Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Luke 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Good morning ladies,
The other day I ran out of dog food. Of course I didn’t tell the moodles but I didn’t want to drive down to the store and get more. But because I know they are counting on me I found them something to eat.
I grilled them a chicken breast.
Their faith in me got them something better than dog food.
Contrast that with the Israelites in the desert.
After the spies had returned from Promised Land and Israel decided they were too afraid to go in they started worrying. They decided that God had brought them out into the wilderness to die.
The thing that I found challenging was that when God did bring punishment on Israel for their unbelief He gave them exactly what they had worried about.
Numbers 14:26-29a The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 27 "How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: In this desert your bodies will fall...
Worry is unbelief. We can call it a lot of different things but that’s what it is. And God does not reward unbelief. He rewards faith.
The moodles had faith, they got chicken. They Israelites had unbelief, they got death.
Even if you are a vegetarian I think you will agree the first one is better.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
POP
Matthew 14:22-29
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said.
Good morning ladies,
I keep thinking about Peter walking on water.
Peter, who was known for impulsive decisions actually asked before he stepped out of the boat. For Peter that showed a lot of restraint.
Peter walked on water because he believed he could do the impossible IF Jesus told him to.
And then he sank because he lost focus and didn’t persevere.
Recently God has been telling me that this is the key to a successful Christian life: patience, obedience, and perseverance.
Be patient and wait upon the Lord. Don’t barge ahead without Him and if you are in doubt pray for wisdom and direction. Listen for His answer. Meanwhile, obey what you already know and learn more. Then persevere, one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time, week after week, year after year.
POP
I still remember the first time I heard the Casting Crown’s song Voice of Truth. I felt like it was written to me. It literally changed my life.
I didn’t know it but I was so tired of sitting in the boat, of having a weak faith that didn’t seem to do anything. I didn’t have peace, I didn’t have joy, I didn’t have anything except for salvation and a whole lot of work and I was sick and tired of it.
I really wanted to walk on water and that song told me how.
Quit listening to the waves and start listening to and believing God
Love,
Jill
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said.
Good morning ladies,
I keep thinking about Peter walking on water.
Peter, who was known for impulsive decisions actually asked before he stepped out of the boat. For Peter that showed a lot of restraint.
Peter walked on water because he believed he could do the impossible IF Jesus told him to.
And then he sank because he lost focus and didn’t persevere.
Recently God has been telling me that this is the key to a successful Christian life: patience, obedience, and perseverance.
Be patient and wait upon the Lord. Don’t barge ahead without Him and if you are in doubt pray for wisdom and direction. Listen for His answer. Meanwhile, obey what you already know and learn more. Then persevere, one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time, week after week, year after year.
POP
I still remember the first time I heard the Casting Crown’s song Voice of Truth. I felt like it was written to me. It literally changed my life.
I didn’t know it but I was so tired of sitting in the boat, of having a weak faith that didn’t seem to do anything. I didn’t have peace, I didn’t have joy, I didn’t have anything except for salvation and a whole lot of work and I was sick and tired of it.
I really wanted to walk on water and that song told me how.
Quit listening to the waves and start listening to and believing God
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
God's Timing
Numbers 14:40-45
Early the next morning they went up toward the high hill country. "We have sinned," they said. "We will go up to the place the LORD promised." But Moses said, "Why are you disobeying the LORD's command? This will not succeed! Do not go up, because the LORD is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies, for the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the LORD, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword." Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the LORD's covenant moved from the camp. Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.
Good morning ladies,
I sat here for three hours this morning trying to write you a z-mail. Nothing worked so I finally gave up and went to make breakfast for Katherine who is home sick with an ear infection.
While scrambling her eggs I started thinking about obedience.
Obedience has two sides. It is the things we do AND the things we do not do.
Doing God’s work in God’s timing is where we all want to be.
In Numbers God told the Israelites to go into the Promised Land, but they were scared and didn’t go. When they found out that God was going to punish them for their disobedience, they suddenly decided to obey. By that time it was too late and God told them not to go. He told them very plainly-I WILL NOT BE WITH YOU.
But they went anyway and got beat.
God promises to go before us and fight for us when we go where He wants us to go, He does not promise that when we barge ahead on our own, or presumptuous wander off course thinking we know best.
We don’t.
He does.
If you want to live a life blessed by God obey, DO what He is telling you to do and STOP doing everything else.
James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Love,
Jill
Early the next morning they went up toward the high hill country. "We have sinned," they said. "We will go up to the place the LORD promised." But Moses said, "Why are you disobeying the LORD's command? This will not succeed! Do not go up, because the LORD is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies, for the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the LORD, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword." Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the LORD's covenant moved from the camp. Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.
Good morning ladies,
I sat here for three hours this morning trying to write you a z-mail. Nothing worked so I finally gave up and went to make breakfast for Katherine who is home sick with an ear infection.
While scrambling her eggs I started thinking about obedience.
Obedience has two sides. It is the things we do AND the things we do not do.
Doing God’s work in God’s timing is where we all want to be.
In Numbers God told the Israelites to go into the Promised Land, but they were scared and didn’t go. When they found out that God was going to punish them for their disobedience, they suddenly decided to obey. By that time it was too late and God told them not to go. He told them very plainly-I WILL NOT BE WITH YOU.
But they went anyway and got beat.
God promises to go before us and fight for us when we go where He wants us to go, He does not promise that when we barge ahead on our own, or presumptuous wander off course thinking we know best.
We don’t.
He does.
If you want to live a life blessed by God obey, DO what He is telling you to do and STOP doing everything else.
James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Love,
Jill
Monday, April 26, 2010
Perseverance
James 1:4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Good afternoon ladies,
I don’t feel like writing today. To be honest I don’t want to encourage anyone, I want someone to encourage me, but that isn’t the way God has it set up right now and if there is one thing I have learned it is that the best way to change your attitude is to obey God.
The funny thing is there is no reason for me to feel discouraged. Nothing extraordinary has happened today. I have the same problems today that I had last week, but somehow today they look bigger.
Fortunately God gave me a little insight into my problem in Martin Lloyd-Jones’ book Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure. (Notice there is multiple causes but only one cure)
The eleventh chapter is titled “Looking at the Waves” and it is about Peter. We all know the famous story where Peter walked on water when his eyes were on Jesus, but sank into the lake when he focused on the waves.
One of the most important points about this story according to Biblical scholars is that NOTHING changed except Peter’s focus. The waves did not get worse once Peter stepped out of the boat, the wind did not start to blow. Everything remained the same yet Peter got scared.
Lloyd-Jones writes:
Now that is what I call the Peter mentality-unsteady, the kind of person who is either on top of the mountain or down in the deepest depths, either full of enthusiasm and excitement and making us all feel that we are doing nothing at all, or utterly despondent and threatening to go out of the Christian life altogether. You know the type.
Unfortunately I do.
Now of all the people in the Bible, Peter is not one I have ever wanted to be, so it was a bit upsetting to recognize myself in this passage.
But knowledge is power and now that I know that about myself, I can choose not to let it rule my life. I can choose to focus on God when I feel myself beginning to sink, I can obey even when I don’t feel like it and I can persevere.
Love,
Jill
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Good afternoon ladies,
I don’t feel like writing today. To be honest I don’t want to encourage anyone, I want someone to encourage me, but that isn’t the way God has it set up right now and if there is one thing I have learned it is that the best way to change your attitude is to obey God.
The funny thing is there is no reason for me to feel discouraged. Nothing extraordinary has happened today. I have the same problems today that I had last week, but somehow today they look bigger.
Fortunately God gave me a little insight into my problem in Martin Lloyd-Jones’ book Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure. (Notice there is multiple causes but only one cure)
The eleventh chapter is titled “Looking at the Waves” and it is about Peter. We all know the famous story where Peter walked on water when his eyes were on Jesus, but sank into the lake when he focused on the waves.
One of the most important points about this story according to Biblical scholars is that NOTHING changed except Peter’s focus. The waves did not get worse once Peter stepped out of the boat, the wind did not start to blow. Everything remained the same yet Peter got scared.
Lloyd-Jones writes:
Now that is what I call the Peter mentality-unsteady, the kind of person who is either on top of the mountain or down in the deepest depths, either full of enthusiasm and excitement and making us all feel that we are doing nothing at all, or utterly despondent and threatening to go out of the Christian life altogether. You know the type.
Unfortunately I do.
Now of all the people in the Bible, Peter is not one I have ever wanted to be, so it was a bit upsetting to recognize myself in this passage.
But knowledge is power and now that I know that about myself, I can choose not to let it rule my life. I can choose to focus on God when I feel myself beginning to sink, I can obey even when I don’t feel like it and I can persevere.
Love,
Jill
Friday, April 23, 2010
God Loves You
Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
Good morning ladies,
Today’s z-mail is going to be short.
I am getting ready to go to Carson City and I don’t have a lot of time.
For that last five weeks I have been praying about what God wants me to say to these women that I don’t even know. This morning I think I got the answer.
All God wants me to tell them is that He loves them. That’s it, that’s enough.
They don’t need to hear that they need to do more Bible study; they don’t need to hear that they need to be nicer; they don’t need to hear that they should stop gossiping. They probably already know all that.
All they need to hear is God loves them.
Understanding that you are loved by God is the beginning of everything. It fills a hole nothing else can fill, it allows you to love yourself and it will compel you to love Him back.
Recently I switched from using artificial sweetener in my coffee to using real sugar, and I discovered the weirdest thing. I don’t need as much sugar as I thought I would. A little bit is very satisfying.
The same is true with God.
You can use a whole lot of the world trying to make yourself feel better or you can use a little bit of God.
I highly recommend God.
Love,
Jill
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
Good morning ladies,
Today’s z-mail is going to be short.
I am getting ready to go to Carson City and I don’t have a lot of time.
For that last five weeks I have been praying about what God wants me to say to these women that I don’t even know. This morning I think I got the answer.
All God wants me to tell them is that He loves them. That’s it, that’s enough.
They don’t need to hear that they need to do more Bible study; they don’t need to hear that they need to be nicer; they don’t need to hear that they should stop gossiping. They probably already know all that.
All they need to hear is God loves them.
Understanding that you are loved by God is the beginning of everything. It fills a hole nothing else can fill, it allows you to love yourself and it will compel you to love Him back.
Recently I switched from using artificial sweetener in my coffee to using real sugar, and I discovered the weirdest thing. I don’t need as much sugar as I thought I would. A little bit is very satisfying.
The same is true with God.
You can use a whole lot of the world trying to make yourself feel better or you can use a little bit of God.
I highly recommend God.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Spiritual Discipline
2Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Good morning ladies,
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is a blunt man. I’m sure he offended many people in his congregation during the time he was minister of Westminster Chapel in London.
In chapter fifteen of his book Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure he says that one reason Christians are spiritually depressed is because they lack discipline.
Some people lack discipline simply because they do not know they are supposed to do anything. They think that all they need to do is “abide in the Lord” and everything will be great. But that usually doesn’t work. As soon as trials hit abiding alone is not enough.
Other people lack discipline because they procrastinate or they are just plain lazy when it comes to spiritual things. They have plenty of time for other recreational activities and they may be hardworking disciplined people. They just lack discipline in the spiritual arena.
They don’t pray or fast or meditate on the Word of God like they should and they wonder why they are depressed. Or they give God ten minutes and think that is enough. It isn’t.
So many people say that they would give anything to have but a vestige of the knowledge that the saints had, “If only I had that joy, I would give the whole world for that –why cannot I have the experience of the warm heart?” they say. The answer is that they have never really sought it.
Look at the life of any great saint of the church and you will see that the greatest characteristic of their life was discipline and order.
Personally, I think the writer of Hebrews put it best: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Love,
Jill
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Good morning ladies,
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is a blunt man. I’m sure he offended many people in his congregation during the time he was minister of Westminster Chapel in London.
In chapter fifteen of his book Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure he says that one reason Christians are spiritually depressed is because they lack discipline.
Some people lack discipline simply because they do not know they are supposed to do anything. They think that all they need to do is “abide in the Lord” and everything will be great. But that usually doesn’t work. As soon as trials hit abiding alone is not enough.
Other people lack discipline because they procrastinate or they are just plain lazy when it comes to spiritual things. They have plenty of time for other recreational activities and they may be hardworking disciplined people. They just lack discipline in the spiritual arena.
They don’t pray or fast or meditate on the Word of God like they should and they wonder why they are depressed. Or they give God ten minutes and think that is enough. It isn’t.
So many people say that they would give anything to have but a vestige of the knowledge that the saints had, “If only I had that joy, I would give the whole world for that –why cannot I have the experience of the warm heart?” they say. The answer is that they have never really sought it.
Look at the life of any great saint of the church and you will see that the greatest characteristic of their life was discipline and order.
Personally, I think the writer of Hebrews put it best: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
According To Your Faith
Matthew 9:27-29
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";
Good morning ladies,
Like many stories in the Bible I’m sure this one is often misused and I hesitated to use it, but I think the point Jesus is making is so important.
The blind men were seeking healing from Jesus. But before He healed them He asked them “Do you believe I am able to do this?”
They answered “Yes”, so He healed them. Had they answered “No” I think He would have walked away.
The point of the story isn’t that the men were healed because they had so much faith, I think the point is that if you don’t have faith He can’t. Whether He heals or not is still up to Him.
But I think the application goes beyond physical healing. I think it applies to everyday life. To see God work we need to have faith.
Last night at Bible study we talked about the Sabbath year. God commanded the Israelites as they were entering the Promised Land to let their fields lay fallow every seven years. One of the purposes was to increase their faith because not working reminded the people of God’s control and provision for them.
But it would have taken faith to do it. Can you imagine taking a whole year off work, trusting that God would take care of you?
This morning I realized God had done that with me.
Last year God asked me to take a year off work. It didn’t make sense financially but God made it VERY clear that I was supposed to take a year off. So I did.
It has been an amazing year that has definitely increased my faith.
Currently I have been pink-slipped so I don’t know whether I will return to work next year or not. Either way is scary. But this morning I realized it doesn’t matter, either way will be okay because God is able.
Some of you might remember this song from the 80's; it was always one of my favorites:
He is able more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able more than able
To make me what He wants me to be
Love,
Jill
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";
Good morning ladies,
Like many stories in the Bible I’m sure this one is often misused and I hesitated to use it, but I think the point Jesus is making is so important.
The blind men were seeking healing from Jesus. But before He healed them He asked them “Do you believe I am able to do this?”
They answered “Yes”, so He healed them. Had they answered “No” I think He would have walked away.
The point of the story isn’t that the men were healed because they had so much faith, I think the point is that if you don’t have faith He can’t. Whether He heals or not is still up to Him.
But I think the application goes beyond physical healing. I think it applies to everyday life. To see God work we need to have faith.
Last night at Bible study we talked about the Sabbath year. God commanded the Israelites as they were entering the Promised Land to let their fields lay fallow every seven years. One of the purposes was to increase their faith because not working reminded the people of God’s control and provision for them.
But it would have taken faith to do it. Can you imagine taking a whole year off work, trusting that God would take care of you?
This morning I realized God had done that with me.
Last year God asked me to take a year off work. It didn’t make sense financially but God made it VERY clear that I was supposed to take a year off. So I did.
It has been an amazing year that has definitely increased my faith.
Currently I have been pink-slipped so I don’t know whether I will return to work next year or not. Either way is scary. But this morning I realized it doesn’t matter, either way will be okay because God is able.
Some of you might remember this song from the 80's; it was always one of my favorites:
He is able more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able more than able
To make me what He wants me to be
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Men As Trees, Walking
Mark 8:22-25
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly
Good morning ladies,
Have you ever wondered why it took two tries for Jesus to heal this man? I hadn’t until I read Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure by Lloyd-Jones.
Now I can’t get it out of my head.
Jones suggests that Jesus was using this healing to illustrate a point, a very disturbing point. From the moment Jesus spit on his eyes the man was no longer blind, but he wasn’t really healed. He was neither blind nor sighted, he was somewhere in the middle.
Neither what he was nor what he could be.
The reason that this is haunting me is because I believe it to be true.
I see too many Christians, especially women, in the same state. They have accepted Jesus as savior, so they are no longer who they used to be, but they haven’t realized who they are in Christ, so they are not what they could be.
They know too much to find satisfaction in the pleasures of the world, but too little to grasp the Joy of the Lord.
Just like the Israelites who wandered in the desert, freed from slavery but longing to return to Egypt, God’s women are wandering in the desert of insecurity and poor self-esteem, stressed and unhappy without knowing why.
If this is you, do not let Satan rob you of your joy; pursue Christ until you can see. God did not send His Son to die on a cross just so we could go to heaven He came to set us free-now.
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." John 8:31-33
Love,
Jill
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly
Good morning ladies,
Have you ever wondered why it took two tries for Jesus to heal this man? I hadn’t until I read Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cure by Lloyd-Jones.
Now I can’t get it out of my head.
Jones suggests that Jesus was using this healing to illustrate a point, a very disturbing point. From the moment Jesus spit on his eyes the man was no longer blind, but he wasn’t really healed. He was neither blind nor sighted, he was somewhere in the middle.
Neither what he was nor what he could be.
The reason that this is haunting me is because I believe it to be true.
I see too many Christians, especially women, in the same state. They have accepted Jesus as savior, so they are no longer who they used to be, but they haven’t realized who they are in Christ, so they are not what they could be.
They know too much to find satisfaction in the pleasures of the world, but too little to grasp the Joy of the Lord.
Just like the Israelites who wandered in the desert, freed from slavery but longing to return to Egypt, God’s women are wandering in the desert of insecurity and poor self-esteem, stressed and unhappy without knowing why.
If this is you, do not let Satan rob you of your joy; pursue Christ until you can see. God did not send His Son to die on a cross just so we could go to heaven He came to set us free-now.
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." John 8:31-33
Love,
Jill
Monday, April 19, 2010
Correction
Hi ladies,
Katherine just got home from Summit and she brought with her a book AWANA: God’s Miracle.
It is a great book and I would recommend to anyone who is interested in AWANA. Too often older ministries get dismissed for the “latest and greatest” but when you read the story of how God started this ministry and the heart of the men behind it, it puts it in a different light.
I just wanted to make a correction on the e-mail about Art and Katherine. The Fairmont Fair was started because there were more kids lined up for the movies than for church. The Fair was and continues to be an outreach opportunity that many AWANA clubs provide for the kids in their communities. The founding of AWANA is much more complicated.
To make amends for my error, I am going to share a story from the book.
Personal Bank Account:
Art’s challenge to AWANA leaders from the1960’s
"If you had a bank account that credited your account each morning with $86,400,” Art would say, “that carried over no balance from day to day and allowed you to keep no cash in your account, and every evening canceled the money that you had failed to use during the day, what would you do? Draw out every cent, of course.
You do have such a bank account and its name is “time”. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it rules as lost the time you have failed to invest to good purpose…Awana leader, have you taken inventory of one of your most treasured possessions in life ‘time?’
Draw on the 86,400 seconds of each day of the coming year. Invest them in the lives of boys and girls. Use each day’s deposit of seconds to advance the message of our wonderful Lord, He’s coming very soon."
“In God’s sight, every day is equally important,” Art says. “At the end of a day, I often say, “Okay, Lord, were you pleased with the day?” That’s what really counts. Whatever He has for me tomorrow is fine, but I’ve learned to pack everything I can into each day.”
Love,
Jill
Katherine just got home from Summit and she brought with her a book AWANA: God’s Miracle.
It is a great book and I would recommend to anyone who is interested in AWANA. Too often older ministries get dismissed for the “latest and greatest” but when you read the story of how God started this ministry and the heart of the men behind it, it puts it in a different light.
I just wanted to make a correction on the e-mail about Art and Katherine. The Fairmont Fair was started because there were more kids lined up for the movies than for church. The Fair was and continues to be an outreach opportunity that many AWANA clubs provide for the kids in their communities. The founding of AWANA is much more complicated.
To make amends for my error, I am going to share a story from the book.
Personal Bank Account:
Art’s challenge to AWANA leaders from the1960’s
"If you had a bank account that credited your account each morning with $86,400,” Art would say, “that carried over no balance from day to day and allowed you to keep no cash in your account, and every evening canceled the money that you had failed to use during the day, what would you do? Draw out every cent, of course.
You do have such a bank account and its name is “time”. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it rules as lost the time you have failed to invest to good purpose…Awana leader, have you taken inventory of one of your most treasured possessions in life ‘time?’
Draw on the 86,400 seconds of each day of the coming year. Invest them in the lives of boys and girls. Use each day’s deposit of seconds to advance the message of our wonderful Lord, He’s coming very soon."
“In God’s sight, every day is equally important,” Art says. “At the end of a day, I often say, “Okay, Lord, were you pleased with the day?” That’s what really counts. Whatever He has for me tomorrow is fine, but I’ve learned to pack everything I can into each day.”
Love,
Jill
Friday, April 16, 2010
Into Battle
Exodus 17:8-10
The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.
Good morning ladies,
Today’s verses are from one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament and one I have written about before.
It is a great story about the importance of prayer as Moses stands upon the mountain praying for the Israelites who are in battle against the Amalekites. As long as Moses’ hands are raised they win, but whenever he lowered his hands they would begin to lose. So God brought two men alongside Moses to help hold up his hands and the Israelites were victorious.
This time I want to look at it from Joshua’s point of view.
Joshua was told by Moses to go into battle and he obeyed. He had to draw his sword and go down to the battlefield and kill the Amalekites for the Israelites to win. He had to do the work.
The Israelites were in a battle for their lives and they needed both Moses and Joshua to be obedient to God so they could win. Their enemy was advancing and they needed to act.
We are in a battle too; unfortunately our enemy cannot be seen so we often forget he is there. Satan would love nothing more than to defeat you. And although he cannot steal your salvation, he can steal your joy. That is why we have to be on guard. That is why we need a herd.
God did not send Joshua into battle alone. And you are not alone either.
Each one of us is Moses, lifting our hands in prayer for our Zebra sisters, and each one of us is also Joshua down on the field in battle.
Together we can be victorious.
Love,
Jill
The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.
Good morning ladies,
Today’s verses are from one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament and one I have written about before.
It is a great story about the importance of prayer as Moses stands upon the mountain praying for the Israelites who are in battle against the Amalekites. As long as Moses’ hands are raised they win, but whenever he lowered his hands they would begin to lose. So God brought two men alongside Moses to help hold up his hands and the Israelites were victorious.
This time I want to look at it from Joshua’s point of view.
Joshua was told by Moses to go into battle and he obeyed. He had to draw his sword and go down to the battlefield and kill the Amalekites for the Israelites to win. He had to do the work.
The Israelites were in a battle for their lives and they needed both Moses and Joshua to be obedient to God so they could win. Their enemy was advancing and they needed to act.
We are in a battle too; unfortunately our enemy cannot be seen so we often forget he is there. Satan would love nothing more than to defeat you. And although he cannot steal your salvation, he can steal your joy. That is why we have to be on guard. That is why we need a herd.
God did not send Joshua into battle alone. And you are not alone either.
Each one of us is Moses, lifting our hands in prayer for our Zebra sisters, and each one of us is also Joshua down on the field in battle.
Together we can be victorious.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Squirrels
Numbers 14:24
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Good morning ladies,
God loves you!
Every morning as I do my quiet time and pray about what to write to you, my moodles, (small dogs of unknown origin) Joshua and Abigail sit next to me on chairs with pillows for added comfort.
They know the command “Bible Study” and run to get there. They usually settle down very quickly and grab their morning nap.
This morning Abigail couldn’t settle down. There is a squirrel that lives in our backyard and she could see it through the dining room window. She couldn’t get to the squirrel because it was outside and the squirrel couldn’t get to her either. But she let it disturb her nap anyway.
I tried to comfort her by petting her but it didn’t matter. She sat there quivering trying to catch a glimpse of her arch-nemesis, the squirrel.
What I know, that Abigail doesn’t know, is that short of a miracle she is never going to catch that squirrel, even if I let her outside. The squirrel is up on the fence, five feet above Abigail’s head and although she runs pretty fast for a moodle, that squirrel runs faster. The only way she is going to catch that squirrel is if God intervenes.
Our world is like that squirrel. It is too much for us. But it isn’t too much for God.
Yesterday when I was doing my Bible study on Joshua I came upon this description of Caleb, the other spy who believed God could conqueror Israel’s enemies and give them the Promised Land.
My Bible says: Caleb was not so much a man of great faith as a man of faith in a great God! His boldness rested on his understanding of God, not on his confidence in Israel’s abilities to conquer the land.
And I thought that is what we need to be. We don’t have to work up great faith; we just need to know our great God.
I believe that if God wanted Abigail to catch that squirrel, He could tie it up and hand it to her. But Abigail doesn’t, so she lets it ruin her life.
Love,
Jill
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Good morning ladies,
God loves you!
Every morning as I do my quiet time and pray about what to write to you, my moodles, (small dogs of unknown origin) Joshua and Abigail sit next to me on chairs with pillows for added comfort.
They know the command “Bible Study” and run to get there. They usually settle down very quickly and grab their morning nap.
This morning Abigail couldn’t settle down. There is a squirrel that lives in our backyard and she could see it through the dining room window. She couldn’t get to the squirrel because it was outside and the squirrel couldn’t get to her either. But she let it disturb her nap anyway.
I tried to comfort her by petting her but it didn’t matter. She sat there quivering trying to catch a glimpse of her arch-nemesis, the squirrel.
What I know, that Abigail doesn’t know, is that short of a miracle she is never going to catch that squirrel, even if I let her outside. The squirrel is up on the fence, five feet above Abigail’s head and although she runs pretty fast for a moodle, that squirrel runs faster. The only way she is going to catch that squirrel is if God intervenes.
Our world is like that squirrel. It is too much for us. But it isn’t too much for God.
Yesterday when I was doing my Bible study on Joshua I came upon this description of Caleb, the other spy who believed God could conqueror Israel’s enemies and give them the Promised Land.
My Bible says: Caleb was not so much a man of great faith as a man of faith in a great God! His boldness rested on his understanding of God, not on his confidence in Israel’s abilities to conquer the land.
And I thought that is what we need to be. We don’t have to work up great faith; we just need to know our great God.
I believe that if God wanted Abigail to catch that squirrel, He could tie it up and hand it to her. But Abigail doesn’t, so she lets it ruin her life.
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Blessings of Obedience
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Good morning ladies,
Last night we started our study on Joshua. It was great!
It is hard not to read the first chapter of Joshua and be encouraged. Joshua was given the task, by God, of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. It would have been a scary job.
The people who lived in the land were well armed. The Israelites were not, all they had was God.
It was more than enough.
God promised Joshua that He would be with him wherever he went and because of that he should be brave and courageous.
God also told Joshua: Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Yesterday Katherine got to meet a man who has lived those commands.
For those of you not familiar with AWANA it is the largest children’s ministry in the world. The name comes from 2Timothy 2:15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed. And its focus is to teach children the word of God.
I have no idea what trials Art faced as he started a ministry that is dedicated to “reaching boys and girls with the gospel of Christ” but I’m sure they were many. But he persevered.
And I for one am very grateful.
This year Awana is celebrating its 60th anniversary and Art turned 92. So at Summit, the high school competition for students still involved in Awana, they had a party. And that is where Katherine got to meet him.
A dear friend took this picture and sent it to me. When I saw it I cried.
I used to hate the word “obedience’, to me it meant I had to behave and listen to God. Now I love it because I understand that it is a privilege God gives His children. Because when we obey God can use us to bless others.
Love,
Jill
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Good morning ladies,
Last night we started our study on Joshua. It was great!
It is hard not to read the first chapter of Joshua and be encouraged. Joshua was given the task, by God, of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. It would have been a scary job.
The people who lived in the land were well armed. The Israelites were not, all they had was God.
It was more than enough.
God promised Joshua that He would be with him wherever he went and because of that he should be brave and courageous.
God also told Joshua: Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Yesterday Katherine got to meet a man who has lived those commands.
For those of you not familiar with AWANA it is the largest children’s ministry in the world. The name comes from 2Timothy 2:15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed. And its focus is to teach children the word of God.
I have no idea what trials Art faced as he started a ministry that is dedicated to “reaching boys and girls with the gospel of Christ” but I’m sure they were many. But he persevered.
And I for one am very grateful.
This year Awana is celebrating its 60th anniversary and Art turned 92. So at Summit, the high school competition for students still involved in Awana, they had a party. And that is where Katherine got to meet him.
A dear friend took this picture and sent it to me. When I saw it I cried.
I used to hate the word “obedience’, to me it meant I had to behave and listen to God. Now I love it because I understand that it is a privilege God gives His children. Because when we obey God can use us to bless others.
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Spiritual Depression
Psalm 42:11
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Good morning ladies,
I have been reading Spiritual Depression Its Cause and Cures by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and I think it is depressing me.
I got the book because I loved, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, which he also wrote and because I hoped by reading it I would find something that would help other women.
What I found out so far is that I understand spiritual depression far too well.
The first point Lloyd-Jones makes is that some people are just more prone to depression. Those people who think a lot and are introspective are far more likely to suffer from depression. Duh!
The problem with thinking too much is you tend to think about yourself and that is the surest way to end up depressed. The cure of course is not to quit thinking, but to think about God instead.
The next few chapters talked about allowing your past to rob you of your joy. His advice-get over it, you can’t change the past, God has forgiven you-move on.
Then he talked about worry (a personal favorite.) If Satan can’t keep you depressed thinking about the past, he’ll start you thinking about the future. But Lloyd-Jones reminds us that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. Plus God has the future under control-you worrying about it doesn’t change anything it just depresses you.
Next was the chapter on feelings.
Feelings, he writes are variable and therefore it is VERY dangerous to allow them to control us, people who are controlled by their feelings at happy one minute and angry the next. Their joy does not come from the Lord, it comes from their circumstances and those change.
To overcome your feelings you must first realize the cause of them. Have you sinned? Are you crabby and hard to get long with because “God’s finger” is upon you? If that is the case, repent and listen to God.
If however you are depressed and sin is not involved then you need to have a good talk with yourself. Lloyd-Jones points out that too often we let our minds talk to us. It tells us how to feel and to think, but what we should do is talk to our minds.
It is a subtitle difference, but an important one. The Psalmist would often start out listing their woes and concerns but by the end they were telling themselves truths about God that would bring them comfort.
People who suffer from depression often let their feelings rule their lives rather than the Truth of God. If we are what we eat and what we think, we should be eating a steady diet of The Word of God, not of fear and worldly wisdom.
Love,
Jill
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Good morning ladies,
I have been reading Spiritual Depression Its Cause and Cures by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and I think it is depressing me.
I got the book because I loved, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, which he also wrote and because I hoped by reading it I would find something that would help other women.
What I found out so far is that I understand spiritual depression far too well.
The first point Lloyd-Jones makes is that some people are just more prone to depression. Those people who think a lot and are introspective are far more likely to suffer from depression. Duh!
The problem with thinking too much is you tend to think about yourself and that is the surest way to end up depressed. The cure of course is not to quit thinking, but to think about God instead.
The next few chapters talked about allowing your past to rob you of your joy. His advice-get over it, you can’t change the past, God has forgiven you-move on.
Then he talked about worry (a personal favorite.) If Satan can’t keep you depressed thinking about the past, he’ll start you thinking about the future. But Lloyd-Jones reminds us that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. Plus God has the future under control-you worrying about it doesn’t change anything it just depresses you.
Next was the chapter on feelings.
Feelings, he writes are variable and therefore it is VERY dangerous to allow them to control us, people who are controlled by their feelings at happy one minute and angry the next. Their joy does not come from the Lord, it comes from their circumstances and those change.
To overcome your feelings you must first realize the cause of them. Have you sinned? Are you crabby and hard to get long with because “God’s finger” is upon you? If that is the case, repent and listen to God.
If however you are depressed and sin is not involved then you need to have a good talk with yourself. Lloyd-Jones points out that too often we let our minds talk to us. It tells us how to feel and to think, but what we should do is talk to our minds.
It is a subtitle difference, but an important one. The Psalmist would often start out listing their woes and concerns but by the end they were telling themselves truths about God that would bring them comfort.
People who suffer from depression often let their feelings rule their lives rather than the Truth of God. If we are what we eat and what we think, we should be eating a steady diet of The Word of God, not of fear and worldly wisdom.
Love,
Jill
Friday, April 9, 2010
Have You Seen Jesus?
Mark 16:12-13
Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
Good morning again ladies,
I know I never send two z-mails in the same day, but after I did my quiet time I just felt I had to write to you again.
I don’t know how many of you are using My Utmost for His Highest as part of your daily devotion but today was especially wonderful.
It is titled “Have You Seen Jesus?”
Chambers write: Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before.
I don’t know how many of you have seen Field of Dreams. It is one of my favorite movies.
In it Kevin Costner builds a baseball diamond in the middle of his corn field because a voice tells him to. Everyone thinks he is crazy but he does it anyway.
After he finishes the field he waits, but nothing happens for a long time, eventually some baseball men come out of the corn to play on the field.
At first only Kevin and his daughter can see them; finally his wife can see them as well.
Everyone else just sees an empty field, but Kevin and his family see the men and because of that they are willing to lose everything to keep the baseball field.
That’s what I thought of today as I read Oswald Chambers.
I agree with Chambers, seeing Jesus and being saved are not the same thing. Because I have been saved for years, but it is only recently that I have really seen Jesus.
Love,
Jill
Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
Good morning again ladies,
I know I never send two z-mails in the same day, but after I did my quiet time I just felt I had to write to you again.
I don’t know how many of you are using My Utmost for His Highest as part of your daily devotion but today was especially wonderful.
It is titled “Have You Seen Jesus?”
Chambers write: Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before.
I don’t know how many of you have seen Field of Dreams. It is one of my favorite movies.
In it Kevin Costner builds a baseball diamond in the middle of his corn field because a voice tells him to. Everyone thinks he is crazy but he does it anyway.
After he finishes the field he waits, but nothing happens for a long time, eventually some baseball men come out of the corn to play on the field.
At first only Kevin and his daughter can see them; finally his wife can see them as well.
Everyone else just sees an empty field, but Kevin and his family see the men and because of that they are willing to lose everything to keep the baseball field.
That’s what I thought of today as I read Oswald Chambers.
I agree with Chambers, seeing Jesus and being saved are not the same thing. Because I have been saved for years, but it is only recently that I have really seen Jesus.
Love,
Jill
Just the Beginning
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Good morning ladies,
In case you haven’t been to the blog lately or you haven’t seen the new Zebra brochure you may not know that this is the new “Zebra” verse.
I think it clearly states what the purpose of Zebras is. The reason that we exist is to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. To challenge each other to think of others greater than ourselves and to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.
This is also the verse that people reference when they talk about the importance of church attendance.
But could weekly church attendance really be what they are talking about?
The early church did way more than meet together once a week for worship. According to Acts 2 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Now how did they manage that, didn’t these people have to work?
So I started investigating.
Heb.10:25 does not merely denote the assembling for corporate worship as a solitary or occasional act but as customary conduct. It has the meaning of not betraying one’s attachment to Jesus Christ and other believers and not avoiding one’s own personal responsibility as part of the body of Christ.
So it really means way MORE than just go to church on Sunday.
It means we are to be CONNECTED, first to Jesus Christ and then to the body of believers. And because of that connection we have a responsibility, first to Christ and then to His people.
Going to church on Sunday is not the end of your to-do-list for God, it is just the beginning.
Love,
Jill
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Good morning ladies,
In case you haven’t been to the blog lately or you haven’t seen the new Zebra brochure you may not know that this is the new “Zebra” verse.
I think it clearly states what the purpose of Zebras is. The reason that we exist is to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. To challenge each other to think of others greater than ourselves and to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.
This is also the verse that people reference when they talk about the importance of church attendance.
But could weekly church attendance really be what they are talking about?
The early church did way more than meet together once a week for worship. According to Acts 2 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Now how did they manage that, didn’t these people have to work?
So I started investigating.
Heb.10:25 does not merely denote the assembling for corporate worship as a solitary or occasional act but as customary conduct. It has the meaning of not betraying one’s attachment to Jesus Christ and other believers and not avoiding one’s own personal responsibility as part of the body of Christ.
So it really means way MORE than just go to church on Sunday.
It means we are to be CONNECTED, first to Jesus Christ and then to the body of believers. And because of that connection we have a responsibility, first to Christ and then to His people.
Going to church on Sunday is not the end of your to-do-list for God, it is just the beginning.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Quarrels and Fights
James 4:1-4
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Good morning ladies,
I know today’s verse is rather long, but it is all so good I didn’t know where to stop.
When my kids are arguing I will often times reference this verse. It is so easy to see when you are on the outside of an argument. The only reason they are quarrelling is that they each “want what they want.”
It is a little more difficult to apply to myself, but I am getting better. If I don’t care how things turn out then I tend not to argue as much.
Lately I have been wondering if this same principle applies with God.
Is the reason we are stressed because we are quietly arguing with God? We want things our way and we can’t seem to get it.
Let’s face it, God’s primary goal is to save the world, it isn’t usually ours.
Too often our primary goal is to make sure we have a “good” life
That may put us at odds with God.
Jesus didn’t care about the “good” life and He never promised it to His followers either. In fact, He was pretty blunt about the cost of being a disciple.
Matthew 8:19-21
Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Isn’t it amazing that anyone followed Him at all?
Love,
Jill
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Good morning ladies,
I know today’s verse is rather long, but it is all so good I didn’t know where to stop.
When my kids are arguing I will often times reference this verse. It is so easy to see when you are on the outside of an argument. The only reason they are quarrelling is that they each “want what they want.”
It is a little more difficult to apply to myself, but I am getting better. If I don’t care how things turn out then I tend not to argue as much.
Lately I have been wondering if this same principle applies with God.
Is the reason we are stressed because we are quietly arguing with God? We want things our way and we can’t seem to get it.
Let’s face it, God’s primary goal is to save the world, it isn’t usually ours.
Too often our primary goal is to make sure we have a “good” life
That may put us at odds with God.
Jesus didn’t care about the “good” life and He never promised it to His followers either. In fact, He was pretty blunt about the cost of being a disciple.
Matthew 8:19-21
Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Isn’t it amazing that anyone followed Him at all?
Love,
Jill
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Strengthen Weak Knees
Hebrews 12:12-13
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Good morning ladies,
God has me camped in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews.
Hebrews 12:1-2 have long been favorite verses but recently I have come to love verses 12 and 13 as well.
I used to think of twelve as an exercise verse. Sort of like a command to go to the gym. But recently God has shown me different.
Last week I was reading verse thirteen thinking that it really didn’t make any sense. In my world the lame are already disabled since they can not walk. So I decided it was time to figure out what that verse really said.
I got my word study dictionary and started looking up the words. I looked up a lot of words without any great insights until I got to lame. Lame does not mean unable to walk it means: lame or infirmed in a spiritual sense.
Ahhhh! That changes things.
But it was when I looked up” healed” that I finally understood the full meaning of the verse.
“Make straight and level paths, that the lame may not be driven to turn aside into other paths, but may be healed,” i.e., that those who are wavering in faith may not be led to turn away, but rather be brought back and established.
Now it made sense.
People whose faith is wavering are like drowning men. They are looking around for anything to save them, anything to give them hope.
That’s where we come in.
The reason we need to live morally upright lives, looking different than the world as we rely on and trust God is not just to reach the lost, but so that those whose faith is wavering will look at us and be encouraged.
Don’t you love that?
I do because it has nothing to do with exercise!
Love,
Jill
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Good morning ladies,
God has me camped in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews.
Hebrews 12:1-2 have long been favorite verses but recently I have come to love verses 12 and 13 as well.
I used to think of twelve as an exercise verse. Sort of like a command to go to the gym. But recently God has shown me different.
Last week I was reading verse thirteen thinking that it really didn’t make any sense. In my world the lame are already disabled since they can not walk. So I decided it was time to figure out what that verse really said.
I got my word study dictionary and started looking up the words. I looked up a lot of words without any great insights until I got to lame. Lame does not mean unable to walk it means: lame or infirmed in a spiritual sense.
Ahhhh! That changes things.
But it was when I looked up” healed” that I finally understood the full meaning of the verse.
“Make straight and level paths, that the lame may not be driven to turn aside into other paths, but may be healed,” i.e., that those who are wavering in faith may not be led to turn away, but rather be brought back and established.
Now it made sense.
People whose faith is wavering are like drowning men. They are looking around for anything to save them, anything to give them hope.
That’s where we come in.
The reason we need to live morally upright lives, looking different than the world as we rely on and trust God is not just to reach the lost, but so that those whose faith is wavering will look at us and be encouraged.
Don’t you love that?
I do because it has nothing to do with exercise!
Love,
Jill
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Reinforcement
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Good morning ladies,
My husband, my daughter, and my son all love a silly little arcade game named Snood. The other morning, while I was doing my Bible study they were discussing it and lamenting about the success rate which is only 51.3%. They wondered why, since they only won a little over half the time they were so addicted to playing it.
Obviously they hadn’t heard of intermittent reinforcement.
Back in college, when I was a psychology major, I had to study B.F. Skinner and his theories on reinforcement. One thing that stuck in my brain was that there are three schedules for reinforcing behavior: continuous reinforcement, in which every response is reinforced; extinction, in which no response is reinforced; and intermittent or partial reinforcement where only some responses are reinforced.
What the makers of Snood and slot machines know is that intermittent reinforcement is the most effect schedule if you want some one to continue the behavior.
Maybe God should try that.
Instead He uses continuous reinforcement. He always rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
The problem with continuous reinforcement is the person decides whether they want the reward or not.
Any parent who has ever tried to bribe a child for grades or good behavior understands the problem. The bribe works as long as the child wants what is offered. But the minute they decide the bribe isn’t worth it they quit.
So maybe the problem isn’t God reinforcement schedule, maybe the problem is we really don’t want what He is offering.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Love,
Jill
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Good morning ladies,
My husband, my daughter, and my son all love a silly little arcade game named Snood. The other morning, while I was doing my Bible study they were discussing it and lamenting about the success rate which is only 51.3%. They wondered why, since they only won a little over half the time they were so addicted to playing it.
Obviously they hadn’t heard of intermittent reinforcement.
Back in college, when I was a psychology major, I had to study B.F. Skinner and his theories on reinforcement. One thing that stuck in my brain was that there are three schedules for reinforcing behavior: continuous reinforcement, in which every response is reinforced; extinction, in which no response is reinforced; and intermittent or partial reinforcement where only some responses are reinforced.
What the makers of Snood and slot machines know is that intermittent reinforcement is the most effect schedule if you want some one to continue the behavior.
Maybe God should try that.
Instead He uses continuous reinforcement. He always rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
The problem with continuous reinforcement is the person decides whether they want the reward or not.
Any parent who has ever tried to bribe a child for grades or good behavior understands the problem. The bribe works as long as the child wants what is offered. But the minute they decide the bribe isn’t worth it they quit.
So maybe the problem isn’t God reinforcement schedule, maybe the problem is we really don’t want what He is offering.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Love,
Jill
Monday, April 5, 2010
Hair Pulling Contest
Hebrews 12:5-6
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Good morning ladies,
Most of us don’t think of discipline as something that should encourage us, but it is because it takes a lot of effort to discipline something, whether it is a dog or a person, and you only do it if you love what you are disciplining.
My father was a harsh man. He used to “discipline” my brothers and sister a lot. But he never “disciplined” me, even when I deserved it.
When I flunked French in tenth grade I hung my report card up in the kitchen so that he would see it, but he never said a word. And when I wrecked his car I kept expecting him to do something but he never did.
It was rather odd but I figured he just didn’t care.
Later when he lived with me we discussed it. I asked him why he hadn’t hit me like he had the other kids and he said by the time I was born he was tired of hitting kids and he vowed that he would never hit me, and he didn’t. And the reason that he didn’t say anything about the car was he was afraid I would run away from home if he did.
It wasn’t that he didn’t care; he just didn’t know how to show it correctly.
But God does.
God loves us enough not to let us get away with anything that is harmful to us. Of course since we have free will we can do what we want, but I find God convicts me and makes me miserable if I do and He doesn’t stop until I repent.
When Katherine was little she used to pull my hair. I had tried everything to make her stop so one time in desperation when she pulled my hair I pulled hers back. I expected that would make her let go, but it didn’t she just started pulling harder. So I started pulling harder. Eventually I pulled hard enough to hurt her and she stopped.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am in a hair pulling contest with God.
Love,
Jill
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Good morning ladies,
Most of us don’t think of discipline as something that should encourage us, but it is because it takes a lot of effort to discipline something, whether it is a dog or a person, and you only do it if you love what you are disciplining.
My father was a harsh man. He used to “discipline” my brothers and sister a lot. But he never “disciplined” me, even when I deserved it.
When I flunked French in tenth grade I hung my report card up in the kitchen so that he would see it, but he never said a word. And when I wrecked his car I kept expecting him to do something but he never did.
It was rather odd but I figured he just didn’t care.
Later when he lived with me we discussed it. I asked him why he hadn’t hit me like he had the other kids and he said by the time I was born he was tired of hitting kids and he vowed that he would never hit me, and he didn’t. And the reason that he didn’t say anything about the car was he was afraid I would run away from home if he did.
It wasn’t that he didn’t care; he just didn’t know how to show it correctly.
But God does.
God loves us enough not to let us get away with anything that is harmful to us. Of course since we have free will we can do what we want, but I find God convicts me and makes me miserable if I do and He doesn’t stop until I repent.
When Katherine was little she used to pull my hair. I had tried everything to make her stop so one time in desperation when she pulled my hair I pulled hers back. I expected that would make her let go, but it didn’t she just started pulling harder. So I started pulling harder. Eventually I pulled hard enough to hurt her and she stopped.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am in a hair pulling contest with God.
Love,
Jill
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Choked by Worry
Matthew 13:22
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
Mark 4:18-19
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Luke 8:14
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Good morning ladies,
I don’t usually send out z-mails on Saturday but yesterday I was praying for you and God reminded me of something else that has His people burdened-the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things.
Lately I have been getting honked at a lot. I don’t know if my driving has deteriorated or if people are just more stressed. I think it is the second.
And every time it happens I can’t help thinking God did not intend His people to live this way. He did not intend us to be so stressed that we don’t have fifteen seconds to wait for a slower driver. He didn’t intend us to be so consumed with anger that it overflows at the slightest provocation. And he didn’t intend for us to be grasping and clawing for things that have no eternal value.
He intended us to live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control because that is the fruit of the Spirit.
If you are not feeling “fruitful” today it might be because you are allowing the world to choke it out.
Philippians 4:6-8
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Love,
Jill
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
Mark 4:18-19
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Luke 8:14
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Good morning ladies,
I don’t usually send out z-mails on Saturday but yesterday I was praying for you and God reminded me of something else that has His people burdened-the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things.
Lately I have been getting honked at a lot. I don’t know if my driving has deteriorated or if people are just more stressed. I think it is the second.
And every time it happens I can’t help thinking God did not intend His people to live this way. He did not intend us to be so stressed that we don’t have fifteen seconds to wait for a slower driver. He didn’t intend us to be so consumed with anger that it overflows at the slightest provocation. And he didn’t intend for us to be grasping and clawing for things that have no eternal value.
He intended us to live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control because that is the fruit of the Spirit.
If you are not feeling “fruitful” today it might be because you are allowing the world to choke it out.
Philippians 4:6-8
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Love,
Jill
Friday, April 2, 2010
He Came to Give Us Rest
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Good morning ladies,
Don’t you love these verses? I do.
Jesus promised that His burden would be light and His yoke would be easy and Jesus NEVER lied. Why then are so many people overburdened and stressed out?
I think the major reason is that we are carrying things that Jesus did not intend us to carry. We have added to the load and now it is too heavy.
Last year when I was teaching, running Awana, trying to start Zebras, and teaching Bible study in addition to being a wife and mother I had too much and I knew I had too much. But I couldn’t figure out what to get rid of.
I would hold out my imaginary plate and ask Godly friends including my husband what they thought it was I should get rid of.
No one had any suggestions so I made it through that year claiming verses like:
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Because if there wasn’t anything I was supposed to drop then God would give me the strength to do it all. And He did. But everyday I would pray for God to show me if there was something I was supposed to quit doing.
Finally He did. It was my job.
If you are overburdened something is out of balance. Either you are carrying too much or you are doing it in your own strength. And if you really want things to change, ask God and he will tell you how.
Love,
Jill
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Good morning ladies,
Don’t you love these verses? I do.
Jesus promised that His burden would be light and His yoke would be easy and Jesus NEVER lied. Why then are so many people overburdened and stressed out?
I think the major reason is that we are carrying things that Jesus did not intend us to carry. We have added to the load and now it is too heavy.
Last year when I was teaching, running Awana, trying to start Zebras, and teaching Bible study in addition to being a wife and mother I had too much and I knew I had too much. But I couldn’t figure out what to get rid of.
I would hold out my imaginary plate and ask Godly friends including my husband what they thought it was I should get rid of.
No one had any suggestions so I made it through that year claiming verses like:
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Because if there wasn’t anything I was supposed to drop then God would give me the strength to do it all. And He did. But everyday I would pray for God to show me if there was something I was supposed to quit doing.
Finally He did. It was my job.
If you are overburdened something is out of balance. Either you are carrying too much or you are doing it in your own strength. And if you really want things to change, ask God and he will tell you how.
Love,
Jill
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Are You a Fool?
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Good afternoon ladies,
My friend Nancy says that today is the national holiday for atheists for only a fool would believe there is no God.
After walking this morning it is difficult to understand how someone could look at God’s creation and yet deny He exists. Both David and Paul pointed to nature as evidence of the existence of God.
Psalm 19:1
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Equally foolish however are those of us who believe God exists yet think obedience is optional.
The Bible is filled with too many warnings for that to be the case.
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
James 2:19-20
You believe that God is one you do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Matthew 7:26
"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”
No one seems to know the exact origin of April Fools' Day but it is observed throughout the Western world. Popular practices include sending someone on a "fool's errand," making people look for things that don't exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things.
Sounds like a holiday Satan would love.
Love,
Jill
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Good afternoon ladies,
My friend Nancy says that today is the national holiday for atheists for only a fool would believe there is no God.
After walking this morning it is difficult to understand how someone could look at God’s creation and yet deny He exists. Both David and Paul pointed to nature as evidence of the existence of God.
Psalm 19:1
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Equally foolish however are those of us who believe God exists yet think obedience is optional.
The Bible is filled with too many warnings for that to be the case.
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
James 2:19-20
You believe that God is one you do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Matthew 7:26
"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”
No one seems to know the exact origin of April Fools' Day but it is observed throughout the Western world. Popular practices include sending someone on a "fool's errand," making people look for things that don't exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things.
Sounds like a holiday Satan would love.
Love,
Jill
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