Is there something you want to do but there is an obstacle in your way? Perhaps it is looking for a new job, having a baby, moving into a new city, changing your routines, or trying a new look. Whatever it is you want to do it is usually your mental state of mind that keeps you from moving forward or even trying.
The excuses you make is what usually stops you from being your best. What is the excuse that stops you? Whatever it is you have the control to change your mind.
We are self condemning and beat ourselves up.
What is one of the things you do that is not affirming? What is it that you do that brings you down? Is it before or after you do that task?
For an example "I don't have a car that will get me to and from a job." "I don't have the skills the company is looking for." "I don't have X amount of years in working X program, but I do know the program." "Therefore, I am not going to apply for the job."
What do you end up doing? Talking yourself out of even attempting to receive success.
Then you find out someone got the job that didn't have X amount of years experience that the company requested, but they got the job anyways. Now you are beating yourself up and telling yourself "I am lame and lazy.""I didn't even try, what good am I."
We have to speak good things into our minds and hearts. Is that being conceited? I don't think so. If you do not have people around you encouraging you than you have to encourage yourself.
I believe in affirmations. A time in my life when negative things were happening around me, I decided to write out positive things. I read it to myself every morning before the day started. You know what happened? My life and thought process change and positive things began to occur. Some of the things I wrote down came to pass.
I remember one of them was " I am going to work at a place I enjoy and will work 40 hour weeks." I got a job at OshKosh in St Augustine. I worked 40 hours a week.
My car seemed to always break down, I wrote "my car will get fixed and work good." Within a few months, I had no problems with my car.
This year we have seen many things happen in our economy. It might get even worse. Does that mean we have to submit to thinking negative and allowing negative things to happen? I don't think so. Life is what you make it.
If you are a self indulgent person; think of others first. If you are self condemning person; uplift yourself. I challenge you to make one change for 21 days in your life and watch your life change. You can do it.
Learn to affirm yourself and others. There is good in everyone. If you cannot find good in yourself or in others, you will create a small world for yourself.
So what do you want to change for the new 2012 year? What changes are you going to make? Not resolutions; they don't stick. What sincere, honest, and achievable changes are you going to make? Need an accountability partner? Do you need someone to help you stay on track? Find a friend you trust and talk with them about the changes you want to make and let them be your cheerleader, coach, and friend. Don't get mad at them when they are tough on you though. You asked them to make you accountable.
Love on yourself and others this new year and watch good things happen around you.
~ Be encouraged
People will see the change in you and they will want it too.
Everyone needs encouragement and I want to encourage you today. I hope you will enjoy today's write up.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Self Improvement Journey
I recently looked over my blog layout and had to laugh. I have a list of great food ideas, ha. What did I know about cooking? I mean, I was only one person living in a one room apartment with the smallest kitchen that you couldn't move without hitting your elbows on something. I have a bunch of cookbooks and maybe only used one out of the 15 I have; "Easy Cooking for Today." Do I even know how to cook? I was helping in the church kitchen one day with my friend Andy and found that I can't cook instant potatoes for 20-25 people; I made them soggy. I can cook instant potatoes for one though.
Just about a month ago, I moved into a bigger one bedroom apartment. I am in a little piece of heaven. I have a big kitchen and I am cooking more. I LOVE IT!
I am beginning to take notice of what I am cooking and eating. I see my friend, Robin, losing weight, eating healthy, and being active. I think I've begun to pick up the pounds she is dropping. This isn't good on my part. I've been more tired, lazy, and complacent.
Today, I began reading about a life value goal of making the best use of the body God gave me. I started indulging in the words of Paul, Solomon, and Daniel and have begun thinking more about what I am taking in my body through food and other indulgences in life. I read my friend's blog on eating and eating healthy and have started to change my stinking thinking "in order to lose weight, I have to give up my favorite foods, eat boring things," but what I have found to be true is that I need to ask myself "in what way am I using body and health to glorify God?" Where do I draw the line for consuming unhealthy foods? I have learned that this is a self decision and journey.
I did work out, but I didn't pay attention to what I was/am eating and drinking. I see all these adds on television about weight loss, eating right foods, and joining a program. I don't know what it is going to take for me because I have a busy schedule. I tried working at Curves and love it, but I have a lot on my plate right now.
I believe that if the Lord has opened my eyes in seeing that I need to take better care of my body that I will seek him to help me along this journey. I will hitch my wagon onto others that have succeeded in living healthy lives.
The best part about all of this is that I am no longer alone on this journey of self improvement. I have someone else willing and able to exercise with me.
I don't know how long it will last since I have a difficult time with self discipline, but I believe in trying and watching the results from it.
If you too are on this journey of self improvement and it has worked for you, I hope you will share your success with me.
Romans 13:12-14
Proverbs 23:20-21
Daniel 1:8,11-16
I found it interesting that if you look in Genesis 1:29; 9:3 most of the original inhabitants of the earth were vegetarians until after the flood. I am not a vegetarian by no means, but it did make me wonder what is good and bad meat?
I am on another journey to learn more about the foods I eat.
What kind of journey are you on for this coming new year, 2012? Please share.
Just about a month ago, I moved into a bigger one bedroom apartment. I am in a little piece of heaven. I have a big kitchen and I am cooking more. I LOVE IT!
I am beginning to take notice of what I am cooking and eating. I see my friend, Robin, losing weight, eating healthy, and being active. I think I've begun to pick up the pounds she is dropping. This isn't good on my part. I've been more tired, lazy, and complacent.
Today, I began reading about a life value goal of making the best use of the body God gave me. I started indulging in the words of Paul, Solomon, and Daniel and have begun thinking more about what I am taking in my body through food and other indulgences in life. I read my friend's blog on eating and eating healthy and have started to change my stinking thinking "in order to lose weight, I have to give up my favorite foods, eat boring things," but what I have found to be true is that I need to ask myself "in what way am I using body and health to glorify God?" Where do I draw the line for consuming unhealthy foods? I have learned that this is a self decision and journey.
I did work out, but I didn't pay attention to what I was/am eating and drinking. I see all these adds on television about weight loss, eating right foods, and joining a program. I don't know what it is going to take for me because I have a busy schedule. I tried working at Curves and love it, but I have a lot on my plate right now.
I believe that if the Lord has opened my eyes in seeing that I need to take better care of my body that I will seek him to help me along this journey. I will hitch my wagon onto others that have succeeded in living healthy lives.
The best part about all of this is that I am no longer alone on this journey of self improvement. I have someone else willing and able to exercise with me.
I don't know how long it will last since I have a difficult time with self discipline, but I believe in trying and watching the results from it.
If you too are on this journey of self improvement and it has worked for you, I hope you will share your success with me.
Romans 13:12-14
Proverbs 23:20-21
Daniel 1:8,11-16
I found it interesting that if you look in Genesis 1:29; 9:3 most of the original inhabitants of the earth were vegetarians until after the flood. I am not a vegetarian by no means, but it did make me wonder what is good and bad meat?
I am on another journey to learn more about the foods I eat.
What kind of journey are you on for this coming new year, 2012? Please share.
Monday, December 26, 2011
How Good or Bad Do You Have It?
As I was eating a bowl of spaghetti, I was reading a story about a young woman who was tortured for 30 days because she was overheard by another woman praying to God. The story reads how she was raped by her owners, became pregnant, then fled from North Korea with a friend. Her friend later died from cold and hunger. Sister Yang's story has much more to tell, however this one woman became a believer in a non-believer's world and then was persecuted for her faith. She in turn looked to the Father of Creation for help. She experienced "faith under pressure," wouldn't you agree?
I looked at my bowl of almost eaten spaghetti and thought "someone is hungry today." My next thought was "she has a purpose in her life."
It raised questions for myself. I know that people have questioned my walk by faith, but I was never hungry to the point of death, I have not been tortured to the extreme of my body turning black and blue, and yet I wonder "what is my purpose Lord?".
We sing "How Great is Our God" without truly knowing Him as a friend or a provider in the darkest times of our lives. We are concerned when our washing machines break or our computers stop working and we want it fixed "NOOOW;" we are a spoiled country. We do not know what it is like to be without sometimes; we forget that there are others without and perishing.
However, with the way our economy in our Putnam County is right now, we are experiencing cold and hunger.
I have seen people in tears; not sure of what will happen tomorrow. Yet have faith enough to know that God will provide and they will experience Him.
Then there are others who mock Him and say "yeah right" under their breathe.
If you are questioning if God cares, He does. If you are desiring more in your life; God is there. If you are willing to surrender, He will hold on to you.
I encourage you to come to know this God of Creation, this Father who loves not like an earthly father, this friend who will never leave you in your darkest times, and wants the BEST for you.
If you know Him and are questioning Him; He already knows you. He hasn't left you. Have you left Him?
I encourage you my friend to grow in the knowledge of God Almighty and allow Him to fill you with truth and healing.
~Be Encouraged
Marjorie
PS. As you walk through your day; would you pray for someone else in the world?
I looked at my bowl of almost eaten spaghetti and thought "someone is hungry today." My next thought was "she has a purpose in her life."
It raised questions for myself. I know that people have questioned my walk by faith, but I was never hungry to the point of death, I have not been tortured to the extreme of my body turning black and blue, and yet I wonder "what is my purpose Lord?".
We sing "How Great is Our God" without truly knowing Him as a friend or a provider in the darkest times of our lives. We are concerned when our washing machines break or our computers stop working and we want it fixed "NOOOW;" we are a spoiled country. We do not know what it is like to be without sometimes; we forget that there are others without and perishing.
However, with the way our economy in our Putnam County is right now, we are experiencing cold and hunger.
I have seen people in tears; not sure of what will happen tomorrow. Yet have faith enough to know that God will provide and they will experience Him.
Then there are others who mock Him and say "yeah right" under their breathe.
If you are questioning if God cares, He does. If you are desiring more in your life; God is there. If you are willing to surrender, He will hold on to you.
I encourage you to come to know this God of Creation, this Father who loves not like an earthly father, this friend who will never leave you in your darkest times, and wants the BEST for you.
If you know Him and are questioning Him; He already knows you. He hasn't left you. Have you left Him?
I encourage you my friend to grow in the knowledge of God Almighty and allow Him to fill you with truth and healing.
~Be Encouraged
Marjorie
PS. As you walk through your day; would you pray for someone else in the world?
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Star Gazing
I had a scene dancing in my head I would like to share with you. Laying in a field of brown grass on your back and a pouch is under your head. You're not camping out, but just enjoying the cool night air with a couple of your friends. The stars appear to be bright yet small because of the distance from you to them. All of a sudden, the stars are transformed to countless angels joyfully singing.
Next, you and your friends are overwhelmed with the sight, you rub your eyes to make sure you are not imagining this scene. You are so amazed by it, you make sure your friends are seeing this too. You are looking up in awe, your palms are sweating, your mind is rushing with thoughts of "how could this be." Then your ears are perked up at the beautiful sounds and wondering what they are singing and then you hear it "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth good will toward men!"
All of a sudden your heart that fell to your feet is picking itself back up and jumping out of your chest with excitement.This is exactly what happened in the beginning of spreading the word about Jesus.
God chose the lowest of lows, the shepherds in the field, to hear about his son being born. He made the announcement in a most supernatural way. If you are a dad, you know how it feels to want to shout it from the stars that your son has arrived. God did just that.
There is great news to be shared not just at Christmas all the time. I encourage you to notice someone today that might be overlooked by others and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
I encourage you today, to rest in the knowledge that there is something bigger than your problems and He can take care of them better than you can.
Last, I encourage you to look at the stars and remember who created them and then thank Him. He'd love to hear from you.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
~Marjorie
To read the whole story pick up a Bible and read Luke 2:18-20; be encouraged.
Next, you and your friends are overwhelmed with the sight, you rub your eyes to make sure you are not imagining this scene. You are so amazed by it, you make sure your friends are seeing this too. You are looking up in awe, your palms are sweating, your mind is rushing with thoughts of "how could this be." Then your ears are perked up at the beautiful sounds and wondering what they are singing and then you hear it "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth good will toward men!"
All of a sudden your heart that fell to your feet is picking itself back up and jumping out of your chest with excitement.This is exactly what happened in the beginning of spreading the word about Jesus.
God chose the lowest of lows, the shepherds in the field, to hear about his son being born. He made the announcement in a most supernatural way. If you are a dad, you know how it feels to want to shout it from the stars that your son has arrived. God did just that.
There is great news to be shared not just at Christmas all the time. I encourage you to notice someone today that might be overlooked by others and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
I encourage you today, to rest in the knowledge that there is something bigger than your problems and He can take care of them better than you can.
Last, I encourage you to look at the stars and remember who created them and then thank Him. He'd love to hear from you.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
~Marjorie
To read the whole story pick up a Bible and read Luke 2:18-20; be encouraged.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A Much Bigger Picture
Did you know that I worked in retail sales for over 25 years? Since the age of 14, I worked in some sort of store and the Christmas season was the busiest time. This year I've been in a different "season" of Christmas, one of learning with growth.
These past two weeks at work, 91.3 Hope FM, we've been working on the Christmas Wish List program. It works this way. If you or someone you know has a Christmas Wish but cannot fulfill it, write to us and we will ask the Lord to provide via the community.
It has been overwhelming with over 31 responses within our community. The Lord, through us and others, have fulfilled all of them. We cannot fulfill any more.
I have picked up the responsibility of making sure presents are wrapped and no child goes without. I have spoken to recipients after their wishes have been fulfilled and sitting with them as their heart breaks with joy and peace all at the same time. I too have cried with them. I have also sat with the givers who have tears in their eyes, joy in their hearts, and
a smile from ear to ear. It has been a wonderful time of the year.
Looking back, there were times I got upset and for what I don't know. Perhaps the hustle and bustle of getting other things around me accomplished, and making sure all my i's were dotted and t's were crossed. I found myself exhausted, upset, and disgruntled. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy (and enjoyed) all that I have done and seen through this event.
My prayer is that if one person who didn't listen to God's word, experience His love, recognize Him before, or even understand what this season was about; they do now. It is about a much bigger picture than our temporary things. It's about loving and caring for others. God loves you so much that He gave His perfect gift; He is the ultimate giver.
I've learned that Christmas isn't about the presents under the tree or the family you are around, but it's about giving year round and loving others despite myself.
I've also taken time to really read the scriptures of the birth of Jesus and the events that took place. For instance, when the wise men arrived on the scene. Did you know they weren't at the manger? They visited Joseph and Mary in a house. The wise men didn't come to worship Mary, they came to worship a King; King Jesus, Jesus Christ, Son of God.
Mary was a servant girl who truly became a selfless giver herself to God Almighty.
Joseph was a man of compassion and mercy and not a man ready to throw a woman into death and destruction.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were poor and needed help. God provided all their needs; just like Putnam County has been used by God to provided others in their needs.
I have been humbled and thankful for all that God has provided for me.
My home might be drafty and cold in the morning, but it is my shelter. My cupboards may not have all that I need in them, but I have food. I may not have a lot of pretty things, but I have my necessities because the Lord has provided all that I need.
What have you learned from this season? What have you done this season for someone else or for yourself that was different from last year?
No matter what that might be, I hope you find the true meaning of giving and not giving just this one time a year.
Christmas doesn't come from a store. I hope that the heart that was one time so small will grow three sizes than before and you will pay it forward.
May God's love shine on your today.
~Marjorie
J - Jesus
O -Others
Y -You
Hope you have joy today.
These past two weeks at work, 91.3 Hope FM, we've been working on the Christmas Wish List program. It works this way. If you or someone you know has a Christmas Wish but cannot fulfill it, write to us and we will ask the Lord to provide via the community.
It has been overwhelming with over 31 responses within our community. The Lord, through us and others, have fulfilled all of them. We cannot fulfill any more.
I have picked up the responsibility of making sure presents are wrapped and no child goes without. I have spoken to recipients after their wishes have been fulfilled and sitting with them as their heart breaks with joy and peace all at the same time. I too have cried with them. I have also sat with the givers who have tears in their eyes, joy in their hearts, and
a smile from ear to ear. It has been a wonderful time of the year.
Looking back, there were times I got upset and for what I don't know. Perhaps the hustle and bustle of getting other things around me accomplished, and making sure all my i's were dotted and t's were crossed. I found myself exhausted, upset, and disgruntled. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy (and enjoyed) all that I have done and seen through this event.
My prayer is that if one person who didn't listen to God's word, experience His love, recognize Him before, or even understand what this season was about; they do now. It is about a much bigger picture than our temporary things. It's about loving and caring for others. God loves you so much that He gave His perfect gift; He is the ultimate giver.
I've learned that Christmas isn't about the presents under the tree or the family you are around, but it's about giving year round and loving others despite myself.
I've also taken time to really read the scriptures of the birth of Jesus and the events that took place. For instance, when the wise men arrived on the scene. Did you know they weren't at the manger? They visited Joseph and Mary in a house. The wise men didn't come to worship Mary, they came to worship a King; King Jesus, Jesus Christ, Son of God.
Mary was a servant girl who truly became a selfless giver herself to God Almighty.
Joseph was a man of compassion and mercy and not a man ready to throw a woman into death and destruction.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were poor and needed help. God provided all their needs; just like Putnam County has been used by God to provided others in their needs.
I have been humbled and thankful for all that God has provided for me.
My home might be drafty and cold in the morning, but it is my shelter. My cupboards may not have all that I need in them, but I have food. I may not have a lot of pretty things, but I have my necessities because the Lord has provided all that I need.
What have you learned from this season? What have you done this season for someone else or for yourself that was different from last year?
No matter what that might be, I hope you find the true meaning of giving and not giving just this one time a year.
Christmas doesn't come from a store. I hope that the heart that was one time so small will grow three sizes than before and you will pay it forward.
May God's love shine on your today.
~Marjorie
J - Jesus
O -Others
Y -You
Hope you have joy today.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Experiencing God
God has me on a wonderful journey with Him and I hope you are too. If you don't know Him, if you fear Him, or want to know more about Him. Spend time with Him, ask God questions, and allow Him to show Himself to you. It is worth your time.
I didn't know exactly how much God loved me/loves me. I have been working on a study "Experiencing God" with my church. Because of this my relationship with God has gotten deeper. I have learned to ask questions differently, look for and ask God how He wants me to respond to what I have learned, and I look at people and situations differently. I can honestly say I have grown up a little. I am not being vein. The bible says that we grow up from milk to meat.
I recognized that God has had a calling on my life since I was created. I was just to eager to get out the door and do my own thing to recognize it when I was young.
Now, I do believe that the Lord wants to use me to show just how powerful He can work through an ordinary life like mine. I surrender with my whole heart and mind to God; my life belongs to Him.
Much of my life I searched for love in all the wrong places and spaces. Looking back now, I know that God has been with me the whole time I was on the wide road. But now, now I know God is working in my life. He is giving me direction to fulfill His purpose for my life. He has given me a life partner to grow with, experience God together, and to discover new things in life with.
I like the movie "Fiddler on the Roof." The town has a match maker who pairs couples up, she's pretty good with what she does, but there was a girl who didn't want to be paired up with whom she set her up with. Love came into the mix of things. There is no other match maker like God the Father; the God of love. He put Adam and Eve together, Mary and Joseph, as well as Elizabeth and Zachariah. From the beginning God had a plan to use their lives as one to accomplish His great plans. God gave them a life partner with a unique calling on their lives. The spouses worked together as one to accomplish His purposes and be glorified in it.
I have learned that marriage is not just a human contract or signed piece of paper, but a covenant, a spiritual contract, a tie that binds you with God. If it is not of God, it's not going to prosper. It can with prayer and Christ Jesus; be encouraged.
I can say that I am learning to compromise, but not give in. Rodney and I recognize that we are hearing from God and experiencing Him in our discussions, desires, and daily walk. We are very excited about the love we have for one another. It's not this immature, lost my mind, gotta get what I can from the other type of love. It's a true caring and deeply moved emotion. We have talked about how God has matched us and how life is falling into place for us as a couple. We regularly pray for and with one another, we ask questions about our beliefs and the bible, and we give to each other.
I love the Lord more and He knows this, as Rodney loves the Lord more than me. We want it this way. We know who to turn to when life gets rough, and there are holes in the other.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. All we, Rodney and I, want to do is share it with others together.
Marriage is God joining a man and a woman together to create unity to accomplish His purpose.
Matthew 19:4-6
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’'5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Isn't God good?
~Marjorie
I didn't know exactly how much God loved me/loves me. I have been working on a study "Experiencing God" with my church. Because of this my relationship with God has gotten deeper. I have learned to ask questions differently, look for and ask God how He wants me to respond to what I have learned, and I look at people and situations differently. I can honestly say I have grown up a little. I am not being vein. The bible says that we grow up from milk to meat.
I recognized that God has had a calling on my life since I was created. I was just to eager to get out the door and do my own thing to recognize it when I was young.
Now, I do believe that the Lord wants to use me to show just how powerful He can work through an ordinary life like mine. I surrender with my whole heart and mind to God; my life belongs to Him.
Much of my life I searched for love in all the wrong places and spaces. Looking back now, I know that God has been with me the whole time I was on the wide road. But now, now I know God is working in my life. He is giving me direction to fulfill His purpose for my life. He has given me a life partner to grow with, experience God together, and to discover new things in life with.
I like the movie "Fiddler on the Roof." The town has a match maker who pairs couples up, she's pretty good with what she does, but there was a girl who didn't want to be paired up with whom she set her up with. Love came into the mix of things. There is no other match maker like God the Father; the God of love. He put Adam and Eve together, Mary and Joseph, as well as Elizabeth and Zachariah. From the beginning God had a plan to use their lives as one to accomplish His great plans. God gave them a life partner with a unique calling on their lives. The spouses worked together as one to accomplish His purposes and be glorified in it.
I have learned that marriage is not just a human contract or signed piece of paper, but a covenant, a spiritual contract, a tie that binds you with God. If it is not of God, it's not going to prosper. It can with prayer and Christ Jesus; be encouraged.
I can say that I am learning to compromise, but not give in. Rodney and I recognize that we are hearing from God and experiencing Him in our discussions, desires, and daily walk. We are very excited about the love we have for one another. It's not this immature, lost my mind, gotta get what I can from the other type of love. It's a true caring and deeply moved emotion. We have talked about how God has matched us and how life is falling into place for us as a couple. We regularly pray for and with one another, we ask questions about our beliefs and the bible, and we give to each other.
I love the Lord more and He knows this, as Rodney loves the Lord more than me. We want it this way. We know who to turn to when life gets rough, and there are holes in the other.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. All we, Rodney and I, want to do is share it with others together.
Marriage is God joining a man and a woman together to create unity to accomplish His purpose.
Matthew 19:4-6
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’'5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Isn't God good?
~Marjorie
Questioning God
Most of us know Mary, the mother of Jesus. Have you ever really stopped to think of Mary as a heroin? We are not to worship her, but use her example.
Think about this and see if you can relate it to your own life.
Have you experienced fears in your life? Fear is an emotion created in you for a reason. If there is a fear of danger in your presence you will probably take notice of it and get out of the way. Have you ever experienced a fear and questioned God about it? That is what Mary did.
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
She freely asked God a question with freedom, the great news is that God can handle all of our questions. Fear and doubt can actually keep us from a deeper relations with God. We've bought into the lie that God is uncaring and begrudging. Mary went straight to the source with her confusion and emotions, she was honest in her response after being told the Holy Spirit was going to come upon her and the power of God was going to overshadow her for the Holy One to be born, Jesus Christ. I believe if that if an angel appeared to you, you'd be a little frightened and confused too. No more could Mary hide her heart's confusion than we can. We've all bit into the lie that we can hide from God, but he already knows our fears, doubts, confusion and questions. We just need to be strong and courageous in approaching Him and trusting in Him to receive us.
There are two types of questions. There are the questions that are filled with accusation or vain insistence and questions that interact and engage.
Looking at the way Mary handled questioning God has helped me to change my questions towards Him too.
Recently in prayer I had a few questions for God. Normally my questions would sound something like accusation "Lord, if you want this to happen then I need this, this, and this." Instead, my prayers changed to "Lord, I know you have done this thing and I know you have a plan. I choose to surrender to your will.I ask you Holy Spirit to show me what to do because I believe you will supply all that I need to accomplish your purpose. What do I do next?"
God spoke to stars into existence, he set the moon and sun into place. We can't limit God if we do, we limit all that He wants to give us.
This season I am taking notice that God used the lowest of lows to accomplish His purpose. A young woman, an older man, shepherds, a stinky stable, and perhaps a wooden crate to sleep in for a manger. He can use you and me; if we could change our accusing questions into engaging questions, but none the less He can handle our questions and He will answer us.
What are you asking for today and how are you asking Him? I encourage you to not be afraid to ask God anything. He is loving, caring, kind, gentle, and most of all love and in love with you.
~Marjorie
Think about this and see if you can relate it to your own life.
Have you experienced fears in your life? Fear is an emotion created in you for a reason. If there is a fear of danger in your presence you will probably take notice of it and get out of the way. Have you ever experienced a fear and questioned God about it? That is what Mary did.
Luke 1:34-37
New King James Version (NKJV)
She freely asked God a question with freedom, the great news is that God can handle all of our questions. Fear and doubt can actually keep us from a deeper relations with God. We've bought into the lie that God is uncaring and begrudging. Mary went straight to the source with her confusion and emotions, she was honest in her response after being told the Holy Spirit was going to come upon her and the power of God was going to overshadow her for the Holy One to be born, Jesus Christ. I believe if that if an angel appeared to you, you'd be a little frightened and confused too. No more could Mary hide her heart's confusion than we can. We've all bit into the lie that we can hide from God, but he already knows our fears, doubts, confusion and questions. We just need to be strong and courageous in approaching Him and trusting in Him to receive us.
There are two types of questions. There are the questions that are filled with accusation or vain insistence and questions that interact and engage.
Looking at the way Mary handled questioning God has helped me to change my questions towards Him too.
Recently in prayer I had a few questions for God. Normally my questions would sound something like accusation "Lord, if you want this to happen then I need this, this, and this." Instead, my prayers changed to "Lord, I know you have done this thing and I know you have a plan. I choose to surrender to your will.I ask you Holy Spirit to show me what to do because I believe you will supply all that I need to accomplish your purpose. What do I do next?"
God spoke to stars into existence, he set the moon and sun into place. We can't limit God if we do, we limit all that He wants to give us.
This season I am taking notice that God used the lowest of lows to accomplish His purpose. A young woman, an older man, shepherds, a stinky stable, and perhaps a wooden crate to sleep in for a manger. He can use you and me; if we could change our accusing questions into engaging questions, but none the less He can handle our questions and He will answer us.
What are you asking for today and how are you asking Him? I encourage you to not be afraid to ask God anything. He is loving, caring, kind, gentle, and most of all love and in love with you.
~Marjorie
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I Can't Never Could..Why?
As I was in conversation with the Lord this morning, He has me pondering on the following questions and thoughts. I want to share them with you.
Do you think about what you are thinking about? Do you truly listen to the words that you speak? I, the Lord, tell you that life and death are in the power of the tongue. You have a tongue and you can choose for good things or bad things to happen in your life.
I, the Lord, tell you that nothing in impossible with God, but you continuously say "I can't."
Why do I give the Lord Lordship over my life when I limit Him? This question is heavy on my heart today.
By saying I can't do something is saying that I agree with the enemy, Satan. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Therefore, if I am limiting God to work in my life, then God's BEST just might be taken away because of choices.
The Lord tells us to take every thought captive. Therefore, before a word is spoken, it would be best to think about what we just thought about, right? Why? What the Lord revealed to me is that once we speak what we just thought, we could have changed the course of our life forever. The words "I can't" or "I am unable to" can be a real killer when God wants to do an amazing thing in our lives
Just for today, I challenge you to take every thought captive, to believe in what God says you can do and watch life and death happen in your world. Yes, I accept my own challenge as well.
I don't know about you, but by accepting this choice of good fruit today, I am excited to see what Jesus is going to do in my life. I hope you will send me a message letting me know how your day went or what good / bad things happened in your life.
~Marjorie
Do you think about what you are thinking about? Do you truly listen to the words that you speak? I, the Lord, tell you that life and death are in the power of the tongue. You have a tongue and you can choose for good things or bad things to happen in your life.
I, the Lord, tell you that nothing in impossible with God, but you continuously say "I can't."
Why do I give the Lord Lordship over my life when I limit Him? This question is heavy on my heart today.
By saying I can't do something is saying that I agree with the enemy, Satan. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Therefore, if I am limiting God to work in my life, then God's BEST just might be taken away because of choices.
The Lord tells us to take every thought captive. Therefore, before a word is spoken, it would be best to think about what we just thought about, right? Why? What the Lord revealed to me is that once we speak what we just thought, we could have changed the course of our life forever. The words "I can't" or "I am unable to" can be a real killer when God wants to do an amazing thing in our lives
Just for today, I challenge you to take every thought captive, to believe in what God says you can do and watch life and death happen in your world. Yes, I accept my own challenge as well.
I don't know about you, but by accepting this choice of good fruit today, I am excited to see what Jesus is going to do in my life. I hope you will send me a message letting me know how your day went or what good / bad things happened in your life.
~Marjorie
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - 2 Corinthians 10:5
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, - Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
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