What Kingdom Are You Building?

Marriage Moment Monday-Pray Together

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

There is a saying, "The family that prays together, stays together."

This is true for a family and a marriage.

It may be hard to pray with your spouse, but the benefits will far outweigh the discomforts and those discomforts will eventually disappear.

I remember when my husband and I started praying together. He would laugh at me because often I would cry. This opened up communication and drew us together. Now, instead of laughing at me, he just hugs me.

There was also a time when we stopped praying together because of a change of work schedules interfered with our prayer time. It didn't take long to see that issues started rising in our family. We committed to a new scheduled prayer time and those issues resolved.

Pray together!

This is the Day

Become the Change

Greater is He

Romans 7:15-19 KJV

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

I find myself often in this predicament.

I want to do good. I want to take better care of my body. I want to be 100% truthful. I want to be 100% obedient. I want to fully submit. I want to leave what I place at Christ's feet.

However, I find that I don't do what I want. I end up doing what I don't want.

But . . .

I have good news!

Christ died that I may be forgiven. God forgives me when I don't always do what I want. Christ gives me the strength to try again. We are not lost to sin and the power it has over us because the power of Christ is greater!

Love in Deed and Truth

Ezekiel 33:1-32 KJV

1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 10 Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? 11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. 14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; 15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. 17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. 18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. 19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. 20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways. 21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. 22 Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. 23 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 24 Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance. 25 Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land? 26 Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land? 27 Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence. 28 For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. 29 Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. 30 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

God has convicted me.

I have been praying for months that I would have a meek and quiet spirit.

1 Peter 3:4 KJV 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

A few weeks ago, I started reading Homeschooling with a Meek & Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell.

I realized that 90% of what I read, I know. I know it, but I am not doing it. It is in my head, but not in my heart.

When I opened my Bible to Ezekiel 33, I was drawn to verses 31 & 32.

31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

I talk about love, but do I truly show it? When it comes down to it, a large motivation for what I do is selfishness and not love. I do them for how they benefit me. Do I do things out of love? Yes, but that is not always my motivation and it should be.

My love for God should be so great that all I do is out of love. I need to stop fearing man (what will they thing of me?) and focus on my fear (awe & love for) God.

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

God hates lying.

Speak truthfully and bring delight to God and those around you.

 No one likes being lied to.

Religion vs. Relationship

Marriage Moment Monday-Spend Time With Each Other

I am sure when you were first dating your spouse, you wanted to spend as much time together as possible. You would do things he enjoyed just to be with him and vice versa. Unfortunately, what usually happens after marriage is that you quit doing that.

I remember my husband used to say that if he left the door to the garage from the house open while he was working out there that we were actually spending time together because we were in the same "room". That wasn't actually true and our relationship showed signs of stress because we weren't spending time together.

Romans 12:10 tells us to show brother love towards one another. A good way to do that is to be with someone. Spend time with them. Show them your love by giving up something you would like to do to be with them.

Taught of the Lord

As God is Exalted

A Good Work

Philippians 1:6 KJV

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Have you ever known you need to make changes in your life but feel powerless in making these changes?

I know I have!

I was reminded today that it isn't up to me to make those changes. I AM powerless; however, the One who isn't powerless lives within me. God IS NOT powerless!

God can change me. God can change you. He began a good work in us when He formed us. He continues a good work when He saved us. He will continue to perfect us until the end of time.

Our job is to turn to Him and seek Him and rely on Him to change us. We have to be open to the change. We have to pray for the change. We need to allow Him to mold us.

We must continue to press on toward the mark!

Meekness

Two Biblical examples of meekness-

Jesus-Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Moses-Numbers 12:3

(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

What made them meek?

An intimate personal relationship with God.

And submission to God's will.

THE key (not 'a' key) to a meek and quite spirit is spending time with God. If we give Him the start of the day, He will work things out for all else to be done and/or give us the strength to endure the day with a little less sleep. This does not mean my day will be without trouble, but I will better be able to handle those troubles.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth, and yet increseth; and there is that witholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

This makes me think of gardening. A gardener must scatter seeds to see an increase in produce. Then the seed itself must cease being a seed (die to self) in order to see an increase. The same is true for us. We must give of ourselves and our possessions in order to see an increase. If we don't share of ourselves, we will be poor in spirit as well as poor in friends and love.

Submission

5-15-16 Sermon

Marriage Moment Monday-Celebrate Differences

Romans 12:6a

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us

God created each of us differently. We all have different personality traits--and that is a good thing!

First, if we were all the same, then one of us wouldn't be needed in a marriage relationship.

Second, every personality trait has a strength and a weakness and we need a way to balance out. If we focus on the positives of our different personality traits, then we will have a much strong, and happier relationship and will be able to accomplish so much more.

Differences are good.

Celebrate the differences!

Ye Are Salt

Become the Change

Acknowledge Him

Proverbs 3:5-7 KJV

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Acknowledge Him.

We are not supposed to trust our own heart because our heart can be deceived. Trust in God. Go to Him.

Acknowledge Him.

Not only must we ask Him for guidance and wisdom, but we must also acknowledge what He has done for us. We need to give thanks for all He has done.

Life Preserver

Deuteronomy 6:24-25 KJV

And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Many people see God as a controlling God who gives us rules to follow because He is mean. What they do not realize is that God's commands are not a list of do's and don'ts just to control us. God gives us His commands for our good!

If we follow His commands, we will experience a life like no other-an abundant life. His commands actually give freedom. His commands help keep us safe and healthy (physically, emotionally, and spiritually).

Just as parents give rules and guidelines to our children to keep them safe, so does God. We know more than our children so we use our knowledge to help guide them in the right way. So it is with God. He knows far more than we do, so He guides us on our way through His commands

Life Preserver-

A life preserver restricts you in some ways. It is bulky and sometimes seems as it gets in our way. However, why do we wear a life preserver? We wear one to help us survive!

We put life preservers on our children who do not know how to swim or who are not strong swimmers so they don't drown. We wear them as a precaution when we are in rough waters. Although they are restrictive, we gladly wear them for a short time for our safety.

It is the same with God's laws. They may seem restrictive, but they are there for our safety. They will keep us safe for the short time on this earth so that we can experience eternity with Christ in heaven instead of being in eternal torment in hell.

God wants to preserve you. Put on His life preserver today!

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

 Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Many things from God can be considered blessings, but one thing to remember is that the blessing will not bring sorrow later. The opportunity to buy a new car could be seen as a blessing, but the weight of debt will bring sorrow; therefore, is it truly a blessing from God?

He Prays for You

5-8-16 Sermon

Marriage Moment Monday-Show Kindness

Proverbs  19:22a

The desire of a man is his kindness

When you were first dating/courting your spouse, most likely you would do special things for him. It may have been giving him the bigger piece of dessert, it may have been picking up his favorite candy at the store, or it may have been something as small as cooking his favorite meal. No matter how small, everyone loves acts of kindness!

Show some extra kindness to your husband today. Life can be busy, but it should never be so busy to do something special for the one you love. Go the extra mile and express your love with an act of kindness.

VERTICALLY CHALLENGED: the stain on my shirt...

Wise words from a wise friend!



VERTICALLY CHALLENGED: the stain on my shirt...

Praise Ye the Lord!

What Does Faith Mean?

Seek the Lord!

Isaiah 55:6-12 KJV

 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

I've heard many people say they will give their lives to Jesus later. They want to continue in their sin, so they wait. Unfortunately, there will come a day when it will be too late. It may be because their life has come to an end or because Christ has come back. In either case, they should, "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near."

God will have mercy on anyone who turns to Him. It doesn't matter how wicked he may have been, God will pardon him.

God does not think the same way we do. His thoughts are so much greater than we can ever imagine. It doesn't matter if you think what you've done is unforgiveable-He will forgive!

His word will not return void.

His Word will change lives! When you accept Him, you will be changed and will experience inexpressible joy at the love and mercy God shows.

In Thine Heart

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 KJV 

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

At the core of life is the knowledge of who God is and how to relate to Him. These two essentials form us and how we live.

The knowledge of who God is-We must study His Word and get to know God. We must form a personal relationship with Him. This leads to how we relate to Him. We must know His commands. We must make them a part of our lives.

Not only must we know His commands, we must share our knowledge with others, especially our children. We should talk about God no matter what we are doing. Our homes should be filled with His Word--not only read and spoken, but on the walls and doorposts. God, and His Word, must be the center of our lives.

As parents, we must be intentional about sharing God with our children. He must be a part of every aspect of our lives.

So many parents see these verses as directives to home school children. We are to "teach them diligently" (emphasis mine) at all times. How can we do that if our children spend a third of their day under the tutelage of humanistic thinking?

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Proverbs 9:1-2

Wisdom had builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

I was struck by the characteristics shown by wisdom. She works hard and diligently. She is resourceful and productive. She is thorough and prepared.  What a good example to follow!

Heart's Desire

5-1-16 Sermon

Marriage Moment Monday-Priority One

Genesis 2:23-24 KJV

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

How you spend your time and money shows where your priorities are. When you married, you became "one flesh" with your spouse. That means that you need to show that importance by spending time with your spouse and taking care of his needs.

Your spouse needs to take priority (after God, of course) over your children or anything else. Your children will one day grow up and leave, but your spouse is there for a lifetime commitment. You will be showing love and care to your children by loving and caring for your spouse. Children feel loved and secure in homes where parents love each other.

Don't deny the one flesh relationship!

Lead Me