations
4
a : a state or period of mutual concord between governments b : a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5
—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
at peace
: in a state of concord or tranquillity 
 

2 Samuel 14:17 (New Living Translation)

Yes, my lord the king will give us peace of mind again.’ I know that you are like an angel of God in discerning good from evil. May the Lord your God be with you.”
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
 
Psalm 23:2 

He lets me rest in green meadows;he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Psalm 29:11
The Lord gives his people strength.The Lord blesses them with peace.


I want to post more verses on peace later but in the meantime - What does peace mean to you?  What is true peace - peace through God?  How do we obtain true peace through him and with him?  Sometimes when we are struggling it is so hard to know.

Faith

Hebrews 11:1-2 (NLT)

1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

CELEBRATE!

Psalm 21:13 (New Living Translation)

Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.
With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.


Psalm 102:21 (New Living Translation)

And so the Lord’s fame will be celebrated in Zion,
  his praises in Jerusalem,

 

Psalm 135:3 (New Living Translation)

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
 celebrate his lovely name with music.

 

Proverbs 23:16 (New Living Translation)

Everything in me will celebrate
   when you speak what is right.


over and over again, HE says - TRUST in HIM

Psalm 56:3 (NLT) But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:4 (New Living Translation)

I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

AND THEN HE SAYS IT AGAIN IN HIS WORD!
  
Psalm 56:11 (New Living Translation)
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
      What can mere mortals do to me?

I LOVE THIS ONE :-)

Psalm 62:8 (NLT)                                                                                         O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

NOTICE HOW IT SAYS "trust in him at ALL times"

Psalm 63:11 (NLT)

       But the king will rejoice in God.
      All who trust in him will praise him,
      while liars will be silenced.

Psalm 84:12 (NLT)

      O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.


Psalm 86:2 (New Living Translation)

 Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
 Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
      You are my God.
  
Psalm 91:2 (New Living Translation)
  This I declare about the Lord:
   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
      he is my God, and I trust him.

 

Psalm 91:14 (NLT)

     The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.

I KNOW I NEED THESE VERSES RIGHT NOW (AND THERE ARE MANY MORE) TRUST IN GOD!  DO YOU NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED TODAY AND LIFTED UP?  ARE YOU FILLED WITH DOUBT & FEAR?  DO NOT LET THE ENEMY PARALYZE YOU!  GOD IS OUR LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS, OUR REFUGE, OUR COMFORTER!  DO NOT LET THE ENEMY STEAL YOUR JOY & PEACE!

I'm going to pick up where I left off with more verses on trust later.  He has it written so many times because it is so important to never lose our focus or hope in him.  Trust in Him and He will take care of the rest.  Rest in Him!  


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

more verses on Trust

Psalm 4:5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,and trust the Lord.

Psalm 9:10  Those who know your name trust in you,for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

Psalm 13:5  But I trust in your unfailing love.I will rejoice because you have rescued me

Psalm 19:7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,reviving the soul.The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,making wise the simple.

Psalm 21:7 For the king trusts in the Lord.The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and shield.I trust him with all my heart.He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalm 31:14 But I am trusting you, O Lord,saying, “You are my God!” 

Psalm 52:7-9 
 7 “Look what happens to mighty warriors
      who do not trust in God.
   They trust their wealth instead
      and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
 8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
      I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
 9 I will praise you forever, O God,
      for what you have done.
   I will trust in your good name
      in the presence of your faithful people.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY MORE :-) IT'S OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT!

Monday, February 7, 2011

TRUST

Never doubt how important trust in the Lord is.  The word trust is in the bible many times for a reason.  I trust in the Lord. I believe in his truth and his word.

Genesis 49:18 I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!
Leviticus 19:4 “Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.
1 Chronicles 5:20 They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him. So the Hagrites and all their allies were defeated.
2 Chronicles 14:11 Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”
Psalm 4:5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,and trust the Lord.
Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you,for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.
Psalm 10:14 But you see the trouble and grief they cause.You take note of it and punish them.The helpless put their trust in you.You defend the orphans.
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
Psalm 19:7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Psalm 25:2 I trust in you, my God!Do not let me be disgraced,or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
Psalm 25:3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Psalm 26:1 [ A psalm of David. ] Declare me innocent, O Lord,for I have acted with integrity;I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and shield.I trust him with all my heart.He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 31:14 But I am trusting you, O Lord,saying, “You are my God!”
Psalm 143:8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

There are so many verses on trust.  Because I need to read them and mediate on them I am going to post more later :-)

Friday, February 4, 2011

When you need........

When you need reassurance that God cares and need his comfort - 


Psalm 56:8 (New Living Translation)

      You keep track of all my sorrows.
      You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
      You have recorded each one in your book.

Psalm 55:22 (New Living Translation)

      Give your burdens to the Lord,
      and he will take care of you.
      He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

and this is just the beginning (there are many more verses of God's love, grace and mercy :-)



Friends

If you don't think it is important to choose wise friends, think again.  God does want us to have good, godly friends.  He wants us to be wise in our choices so we are around people who are in our best interest.  God wants us to love everyone but that doesn't mean we are meant to be around "everyone".  God wants us to have friends that can give wise council.  He wants us to associate with people that will not tempt us to go in wrong directions.  Yes, we are ultimately responsible for ourselves but why put ourselves with people that could possibly lead us down the wrong path.  We need friends who will pray for us and with us.  Here is what God's word says about friends - 

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 

Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) 24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

There are examples of false friends in the bible and of true friendship.  God wants us to use common sense and to choose wisely.  

Psalm 26:5 (KJV) 5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

Now this verse doesn't mean we can not associate with the lost (unbelievers) but when Jesus did it was to bring them to salvation!  and in order to do that you must be strong in your faith.  If you are not there in your walk yet it is best to walk only with people who are on the straight and narrow.

There are many instances of wonderful friendships in the bible.  Many about unfriendly people.  Do your own research and I think it will be made clear as to the direction God intended for us to go in our relationships.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Are you able to have Patience when you have a teenager??

As I was "encouraging" my teenage son to get out of bed and get moving this morning the word patience came to mind!  Because I am running out of it!  It is an EVERY morning event and it is exhausting.  If anyone has any methods they use I would like to hear them.  In the meantime I am pondering on these scriptures. 

Romans 15:4-6
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:6
We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

Galations 5:22
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Colossians 1:11
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,
Colossians 3:12
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
1 Timothy 1:16
But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

I Need A Reminder.......

Psalm 91 (New Living Translation)

 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
      will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 2 This I declare about the Lord:
   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
      he is my God, and I trust him.
 3 For he will rescue you from every trap
      and protect you from deadly disease.
 4 He will cover you with his feathers.
      He will shelter you with his wings.
      His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
      nor the arrow that flies in the day.
 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
      nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
 7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
      though ten thousand are dying around you,
      these evils will not touch you.
 8 Just open your eyes,
      and see how the wicked are punished.
 9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
      if you make the Most High your shelter,
 10 no evil will conquer you;
      no plague will come near your home.
 11 For he will order his angels
      to protect you wherever you go.
 12 They will hold you up with their hands
      so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
      you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.
 15 When they call on me, I will answer;
      I will be with them in trouble.
      I will rescue and honor them.
 16 I will reward them with a long life
      and give them my salvation.”

Worthy Is The Lamb

Monday, January 31, 2011

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

 

Friday, January 28, 2011

Think About It

Ephesians 4:29-32 (New Living Translation)

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has  forgiven you.

Keeping my eyes on him

when I'm thinking "how am I going to make this work out" I need to stop and say - "no - Jesus how are You going to make this work out?"
In the natural sometimes things/situations in our life do not appear so good.  Maybe it's our job, finances, trouble in the home or even church, a child not going in the direction that you know they should be going.  A loved one that is lost, emotional and physical pains.  We become overwhelmed with stress and worry.  Why is it so hard for us to remember that our God is bigger than all of our troubles?  Did Jesus die on the cross for us to feel constant worry or sorrow?  Did he not come so we could live and not be bound by fear?  He rose again! so we could be victorious not victims! Our reward is in Heaven - not on this Earth.  That is our hope!  
If we can not truly believe that "God will make a way where there seems to be no way" then where is our faith?  What do we have faith in?  What or whom do you put your trust in?  Is it the one knows tomorrow?  Is it the one who knows the plans he has for you - plans that are good - the one that wants to give you a future and hope?
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Does that verse say "you know, or your friends or family know the plans he has for you"?  NO - it says HE knows.  Now that doesn't mean we can not seek advice or wise council.  God will place people in our lives at the appropriate times to give us a word and when he does we will get confirmation from him to follow those words.  
I write this as a reminder to myself today - a reminder of God's truth!  Not the truth as the world may see it, not the truth that I see in the natural.  I believe in a God that is bigger than my circumstances, bigger than my bank account, bigger than my storms.  If I don't have complete faith and believe then I have put God in a small box.  I have put limits on him as to what he can do in my circumstances.  Do we serve a God that has no boundaries, no limits?  That can exceed what we hoped or asked for?  YES - and we can not forget these things! for when we do the enemy has won! and that is not an option :-)
 

Isaiah 55:8-13 (New Living Translation)

 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
      “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
      so my ways are higher than your ways
      and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
 10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
      and stay on the ground to water the earth.
   They cause the grain to grow,
      producing seed for the farmer
      and bread for the hungry.
 11 It is the same with my word.
      I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
   It will accomplish all I want it to,
      and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
 12 You will live in joy and peace.
      The mountains and hills will burst into song,
      and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
 13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
      Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
   These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
      they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Philippians 3:17-21 (NLT)

 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Patience, Love and Kindness

In our own frustrations, impatience and anger with others take a moment to think about how patient God is with us. Really think about how patient God is with us! Could we ever be so loving, kind and patient? I challenge us all before we open our mouths or take any action FIRST pause and think about how our Holy Father would want us to respond. He is always there for us and he's made it so easy for each generation because he NEVER changes. The instructions remain the same. His word was and is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. There are so many things in our life that need to be "updated" or "revised" or "new and improved". I am so thankful that I serve a God that will always be "the latest and greatest". Even though his word never changes - he can constantly change you and refresh you. Each day his word can have new meaning for you!

Want to be amazed?.....Dig deeper into God's word

Psalm 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Isaiah 11:2 (King James Version)

 2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Matthew 12:32 (New Living Translation)
32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Acts 4:31 (New Living Translation)
 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:32 (New Living Translation)
32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

Acts 8:17 (New Living Translation)
17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:16 (New Living Translation)
16 Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

TAKE TIME TODAY TO READ GOD'S WORD - DON'T JUST WAIT FOR THE PASTOR TO DO IT FOR YOU ON SUNDAY!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Our Responsibilites To Our Children

 Love your children -

Titus 2:4 (NLT) These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,
Psalm 127:3 (NLT)  Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Train them up to know God and his word and will - 

Ephesians 6:4 (NLT) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 (NLT) And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT) You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
(read also Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 4:9-10,  1 Samuel 3:13, 2 Timothy 1:5)

Your children are learning to be future parents from you.  Discipline and reward your children according to God's word.  Teach them respect, obedience and to listen to your instruction.

Proverbs 6:20-23 (NLT)
20 My son, obey your father’s commands,
      and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
 21 Keep their words always in your heart.
      Tie them around your neck.
 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
      When you sleep, they will protect you.
      When you wake up, they will advise you.
 23 For their command is a lamp
      and their instruction a light;
   their corrective discipline
      is the way to life.

Ephesians 6:1-3 (NLT)
 1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Also teach them God's word about the responsibilities/role of a mother and the responsibilities/role of a father.

Your children are also learning how to be a future spouse from you.  Teach them how to have a godly marriage, to build a home the way God intended. (The wife's responsibilities to her husband and the husband's responsibility to his wife)

Ephesians 5 (NLT)
21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.[b] 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.
 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”[c] 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

(there are many other verses in the bible that teach us about marriage)

~If you feel you have no calling on your life, that you do not know God's will or purpose for you life - Know this:  If you are a parent God has trusted you with an awesome responsibility.  If you have a child God has called you - to preach, to teach, to love, to pray without ceasing and the list goes on and on!   Do not neglect your responsibilities - do not leave your children to chance - Be the parent that God has called you to be!~

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Truly from the heart the mouth speaks

Truly from the heart the mouth speaks


What comes from our mouth are the overflow from the heart ~

Isn't it amazing how many times in the Bible you find the word tongue and word/words? There are so many verses about the words we speak and God's Word that it is obviously very important. There are so many phrases and words that we have become immune to what it truly means that we don't even think about it, words we say out of habit.

What really got me to thinking about this subject is the word "luck". As far as I can tell, the word luck is not mentioned in the Bible. Please do not misunderstand me, I'm not saying it's a "bad" word. I'm sure most of us use the word from time to time without evening thinking about it all (good luck, bad luck, it's my lucky day, "I'm not very lucky", etc.)

I'm writing this, not about the word "luck" but ALL of our words. Words can hurt or heal. They can condemn or uplift. They can be right or wrong. Which words will you choose to use today? I'm writing this because I myself want to strive to make a more conscious effort to pay attention to the words I think and say.

Do your own study on this subject but here are some verses to get you started :-)

Ephesians 5:4 (New Living Translation)
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Colossians 3:17 (New Living Translation)
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

James 1:19 (New Living Translation)

Listening and Doing
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.


Job 12:11 (New Living Translation)

11 The ear tests the words it hears
just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.

Ezekiel 13:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord.

James 3:1-12 (New Living Translation)
James 3
Controlling the Tongue
1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

**When I'm thinking about something inparticular and I go to the Bible for answers I just have to say to myself "Wow"! Isn't it amazing how the light bulb just goes off inside our heads :-) How God's word is new everyday - How he speaks to us personally!

Words are important

Words are important -

Job 15:3 The wise don’t engage in empty chatter. What good are such words?

No one is perfect, but are your words more pleasing than not?  Are your conversations filled with profanity?  Do people know you to be a Christian then see or hear your conversations and are able to say "wow - they talk like that?"  Should the words of our mouth not be held to a higher standard?

Job 15:5 Your sins are telling your mouth what to say. Your words are based on clever deception

Job 34:37 For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect,and you speak many angry words against God.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 59:7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;their words cut like swords.“After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.

Proverbs 2:12 Wisdom will save you from evil people,from those whose words are twisted.

Proverbs 4:20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.

Proverbs 10:13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.

Proverbs 10:21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense