Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Mind Your Own Business, A Monday Devotional
Very few verses of the Bible have hit me like I Thessalonians 4:11.  In fact I think I have quoted it in some manner or another at least five times over the past couple of weeks.  I've mentioned it to friends at church, to family members and really hit it hard in the Bible Study small group I am leading right now.  I came across it in Beth Moore's Children of the Day study.  So my take on this passage of scripture is definitely impacted by her teaching.  I'll not claim credit.

How many of us, as Christians, wonder how it is that we can best live for Christ?  Well, this verse lays it out in a very plain way.  First it says we are to "lead a quiet life".  Oooh...I love this.  You mean we aren't to be superstars for Christ?  All of us?  Out there shouting from the mountaintops and harassing every person that crosses our paths?  Nope.  This refers to living our lives in such a way that outsiders watching can see our peace, joy and commitment to the things that are important to us.  Living a life that allows us to be available and within reach of those around us.

Next it tells us to "work with our hands" or "not to be dependent".  Now I don't believe this talks about those times when things are hard and we need the support of those around us.  It is more to the effect of not being lazy and thus requiring others to carry our load or pay our way.  In this way we show the Believers in our community respect in give and take.  A chronically lazy, and therefore needy, person is not living out the teaching of the Word.

Finally, we are "to mind our own business".  Now, I have to be careful with this one.  Yesterday it was very convenient as I observed a potential "train wreck" in relationships about to happen and took five steps back to "mind my own business".  In reality it all worked out very well and I'm thrilled that I hadn't inserted myself in the middle of it as I had been tempted to do but I'll have to be aware of when I am using this to stick my head in the sand.  :-)  Isn't it true, though, that we can have a tendency to "share a prayer request" because we really want to be the one to tell someone else about this or that?  Or to pass along someone else's thoughts or opinions in an attempt to strengthen our position with the potentially offended person?  Oh, I'm guilty.  But I'm going to work hard on minding my own business.

Feel free to check out I Thessalonians this week.  It will have something for you.  Such a packed study of practical encouragement.

Becky - Good Neighbors Candle Co.
8:44 AM | Category: , , , , , , , , | 7 comments

Attitude Adjustments - A Monday Devotional
She wakes with a million thoughts running through her mind.
In fact, the waking is more of a jolt as she considers
a new school year, care for aging parents, her Etsy business, 
a friend who has just lost a child, that ladies meeting at church
and how she really should put together a meal plan
and shopping list for the week to come.

(In my real life it looks like this....my son's wedding on Sunday
which means a week filled with details and cake making, An overflowing 
Etsy inbox, the physical and emotional exhaustion of a huge funeral last Saturday 
and catering of the reception which followed,
working with my Burmese Friends, preparing music lessons for this school year,
an annual physical, a hair cut and color, dinner with friends, and so much more.  
How about you?)

 Her feet hit the floor with a thud
and she sighs as it becomes apparent that the "dressing room"
is already occupied.
This morning is getting off to a wrong start.
She knows who is in there and they take forever.
Now she has a choice.

Will she choose to trust that God has this day
just like all of the others in His care and thank Him
for that fact and the shower loving child in the dressing room?
Or...
will she begin to fume and mumble about how this always happens
and she has so much to do?
Will she assume that her agenda is more important than the 
others in her home?

It is important which attitude she assumes because it will
impact every person she comes in contact with in the next
hour, if not all day.

God has given women a very important role in their homes.
We are the mood setters.
We have the power to take everyone along to our grumpy place
or to lift them from a hard day into an encouraging environment.

We cannot do this in our own strength.
We need to call out to Him daily to receive
His joy...even when we are feeling stressed, sad or tired to the bone.

I admit that I don't always go there first.
But more and more I see the rewards of making that choice
to be thankful in all things.
May God continue to teach me to seek Him first.

It really is the best choice.

Psalm 86: 1-13 (NIV) says it well....

Hear me, Lord, and answer me,

    for I am poor and needy.
2 
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
    save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
4 
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in you.
5 
You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

    abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 
Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
7 
When I am in distress, I call to you,
    because you answer me.
8 
Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;

    no deeds can compare with yours.
9 
All the nations you have made
    will come and worship before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory to your name.
10 
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
    you alone are God.
11 
Teach me your way, Lord,

    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
12 
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 
For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.



Blessings on your week!
8:51 AM | Category: , , , , , , , , , | 3 comments

Yesterday, Today & Forever - a Monday Devotional
 and Always

Yesterday, today and forever is a long long time.  Have you ever thought about it?  That the days
since time began are like the stars in the sky themselves.  More than we can fathom.  And yet God's forgiveness spans them all.  When we surrender to Christ, when we repent, forgiveness is extended to us, not just for yesterday, and not only for today but forever because God knows the beginning from the end.  He sees our future failures and forgives them for all time.  Yes we may still need to come to Him and repent, we may still need to make amends, we may even still be subjected to the earthly consequences of our sin but the gift of forgiveness is unending.  

In Matthew, Jesus shares a story about how we are to handle forgiveness of those who sin against us: 
21Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Now the notes that I have read and the sermons I have heard, suggest that this meant 490 times PER DAY and PER OFFENSE . So if someone hurts your feelings 490 times today, God calls you to forgive them 490 times and if they steal from you 490 times in the same day, God wants you to forgive all those offenses as well.  I know this seems a bit irrational in the natural and I believe that God wants us to use wisdom, just because we forgive someone doesn't mean that we are giving them permission to continue in their bad behavior.  God will show us appropriate boundaries we can exercise when we seek him.  But I wanted to share this with you today because sometimes God places people in our life that seem to abuse our grace and mercy and we find it difficult to forgive them over and over again.  

I encourage you to ask God for two things if you are dealing with someone like this in your own life.  The first is to ask God to allow you to see them as He sees them: what wound, what addiction, what temptation enables them to offend you again and again?  Then genuinely pray for their healing and victory over those things.  The second thing to request from God is the ability to settle it in your heart that you forgive them yesterday, today & tomorrow just as He has.  It is a choice to forgive, a choice based on the infinite forgiveness God extends to each one of us.  If you do this, I am pretty sure that the next time that person offends you, you will find a peace in knowing that you've already rejected hanging on to bitterness and wounding by having decided that yesterday, today and forever, you have forgiven like God has forgiven you. 

Is there a difficult person in your life that you can apply this to today?

Many Blessings,
Cherry Fargo
Being ReMade (formerly Cherry's Creations)



3:00 AM | Category: , , , , | 1 comments

Does Prayer Truly Change Things?

We say it all the time.
"Prayer Changes Things."

Does it?

Does prayer change things?
Change the path they were headed?
Does it make a difference?

I think so.

I don't think it is just a saying.
But I'd like to look at it just a bit 
differently.

I think prayer changes us.

When I was pregnant with our third child,
our last child, 
I was on bedrest from month 5 on.
It was a very long five months.
I watched the OJ Simpson trial from start to finish.
It was that long!

People came and watched my toddlers.
Others cleaned my house and brought meals.
I specifically remember one friend on her knees
cleaning out my oven.
Sigh....
I was so blessed.... and humiliated ...all at the same time.

But during those months when all ability to serve
physically was taken away God showed me a 
new way to serve others.
He taught me to pray.

One by one results of those prayers became evident.
A young couple found love after a mom and I 
prayed that they would realize how perfect they 
were for each other.
They were an unlikely couple due to an 
age difference but they truly were perfect for 
each other.

I delight in following them on Facebook today.
Happily married and with delightful children.
They are a reminder of the power of prayer.
Silly?
Maybe...but it blesses my heart to see a family
that God built. 
And if He used it to build my faith at the same time
all the better.

Lately there have been so many needs all around us.
Friends who are struggling financially,
relationship issues, 
spiritual needs, 
a growing church with growing pains, 
young people who are seeking the Lord
and being attacked by the enemy
and 
of course the usual health issues of 
my body and others.

So much to pray about.

So, my mom, mother in law and I have
committed to meeting on Mondays to pray.
I really felt the need 
and to do otherwise would have 
been disobedient.

I can tell you that prayer changes much.
I think it changes the one who prays
more than anything else.

In praying we are tuned in to our Heavenly Father 
in a very special way.
We are more inclined to watch for His work
in our lives.
When we watch for it....we see it!

Relationships that were broken 
sometimes become healed.
Sometimes you become healed and that broken 
relationship doesn't ruin your entire life.
Freedom comes in the letting go....
to His will.
Joy comes when He gives love that goes 
past the need to be right.
Prayer changes things....and people.

Our CASTteam thread is always 
full of prayer needs and praises.
It is a beautiful thing.

I think of the example of Jesus 
when he walked on this planet.
More than once we are told that 
Jesus prayed.

Imagine that....
Fully man, fully God.
And He prayed.

Then He left us with an example of prayer.
Sometimes it seems cliche...
but an entire series of study could go into 
this prayer....


The Lord's Prayer

"Our Father, 
Who art in Heaven.
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done.
On  Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory.
For ever and ever.
Amen."

Prayer certainly does change things
and even better......

 It changes people!!

Like me, Becky, 
Just another person changed by prayer!




9:18 AM | Category: , , | 7 comments

Sunday Scripture - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

12:14 AM | Category: , , , | 7 comments

Sunday Scripture: CAST Friends

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now . . .  
Philippians 1:4-5


Best friends suncatcher, stained glass, red, blue

by Sue of SueRunyonDesigns
8:36 AM | Category: , , , | 7 comments

Friday Finds and Devotion for the New Year -(sorry a day late)
Devotion taken from Harvest.org (by Pastor Greg Laurie)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.— Jeremiah 29:11
SissyPretties
We never know what the New Year will bring. We don't know what problems we will encounter or what changes will come our way. We don't even know what blessings the Lord has in store for us. 

But one thing is guaranteed. No matter what the New Year brings our way, we don't have to be afraid because Jesus Christ will be there for us.
VElishArt
I like the words of Corrie ten Boom, that wonderful woman of God, who said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." God is in control of our future. He is ready to bless us in this coming year. But we must be ready to walk with Him, worshipping Him and obeying Him. We can't expect the Lord to bless someone who is in opposition to His law and His love.
haveart
As you look back on 2011, was it a year when you progressed spiritually? Was it a year when you found yourself becoming a bit more like Jesus Christ? Or was there some kind of spiritual breakdown? 

If so, now is a good time to make a change. Now is the time to resolve to grow closer to Jesus Christ.
Submitted by Julie Blanck of Collar Topia and Jules Java Jackets


WildAppleDesign
thecountrysignshop
vchleborad


ClairAshleyJewelry
ShadowCutterJewelry
OakLeafDesigns
PrayerNotes

8:00 AM | Category: , , , , , , | 3 comments

Happy Thanksgiving from the CAST Team!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 
I Thessalonians 5:16

Beautiful Flower Pendant by ZudaGay

The verse above is not just something nice to do.  It's a command.

In the United States we set aside this day to give thanks, but for many it also heralds in a season of sadness and pain. For those who are suffering sadness, hurt, heartaches, burdens and grief, remember that God wants better for you.  He commands better for you and of you.  The Creator of the Universe, the Great Healer, can change your grief to joy. He has given you permission to rejoice ALWAYS.

Unleash Joy Word Block by CROSSyourHEARTau

 by Sue of SueRunyonDesigns
7:00 AM | Category: , , , , , , , | 10 comments

THE MIND IS


Vinyl Wall Decal - Always on my Mind Forever in my Heart by ARareTreasure


"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." ~Mark 7:21-23


THOUGHTS:


The mind is a terrible thing to… what? Waste? How about ‘listen to’? Control? No matter how you fill in this statement, the fact is the mind is a very powerful thing. And you know that with anything that has any kind of power, the devil is sure to try and use it.

Now I’m going to tell you something you might not have "thought" about….


Do you know that every sin begins with… a mere THOUGHT? From lying, stealing, and murder to jealousy, anger, depression and doubt, it all begins with a thought. I’ve found myself saying many times “I could conquer this if I just didn’t THINK about it. As long as I don’t think about it I’m fine.” But what happens when we DO get those sinful thoughts? Those thoughts, feelings and emotions can creep into our heart and put callouses on it, making it just as sinful as the thoughts are.

We all know that what we allow within our hearts will lead to the fruits we bear.




Christian Bookmark A Mind to Praise Bookmark by PrayerNotes


THE MIND:


The bible says that even our thoughts are sinful, and rightly so when you begin to connect thoughts to actions. Our mind can be very tricky as well, especially when we try to control it. Once we let a thought through, we can get carried away and the longer a thought sits, the harder it is to get rid of.

So what do we do when those sinful thoughts seep in?

First, think of them as the devil whispering into your ear. We all know that sinful thoughts are not of God, and if they are not of God then they are of the Devil. So look at it exactly as it is. Just as the devil tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness [Matthew 4:10], is just how he tries to do us through our thoughts. Jesus knew who was behind it, so why don’t we?

Secondly, have a filter there to filter out any on-Godly thoughts before they are allowed to manifest, and spread. Ever notice that the longer you dwell on something the broader and more extreme you begin to think about it? When a wayside thought gets through immediately put your mind back on God. Start reciting scriptures allowed or just begin to pray aloud. You may even have to get up and move away from whatever area you are at in order to shift your entire focus. You will find that the more you begin to force yourself out of these thoughts, the easier it becomes to do so.

Fill your mind with thoughts of God, and your heart will be filled with of the love of God.


OUR PRAYER

Lord we pray that you help to control our thoughts and allow us the strength to filter out any thought that is not of you. We know that the devil will whisper in our ear with all sorts or nonsense, but we are not able to keep our minds from dwelling on those thoughts all the time. Please also grant us the strength not to act on any thoughts that are not of you. AMEN.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Till Next Time
God Bless
Amanda of Astria Legends
7:51 AM | Category: , , , , , | 6 comments

Sunday Scripture - Prayer




I had planned to post on prayer tonight, but must admit I was going to take it a completely different direction until I found the picture shown above.  These cards instantly made me think of Valentine's Day and I can't think of a better way to celebrate our loved ones (be it spouses, other family members, friends, etd) than by praying for them.

While sometimes I think we don't feel we are doing much when we pray, I truly believe that it is one of the greatest ways we can show our love to others.  By faithfully praying for them, taking what is special and important to them before the Lord, is one of the greatest ways to show our love and devotion.


"Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." Ephesians 6:18 ESV


Happy Sunday and Happy Valentine's Day!













Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.


10:24 PM | Category: , , | 10 comments

New Year of Prayer
by Phyllis Ducey
pfdoriginalartworks


Christmas is now come and gone. We have a little over 360 days until it returns. Whew! Just enough time to prepare for next year's round! But first time to start thinking about my new year’s goals. Do you do them? “They” say that if you write down your goals, you are 90% likely to accomplish them.

I actually have found that true though I do not write them down each year. For the past 25 plus years my number one goal is to become closer to God. The years I have actually written that down, I have achieved it. I am not a big goal setter so I do not have huge lists. They stay focused around God, marriage and family for the most part. It seems, as I get older, one year blurs into another with very little to distinguish one from the other so my memory of each year’s goals are also a blur.

I don’t know if you are a TV watcher or maybe I should say are you an “end of the world predictor watcher”? I’m not but I am aware that there are numerous shows and movies focused on the end of the world being eminent. Is it possible? Yes, it has been possible for the last 1, 960 or so years. Biblically is it likely? I have no idea. Does it matter? Only to the extent that if you knew it was coming in 2012 (as the media seems to want to exploit) then would it change how you live your life next year?

I have been thinking about that lately and as I consider this year what my goals will be I plan to make them as if it is the last year prior to the start of the end of the world. I do not truly think that 2012 will be the end, however, I want to make this year count.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. Mark 13:31-33
My first goals will be to draw closer to God.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:7-9
If there was only a year left, I would want to make sure everyone I loved, everyone I knew and everyone possible would come to understand that Christ died for their sins and that they could have eternal life through Him. I was not given the gift of evangelism and I have tried my hardest to share with those in my family who think I am well intentioned but foolish in my beliefs. There is only one way to be effective that is through prayer. I don’t change hearts that is God’s job. Which leads me to this year’s primary goal for me: to become a woman of diligent prayer.

I pray. I pray frequently during the day but I want to pray with mighty diligence.

Mighty (per Dictionary.com)
great in amount, extent, degree, or importance; exceptional

Diligence (per Dictionary.com)
constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.

Can you imagine what type of year it could be if we each mightily and diligently prayed for everyone we know, for the rulers of the world, for the countries we live in, for those who suffer for Christ's sake? What a powerfully spiritual year this could be!

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel Ephesians 6:18-19


<><><><><><><><><><>

Personal note:
As I noted last week (A Wonder), I have completed my year's commitment to weekly posts. I now will post once a month on the second Monday of the month. It really has been a joy to me.

Have a blessed New Year filled with Christ's love and peace!
Your sister in Christ,
Phyllis

<><><><><><><><><><>

Below are some shops that are new to our CAST Team... please check out their great talent and give them a heart!














Vintage cross by hummingbirdministry



















Earrings by pearlatplay

















Print - Light of the World by tiffysart
10:30 PM | Category: , , , , , , | 8 comments

Amazing
by Phyllis Ducey
pfdoriginalartworks

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."Luke 2:8-13


Could you imagine being there that night? Minding your own business, working the night shift on your job and making sure the sheep were safe... then whazaam! An angel of the Lord starts talking to them. How amazing that must have been! An appointment set by God that totally took them by surprise.

Amazing -
Per dictionary.com (one of my favorite websites) as an adjective it means "causing great surprise or sudden wonder." The noun form would be amazement ("overwhelming surprise or astonishment).

When I think of the wonder Mary and Joseph must have felt at that same moment... I think amazing! When I dwell on the throught that the baby who was born over 2,000 years ago has brought me eternal life... I think amazing! When I realize this same baby grew into manhood with the purpose of dying for my sins... I think amazing!

If we can pull ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas activities and take some time to meditate on the wonder of the season... we should be overwhelmed with astonishment! God has incredibly granted awesome events throughout history recorded in the Bible. One truly amazing one for me is that the Bible written by 40 different writers over a span of 1,400 years (covering about 4,000 years of history) has one theme and one story all pointing to what we celebrate as Christmas and Easter. Wow!

And not to sound like a 30 minute infomercial "but wait, there is more!" God filled our world with wonder all around us. The tiny but vast array of snowflakes, the beaurty of autumn leaves and the uncountable stars in the heavens. He wakes us up to amazing sunrises and closes our days with rich pinks, golds, oranges and purples as the sun sets.

But wait... there is even more! God so values each one of us that He sent His son to go through an ugly and painful death where Christ took on all our sin so we may be pure through Him. He also gifted us with something amazing within to bring Him honor and glory (I touched on this in my last week's post - The Gift that Keeps on Giving).

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7,8

God still makes appointments for us:
A few weeks ago I had agreed to meet with a recruiter who wanted to do business with our hospital. I had little or no interst in meeting with him except that I had some curiosity of prices so in a weak moment consented to the meeting. He showed up on a day he thought we had prearranged. I had no recollection of setting an exact time or day and was quite annoyed that he would drop in. So I went down to tell him I did not have time for a discussion but something about him changed my mind when I met him face-to-face.

We went into my office and discussed business for about 30 minutes or so. Interspersed in our conversation were little tidbits of our personal lives. He appeared to be a genuinely sincere person who not only knew his business well but enjoyed people. In that 30 minutes God took us a whole other direction, I did hear about his product but what I heard even stronger (much to his surprise) was a man at the precipace of change and trying to decide if he should risk that change or not. He travels a great deal with his job and was now going to have a second child in the next month or two. He shared that he was in a quandry because he had been at his job for 10 years and though very good at what he did, he felt he had no skills for anything else.

The young man God revealed to me as we talked was a person who had wonderful customer service and people skills that could easily be translated into various occupations. I saw this man with amazing talents and a heart for the Lord. At that moment God gave me insight and encouraging words that he needed to hear that day. He arrived a stranger and left a dear friend! We both concluded that the meeting was a "God appointment". My hope is that our discussion helped him discover some of the amazing aspects of who he is.

My prayer:
The gift I pray for him and each of you this Christmas season and throughout the new year is the discovery of that amazing part of you. Don't know what it is or feel so unworthy that you could not possibly feel amazing (I spent a good part of my life like that)... pray. Ask God to reveal it to you then watch and listen. Maybe you too will have an unexpected meeting that God directs!

If it can happen to lowly shepherds... it surely can happen to you!!

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Col 4:2

<><><><><><><><><>
Christmas is getting closer and closer - check out these great shops!

The darling angel in the beginning is from creationsbycurry

And the beautiful Madonna and child pendant is from AxisMundiDesigns









10:00 PM | Category: , , , , , , | 7 comments