Dear Zebras,
This morning I was reading Stormie Omartian’s book, Power of a Praying Wife. Today’s chapter was about praying for my husband’s future. The verse she quoted was:
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish (KJV)
Everyone needs a vision, she writes, without it we flounder aimlessly, life seems pointless and we die a little every day.
Precepts has trained me to look up scriptures in context, so even though Proverbs is a book of seemingly unrelated thoughts I looked the verse up. And this is what I found:
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. (NIV)
Whoa! Those two verses don’t agree, I mean I know they are two different translations, but they should still say the same thing. What’s the problem?
The problem is that Mrs. Omartian only quoted half the verse, the entire verse reads:
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (KJV)
Now they agree. This verse is not talking about the importance of us having a vision for our future but the importance of having a vision of God.
When we do not have a vision of God, we feel free to sin, which leads to death and a whole lot of trouble! But if we follow God’s laws we will be happy and blessed.
The point of this ladies, is that you should never trust anyone to interpret scripture for you, and Scripture should always be taken in context.
You need to learn to read it for yourselves.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Gary's Big Job
James 1:16-17
Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Good morning ladies,
Yesterday Gary’s company won a big project. Gary came home very excited about it. Starting tomorrow there was going to be a flurry of activity, including some evening meetings to iron out the details, so Gary said he wouldn’t be able to make it to Awana on Thursday night.
I thought, that's a funny way to thank God.
This morning they ran in to some difficulties and they might not get the job after all.
When I first became a Christian, I was so excited about the Lord that I wanted to do something to show Him how very much I loved him, so I decided to get my eating under control.
What I didn’t know then was that victory over sin was not something I was doing for God but something He was doing for me.
I was ecstatic when I started losing weight. People would ask me, “How are you doing it?” and I would enthusiastically tell them all about God. Not the response they expected, but I didn’t care. I knew the reason I was losing weight, and it didn’t have anything to do with portion control or exercise.
Then a interesting thing happened men started noticing me. Now I have always been “fluffy” and not very popular in school. I never had a date in high school, so men paying attention to me was a new and exciting experience. My focus turned away from God.
That was a funny way to thank God.
God had given me a gift, a blessing if you will, and I let it distract me from my walk and some hard years followed, years that would’ve been different had I kept my eyes on Christ.
People say they can tell a person’s faith by how they walk through trials, which is true. But you can also tell a person’s faith by how they handle the blessings God gives them.
Have a wonderful day filled with blessings that only bring you closer to Christ.
Love,
Jill
Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Good morning ladies,
Yesterday Gary’s company won a big project. Gary came home very excited about it. Starting tomorrow there was going to be a flurry of activity, including some evening meetings to iron out the details, so Gary said he wouldn’t be able to make it to Awana on Thursday night.
I thought, that's a funny way to thank God.
This morning they ran in to some difficulties and they might not get the job after all.
When I first became a Christian, I was so excited about the Lord that I wanted to do something to show Him how very much I loved him, so I decided to get my eating under control.
What I didn’t know then was that victory over sin was not something I was doing for God but something He was doing for me.
I was ecstatic when I started losing weight. People would ask me, “How are you doing it?” and I would enthusiastically tell them all about God. Not the response they expected, but I didn’t care. I knew the reason I was losing weight, and it didn’t have anything to do with portion control or exercise.
Then a interesting thing happened men started noticing me. Now I have always been “fluffy” and not very popular in school. I never had a date in high school, so men paying attention to me was a new and exciting experience. My focus turned away from God.
That was a funny way to thank God.
God had given me a gift, a blessing if you will, and I let it distract me from my walk and some hard years followed, years that would’ve been different had I kept my eyes on Christ.
People say they can tell a person’s faith by how they walk through trials, which is true. But you can also tell a person’s faith by how they handle the blessings God gives them.
Have a wonderful day filled with blessings that only bring you closer to Christ.
Love,
Jill
Monday, September 28, 2009
10,000 Strong
Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints
Dear Zebras,
Paul wrote this to the Ephesians and it is one of the last verses in the section of scripture that we refer to as “the Armor of God.” I never knew it was there until I went to camp this summer and had to memorize Ephesians 6:10-20. That’s interesting, I thought, after you put on your own personal armor you should pray for the saints. And I didn’t give it another thought until today.
Last week I went shopping at a teacher’s store and I found a really cute poster of a mother zebra and her foal. When I brought it home my son, Nick, started reading the facts that were written on the back. “Did you know,” he said “zebras graze in herds up to ten thousand?”
Ten thousand-Wow-that’s a lot of zebras.
Then I started thinking about it. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a herd of ten thousand Zebras, ten thousand women who really loved the Lord? That would be SO awesome!
Everyday I pray for the Zebras. I pray for “the herd” and I pray for individual Zebras that God brings to my mind. I pray while I am driving, doing dishes, folding laundry, making dinner. I try to pray whenever I am doing a “mindless” task, because I find it keeps me out of trouble.
Maybe that is what Paul was talking about.
Dear Lord, watch over all the Zebras today, those women who love you with all their heart who desire to follow after you. Help them today to know how much You love them and desire the best for them. Help them to have wisdom in all situations and to be able to overcome the temptations of the evil one. Dear Lord, I know they are so precious in Your sight, let them be kind to themselves and see themselves as you see them, loved and worthy. Lord, I pray that You would watch over them and direct their paths, helping them in the areas where they struggle. I pray that they would remember to look up when they are afraid, or scared, or overwhelmed, and they strive to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen
Love,
Jill
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints
Dear Zebras,
Paul wrote this to the Ephesians and it is one of the last verses in the section of scripture that we refer to as “the Armor of God.” I never knew it was there until I went to camp this summer and had to memorize Ephesians 6:10-20. That’s interesting, I thought, after you put on your own personal armor you should pray for the saints. And I didn’t give it another thought until today.
Last week I went shopping at a teacher’s store and I found a really cute poster of a mother zebra and her foal. When I brought it home my son, Nick, started reading the facts that were written on the back. “Did you know,” he said “zebras graze in herds up to ten thousand?”
Ten thousand-Wow-that’s a lot of zebras.
Then I started thinking about it. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a herd of ten thousand Zebras, ten thousand women who really loved the Lord? That would be SO awesome!
Everyday I pray for the Zebras. I pray for “the herd” and I pray for individual Zebras that God brings to my mind. I pray while I am driving, doing dishes, folding laundry, making dinner. I try to pray whenever I am doing a “mindless” task, because I find it keeps me out of trouble.
Maybe that is what Paul was talking about.
Dear Lord, watch over all the Zebras today, those women who love you with all their heart who desire to follow after you. Help them today to know how much You love them and desire the best for them. Help them to have wisdom in all situations and to be able to overcome the temptations of the evil one. Dear Lord, I know they are so precious in Your sight, let them be kind to themselves and see themselves as you see them, loved and worthy. Lord, I pray that You would watch over them and direct their paths, helping them in the areas where they struggle. I pray that they would remember to look up when they are afraid, or scared, or overwhelmed, and they strive to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen
Love,
Jill
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Don't Look Back
Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Good morning ladies,
I have a really busy day ahead of me, but I didn’t want to skip sending you an e-mail so I decided I would cheat. I would send you an old e-mail, probably one you had forgotten. I mean cartoonists rerun their comic strips all the time.
But as I was looking through the old e-mails, I realized that none of them were suitable. They were too personal to my life on the day that they were written.
And then these verses came to mind.
“Jill,” God said, “you are not to look back at what I taught you yesterday, nor are you to think about what I am going to teach you tomorrow, you are to get up this day and learn what I have for you today. And then go share it with the Zebras.”
So ladies, here is your encouragement for the day; God has something for you to learn today, something that He wants to say to you specifically, but you will never know what it is unless you spend time in His word and prayer.
Love,
Jill
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Good morning ladies,
I have a really busy day ahead of me, but I didn’t want to skip sending you an e-mail so I decided I would cheat. I would send you an old e-mail, probably one you had forgotten. I mean cartoonists rerun their comic strips all the time.
But as I was looking through the old e-mails, I realized that none of them were suitable. They were too personal to my life on the day that they were written.
And then these verses came to mind.
“Jill,” God said, “you are not to look back at what I taught you yesterday, nor are you to think about what I am going to teach you tomorrow, you are to get up this day and learn what I have for you today. And then go share it with the Zebras.”
So ladies, here is your encouragement for the day; God has something for you to learn today, something that He wants to say to you specifically, but you will never know what it is unless you spend time in His word and prayer.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
God is Holy
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.To him belongs eternal praise.
Good morning ladies,
Last night at Bible study we discussed a disturbing story out of 2Samuel 6. David has finally become king over all of Israel and he is bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. The Ark was very special to Israel, it was the place where God dwelt and He had given them VERY specific instruction on how it was to be handled. It was to be transported with poles by the Levites.
For some reason David chose to ignore those instructions and loaded the Ark on a cart. As they were going along the Ark started to slip and Uzzah reached out to steady it. The text says: The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.
Sort of harsh.
But is it really?
What we often forget is that God is Holy; He cannot tolerate the presence of sin. If it were not for the redemptive work of Christ on the cross at Calvary none of us would be able to get near God.
The second thing, I think we forget, is God said the penalty for sin is death. Only His grace keeps us from paying the price.
Last night Jan shared she had read in some country, it turns out to be El Salvador, the penalty for drunk driving, first offense, was death. Then she said: “They don’t have much of a problem with drunk driving.”
That made me laugh, but it also made me think: if I really had God’s perspective on sin I wouldn’t have much of a problem with sin.
Love,
Jill
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.To him belongs eternal praise.
Good morning ladies,
Last night at Bible study we discussed a disturbing story out of 2Samuel 6. David has finally become king over all of Israel and he is bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. The Ark was very special to Israel, it was the place where God dwelt and He had given them VERY specific instruction on how it was to be handled. It was to be transported with poles by the Levites.
For some reason David chose to ignore those instructions and loaded the Ark on a cart. As they were going along the Ark started to slip and Uzzah reached out to steady it. The text says: The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.
Sort of harsh.
But is it really?
What we often forget is that God is Holy; He cannot tolerate the presence of sin. If it were not for the redemptive work of Christ on the cross at Calvary none of us would be able to get near God.
The second thing, I think we forget, is God said the penalty for sin is death. Only His grace keeps us from paying the price.
Last night Jan shared she had read in some country, it turns out to be El Salvador, the penalty for drunk driving, first offense, was death. Then she said: “They don’t have much of a problem with drunk driving.”
That made me laugh, but it also made me think: if I really had God’s perspective on sin I wouldn’t have much of a problem with sin.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Do Not Worry
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?
Good morning ladies,
Even though I have not been writing about it, I have continued to read Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones. It has been a wonderful and challenging book full of wisdom and insight. Yesterday I got to the chapters on Matthew 6:25-34.
I grew up “poor” or so I believed. We always had food on the table, a roof over our heads, clothes to wear and even a car to drive when I got old enough. So why did I think I was poor?
I thought I was poor because my parents always worried and fought about money. My dad was self-employed and from a child’s perspective it seemed like we were always on the brink of disaster.
When I got married I told Gary he could do anything he wanted, except be self-employed. There was no way I wanted to continue to live my life constantly worried about making ends meet.
But because God has a sense of humor, and He knew that I needed healing in this area, He provided Gary with a job…in a start up company.
If you have never had the experience of being part of a start-up company, let me tell you I don’t think it is much different from being self-employed. Needless to say I didn’t like it, but Gary did.
On the third job change God gave me this section of scripture.
Therefore I tell you do not worry…Who was Jesus talking to? He was talking to the disciples, men who had just left their jobs and their homes to follow after Christ. If anyone had a reason to worry you would think it would be these guys. You’d think that Jesus could give them a little sympathy. Instead Jesus tells them, I gave you life, and I will take care of you. Focus on what I am asking you to do and let me take care of the rest, quit worrying.
As I look around right now, I see so many people worried about the future and if I stop and think about it I could get worried too. Instead I think of God’s promises.
God gave us life and He has promised He will take care of us. He has promised that He will supply our daily needs, He has promised that He has plans to give us hope and a future. He has promised that every life has a purpose. He has promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He has promised that in this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world.
I believe one of Satan’s greatest weapons is to get us focused on the cares and concerns of the world making us forget all that God has promised us.
Love,
Jill
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?
Good morning ladies,
Even though I have not been writing about it, I have continued to read Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones. It has been a wonderful and challenging book full of wisdom and insight. Yesterday I got to the chapters on Matthew 6:25-34.
I grew up “poor” or so I believed. We always had food on the table, a roof over our heads, clothes to wear and even a car to drive when I got old enough. So why did I think I was poor?
I thought I was poor because my parents always worried and fought about money. My dad was self-employed and from a child’s perspective it seemed like we were always on the brink of disaster.
When I got married I told Gary he could do anything he wanted, except be self-employed. There was no way I wanted to continue to live my life constantly worried about making ends meet.
But because God has a sense of humor, and He knew that I needed healing in this area, He provided Gary with a job…in a start up company.
If you have never had the experience of being part of a start-up company, let me tell you I don’t think it is much different from being self-employed. Needless to say I didn’t like it, but Gary did.
On the third job change God gave me this section of scripture.
Therefore I tell you do not worry…Who was Jesus talking to? He was talking to the disciples, men who had just left their jobs and their homes to follow after Christ. If anyone had a reason to worry you would think it would be these guys. You’d think that Jesus could give them a little sympathy. Instead Jesus tells them, I gave you life, and I will take care of you. Focus on what I am asking you to do and let me take care of the rest, quit worrying.
As I look around right now, I see so many people worried about the future and if I stop and think about it I could get worried too. Instead I think of God’s promises.
God gave us life and He has promised He will take care of us. He has promised that He will supply our daily needs, He has promised that He has plans to give us hope and a future. He has promised that every life has a purpose. He has promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He has promised that in this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world.
I believe one of Satan’s greatest weapons is to get us focused on the cares and concerns of the world making us forget all that God has promised us.
Love,
Jill
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dog lover
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Good morning ladies,
I am not a dog person.
I did not have a dog when I was growing up. I heard my brother had a dog when I was a baby which bit me and my dad let me keep a stray dog for a very short time before it was hit and killed by the ice cream truck, but basically you could say I never really had a dog. But I liked them.
Then I became a letter carrier, a mailman if you will, and I learned to fear dogs. All those stories you hear about mailmen and dogs are true.
When I started dating Gary, his family had dogs. At their house I would carry a rolled up newspaper with me at all times in case one of them suddenly attacked me. When you’ve been bitten, you tend to be wary.
After Gary and I got married he wanted a dog, so we got a Husky and a German Shepherd. The Husky was beautiful, but aloof and the German Shepherd was stupid, so it was not a great dog experience.
Eventually they both died and we got The-Huskies-From-Hell. That was a really BAD dog experience. They currently live in Tennessee.
Now we have The Moodles, and I can finally see why people like dogs.
Why didn’t I like dogs before? It was because all of my experiences had been bad.
Why don’t some people love and trust Christ? Maybe it is because all their experiences have been bad.
I think it is harder for women who have had a life of difficult circumstances to understand the love of God. But God is not defined by our personal circumstances; God is defined by His Word. That is why it is so important that we read it.
In there you will see that God loves you, that He uses everything for our good, that He can redeem the lost years, and that He will provide for you and care for you. In there you see the true nature of God and you will grow to love and trust Him.
Jill
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Good morning ladies,
I am not a dog person.
I did not have a dog when I was growing up. I heard my brother had a dog when I was a baby which bit me and my dad let me keep a stray dog for a very short time before it was hit and killed by the ice cream truck, but basically you could say I never really had a dog. But I liked them.
Then I became a letter carrier, a mailman if you will, and I learned to fear dogs. All those stories you hear about mailmen and dogs are true.
When I started dating Gary, his family had dogs. At their house I would carry a rolled up newspaper with me at all times in case one of them suddenly attacked me. When you’ve been bitten, you tend to be wary.
After Gary and I got married he wanted a dog, so we got a Husky and a German Shepherd. The Husky was beautiful, but aloof and the German Shepherd was stupid, so it was not a great dog experience.
Eventually they both died and we got The-Huskies-From-Hell. That was a really BAD dog experience. They currently live in Tennessee.
Now we have The Moodles, and I can finally see why people like dogs.
Why didn’t I like dogs before? It was because all of my experiences had been bad.
Why don’t some people love and trust Christ? Maybe it is because all their experiences have been bad.
I think it is harder for women who have had a life of difficult circumstances to understand the love of God. But God is not defined by our personal circumstances; God is defined by His Word. That is why it is so important that we read it.
In there you will see that God loves you, that He uses everything for our good, that He can redeem the lost years, and that He will provide for you and care for you. In there you see the true nature of God and you will grow to love and trust Him.
Jill
Friday, September 18, 2009
Peacemakers
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Good morning ladies,
There is a saying in Awana that you always “have to stomp the circle.” which comes from the tradition in Awana that every game is finished by someone running into the center of the circle and either grabbing a pin, a beanbag or if both all already taken, stomping your foot on the empty space. Basically it conveys the idea you always have to finish what you start.
That is how I have felt about the Sermon on the Mount. Some of you might remember that I started writing about it earlier, but I got to this verse and stopped.
I told you the first part of the Sermon on the Mount, referred to as the Beatitudes, addresses who we are because of Christ. The next two chapters speak to how we are to act because of that. Nothing about the Sermon on the Mount can be accomplished without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You can try, but you will only end up being frustrated.
And this verse is a perfect example.
What does it mean to be a peacemaker?
All of us know someone who is really easy to get along with. They are very laid back and don’t really ever get upset about how things turn out.
Is that a peacemaker?
I don’t think so. Otherwise those of us who aren’t like that are doomed.
A peacemaker is someone who cares about what God cares about-and that’s people. They love others more than they love themselves. They realize there is a bigger picture than whether or not things are done “their way.”
It is not easy to be a peacemaker. You have to be humble, you have to love, and you have to die to your own agenda. Basically you have to be like Christ, who came to earth to do His Father’s will and save the lost.
And if you can do that-you will be called a son of God.
Love,
Jill
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Good morning ladies,
There is a saying in Awana that you always “have to stomp the circle.” which comes from the tradition in Awana that every game is finished by someone running into the center of the circle and either grabbing a pin, a beanbag or if both all already taken, stomping your foot on the empty space. Basically it conveys the idea you always have to finish what you start.
That is how I have felt about the Sermon on the Mount. Some of you might remember that I started writing about it earlier, but I got to this verse and stopped.
I told you the first part of the Sermon on the Mount, referred to as the Beatitudes, addresses who we are because of Christ. The next two chapters speak to how we are to act because of that. Nothing about the Sermon on the Mount can be accomplished without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You can try, but you will only end up being frustrated.
And this verse is a perfect example.
What does it mean to be a peacemaker?
All of us know someone who is really easy to get along with. They are very laid back and don’t really ever get upset about how things turn out.
Is that a peacemaker?
I don’t think so. Otherwise those of us who aren’t like that are doomed.
A peacemaker is someone who cares about what God cares about-and that’s people. They love others more than they love themselves. They realize there is a bigger picture than whether or not things are done “their way.”
It is not easy to be a peacemaker. You have to be humble, you have to love, and you have to die to your own agenda. Basically you have to be like Christ, who came to earth to do His Father’s will and save the lost.
And if you can do that-you will be called a son of God.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Truth in Love
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
“The truth in love” has been a rather irritating phrase to me. What exactly was it supposed to mean? I mean I understand truth-it is the Word of God, and I understand love, or at least I think I do but I could never really get the two to go together, until recently.
In the first chapter of 2Samuel, an Amalekite comes to David and tells him Saul is dead, killed in battle, and claims credit for killing him. Now the Amalekite expected David to reward him for getting rid of Saul, but he didn’t know David’s heart. Instead of rewarding him, David had the Amalekite killed for daring to raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed king.
Good story, but what makes it really great, is that the Amalekite lied. He did not kill Saul; Saul killed himself after he had been mortally wounded in battle. The Amalekite only told David that so he would win favor in his eyes and possibly get a reward.
What can we learn from the Amalekite? Have you ever seen people bring news to another person with impure motives?
Yes. Me, every time I tell someone to do something because they should, or because I know it is the right thing to do, even if I’m right.
My motives are not pure, they are prideful.
What if the Amlakite had loved David? He would have still run to tell him the news, he would have still taken him Saul’s crown and bracelet, but he wouldn’t have lied. He would have known that David would be grieved by Saul’s death and he would have told him gently.
That is speaking the truth in love.
You don’t change what you say; you change why you say it and that will change and how you say it.
Have a wonderful day ladies, I love you all.
Jill
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
“The truth in love” has been a rather irritating phrase to me. What exactly was it supposed to mean? I mean I understand truth-it is the Word of God, and I understand love, or at least I think I do but I could never really get the two to go together, until recently.
In the first chapter of 2Samuel, an Amalekite comes to David and tells him Saul is dead, killed in battle, and claims credit for killing him. Now the Amalekite expected David to reward him for getting rid of Saul, but he didn’t know David’s heart. Instead of rewarding him, David had the Amalekite killed for daring to raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed king.
Good story, but what makes it really great, is that the Amalekite lied. He did not kill Saul; Saul killed himself after he had been mortally wounded in battle. The Amalekite only told David that so he would win favor in his eyes and possibly get a reward.
What can we learn from the Amalekite? Have you ever seen people bring news to another person with impure motives?
Yes. Me, every time I tell someone to do something because they should, or because I know it is the right thing to do, even if I’m right.
My motives are not pure, they are prideful.
What if the Amlakite had loved David? He would have still run to tell him the news, he would have still taken him Saul’s crown and bracelet, but he wouldn’t have lied. He would have known that David would be grieved by Saul’s death and he would have told him gently.
That is speaking the truth in love.
You don’t change what you say; you change why you say it and that will change and how you say it.
Have a wonderful day ladies, I love you all.
Jill
Monday, September 14, 2009
New Food
Good morning ladies,
A few weeks ago I started feeling sorry for my dogs. Everyday, at every meal they have to eat the same old thing. It was good for them, it had all the necessary vitamins, but I decided they had to be bored and I started buying a variety of dog food to “spice” up their lives.
At first they seemed rather excited about the new food. Then they started getting picky. Certain food they liked certain food they would leave in their bowl. I became obsessed about finding the perfect food.
This morning I decided to go back to feeding them the original food, the stuff the vet recommended and they loved it.
They know what’s good for them.
I woke up tired this morning. You would think after a “day of rest” I would be refreshed and ready to go.
But the truth is I wasn’t.
Yesterday was a great day, filled with a lot of wonderful things, church, Awana meeting, leadership meeting and the Truth Project. All actives centered on God-but they are not God.
There is no substitute for reading God’s word and spending time alone with God in prayer and meditation. It is my life blood. It is what sustains me. It is what allows me to do His work.
Maybe it is because I am old, but I don’t need a lot of variety in my life anymore. I almost resent activities that take my focus away from God. I don’t have any other hobbies or passions. I just have God everyday.
Some people think it is boring, but I have found what is good for me, and it is enough.
Love,
Jill
A few weeks ago I started feeling sorry for my dogs. Everyday, at every meal they have to eat the same old thing. It was good for them, it had all the necessary vitamins, but I decided they had to be bored and I started buying a variety of dog food to “spice” up their lives.
At first they seemed rather excited about the new food. Then they started getting picky. Certain food they liked certain food they would leave in their bowl. I became obsessed about finding the perfect food.
This morning I decided to go back to feeding them the original food, the stuff the vet recommended and they loved it.
They know what’s good for them.
I woke up tired this morning. You would think after a “day of rest” I would be refreshed and ready to go.
But the truth is I wasn’t.
Yesterday was a great day, filled with a lot of wonderful things, church, Awana meeting, leadership meeting and the Truth Project. All actives centered on God-but they are not God.
There is no substitute for reading God’s word and spending time alone with God in prayer and meditation. It is my life blood. It is what sustains me. It is what allows me to do His work.
Maybe it is because I am old, but I don’t need a lot of variety in my life anymore. I almost resent activities that take my focus away from God. I don’t have any other hobbies or passions. I just have God everyday.
Some people think it is boring, but I have found what is good for me, and it is enough.
Love,
Jill
Friday, September 4, 2009
Growling dog
Luke 14:26
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
Joshua, my dog, loves me more than he loves anyone else in the family. If he is sitting on my lap and someone comes to pick him up and take him away he growls.
Now, I know this is bad dog behavior and I always correct him, but secretly I am pleased. After all I am the one who does everything for him.
Up until five years ago, I stayed home and took care of my family. I did that because I loved them and I knew that they needed me. Heck, all the research shows how important it is to have a parent home with the children.
When I went back to work, my children were my biggest concern. Who is going to take care of them, God, if I am not here? Do what I am asking of you, He said, and I will take care of them. And He did.
This time I am staying home and taking care of my family because I love Jesus and that is what He has asked me to do.
It is the same action, but the motive is different.
Mothers, I think are especially susceptible to making their children into gods and idols. We want the best for them, we worry about them, and sometimes we even obsess about them.
But the truth is God loves them far more than we do. He wants what is truly best for them. And what is truly best for them is to have a mother and father who love Jesus first and them second or third.
Love,
Jill
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
Joshua, my dog, loves me more than he loves anyone else in the family. If he is sitting on my lap and someone comes to pick him up and take him away he growls.
Now, I know this is bad dog behavior and I always correct him, but secretly I am pleased. After all I am the one who does everything for him.
Up until five years ago, I stayed home and took care of my family. I did that because I loved them and I knew that they needed me. Heck, all the research shows how important it is to have a parent home with the children.
When I went back to work, my children were my biggest concern. Who is going to take care of them, God, if I am not here? Do what I am asking of you, He said, and I will take care of them. And He did.
This time I am staying home and taking care of my family because I love Jesus and that is what He has asked me to do.
It is the same action, but the motive is different.
Mothers, I think are especially susceptible to making their children into gods and idols. We want the best for them, we worry about them, and sometimes we even obsess about them.
But the truth is God loves them far more than we do. He wants what is truly best for them. And what is truly best for them is to have a mother and father who love Jesus first and them second or third.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Smell Like Jesus
Good afternoon ladies,
I just got home from subbing at the school. Gary is working at home today so he greeted me with a hug and a comment, “You smell good.”
Now this is not something I usually hear. It is not that I stink; I just never wear perfume, it irritates my nose. But before I left school I had hugged a teacher who wears a very distinctive perfume.
I didn’t smell good-I smelled like Mrs. Fine.
It made me think of something Daniel shared at church a couple of weeks ago. He said that he had a youth pastor who used to challenge them to spend so much time with Jesus that they would not only act like Him, they would smell like Him too.
Interesting, I thought, what would Jesus smell like?
People who have a lot of money, “smell like money” and people who have a lot of power “smell like power.” So, Jesus would probably smell like what He had a lot of.
What did Jesus have a lot of? Love, Jesus had a lot of love. So much that He was willing to die on the cross so that we could have a new life filled with love.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Go and spend some time with Jesus so that you can pass the aroma on to others.
Love,
Jill
I just got home from subbing at the school. Gary is working at home today so he greeted me with a hug and a comment, “You smell good.”
Now this is not something I usually hear. It is not that I stink; I just never wear perfume, it irritates my nose. But before I left school I had hugged a teacher who wears a very distinctive perfume.
I didn’t smell good-I smelled like Mrs. Fine.
It made me think of something Daniel shared at church a couple of weeks ago. He said that he had a youth pastor who used to challenge them to spend so much time with Jesus that they would not only act like Him, they would smell like Him too.
Interesting, I thought, what would Jesus smell like?
People who have a lot of money, “smell like money” and people who have a lot of power “smell like power.” So, Jesus would probably smell like what He had a lot of.
What did Jesus have a lot of? Love, Jesus had a lot of love. So much that He was willing to die on the cross so that we could have a new life filled with love.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Go and spend some time with Jesus so that you can pass the aroma on to others.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Can You hear me now?
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
Good morning ladies,
Do you ever feel like your prayers are not heard? I do. I know it isn’t true, that Jesus always hears my prayers but sometimes the line between us seems fuzzy.
Joshua and Abigail are wonderful dogs. I love them to death. But they have one REALLY bad habit. They like to eat clothing.
Sometimes I catch them in the act, other times I can just tell by the way they are behaving that they have done something wrong.
The same is true of children, you might not know what they have done, but you can tell by their actions they have done something.
The same was true of Adam in the garden, when he sinned and ate the apple-his behavior changed. For the first time he hid from God because he was ashamed.
Probably the same is true of us. When there is sin inside of us it changes our behavior. We try to act like everything is fine, but God, who knows our heart, is not fooled. But He is forgiving.
If you are in place where God feels distant, perhaps it feels like He is not listening to you, ask Him to show you if there is any unconfessed sin in your life that is causing the problem.
Then confess it and allow God to restore clear communication.
Love,
Jill
James 5:16
Good morning ladies,
Do you ever feel like your prayers are not heard? I do. I know it isn’t true, that Jesus always hears my prayers but sometimes the line between us seems fuzzy.
Joshua and Abigail are wonderful dogs. I love them to death. But they have one REALLY bad habit. They like to eat clothing.
Sometimes I catch them in the act, other times I can just tell by the way they are behaving that they have done something wrong.
The same is true of children, you might not know what they have done, but you can tell by their actions they have done something.
The same was true of Adam in the garden, when he sinned and ate the apple-his behavior changed. For the first time he hid from God because he was ashamed.
Probably the same is true of us. When there is sin inside of us it changes our behavior. We try to act like everything is fine, but God, who knows our heart, is not fooled. But He is forgiving.
If you are in place where God feels distant, perhaps it feels like He is not listening to you, ask Him to show you if there is any unconfessed sin in your life that is causing the problem.
Then confess it and allow God to restore clear communication.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Partial Obedience
Good morning ladies.
Last night, before I went to bed, I told the kids to straighten up the house before they went to bed themselves. This morning, when I woke up and it had not been done.
When I talked to the kids, they pointed out things that they had done, a pillow put away, a blanket folded. Unfortunately for them their partial obedience didn’t really show.
They both apologized, but the heart of the matter is that pleasing me is not their primary motivator in life.
Katherine disagrees; she says that making good grades in school is driven by a desire to please me.
Now, I think getting good grades in school is important, and I always want them to do their best, but I have never said that I expected straight A’s.
Katherine wants straight A’s and works to get them. She is doing something for herself that she honestly believes she is doing for me.
How often do we do that with God?
We either partially obey or we give to God something that He never asked for.
God has asked that we love and obey Him, that we spend time with Him, that we worship and adore Him.
He has not asked that we run around like a chicken with our head cut off doing fifteen million things and being distracted by the world.
Today put down that book, turn off the electronics, quit cleaning, quit talking, skip lunch if you must, and spend some time doing what God thinks is most important.
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Love,
Jill
Last night, before I went to bed, I told the kids to straighten up the house before they went to bed themselves. This morning, when I woke up and it had not been done.
When I talked to the kids, they pointed out things that they had done, a pillow put away, a blanket folded. Unfortunately for them their partial obedience didn’t really show.
They both apologized, but the heart of the matter is that pleasing me is not their primary motivator in life.
Katherine disagrees; she says that making good grades in school is driven by a desire to please me.
Now, I think getting good grades in school is important, and I always want them to do their best, but I have never said that I expected straight A’s.
Katherine wants straight A’s and works to get them. She is doing something for herself that she honestly believes she is doing for me.
How often do we do that with God?
We either partially obey or we give to God something that He never asked for.
God has asked that we love and obey Him, that we spend time with Him, that we worship and adore Him.
He has not asked that we run around like a chicken with our head cut off doing fifteen million things and being distracted by the world.
Today put down that book, turn off the electronics, quit cleaning, quit talking, skip lunch if you must, and spend some time doing what God thinks is most important.
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Love,
Jill
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