Exodus 20:3
"You shall have no other gods before me.
Good morning ladies,
Welcome to the final day of 2009 and the last z-mail of the year.
Tomorrow many people are going to be making New Year’s resolutions, and many of those resolutions will involve dieting.
After a month of national gluttony we now repent and turn to the month of dieting.
If you think I am exaggerating look at the displays in the stores. Shelves that used to be covered with chocolate and goodies are now filled with Special K and weight loss bars. Costco has removed the Christmas decorations and replaced them with Nordic Trackers and treadmills. Even the book stores have dieting at front and center. The prime floor space is given over to The Flat Belly Diet, The Fat Flush Plan and Dieting for Dummies just to name a few.
This is a dangerous month for me.
I was put on my first diet when I was nine. I started taking diet pills when I was sixteen and they were legal. I have been on Adkins and Optifast. I have joined Weight Watchers and the Schick Center, which was a horribly humiliating experience involving wet Cheetos. I have counted calories, carbs and fat grams and still I am not thin.
But I want to be and Satan knows it.
God has promised to give me every good gift if I will only seek Him first and I believe Him, but oh those diet books look tempting. Yet every moment I spend reading and obsessing over diet books is one less minute I can obsess over God.
And God keeps reminding me “Seek ME first and I will set you free.”
If you are planning to embark on a new life style tomorrow or read a new book that promises to change your life, may I suggest that you resolve to read your Bible and to seek after God instead? Because I know that works.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Snuggie
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Good morning ladies,
I am not sure where to begin.
This Christmas, because of what was going on with my sister and my nephew, I couldn’t focus. All I could think about was that Dawn and Norm would get to see each other again and Dawn would meet her grandchildren. So it was really difficult to think about the other aspects of Christmas, like gift giving.
I bought the kids a few gifts, but they knew we needed to save money for Disneyland so they didn’t want much. Gary and I decided not to exchange gifts at all.
This morning, while I was doing my Bible study, I told Gary I’d found a new journal, just like the one I currently have, at the book store yesterday.
“Well God just got you everything you wanted for Christmas this year, didn’t He?” was his reply.
And it was true.
I had three things on my mental Christmas wish list, my zebra license plate, a zebra snuggie, and a new journal, and God gave me every one of them.
The more I read the New Testament the more I am convinced that all we should care about is our relationship with God and our relationship with other people.
Jesus never cared about “stuff” or how He looked; all He cared about was healing the sick, helping the lost and bringing glory to His Father. He knew His Father had everything else covered.
Seeing my family reconciled this Christmas was gift enough and God did not need to get me anything else but He did, not because I deserve it, but because He is a generous and loving God who desires to bless His obedient children.
Ladies, we worry about so many things, many of which we cannot change, but what we should worry about is our relationship with God and with His people. Let Him worry about everything else.
Love,
Jill
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Good morning ladies,
I am not sure where to begin.
This Christmas, because of what was going on with my sister and my nephew, I couldn’t focus. All I could think about was that Dawn and Norm would get to see each other again and Dawn would meet her grandchildren. So it was really difficult to think about the other aspects of Christmas, like gift giving.
I bought the kids a few gifts, but they knew we needed to save money for Disneyland so they didn’t want much. Gary and I decided not to exchange gifts at all.
This morning, while I was doing my Bible study, I told Gary I’d found a new journal, just like the one I currently have, at the book store yesterday.
“Well God just got you everything you wanted for Christmas this year, didn’t He?” was his reply.
And it was true.
I had three things on my mental Christmas wish list, my zebra license plate, a zebra snuggie, and a new journal, and God gave me every one of them.
The more I read the New Testament the more I am convinced that all we should care about is our relationship with God and our relationship with other people.
Jesus never cared about “stuff” or how He looked; all He cared about was healing the sick, helping the lost and bringing glory to His Father. He knew His Father had everything else covered.
Seeing my family reconciled this Christmas was gift enough and God did not need to get me anything else but He did, not because I deserve it, but because He is a generous and loving God who desires to bless His obedient children.
Ladies, we worry about so many things, many of which we cannot change, but what we should worry about is our relationship with God and with His people. Let Him worry about everything else.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
T-shirt
Mark 8:38
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Good morning ladies,
I have no idea how many times this same sentiment is repeated in the New Testament. I found five and I wasn’t even looking very hard.
I am not much of a clothes horse. I enjoy wearing jeans and T-shirts and one of my favorite clothing stores is a gas station on Interstate Five. They have the best Christian T-shirts.
We haven’t driven down to Southern California for awhile so we stopped on our way to Disneyland and replenished my wardrobe.
I bought a shirt that my daughter already has. It is the American Idol logo, but instead on saying American Idol it says Amazing Grace and underneath in smaller print “I don’t need an idol I have a savior.” I have been watching Katherine wear it for the last year and I decided I needed one too.
I was so excited about getting it I wore it to Disneyland.
About halfway through the day I was regretting my decision, because that shirt attracts a lot of attention. And to be honest I was glad when it got cold enough to put my coat on. I don’t know how Katherine does it.
In this adulterous and sinful generation people wear all kinds of things on their T-shirts, some of which I find completely offensive, yet I was embarrassed to be wearing a Christian T-shirt on Christmas Day in a public place.
Ouch!
I do not want Jesus to be ashamed of me when He comes back and I do not want Him to deny me before His Father. I want Him to be proud of me. I want to be so identified with Jesus that when people look at me they see Him. And that has nothing to do with wearing Christian T-shirts.
But if I can’t stand up to a few looks and comments about a shirt without becoming uncomfortable I think God may be showing me that it is an area that still needs work.
Love,
Jill
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Good morning ladies,
I have no idea how many times this same sentiment is repeated in the New Testament. I found five and I wasn’t even looking very hard.
I am not much of a clothes horse. I enjoy wearing jeans and T-shirts and one of my favorite clothing stores is a gas station on Interstate Five. They have the best Christian T-shirts.
We haven’t driven down to Southern California for awhile so we stopped on our way to Disneyland and replenished my wardrobe.
I bought a shirt that my daughter already has. It is the American Idol logo, but instead on saying American Idol it says Amazing Grace and underneath in smaller print “I don’t need an idol I have a savior.” I have been watching Katherine wear it for the last year and I decided I needed one too.
I was so excited about getting it I wore it to Disneyland.
About halfway through the day I was regretting my decision, because that shirt attracts a lot of attention. And to be honest I was glad when it got cold enough to put my coat on. I don’t know how Katherine does it.
In this adulterous and sinful generation people wear all kinds of things on their T-shirts, some of which I find completely offensive, yet I was embarrassed to be wearing a Christian T-shirt on Christmas Day in a public place.
Ouch!
I do not want Jesus to be ashamed of me when He comes back and I do not want Him to deny me before His Father. I want Him to be proud of me. I want to be so identified with Jesus that when people look at me they see Him. And that has nothing to do with wearing Christian T-shirts.
But if I can’t stand up to a few looks and comments about a shirt without becoming uncomfortable I think God may be showing me that it is an area that still needs work.
Love,
Jill
Monday, December 28, 2009
It is Finished
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Good afternoon ladies,
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas, I did.
My sister, Dawn and her son, Norm, have not talked to each other in fifteen years. Six months ago God allowed me to be part of a plan that ended in reconciliation on Christmas morning in front of Disneyland.
Last summer at a Zebra meeting Dawn shared that you didn’t have to do what a godly person tells you, unless God also tells you to. Everyone agreed. But what they didn’t know was she was referring to a conversation we had had about the fact that she had to forgive Norm and restore their relationship.
I immediately got angry because I knew what she was saying was not true. She didn’t need to forgive Norm because I said so, but because God said so. And He says so in His Word.
As I sat there trying to control myself, God convicted me of my part in this situation. Gary, my husband, had urged me to go see Norm many times over the years, but I never did. I knew going to see him would make Dawn angry and I didn’t want to make her angry so I didn’t go. I was as guilty as she was.
Two weeks later the kids and I went to see Norm.
That small act of obedience allowed God to start working.
On Christmas morning as I watched them embrace all I could think of was “it is finished.” I had done what God had asked of me and He had done the rest. Fifteen years of anger, strife and separation was finally over.
Jesus did not have to come to earth or die on the cross. I think we often forget that. And He did not come because He loved us. He came and died because He loved and obeyed His Father. His obedience, not His love, set us free.
I think we way underestimate the power of obedience, I know I did.
Love,
Jill
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Good afternoon ladies,
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas, I did.
My sister, Dawn and her son, Norm, have not talked to each other in fifteen years. Six months ago God allowed me to be part of a plan that ended in reconciliation on Christmas morning in front of Disneyland.
Last summer at a Zebra meeting Dawn shared that you didn’t have to do what a godly person tells you, unless God also tells you to. Everyone agreed. But what they didn’t know was she was referring to a conversation we had had about the fact that she had to forgive Norm and restore their relationship.
I immediately got angry because I knew what she was saying was not true. She didn’t need to forgive Norm because I said so, but because God said so. And He says so in His Word.
As I sat there trying to control myself, God convicted me of my part in this situation. Gary, my husband, had urged me to go see Norm many times over the years, but I never did. I knew going to see him would make Dawn angry and I didn’t want to make her angry so I didn’t go. I was as guilty as she was.
Two weeks later the kids and I went to see Norm.
That small act of obedience allowed God to start working.
On Christmas morning as I watched them embrace all I could think of was “it is finished.” I had done what God had asked of me and He had done the rest. Fifteen years of anger, strife and separation was finally over.
Jesus did not have to come to earth or die on the cross. I think we often forget that. And He did not come because He loved us. He came and died because He loved and obeyed His Father. His obedience, not His love, set us free.
I think we way underestimate the power of obedience, I know I did.
Love,
Jill
Monday, December 21, 2009
Reconciled to God
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation
Good morning ladies,
I can’t stop thinking about something Pastor Kelly said last Sunday at church. He said often times when someone becomes a Christian they just add Jesus into the holiday. You know buy a Nativity and put it up next to Santa.
That really struck a chord, because I would say that is what I did. We have at least fifteen Santas and over twenty-five nutcrackers, but only one Nativity. It is not that I don’t know that “Jesus is the reason for the Season” but it is hard to overcome years of worldly training.
I have tried acting out the Nativity, and lighting advent candles on the four Sundays before Christmas but for me those were just more tasks to do. They never really changed my heart. Christmas still had too much of a worldly focus.
This year is finally different. I bought less presents, and put up fewer decorations, but I don’t think that is what made the difference. I think what made the difference is I have spent this season focused on being still and knowing God.
Over two thousand years ago God sent the best present possible to us. He sent us the only way to reconcile our lives to Him. He sent us peace, love, joy and eternal life all wrapped up in swaddling clothes.
Some people spend a lot of time making the outside of the presents look spectacular but God didn’t do that. He didn’t need to.
Without Christmas we would be a lost people separated from God forever with no possible way to redeem ourselves.
And nothing you have, or don’t have, under your tree even comes close.
Love,
Jill
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation
Good morning ladies,
I can’t stop thinking about something Pastor Kelly said last Sunday at church. He said often times when someone becomes a Christian they just add Jesus into the holiday. You know buy a Nativity and put it up next to Santa.
That really struck a chord, because I would say that is what I did. We have at least fifteen Santas and over twenty-five nutcrackers, but only one Nativity. It is not that I don’t know that “Jesus is the reason for the Season” but it is hard to overcome years of worldly training.
I have tried acting out the Nativity, and lighting advent candles on the four Sundays before Christmas but for me those were just more tasks to do. They never really changed my heart. Christmas still had too much of a worldly focus.
This year is finally different. I bought less presents, and put up fewer decorations, but I don’t think that is what made the difference. I think what made the difference is I have spent this season focused on being still and knowing God.
Over two thousand years ago God sent the best present possible to us. He sent us the only way to reconcile our lives to Him. He sent us peace, love, joy and eternal life all wrapped up in swaddling clothes.
Some people spend a lot of time making the outside of the presents look spectacular but God didn’t do that. He didn’t need to.
Without Christmas we would be a lost people separated from God forever with no possible way to redeem ourselves.
And nothing you have, or don’t have, under your tree even comes close.
Love,
Jill
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Gift
James 1:16-18a
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. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,
Good afternoon ladies,
I was reading in Matthew this morning where Jesus tells the crowds:
"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.
And for the first time it didn’t seem too harsh.
In this season which is devoted to buying gifts, we are all trying to find the perfect gift for the people we love. We want them to really like what we buy them. But we wouldn’t like it if they loved the gift more than they loved us.
When I was about ten years old, my older brother Dane came home from serving in Germany with the armed services. I adored my brother and had missed him terribly so I was very excited to see him.
My mother made me go to school that day, but when I got home he was there. And he had brought me a present which was sitting prominently in the middle of the kitchen table. It was the nicest doll I had ever seen.
But I purposely ignored it.
Later I had to leave the room and when I came back my brother had placed the doll on top of his head.
When I asked him why he had the doll on his head, he said he wanted to make sure I saw it. I reassured him I had seen it. Then, he wanted to know, if I had seen it, why I hadn’t paid any attention to it. Didn’t I like it? I remember being a little bit embarrassed when I told him I had ignored the doll, even though I liked it, because I hadn’t wanted him to think I was happier about getting it, than I was about seeing him.
He was touched.
Obviously Jesus does not really want us to hate our mother, father, children, sisters, brothers, house, car, job, or our own life.
He just wants us to remember who gave them to us and love Him more
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. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,
Good afternoon ladies,
I was reading in Matthew this morning where Jesus tells the crowds:
"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.
And for the first time it didn’t seem too harsh.
In this season which is devoted to buying gifts, we are all trying to find the perfect gift for the people we love. We want them to really like what we buy them. But we wouldn’t like it if they loved the gift more than they loved us.
When I was about ten years old, my older brother Dane came home from serving in Germany with the armed services. I adored my brother and had missed him terribly so I was very excited to see him.
My mother made me go to school that day, but when I got home he was there. And he had brought me a present which was sitting prominently in the middle of the kitchen table. It was the nicest doll I had ever seen.
But I purposely ignored it.
Later I had to leave the room and when I came back my brother had placed the doll on top of his head.
When I asked him why he had the doll on his head, he said he wanted to make sure I saw it. I reassured him I had seen it. Then, he wanted to know, if I had seen it, why I hadn’t paid any attention to it. Didn’t I like it? I remember being a little bit embarrassed when I told him I had ignored the doll, even though I liked it, because I hadn’t wanted him to think I was happier about getting it, than I was about seeing him.
He was touched.
Obviously Jesus does not really want us to hate our mother, father, children, sisters, brothers, house, car, job, or our own life.
He just wants us to remember who gave them to us and love Him more
Love,
Jill
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Treasured Possession
Deuteronomy 14:2
Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
Good morning ladies,
Did you know that if you look up self-esteem in a topical Bible you won’t find any listings? There are listings for self-control, self-denial, self-discipline, self-examination and two pages on self-righteous, but nothing on self-esteem.
I think that is because we were never supposed to get our sense of esteem or worth from ourselves.
I used to weigh myself every day, sometimes two or three times a day. At one point it bordered on obsessive. If the scale said what I wanted it to say, I was happy, but it for whatever reason I had gained a once or two my mood would plummet. My sense of self-esteem was related to the numbers on the scale. Eventually I threw the scale away.
I see the same thing with the kids. Kids who do well in school or excel at sports have a better opinion of themselves than the kids who struggle. Yet they often struggle when they graduate and have to find new ways to measure their worth.
And I think that is why so many people are depressed these days, it is not just that they lost their jobs, it is they lost what they felt made them important.
But we who are in Christ should not get our value from the world. It does not matter how smart we are, or how pretty we are, or how much money we have. Who we are is defined by God.
One of the things that being still is teaching me is that my value and God’s love is not dependent upon me
There is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less. And I have value because I am His child.
My value and His love both come from Him.
And whether you believe it or not, so does yours.
Love,
Jill
Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
Good morning ladies,
Did you know that if you look up self-esteem in a topical Bible you won’t find any listings? There are listings for self-control, self-denial, self-discipline, self-examination and two pages on self-righteous, but nothing on self-esteem.
I think that is because we were never supposed to get our sense of esteem or worth from ourselves.
I used to weigh myself every day, sometimes two or three times a day. At one point it bordered on obsessive. If the scale said what I wanted it to say, I was happy, but it for whatever reason I had gained a once or two my mood would plummet. My sense of self-esteem was related to the numbers on the scale. Eventually I threw the scale away.
I see the same thing with the kids. Kids who do well in school or excel at sports have a better opinion of themselves than the kids who struggle. Yet they often struggle when they graduate and have to find new ways to measure their worth.
And I think that is why so many people are depressed these days, it is not just that they lost their jobs, it is they lost what they felt made them important.
But we who are in Christ should not get our value from the world. It does not matter how smart we are, or how pretty we are, or how much money we have. Who we are is defined by God.
One of the things that being still is teaching me is that my value and God’s love is not dependent upon me
There is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less. And I have value because I am His child.
My value and His love both come from Him.
And whether you believe it or not, so does yours.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Truth
John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Good morning ladies,
I have discovered an ugly truth about myself. I don’t like to make people angry.
"But," you may say, " that’s good, you don’t want to run around making people angry." And I agree, but not when keeping people happy means compromising the Word of God.
Last night at Bible study we looked at what it meant to be a bondservant of Christ. Paul often introduced himself that way and it was really interesting to see how much meaning was behind those two little words. One of the verses we referenced was Galatians 1:10b.
If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Each morning I pray about what to write to you. I want to write you something that encourages you because I know you already have enough things in your life that bring you down. And because of that I sometimes am not as bold as I should be.
This morning as I was praying God brought this verse to mind. “Jill,” He said, “It is not watered down platitudes that will make them happy, but the whole truth and council of my Word.”
So here’s the truth: You will never have joy if you have one foot in the world and one foot in the “church.” You know too much to enjoy the pleasures of the world, and you know too little to really see the majesty and wonder of God.
Picture a person who is standing with one leg on the dock and one leg in a boat and the two are drifting apart. At some point you have to choose and jump or you will end up in the water.
The same is true with the things of God. Jesus said to his disciples:
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
And really, nothing has changed.
Love,
Jill
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Good morning ladies,
I have discovered an ugly truth about myself. I don’t like to make people angry.
"But," you may say, " that’s good, you don’t want to run around making people angry." And I agree, but not when keeping people happy means compromising the Word of God.
Last night at Bible study we looked at what it meant to be a bondservant of Christ. Paul often introduced himself that way and it was really interesting to see how much meaning was behind those two little words. One of the verses we referenced was Galatians 1:10b.
If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Each morning I pray about what to write to you. I want to write you something that encourages you because I know you already have enough things in your life that bring you down. And because of that I sometimes am not as bold as I should be.
This morning as I was praying God brought this verse to mind. “Jill,” He said, “It is not watered down platitudes that will make them happy, but the whole truth and council of my Word.”
So here’s the truth: You will never have joy if you have one foot in the world and one foot in the “church.” You know too much to enjoy the pleasures of the world, and you know too little to really see the majesty and wonder of God.
Picture a person who is standing with one leg on the dock and one leg in a boat and the two are drifting apart. At some point you have to choose and jump or you will end up in the water.
The same is true with the things of God. Jesus said to his disciples:
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
And really, nothing has changed.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Healing
Luke 8:46
But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
Good morning ladies,
I have done a fair amount of Bible study, a lot of which has been focused on Paul’s letters, the Old Testament, and selected passages from Psalms and the Gospels. Although I have read the Gospels and I studied both Matthew and John with BSF, I felt that in preparation for retreat I needed to read and study the Gospels again to get a clearer picture of Jesus.
What struck me as I was reading was how many people Jesus healed.
In this story there is a crowd around Jesus and a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years reached out and touched the edge of His cloak. Immediately she was healed.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked, but everyone denied it. The disciples helpfully pointed out that there were a lot of people pressing against Him, but Jesus knew this touch had been different because power had gone out of Him.
Eventually the women confessed and Jesus said “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
What struck me about the story is, as the disciples pointed out, there were a lot of people around Jesus. The Bible doesn’t say whether any of the rest of them needed healing, but my guess is they probably did.
Jesus seemed to attract those who were sick, lame, blind, or possessed. They knew that Jesus had the power to heal them and they flocked to Him. So it would make sense that there were others in the crowd who needed healing, but it was the woman who reached out and touched Him in faith who received it
Hurting people still flock to Jesus because He still has the power to heal.
I was one of them.
Of course I didn’t need a physical healing I need an emotional one.
For a long time I walked along side of Jesus. I went to church, I hung around Christians, and I read my Bible. But I was still broken.
It wasn’t until I reached out and touched Him in faith that I was healed. I continue to reach out to Him everyday.
It is my prayer at this retreat everyone one who comes will draw one step closer to Christ and be healed.
Love,
Jill
But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
Good morning ladies,
I have done a fair amount of Bible study, a lot of which has been focused on Paul’s letters, the Old Testament, and selected passages from Psalms and the Gospels. Although I have read the Gospels and I studied both Matthew and John with BSF, I felt that in preparation for retreat I needed to read and study the Gospels again to get a clearer picture of Jesus.
What struck me as I was reading was how many people Jesus healed.
In this story there is a crowd around Jesus and a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years reached out and touched the edge of His cloak. Immediately she was healed.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked, but everyone denied it. The disciples helpfully pointed out that there were a lot of people pressing against Him, but Jesus knew this touch had been different because power had gone out of Him.
Eventually the women confessed and Jesus said “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
What struck me about the story is, as the disciples pointed out, there were a lot of people around Jesus. The Bible doesn’t say whether any of the rest of them needed healing, but my guess is they probably did.
Jesus seemed to attract those who were sick, lame, blind, or possessed. They knew that Jesus had the power to heal them and they flocked to Him. So it would make sense that there were others in the crowd who needed healing, but it was the woman who reached out and touched Him in faith who received it
Hurting people still flock to Jesus because He still has the power to heal.
I was one of them.
Of course I didn’t need a physical healing I need an emotional one.
For a long time I walked along side of Jesus. I went to church, I hung around Christians, and I read my Bible. But I was still broken.
It wasn’t until I reached out and touched Him in faith that I was healed. I continue to reach out to Him everyday.
It is my prayer at this retreat everyone one who comes will draw one step closer to Christ and be healed.
Love,
Jill
Monday, December 14, 2009
Two Become One
Genesis 2:24/Matthew 19:5/Mark 10:7-8/Ephesians 5:31
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Good morning ladies,
Yesterday when I told Gary I loved him, he asked me “Why?’ “Because God gave you to me.” was my reply. He laughed and said “Well that’s good you should always love what God gives you.”
This morning I was praying about Gary’s future. And I realized, again, that our futures are intertwined. Where he goes I go and where I go he goes and because of that we should both be praying for God’s direction and guidance.
I am not a committee worker. I think the most efficient way to accomplish a task is to divide and conquer. You do your job and I’ll do my job and everything will get done.
That attitude occasionally bleeds over into my marriage and because of that we sometimes get out of sync.
Kelly often talks about having a vision for the church. I think it is equally important for us to have a vision for the family. Not just what God wants for me and what God wants for Gary, but what does God want for us.
If you have ever been in a three legged race you know how frustrating it is to run when you and your partner are not in step. You trip and fall or you move really slowly. Instead of being in the front of the pack where you want to be you are limping along in last place. It is even worse it you aren’t both going in the same direction.
You may want to blame your partner but the truth is you are both at fault.
Ladies, if you are married God has made you one with your husband and you need to learn to run together with a common vision. And that takes work.
I suggest starting with prayer.
Love,
Jill
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Good morning ladies,
Yesterday when I told Gary I loved him, he asked me “Why?’ “Because God gave you to me.” was my reply. He laughed and said “Well that’s good you should always love what God gives you.”
This morning I was praying about Gary’s future. And I realized, again, that our futures are intertwined. Where he goes I go and where I go he goes and because of that we should both be praying for God’s direction and guidance.
I am not a committee worker. I think the most efficient way to accomplish a task is to divide and conquer. You do your job and I’ll do my job and everything will get done.
That attitude occasionally bleeds over into my marriage and because of that we sometimes get out of sync.
Kelly often talks about having a vision for the church. I think it is equally important for us to have a vision for the family. Not just what God wants for me and what God wants for Gary, but what does God want for us.
If you have ever been in a three legged race you know how frustrating it is to run when you and your partner are not in step. You trip and fall or you move really slowly. Instead of being in the front of the pack where you want to be you are limping along in last place. It is even worse it you aren’t both going in the same direction.
You may want to blame your partner but the truth is you are both at fault.
Ladies, if you are married God has made you one with your husband and you need to learn to run together with a common vision. And that takes work.
I suggest starting with prayer.
Love,
Jill
Friday, December 11, 2009
Answered Prayer
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Good morning ladies,
I used to worry A LOT! When I first began growing in my faith I had to read Matthew chapter six verses twenty-five through thirty-four every single day. Because of my childhood I was constantly worried that Gary was going to lose his job and we wouldn’t have enough money. It was all consuming.
But God is faithful. He eventually healed me in that area but quitting work and relying on God is definitely stretching my faith.
Yesterday after mailing the check for the taxes on the house Gary’s mom called. She needs a tax deduction so she is giving us $5000. That is twice as much as we needed so not only did God provide for the taxes He also gave me enough to get new tires and a tune up for the van.
Yippee!
God is so creative.
In the book of 2Samuel God used the forest to defeat David’s enemies.
The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest claimed more lives that day than the sword.
He often did things like that so the Israelites would know who was really winning the battle.
And I think He still does.
God could have given us the money through Gary’s job, that would have been normal, but I think he used the IRS so we would know it was from Him.
Thank you all for praying.
Love,
Jill
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Good morning ladies,
I used to worry A LOT! When I first began growing in my faith I had to read Matthew chapter six verses twenty-five through thirty-four every single day. Because of my childhood I was constantly worried that Gary was going to lose his job and we wouldn’t have enough money. It was all consuming.
But God is faithful. He eventually healed me in that area but quitting work and relying on God is definitely stretching my faith.
Yesterday after mailing the check for the taxes on the house Gary’s mom called. She needs a tax deduction so she is giving us $5000. That is twice as much as we needed so not only did God provide for the taxes He also gave me enough to get new tires and a tune up for the van.
Yippee!
God is so creative.
In the book of 2Samuel God used the forest to defeat David’s enemies.
The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest claimed more lives that day than the sword.
He often did things like that so the Israelites would know who was really winning the battle.
And I think He still does.
God could have given us the money through Gary’s job, that would have been normal, but I think he used the IRS so we would know it was from Him.
Thank you all for praying.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Refocus
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Good morning ladies,
Yesterday was a battle day.
It is cold and dark. Attendance was low at the Zebra meeting. (I know its Christmas and people are busy.) People don’t want to come to Bible study because they say it is too hard. Christmas is two weeks away and I don’t have a single decoration up. The taxes are due on the house today and God didn’t supernaturally supply any extra money. And Gary’s company is not giving Christmas bonuses.
So Satan had plenty of ammunition to work with. “Just give up” he whispered. “Go back to work. Quit this silly God-stuff, it isn’t working out. You need to refocus on what’s really important.”
Fortunately I am getting better at recognizing Satan’s lying little voice so I went into battle mode which means scripture and prayer.
I prayed for myself and I called a few Zebra sisters and asked them to pray for me too. Then I forced myself to meditate on the Word of God.
Satan wants us to focus on the world. He wants us to base our happiness and joy on the things that we see.
God wants us to base our happiness and joy on Him.
The important difference of course is that one changes, and one does not.
I can’t change my circumstances. I cannot make people come to Bible study or Zebras and I cannot make money appear from nowhere. But I can quit focusing on it.
Every day we have a choice, we can focus on our circumstances which may or may not be good, or we can focus on God.
I encourage you to focus on God.
Love,
Jill
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Good morning ladies,
Yesterday was a battle day.
It is cold and dark. Attendance was low at the Zebra meeting. (I know its Christmas and people are busy.) People don’t want to come to Bible study because they say it is too hard. Christmas is two weeks away and I don’t have a single decoration up. The taxes are due on the house today and God didn’t supernaturally supply any extra money. And Gary’s company is not giving Christmas bonuses.
So Satan had plenty of ammunition to work with. “Just give up” he whispered. “Go back to work. Quit this silly God-stuff, it isn’t working out. You need to refocus on what’s really important.”
Fortunately I am getting better at recognizing Satan’s lying little voice so I went into battle mode which means scripture and prayer.
I prayed for myself and I called a few Zebra sisters and asked them to pray for me too. Then I forced myself to meditate on the Word of God.
Satan wants us to focus on the world. He wants us to base our happiness and joy on the things that we see.
God wants us to base our happiness and joy on Him.
The important difference of course is that one changes, and one does not.
I can’t change my circumstances. I cannot make people come to Bible study or Zebras and I cannot make money appear from nowhere. But I can quit focusing on it.
Every day we have a choice, we can focus on our circumstances which may or may not be good, or we can focus on God.
I encourage you to focus on God.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Something Old
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Good morning ladies,
Have you ever wondered how the early church knew what to do? I mean they didn’t have the Bible, at least not the New Testament and the writings they did have would have probably been in the hands of the religious leaders. Common people didn’t have their own personal set of scrolls.
That topic came up last night at Bible study while we were discussing Paul’s prayer for the Philippians in chapter one verse nine.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
Obviously it was possible to gain knowledge and insight otherwise Paul would not have prayed it, but without the Bible where would it come from?
We were having a very intellectual debate when dear sweet eighty-year-old Myrtle said. “They must have listened to God.”
Duh.
We have so many resources at our finger tips, concordances, devotions, commentaries, radio programs and websites just to name a few. And that is great, but none of them are a substitute for learning to listen to God yourself.
Even the Bible, which is the inspired Word of God, is just a book if it is not read with the power of the Holy Spirit.
As a society we are enamored with new things. Old things are replaced not because they don’t work but just because they are old. Technology is so advanced it is amazing. Just in my life time I have seen records replaced by eight tracks which were replaced by cassettes which were replaced by CDs which have been replaced by Ipods and who knows what else. Which is all very cool and very fun but what works in the world does not work with God.
Two thousand years ago God sent the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead believers into all truth. And it may seem old-fashioned, but the system still works.
Love,
Jill
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Good morning ladies,
Have you ever wondered how the early church knew what to do? I mean they didn’t have the Bible, at least not the New Testament and the writings they did have would have probably been in the hands of the religious leaders. Common people didn’t have their own personal set of scrolls.
That topic came up last night at Bible study while we were discussing Paul’s prayer for the Philippians in chapter one verse nine.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
Obviously it was possible to gain knowledge and insight otherwise Paul would not have prayed it, but without the Bible where would it come from?
We were having a very intellectual debate when dear sweet eighty-year-old Myrtle said. “They must have listened to God.”
Duh.
We have so many resources at our finger tips, concordances, devotions, commentaries, radio programs and websites just to name a few. And that is great, but none of them are a substitute for learning to listen to God yourself.
Even the Bible, which is the inspired Word of God, is just a book if it is not read with the power of the Holy Spirit.
As a society we are enamored with new things. Old things are replaced not because they don’t work but just because they are old. Technology is so advanced it is amazing. Just in my life time I have seen records replaced by eight tracks which were replaced by cassettes which were replaced by CDs which have been replaced by Ipods and who knows what else. Which is all very cool and very fun but what works in the world does not work with God.
Two thousand years ago God sent the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead believers into all truth. And it may seem old-fashioned, but the system still works.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Be Still part 2
Psalm 46:10a
Be still, and know that I am God;
Good morning ladies,
This is the key verse for our retreat and one I have been meditating on as I prepare to speak.
When I started this I had no idea what it really meant to be “still.” I shared with you God first commanded me to be still nine years ago, but what I didn’t tell you was I wasn’t really sure what He wanted and I never bothered to find out. That was rather short-sighted.
To me the idea of being “still” involved not moving, a cessation of activity and that was something I had no intention of doing. Besides being scary, it really wasn’t very practical, I had a husband and two kids, not mention a whole boat load of obligations and I didn’t have time to just sit around being “still.”
Now I do and it has been a revelation to me that being still has more to do with the mind than with the body.
The world and all of its obligations does not go away just because we have been commanded to be “still.” And God knows that. He knows we have to work and provide for our family and He isn’t telling us to stop, just to slow down enough to learn to be “still”.
What does it actually mean to be “still”?
It means not worrying, it means not fretting, it means trusting that God is GOD and He has it all under control. It means learning we don’t have to try and control every aspect of our lives, it means letting go of our need to micromanage everyone and everything around us. It means getting out of the driver’s seat, climbing in the back and letting God drive WITHOUT our help.
And that takes work.
What it doesn’t mean is sitting around doing nothing.
Love,
Jill
Be still, and know that I am God;
Good morning ladies,
This is the key verse for our retreat and one I have been meditating on as I prepare to speak.
When I started this I had no idea what it really meant to be “still.” I shared with you God first commanded me to be still nine years ago, but what I didn’t tell you was I wasn’t really sure what He wanted and I never bothered to find out. That was rather short-sighted.
To me the idea of being “still” involved not moving, a cessation of activity and that was something I had no intention of doing. Besides being scary, it really wasn’t very practical, I had a husband and two kids, not mention a whole boat load of obligations and I didn’t have time to just sit around being “still.”
Now I do and it has been a revelation to me that being still has more to do with the mind than with the body.
The world and all of its obligations does not go away just because we have been commanded to be “still.” And God knows that. He knows we have to work and provide for our family and He isn’t telling us to stop, just to slow down enough to learn to be “still”.
What does it actually mean to be “still”?
It means not worrying, it means not fretting, it means trusting that God is GOD and He has it all under control. It means learning we don’t have to try and control every aspect of our lives, it means letting go of our need to micromanage everyone and everything around us. It means getting out of the driver’s seat, climbing in the back and letting God drive WITHOUT our help.
And that takes work.
What it doesn’t mean is sitting around doing nothing.
Love,
Jill
Friday, December 4, 2009
Satan's Trap
Genesis 4: 6-7
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Good morning ladies,
If you asked me what my “life verses” are, verses that have shaped my life, this isn’t one that I would mention, but it is.
Today I woke up feeling tired and discouraged. Last night was Awana and I hadn’t prepared very well so even though the club went well I knew I hadn’t done my best.
I came home from club ate a plate of nachos and crawled into bed thinking I should just quit, throw in the towel and give up.
After getting the kids off to school this morning I settled down do my quiet time and immediately God brought this verse to mind. (I think He was waiting for me.)
“Why are you sad and discouraged? Isn’t it because there is something that I have asked you to do that you are not doing? Do you think I can bless you when you are being lazy and disobedient? You know how to fix this. Just do what I have asked of you to the best of your ability. If you don’t you are going to fall into the trap of self-pity and depression. It’s your choice.”
Ouch!
Of course then I had to look the verse up to reread it in context and at the bottom of the page I saw this chart:
Satan's Plan:
Doubt: Makes you question God’s Word and His goodness
Discouragement: Makes you look at your problems rather than at God
Defeat: Makes you feel like a failure so that you don’t even try.
Delay: Makes you put off doing something so that it never gets done.
Diversion: Makes the wrong things seem attractive so that you will want them more than the right things.
Too often we forget that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness and evil. God tells us that although Satan cannot steal our salvation he would love to steal our joy and peace.
We have to resolve not to let him.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Make It Your Own
Acts 19:13-16
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out."
Good morning ladies,
Paul could do amazing things, another revelation I had while reading Acts. The Bible says God did extraordinary miracles through Paul and even his handkerchiefs and aprons had the power to heal the sick and drive out demons.
Obviously others noticed. They decided that they too could drive out demons using the name of Jesus. The problem was they didn’t personally know Jesus, they just knew Paul.
Today’s verse is the beginning of very funny and yet sobering story.
One day while they were driving out evil spirits one of them turned and said "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" I guess they didn’t have a good answer because the Bible says the evil spirit then jumped on them and beat them up.
One thing I love about my husband is he is TALL. I am not a petite person and I love the fact that when I stand next to him I feel small. But it somehow makes me feel taller too.
When Gary and I were first married I was saying something to my brother about how tall I was. He looked at me and reminded me that just because I had married a tall person didn’t mean I was tall. I didn’t grow when I married Gary.
That’s what this Bible story reminds me off. This Jewish priest knew Paul, he had probably seen Paul perform miracles and somehow he thought that he could do it to. But he couldn’t. Just because he knew someone who had amazing faith didn’t mean he did.
Each of us is responsible for developing our own faith based upon our relationship with Jesus. We can’t rely on the faith of others. Not our parents, not our spouses, not our friends. Not even the pastor of the church.
We don’t get more spiritual just standing next to a spiritual person. We get more spiritual as we develop our relationship with Christ.
Love,
Jill
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out."
Good morning ladies,
Paul could do amazing things, another revelation I had while reading Acts. The Bible says God did extraordinary miracles through Paul and even his handkerchiefs and aprons had the power to heal the sick and drive out demons.
Obviously others noticed. They decided that they too could drive out demons using the name of Jesus. The problem was they didn’t personally know Jesus, they just knew Paul.
Today’s verse is the beginning of very funny and yet sobering story.
One day while they were driving out evil spirits one of them turned and said "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" I guess they didn’t have a good answer because the Bible says the evil spirit then jumped on them and beat them up.
One thing I love about my husband is he is TALL. I am not a petite person and I love the fact that when I stand next to him I feel small. But it somehow makes me feel taller too.
When Gary and I were first married I was saying something to my brother about how tall I was. He looked at me and reminded me that just because I had married a tall person didn’t mean I was tall. I didn’t grow when I married Gary.
That’s what this Bible story reminds me off. This Jewish priest knew Paul, he had probably seen Paul perform miracles and somehow he thought that he could do it to. But he couldn’t. Just because he knew someone who had amazing faith didn’t mean he did.
Each of us is responsible for developing our own faith based upon our relationship with Jesus. We can’t rely on the faith of others. Not our parents, not our spouses, not our friends. Not even the pastor of the church.
We don’t get more spiritual just standing next to a spiritual person. We get more spiritual as we develop our relationship with Christ.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Passion
Acts 22: 2b-3
Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Good morning ladies,
Last night at Bible study we discussed Paul. Our assignment had been to study Acts 20-28 to get a clear picture of this man who could write such amazing things, to try and understand his passion and dedication to the Lord.
What I saw as I reread these chapters is that Paul’s devotion to Jesus came not from knowledge but from his own personal experience with Christ. Twice in five chapters he shared his “road to Damascus” story.
Paul had a lot of knowledge. He was a trained Pharisee and because of that he knew a Messiah had been promised but he didn’t realize it was Jesus until he met him himself.
That was such an encouragement to me.
One of the things I struggle with is that I have no formal Bible training. I would love to have some type of degree attached to my name so that people would say “Oh Jill, she really knows her Bible, we should listen to her.” What God showed me last night is that I don’t need a degree I study my Bible and He has given me a story,
I have had a life, not as bad as some, but worse than many. A life that should have defeated me but it didn’t because God protected me. He watched over me and took care of me and when He chose to reveal Himself to me I became a new person, on fire for the Lord, and I couldn’t stop talking about Him.
Unfortunately it didn’t last. I had passion but no knowledge so when the trials came I fell, hard. I walked away from God for years.
And that became part of the story, passion alone is not enough.
The Bible says God is a god of second chances and I can testify to that. I can testify to His grace, His love, His mercy, His faithfulness, His power and His omnipotence. I can look back over my life and see the amazing healing power of God. I can speak passionately for hours about all that He has done for me and the journey He has taken me on but because of my own personal experience I am equally as passionate about the importance of studying your Bible.
Some people have passion and no knowledge; some people have knowledge and no passion.
It is my prayer to be like Paul and have both.
Love,
Jill
Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Good morning ladies,
Last night at Bible study we discussed Paul. Our assignment had been to study Acts 20-28 to get a clear picture of this man who could write such amazing things, to try and understand his passion and dedication to the Lord.
What I saw as I reread these chapters is that Paul’s devotion to Jesus came not from knowledge but from his own personal experience with Christ. Twice in five chapters he shared his “road to Damascus” story.
Paul had a lot of knowledge. He was a trained Pharisee and because of that he knew a Messiah had been promised but he didn’t realize it was Jesus until he met him himself.
That was such an encouragement to me.
One of the things I struggle with is that I have no formal Bible training. I would love to have some type of degree attached to my name so that people would say “Oh Jill, she really knows her Bible, we should listen to her.” What God showed me last night is that I don’t need a degree I study my Bible and He has given me a story,
I have had a life, not as bad as some, but worse than many. A life that should have defeated me but it didn’t because God protected me. He watched over me and took care of me and when He chose to reveal Himself to me I became a new person, on fire for the Lord, and I couldn’t stop talking about Him.
Unfortunately it didn’t last. I had passion but no knowledge so when the trials came I fell, hard. I walked away from God for years.
And that became part of the story, passion alone is not enough.
The Bible says God is a god of second chances and I can testify to that. I can testify to His grace, His love, His mercy, His faithfulness, His power and His omnipotence. I can look back over my life and see the amazing healing power of God. I can speak passionately for hours about all that He has done for me and the journey He has taken me on but because of my own personal experience I am equally as passionate about the importance of studying your Bible.
Some people have passion and no knowledge; some people have knowledge and no passion.
It is my prayer to be like Paul and have both.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Not His Job
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Good morning ladies,
Every morning I do everything possible to make sure my children have a successful day at school. I wake them up, cook them a warm breakfast, pack them a “lunch of love”, hug and kiss them and send them out the door with prayer. Then how well their day goes depends upon them.
God does the same thing with us.
He has given us everything we need to be successful. He has given us the divine nature, the same nature that lived in Christ, and everything we need for life and godliness and then it is up to us.
We can choose to live lives defeated by sin or we can choose to believe God and build upon what He has given us.
The rest of this passage says we are to add to our faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love so that we will be effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Basically, God has done His part now it is up to us.
I want my children to do well in school and I could probably do more to ensure that they do. I could cheat and do their homework for them. But it is not my job. My job is to provide the foundation so that they can succeed and it is their job to do the work.
God wants us to do well in life; He wants us to have peace, love and joy. He wants us to overcome the corruption of the world and He could do more to ensure our success. He could make sure that we never had another trial or temptation. He could take away free will and force us to obey.
But it is not His job.
His job is to provide everything we need to be to successful and it is our job to do the work.
Love,
Jill
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Good morning ladies,
Every morning I do everything possible to make sure my children have a successful day at school. I wake them up, cook them a warm breakfast, pack them a “lunch of love”, hug and kiss them and send them out the door with prayer. Then how well their day goes depends upon them.
God does the same thing with us.
He has given us everything we need to be successful. He has given us the divine nature, the same nature that lived in Christ, and everything we need for life and godliness and then it is up to us.
We can choose to live lives defeated by sin or we can choose to believe God and build upon what He has given us.
The rest of this passage says we are to add to our faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love so that we will be effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Basically, God has done His part now it is up to us.
I want my children to do well in school and I could probably do more to ensure that they do. I could cheat and do their homework for them. But it is not my job. My job is to provide the foundation so that they can succeed and it is their job to do the work.
God wants us to do well in life; He wants us to have peace, love and joy. He wants us to overcome the corruption of the world and He could do more to ensure our success. He could make sure that we never had another trial or temptation. He could take away free will and force us to obey.
But it is not His job.
His job is to provide everything we need to be to successful and it is our job to do the work.
Love,
Jill
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