Random Pondering

DH got up around 4 this morning to search for the elusive big buck. Eventually, he woke me as well. As I was trying to get that last hour of sleep I decided that I would talk to God. He is always up at that insane hour. I prayed for myself. Nothing wrong with that. I just know that any and all of my problems have to be turned over to Him. I feel like I literally have to make that statement during my prayer time for it to be fact even though I know He knows my thoughts. It is just how He made me. But I just say to my God, "You know what I need...I don't. Would you mind fixing me?" Of course I know that it isn't that easy. We wouldn't be so lucky. We do have to take the time to listen for His direction to fix us.

The speaker at Tablescapes was wonderful. Her "Light" definitely shined through. As she was speaking I thought to myself, "I wish I was like her. I wish that I could radiate my love for Jesus like she does." But I don't. I let my earthly desires take over and become my focus. It is so weird. Even though I know what I need to do and actually desire to do it; I "forget". It doesn't feel like I would be the real me. So maybe I'm not supposed to be that way. Maybe that is my desire and not His. He may want to use me in a different way. He may like the fact that I want to be that way and that pleases Him for now. When it is time, He will let me know. While this world would be a better place if we were all like the speaker, that is my opinion and not necessarily God's plan. Oh, the faith of a mustard seed.

EXCUSES AND COMPLICATIONS (subtitled SLOW DOWN)

How many times has your alarm gone off on a Sunday morning and you hit snooze and began thinking of reasons to stay in bed and skip church?
{I think} my throat is a little sore. I stayed up too late last night. I’ve been going non-stop for a week; I need a break. I can read my bible at home and get as much as I would get at church. (And yes, those excuses came way too easy to me while writing this.)

Now, how many times have you gone ahead and gotten up and felt fine…not tired at all? Probably most of them if you didn’t let the excuses win.

Think about how tired Paul must have been as he travelled. Think about how tired he was while in prison. Nothing stopped him from telling others about Jesus. He knew that God would sustain him with what he needed to continue.

We are a society that is caught up in the captivity of activity. We feel we must be busy or we are failing. Perhaps the reason that we are craving “busy-ness” is really because God is causing us to feel a craving for Him; we just will not stop long enough to listen.

Redirect your focus to seek God first and He will direct your paths (Matt 6:33).

Rethink your motivation. Are you trying to please people or God? (Gal 1:10)

Rest in God’s will (Heb 4:10) “Anyone who enters God’s rest also rest from his own work.”

And “Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God!” (1 Cor. 10:31)

I have the above for lines written on an index card on my cubicle wall at work. I see them every day.

Additionally I have the following verse right above my computer monitor. We really need to pray for our nation!

“If my people who are called by my name will humbles themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

Don’t let excuses and complications keep you from you going to church and hearing God’s word for you that day.
Beth

Take the Challenge

Contribution from Tiffany...isn't she the best!!

The kids in Club 56 were challenged to memorize Matthew 25:34-36 this week. Below is the complete passage in Matthew that was the focus of Wednesday's lesson. I'm going to try to memorize this along with the kids. Will you do the same?

Matthew 25:34-40
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Tiffany