Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Was Predicted

Happy Birthday Jesus! We put up our decorations the first week of December. We got our cards in the mail the second week of December. We celebrated with parties at the school the third week of December. And this week, we celebrated with our neighbors. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love the celebrations, the decorations, the cards from our precious friends and family, and the thought of God sending His Son as a gift to me. I sure needed the gift of Jesus. We ALL need the gift of Jesus!
There's a lot of talk of Jesus this time of the year. You can even hear it in the stores. No one is scared of talking about Jesus at Christmastime. It's great. But you know where I LOVE to hear words about Jesus??? Well, in the OLD TESTAMENT!!!
Do you know that in Micah 5 in the Old Testament it talks about a ruler coming out of Bethlehem "whose origins are from the distant past"? Do know that in Isaiah 7 it tells us of that a "virgin" will give birth to a child and He will be called "Emmanuel", which means God with us? Do you know that in Isaiah 9 it talks about a child being born that will be called "Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"? There's many more words about Jesus in the Old Testament. So, do you know why these words are my favorite? Well, because they were written HUNDREDS of years BEFORE the birth of Jesus!!! Amazing! Years and years before Jesus walked the face of this earth, God told us He was coming. Christmas was predicted!
Now my Words are nothing like the Old Testament. They are nothing fancy at all, and sometimes I don't even use the right grammar and spelling. But let me say this once again, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! I'm so glad you came to save us. We needed saving!"
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I hope you stop to say "Happy Birthday" to the King of Kings!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanks, Jesus!

Luke 17:17 "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?"

We have so many reasons to be thankful. This week I've been posting on Facebook why I'm thankful. I've also seen a lot of my friends posting reasons they are thankful. It's been great seeing all the reasons....religious freedom, a Savior, family, friends, cornbread dressing, our country. We do indeed have a lot to be thankful about!

This morning I thought I would write a blog about Thanksgiving. In my thoughts I was wondering what verse in the Bible to use as my focus because there are so many that reference giving thanks to God. Psalm 100, or one of the many other Psalms, or Ezra 3:11, or maybe a New Testament reference to thanksgiving like "give thanks in all circumstances". So many verses to pick from!

Then, God reminded me of Luke 17. In Luke 17, verses 11 to 19, it tells of 10 lepers being healed by Jesus. They had all cried out to Jesus when He passed by and Jesus responded, "Go show yourselves to the priests. " Then it states that as they went away their leprosy disappeared.

Now, I don't know about you, but I think I'd be so thankful to be healed of something like leprosy that I'd be yelling "THANK YOU" from the bottom of my lungs. But, if you read through the story it says that only one of them ran back to Jesus to say thank you. One!!! One tenth of those that were healed showed their gratefulness to their Healer! YIKES!!! And was Jesus concerned about that? You better bet He was! He responded, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?" And then Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well."

I don't know about you, but I don't want to be one of the nine that didn't show their gratefulness to God for their healing! I want to proclaim to God my thankfulness, and tell others around me about the healing He's done in my life. I know God is watching, and He wants to hear from me. He wants to hear from you too!

Oh God! Please forgive me for when I've not been grateful! Thank You so much for all the things You healed in me and will heal in me. Thank You so much for all the blessings You've given me! Thank You so much for dieing for me. I'm so lost without you. You are my reason for living and You alone deserve all the glory and honor. Help me to remember that this Thanksgiving Day, and on every day!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I Wouldn't Do That, Or Would I????

You would think I would have learned by now. You would think that I would have no problems with my attitude. I mean, the Lord has taken me through this study on attitudes two times already this year, and now I'm leading a class though it again. I used to think that since I was the leader God was going to use me to teach the other people in the class. Now I clearly realize that God is working on me just as much as He is the others in the class, IF NOT MORE!

So here I find myself studying the attitude of complaining again. Interestingly enough while I was typing this addition to my blog I got a call from my husband. Although I didn't speak it, my mind started complaining. "Why does he call me at this time each day?!?! Doesn't he know that I do Bible study at this time?!! What is wrong with him!?!?!?" And just like that, my complaining attitude shows us. Oh, I didn't have to speak it because God knows my thoughts. God started talking to me at the same time my precious husband was talking. "Didn't you ask me for a godly husband? Doesn't this man love you and aren't you glad he is calling to check in with you? Don't you know a 100 or more women that would love to have a godly husband?"

Yikes. I am a complainer. Lord help me! (And let me pause for a moment from typing this blog and text my husband and apologize!)

Complaining is a sin and God gets tired of us complaining. Numbers 11:1 states "...when He heard them His anger was aroused." I don't know about you, but I don't want to arouse any one's anger, ESPECIALLY GOD'S!!

So, how can I get past this complaining attitude of mine? Well, one thing's for sure, I can't do it on my own. I really need Jesus. I find that if I seek Him, He will guide me. I need to spend more time with Him. I need to think before I speak, and battle my thoughts. I am grateful the Holy Spirit pointed out my complaining and I LISTENED today. I think that's a big key for most of us. it's LISTENING to the Holy Spirit. He's tapping us on our shoulder all the time, but we ignore Him a lot. At least I do.

Lord, please forgive me for being a complainer. Please help me LISTEN to you Lord. I trust you Lord with my life and my attitudes. And please bless my husband today!

Check out Pursuit Take2 on this link to follow along with this study on attitudes:
http://marthafisher.wordpress.com



Friday, August 6, 2010

God Speaks Through Email!

It happened again. God winked at me. I get chills down my spine when it happens. I simply love hearing from the Lord and knowing without a shadow of a doubt that He was speaking directly to me or thinking of me. I mean, who wouldn't love that?!?!?! I am convenienced that He speaks to us all the time, but we are just not good listeners.

Let me back up a little bit and tell you some details. Yesterday I did some typical stuff, including calling a business supply place here in town to have them deliver some new toner to my office. The gentleman I spoke with is the same one I've spoken to in the past, although I've never met him face to face. It's strictly a business relationship and he doesn't know me very well. He placed my order and said he would email me my receipt. He did that and I replied to the email with a simple "thank you".

Then I headed to Bible study. At Bible study I shared with the ladies that I would be having surgery later this month, and that I was a little anxious about it. I know they will pray for me. I know I'm not supposed to be anxious about anything and I should just pray about it, but I struggle in this area sometimes. Plus, I like being in control and going under anesthesia is not being in control!!!!! (-:

After wrapping up Bible study I head to my car and see that I have another email from the office supply guy. When I opened it I just sank in my seat. It might have been an earthy person doing the typing, but it was certainly an email from the Lord and not just from the office supply person. The email read as follows:

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

That's all it said. Nothing from the guy that wrote it. Just that verse. Now, I'm not sure what prompted this guy that I don't really know to send this to me other than the LORD Himself wanted to remind me of His faithfulness! I mean, the office supply guy had no way of knowing what I was anxious about or thinking about personally. Only my God could do something like this.

Has God spoken to you recently? Maybe He's trying to speak to you and you just aren't listening.

Also, has God been prompting you to say something encouraging to someone? Why don't you just let God work through you and send an email to the person He has placed on your mind. Let God write the email for you.


Lord, thank you for speaking to me through Your Word, other people, and through emails. You simply amaze me. Thanks for loving me and thanks for your promise of hope and a future for me.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

God Bless America!!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Written in Congress, July 4, 1776

I love this quote from the Declaration of Independence. It says so much about how we as Americans got our start and what our forefathers wanted for Americans. One thing that stands out to me is the reference to the "Creator". No one can deny that our country was founded by Believers and that freedom of religion was important to them. I love this about my country. We are so blessed to live in the United States of America, even with the trials our economy and government are going through.

This weekend we'll celebrate America's birthday in the traditional American way....barbecue (and it's oh so good in Texas!), fellowship with friends and family, homemade ice cream, flags flying, fireworks (if the weather is ok), and prayers for our country and military. You should join me in praying for our country and military this weekend too! I mean, you have the freedom to pray whenever you want. (-:

God Bless America, land that I love!
Stand beside her, and guide her,
thru the night with a light from above!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

By the Spirit of the Lord!

Zachariah 4:6 "not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit" says the Lord Almighty.

I can't do it. I've tried. Every day I try. I try more now that I ever have. I really want to do it, but I can't. Each day I express an attitude not pleasing to the Lord.

For the last several months I've been reading and studying "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald with my Bible study friend. I have loved this study, but it has stepped all over my feet! This study taught me that I'm not as content as I should be; and, I'm not as merciful as I should be; and, I'm not as forgiving as I should be. I complain when I shouldn't and I not as grateful to God as I should be. It has really bugged me that after walking the the Lord for so many years that I still have struggles with my attitude.

I was listening to a CD by the Mwangaza Kid's Choir one day, and before one of the songs Zachariah 4:6 is recited. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty". I realized that is the key to my attitude adjustments. I am trying to do it in my power and not in the Lord's power. You see, I need God's help in my life. Without Him leading me, there's no since in me even trying.

So, what am I going to do about my attitude problems. Well, I'm going to ask God to forgive me. I'm going to pick up His Word and hide it in my heart more often. I'm going to pray more and ask for His help and His guidance. AND, I'm going to listen to the Holy Spirit directing me and not try to do win this battle with my power and my might!

Will I get rid of my attitude problems? NO! If I was honest with you right now I would tell you I have an attitude about going to do laundry after I finish this blog update. (-: We are imperfect people. We are sinners. I will never live free of bad attitudes. But I can get better through God's help.

God, thank you for forgiving me and for guiding me. Please help me to be a good listener to You.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Submission...It Isn't All That Bad!

What do you think of when you think of the word "submission"? At first, I thought of an inferior position or working for someone else or under someone else's rules. Honestly, "submission" did not have a happy appeal to me. And if you want me to really be honest with you, I thought about submitting to my husband as it says in the Bible in Ephesians 5:22-24 and I wrinkled up my nose at the thought of it! Why? Why would I have this attitude towards the man I married and towards God's Word?

Let's go back to Genesis 3 and take a look at Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3:1-6 Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. "Really?" he asked the woman. "Did God really say you must not eat of any of the fruit in the garden?"
"Of course we may eat it," the woman told him. "It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die."
"You won't die!" the serpent hissed. "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil."
The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.

That Satan. He is always lieing to us!! It started in the beginning, and it continues until today. I believe this is one of the main reasons we do not submit and we chose to rebel. We believe the lies of the evil one. I think sometimes we forget that the Bible says God has great plans for us, and if we obey Him we will reap blessings upon blessings. God does not give us rules to follow not to keep stuff from us, but yet to bless us with a wonderful life. And Satan loves to distract us from those blessings. We are enemies with Satan because we are children of the King of Kings. Satan does not like us and we need to stop believing his lies.

Here are some scriptures I pulled up on submission:

  • James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
  • 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men.
  • Job 22:21 Submit to God and be at peace with Him. In this way prosperity will come to you.

You know, submission is NOT bad for us. Submission when walking with the Lord is like living under an umbrella held by God. Submission simply allows God to bless us and protect us. I mean, I sure want to submit and have the devil flee from me. And I sure want my life to be lived "for the Lord's sake". And of course, I want to be at peace with God and obtain that prosperity talked about in Job.

Lord, forgive me for when I have not submitted to You and when I have not submitted to others. Lord, help me be more like Mary when she said in Luke 1:29, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." I know Your plan for me is good, and I submit to that plan!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Rebellion

Numbers 16:2 "They incited a rebellion against Moses"


Have you ever rebelled against something? I have. I've rebelled against my parents when I was young and as an adult. There were things that my parents told me not to do when I was growing up, but I did them anyway. I ended up hurt and my parents ended up disappointed.


I also rebelled against authority one time in my Chevy Camero. It was fun to begin with, and I won the race, but the fine I had to pay after I got a ticket wasn't so fun.


I've also rebelled against God. I've chosen to rationalize situations and follow my own direction, rather than listening to the Holy Spirit. Seemed ok to begin with, but it didn't end up well.


Why do we rebel? What is in us that makes that rebellion show up? Why can't we just listen to the wise people in our lives, or event the Wisest One, and do what is best for us and those around us? There are many reasons we might rebel...pride, jealously, ungratefulness, stubbornness, distrust. Ultimately, we rebel out of our sinful nature. Also, we are enemies with Satan. He doesn't like us because we are children of the King of Kings, the one that has condemned him to the eternal lake of fire. (Isaiah 14:12-16 and Ezekiel 28:11-19). Because of that, Satan is always trying to get us to rebel. He tells us lies. This has gone on since the beginning. You can read the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and see what happened to them in their rebellion. And there's also Jonah which you can read about in Jonah 3:10-44. He also rebelled. And quite honestly, there's a lot of rebellion stories in the Bible. I'm trying to find out one that ended well for the person that rebelled, but honestly, I can't find one.


Rebellion is knowing but not doing the will of God. It is serious. It exists in every human heart. In numbers 16 we read the story about some men rising up against God's chosen leader, Moses. God had placed Moses in the leadership position, and if you remember correctly, Moses didn't want the position. He was very humble and told God he wasn't the man for the job. The Bible even says that Mose was the most humble person that had ever lived. And even though God placed him in that leadership position, and God had used him to lead the people out of slavery, the people still chose to rise up against Moses.


What do you think about that? What do you think God's position on this rebellion was? Do you think God was offended? Here's His response according to Numbers 16:21, "Get away from these people so that I may instantly destroy them." YIKES!!! You see, rebellion is ultimately against God. Romans 13:1 states that God has established all authorities. If we are rebelling against authority, we are ultimately rebelling against God.


On a side note, what do you think Moses did about the rebellion against him? Well, if you would have asked me before I read the story I would have guessed he became angry with them and launched an attack against them. I mean, since God had chosen him to be the leader, and after all he had been through for the people, and now they are rebelling! Seriously?!?!? I would imagine he would have opened up a can of whooping on them! So, you can imagine how amazed I am when I read Numbers 16:22-49. Moses actually fell on his face in prayer for the people. He begged God not to destroy them and actually had Aaron burn incense to atone for their sins. Amazing. That Moses. He really understood forgiveness and grace and mercy.


So, are there areas of rebellion in your life? Do you rebel against the authority in your life? The government? The police? Your Pastor? Your husband? Your parents? God wants what is best for His children. He sets up rules for us not because He wants to deny us joy, but because He wants to give us joy. Doesn't every good parent do the same?


I'm so grateful to God that he forgives me for my rebellion and that He is molding me to be more submissive each day. What an amazing God we have!!! Praise you Jesus!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Be Sure Of What You Hope For

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews gives us a pretty straight forward definition of faith. Faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see. Are you sure of what you hope for? Are you certain of what you do not see?

I believe that if a I enter the bills I need to pay into my bank's bill pay system, then my bills will be paid. I have faith in that bill pay system. I also believe that if I am out of town for a few days, that my husband will take care of my kids while I'm away. I have faith in my husband. You see, we tend to ACT on what we believe.

I have really enjoyed reading the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald and learning how I can improve my attitude. His writings on faith are wonderful. But honestly, I can't talk about faith and having true faith without thinking of Lee Strobel and his books, "The Case For Faith" and "The Case For Christ". You see, Lee didn't start out with faith in God. As a matter of fact, he started out as an atheist. He actually set out to prove that Jesus was not the Savior of the world and in the process he became a Christian. Lee is a well educated man and after much research this is what he writes in his book:

"As someone educated in journalism and law, I was trained to respond to the facts, wherever they lead. For me, the data demonstrated convincingly that Jesus is the Son of God who died as my substitute to pay the penalty I deserve for the wrongdoing I had committed."

On November 8, 1981 Lee Strobel asked Jesus for help and became a Christian. He further states in his book, "There were no lighting bolts, or audible replies, no tingly sensations." Simple as that, Lee became a Christian. And then what did he do, he ACTED on his faith. He wrote some books and began telling others of his faith and what he had discovered when he researched Jesus.

Faith is not anti-intellectual. Faith is not escapism. Faith is not "mind science". Faith is an ACTIVE belief in God. It is confidence in God's Word. One with faith not only believes for them self, but also tells others of their belief.

And how important is faith? Faith isn't just a part of the Christian life, it's the whole thing! Check out Hebrews 11 to find out what God thinks about faith.... more specifically 11:1 and 11:6

Do you have FAITH in God? Have you told Jesus that you need Him as your Savior? It seems so complicated but it is really easy. No lighting bolts will strike, no tingly feelings.....just asking Him to be your Savior and then living by FAITH in Him is the key.

If you're still doubtful that Jesus is the Savior, then I suggest you do what Lee Strobel did. Research. Go read for yourself. I think you will find it takes more faith to not believe in Jesus than faith to believe in Jesus.

And if you are confident in your faith, how you acting? Do your actions confirm your faith?

Lord, help me to walk in faith and not in my flesh.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Doubt

In the last several months I've had the opportunity to read about how God led Moses and the people of Israel out of slavery and towards the Promised Land. God was faithful to them. He not only took them out of slavery, but He parted the Red Sea doing it! Then, He covers them with a cloud for protection, and of course provides food and water for them. In my mind God left these people with no room to doubt Him.

I also think about the disciples of Jesus. They had spent so much time with Him. They had seen the miracles. They knew Lazareth was raised from the dead. They had seen a little bit of fish and bread feed thousands of people. There was no room left for them to doubt that He was indeed the Savior.


So what do the disciples and the chosen people of Israel have in common? What did they do even though the proof was shown to them over and over? They doubted. They chose not be believe and they doubted. In Numbers 13 and 14 we read how the Israelites said they couldn't go and conquer the land because the people living there were too big. Too big for God? Really? Seriously, that's what they thought? Read it for yourself in Numbers 13:31. And while your in the Bible, read in the New Testament about "Doubting Thomas" in John 20: 19-29.

Doubt is the absence of faith. It is a lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises. So why do we doubt? Fear, anger, withdrawal, bitterness, not having the facts. All these could cause doubt. But one thing is for sure, doubt is contagious. Numbers 14:1-2 states how the Israelites reacted after they listened to the doubters. They started complaining and were anxious about their future.

Is doubting a problem for you? Sometimes it is for me. Sometimes I have to actively quote scripture from the Bible to remind myself of God's promises for me. Doubt is not only destructive for those around me, but it can be debilitating for me. It can certainly lead me down the wrong path, a path that God does not want me to go.

Below is what I think are some common doubting issues we face, AND some scripture to fight these doubts:

1. I am worried about my future. (health, employment, marriage, children) JEREMIAH 29:11 "FOR I KNOW MY PLANS FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD. PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE"

2. I am worried about my finances. (MATTHEW 6:26 "LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR; THEY DO NOT SOW OR REAP OR STORE AWAY IN BARNS, AND YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT MUCH MORE VALUABLE THAN THEY?"

3. I worry about my eternity. (JOHN 3:16 "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE." and LUKE 1:4 "SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT."

4. I doubt I am seen as beautiful or worthy. (PSALM 139:14 "I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.")

Monday, April 26, 2010

All We Need Is Love...God's Love

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another"


Have you ever been in a situation where someone has offended you? If you haven't then I would say you're a hermit and you need to get out more! It's hard to be in any relationship without going through some pain at some point. Heck, sometimes you don't even have to be in a relationship. Just drive your car down Highway 281 in San Antonio during rush hour and I'm sure you will get the opportunity to be offended!!! So, what do we do in these circumstances? Or maybe I should say, what SHOULD we do in these circumstances? It is so easy to start pointing the finger at the other person's faults when difficult situations appear. I've noticed that if I really think I'm right, I take it upon myself to correct the other person. I try very politely to convenience them they were wrong. And honestly, I do that without asking God what I should do.


Recently I was approached at church by another church member. The other church member began telling me she didn't like a particular event we have at our church. Unfortunately, she didn't know the event she was criticizing was the event that I coordinate. While she spoke about how awful the event was, my blood began boiling. How in the world could this Christian woman criticize an event at our church and one she admittedly said she had not been to in a couple of years?!?!? AND, if she thought it could improve why didn't she volunteer to help! AND, how awful that she is being so critical of a church event and so vocal about it. What if the non-believers or new comers to our church heard her!?!?! I asked God what I was supposed to say to her to correct her in love, and you know how He responded? He said, "Just love her."


WHAT?!!?!! JUST LOVE HER!??!?! Are you serious, Lord? I'm right on this one! She shouldn't be talking this way and you want me to just LOVE her? Doesn't she know how many hours I put into this event each year? Shouldn't I tell her a thing or two? Just love her? Ok, just love her. So, I replied to the woman, "Thanks for your comments. I'm so sorry to hear that. I'll be sure to pass your comments along and maybe some changes will be made. I pray you have a blessed day!"


That was hard for me to do, but it was the right thing to do. It didn't provoke a fight. It didn't leave her upset at me.


God is our Heavenly Father and the author of love. The Bible even refers to to him as being love. God is love. (1 John 4:8) And God clearly states in His Word that we are to love others. And I'm noticing that it doesn't say we we are to love only those that are nice to us. Matthew 5: 43 - 48 is clear that we are to love our enemies and pray for them! And if you want to dig in your Bible and find out more on love, you must read 1 John, particularly chapters 2 - 4.


I love what John 13: 34-35 says. We will be know by our love for others. NOT we will be known for how we correct others or criticize others.....just love for others. I don't know about you, but I want to be known as a Christian. I want others to see me and think of my Heavenly Father. It's not easy to love others, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to fill our lives and we listen to God and do what He says, He will get the glory and we will avoid all kinds of troubles!


By the way, in my conversation with that nice lady that was criticizing my church program, I did get the opportunity to tell her I coordinated the event when I was loving on her as God instructed me to do. Oh, the look on her face was priceless, and because I was obedient to God and loved on her instead of telling her a thing or two, do you know she actually said she would considering coming to one of my events. Wow! To God be the glory for that! If I would have said what I wanted to say, she probably would have left the church!! (-: God is so good!


Do you want to know how to love others? Well, read good old 1 Corinthians 13. I'm sure you've heard it before, but read it again. Read it slowly and think about each word. Let God show you how you can improve on loving others!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

So, What's Their Problem?????!!!?

I get so upset sometimes at my husband. Sometimes he forgets to pick up his shoes in the living room. Can you believe that? You know what else really hacks me off? When I go to church and they don't play the music I like to hear, well, that really stinks! All the songs should be upbeat in my opinion! And why haven't they asked my opinion?????!!!?! And another thing, I'm so sick of hearing another preacher instead of our typical Pastor. Who in the world gave our Pastor the weekend off recently?!!??!

You know what their problem is? Do you know what my husband, my church Music Minister, and my Pastor are doing wrong? NOTHING!!!! They aren't doing anything wrong! It's ME who has a critical attitude. They are just living and trying to walk in the Spirit. I'm being critical and sinning!

I was reading Numbers 12 today. The people there started criticizing Moses, God's chosen leader! Moses helped get these people out of slavery and helped take care of them, but yet they chose to criticize him. The Bible even states in Numbers 12:3 that "Moses was more humble than any other person on earth.", and yet they decided to criticize him. And what do you think God's response to that was? Well, it's wasn't pretty I can tell you for sure. Numbers 12:9 says "The Lord was furious with them".

YIKES! I don't want the Lord to be furious with me. I think I might better change my ways!!

What is criticism? Well, criticism is to dwell on the perceived faults of another person with no aim to their good. Criticism is a SIN! It ruins our fellowship with God and it poisons our relationship with others. It is wrong and petty.

But why do we criticize? Sometimes it's because of unforgiveness, or maybe envy, or maybe even personal failure. Whatever the reason, it's self-exalting and NOT God-exalting.

So, are you a critical person? Are you encouraging someone today, or just putting others down? What would God say about your attitude today?

If you're like me and need some verses to help you get away from a critical attitude. Check out these verses:

  • Proverbs 3:7 "Do not be wise in your own eyes"
  • Philippians 4:8 "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything be excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things"
And by the way, my husband never leaves his shoes in the living room. And, I love the music at my church and hearing from all our Pastors. I do criticize sometimes, but not about these things.

If this information peaks your interest, be sure to read "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Contentment- You got it?

Are you a contented person?

Are you seeing the blessings of contentment?

Are you looking forward to eternity?

Are you choosing contentment over covetousness?

These are some of the questions that James MacDonald ended session with at last week's Bible study. Obviously, the topic was going from covetousness to contentment. James also had the following to say:

  • The opposite of covetousness is contentment.
  • Contentment: satisfaction in God's sufficient provision, to rest in what one has and seek nothing more.
  • Godliness + Contentment = GREAT GAIN
  • FAULTY Formulas:
  1. Godliness + Prosperity = great gain NO!
  2. Godliness + Poverty = great gain NO!
  3. Godliness + power = great gain NO!
  4. Godliness + family = great gain NO!
  5. Godliness + Ministry = great gain NO!
  • Check out 1 Timothy 6: 6-10
  • Motivations:
  1. Look to eternity.
  2. Let enough be enough.
  3. Learn by example.
  • Keys to Contentment:
  1. seek it
  2. say it
  3. settle it
  • Money allows you to go places and do things and experience pleasures to sin that someone in poverty will never know.

This was great information for me. I needed to do a self check, and honestly I fall short in this area a lot. But thank God for His grace and mercy and for teaching me!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

What do you covet?

Coveting. I like to think about that as something other people do. Unfortunately, the Lord is showing me that I need to think about this a little bit. What is coveting? According to yesterday's video session with James MacDonald, coveting is several things. Here's the notes from yesterday's session:

  • Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetime in the wilderness.
  • Covetousness is wanting wrong things.
  • Covetousness is wanting right things for the wrong reasons.
  • Covetousness is wanting right things but at the wrong time or in the wrong amount.
  • God hates covetousness.
  • Covetousness becomes sin when you yield to it.
  • When we dwell on desire, yielding is only a matter of time.
  • At the root of covetousness is a rejection of God's sufficiency.
  • Beware of begging God for non-essentials.
  • If you're a covetous person, enough is never enough.
  • If you're a covetous person, you'll spend your life in the wilderness.

James related Numbers 11 and the people not trusting the Lord to coveting. He ended the session with these questions:

  • Are you a covetous person?
  • Do you spend more time thinking about people to impact or things to get?
  • Are you in the wilderness?
  • Do you need to repent?

If you have some ideas about coveting, please email them to me or post them to the blog. stephieb@swbell.net

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

God Winked At Me!

Ever heard of a "God wink"? It's when God does something that you know without a doubt He did. Well, God winked at me yesterday.

Before I tell you about the God wink, let me tell you about my family history. I was raised in Petal, Mississippi with my big brother, Scotty. My parents, Tommy and Cheryl, have been married for 42 years. Most of those 42 years my Dad has struggled with an addition to alcohol. Now, let me say my dad was a pretty good dad when I was growing up. He wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but he was at my softball games. He encouraged me to do well in school and go to college. And, he was always a good provider for my family. But he drank a lot, and that became worse after I was an adult. Because of his drinking, my mom hasn't really had a companion. She would spend most nights by herself because my dad would go to bed immediately after supper. Of course, my family has spent years praying for my dad. I personally have asked God time after time to heal my dad from alcoholism. Prayer after prayer. Day after day.

About 4 months ago my dad found out he was a diabetic. Although that was upsetting to us, my dad decided to put down the beer because of his health problems. We weren't sure how long that would last, but I'm glad to say it's been over 4 months now that he hasn't had a drink. Answer to prayer? You bet it is!!!

So, last week I found out that my mom was having hip replacement surgery this week. Because I live so far away, and because of our crazy lives this month, it was virtually impossible for me to plan to be there to take care of my mom with such short notice. I started praying that the Lord would take care of my mom. I told God how bad it felt that I wasn't able to be there with her for this surgery. You see, my dad hasn't really taken care of my mom when she's been sick in the past. Plus, my brother is busy as a single parent so it was killing me that I wouldn't be able to be there for my mom. I was crying out to God with a broken heart, and prayers for healing for my mom.

God started telling me He was going to take care of my mom by having my brother's girlfriend, Wyn, call me and reassure me. Wyn told me she would be there with my dad and brother as much as possible and that was very comforting to me. But I still wanted to be there so badly.

So the surgery was yesterday. I didn't sleep the night before, and woke up sick to my stomach. I just wanted to be there with my mom, and God knew it. Around 7:30 am my dad called and said Mom was doing great and ready for surgery. He also said he would be there all day, and that my brother would be there as well. That was an answer to prayer. But then what he said next was God winking at me. He said to me, "Oh, and by the way. Your friend, Amy, is going to be your mom's surgical nurse today. She'll be with your mom all the way through surgery." Amy is a close friend of mine from high school and college.

Ok, do you know the odds of a close friend of mine being in surgery with my mom? I knew, without a doubt that God had done that. He didn't do that to take better care of my mom because He was taking great care of her. He did that to show me He loves me and wanted to comfort me as well. He wanted me to be at peace. I'm confident He did this for me. And Amy played the roll perfectly. She was the nurse that picked my mom up to take her to the OR. Minutes after getting to the OR and getting Mom under sedation, she called my brother to let him know she was doing great. She stayed on top of things for us. She even emailed me to let me know Mom was doing great. And if that wasn't enough, I found out later in the day that another high school friend of mine, Angie, was a nurse on my mom's floor last night and would be checking on her!!!! Amazing! And a second wink if you ask me!

I was praising God all day yesterday for His love for me and my family. I woke up thinking about my mom of course, and a little bit ago got a call from Dad saying she had a great night. The doctor said she is doing wonderful. And how did my dad know so early in the morning how Mom was doing? Well, he had spent the night at the hospital with her. The man that was so wrapped up in himself and his beer 1 year ago had spent the night checking on his wife of 42 years.

Long-time prayers answered. Recent prayers answered. God winked at me, and more than once! I am overwhelmed. My heart is so full of thankfulness. Praises to our King of Kings!

He hears our prayers and He is working, even when we can't see Him working, He is working.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Adios Complaining! Hola Thankfulness!

What the best way to stop complaining? According to James MacDonald, it's replace the complaining with THANKFULNESS. You know, I think he's right. In Luke 17 Jesus tells the story of 10 lepers being healed, and emphasizes that only one of them returned to Him to say thanks. How sad is that?!?!! If you had a terrible disease and were healed of it, would you be thankful? I know I would. Yet, every day Jesus blesses us with healing of all different kinds of things and in my opinion we aren't as grateful as we should be. Here are the notes from James' video second video session on "Lord, Change My Attitude". His words sure spoke to me!

  • Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living.
  • Attitude is everything.
  • Faith grows in the soil of gratitude.
  • Gratitude means to show that a kindness received is valued.
  • Thankfulness is a decision.
  • Thankfulness is a decision based in reality.
  • Thankfulness is a life changing decision.

James mentioned that he read a list of 20 things you should do to improve your health, and the #1 thing to do was to be thankful for all the good in your life! I know a lot of us start out each new year focused on improving our health. With this in mind, I think we should be talking about having a thankful attitude.

Do how do you know if you're a thankful person? Well, how do you pray? When you pray do you ask God to fix everything, or is most of your prayer telling Him thank you for what He has done in your life? How often do you just praise Him, whether in song or just simple words when you're alone with Him? When something bad happens, how do you react?

The Lord is changing me through this study. My eyes are being opened at how much I complain and how much I have to be thankful for. Here's a list of what I am thankful for today:

  • I'm thankful that my family doesn't live in Haiti. Can you relate?!?!
  • I'm thankful that I live in a country where I can vote, worship how I want to worship, and for the soldiers that help us keep our freedom.
  • I'm thankful for the ladies I do Bible study with. Each week I see Jesus in them and I learn from them.
  • I'm thankful that my kids are healthy. Praise God for this blessing!
  • I'm thankful for a husband that loves me and provides for his family and is a great father to our kids.
  • I'm thankful for friends that pray for me and encourage me.
  • I'm thankful for parents that loved me and that my kids get to know them too.
  • I'm thankful that today I have a home to clean up. That makes me think of Haiti again.
  • I'm thankful for a church that sincerely loves Jesus and tries to get others connected more with Him.
  • I'm thankful that I've finished exercising for today! (-:

If we think, we've got a lot more things to be thankful for than thing to complain about! Praises to the King of Kings!

Post your comments to the blog or send me an email and I'll post them for you! stephieb@swbell.net

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Are you a complainer? I actually think of myself as a happy, fun loving gal. I don't feel like I'm a complainer...or at least I didn't until yesterday.

I started this new study called, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald and Barb Peil with my weekly Bible study group at Community Bible Church here in San Antonio. Well, Mr. MacDonald stepped all over my toes with his sermon we watched on video yesterday! That sucker! Since then, I've realized....or should I say God has shown me...that I do complain. As a matter of fact, I complain a lot! Here are list of a few of the stupid things I've complained about:

  • I've complained about house chores INSTEAD of praising God for a family to take care of. I remember the years without a family and kids and how I prayed for a family and kids. Why in the world am I complaining about God's answer to my prayers!
  • I've complained about people coming to check out the house that I'm trying to sell. Ok, I'm praying God will sell our home so why would I be so upset when people come by to consider buying it. Silly me!
  • I've complained about getting rain when we need the rain so bad in San Antonio.
  • I've complained about my husbands long hours at work although it's that job that provides for my family.

Ok, so this study on attitudes that I thought was for every other person in my Bible study group is apparently for me!!! I have much, much, much, improvement to do in this area. I'm seeking forgiveness from my sin of complaining and I'm asking the Lord to remind me of when I'm complaining so I can correct myself.

So, what about you? Are you a complainer? What are the consequences of your complaining? Are you willing to change?

If you're interested in finding out more about this topic, then I would encourage you to come and join us at Community Bible Church on Tuesdays from 11:30 to 1:00 pm. Books for the study are available on the weekends during service times at CBC. You can also check this blog once a week for updates. I'll be posting what I've learned.

Below is what Mr. MacDonald said in his first session. It's such good information and backed by scripture!

  • Attitude controls outcome.
  • Those who choose murmuring/complaining as their lifestyle will spend their lives in the wilderness. (Check out what happened to the complainers in Numbers 14 and what God says in 1 Corinthians 10)
  • We choose our attitude.
  • An attitude is a pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time.
  • Complaining is a sin.
  • Sin means missing the mark.
  • Complaining means "to express dissatisfaction with a circumstance which is not wrong and about which I am doing nothing myself to correct".
  • God hears our thoughts. (so even if you are complaining in your head, it's still complaining)
  • God hates complaining.
  • Go judges complaining.
  • Check out Exodus 14:12, 15:24, 16:3, and 17:3 to see what God thinks and does about complainers!
If you have questions about this study, or want to comment on this information, please post to the blog or email me at stephieb@swbell.net and I'll post it for you or answer your questions.