I Survived the END of the World!!!

... Did you???

If you haven't heard yet, the world ENDED this past Friday (December 22). Or so they thought it would. And, if you haven't yet realized, we are still here... At least, I am! haha

I'm not sure what everyone's reasoning/ thinking was on the whole Mayan prediction thing, but I for one would like to know why everyone put SO much stock in their predictions... As if we are supposed to be able to pinpoint exactly when the world will end??? COME ON, PEOPLE! Are we REALLY that dumb & gullible?!?!?!?! Please...

“But concerning that day & hour NO ONE knows,
not even the angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father ONLY.
For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
For as in those days before the flood they were eating & drinking,
marrying & giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
& they were UNAWARE until the flood came & swept them all away,
SO WILL BE THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN. Then two men will be in the field;
one will be taken & one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken & one left. Therefore, STAY AWAKE BECAUSE YOU DO
NOT KNOW WHEN YOUR LORD WILL BE COMING...
Therefore you also must BE READY, for the Son of Man is
coming at an hour YOU DO NOT EXPECT..."
- Matthew 24:36-44

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!!!

 

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!!

 I hope you had a great day celebrating with your family & friends! Remember the Reason for the Season!

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given;
& the government shall be upon His shoulders,
   & His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government & of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David & over his kingdom, to establish it & to uphold it
with justice & with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore."

- Isaiah 9:6-7

Hindsight

There is a Country song that goes "I thank God I ain't what I almost was". I haven't been able to get the lyrics out of my head all day. They keep playing over & over again in my mind. (Naturally, his next song on the CD was about regret)

It got me thinking, though... I wonder how many times in life we convince (read here- deceive) ourselves into believing that our plans are really God's Plans for us? How often do we want something so badly that we deceive ourselves into thinking that it is the Best thing for us? Even sin? Suppressing our consciences? That we ignore other people's advice & proceed full-steam ahead, to fulfill all our dreams & plans? Out of stubbornness, pride etc, despite everyone's cautions & warnings? Only to wake up five years down the road & say, "What was I thinking??? If only I had listened to their advice..."

I am reminded tonight of the utter importance of accountability- of staying in close relationship with strong fellow believers, who aren't afraid to tell you the "hard Truth" in life, of confronting you when you are walking in sin... Of having a close walk with the Lord- totally in tune to His Voice, Plans, Will & Purposes (for more on this topic, read here & here). Walking in obedience to Him. Of fully surrendering our Dreams to Him (read more here & here), even if it means that He changes them & conforms them into His Will for our lives... Of walking in contentment with where He has us in life right now- of unconditionally trusting in His Plan (read more here).

 I feel like we are at a cross roads in life. We have the Choice to obey God & follow Him & listen to His Voice (& wise counsel). Or not. To live a Life of Blessing or curses. To Choose His Way, Path, Will, Purposes, Promises etc or to choose our own desires over His- rushing ahead of God's Plan for our lives. Trusting in His Plan and His Timing. There is a way to do things & a way to not do them. Sometimes a good thing can be gained in the wrong way, making it a wrong thing after all & not worth the effort invested... A lot is at stake here...

I don't think there is anything wrong with daydreaming, BUT you must make sure to incorporate the "God factor" into your so-called "plans." Because, you never know, He might have a different Plan for your life. Are you okay with that??? I'd strongly encourage you to submit to His Plan for your life, because it's most likely a bigger, better Plan than you could ever come up with on your own!!! :)

"And we know that ALL things work out for the Good

of those who love God, who have been Called

according to His Purposes..."

- Romans 8:28

"For I know the Plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“Plans to prosper you & not to harm you,
Plans to give you Hope & a Future..."

- Jeremiah 29:11

" A man plans his course,
    but the Lord establishes his steps..."

- Proverbs 16:9

Remember Pearl Harbor!

Today is the 71st anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii (on December 7, 1941). We will NOT forget! Freedom isn't free... Please say a prayer today for our veterans, our armed forces, those who have fallen protecting our freedoms & their families. Thank you!

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving Day

 Yesterday, I started writing out a list of the things that I am most thankful to God for. I didn't have much time & thought, "Oh, I'll come up with twenty-five things I'm thankful for." Well, God used that time to show me just how merciful & gracious He has been to me this past year. It brought me to my knees in thankfulness & gratefulness to Him! He has been SOOOOO good to me!!!

Below is part of the list (in no particular order). May it encourage you to reflect on the great blessings the Lord has given you this year!

1) God Himself
2) The blessing of a relationship with Him
3) For giving us His Word, so that we might know Him (Acts 17)
4) Salvation
5) Family (loving me no matter what)
6) Friends (who aren't afraid to tell me the hard Truth!)
7) Food!!! :)
8) Still being in a relationship! God is Faithful!
9) Pain with a Purpose
10 (Dancing in the) Rain

11) Spring's flowers
12) Autumn's colors!
13) A job  that pays my bills
14) Hope, in the Storm
15) A future, even when I don't see it at the time
16) The unchanging nature of God's character, His Word & Promises
17) Music!!!!
18) Memories
19) Good books
20) The Countryside! :)

21) Beauty all around me (creation)
22) Relationships
23) Accountability
24) Shelter
25) Undeserved blessings, favor & grace!
26) Wisdom & knowledge
27) Sanctification
28) Late night conversations
29) Long drives & walks in Countryside
30) FREEDOM!!!!

31) Good gifts from above
32) Technology hehehe :)
33) Life
34) Good health
35) God's justice & mercy!
36) Citizenship in Heaven ("This is not my home...")
37) An end to the Pain (Revelation 21:4)
38) Joy
39) Fellowship with fellow believers
40) Dreams

 

41) A home of my own, someday

42) Inspiration 

43) Nature

44) Flowers (especially roses!)
45) Laughter

46) Sweets! haha

47) Mountains

48) Giggles!

49) Photography

50) Peace & quiet!

51) Simple pleasures in life
52) Smiles
53) Children

54) Unconditional love
55) Passion
56) History
57) Holy Spirit

58) Pilgrims

59) Zeal

60) Godly parents

60) Jesus!

61) His birth, death & Resurrection, that we might be raised "in the newness of life"

62) A Multi-generational Vision

63) Homeschooling!!!!
64) Mom's continued good health! Praise the Lord!!!

65) Adventure

66) New sights, sounds, tastes & smells

67) Trips & vacations to new places!
68) Surprises! :)

69) Pilgrims
70) Martyrs
 

71) The Persecuted Church
72) A family-integrated Church

73) A Pastor that faithfully preaches the Word

74) Mentors

75) Blogging! hehehe

 Be blessed today!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into His presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, He is God!
    It is He who made us, & we are His;
    we are His people,& & the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
   & His courts with praise!
    Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the Lord is good;
    His steadfast love endures forever,
  & His Faithfulness to all generations."

- Psalm 100

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, y'all! I hope you have a great day today, celebrating with your friends & family! Remember: Thanksgiving is a lifestyle! It is SO much more than just being 'thankful' to the Lord one day of the year! Let us rejoice & be glad, praising & thanking Him every day of the year!

“When we bless God for mercies, we usually prolong them.
When we bless God for miseries, we usually end them.
Praise is the honey of life which a devout heart extracts
from every bloom of providence and grace.”
~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

 

 The Bible commands us to give thanks in every situation, no matter what.
This the Will of God for our lives. And yet, I wonder, why do we choose
to not thank Him for the hard times, in the middle of the storms of life?
Romans 8:28

 "A nation that stays on its knees in thanksgiving to God enjoys the blessings of God."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! :) Be blessed today!

God Keeps His Promises

 Yesterday, in our family Bible study, Dad was teaching us about the legacy of faith that Caleb had. His text for yesterday was Joshua 14:6-15.

Dad gave some background on the story, about how Caleb & Joshua had given a glowing report about the Promise Land (Numbers 13), saying that the inhabitants of the land were large, but that the Israelites could overcome them, with the LORD's help, even though their fellow spies had doubted the Lord. The Lord made a Promise to Caleb, that he would inherit the Land, because of his hope, faith & trust in the Lord (Numbers 14:20-24).

Then he told us how Joshua moved up in the ranks, becoming Moses' right-hand man & then assumed leadership over the nation of Israel when Moses passed away (Joshua 1). And how Caleb was right beside him, in all of this. Still serving the Lord. Still doing His Work.

Dad read to us from Joshua 1: 

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the
son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 'Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over
this Jordan, you & all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people
of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you,
just as I promised to Moses... No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of
your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake
you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land
that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being
careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn
from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you
will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded
you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.'”
- Joshua 1:1-9

Dad pointed out (from the text above) that God had given all of the Promise Land to the Israelites (verse 3- "every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you"), that no man could stand against them (verse 5). That God was still with them, even though Moses had died (also verse 5). That the Israelites must be very careful to follow the Path that the Lord was Calling them on (verse 7-8). 

That took us to our text for yesterday (Joshua 14:6-15). Caleb asks Joshua to remember the Promise that the Lord made to him forty-five years earlier. Caleb had served the Lord faithfully all this time & was now ready to received the Promised Inheritance. Joshua rewarded Caleb's faithfulness in serving the Lord, how He blessed Caleb for following Him wholeheartedly. Now the Lord remembered His Promise to Caleb, made forty-five years earlier.

This reminded of 2 Samuel 7- God's Covenant with David. How God promised some very specific things that David didn't receive in his lifetime- a multi-generational Promise. But how David understood that & continued to trust in the God of his Salvation. And also of Hebrews chapter 11- the Hall of Faith. 

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised,
but having seen them & greeted them from afar, & having acknowledged that
they were strangers & exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it
clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that
land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city."

- Hebrews 11:13-16

 This is not our Home. We are seeking a better home, in Heaven. And God always keeps His Promises- both years later & in future generations. His ways are not our ways. He has a Plan & a Purpose for this. No Promise He has made will ever return void. The Word of the Lord will stand forever. There will always be a Remnant. God is Sovereign over the affairs of man. He is still on His Throne. Be a faithful steward of all that the Lord has entrusted you with. You will be blessed. Trust Him. Do not lose heart. Be strong & courageous!

 "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up..." 

- Galatians 6:9