Our hot water heater was not working properly and my talented husband was able to fix it on his own.
Suddenly, now that we have water this hot again, we realize this must have been slipping for quite some time. We really didn't notice, until the heat was gone. When things happen slowly, we tend not to notice as much.
Satan loves that, doesn't he? He doesn't have to get all loud, in our face, letting us know he is here and taking from us. He is sneaky and slips in through cracks, and he works slowly. We may not notice and before long our HEAT is gone...or our faith, our joy, our peace. He steals from us constantly, and we are unaware.
I just looked at the dates of my postings on this blog. This blog that I was so excited about, this blog where I could share my faith and where I felt God was calling me to write. And sure enough, it dropped off slowly, but eventually I was not writing, I was not using my love of writing to share my faith. I have not posted here since August 28th. I could blame work, filled moments, other ways I am involved in ministry, life....but I know in reality, I could find time to do this.
I blame my lack of alertness. And that is what we are instructed to do...be alert!
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8, 9
When we feel God at work in our lives we need to guard those things. We have an enemy who doesn't want us spreading light and salt, and he will slip in and subtly take from us. A pin hole leak into our spirituality can eventually empty us.
What about you? What is filling your time? What is keeping you from sharing your salt and light in this dark world?
The holidays are about to take over....we could easily get swallowed up in the hustle and bustle of the things that are not as spiritual. Let us all be alert and ready....let us enter into this season with alertness, ready to be thankful and full of praise and to remember that we are celebrating the Light that entered into this world, let's share that light, and let us season this world with His love.
May God bless my words as salt and light to you.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The Word of God
How much is the Word of God, the bible, a part of your spiritual life? Seems like a crazy question to ask someone who has a spiritual life, but I had to question myself on this, and I am not real comfortable with the honest answer.
When I stop and really think about this book that sits beside me, that I pick up and read daily, what it really is...I do not give it anywhere the need and attention I should. It is the WORD of God. His words, sitting here beside me. I read it. I carry it to church and I turn to the scripture and even take notes on it. But do I spend the time and devotion I should? Do I study it, learn it, meditate on it?
Sadly, the answer is no.
I spend more time listening to others speak their words about the scripture, through lessons and sermons. I spend more time thinking about the characters of the bible, and not what it means to me and my life. I wander around in this dark world with the light at my fingertips. I wander down paths trying to find my way with a map unopened. I should have hunger for this book, it is my spiritual food.
The only thing I can imagine stands in the way would be the deceiver. He lies to me and makes me think those daily readings, and taking notes has been enough. But tonight, the Spirit speaks to me. Tonight I am praying for a hunger for the word. I am praying that this reality that hits me this evening, grabs me throughout the day.
I want to read the word, as it is, the WORDS of my heavenly father, his love letter to me and you. I want to see what he wants for my life, the light to be shining and the road signs to direct me. I want to meditate on it, and learn from it. I want the words of scripture to have more power in my life than the words of men. I want the Spirit to speak to me directly. I want to know it so well, that I can share the treasures with others.
What about you? How important is the Word of God in your life?
"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet, and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
May God use His words to be light and salt to you. May He bless my words to compliment His words.
When I stop and really think about this book that sits beside me, that I pick up and read daily, what it really is...I do not give it anywhere the need and attention I should. It is the WORD of God. His words, sitting here beside me. I read it. I carry it to church and I turn to the scripture and even take notes on it. But do I spend the time and devotion I should? Do I study it, learn it, meditate on it?
Sadly, the answer is no.
I spend more time listening to others speak their words about the scripture, through lessons and sermons. I spend more time thinking about the characters of the bible, and not what it means to me and my life. I wander around in this dark world with the light at my fingertips. I wander down paths trying to find my way with a map unopened. I should have hunger for this book, it is my spiritual food.
The only thing I can imagine stands in the way would be the deceiver. He lies to me and makes me think those daily readings, and taking notes has been enough. But tonight, the Spirit speaks to me. Tonight I am praying for a hunger for the word. I am praying that this reality that hits me this evening, grabs me throughout the day.
I want to read the word, as it is, the WORDS of my heavenly father, his love letter to me and you. I want to see what he wants for my life, the light to be shining and the road signs to direct me. I want to meditate on it, and learn from it. I want the words of scripture to have more power in my life than the words of men. I want the Spirit to speak to me directly. I want to know it so well, that I can share the treasures with others.
What about you? How important is the Word of God in your life?
"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet, and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
May God use His words to be light and salt to you. May He bless my words to compliment His words.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Love By Choice
Last night a question was asked in our youth group...why did God create Satan? They asked if He knew the outcome, why did he continue?
So many of us ask questions like this...wondering why God does as He does. But sometimes we can answer our questions by looking at ourselves...we are made in His image. We have many of his characteristics and ways.
So...think about love. If you had the ability to MAKE everyone love you, would that feel like love? Of course, when we feel love for someone and it is not returned, it hurts. We know God hurts. I am sure when God looks at many faces of his creation, the lack of love, the lack of obedience, the lack of faith, the lack of acknowledegment....it all must hurt. But...the alternative was to create beings without a choice. He could have had all creation love him, obey him, and sing praises to him all day long. But he would also know, that it is not real....without the choice, it is a created love, not a chosen love.
How much more it must mean to him, when we turn away from the world, turn away from sin, turn from the temptation and look towards him, choosing to love him, choosing to follow him. This is the love I would want. I want to be loved by choice. How much more must our heavenly father want this same kind of love?
Are you choosing to love him today?
May you find salt and light in my words.
So many of us ask questions like this...wondering why God does as He does. But sometimes we can answer our questions by looking at ourselves...we are made in His image. We have many of his characteristics and ways.
So...think about love. If you had the ability to MAKE everyone love you, would that feel like love? Of course, when we feel love for someone and it is not returned, it hurts. We know God hurts. I am sure when God looks at many faces of his creation, the lack of love, the lack of obedience, the lack of faith, the lack of acknowledegment....it all must hurt. But...the alternative was to create beings without a choice. He could have had all creation love him, obey him, and sing praises to him all day long. But he would also know, that it is not real....without the choice, it is a created love, not a chosen love.
How much more it must mean to him, when we turn away from the world, turn away from sin, turn from the temptation and look towards him, choosing to love him, choosing to follow him. This is the love I would want. I want to be loved by choice. How much more must our heavenly father want this same kind of love?
Are you choosing to love him today?
May you find salt and light in my words.
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