I've been listening to a series this week about the ordinary life of David, and one thing that the pastor said that really stuck out to me was when he said...'God is a God of today.' I've heard it before but it really stuck with me this week. So I searched my bible, with the help of biblegateway.com, for scriptures that include the word TODAY.
God never puts us off until tomorrow, He never tells us to wait for His time and attention. It's been on my heart this week to really focus on the here and now.
I want to share some of the verses I found...
Genesis 24:42 'So today when I came to the spring, I prayed this prayer, 'O Lord, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success on this mission'-PRAY TODAY
Deuteronomy 4:20 'Remember that the Lord rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you His very own people and His special possession, which is what you are today'-SEE YOURSELF AS HE SEES YOU TODAY
Deuteronomy 26:17 'You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything He tells you'-FOLLOW AND OBEY TODAY
Joshua 5:9 'Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt'-WALK IN FREEDOM TODAY
Psalm 95:7 'For He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. If you would only listen to His voice today!'-LISTEN TODAY
Matthew 6:34 'So don't worry about tomorrow, for tommorow will bring it's own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.'-FOCUS TODAY
Luke 7:16 'Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, 'A mighty prophet has risen among us,' and 'God has visited His people today.'-PRAISE AND ENCOUNTER TODAY
2 Corinthians 6:2 '...Today is the day of salvation'
TODAY, TODAY, TODAY!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Encouraged
I woke up this morning at 7:01 and was in the car to leave for church at 7:05. Waking up late is one of the worst feelings in the world. I felt so rushed and so completely out of it. I was super crabby and let everyone in the car know it. I was so crabby that no one even asked to take a ride to the store with me once we got to the building. Not one of my finest moments. I went to the store alone and tried to 'get myself together' before heading back to the building.
I got back to church not so crabby, but definately feeling defeated. I was questioning myself on everything I was doing. Why am I here? Am I suppose to be doing children's ministry? Has God really called me to do this? Am I making a difference? Whats the point? This morning I went through the motions and just 'did' church.
I was super discouraged and almost had myself completely talked into quitting doing children's ministry. I was acting out of my feelings and letting them get the best of me.
Let me back up for a moment...I had an encounter with God this week. Several actually. He has been speaking to me daily about an assortment of things. He has been speaking to me about everything BUT the one thing I'm really seeking Him on...I'm confident He's working on it and moving on my behalf, but He isn't cluing me in.
After an amazing week of hearing God's voice I was still feeling defeated and discouraged. After service today I was extremely encouraged and God knew I needed it at that exact moment. He let me throw my fit and freak out, but right when I was ready to give in He stepped in to remind of who He is.
I had lost a nursery worker and was worried on how I was going to fill the spot. After service I was handed a piece of paper with a phone number of someone who is interested in serving in the nursery.
For weeks now I've had something on my list of things to do that I kept putting off. I didn't want the church to have to spend the money on a TV/VCR for the nursery. The workers had requested one, but I didn't feel it was a necessity so I kept putting it off. This morning someone randomly came up to me and asked if I needed one. That person had no clue I was looking for one.
Only God. I was so encouraged. God used those two situations to show me that He is working on my behalf-even on the things I don't bother to talk to Him about. If He is working on the things we don't talk about how much more is He working on the things we do talk about? He showed me that He cares about my worries and that even when I don't see or feel Him working-HE IS.
Even more encouraging I had 12 kids in my class today and 26 total within all three classes. He's got me right where He wants me...for now.
I got back to church not so crabby, but definately feeling defeated. I was questioning myself on everything I was doing. Why am I here? Am I suppose to be doing children's ministry? Has God really called me to do this? Am I making a difference? Whats the point? This morning I went through the motions and just 'did' church.
I was super discouraged and almost had myself completely talked into quitting doing children's ministry. I was acting out of my feelings and letting them get the best of me.
Let me back up for a moment...I had an encounter with God this week. Several actually. He has been speaking to me daily about an assortment of things. He has been speaking to me about everything BUT the one thing I'm really seeking Him on...I'm confident He's working on it and moving on my behalf, but He isn't cluing me in.
After an amazing week of hearing God's voice I was still feeling defeated and discouraged. After service today I was extremely encouraged and God knew I needed it at that exact moment. He let me throw my fit and freak out, but right when I was ready to give in He stepped in to remind of who He is.
I had lost a nursery worker and was worried on how I was going to fill the spot. After service I was handed a piece of paper with a phone number of someone who is interested in serving in the nursery.
For weeks now I've had something on my list of things to do that I kept putting off. I didn't want the church to have to spend the money on a TV/VCR for the nursery. The workers had requested one, but I didn't feel it was a necessity so I kept putting it off. This morning someone randomly came up to me and asked if I needed one. That person had no clue I was looking for one.
Only God. I was so encouraged. God used those two situations to show me that He is working on my behalf-even on the things I don't bother to talk to Him about. If He is working on the things we don't talk about how much more is He working on the things we do talk about? He showed me that He cares about my worries and that even when I don't see or feel Him working-HE IS.
Even more encouraging I had 12 kids in my class today and 26 total within all three classes. He's got me right where He wants me...for now.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Ordinary
Today was a pretty ordinary day, God used two ordinary circumstances to speak to me and remind me just how extraordinary living life with Him can be.
Last night I started a project in my room, I'm painting a chalkboard on my wall. I didn't follow the directions and rushed through what I was doing. It said to do one coat and then wait four hours for the second, I waited thirty minutes. This morning I tried to apply a second coat and it looked even worse. I left for work pretty frustrated. I had no other choice than to ask for help...which is something I'm not a big fan of. I asked my dad if he could fix it and when I came home from work it looked perfect.
God used that to remind me that His timing is perfect. Even when I feel the need to rush through things, I need to wait on Him and trust that He knows what He is doing when He tells me to wait. He showed me that it is wise to follow directions. They are there to help me not frustrate me. Also, with the paint, I kept trying to cover up the previous mess. Covering the 'messes' in my life are only going to make it worse. It wasn't until I humbled myself and asked for help that things worked out and my chalkboard was finished correctly. I couldn't do it by myself, I needed my dads help. I needed him to 'make it all better'. Same goes for life...I can't do it alone, and when I do mess up only God can 'make it all better'. He will always be there to clean up my mess and to fix what I broke.
Last night my dad saw how frustrated I was getting, but he stood back and kept silent about the whole situation. He knew just as well as I did that he could fix it. He was waiting for me to ask for help. Same goes for our Heavenly Father, He is more than capable to help in our time of need...but we need to take that first step and reach out.
Good stuff, huh?
The second circumstance He used was nap time at work. All my kids were asleep except for Lily, which is not unusual. Lily likes to do things her own way and doesn't listen very well, and nap time is no exception. Usually the other teacher puts her down but today it was my job. Lily did not like that very much and did everything she could to test me. I tried everything I could to get her to fall asleep and nothing was working. I was very frustrated and not very patient after trying for almost 45 minutes. Every time I went to stand up and walk away the Holy Spirit kept telling me to sit down and keep trying. He reminded me that God NEVER gave up on me, the God was patient with me, and how He even allowed me to do things my way for awhile until I finally recognized that His way was best.
I never got Lily to sleep today...but God used her to speak to my heart and to encourage me that He is always with me and that He loves me and is fighting for me even when I'm resisting Him, even when I'm ignoring Him, even when I'm being stubborn.
Tonight I'm grateful for His unending, limitless love. His faithfulness. His patience. His power. His provision. His grace.
Getting tired of your everyday life filled with routine and an endless list of things to do? It was in an ordinary everyday moment when God spoke to Moses through the burning bush. God is always trying to gain our attention, He is always speaking. Are you listening? Are you looking for ways to let Him in?
Last night I started a project in my room, I'm painting a chalkboard on my wall. I didn't follow the directions and rushed through what I was doing. It said to do one coat and then wait four hours for the second, I waited thirty minutes. This morning I tried to apply a second coat and it looked even worse. I left for work pretty frustrated. I had no other choice than to ask for help...which is something I'm not a big fan of. I asked my dad if he could fix it and when I came home from work it looked perfect.
God used that to remind me that His timing is perfect. Even when I feel the need to rush through things, I need to wait on Him and trust that He knows what He is doing when He tells me to wait. He showed me that it is wise to follow directions. They are there to help me not frustrate me. Also, with the paint, I kept trying to cover up the previous mess. Covering the 'messes' in my life are only going to make it worse. It wasn't until I humbled myself and asked for help that things worked out and my chalkboard was finished correctly. I couldn't do it by myself, I needed my dads help. I needed him to 'make it all better'. Same goes for life...I can't do it alone, and when I do mess up only God can 'make it all better'. He will always be there to clean up my mess and to fix what I broke.
Last night my dad saw how frustrated I was getting, but he stood back and kept silent about the whole situation. He knew just as well as I did that he could fix it. He was waiting for me to ask for help. Same goes for our Heavenly Father, He is more than capable to help in our time of need...but we need to take that first step and reach out.
Good stuff, huh?
The second circumstance He used was nap time at work. All my kids were asleep except for Lily, which is not unusual. Lily likes to do things her own way and doesn't listen very well, and nap time is no exception. Usually the other teacher puts her down but today it was my job. Lily did not like that very much and did everything she could to test me. I tried everything I could to get her to fall asleep and nothing was working. I was very frustrated and not very patient after trying for almost 45 minutes. Every time I went to stand up and walk away the Holy Spirit kept telling me to sit down and keep trying. He reminded me that God NEVER gave up on me, the God was patient with me, and how He even allowed me to do things my way for awhile until I finally recognized that His way was best.
I never got Lily to sleep today...but God used her to speak to my heart and to encourage me that He is always with me and that He loves me and is fighting for me even when I'm resisting Him, even when I'm ignoring Him, even when I'm being stubborn.
Tonight I'm grateful for His unending, limitless love. His faithfulness. His patience. His power. His provision. His grace.
Getting tired of your everyday life filled with routine and an endless list of things to do? It was in an ordinary everyday moment when God spoke to Moses through the burning bush. God is always trying to gain our attention, He is always speaking. Are you listening? Are you looking for ways to let Him in?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Obedience
Yet another night of drinking a cup of coffee too late...
Got lots going on. Had an amazing trip to St. Louis. The whole trip was incredible...I got to spend time with everyone I wanted and even ran into some surprises while there. God really started to stir some things in my heart so I'm really interested to see how the next few weeks play out.
I believe it was my obedience that landed me the opportunity to travel to St. Louis to be interviewed and give my testimony on Joyce Meyers TV show.
Now that it's over everyone keeps asking, 'what's next?'...I honestly don't know, but I'm confident my obedience will get me to that place.
The time is NOW...What are you waiting for? Waiting for the perfect time or circumstances to make your next move will leave you waiting forever and you will miss out on what God is doing right now. There are some incredible things going on around me and I can see the hand of God all over them...I don't want to miss out for a second.
When God speaks the time to respond in OBEDIENCE is NOW. There is NO such thing as postponing a decision with God. Either we obey, or we disobey. It's either faith or unbelief, obedience or disobedience. There is no gray area...either you're IN or OUT...Count me in.
I've learned that being obedient in the simple everyday ordinary mundane tasks of life will prepare me to be obedient in the seemingly huge moments when it seems life and death is staring me in the face. That might be a little dramatic, but I'm sure you get my point.
Still reflecting on my trip...so much good came from it...lots to chew on. Stay tuned.
Got lots going on. Had an amazing trip to St. Louis. The whole trip was incredible...I got to spend time with everyone I wanted and even ran into some surprises while there. God really started to stir some things in my heart so I'm really interested to see how the next few weeks play out.
I believe it was my obedience that landed me the opportunity to travel to St. Louis to be interviewed and give my testimony on Joyce Meyers TV show.
Now that it's over everyone keeps asking, 'what's next?'...I honestly don't know, but I'm confident my obedience will get me to that place.
The time is NOW...What are you waiting for? Waiting for the perfect time or circumstances to make your next move will leave you waiting forever and you will miss out on what God is doing right now. There are some incredible things going on around me and I can see the hand of God all over them...I don't want to miss out for a second.
When God speaks the time to respond in OBEDIENCE is NOW. There is NO such thing as postponing a decision with God. Either we obey, or we disobey. It's either faith or unbelief, obedience or disobedience. There is no gray area...either you're IN or OUT...Count me in.
I've learned that being obedient in the simple everyday ordinary mundane tasks of life will prepare me to be obedient in the seemingly huge moments when it seems life and death is staring me in the face. That might be a little dramatic, but I'm sure you get my point.
Still reflecting on my trip...so much good came from it...lots to chew on. Stay tuned.
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