Pop Ups

Periodically, I receive pop-up reminders on my computer to update certain programs, remember particular dates, or are reminders to try new products. Usually, with this reminders they offer at least two options:

• Option one: Update now, send now, purchase now. Regardless, this option provides you with the chance to do something NOW
• Option two: Remind me later, sometimes they even allow you to choose the time frame that you want to receive said reminders.
  

There are times in our walk with Christ that we too are provided with the pop up reminders through the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is during these times that we are prompted to do or, in some cases, not to do something. Right then, we have at least two options. We can be odendient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit NOW like in option one. When we choose option one, we realize that obedience is better than sacrifice. We have chosen to submit ourselves to the will of God. We have made a choice to trust God. Yet, there is still option 2. Now, I would like to say that I always choose option one, but there are times that I know what I am guided to do but I still choose to handle things my own way. In option two, it is like saying, "Yeah, I know I am suppose to forgive, but you just don't know what she did to me"; or "I know that I am suppose to tithes, but I will get to it later". In the option two, we try to justify our behaviors to make ourselves feel that it is okay to do what we are doing.

As we continue our walk with Christ, we will always have a choice in which option we choose. Thankfully, God is a forgiving God. So when we choose option two, to handle things on our own, to choose disobedience, we are able to go to Him and repent of our wrong doings.

Thank God that he has given us the Holy Spirit to be that guide, but it is still our choice to choose option one or option two.

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No More Lines

Devotional for November 30-Dec. 6, 2009

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,and your justice as the noonday." Psalm 37: 3-6 NIV

Watching my children develop has been quite an adventure for me. Recently, my two year has been going through his independence stage. One of his favorite sayings is, "I can do it by myself." So each day, we go through a series of activities in which he wants to do it without any of my help. It is not until he has the epiphany that he is unable to complete the task on his own that he cries out for help.

His very simplistic act spoke volumes to my spirit. So many of us, as believers, are often like my two year old. We have the areas in our lives in which we feel that we can control on our own. Then there are those areas that are too big for us, or are outside of our control, that we then cry out to God for help. Sadly, there should not be that distinction. We have created a line of I can do this myself and God because I can't do that I need your help.

Christ wants us to put EVERYTHING in His care; not just the things we cannot handle. There is anything too small or anything too big for Him to handle. We just need to learn how to take our hands off, stop trying to be in control, and trust that God knows what is best in every situation. Because the more we allow ourselves to foolishly think we can handle things on our own, we can allow a prideful even a disobedient spirit to creep in. We can begin to trust more in ourselves, our abilities, our credentials instead of going to God in all areas of our lives.

All throughout the Bible are scriptures which encourage us to TRUST in the Lord. The more we trust in Him, the more it is Him who moves in our lives. The more we can be lead of the Holy Spirit and less on our emotions. The more we are able to live our lives fulfilling His divine purpose for us instead of seeking vain pursuits. We must make the choice to remove the line, or rather the boundaries, we place on our relationship with God. It is up to us to say Lord you are welcome in every area and allow Him into even our most secret place. When we do, He will guide us every step of the way.


Prayer
My loving Lord and Savior, when I think how you shower me with your mercy and grace each day my heart overflows. Lord, please forgive me for trying to handle things on my own instead of surrendering every area of my life to you. It is my desire to have you guide in all ways and to lean on you and not in my own understanding. I thank you that even when I don't understand the big picture, you already know the beginning, middle, and end of every matter. Help me Lord to continue to trust you and to not move in fear. I thank you Lord, in the name of Jesus, Amen.


Suggested Weekly Reading
Monday Psalm 37:3-7
Tuesday Psalm 91
Wednesday Psalm 22: 4-5
Thursday Proverbs 3: 5-6
Friday Isaiah 12: 1-2
Saturday Jeremiah 17: 5-8
Sunday Isaiah 26: 3-4

Application
Choose to give God all areas of your life.

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Truly Thankful

Devotional for November 23-29, 2009

"1) Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2) Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3) Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5)For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100 NIV

This week people all across the United States will be gathering together to celebrate in the Thanksgiving holiday. Students anxiously await being released from school, while grandparents eagerly await until the moment they hear the footsteps of their grands come walking through the door. Dinners will begin being prepared early in the morning as seasoned football fans cheer on their favorite teams.

Thanksgiving is an old tradition for our country that dates back as far as 1621, when after a year of sickness, disease and death, the pilgrims set aside three days in December to praise the Lord. Later on, President George Washington changed the date to November 26 as a national day of Thanksgiving to the Lord as a response to Christ granting them independence from Britain. As years passed President Abraham Lincoln later revived the tradition to what it currently is today. You see, even then, the people realized the importance of setting time aside for giving thanks until the Lord. Unfortunately, the holiday, like so much, has become commercialized centered around food, football, and the ultimate shopping day--Black Friday.

Can you imagine how we would feel if people only showed appreciation to us for what we have done one day a year? How do you think that would impact your relationships? Well, why do so many of us hold on to our thanksgiving to Christ? In Psalm 100, the psalmist presents a call of worship and praise before the Lord. He challenges us to praise God in our words, in our service, and with singing. Offering praise and thanksgiving to God is not meant to be drab devoid of expression; instead it is reason for rejoicing.

As I reflect on the goodness of Christ in my life, I realize just how much I have to thank God for. You see, it isn't just about praising God for the blessings or favor, but it is also about thanking Him for grace and mercy in the trying times. I realize that every time I fussed about the person who almost hit me while I was driving is a chance to praise God for protecting me. It is about praising God that when I didn't have enough, He was able to provide. Truly, it is about being thankful that in spite of who I was, He loved me anyway. So, while you find yourself preparing the turkey, driving to visit loved ones, or even watching some football, take time out throughout your day to give thanks until the Lord for He has done mighty things.


Prayer
Awesome and loving Father, I am always amazed at your capacity to love me. When I think of how much you continue to be my strength, my provider, my healer, I am just full of thanksgiving and praise. Lord, there are not enough words that I could say to show my thankfulness for shedding your blood on calary for me, but I am eternally thankful. Thank you Lord for every person who has interceded for me. Thank you Lord that you have forgiven me and created in me a new creature in Christ. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.


Suggested Weekly Reading
Monday Psalm 100
Tuesday Psalm 96
Wednesday Psalm 103
Thursday Psalm 111
Friday Hebrews 13: 5
Saturday 1 Peter 1: 18
Sunday Galatians 5: 9

Application
Spend time reflecting and giving God praise for all He has done for you.

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Thanksgiving has presents

While learning about Thanksgiving at school, my four year old cheerfully came home pronouncing, “Mommy we get presents at Thanksgiving.” Of course, my first thought was to sit down with him and explain that at Thanksgiving we do not get presents, but rather a time a time of giving thanks. Yet, he was right. At Thanksgiving, we have the opportunity to give so much.

During this season, we have the opportunity of giving the gift of forgiveness to those who may have hurt or misused us. We have the opportunity to give the gift of love not just to those who are able to return such love but also even to our enemies. We have the opportunity to give the gift of a Godly example by showing our family, our friends, our coworkers the joy in serving Christ. We have the opportunity to give the gift of our time by helping out in our community or our church in service. Most importantly, we can take this season to share with others Christ.

So, my little one was right. How about this Thanksgiving, we give choose to give presents.

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My Lap

Today while watching a little television, my lap was covered with children. We sat there on the loveseat as I held the baby in my arms while the two year old and four year old both clamored to get a piece of my lap. The more they each tried, the less room there was. Eventually, they figured out there wasn’t enough room for the both of them and that they would just have to take turns.

But. . .

But with God, we don’t have to take turns to get His attention, to gain out time in His lap, or to draw close to Him. Christ is so large and so awesome that we all are able to clamor to Him whenever we want. He is wonderful enough to have arms to hold all of us. His lap is big enough that we all can climb up and get close to him. How magnificent it is to serve a God that is so much more than we could ever be!

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On my heels

The other day, no matter where I went or what I was doing my 2 year old and 4 year old wanted to be right there. Sometimes they were so close to me that I would stumble just trying to walk from one place to the other. There wasn’t any place I could not go without them walking behind me or saying “I want to go toooooooo”. At times, they would even want to hold my hand just to walk from the kitchen to the living room.

Yet, I learned so much from their persistence. No matter what, they wanted to be with me. They wanted to be where I was. Imagine if we as believers would be that persistent in seeking God. Imagine what it would be like if we were to constantly want to be where He is, to do what He does, to simply constantly be with Him. Just imagine if we were to want to hold on to Him with the same tenacity that children can display.

Let’s take today to be closer to Him instead of waiting until tomorrow.

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Mr. Snuggles

My nickname for our youngest child is Mr. Snuggles. No matter where you put him, he finds a way to get closer to me. He wiggles; he rolls; he even scoots his way to be closer to either my husband or myself. It is just adorable. Once he snuggles up to us, off he goes to sleep.

His childlike desire to be close to us, reminds me of how we could be with Christ. I imagine how much He wants us to do whatever we can to get close to Him. The closer we are to Him, the more we are able to have the peace to rest in Him. I think that even God enjoys it when we want to snuggle close to Him.

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