A Devotion Over Verses: Luke 1:11- 18 Gabriel, the angel of the Lord appeared before Zacharias to tell him his prayer had been heard. His wife Elizabeth, would finally bear the child they desired, and were to name him John. Gabriel told them that John would be no ordinary child, but would be the one to go before the Lord to prepare His way. Since the beginning of time, God’s plan to save mankind, was always to be through Jesus. Many events had to take place first however, before His coming. Zacharias and his wife were well in their years before Gabriel appeared to him with such great news, it was hard to receive. At the right time, God fulfilled their prayer, but for His great purpose; to make way for the coming of the Lord, our Savior and Deliverer. Gabriel said to Zacharias, "you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth." Can you imagine, all the years they spent praying, hearing nothing in response? So many nights of frustration, tears, and hopelessness. Then finally, when they likely had finally given up on that dream altogether, God heard them. I wonder how Zacharias felt in this moment, the mixture of his emotions getting the best of him; happiness and uncertainty tugging at his heart at the same time? Friends, when God doesn't answer our prayers right away, it's easy to start to lose faith in them ever coming true. But there is an appointed time for everything. God does not always move when we think He should move in our situations, yet His timing is always perfect. What we can't always see, is that God is faithfully at work behind the scenes, getting all the details worked out beforehand. In Zacharias case, God's divine order had to happen before their prayer could be answered. It wasn't that God was slow to respond to their heart's cry, but rather, He had a much bigger purpose for the child they prayed for, bigger then they even realized. God was setting in motion, the coming of His Son. Sometimes certain things have to be aligned before God will move, so never lost hope. God sees, and hears, and moves divinely in all things. Maybe you've been called to make way for something much bigger than you like John. Maybe you've been waiting for years for your prayer to be answered like Zacharias and Elizabeth. Either way, rejoice in knowing God will bring everything together at the right time, to be used in His great plan. Make way for Jesus to come and fill your life, make way to be used by the Lord. Shanaya
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Ana NelsonAna is devoted wife and mother of two (with one on the way!). She is the founder of She Found Grace and holds one of her ministries through her Instagram. Ana's purpose is to share her faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in hopes to encourage other women through her story. For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:14 When women ask me how I "got" my husband to change I always respond with two things: 1) only God can change a man's heart 2) what are YOU doing to bring him closer? Many times, we as wives, are the reason most arguments begin. Call it lack of wisdom really, many times we are the reason there is stress in the home. What I always go back to is this: are you acting like a child of God or are you acting as his mom? Men don't need a mom; they need a wife who listens to God. Though they might not know what Jesus may look like, our husbands should be able to know there is something different about us. The Jesus in US. Here's an example from my own marriage. I knew my husband would get upset when I would tell him what to do (what man doesn't, right?), so when I came to Jesus the way I spoke to him was one of my convictions from God. He noticed that I went from nagging, condescending, loud to calm, humble and respectful. I started asking, "would you mind doing this?" or "what do you think if we did this?" Simple right? You should have seen him face when I changed my way of "telling him what to do." As wives we see the potential in our husbands and want to change him so badly- so he may have see that he can't do this on our own. Our approach is all wrong. We can't change him, but we can change ourselves. Through this, our husbands can soften their hearts and come to Jesus one day or get so mad that you're different and may ask "WHY on earth are you nice to me?!" Or as my husband's said, "there's something different about you." Windows of opportunity to show Jesus. Now, once in a while I meet women with a husband who just won't change and they choose to leave them because their husband just can't be near the light. This a whole new kind of darkness in a man. But let us NEVER be the reason our husbands leave us. What I mean is, as a woman of God the LAST thing we should seek, is to leave our husbands, to "teach them a lesson." "To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace". 1 Corinthians 7:12-15 ** if you are in a physically violent relationship this does not apply sisters, get help. I have seen many thick-skinned men turn to God AFTER the wife has decided to come to Jesus and change the tone of the house. I've seen men ask about Jesus AFTER they notice their wife was "different." I've seen men change and I've lived it through the change. There's nothing God cannot change, when we allow him to; but as women we are the one who cracks the door open for Jesus to come in to our husband's life and by that I mean letting him rule your personal life and your actions. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Proverbs 3:6 _________________________________ Here's another example from my own marriage. When my husband would invite me to partake in things I no longer deemed to glorify God, I NICELY declined. I didn't go on preaching to him about him being a sinner... my husband had no idea who this JESUS was and much less why it was a sin. Another example. I didn't deny him his right to be intimate with me as punishment. That's right ladies, I still loved him and showed it when possible. Many times I've known of women who deny their husband sex because they are now, "too Holy" for him, so they let it be known. This infuriates husband's and if your husband isn't Christian and has a problem with women and sex... and you KNOW you are being a stumbling block, then you have set the perfect situation for the enemy to bust in and play with your marriage. Many women still can't understand this one because they feel they are being played with when in reality, it's an open door to show that God created sex and its beauty. If you were to ask my husband he would say to you "there was something different about the way you loved me, and I noticed." If we want our husbands to change, we must be an instrument in God's hands. We must come to Jesus and let him change us first and allow God's spirit guide us and our husband will notice. We are not called to baby sit our husband but we as Christian women are called to do good to them for the rest of their lives as scripture says. Doing good to them sometimes - no - many times, calls us to repentance as wives, and in turn, change. Not so our husbands may be happy, but to see we can be Holy in the eyes of God. Anything we do that draws us closer to Jesus will impact our husbands. Some may see the impact in days, some weeks, maybe months’, others years and somethings sadly, never. It took my husband four years to comer to Christ and all I had was my personal salvation and a willingness to follow Jesus because I loved God, not because I wanted to control my husband. In my personal walk with Jesus, somewhere along the way my husband saw it and wanted it too. Let us pray and ask God to give us the strength, the patience and the wisdom to reach our husbands. If you are reading this and want God to come in to your life, I beg you, to ask Jesus to forgive you, to give you a new life and that his Spirit comes to you and guides you. Find a church that disciples and connect with fellow Christians, you don't have to walk alone. Give your life to Jesus, friend. I take no credit for my life, but if I ever did anything right, it was to follow Jesus and really give my heart to him. Much love, Ana Nelson Pictured above: Hand-lettering by Kaitlyn Boyd, a friend of mine I met through the Christian Instagram Community. Connect with her through Instagram! You can find the link to her blog in her bio as well. Have you ever taken a step back and thought about the content that of which we follow on Social Media? Several months ago I had to take a moment where I unfollowed almost every account on my Instagram that was not a Jesus based account. It's not that I didn't care to see my friends' precious children or all the beautiful selfies (I still got to catch up with that on Facebook!). No- I really just did not want to have to scroll through any potential negativity; let's just say I was in search of encouragement anywhere it could be found. I sort of made my Instagram as an outlet for when I could not sit down and dig into my bible or a bible app; in doing this, I still had the option to scroll through Instagram and see scripture, devotions and daily encouragement. Isn't it true what we fill our hearts with is what we will pour out as well? What we feed is what we seed. What our Social Media feeds are filled with is probably a portion of the seeds we will sow. I don't know about you, but growing up in a generation where cell phones and the Internet really progressed rapidly, I tend to naturally spend a lot of time on my phone. Yep, I said it! More than I would like to admit, really. I have tried fasting from Social Media apps, by deleting the app and adding it back once I felt I was ready. But are we ever really ready? Isn't it too easy just to slip right back in to how we were before? My point is this: I should be able to get on Instagram and not be bombarded with negativity. Stay with me here. I have control over whom and what I follow. I know God is working in His people and building up an army to be a light through Social Media platforms because that is where the world is! If I stopped getting on Instagram to interact with others and share Jesus on my account, then what good am I doing (read this post about using your social media account as a vessel)? Instead, my heart is hopeful for this Jesus-loving community on Instagram to flourish so we may portray a positive atmosphere for all who are seeking encouragement. Aren't we meant to work for the Lord, in whatever we do? Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. So, if I made the choice to disengage from Social Media due to the worldliness present, would I be working for the Lord? Or would I be selfish by shying away and not pressing into the mess and shining a light for Jesus? Matthew 5:14 tells us we are the light of the world, like a city on a hill. We are to be followers of Jesus and strive to walk as He did. Though, we will never be able to do this perfectly, we still have His Holy Spirit in us. With His strength, we have the ability to press on. Matthew 9:11-12 explains how Jesus interacted with and spent time with the sinners and tax collectors (portrayed as unrighteous people). These were the people Jesus picked to be His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. In the process of pursuing more Jesus-centered accounts on Instagram, I have met many wonderful women who seek Jesus day in and day out, throughout the good times and the messy times! I am forever grateful for their constant encouragement and inspiration they provide each day through their accounts. What I have learned is this: Do not shy away from situations that obviously need Jesus, but do filter what you are filling your heart with. Continue pressing in to what Jesus calls for you to be doing and do it well! Pictured above: A prayer by a friend of mine whom I met through the Christian Instagram Community. Connect with Shanaya through Instagram @Exist2Worship and through her blog Exist2Worship. She also leads a bible study via Facebook.
The summer before I began my freshman year of high school I decided to truly follow Jesus and live sold out for Him, no matter what. Of course, the sacrifice and choices I made wasn't all so cool for many of my friends. That summer I lost a large majority of those friends. Once my freshman year began, living for Jesus became very difficult, rather quickly. The high school atmosphere is full of negativity, cursing, and simple a whole lot of ungodliness. After surviving the loneliness and temptation which came with my freshman and sophomore year, while fighting a good fight of faith, I looked back and realized one thing I wish I would have done before I started. I wished there would have been a high school survivor guide for Christians. God being amazing as always- gave me the brilliant idea to create one myself. God gave me the idea to create a YouTube series with interviews, Q&A's, discussions and much more! God opened up many doors for me to partner with AMAZING Christian social media influencers such as Christian You-Tuber Kirby Minnick, also know as @kirbyisaboss. The beautiful, Jesus loving-San Diego based model- Lauren Lebeouf. As well as many more! Being a high school student myself, I've learned and I know the temptation and struggles about how challenging it can be. Living in the high school atmosphere and staying strong in your faith, seeking to live a life that is pleasing to God is not always easy. After experiencing these things, my desire to create an outlet to inspire fellow high school Christians to live boldly for Jesus Christ in their own high schools grew even greater. Thus, how The High School Survival Guide- The Christian Edition was created! It is my prayer that this project will help and inspire high school students to live boldly for Jesus in their high schools and enlarge the kingdom and the body of Christ! -Kiersten Abernathy Guest Post by: Jenny Rose HutzlerJenny Rose met her Prince Charming, fell madly in love, got married, had two beautiful children and lived happily ever after (most of the time). Now Jenny is a retired Princess, providing encouragement for what happens after the happily ever after. Jenny loves to share stories about motherhood; the good, the bad and the really funny, all while keeping the faith. Loving Jesus and living a blessed life in the OC. “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” -Jeremiah 31:3 The other night I lingered a bit longer. It was a beautiful day filled with an outing for our daughters 18 month birthday (yes, we celebrate half birthdays in our home). I had been planning the trip for a few weeks to go to the famous flower fields since they are only in bloom for just a short amount of time each year. I color coordinated all our outfits, made special bunny ears, packed a picnic and even made cupcakes for the day. Of course, even with all my planning, there was still the usual running around. Trying to get everyone fed, dressed and out the door seems like a circus act at times. We, of course, ended up leaving about 40 minutes later than what I had originally hoped, but we were on the road and that had to be some sort of success. Once we arrived we had to stand in line to purchase our tickets. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted two lovely little girls, around the ages of 2 & 5, who had walked in with their dad but were now standing with two women. I couldn’t help but over hear the conversation between the two women and the little girls. One woman said to the older girl “I love the flower in your hair, is that your mom’s?” The other woman replied “Yes, it is her mother’s flower and she is looking down on you and smiling.” What? Could I have possibly heard that right? Cue tears welling up in my throat. Her mother looking down on her? These beautiful, sweet little girls had no mother? I must have heard it wrong…so I kept listening. As the two women continued on in hushed tones I realized what I had heard was correct. The mother of these precious babies had passed away. My mommy heart immediately ached. The kind of ache that made me want to reach out and just hug these girls and tell them that their mom loves them so much (but seeing as though I was a stranger I thought that might be a bit un-welcomed). The entire day I kept thinking about those girls. The fact that their mother would never get to see them grow up. Never watch them get dressed up for their first prom, fall in love for the first time, hug them when they had their heart broken, kiss them on their wedding day or hold her grand babies. Time is such a precious gift we have been given and too often we take it for granted, I know I do. While we walked around the flower fields I tried to really capture every moment with my family. I soaked in the bright, warm sun on their faces and the cool wind in their hair. I unknowingly took a couple hundred pictures not wanting to miss a single expression, a twirl of a dress or a jump of happiness. When it came time to sing and blow out the candles I watched intently as our two children bounced and jittered with excitement. After arriving home it was the usual song and dance trying to get dinner ready, baths done, pajamas on. I knew baby girl was super tired because as we sat in the rocker and she drank her milk she immediately collapsed as I lifted her to my shoulder. Her entire body melted into my neck and I drank in the smell of her skin and hair. It was quite simply the greatest feeling in the world. I wish I could have bottled that moment. I usually have to put her down pretty quickly so that I can get little man to bed shortly after, but tonight, I was in no hurry and I lingered a bit longer. I rocked her and I held her tight and whispered sweet prayers into her ear. I prayed that she know how much I love her and her brother and that even if I wasn’t around forever that my love for them would never change. I’m usually not the type of mom who says “Oh I wish I could stop time.” or “I wish they would stop growing up.” or “I just want them to stay a baby forever.” That was never me. But for the first time since having a baby, I finally understood. It isn’t that you want them to never grow up, or to stay a baby forever (or at least not in my perspective), but really it is because you are afraid that you might not be around forever to see it all happen. Life is such a beautiful gift, isn’t it? Here is trying to make the most of each day that we have been given. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
I want to say something that has been on my mind recently. The enemy has truly been making me feel unworthy of sharing God’s light on social media and he has caused me to have a feeling of guilt for being on social media any amount of time; but this is what has been revealed to me: If you're going to be a light on social media, then don't feel ashamed for being on there. One thing we should be aware of is this: that we must remain cautious of social media becoming an idol; but, please do, utilize the sources we have to reach people and spread light in Jesus’ Name. We all need a light in our lives. If the majority of humanity spends a good amount of time on social media seeing things that are of this world, and predominately negative, then you being a light shining for Jesus on social media is not a bad thing. Does anyone else get that nervous, sick to your stomach feeling anytime you talk about God, or what Jesus did for us on the cross? Surely I'm not the only one who gets this feeling sometimes while writing, typing or talking about Christ? I'm telling you! It's like... Every time it seems like. "I'm not qualified to do this" "I don't know enough" "I am not a good enough example in that area" "I have messed that up one too many times, can't write a post about that one..." "I don't know enough of the bible" or "I don't have enough scripture memorized" But y'all! Why do I allow the enemy to flood my mind with these thoughts?! When God calls... He equips... He qualifies. He makes a way! Y'all, I'm not making it up. Scripture says so: Hebrews 13:21 May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Not for me... But for Him. So if I deny sharing what was put on my heart, by Him, I am denying His truths, His power... and possibly depriving someone else from hearing a truth from God's word they may have never heard before.) I am preaching to my own heart on this one; because the devil knows my weaknesses, and he knows just what to do in attempt of getting me to not post or say something to shine a light for the Lord. Let's just be honest... Anytime we feel the Lord speak to us in quiet time or just in our daily life, the devil cringes... he HATES anything that glorifies God! We can be honest again: the enemy is gnashing his teeth and clenching his fists that I am stepping out in faith- placing my hope in the Lord that He would fulfill His promises, and posting this! But, God also knows my weaknesses and He has already fought the fight for me. He did it all- on the cross. I am working on tuning out the devil as much as I can and amplifying the truths, promises and love that Jesus provides; an avenue of how I am displaying these practices are my posts on social media and my blog. This all came about because I needed an outlet for myself to draw nearer to God, while growing in Him. Anything good that is in me, or comes from me, is completely and utterly Jesus- all of this is Him! I am only a vessel He is using. More of You, Lord! I want more of You. (Actually, I NEED more of You.) I can't do this life without You. I began reading in Ecclesiastes 3 a few weeks ago and it immediately spoke to me - I thought about how susceptible I am to feel entangled in the wishes of fresh seasons drawing near. With Fall approaching, there are thoughts tempting me to feel like the season I am currently in must come to a close and make room for the new. This is not always the case; God's plans and His choice of season we endure at certain times have such a divine purpose, they could never add up to the changing of seasons throughout the calendar year. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." -Ecclesiastes 3:1 As I anxiously wait for my son to accomplish his next milestone, selfishly waiting for my daughter to be able to do more things on her own (only being honest here), for my graduation to make its approach quickly and to land my dream teaching job; and for Summer to be over and cooler weather in our midst, football season to be in full swing, yet longing for my husband to be home more again.. These are a few things that are hindering my growth in my current position where God has chosen to place me. After reading verses 1-8 in Ecclesiastes, I was given a sense of peace to slow down and enjoy this current season - the here and now. I realized after reading the scriptures that I must focus on enjoying this moment I am living today, first and foremost. If I am able to savor the little things and understand the simpler things of today truly are what matter most, I will have more delight and joy during my current season. Once this time has come and gone, I will miss these moments where my son needs his Mama, needs me for everything and encompasses my entire capacity of strength, to where I must pray for God to grant me strength to endure where I cannot any longer; I will wish for these moments back in the years to come - I must cherish them, cherish him, right now. All of the things my daughter actually needs me for now, should be taken in - every moment, every conversation that occurs during these days. The fact that I am not graduated yet means I am still able to enjoy the privilege of staying home with my precious children, even though this time is still filled with coursework and deadlines, it is still overflowing with abundant blessings that some women may be praying for during their present season. I must remind myself of this; all of us may be going through a season that seems as though we could wish it away if we only could, but be reminded that there is someone praying for what we have and what we are enduring in these moments. God strategically plans each of our seasons and has such great purpose for us in these days. He has a task for us to work towards each moment for His glory. We must only be still and listen for what He is commanding of us to fulfill during this time - to focus on the here and now. "...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." - Philippians 4:11 Friend, will you work on this with me? Will you choose to focus on the season in front of you, as we seek God's daily plan for us? This does not mean we neglect having dreams, desires and goals that God has placed in our hearts, but do not put this season on the back burner hoping it will soon pass. In doing this, we may miss out on a major blessing from our Father. I am positive we will be abundantly blessed if we keep our eyes and heart set on this.
In the wee hours of the morning, something caused me to wake (probably my one year old son tossing and turning, thank you teething). I am not sure why, but the word deterrent rushed into my mind. I thought I knew what that word meant, but I had never actually used the word before. So, I went back to sleep, thinking about what the purpose of this word coming to my mind meant. When I woke up that morning, I looked up the meaning of the word, discovering I actually knew what the word meant, just had never used it before.
Romans 15:13
Having confident hope that our faithful God will overwhelm us with joy and peace, by the power of the Holy Spirit! Having confidence in our hope is faith. Friend, a hope and faith in knowing that our God has been faithful thus far! He has never failed us and He will not start today! He will not fail us because that is a promise that He has made over and over for us in His Word. How comforting it is, knowing that He is there for me, for us, always. (Even when we don't feel like it, He is always there waiting for us to come to Him!) • This morning when my mother-in-law and I attended a Women's Conference. A few unplanned events occurred (this tends to happen with littles, I know you Mamas' understand). After my son clung to arm and settled down from getting upset about being away from Mama, making sure my daughter's scrapes on her knee and elbow were not hospital worthy, I sadly allowed the enemy to take over and interrupt my closeness and connection I had with the Lord during worship. Once we got the kids back with us, I just had a really hard time listening to the message (obviously why they have child care :-D). My sweet mother-in-law was gracious enough to take the kids and go walk around in the back while I tried to scribble down some notes and verses from the message. • What I did learn though, after getting home and reading this verse, is that no matter what happened this morning, no matter how much of the message I actually heard, no matter how many Cheerios my son threw on the floor or how many times my daughter whined, God knew that I came there seeking Him. He knows I want to grow closer to Him and long to learn more. • In Eph. 6:12 it says: "He [the devil] may wrestle against you, fighting against your progress in Christ." With my goal of progression in Christ in mind this morning, the enemy was still lurking, waiting for any ounce of distraction to occur in order to try and consume my attention. I was very flustered and upset that I was not able to have my full attention on the message this morning. But, I confidently hoped that God would reveal to me His truth that I was seeking today; and He did! The Lord revealed to me that no matter what happens as distractions in our day, whether it be school, work, laundry, babies, dishes, relationships, whatever it may be... He wants us to know that He is going to fill our cup. Oh sweet friend, He will do all things we ask of Him, in prayer, if we only seek Him as He seeks us. Thank you, Jesus for loving us and providing us with such perfect truths to find comfort, joy and peace in! Thank you for loving us and caring for us so deeply. You are the God of Hope that gives so freely and graciously so that we may abound in that hope. Amen. The simple task of folding a load of towels is not always simple. Especially with two littles running around. Folding a load of towels, multiple times, due to the little humans knocking them over, unfolding and throwing them all over the room when I turn around for one second to grab another to fold.
During the midst of the craziness, God revealed to me a simple yet powerful lesson. Reminds me of how God must feel when He gives us a simple task and we completely mess it up. He probably feels how I do when my crazy, little humans throw my newly folded towels all over the room; yet, I try to happily (but most of the time reluctantly) pick the towels back up and refold them. God picks us back up with love and puts up back together when we do not fulfill His simple task He has given us. He forgives us and lifts us up (without the reluctant part). The Lord gives us multiple chances, even if we do not realize it at times. As I see my children attempting to help me fold a towel that has already been folded (once or twice or thrice), or throwing them around the room, it is in a similar way of how we human beings may try our best at things, and still fail. Or we may just completely mess up and throw the towel across the room. God grants us grace upon grace upon grace. So today I will refold the same load of towels multiple times. Joyfully. Because God gives me multiple chances, joyfully. Madison came to me this afternoon with this bud from a plant in our back yard. When her friend was over, a week or so ago, Madison said she picked it and gave it to her. She said her friend "forgot the flower in her room" while they were playing and she went home without it. Madison was very upset (she's a rather dramatic three year old if you can just imagine) about her friend leaving the flower and that it had died. I told her: "When you pick a flower away from the big plant, it dies because it does not have anything to live off of."
Then the Lord spoke to me. Like, really spoke to me. I immediately stopped after saying that to her and thought deeply... Wow. If we succumb to the the things of this world that are not of Jesus and stray away from what we are created for and what we have already found and have known in Christ, we will eventually, spiritually 'die,' even if only for a moment... or for a period longer than we desire sometimes. When we get out of our routine of seeking God, we are easily wrapped up in things of this world and that are not of Jesus and not pleasing to the Kingdom. (Stay with me here. It all makes sense in the end, I promise.) I am so guilty of this. I tend to get wrapped up in my daily school work and weekly deadlines and being mom and wife that I forget- or even choose not to open my bible, even if I know or feel that I desperately need to. Why do I do this? Anyone else with me here? During the thought process of listening to God, I was reminded of the verse in scripture: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the beaches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." -John 15:4-5 Wow. That speaks volumes, doesn't it? It does to me. Phew. I am forever grateful that I cannot be plucked form His hand, even if I am not as obedient as I plan to be at times. Those times that I feel apart from Him by not praying or reading scripture for a period of time, although I am not truly, completely away from Him, I feel that I am and I can tell that I am "doing nothing." When I finally take a step back, slap myself back into shape and pray and have devotion with God, I can see the fruit he allows me to bear. I cannot bear fruit unless I abide in the vine. I must continue to abide in Christ, so I do not spiritually die. Let us not be like the flower that wilted and died once it was pulled away from the larger, greater plant. Let us abide in the vine. Let us bear good fruits because we are intact with that of which is greater than us. Amen. A few nights ago, while I was putting my firstborn to bed (she is three), we were talking about how God loves her so much and made her special and unique in her own way, and that He gave her to Mommy and Daddy to live with us and for us to love and take care of during her time here on Earth. We also talked about how He loves us so much that He places us here on Earth to find and know Jesus, to live in happiness in Jesus and to tell others of the truth of Jesus' love in hopes that everyone else will love Jesus too (kid-proof version)! (P.s. her sweet little voice saying "Jee-sus" has to be one of the sweetest sounds!)
This morning, when I was reading in Philemon and Hebrews (oh and making my grocery list, you have to multitask when you have two littles running around like crazies.) I was reminded of the verses at the beginning of Hebrews: "For to which of the Angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"? ...And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's Angels worship him." -Hebrews 1:5-6
Also in Hebrews, 5:5-6 it reads "...You are my Son, today I have begotten you; as he says also in another place." This is to be in reference to John 3:16 where it says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son..." And so all who believes this truth will sing of His name and worship Him. Whomever shall believe of this truth will have eternal life and never perish. How beautiful is this truth. Amazing, it is. In Philemon it says, verses 6 and 7, "...and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in is for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you." As in 1 Peter 3:15 it reads, "...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..." God is appointing us to always share our faith, so we will become more knowledgable in the process, so we may honor Christ and so we will be gentle while doing so. Also, in Hebrews 1:10-12 it says "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heaven are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end." I believe him to be describing here that the world will come to an end one day, but our God and His heavens will remain resolute. These verses are in reference to Genesis where God created the heavens and He then created the earth. I just really enjoy when verses in the bible intertwine. It is so beautifully written without flaw. His words are truth and it is recognized again and again through the bible where there are multiple reminders of what has been done, what is promised and what is commanded of us. "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken." -Ecclesiastes 4:12 A three strand cord is not easily torn. When we have communion with God and fellowship with our spouse or friends of accountability, then we are able to resist what is not of the Lord. Let us be obedient, O God. Please help me to keep my eyes on You, Lord. Let us remember, always, that You do not perish and You love us unconditionally. Help us to be gentle and remember to share your truths as freely as you give them. Amen. One thing I feel that sticks out like a sore thumb about myself personally, is I struggle with keeping my eyes on Jesus throughout my day. Am I the only one? No? Okay phew.. thank goodness. I know I am imperfect and if I did have my eyes set on God 100% of my day, then I would in fact be perfect. And let me tell ya, that's not the case! So, knowing that I am not, I am able to provide myself with some grace. I find myself regretting a lot of things I say in small conversation with friends and family. I really hate it, actually. You would think if I hated something so much, I would be able to stay focused on this and correct it. I guess the enemy knows a weak spot of mine is conversing with others in small talk and he realizes I slip up and often say ignorant things that are not glorifying God. ^But listen, Devil! I rebuke that in The Name of Jesus! Thanks for reminding me, but God has forgiven me! My prayer each morning is to only say, do and think as if our Maker were standing right beside me. Start with Jesus-Stay with Jesus-End with Jesus. Amen. Now, the things I say, others may not think a thing about them. I don't even think anything about it until I have been sitting there for a bit and maybe the conversation is over and I am reflecting on what we discussed then BAM. It hits me. "Kalie, why did you say THAT!?" It was not holy. It was not encouraging. It was not thoughtful, or inspiring or nice, even. It was not of Jesus. Why? Because I am a sinner. Who is saved by grace. I am given grace upon grace upon grace. Upon grace! {Thank you, Jesus!} Things like this happen so that I will turn to God and repent, leaning on him for forgiveness and understanding. I often think about apologizing to the other person(s) I had been talking with, but then I think "they probably didn't even realize what I said and doing so would just make me look like a bigger bozo." I need God to intervene in all relationships and all situations in my life so those relationships and situations may be holy and Christ filled. Because if it were any other way, I would succumb to any or all things that are not of Jesus. I am not whole. Jesus made me whole when he died on the Cross and when I accepted that fact. How beautiful is the love portrayed on the cross? For you. For me.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "...just as you are doing." Wow. He believes in us. He knows we are capable of regular, holy conversation and encourages us to strive for that always. My prayer today. And everyday! That I will only be of encouragement in and godly way for others, so they will then encourage me. |
Kalie LandChristian wife, mama, student, and homemaker inspired by Jesus and the simple things in life. Humbled by our gracious God. Aspiring to make a difference any way possible by trying to be the loyal Christian that God is molding me to be. Archives
November 2016
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