Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Tuesday Meditation


How is your week going so far friends?

Its been fabulous over here so far! I set up our Christmas tree last night and have had the Christmas tunes on blast all week. I am determined to draw out this most wonderful time of year as long as possible! I also have a super fun weekend ahead with some of my favorite people that has put an extra pep in my step as well.

My meditation this week is another of my favorites and I was reminded of it in church this week so I thought I would go ahead and share it with you.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP)
33 But seek ([a]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([b]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [c]taken together will be given you besides.


In my own life, throughout each different season there are things (material things, jobs, finances, relationships, etc) that I am praying and believing for. Sometimes to the extent that I make that particular want or need my focus.

I worry and stress.
Try to control the situation to make it go the way I want.
Lose sleep trying to determine what the eventual outcome will be.

Many times these prayers have to do with material things or finances. Especially since I am now a stay at home mom and we have a more limited budget than we once did.

Through this verse and others God has taught me to seek him for who he is instead of what he can do for me.

Learning more about who God is and what it means to really trust him has changed my heart and attitude towards all of these things that I pray for. It also has helped me to realize that my worry just implies that I don't think God is big or mighty enough to take care of my needs.

I love the way The Message translates this verse:

Matthew 6:30-33 (MSG)
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

I encourage you to relax and seek him first friends. Get into the word and start pressing into the Lord and his promises for your life. Stop worrying about these things you are praying for and believe that the God who promises to provide for all our needs will take care of yours as well.

Trust that when we seek him and his righteousness you will have all you need and more.

Amen!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Thursday Jam

Just one more sleep until the weekend friends!

I don't know about you but I am looking forward to it.

I had a hard time deciding which worship song to share with you this week. Simply because there are so many that I absolutely love!

In the end, I am going with a song that has been out for a while but it is one of my all time favorites.

Also because its been pretty gloomy around these parts this week and that sometimes puts me in a funk. But this song is great because it lifts that cloud over my head and replaces it with a new song in my heart. It reminds me what I need to do to come alive and be filled with the joy of the Lord.

The song is "Freedom is Here" by Hillsong United.

The most amazing thing about having a relationship with Jesus is the freedom that he desires for us to experience. Many people mistakenly think that this relationship is a set of rules and a bunch of do's and don'ts.

While there are some black and white commands that God asks us to be obedient to in the Bible, the truth is that God's desire is for us to live in FREEDOM. He gives us the freedom to choose to follow and be obedient to him (giving us the Holy Spirit to help us) and then experience his freedom from bondage/sin as a result.

He intends for us to use this freedom to serve each other.

Galations 5:13 (NLT)
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

The lyrics of this song talk about how things come alive and we experience freedom as we lift Jesus higher. 

I just love that.

Because its such a simple answer to all the things in life we tend to complicate.

We worry and stress and try to control circumstances and let them steal our peace and cause us to live in bondage.

The answer to be set free and stop this cycle is always Jesus. Simple right?

Pressing into him and lifting his name higher is what allows us to receive his freedom.

Everything comes alive when we lift Him higher.
Then beloved, your freedom is here.



Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Tuesday Meditation

I'm a day late (again) this week. Better late then never!

My scripture meditation this week is inspired by a new sermon series that was started at our church on money. Its always a tough subject for me because each time I hear a message about money, I am reminded how I often let my bank account determine my identity and happiness.

I first had a huge awakening regarding this matter when I quit my job and decided to stay home full time. Suddenly our budget was quite a bit tighter and I had to give up some of my former spending habits.

I was quite grumpy about it for a little while. I definitely let it steal my peace and joy.

I didn't realize how attached I had become to a paycheck. How much of my happiness, identity, and security was in that money I received twice per month.

Can anyone relate here?

After much prayer and repentance, God really did change my heart (and continues to do so) about money, and also about how I was spending my time and using my gifts.

This verse is a great reminder to me and a motivation to continually evaluate how I spend my time, talents, and money.

Matthew 6:21 (AMP)
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.


The places/people/things that we invest our time and money into tell us a lot about where our heart is and what is most important to us. 


I believe God gives us these three things (time, talent, finances) as tools for us to use to accomplish his plan and purposes for our lives. It is our responsibility to live in obedience and to steward these blessings to bring people closer to Jesus. That is what we are here for!

I pray that today this verse would be an encouragement to you to take a look at where you are investing yourself. 

Be blessed today friends!