Saturday, February 23, 2013

February 23, 2013

Good morning all-

Well, in the last couple days Kansas has received a record snowfall and we may just be out of our drought.  AMEN!  There is a lot to be grateful for in this life and although snow makes the roads a mess, I love the beauty and majesty of it.  It reminds me who is in control and why we serve Him.

Snow is a symbol of purity.  It is a cleansing of the earth.  Lately, I feel like I need a cleansing of the heart, soul and mind.  I walk a good walk but my heart just hasn't been in it.  I have had many things on my mind, like changing jobs, insurance, the boys and my marriage.  All of these accumulate to me trying to control every aspect and not really doing a great job of any of them.

Yesterday, once again I was reminded of my humanness and my need to give it all to Christ.  Usually, I am a good servant but through the snow storm I found myself wanting to be rebellious.  My husband and children love me to serve and most of the time I do it willingly but lately, I have wanted someone to serve me.  I would love if my load was a little lighter.  Anyone that is taking care of someone knows exactly what I'm saying.  It's not that you don't want to do things for others,  you just wish someone would do something for you.  I realize that and have even repented of this selfishness.  I knew last night that this rebelliousness inside was going to roll up to one big tantrum and that's not what I want.  I want to be a woman that serves as Jesus did.  I want to give my life for others and know that through my love and sacrifice, Christ will be shown.

As I was reflecting on yesterday, I decided to get into my Bible this morning and really delve into Christ.  What does it mean to follow Him?  Paul understood.  His life was not easy and yet, he found joy in Christ.  His whole goal was to serve the Lord in any capacity he could, which is demonstrated in the letters to the church.  So, I got into Philippians Chapter 2 and really started to pick it apart.  I have written some of the Scripture in posts lately but putting it all together really made me think about Christ and His servanthood.  I know He serves me and served me on the cross.  I get it in my mind but when I have to do it, that's a whole different story.  I realized this morning that I'm not the selfless person I believed myself to be and it was all spelled out for me in one chapter.

I want to serve the Lord with all my heart and become His woman.  I desire to be in His presence and to know what His will is for my life.  I can't imagine a day without Him and I want my faith to be like David's, so that when my Goliath comes, I'm ready.  In some ways, I have been facing those giants and doing a poor job of beating them.  Why do I always question, when I know the answer?  I'm not sure, I guess I'm truly human and make truly human mistakes but I need to correct them and stop before my rebellious nature takes away from the Lord's great plan.

Maybe you are dealing with other issues in your life.  There are so many.  This just happens to be my challenge today.  As I take note, I realize that all of my needs are unimportant and my growth in Jesus takes the lead.  I may not know much but I know that Jesus came and sacrificed His life for me.  He put Himself on a cross and died a horrid death so that I would come to know Him.  He gave up His right for an easy life and took one of suffering and strife so that we could identify with Him and make Him known.  It's all He asks.  To spread the word and to bring His news to the world.  And to remember that this life wasn't meant to bring us everything we want, for it's His life that paid our ransom.  Therefore, we owe Him the honor of serving those He has placed in our lives and to find faith in Him.  I am grateful for the ability to read His word and to be convicted for my failings.  My greatest desire is to know Him better and to become more like Him in mind, body and spirit.  So for today, I found Him once again through Paul's letter to the church.  He has reminded me that every challenge and ever circumstance is a learning lesson for me.  I give Him all the glory today and pray that you will too.

I love you my sisters and I count you as treasures in my life.  I hope that God will reveal to you something that changes your life today and that as you seek Him, you will find Him.

Philippians Chapter 2 NLT:

     Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?  Any comfort from his love?  Any fellowship together in the Spirit?  Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

     Don't be selfish, don't try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interest, but take an interest in others, too.  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

     Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. 

     Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, forgive me for my rebellion and selfishness.  Hold me accountable all my days and help me to be Your servant.  I have forgotten myself and have put my wants above Your wants.  I am humbled by Your love and Your sacrifice for my life and for those that have gone before me.  I ask that You take the words from this letter and penetrate the hearts of Your daughters.  Please don't let Paul's words go unnoticed in our lives.   He understood the power behind the cross and was not afraid to state it.  He faced great challenges with dignity and honor and I pray that we can all do the same.  During his time, he persecuted your people and yet, you saw fit to make him our guide.  What a marvelous God you are!   I am so thankful that You took me into Philippians this morning and that You enlightened me on my faults.  I have been wrong and I know it.  I pray that Your forgiveness will challenge me and help me forgive those that I'm resentful of.  I just pray that people would see Your great mercy and love and that together we would spread the Good News!  I am forever in Your debt and come before You asking that You lift me up and help me be Your woman.  Help the ladies in all nations come before You.  We may not speak the same language but You hear all our prayers.  Let us unite for one goal and that goal is to speak of our wonderful Maker.  May we be blessed as we bless others.  Come before us Lord and make us new!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

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