Today, I wanted to reasearch what the Bible says about being average. Ironically I plugged the word "average" into some bible software online and the term "No Results" kicked back. I love that in God's message there is no "average" like we have in life. God customized each of us to operate with different talents and abilities.
Society says some of us are average and others are privilaged, but in actuality we are all chosen for different "positions".
Included is some scripture that I found while researching this topic...
Matthew 25:15 (New International Version)
15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
Footnotes:
Matthew 25:15 A talent was worth more than a thousand dollars.
Romans 5
Peace and Joy
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Footnotes:
Romans 5:1 Or let us
Romans 5:2 Or let us
Romans 5:3 Or let us
"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12b-13
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
One Thing You Can Count On...
One Thing I can count on is that God is in Control of everything!
1 Chron. 26:11(LB) states, Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, oh Lord...We adore You as being in control of everything. Thank goodness I can rest in that everything doesn't ride on my sholders, yet it's humbling because as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and whatever other hats I wear throughout the day it can be hard to relinquish control in certain situations, but it is so freeing to do so!
Because God is in control my plans will have a limit. Pr.16:9(GN) says, "We should make plans - counting on God to direct us" For anyone, planning without prayer is presumtionous, and the way to remedy this is found in Pr.16:1(GN)
"We may make our plans, but God has the last word." therefore I need to pray for god to give me wisdom. Wisdom in raising my kids, wisdom in my financial decisions, wisdom for the next year to come.
Because God is in Control (any of) my problems will have a pourpose.
1 Peter 1:6-7(Ph) "...At present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident- it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold."
Because God is in Control my prayers will have an impact. 1John 5:14 (NIV) "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask everything according to His will, He hears us".
For full notes on the message that inspired this posting please see www.lakestevenschurch.com . The title of the message is: The One Thing You Can Count On in 2010 - A New Year's Message by Pastor Virgil Brown
1 Chron. 26:11(LB) states, Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, oh Lord...We adore You as being in control of everything. Thank goodness I can rest in that everything doesn't ride on my sholders, yet it's humbling because as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and whatever other hats I wear throughout the day it can be hard to relinquish control in certain situations, but it is so freeing to do so!
Because God is in control my plans will have a limit. Pr.16:9(GN) says, "We should make plans - counting on God to direct us" For anyone, planning without prayer is presumtionous, and the way to remedy this is found in Pr.16:1(GN)
"We may make our plans, but God has the last word." therefore I need to pray for god to give me wisdom. Wisdom in raising my kids, wisdom in my financial decisions, wisdom for the next year to come.
Because God is in Control (any of) my problems will have a pourpose.
1 Peter 1:6-7(Ph) "...At present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident- it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold."
Because God is in Control my prayers will have an impact. 1John 5:14 (NIV) "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask everything according to His will, He hears us".
For full notes on the message that inspired this posting please see www.lakestevenschurch.com . The title of the message is: The One Thing You Can Count On in 2010 - A New Year's Message by Pastor Virgil Brown
Friday, December 18, 2009
Change for Christmas
Tis the Season...for inspiration! I wanted to share with you an inspiring message during a holiday season that is more than a note to warn you of crowded shopping malls or that eBay sold the last whatchamacallit yesterday. I have added some of my own content, but the complete set of notes on this message can be found at www.lakestevenschurch.com labeled The Change of Celebration "Coming Home This Christmas" By Pastor Virgil Brown
For starters, Take out a penny from your pocket, piggy bank, junk drawer, collect all basket - whereever you can find some loose change. Look at this penny for a second. Now I want you to hold onto this penny. I want you to remember that this penny represents the past. Through Christ, "Your past is forgiven"!
Mark 2:17 Romans 4:7-8
Now go back to that piggy bank and take out a nickel. The nickel represents Now! I want you to keep this nickel in a special place to remind you that God's spirit is in you NOW!
Romans 8:11(MSG)
Do you have a dime laying around? The dime is for your Determined Destiny. "You have a place in Heaven".
John 5:24 Romans 5:21
One more....
Dig out a quarter for your collection. The quarter is there so you remember your Spiritual Growth. "You can continue to grow!
Matthew 13:4-8(MSG) Exodus 34:22(NLT)
I hope this message of change is as much of an inspiration to you as it was to me! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
With Love,
Heather
For starters, Take out a penny from your pocket, piggy bank, junk drawer, collect all basket - whereever you can find some loose change. Look at this penny for a second. Now I want you to hold onto this penny. I want you to remember that this penny represents the past. Through Christ, "Your past is forgiven"!
Mark 2:17 Romans 4:7-8
Now go back to that piggy bank and take out a nickel. The nickel represents Now! I want you to keep this nickel in a special place to remind you that God's spirit is in you NOW!
Romans 8:11(MSG)
Do you have a dime laying around? The dime is for your Determined Destiny. "You have a place in Heaven".
John 5:24 Romans 5:21
One more....
Dig out a quarter for your collection. The quarter is there so you remember your Spiritual Growth. "You can continue to grow!
Matthew 13:4-8(MSG) Exodus 34:22(NLT)
I hope this message of change is as much of an inspiration to you as it was to me! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
With Love,
Heather
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Personal Growth
I just Googled the definition to Personal Growth on an online dictonary. I got the definition of Individual gradual increase. But, even better... Personal growth equals change in action. Life is about Change and the only thing one can count on in life is change. I have been in a season of change and a season of discovery which has lead me to read more. Two books that I've been reading are The Emotionally Healthy Church and Emotionaly Healthy Spirituality both written by Peter Scazzero. They are the kind of books I need around as reference to go back and read from time to time and books that offer an opportunity for group study which I am intrested in starting.
Anyway, part of my discovery was to gather the tools in becoming an Emotionally Healthy adult in Christ which is a life long process. We never stop learning! But I needed a next level! I was desprately hungry to grow and was hitting a wall which lead me to pull away and doubt. I had expectations that were not being met. Did I communicate these expectations clearly to those I heald accountable? That is a question I have to ask myself. There are several things that can happen that cause us to look at something differently, or cause us to change the course that we are on. My despration for a direction of personal growth was high and I beleieve God was calling for me to "walk through" in order to get to the other side of understanding. Beth Moore has bible study materials I am using were I am learning how to communicate with God. When we are not upfront and honest with Him it makes us vunerable. I try to let Him know 1. How very Thankful I am for all He has gotten me through! My memory is short, so many times when I am up against difficult circumstances I need to remind myself of all He has done for me, which puts things into perspective. I realize that He will not leave me or forsake me and He is bigger than my circumstances! 2. What I need! No matter what. No matter how big or small it may be, my communication with him needs to be honest, because he desires a close relationship. and 3. What he wants me to know. For this I have to find a quiet place. Read my Bible and let Him guide me. This is a disapline that takes time.
We have been called to "Love Well" and it is my hope that I can do just that!
In Closing let me offer a prayer that Peter uses in his book. Emotionally Healthy Spriituality.
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. I am aware, Lord, of how often I treat people as its, as objects, instead of looking at them with eyes and a heart of Christ. Lord, I have unhealthy ways of relating that are deeply inbedded in me. Please change me. Make me a vessel to spread mature, steady reliable love so that people with whom I come in contact sense your tenderness and kindness. Deliver me from false peace making that is driven by fear. Lord Jesus, help me love well like you, Grow me, I pray, into an emotionally mature adult through the Holy Spirit's power. In Jesus' name, amen".
Anyway, part of my discovery was to gather the tools in becoming an Emotionally Healthy adult in Christ which is a life long process. We never stop learning! But I needed a next level! I was desprately hungry to grow and was hitting a wall which lead me to pull away and doubt. I had expectations that were not being met. Did I communicate these expectations clearly to those I heald accountable? That is a question I have to ask myself. There are several things that can happen that cause us to look at something differently, or cause us to change the course that we are on. My despration for a direction of personal growth was high and I beleieve God was calling for me to "walk through" in order to get to the other side of understanding. Beth Moore has bible study materials I am using were I am learning how to communicate with God. When we are not upfront and honest with Him it makes us vunerable. I try to let Him know 1. How very Thankful I am for all He has gotten me through! My memory is short, so many times when I am up against difficult circumstances I need to remind myself of all He has done for me, which puts things into perspective. I realize that He will not leave me or forsake me and He is bigger than my circumstances! 2. What I need! No matter what. No matter how big or small it may be, my communication with him needs to be honest, because he desires a close relationship. and 3. What he wants me to know. For this I have to find a quiet place. Read my Bible and let Him guide me. This is a disapline that takes time.
We have been called to "Love Well" and it is my hope that I can do just that!
In Closing let me offer a prayer that Peter uses in his book. Emotionally Healthy Spriituality.
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. I am aware, Lord, of how often I treat people as its, as objects, instead of looking at them with eyes and a heart of Christ. Lord, I have unhealthy ways of relating that are deeply inbedded in me. Please change me. Make me a vessel to spread mature, steady reliable love so that people with whom I come in contact sense your tenderness and kindness. Deliver me from false peace making that is driven by fear. Lord Jesus, help me love well like you, Grow me, I pray, into an emotionally mature adult through the Holy Spirit's power. In Jesus' name, amen".
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Inspired
I am feeling inspired to share more of my Journey lately. I plan on coming back to the Blog and journaling. Please stay tuned!
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