Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
God's Gift of Salvation
My life is a bit full right now, and I am short on time for preparation of new posts. So....I thought I would share some recent personal scripture cards I created to use in ministry for the next few posts. I hope you enjoy the beauty of God's creation in each picture and take comfort in the truths they declare from God's word.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
What Shall I Give Thee?
In light of making New Year's resolutions, I wanted to share a poem the Lord gave me a few years ago that reminds us that we can succeed in anything we set out to do in obedience to and/or in honor of our God.
“What shall I give thee?
God inquired of Solomon one day.
What if He asked me the very same thing?
I wondered what would I say.
Would I ask for an understanding heart?
To know the bad from the good?
Would I ask to be clay in the Potter’s hands?
For the strength to do what I should?
To be known as God’s friend?
To be free from pride?
To possess a heart that is pure?
The choices are many.
Which one is best?
I want to be very sure.
The more that I pondered,
The shining light of truth began to dawn.
He couldn’t give more than He already had—
His precious only Son.
As an heir with Christ, there is nothing I lack.
I have everything that I need.
The choices I make show the value I place
On my gift from the King of kings.
He gave me the Spirit to teach me
And empower me from above.
It’s up to me to obey Him
And submit to Him in love.
I’d never trade with King Solomon
For his wisdom, wealth and fame.
I have so much more that is mine to claim
In Jesus’ holy name.
So, thank you, dear Lord for your patience and love,
For Your mercy and Your grace.
Please help me to humbly serve You with joy
TilI I see You face to face.
“What shall I give thee?
God inquired of Solomon one day.
What if He asked me the very same thing?
I wondered what would I say.
Would I ask for an understanding heart?
To know the bad from the good?
Would I ask to be clay in the Potter’s hands?
For the strength to do what I should?
To be known as God’s friend?
To be free from pride?
To possess a heart that is pure?
The choices are many.
Which one is best?
I want to be very sure.
The more that I pondered,
The shining light of truth began to dawn.
He couldn’t give more than He already had—
His precious only Son.
As an heir with Christ, there is nothing I lack.
I have everything that I need.
The choices I make show the value I place
On my gift from the King of kings.
He gave me the Spirit to teach me
And empower me from above.
It’s up to me to obey Him
And submit to Him in love.
I’d never trade with King Solomon
For his wisdom, wealth and fame.
I have so much more that is mine to claim
In Jesus’ holy name.
So, thank you, dear Lord for your patience and love,
For Your mercy and Your grace.
Please help me to humbly serve You with joy
TilI I see You face to face.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Year Resolutions
My “New Year” resolutions for last year were to improve in dying to self, to grow in faith, and to become a more effective prayer warrior. My list for this year is the same since I am far from satisfied with my success in any of these areas. I am encouraged to persevere, however, because God has so graciously included in scripture a record of the struggles of great men of faith. They appeared to walk through the same process of one step forward and two steps backwards at times as well on their spiritual journey in life.
I am reminded how Elijah stood up so boldly in a demonstration of faith in God against the prophets of Baal only to run in fear right after from the threat of Jezebel to take his life. David is identified in scripture as a man after God’s own heart, yet he fell victim to pride and lust and took Bathsheba as his own after having Uriah killed at the front of battle. Peter spent wonderful years of teaching at the feet of Jesus while witnessing the mighty signs and wonders He performed, yet he fell to temptation and denied his Lord in fear for his own life when Jesus was on trial.
I am also reminded that the Lord did not hold their failings against them. He responded with comfort, encouragement, conviction, and consequence as necessary to grow them into the men of faith they became. And I know He will do the same for me if I will but yield my life to Him as they did. I am determined to hold fast to God’s promises and focus on the power of His Spirit in me rather than my weakness in the flesh.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
1John 4:4 … greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength….
May you all have a happy new year and may you grow in your spiritual journey as well!
I am reminded how Elijah stood up so boldly in a demonstration of faith in God against the prophets of Baal only to run in fear right after from the threat of Jezebel to take his life. David is identified in scripture as a man after God’s own heart, yet he fell victim to pride and lust and took Bathsheba as his own after having Uriah killed at the front of battle. Peter spent wonderful years of teaching at the feet of Jesus while witnessing the mighty signs and wonders He performed, yet he fell to temptation and denied his Lord in fear for his own life when Jesus was on trial.
I am also reminded that the Lord did not hold their failings against them. He responded with comfort, encouragement, conviction, and consequence as necessary to grow them into the men of faith they became. And I know He will do the same for me if I will but yield my life to Him as they did. I am determined to hold fast to God’s promises and focus on the power of His Spirit in me rather than my weakness in the flesh.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
1John 4:4 … greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength….
May you all have a happy new year and may you grow in your spiritual journey as well!
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