Hello,
Today I will begin a new feature of my blog, a podcast. I've been encouraged a few times to start this and decided to go for it. Here's my first one ever. As you can tell, I didn't have a script, so bear with me, but please be patient and listen to the end, I promise I share a story that is worth holding on to.
Episode 1
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Have a God Morning
It's a new season.
I no longer have only one daughter to write to and encourage, I have two, the second still growing in my belly, bouncing around, kicking me at this very moment. And besides these two, I have hundreds that the Lord has blessed us with through our ministry. It has been years since I've posted in here. But today, My good friend Elexa asked me to encourage someone, and I believe it is time to encourage my girls.
To My Dearest Daughters,
My encouragement today, is to have a God Morning!
Recently, the Lord has awakened me in the early mornings to spend time with him. Perhaps he's preparing my heart for my new child. Perhaps he's making my faith stronger so I may lead this amazing ministry or to be a strong wife for my husband. Or just because he loves me and wants to spend more time with me. hmm.
At first I wondered if it was making a difference in my daily life.... was I learning anything from my time with my Father? Was I being changed?
There's no hiding it, mornings have been hard for me since I had to be a mom who wakes up kids for school and then be ready to leave the house myself. Mornings for us have been lots of rushing, searching for lost items, yelling, skipping breakfasts, quick goodbyes and tardy slips.
Then came Spring cleaning 2015.
Once I had cleaned up every room and closet, everything in its place, everything changed. The lack of clutter in my home made less clutter in my mind and allowed me to focus on what was important. It also allowed for my "quiet chair" to be cleaned, strategically placed and equipped with everything I need to have a great quiet time with the Lord (this includes bible, journal, pen, water, nightstand). This used to be in my hallway, but that gave invitation for awakened children to disturb me, so now it's in my room behind closed doors, allowing for peace and quiet until I'm prepared to enter the real world.
I have been able to wake up early consistently EVERY DAY and only focus on the Lord, instead of thinking about the messes surrounding me. And it has made a huge difference in my days. In our entire family's days.
Yesterday Alanna, you came out into the kitchen after I had finished my quiet time with the Lord and was making breakfast. I greeted you gracefully and in response you said to me:
"I love how you start your mornings."
Alanna has seen me go from that ugly morning I described, to now, a calm and collected mom making breakfast for her family, eating all together at the table, planning and discussing our day, praying for one another and actually being on time for our day.
In fact, ever since I gave my FIRST moments of time to the Lord each day, he has blessed my time so much! I have been able to accomplish so much and look at the clock and be amazed that I'm running early instead of late! Wow! That in and of itself is such a miracle!
This is how I want to start my mornings for the rest of my life.
This is how I hope you start your mornings too.
Give your first moments of your day to the Lord. Make it part of who you are. Make it part of who you need to be, of what you need to do. If it doesn't come naturally, Ask the Lord to awaken you.
In Him we find peace. We find counsel. We find inspiration. We find joy.
So don't just have a good morning.
Have a God Morning.
Love you My Dearest Daughters
I no longer have only one daughter to write to and encourage, I have two, the second still growing in my belly, bouncing around, kicking me at this very moment. And besides these two, I have hundreds that the Lord has blessed us with through our ministry. It has been years since I've posted in here. But today, My good friend Elexa asked me to encourage someone, and I believe it is time to encourage my girls.
Psalm 90:14
With every sun’s rising, surprise us with Your love, satisfy us with Your kindness.
Then we will sing with joy and celebrate every day we are alive.
To My Dearest Daughters,
My encouragement today, is to have a God Morning!
Recently, the Lord has awakened me in the early mornings to spend time with him. Perhaps he's preparing my heart for my new child. Perhaps he's making my faith stronger so I may lead this amazing ministry or to be a strong wife for my husband. Or just because he loves me and wants to spend more time with me. hmm.
At first I wondered if it was making a difference in my daily life.... was I learning anything from my time with my Father? Was I being changed?
There's no hiding it, mornings have been hard for me since I had to be a mom who wakes up kids for school and then be ready to leave the house myself. Mornings for us have been lots of rushing, searching for lost items, yelling, skipping breakfasts, quick goodbyes and tardy slips.
Then came Spring cleaning 2015.
Once I had cleaned up every room and closet, everything in its place, everything changed. The lack of clutter in my home made less clutter in my mind and allowed me to focus on what was important. It also allowed for my "quiet chair" to be cleaned, strategically placed and equipped with everything I need to have a great quiet time with the Lord (this includes bible, journal, pen, water, nightstand). This used to be in my hallway, but that gave invitation for awakened children to disturb me, so now it's in my room behind closed doors, allowing for peace and quiet until I'm prepared to enter the real world.
I have been able to wake up early consistently EVERY DAY and only focus on the Lord, instead of thinking about the messes surrounding me. And it has made a huge difference in my days. In our entire family's days.
Yesterday Alanna, you came out into the kitchen after I had finished my quiet time with the Lord and was making breakfast. I greeted you gracefully and in response you said to me:
"I love how you start your mornings."
Alanna has seen me go from that ugly morning I described, to now, a calm and collected mom making breakfast for her family, eating all together at the table, planning and discussing our day, praying for one another and actually being on time for our day.
In fact, ever since I gave my FIRST moments of time to the Lord each day, he has blessed my time so much! I have been able to accomplish so much and look at the clock and be amazed that I'm running early instead of late! Wow! That in and of itself is such a miracle!
This is how I want to start my mornings for the rest of my life.
This is how I hope you start your mornings too.
Give your first moments of your day to the Lord. Make it part of who you are. Make it part of who you need to be, of what you need to do. If it doesn't come naturally, Ask the Lord to awaken you.
In Him we find peace. We find counsel. We find inspiration. We find joy.
So don't just have a good morning.
Have a God Morning.
Love you My Dearest Daughters
Monday, July 11, 2011
33: My prayer for You.
Father,
Please Lord, protect my dearest daughter, that she will know you are for her, all the days of her life.
That she will trust you, and that she will honor you, much more than I have honored you.
That she will truly put you first in her life that all worldly things will come in last to the way she loves you.
Let her love for you overflow into the hearts and minds of others around her.
Let her never pass by someone, without blessing them, and let her smile radiate your joy and peace.
Keep her always close to you Lord, that she may experience your love, all the days of her life, and that she will always appreciate it.
Let her rise, thinking of you, and go to sleep, singing your praise.
Let her days be filled with prayer and thanksgiving.
Help her Lord, to stay pure before you. Help her to resist temptation, and to hide your word in her heart.
Help her Lord to lead a life of grace and humility, that others are inspired by her kindness and love.
Bless her all the days of her life.
She is Yours.
She is yours Lord.
She is Yours.
Please Lord, protect my dearest daughter, that she will know you are for her, all the days of her life.
That she will trust you, and that she will honor you, much more than I have honored you.
That she will truly put you first in her life that all worldly things will come in last to the way she loves you.
Let her love for you overflow into the hearts and minds of others around her.
Let her never pass by someone, without blessing them, and let her smile radiate your joy and peace.
Keep her always close to you Lord, that she may experience your love, all the days of her life, and that she will always appreciate it.
Let her rise, thinking of you, and go to sleep, singing your praise.
Let her days be filled with prayer and thanksgiving.
Help her Lord, to stay pure before you. Help her to resist temptation, and to hide your word in her heart.
Help her Lord to lead a life of grace and humility, that others are inspired by her kindness and love.
Bless her all the days of her life.
She is Yours.
She is yours Lord.
She is Yours.
32: Are you proected?
Dearest Alanna,
I pray that you wear Honesty as a necklace around your neck, and purity as a belt around your waist - that you may be able to stand up when tests and trials come, and remain pure and honest.
That you would wear integrity as a head band around your head, that you will always do what is right, even when no one around you is looking or would ever know...
Because it is by the way you act in Secret, by the way you think, in your mind, where your thoughts are hidden, that God is truly blessed by us.
And when God is truly blessed with us, he can truly BLESS us.
Being honest, pure, and holding your integrity high, while in your youth, will ensure a fabulous lifetime of blessing from the Lord- and being like that all our life, I'm sure will ensure a fabulous eternity.
Psalm 25:21
May integrity and honor protect me, for I put my hope in you.
I pray that you wear Honesty as a necklace around your neck, and purity as a belt around your waist - that you may be able to stand up when tests and trials come, and remain pure and honest.
That you would wear integrity as a head band around your head, that you will always do what is right, even when no one around you is looking or would ever know...
Because it is by the way you act in Secret, by the way you think, in your mind, where your thoughts are hidden, that God is truly blessed by us.
And when God is truly blessed with us, he can truly BLESS us.
Being honest, pure, and holding your integrity high, while in your youth, will ensure a fabulous lifetime of blessing from the Lord- and being like that all our life, I'm sure will ensure a fabulous eternity.
Psalm 25:21
May integrity and honor protect me, for I put my hope in you.
31: Compensation
Alanna,
I realize it might be difficult for you to keep yourself pure, it was hard for me too. But I believe I am belssed by the Lord now, because I did choose the pure life, as the Psalm from David says:
Psalm 18:20
The Lord rewarded me for doing right. He compensated me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. For all His laws are constantly before me; I have never abandoned his principles. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The Lord rewarded me for doing right, because of the innocence of my hands in his sight.
I love how it says the Lord will "compensate" us.
So many times, I had the opportunity to do something that was wrong and impure, but I did not, I held myself back, and now, he has compensated me.
All those times I could have gone with someone, mainly, I'm reffering to those "nasty", noughty, or impure things I could have down with a boy - God gave me a husband, in my youth, who has physcially blessed me so much more than any of those boys ever could have.
Many times, I simply sacrificed a good friend, because I knew that God did not see (nor myself0 Our relationship going anywhere healthy, and all those times I forfeited a boyfriend, and especially when I forfeited the idea of having a boyfriend, and told God HE was enough for me.
That is when God compensated me and blessed me with more than I could have imagined.
Psalm: 25:4
Show me the path where I should walk oh Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. lead me by your truth and teach me, for your are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
When you're doubtful if you're doing to right thing, or the wrong thing - chances are you're doing what's wrong if you feel doubtful of yourself)
Then go to God, he'll give you the right direction to go.
Because you trust in him with all you are and do not lean to the left or the right.
I realize it might be difficult for you to keep yourself pure, it was hard for me too. But I believe I am belssed by the Lord now, because I did choose the pure life, as the Psalm from David says:
Psalm 18:20
The Lord rewarded me for doing right. He compensated me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. For all His laws are constantly before me; I have never abandoned his principles. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The Lord rewarded me for doing right, because of the innocence of my hands in his sight.
I love how it says the Lord will "compensate" us.
So many times, I had the opportunity to do something that was wrong and impure, but I did not, I held myself back, and now, he has compensated me.
All those times I could have gone with someone, mainly, I'm reffering to those "nasty", noughty, or impure things I could have down with a boy - God gave me a husband, in my youth, who has physcially blessed me so much more than any of those boys ever could have.
Many times, I simply sacrificed a good friend, because I knew that God did not see (nor myself0 Our relationship going anywhere healthy, and all those times I forfeited a boyfriend, and especially when I forfeited the idea of having a boyfriend, and told God HE was enough for me.
That is when God compensated me and blessed me with more than I could have imagined.
Psalm: 25:4
Show me the path where I should walk oh Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. lead me by your truth and teach me, for your are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
When you're doubtful if you're doing to right thing, or the wrong thing - chances are you're doing what's wrong if you feel doubtful of yourself)
Then go to God, he'll give you the right direction to go.
Because you trust in him with all you are and do not lean to the left or the right.
30: Worship : Music
Music can be used to worship God. Exodus 15:1
Music is useful to focus our attention on God. Psalm 81:1-2
We should make music for the glory of God. Col 3:16
I love you Lord, for you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior. My savior my God is my Rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.
Sound Familiar?
You are my shelter in the Storm,
Delieverer, comforter, my shield and defense.
You are my fortress my mighty King,
You're the creator of everything.
My salvation you are my rock
You lift my head when my hope is gone.
When I am weak, you make me strong.
Hmm...
Well, I've written and recorded this song twice, but can't seem to remember it.
I encourage you to continue to write your own songs unto the Lord, because you are ALREADY so good at it, and if you continue, you're gonna really make a great album one day soon!
Music is useful to focus our attention on God. Psalm 81:1-2
We should make music for the glory of God. Col 3:16
I love you Lord, for you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior. My savior my God is my Rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.
Sound Familiar?
You are my shelter in the Storm,
Delieverer, comforter, my shield and defense.
You are my fortress my mighty King,
You're the creator of everything.
My salvation you are my rock
You lift my head when my hope is gone.
When I am weak, you make me strong.
Hmm...
Well, I've written and recorded this song twice, but can't seem to remember it.
I encourage you to continue to write your own songs unto the Lord, because you are ALREADY so good at it, and if you continue, you're gonna really make a great album one day soon!
29: Smile
My Dearest Princess,
Thank you for making me a better person.
You are always encouraging me to smile- "Smile your LAUGHING smile mommy!" you say whenever you hear good music, whether it's at home, at the store, at church or in an elevator! "Let's Go!" mommy, you also say, constantly keeping me on my toes to try new things, go new places, explore and have fun.
You truly have the joy of the Lord within you and you make it shine for us all to see.
Today was a very long, hectic day, (traveling to Hawaii with you and your Brother Dec 2010) - yet I can honestly say that unless I was catching come zzz's on the plane, I was Smiling!!
And it wasn't just on the outside, or a "show" but I was smiling on the inside as well!
Because of your constant encouragement to turn ordinary into extraordinary or dull into exciting, I have learned to sincerely have an amazing day, to do things I wouldn't have done, try new things, meet new people! Thank you!
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!
Smile! Don't stop.
Smile while you talk
Smile while you walk
Smile while you listen.
Be the Smile of God.
A man threw himself off the golden gate bridge in San Fransisco. He killed himself Alanna. Reporters looked through his house and found a journal that he had written in on the day he killed himself. The journal entry for that day he had written, " I'm walking to the golden gate bridge to kill myself, if ONE person smiles at me along the way, I won't do it."
Thank you for making me a better person.
You are always encouraging me to smile- "Smile your LAUGHING smile mommy!" you say whenever you hear good music, whether it's at home, at the store, at church or in an elevator! "Let's Go!" mommy, you also say, constantly keeping me on my toes to try new things, go new places, explore and have fun.
You truly have the joy of the Lord within you and you make it shine for us all to see.
Today was a very long, hectic day, (traveling to Hawaii with you and your Brother Dec 2010) - yet I can honestly say that unless I was catching come zzz's on the plane, I was Smiling!!
And it wasn't just on the outside, or a "show" but I was smiling on the inside as well!
Because of your constant encouragement to turn ordinary into extraordinary or dull into exciting, I have learned to sincerely have an amazing day, to do things I wouldn't have done, try new things, meet new people! Thank you!
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!
Smile! Don't stop.
Smile while you talk
Smile while you walk
Smile while you listen.
Be the Smile of God.
A man threw himself off the golden gate bridge in San Fransisco. He killed himself Alanna. Reporters looked through his house and found a journal that he had written in on the day he killed himself. The journal entry for that day he had written, " I'm walking to the golden gate bridge to kill myself, if ONE person smiles at me along the way, I won't do it."
28: The Climb
1 Corinthians 13
Only faith, hope and Love will Last
And the greatest of these is LOVE.
Only faith, hope and Love will Last
And the greatest of these is LOVE.
Nov. 22, 2010
Dearest Daughter,
As I write this, you are sleeping safely next to me. You are holding your favorite bear, whom you have named "Beary", your first true teddy.
I am sitting in my car, in front of a beautiful scene, I'm sitting out front of a georgeous home and across the street, is a children's park equipped with a new playground and swings. The house, and the spot I sit at, overlooks the West end of the Murrieta Valley, a long range of rolling mountains, with scattered new homes, and a sky filled with gorgeous clouds that the Sun is beaming through.
This is the kind of home I'd love to raise you in.
A home large enough, that you'll stop complaining about it's size. (not your fault we lived in our Del Torino, 3500 sq ft home) and a safe enjoyable park just across the street, with a beautiful neighborhood, good neighbors and friends to love.
That is my dream for you. And I hope I can make it happen for you. There's no reason you can't have everything you desire, we are blessed beyond measure, and our hope remains in the Lord.
Why do I tell you these things?
Because I want to let you know. I am telling you my dreams outloud, not fearful that they won't happen, but confident that it will!
This morning you told me,
"My dreams will never come true."
"...why?"
"Because I always tell them."
The Disney movie, Cinderella has it wrong.
She says if you tell your dreams , they won't come true. - Maybe she felt that way, because she had such a horrible step-mother and step-sisters, but not you Alanna.
Darling,
You can be confident that when you share your dreams with me, I will do my best to support you, and encourage you.
Most of all, tell the Lord your dreams.
Tell him your desires, your hopes, your vision.
All good things come from Him.
If that is true, then He will be proud of you for trusting Him.
Trusting Him to come through for you, to complete what he has begun in you.
You say as a 4 year old, that you want to be a doctor. Because you want to help people feel better. Whether you become a pediatrician, a physiologist, or a mommy putting a bandage on your baby's boo-boo I know if you want it, you'll be the best you can be at it.
(my good friend Linda Evans always dreamed of being a physical therapist, and after she graduated, she got her PhD in 5 1/2 years)
Growing up, I was good at things I tried, and so because, I was already good without trying very hard, I was satisfied with myself, with my "good" job done, despite my effortless attempts.
Darling, please don't be like me!
I always did a "good" job but not my "best" job.
GOOD is the opposite of GREAT.
Imagine if I had actually tried!!
How much more knowledge I'd have!!
How much more wisdom I'd have!
I'd have more talent and skills. I'd be Fit, play the piano like a master artist... most of all, I'd be able to say I gave it my best.
Sometimes, others might tell you "Great job!" "awesome work" "100% A+"
But inside, do you feel you gave it your best?
I believe your Father, Joseph, is one thee hardest persons to please, and also the best person to please.
He won't ever give you an "awesome job!" if you don't deserve it. He might crust you and tell you how horrible it was, but only because he knows how much BETTER you CAN do.
To reach your dreams, your goals, TELL THEM!
DECLARE THEM!
Make them known and do your best to get them done.
Pray. Pray. Pray. And seek God's help, wisdom and counsel.
Put yourself around people like your dad, that will honestly encourage you, tell you "You Can do better!" and push you for greater things.
You might hate these people in the moment, because sometimes, it hurts to hear the truth, but only if you've been believing a lie. So appreciate them, and keep them close in your life.
Keep those great encouragers close too. You need a balance of both. Just cuz some people, and friends, might say everything you do is awesome. It doesn't mean they're a bad person, it's because they honestly believe you're awesome. And believe me, this WILL be the majority of people!! You'll need them around to encourage you too!
And most of all, do YOUR best.
Don't do someone else's best. Don't grade yourself by someone elses's standards. Be the Best YOU can be. Don't lie to yourself about it.
Run farther
Swim harder
Sing Stronger
Read Longer
Study Harder
Love Stronger
You can jump as high as you can. But if you try, you can jump higher.
Don't say "someday" do it today.
"I've got one life to live this life.
I've got one chance to get it Right.
I've got one chance to change a life.
I've got one life, one life.
My someday's have come and gone.
My someday's before me now.
My today's while I'm alive, I've got one life, One life!"
-PressPlay LA Dream Center"
Miley Cirus:
You got in my head the clouds
You got me thinking out loud
The more you dream about me the more that I believe
That nothing's ever out of reach
So dream, dream, dream
Keep dreamers close to you Alanna
Daddy's favorite song right now is "The Climb"
I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa
I love you darling.
I can only hope that you have faith in the Lord, and in the blessings He's given you, to dream digger, strive for more, and aim for greatness.
Don't get lost on the way to your dream, those are the moments that make you who you are.
It's about the climb.
I love you.
Have a good climb.
27: Can't change alone
James 4:7-8
Resist the devil and He will flee. Draw nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you.
Cleanse your Hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This passage was written by Paul to James, and the church with James. He was frustrated with their sin and their double-minded hearts and He told them to purify their hearts and to cleanse their hands.
Now as your nother, I have a different story to tell you, because I can go to the sink, grab the soap, and cleanse my hands. I can put them under the water and wipe the soap and water away, and have pure hands. However, there's no way to take my heart out and clean it.
I cannot put my soul into the washing machine, the same way I do with dirty jeans. No, I have no way to cleanse or purify my heart. I can know how filthy it is, and I can think of the ways I've been unpure.
But I have no pwer to cleanse my heart.
Neither do you.
The only way to have a pure and clean heart is to get on your knees (physically or spiritually) and ask the Lord to come in and cleanse your heart.
You can try to change on your own, but on your own, you will fail.
Because you have been born a sinner and will stay a sinner without Christ.
I have tried so many times to change my heart. Sometimes I can see what's happening, wrong in my life, and on my own, I try to change. I try to change wrong attitudes, I try to change bad habits, but no matter how frustrated I am with myself, I just become more frustrated when I try to change, and cant. I could never change because I was trying to change on my own.
GOD... desires for you to be a better person.
For you to loose the attitudes and change your old ways.
But you need to call on Him!
And remember to open up and let him change you.
Don't fight it. Obey his commands of your life. His blessings will always go beyond your sacrifice, and always stay thankful!!
Resist the devil and He will flee. Draw nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you.
Cleanse your Hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This passage was written by Paul to James, and the church with James. He was frustrated with their sin and their double-minded hearts and He told them to purify their hearts and to cleanse their hands.
Now as your nother, I have a different story to tell you, because I can go to the sink, grab the soap, and cleanse my hands. I can put them under the water and wipe the soap and water away, and have pure hands. However, there's no way to take my heart out and clean it.
I cannot put my soul into the washing machine, the same way I do with dirty jeans. No, I have no way to cleanse or purify my heart. I can know how filthy it is, and I can think of the ways I've been unpure.
But I have no pwer to cleanse my heart.
Neither do you.
The only way to have a pure and clean heart is to get on your knees (physically or spiritually) and ask the Lord to come in and cleanse your heart.
You can try to change on your own, but on your own, you will fail.
Because you have been born a sinner and will stay a sinner without Christ.
I have tried so many times to change my heart. Sometimes I can see what's happening, wrong in my life, and on my own, I try to change. I try to change wrong attitudes, I try to change bad habits, but no matter how frustrated I am with myself, I just become more frustrated when I try to change, and cant. I could never change because I was trying to change on my own.
GOD... desires for you to be a better person.
For you to loose the attitudes and change your old ways.
But you need to call on Him!
And remember to open up and let him change you.
Don't fight it. Obey his commands of your life. His blessings will always go beyond your sacrifice, and always stay thankful!!
26: Love
Love, and the greatest example of love is this, one who lays down his life for a friend.
Maybe when you read this, you picture someone actually giving their physical self up, for their friend....
maybe it's a train coming and out of love you push them out of the way, and you're hit instead. ...
Maybe it's taking the blame for their crime and getting the death penalty instead.
Something you might be a little more familiar with is a story from your favorite Disney Princess.
Maybe it's that picture of Bell, giving her life as a ransom for her dad to be set free from the beast's prison...
but perhaps we can also look at it on a smaller scale, a much more difficult one.
You see, all 3 of those scenarios are 1 time decisions, that are made in the midst of the action and you jump to be the hero...
but what about the daily trails, of pride and selfishness, that are so much harder to submit too, when it comes to laying down yourself for a friend.
And lets say it doesn't have to be a friend, it could be a brother or sister, a mom or dad, or your own husband.
As I've grown up, I've realized that so many times I have the choice to do what "I" want to do, or to do what "others" want to do... or , to do what's best for others.
I've had the choice to serve my own needs and desires, or to serve others.
It's harder to serve others, because I've got a selfish voice inside that wants to look out for me. But I must be cautious, and realize the GODLY choice, is to serve.
Some people will warn you against this, but the only thing I'd warn you of, is to not feed "pearls to the swine."
Otherwise, if it is wise, Serve!
Love others by putting their needs before your own. Listen to their stories, and hear what they have to say instead of talking all the time.
Play the games THEY like to play, go places they want to go. Be humble, don't think you're better than them. Don't argue to have the last word. Consider their feelings.
Don't be selfish, arrogant or boastful or rude. Don't try to be better than everyone else, instead, just be your best, and encourage them to do the same. Look for opportunities to serve. Bless others whenever you have the chance. Rejoice with them, and mourn with them (don't avoid them in their mourning!)
Be there for a friend in their time of need. (again, don't avoid them in this time, they need you. If you don't know what to do, ask the Holy Spirit to help guide you to do the right thing, but please, don't avoid the situation, you're friendship will grow stronger working through hard life situations together.)
Remember the fruits of the spirit. Pray for them, encourage them. Be quick to forgive.
Love.
Maybe when you read this, you picture someone actually giving their physical self up, for their friend....
maybe it's a train coming and out of love you push them out of the way, and you're hit instead. ...
Maybe it's taking the blame for their crime and getting the death penalty instead.
Something you might be a little more familiar with is a story from your favorite Disney Princess.
Maybe it's that picture of Bell, giving her life as a ransom for her dad to be set free from the beast's prison...
but perhaps we can also look at it on a smaller scale, a much more difficult one.
You see, all 3 of those scenarios are 1 time decisions, that are made in the midst of the action and you jump to be the hero...
but what about the daily trails, of pride and selfishness, that are so much harder to submit too, when it comes to laying down yourself for a friend.
And lets say it doesn't have to be a friend, it could be a brother or sister, a mom or dad, or your own husband.
As I've grown up, I've realized that so many times I have the choice to do what "I" want to do, or to do what "others" want to do... or , to do what's best for others.
I've had the choice to serve my own needs and desires, or to serve others.
It's harder to serve others, because I've got a selfish voice inside that wants to look out for me. But I must be cautious, and realize the GODLY choice, is to serve.
Some people will warn you against this, but the only thing I'd warn you of, is to not feed "pearls to the swine."
Otherwise, if it is wise, Serve!
Love others by putting their needs before your own. Listen to their stories, and hear what they have to say instead of talking all the time.
Play the games THEY like to play, go places they want to go. Be humble, don't think you're better than them. Don't argue to have the last word. Consider their feelings.
Don't be selfish, arrogant or boastful or rude. Don't try to be better than everyone else, instead, just be your best, and encourage them to do the same. Look for opportunities to serve. Bless others whenever you have the chance. Rejoice with them, and mourn with them (don't avoid them in their mourning!)
Be there for a friend in their time of need. (again, don't avoid them in this time, they need you. If you don't know what to do, ask the Holy Spirit to help guide you to do the right thing, but please, don't avoid the situation, you're friendship will grow stronger working through hard life situations together.)
Remember the fruits of the spirit. Pray for them, encourage them. Be quick to forgive.
Love.
Monday, June 20, 2011
25: Guildlines for Using HIS name
Dearest Daughter,
Jesus has told us to ask ANYTHING using His name, and it will be granted.
I also see Jesus giving guidlenines as to how this works.
You see, it won't work for just anyone, you've got to follow HIS direction He gives here.
1. "Remain in Me."
Read John 15:7-10 again.
We read here that Jesus wants us to REMAIN in him. What does this mean? How can we do this? Well, he tells us here in verse 10. Jesus says:
John 5:10 - When you obey me, you remain in my love.
So we can remain in him, by OBEYING.
2. OBEY HIM (Jesus)
In order to Obey the Lord, we need to know what the rules are. It's easy to break the rules, if you don't know what they are!!!
The best way to know what the Lord excepts of us, is to READ the rulebook, the bible. Which, by the way, is NOT only a rulebook, it's a love letter, it's a guidebook, it's a counselor giving you his best pieces of wisdom, it's your FATHER, writing HIS book, to YOU.
His greatest commandment:
John 15:17 I command you to LOVE each other.
3. LOVE each other.
John 15:16-17
... so that the Father will give you whatever yo ask, using my name. I COMMAND you to love one another.
So here's His Guidelines:
If we love Jesus, Obey His Commands.
If we Obey His Commands, then that means, we are LOVING others.
If we Love Others, We're obeying His Command, and He says he'll REMAIN in us.
And if he REMAINS in us, we'll have whatever we ask for when we use His Name.
That's SO Powerful!!!
Can you imagine having that kind of favor with God Almighty?!?!
But!!..................................................................... it only comes with LOVING OTHERS.
Jesus talked about how it's easy to Love the ones who love us, but it's hard to love everyone else. But we still must do it. LOVE the unlovable. (not the devil, I know)
I say "not the devil" because whenever we talk about how it's important to lvoe others, or we pray for others, you always say, "Except the Devil!!!"
You always wanna make sure to leave him out of any blessings! (so cute!)
I love you!
LOVE One another, as Christ Has Loved YOU!
Jesus has told us to ask ANYTHING using His name, and it will be granted.
I also see Jesus giving guidlenines as to how this works.
You see, it won't work for just anyone, you've got to follow HIS direction He gives here.
1. "Remain in Me."
Read John 15:7-10 again.
We read here that Jesus wants us to REMAIN in him. What does this mean? How can we do this? Well, he tells us here in verse 10. Jesus says:
John 5:10 - When you obey me, you remain in my love.
So we can remain in him, by OBEYING.
2. OBEY HIM (Jesus)
In order to Obey the Lord, we need to know what the rules are. It's easy to break the rules, if you don't know what they are!!!
The best way to know what the Lord excepts of us, is to READ the rulebook, the bible. Which, by the way, is NOT only a rulebook, it's a love letter, it's a guidebook, it's a counselor giving you his best pieces of wisdom, it's your FATHER, writing HIS book, to YOU.
His greatest commandment:
John 15:17 I command you to LOVE each other.
3. LOVE each other.
John 15:16-17
... so that the Father will give you whatever yo ask, using my name. I COMMAND you to love one another.
So here's His Guidelines:
If we love Jesus, Obey His Commands.
If we Obey His Commands, then that means, we are LOVING others.
If we Love Others, We're obeying His Command, and He says he'll REMAIN in us.
And if he REMAINS in us, we'll have whatever we ask for when we use His Name.
That's SO Powerful!!!
Can you imagine having that kind of favor with God Almighty?!?!
But!!..................................................................... it only comes with LOVING OTHERS.
Jesus talked about how it's easy to Love the ones who love us, but it's hard to love everyone else. But we still must do it. LOVE the unlovable. (not the devil, I know)
I say "not the devil" because whenever we talk about how it's important to lvoe others, or we pray for others, you always say, "Except the Devil!!!"
You always wanna make sure to leave him out of any blessings! (so cute!)
I love you!
LOVE One another, as Christ Has Loved YOU!
24: Power in His Name
My Dearest Daughter,
When you were only 4 years old, we were attending Elsinore First Assembly in my home town. The Senior Pastor at the time was Pastor Fred Rodriguez, who had been the Pastor there for 20 years at the time. Needless to say, he had major respect in the church, and throughout the city,and his name held great authority.
One day the church put on a huge Outdoor Harvest Festival for the Community, and tons of people were at the church, getting ready for the event and going in and out of the church building. Pastor Fred came out to the entrance doors, locked them, and then he turned to you, and said, "Alanna, no one is allowed in. If anyone wants to come in, tell them Pastor Fred said no one is allowed in."
You took this responsibility VERY seriously.
People would try to come in, but when you'd say, "Pastor Fred said no one is allowed in." You used HIS authority, not your own. And the people who Feared Pastor Fred, would obey you, even though you were only a 4 year old little girl.
In the Same manner, Jesus has told us to ask ANYTHING, using His name, and it will be granted.
Jesus our King, walked among the earth, and taught his disciples all He could in 3 short years. He taught them how to follow HIm, how to trust Him. He revealed himself as the Son Of God to them.
John 14-16, he introduces a new idea to them... praying, using "His" name, the name of Jesus.
John 14:12, words of Jesus.
The truth is, anyone who belives in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name and I will do it! If you love me, obey my commandments.
John 15:7
But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.
Remain in my Lofe.
When you obn me, you remain in my love, just as I sobey my Father and remain in His love. "I have told you this so that you will be filled with my Joy."
John 15:16-17
You didn't choose me, I choose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last so that the Father will give you whatever you ask, using my name. I command you to love each other.
John 16:23
AT that time, you won't need to ask me for anything. The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask Him, and He wil grant you r request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
John 16:26
Then you will ask in my name. I'm not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father Himself lvoes you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.
Here I repeatedly see Jesus telling the disciples to: Ask, using His name.
There is POWER in His Name.
When you were only 4 years old, we were attending Elsinore First Assembly in my home town. The Senior Pastor at the time was Pastor Fred Rodriguez, who had been the Pastor there for 20 years at the time. Needless to say, he had major respect in the church, and throughout the city,and his name held great authority.
One day the church put on a huge Outdoor Harvest Festival for the Community, and tons of people were at the church, getting ready for the event and going in and out of the church building. Pastor Fred came out to the entrance doors, locked them, and then he turned to you, and said, "Alanna, no one is allowed in. If anyone wants to come in, tell them Pastor Fred said no one is allowed in."
You took this responsibility VERY seriously.
People would try to come in, but when you'd say, "Pastor Fred said no one is allowed in." You used HIS authority, not your own. And the people who Feared Pastor Fred, would obey you, even though you were only a 4 year old little girl.
In the Same manner, Jesus has told us to ask ANYTHING, using His name, and it will be granted.
Jesus our King, walked among the earth, and taught his disciples all He could in 3 short years. He taught them how to follow HIm, how to trust Him. He revealed himself as the Son Of God to them.
John 14-16, he introduces a new idea to them... praying, using "His" name, the name of Jesus.
John 14:12, words of Jesus.
The truth is, anyone who belives in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name and I will do it! If you love me, obey my commandments.
John 15:7
But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.
Remain in my Lofe.
When you obn me, you remain in my love, just as I sobey my Father and remain in His love. "I have told you this so that you will be filled with my Joy."
John 15:16-17
You didn't choose me, I choose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last so that the Father will give you whatever you ask, using my name. I command you to love each other.
John 16:23
AT that time, you won't need to ask me for anything. The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask Him, and He wil grant you r request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
John 16:26
Then you will ask in my name. I'm not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father Himself lvoes you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.
Here I repeatedly see Jesus telling the disciples to: Ask, using His name.
There is POWER in His Name.
23: The Lords Prayer: Part 5
"And do not let us give in to temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Please pray this over your life my dear daughter! It's not just an empty prayer. Jesus commanded us to pray this prayer and He will most definitely answer this prayer!
What does this mean??
Well, you have many temtations that are put in your life everyday by the "evil one" (the devil's team)
Temptations are ideas, or voices, telling you to do the wrong thing.
Growing up, I prayed this over my life, and God surely answered it.
While my friends were getting into trouble by cheating on tests, God put it deep in my spirit to NOT cheat, and I didn't want to have anything to do with it. And not only did God put that deep in my heart, he also protected me from the temptation.... meaning, He gave me friends who never asked me to cheat for them. They would ask other people, but I believe He's stop them from asking me. And if someone DID ask me, He gave me the courage to say no, and protected me afterwards, cuz they never made fun of me.
I never had anyone tempt me, asking me to ditch class with them, to sneak out of my house, to go to a "bad" party. I never had friends tempt me to use bad language, instead, they would try to protect me from it.
I never had friends asking me to drink (alchohol) or do drugs with them or smoke with them.
And I never had boys tempting me to do notty things with them.
God protected me!!
and if anyone, who wasn't my friend, asked me to do something wrong, God helped me say no.
Please pray this over your life my dear daughter! It's not just an empty prayer. Jesus commanded us to pray this prayer and He will most definitely answer this prayer!
What does this mean??
Well, you have many temtations that are put in your life everyday by the "evil one" (the devil's team)
Temptations are ideas, or voices, telling you to do the wrong thing.
Growing up, I prayed this over my life, and God surely answered it.
While my friends were getting into trouble by cheating on tests, God put it deep in my spirit to NOT cheat, and I didn't want to have anything to do with it. And not only did God put that deep in my heart, he also protected me from the temptation.... meaning, He gave me friends who never asked me to cheat for them. They would ask other people, but I believe He's stop them from asking me. And if someone DID ask me, He gave me the courage to say no, and protected me afterwards, cuz they never made fun of me.
I never had anyone tempt me, asking me to ditch class with them, to sneak out of my house, to go to a "bad" party. I never had friends tempt me to use bad language, instead, they would try to protect me from it.
I never had friends asking me to drink (alchohol) or do drugs with them or smoke with them.
And I never had boys tempting me to do notty things with them.
God protected me!!
and if anyone, who wasn't my friend, asked me to do something wrong, God helped me say no.
22: The Lords Prayer: Part 4
"And forgive us our sins just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us."
Yes, daily ask God to forgive your sins. It's best to ask forgiveness the moment you realize, you have donw wrong, or you feel convencted. But if you maybe forget about one, it's ok to ask a general "forgive my sins" as long as you mean it and try to change.
In addition to teaching us to pray, and ask forgiveness, he also teaches a VERY IMPORTANT lesson:
Matthew 6:14
"If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But, if you refuse to forgive others, Your Father will not forgive your sins."
These are the words that Jesus Himself spoke, so we know they are unmistakable
We aren't talking about missing a blessing if we don't forgive, or about having some hard days if we don't forgive. He is saying, if you don't forgive someone, you are forfeitting God's forgiveness, and ultimately His Salvation!
Forgiving others is a commandant, and we must be obedient. Working with teenagers, and young adults, I hear "I can never forgive him/her for what they did to me!"
What that attitude comes pride, bitterness, disobedience, hate, and selfishness. And it only leads to death.
Death of love, death of healthy relationships, death of your physical life, and your salvation.
Jesus says we should be praying: "forgive me, as I forgive others."
I have made it a habit to consider this everything I've been hurt by someone.
When someone would hurt my feelings by forgetting about me, I consider how I often forget about God, but He still forgivers me. When I'm hurt because someone doesn't do what I ask them to do, I remember how I often disobey God, but he always forgives me. When I'm hurt because a friend does something mean to me, or says something mean about me, I think about how sometimes I am mean to God, or who sometimes, we as people say very mean things about Him, but He always forgives me for everything I do, it's very easy to decide I also must forgive. I pray and ask God to help me forgive me.
Sometimes, forgiving someone can be extremely difficult, but Since Jesus Commands us to forgive, He also promises to Help us try and obey Him. He helps us to forgive others and keep all the hatred, bitterness and ugly thoughts out of our mind.
It's important to ask Jesus for help!
Continue to ask Him for help, as long as your need it.
Never EVER feel bad for asking God to help you. Even if you have asked 20 times! or 100 times !
He loves helping His chidlren ! He's not impatient like your mom or dad, He's ready and waiting to help no matter how much help you need.
Yes, daily ask God to forgive your sins. It's best to ask forgiveness the moment you realize, you have donw wrong, or you feel convencted. But if you maybe forget about one, it's ok to ask a general "forgive my sins" as long as you mean it and try to change.
In addition to teaching us to pray, and ask forgiveness, he also teaches a VERY IMPORTANT lesson:
Matthew 6:14
"If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But, if you refuse to forgive others, Your Father will not forgive your sins."
These are the words that Jesus Himself spoke, so we know they are unmistakable
We aren't talking about missing a blessing if we don't forgive, or about having some hard days if we don't forgive. He is saying, if you don't forgive someone, you are forfeitting God's forgiveness, and ultimately His Salvation!
Forgiving others is a commandant, and we must be obedient. Working with teenagers, and young adults, I hear "I can never forgive him/her for what they did to me!"
What that attitude comes pride, bitterness, disobedience, hate, and selfishness. And it only leads to death.
Death of love, death of healthy relationships, death of your physical life, and your salvation.
Jesus says we should be praying: "forgive me, as I forgive others."
I have made it a habit to consider this everything I've been hurt by someone.
When someone would hurt my feelings by forgetting about me, I consider how I often forget about God, but He still forgivers me. When I'm hurt because someone doesn't do what I ask them to do, I remember how I often disobey God, but he always forgives me. When I'm hurt because a friend does something mean to me, or says something mean about me, I think about how sometimes I am mean to God, or who sometimes, we as people say very mean things about Him, but He always forgives me for everything I do, it's very easy to decide I also must forgive. I pray and ask God to help me forgive me.
Sometimes, forgiving someone can be extremely difficult, but Since Jesus Commands us to forgive, He also promises to Help us try and obey Him. He helps us to forgive others and keep all the hatred, bitterness and ugly thoughts out of our mind.
It's important to ask Jesus for help!
Continue to ask Him for help, as long as your need it.
Never EVER feel bad for asking God to help you. Even if you have asked 20 times! or 100 times !
He loves helping His chidlren ! He's not impatient like your mom or dad, He's ready and waiting to help no matter how much help you need.
21: The Lords Prayer: Part 3
"Give us our Food for today."
Many times we think of God as a genie in a bottle who we can make wishes and see our fantasy dreams come true. But here, Jesus teaches us to ask God to humbly supply all we need for Today.
Yes, we could ask God for a Billion dollars, and then just plan on using that as our supply for the rest of our life, but then, if God did that, we'd have no need to come to Him, and ask for more, until we needed Him again.
He doesn't want to make life so easy for us, that we no longer have the need to ask Him for anything, or stop coming to Him with our cry for help.
No.
He desires a daily relationship with us. He wants us to DAILY tell God how much we need Him.
Let's face it, we don't just need His provision for food and drink, money and clothes. We need him daily to give us our joy, life, passion, grace and mercy.
So, pray daily for him to supply all you need FOR TODAY, and HE WILL!
Many times we think of God as a genie in a bottle who we can make wishes and see our fantasy dreams come true. But here, Jesus teaches us to ask God to humbly supply all we need for Today.
Yes, we could ask God for a Billion dollars, and then just plan on using that as our supply for the rest of our life, but then, if God did that, we'd have no need to come to Him, and ask for more, until we needed Him again.
He doesn't want to make life so easy for us, that we no longer have the need to ask Him for anything, or stop coming to Him with our cry for help.
No.
He desires a daily relationship with us. He wants us to DAILY tell God how much we need Him.
Let's face it, we don't just need His provision for food and drink, money and clothes. We need him daily to give us our joy, life, passion, grace and mercy.
So, pray daily for him to supply all you need FOR TODAY, and HE WILL!
20: The Lords Prayer : Part 2
Dearest Daughter,
You know it's a lovely morning, when you rise to pray and spend time with your creator.
As a very young little girl, you are a champ at your prayers, but I also want to teach you to pray, in the same way that Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
Luke 11:1-3 - Please take the time to read it.
A disciple asks Jesus to teach them how to pray, and Jesus responds, "Pray Like:
"Father, may your name to honored, May Your kingdom come soon. Give us our food, day by day, and forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And do not let us yield to temptation."
Let me begin to teach you, in the same way as I was taught by my mother, following the pattern Jesus gave his disciples that day he spoke those words.
"Father, may your name be honored."
The first thing Jesus does, is HONOR THE FATHER. He comes, not with requests and complaints, He comes and first focuses on the greatness of God. Come into prayer with this same attitude, taking time to realize you are talking to God Almighty. Honor Him, tell Him you Love Him, acknowledge His Holiness.
"May Your Kingdom Come Soon."
Take time to acknowledge His return, and remember that this world and all it's issues, (and yours) will soon pass.
"May Your will be done here on earth, just as it is in Heaven."
Pray to God that His Will be done. This is a prayer of the heart, confessing that yes, you may have plans of your own, but ultimately, you desire for God's will to be done, because you know it is best for you and all the Kingdom. God's will is done in Heaven, and it's a wonderful place, if we all followed God's will, Earth would be just as wonderful as we could imagine... so pray to God, that HIS will be done in your life, and do not be upset when it comes to pass!
You know it's a lovely morning, when you rise to pray and spend time with your creator.
As a very young little girl, you are a champ at your prayers, but I also want to teach you to pray, in the same way that Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
Luke 11:1-3 - Please take the time to read it.
A disciple asks Jesus to teach them how to pray, and Jesus responds, "Pray Like:
"Father, may your name to honored, May Your kingdom come soon. Give us our food, day by day, and forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And do not let us yield to temptation."
Let me begin to teach you, in the same way as I was taught by my mother, following the pattern Jesus gave his disciples that day he spoke those words.
"Father, may your name be honored."
The first thing Jesus does, is HONOR THE FATHER. He comes, not with requests and complaints, He comes and first focuses on the greatness of God. Come into prayer with this same attitude, taking time to realize you are talking to God Almighty. Honor Him, tell Him you Love Him, acknowledge His Holiness.
"May Your Kingdom Come Soon."
Take time to acknowledge His return, and remember that this world and all it's issues, (and yours) will soon pass.
"May Your will be done here on earth, just as it is in Heaven."
Pray to God that His Will be done. This is a prayer of the heart, confessing that yes, you may have plans of your own, but ultimately, you desire for God's will to be done, because you know it is best for you and all the Kingdom. God's will is done in Heaven, and it's a wonderful place, if we all followed God's will, Earth would be just as wonderful as we could imagine... so pray to God, that HIS will be done in your life, and do not be upset when it comes to pass!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
19: The Lords Prayer: Part 1 - Making it Real.
Dearest Daughter,
I know for a fact that God answers your prayers even though you do not use this format for each prayer, but Jesus DID tell his disciples this passage of scripture, So I need to make sure I teach it to you as well. Please don't make the mistake of trapping yourself in the religion of this prayer, because it's NOT the only way to pray, I know this because I remember your "Thank you for my Daddy's owie." prayer that worked miracles. But I still want to teach you what Jesus taught his disciples.
Through the next few chapters I'll brake apart the famous "Lord's Prayer", but here, I'm going to share with you the version that I've come to learn from Jesus. I hope as you study this passage, you too, will be able to pray your own version of this prayer as well. It's not about "memorizing" it and saying it outloud as a group, it's about learning what Jesus was teaching us, and applying the teaching to our regular prayer life.
For today, pray this over your life.
"My Father in Heaven, your name is Holy. You are Holy and Worthy of Praise.
I love you.
Father, I pray you complete your will for my life. I give my life to you, do whatever you dsire with me, I am yours.
Continue to provide my every day needs. I do not fear, I know you are taking care of me.
Please forgive me of all my sin, and help me to completely fogive others for the sin they make against me and others.
Protect me from Satan's evil schemes, and help me say NO to sinful temptations.
My life is Yours. "
I know for a fact that God answers your prayers even though you do not use this format for each prayer, but Jesus DID tell his disciples this passage of scripture, So I need to make sure I teach it to you as well. Please don't make the mistake of trapping yourself in the religion of this prayer, because it's NOT the only way to pray, I know this because I remember your "Thank you for my Daddy's owie." prayer that worked miracles. But I still want to teach you what Jesus taught his disciples.
Through the next few chapters I'll brake apart the famous "Lord's Prayer", but here, I'm going to share with you the version that I've come to learn from Jesus. I hope as you study this passage, you too, will be able to pray your own version of this prayer as well. It's not about "memorizing" it and saying it outloud as a group, it's about learning what Jesus was teaching us, and applying the teaching to our regular prayer life.
For today, pray this over your life.
"My Father in Heaven, your name is Holy. You are Holy and Worthy of Praise.
I love you.
Father, I pray you complete your will for my life. I give my life to you, do whatever you dsire with me, I am yours.
Continue to provide my every day needs. I do not fear, I know you are taking care of me.
Please forgive me of all my sin, and help me to completely fogive others for the sin they make against me and others.
Protect me from Satan's evil schemes, and help me say NO to sinful temptations.
My life is Yours. "
18: Living Sacrifice: Part 4 - Knowing His Will
KNOWING HIS WILL
"Therefore, as brothers and sisters in Christ, Offer your bodies as living sacrifices for the Lord, Holy and Pure, for this is your spiritual act of Worship. And do not be conformed any longer to pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will know what God's will is For your Life- His Holy, Perfect and Pleasing Will."
Romans 12:1-2
You wanna know what God's will is for you life?!
His PERFECT will?!
This passage says:
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is for your life, his Holy, Perfect, and Pleasing will."
Wow!!
Once we allow the Holy Spirit to Transform our lives, we'll be able to "Test and Approve", meaning perhaps before your mind was thansformed you loved to sing and dance, and you thoughty you wanted to be a holly wood rock star, but now, when you think to be a Hollywood rockstar, but now when you imagine your life like that, you don't feel comforatble... you don't approve. And then, God opens the door for Him to use your giftings for the purpose He created you for - and you imagine your life like that - and you do approve - it's because God has transformed you. Many times I have have had a hard time "approving" my new life as a full time minister, mom and wife- until God "transformed" my mind. Then I was able to approve of my life- because I saw it as the blessing God had always created it to be for me.
Thank you Jesus!
17: Living Sacrifice: Part 3 : RENEWING your Mind
RENEWING YOUR MIND
Romans 12: 1-2
Therefore, as brothers and sisters in Christ, offer your bodies as living sacrifices for the Lord, holy and pure, for this is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind- then you will know what God's will is for your life- His holy, Perfect and pleasing will."
Romans 12: 1-2
Therefore, as brothers and sisters in Christ, offer your bodies as living sacrifices for the Lord, holy and pure, for this is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind- then you will know what God's will is for your life- His holy, Perfect and pleasing will."
Paul says not to be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
When I read the word transformed, I picture the final scene from Beaty and the Beast, when the Beast is set free by Bells love and magically raises from the ground, his body spining around as his beastly hands and feet turn to a handsom prince.
I only wish it was that quick and easy for us to be transformed, but, it's not that easy, it only happens by the renewing of your mind.
IF we're not careful, our minds are influenced by this world, by watching worldly lifestyles, most TV, reading worldly magazines and listening to worldly music.
Most of it doesn't scream "This is Bad! It will destroy your spirit man!" but trust me, Satan is Tricky, he won't even let you know he's leading you down a bad path, he'll only trick you there.
Our easy downfalls, are wanting love and being selfish.
Well, those are my downfalls of how I fall into a worldly nature.
Keep your mind pure, by listening to worship music, reading your bible or christian book, watch Christian new and radio. Be a faithful church attender, (pick one that you really enjoy!), and remember when you're tired and really don't feel like going to church, that's the Service that God is really going to bless you the most!
Continue to Ask the Lord to Transform you. He will. And sometimes he will use hard situations to help you grow, don't be discouraged when that happens!
James 1:2-4
2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
You're wise. Already at four years old, you stop in the middle of a "problem" we're having and say, "Oh, I get it... This is a test, right?" You understand that God tests us, and helps us grow through each test he gives us. Stay alert, keep growing, He's got a great prize awaiting you baby girl.
I love you.
16: Living Sacrifice: Part 2 : Spiritual Worship
Spiritual Act of Worship
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, as brothers and sisters in Christ, offer your bodies as living sacrifices for the Lord, Holy and pure, for this is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will know what God's will is For your life, His Holy, Perfect and Pleasing Will.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, as brothers and sisters in Christ, offer your bodies as living sacrifices for the Lord, Holy and pure, for this is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will know what God's will is For your life, His Holy, Perfect and Pleasing Will.
My Dearest Daughter,
Being in our family, it's easy to be good at musical praise and worship. It's a part of who we are. We are always leading worship at the church, and you and your brother have grown up singing praises. I see you with our book and pen and at only 4 years old, you're writing worship songs to the Lord. You are good at this part of worship, it comes easy to you.
Here, Paul speaks of a new kind of worship - a "spiritual act of worship" and it's to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. - Meaning to give Him control over our lives.
Darling, this world can be so evil - young girls having boy-friends, kissing, holding on to a bad relationship, having oral and open sex.... these are all things that shows Satan has control, not the Lord.
When God has control of your life, you will have these "fruits" in your life -
Read all about these in Galatians 5.
-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Self-control.
When the Lord control you these will be evident in your life. I think personally that self-control is the hardest one is self control, because without it, none of the others are possible, but the most imporant is Love. A Love for Christ also means a love for others- and with love, you will begin to grow in the rest of these fruits.
Be a LIVING SACRIFICE, give him your ALL.
When I lead worship, I often let the people know that one of the reasons I open up my arms in worship, is because it's an act of surrender... I'm actually picturing GIVING him, handing him, ALL of me.
But the most beautiful part about opening up my arms, and giving God my all, is that I'm not only in the position to GIVE him my all, I'm also in the position to RECEIVE all the God has to offer. And believe me... God a lot more to offer me, than all I have to offer him. (that's a little confusing, but it makes sense when you really think about it).
So offer him your all today, I'm sure you'll be blessed with what he has to offer you in return.
I love you.
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