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Love God with Your Whole Heart?

Lately, I've been reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.  I thought the book was going to be about how much God loves us.  But the last couple chapters that I've read have been about being "lukewarm".  Truthfully, I've never really considered what "lukewarm" might mean.  There are many things from this book (and I'm only a little over halfway through it) that I would like to share.  Here are some of the paragraphs concerning "lukewarm" Christians.  As I write this, I pray that God will open up hearts as He is opening up mine to receive His truth. 

From "Crazy Love"

Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives.  But only a part.  They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives.

Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.  They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of devotion isn't really possible for the average person; it's only for pastors and missionaries and radicals.

Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to.  They don't have to trust God if something unexpected happens-they have their savings account.  They don't need God to help them-they have their retirement plan in place.  They don't genuinely seek out what life God would have them live-they have life figured and mapped out.  The truth is, their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God.

Did you read that last sentence?  Their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God.  At that, my heart cried out, what are we doing?  What am I doing?  Our lives should be ordered with God as our first priority.  Are we here on earth to build a life of comfort and joy for ourselves?  No, we are here to love God and make disciples.  I don't want to make it to Heaven some day and realize that I missed the point of life. 

Lord, change me!  Make my life what you intended it to be!

Joyce Meyer's "Secret Power of Speaking God's Word" - My 1st Giveaway

I just happen to have a brand new copy of Joyce Meyer's book "The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word.  So, I'm giving it away!  It's a great resource book to have in your home.  The book is separated into many categories including Anxiety & Worry, Control, Fear, and Receiving God's Love.  In each section, Joyce Meyer has included scriptures to help you be victorious in those areas of your life. 

To enter the giveaway.....

1) Like my Facebook page.

2) Subscribe to receive my updates by email.

3) Suggest my blog to a friend who also completes either of the above.

Please comment on this post to let me know that you liked my page, are following by email.and/or have a friend who subscribed to my blog.  If you already follow by email, or have liked my Facebook page, please comment also.  You will receive one entry for following by Facebook and another entry for following by email.  You can receive an additional entry by having a friend subscribe also.  Winner will be chosen on July 31st. 

I am receiving no compensation for this giveaway.  The book was purchased by me. 

Speak the Word

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Previously, I wrote about speaking the Word over your life.  I have a book written by Joyce Meyer called "The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word" which is a wonderful reference book for scriptures that pertain to specific areas of life.  I thought I would share a few of the scriptures that she has listed in the section Confessions for Wives.  I have been reading aloud and confessing the scriptures for parents and wives.  Here are a few scriptures from the section for wives.

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.  I am an excellent wife.  Proverbs 12:4

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the Lord.  I am a prudent wife.  Proverbs 19:14

I am worthy of respect and serious, not a gossiper, but temperate and self-controlled, trustworthy in all things.  1 Timothy 3:11 

The scriptures above were worded in first person by the author to make them personal to the person speaking forth the Word. 

Try reading aloud the scriptures above and see if you can feel your spirit lift.  I'm always amazed at the encouragement I feel from speaking forth the Word! 

The Desperate Need for Jesus

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On Tuesday, my husband's friend lost his mom to cancer.  Although we rejoice that she is now at home with Jesus, her family and friends are hurting.  In moments like these, I pray that God touches each of their hearts, fills them with peace, and cries with them.  As we read in John 11:35, Jesus wept at the death of his friend Lazaras. 

Oh, how God loves us.  He laughs with us, rejoices with us and cries with us.  He is a compassionate God who tenderly adores each one of us.  As trials come into each of our lives, remember this.....you are passionately loved by your heavenly Father! 

The Home

I recently happened upon (I think God intended for me to have this book) a book about home schooling.  However, I wanted to share a little from the book that applies to anyone with children.  The book is titled "What Your Child Needs to Know When".  I thought it was a book that just had checklists of what your child needed to know at each grade level.  It's much more than that.  Following is an excerpt that I wanted to share with you.

Today's Christians have it backwards.  The primary sphere of religious activity should be in the home, not the church.  The dinner table was a place to gather-not just for food (Deuteronomy 8:3)-but also to study God's Word, pray, praise, and worship.  The home was more important than the synagogue.  The center of all training-religious, education, and family-was the home. 

Awhile back, a friend had told me that her church was focusing on teaching families how to teach their children about God at home.  Basically, her church is following what the author was saying above.  The center of your family's faith in God should come from your home. 

While this is not a new idea, it is something that we must be intentional about.  Pray!  Ask God how to teach your children to walk with God.  Don't just walk with God alone, walk together as a family!

Speaking God's Word

Do you ever find yourself not doing things that you know you should? 

A few weeks ago, I took part in a five week challenge to help improve a few areas in my life.  After our vacation, just about every one of those challenges have fallen to the side.  I've been thinking about what is really important and asking the Lord to order my life the way He wants it to be.  The changes that I made in my daily life during those five weeks were all good things.  But, I just cannot keep up with all of that.  The summer is always busier for my family for two simple reasons.  1) My children love to play outside!  2) My husband is gone more in the evenings due to all the people who need help (he used to work on air conditioners) and he does a lot of maintenance work at a local church camp.  In light of those two things, I am choosing to not feel bad if I do not exercise as much as I would like and do not get the house cleaned every week.

This is what I hear God speaking to me about my life.....
1.) Reading through the Bible is fine, but not to be my main focus.  I found a plan for my Kindle that will take you through the Bible in a year.  I like this because if I get behind, I'm not going to worry about it or try to make up the day.  I'm just going to keep reading where I left off.
2.) Go back to keeping my monthly prayer list and pray over those items each day.
3.) Start confessing the Word.  I have known for years that this was important and I have owned the book pictured above for years.  But, I do not do that very often.  And,definitely not on a regular basis.  The book above was written by Joyce Meyer and is simply a list of scriptures to confess for various areas in your life.  This may be an area of controversy for some, but this is how I see it.  God's Word is powerful.  When I hear a preacher who is speaking the Scriptures, I can feel my spirit soar.  That's enough proof for me!  I'm going to start with the sections, Confessions for Wives and Confessions for Parents.
4.) Love on my children!  Take time to hold them on my lap regardless of what is not being accomplished.  Because, that's one of the reasons that God put me here on Earth.  To love, train, and encourage my precious little children.

As you walk with God, do not be hard on yourself.  Ask God for wisdom in your daily life and enjoy His sweet presence!

Wordless Wednesday - Almost a Smile

I wanted just one good picture of both children with their Bible School t-shirts.  Dasia wasn't interested.

No smile yet, but Dylan was enjoying himself.

Still hoping mommy will give up.

And she is becoming a little more joyful.

Not quite a smile, but I'll take it!

Dasia's First Bible

Our church presented Dasia with her first (big girl) Bible this morning as a celebration of her new life with Jesus.  We were surprised and very blessed.  They even had her name put on the front of the Bible. 

Unrealistic Expectations

On Thursday, Dylan and Dasia attended a gymnastics class at a new place.  Dasia had already taken classes at another facility, but this was Dylan's very first class.  Dylan will be three in July and Dasia will be five.  Dasia's class went great!  She enjoyed it and did what the instructor asked of her.

Dylan's class was a mommy and me format.  Until a few minutes into the class, I completely thought that Dylan would behave perfectly.  I expected that he would sit still, wait in line, and do only what was asked of him.  Seriously, this is how my mind typically works.  It's not that I always expect positive things, I think I have unrealistic expectations for how daily life will take place. 

So, he wasn't that bad, but he didn't want to do everything that the instructor asked him to do.  He really wanted to play on some of the nearby equipment.  He laid down on the floor and said he was too tired.  Due to my unrealistic expectations going into the class, I felt overwhelmed.  Looking back, I would have felt better if I had previously considered that the class may not go perfectly.  Remember, Dylan is two and this was not only his first experience with gymnastics, but also his first classroom experience.

What does this have to do with God?  Everything!  Sometimes, we have unrealistic expectations of God.  We may expect Him to answer our prayers faster than He does.  We may expect to have no or very little difficulties in our lives as we walk with God.  We may expect God to deliver us from a situation and instead He asks us to walk through it.  We may expect God to provide a new job and instead He leaves us at our current one.  (This last one happened to me.  I looked for a new job for almost eight years while I was "left" at the current one!)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Life simply will not go as planned!  We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.  Proverbs 16:9 I have tried for years to make it work and it just does not.  Many times, my stress is just a result of life not occurring as I expected.  If this is you, join me in asking the Lord to change you and help you "see" that it is ok when everything does not fall perfectly into place.  God loves you and wants you to have a blessed life!  Stress is not blessed!  Let Him set you free by renewing your mind in this area.  

We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer.  Proverbs 16:1

Know Your Weak Areas

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Do you know what causes you to stumble in your walk in God?  Are there specific areas that you would call your weaknesses?  I'm sure I have several weak areas where it is imperative that I stand firm on God's truth so that I will not be overcome by Satan.  The area that I want to share today is being overwhelmed with things to do.

This weekend we celebrated my husband's birthday twice and my mom's birthday once (for a total of two birthday celebrations).  This week, the kids and I are attending/helping with Bible School at my mother-in-law's church.  That amounts to about 3 extra hours each day of activity that does not fall in our normal schedule.  Plus, we are having a little party (just Dale, the kids and I) for his birthday tonight.  Due to Bible school and our Tuesday schedule, there really isn't time for that.  We will have about an hour after Dale gets home from work to eat, have a party and get ready to leave for the church.

While this may seem normal to most people, I really can't stand it.  My weakness is maintaining my emotional control throughout the time of extreme busyness.  I could choose to avoid all extreme busy times and not attend all of these events that I feel we need to attend.  However, most of the time I really want to be involved.  I just wish everything could be more spread out.  Anyway, that's not how life works.  Since I choose to participate in the activities, then it is my responsibility to control my emotions.  (It is always our responsibility to maintain self-control, however I could have chosen to be less busy and since I did not my focus is on my response to the activities.)

Whatever your weaknesses may be, following are three steps to help you overcome with God:

1) Recognize that you are weak in this area and that God will have to be your strength.  Also recognize that Satan wants to destroy you and will do things to make your weakness even more difficult.  He often uses other people to say or do things to upset you or causes things to just not go well.

2) Stand firm on the Word of God.  Ask God to give you scripture to hold on to.  Speak the scripture out loud and often.  Here are a couple scriptures for my particular area.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Matthew 6:27

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  Philippians 4:11

 3) Ask God to show you the truth about your situation.  Are you believing lies?  God can and wants to show you any lies that you are believing so that you can be set free. 


Praying this post ministers to you as you walk with God.

Bible Reading Plan

Shortly after I started blogging, I began a Bible reading plan to read thru the Bible in one year.  Until about 2 weeks ago, the plan was going really well.  I was using my laptop to read the Bible at One Year Bible Online.  However, when we went on vacation, we didn't have internet access in our condo.  I didn't take time before we left to print out my reading plan and as a result, I just gave up the plan.  I did read each morning from the book of Luke while were on vacation.  But when we made it home, I gave up completely.  I hardly read anything this week.  After catching up on some apparently much needed sleep, I'm beginning to feel like my normal self once again.

My husband bought me a Kindle for Mother's Day.  So, today I found and downloaded SearchByVerse Daily Bible in One Year on my Kindle.  I think this will be much better than using my laptop.  I really like having the scripture ready to read instead of having to look up the passages and check off that I read that day's section.  So, I'm starting over!

Father's Day Gifts from DaySpring

Father's Day is quickly approaching.  (June 17th)  If you are looking for gift ideas, check out DaySpring's Father's Day Promotion- 20% Off.  Use code 20DAD to save 20% on all Father's Day cards and gifts including Courageous items.  I love DaySpring products.  I purchased several of their Courageous cards a few weeks ago from Wal-Mart.  The cards were powerful to encourage the men in your life!