2 Tim 1:6 says, "For this reason I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."
Let's allow God to inspire us by focusing on three words, "stir into flame". Sometimes breaking down the word of God shows us that there is a process at work.
Fires don't just happen. Something has to happen in which they are ignited. Be it a bolt of lightning, a piece of flint, a match etc. Once a fire gets going it will only stay going if it has the right ingredients like more wood, wind or other added accelerants. If there is nothing to sustain the fire, it will become smoldering embers and eventually die out.
When there are still smoldering embers, then there is still an ability to reignite the fire. The process is simple. Just stir it up and add a burnable substance.
That's how our spirits are. They go through times of burning bright, and then they go through a smoldering process. You may even wonder if there is absolutely anything left. To find out, stir back into flame the gift God has given you. It's not so hard to do.
Most times we just need to start to speak of the things God is speaking to us or even what he has done for us. "God talk" is great fuel to pour on our spirits in order to get us all fired up again. The substance of God's presence and his word added to the stirring process will refresh the fire that once burned bright.
Take time today to share with someone else something that God has done in your life. Thinking about God and speaking about God are two great tools to use for stirring your spirit back up!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Attitude
This morning I arose with a determined attitude. An attitude to praise the Lord NO MATTER what!
Is God not worthy of our praise NO MATTER what is going on in our lives or what is happening around us? Isn't God, still God, NO MATTER what?
God is to be enthroned on the praises of our spirits regardless of what is happening in the natural. All honor, all glory, all power. God gives us the ability to see him and hear him all around us and in each and every circumstance. How exciting to know that we have a God who makes His presence known!
I am determined today to have an attitude of praise that will allow no rock to out praise me. That attitude of praise will keep me excited about God as I anticipate seeing him in my midst today. I can hardly wait to tell those around me all about his goodness and his faithfulness.
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Is God not worthy of our praise NO MATTER what is going on in our lives or what is happening around us? Isn't God, still God, NO MATTER what?
God is to be enthroned on the praises of our spirits regardless of what is happening in the natural. All honor, all glory, all power. God gives us the ability to see him and hear him all around us and in each and every circumstance. How exciting to know that we have a God who makes His presence known!
I am determined today to have an attitude of praise that will allow no rock to out praise me. That attitude of praise will keep me excited about God as I anticipate seeing him in my midst today. I can hardly wait to tell those around me all about his goodness and his faithfulness.
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Shelter
Lincoln Brewster has a song out with the words, "There's no greater place that I'd rather be, than safe in the arms, the arms of my Savior..."
When I hear this song it reminds me of the comfort found in Psalms 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
What amazing comfort comes from being in the shelter of God. It is a place of protection, a shield, and a place of refuge. It is a place where there is absolute calm from every storm that arises. It is a place where you can go and feel his love casting out all fear. It's a place of security as your weaknesses are exchanged for his strength.
The Shelter door is always open and we are always welcome. Sometimes we don't see the need to "enter in" until the storms of life arise. God draws us to his side, to the place that we can rest in his shadow. No striving needed for this is a place to come and get ministered to. A time you don't need to do a thing but...rest in the Shelter of the Almighty.
When I hear this song it reminds me of the comfort found in Psalms 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
What amazing comfort comes from being in the shelter of God. It is a place of protection, a shield, and a place of refuge. It is a place where there is absolute calm from every storm that arises. It is a place where you can go and feel his love casting out all fear. It's a place of security as your weaknesses are exchanged for his strength.
The Shelter door is always open and we are always welcome. Sometimes we don't see the need to "enter in" until the storms of life arise. God draws us to his side, to the place that we can rest in his shadow. No striving needed for this is a place to come and get ministered to. A time you don't need to do a thing but...rest in the Shelter of the Almighty.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Touched By the Master's Hand
I love quotes. Words of inspiration spoken by others, most of whom are personally unknown, that leave a profound impact on your life. A very special friend sent me a quote the other day, that continues to dance around my thoughts as I continue to hold on to the one who continues to hold on to me.
Words of inspiration are great, but I have yet to find (nor will I ever) anything that has impacted my life as the times that I have been touched by the hand of my Master. The Master has left his hand print on so many areas of my life. Each season has brought forth a fresh work along with a fresh touch.
A strong hand delivering me from a pit, or a strong hand of correction. A gentle hand of comfort or of love. A hand of encouragement guiding my steps of faith or pushing me beyond what I could ever imagine possible. A hand placed upon my life as he dances with me in the secret chambers.
I think his hand is always upon us, we just don't always notice. One thing I know to be true is that when we are aware of his touch that our lives are forever changed. The relationship we have with him becomes more and more personal as we become more aware of his presence. Spend some time today to think about all the ways he has touched your life and how your life has been changed by the touch of the Master's hand.
Words of inspiration are great, but I have yet to find (nor will I ever) anything that has impacted my life as the times that I have been touched by the hand of my Master. The Master has left his hand print on so many areas of my life. Each season has brought forth a fresh work along with a fresh touch.
A strong hand delivering me from a pit, or a strong hand of correction. A gentle hand of comfort or of love. A hand of encouragement guiding my steps of faith or pushing me beyond what I could ever imagine possible. A hand placed upon my life as he dances with me in the secret chambers.
I think his hand is always upon us, we just don't always notice. One thing I know to be true is that when we are aware of his touch that our lives are forever changed. The relationship we have with him becomes more and more personal as we become more aware of his presence. Spend some time today to think about all the ways he has touched your life and how your life has been changed by the touch of the Master's hand.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A Love That Builds
What an amazing night we had last night at worship practice. The Holy Spirit poured fourth much needed encouragement to each one on the team. What precious people God has privileged us to be around.
How God touched my heart and filled me with such joy as each person so lovingly prayed for another. The prophetic words and words of encouragement were renewing and refreshing the saints. Spirits were being stirred back into flame.
It tends to be the "quiet" ones that touch me the deepest. It's like watching the birth of a new seed breaking through the ground. You just know it's going to bring forth fruit in its season! You just want to shout out "keep growing...don't stop". I think I witnessed a few growth spurts last night! Encouragement is the Miracle Grow of God!
The "fruit inspectors" are the ones that keep making you aware that you do not labor in vain. That what you do counts and is effective. They are the ones that remind you of the purpose and the plan that God has for you, and recognize the food that you serve from the Master's table. They are also the ones that wash you, polish you and present you to others in a way that you often do not see yourself.
Then you have the "transporters" that help bring you from the place where you are to the place God desires you to go. When you have no strength or you don't know how God is ever going to do something, they carry you in the Spirit and place you before the throne and wait with you until God moves on your behalf.
1 Thess 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
How God touched my heart and filled me with such joy as each person so lovingly prayed for another. The prophetic words and words of encouragement were renewing and refreshing the saints. Spirits were being stirred back into flame.
It tends to be the "quiet" ones that touch me the deepest. It's like watching the birth of a new seed breaking through the ground. You just know it's going to bring forth fruit in its season! You just want to shout out "keep growing...don't stop". I think I witnessed a few growth spurts last night! Encouragement is the Miracle Grow of God!
The "fruit inspectors" are the ones that keep making you aware that you do not labor in vain. That what you do counts and is effective. They are the ones that remind you of the purpose and the plan that God has for you, and recognize the food that you serve from the Master's table. They are also the ones that wash you, polish you and present you to others in a way that you often do not see yourself.
Then you have the "transporters" that help bring you from the place where you are to the place God desires you to go. When you have no strength or you don't know how God is ever going to do something, they carry you in the Spirit and place you before the throne and wait with you until God moves on your behalf.
1 Thess 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Keeping Your Word
God always keeps His word, being faithful to do everything He says He is going to do! You can always count on God!
The questions I am pondering this morning is "Can God always count on me to keep my word?", and "If I tell God I am going to do something, do I follow through?".
Giving our word to God that we will do something is the same as giving our word to our neighbor that we will do something. What we say to God will have to be walked out in the natural. God does not simply want our lip service and neither does our neighbor. Where would we be if God only gave us lip service? Lip service never accomplishes anything; it is dead works. "Action" is the proof in the pudding so to speak. Faith without action always results in dead works; as do words with no weight.
Matthew 5:33 says, "Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord." and in verse 37 it says, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No' be 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
My husband, son, and myself stopped to pay an elderly neighbor a visit the other night. We had a precious time together as she showed us her beautiful gardens and the work she has had done to her house. She made reference several times that many people stop and tell her that "all she needs to do is...". Things like filling holes in her yard, clipping back perennials etc. They have told her that they would stop by and help her with such and such. While there, she shared how she was allergic to bees. Upon seeing a nest above her front door, my husband said he would take it down. He reached up and simply took it down for her. She had a rose bush that needed to be pruned but didn't have anything to cut it with so I told her I would do it. The next day the rose bush was pruned. Basic simple acts of service.
I received a call from her last night and was shocked by her overflowing gratitude and appreciation for helping her. She said to me, "Many people say they are going to do something for me, but no one has ever actually followed through and done it." This is a statement made by one of the kindest and most giving people I know.
God wants our commitment. He wants us to keep our word by doing what we say we will do. We will have to apply action to our words. God often uses the most simplest of things to test our faithfulness and devotion to him. Keep your word to God for whatever you do, remember, you do unto Him.
The questions I am pondering this morning is "Can God always count on me to keep my word?", and "If I tell God I am going to do something, do I follow through?".
Giving our word to God that we will do something is the same as giving our word to our neighbor that we will do something. What we say to God will have to be walked out in the natural. God does not simply want our lip service and neither does our neighbor. Where would we be if God only gave us lip service? Lip service never accomplishes anything; it is dead works. "Action" is the proof in the pudding so to speak. Faith without action always results in dead works; as do words with no weight.
Matthew 5:33 says, "Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord." and in verse 37 it says, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No' be 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
My husband, son, and myself stopped to pay an elderly neighbor a visit the other night. We had a precious time together as she showed us her beautiful gardens and the work she has had done to her house. She made reference several times that many people stop and tell her that "all she needs to do is...". Things like filling holes in her yard, clipping back perennials etc. They have told her that they would stop by and help her with such and such. While there, she shared how she was allergic to bees. Upon seeing a nest above her front door, my husband said he would take it down. He reached up and simply took it down for her. She had a rose bush that needed to be pruned but didn't have anything to cut it with so I told her I would do it. The next day the rose bush was pruned. Basic simple acts of service.
I received a call from her last night and was shocked by her overflowing gratitude and appreciation for helping her. She said to me, "Many people say they are going to do something for me, but no one has ever actually followed through and done it." This is a statement made by one of the kindest and most giving people I know.
God wants our commitment. He wants us to keep our word by doing what we say we will do. We will have to apply action to our words. God often uses the most simplest of things to test our faithfulness and devotion to him. Keep your word to God for whatever you do, remember, you do unto Him.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Giving Honor Where Due
I just love Mother's Day! What a wonderful opportunity it is to honor both our natural mothers' as well as our spiritual mothers'. As daughters, I don't think we could ever honor our mothers' enough. Just think of all things they do, all the sacrifices they make, and all the love they pour fourth.
The Bible tells us to give honor where honor is due. Take time to seek the Lord and to ask him just how he would like you to show honor to your mother. One of the last gifts I ever gave to my mother was a "Mother's Day Love Letter". To be honest, I don't know who it ministered more to. For me it was incredible revelation as to the work and growth that God had done in my heart. It also was a time that God magnified the restoration he had done in my relationship with my mother. To my mother I am certain they were words that she waited desperately to hear from a child that caused her many sleepless nights. I am certain that that specific day, my mother was so honored that she must have felt like the most loved and appreciated mother that there ever could be. After my mother went home to be with Jesus I came across that "Love Letter" in the top drawer of the hutch and knew that my mother thought "That's a keeper!". Now I, the daughter have that letter in my possession, to be an everlasting reminder of the deep love and appreciation that God has placed in my heart for my mother. What was a gift for her has become a cherished gift for me!
God has given me another gift after the passing of my mother. He has sent me a woman of God into my life to act as a "Spiritual Mother" to me. I find myself seeking the Lord to show me ways that I can honor and to pour out my love, respect, and appreciation upon her. There is something very beautiful that happens when we take time to honor the women in our lives. I just love to make people feel special and in return God makes me feel so special. Being a daughter is such a blessing!
As I prepared a new "Love Letter" last week to accompany a gift to send off to my spiritual mother, I came across scripture from the book of Proverbs that God used to lay the foundation of my letter. I pray that this scripture ministers to her as it has become a "scripture to grow by" for me.
Prov 11:16
A kindhearted woman gains respect (NIV)
A woman of gentle grace gets respect (MESSAGE)
A gracious woman retaineth honour (KJ)
The Bible tells us to give honor where honor is due. Take time to seek the Lord and to ask him just how he would like you to show honor to your mother. One of the last gifts I ever gave to my mother was a "Mother's Day Love Letter". To be honest, I don't know who it ministered more to. For me it was incredible revelation as to the work and growth that God had done in my heart. It also was a time that God magnified the restoration he had done in my relationship with my mother. To my mother I am certain they were words that she waited desperately to hear from a child that caused her many sleepless nights. I am certain that that specific day, my mother was so honored that she must have felt like the most loved and appreciated mother that there ever could be. After my mother went home to be with Jesus I came across that "Love Letter" in the top drawer of the hutch and knew that my mother thought "That's a keeper!". Now I, the daughter have that letter in my possession, to be an everlasting reminder of the deep love and appreciation that God has placed in my heart for my mother. What was a gift for her has become a cherished gift for me!
God has given me another gift after the passing of my mother. He has sent me a woman of God into my life to act as a "Spiritual Mother" to me. I find myself seeking the Lord to show me ways that I can honor and to pour out my love, respect, and appreciation upon her. There is something very beautiful that happens when we take time to honor the women in our lives. I just love to make people feel special and in return God makes me feel so special. Being a daughter is such a blessing!
As I prepared a new "Love Letter" last week to accompany a gift to send off to my spiritual mother, I came across scripture from the book of Proverbs that God used to lay the foundation of my letter. I pray that this scripture ministers to her as it has become a "scripture to grow by" for me.
Prov 11:16
A kindhearted woman gains respect (NIV)
A woman of gentle grace gets respect (MESSAGE)
A gracious woman retaineth honour (KJ)
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