When we look into God's Word we find so many verses that point the way to truth. If we have a question or need to make a very important decision in our life we must have him directly in our sights. When we aim for excellence and obedience it is a very risk free bet that we will miss sometimes. However, when we make Him the object of our AIM we learn about Him, and His Character. If I asked you what the character of God is, what spin would you put on that? What does that mean? How does it relate to you? Do you mimic His character?
Gal 5: 22 and 23. But the fruit of the Holy Spirit (the work which His presence within accomplishes) is: love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness 23 gentleness (meekness, humility), self - control (self restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law (that can bring change).
What a mega check-list of things to do - to emulate our God. So let's bring this up to speed and organize it.
If I want to know what God's plan for my life is and how to be sure He is in on all decisions -
What is my first step._____________________?
I must claim Him as my personal Lord and Savior.
I must claim His Word as the inerrant Word of God.
I must be about AIMING to know Him.
So that when I make a decision, I know it lines up with His Word, and now His Character.
Step Two then is_________________________?
Lining up with His Character - is demonstrating and living my life around:
Love - Joy - Peace - Patience - Kindness - Goodness - Gentleness - Faithfulness -
Self - Control (self restraint). I added that because of that one trips us up the most.
This is God - Study now, where you see you need the most work. He brings all of those words to life in His Word for us. He expects us to live out those very words in our every day life. When we know those those character traits and strive to live them out in our daily lives, we learn even more about who He is. Then it becomes clearer on how to know the truth for living a lifestyle that demonstrates how we line up with Christ's Word and His character.
Take each word in Gal 5: 22 and 23 - What does it mean to love like Christ? To have Peace in Christ? To have Joy in Christ? To demonstrate patience every day? To be kind, gentle, and good?
How do you show faithfulness? And, especially - do I show self control in life on a daily basis?
Rate yourself and make a prayer of commitment for those you need to work on. And, praise and thanks for the ones He has helped you change.
Friday, June 22, 2012
HANG IN THERE!
With the Book signing, and Logan and Ailsa visiting back and forth in between Canton, Ohio and here, I will get our series going on as soon as I can.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
NEW SERIES!
"What does it take to KNOW God is guiding you to make life decisions, or is you doing all the talking?"
We have been talking about how to AIM high for Jesus, and stay focused. It takes work, but nevertheless essential for daily living out God's purpose and plan for your life. Jer. 29: 11/15
===================================================================
A very bright young lady peer-friend of mine were talking at lunch the other day. She does mentoring at her church with women and has become frustrated at the women who are leaving their husbands and children. She has spent hours and hours on showing them the truth in God's Word. They listened and still believe that God is telling them to leave. They have peace about it. "After all, I don't feel anything for him anymore."
What is happening today? This culture and generation have a whole different look at their lives. They are becoming justifiers. They want what THEY want. They can not tolerate much pressure in life, and so they look for romance and feel good experiences. Her frustration was born out of , God sent me these people, I told them the truth, only to see evil win out. "What's the deal?"
During personal counseling, student counseling, and my time at the colleges, I was instructed to give them the tools. That was my only job. Some will listen, some will not. Accept that you did your job and move on. My "Traditional Age Generation" understands that, but we like to FIX things. We need to know why today's generation isn't following through on truth. My friend is much younger, but she thinks like a traditionalist. We work through things, we push through and do whatever it takes to get the desired result. We would much rather drive ourselves to the hospital in whatever condition we find ourselves. We watch with great frustration and sadness today's Millinia generation. All those born from 1997 on came just as the internet came. Those born prior to 1997 are the Y Generation. They deserve it and you need to give it to them. Millinia's question everything. They have hundreds of options and choices. Just google it. I am so thankful I grew up in the 1940's. I had two choices. Eat it, or sit at the table until bedtime. Go to church or be grounded from friends. Wear this or go naked. Not today. Today they look at 18 different gods, someone will take them wherever to eat because they sure aren't going to eat "that". I am not going to that school anymore, we have to move, Mom. And, guess what? They move.
And, so you see the problem. What do we do? What are the answers to bring truth and have it accepted. It would seem we as helpers need to find a way to understand all those options, be sympathetic, but STILL tell the truth. They still have a choice. It may take longer. But here we get to aim at God with our prayer. "Holy Father God, I have tried everything, please favor me with saving my grandchildren from all these choices and to find you. Save them. Thank you Jesus!"
Steps to the Truth's that never change.
1. You have asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.
2. You are now embracing ALL of His Word. It is the inerrant Word of God.
3. Learning that He made you and KNOWS you! Ps: 139 (Read all of it) Particularly Psalm 139: 16. "Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your
We have been talking about how to AIM high for Jesus, and stay focused. It takes work, but nevertheless essential for daily living out God's purpose and plan for your life. Jer. 29: 11/15
===================================================================
A very bright young lady peer-friend of mine were talking at lunch the other day. She does mentoring at her church with women and has become frustrated at the women who are leaving their husbands and children. She has spent hours and hours on showing them the truth in God's Word. They listened and still believe that God is telling them to leave. They have peace about it. "After all, I don't feel anything for him anymore."
What is happening today? This culture and generation have a whole different look at their lives. They are becoming justifiers. They want what THEY want. They can not tolerate much pressure in life, and so they look for romance and feel good experiences. Her frustration was born out of , God sent me these people, I told them the truth, only to see evil win out. "What's the deal?"
During personal counseling, student counseling, and my time at the colleges, I was instructed to give them the tools. That was my only job. Some will listen, some will not. Accept that you did your job and move on. My "Traditional Age Generation" understands that, but we like to FIX things. We need to know why today's generation isn't following through on truth. My friend is much younger, but she thinks like a traditionalist. We work through things, we push through and do whatever it takes to get the desired result. We would much rather drive ourselves to the hospital in whatever condition we find ourselves. We watch with great frustration and sadness today's Millinia generation. All those born from 1997 on came just as the internet came. Those born prior to 1997 are the Y Generation. They deserve it and you need to give it to them. Millinia's question everything. They have hundreds of options and choices. Just google it. I am so thankful I grew up in the 1940's. I had two choices. Eat it, or sit at the table until bedtime. Go to church or be grounded from friends. Wear this or go naked. Not today. Today they look at 18 different gods, someone will take them wherever to eat because they sure aren't going to eat "that". I am not going to that school anymore, we have to move, Mom. And, guess what? They move.
And, so you see the problem. What do we do? What are the answers to bring truth and have it accepted. It would seem we as helpers need to find a way to understand all those options, be sympathetic, but STILL tell the truth. They still have a choice. It may take longer. But here we get to aim at God with our prayer. "Holy Father God, I have tried everything, please favor me with saving my grandchildren from all these choices and to find you. Save them. Thank you Jesus!"
Steps to the Truth's that never change.
1. You have asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.
2. You are now embracing ALL of His Word. It is the inerrant Word of God.
3. Learning that He made you and KNOWS you! Ps: 139 (Read all of it) Particularly Psalm 139: 16. "Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your
Saturday, June 9, 2012
IT IS WHAT IT IS, DEAL WITH IT!!!!
This is an old saying by now. Or shall I say, it has been revamped over and over and this is the latest version of dealing with the "big unexpected changes in life". My mother always used to say to me as a very young person, "You are too idealistic, young lady, hop into the real world with the rest of us!"
Grrrrrr! I never have been able to completely let go of this question. "What was the purpose for that. . . . . . situation or set of circumstances?" Friends love to tell me that I need to ask God "What do you want me to learn from this situation?"
My intellectual side totally gets that whole concept of things that happen in our life that we can not control. People that we can't control.
James 4: 14 "Yet you do not know (the least thing) about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are really but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears (into thin air).
James 4: 15 You ought instead to say, if the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that (thing)."
Deut. 31: 8 still resounds in my head. About how God goes ahead of me, AND He marches with me in everything. I am not to be fearful or dread, I am to be expectant that He helps me DEAL with IT!
Romans 8: 28 - And, of course, He is always working ALL things together for GOOD on my behalf.
So there it is. He understands my personality. He knows I would love everyone to have the job of their dreams, the mate of their dreams, the children of their dreams and that we all had enough money to eat and do what we need to do.
However, unexpected and uncontrollable (from the Daily Bread) things come our way. They slide in under the door, they come over the phone, the email, the elaborate facebook and texting. They can come in the mail, right in front of us, or from afar. The only way to deal with all those "big and ugly surprises" is to pray on a daily basis. Sure we are to pray for others, for our nation etc. I am proposing that we start our day with asking God how we can be used for Him. Help me be the person you want me to do. Help me do and say all things to the glory and honor of You. And, help me deal with IT. Because It Is What It is, no matter what it is. I can do all things through you who gives me the STRENGTH to do it. Phil 4: 13. Bottom line. Whether you are alone in life and just rebuilding a life, or are content in whatsoever you are, He is the only one who can take us to the finish line.
I admit I tried really hard to come up with why did or do I have to come down with things physically. I have spent my whole life trying to answer that questions. I want to be young, full of vim and vigor, and able to go and do whatever. Exercise, walk 5 miles, do counseling, or whatever I want. This time around with Pneumonia, something new happened. I loved being sat down to catch up on my reading, got a new doctor which I had promised to do for years, smelled the roses, and realized that people were right, because if how hard I do work at taking care of myself, I didn't end up in the hospital like some others I knew. I bounced back, I didn't get angry, and I went with it. Oh! Did you get it? Went with it! That means God always (ALWAYS) has a reason and it is always going to be for your ultimate good. Go with it! It creates a lot less stress.
Grrrrrr! I never have been able to completely let go of this question. "What was the purpose for that. . . . . . situation or set of circumstances?" Friends love to tell me that I need to ask God "What do you want me to learn from this situation?"
My intellectual side totally gets that whole concept of things that happen in our life that we can not control. People that we can't control.
James 4: 14 "Yet you do not know (the least thing) about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are really but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears (into thin air).
James 4: 15 You ought instead to say, if the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that (thing)."
Deut. 31: 8 still resounds in my head. About how God goes ahead of me, AND He marches with me in everything. I am not to be fearful or dread, I am to be expectant that He helps me DEAL with IT!
Romans 8: 28 - And, of course, He is always working ALL things together for GOOD on my behalf.
So there it is. He understands my personality. He knows I would love everyone to have the job of their dreams, the mate of their dreams, the children of their dreams and that we all had enough money to eat and do what we need to do.
However, unexpected and uncontrollable (from the Daily Bread) things come our way. They slide in under the door, they come over the phone, the email, the elaborate facebook and texting. They can come in the mail, right in front of us, or from afar. The only way to deal with all those "big and ugly surprises" is to pray on a daily basis. Sure we are to pray for others, for our nation etc. I am proposing that we start our day with asking God how we can be used for Him. Help me be the person you want me to do. Help me do and say all things to the glory and honor of You. And, help me deal with IT. Because It Is What It is, no matter what it is. I can do all things through you who gives me the STRENGTH to do it. Phil 4: 13. Bottom line. Whether you are alone in life and just rebuilding a life, or are content in whatsoever you are, He is the only one who can take us to the finish line.
I admit I tried really hard to come up with why did or do I have to come down with things physically. I have spent my whole life trying to answer that questions. I want to be young, full of vim and vigor, and able to go and do whatever. Exercise, walk 5 miles, do counseling, or whatever I want. This time around with Pneumonia, something new happened. I loved being sat down to catch up on my reading, got a new doctor which I had promised to do for years, smelled the roses, and realized that people were right, because if how hard I do work at taking care of myself, I didn't end up in the hospital like some others I knew. I bounced back, I didn't get angry, and I went with it. Oh! Did you get it? Went with it! That means God always (ALWAYS) has a reason and it is always going to be for your ultimate good. Go with it! It creates a lot less stress.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
AIM HIGH!
Col. 3: 1 and 2
"If then you have been raised with Christ (to a new life, this sharing His resurrection from the dead), AIM at and seek the (rich, eternal treasures) that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Ps 110.1)
And SET your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. "
Col. 3: 17
"And whatever you do (no matter what it is) in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in (dependence upon) His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."
" W H O A !!!!!!!!!"
Here it is - For every day life! AIM, SEEK, SET your MIND on the LORD JESUS CHRIST!
How good is your AIM right now?
Average - Above Average - Good - Pretty Good - Working on it!
Working on it EVERY DAY!
(Slip up a little, could do better but WORKING on it EVERY DAY)
Think on these verses, read the entire chapter. It is our platform expectations for every day!
God's Word spells it out -
So, what are you aiming at, what is your tool of choice! On a scale from 1 - to 10, ten being the highest, where do you score at AIMING your life's choices, thoughts, and deeds to?
Let us think hard about this chapter and these verses. AIM HIGH!
"If then you have been raised with Christ (to a new life, this sharing His resurrection from the dead), AIM at and seek the (rich, eternal treasures) that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Ps 110.1)
And SET your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. "
Col. 3: 17
"And whatever you do (no matter what it is) in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in (dependence upon) His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."
" W H O A !!!!!!!!!"
Here it is - For every day life! AIM, SEEK, SET your MIND on the LORD JESUS CHRIST!
How good is your AIM right now?
Average - Above Average - Good - Pretty Good - Working on it!
Working on it EVERY DAY!
(Slip up a little, could do better but WORKING on it EVERY DAY)
Think on these verses, read the entire chapter. It is our platform expectations for every day!
God's Word spells it out -
So, what are you aiming at, what is your tool of choice! On a scale from 1 - to 10, ten being the highest, where do you score at AIMING your life's choices, thoughts, and deeds to?
Let us think hard about this chapter and these verses. AIM HIGH!
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