Stop and Enjoy Today

Friends, life does get hectic in today's chaotic times. But we need to remember that God is looking for a relationship with us. He wants us to enjoy His blessings and come to Him in times of need. I know I don't always take the time to enjoy His beautiful world and thank Him enough for what He has done and is doing for me and my family. I may forget to thank Him but He does not forget about me and does not withhold His love.

God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1:31.

When we wake each morning God gives us a manifestation of His love for us—a new day! But too often we do not even notice because we live our lives in overdrive

Today our lives are filled with so many obligations and demands other people place on us—our families, our careers, our friends and yes we even let our church make . —the list goes on and on. As ,mothers we are so busy caring for other people in our lives, we too often fail to slow down enough to take care of ourselves or see the beauty of each new day We cook, clean,transport kids to and from various activities, just to name a few of our responsibilities. Gold did not intend for us to live such frantic lives. He yearns for an intimate relationship with us.

Beloved slow down and spend time with your Heavenly Father today.. Embrace each new day He gives you. Enjoy His artistic hand in the glow of the beautiful sunrise of each morning. Savor the beautiful sunset He puts in the sky each night for our pleasure. After all, He is our Father and He loves all His children.

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118::24

Changing the World

Let there peace on earth and let it begin with me.
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world. Unknown Monk 1100 AD
We all have said at one time or another, “If only the world were different....If only this country got back to the basics of life.... I wish the city government would.....” Admit it you have said that and so have I. Well, we cannot change the world, the country or the town. Believe me, if we could we would not please everyone. We cannot even change our family. But there is one thing we can change—ourselves. If we put more time into improving ourselves and less time worrying about others, we would slowly notice the change in other people. If we spent time with God everyday our families would notice the peace that time alone with the Father brings. If we start exercising on a regular basis, we would notice out health improve and so will our families.
A woman was praying to God one day to change her husband. He was not as attentive to her as he once was. The answer was not what she expected to hear. “You cannot change him, only change yourself. Be more attentive to him and expect his behavior to change.” She decided to give it a try. She started meeting him at the door after work and even wore clothes other than her sweat pants she had been cleaning the house in. She would ask him about his day and actually listen to him. She served his favorite dinners and showed him she loved him. To her surprise, he did become more attentive to her and began taking her out more. When their friends noticed the change in their relationship, the wife explained what she had learned. This made a difference in her friends' relationships, as well. She found out that by changing herself, she did manage to change her little corner of the world.
So my friends if you want to see change, it must begin within. Once we have made that change in ourselves, we will notice the change in other people.

Father, help me to realize that the only person I can change is myself and I can only do that with your help. I cannot change anyone else but I can be an example to them. I pray that others will see you in me and realize that you are the way, the truth, and the life. I want people to look at me and how I live my life as an honor to you and want you in their lives too. I realize that in order to change my little part of the world, I need to look to you and spend time with you each and every day. .

Where Is Your Heart?

Do not store up yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

In today’s world we are bombarded with ads that tell us to buy more, want more, do more, and be more. There is nothing wrong with wanting to make our lives easier and better but when we put material things and our personal accomplishments ahead of God, we are worshipping idols.

Idol worship did not end in the Old Testament. An idol is anything or anyone we make more important than God. When we put possessions, job, money, or even our family and friends our most important priority we make them idols. God blesses us with gifts to show His love to us but too often, we replace Him with these blessings.

How can we use these blessings on earth to store up treasures in Heaven? I will explore three ways we can have treasures in Heaven that will last for an eternity. First, we must treasure Christ. In John 3:16, we read that God loves us so much that He sent His one and only son to pay the penalty for our sins. Can you imagine such love?

The second way is to use the gifts and talents God has given us to glorify Him. He has gifted each of us with talents we can use to further His kingdom. Some of us can sing, others are gifted teachers, and still others’ hearts are touched to write of His love. We have different gifts but all can and should use them for His glory.

Finally, when we spread the gospel to other people, we are storing treasures that will not rust or decay. We are called to be missionaries. We may not be called to a foreign mission field but our own communities are fertile soil for spreading the good news. Sometimes our own families and friends can be ministered to. I lead my own children and grandchildren to Christ. Nothing else I have accomplished can match that. Jesus has commanded us to spread the news and there are plenty of opportunities to let others know how great our God is.

By storing up treasures in Heaven we are assured that these treasures will not be destroyed by moths and vermin or stolen by thieves. How great is that?

Recently in church I heard as sermon based on these scriptures in Matthew 6. As I was listening, this poem began to run through my head. I wrote it down while it was fresh in my head. It expresses how easy it is to let “things” in our life crowd out God’s place in our hearts.

My True Treasure

I bought a new car today,

Such a beautiful ride.

Church time came and went

And I pushed God aside.

I bought a new house today

Oh what a beautiful space.

Church time came and went

But I was not in my place.

I got a raise at work today

To make my bank account grow.

Church time came and went

But I did not go.

Now the car is filled with rust

And the home was taken away,

When my good job was lost

And the bills I could not pay.

One day the Lord spoke to me

When I got on my knees to pray,

He said, “My child, I’ve been right here

It was you who went away.”

From Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" A Sound Heart June 19 Let my heart be sound in thy statues: that I be not ashamed. (Psalm 119:80) We may regard this inspired prayer as containing within itself the assurance that those who keep close to the Word of God shall never have cause to be ashamed of doing so. See, the prayer is for soundness of heart. A sound creed is good, a sound judgment concerning it is better, but a sound heart toward the truth is best of all. We must love the truth, feel the truth, and obey the truth, otherwise we are not truly sound in God's statutes. Are there many in these evil days who are sound? Oh, that the writer and the reader may be two of this sort! Many will be ashamed in the last great day, when all disputes will be decided. Then they will see the folly of their inventions and be filled with remorse because of their proud infidelity and willful defiance of the Lord; but he who believed what the Lord taught and did what the Lord commanded will stand forth justified in what he did. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun. Men much slandered and abused shall find their shame turned into glory in that day. Let us pray the prayer of our text, and we may be sure that its promise will be fulfilled to us. If the Lord makes us sound, He will keep us safe. From the Faith's Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app - http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

Too Busy

Too busy to read the Bible

Too busy to wait and pray!

Too busy to speak out kindly

To someone by the way!

Too busy to care and struggle,

To think of the life to come!

Too busy building mansions,

To plan for the Heavenly Home.

Too busy to help a brother

Who faces the winter blast!

Too busy to share his burden

When self in the balance is cast.

Too busy for all that is holy

On earth beneath the sky.

Too busy to serve the master

But not too busy to die.

Unknown

How many days have we rushed from one task to another?  Knowing we need to spend time to spend time with our Heavenly Father and read His word, we run around with our never-ending to-do lists.  Instead of pausing long enough to offer a word of encouragement to a fellow traveler, we rush by with a frown lost in our own problems.  When something slows us down and stands in our way we fuss and throw a “poor me” pity party.

We are all busy rushing around and chasing the dream of more money, bigger house, better car without giving a thought about where we will spend eternity.  We don’t have tine to help another person because we are so busy trying to do all we need to do to make ourselves happy.  This is called the “hurry-worry” syndrome and it affects all of us to some extent.  Yes, we might spend all our lives doing more, getting more, and working more but there will come an event  in our lives we have to make time for—the time to die.  We can rush around and obtain all the fame, wealth, and power this world has to offer  and die wealthy but empty.  We can slow down and enjoy our lives and families more and die full of peace.  This choice is one each of us must make.  Which do you choose?

Contentment comes not from having more, but from desiring less.

Unknown

Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

God Whispers

This is a page where I share my writings in praise of my awesome God. I hope it will be encouraging to all who stop by. I want to welcome all to come and share their stories of our Father and leave encouraged and uplifted.

I want to invite you to visit my new page on Facebook..  The link is https://www.facebook.com/pages/God-Whispers

The Dream

With Easter coming I wrote this poem as a celebration of His death, burial, and resurrection.

One night I had a dream

That seemed so real to me.

I saw my Lord and Savior

On top of Mount Calvary.

A crown of thorns was on His head

Nails pierced His side.

The soldiers laughed and mocked Him

Until my Savior died.

The drops of sweat became as blood

Running down His face.

I stood there feeling so helpless

As Jesus died there in my place.

When I awoke my face was wet

From the tears that I had cried.

But He gave me eternal life

The day my Savior died.

Change the World

Unknown Monk 1100 AD

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

Christian Liberality

From Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" Christian Liberality January 22 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. (Psalm 41:1) To think about the poor and let them lie on our hearts is a Christian man's duty; for Jesus put them with us and near us when He said, "The poor ye have always with you." Many give their money to the poor in a hurry, without thought; and many more give nothing at all. This precious promise belongs to those who "consider" the poor, look into their case, devise plans for their benefit, and considerately carry them out. We can do more by care than by cash, and most with two together. To those who consider the poor, the Lord promises His own consideration in times of distress. He will bring us out of trouble if we help others when they are in trouble. We shall receive very singular providential help if the Lord sees that we try to provide for others. We shall have a time of trouble, however generous we may be; but if we are charitable, we may put in a claim for peculiar deliverance, and the Lord will not deny His own word and bond. Miserly curmudgeons may help themselves, but considerate and generous believers the Lord will help. As you have done unto others, so will the Lord do unto you. Empty your pockets. From the Faith's Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app - http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

From Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" Defended and Covered December 18 As birds flying, so will the lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. (Isaiah 31:5) With hurrying wing the mother bird hastens up to the protection of her young. She wastes no time upon the road when coming to supply them with food or guard them from danger. Thus as on eagle's wings will the Lord come for the defense of His chosen; yea, He will ride upon the wings of the wind. With outspread wing the mother covers her little ones in the nest. She hides them away by interposing her own body. The hen yields her own warmth to her chicks and makes her wings a house, in which they dwell at home. Thus doth Jehovah Himself become the protection of His elect. He Himself is their refuge, their abode, their all. As birds flying and birds covering (for the word means both), so will the Lord be unto us: and this He will be repeatedly and successfully. We shall be defended and preserved from all evil: the Lord who likens Himself to birds will not be like them in their feebleness, for He is Jehovah of hosts. Let this be our comfort, that almighty love will be swift to succor and sure to cover. The wing of God is more quick and more tender than the wing of a bird, and we will put our trust under its shadow henceforth and forever. From the Faith's Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app - http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

LET’S TAKE THE “X” OUR OF “CHRISTMAS”

Let’s take the “x” out of “Christmas”.

and let’s put Christ in again.

The day’s the birthday of a King,

Not that of an unknown man.

The tinsel the glitter, the glamour,

The noise of the parties gay

Have all but obscured the re4ason

That we celebrate the day.

We surely would not write “X-ian”

For the Christians here on earth.

Then why do we write “X-mas”

For the day of the Savior's birth?

It’s an honor that really is due Him

O’er that to a common man,

So let’s take “X” out of “Christmas”

and let’s put Christ in again.

                                                          Cyril W. Wommac

Embrace the Morning

God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.  Genesis 1:31.

When we wake each morning God gives us a manifestation of His love for us—a new day!  But too often we do not even notice because we live our lives in overdrive

Today our lives are filled with so many obligations and demands other people place on us—our families, our careers, our friends and yes we even let our church make .  —the list goes on and on.  As ,mothers we are so busy caring for other people in our lives, we too often fail to slow down enough to take care of ourselves or see the beauty of each new day  We cook, clean,transport kids to and from various activities, just to name a few of our responsibilities.  Gold did not intend for us to live such frantic lives.  He yearns for an intimate relationship with us.

Beloved slow down and spend time with your Heavenly Father   today..  Embrace each new day He gives you.  Enjoy His artistic hand in the glow of the beautiful sunrise of each morning.  Savor the beautiful sunset He puts in the sky each night for our pleasure.  After all, He is our Father and He loves all His children.

This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalms 118::24

Monday Meditations

Father, I want to thank you for giving me life.  I want to use my time on earth to glorify your name and encourage others.  I am thankful for eyes to see your wonderful creations and ears to hear the birds sing and your still small voice everyday.  I want to be an encourager to all I meet.  I want them to see you in me and want to know more about what I have.

I want to be a testimony to you without words.  I want them to see what joy you bring just by watching me.  Sometimes the most effective sermon is one without words.

Be with me today and give me wisdom and strength.

Morning Prayer

So far today, Lord, I’ve done okay.  I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, selfish or mean.  I’m really glad about that.

But in a few minutes, Lord, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then on I’m going to need a lot of help.  Amen.

God’s Gift

 

Never let the gifts of God become more important than the God who gives the gifts.

Tony Evans

Sometimes we make the blessings and gifts from God our god.We put our material possessions on a pedestal and worship our achievements and forget that God made it possible for us to enjoy them.  This is not only inanimate objects we sometimes worship but our family and friends too.   Anything that comes between us and our relationship with our Father can be considered an idol.  Our Father wants us to have nice things to enjoy in life but remember He is also a jealous God and does not us to put more emphasis on what He give us than on Him.

Remember, God is the giver of blessings—the blessings are not the giver of God,