If you love running or hate it...

I thought this was too hilarious not to share! I laughed and thought you might like a laugh today as well!

Let Go and let God today

Thought this message in this song was too good not to share! Be encouraged!

Quote for the day

This was too good not to post!

"You can't rush God. You can't push Him, You can't pull Him. You can't tug Him or taunt Him. If He has a mind to linger right where He is, you can't budge Him one inch. You can, however, try to go without Him; but, chances are, you'll come back because, if you really have a heart for God, you'll be miserable beyond His blessing. "
~ Beth Moore- James- Mercy Triumphs ~

Giving is so much better than getting

I was reminded today that giving is such a gift to the giver even more than the gift is a blessing to the recipient!

I have and continue to try to follow God through living a generous life that aims to invest in others any way I can. Sometimes I must confess this is a really hard thing because it goes against my selfish sin nature. But when I walk in obedience to God and operate in the spirit, He blesses in so many ways! I saw this demonstrated so precisely when we were expecting our little man. We had so many baby showers and people that showered us with gifts and loving gestures that I was blown away. At first I couldn't imagine why everyone was so generous to us then my hubby reminded me that they wanted to give back to us because we always tried to love and give to them. So their blessing of gifts to us was a chance for God to illustrate to me how my obedience to Him was reciprocated! It made tears come to my eyes as I saw God loving us through them! It made me want to endure in living generously and loving others well.

But here I find myself getting lost in the busyness of life again and miss how significant this essential obedience is in my life and in others. God surprised me with a joyful reminder this morning as I taught my exercise class. I have a lady who is expecting her 1st child and I have gotten the chance to love on her by gifts and friendship. I have been able to share much of what was so generously given to us with our baby! This morning as our whole class had a mini baby shower for her and gave her a group gift, she was so excited and I realized that generosity just doesn't stop giving to both parties! What a bountiful blessing from God!

Proverbs 11: 25 NASB
The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.

A Good Kind of Ouch

Ever tear off a scab and it stings a little but also feels good because you can tell the tissue is healing? I had one of those moments this morning with a spiritual scab (one I will be sure to need to pick again).
I was reading James 1:19-21 NASB

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

and I realized that I really struggle with the 3 commands we are given here.
1) Be quick to hear
2) Be slow to speak
3) Be slow to anger
These aren't suggestions but commands that are continuous, meaning I have to do them all the time without stopping!
So as I read this again and started thinking deeper on it, I concluded that the first 2 imperatives ask me to put others ahead of myself and be kind and respectful. The last one demands that I set aside my pride and self absorption to act with humility and patience towards others. If I don't I am acting out a terrible habit that smacks of narcissism. OUCH!!!
Here comes the scab picking and a good kind of OUCH. Thanks God for peeling off another layer of this selfish heart. Help me to walk in obedience to these commands because only in you can I obey!

Trials vs Temptations

Do you know what the difference is between trials and temptations? This is a question all of us should ask ourselves now and then.

Trial- seems to be something that is externally affecting us and challenging us to change, die to self and or trust God in a deeper way. If we stay sure through the trial, we develop endurance and stronger faith that leads to completeness (perfect in God).

Temptation- and internal desire gone astray (I saw it described as a deformed desire) that leads to sin if followed through. This is something we can choose to walk (or flee) away from.

Trials lead to good results if we stay the course but temptation leads to disaster if we don't flee away! Now I need to remember to that!

Joy & Trials Part # 1

I have embarked on the study of James for the next few months and am already done in by the first 4 verses. (Not sure how I will ever make it through this book but I am being blown away by God's goodness already)

James 1:1-4 NASB
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The 1st words of James to consider it all joy when we fall into various trials is a concept that blows my mind. I know that we are "supposed" to do it as Christians but I never have felt like I could succeed at this. Then I started digging into the Greek words and God clarified for me and stupefied me all at the same time.
We are to consider it joy because these trials are things that we happen upon completely unplanned and unsought. So not consequences for sin or disobedience, trouble we chose to dive into. These trials, because they blind side us, are even tougher to be happy about because we can easily feel overwhelmed and unjustly burdened. They act as pirates in our lives stealing, robbing, taking and often leaving us destitute. But wait, James tells us to consider it joy when they catch up because... if we are operating in the Holy Spirit, they can't take anything of value from us and they only benefit us by growing our endurance and strength for the next time! So I need to change my view of trials to the spiritual, eternal one and not my tiny, short-sided temporal one.
Here is a great quote by Beth Moore
"You were simply on your journey, trying to get from here to there, doing your job, and minding your own business then it happened... you fell into the hands of robbers. You see, left alone, that's just what trials are; robbers. Takers.... Unless you're in Christ. Trials don't get to steal from followers of Christ unless we hand over the goods. "

Now that is some meat to chew on and I feel encouraged!