Sat, Jan 7th, our worship team had a meeting and we discussed the means of Praise vs. Worship and after this meeting God kept stirring up something inside of me for the rest of the day that I could not shake. The reason is because there are many changes about to take place in this next few months for me and I believe he is preparing me for what is to come and I need to be ready.
1.) joining the praise team at church
2.) walking into a new dept that is negative and doesn't know Jesus
3.) receiving my new job and promotion
Sun, Jan 8th, I woke up with a need to worship more, a need to be in his presence so that I can prepare myself for these next few months. So I prayed this morning to forgive me of all my sins and for not being in his presence the way that I should be and so this was STEP #1. Step #2 was praying with my fellow praise and worship leaders about this situation and how I am going to fix that and so each morning, I am dedicating 15 additional minutes in the morning to do so, my alone time with God at 5:45 am. Yes it is a challenge but God is going to strengthen me like never before during these next months.
As my church and I are doing a Bible Reading Plan of reading Psalms 1-20 in 20 days there was a scripture that I would like to tie into my morning reading time - Psalms 5:3 - In the morning, Lord, your hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly and Psalms 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy as well as Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast; my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. This will be my time of worship listening to what he has for me for my 3 changes that are going to take place in the months to come.
With new promotions come bigger responsibilities and I need to be in his presence even more to embrace these three changes that are going to taking place.
First, I thank him for his pouring into me within these last 2 days and that I have been sensitive to hear what he has for me. I am turning my distressing experiences into song, to the Glory of God with NO MORE EXCUSES! How awesome is that!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Daily Devotional - Arise from the wreckage
The title seems a bit alarming....let's find out. Great verse to begin with:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Don't we all feel shipwrecked at times....God wants to test us to see what kind of Faith we have....what soil are you standing at. I am standing on the SOLID ROCK! Oooo how powerful this is!
I remember being blown around my someone else's sin....it is so crazy, it is root-binding....it can follow you through ministry....be careful to not allow the enemy's plan to be rooted into your life, it happened to me in the ministry. Sad but true.
Prayer and Praise....what a relief to be removed from the things that bind us daily and all we have to do is pray and lift up his holy name in PRAISE!
What an awesome devo today....LOVE IT!
God kept His promise to work all things together for the good of this man who loved Him and was called according to His purposes. As Paul depended on God and trusted His faithfulness in the midst of his adversity, many witnessed God’s power and believed.
And the same is true for us. God doesn’t waste our pain, our rejection or our “shipwrecks.” He uses them to bring about His plan—to position us so that others can see His transforming power at work in our lives and believe in the living God.
If that’s true, and it is, then our challenge is to rise from the wreckage, like Paul, so that our lives will give testimony that draws others to the Jesus. Today I will no longer sit on the sidelines of life full of self-pity. I choose to rise, pray and praise, so that God can position me to shine for His glory, and so that others will believe.
Dear Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity and rejection. I trust that You see the bigger picture. I believe there is a purpose for my pain. Strengthen me to rise from my ashes so that others will see You are my help and my salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Don't we all feel shipwrecked at times....God wants to test us to see what kind of Faith we have....what soil are you standing at. I am standing on the SOLID ROCK! Oooo how powerful this is!
I remember being blown around my someone else's sin....it is so crazy, it is root-binding....it can follow you through ministry....be careful to not allow the enemy's plan to be rooted into your life, it happened to me in the ministry. Sad but true.
Prayer and Praise....what a relief to be removed from the things that bind us daily and all we have to do is pray and lift up his holy name in PRAISE!
What an awesome devo today....LOVE IT!
God kept His promise to work all things together for the good of this man who loved Him and was called according to His purposes. As Paul depended on God and trusted His faithfulness in the midst of his adversity, many witnessed God’s power and believed.
And the same is true for us. God doesn’t waste our pain, our rejection or our “shipwrecks.” He uses them to bring about His plan—to position us so that others can see His transforming power at work in our lives and believe in the living God.
If that’s true, and it is, then our challenge is to rise from the wreckage, like Paul, so that our lives will give testimony that draws others to the Jesus. Today I will no longer sit on the sidelines of life full of self-pity. I choose to rise, pray and praise, so that God can position me to shine for His glory, and so that others will believe.
Dear Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity and rejection. I trust that You see the bigger picture. I believe there is a purpose for my pain. Strengthen me to rise from my ashes so that others will see You are my help and my salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Daily Devotional - Monday, 8/22 - Planning to Rest
OMG - this is what Crystal was just talking to me about yesterday - how amazing, how plainly God speaks to us, this actual verse (she learned about it on Saturday when she went to service with her friend.)
“He said to them, ‘This is what the LORD commanded: “Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.” Exodus 16:23(NIV)
This verse came to life yesterday when Hector realized how tired I was and you know what he told me, let's look at your budget and schedule for the maids to come right before Christian's b-day so that you don't have to work so much, isn't this amazing? God is so wonderful and shows us in such small ways. That just touched my heart so much.
We just have to stop, take the time and rest so that we are not so overwhelmed.
The Sabbath is a gift from a loving heavenly Father to His children. It is a day to breathe a sigh of relief, and rest from our labors. It is a day to soak in the companionship of those we love. My spirit, mind and body long for rest. - What an awesome way of describing the Sabbath, I love it.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I have made excuses and dishonored Your Sabbath. I know You gave me this day as a gift, and I have often rejected it in favor of my own way. Help me to plan the rest of the week wisely so that I’m prepared for a day of rest. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me another chance to obey You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - AWESOME PRAYER, I am so blessed to be saved by grace! Hallelujah!
“He said to them, ‘This is what the LORD commanded: “Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.” Exodus 16:23(NIV)
This verse came to life yesterday when Hector realized how tired I was and you know what he told me, let's look at your budget and schedule for the maids to come right before Christian's b-day so that you don't have to work so much, isn't this amazing? God is so wonderful and shows us in such small ways. That just touched my heart so much.
We just have to stop, take the time and rest so that we are not so overwhelmed.
The Sabbath is a gift from a loving heavenly Father to His children. It is a day to breathe a sigh of relief, and rest from our labors. It is a day to soak in the companionship of those we love. My spirit, mind and body long for rest. - What an awesome way of describing the Sabbath, I love it.
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I have made excuses and dishonored Your Sabbath. I know You gave me this day as a gift, and I have often rejected it in favor of my own way. Help me to plan the rest of the week wisely so that I’m prepared for a day of rest. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me another chance to obey You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - AWESOME PRAYER, I am so blessed to be saved by grace! Hallelujah!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Daily Devotional - It Just Takes One
What is that “one” thing you are waiting for God to send you right now? The peace that I want to have with certain things in my life. It is so awesome that it just takes "one" thing from God to make life better.
The need to believe, the need to walk in his prescence knowing we are free, the need to hear what he has to say to us. I love to focus on God's promises so that I can continue to focus on him at all times!
It just took one— one sacrifice, one resurrection, one hope for eternity. Humanity cried out for restoration and God responded by sending that One. (I love this!)
Mel - your one thing happened today - Praise the Lord! Happy for you! :-)
Whether it is a sold sign in your yard or healing in a relationship; turn to the Creator of all things with whatever is on your heart. Spend today reflecting on that one sacrifice He made on your behalf, because of His unfailing love for you. Trust Him to do what is best for you—whatever His answer may be—and live in expectation of the abundant life He has promised.
Dear Lord, help me to trust in You to send the answers I need. Help me to take my eyes off my circumstances and focus solely on You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your precious Son so that I could have salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The need to believe, the need to walk in his prescence knowing we are free, the need to hear what he has to say to us. I love to focus on God's promises so that I can continue to focus on him at all times!
It just took one— one sacrifice, one resurrection, one hope for eternity. Humanity cried out for restoration and God responded by sending that One. (I love this!)
Mel - your one thing happened today - Praise the Lord! Happy for you! :-)
Whether it is a sold sign in your yard or healing in a relationship; turn to the Creator of all things with whatever is on your heart. Spend today reflecting on that one sacrifice He made on your behalf, because of His unfailing love for you. Trust Him to do what is best for you—whatever His answer may be—and live in expectation of the abundant life He has promised.
Dear Lord, help me to trust in You to send the answers I need. Help me to take my eyes off my circumstances and focus solely on You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your precious Son so that I could have salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tuesday's devotional - A Kindred Spirit
Awww, I barely have any friends because the majority have never been faithful or don't have the kindred spirit that this devotional is talking about.
"Whatever you say, I will do for you" (20:4). That's the promise of an intimate friend.
Friends won't talk against you. No pettiness, no envy, no jealousy. What a powerful message about friends....if only we all carried the kindred spirit. I miss some of my friends and can only pray for those that I miss to have this spirit.
"Whatever you say, I will do for you" (20:4). That's the promise of an intimate friend.
Friends won't talk against you. No pettiness, no envy, no jealousy. What a powerful message about friends....if only we all carried the kindred spirit. I miss some of my friends and can only pray for those that I miss to have this spirit.
Monday's devotional - Don't do it
I know that for some people this one is a little different and may apply to some and not to others but the sexual sin can happen to anyone or everyone. This devotional talked about adultery in general and how Satan traps us into it.
This line sums it up into three words...Don't do it! Don't allow Satan to trap you and fall into an adulterous situation. Trust in God and keep him before you at all times and you will not fall into this type of temptation.
I know this devotion is not for everybody. But if there is one woman out of the 200,000 or so that receive our Girlfriends in God devotions every day…just one woman who will turn away from the temptation that is knocking on her door today, then it is worth it.
Don’t do it. Turn to God and allow Him to fill the emptiness in your heart today. He’s waiting with open arms.
Let’s Pray
Dear God, I pray that I will be alert to the devil’s schemes today. Help me to see when and where he is tempting me to sin against You. Give me the strength to flee temptation and run straight into Your arms. I cannot do this on my own. I need the power of Your Holy Spirit to empower me to do what is right and good in Your sight. Thank You for being all that I need.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
This line sums it up into three words...Don't do it! Don't allow Satan to trap you and fall into an adulterous situation. Trust in God and keep him before you at all times and you will not fall into this type of temptation.
I know this devotion is not for everybody. But if there is one woman out of the 200,000 or so that receive our Girlfriends in God devotions every day…just one woman who will turn away from the temptation that is knocking on her door today, then it is worth it.
Don’t do it. Turn to God and allow Him to fill the emptiness in your heart today. He’s waiting with open arms.
Let’s Pray
Dear God, I pray that I will be alert to the devil’s schemes today. Help me to see when and where he is tempting me to sin against You. Give me the strength to flee temptation and run straight into Your arms. I cannot do this on my own. I need the power of Your Holy Spirit to empower me to do what is right and good in Your sight. Thank You for being all that I need.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Friday, July 29, 2011
Daily Devotional - Friends with Benefits
Oh my goodness.....this one is talking to me specifically....WOW! There have been situations that have been occuring at my church that causes me to look at Christians differently and if we are living the way God would want us to live. Another words.....judging others by their actions and wondering if my family should be a part of something that just doesn't look pure and so this has been a struggle for me because I believe that we should live pure and serve Christ correctly. This devotional made me think and all I can do is do my part and let them take care of their own actions.
Here is the devotional so that you can understand what I am talking about: (my daughter went to see Harry Potter last night, our worship leader drinks, he says WTF at all times(acronym only), worship team drinks and smokes, etc.)
Friends with Benefits
by Stephen Sanders, Salem A/V Editor
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. -1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV)
Anyone who has been a Christian for an amount of time has probably experienced an unfriendly encounter with another believer. It’s just inevitable. People have bad days, become influenced by the wrong things and make the wrong decision sometimes. Christians, in our culture specifically, also have a tendency to be very judgmental...and that is probably a bigger problem than most of us realize.
In recent months, I’ve seen really strong arguments online about a variety of issues. Here are a few:
-Can someone watch Harry Potter movies and still be a Christian?
-Can someone drink an alcoholic beverage from time to time and still be a Christian?
-Is it God’s will for all Christians to be rich?
-Should Christians take medicine for illness or trust God for healing?
-Why did God create people that He knew would go to hell?
As you read some of these, you probably immediately formed an opinion based on what you have found to be “true” in the Bible or in your Christian walk. Maybe you have spent countless hours stewing over and standing for one of the sides to these arguments because you feel so strongly about them. You could be one of the few people who don’t get caught up in such arguments and, for that, I salute you. But, regardless of who you are, there is a very important lesson to learn from all of this.
God has made it perfectly clear in the Bible that it is His will for Christians to be a light to this world. He has called us to be a people who draw the lost to Him, who share the Good News with those around us in order for them to be reconciled to Him. Those who are not Christians should look at us and see a group of people who love one another. This we know.
However, there are some things that we do not know for sure. We have not been given the ability to look into the hearts of other Christians and know what motivates them. It is absolutely impossible for any of us to walk in the same shoes as those around us come to the same conclusions about the issues of life. But isn’t it funny how sometimes we still try?
Is Harry Potter something that Satan could use to pull a believer closer to him? Perhaps, but I think that he would be far more likely to use something or somebody far more unlikely to do it...like another believer. Could a Christian become addicted to alcohol and do damage to himself and others around him? Yes, but could a Christian also practice moderation and shame the devil? Definitely. Did God create people that He knew would go to hell? If so, does that really change the way we have been called to behave and minister to those around us? Absolutely not.
Here is the devotional so that you can understand what I am talking about: (my daughter went to see Harry Potter last night, our worship leader drinks, he says WTF at all times(acronym only), worship team drinks and smokes, etc.)
Friends with Benefits
by Stephen Sanders, Salem A/V Editor
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. -1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV)
Anyone who has been a Christian for an amount of time has probably experienced an unfriendly encounter with another believer. It’s just inevitable. People have bad days, become influenced by the wrong things and make the wrong decision sometimes. Christians, in our culture specifically, also have a tendency to be very judgmental...and that is probably a bigger problem than most of us realize.
In recent months, I’ve seen really strong arguments online about a variety of issues. Here are a few:
-Can someone watch Harry Potter movies and still be a Christian?
-Can someone drink an alcoholic beverage from time to time and still be a Christian?
-Is it God’s will for all Christians to be rich?
-Should Christians take medicine for illness or trust God for healing?
-Why did God create people that He knew would go to hell?
As you read some of these, you probably immediately formed an opinion based on what you have found to be “true” in the Bible or in your Christian walk. Maybe you have spent countless hours stewing over and standing for one of the sides to these arguments because you feel so strongly about them. You could be one of the few people who don’t get caught up in such arguments and, for that, I salute you. But, regardless of who you are, there is a very important lesson to learn from all of this.
God has made it perfectly clear in the Bible that it is His will for Christians to be a light to this world. He has called us to be a people who draw the lost to Him, who share the Good News with those around us in order for them to be reconciled to Him. Those who are not Christians should look at us and see a group of people who love one another. This we know.
However, there are some things that we do not know for sure. We have not been given the ability to look into the hearts of other Christians and know what motivates them. It is absolutely impossible for any of us to walk in the same shoes as those around us come to the same conclusions about the issues of life. But isn’t it funny how sometimes we still try?
Is Harry Potter something that Satan could use to pull a believer closer to him? Perhaps, but I think that he would be far more likely to use something or somebody far more unlikely to do it...like another believer. Could a Christian become addicted to alcohol and do damage to himself and others around him? Yes, but could a Christian also practice moderation and shame the devil? Definitely. Did God create people that He knew would go to hell? If so, does that really change the way we have been called to behave and minister to those around us? Absolutely not.
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