It is so stinking amazing to be able to use my phone, iPad and computer to all study Gods word! What an amazing time we live in, and all the closer to Jesus return! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
I have been reading about faith this morning.. Hebrews 11 is such a neat chapter! It is so encouraging to read through all of the examples of people in the Bible having faith n such extreme situations. They make may little struggles seem just that - little. Noah built an ark, Abraham offered his son up, Moses brought Gods people out of Egypt, Sarah conceived as an old lady, the list goes on!
Several verses to share that I just really love:
6: but without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him.
11-12: by faith Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed and she bore a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude - innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. (really, I like verse 12, but included vs 11 to provide some context)
16: but now they desire a better, that is, heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
At the end of the chapter, there is a list of all of the horrible things that some of the people in the hall of faith went through to proclaim the gospel - Horrible, horrible things! And, yet, they still clung to the promise of Christ, they did not give up!
Lord, give me strength and courage! Help me to have faith in Your promises! Be not ashamed for me to call You my God!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
quiet Saturday morn..
It is strangely quiet this morning.. John is my early riser and is usually up by 7am at the latest. Today, it is almost 9am and both my boys are still asleep. I am hoping it is just catch up, but am suspecting that they are both going to wake up not feeling well - it is that time of year, unfortunately. The stillness and quiet gives me a moment to reflect, which is nice. I read through my friend's blog after reading through my Bible time. I love my friend and love what she does with her kids. She has been blogging about each of her kids and I love that idea, too. She is great inspiration to me.. :)
Today's entry in My Utmost is Matt 28:19 - Go and make disciples of all the nations...
This verse is difficult for me - I am at home everyday and not around many, if any, nonbelievers. But, as I have been sitting here, Jesus reminded me that my boys are who I am responisble for shaping right now. (I know this, but needed the reminder ;)) This can seem like such a daunting task! I am shaping two of the next generation - they could change the world! What a load! BUT!!! I only can do this with the Lord's help and guidance. He carries this weight, not me. Phew!
I am really excited to see my boys in 10 years to see who they are - where their hearts are. I pray all the time that they have a heart like David - a heart seeking after the Lord. I also pray that they have the courage of Paul to share the gospel all over, to everyone at all times. I see glimpses of this in John, already. He is a lot like his daddy. Both of them say what they are thinking right then and there. Eman has always been able to swallow his fear to tell people the truth, regardless of the consequences. He says it is a both a blessing and a curse. To me, it is admirable. I am not confrontational at all - I will back down with just a glimmer of confrontation. Basically, I am a chicken. Jacob is more like me. :)
So cool to watch them grow and develop - love them so much!
Today's entry in My Utmost is Matt 28:19 - Go and make disciples of all the nations...
This verse is difficult for me - I am at home everyday and not around many, if any, nonbelievers. But, as I have been sitting here, Jesus reminded me that my boys are who I am responisble for shaping right now. (I know this, but needed the reminder ;)) This can seem like such a daunting task! I am shaping two of the next generation - they could change the world! What a load! BUT!!! I only can do this with the Lord's help and guidance. He carries this weight, not me. Phew!
I am really excited to see my boys in 10 years to see who they are - where their hearts are. I pray all the time that they have a heart like David - a heart seeking after the Lord. I also pray that they have the courage of Paul to share the gospel all over, to everyone at all times. I see glimpses of this in John, already. He is a lot like his daddy. Both of them say what they are thinking right then and there. Eman has always been able to swallow his fear to tell people the truth, regardless of the consequences. He says it is a both a blessing and a curse. To me, it is admirable. I am not confrontational at all - I will back down with just a glimmer of confrontation. Basically, I am a chicken. Jacob is more like me. :)
So cool to watch them grow and develop - love them so much!
Friday, October 26, 2012
my prayer..
Jesus, be the center
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Jesus, be the center
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Jesus, be the center
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus, Jesus
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
sweet aroma
This morning, I put on my robe before coming out of my bedroom. It smells really nice! It hangs on the back of my bathroom door and gets misted with my perfume each time I put it on. I love it! I think I might hang my sweaters there instead...
My morning devotional email had this verse this am: When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." Acts 21:12-14
The commentary says this: ..Paul was so committed to Gods purposes that he was ready to die for the cause of Christ. ..We may not be called to go somewhere to die, but are we living in the dynamics of the Holy Spirit, or have we allowed comfort to lull us into spiritual boredom?
This verse and commentary made me realize that 1. I am no Paul. 2. I have definitely have been lulled into my comfort for a long while. Although, God has been prying and pulling me out of that spot with this adoption process.
My Utmost used this verse today: "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ..." 2 Cor 2:14
Oswald talks about having the proper perspective and that is to maintain the fact that we are here for just one purpose - to be captives marching in the procession of Christ's triumphs. We need to be more like Paul, really, willing to go to Jerusalem (or where ever) even with the threat of death ahead. We are not to talk about being victorious, but instead, giving glory and belonging to the Victor - It is always HIS victory. He references Romans 8:37 - we are more than conquerors through Him..."
Oswald finishes with this: We are encompassed with the sweet aroma of Jesus and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.
2 Cor 2:14-16 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life..
Lord Jesus, surround me with the sweet aroma of Jesus - let me be a wonderful refreshment to the Heavenly Father! Show me how to teach my children to be the same. Give me the strength and knowledge to be aroma of life leading to life for the people that surround me.
My morning devotional email had this verse this am: When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." Acts 21:12-14
The commentary says this: ..Paul was so committed to Gods purposes that he was ready to die for the cause of Christ. ..We may not be called to go somewhere to die, but are we living in the dynamics of the Holy Spirit, or have we allowed comfort to lull us into spiritual boredom?
This verse and commentary made me realize that 1. I am no Paul. 2. I have definitely have been lulled into my comfort for a long while. Although, God has been prying and pulling me out of that spot with this adoption process.
My Utmost used this verse today: "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ..." 2 Cor 2:14
Oswald talks about having the proper perspective and that is to maintain the fact that we are here for just one purpose - to be captives marching in the procession of Christ's triumphs. We need to be more like Paul, really, willing to go to Jerusalem (or where ever) even with the threat of death ahead. We are not to talk about being victorious, but instead, giving glory and belonging to the Victor - It is always HIS victory. He references Romans 8:37 - we are more than conquerors through Him..."
Oswald finishes with this: We are encompassed with the sweet aroma of Jesus and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.
2 Cor 2:14-16 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life..
Lord Jesus, surround me with the sweet aroma of Jesus - let me be a wonderful refreshment to the Heavenly Father! Show me how to teach my children to be the same. Give me the strength and knowledge to be aroma of life leading to life for the people that surround me.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Galations 5
This morning, I read Galatians 5:1-6. Interestingly enough, it is a great follow up to my corrections from last night:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."
Last night the Lord showed me my bondage, my sin. Today, He tells me, now that I have confessed, to move on! I am no longer caught in that bondage. Following the "rules" is not what is going to save me - I have to totally surrender. I have to trust the Lord loves me and will work in and through me to complete my life. It would be great to have this be a snap thing, and then our lives would be complete. But, that is not how the Lord does things. Each day I must choose to leave my bondage behind. Please pray for me (and I will pray for you) that I am able to do this through the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Today's verse in My Utmost is 2 Cor 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Oswald says in the devotion, "..God pays no respect to anything we ring to Him. There is only one ting God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender." "The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God - such a trust that we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see."
There has been a repeating theme throughout my blogging... TRUST. Apparently I am super slow to get this. LOL I know that I can trust the Lord regardless of whether there is blessing for me. My problem is whether I throw a hissy fit or not. I need to give my trust with a happy heart, just like I tell my boys. No stinky attitudes!
My goal for the rest of this month (and on forward) is to continue reading each morning. I am planning to at least put where I read up here, so I am held accountable. I cant use the standby "no time" excuse, because I do - at least 10 minutes. I know that's not a lot of time, but that is enough to meet with the Lord to start my day. THAT is what I need.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."
Last night the Lord showed me my bondage, my sin. Today, He tells me, now that I have confessed, to move on! I am no longer caught in that bondage. Following the "rules" is not what is going to save me - I have to totally surrender. I have to trust the Lord loves me and will work in and through me to complete my life. It would be great to have this be a snap thing, and then our lives would be complete. But, that is not how the Lord does things. Each day I must choose to leave my bondage behind. Please pray for me (and I will pray for you) that I am able to do this through the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Today's verse in My Utmost is 2 Cor 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Oswald says in the devotion, "..God pays no respect to anything we ring to Him. There is only one ting God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender." "The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God - such a trust that we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see."
There has been a repeating theme throughout my blogging... TRUST. Apparently I am super slow to get this. LOL I know that I can trust the Lord regardless of whether there is blessing for me. My problem is whether I throw a hissy fit or not. I need to give my trust with a happy heart, just like I tell my boys. No stinky attitudes!
My goal for the rest of this month (and on forward) is to continue reading each morning. I am planning to at least put where I read up here, so I am held accountable. I cant use the standby "no time" excuse, because I do - at least 10 minutes. I know that's not a lot of time, but that is enough to meet with the Lord to start my day. THAT is what I need.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Heading to the wood shed...
The past week or so I have been super antsy, feeling like I needed something to do, filling my free time with mindless computer games, facebook, etc. Tonight finally, I opened up My Utmost For His Highest along with my Bible. I know my unease has been because I haven't actually been spending time with the Lord other than praying each night before going to bed - I know, I know. October 22 in My Utmost is titles The Witness of the Spirit. Oswald references Romans 8:16 - "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit..." He talks about how we don't have the Spirit because we are not doing what God has called us to do - spending time DAILY with Him, in the Word (this is, of course, speaking to what I am doing/not doing). I am not abandoning myself to Him in total surrender - SO hard to do, simply because I am a stinky idiot sinner who really likes to do what I want to do. I really struggle with giving my everything up to the Lord every day. It really annoys me, too. But, what is cool, is that the Lord is always good to remind me of how much He loves me and that He wants good for my life, He has a holy purpose for me! Not a life of aimless wondering, seeking and trying to fill it up with stuff.
I know that the Lord has put a desire in my heart for Naomi, an ache to have my child here. I am not capable to put those desires into my heart with only a few weeks of knowing this little girl on paper. I truly ache for her to be here. I have been trying to fill that space by making things for her, preparing for her arrival. I have made a variety of things, and started to collect clothing and other things we will need for her. I have not given those needs and desires to the Lord or asked Him to provide for us. I have simply gone for it.
After reading the My Utmost, I went back to the Bible and read through Romans 8. This chapter is cool, even though the first several verses can be confusing. I have to read through them slowly and usually out loud for it all to make sense. ;) Verse 5 really hammered into me - "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." I have been trying to distract the hollow by making myself busy "preparing". And, in all honesty, the hollow is not having Naomi, but my distraction from the Lord. Verse 6-8 goes on to say, "For to be carnally minded (thinking about the here and now) is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (I have had no peace - just anxiousness) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." All of that, combined with where I know my heart was, really stinks! I do no want to be an enemy of God nor do I want to be in a place where I cannot please Him! Thank goodness God whacked me upside the head - thank goodness there is a part 2 with good news for me later in Romans 8! Verse 13, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Yay! And, even better, the Spirit is going to do the work for me, through me, in me!
Verses 15-17 I love - "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we duffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Our Father went through the same thing bringing me (us) into the family that I (Eman and I) am doing to bring Naomi into ours! I love that He has made me a joint heir with Christ! How cool is that?!
Now these next few verses were especially sweet to me. Seriously, God is always going to bring it all back around. First, He corrects us, then shows us that He still loves us and then gives us an extra dose of love.
Verse 22-26 "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered."
I know that this is all talking about waiting for Christ to return for us, but it was sweet to me because it felt like the Lord was telling me, "I know how you feel as you wait for your daughter! I groan with you, for you." And, again, the Spirit is going to do it for me! I am weak - HE is strong!
The last 10ish verses in the chapter are also fabulous, but the first 2/3 was what I needed to hear. Thank you, Jesus, for being faithful to discipline and correct me!
I know that the Lord has put a desire in my heart for Naomi, an ache to have my child here. I am not capable to put those desires into my heart with only a few weeks of knowing this little girl on paper. I truly ache for her to be here. I have been trying to fill that space by making things for her, preparing for her arrival. I have made a variety of things, and started to collect clothing and other things we will need for her. I have not given those needs and desires to the Lord or asked Him to provide for us. I have simply gone for it.
After reading the My Utmost, I went back to the Bible and read through Romans 8. This chapter is cool, even though the first several verses can be confusing. I have to read through them slowly and usually out loud for it all to make sense. ;) Verse 5 really hammered into me - "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." I have been trying to distract the hollow by making myself busy "preparing". And, in all honesty, the hollow is not having Naomi, but my distraction from the Lord. Verse 6-8 goes on to say, "For to be carnally minded (thinking about the here and now) is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (I have had no peace - just anxiousness) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." All of that, combined with where I know my heart was, really stinks! I do no want to be an enemy of God nor do I want to be in a place where I cannot please Him! Thank goodness God whacked me upside the head - thank goodness there is a part 2 with good news for me later in Romans 8! Verse 13, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Yay! And, even better, the Spirit is going to do the work for me, through me, in me!
Verses 15-17 I love - "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we duffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Our Father went through the same thing bringing me (us) into the family that I (Eman and I) am doing to bring Naomi into ours! I love that He has made me a joint heir with Christ! How cool is that?!
Now these next few verses were especially sweet to me. Seriously, God is always going to bring it all back around. First, He corrects us, then shows us that He still loves us and then gives us an extra dose of love.
Verse 22-26 "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered."
I know that this is all talking about waiting for Christ to return for us, but it was sweet to me because it felt like the Lord was telling me, "I know how you feel as you wait for your daughter! I groan with you, for you." And, again, the Spirit is going to do it for me! I am weak - HE is strong!
The last 10ish verses in the chapter are also fabulous, but the first 2/3 was what I needed to hear. Thank you, Jesus, for being faithful to discipline and correct me!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Lord, give me patience!
I am beginning to understand my fellow adopting families impatience.. This waiting between steps is really hard! I want more pictures, more videos and more information on our little Naomi Xinyu! I want paperwork to get done all on its own, grant applications to be submitted and accepted, and our travel date to be right around the corner (since nothing is ready here, yet)! Hurry up, already!
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. - Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. - Isaiah 26:3
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