Tag Archives: Thoughts

Avoiding a “Duh” Life

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Moments with My Father~

 

Good morning, family!  It has been a very busy week and with this day, I have set aside work to spend some time reflecting.  As I have explored my Father’s Word this morning, He has shown me many things, but the Truth that stands out to me today is that in life we can get running so fast that we don’t always take the time to think things through as we should and as a result, things that should be dealt with are not.  Or another scenario is that we are not quite sure how to instaneously deal with an issue, so we suppress it and never take the time to figure it out.  As a result, we miss out on blessing because we are passive due to being too busy. This can cause underlying anger and grief as well as other problems.  Our Father desires that we have hearts at peace.  When we don’t think through issues,  I guess this is kind of like going through life with a dunce cap on and living a “duh” life instead of putting on our thinking caps and reaping the blessings of our Father’s brilliance to help work through circumstances to make them better.  Our Father says that the wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, to give thought to their steps.  Therefore, I encourage us all to carve out some time to pray over and reflect on the unresolved problems in our lives, seek what our Father tells us in His Word and perhaps even seek out Godly counsel if needed.  Our Father desires the best for us.  He gave us a relationship with Him through Jesus, His Spirit in us, His Word, brains and good counsel for a reason.  I say why not use them for good?  Sometimes it is just a time issue – a matter of slowing down and letting our brains catch up to our feet – a little “whoa” action on the trail of life.  Whatcha think?

 

Pr 14:8,15,15:22; Jn 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, 16:7; Ro 12:2

 

The Demolition Team

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Moments with My Father

 

Good day my beloved family!  We are all God’s family and His team for carrying out the great plans He has for us.  Each one of us has our own very important part to play.  Each of us is considered a VIP (very important person)!  In stepping out to do our part, though, there is that disgusting little dude called the devil that wants to stop us from being successful for our Father.  It is kind of like playing one of those arcade games where you see a person walking along and all of a sudden some obstacle or surprise jumps up threatening to wipe them out.  The important thing to remember is that we control the game button that demolishes the enemy’s tactics if we will do as God’s Word tells us to do when arguments and pretension set themselves up against the knowledge that God has given to us to help us have victory in life.  In this game of life, we are to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ so that we do not give the devil winning points.  I guess you could say as our Father’s team of saints, we are a demolition team.  Let’s be on guard of the enemy’s thoughts and smash them away as quick as they pop up with the hammer of our Father’s Word.  Let’s say “Whamo, take that and that, you wicked little devil dude! ” Whoohoo!  Life is such an adventure.  I’m glad we’re on the same team, family.  It is so fun!  Much love to ya’s!

 

2 Cor 10:3-5

The Surprise by Sheila and Dad

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It’s Monday – a great day of opportunity and a privilege to serve our Father’s Kingdom! I’m glad we can walk through this day together as His family. On Saturday, we saw in God’s Word that there is a day in the near future that King Jesus is returning to earth and His reward will be with Him. Whoohoo – it’s gonna be exciting! But no one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, only Dad. It’s a surprise! Jesus said “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone “watch!” Some could read this passage in Scripture and think “like dude, I can’t not ever tip over for awhile. What do you mean no sleep?” If you were with me when we studied about “The Perfect Storm” on the lake, you will recall that Jesus was asleep in the boat. He done tipped over Himself for a snooze! When Jesus said “do not let him find you sleeping,” He was speaking in a parable or making a comparison to His disciples and what it meant is that each one of us has been assigned to a task in this life and it is important that we be working at that task as we await His return instead of sleeping (being indifferent to spiritual things as believers). Part of our assigned task is taking into consideration all of God’s Word that says He grants natural sleep to those He loves. His Word also speaks of taking care of our bodies as they are His holy temple in which His Holy Spirit dwells and getting enough sleep is important to having good health to keep going as long as we can for His Kingdom’s purpose for our life. Jesus’ assigned task was to endure the cross to take upon Him all the sins of mankind. Wow! How would you like to have that job assignment? It would have to be a divine call on yer heart to do that job and say I love my work which Jesus did! It was done for the joy set before Him of all that it would accomplish to bless the people He loved and His Father. While on earth, Jesus lived by faith and obedience to His Father – this was characteristic of His ministry. Can you imagine the difference it would have made to the world and our Father’s Kingdom if Jesus had slept through His life on earth and didn’t carry out His assigned task? Ok, let’s not imagine as that is too sad! Instead, let us dwell on the idea that each of us should seek to know what our Father’s assigned task is for our life. Here are a couple of thoughts to consider: 1) All of us kids are called to carry out one common task to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to live by faith and obedience to the Father just as Jesus did Himself. 2) Individually, we are each called to seek first His Kingdom (pray and study His Word, the Bible) and when we do so, we will find His good, holy and pleasing will for our life – our assigned task! Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Esther, David, Mary, John the Baptist, Paul and the twelve disciples to name just a few all had their individual assigned tasks in life. What is yours? For some, it may be to help someone else achieve their assigned task. At one point in time, two people had the assigned task of holding up Moses’ arms so that the Israelites would have victory over the Amalekites. Team work is a good thing! The day of Jesus’ return is approaching and it will be a surprise. It’s as exciting as being a kid at Christmas. On that day, I want to be found alert and on guard with a watchful eye. I definitely don’t want to be spiritually asleep when He arrives and I want to wake up as many around me as possible, too! So, I’m up and on the move with ya, working towards the very end of the age. Have a great Monday!
Mk 13:32-37; Mt 6:33, 28:16-20, Lk 8:22-25; 1 Co 3:16; Ps 127:2; Ex 17:8-13; Ro 12:2; Pr 8:17

The King’s Jewelry

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>I’m joining you this morning back on the other side of the lake with Jesus and His disciples. If they were rowing back and forth across the lake, I bet they had good arm muscles! Upon arrival to shore this time, Jesus was greeted by a crowd of people. One of them was a ruler from the synagogue who sought Him to heal his little girl who was dying. As Jesus headed there, a crowd pressed in on Him and a woman who had exhausted her finances and efforts of being healed by doctors touched the cloak of Jesus thinking to herself “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” It amazes me that Jesus knew what she was thinking and what she had done and asked “Who touched me?” His disciples thought it outrageous that He would ask such a question in the crowd situation they were in. It took great courage for the woman to speak up, as according to society she was considered “unclean” in her condition. But falling to her knees and trembling with fear, she told Him the whole truth. Jesus extended her grace as a result of her faith, calling her His daughter (His family). He told her to go in peace and that she was free from her suffering. While He was still speaking, some men came and told him the little girl who was ill was now dead so not to bother going to her. Ignoring what they told him, Jesus told the girl’s father “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” He did not let anyone follow Him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James. Upon arrival at the house, many were inside crying and wailing loudly. He said to them “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead, but asleep.” But they laughed at Him. After putting them all out, He took the child’s parents and the disciples who were with Him and went to the child. He took her hand and said “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” She got up to the complete astonishment of those watching. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this and he told them to give her something to eat. In all of this, Jesus “sparkled” with great discernment that was beyond the understanding of those around Him. Jesus had His Father’s insight and knew what to share, what not to share, with whom to share and the right timing to share. Jesus knew His Father and His plan. He was not swayed from it by others’ thoughts. His heart was to love and bless the people around Him and do the will of the Father. I so want to be like Jesus! Dad’s Word says discernment comes by seeking His knowledge and if we lack wisdom to ask Him for it. He says to preserve knowledge and sound judgment and not to let them out of sight. They will be life to us, an ornament to grace our necks. Then we can go on our way in safety and our feet will not stumble. The Lord will be our confidence and keep our feet from being snared. Ok Dad, please make me smart and help me model your kind of jewelry – that neck ornament sounds way cool and so does not tripping. :-) Mk 5:21-43; Pr 3:21-23; Col 1:9; Ja 1:5; Ro 12:2

Our Great Teacher – The Holy Spirit

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>Our Great Teacher – The Holy Spirit

At church last Sunday the pastor talked about the wise men who came to give gifts to Jesus, the King of the Jews. What is really interesting is that as we listen to someone preaching Holy Scripture to us the Holy Spirit can instruct us. The same is true as we study Scripture ourselves in quiet study time. When we open our heart to receive a message, when we are attentive and take notes about the message, thoughts come to us. The more familiar we are with Scripture the more movement in thought. The written Word of God is timeless and instructive. Direct communication with God becomes a reality as our minds are open to what God is saying through His Holy Word.

Memorized Scripture is very important in our ability to hear God through the movement of the Holy Spirit. For instance, stress of life and adverse situations can begin to overwhelm and cause fear or stress. There are many verses that deal with what to do in stressful situations. In Isaiah 35:4 – say to those with fearful hearts, “ Be strong, do not fear ; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.” Isaiah 41:10-13 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Who qualifies for hearing the Word of God through message and Scripture? Everyone who earnestly seeks the truth can qualify. Begin by praying. Ask God to reveal sin in your life that needs correction. Seek forgiveness, through the Shed Blood of Jesus. Ask God to walk with you daily. Read the Bible and get into a good Bible study. Ask God to guide you into the right relationships for growing in Him. Ask God to open your eyes and your ears so you can hear His call. Be persistent in your pursuit of God.

Father, let us never tire of truth. Guide us, speak to us, teach us and may we become a light to others. You promise to love and direct us. By faith we receive the promise. Amen