Friday, September 11, 2009

Dig In

NIV - Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

The Message - Sow righteousness, reap love.It's time to till the ready earth, it's time to dig in with God. Until he arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest.

I loved this verse in Hosea...what a calling! I had to put The Message version with the phrase "it's time to dig in with God" Isn't that funny....we've been talking about getting ready to "dig in" at work the past couple days now (almost enough to make me wear boots to work!). And how many things can the "unplowed ground" represent. I think it's exciting. I love it and find it inspiring and love how God uses everyday events, words, conversations, etc. to prepare you to recognize, embrace and understand His words.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Comfort We Receive From God

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all troubles so that we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we ourself receive from God. (2 Cor 1:4)

I've been stuggling with this situation and God revealed this verse to me in one of my studies (90 days with the One and Only). Several days ago, this seventy year old lady (assumption) came to a friends door and knocked. The woman had a small bag and was worn and withered. She continued to ask this friend if there was some work she could do around the house because she was down on her luck. My friend, who was busy said No, I'm sorry...but as they lady walked off she and another friend discussed and decided to chase the woman down to give her a twenty.

By the time she reached the lady, she had knocked on another door and apparently the people said that they had weeds she could pull....so the old lady was pulling weeds by the time my friend approached her. She handed the woman a twenty and asked her if she didn't mind could she ask how she found herself in this particular situation. The woman responded that she didn't have any family (one sister in Alabama) near by and shewas a caretaker of an elderly man who had passed away ten days ago. The family of the man didn't owe her anything so she found herself homeless. She had to earn $5 a day to be able to stay at the Salvation Army here in Odessa.

I've been struggling with this....even crying. I know there is tragedy around each of us everyday. As a matter of fact, I've had to tell myself that this lady is a crack addict and choices have put her in that position, just to cope with this nagging memory. But....what if God has put this lady in the path of others to help her....witness to her....comfort her.......I'm not sure but very heartbroken. I know this may have been rambling but I just needed to share.

Friday, September 4, 2009

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let me know if you like or don't like the changes...I'll fix it back.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Loyalty

Speaking of this week...Matt 25:21 hit me hard this morning. The master answered, "You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my joy with me" How upsetting to even think someone might think I am not loyal, but how many times do I get that upset when I haven't been loyal to God. Most times, although guilty feeling, I just think I'll do better next time, or that's something I need to work on. Shrug of the shoulders and I move on. Not so when it's one of my friends...just the thought of it is devastating and I want to fix it right then. When will I put Jesus above all else, get to the point where I am totally loyal to Him above all else. Devastated when disloyal to Him, in a good and repentive way, sobbing bring me back to You God, I'm so so sorry.

And why not. The strength and the power in Hebrews 6:18-20. I can just hear it being spoken with authority. "These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he makes a promise, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. These things encourage us who came to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong." No one but Him can provide that.

But despite it all, the sweetest of all in Hebrews 10:14, I like how it was paraphrased on pg 224. With one sacrafice, Jesus made us perfect forever. Through Jesus, we are being made holy.

It's a daily process, but it does take some gumption and some stepping up. Not stepping up in our own way, but letting our Savior step in, even when it feels risky and unsafe.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

1 Cor 10-13, Lesson 10 Day 2

Reading this makes me realize sometimes it's not about what we are doing or what's right or wrong, it's about being ready for Christ, doing everything we can to prepare, focusing on Him and His return, being mature in our faith, and helping others get to that point as well.