Archive for Word-Filled Wednesday

11 Jan 2012
Word-Filled Wednesday

Jeremiah 29:11

Before a home can be built, it helps to have a strong foundation.

Follow that with an idea of what type of home that you want.

Then there is the blueprint.

The blueprint shows the structure and layout of the home and while building the home, the plans are closely examined, studied and followed, to ensure that the home being built, follows the creator’s intentions.

As followers of Christ, we are given a special outline, a blueprint, of God’s plan of Salvation, showing the beginning and the final result and when we study and read and followed what He has laid out, we find ourselves building a strong foundation of faith that, based on His word, can face all that life has before us.

11 I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. (Jeremiah 29:11, New Century Version)

Ever remember the parable of the two builders?

One built his home on sand and we all know what happens to homes built on sandy foundations. It’s unstable. It can be washed away by the sea, in earthquakes, it can easily fall apart, it can be swallowed by sinkholes.

The other. He built his home on rock and follow three simple principles:

1. Building his home on a rock, he was listening and reading God’s word and doing the following:

2.  He didn’t just say I am a builder, but he obey and follow God’s words and teachings. The builder who built his home on a solid foundation, took his time and was a doer.

  •  21 “Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:21, Common English Bible)

3. The builder followed his faith and followed what he knew was sound principles and a foundation.

  • 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
    (2 Timothy 2:19, New King James Version)
  • 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:11-14, New King James Version)

We can tell a lot the difference between a home built to withstand heavy storms or say if in a hurricane prone area, withstand up to a certain hurricane category and followed required building codes and procedures versus one that hasn’t.

Many do not want to make the needed sacrifice that is required to have a firm foundation. via The Parable of the Two Builders, a sermon by Tom Moore

Someone close said….oak trees are pretty,but take a bad storm and it doesn’t take long to see how shallow their roots can really be.

So the same can be said of our faith.

A good dose of trials….persecution….whatever it is and it doesn’t take much to see who is truly strong in their faith and who is…well…built on sand, whose foundation easily shift from one thing to another.

Those with a good strong foundation…whose follow the blueprints…tend to be consistant in what and who they are.

12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (Luke 8:12-14, New King James Version)

The Matthew Henry Commentary, looks into the parable of the sower and shares the following insight,
“There are many very needful and excellent rules and cautions for hearing the word, in the parable of the sower, and the application of it.

Happy are we, and for ever indebted to free grace, if the same thing that is a parable to others, with which they are only amused, is a plain truth to us, by which we are taught and governed.

We ought to take heed of the things that will hinder our profiting by the word we hear; to take heed lest we hear carelessly and slightly, lest we entertain prejudices against the word we hear; and to take heed to our spirits after we have heard the word, lest we lose what we have gained. The gifts we have, will be continued to us or not, as we use them for the glory of God, and the good of our brethren. Nor is it enough not to hold the truth in unrighteousness; we should desire to hold forth the word of life, and to shine, giving light to all around.

Great encouragement is given to those who prove themselves faithful hearers of the word, by being doers of the work. Christ owns them as his relations. (Lu 8:22-40)”

Are you using the blueprints (The Bible) God has given us to establish a strong foundation in our growth and relationship with Him? If not….its never too late to dust off the cover and open it up…

Download Jeremiah 29:11 Bookmark here

****This was originally posted on December 12, 2012****

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

Sunflower Faith | 5 comments | Tags: ,
04 Jan 2012
Word-Filled Wednesday

Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIKJV; Clock image from sxc.hu

I just love this passage from the Bible and it fits in so well with the start of the New Year.

Instead of carrying over the baggage of the last year, year before or any of the years, isn’t it time to just let go, move forward and grow as God wants us to.

Reading Isaiah 43:18-19….it is a reminder that each day really is a new day and we can’t let ourselves be held in bondage over things we cannot change, over things that are not in our control and be so held by the past, that we miss the blessings of today and the promise of tomorrow.

It’s not going to be easy, is it?

And no one says it will be or it is suppose to be.

What is possible, is the courage to look forward and take advantage of what the promises of tomorrow can be, no matter how easy it is to pull up pictures of the past and think “What if”, “Would’ve”, “Should’ve”, or “Could’ve”.

We could easily just give up or we can say to ourselves, no matter what, God has given us a new day and no matter what, make the best of what has been given and see it through.

How about you? Share your thoughts of how Isaiah 43:18-19 inspires you!

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

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26 Oct 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

Proverbs 25:11-Word Filled Wednesday


Original image by xi90 from stock.xchng

This story about nails in the fence was shared by my pastor, one sermon:

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”

The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said “I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you.”

“Of course I can,” said the father.

Our words can make and break a person and in today’s world, with social media at its highest, it surprises me how testimony’s can easily be broken or made with the simple typing of words.

I had a mentor, a very godly and wise woman, who shared, we have to be careful, sharing things over emails, text’s and even on blogs or facebook, because words typed out and sent over the internet, can’t be taken back as readily, but the difference in the typed word and the spoken word, is that the person affected, those words are there still on paper, or in today’s world, text messages, email and facebook.

They can go over and no amount of sorry, can take back what is there to remind them and us, of hurtful words that were sent out.

Forgiveness…..it helps mend wounds and move forward, but it doesn’t change the past that can’t be taken bad.

Words spoken, can’t be quickly retrieved when said to our loved ones, to friends, to strangers, to anyone.
Saying, “I’m sorry”, helps bridge wounds when both parties, are able to reconcile, but sometimes, the best words, are words that, are spoken in wisdom and prudence.

At the end of the day, is it really worth, saying something, just because in the fit of emotion, or impatience, we have to say what we have to say, instead of just walking away, taking a deep breathe, praying about it and also asking ourselves, “Is it really worth it”.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV), reminds us,”29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

At the end of the day, its more about tickling ears as it is about setting an example of maturity, grace and often prudence.

After all,

“18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
(Proverbs 12:18, New King James Version)”

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

Sunflower Faith | 2 comments | Tags: ,
05 Oct 2011
Internet Cafe Devotions • Word-Filled Wednesday

Romans 8:25-A Word Filled Wednesday

Romans 8:25; Image by HeartLight Gallery

Life seems a lot about waiting and when its for a phone call, waiting seems to go from a few hours to almost eternity.

This image that captures, Romans 8:25, is something that I think so many of us can relate in all circumstances of our lives.

Maybe its that phone call saying we got the job.

Maybe its the phone call waiting for lab results.

Maybe the results of an important test or for many that letter saying you got into the college of your choice.

Waiting is so much a part of life, but the hardest thing to do at the same time.

The “Dictionary of Bible Themes”, goes on about this that,”Being prepared to patiently look towards God for his guidance and accepting the timing he proposes. Waiting on God can lead to an atmosphere of expectation and confidence in God and a realisation of the unreliability of one’s own judgment.”

Try telling a young child to be patient for their birthday or to open their Christmas presents, not going to happen, but for adults, that wait often isn’t as filled with fun as it is with anticipation of,”what if”,”what about” “what could be” and its both a struggle and a blessing to be holding on to that hope, in and through Jesus Christ, that our Father, Lord in Heaven, will see us through whatever it is that has us holding our breathes in……wait.

God doesn’t work on our time frame and that is okay at the same time; We live too much in a world of have to have it now, fast food drive throughs, make it quick, “I don’t have two minutes to spare”, rush rush rush, but in the end, God is in control….much better control, than we often are, where in our impatience, we rush into judgements, decisions and emotions.

So like many, we wait….we hope…and we just…have…faith.

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

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13 Jul 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

Matthews 6:27-A Word Filled Wednesday

Worry….it’s so easy to do, isn’t it?

We can spend a lot of time on it and what does it usually do? Okay…besides the grey hair and the weight not gained eating chocolate.

However, in the end run of things, what does it really accomplish? Nothing.

1. Worrying doesn’t solve problems and it is a great way to waste time isn’t it?

Matthew 6:27-29

2. Worrying can make a person sick, both mentally and physically.

Proverbs 12:25

3. Worrying is basically saying we don’t trust our Father in Heaven and as seen shared, a great formula to combat that is: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.

Philippians 4:6-7

4. Worry doesn’t really let you focus on the things that can be, but doesn’t worry have us keeping our heads down and worrying about, well things we dont’ know will come and keeping our focus off of our Heavenly Father?

Matthew 6:31-33

Via the Matthew Henry Commentary, it is shared to all of us, this perspective:

Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion. Something the soul will have, which it looks upon as the best thing; in which it has pleasure and confidence above other things. Christ counsels to make our best things the joys and glories of the other world, those things not seen which are eternal, and to place our happiness in them.

There are treasures in heaven. It is our wisdom to give all diligence to make our title to eternal life sure through Jesus Christ, and to look on all things here below, as not worthy to be compared with it, and to be content with nothing short of it. It is happiness above and beyond the changes and chances of time, an inheritance incorruptible.

The worldly man is wrong in his first principle; therefore all his reasonings and actions therefrom must be wrong. It is equally to be applied to false religion; that which is

deemed light is thick darkness. This is an awful, but a common case; we should therefore carefully examine our leading principles by the word of God, with earnest prayer for the teaching of his Spirit. A man may do some service to two masters, but he can devote himself to the service of no more than one. God requires the whole heart, and will not share it with the world.

When two masters oppose each other, no man can serve both. He who holds to the world and loves it, must despise God; he who loves God, must give up the friendship of the world.

At the end of the day, our trust and hope, as we say it is, is in and through our Father in Heaven, and worrying, well, wasted energy that really says, we don’t trust and focus more on the “Maybe’s”, “What If’s” and in the process, its easy to make bad decisions.

There are lots of things in our lives we can be worry about and no one is immune or perfected the art of not worrying as well as perfecting the art of worrying, but its something that we need to be aware of and encouraged to keep all things in prayers, work toward allowing our Father in Heaven, work in and through us, and use what ever our situation is calling, for hope, determination, perseverance and encouragement.

At the end of the day….what do we really have to gain by worrying?? Except maybe a grey hair…or two…or three …or four…or…..

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

Sunflower Faith | 8 comments | Tags: , , , ,
08 Jun 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

Isaiah 42:3-Word Filled Wednesday

Isaiah 42:3; Original photo by ontzy

There is just amazing imagery in the verse, Isaiah 42:3.

The full scripture for this goes,” 3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
(Isaiah 42:3, New King James Version)”

In “Pressing Into Thin Places” by Margaret Harrell Wells, EdD, she shared this scripture in the book, and as I really contemplated on that particularly verse….it presented to me of this wick that was determined,no matter what, to be blown out.

Isn’t that a perfect way to capture our faith in our Heavenly Father….that no matter what, no matter how hard life presses on us, no matter how hard the storm blows outside our home, that we hold on strong to our faith and trust in our Father in Heaven as He holds and shields us from the storm and that which presses upon us?

There are days when we may find ourselves pressed in, but think of the wick on a candle, and you’ve seen them, that no matter how hard you blow on it, the wick is determined to hold on to its flame and even though it may seem to slowly die away, there still is a subtle glow that maybe with the right encouragement, will burst into a mighty flame again.

Looking more into this verse, I came across a sermon by a Pastor John Turner, that looked into Isaiah 42:3 and shared some interesting points about this particular verse.

His sermon shared that,

1.The word “bruised” was translated to mean: “oppressed,” “crushed,” “discouraged,” and “struggling.” and was the same as mention and meaning as in II Kings 18:21,and

2.The word “reed” ” also refer to any kind of pillar of support, such as a rod or cane, or a lamp stand in particular.   In the context of this passage, it would seem to refer specifically to a lamp stand.“

But this isn’t what was just as interesting as what the Pastor later shared in the sermon,

“Here is a picture of the soul whom God has called to serve Him and to give forth a light in the darkness.  Standing tall at first, filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit and the fire of God, that soul radiates the light of Christ for all to see.  Yet, calamity strikes and that soul is now found lying on the ground, bruised, broken, crushed, discouraged.  The barely discernable light remaining within struggles with dullness, dimness and heaviness; issuing forth nothing more than pestilent vapors.  With its light diminished, it is barely seen and is shunted aside with no practical purpose or usefulness. No one wants a light that doesn’t light.  Already crushed and battered, that seemingly fruitless soul becomes an obstacle that serves only to trip up passersby.  Though that soul tries to get out of the path and hide in some darkened,  out-of-the-way alley, there seems to be no refuge from the scornful glances and vicious kicks of those who see it. Men pass it by in their daily business, shaking their heads and clucking their tongues at the baneful shambles of this dusky, dim soul which was once a plentiful source of light.  Too bad.  Someone should gather up this unsightly heap and dispose of it before someone stumbles upon it and is injured.”reference: A Bruised Reed and a Smoking Flax
,http://www.seewaves.com

What an image does that bring?

That the broken…..the lost…the hurt….the…..disciples that followed Christ weren’t perfect, had white picket, picture perfect pasts, but were often the worse of society,that in and through our Father, followed and was used by Him and served Him as His disciples.

No one is below….No one was beyond…Anyone….has hope in and through Jesus Christ.

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

Sunflower Faith | 8 comments | Tags: , , , , , ,
01 Jun 2011
Uncategorized • Word-Filled Wednesday

James 1:6-Divided

When it comes down to it….it’s all about Him, our Father in Heaven, no one else, but in today’s world, everything is competing for our attention.

The world teaches us to depend on fads, or culture or validation by others, but as we time after time….those things are fleeting, yet our Father…our Father is forever.

<b>From Matthew Henry Commentary</b><br>Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments.

What do we put our hope in?

When the storms of life hits us, where is our anchor…is it in a world that is changing faster and faster every minute and subscribes to a “me” outlook that is fast paced, happening at a moment glance or is it based on something not fleeting, but forever, like that of our Father in Heaven?

Listen to this words from Matthew Henry Commentary,”Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it.

When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare.

We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it.”

What powerful words, “Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us…..”

Emotions are fleeting and like waves that can overwhelm us and threaten to sink us, but our Father, when we rest our hope in Him, He is forever and a stable foundation that we can count on…

There is such powerful images of a boat being tossed about by the sea….it goes in every direction with no certainity or knowing what to grasp in…but the Christian who knows that no matter what, God <b>is</b> in control…who can beat that!

We cannot have the world and our Father too; Eventually we would find ourselves torn by loyalties and have to choose.

 

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

Sunflower Faith | 3 comments | Tags: , , ,
04 May 2011
Scripture Moment • Word-Filled Wednesday

Exodus 18:18-Word Filled Wednesday

Exodus 18:18; Stock.xchg image by luis; modified by Sunflower Faith

I created this to highlight my mission statement for “31 Days to Clean” and it is such a reminder that we can’t go at things alone.

Matthew Henry Commentary sheds a little light about this:

Moses kept to his business from morning to night. Jethro thought it was too much for him to undertake alone; also it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people. There may be over-doing even in well-doing.

Wisdom is profitable to direct, that we may neither content ourselves with less than our duty, nor task ourselves beyond our strength. Jethro advised Moses to a better plan. Great men should not only study to be useful themselves, but contrive to make others useful. Care must be taken in the choice of the persons admitted into such a trust.

They should be men of good sense, that understood business, and that would not be daunted by frowns or clamours, but abhorred the thought of a bribe. Men of piety and religion; such as fear God, who dare not to do a base thing, though they could do it secretly and securely. The fear of God will best fortify a man against temptations to injustice. Moses did not despise this advice. Those are not wise, who think themselves too wise to be counselled.

Notice the relevant advice that is given by Matthew Henry Commentary regarding this verse.

“Those are not wise, who think themselves too wise to be counselled.”

Think about a time when our children (and young adults) reach that stage when they think, “hey, I got it alright, I know what I’m doing” and push forward against our advice and reject our offers of help.

Sound familiar?

Or maybe a friend bristles against another friend’s comment or become difficult to approach and sharpen like iron, about patterns that are not good for them.

We can’t do it alone.

We can’t tell our Father, “Hey, okay…I got it alright, I can do it,” and plunge forward thinking, we got it under control and if we need any help, maybe, just maybe, we’ll call on Him then.

On of the marks of humility, is realizing, that we are not in it alone; It’s not about us…It’s about Him and nor are we in a rat race against others, but all are striving for the same goal.

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Philippians 3:14-16, New King James Version)

In Philippians 3:14-16, there is no…just me, numero uno, first place, none of that….there is..”us”…as in, you, me, our Father, all of us, together, pressing together, toward the same goal “…for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus“.

The Christian walk is not a Christian marathon or competition; We’re not in it alone and it’s why we are called to encourage each other (Hebrews 3:12-13), not just selective, but all of us, and not for personal gain, but for what we are all working together,”…the call of God in Christ Jesus“.

We can’t do this alone or individual, but it is by working together and supporting each other, lifting each other, that we find the workload lighten. There is no prize for how tired we are, at the end of the day, or who cross the line first, but rather, bearing each other, working together.

Notice when, by working as a team, that feeling of, “We did it”, not “I did it” and how the load is a lot lighter than if it was all on us?

It is because of this that Christ says, ”

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, New King James Version)

By trying to do this all by ourselves, without anyone elses help, we only create more burdens for ourselves and it doesn’t lead us forward to our Heavenly Father, but can drag ourselves behind….so lighten your burden; Give it to God…all of it..and encourage each other…not just who you have within easy reach, but whomever you come across, for we all are in this together.

Don’t let what you are doing ruin you or anyone around you….allow our Father in Heaven to work in and through you and through that, discover the peace and glory of our Father in Heaven.

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

Sunflower Faith | 4 comments | Tags: , , ,
19 Apr 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

1 Corinthians 15:33-Word Filled Wednesday

1 Corinthians 15:33 (New King James Version) 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 (New King James Version) 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”;Original stock photo by mzacha

From the Frontrunner Commentary, it’s shared straight forward:

Paul is talking about those people with whom we associate or fellowship. We tend to take on the character of the group with which we associate. If we associate with people of bad character, they will succeed in pulling us down to their level.

It is not likely that we will succeed in pulling them up. It is much easier to go down than to go up, especially if those with whom you keep company have no reason to go up, being comfortable with the level at which they are at the time.

As parents, we are very much aware about the importance of guiding our children and teaching them discernment and wisdom on who they associate with, but this is a warning that we need to also take on ourselves as well too when it comes to whom we find ourselves around.

Sometimes we make the best of choices, but other times, its easy, in the spirit or even the pretenses of “ministering” to others that we can un-wittingly find ourselves, unconsciously being either led away, mislead or even used.

We cannot completely sheltered ourselves from the world, but we also have to be very careful how much involved we are involved in the world that even under the best of intentions, we can find ourselves, being un-knowingly associated with the company that we keep.

As I reflected on this verse, it is such a reminder too of  Proverbs 27:17 that goes,

17 As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
(Proverbs 27:17, New King James Version)

Just as good company can strengthen and encouraged us….the wrong company can easily dull us.

Think about cooking….when we cook and we cut and prepare our meals, having good knives is important. Over time, if not sharpen, the knives dull and rather than providing us with clean cuts, the food comes out improperly cut, jagged and often we find ourselves struggling to slice even a tomato.

The company we keep can do the same to ourselves, to our walk and even our reputations.

This is not to say, hide from the world, to hold people at bay, but a reminder of how are we ministering to those who are broken, lost and in need of His word…are we becoming too identify with them that if a stranger happen upon us…they would mistaken,even us for a lost world or will we stand out and unmistakenly be His lamp, leading others to hope and redemption?

As Matthew Henry Commentary cautions us,

We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better. (Pr 27:18)

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

Sunflower Faith | 11 comments
30 Mar 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12-World Filled Wednesday

romans8_1-2

1 Thessalonian 4:11-12

For those who know me pretty well, I’m pretty much a private person.

My life is pretty quiet and boring and uninteresting in many ways.

I like to keep to myself mostly because unless I and someone have taken the time to build up a relationship and develop that trust and confidence that time can only bring, its hard for me to just share that much about my personal life.

For the most part, I just try (didn’t say I was perfect), just be there to be both support and encouragement, or the court jester if the time called for that.

It’s just me.

I am by nature and in real life, really, a very shy, quiet, keep to myself person. That is just who I am.

If my friends and family were to vote what I am, I would most likely win the “Most likely not to do”.

11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, New King James Version)

MHC shares,

“We should notice in others what is good, to their praise, that we may engage them to abound therein more and more. All who are savingly taught of God, are taught to love one another. The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teachings of men; and men’s teaching is vain and useless, unless God teach. Those remarkable for this or any other grace, need to increase therein, as well as to persevere to the end.

It is very desirable to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable andquiet behaviour. Satan is busy to trouble us; and we have in our hearts what disposes us to be unquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men’s matters, have little quiet in their own minds, and cause great disturbances among their neighbours.

They seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands. Christianity does not take us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. People often by slothfulness reduce themselves to great straits, and are liable to many wants; while such as are diligent in their own business, earn their own bread, and have great pleasure in so doing. (1Th 4:13-18)

The sun rises and the sun sets and I have my family.

As I share, the order of whom I feel I need to serve and be accountable to:

  1. God, our Father (Matthew 6:33 & 10:37-39; Luke 14:33; Mark 12:30-31; Proverbs 31:30; Psalm 88:13; Psalm 1:1-3)
  2. My husband  (Genesis 2:18-20, 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-24; 1 Corinthians 11:3, 8-9; 1 Timothy 2:13, 3:4-5; Titus 2:3-5)
  3. My children  (Psalm 78:3-5; Titus 2:4; Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 29:17; Malachi 2:15; Hebrews 12:8)
  4. Then outside the home in all forms (1 Timothy 2:10, 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:7: Acts 9:36; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; Romans 12:10 & 13: 1 Peter 4:9-11)

…Our ministry starts at the home first. No one comes before the family and particularly our Heavenly Father. This may mean that nobody will know or see what we have done, except the one person who does, will and always see, our Father in Heaven.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10, New King James Version)

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

 

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